This invention relates to a locking system for the cover of an LPG cylinder in a three wheeler motor vehicle.

This invention is also applicable to the cover of a CNG cylinder in a three wheeler motor vehicle, so rnuch so that the expression LPG would mean and include CN^b wherever the context so requires in this Specification including the Claims..

The term "three wheeler" motor vehicle has been used in this specification only to exemplify the vehicle, since this invention can be used in conjunction with any other mdtor vehicle as well running on LPG or CNG to which this invention is applicable.

An object of this invention is to propose a locking system for the cover of an LPG cylinder in a three wheeler motor vehicle for the purpose of retaining the cover in position when the vehicle is in motion, with an eye on driver safety and comfort.

It is known that an LPG cover serves as a casing for an LPG cylinder whenever the cylinder is mounted at the front of the vehicle. The driver seat is mounted on thQ LPG cover, the latter serving as a support for the former. The cover is hingeably mounted on the chassis of the vehicle, to enable the cover to be swung around the hinge to rest against the partition wall behind the driver seat. Consequently, the tendency of the cover, when the vehicle is iq motion, to swing about the hinge, even so slightly, would make the driver, on his seat, unstable and uncomfortable.

Additionally, sudden braking or acceleration of the vehicle can cause a further strain on the driver supported, as he is, unsteadily on the cover.

According to this invention, therefore, the locking system for the cover of an LPG cylinder in a three wheeler motor vehicle, comprises a bracket fixed on the partition wall provided behind the driver's seat; a rubber pad sandwiched between the said bracket and a iawer bracket by bolting three altogether; a guide pin on the said cover for entering a slot on the rubber pad and restraining the cover from movement, the cover, when so restrained, being locked in position.

This invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the known system in Figs. 1a and 1b

and

one of possible embodiments of this invehtion, by way of example, and not by way of limitation in Figs. 2a to 2e. Fig 2a illustrates side view of three wheeler with proposed locking system for LPG cover 'L'. Fig 2b shows arrangement of bracket 'B' on partition wall 'W. Fig 2c shows top view of locking arrangement. Fig 2d explains sectiorial view Z-Z of fig 2b. Exploded view for proposed design is shown in Fig 2e.

A bracket B is fixed to the partition wall W behind the driver's seat. A rubber pad G is sandwiched between the bracket B and another bracket 'A'. When guide pin P, which is on the LPG cover'L', enters a slot inside rubber pad G, locking takes place because rubber pad G slot is smaller than guide pin P diameter (interference fit).

It will be appreciated that various other embodiments of this invention are possible without departing fro^ the scope and ambit thereof.

We Claim:

1. A locking system for the cover of an LPG cylinder in a three wheeler motor vehicle, comprising a bracket fixed on the partition wall provided behind the driver's seat; a rubber pad
sandwiched between the said bracket and a lower bracket by bolting three altogether; a guide pin on the said cover for entering a slot on the rubber pad and restraining the cover from movement, the cover, when so restrained, being locked in position.

2. A locking system for the cover of an LPG cylinder in a three wheeler motor vehicle substantially as herein deschbed with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.