Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A front panel assembly (100) for a saddle type vehicle (10), comprising:
a first panel (110) extending in the vehicle up-down direction between an upper end (110A) and a lower end (110B), the lower end (110B) of the first panel (110) abutting a floorboard (55) of the saddle type vehicle (10);
a second panel (120) extending in the vehicle up-down direction between an upper end (120A) and a lower end (120B), the lower end (120B) of the second panel (120) abutting the floorboard (55) of the saddle type vehicle (10); and
a third panel (130) extending between the first panel (110) and the second panel (120) such that a lower end (130B) of the third panel (130) abuts the floorboard (55), wherein an inner face (136) of the third panel (130) has a plurality of mounting provisions (132) for supporting a pair of side panels (18) that extend in a vehicle front rear direction abutting the floorboard (55).

2. The front panel assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first panel (110) and the second panel (120) overlap with the plurality of mounting provisions (132) in a vehicle side view.

3. The front panel assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third panel (130) comprises a protrusion (150) protruding rearwardly from the lower end (130B) of the third panel (130), such that the protrusion (150) is provided with a plurality of guiders (152) to support the pair of side panels (18).

4. The front panel assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of side panels (18) comprise a left side panel (18A) and a right side panel (18B).

5. The front panel assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of mounting provisions (132) comprise one or more left mounting provisions (132A) and one or more right mounting provisions (132B).

6. The front panel assembly (100) as claimed in claims 4 and 5, wherein the one or more left mounting provisions (132A) are configured to support the left side panel (18A) and the one or more right mounting provisions (132B) are configured to support the right side panel (18B).

7. The front panel assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, comprising one or more drain holes (154) provided on the protrusion (150) for draining out any excess liquid accumulated in the front panel assembly (100).

