TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a two-wheeled or a three wheeled saddle type vehicle. More particularly but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a footrest assembly for the scooter-type vehicle two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Typically, the scooter-type vehicle capable of carrying at least one passenger is provided with an occupant footrest extending in a vehicle width direction from both sides of a body frame thereof. The occupant footrest serves to provide comfortable resting position for feet of the occupant. Besides providing comfort for resting of feet, the occupant footrest also serves to absorb vibrations. Typically, an occupant footrest comprises a footrest holder and an elastic sleeve disposed over said footrest holder. A variety of casting/moulding and fabrication processes may be used to manufacture the occupant footrest holder based on type of material selected for the same. Typically, occupant footrests extending from either sides of a body frame of the vehicle are provided in a vehicle so that an occupant can comfortably place his feet while riding. Generally, the occupant footrests provided are foldable in nature so that they do not protrude outwards when not in use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0004] Fig. 1 shows a side view of a scooter type vehicle employing a footrest assembly according to the present invention.
[0005] Fig. 2 illustrates a portion of a vehicle frame assembly supporting a footrest assembly.
[0006] Fig. 3 illustrates a left side view of a portion of the vehicle frame assembly supporting a footrest assembly.
[0007] Fig. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the footrest assembly supported on a portion of the vehicle frame assembly.
[0008] Fig. 5 illustrates an exploded view of a footrest assembly.
[0009] Fig. 6 illustrates an exploded view of a footrest assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[00010] Fig. 7a illustrates a top perspective view of an integrated structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[00011] Fig. 7b illustrates an integrated structure according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[00012] Fig. 8 illustrates a sectional view of a portion of the footrest assembly with the foot peg assembled according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00013] Conventionally, most of the scooter type vehicles comprises of a frame assembly, an engine assembly, an induction assembly, and one or more electrical systems. All of these vehicular components are covered by one or more body panels. The vehicle frame assembly forms a basic structure of the scooter-type vehicle that carries the engine assembly and other subsystems through various mountings. Further, the vehicle frame assembly is capable enough to withstand all of the loads from all the vehicular components and in addition, the vehicle frame assembly also withstands the load of the persons seated on the vehicle. A pillion footrest assembly is mounted on either side of the vehicle frame assembly and the pillion footrest assembly is configured to withstand the forces exerted by the pillion rider. Typically, a passenger footrest is used by the pillion rider seated on the vehicle, for example, a scooter type vehicle. The passenger footrest supports the legs of the pillion rider.
[00014] The conventional footrest assembly comprises one or more tubular structures that withstand the load transferred by the pillion foot. Further, one or more bosses and one or more brackets are welded to the one or more tubular structures to receive a pillion foot peg. It is also known in the art, wherein the footrest assembly includes one or more stoppers, for example, one or more pins welded to the one or more tubular structure. The welded joints suffer from structural instability and are more prone to wear and tear due to frequent opening and closing operations. For example, over a period of time, upon usage, the welded pins tend to break. The breakage leads to malfunctioning of the pillion footrest assembly, this call for a need to replacement of the part/ servicing.
[00015] Further, the pillion footrest assembly includes additional gusset like structures to withstand the loads during unusual conditions, for example, the additional gusset like structures makes the pillion footrest assembly heavy and clumsy. Furthermore, the conventional pillion footrest assembly includes more number of parts, which are welded together. The time consumed during assembly of the pillion footrest assembly is more than the reasonable time.
[00016] Furthermore, the manufacturability of the conventional footrest assembly is tedious and also the cost of manufacturing is more than the reasonable price.
