TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present subject matter, in general, relates to a motor vehicle, and, in particular relates, to a sealing member for the motor vehicle.
BACKGROUND [0002] Generally, two-wheeled vehicles include a frame member that acts as a structural member and a load-bearing member thereof. The vehicle includes plurality of wheels that helps in providing motion to the vehicle. Generally, the frame member rotatably supports the wheels.
[0003] The vehicle includes plurality of components that are exposed to the atmosphere. Especially, the wheels being continuously in contact with the road, the wheel is one of the most exposed portions of the vehicle. Also, the wheels accumulate dirt, dust, and similar particles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0004] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0005] Fig. I (a) depicts a left side view of an exemplary two-wheeled vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matler. [0006] Fig. 1 (b) illustrates a front suspension supporting the front wheel, in accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 1 (a).
[0007] Fig. 1 (c) is a partial exploded view of the front suspension depicted in Fig. 1 (b).
[0008] Fig. 1 (d) depicts another exploded view of the wheel rod seal, in accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 1 (c).
• [0009] Fig. 1 (e) depicts a cross-sectional view of a portion of the support member taken along axis X-X', in accordance with the embodiment as depicted in Fig. I (b).
[00010] Fig. 1 (f) depicts a perspective view of the wheel rod seal, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[00011] Fig. I (g) depicts another perspective view of the wheel rod seal and a
cross-sectional view taken along axis Y-Y', in accordance with the embodiment
as depicted in Fig. I (f).
[00012] Fig. 2 (a) depicts a perspective view of a swing arm supporting a rear
wheel of the vehicle, in accordance with another embodiment of the present
subject matter.
[00013] Fig. 2 (b) depicts an enlarged perspective view of the swing arm
without the rear wheel and with the wheel rod seal in exploded view, in
accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 2 (a).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION [00014] Generally, the vehicle includes a front suspension system and a rear suspension system that includes damping members to suppress or reduce the forces acting on the wheel from reaching the rider. Typically, the front wheel of the vehicle and the rear wheel of the vehicle are supported by the front axle and the rear axle. Generally, the front axle and the rear axle are solid rods generally made of metal through which the weight of the vehicle is transferred to the wheels.
[00015] The weight of the vehicle increases with time due to the requirements of higher engine capacity, increasing components, or with additional features. The higher engine capacity is capable of providing higher torque and power output. Therefore, in addition to the increased weight acting on the axle, the higher torque and power generated from the engine is also acting on the axle of the vehicle. Especially, during acceleration, .deceleration, impacts due to pothole, wedge hitting the impact is higher. These forces acting on axle may bend the axle and bending of the axle causes the wobble of wheel. This makes the handling to be poor. Also, the axle is subject to failure. Generally, increasing the diameter of the solid axle is known improve the bending stiffness of axle, but this increases the weight of the axle making it costly.
[00016] :.To this end, a hollow axle is provided that is capable of withstanding loads acting thereon when compared to solid axle, for same amount of weight. The hollow axles are preferred in two-wheeled vehicles or the like, especially in high performance applications, where the weight is an essential parameter. This

