Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]

TITLE OF INVENTION
A SADDLE-TYPE VEHICLE

APPLICANT
TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED, an Indian company, having its address at “Chaitanya”, No.12 Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 006.

PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a saddle-type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a saddle-type vehicle having a pillion footrest assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] In conventional vehicles and more particularly saddle-type vehicles, a pillion footrest is used by a pillion rider to embark on the vehicle in order to sit on a seat of the vehicle and rest his/ her feet on the pillion footrest. As such, the pillion footrest is a most frequently used component of the vehicle. Owing to the existing configuration, the pillion footrest assembly is susceptible to more wear and tear.
[003] It has been observed that that while embarking on the vehicle and also disembarking from the vehicle, the pillion rider steps on a pillion footrest first, thereby transferring his/ her entire weight on the footrest. Owing to factors of existing configuration of vehicles and weak mounting structure of the pillion footrest assembly, such transfer of entire weight of a person on the pillion footrest tends to increase the stress/ fatigue load on the pillion footrest assembly attachment portion of the vehicle and leads to cause deformation of said portion of the vehicle and components of the pillion footrest assembly which is undesirable.
[004] It has further been observed that assembling of pillion footrest assembly of the existing vehicles require multiple number of components which tends to complicate the process and also increases the assembly time.
[005] In view of the foregoing, there is a need to provide a saddle-type vehicle having a pillion footrest assembly and overcome at least the above-mentioned drawbacks/disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] In one aspect of the invention, a saddle-type vehicle is disclosed. The saddle-type vehicle includes a frame structure having a front frame and a rear frame. The rear frame is attached to the front frame and extends rearwardly and upwardly from the front frame in a front-rear direction of the vehicle. The rear frame includes a pair of seat rail members. Each of the pair of seat rail members includes a front portion and a rear portion. The rear portion extends away from the front portion in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. Each of the front portions has an upper front attachment portion and a lower front attachment portion. One of the lower front attachment portions being connected to a portion of a pillion footrest assembly.
[007] In an embodiment, each of the upper front attachment portions and the lower front attachment portions includes a mounting end. The mounting ends being configured to be attached to the front frame of the vehicle.
[008] In an embodiment, the pillion footrest assembly includes a mounting axis being substantially parallel with a first imaginary line passing through the center of the mounting ends of the upper front attachment portions and the lower front attachment portions of the pair of seat rail members being attached to the front frame.
[009] In an embodiment, one of lower front attachment portions includes a footrest attachment portion. The footrest attachment portion includes a mounting section having an internal threaded recess and a radial support wall section. The radial support wall section protrudes away from the mounting section in a downward direction of the vehicle. The radial support wall section extends between a first end and a second end.
[010] In an embodiment, a height of the radial support wall section being twice the width of the radial support wall section.
[011] In an embodiment, the pillion footrest assembly includes a pillion footrest, a guide plate, a spring element, a spacer bush, and a fastening member. The pillion footrest extends between a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes an attachment end having an inner mounting recess. The second portion is configured to receive a foot of a pillion rider. The guide plate is configured to be operably attached to the attachment end of the first portion. The guide plate is having a mounting recess, a plurality of lock engagement portions, and a plurality of cavities configured to slideably and lockably engage with a roller member. The spring element attached to the attachment end of the first portion and being configured to be operably attached to the roller member for actuating closing movement of the pillion footrest. The spacer bush is having a through hole. The spacer bush is configured to be disposed inside the inner mounting recess of the first portion of the pillion footrest. The fastening member is configured to pass through each of the through hole of the spacer bush and the mounting recess of the guide plate and attached to the internal threaded recess of the mounting section of the footrest attachment portion for rotatably and concentrically mounting the pillion footrest.
[012] In an embodiment, the attachment end of the first portion includes a protrusion extending between a first engagement end and a second engagement end. The protrusion is configured to slidably engage with a portion of an inner surface of the radial support wall section of the footrest attachment portion to provide a support to the pillion footrest.
[013] In an embodiment, the first engagement end of protrusion being configured to engage with the first end of the radial support wall section when the pillion footrest is in an opened position.