[00017] In a two-wheeled vehicle, the orientation of the pillion footrest assembly with respect to the ground is a critical factor. The orientation of the pillion footrest assembly too closer to the ground or higher from the ground level is not preferred by the user. In case of the pillion footrest assembly closer to the ground, the pillion rider has to stretch his/her limbs to reach out the pillion footrest assembly and has to retain in the posture for the entire journey time. This may lead to deformation or breakage of the pillion footrest assembly due to excess load exerted by the pillion rider. Further, this is not an ergonomically preferred posture. Furthermore, if the pillion footrest assembly is higher from the ground level, the pillion rider has to bend his/her knees to rest the limbs on the pillion footrest assembly, which is again an ergonomically non-desirable posture. Therefore, the pillion footrest assembly disposed on the vehicle body frame with a predetermined angle that is ergonomically desirable and provides good riding posture for the pillion rider is desirable.
[00018] Therefore, a simpler and cost effective pillion footrest assembly is required.
[00019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the footrest assembly comprises at least one footrest structure, for example a tubular rod like structure having a circular cross-section attached to a pair of rear tubes of the vehicle frame assembly. In particular, the at least one footrest structure is attached to the pair of rear tubes through at least one gusset. The at least one gusset is fixedly attached to the pair of rear tubes. The at least one footrest structure includes an attaching portion and a receiving portion. The attaching portion is attached to at least a portion of the at least one gusset.
[00020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one footrest structure includes a receiving portion capable of receiving an integrated structure. The integrated structure comprises one or more uneven portions. The one or more uneven portions are one or more stoppers. The one or more stoppers are preferably trapezoidal in shape and include at least three walls. In particular, the one or more stoppers comprise a base wall. The base wall is at least a portion of an upper face of the integrated structure. Further, the one or more stoppers also include an open-ended wall disposed oppositely upward to the base wall. The one or more stoppers are tapered from the base wall to the open-ended wall. Furthermore, the one or more stoppers have different cross sections because of their trapezoidal shape.
[00021] The trapezoidal shape of the one or more stoppers provides a rectangular shape to the base wall. The rectangular shape base wall is big enough to provide sufficient support to the parts reliable on it. For example, in the present invention, the one or more stoppers are configured to receive a foot peg. Therefore, according to the proposed invention, the one or more stoppers are strong enough and undergo negligible wear and tear.
[00022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the integrated structure comprises the one or more stoppers as an integral part. For example, the integrated structure including the one or more stoppers is manufactured by a process called as forging. Thereby, eliminating the welded joints between the integrated structure and the one or more stoppers. Therefore, a more stable and reliable operation of the footrest assembly is obtained. Furthermore, the footrest assembly does not suffer from any structural instability that may occur due to welded joints.
[00023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more stoppers provide restricted movement to the foot peg of the footrest assembly. The restricted movement is provided between the open condition and the closed condition.
[00024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more stoppers are disposed opposite to each other, with an angle of approximately 180 degrees from each other.
[00025] Further, the pillion footrest assembly is disposed on either side of the vehicle body frame along a footrest axis that is inclined at predetermined angle O degrees to the ground axis. The ground axis is parallel to the ground. The predetermined angle O degree is approximately in the range of 5 degrees to 50 degrees. This predetermined angle O degrees provides an ergonomically favorable posture to the pillion rider, which also provides a comfortable longer pillion riding condition to the user. In particular, the pillion footrest assembly includes an integrated structure configured to receive a foot peg, upon which the pillion rider rests his/her feet. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the integrated structure is disposed above the footrest axis comprising the at least one footrest structure. This particular position of the integrated structure above the footrest axis is comfortable for the pillion rider. This way, pillion rider does not have to put any extra load exerted due to more bending of the rider’s knees on the integrated structure. This also prevents breakage or deformation or bending of the pillion footrest assembly. Therefore, a more stable and reliable footrest assembly is obtained.
[00026] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following description.
