Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A protection structure (100) for a driver cabin (102) of a vehicle (104), comprising:
a front support frame (106) comprising a plurality of horizontal tubular members (108, 108a) and a plurality of vertical tubular members (110, 110a) connected between the horizontal tubular members (108, 108a), the vertical tubular members (110) adapted to be removably connected to a front door member (112a) of a load deck (112);
side support frames (114) at each side (116, 118) of the front support frame (106), the side support frame (114) comprising a plurality of tubes (114a, 114a’) extending from the front support frame (106) and adapted to be detachably connected with side door members (112b, 112c) of the load deck (112);
one or more first set of brackets (120) disposed below each of the side support frame (114), each bracket of the first set of brackets (120) comprising:
an upper side bracket (120a) being configured to receive a portion of the tube (114a’) of the side support frame (114),
a lower side bracket (120b) connected to the upper side bracket (120a), and
a side bracket (120c) detachably connected to the lower side bracket (120b) at a first portion (122) and fixedly connected to the side door member (112b, 112c) of the load deck (112) at a second portion (124); and
a second set of brackets (126) disposed below the vertical tubular members (110) of the front support frame (106) for detachably connecting the front support frame (106) with the front door member (112a).

2. The protection structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second set of brackets (126) comprises at least one end bracket (126a) at a first end (128) and a second end (130) of the front support member (106), and one or more mid brackets (126b) disposed between the first end (128) and the second end (130) of the front support member (106).

3. The protection structure (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mid bracket (126b) has a planar base portion (126b1), two side portions (126b2) extending from the planar base portion (126b1) forming a C–shaped cross section for clamping an upper edge (112a1) of the front door member (112a).

4. The protection structure (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the end bracket (126a) has an elongated planar base portion (126a1), two side portions (126a2) extending from the planar base portion (126a1) forming a C–shaped cross section to receive the vertical tubular member (110) of the front support frame (106).

5. The protection structure (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 – 4, wherein the second set of brackets (126) are removably connected to the front support frame (106) through a first set of fastener members (132).

6. The protection structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portion (122) of the side bracket (120c) comprises an oblong through hole (122a) for detachably connecting with the lower side bracket (120b) and the second portion (124) of the side bracket (120c) comprises one or more through holes (122b) for connecting with the side door member (112b, 112c) of the load deck (112) by a second set of fastener members (134).

7. The protection structure (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 6, wherein the second set of fastener member (134) comprises a fastener member (134’) having a molded stud (134a) and a molded plastic (134b) being provided on a portion of the molded stud (134a).

8. The protection structure as claimed in claim 7, wherein one end of the molded stud (134a) having the molded plastic (134b) is passed through the oblong through hole (122a) of the side bracket (120c) and the other end of the molded stud (134a) is passed through holes (136a, 136b) of the upper and lower side brackets (120a, 120b) and engage with a weld nut (138’) for detachably connecting the first set of brackets (120) with the side door member (112b, 112c).

9. The protection structure (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprising a mesh (140) attached to the front support frame (106).

10. The protection structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper side bracket (120a) comprises a first portion (120a1) having a U-shaped cross section for receiving a portion of the tube (114a’) of the side support frame (114) and a second portion (120a2) extending from one end of the first portion (120a1) for connecting with the lower side bracket (120b) and the side bracket (120c).
Dated this 07th day of July 2021
TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