[014] In an embodiment, the second engagement end of the protrusion being configured to engage with the second end of the radial support wall section of the footrest attachment portion when the pillion footrest is in a closed position.
[015] In an embodiment, a secondary imaginary line passing between the first engagement end of the protrusion and the first end of the radial support wall section being parallel with the mounting axis of the footrest assembly when the pillion footrest is in the opened position.
[016] In an embodiment, a third imaginary line passing between the second engagement end of the radial protrusion and the second end of the radial support wall section being inclined with the mounting axis of the footrest assembly when the pillion footrest is in the closed position.
[017] In an embodiment, the third imaginary line intersects with the second imaginary line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[018] 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 is an exploded view of a frame structure of a saddle-type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the mounting configuration of the rear frame with a pillion footrest assembly in an opened position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a mounting configuration of the front frame and the rear frame with the pillion footrest assembly in a closed position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a mounting configuration of the rear frame with the pillion footrest assemblies in the opened position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5a illustrates an exploded view of the pillion footrest assembly being detached from the rear frame of the saddle-type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5b is an enlarged view of the components of the pillion footrest assembly shown in Figure 4, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6a illustrates a cross sectional view of the pillion footrest, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6b is an enlarged view of a portion of the pillion footrest shown in Figure 6a, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the mounting configuration of the guide plate with respect to the mounting section of the footrest attachment portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 illustrates an enlarged view of a section illustrating the pillion footrest in the opened position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9 illustrates an enlarged view of a section illustrating the pillion footrest in the closed position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 10 illustrates the articulation of the pillion footrest along one of the pair of seat rail members of the rear frame, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 11 is a top view illustrating the configuration of the rear frame, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 12 is a side cross sectional view of one of seat rail members illustrating the configuration of the upper cross member and the lower cross member, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 13 is a rear perspective view of the rear frame illustrating mounting of the pillion footrest assemblies and the utility storage box on the rear fame, in accordance with an embodiment of the vehicle.
Figure 14 shows a top perspective view of a rear portion of the saddle-type vehicle with a pillion footrest assembly in a closed position, in accordance with an embodiment with the present invention.
Figure 15 is a side view of a rear portion of the saddle-type vehicle illustrating various components being mounted on the rear frame, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[019] The present invention relates to a saddle-type vehicle having pillion footrest assemblies.
[020] In the present invention, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to a vehicle, defining a vehicle longitudinal direction while a lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the vehicle, defining a vehicle width direction. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Arrows provided in the top right corner of figure depicts direction with respect to the vehicle, wherein an arrow F denotes a front direction, an arrow R indicates a rearward direction, an arrow Up denotes an upward direction, an arrow Dw denotes a downward direction of the vehicle
[021] Figure 1 is an exploded view of a frame structure 100 of a saddle-type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the mounting configuration of the rear frame with a pillion footrest assembly 200 in an opened position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 illustrates the mounting configuration of the front frame and the rear frame with the pillion footrest assembly 200 in a closed position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[022] As shown in Figures 1-3, the frame structure 100 includes a headpipe 102, a front frame 110, and a rear frame 120. The rear frame 120 is attached to the front frame 110 and extends rearwardly and upwardly from the front frame 110 in a front-rear direction of the vehicle. In a non-limiting example, the frame structure 100 is an integrally formed structure having the front frame 110 and the rear frame 120. In another limiting example, the frame structure 110 includes the rear frame 120 attached to the front frame 110 at mounting portions 115 through fasteners 116a, 116b. The front frame 110 includes a pair of main tubes. Each of the pair of main tubes includes a front portion 112 attached to the headpipe 102 and a rear portion 118 extends rearwardly and downwardly from the front portion 112 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. Ends of the rear portion 118 of the main tubes being configured to receive a rod member 119. In a non-limiting example, the rod member 119 is configured to