8. The front panel assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of mounting brackets (140) provided on the first panel (110) and the second panel (120) for mounting the front panel assembly (100) on to a rear panel (30B) of the saddle type vehicle (10).
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a front panel assembly of a saddle type vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] In conventional saddle type vehicles, especially scooter type vehicles with a step through portion, the front portion of the vehicle consists of majorly two parts, panel front top and bottom, fastened by means of snap to each other. In addition, the panel front top and bottom are connected to the frame, panel rear and side trim floor through fasteners. Usually, the sides of the panel front bottom are attached to the side trim floor by means of visible fasteners from the sides.
[003] Since, conventionally the panel front bottom is a single piece structure and is attached with the side trim floor on the sides by means of visible fasteners, there is a substantial gap between the panel front bottom and the side trim floors. The overall fit and finish is compromised as a result of the such gaps which are aesthetically unpleasant. Further, there remain chances of deposition of debris or seepage of water in between the said gaps.
[004] Furthermore, especially in saddle type vehicle of the electric or hybrid type, the power source, such as a battery is stored below the floorboard. Thereby, seepage of any water or dust by means of the gap created between the front panel bottom and the side trim floor, can be detrimental for the power source stored inside the floorboard or below the floorboard. Similarly, in some vehicles, electronic components other than the power source are placed below the floorboard, the operations of which may get hampered by any such unwanted contaminants such as water and dust particles.
[005] Thus, there is a need in the art for a front panel assembly of a saddle type vehicle which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] The present invention is directed towards a front panel assembly for a saddle type vehicle having a first panel extending in the vehicle up-down direction between an upper end and a lower end and the lower end of the first panel abuts a floorboard of the saddle type vehicle. The assembly further has a second panel extending in the vehicle up-down direction between an upper end and a lower end and the lower end of the second panel abuts the floorboard of the saddle type vehicle. Further, a third panel extends between the first panel and the second panel such that a lower end of the third panel abuts the floorboard. Herein, an inner face of the third panel has a plurality of mounting provisions for supporting a pair of side panels that extend in a vehicle front rear direction abutting the floorboard.
[007] In an embodiment of the invention, the first panel and the second panel overlap with the plurality of mounting provisions in a vehicle side view.
[008] In another embodiment of the invention, the third panel has a protrusion protruding rearwardly from the lower end of the third panel, such that the protrusion is provided with a plurality of guiders to support the pair of side panels.
[009] In another embodiment of the invention, the pair of side panels have a left side panel and a right-side panel.
[010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the plurality of mounting provisions have one or more left mounting provisions and one or more right mounting provision.
[011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the one or more left mounting provisions are configured to support the left side panel and the one or more right mounting provisions are configured to support the right side panel.
[012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the front panel assembly has one or more drain holes provided on the protrusion for draining out any excess liquid accumulated in the front panel assembly.
[013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the front panel assembly has a plurality of mounting brackets provided on the first panel and the second panel for mounting the front panel assembly on to a rear panel of the saddle type vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[014] 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 right side view of an exemplary saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a front panel assembly of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a front perspective view of the front panel assembly of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the front panel assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a rear perspective view of the front panel assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 illustrates another rear perspective view of the front panel assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 7 illustrates a left side view of the front panel assembly with a left side panel supported on a mounting provision, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 8 illustrates another left side view of the front panel assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[015] The present invention relates to a front panel assembly of a saddle type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to configuration of a front panel assembly of a saddle type vehicle.
[016] Figure 1 illustrates a right-side view of an exemplary saddle type vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle 10 comprises a frame (not shown). The frame comprises a head tube, and a portion of a main tube extending rearwardly downward from the head tube to a floorboard 55. One or more front suspensions (not shown) connect a front wheel 14 to a handlebar 20, which forms a steering assembly of the vehicle 10. The steering assembly is rotatably disposed about the head tube. The main tube further includes a portion extending horizontally and rearwardly from the frame. Further, the frame includes one or more rear tubes extending inclinedly rearward from a rear portion of the main tube towards a rear portion of the vehicle 10.
[017] The vehicle 10 includes a power unit comprising at least an internal combustion (IC) engine (not shown) or a traction motor (not shown). The power unit is coupled to a rear wheel 16. In one embodiment, the power unit is swingably connected to the frame. In one embodiment, the power unit is mounted to the swing arm (not shown) and the swing arm is swingably connected to the frame. Further, the vehicle 10 includes a transmission means (not shown) coupling the rear wheel 16 to the power unit. The transmission means includes a continuously variable transmission, an automatic transmission, or a fixed ratio transmission. A seat assembly 22 is disposed above the power unit and is supported by the rear tubes of the frame. The seat assembly 22 is hingedly openable. The frame defines a step-through portion ahead of the seat assembly 22. The floorboard 55 is disposed at the step-through portion, wherein a rider can operate the vehicle 10 in a seated position by resting feet on the floorboard 55. Further, the floorboard 55 is capable of carrying loads.