(Nikhil Ranjan)
of Khaitan & Co
Reg No IN/PA-1471 , Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a protection structure for a vehicle. More particularly, it relates to the protection structure for a driver cabin of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Generally, a cargo vehicle consists of a metal top on a driver cabin. Since the metal top weighs more and expensive, the manufacturers have tried to reduce the weight by an alternative for the metal top by using a soft material or a hard material for covering a top portion of the driver cabin. In such a case, in order to avoid damage to the soft top / hard top material on the driver cabin during loading of goods, a driver protection barrier is fixed between a load deck and a soft / hard top. The driver protection barrier is primarily used for protection of the driver and the soft top or the hard top. Without the driver protection barrier, the soft top or the hard top will be damaged during loading of goods.
[003] The driver protection barrier in the existing vehicle is fixed by a welding process and a mounting support for the welding has been taken from the front door and / or one or more side doors of the load deck. This will in turn makes the side doors fixed, thereby the side doors cannot be opened for loading the vehicle from sideways of the load deck. Therefore, the loading of goods on the load deck can happen only from a rear side of the load deck, making it difficult and cumbersome to a loading person to reach the front loading area of the load deck of the vehicle.
[004] In case the driver protection barrier takes support from the front door, due to a single axis of bolting, the driver protection barrier may tend to bend over the soft top during loading due to bending moment. This can further lead to damage of the soft top and may hurt the driver if the barrier falls onto the driver’s cabin.
[005] In case of an aftermarket modification, a driver protection barrier is welded to the load deck. The welding of the barrier is made on the side doors of the load deck. Therefore, the load deck cannot be opened through the side doors. Further, the welded driver protection barrier makes it a permanent joint in the side doors / front door of the load deck and thus the side doors cannot be removed or replaced if required or even when it gets damaged.
[006] Typically, the load deck is made of a sheet metal part having a smaller thickness. It is recommended to use CO2 welding on the sheet metal having higher thickness. However, it is observed that CO2 type welding is performed to weld the driver protection barrier to the load deck having smaller thickness. Thus, the welding carried on the load deck can damage the load deck in case of any rework.
[007] Thus, there is a need in the art for a protection structure for a driver cabin of a vehicle which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[008] In an aspect, the present invention is directed to a protection structure for a driver cabin of a vehicle. The protection structure includes a front support frame having a plurality of horizontal tubular members and a plurality of vertical tubular members connected between the horizontal tubular members. The vertical tubular members are adapted to be removably connected to a front door member of a load deck. The protection structure further includes side support frames at each side of the front support frame. The side support frame has a plurality of tubes extending from the front support frame and adapted to be detachably connected with side door members of the load deck. The protection structure further includes one or more first set of brackets disposed below each of the side support frame. Each bracket of the first set of brackets has an upper side bracket being configured to receive a portion of the tube of the side support frame, a lower side bracket connected to the upper side bracket, and a side bracket detachably connected to the lower side bracket at a first portion and fixedly connected to the side door member of the load deck at a second portion. The protection structure further includes a second set of brackets disposed below the vertical tubular members of the front support frame for detachably connecting the front support frame with the front door member.
[009] In an embodiment of the invention, the second set of brackets includes at least one end bracket at a first end and a second end of the front support member, and one or more mid brackets disposed between the first end and the second end of the front support member.
[010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the mid bracket has a planar base portion, two side portions extending from the planar base portion forming a C–shaped cross section for clamping an upper edge of the front door member.
[011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the end bracket has an elongated planar base portion, two side portions extending from the planar base portion forming a C–shaped cross section to receive the vertical tubular member of the front support frame.
[012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the second set of brackets are removably connected to the front support frame through a first set of fastener members.
[013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first portion of the side bracket includes an oblong through hole for detachably connecting with the lower side bracket and the second portion of the side bracket has one or more through holes for connecting with the side door member of the load deck by a second set of fastener members.
[014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the second set of fastener member includes a fastener member having a molded stud and a molded plastic being provided on a portion of the molded stud.
[015] In a further embodiment of the invention, one end of the molded stud having the molded plastic is passed through the oblong through hole of the side bracket and the other end of the molded stud is passed through holes of the upper and lower side brackets and engage with a weld nut for detachably connecting the first set of brackets with the side door member.
[016] In a further embodiment of the invention, a mesh is attached to the front support frame.
[017] In a further embodiment of the invention, the upper side bracket includes a first portion having a U-shaped cross section for receiving a portion of the tube of the side support frame and a second portion extending from one end of the first portion for connecting with the lower side bracket and the side bracket.