provide reinforcement between both the ends. The rod member 119 is configured to receive a swing arm bracket or other mounting attachments based on the design and requirements of the vehicle. In a non-limiting example, the front frame 110 includes an attachment portion being configured to attach a rear shock absorber of the vehicle. The pair of main tubes of the front frame 110 includes multiple attachment portions for mounting various components of the vehicle. The rear frame 120 includes a pair of seat rail members 120L, 120R and one or more cross members 130. Each of the pair of seat rail members 120L, 120R extends rearwardly along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Each of the pair of seat rail members 120L, 120R includes plurality of openings for reducing the weight of the seat rail members 120L, 120R. The one or more cross members 130 extending in a vehicle-width wise direction are attached between the pair of seat rail members 120L, 130 R. The one or more cross members 130 include mounting provisions for mounting various components/parts of the vehicle. Each of the pair of seat rail members 120L, 120R includes a front portion 121 and a rear portion 129. The rear portion 129 extends away from the front portion 121 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. Each of the pair of seat rail members 120L, 120R includes one or more mounting portions 125 for mounting various components/parts of the vehicle.
[023] Each of the front portions 121 has an upper front attachment portion 121a and a lower front attachment portion 121b. In a non-limiting example, the each of the pair of seat rail member 120L, 120R include one or more strut members 124 configured to provide reinforcement between the upper and lower front attachment portions 121a, 121b.
[024] In a non-limiting example, one of the lower front attachment portions 121b is connected to a portion of a pillion footrest assembly 200. The pillion footrest assembly 200 being positioned behind and above the attachment portion of the front frame 110, the attachment portion being configured to attach the rear shock absorber of the vehicle.
[025] In an embodiment, each of the upper front attachment portions 121a and the lower front attachment portions 121b includes a mounting end (M1, M2). The mounting ends (M1, M2) being configured to be attached to the mounting portions 115 of the front frame 110 of the vehicle through the fasteners 116a, 116b. In a non-limiting example, the mounting ends (M1, M2) include mounting holes configured to be aligned with recesses of the mounting portions 115 of the front frame 110 for detachably attaching each of the upper front attachment portions 121a and the lower front attachment portions 121b with the front frame 110 of the vehicle.
[026] In an embodiment, the pillion footrest assembly 200 includes a mounting axis (X-X’) being substantially parallel with a first imaginary line (L1) passing through the center of the mounting ends (M1, M2) of the upper front attachment portions 121a and the lower front attachment portions 121b of the pair of seat rail members 120L, 120R being attached to the front frame 110. Through such configuration, the pillion footrest assembly 200 is concentrically attached to the lower front attachment portions 121b and configured to pivot around the mounting axis (X-X’) while translating between an opened and closed position of the pillion footrest assembly 200.
[027] In a non-limiting example, the mounting ends (M1, M2) of one of the upper front attachment portion 121a and the lower front attachment portion 121b are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance measured along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The predetermined distance depends upon the inclination of the rear frame 120 with respect to the front frame 110 which is further dependent upon vehicle design and frame construction. Such mounting configuration of attaching concentrically the pillion footrest assembly 200 on one of lower front attachment portions 121b in a way that the mounting axis (X-X’) is parallel to the first imaginary line (L1), also enables the pillion footrest assembly 200 to be closed or folded in a stowed position i.e., near to the vehicle side.
[028] Figure 4 illustrates a mounting configuration of the rear frame 120 with the pillion footrest assemblies 200 in a closed position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, each of the lower front attachment portions 121b of the pair of seat rails 120L, 120R is connected to the pillion footrest assemblies 200. In such a way, both the feet of the pillion rider are placed on both sides of the vehicle.
[029] Figure 5a illustrates an exploded view of the pillion footrest assembly 200 being detached from the rear frame 120 of the saddle-type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5b is an enlarged view of the components of the pillion footrest assembly 200 shown in Figure 4, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[030] As shown in Figures 5a,5b, one of lower attachment portions 121b includes a footrest attachment portion 150 for mounting the footrest assembly 200. The footrest attachment portion 150 is integrally formed with the pair of seat rail members 120L, 120 R of the rear frame 120.
[031] In an embodiment, the footrest attachment portion 150 includes a mounting section 152 having an internal threaded recess 153 and a radial support wall section 154. The internal threaded recess 153 having a threaded portion extending upwardly and inside a portion of the lower front attachment portion 121b of the pair of seat rail member 120L, 120R of the rear frame 120.The radial support wall section 154 protrudes away from the mounting section 152 in the downward direction (Dw) of the vehicle. The radial support wall section 154 extends between a first end 154a and a second end 154b. In an embodiment, a height of the radial support wall section 154 being twice the width of the radial support wall section. Such configuration provides a sufficient support to the pillion footrest assembly 200 to withstand against the load/force being subjected thereof.
