Claims:I/We claim:
1. A handlebar assembly (108) for a vehicle (100), said vehicle (100) comprising:
a handlebar cover assembly (200), said handlebar cover assembly (200) comprising a front handlebar cover (201) and a rear handlebar cover (202), said front handlebar cover (201) and said rear handlebar cover (202) are detachably attached through one or more attachment sections (304),
said one or more attachment sections (304) include one or more visible portions (401), wherein said one or more visible portions (401) are configured to receive one or more concealers (301).
2. The handlebar assembly (108) for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more concealers (301) includes an inclined top surface (301a), said inclined top surface (301a) is in line with the adjacently disposed rear handlebar cover (202).
3. The handlebar assembly (108) for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more attachment sections (304) include one or more mounting members (402) attached to the bose (405) and passing through the bore (405).
4. The handlebar assembly (108) for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more concealers (301) are configured to be in locked position (LP) with the one or more visible portions (401).
5. The handlebar assembly (108) for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more visible portions (401) includes a bore (403), said bore (403) is configured to include one or more cutouts (202a).
6. The handlebar assembly (108) for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said locked position (LP) includes a first engagement portion (301b) of the one or more concealers (301) abutted against the one or more visible portions (401).
7. The handlebar assembly (108) for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said one or more concealers (301) include a first engagement portion (301b), a tip portion (301c) of said first engagement portion (301b) is received by the one or more cutouts (202a).
8. A vehicle (100) with a handle bar assembly (108) comprising:
a handlebar cover assembly (200), said handlebar cover assembly (200) comprising a front handlebar cover (201) and a rear handlebar cover (202), said front handlebar cover (201) and said rear handlebar cover (202) are detachably attached through one or more attachment sections (304),
said one or more attachment sections (304) include one or more visible portions (401), wherein said one or more visible portions (401) are configured to receive one or more concealers (301).
9. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said one or more concealers (301) include a first engagement portion (301) configured to be received by one or more cutouts (202a).
10. One or more concealers (301) for a vehicle (100), said one or more concealers (301) comprising:
an inclined top surface (301a), a first engagement portion (301b) extending at an angle to said inclined top surface (301a);
a tip portion (301c), said tip portion is provided at a free end () of said first engagement portion (301b); and
one or more side faces (301d), said one or more side faces (301d) are faces of the one or more concealers (301) that are other than the first engagement portion (301b).
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle and more particularly, but not exclusively to one or more concealers on a panel of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In a vehicle, for example, a scooter type vehicle includes a handlebar assembly for steering of the vehicle in required direction during vehicle running condition. The handlebar assembly is covered by handlebar cover assembly. The handlebar cover assembly generally comprises of a front handlebar cover, and a rear handlebar cover. Typically, the front handlebar cover is configured to support a visor, a headlamp, and one or more turn signal lamps, such that the front handlebar cover along with the above said components forms a sub-assembly. The rear handlebar cover is configured to support control switches and speedometer of the vehicle. The front handlebar cover and the rear handlebar cover are assembled together by detachable attachment. Similarly, often body panel or cowls of vehicle body parts are often required to be assembled in a detachable manner to enable service. The panel may be dismantled and re-assembled to access the inside systems of the vehicle during maintenance & repair.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0003] The above and other features, aspects and advantages of the subject matter will be better understood with regard to the following description with an embodiment of a saddle type vehicle, appended claims and accompanying drawings where:
[0004] Figure 1 shows a side view of a typical vehicle, for example a scooter type vehicle.
[0005] Figure 2 illustrates a handlebar assembly covered by a handlebar cover assembly.
[0006] Figure 3 illustrates a handlebar assembly covered by a handlebar cover assembly.
[0007] Figure 4 illustrates a partially exploded view of the handlebar cover assembly.
[0008] Figure 5(a) and Figure 5(b) illustrates a sectional view of the one or more concealers in assembled condition to the bore of the handlebar cover assembly. The section taken along L-L` axis in Figure 2.
[0009] Figure 6 illustrates a detailed view of the sectional view as shown in Figure 5(a) and Figure 5(b).