also provides improves handling of the vehicle due to the reduced bending or other failures.
[00017] However, the hollow axle has inner opening that is exposed to the atmosphere. Therefore, the axle is exposed to dirt, water, dust etc. that could affect the axle. This may result in corrosion, and other failures of the axle. Generally, plating of the axle is performed to protect the exposed portions of the axle. But, the internal diameter of the axle being small, it is complex lo plate the inner diameter due to limitations like entry of the electrodes into the small inner diameter of the axle. This problem is more prominent in axles having longer ■length, which is even more difficult for plating and also even coating throughout the length cannot be achieved. Generally, wheel axle sleeves are provided to address the aforementioned problem. Nonetheless, the wheel axle sleeves in the art are either larger in size because of which they requires larger mounting space on the fork or the like. Also, axle sleeves are also known to be protruding outward thereby making them prone to hitting against neighboring objects. Moreover, the - mountingof the wheel axle sleeve requires additional process like threading or the like.
[00018] Thus, there is a need for providing a cover member that is capable of addressing the aforementioned and other problems in the prior art. [00019] Hence, the present subject matter provides a motor vehicle having one or more support members adapted to support a wheel of said motor vehicle. The support member includes a front suspension or a swing arm that is capable of rotatably supporting the wheel.
[00020] A wheel rod is mounted to the support member for rotatably supporting the wheel. In one embodiment, the wheel rod includes a head portion and a screw portion for mounting the wheel rod to aperture portions provided on the support members.
[00021] For example, a front wheel rod mounted to a pair of front forks rotatably supports the front wheel. Similarly, a rear wheel rod mounted to the swing arm rotatably supports the rear wheel. The wheel rods are having a hollow portion therein extending along an axis about at least a portion of the center of the wheel rod.

[00022] It is a feature of the present subject matter that at least one wheel rod includes at least one end portion of the hollow portion. The at least one end portion is covered by a removably-attached sealing member secured to an inner peripheral surface of the hollow portion at the one end portion.
5 [00023] Preferably, the wheel rod sealing is disposed on at least one lateral sides of the wheel rod.
[00024] It is a feature of the present subject matter that it enables the wheel rod length to be substantially till the outer peripheral portion of the support member. The wheel rod sits on the entire lateral length of the support member. Thus, it is
0 an advantage of the present subject matter that the force acting on the .wheel rod is shared by the entire area of the supporting member. [00025] Thus, it is an additional advantage that the
[00026] It is an aspect of the present subject matter that the wheel rod sealing is secured to the inner peripheral surface of the wheel rod at the at least one end
5 portion.
[00027] It is a feature of the present subject matter that the wheel rod sealing includes a body and a stopper portion, wherein the stopper portion is having a circumference greater than an inner diameter'of the wheel rod define the inner peripheral portion. Therefore, it is an advantage that the stopper portion of the
3 wheel rod sealing abuts the outer of the support member thereby restricting the entry of the wheel rod sealing beyond a desired limit.
[00028] It is a feature of the present subject matter that the stopper portion includes a first lateral face and a second lateral face. In an assembled condition of the wheel rod sealing, the first lateral face of the stopper portion abuts at least a
5 portion of said mounting portion of said support member. The first face is adapted to compliment the profile of the abutting portion. It is an advantage that the wheel rod seating eliminates excessive protruding ends thereby providing an aesthetic appeal. [00029] It is a feature that the body portion of the wheel rod sealing is having a
J cross section complimenting the cross-section of the inner peripheral portion of the wheel rod. The body portion is capable of having any known geometrical or irregular shapes. For example, in one embodiment, the body portion is having a

cylindrical portion thai compliments the cylindrical hollow portion of the wheel
rod.
[00030] At is a feature of the present subject matter that the body portion.
includes a scooped portion at an axial end portion opposite to the stopper portion.
Further, the body portion about the surface is provided with one or more circular
groove. It is an advantage that the grooves and the scooped portion enable in
snap/interference fit of the wheel rod sealing to one end portion of the wheel rod.
However, the wheel rod sealing can be secured to the wheel rod using any other
known fastening means.
[00031] It is a feature of the present subject matter that the body portion and the
stopper portions are integrally formed and being made of any known rigid or
elastic materials.
[00032] In one implementation, the wheel rod sealing is having interference
fit with inside surface of the wheel rod that enables ease of enclosing the hollow
portion of the wheel rod. It is also advantage that the wheel rod sealing eliminates
any change to be made to the support member, which is either front fork or sing
arm, or to .the wheel rod.
[00033] In a preferred implementation, the wheel rod is having a length equal to
at least the distance between outer peripheral portions of the support member. For
example, the length of the wheel rod is equal to at least the lateral width of the
front suspension i.e., the distance between the outer surface of the front
suspension.
[00034] In one implementation, the wheel rod is longer than the outer peripheral
portions of the support member. Thus, it is an advantage that the present subject
matter enables securing of the wheel rod sealing from corrosion at the same time
the need for machining of the support member is eliminated. Also, additional
space on the support member is not required, as the wheel rod sealing is being
mounted to the wheel rod. Thus, the support member profile is not altered and the
support member can be effectively used to support the wheel through wheel rod.
[00035] In one embodiment, the stopper portion of the wheel rod sealing abuts
the outer'peripheral surface of the support member. In another embodiment, the