[032] In an embodiment, the pillion footrest assembly 200 includes a pillion footrest 210, a guide plate 220, a roller member 230, a spring element 235, a spacer bush 240, one or more washers 245, and a fastening member 250. The pillion footrest 210 extends between a first portion 212 and a second portion 218. The first portion 212 includes an attachment end 214. The attachment end 214 includes an inner mounting recess 214a configured to mount the pillion footrest 210 on the mounting section 152 of the footrest attachment portion. The second portion 218 includes a surface being configured to receive a foot of the pillion rider of the vehicle. The guide plate 220 is configured to be fixedly disposed on the mounting section 152 of the footrest attachment portion 150. The guide plate is operably attached to the attachment end 214 of the first portion 212. The guide plate 220 includes a mounting recess 222 having a diameter (D1), a plurality of engagement portions 224, 226, and plurality of cavities 228, 229 spaced apart on a circumference of the guide plate 220. The plurality of cavities 228, 229 of the guide plate 220 being configured to be slideably and lockably engage with the roller member 230. The spring element 235 being configured to be attached to the attachment end 214 of the first portion 212. The attachment end 214 includes a protrusion 215 extending between a first engagement end and a second engagement end. The second engagement end is formed at a predetermined radial distance from the position of the first engagement end for limiting/locking the rotation of the pillion footrest 210. The protrusion 215 being configured to be slidably engaged with a portion of an inner surface of the radial support wall section 154 of the footrest attachment portion 150 to provide a support to the pillion footrest 210 when the pillion footrest 210 is in the opened position. The attachment end 214 includes a recess 216 for receiving a portion of the spring element 235. The spring element 235 is a compression spring and being operably attached to the roller member 230. The spring element 235 exerts a force on the roller member 230 for actuating closing movement of the pillion footrest 210. In operation, when the footrest 210 is moved by the pillion rider upon placing his/her feet and a pillion load is subjected, the roller member 230 slideably move over the guide plate 220 after getting detached from the cavity 229 and engages with the cavity 228 to achieve the opened position. When the pillion rider removes his/her feet or manually moves the pillion footrest, the roller member 230 disengages with the cavity 228 and returns back to the cavity 229. In such a way, the roller member 230 acts as to achieve the opened and the closed position of the pillion footrest 210.
[033] The spacer bush 240 being configured to extend along a length of the attachment end 214 of the first portion 212 of the pillion footrest 210.The spacer bush 240 being configured to be disposed inside the inner mounting recess 214a of the attachment end 214 of the first portion 212 of the pillion footrest 210. The spacer bush 240 is configured to rotatably mount the pillion footrest 210. The spacer bush 240 includes an outer cylindrical component and an inner cylindrical component being rotatably disposed inside the outer cylindrical component. The outer cylindrical component being configured to be rigidly attached to the inner mounting recess 214a of the first portion 212. The inner cylindrical component includes a through hole 242. The through hole 242 has a diameter (D2) being relatively smaller than the diameter (D1) of the mounting recess 222 of the guide plate 220. The pillion footrest assembly 200 includes the fastening member 250 being configured to pass through each of the through hole 242 of the spacer bush 240 and the mounting recess 222 of the guide plate 220 and further attached to the internal threaded recess 153 of the mounting section 152 of the footrest attachment portion 150 for rotatably and concentrically mounting the pillion footrest 210 on one of the lower front attachment portions 121.
[034] In a non-limiting example, the fastening member 250 includes a fastener being a bolt. The bolt includes a head portion and a shaft portion having external threads extending over the length of the shaft portion. The fastener is configured to be fastened to the internal threaded recess 153 of the footrest attachment portion 150. The one or more washers 245 are disposed between the spacer bush 240 and a head portion of the fastening member 250
[035] Figure 6a illustrates a cross sectional view of the attachment end 214 of the pillion footrest 210, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6b is an enlarged view of a portion of the pillion footrest 210 shown in Figure 6a, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Due to a large size diameter (D1), the guide plate 220 allows the spacer bush 240 to pass through, for rotatably attaching the pillion footrest 210 with the footrest attachment portion 150.This size difference provides spacer bush to be assembled with an overlap distance of a guide plate 220 thickness inside the guide plate 220 during assembled condition of the footrest assembly 200. In the closed position, the center of each of the spring element 235 along with the roller member 230 is positioned at a distance (A) being measured from the mounting axis (X-X’) of the pillion footrest assembly 200. In a non-limiting example, the distance (A) being twice or thrice a diameter (D3) of the fastening member 250.