[00010] Figure 7 illustrates a detailed view of the one or more concealers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00011] Conventionally, during assembly of the vehicle, all the vehicular components/parts and various body panels are assembled on to a vehicular frame of the vehicle. The vehicular frame primarily includes a head tube, a main tube, a floorboard support section of the frame, and a pair of rear frames. A handlebar assembly is rotatably supported on the head tube. Generally, an assembly sequence is followed to assemble various vehicular components/parts and various body panels onto the vehicular frame of the vehicle. The assembly sequence with respect to body panels include assembling of a rear cover that covers most of the portion of the main tube of the vehicular frame. Further, a handlebar cover assembly is assembled on the handlebar assembly. The handlebar cover assembly is assembled after assembly of the rear cover and is disposed above the rear cover. The handlebar cover assembly includes a front handlebar cover and a rear handlebar cover. The front handlebar cover and the rear handlebar cover are detachably attached to each other through one or more mounting members. For example, the one or more mounting members include fasteners.
[00012] The detachable attachment of the front handlebar cover, and the rear handlebar cover through one or more mounting members can be achieved through two methods. One method being, attaching one or more mounting members through the hidden zone and the other method being, attaching one or more mounting members through the visible zone. The hidden method often adds to challenge to access during service & thus a visible zone may be preferred albeit with undesirable effect of a visible opening exposing it to entry or accumulation of dust, water, rusting etc.
[00013] The attachment of the mounting members as said in one of the methods above through the hidden zone needs special skills and exclusive tools to achieve the same. This is because, access to attach the handlebar covers from the hidden zone is covered/blocked by already assembled panels/covers. The access to the mounting members in the hidden zone is difficult and requires disassembling of other body panels as well as more time. The access of mounting members becomes critical during servicing of the handlebar assembly. In particular, the headlamp assembly, the speedometer and other vehicular parts that are housed by the handlebar cover assembly.
[00014] The insertion of the fasteners to attach the front handlebar cover to the rear handlebar cover from the visible zone of the vehicle is more convenient and desirable. The assembly time to assemble the front handlebar cover and the rear handlebar cover is reduced when assembled through the visible zone, as compared to the conventional method of assembling through the hidden zone.
[00015] However, due to the assembly sequence as explained above and accessibility of the fasteners, the angle of visibility of the fastener to the rider is more at the rider visible zone in the vehicle additionally leading to poor aesthetics. The visibility of the fasteners in the vehicle gives poor aesthetic appeal and indicates poor build quality of the vehicle.
[00016] Further, the fasteners visible in the visible zone have color mismatch with the color of the rest of the panels. The color mismatch affects the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle.
[00017] Either of the front handlebar cover or the rear handlebar cover is configured to receive one or more mounting members to enable attachment of the front handlebar cover and the rear handlebar cover. The one or more mounting members is received by one or more bores provided on one of the front handlebar cover and the rear handlebar cover. The one or more bores are configured with a certain depth to receive the one or more mounting members. There is a possibility of accumulation of water and dust in the depth of the bore. Exposure of fasteners with external environment leads to corrosion of the one or more mounting members over a period of time. The corroded fasteners are difficult to remove whenever the inside of the handlebar cover assembly has to be accessed. In particular, during servicing, the corroded mounting members cannot be quickly removed to access the inside of the handlebar cover assembly.
[00018] Further, the corroded mounting members fail to provide required fitment between the front handlebar cover and the rear handlebar cover. As a result, lose fitting appears therebetween and rattling of the covers is observed. The rattling noise is disturbing to the rider. The loose fitting therebetween also provides undesired vibrations and undesired movements of the covers which affects the surrounding and adjacently disposed covers.
[00019] The durability of the front handlebar covers and the rear handlebar cover is also affected along with the durability of the adjacently disposed covers.
[00020] For the purpose of draining of water from the depth of the bore, a drain hole shall be provided in the bore at a bottom end of the deep profile. The drain hole is a cutout provision to avoid water stagnation in bore detail.
[00021] Further, a headlamp assembly and one or more turn signal lamps are positioned in front of the rear handlebar cover. Whenever the headlamp assembly and the turn signal lamps are turned ON, during night condition the light may leak through the drain hole and irritate or disturb the rider while riding the vehicle.
[00022] Conventionally, at the time of assembly, the front handlebar cover and the rear handlebar cover shall be interlocked around the periphery through locking details provided in the covers. The locking details may include protrusions and configurations to receive those protrusions. However, proper locking is not achieved through the above locking details.
