Claims:
1. A front fender assembly (100) for a vehicle, said front fender assembly (100) comprising:
a front fender (110) for covering a front wheel (150), said front fender (110) having an outer surface (118), an inner surface (115), a first portion (112), a second portion (113) opposite to the first portion (112), a right-side portion (114) extending rearwardly between the first portion (112) and the second portion (113), and a left-side portion (116) extending rearwardly between the first portion (112) and the second portion (113); and
a protective cover (120), said protective cover (120) being configured to cover a peripheral edge of the front fender (110), said protective cover (120) being disposed in proximity of the first portion (112) for receiving an impact of a collision subjected to the front fender (110) and thereby providing a cushioning effect.

2. The front fender assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said front fender (110) is having a V-shaped profile.

3. The front fender assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said protective cover (120) being configured to cover at least a length of the peripheral edge at the right-side portion (114) and the left-side portion (116) of the front fender (110).

4. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protective cover (120) extends between a first end (120a) and a second end (120b), and comprises: a front surface (121) and a rear surface (122) extending between the first end (120a) and the second end (120b), the rear surface (122) being adapted to be affixed on the front fender (110).

5. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the protective cover (120) comprises: a first attachment portion (122a) on the rear surface (122) and disposed at the second end (120b), the first attachment portion (122a) being adapted to affix the protective cover (120) abutting the peripheral edge of the front fender (110).

6. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4 and 5, wherein the protective cover (120) comprises: a second attachment portion (122b) on the rear surface (122) and disposed at the first end (120a), the second attachment portion (122b) being adapted to affix the protective cover (120) on the peripheral edge of the front fender (110).

7. The assembly (100) as claimed in claims 5 and 6, wherein the first attachment portion (122a) and the second attachment portion (122b) extend between the first end (120a) and the second end (120b).

8. The assembly (100) as claimed in claims 3 and 4, wherein the first attachment portion (122a) and the second attachment portion (122b) comprise an adhesive layer to affix the protective cover (120) on the front fender (110).

9. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the protective cover (120) extends from the first attachment portion (122a) to define a lip (126), the lip (126) being configured to be attached on the inner surface (115) of the front fender (110).

10. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein when the protective cover (120) is affixed on the peripheral edge of the front fender, the peripheral edge of the front fender (110) being received by a bent portion (128) of the protective cover (120), the bent portion (128) joins the first attachment portion (122a) and the lip (126) for attaching the protective cover (120) to the inner surface (115) of the front fender (110).

11. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the rear surface (122) of the protective cover (120) comprises a recess (124) formed therein to grip the front fender (110).

12. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the rear surface (122) of the protective cover (120) comprises a plurality of ribs (125) configured to be in contact with the front fender (110).

13. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the front surface (121) of the protective cover (120) is formed of a smooth surface blended to avoid sharp edge formation.

14. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protective cover is made of rubber for providing smooth cushioning effect.

Dated this 9th day of March 2022
TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

(Nikhil Ranjan)
of Khaitan & Co
Reg No IN/PA-1471 , 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 Front Fender Assembly for a Vehicle

