Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] Present invention generally relates to a saddle type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to disposition of a saree guard in the saddle type vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] In saddle type vehicles, a frame assembly extends rearward from a headtube, providing structural support for various components, including the engine. Saree guards that are designed to prevent clothing from getting soiled by a rear wheel are conventionally affixed to the frame assembly using a combination of frame assembly brackets and saree guard mounting brackets. Typically, the saree guard mounting brackets are mounted through the frame assembly brackets extending from the frame assembly. The frame assembly brackets often protrude, contributing to an increased part count in a vehicle and diminishing the vehicle’s aesthetic appeal when a user opts not to install a saree guard. Further, the exposed brackets are susceptible to environmental damage such as rust and deterioration. Moreover, the open-ended structure of the frame assembly brackets poses potential safety concerns, as they could inadvertently harm a pillion rider's feet or hands.
[003] Additionally, the alignment of the saree guard mounting bracket with the frame assembly bracket must be precise, which is laborious and complicates the assembly process. Consequently, the utilization of multiple brackets, such as the saree guard mounting brackets and the frame assembly brackets leads to a requirement of additional components in the saddle type vehicle, resulting in increased assembly time, complexity, manufacturing costs and overall vehicle weight.
[004] In view of the above, there is a need for a saddle type vehicle, which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[005] In one aspect, the present invention is directed towards a saddle type vehicle. The saddle type vehicle has a frame assembly extending rearwardly in a vehicle front-rear direction and a rear footrest bracket being mounted to the frame assembly. The saddle type vehicle further has a saree guard being detachably attached to a bottom portion of the frame assembly and the rear footrest bracket.
[006] In an embodiment of the present invention, the saree guard has an outer frame member, a plurality of elongated members mounted within the outer frame member, a first mounting member extending rearwardly from a rear portion of the outer frame member in the vehicle front-rear direction, the first mounting member being detachably attached to the bottom portion of the frame assembly and a second mounting member extending forwardly from a front portion of the outer frame member in the vehicle front-rear direction, the second mounting member being detachably attached to the rear footrest bracket.
[007] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first mounting member and the second mounting member being detachably attached to the bottom portion of the frame assembly and the rear footrest bracket respectively, through one or more fasteners.
[008] In an embodiment of the present invention, the saree guard being mounted onto the bottom portion of the frame assembly through a rear fender structure, the rear fender structure being disposed on a rear portion of the frame assembly in the vehicle front-rear direction.
[009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the rear fender structure includes a body portion. The first mounting member of the saree guard being mounted to the body portion.
[010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle has a left tail cover and a right tail cover, the left tail cover being mounted onto a left side of a rear portion of the frame assembly, the right tail cover being mounted on a right side of the rear portion of the frame assembly. Herein, the left tail cover and the right tail cover being adapted to cover mounting details between the first mounting member and the rear fender structure.
[011] In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the left tail cover and the right tail cover has a recessed portion, the recessed portion being adapted as a gripping handle for a pillion rider.
[012] In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the left tail cover and the right tail cover being mounted to the body portion.
[013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the rear footrest bracket is a left footrest member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[014] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 illustrates a left-side view of a portion of a saddle type vehicle, depicting a saree guard being disposed on a rear portion of a frame assembly of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the saree guard, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the portion of the saddle type vehicle, depicting mounting of the saree guard with a bottom portion of the frame assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[015] The present invention generally relates to a saddle type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to disposition of a saree guard in the saddle type vehicle. The saddle type vehicle is adapted to mitigate use of additional mounting brackets for mounting the saree guard in the vehicle, thereby reducing part count in the saddle type vehicle.
[016] In the present disclosure, arrow indications provided in Figures pertain to directional indications of the saddle-type vehicle. As such, the terms “front side”, “rear side”, “right side”, “left side”, “upside” and “downside” respectively correspond to front, rear, right, left, up and down sides of the saddle-type vehicle, until and unless specified otherwise.
[017] Figure 1 illustrates a left-side view of a portion of a saddle type vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In the present embodiment, the saddle type vehicle 100 (hereinafter referred to as ‘vehicle 100’) is a motorcycle.
[018] The vehicle 100 comprises a frame assembly 102 extending rearwardly in a vehicle front-rear direction (shown through arrowed indication in Figure 1). The frame assembly 102 comprises a head pipe (not shown), a main tube (not shown) and a down tube (not shown). The head pipe is located at a front side (not shown) of the vehicle 100 in a vehicle front-rear direction. The head pipe supports a steering shaft (not shown) of the vehicle 100. The down tube of the frame member extends rearward and slantly downward from the head pipe in the vehicle front-rear direction. The main tube of the frame member extends rearward from the head pipe and positioned above the down tube in the vehicle front-rear direction. One or more seat tubes 130 extend rearwardly from the main tube. The one or more seat tubes 130 are adapted to support a seat assembly (not shown) of the vehicle 100. In an embodiment, the main tube is adapted to support the seat assembly of the vehicle 100.
