Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A front lamp cover assembly (200) for a two-wheeled automobile, the cover assembly (200) comprising a plurality of components: a front panel assembly (200f) for housing a front lamp (128), a rear panel assembly (200r) for housing an instrument cluster (126), the front panel assembly (200f) and the rear panel assembly (200r) being mounted on to each other to form a joining boundary;
the front panel assembly (200f) comprising:
a front panel (210) having a window (212) integrally in the top portion for providing access to the front lamp (128),
a bezel (220) mounted over the joining boundary, and
a visor (230) disposed over the window (212) of the front panel (210); and
the rear panel assembly (200r) comprising:
a rear panel (250) for mounting and covering the instrument cluster (126), and
a pair of switch covers (260l,r) for automobile control switches.

2. The cover assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1 including fastening and mounting means (410, 510, 610) for connecting the plurality of components to each other and to a frame (150), wherein one or more of the fastening and mounting means are located away and out from the continuous field of vision of a rider of the automobile.

3. The cover assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of switch covers (260l,r) includes a right switch cover (260r) and a left switch cover (260l) disposed on either sides of the rear panel (250), the switch covers (260l,r) having a plurality of windows (310) for the automobile control switches.

4. The cover assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein all of the fastening and mounting means are located away and out from the continuous field of vision of a rider of the automobile.

5. The cover assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bezel (220) symmetrically extends in the automobile width direction with respect to centre of the automobile connecting to the front panel (210) and the rear panel (250) and extends in automobile length direction connecting to the front lamp (128) and the instrument cluster (126).

6. The cover assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bezel (220) is mounted over the joining boundary where the mounting means of the front panel (210) and rear panel (250) are matching and a portion of the front panel (210) is sandwiched between the rear panel (250) and the bezel (220).

7. The cover assembly (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the mounted visor (230) covers at least the sandwiched portion of the front panel (210) there by covering the mounting and fastening means of the front panel (210) and the rear panel (250).

8. The cover assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the visor (230) extends in the automobile rear ward direction covering a portion of the bezel (220).

9. The cover assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the visor (230) is connected to the front panel (210), the visor covering the fastening and mounting means of the bezel (220).

10. The cover assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear panel (250) has a window (212) for viewing the instrument cluster (126), the instrument cluster (126) being mounted on to the rear panel (250).

11. The cover assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the automobile control switches are mounted on the rear panel (250) using fastener means, wherein the fastener means being inserted from the inside of the rear panel (250) are out and away from the direct continuous vision of a rider of the automobile.

12. The cover assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of switch covers is flush-fitted with respect to the rear panel (250).

Dated this 10th 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, 1003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]

