Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A saddle type vehicle (10) comprising:
a main tube (26) extending rearwardly from a head pipe (22) in a vehicle front-rear direction (F-R);
a downtube (26) extending downwardly from the head pipe (22);
an engine mounting bracket (100) fixedly attached to a lower end of the downtube (22);
an engine (12) disposed in a space defined between the main tube (26) and the downtube (26), an anterior portion of the engine (12) mounted on the engine mounting bracket (100); and
an engine guard (200) pivotally attached to the engine mounting bracket (100) and configured to guard at least a portion of the engine (12).

2. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engine mounting bracket (100) comprises a hoop (120).

3. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the hoop (120) is substantially U-shaped and attached to the engine mounting bracket (100).

4. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the engine guard (200) comprises a receptacle (220) configured to receive the hoop (120) thereby allowing the engine guard to swing about the hoop (120).

5. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the receptacle (220) comprises a constricted entry region (220a); and a receiving region (220b), the constricted entry region (220a) allows the hoop (120) to be pushed inside the receiving region (220b) and the receiving region (220b) allows the engine guard (200) to swing about the hoop (120).

6. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the engine guard (200) swings about the hoop (120) between a first position and a second position, the engine guard (200) in the first position is substantially parallel to ground and the engine guard (200) in the second position is displaced downwardly towards the ground.

7. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engine guard (200) is contoured corresponding to an outer periphery of the engine (12) to guard the engine (12).

8. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engine guard (200) comprises a top member (210) and a bottom member (212) detachably attached to each other, the top member (210) having an arched top body (210’); and a first top side arm (210a) and a second top side arm (210b) extending rearwardly from the arched top body (210’) in a vehicle front-rear direction (F-R); and the bottom member (212) having an arched bottom body (212’); and a first bottom side arm (212a) and a second bottom side arm (212b) extending rearwardly from the arched bottom body (212’) in the vehicle front-rear direction (F-R).

9. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least a portion of each of the arched top body (210’), the first top side arm (210a), and the second top side arm (210b) of the top member (210) extends upwards to form an arched vertically extended wall (210x).

10. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the arched bottom body (212’) along with the first bottom side arm (212a) and the second bottom side arm (212b) guard at least a bottom portion of the engine (200).

11. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claims 4 and 8, wherein the receptacle (220) is provided on an inner face of the top member (210).

12. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the receptacle (220) is provided on the arched top body (210’) of the top member (210).

13. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein a rear end of each of the side arms (212a, 212b) of the bottom member (212) is detachably mounted on an engine side cover (12a) such that when the first bottom side arm (212a) and the second bottom side arm (212b) are detached from the engine side cover (12a), the engine guard (200) swings about the hoop (120).

14. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in 13, wherein the first bottom side arm (212a) and the second bottom side arm (212b) are mounted on a first engine guard mounting bracket (250a) and a second engine guard mounting bracket (250b) respectively, the first engine guard mounting bracket (250a) and the second engine guard mounting bracket (250b) being connected with the engine side cover (12a).

15. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 8, comprises plurality of spaced apart slats (230) between the first top side arm (210a) and the first bottom side arm (212a); and the second top side arm (210b) and the second bottom side arm (212b), the plurality of slats (230) providing strength to the engine guard (200) and channelizing air flow from sides of the vehicle (10) towards at least the bottom portion of the engine (12).

16. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the top member (210) comprises a substantially flat surface (216), the substantially flat surface (216) having a plurality of through holes (218), the plurality of holes (218) channelize the air flow towards the engine (12) and other components disposed within vicinity of the engine (12).

17. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 16, wherein the top member comprises a grill (218’) having the plurality of through holes (218), the plurality of holes (218) on the grill (218’) channelize the air flow towards the engine (12).

18. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claims 7 or 8, wherein the top member (210) is contoured corresponding to an outer periphery of an exhaust pipe (40).
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention generally relates to a saddle type vehicle and more particularly it relates to an engine guard for a saddle type vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Vehicle/ Motorcycle manufacturers often include covers and guards in motorcycles to cover parts and components to prevent damage. Examples of these include metal crash guards to protect the engine; ignition timing covers to protect ignition components from environment; clutch hub or derby covers to cover the clutch, etc.
[003] It is known that the engine is one of the most important components of a vehicle. Hence, the engine has multiple guards like crash guards, engine guards, lower covers, etc. mounted around it. The crash guards are laterally extending components generally made of hard metal and are mounted on a main frame in front of the engine in a vehicle front rear direction. The crash guards are configured to protect the engine in events of accidents and falls.
[004] Further, as mentioned hereinbefore, the vehicles also have engine guards/ covers. The engine guards are disposed on a lower part of a main frame and are meant to cover a lower region of the engine. More often than not, a vehicle rider encounters bad roads in his day-to-day life and seldom has choices to avoid such roads. The bad roads have abundant gravel, pebbles, stones and other matter that easily flung at the engine due to an uneven frictional contact of the vehicle front tyre with the roads. These gravel, pebbles, and stones can cause substantial damage to the engine. Hence, in order to protect the engine from the gravel, pebbles and stones, the engine guard is disposed at the lower region of the engine.
[005] For the engine guard to sustain the aforementioned damage causing factors, the engine guard is rigidly mounted to the main frame of the vehicle as well as the engine at multiple points. However, problem arises when the engine requires servicing. During engine servicing, access to the engine become difficult due to presence of the engine guard. Hence, the engine guard has to be dismounted from the main frame as well as the engine. Due to the rigid mounting, the dismounting of the engine guard takes a considerable amount of time which further increase service time. Further, the engine guard generally has an odd contour. Hence, after dismounting, the engine guard easily topples over and falls causing damage to itself leading to dents and cracks. The dents and cracks not only compromise the efficiency of the engine guard, but also spoil overall vehicle aesthetics. Thus, it becomes more difficult to store the engine guard after dismounting from the engine.
[006] Thus, there is a need in the art for an engine guard which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[007] The present invention is directed to a saddle type vehicle having a main tube extending rearwardly from a head pipe in a vehicle front-rear direction, a downtube extending downwardly from the head pipe, an engine mounting bracket fixedly attached to a lower end of the downtube, an engine disposed in a space defined between the main tube and the downtube, an anterior portion of the engine mounted on the engine mounting bracket, and an engine guard pivotally attached to the engine mounting bracket and configured to guard at least a portion of the engine.
[008] In an embodiment of the invention, the engine mounting bracket comprises a hoop. In another embodiment of the invention, the hoop is substantially U-shaped and attached to the engine mounting bracket.
[009] In yet another embodiment, the engine guard has a receptacle configured to receive the hoop thereby allowing the engine guard to swing about the hoop.
[010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the receptacle has a constricted entry region and a receiving region. The constricted entry region allows the hoop to be pushed inside the receiving region and the receiving region allows the engine guard to swing about the hoop.
[011] In another embodiment, the engine guard swings about the hoop between a first position and a second position, the engine guard in the first position is substantially parallel to ground and the engine guard in the second position is displaced downwardly towards the ground.
[012] In an embodiment of the invention, the engine guard is contoured corresponding to an outer periphery of the engine to guard the engine.
[013] In a further embodiment, the engine guard has a top member and a bottom member detachably attached to each other. The top member has an arched top body, and a first top side arm and a second top side arm extending rearwardly from the arched top body in a vehicle front-rear direction. The bottom member has an arched bottom body, and a first bottom side arm and a second bottom side arm extending rearwardly from the arched bottom body in the vehicle front-rear direction.
[014] In an embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of each of the arched top body, the first top side arm, and the second top side arm of the top member extends upwards to form an arched vertically extended wall.
[015] In an embodiment of the invention, the arched bottom body along with the first bottom side arm and the second bottom side arm guard at least a bottom portion of the engine.
[016] In another embodiment of the invention, the receptacle is provided on an inner face of the top member. In another embodiment, the receptacle is provided on the arched top body of the top member.