[019] Further, a rear wheel (not shown) is arranged below the seat assembly and adapted to receive the motive force from a prime mover (not shown). A suitable transmission assembly (not shown) is provided for transferring the drive force from the prime mover onto the rear wheel for driving or movement of the vehicle 100. Additionally, a rear footrest bracket 112 is mounted onto the frame assembly 102. The rear footrest bracket 112 extends downwardly from the frame member 102 and is provided on both a left side and a right side of the vehicle 100. The rear footrest bracket 112 is adapted to support a rear footrest (not shown). The rear footrest is adapted to support feet of a pillion rider of the vehicle 100.
[020] Further, the vehicle 100 further comprises a saree guard 110. The saree guard 110 is detachably attached to a bottom portion 102a of the frame assembly 102 and to the rear footrest bracket 112. As such, the saree guard 110 is supported by the frame assembly 102 and the rear footrest bracket 112. In an embodiment, the rear footrest bracket 112 is a left footrest member. As such, the saree guard 110 is disposed on the left-side of the vehicle 100. In another embodiment, the saree guard 110 is disposed on both sides of the vehicle 100. The saree guard 110 is mounted to prevent clothing such as sarees, dupattas and long skirts etc. of the pillion rider or the rider from getting tangled with the rear wheel of the vehicle 100. Thus, the saree guard 110 acts as a safety accessory in the vehicle 100 for preventing tangling of the clothing of the rider and/or the pillion rider with the rear wheel during driving of the vehicle 100.
[021] Referring to Figure 2 in conjunction with Figure 1, the saree guard 110 comprises an outer frame member 120 that is oriented along the front-rear direction of the vehicle 100. The outer frame member 120 comprises a rear frame 136 and a front frame 138. The rear frame 136 and the front frame 138 are connected to one another through a top frame 150 and a bottom frame 152. A plurality of elongated members 122 are mounted within the outer frame member 120. One end of each of the plurality of elongated members 122 are connected to the rear frame 136, while an other end of the plurality of elongated members 122 are connected to the front frame 138. Each of the plurality of elongated member 122 is placed one below the other to form a grid like structure or a cascading structure, within the outer frame member 120. The interval or gap between the plurality of elongated members 122 is considered such that interference between the clothing of the rider and/or the pillion rider and the rear wheel is avoided. In an embodiment, the outer frame member 120 is provided with a polygonal shape. Accordingly, the shape of the outer frame member 120 can be considered as per requirement of the saree guard 110.
[022] A first mounting member 108 extends rearwardly from the rear frame 136 of the outer frame member 120. The term ‘rear frame’ refers to the portion of the outer frame member 120 that is towards the rear portion 124 of the vehicle 100 in the vehicle front-rear direction. The first mounting member 108 is detachably attached to the bottom portion 102a of the frame assembly 102. In an embodiment, the first mounting member 108 is fastened onto the bottom portion 102a of the frame assembly 102 through a fastener. Furthermore, a second mounting member 114 extends forwardly from the front frame 138 of the outer frame member 120 in the vehicle front-rear direction. The term ‘front frame’ refers to the portion of the outer frame member 120 that is towards the front of the vehicle 100. The second mounting member 114 is detachably attached to the rear footrest bracket 112. In an embodiment, the second mounting member 114 is fastened to the rear footrest bracket 112 via the fastener. As such, the saree guard 110 is supported on the frame assembly 102 as well as the rear footrest bracket 112, thereby ensuring stable mounting of the saree guard 110 in the vehicle 100. Additionally, such a mounting of the saree guard 110 ensures that there are no gaps or misalignments thereby enabling simplified assembly process, saving valuable time. In an embodiment, the first mounting member 108 and the second mounting member 114 may be provided at any location on the outer frame member 120 as per design feasibility and requirement in the vehicle 100.
[023] In an embodiment, the first mounting member 108 is an elongated member having a first end 108a and a second end 108b. The first end 108a of the first mounting member 108 is mounted to the rear frame 136 of the outer frame member 120, while the second end 108b is adapted to be mounted to the bottom portion 102a of the frame assembly 102. The first end 108a is mounted on the rear frame 136 through conventional mounting techniques known in the art such as a welding technique, a brazing technique and the like. The second end 108b is provided with a mounting unit 140 that is capable of engaging with the bottom portion 102a of the frame assembly 102. In an embodiment, the mounting unit 140 is a cylindrical member having a slot 140a for receiving the fastener. Accordingly, the mounting unit 140 is mounted to the bottom portion 102a of the frame assembly 102 through fastening technique. In an embodiment, the first mounting member 108 is a tube or an elongated rod.
[024] In an embodiment, the second mounting member 114 is an elongated member having a rear end 114a and a front end 114b. The rear end 114a of the second mounting member 114 is mounted to the front frame 138 of the outer frame member 120, while the front end 114b is adapted to be mounted to the rear footrest bracket 112. The rear end 114a is mounted on the front frame 138 through conventional mounting techniques known in the art such as a welding technique, a brazing technique and the like. The front end 114b is provided with a mounting lug 142 that is capable of engaging with the rear footrest bracket 112. In an embodiment, the mounting lug 142 has an aperture 142a that aligns with an adapter 148 (as shown in Figure 1). The aperture 142a receives the fastener that fastens the mounting lug 142 onto the adapter 148. Accordingly, the mounting lug 142 is mounted to the rear footrest bracket 112 through fastening the fastener. In an embodiment, the second mounting member 114 is a tube or an elongated rod.