TITLE OF INVENTION
A FRONT LAMP COVER ASSEMBLY FOR A TWO-WHEELED AUTOMOBILE

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 front lamp cover assembly construction for a two-wheeled automobile such as scooter type vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] In existing scooter type vehicle, a front headlamp is disposed in a front zone of the vehicle. An Instrument cluster is disposed in a space rearward to the front lamp at a required position and angle. The front lamp is positioned frontward to a handlebar of the vehicle and the instrument cluster is above the handlebar and partially rearward.
[003] A front panel and a rear panel are provided. The front panel is used to cover the front lamp and the rear panel is used to cover the Instrument cluster. The rear panel also provides housing for switch components of the vehicle such as an ignition switch, a horn switch and the like. The front panel and the rear panel are connected together by a plurality of fasteners and are also connected to a frame of the vehicle by at least one fastener.
[004] In the existing design, only the front panel and the rear panel are used to cover from front and rear portions of the front lamp and the instrument cluster along with the handlebar. The connection between the front and the rear panel is made with at least six visible fasteners. The finish of these components basically can be of only two varieties as only two parts are used.
[005] It has been attempted and desired in the art to split the front panel and the rear panel into a plurality of parts/members. This is done with the objective of providing different and desired finish to each part/member of the panels to improve the aesthetics of the vehicle.
[006] However, the splitting of the single piece panels into multiple parts leads increased part count. As a result of which, additional fasteners are required to fix the multiple parts to each other and the frame. Increase in the number of fasteners also deteriorates the aesthetics of the vehicle due to poor colour harmony of the fasteners with the rest of the panel members. The aesthetics are also compromised because the number of fasteners in the direct vision of the rider and even a viewer also increases. Further, accessing the front lamp for servicing also becomes difficult since more fasteners need to be removed.
[007] Thus, there is a need in the art for a front lamp cover assembly for a scooter type vehicle, which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[008] In one aspect, the present invention is directed at a front lamp cover assembly for a two-wheeled vehicle / automobile such as a scooter. The front lamp cover assembly includes a front panel assembly for housing a front lamp and a rear panel assembly for housing an instrument cluster. The front panel assembly and the rear panel assembly are mounted on to each other to form a joining boundary. The front panel assembly includes a front panel having a window integrally in the top portion for providing access to the front lamp, a bezel mounted over the joining boundary, and a visor disposed over the window of the front panel. The rear panel assembly includes a rear panel for mounting and covering the instrument cluster and a pair of switch covers for automobile control switches.
[009] In an embodiment, the cover assembly also includes fastening and mounting means for connecting the plurality of components to each other and to the frame. One or more of the fastening and mounting means are located away and out from the continuous field of vision of a rider of the automobile.
[010] In another embodiment, the pair of switch covers includes a right switch cover and a left switch cover disposed on either sides of the rear panel. The switch covers have a plurality of windows for the automobile control switches.
[011] In an embodiment, all of the fastening and mounting means are located away and out from the continuous field of vision of a rider of the automobile.
[012] In a further embodiment, the bezel symmetrically extends in the automobile width direction with respect to centre of the automobile connecting to the front panel and the rear panel. The bezel also extends in the automobile length direction connecting to the front lamp and the instrument cluster.
[013] In an embodiment, the bezel is mounted over the joining boundary where the mounting means of the front panel and the rear panel are matching. A portion of the front panel is sandwiched between the rear panel and the bezel. The mounted visor covers at least the sandwiched portion of the front panel there by covering the mounting and fastening means of the front panel and the rear panel.
[014] In another embodiment, the visor extends in the automobile rear ward direction covering a portion of the bezel. The visor is connected to the front panel covering the fastening and mounting means of the bezel.
[015] In a further embodiment, the rear panel has a window for viewing the instrument cluster mounted on to the rear panel.
[016] In an embodiment, the automobile control switches are mounted on the rear panel using fastener means. The fastener means being inserted from the inside of the rear panel are out and away from the direct continuous vision of a rider of the automobile.
[017] In an embodiment, the pair of switch covers is flush-fitted with respect to the rear panel.