[00027] Fig. 1 shows a side view of the scooter type vehicle. The vehicle 100 has a body frame assembly made up of several tubes welded together, which usually supports the body of the said vehicle. The vehicle 100 has a steerable front wheel 101 and a driven rear wheel 102. The body frame assembly of the vehicle 100 is an elongated structure, which typically extends from a forward end to a rearward end of the vehicle 100. It is generally convex in shape, as viewed from a side elevation view. The said frame assembly includes a head tube (not shown), a main frame and also may have a sub-frame. The sub-frame is attached to the main frame using appropriate joining mechanism. The frame assembly is covered by a plurality of vehicle body covers including a front panel 104, an under-seat cover 105, a cooling vent assembly 106, a rear cover 113, a front panel bottom 107, and a side panel 109. A footrest assembly 116 for the purpose of resting the user’s feet is provided on either side of the scooter type vehicle 100. The footrest assembly is disposed at a close proximity to the side panel 109.
[00028] A handlebar assembly 110 and a seat assembly 103 are supported at opposing ends of the frame assembly and a generally open area is defined there between known as floorboard 108, which functions as a step through space. The seat for a driver and a pillion is placed forward to a fuel tank and rear side of floorboard 108. A front fender 111 is provided above the front wheel 101 to avoid the said vehicle and its occupants from being splashed with mud. Likewise, a rear fender (not shown) is placed between fuel tank and rear wheel 102, and to the outer side in the radial direction of rear wheel 102. Rear fender inhibits rainwater or the like from being thrown up by rear wheel 102.
[00029] Suspensions are provided for comfortable steering of the vehicle on the road. A front suspension assembly (not shown) is connected to a front fork 112. The rear suspension assembly comprises of at least one rear suspension preferably on the left side of the vehicle. However, a vehicle with two rear suspensions, namely on the left side and the right side is also possible. For the safety of the user and in conformance with the traffic rules, a headlight 114 in the front portion of the vehicle and a tail lamp assembly 115 in the rear portion of the vehicle is also provided.
[00030] Fig. 2 illustrates a portion of a vehicle frame assembly supporting a footrest assembly. The footrest assembly 200 is supported on a pair of rear tubes 204 extending from at least a portion of a rear end of a main tube 205. The footrest assembly 200 includes at least one footrest structure 202 fixedly attached, for example, fixedly attached by a process called as welding, to at least a portion of the pair of rear tubes 204. The footrest assembly 200 includes at least one-foot peg 206. The pillion rider’s legs are disposed on the foot peg 206 whenever the pillion rider is seated on the vehicle. The load received from the pillion rider is transferred from the foot peg to the portion of the vehicle frame assembly. The pillion footrest assembly proposed by the present invention is stable enough to receive the load transferred by the pillion rider.
[00031] Fig. 3 illustrates a left side view of a portion of the vehicle frame assembly supporting a footrest assembly. The footrest assembly capable of supporting the pillion rider’s legs are disposed at a predetermined angle O from the ground level. The ground axis gg` is parallel to the ground and the axis ga passing through the footrest assembly 200 is preferably at the predetermined angle O with respect to the ground axis gg`. The predetermined angle O is ergonomically comfortable to the pillion rider when seated on the vehicle. Furthermore, the footrest assembly disposed at the predetermined angle O provides necessary support and posture to the pillion rider, more particularly to the pillion rider’s legs. The predetermined angle O is approximately in the range of 5 degrees to 50 degrees.
[00032] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the footrest assembly is angularly disposed, the predetermined angle O also ensures that the load received from the pillion rider is evenly distributed on the footrest assembly and therefore, the footrest assembly according to the proposed invention can withstand the load transferred by the pillion rider in any circumstances and does not undergo failure, thereby avoiding the need for frequent servicing.
[00033] Fig. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the footrest assembly supported on a portion of the vehicle frame assembly. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the footrest assembly 200 is attached to the pair of rear tubes 204 through at least one gusset 201. The at least one gusset 201 is fixedly attached to at least a portion of the pair of rear tubes 204. The at least one gusset 201 is configured to support at least one footrest structure 202. The at least one footrest structure is configured to support an integrated structure at one receiving end. The integrated structure is capable of receiving the foot peg (not shown).