[036] In an embodiment, the guide plate 220 has a stiffness more than the rear frame 120 of the frame structure 100 (as shown in Figure 1). The roller member 230 is operably engaged/ attached to the guide plate 220 and slides over a surface of the guide plate 220 being under the compression force supplied by the spring element 235. Due to such higher stiffness and mounting configuration, a less wear and tear occurs between the moving parts i.e., guide plate 220 and the roller member 230 while actuation of opening and closing of footrest assembly 200. Further, the pillion footrest 210 is concentrically mounted to the rear frame 120 of the frame structure 100 and requires lesser components such as the guide plate 220, the spacer bush 240 and the fastening member 250. Such mounting configuration provides more rigidness and ease of usage while actuating the pillion footrest 210 of the footrest assembly 200.
[037] Figure 7 is a bottom perspective view illustrating a mounting configuration of the guide plate 220 with respect to the mounting section 152 of the footrest attachment portion 150, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The guide plate 220 is fixedly attached to the mounting section 152 of the footrest attachment portion 150. The mounting recess 222 is configured to be aligned with the internal threaded recess 153 of the mounting section 152 in order to have the same mounting axis. One of the plurality of engagement portions 224, 226 of the guide plate 220 being configured to engage with the first end 154a of the radial support wall section 154 of the footrest attachment portion 150 and one of the plurality of engagement portions 224, 226 of the guide plate 220 being configured to engage with the second end 154b of the radial support wall section 154 of the footrest attachment portion 150. Such engagement enables the guide plate to remain fixed with respect to the footrest attachment portion 150.
[038] Figure 8 illustrates an enlarged view of a section illustrating the pillion footrest 210 in the opened position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The first end 154a of the radial support wall section 154 comprises a face being configured to be aligned straightly with the first engagement end of the protrusion 215. When the first engagement end engages with the face of the first end 154a, a larger surface area of the protrusion 215 contacts the inner surface of the radial support wall section 154. Such larger contact area enables the pillion assembly 200 to withstand the pillion load with more rigidness.
[039] Figure 9 illustrates an enlarged view of a section illustrating the pillion footrest 210 in the closed position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The second end 154b of the radial support wall section is configured to have an inclined face being configured to be inclined with the mounting axis (X-X’) of footrest assembly 200 (shown in Figure 3) in closed position of the pillion footrest 210. In closed position, the second engagement end of the protrusion 215 contacts the second end 154b which orients the pillion footrest 210 to move towards the vehicle side and being folded in the stowed position as shown in Figure 15.
[040] Figure 10 illustrates the articulation of the pillion footrest 210 along one of the pair of seat rail members 120L, 120R of the rear frame 120, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. While moving from the closed position to the opened position, the pillion footrest 210 articulates along a radius (R).
[041] As shown, a secondary imaginary line (L2) is passing between the first engagement end of the protrusion 215 and the first end 154a of the radial support wall section 154 is parallel with the mounting axis (X-X’) (shown in Figure 8) of the footrest assembly 200 when the pillion footrest 210 is in the opened position. A third imaginary line (L3) passing between the second engagement end of the protrusion 215 and the second end 154b of the radial support wall section being inclined with the mounting axis (X-X’) of the footrest assembly 200 when the pillion footrest (210) is in the closed position. The third imaginary line (L3) intersects with the second imaginary line (L2) at an intersecting point (K).
[042] Figure 11 is a top view illustrating the configuration of the rear frame 120, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Cp refers to a horizontal plane (Cp) being a plane parallel to a vehicle center plane. In an embodiment, each of the pair of the seat rail members 120L, 120R extends laterally outwards and inclined rearwards from the horizontal plane (Cp) when viewed from a top direction of vehicle. Each of the pair of seat rail members 120L, 120R includes bent portions 122. The pair of seat rail members 120L. 120R is joined by the upper cross members 130a, 130c and a lower cross member 130b. The upper cross member 130c being configured to receive various components such as taillight 190 (shown in Figure 15), a pillion handle assembly, style cover parts etc. The lower cross member 130 being disposed on a lower portion of the pair of seat rail members 120L, 120R at a predetermined distance from the upper cross members 13a This arrangement provides a compact configuration of the rear frame 120 and occupies less packaging space for structural mounting.