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 1 illustrates a left side view of a vehicle having a protection structure for a driver cabin of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a rear perspective of a load deck attached with the protection structure with a mesh, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a rear perspective of the load deck attached with the protection structure without the mesh shown in Figure 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of the assembly of side support frame with first set of brackets, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a cross sectional view taken along a plane “P” (shown in Figure 3) of a joinery portion of a side support frame and a side door member, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a front support frame and the side support frame of the protection structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7a illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of the front door member with second set of brackets, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7b illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of the side support frame with the side door member and the second set of brackets with a vertical tubular member of the front support frame, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8a illustrates a perspective view of a front portion of the load deck of the vehicle mounted with the protection structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8b illustrates a magnified portion “A” indicated in Figure 8a, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8c illustrates a magnified portion “B” indicated in Figure 8a, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of Figure 8c depicting opening of the side door member without removing the protection structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 10a illustrates a perspective view of the load deck of the vehicle mounted with the protection structure depicting opening of the side door member of the load deck, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 10b illustrates a magnified view of a portion “C” shown in Figure 10a, depicting the opening of the side door member of the load deck, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[019] The present invention relates to a protection structure for a vehicle. More particularly, it relates to the protection structure for a driver cabin of the vehicle and provides an advantage of opening the side door member of a load deck of the vehicle.
[020] Figure 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary vehicle 104 provided with a protection structure 100 for a driver cabin 102 of the vehicle 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle 104 is a cargo vehicle. However, the protection structure 100 as explained in the present invention may also find its application in vehicles other than the cargo vehicle. Therefore, the exemplary vehicle of cargo vehicle as shown in the present invention should not meant to be limiting the scope of the present invention. Further, the cargo vehicle in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a three-wheeled vehicle. It may be contemplated that the cargo vehicle in some embodiments be a four-wheeled vehicle or multi-axle and multi-wheeled vehicle as well.
[021] The vehicle 104 as illustrated in the embodiment of the present invention includes an Internal combustion engine (not shown) or an electric powertrain (not shown) for driving the vehicle 104. The vehicle 104 further includes one or more front wheels 14, two or more rear wheels 16, a seat assembly 18, a frame 20. The frame 20 includes a pair of long members 22 that extend in a vehicle front-rear direction D1 between a front end 22A and a rear end 22B of the vehicle 104. The pair of long members 22 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction D1 are substantially parallel to each other. The frame 20 further includes one or more cross members (not shown) that extend transversely between the pair of long members 22.
[022] The vehicle 104 further includes a steering assembly (not shown) operatively connected to the front wheel(s) 14. The front suspension is adapted to support the front wheel 14 of the vehicle 104. An upper portion of the front wheel 14 is covered by a front fender 28 which is mounted to a lower portion of the front suspensions at the end of a steering shaft (not shown). The vehicle 104 further includes a handlebar 30 which is fixed to an upper bracket (not shown) and can rotate about an axis of a steering shaft to both sides of the vehicle 104.
[023] A front portion of the frame 20 is adapted to support a plurality of body panels to form a driver cabin 102. The driver cabin 102 is adapted to accommodate the seat assembly 18 and the handlebar 30. The driver cabin 102 includes a pair of headlights (not shown) on its front face. Each of the rear wheel 16 of the vehicle 104 is covered by a rear fender 38 that is disposed above the rear wheel 16. The rear wheels 16 are rotated by a driving force of a vehicle powertrain (not shown). The vehicle 104 further includes a cargo deck or a load deck 112 that is mounted to the frame 20 and supported onto the pair of long members 22. In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the load deck 112 of the vehicle 104 is mounted with the protection structure 100.
[024] Referring now to Figures 2 and 3 of the present invention, it depicts rear perspective views of a portion of the vehicle 104 having the load deck 112 and the protection structure 100 mounted on the load deck 112. In an embodiment, the protection structure 100 is adapted to provide protection for the driver cabin 102 (shown in Figure 1) of the vehicle 104. The load deck 112 includes a plurality of door members including, a front door member 112a located behind the driver cabin 102, side door members 112b, 112c disposed adjacent to the front door member 112a and extending in the vehicle front-rear direction D1, a rear door member 112d disposed at a rear end of the vehicle 104, and a base member 112e connected to the front door member 112a, the side door members 112b, 112c, the rear door member 112d, thereby forming the load deck 112. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the side door members 112b, 112c and the rear door member 112d are hingedly mounted onto the base member 112e of the load deck 112 such that, when required, the side door members 112b, 112c and the rear door member 112d can be deployed in an open position for accessing the base member 112e (loading area) on the load deck 112 from the rear end of the vehicle 104 or from the sides of the vehicle 104.