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 1A illustrates a left-side view of an exemplary motor vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 1B illustrates a perspective stripped off view of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2A illustrates a perspective view of a front lamp cover assembly in one orientation.
Figure 2B illustrates an exploded perspective view of the front lamp cover assembly in another orientation in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 illustrates the rear panel assembly in a perspective exploded view, in accordance with an embodiment.
Figures 4-6 illustrate the front lamp cover assembly in various perspective views, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[019] The present invention relates to a front lamp cover for a two-wheeled automobile / vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a front lamp cover assembly construction for a two wheeled vehicle such as a scooter.
[020] Figure 1A illustrates a schematic view of a vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As an example, the vehicle 100 is a scooter type vehicle. The vehicle 100 has a transmission system (not shown) including an internal combustion engine (not shown) as a prime mover, that is disposed behind a floorboard 114 and below a seat assembly 116 and/or a storage bin (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 100 has a front wheel 118, a rear wheel 120.
[021] A head pipe 104 connects to the frame member 112. The head pipe 104 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 118. The upper portion of the front wheel 118 is covered by a front fender 122 mounted to the front suspension. In an embodiment, the front fender 122 is movable along with the front wheel 118, during travel over undulations on a road surface. A handlebar 124 is fixed to upper bracket (not shown) and can rotate about the steering shaft for turning the vehicle 100. A headlight 128 (front lamp 128) and an instrument cluster 126 is arranged on an upper portion of the head pipe 104.
[022] Further, a rear suspension (not shown) is provided to the rear wheel 120 for dampening the vibrations induced during travel of the vehicle 100 over undulations on the road surface. A taillight unit 130 is disposed at the end of the vehicle 100 and at the rear of the seat assembly 116. A grab rail 132 is also provided for facilitating the grip and/or balance to a rider/pillion on the vehicle 100 during movement. The rear wheel 120 is arranged below the seat assembly 116 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 120 for driving the vehicle 100. 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 134 is disposed above the rear wheel 120. An exhaust pipe (not shown) is also provided for the Internal combustion engine, that extends therefrom towards the rear end of the vehicle 100. Further, the head pipe 104 of the vehicle 100 is adapted to support a mounting structure for a battery 102.
[023] Figure 1B illustrates a stripped off perspective view of the vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. A front lamp cover assembly 200 as per an embodiment of the invention is mounted on a frame 150 of the vehicle 100.
[024] Figure 2A illustrates a perspective view of the front lamp cover assembly 200 in one orientation and Figure 2B illustrates an exploded perspective view of the front lamp cover assembly 200 in another orientation in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in Figures 2A-B, the front lamp cover assembly 200 includes a front panel assembly 200f for housing the front lamp 128, and a rear panel assembly 200r for housing the instrument cluster 126. The front panel assembly 200f and the rear panel assembly 200r are mounted on to each other to form a joining boundary and then onto the frame 150.
[025] The front panel assembly 200f includes a front panel 210, a bezel 220 mounted over the joining boundary, and a visor 230. The front panel 210 provides housing to the front lamp 128. The front panel 210 has a window 212 integrally in the top portion for providing access to the front lamp 128. The visor 230 is disposed over the window 212 of the front panel 210.
[026] The rear panel assembly 200r includes a rear panel 250 for mounting and covering the instrument cluster 126, and a pair of switch covers (260l,r) for automobile control switches. The front panel 210 provides housing to the instrument cluster 126.
[027] The front panel 210 covers the front lamp 128 from the front side to the handlebar 124. The front lamp 128 projects through the window 212 to the front. The rear panel 250 covers the Instrument cluster 126 from the rear side of the handlebar 124 and has an instrument window 252 through which the instrument cluster 126 is viewed.
[028] In an embodiment, the pair of switch covers (260l,r) includes a right switch cover 260r and a left switch cover 260l disposed on either sides of the rear panel 250.
[029] Figure 3 illustrates the rear panel assembly 200r in a perspective exploded view in accordance with an embodiment. The switch covers (260l,r) has a plurality of windows 310 for the automobile control switches. In an embodiment, the switch covers (260l,r) provide housing to automobile control switches such as horn switch, signal switch, beam control switch and the like.
[030] Figures 4-6 illustrate the front lamp cover assembly 200 in various perspective views, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The cover assembly 200 includes fastening and mounting means (410, 510, 520, 610) for connecting the plurality of components to each other and to the frame 150. In various embodiments, one or more of the fastening and mounting means are located away and out from the continuous field of vision of a rider of the automobile.