[00034] Fig. 5 illustrates an exploded view of a footrest assembly. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the footrest assembly comprises the at least one gusset 201, for example a metallic structure, preferably rigid in nature. The at least one gusset 201 is configured to receive and support the at least one footrest structure 202. The at least one footrest structure 202 comprises an attaching portion 202a and a receiving portion 202b. The attaching portion 202a is received by the at least one gusset 201 and the receiving portion is capable of receiving the integrated structure 203.
[00035] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a bracket 207 is attached to at least a portion of the integrated member 203. The bracket 207 is capable of supporting other vehicle body panels attached to a mounting boss 207a disposed on the bracket 207. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the bracket 207 is fixedly attached to the integrated structure 203.
[00036] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the bracket 207 is detachably attached to the integrated structure 203.
[00037] Fig. 6 illustrates an exploded view of a footrest assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. The footrest assembly comprises at least one gusset 201 capable of receiving the at least one footrest structure 202. The at least one footrest structure 202 is configured to receive the integrated structure 203 at one end and a holding structure 208. The holding structure 208 is detachably attached to the integrated structure 203. Furthermore, the holding structure 208 is configured to receive a lower side cover (not shown) used to cover the sides of the floorboard. The lower side cover is mounted through a slot 208a disposed on a side surface of the holding structure 208. Furthermore, the holding structure 208 is also capable of supporting at least a portion of the floor board mounted through a receiving member 208b.
[00038] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the holding structure 208 is fixedly attached to the integrated structure 203.
[00039] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the holding structure 208 is detachably attached to the integrated structure 203.
[00040] Fig. 7a illustrates a top perspective view of an integrated structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. The integrated structure 203 comprises an upper face 203b. The upper face 203b includes one or more uneven surfaces. The one or more uneven surfaces are one or more protrusion like structures. In the present embodiment, the one or more protrusion like structures is the one or more stoppers 203a. The one or more stoppers 203a include at least three walls 203aa, 203ab, 203ac including a base wall 203aa being a portion of the upper face 203b itself. Further, an open-ended wall 203ab is disposed upwardly and oppositely to the base wall 203aa. Furthermore, the gap between the base wall 203aa and the open-ended wall 203ab is covered by two or more side walls 203ac. Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more stoppers 203a are tapered, in particular, the tapering is observed from the base wall 203aa towards the open-ended wall 203ab.
[00041] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more stoppers 203a are trapezoidal in shape. Further, the base wall 203aa comprises a bigger surface area compared to the open-ended wall 203ab. The bigger surface area of the base wall 203aa serves the purpose of achieving maximum contact surface and substantially prevents breakage and wear and tear.
[00042] Furthermore, the one or more stoppers 203a are configured to receive the foot peg 206. The one or more stoppers 203a are disposed at an angle a from each other. The angle a is approximately 180 degrees. However, in an alternate embodiment, the one or more stoppers 203a are symmetrically distributed on the upper face 203b.
[00043] Fig. 7b illustrates an integrated structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the integrated structure 203 comprises a mounting portion 203d enabling mounting of the foot peg upon the integrated structure 203. Further, the integrated structure 203 comprises a first provision 203ea and a second provision 203eb. Furthermore, the integrated structure also includes a bracket portion 209 capable of receiving other body panels, the floorboard, and one or more electrical components like a TCI unit. The bracket portion 209 forms an integral part of the integrated member 203. The bracket portion 209 and the integrated member 203 are produced together by a process called as forging. The bracket portion 209 is configured with a hole 209a to receive any part being mounted on it.
[00044] Fig. 8 illustrates a sectional view of a portion of the footrest assembly with the foot peg assembled according to an embodiment of the present invention. The foot peg 206 is received by the one or more stoppers 203a of the integrated member (not seen) dispose below a mounting portion 206b of the foot peg 206. Further, the free-end portion 206c of the foot peg 206 is capable of supporting the feet of the pillion rider seated behind the rider on the vehicle.