stopper portion of the wheel rod sealing abuts a collar portion of the wheel rod provided at lateral end of the wheel rod.
[00036] It is an advantage that in an assembled condition, at least-a portion of . the wheel'rod is sandwiched between the body portion of the wheel rod sealing and the inner peripheral portion of the aperture provided on the support member. Therefore, it is an advantage that failure of the wheel rod sealing due to force acting thereof from the support member is eliminated, as the wheel rod sealing is secured to the inner peripheral surface wheel rod. It is yet another advantage that the wheel rod sealing eliminates the need for providing threads that requires additional steps for manufacturing or scooping of the wheel rod or the support member is eliminated. Thus, the structural rigidity of the elements is retained. [00037] Thus, the present subject matter provides a cost effective wheel rod sealing that is eliminates the need for axle internal surface plating. Also, the need for threading or scooping or use of additional components is eliminated. Further, the elimination of such additional process helps in retaining the structural and strength properties of the support member and the wheel rod. Thus, the present subject matter is cost effective.
[00038] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following description.
[00039] Fig. I (a) depicts an exemplary two-wheeled motor vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The motor vehicle 100, hereinafter referred to as vehicle 100, includes a frame assembly 105 supporting a front wheel 110 and a rear wheel 115. The front wheel 110 is rotatably supported by a front suspension system 120, wherein in the present embodiment the front suspension system is an inverted type fork assembly. The rear wheel 1 15 is swingably connected to the frame assembly 105 through a swing arm 125. The swing arm 125 is further connected to the rear suspension 130 to the frame assembly 105. In the present embodiment, the rear suspension 130 is a mono-shock type suspension. The front suspension system 120 acts as a support member supporting the front wheel 110 and, similarly, the swing arm is acts as a support member supporting the rear wheel 115.

[00040] The front wheel 110 is provided with a front wheel brake (not shown) and the rear wheel 115 is provided with a rear wheel brake 125 (not shown). A handle bar assembly 135 is functionally connected to the front wheel 110 and being rotatably supported by a head lube 105A of the frame assembly 105 for maneuvering the vehicle 100, the handle bar assembly lever assembly disposed on right-hand side and left-hand side thereof.
[00041] The vehicle 100 includes a power unit 140 mounted to the frame assembly 105. The power unit 140 includes at least one of an internal combustion engine or an electric motor. In the present implementation, the vehicle 100 includes a fuel tank 145 disposed above the power unit 140 and rearward to the handle bar assembly 135. A rider seat 150A and a pillion seat 150B are disposed rearward to the fuel tank 145, necessarily in the prescribed order, which are supported by a sub-frame member (not shown) of the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 is also provided with a front fender 155 covering at least a portion of the front wheel 110 and being capable of preventing splashing of dirt or mud on the vehicle parts disposed rearward to the front wheel 110. Similarly, a rear fender 160 is disposed above the rear wheel 115 for preventing splashing of mud or dirt onto the vehicle parts disposed in immediacy to the rear wheel 115. [00042] Further, the vehicle. 100 is provided with plurality of electrical and electronic components including a head lamp 165, and a tail lamp 170 that are mounted to the frame assembly 105 and plurality of panels 170 are mounted to the fame assembly that cover one or more vehicle parts including the head lamp 165 and the tail lamp 170.
[00043] Fig. 1 (b) illustrates a front suspension supporting the front wheel 1 10, in accordance with the embodiment of Fig.. I (a). Fig. 1 (c) is a partial exploded view of the front suspension depicted in Fig. I (b). The front support member 120 in the present embodiment is the front suspension system 120, which is an inverted fork-type including a first fork I20A and a second fork 120B that are spaced apart and supporting the front wheel I 10 therebetween. The front forks I20A, 120B includes an outer tube and an inner tube slidable within said outer tube. The inner tube includes one end sporting a piston and other end supports a front wheel rod M0AX. The front wheel 110 is assembled to a front support