[031] In another embodiment, all of the fastening and mounting means are located away and out from the continuous field of vision of a rider of the automobile.
[032] Referring again to Figures 2A-B, the bezel 220 symmetrically extends in the automobile width direction with respect to centre of the automobile, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The bezel 220 connects to the front panel 210 and the rear panel 250 and also extends in automobile length direction connecting to the front lamp 128 and the instrument cluster 126. The bezel 220 is positioned along the joining boundary of the front panel 210 and the rear panel 250, and from there extends on both in the vehicle width direction as well as in the vehicle length direction.
[033] In another embodiment, the bezel 220 covers some portions of the front panel 210 and the rear panel 250, and also varies in finish parameter compared to the front panel 210 and the rear panel 250. The visor 230 extends from the top end portion of the front lamp 128 to a region slightly rearward to the bezel 220, and covers the middle portion of both the front panel 210 and the bezel 220.
[034] In an embodiment, the bezel 220 is mounted over the joining boundary where the mounting means of the front panel 210 and rear panel 250 are matching and a portion of the front panel 210 is sandwiched between the rear panel 250 and the bezel 220. The mounted visor 230 covers at least the sandwiched portion of the front panel 210 there by covering the mounting and fastening means of the front panel 210 and the rear panel 250.
[035] In a further embodiment, the visor 230 extends in the automobile rear ward direction covering a portion of the bezel 220. The visor 230 extends in vehicle rearward direction from the top portion closer to a front end of the front lamp 128, covering a portion of the bezel 220 middle portion. The visor 230 is disposed on top of the front panel 210 along the centre line of the vehicle 100 extending in either side symmetrically in vehicle width direction. The visor 230 covers a small portion of the upper region of the front lamp 128, the window 212, and the bezel 220. In an embodiment, the sandwich mounting between bezel 220, the front panel 210 and the rear panel 250, and the fasteners used are also covered by the visor 230.
[036] In an embodiment, the visor 230 is connected to the front panel 210 and covers the fastening and mounting means of the bezel 220.
[037] In an embodiment, the rear panel 250 has a window 602r for viewing the instrument cluster 126. The instrument cluster is mounted on to the rear panel 250.
[038] In another embodiment, the automobile control switches are mounted on the rear panel 250 using fastener means. The fastener means being inserted from the inside of the rear panel 250 are out and away from the direct continuous vision of a rider of the automobile.
[039] In a further embodiment, the pair of switch covers (260l,r) is flush-fitted with respect to the rear panel 250. The left switch cover 260l and the right switch cover 260r are disposed on the left and right sides of the rear panel 250 such that the extreme end portion of the switch covers (260l,r) and the rear panel 250 are in flush. From this position, the switch covers (260l,r) extend inwards towards vehicle centre. The switch covers (260l,r) include a plurality of windows for the control switches.
[040] The rear panel 250 along with the switch covers (260l,r) the instrument cluster 126 is then mounted to the handlebar 124 and/or the frame 150 of the vehicle 100. The front panel 210 is mounted to the handlebar 124 / frame 150 and also on to the rear panel 250.
[041] The Front panel provides housing for Front lamp and connected with at least one fastener. The Rear panel provides housing for Instrument cluster and connected with at least one fastener.
[042] Advantageously, the front lamp cover assembly (hereinafter, the cover assembly) provided by the invention has components which are connected to each other with at least six fasteners and also to the frame using plurality of fasteners, but with only one visible fastener and all other fasteners are made hidden. Further, even the said visible fastener is positioned in such a way that it is not seen by the rider/observer. From the rider point of view none of the fasteners are visible in his/her continuous field of vision. All the fasteners are positioned in such a way that they are not visible to the rider in his/her continuous field of vision.
[043] Thus, the cover assembly provided by the invention enables a construction such that none of the fasteners are in the continuous field of vision of the rider. This helps in improving the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle to a great extent.
[044] Furthermore, since the cover assembly of the invention is made of individual components, the various components can vary from each other with respect to the finish parameter.
[045] Furthermore, the cover assembly provided by the invention enables a construction of the front lamp assembly without any visible fasteners to the rider and also enables variety in finish for the components. The combination of variety of finish and zero visible fasteners increases the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle to a great extent.
[046] Further, the window in the front panel provides access to the front lamp. The front panel integrally contains a window through which the front lamp can be accessed during maintenance. the Visor is disposed over this window, and connected to the front panel without using any fasteners thereby removal of the visor is made easy.
[047] Furthermore, the mounting scheme provided by the invention optimises the fastener visibility to the observer, thereby sustains the aesthetics of the vehicle at the same time providing easy access to the front lamp.
[048] 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.