[00045] The foot peg 206 includes at least two elongated slots 206a enabling movement of the one or more stoppers 203a there within. The at least two elongated slots 206a are disposed at a close proximity to the circumferential surface of the mounting portion 206b of the foot peg 206. The at least two elongated slots 206a are curved and are configured to accommodate the one or more stoppers 203a there within. Furthermore, the at least two elongated slots 206a allows the one or more stoppers 203a to move only from the first end 206aa to the second end 206ab. Thereby, restricting the movement of the foot peg 206 beyond the second end 206ab. The position of the foot peg 206 at the first end 206aa as shown in the figure is comfortable enough and ergonomically a preferred position to the pillion rider. The further movement of the foot peg beyond the first end 206aa is restricted by the one or more stoppers 203a. The one or more stoppers 203a according to the present invention are rigid, structurally stable, and more reliable to substantially withstand the load transferred by the pillion rider. Hence, the one or more stoppers 203a do not undergo substantial wear and tear. Therefore, a more reliable functioning of the footrest assembly is achieved.
[00046] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the smooth movement of the foot peg 206 is provided by the arrangement of the spherical member 203f and the elastic member 203g. The elastic member 203g is disposed in any one of above and below the spherical member 203f. Whenever the foot peg 206 is moved from the closed condition to the open condition, the spherical member 203f slides from a first provision 203ea to a second provision 203eb. The first provision 203ea and the second provision 203eb are disposed on the upper face 203b of the integrated structure 203.
[00047] Although the subject matter has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. It is to be understood that the aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein.
,CLAIMS:I/We claim:
1. A footrest assembly (200) for a vehicle (100) comprising:
a pair of rear tubes (204) extending inclinedly rearward from at least a portion of a main tube (205);
at least one gusset (201) attached to at least a portion of said pair of rear tubes (204); and
at least one footrest structure (202) including an attaching portion (202a) and a receiving portion (202b), said attaching portion (202a) is attached to at least a portion of said at least one gusset (201),
wherein,
said at least one footrest structure (202) is disposed along a footrest axis (ga) inclined at an predetermined angle O degrees to a ground axis (gg`) parallel to the ground, said at least one footrest structure (202) includes a receiving portion (202b) capable of receiving an integrated structure (203), said integrated structure (203) is disposed above and at a proximity to said footrest axis (ga).
2. The footrest assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said integrated structure (203) includes an upper face (203b) comprising one or more stoppers (203a), said one or more stoppers (203a) include at least three walls comprising a base wall, an open-ended wall, and two or more side walls, said base wall is at least a portion of said upper face (203b), an open-ended wall (203ab) is disposed upwardly and oppositely to the base wall (203aa), the one or more side walls (203ac) are disposed orthogonal to said base wall (203aa) and said open-ended wall (203ab) and wherein said one or more stoppers (203a) are tapered towards said open-ended wall (203ab) from said base wall (203aa).
3. The footrest assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more stoppers (203a) are configured to receive a foot peg member and said one or more stoppers (203a) include rectangular cross-section.
4. The footrest assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more stoppers (203a) are configured to enable restricted movement to said foot peg in an open condition and in a closed condition.
5. The footrest assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more stoppers (203a) are disposed at an angle of approximately 180 degrees from each other.
6. The footrest assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more stoppers (203a) protrude outwardly vertically from said upper face (203b) of said integrated structure (203).
7. The footrest assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more stoppers (203a) and said integrated structure (203) are integrated by forging.
8. The footrest assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said angle O is approximately in the range of 5 degrees to 50 degrees.
9. The footrest assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said integrated structure (203) includes a bracket portion (209) capable of receiving at least one of a portion of a body panel, a floorboard, and an electrical component.
10. The footrest assembly (200) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said one or more stoppers (203a) are disposed symmetrically and at an angle a degrees from one another, said angle a degrees is approximately 180 degrees.