[025] The protection structure 100 includes a front support frame 106 having a plurality of substantially horizontal tubular members 108, 108a and a plurality of substantially vertical tubular members 110, 110a. The plurality of vertical tubular members 110, 110a are connected between the horizontal tubular members 108, 108a by welding or by any other fabrication process known in the art. In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the vertical tubular members 110 which are disposed towards the front door member 112a of the load deck 112 are adapted to be removably connected to the front door member 112a of the load deck 112. Thereby, facilitating removal of the front support frame 106 of the protection structure 100 from the front door member 112a of the load deck 112 when required. Further, the front support frame 106 of the protection structure 100 includes at least one vertical member 110a disposed at an angle with reference to the horizonal tubular member 108 and connected to an inclined portion 108b of the horizontal tubular member 108a.
[026] In the illustrated embodiment in Figures 2 and 3, the protection structure 100 includes two substantially horizontal tubular members 108, 108a, wherein an inner horizontal tubular member 108 disposed towards the front door member 112a is configured to be substantially straight, and an outer substantially horizontal tubular member 108a which is disposed above the inner horizontal tubular member 108 is configured include the inclined portion 108b (shown in Figure 3) at its transverse ends. However, in another embodiment, the outer horizontal tubular member 108a can be configured substantially straight similar to the inner horizontal tubular member 108.
[027] The protection structure 100 further includes side support frames 114 at each side 116, 118 of the front support frame 106. In one embodiment, the side support frames 114 are welded to the front support frame 106 and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction D1. Since the protection structure 100 includes one side support frame 114 at each side of the front support frame 106 and the construction of both the side support frames are same, only one side support frame 114 located at the left side of the vehicle 104 has been considered for explaining the construction and working of the side support frame 114. It should be understood that the explanation for the side support frame 114 located at the right side of the vehicle 104 will be same as that of the side support frame 114 located at the left side of the vehicle 104.
[028] The side support frame 114 is included with a plurality of tubes 114a, 114a’ (shown in Figure 3) extending from the front support frame 106. In one embodiment, the plurality of tubes 114a, 114a’ of the side support frame 114 is welded to the vertical support member 110 located at the side 116, 118 of the front support frame 106. The tube 114a’ is adapted to be detachably connected with the side door members 112b, 112c of the load deck 112. In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the side support frame 114 includes two tubes 114a, 114a’ and are connected to each other forming the side support frame 114. A bottom tube 114a’ which is disposed closer to the side door members 112b, 112c is detachably connected to the side door members 112b, 112c through one or more first set of brackets 120 (more clearly shown in Figures 4 and 8b).
[029] The first set of brackets 120 of the protection structure 100 is disposed below each of the side support frame 114. The first set of brackets 120 is adapted to detachable connect the side support frame 114 with the side door member 112b, 112c of the load deck 112. This in turn allows the side door member 112b, 112c to be opened about the hinge as and when required by the user / the loading personnel for loading the vehicle 104.
[030] In the illustrated embodiments of the present invention in Figures 2 and 3, each of the side support frame 114 is provided with at least one first set of brackets 120. However, in case a length of the tubes 114a, 114a’ of the side support frame 114 is increased, then more than one first set of brackets 120 may be provided to enable a stable supporting assembly of the side support frame 114 with the side door members 112b, 112c of the load deck 112.
[031] Further, as the construction of the first set of bracket 120 disposed below each of the side support frame 114 is same, for explanation and brevity purpose only one such first set of the bracket 120 is considered for explaining the construction of the first set of bracket 120 in the present invention and it should not be meant limiting the scope of the present invention.
[032] Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of an assembly of the side support frame 114 with a first set of bracket 120, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The first set of brackets 120 has an upper side bracket 120a and is configured to receive a portion of the tube 114a’ of the side support frame 114. In one embodiment, the upper side bracket 120a includes a first portion 120a1 having a U-shaped cross section for receiving a portion of the tube 114a’ of the side support frame 114. In the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 120a1 is having an inverted U-shaped cross section for receiving the portion of the tube 114a’ of the side support frame 114. The upper side bracket 120a further includes a second portion 120a2 extending from one end of the first portion 120a1 for connecting with a lower side bracket 120b. In one embodiment, the second portion 120a2 of the upper side bracket 120a includes a through hole 136a.
