This invention relates to a device for fastening the service door of a motor vehicle, more particularly, though not exclusively, a motor vehicle, such as, a three wheeler motor vehicle, popularly called an auto rickshaw, hereinafter referred to as a three wheeler.

The three-wheeler presently uses a type of fastener that fastens the service door to the cabin. A knob is used for keeping the door in its place. The main drawback of the present system is that during continuous vehicle operation, the fastener is not suitable because it tends to loosen and fall off. Also, when the vehicle is a stationary bystander can easily remove the knob and take it away.

Another type of fastener, which is in vogue, involves a hinged knob found in some three-wheelers. The drawback of this system is that the knob can be detached from the assembly permanently. And also the hinged joint consists of more number of parts which increases the assembly time and cost.

When this fastener fails, it will lead to undesirable effects like flapping of the service door, unnecessary annoyance to the customer, noisy rattling and vibration of the vehicle.

It is therefore an object of this invention to propose a fastener which obviates the above mentioned drawbacks In accordance with one of its embodiments the present invention relates to an arrangement, which consists of a strap made of a plastic base material, such as, Rubber, PVC, LDPE, HDPE, Nylon 6.

This arrangement consists of a knob that snap fits to this strap. This knob and the strap arrangement can also be made integral, that is, from a single piece construction. This uses a mounting support to fix the knob to a three-wheeled vehicle and prevents the knob from falling down once it is removed from the vehicle.

The advantages of the proposed fastener are that the fastened assembly will hold the knob fixed to the cabin assembly area and prevent the knob from falling off. The removal of the knob by idle bystanders is also not possible as it is securely fastened to the cabin assembly.

This invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings In which

Fig. 1 illustrates a view of the three wheeler;

Fig. 2 illustrates existing cabin assembly with tail door and the knob

Fig. 3 illustrates cabin assembly without tail door and the knob

Fig. 4 illustrates cabin assembly with knob but no tail door;

Fig. 5 illustrates the cabin assembly with tail door and knob in open condition;

Fig. 6 illustrates the cabin assembly with tail door and knob in closed condition.

Any known 3 wheeler, as illustrated in fig. 1, can be divided into three major portions, the front portion F, the middle portion M and the rear/tail portion R. The front portion F comprises the steering 1, front wheel with necessary brakes 2, front suspension and fender 3, wind shield 4, wiping system 5, dash board with control switches 6, Head lamp and side indicator 7. The middle portion M comprises the driver seat 8, footrest for the driver 9, Hand start link rod 10, "B" pillar 11, and "B" pillar partition wall 12. The rear/tail portion R comprises engine assembly 13, petrol tank 14, rear wheel with suspension 15, cabin assembly 16, passenger seat 17, "C" pillar 18, rear combination lamp assembly (LH & RH) 19, silencer assembly 20.

Fig. 2 shows the cabin assembly of the present three-wheeler with the present fastener for the tail door. The tail door assembly is also shown here.

The current practice is a loose assembly. The knob as shown in fig 2 fastens the service door to the cabin assembly.

With reference to Figs. 3 to.6, the proposed fastener will have a plastic or rubber -based strap 21 that will be snap fit to the new knob 22. This arrangement as a whole is then mounted on the frame tail door (24) using a bolt 23.

It will be appreciated that various other embodiments of this invention are possible without departing from its scope and ambit.

We Claim:

1. A device for fastening the service door of a motor vehicle, comprising a knob; a plastic or rubber -based strap attached to the knob, said strap and knob being mounted on the frame of the said door.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the strap is formed integral with the knob.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the strap and knob are non-integral, the knob forming a snap-fit with the strap.

4. A device for fastening the service door of a motor vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.