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

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 fender assembly for a vehicle and more particularly to a front fender assembly having a protective cover.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] With increase in traffic and vehicles on the read, accidents have also increased resulting into injury or death of humans and animals. Pedestrians and the animals are most vulnerable to vehicle accidents. Generally, four wheeled vehicles are equipped with bumpers to absorb the shock of the collision during accident which also increases the pedestrian safety thereto. However, it has been observed that other categories of the vehicles i.e. two wheelers, and three wheelers are not equipped with any shock or impact absorbing device disposed in a front of the vehicle.
[003] In two wheeled or three-wheeled vehicles, generally a front fender is disposed below the front cover whereas the front fender covers the front wheel of the vehicle. It has been observed that during vehicle collision, pedestrians or animals are mostly hit at the front fender of the vehicle which causes them a serious injury. Owing to the sharp peripheral edge including a rough surface of the front fender, the collided body part of the pedestrian or the animal may receive a deeper piercing or a serious wound.
[004] It is well known in the art to manufacture the front fender by a metal or plastic material. The front fender is designed in such a way that a peripheral edge of the front fender is usually not blended smoothly. Whenever the peripheral edge is blended smoothly so as to avoid the sharp edge, it has been observed that a further sharp edge gets formed over the surface due to the subjected variations in manufacturing process. Thus, there is always a potential risk that this sharp peripheral edge of the front fender might pierce into the pedestrian and the animal body to cause an injury.
[005] Further, the front fender is manufactured or fabricated as an elongated structure and has cover portions extending rearwardly in left and right-side direction which requires cutting the front panel from a single sheet metal and thereafter an extra portion of sheet metal is bent towards an inner portion of the front fender. It has been found that the tip or the peripheral edge of the front panel is not smoothened and thereby has rough edges during the metal cutting process. Furthermore, it has also been observed that in case of a plastic front panel, the peripheral edge is also not smoothened due to the increased costs and manufacturing complexities.
[006] If additional metal or plastic is used over the peripheral edge of the front panel to create side portions, then dust and dirt may get accumulated at inner side of the side portions and the front fender does not deflect the dirt or dust effectively from the front wheel. Also, if the metal or plastic is bent, in the peripheral edge of the fender, it has been observed that the clearance is reduced due to which the side portions hinder proper servicing of the front fender or the front wheel.
[007] The existing solutions provide mounting a chrome member at the front fender via fasteners to prevent the injury. However, it has been observed that chrome member does not absorb impact of collision and further increases weight, cost and complexities in design and manufacturing of the front fender.
[008] Thus, there is a need in the art for a fender assembly which can prevent injury due to vehicle collision and addresses the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[009] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a front fender assembly for a vehicle. The front fender assembly comprises a front fender for covering a front wheel. The front fender is having an outer surface, an inner surface, a first portion, a second portion opposite to the first portion, a right-side portion extending rearwardly between the first portion and the second portion, and a left-side portion extending rearwardly between the first portion and the second portion; and a protective cover being configured to cover a peripheral edge of the front fender. The protective cover is disposed in proximity of the first portion for receiving an impact of a collision subjected to the front fender and thereby providing a cushioning effect.
[010] In an embodiment of the invention, the protective cover is configured to cover at least a length of the peripheral edge at the right-side portion and the left-side portion of the front fender.
[011] In another embodiment of the invention, the protective cover extends between a first end and a second end. The protective cover includes a front surface and a rear surface extending between the first end and the second end, the rear surface being adapted to be affixed on the front fender.
[012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the protective cover is having a first attachment portion on the rear surface disposed at the second end, the first attachment portion is adapted to affix the protective cover abutting the peripheral edge of the front fender.
[013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the protective cover has a second attachment portion on the rear surface and disposed at the first end of the protective cover. The second attachment portion is adapted to affix the protective cover on the peripheral edge of the front fender.
[014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion extend between the first end and the second end.
[015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion comprise an adhesive layer to affix the protective cover on the front fender.
[016] In a further embodiment of the invention, the protective cover extends from the first attachment portion to define a lip. The lip is configured to be attached on the inner surface of the front fender.