[033] The lower side bracket 120b of the first set of brackets 120 is a L-shaped bracket and is provided with a through hole 136b on a surface facing the second portion 120a2 of the upper side bracket 120a for connecting with the upper side bracket 120a.
[034] The first set of brackets 120 further includes a side bracket 120c. The side bracket 120c includes a first portion 122 and a second portion 124 extended from the first portion 122. In an embodiment, the side bracket 120c is in a stepped profile. The first portion 122 of the side bracket 120c includes an oblong through hole 122a for detachably connecting with the lower side bracket 120b and the upper side bracket 120a through a fastener member 134’ of a second set of fastener member 134.
[035] In the illustrated embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, the fastener member 134’ connecting the lower side bracket 120b and the second portion 120a2 of the upper side bracket 120c includes a molded stud 134a and a molded plastic 134b which is being provided on a portion of the molded stud 134a (clearly shown in Figure 5). The molded stud 134a is passed through the holes 136a, 136b of the upper and lower side brackets 120a, 120b and engaged with a weld nut 138’ for detachably connecting the upper side bracket 120a and the lower side bracket 120b with the tube 114a’ of the side frame member 114. In an embodiment (referring to Figures 5 and 8c), the other end of the molded stud 134a covering the molded plastic 134b of the fastener member 134’ is located in the oblong hole 122a of the side bracket 120c.
[036] In an embodiment, the second portion 124 of the side bracket 120c includes one or more through holes 122b for detachably connecting with the side door member 112b, 112c of the load deck 112 by fastener members 134” of the second set of fastener members 134. The fastener members 134” include threaded bolts and nuts.
[037] Thus, the first set of brackets 120 having the upper side bracket 120a, the lower side bracket 120b and the side bracket 120c allows detachable connection between the side support frame 114 and the side door members 112b, 112c.
[038] The protection structure 100 further include a second set of brackets 126 disposed below the vertical tubular members 110 of the front support frame 106 shown in Figures 3 - 9. The second set of brackets 126 enable a detachable connection of the front support frame 106 from the front door member 112a of the load deck 112. In an embodiment as shown in Figure 6, the second set of brackets 126 include at least one end bracket 126a at a first end 128 (shown in Figure 9) and a second end 130 (shown in Figure 6) of the front support member 106, and one or more mid brackets 126b (shown in Figures 6, 7a and 8a) disposed between the first end 128 and the second end 130 of the front support member 106.
[039] As illustrated in Figure 7a, the mid bracket 126b includes a planar base portion 126b1, two side portions 126b2 extending from the planar base portion 126b1 forming a C–shaped cross section for clamping an upper edge 112a1 of the front door member 112a.
[040] Referring to Figure 7b, the end bracket 126a has an elongated planar base portion 126a1, two side portions 126a2 extending from the planar base portion 126a1 forming a C–shaped cross section to receive the vertical tubular member 110 of the front support frame 106.
[041] In an embodiment, the second set of brackets 126 are removably connected to the front support frame 106 through a first set of fastener members 132 (shown in Figures 7a and 8a).
[042] Figure 8c illustrates a magnified portion “B” indicated in Figure 8a, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the first set of brackets 120 having the upper side bracket 120a, the lower side bracket 120b and the side bracket 120c is detachably connected to the side frame member 112b of the load deck 112. Further, the second set of brackets 126 having the mid bracket 126b and the end bracket 126a are detachably connected to the front frame member 112a of the load deck 112.
[043] Figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of Figure 8c depicting opening of the side door member 112b without removing the protection structure 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 10a and 10b illustrate perspective views of the load deck 112 of the vehicle 104 mounted with the protection structure 100 depicting opening of the side door member 112b of the load deck 112, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[044] In an alternative embodiment, the protection structure 100 is provided with a mesh 140 (shown in Figure 2). The mesh 140 is attached to the front support frame 106.
[045] Advantageously, the protection structure of the present invention protects the soft top of the driver cabin without damage during loading of goods. Since the side door members of the load deck are opened during loading of the vehicle, it eases the loading operation. The protection structure of the present invention eliminates the requirement of welding since it takes the support for mounting from the side door member of the load deck when required, also does not act as a fixed joint. Further, the protection structure helps to stack vertically and load little bit more with driver protection structure. As the protection structure is a bolt-able driver protection structure, it makes the side door member to be openable, while taking only partial mounting support from side door member. Also, in turns helps to remove / replace the protection structure if required. Thus, the protection structure in the present invention is improved over the existing protection structure, where the protection structure is permanently welded onto the load deck, which cannot be replaced or repaired.
[046] Since the protection structure takes the mounting support from the side door member as well, the protection structure is avoided to bent towards front due to load falling on the protection structure.
[047] 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.