Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a saddle-type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to the saddle-type vehicle having an article storing structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Saddle-type vehicles, more particularly, scooter-type vehicles have a primary utility storage box disposed under a seat for storing articles. The utility storage box is openably and closably covered from above by the seat. Owing to design constraints of conventional vehicles, the storage space inside the utility storage box is limited. To increase the storage space, various solutions have been proposed which provide additional front storage box or glove box mounted on a rear panel of the vehicle i.e., in front of the seat.
[003] It has been observed that there is a limited space between the rider’s legs and the rear panel of the vehicle. Disposition of the front storage box or glove box at such a location causes insufficient knee space and thus renders the rider’s knees to collide against the front storage box which causes inconvenience to the rider. Riding the vehicle in such a position for a long duration turns the riding experience as to be unpleasant. Further, mounting arrangement for such front storage box essentially requires the rear panel to have a flat surface profile. Owing to this limitation, the front storage box cannot be mounted on those rear panels having an uneven or elevated surface.
[004] It has also been observed that the front storage box in existing vehicles has a weak mounting structure. Over a period of usage, fasteners of the mounting structure are loosened and when the glove box is loaded with excessive items, the front storage box falls down from the rear panel. Further, the existing configuration of the front storage box does not provide easy access to mount additional vehicle accessories on the rear panel.
[005] In view of the foregoing, there is a need to provide a saddle-type vehicle having an improved article storing structure which overcomes at least the above-mentioned disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] In one aspect of the invention, a saddle-type vehicle is disclosed. The saddle-type vehicle includes frame structure having a head tube. The vehicle includes a rear panel for covering a rear side of the head tube. The rear panel includes an upper portion and a lower portion extending in a vehicle width direction. The vehicle includes an article storing structure configured to cover a portion of the rear panel to form a storage space. The article storing structure is detachably mounted on the upper portion of the rear panel. The article storing structure includes a base, an upper wall and opposite side walls. The upper wall extends from the base in an upward direction of the vehicle. The opposite side walls extend in the vehicle width direction between the base and the upper wall. The side wall is bulging towards the rear panel of the vehicle. The side wall includes a bent portion extending slantwise towards the base of the article storing structure.
[007] In an embodiment, the article storing structure includes multiple storing sections formed inside the storage space.
[008] In an embodiment, the article storing structure includes a slot portion formed on the side wall. The slot portion is configured to attach a vehicle accessory.
[009] In an embodiment, the upper portion of the rear panel includes a right side upper portion, a left side upper portion, and a central protruded portion. The central protruded portion is formed between the right side upper portion and the left side upper portion.
[010] In an embodiment, the article storing structure includes a first pair of attachment portions, and a second pair of attachment portions.
[011] In an embodiment, the first pair of attachment portions is formed on the side wall of the article storing structure. The first pair of attachment portions is hingedly mounted on the central protruded portion of the upper portion of the rear panel. Each of the first pair of attachment portions is configured to receive a hinge lock mechanism.
[012] In an embodiment, the second pair of attachment portions is formed on the side wall of the article storing structure. The second pair of attachment portions is configured to be mounted on the upper portion of the rear panel.
[013] In an embodiment, the upper portion of the rear panel includes a charging socket disposed in proximity to the article storing structure.