member 120 through the wheel rod 110AX. In one embodiment, the wheel rod 110AX includes a head portion and a screw portion, wherein the wheel rod is tightened using the hexagon tool for holding a head portion of the wheel rod on one side and on another side by using the screw. Also, in the present implementation length of the wheel rod 110AX is substantially equal to at least a distance between outer peripheral end portions of the front support member 120, which is the extreme lateral end portions of the forks I20A, 120B. This enables the wheel rod I10AX to be capable of supporting the front wheel 110 and providing improved transfer of load from the wheel rod 110AX to the front support member 120.
[00044] After tightening the screw wheel rod to required torque, the fork pinch bolts needs to be tightened to hold the wheel rod in position. The front wheel rod I I0AX supports the front wheel 110 that is rotatably disposed about the front wheel rod HOAX. The front suspension system 120 acts as the front support member. Hereinafter, the terms front suspension system 120 and the front support member 120 are interchangeably used. The front support member 120 supports the front wheel rod 1 I0AX that supports the front wheel rim 11 OR of the front wheel 110, wherein the front rim 11 OR supports the front tyre 110T. [00045] The front wheel rod 110AX is a hollow type wheel rod made of a rigid material preferably metal. Further, the front wheel rod 110AX is provided with a wheel rod sealing 200 disposed on either lateral sides of the wheel rod 110AX. [00046] Fig. I (d) depicts another exploded view of the wheel rod sealing, in accordance with the embodiment of Fig. I (c). The first fork I20A includes a mounting portion 180 that is disposed at the other end portion of the inner tube. The mounting portion 180 that includes a pair of aperture 185 that enables the front wheel rod 110AX that is disposed therethrough. The first wheel rod II0AX includes one end portion 110AXR that is disposed about the aperture 185 of the first fork 180A. Similarly, the second fork I80B includes an aperture (not shown) that supports the other end portion (not shown) of the front wheel rod 110AX. Therefore; the front support member 120 supports the front wheel rod 1 I0AX. The wheel rod sealing(s) 200 being mounted to the front wheel rod 110AX at the

lateral end portion(s) RH, LH cover hollow opening of the front wheel rod HOAX.
[00047] Fig. I (e) depicts a cross-sectional view of a portion of the support member taken along axis X-X\ in accordance with the embodiment as depicted in Fig. 1 (b). The front wheel rod 110AX is mounted to the support member 120. The front wheel rod HOAX includes at least a hollow portion HP that extends along at least a portion thereof. The front wheel rod II0AX includes at least one end portion 110AXR capable of supporting the wheel rod sealing 200. The front, wheel rod HOAX includes inner peripheral portion 1I0AI defining the hollow portion HP and the outer peripheral portion 110AO abuts at least a portion of the aperture 185 defined by the support member 120. The wheel rod sealing 200 is secured to the inner peripheral surface II0AI at the at least one end portion II0AXR. The front wheel rod 110AX includes an inner diameter ID defined by the inner peripheral portion 110AI and outer diameter OD defined by the outer peripheral portion 1I0AXR, especially the portion in contact with the aperture 185.
[00048] -In the present embodiment, the support member 120 including a first fork 120A and a second fork 120B includes a pair of apertures 185 for mounting the front wheel rod 110AX that supports the front wheel 110. The First end portion I10AXR includes at least a portion sandwiched between the outer peripheral portion 110AO of the wheel rod sealing and an inner peripheral portion 1851 of the aperture 185. Thus, the wheel, rod sealing 200 is secured to the inner peripheral portion 110AI of the wheel rod HOAX. In the present embodiment, the wheel rod sealing 200 is niade of rigid or flexible material. In a preferred implementation, the wheel rod sealing is made of a rigid material like metal and is interference fitted or snap Fitted to the one end portion of the front wheel rod II0AX. The wheel rod sealing 200 includes a body portion 205 and a stopper portion 210 (shown in Fig, I (f)), wherein the stopper portion 210 is having a circumference greater than the inner diameter ID of the wheel rod 110AX. The stopper portion 210 of the wheel rod sealing includes a first lateral face 2I0A and a second lateral face 210B and in an assembled condition of the wheel rod sealing