[025] In an embodiment, the first mounting member 108 and the second mounting member 114 are along a plane identical to that of the outer frame member 120 of the saree guard 110. As such, the first mounting member 108, the second mounting member 114, the outer frame member 120 and the plurality of elongated member 122 lie along the same plane, which is parallel to the front-rear direction of the vehicle 100. In another embodiment, the first mounting member 108 and the second mounting member 114 may be inclined with respect to the outer frame member 120 as per mounting and positional requirements of the saree guard 110 in the vehicle 100.
[026] Further, the first mounting member 108 is mounted onto the bottom portion 102a of the frame assembly 102 through a rear fender structure 106 (as shown in Figure 3). The rear fender structure 106 is disposed on a rear portion 124 of the frame assembly 102 in the vehicle front-rear direction. The rear fender structure 106 is placed above the rear wheel (not shown). The rear fender structure 106 is adapted to cover an upper portion (not shown) of the rear wheel. The rear fender structure 106 is adapted to prevent contact of debris, mud, rainwater or the like onto a rider or the pillion rider that is thrown up by the rear wheel during driving of the vehicle 100.
[027] Referring to Figure 3 in conjunction with Figures 1 and 2, the rear fender structure 106 comprises the body portion 118 that extends rearward along the vehicle front-rear direction. The first mounting member 108 of the saree guard 110 is mounted to a bottom surface (not shown) of the body portion 118 of the rear fender structure 106. The fastener is inserted into the slot 140a which subsequently engages with the body portion 118 thereby fastening the first mounting unit 108 with the rear fender structure 106. Thus, there is no dedicated bracket solely for mounting the saree guard 110, ensuring that when a rider chooses not to install the saree guard 110, there are no superfluous protrusions that could pose a potential hazard to the pillion rider. In an embodiment, the mounting unit 140 of the first mounting member 108 is mounted to the body portion 118. In an embodiment, the mounting unit 140 is positioned below the body portion 118 for mounting.
[028] Further, the rear fender structure 106 comprises a right tail cover (not shown) and a left tail cover 104. The right tail cover is mounted onto a right side of the rear portion 124 of the frame assembly 102, while the left tail cover 104 is mounted onto a left side of the rear portion 124 of the frame assembly 102. The left tail cover 104 and the right tail cover are positioned on the body portion 118. The left tail cover 104 and the right tail cover are adapted to cover or enclose mounting details between the first mounting member 108 and the rear fender structure 106. In an embodiment, the term ‘mounting details’ corresponds to details pertaining to the engagement between the first mounting member 108 and the rear fender structure 106, which can be orientation of the fastener, placement of the fastener etc.
[029] Further, each of the left tail cover 104 and the right tail cover comprises a recessed portion 126 (only shown for left tail cover 104). The recessed portion 126 acts as a gripping handle for the pillion rider and thus mitigating the need for installing a separate gripping handle in the vehicle 100, thereby reducing part count in the vehicle 100. In an embodiment, the recessed portion 126 is provided on an outer surface of each of the left tail cover 104 and the right tail cover. In an embodiment, the recessed portion 126 is an elongated recess along the vehicle front-rear direction, provided on the outer surface of each of the left tail cover 104 and the right tail cover. In another embodiment, the first mounting member 108 of the saree guard 110 is directly fastened to the left tail cover 104. Further, by securely mounting the first mounting member 108 on the body portion 118, there is no protrusion extending from the frame assembly 102, effectively eliminating the potential hazard of injury to the pillion rider's feet or hands and adds to the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle 100.
[030] In an embodiment, during assembly of the saree guard 110, firstly, the mounting unit 140 is positioned on the bottom surface of the body portion 118. The mounting unit 140 is positioned such that, the slot 140a in the mounting unit 140 is aligned with a hole (not shown in Figures) provided to the body portion 118. At this scenario, the fastener is inserted into the mounting unit 140 to engage with the hole. The fastener is then inserted, thereby ensuring mounting of the first mounting member 108 with the body portion 118. Subsequently, the aperture 142a of the mounting lug 142 is aligned with the adapter 148 provided on the rear footrest bracket 112. The fastener is inserted into the aperture 142a and the adapter 148, for fastening the mounting lug 142 to the adapter 148 and consequently, mounting the second mounting member 114 with the rear footrest bracket 112.
[031] The claimed invention as disclosed above is not routine, conventional or well understood in the art, as the claimed aspects enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. The present invention provides for the vehicle in which the saree guard is securely mounted onto the frame assembly devoid of additional mounting brackets. This eliminates the need for the frame assembly brackets required to mount the saree guard, reducing the manufacturing cost, reducing weight and additional part count in the vehicle. The present invention effectively eliminates the requirement for precise alignment thereby simplifying the assembly process and reducing assembly time. As a result, the present invention is cost effective and enhances the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle.
[032] Further, in the present invention, the first mounting member of the saree guard is securely mounted between the body portion and the rear fender structure, there is no protrusion extending from the frame assembly, effectively eliminating the potential hazard of injury to the pillion rider's feet or hands and adds to the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle. Additionally, the left tail cover is adapted to cover mounting details between the first mounting member and the rear fender structure thus protecting the first mounting member from environmental damage such as rust and deterioration. Moreover, the saree guard is mounted via minimal use of fasteners making assembly and disassembly easier and less sophisticated.
[033] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