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 schematic view of an exemplary vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a front view of the rear panel having an article storing structure in an assembled state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of the article storing structure dismantled from the rear panel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a front view of the article storing structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[015] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder.
[016] The present invention relates to a saddle-type vehicle having an article storing structure.
[017] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a saddle-type vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As an example, the vehicle 100 is a scooter type vehicle. The vehicle 100 has an internal combustion engine 118 as a prime mover, that is disposed below a seat 150. In an embodiment, the vehicle 100 includes an electric motor (not shown) or a combination of the electric motor and an internal combustion engine 118 as the prime mover as per design feasibility and requirement. The vehicle 100 has a front wheel 110 and a rear wheel 160. The vehicle 100 includes a frame assembly (not shown). The frame assembly includes a head tube, a main tube and a pair of seat rails. The head tube is attached to the main tube. The vehicle 100 includes a front suspension 108 attached to a steering shaft. The vehicle 100 includes a headlamp front housing cover 102 for housing a headlamp mounted on a handlebar 112 of the vehicle 100. The handlebar 112 is adapted to rotate the steering shaft. A rear portion of the handlebar 112 is covered by a headlamp rear housing cover 120. The vehicle 100 includes a front panel 104 disposed below the headlamp. The front panel 104 covers a front portion of the head tube. The vehicle 100 includes a rear panel 130 disposed below the headlamp rear housing cover 120. The rear panel 130 is configured to cover a rear portion of the head tube. The rear panel 130 includes an upper portion and a lower portion.
[018] The front suspension 108 supports the front wheel 110. The upper portion of the front wheel 110 is covered by a front fender 106 mounted to the front suspension 108. Further, a rear suspension 158 is provided to the rear wheel 160 for dampening the vibrations induced during travel of the vehicle 100 over undulations on the road surface. The vehicle 100 includes a seat 150. The seat 150 covers a utility storage box (not shown). A pillion handle assembly 152 is disposed at rear end of the vehicle 100. A central tunnel 140 is provided in front of the seat 150 which extends slantwise from the rear panel 130 towards the seat 150 in a front-rear direction of the vehicle 100.
[019] A transmission assembly (not shown) is provided for transferring the drive force from the prime mover 118 onto the rear wheel 160 for driving the vehicle 100. In an embodiment, the driving force of the internal combustion engine 118 is transmitted through a chain drive (not shown) or a belt drive (not shown). A rear fender 162 is disposed at the rear end of the vehicle 100 to cover a portion of the rear wheel 160. The vehicle 100 includes pairs of side body covers 114 and lower body covers 116 disposed on each side of the vehicle 100. The pair of side body covers 114 is disposed rearwardly relative to a position of the front fender 106. The pair of lower body covers 116 is disposed rearwardly relative to a position of the side body covers 114. The vehicle 100 includes a pair of rider footrests 154 and a pair of pillion footrests 156. Each pairs of the front footrests 154 and the rear footrests 156 is supported on the frame assembly.
[020] As shown, the vehicle 100 includes a pair of article storing structures 200 (shown in Figure 3) mounted on the rear panel 130. Each of the pair of article storing structure 200 is configured to cover a portion of the rear panel 130 to form a storage space (S). The article storing structure 200 is detachably mounted on the rear panel 130.
[021] Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the vehicle 100 (shown in Figure 1), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the central tunnel 140 is positioned between the rider footrests 154. The central tunnel 140 is attached to the frame assembly of the vehicle 100.
[022] Figure 3 illustrates a front view of the rear panel 130 having an article storing structure 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The rear panel 130 includes an opening 131 to accommodate the head tube of the frame assembly of the vehicle 100 (shown in Figure 1). The opening 131 includes a left-side portion 131L, a right-side portion 131R and a middle curved portion 132. The left side portion 131L is configured to accommodate a left side portion of the headtube. The right side portion 131R is configured to accommodates a right side portion of the headtube. The middle curved portion 132 is configured to accommodate a rear side portion of the head tube.
[023] In an embodiment, the rear panel 130 includes a right-side upper portion 134R, a left-side upper portion 134L, and a central protruded portion 133. The central protruded portion 133 is positioned below the middle curved portion 132 of the opening 132. The central protruded portion 133 is formed between the right side upper portion 134R and the left side upper portion 134L of the rear panel 130. The left side upper portion 134L and the right side upper portion 134R are attached to the front panel 104 (shown in Figure 1) of the vehicle 100 through a pair of fastening means (X, X’). The fastening means (X, X’) may include a screw, nut, bolt, or rivet etc. The rear panel 130 includes a left side lower portion 136L and a right side lower portion 136R. The left side lower portion 136L and the right side lower portion 134R are attached to the front panel 104 of the vehicle 100 through a pair of fastening means (Y, Y’). The fastening means (Y, Y’) may include a screw, nut, bolt, or rivet etc.
[024] The article storing structure 200 include a left-side article storing structure 200L and a right-side article storing structure 200R. The left-side article storing structure 200L is detachably mounted on the left side upper portion 130L of the rear panel 130 to form a storage space (S). Similarly. the right side article storing structure 200R is detachably mounted on the right side upper portion 130R of the rear panel 130 to form a storage space (S). Each of the left side article storing structure 200L and the right side article storing structure 200R includes a slot portion 220L, 220R. Each of the slot portion 220 formed on the side wall 210 is configured to attach a vehicle accessory 170. The vehicle accessory 170 is a middle carrier disposed above the central tunnel 140. The vehicle accessory 170 includes side arms 172, 174 having ends attached to the rear panel 130 through slot portions 220L, 220R of the article storing structure 200.
[025] In an embodiment, the central tunnel 140 includes front end portions 141 and rear end portions 145. The front end portions 141 are configured to be attached to the front panel 104 of the vehicle 100. Both the front end portions 141 of the central tunnel 140 extend between the left side lower portion 136L and the right side lower portion 136R. The central tunnel 140 includes an attachment portion 143 disposed between front end portions 141 and the rear end portions 145. The rear end portions 145 are configured to be attached on the main tube at a position disposed in proximity to a lower side of the seat 150. The attachment portion 143 is a recess configured to receive a fastener for attachment with the main tube.
[026] In an embodiment, the right side upper portion 134R of the rear panel 130 includes a charging socket (C) disposed in proximity to the right side article storing structure 200R. The right side upper portion 134R includes a key fob attachment portion (K).
[027] Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of the article storing structure 200 mounted on the rear panel 130 in a dismantled state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the central protruded portion 133 includes side surfaces 133a, 133b. The article storing structure 200 includes a base 208, an upper wall 204, and opposite side walls 206, 210. The base 208 is supported by the front end portions 141 (shown in Figure 3) of the central portion 140. The upper wall 204 is extending from the base 208 in an upward direction of the vehicle 100 (shown in Figure 1). Opposite side walls 206, 210 extend in the vehicle width direction between the base 208 and the upper wall 204. The side wall 206 of the article storing structure 200 is bulging towards the rear panel 130. The side wall 206 includes a first bent portion 206a extending slantwise towards the base 208 of the article storing structure 200. The first bent portion 206a is configured to provide a space for accommodating knee of the rider’s legs and to avoid collision between the rider’s knee and the article storing structure 200. The side wall 210 is configured to be hingedly attached to the side surface 133a of the central protruded portion 133 of the rear panel 130.
[028] Figure 5 illustrates a front view of the article storing structure 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the side wall 206 of the article storing structure includes first and second bent portions 206a, 206b. The second bent portion 206b is joined to the base 208. The article storing structure 200 includes a first pair of attachment portions 212, 214 formed on the side wall 210 of the article storing structure 200. On the opposite side wall 206, a second pair of attachment portions 222, 224 is formed. The first pair of attachment portions 212, 214 is configured to be hingedly attached on the side of central protruded portion 133 of the rear panel 130 (shown in Figure 3). Each of the first pair of attachment portions 212, 214 is configured to receive a hinge lock mechanism 215. In an embodiment, the hinge lock mechanism 215 includes a first leaf and a second leaf pivotally attached to the first leaf through a shaft pin. The first leaf is configured to be attached to the article storing structure 200 and the second leaf is configured to be attached to the central protruded portion 133 (shown in Figure 4) of the rear panel 130. The second pair of attachment portions 222, 224 is configured to be mounted on the rear panel 130. The base 208 includes an elevated step portion 208a. The elevated step portion 208a is configured to be supported on the front end portions 141 of the central tunnel 140.
[029] In an embodiment, the article storing structure 200 includes multiple storing sections (S1, S2) formed inside the storage space (S).
[030] Advantageously, the present invention provides a saddle-type vehicle having an article storing structure detachably mounted on a rear panel. The article storing structure provides additional storing space for storing articles. The article storing structure has a simple construction with a rigid mounting configuration which is a hingedly attached on the rear panel and require lesser number of fasteners. Accordingly, the assembly time is reduced. Further, the article storing structure provides slot portions for mounting a vehicle accessory.
[031] 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.