200, the first lateral face of the stopper portion abuts at least a portion of said mounting portion 180of said.support member 120.
[00049] In one embodiment, the circumference or the diameter of the stopper portion 210 is substantially greater than the outer diameter ID of the wheel rod 110AX, whereby the wheel rod sealing 200 covers the entire outer periphery of the wheel rod 110AX and also the periphery of the abutting portion of the wheel rod II0A and the aperture 185.
[00050] Fig. 1 (f) depicts a perspective view of the wheel rod sealing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Fig. I (g) depicts another perspective view of the wheel rod sealing and a cross-sectional view taken along axis Y-Y\ in accordance with the embodiment as depicted in Fig. 1 (f). The wheel rod sealing 200 includes a body portion 205 and a stopper portion 200. Preferably, the body portion 205 is having a cylindrical portion with a scooped portion 215 on an axial opposite to the stopper .portion 210. Further, the cylindrical portion at the outer portion includes a groove 220. The groove portion 220 and the scooped portion 215 enable in snap/interference fit of the wheel rod sealing 200 to one end portion II0AXR of the wheel rod II0AX. [00051] The stopper portion 210 includes a first lateral face 2I0A and a second lateral face 210B. The first lateral face 210A of the wheel rod sealing 200 is adapted to abut the outer peripheral portion I80P of the mounting portion 180 of the front support member 120.
[00052] In one implementation, the wheel rod sealing 200 having interference fit with inside surface of. the wheel rod I10AX enables ease of enclosing the hollow portion HP of the wheel rod 110AX thereby further eliminating any change either in the front support member 120, which is front fork, or in the wheel rod II0AX.
[00053] Also, the stopper 210 of the wheel rod sealing 200 restricts any entry of the dust, dirt, or water as the stopper abuts the surface of the mounting portion 180 thereby eliminating any corrosion or wheel rod failure due to corrosion. [00054] In addition, the stopper is having a small thickness/width that enables the exposed portion, which is the stopper, to abut the peripheral portion/outer

surface I80P of the mounting portion 180 of the support member. 120 thereby improving the front fork assembly 120.
[00055] Fig. 2 (a) depicts a perspective view of a swing arm supporting a rear wheel of-the vehicle, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter. Fig. 2 (b) depicts an enlarged perspective view of the swing arm without the rear wheel and with the wheel rod sealing in exploded view. The swing arm 125 acts as a rear support member in this embodiment. Therefore, the terms swing arm 125 and the support member 125 are interchangeably use, hereafter. The swing arm 125 includes a first arm 125A and a second arm i]25B (shown in Fig. 2 (b)) and the rear wheel 115 is disposed between the first arm 125A and the second arm 125B at the rear end portion of the swing arm 125. In one embodiment, the first arm 125A and the second arm 125B are connected using a cross-member 125C, that is integrally formed in one embodiment. The swing arm-125 supports a rear wheel rod 115AX at a rear end portion of the swing arm 125 and the rear wheel rod 115 AX rotatably supports the rear wheel I 15. [00056] In the present implementation, the rear wheel rod 115AX is having a length being at least the distance between outer peripheral portions of the swing arm 125 in the lateral direction RH-LH. The rear wheel rod I I SAX is longer than the outer peripheral portions of the swing arm 125. The wheel rod sealing 200 is mounted to the end portions II5AXR of the wheel rod 115AX. Preferably, the wheel rod sealing 200 is snap-fitted or is interference-fitted to the end portions of the wheel rod 115AX.
[00057] In the present implementation, the end portion facing outward of the one end portion 1 15AXR of the wheel rod I15AX is having a collar portion 115AXC, wherein the wheel rod sealing 200 includes a stopper portion 210 that abuts against the collar portion II5AXC.
[0001] . It is to be understood that the aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein. Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible in the light of above disclosure. Therefore, within the scope of claims of the present subject matter, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.