[043] Figure 12 is a side cross sectional view of one of seat rail members illustrating mounting configuration of the upper cross member 130a and the lower cross members 130b, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. One of the pair of seat rail members 120L, 120R includes a first attachment portion 131a for attaching the upper cross member 130a and second attachment portion 131b for attaching the lower cross member 130b. A fourth imaginary line (L4) passes through the first attachment portion 131a and the second attachment portion 131b. In such configuration of the rear frame 120, the fourth imaginary line (L4) forms an acute angle with the first imaginary line (L1) passing through the mounting ends (M1, M2) of one of the pair of seat rail member 120L, 120R. Such configuration provides more packaging space inside the vehicle.
[044] Figure 13 is a rear perspective view of the rear frame 120 illustrating mounting of the pillion footrest assemblies 200 and various components on the rear fame, in accordance with an embodiment of the vehicle. Figure 14 shows a top perspective view of a rear portion of the saddle-type vehicle with a pillion footrest 210 in the closed position, in accordance with an embodiment with the present invention. As shown, a utility storage box 165 is disposed between the pair of seat rail members 120L, 120R and mounted on the upper cross member 130a (shown in Figure 11). The utility storage box 165 being covered by a vehicle seat 170 (shown in Figure 15). A bottom portion of the upper cross member 130a is configured to receive a seat latch mounting bracket 134. The lower cross member 130b is configured to receive a seat actuator assembly bracket 136. Each of the pair of seat rail members 120L, 120R of the rear frame 120 includes plurality of mounting portions 125 for attaching various components of the vehicle and including the body cover parts 180 (shown in Figure 15).
[045] Figure 15 is a side view of a rear portion of the saddle-type vehicle illustrating various components being mounted on the rear frame, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the vehicle. The front frame 110 of the frame structure 100 (shown in Figure 1) of the vehicle includes a mounting structure, including but not limited to a swing arm bracket, for attaching a power generating unit being positioned below the rear frame. The power generating unit includes, but not limited to, an internal combustion engine or a driving motor 160. In a non-limiting example, the driving motor 160 may be operably attached to a rear driving wheel of the vehicle.
[046] Advantageously, the present invention provides a saddle type vehicle having a rear frame configured to concentrically and rotatable mount one or more pillion footrest assemblies. The present invention provides a mounting structure having an efficient, simple, and rigid footrest attachment portion to withstand the pillion load and stress exerted thereof. The pillion footrest assembly of the present invention requires a lesser number of components for assembling and mounting the pillion footrest assembly on the vehicle. The configuration of guide plate with higher stiffness and roller member engagement reduces wear and tear of the pillion footrest assembly and also the maintenance costs. The pillion footrest assembly is simple in construction and has an ease of manufacturing and servicing.
[047] 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 – Frame structure of a vehicle
102 – Headpipe
110 – Front frame
112 – Front portion of the main tube
115 – Mounting portions of the front frame
116a, 116b – Fasteners
118 – Rear portion of main tube
119 – Rod member
120 – Rear frame
120L, 120R – Pair of seat rail members
121 – Front portion of the pair of seat rail members
121a – Upper front portion of the pair of seat rail members
121b – Lower front portion of the pair of seat rail members
124 – Strut members
125 – Mounting portions of the pair of seat rail members
129 – Rear portion of the pair of seat rail members
130 – Cross members of the pair of seat rail members
130a – Upper cross member
130b – Lower cross member
130c –Upper cross member
131a – First attachment portion of the upper cross member
131b – Second attachment portion of lower cross member
134 – Seat latch mounting bracket
136 – Seat actuator assembly bracket
150 – Footrest attachment portion
152 – Mounting section of the footrest attachment portion
153 – Internal threaded recess
154 – Radial support wall section
154a – First end of the radial support wall section
154b – Second end of the radial support wall section
160 – Driving motor
165 – Utility storage box
170 – Vehicle seat
180 – Body cover parts
190 – Tail-light
200 – Pillion footrest assembly
210 – Pillion footrest
212 – First portion of the pillion footrest
214 – Attachment end of the first portion of the pillion footrest
214a – Inner mounting recess of the attachment end
215 – Protrusion of the attachment end
218 – Second portion of the pillion footrest
220 – Guide plate of the pillion footrest assembly
222 – Mouning recess of the guide plate
224, 226– Engagement portions of the guide plate
228, 229 – Plurality of cavities of the guide plate
230 – Roller member of the pillion footrest assembly
235 – Spring element of the pillion footrest assembly
240 – Spacer bush of the pillion footrest assembly
242 – Through hole of the spacer bush
245 – Washer of the pillion footrest assembly
250 – Fastening member of the pillion footrest assembly
A – Distance between the center of the spring element and the mounting axis
Cp – Horizontal plane
D1 –Diameter of the mounting recess of the guide plate
D2 – Diameter of the through hole of the spacer bush
D3 – Diameter of the fastening member of the pillion footrest assembly
K – Intersecting point
L1 – First imaginary line
L2 – Second imaginary line
L3 – Third imaginary line
L4 – Fourth imaginary line
M1 – Mounting ends of the upper front attachment portion
M2 – Mounting ends of the lower front attachment portion
R – Radius
X-X’ – Mounting axis of the pillion footrest assembly
, Claims:WE CLAIM:

1. A saddle-type vehicle comprising:
a frame structure (100) having a front frame (110) and a rear frame (120), the rear frame (120) being attached to the front frame (110) and extending rearwardly and upwardly from the front frame (110) in a front-rear direction of the vehicle (100), the rear frame (120) comprising:
a pair of seat rail members (120L, 120R), each of the pair of seat rail members (120L, 120R) comprises a front portion (121) and a rear portion (129), the rear portion (129) extending away from the front portion (121) in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, each of the front portions (121) having an upper front attachment portion (121a) and a lower front attachment portion (121b), at least one of the lower front attachment portions (121b) being connected to a portion of a pillion footrest assembly (200).

2. The saddle-type vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the upper front attachment portions (121a) and the lower front attachment portions (121b) comprises a mounting end (M1, M2), the mounting ends (M1, M2) being configured to be attached to the front frame (110) of the vehicle.

3. The saddle-type vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pillion footrest assembly (200) comprises a mounting axis (X-X’) being substantially parallel with a first imaginary line (L1) passing through the center of the mounting ends (M1, M2) of the upper front attachment portions (121a) and the lower front attachment portions (121b) of the pair of seat rail members (120L, 120R) being attached to the front frame (110).

4. The saddle-type vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of lower front attachment portions (121b) comprises a footrest attachment portion (150), the footrest attachment portion (150) comprises a mounting section (152) having an internal threaded recess (153) and a radial support wall section (154) protruding away from the mounting section (152) in a downward direction of the vehicle, the radial support wall section (154) extending between a first end (154a) and a second end (154b).