[017] In a further embodiment of the invention, the protective cover is affixed on the peripheral edge of the front fender such that the peripheral edge of the front fender is received by a bent portion of the protective cover. The bent portion joins the first attachment portion and the lip for attaching the protective cover to the inner surface of the front fender.
[018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the rear surface of the protective cover has a recess formed therein to grip the front fender.
[019] In a further embodiment of the invention, the rear surface of the protective cover has a plurality of ribs configured to be in contact with the front fender. The ribs prevent scarring of the rear surface of the protective cover from the contacting peripheral edge of the fender.
[020] In a further embodiment of the invention, the front fender is having a V-shaped profile.
[021] In a further embodiment of the invention, the front surface of the protective cover is formed of a smooth surface blended to avoid sharp edge formation.
[022] In a further embodiment of the invention, the protective cover is made of rubber for providing smooth cushioning effect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[023] 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 prospective view of an exemplary vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the front fender assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the protective cover of the fender assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the of the protective cover being assembled on the front fender assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the protective cover of the fender assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the protective cover with the recess depicted therein, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 7 illustrates a rear perspective view of the protective cover with a rear surface having ribs depicted therein, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 8 illustrates a rear view of the protective cover with the rear surface depicted therein, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[024] The present invention relates to a fender assembly for a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fender assembly having a protective cover to absorb the impact of the vehicle collision and increase pedestrian safety.
[025] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle (10), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As an example, the vehicle (10) is a scooter type vehicle. The vehicle (10) has a transmission system (not shown) including an internal combustion engine (not shown) as a prime mover, that is disposed behind a floorboard (14) and below a seat assembly (16) and/or a storage compartment (not shown). In an embodiment, the transmission system includes an electric motor (not shown) or a combination of the electric motor and the internal combustion engine as the prime mover as per design feasibility and requirement. The vehicle (10) has a front wheel (150), a rear wheel (160) and a frame member (not shown).
[026] A head pipe (not shown) connects to the frame member. The head pipe supports a steering shaft (not shown) and a front suspension (not shown) attached to the steering shaft through a lower bracket (not shown). The front suspension supports the front wheel (150). The upper portion of the front wheel (150) is covered by a front fender assembly (100) mounted to the front suspension, and the front fender assembly (100) comprising a front fender (110). In an embodiment, the front fender (110) is movable along with the front wheel (150), during travel over undulations on a road surface. A handlebar (18) is fixed to upper bracket (not shown) and can rotate about the steering shaft for turning the vehicle (10). A headlight (20) and an instrument cluster are arranged on an upper portion of the head pipe.
[027] Further, a rear suspension (not shown) is provided to the rear wheel (160) for dampening the vibrations induced during travel of the vehicle (10) over undulations on the road surface. A taillight unit (22) is disposed at the end of the vehicle (10) and at the rear of the seat assembly (16). A grab rail (24) is also provided for facilitating the grip and/or balance to a rider/pillion on the vehicle (10) during movement. The rear wheel (160) is arranged below the seat assembly (16) and adapted to receive the motive force from the prime mover. A suitable transmission assembly is provided for transferring the drive force from the prime mover onto the rear wheel (160) for driving the vehicle (10). In an embodiment, the driving force of the internal combustion engine is transmitted through a chain drive (not shown) or a belt drive (not shown). A rear fender is disposed above the rear wheel (160). An exhaust pipe (not shown) is also provided for the Internal combustion engine, that extends therefrom towards the rear end of the vehicle (10).
[028] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the front fender assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The front fender assembly (100) includes the front fender (110) having an outer surface (118) and an inner surface (115). The front fender (110) has a first portion (112), a second portion (113), a right-side portion (114), and a left-side portion (116). When seen in a front-rear direction of the vehicle (10), the first portion (112) is at the front of the vehicle (10) and the second portion (113) is disposed at an opposite end of the first portion (113). The right-side portion (114) extends in a rearward direction between the first portion (112) and the second portion (113). The left-side portion (116) extends in the rearward direction between the first portion (112) and the second portion (113). The first portion (112), the second portion (113), right-side portion (114) and the left-side portion (116) define a peripheral edge across the fender and together form a dome shape which receives a part of the front wheel (150) on an interior side. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the front fender (110) is having a V-shaped profile. The V-shaped profile allows the fender to cover the front wheel of the vehicle in order to deflect the dirt and dust particles from the front wheel.
