FORM-2 THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10; rule 13)
A COLLAPSIBLE STORAGE STRUCTURE FOR A MOTORIZED SCOOTER
MAHINDRA TWO WHEELERS LIMITED,
An Indian Company, of Dl Block, Plot No. 18/2 (Part), MIDC, Chinchwad,
Pune-411 019 Maharashtra, India.
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to storage structures used on motorized scooter and more specifically relates to a collapsible storage structure provided on the front portion of the motorized scooter.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A motorized scooter is an indispensable means of transport for people from all walks of life. The primary advantage of a motorized scooter over any other type of two wheelers is the copious storage space available for the owners to stow away articles and goods and mobilize them without hassle. Motorized scooter in its earliest form was designed keeping in mind the mobility needs and growing aspirations of urban dwelling women. Today, the motorized scooter caters to a wide range of user groups like home makers, office goers, students, retail vendors and elderly citizens. The underlying purpose that unites the aspirations of these user groups is their steadily growing need for more storage space to tuck away their daily necessities, laptops, tools, maps, books, groceries and medicines. Experienced motorists sometimes laden their scooters with large amounts of freight and haul them over longer

distances without compromising safety and stability. Modern motorized scooters come with under - the - saddle storage space that can be accessed by swivelling the saddle. Besides, provisions are made for glove boxes on the front. Also, the hooks provided on the front serves to hang carry bags filled with goods and to lock helmets when not in use. Any effort to improve the availability of storage space in a motorized scooter is widely welcomed by the owners. The high demand for additional storage space on a motorized scooter is further accentuated by the marketing campaigns that prominently illustrate the facts outlining the storage space available in the advertised scooter.
The need for storage space encourages owners to mount an externally accessible utility box that would sometimes compromise the overall aesthetics of the motorized scooter. For those scooters having head lamps positioned below the handle bar, the detachable utility box directly interferes with the propagation of light during twilight conditions. With prolonged use, the utility box looks out of place in comparison to the body covers of the scooter thus affecting the aesthetic as well as the resale value of the scooter. In cases where the head lamp is part of the steering arrangement, attempts have been made in the past to create additional storage space on the front by providing a basket like

permanent structure integrated with the front portion of the scooter. Such an arrangement, forever occupies the aesthetically valuable front portion of the scooter besides attracting dust and dirt due to over exposure. There is a strong felt need for a storage structure that overcomes the drawbacks associated with the known storage structures.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
It is therefore, the object of the present invention to provide additional storage space in a motorized scooter.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage space that compliments the existing storage space.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a storage structure on the front of the motorized scooter.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a storage structure that does not interfere with the overall aesthetics of the motorized scooter.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a storage structure that is collapsible.
Yet it is another object of the present invention to provide a collapsible storage structure that has flexible capacity.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a flexible and collapsible storage structure that is durable and reliable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A collapsible storage structure, according to the present invention, is adapted to be used on a motorized scooter.
In accordance with the present invention, there is disclosed a motorized scooter having a frame carrying a plurality of body covers forming a front portion. The collapsible storage structure is provided on the front portion of the motorized scooter.
The collapsible storage structure comprises a rear wall, a front cover, a connecting member and a pair of collapsible walls. The rear wall covers a portion of the frame and has a lower end, an upper end and at least two sides. The front cover has an operative lower end, an operative upper end and at least two sides. The connecting member is located in

between the rear wall and the front cover. The collapsible walls are located opposing one another and each of the collapsible walls extends from a side of the rear wall to a corresponding side of the front cover. The operative lower end of the front cover is connected to the lower end of the rear wall by means of the connecting member such that the rear wall, the front cover, the connecting member and the pair of collapsible walls together forms a storage space when the collapsible storage structure assumes an operative configuration.
In one embodiment, the front cover and the rear wall are hingedly connected to the connecting member. Alternatively, the connecting member is connected to the front cover and slidably connected to the rear wall. The connecting member is hingedly connected to the front cover.
The collapsible walls are flexible. It is envisaged to select a high durability elastic material for the manufacture of collapsible walls to achieve an increased storage capacity. An exemplary list of materials with high durability displaying elastic properties suitable for making collapsible walls are woven elastic, braided elastic, knitted elastic or Polyurethane.