We claim:
■ 1, A motor vehicle (100) comprising:
a frame assembly (105);
at least one wheel (110, 115) functionally connected to said frame
member (105); »
a support member (120, 125) including a first end portion supporting said at least one wheel (110, 115), and other end portion of said support member (120, 125) connected to said frame member (105); and
at least one wheel rod (I I0AX, 115AX) corresponding to said at least one wheel (110, 115) rotatably supporting said at least one wheel (110, 115); ' characterized in that,
said at least one wheel rod (110AX, 115AX) extend till at least an outer peripheral portion (180P) of said support member (120, 125), said at least one wheel rod (I I0AX, 1I5AX) includes at least a hollow portion (HP) extending till at least one end portion (110AXR, 1 15AXR) of said at least one wheel rod (I10AX, 1I5AX), said at least one end portion (I.10AXR, II5AXR) is covered by a removably-attachable wheel rod . sealing (200) secured to an inner peripheral surface (t 10AI) of said at least wheel rod. (HOAX, 11 SAX) at said at least one end portion (II0AXR, I15AXR).
2. The motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim I, wherein said support member (120, 125) includes a pair of apertures (185) for mounting said wheel rod (HOAX, IISAX) thereat, and at least a portion of said wheel rod (HOAX, 11 SAX) is sandwiched between an outer peripheral portion of the wheel rod sealing (200) and inner peripheral portion of the apertures (185).
3. The motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim I, wherein said wheel rod sealing (200) includes a body portion (205) and a stopper portion (210), said body portion (205) abuts the inner peripheral portion (ID) of the wheel rod (110AX, 1I5AX) and said stopper portion (210) includes an inner lateral face (210A) facing away from the wheel rod and an outer lateral face (210B) abutting against an outer periphery of said wheel rod (110AX, 115AX).

4. The motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim I or 4, wherein said stopper portion (210) is having a diameter substantially greater than an outer diameter (OD) of said wheel rod (11OAX).
5. The motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wheel rod (11 OAX,;.] 15 AX) is having a length substantially equal to at least a distance between an outer peripheral portions of said support member (120, 125).
6.. the motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said'wheel rod
sealing (200) is secured to the inner peripheral portion of said wheel rod (110AX, 115AX) through at least one of snap-fit, press-fit, or interference-fit.
7. The motor vehicle (200) as claimed in claim I, wherein said support member (120, 125) includes a swing arm (125) swingably connected to the frame member (105) and said swing arm (125) supports a rear wheel (115) of at least one wheel (110, 115) of said vehicle (100).
8. The motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim I, wherein said support member (200) includes a front fork assembly (120), wherein said front fork assembly (120) includes a pair of front forks (I20A, 120B) supporting a front wheel (100) of said at least one wheel (110, 115), and said front wheel (110) is disposed between said pair of front forks (120A, 120B).
9. The motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wheel rod (I I OAX, 11 SAX) includes a head portion and a screw portion for securing said wheel rod (11 OAX, II5AX) to said support member (120, 125).
10. The motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wheel rod sealing (200) is preferably made of elastic material.