[029] Further, the fender assembly (100) has a protective cover (120) for covering the peripheral edge of the front fender (110). The protective cover (120) is disposed in proximity of the first portion (112) for receiving an impact of a vehicle collision subjected to the front fender (110) and thereby providing a cushioning effect. In this regard, the protective cover (120) is adapted to cover the peripheral edge of the first portion (112) including a length of the peripheral edge at the right-side portion (114) and the left-side portion (116) of the front fender (110).
[030] Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the protective cover of the fender assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The protective cover (120) extends between a first end (120a) and a second end (120b). The protective cover (120) has a front surface (121) and a rear surface (122) (shown in Figure 7) extending between the first end (120a) and the second end (120b). The rear surface (122) of the front fender is adapted to be affixed on the front fender (110) of the vehicle (10) such that a sharp, irregular, or rough peripheral edge of the front fender (110) is covered or not exposed to the pedestrians or the animals. The front surface (121) of the protective cover (120) receives the impact of the vehicle collision thereby providing a cushioning effect. The front surface (121) of the protective cover (120) is formed of a smooth surface blended to avoid sharp edge formation.
[031] Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the of the front fender assembly attached to the front fender, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The front fender (110) is having an outer surface (118) and an inner surface (115). The protective cover (120) is abutted at the outer surface (118) of the front fender (110) to cover the peripheral edge of the front fender (110).
[032] Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the protective cover of the fender assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The protective cover has a first attachment portion (122a) and second attachment portion (122b) disposed at the rear surface (122) of the protective cover (120). The second attachment portion (122b) is spaced apart from the first attachment portion (122a) in a vertical direction. The first attachment portion (122a) and second attachment portion (122b) are adapted to affix the protective cover (120) abutting the peripheral edge of the front fender (110). In an embodiment of the invention, the first attachment portion (122a) and the second attachment portion (122b) include an adhesive layer to affix the protective cover (120) on the front fender (110).
[033] In an embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figure 5, the protective cover (120) extends from the first attachment portion (122a) to define a lip (126). The lip (126) is configured to be attached on an inner surface (115) (shown in Figure 4) of the front fender (110). The protective cover has a recess (124) formed at the rear surface to grip the front fender (110).
[034] In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the protective cover (120) is affixed on the peripheral edge of the front fender (110) such that the peripheral edge of the front fender (110) is received by a bent portion (128) formed at rear surface (122) of the protective cover (120). The bent portion (128) joins the first attachment portion (122a) and the lip (126) for attaching the protective cover (120) to the inner surface (115) (shown in Figure 4) of the front fender (110).
[035] Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the protective cover with the recess (124) depicted therein, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The recess (124) is formed at the rear surface (122) of the protective cover to grip the front fender (110). The recess (124) is a depression which prevents direct hit and injury of the pedestrian when coming into contact with the vehicle (10) during a collision. The first attachment portion (122a) formed at rear surface (122) of the protective cover is disposed at a second end of the protective cover (120). The second attachment portion (122b) formed at the rear surface (122) of the protective cover (120) is disposed at the first end. The protective cover (120) also includes two side attachment portions (122c, 122d) disposed opposite to each other for attaching the protective cover at the front fender. The side attachment portions (122c, 122d) adjoin the front attachment portion (122a) and the second attachment portion (122b).
[036] Figure 7 and Figure 8 show rear view of the protective cover illustrating the rear surface, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The protective cover (120) includes the rear surface (122) adapted to be affixed to the front fender (110). The rear surface (122) has a plurality of ribs (125) formed at the rear surface. The ribs (125) are configured to be in contact with the peripheral edge of the front fender (110). The ribs (125) are configured to prevent scarring of the rear surface (122) of the protective cover (120) from the peripheral edge of the front fender (110).
[037] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the protective cover is made of rubber which provides smooth cushioning effect.
[038] Advantageously, the assembly of the present invention provides a protective cover for absorbing the impact of the vehicle collision thereby enhancing pedestrian and animal safety. The protective cover can be easily manufactured and attached to the front fender without any additional mounting arrangements. The protective cover has a recess and bent portion which enhances gripping and securely keeps the protective cover in position. The bent portion of the protective cover secures the peripheral edge in place and prevents loosening of the protective cover from the front fender.
[039] 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.