The collapsible walls extends when the collapsible storage structure assumes an operative configuration. The collapsible walls collapses when the collapsible storage structure assumes an inoperative configuration.
The collapsible storage structure assumes an operative configuration when the front cover and the connecting member swivels away from the rear wall.
The collapsible storage structure assumes an operative configuration when the front cover and the connecting member displaces forwardly from the rear wall.
The operative upper end of the front cover carries a locking means cooperating with the front portion thereby retaining the front cover against the rear wall when the collapsible storage structure assumes inoperative configuration.
In another aspect, the motorized scooter having a frame carrying a plurality of body covers forming a front portion is provided with a collapsible storage structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The collapsible storage structure for a motorized scooter of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a motorized scooter
Figure 2A illustrates a perspective view of a front portion of a motorized scooter with a collapsible storage structure in an inoperative configuration
Figure 2B illustrates a perspective view of a front portion of a motorized scooter with a collapsible storage structure in an operative configuration
Figure 3 illustrates a side view of a motorized scooter with a collapsible storage structure showing a connecting member
Figure 4 illustrates a perspective top view of a collapsible storage structure as seen from the front of the motorized scooter
Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of the collapsible storage structure as seen from the rear of the motorized scooter

Figure 6 illustrates a top view of the collapsible storage structure showing the interconnectedness of rear wall, connecting member and the front cover
Figure 7 A illustrates a sectional side view of an alternative collapsible storage structure in a fully inoperative configuration
Figure 7B illustrates a sectional side view of an alternative collapsible storage structure in a partially operative configuration
Figure 7C illustrates a sectional side view of an alternative collapsible storage structure in a fully operative configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter the invention will be described in more detail with reference to an embodiment of the present invention,
Referring to Figure 1, a motorized scooter 10 having a front portion F, a rear portion R (not shown), at least a pair of ground engaging wheels 12 one each on the front portion F and the rear portion R, a maneuvering arrangement 14 and a seating arrangement 16, is propelled by an internal combustion engine (not shown) mounted in the rear portion R. A frame S (shown in Figure 5) extending from the front portion F to

the rear portion R of the motorized scooter 10 is provisioned to carry a various elements like lighting systems, internal combustion engine, fuel tank, storage area, floor board etc., thus constituting the motorized scooter 10. A plurality of body covers 18 attached to the frame, surround and camouflage the frame as well as the elements attached thereof. The body covers 18 provides the much needed aesthetic appearance and fixes the look of the motorized scooter 10.
The front portion F of the motorized scooter 10 formed by the body covers 18 houses a collapsible storage structure 20 as shown in Figure 2A and Figure 2B. In the exemplary embodiment, the collapsible storage structure 20 is formed below a head lamp H and above a mud guard G of the front ground engaging wheel 12. The collapsible storage structure 20 assuming an operative configuration is shown in Figure 2B. The collapsible storage structure 20 of the present invention comprises a rear wall 22, a front cover 24, a connecting member 26 and a pair of collapsible walls 28.
The front cover 24 comprises an operative upper end 24U and an operative lower end 24L. Similarly, the rear wall 22 comprises an upper end 22U and a lower end 22L as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4.

Further constructional details and interrelationships among various elements of the collapsible storage structure 20 of the present invention will hereinafter be explained in detail with specific reference to Figure 5 and Figure 6. The connecting member 26 has two sides opposing each other extending in the width direction of the motorized scooter 10. One of the sides of the connecting member 26 is connected to the lower end 22L of the rear wall 22 by means of at least a pair of spaced apart hinges 32. Similarly, the other side of the connecting member 26 is connected to the operative lower end 24L of the front cover 24 by means of at least a pair of spaced apart hinges 34. A locking means L provided on the operative upper end 24U of the front cover 24 retains the front cover 24 against the rear wall 22 when the collapsible storage structure 20 assumes an inoperative configuration. The connecting member 26 positioned parallel to the rear wall 22, angularly moves about the hinges 32 and displaces away from the rear wall 22 before assuming a position normal to the rear wall 22. Similarly, the front cover 24 hingedly linked to the connecting member 26 angularly moves about the hinges 34- It is envisaged to provide stoppers (not shown) abutting the hinges 32 and 34 to limit the angular movement of the connecting member 26 relative to the rear wall 22 as well as the angular movement of the front cover

24 relative to the connecting member 26 respectively thereby creating a box like configuration with the support of collapsible walls 28 forming the collapsible storage structure 20. Such a configuration refers to the operative configuration of the collapsible storage structure 20 shown in Figure 2B. It is envisaged to select a high durability elastic material for the manufacture of collapsible walls 28 to achieve an increased storage capacity. An exemplary list of materials with high durability displaying elastic properties suitable for making collapsible walls 28 are woven elastic, braided elastic, knitted elastic or Polyurethane. Upon swiveling the connecting member 26 about the hinges 32 and displacing it towards the rear wall 22 while simultaneously swiveling the front cover 24 about the hinges 34 and restraining the front cover 24 against the rear wall 22 using the locking means L, the collapsible storage structure 20 is made to assume an inoperative configuration as indicated in Figure 2A. When the collapsible storage structure 20 assumes an inoperative configuration, the collapsible walls 28 folds and stacks in a wave like configuration and remains compressed in between the rear wall 22 and the front cover 24.