5. The saddle-type vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein a height of the radial support wall section (154) being twice the width of the radial support wall section (154).

6. The saddle-type vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pillion footrest assembly (200) comprising:
a pillion footrest (210) extending between a first portion (212) and a second portion (218), the first portion (212) comprises an attachment end (214) having an inner mounting recess (214a) and the second portion (218) being configured to receive a foot of a pillion rider;
a guide plate (220) configured to be operably attached to the attachment end (214) of the first portion (212), the guide plate (220) having a mounting recess (222), a plurality of engagement portions (224, 226), and plurality of cavities (228, 229) configured to slideably and lockably engage with a roller member (230);
a spring element (235) attached to the attachment end (214) of the first portion (212) and being configured to be operably attached to the roller member (230);
a spacer bush (240) having a through hole (242), the spacer bush (240) being configured to be disposed inside the inner mounting recess (214a) of the first portion (212) of the pillion footrest (210); and
a fastening member (250) being configured to pass through each of the through hole (242) of the spacer bush (240) and the mounting recess (222) of the guide plate (220) and attached to the internal threaded recess (153) of the mounting section (152) of the footrest attachment portion (150) for rotatably and concentrically mounting the pillion footrest (210).

7. The saddle-type vehicle as claimed in claim 6, wherein the attachment end (214) of the first portion (212) comprises a protrusion (215) extending between a first engagement end and a second engagement end, the protrusion (215) being configured to slidably engage with a portion of an inner surface of the radial support wall section (154) of the footrest attachment portion (150) to provide a support to the pillion footrest (210).

8. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first engagement end of the protrusion (215) being configured to engage with the first end (154a) of the radial support wall section (154) when the pillion footrest (110) is in the opened position.

9. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second engagement end of the protrusion (215) being configured to engage with the second end (154b) of the radial support wall section (154) of the footrest attachment portion (150) when the pillion footrest (110) is in a closed position.

10. The saddle-type vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein a secondary imaginary line (L2) passing between the first engagement end of the protrusion (215) and the first end (154a) of the radial support wall section (154a) being parallel with the mounting axis (X-X’) of the footrest assembly (200) when the pillion footrest (210) is in the opened position.

11. The saddle-type vehicle as claimed in claim 9, wherein a third imaginary line (L3) passing between the second engagement end of the protrusion (215) and the second end (154b) of the radial support wall section (154) being inclined with the mounting axis (X-X’) of the footrest assembly (200) when the pillion footrest (210) is in the closed position.

12. The saddle-type vehicle as claimed in claim 11, wherein the third imaginary line (L3) intersects with the second imaginary line (L2).

Dated this 11th day of September 2023

TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

(Nikhil Ranjan)
of Khaitan & Co
Reg No IN/PA-1471