List of Reference Numerals
100 – Vehicle
102 – Headlamp front housing cover
104– Front panel
106 – Front fender
108 – Front suspension
110 – Front wheel
112 – Handlebar
114 – Side body covers
116 – Lower body covers
118 – Engine / Prime mover
120 – Headlamp rear housing cover
130 – Rear panel
131 – Opening
131L– Left side portion of the opening
131R– Right side portion of the opening
132 – Middle curved portion of the opening
133 – Central protruded portion
133a, 133b – Sides of central protruded portion
134 – Upper portion of the rear panel
134L – Left side upper portion of the rear panel
134R– Right side upper portion of the rear panel
136 – Lower portion of the rear panel
136L – Left side lower portion of the rear panel
136R– Right side lower portion of the rear panel
140 – Central tunnel
141 – Front end portions of the central tunnel
143 – Attachment portion
145 – Rear end portions of the central tunnel
150 – Seat
152 – Pillion handle assembly
154 – Rider footrests
156 – Pillion footrests
158 – Rear suspension
160 – Rear wheel
162 – Rear fender
170 – Vehicle accessory
172, 174 – Side arms of vehicle accessory
200 – Article storing structure
200L – Left-side storing structure
200R – Right-side storing structure
204 – Upper wall
206 – Side wall of the article storing structure
206a – Bent portion
206b – Bent portion
208 – Base
208a – Elevated step portion
210 – Side wall of the article storing structure
212, 214 – First pair of attachment portions
215 – Hinge lock mechanism
220 – Slot portions
222, 224 – Second pair of attachment portions
C – Charging socket
K – Key fob attachment portion
S – Storage space
S1, S2 – Multiple storing sections
X, X’, Y, Y’ – Fastening means , Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A saddle-type vehicle (100) comprising:
a rear panel (130) for covering a rear side of a head tube of the vehicle (100), the rear panel (130) comprising: an upper portion (134) and a lower portion extending in a vehicle width direction; and
at least one article storing structure (200) configured to cover a portion of the rear panel (130) to form a storage space (S), the article storing structure (200) being detachably mounted on the upper portion (134) of the rear panel (130), the article storing structure (200) comprising: a base (208); an upper wall (204) extending from the base (208) in an upward direction of the vehicle (100); and opposite side walls (206, 210) extending in the vehicle width direction between the base (208) and the upper wall (204), the side wall (206) is bulging towards the rear panel (130) of the vehicle (100), and comprises a bent portion (206a) extending slantwise towards the base (208) of the article storing structure (200).

2. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the article storing structure comprises a slot portion (220) formed on the side wall (210), the slot portion (220) being configured to attach a vehicle accessory (170).

3. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper portion (134) of the rear panel (130) comprises: a right side upper portion (134R); a left side upper portion (134L); and a central protruded portion (133) formed between the right side upper portion (134R), and the left side upper portion (134L).

4. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the article storing structure (200) comprises: a first pair of attachment portions (212, 214); and a second pair of attachment portions (222, 224).

5. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first pair of attachment portions (212, 214) of the article storing structure (200) is formed on the side wall (210) of the article storing structure (200).

6. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first pair of attachment portions (212, 214) is hingedly mounted on the central protruded portion (133) of the upper portion (134) of the rear panel (130).

7. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the first pair of attachment portions (212, 214) is configured to receive a hinge lock mechanism (215).

8. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second pair of attachment portions (222, 224) is formed on the side wall (206) of the article storing structure (200), the second pair of attachment portions (222, 224) being configured to be mounted on the upper portion (134) of the rear panel (130).

9. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the article storing structure (200) comprises multiple storing sections (S1, S2) formed inside the storage space (S).

10. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper portion (134) of the rear panel (130) comprises a charging socket (C) disposed in proximity to the article storing structure (200).

Dated this 22 day of February 2023

TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

(Nikhil Ranjan)
of Khaitan & Co
Reg No IN/PA-1471