In an alternative embodiment as shown in Figure 7 A, Figure 7B and Figure 7C, a connecting member 26' is slidably connected to a rear wall 221. In a preferred manner, a front cover 241 is joined to the connecting member 26' by means of hinges 34'. Such an arrangement provides for increased flexibility. It is also envisaged to fixedly connect the front cover 24' to the connecting member 261. Therefore, the connecting member 261 has a sliding side cooperating with the rear wall 221 and a hinging side cooperating with the front cover 241. There is provided a stopper P on the sliding side of the connecting member 261 for effectively limiting the movement of the connecting member 26' upon coming in contact with the rear wall 221. The collapsible storage structure 201 assumes a fully inoperative configuration when the hinging side of the connecting member 261 abuts against the rear wall 221 and the stopper P is positioned away from the rear wall 22' as shown in Figure 7A. The collapsible storage structure 201 assumes a partially operative configuration, as shown in Figure 7B when the hinging side of the connecting member 261 starts sliding away from the rear wall 221 and the stopper P starts sliding towards the rear wall 221. The collapsible storage structure 201 assumes a fully operative configuration as shown in Figure 7C when thfe hinging side of the connecting member 261 is

positioned away from the rear wall 22' and the stopper P abuts against the rear wall 22'.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES AND ECONOMIC
SIGNIFICANCE
Some of the advantages of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide additional storage space in a motorized scooter.
It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a storage space that compliments the existing storage space.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a storage structure on the front of the motorized scooter.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a storage structure that does not interfere with the overall aesthetics of the motorized scooter.
It is also an advantage of the present invention to provide a storage structure that is collapsible.

Yet it is another advantage of the present invention to provide a collapsible storage structure that has flexible capacity.
Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a flexible and collapsible storage structure that is durable and reliable.
Certain modifications and improvements in the proposed invention will become readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Such changes must be treated as equivalents to the elements of the present invention. Conceivable changes, modifications and improvements in the claimed invention by the use of substitutes and alternatives in terms of material, method, manufacturing process, configuration, arrangement, duplication etc., will render them fall very well within the scope of the claimed invention.

WE CLAIM:
1. A collapsible storage structure adapted to be used on a motorized scooter having a frame carrying a plurality of body covers forming a front portion, said collapsible storage structure provided on said front portion wherein said collapsible storage structure comprises:
a. a rear wall covering a portion of said frame and having an
lower end, an upper end and at least two sides;
b. a front cover having an operative lower end, an operative
upper end and at least two sides;
c. a connecting member located in between said rear wall and
said front cover;
d. a pair of collapsible walls located opposing one another and
each of said collapsible walls extending from a side of said
rear wall to a corresponding side of said front cover;
said operative lower end of said front cover is connected to said lower end of said rear wall by means of said connecting member such that said rear wall, said front cover, said connecting member and said pair of collapsible walls together forms a storage space

when said collapsible storage structure assumes an operative configuration.
2. A collapsible storage structure as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said front cover and said rear wall are hingedly connected to said connecting member.
3. A collapsible storage structure as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said connecting member connected to said front cover is slidably connected to said rear wall.
4. A collapsible storage structure as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said collapsible walls are flexible.
5. A collapsible storage structure as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said collapsible walls extends when said collapsible storage structure assumes an operative configuration.

6. A collapsible storage structure as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said collapsible walls collapses when said collapsible storage structure assumes an inoperative configuration.
7. A collapsible storage structure as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said structure assumes an operative configuration when said front cover and said connecting member swivels away from said rear wall.
8. A collapsible storage structure as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said structure assumes an operative configuration when said front cover and said connecting member displaces forwardly from said rear wall.
9. A collapsible storage structure as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said operative upper end of said front cover carries a locking means cooperating with said front portion thereby retaining said front cover against said rear wall when said collapsible storage structure assumes an inoperative configuration.

10. A motorized scooter having a frame carrying a plurality of body covers forming a front portion comprising a collapsible storage structure as claimed in Claim 1.