[00023] In a known art, one of the possible methods employed for protecting the visible fasteners is to increase the depth of the bore, such that the fastener inside the bore is not visible from outside. However, the manufacturing feasibility of such a lengthy bore is complicated and the tool life of producing the lengthy bore is less. During producing of the lengthy bore, an exclusive core pin has to be added in the manufacturing tool for forming the bore in the rear handlebar cover. The exclusive core pin produces line marks between a top surface of the tool and the bore. Therefore, such a method is not preferred & undesirable.
[00024] The present invention addresses all of the above said concerns & other problems of known art. There is a need to address issues like fastener rusting, dust accumulation and other concerns mentioned in the prior art with respect to visible fasteners. An additional objective of the invention is to ensure the better appeal quality of the vehicle. In the present invention, fastener visibility at rider zone is eliminated by configuring the bore or body panel opening with one or more detachable snap fit concealers.
[00025] The one or more concealers do not have any fastener to attach with the bore as mentioned in the prior art. Instead the one or more concealers include a first engagement portion configured to be abutted against a portion of the bore to engage in a snap fit configuration. In particular, the one or more concealers include a first engagement portion, a tip portion of the first engagement portion is received by the one or more cutouts. Under this condition, the one or more concealers remain in locked position with the bore.
[00026] Further, to unlock the one or more concealers from the one or more cutouts provided in the bore, the engagement portion undergoes deflection and can be easily released from the cutout.
[00027] In another embodiment, the one or more cutouts are the drain holes in the bore capable of letting out the accumulated dust and water. Since there is no requirement of fastener for assembling the one or more concealers, the assembly time in assembling the one or more concealers on the rear handlebar cover is considerably reduced.
[00028] Further, in an embodiment, the outer diameter of the one or more concealers and the inner diameter of the bore are approximately similar. The above said feature is desired in order to achieve proper snug cum snap fit therebetween and to eliminate any gap therebetween to prevent the entry of unwanted foreign elements such as water or dust. Thus, the one or more concealers act as a protective shield to the one or more mounting members to eliminate all problems cited earlier as well as a cosmetic cover to improve the vehicle appearance quality.
[00029] Further, according to another embodiment of the present invention, metal inserts shall be placed in a boss detail provided in the front handlebar cover, while the rear handlebar cover includes bore. Both the boss and the bore are provided in the one or more mounting sections. While attaching the front handlebar cover and the rear handlebar cover, the one or more mounting members extend rearwardly up to a metal insert provided in the front handlebar cover and stable & vibration resistant locking happens between the front handlebar cover and the rear handlebar cover.
[00030] These and other advantages of the present invention are described in the detailed description of the figures of an embodiment in a scooter type motor vehicle provided below. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings with reference to the features and components.
[00031] Figure 1 shows a side view of a typical vehicle, for example a scooter type vehicle. The vehicle has a body frame assembly made up of several tubes welded together which usually supports the body of the said vehicle. The vehicle has a steerable front wheel (101) and a driven rear wheel (102). The body frame assembly of the vehicle is an elongated structure, which typically extends from a forward end to a rearward end of the vehicle. It is generally convex in shape, as viewed from a side elevation view. The 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 (106), a rear cover (116), a lower side cover (110), and a pair of side panel including a left-hand side panel (115).
[00032] A handlebar assembly (108) and a seat assembly (109) are supported at opposing ends of the frame assembly and a generally open area is defined there between known as floorboard (117), which functions as a step through space. The seat assembly (109) for a driver and a pillion is placed above a fuel tank assembly (118) and rear side of the floorboard (117). A front fender (103) is provided above the front wheel (101) to avoid the said vehicle and its occupants from being splashed with mud. Likewise, a rear fender (104) is placed between the fuel tank assembly 118 and the rear wheel (102), and to the outer side in the radial direction of rear wheel (102). The rear fender 104 inhibits rain water or the like from being thrown up by rear wheel (102).
[00033] An engine assembly (112) is provided to drive the vehicle. Suspensions are provided for comfortable steering of the vehicle on the road. A front suspension assembly (not shown) is connected to a front fork (117). The rear suspension assembly comprises of at least one rear suspension. 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 (107) in the front portion of the vehicle and a taillight (114) in the rear portion of the vehicle is also provided.