[018] Further, the frame is covered by plurality of body panels including a front panel assembly 100. The vehicle 10 further has a rear panel 30B, an under-seat cover 32, and a left and a right rear panel 33 disposed on the frame and covering the frame and parts mounted thereof. The vehicle 10 has a pair of side panels 18 that extend in a vehicle front rear direction abutting the floorboard 55.
[019] In addition, a front fender 24 is covering at least a portion of the front wheel 14. A utility box is disposed below the seat assembly 22 and is supported by the frame. A rear fender 26 is covering at least a portion of the rear wheel 16 and is positioned upwardly of the rear wheel 16. One or more suspensions (not shown) are provided in the rear portion of the vehicle 10 for connecting the swing arm and the rear wheel 16 to the frame for damping the forces from the rear wheel 16 and the power unit from reaching the frame.
[020] Furthermore, the vehicle 10 comprises of plurality of electrical and electronic components including a headlight 36, a taillight 38, an alternator (not shown), and a starter motor (not shown).
[021] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the front panel assembly 100 being disposed on the front of the saddle type vehicle 10.
[022] Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the front panel assembly 100 of the saddle type vehicle 10. As illustrated in Figure 3 and referenced in Figure 2, the front panel assembly 100 has a first panel 110 that extending in the vehicle up-down direction. The first panel 110 extends between an upper end 110A (shown in Figure 4) and a lower end 110B (shown in Figure 4). The lower end 110B of the first panel 110 abuts the floorboard 55 of the saddle type vehicle 10. The front panel assembly 100 further has a second panel 120 extending in the vehicle up-down direction. The second panel 120 extends between an upper end 120A (shown in Figure 4) and a lower end 120B (shown in Figure 4). The the lower end 120B of the second panel 120 abuts the floorboard 55 of the saddle type vehicle 10.
[023] As further illustrated in Figure 3 and Figure 4, the front panel assembly 100 further has a third panel 130 that extends between the first panel 110 and the second panel 120, such that a lower end 130B of the third panel 130 abuts the floorboard 55. Herein, as further illustrated in Figure 5, an inner face 136 of the third panel 130 has a plurality of mounting provisions 132. The vehicle 10 has the pair of side panels 18 that extend in a vehicle front rear direction abutting the floorboard 55. In that, the plurality of mounting provisions 132 support the pair of side panels 18.
[024] As further illustrated in Figure 6, the plurality of mounting provisions 132 comprise one or more left mounting provisions 132A and one or more right mounting provision 132B. Further, as referenced in Figure 1 and Figure 3, the pair of side panels 18 comprise a left side panel 18A disposed on the left of the floorboard 55 from a vehicle rear view, and a right side panel 18B (shown in Figure 1) disposed on the right of the floorboard 55 from the vehicle rear view. Herein, the one or more left mounting provisions 132A are configured to support the left side panel 18A and the one or more right mounting provisions 132B are configured to support the right side panel 18B. The plurality of mounting provisions 132 are provided with through holes, through which one or more fasteners can pass and thereby support the pair of side panels 18 on the front panel assembly 100.
[025] As further illustrated in Figure 5 and Figure 6, the third panel 130 comprises a protrusion 150 that protrudes rearwardly from the lower end 130B of the third panel 130. To facilitate the supporting of the pair of side panels 18 on the third panel 130, the protrusion 150 is provided with a plurality of guiders 152 to support the pair of side panels 18. The guiders 152 ensure that the pair of side panels 18 are guided into position for an easy mounting on to the front panel assembly 100.
[026] In an embodiment as illustrated in Figure 6, the front panel assembly 100 further has one or more drain holes 154 that are provided on the protrusion 150 such that any excess liquid accumulated in the front panel assembly 100, is drained out from the drain holes 154 assisted by gravity.
[027] Reference is made to Figure 5 which illustrates that the front panel assembly 100 has a plurality of mounting brackets 140 provided on the first panel 110 and the second panel 120. The plurality of mounting brackets 140 are provided for mounting the front panel assembly 100 on to the rear panel 30B of the saddle type vehicle 10, thereby supporting the front panel assembly 100 on the saddle type vehicle 10.
[028] Figure 7 illustrates a left side view of the left side panel 18A supported on the front panel assembly 100 without the second panel 120, and Figure 8 illustrates a left side view of the left side panel 18A supported on the front panel assembly 100 with the second panel 120. As illustrated in Figure 7 and Figure 8, the second panel 120 overlaps with the plurality of mounting provisions 132 in the vehicle side view. Similarly, the first panel 110 overlaps with the plurality of mounting provisions 132 in the vehicle side view. This means that the plurality of mounting provisions 132 where the pair of side panels 18 are supported are not visible from the side of the vehicle 10, ensuring better fit and finish and no visible gaps are present on the side panels 18, through which debris or water can enter.
[029] In an embodiment, the first panel 110, the second panel 120 and the third panel 130 are fastened together to form the front panel assembly 100 as explained hereinbefore. In an alternative embodiment, the first panel 110, the second panel 120 and the third panel 130 are welded together to form the front panel assembly 100 as explained hereinbefore.
[030] Advantageously, the present invention provides a front panel assembly which has been configured as a combination of three panels that is the first panel, the second panel and the third panel as opposed to the front panel assembly being a single component. This ensures that it is easier to provide detailing to each panel while manufacturing.
[031] Further, since the fasteners that are used for attaching the front panel assembly, more specifically the third panel with the side panels are fastened in the vehicle front rear direction, the fasteners are visible in the area behind the front wheel, instead of the side of the vehicle, ensuring better fit and finish. Further, the torque required to fasten these fasteners can be applied in a more effective manner, ensuring that the side trim panels are effectively pulled towards the front panel assembly, thereby eliminating any gap in between them.
[032] 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.