List of Reference Numerals
100: Vehicle
102: Frame Assembly
102a: Bottom Portion of Frame Assembly
104: Left Tail Cover
106: Rear Fender Structure
108: First Mounting Member
108a: First end
108b: Second end
110: Saree Guard
112: Rear Footrest Bracket
114: Second Mounting Member
114a: Rear end
114b: Front end

118: Body Portion
120: Outer Frame Member
122: Plurality of Elongated Members
124: Rear Portion of the Frame Assembly
126: Recessed Portion
130: One or more seat tubes
136: Rear frame of the outer frame member
138: Front frame of the outer frame member
140: Mounting unit
140a: Slot in the mounting unit
142: Mounting lug
142a: Aperture in the mounting lug
148: Adaper on the rear footrest bracket
150: Top frame of the outer frame member
152: Bottom frame of the outer frame member

, Claims:1. A saddle type vehicle (100), comprising:
a frame assembly (102), the frame assembly (102) extending rearwardly in a vehicle front-rear direction;
a rear footrest bracket (112), the rear footrest bracket (112) being mounted to the frame assembly (102); and
a saree guard (110), the saree guard (110) being detachably attached to a bottom portion (102a) of the frame assembly (102) and the rear footrest bracket (112).

2. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the saree guard (110) comprises:
an outer frame member (120);
a plurality of elongated members (122) mounted within the outer frame member (120);
a first mounting member (108) extending rearwardly from a rear portion of the outer frame member (120) in the vehicle front-rear direction, the first mounting member (108) being detachably attached to the bottom portion (102a) of the frame assembly (102); and
a second mounting member (114) extending forwardly from a front portion of the outer frame member (120) in the vehicle front-rear direction, the second mounting member (114) being detachably attached to the rear footrest bracket (112).

3. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first mounting member (108) and the second mounting member (114) being detachably attached to the bottom portion (102a) of the frame assembly (102) and the rear footrest bracket (112) respectively, through one or more fasteners.

4. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the saree guard (110) being mounted onto the bottom portion (102a) of the frame assembly (102) through a rear fender structure (106), the rear fender structure (106) being disposed on a rear portion (124) of the frame assembly (102) in the vehicle front-rear direction.

5. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the rear fender structure (106) includes a body portion (118), wherein the first mounting member (108) of the saree guard (110) being mounted to the body portion (118).

6. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4 comprising a left tail cover (104) and a right tail cover, the left tail cover (104) being mounted onto a left side of a rear portion (124) of the frame assembly (102), the right tail cover being mounted on a right side of the rear portion (124) of the frame assembly (102), wherein the left tail cover (104) and the right tail cover being adapted to cover mounting details between the first mounting member (108) and the rear fender structure (106).

7. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of the left tail cover (104) and the right tail cover comprises a recessed portion (126), the recessed portion (126) being adapted as a gripping handle for a pillion rider.

8. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of the left tail cover (104) and the right tail cover being mounted to the body portion (118).

9. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear footrest bracket (112) is a left footrest member.