[00034] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a handlebar assembly covered by a handlebar cover assembly. The handlebar cover assembly (200) defines the rider’s view of riding position of the vehicle (100). The rear handlebar cover (202), the speedometer and the control switches positioned at left side and right side of the vehicle covers the handle bar assembly (108) with respect to the rider sitting position in the vehicle.
[00035] Figure 3 represents the visible sections at rider zone of the vehicle. As shown in figure 3, there are one or more mounting members (302) or bores (403) visible from the rider view of the handlebar cover assembly (101). These one or more mounting members (302) are fastened through the bore details (202a) that extends rearwardly and is capable of getting locked in the metal insert (201a) which has threaded portion integrated in the inner circumference of the boss inside provided in the front handlebar cover (201). Once fastened the rear handlebar cover (202) has tighter engagement with the front handlebar cover (201).
[00036] Figure 4 illustrates partial exploded perspective view of the handle bar assembly along with the representation of one or more concealers in a vehicle rider view. The front handlebar cover (201) and the rear handlebar cover (202) are detachably attached through one or more mounting members (302). The one or more concealers (301) are then assembled on to the rear handlebar cover (202).
[00037] In another embodiment, with reference to the Figure 5(a), Figure 5(b) section view for the assembly of one or more concealers have been derived taken along L-L` axis in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 5(a), one or more concealers (301) are configured to be in locked position and as shown in Figure 5(b), the one or more concealers (301) are configured to be in an unlocked position. In the locked position, the one or more concealers (301) includes an engagement portion (301b). The tip portion (301c) of the engagement portion (301b) is a curved structure capable of being received by a cut-out (202a) provided in a bottom portion of an inner diametrical surface of the bore (403). In another embodiment, the cut-out is a drain hole at the downward position for water to be drained off. The assembly direction of one or more concealers (301) is in-line with the direction of assembling the one or more mounting members (302). At the time of assembly, friction between a side wall of the cap rear handlebar cover (202) and the side wall of the bore (403) provides snap fit engagement and restricts loosening of the one or more concealers due to vehicle vibration over a period of time. Engaging of one or more side faces (301d) with transition fit interferences, reduces the vibration of the one or more concealers during vehicle running condition and avoids the one or more concealers loosening and accidental removal. The locking of the engagement portion (301b) with the drain hole (202b) in the bore (202a) provides engagement with the interface part.
[00038] Figure 6 illustrates a detailed view of the sectional view of the assembly of one or more concealers in the bore. As shown in Figure 6, the top surface of the one or more concealers (301) and an inclined top surface (301a) of the rear handlebar cover (202) are in concurrence and congruent continuity with respect to profile and texture to improve the aesthetics of the vehicle. Further, any abnormalities occurring due to manufacturing constraints are hidden by assembling of the one or more concealers (301). The one or more concealers (301) are received by the bore (405). Such that the outer surface of the bore (405) and the one or more concealers (405) are approximately in line.
[00039] In another embodiment shown in Figure 7(a) and Figure 7(b), on the top of the one or more concealers (301), a first engagement portion (301b) is additionally provided for accessibility of the cap at the time of disassembly.
[00040] In yet another embodiment, the top of the one or more concealers (301) additionally includes an indication member (301e) that facilitates to locate the one or more concealers (301) at intended location during assembling. And also, the providing of the identification member (301e) reduces the time of assembly and facilitates easy of assembly.
[00041] In particular, the first engagement portion (301b) is extending at an angle, preferable at right angles to the inclined top surface (301a). The tip portion (301c) of the first engagement portion (301b) is present at an end that is away from the inclined top surface (301a). Further, the one or more side faces (301d) of the one or more concealers (301) are the sides that are other than the first engagement portion (301b).
[00042] In alternate embodiments, where the one or more mounting concealers (301) are not required to be removed during service or any other means, other possible ways like glue or adhesives to assemble the one or more concealers at desired position can be used.
[00043] Although the subject matter has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the subject matter, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the subject matter. It is therefore contemplated that such modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present subject matter as defined.

List of reference

101- front wheel
102- rear wheel
200-Handlebar cover assembly
201-front handle bar cover
202- rear handle bar cover
203-Control switches
204-Control switches
301- one or more concealers
301a-inclined top surface
301b-first engagement portion
301c-tip portion
301d-one or more side faces
301e- identification member
302- One or more mounting members
304- insert
401-visible zone
403-bore
202a-cutout
301c-tip portion
405-bore