[017] In a further embodiment of the invention, a rear end of each of the side arms of the bottom member is detachably mounted on an engine side cover such that when the first bottom side arm and second bottom side arm are detached from the engine side cover, the engine guard swing about the hoop.
[018] In another embodiment, the first bottom side arm and the second bottom side arm are mounted on a first engine guard mounting bracket and a second engine guard mounting bracket respectively, the first engine guard mounting bracket and the second engine guard mounting bracket being connected with the engine side cover.
[019] In another embodiment, the saddle type vehicle has plurality of spaced apart slats between the first top side arm and the first bottom side arm, and the second top side arm and the second bottom side arm. In yet another embodiment, the top member has a substantially flat surface. The substantially flat surface has a plurality of through holes the plurality of holes channelize the air flow towards the engine and other components disposed within vicinity of the engine.
[020] In an embodiment, the top member has a grill having the plurality of through holes, the plurality of holes on the grill channelize the air flow towards the engine.
[021] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the top member is contoured corresponding to an outer periphery of an exhaust pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[022] 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 shows a perspective view of a saddle type vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a rear perspective view, in a vehicle rear-front direction, of an engine guard in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows a rear perspective view, in a vehicle rear-front direction, of the engine guard mounted to a hoop in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the engine guard and the engine in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 shows the engine guard mounted on an engine mounting bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 shows a rear perspective view of the engine guard mounted on the engine in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[023] The present invention relates to an engine guard of a saddle type vehicle.
[024] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary motor vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The motor vehicle 10 comprises an engine 12 that is vertically disposed. Preferably, the engine 12 is a single-cylinder type IC engine. The two-wheeled vehicle 10 comprises a front wheel 14, a rear wheel 16, a frame member, a seat (not shown) and a fuel tank (not shown). The frame member includes a head pipe 22, a main tube 24, a down tube 26, and a pair of seat rails 28. The head pipe 22 supports a steering shaft 30 and a pair of telescopic front suspensions 32 attached to the steering shaft 30 through a lower bracket (not shown). The two telescopic front suspensions 32 support the front wheel 14. The upper portion of the front wheel 14 is covered by a front fender (not shown) mounted to the lower portion of the telescopic front suspensions 32 at the end of the steering shaft 30. A handlebar (not shown) is fixed to upper bracket (not shown) and can rotate to both sides. A head light (not shown), a visor guard (not shown) and instrument cluster (not shown) is arranged on an upper portion of the head pipe 22. The frame member comprises the down tube 26 that may be located in front of the engine 12 in a vehicle front-rear direction F-R and extends slantingly downward from head pipe 22. The main tube 24 of the frame member is located above the engine 12 and extends rearward from head pipe 22.
[025] The seat rails 28 are joined to main tube 24 and extend rearward in the vehicle front-rear direction F-R to support a seat assembly (not shown). A rear swing arm 34 is connected to the frame member to swing vertically, and the rear wheel 16 is connected to rear end of the rear swing arm 34. Generally, the rear swing arm 34 is supported by a mono rear suspension 36 (as illustrated in the present embodiment) or through two suspensions on either side of the motor vehicle 10. A taillight unit (not shown) is disposed at the end of the motor vehicle 10 and at the rear of the seat assembly. The rear wheel 16 arranged below the seat rails rotates by the driving force of the engine 12 transmitted through a chain drive (not shown) from the engine 12.
[026] Further, an exhaust pipe 40 (shown in Figure 5) of the motor vehicle 10 extends vertically downward from the engine 12 up to a point and then extends below the engine 12, longitudinally along the vehicle length before terminating in a muffler 42 (shown in figure 5).
[027] Referring to Figure 1, the frame member further has an engine mounting bracket 100 disposed at a lower end of the down tube 26. The engine 12 is mounted in a space formed by the main tube 24 and the down tube 26 in a vehicle front-rear direction F-R. Thus, anterior portion of the engine 12 in the vehicle front-rear direction F-R is mounted on the engine mounting bracket 100 and posterior portion of the engine 12 is mounted at the rear portion of the main tube 24. In an embodiment, the rear portion of the main tube 24 has a rear engine mounting bracket (not shown) configured to receive the posterior portion of the engine. The motor vehicle 10 of the present invention further has an engine guard 200 pivotly attached to the engine mounting bracket 100. The engine guard 200 is meant to cover at least a lower portion of the engine 12 thereby providing a certain level of protection to the engine 12.
[028] Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, in an embodiment of the invention, the engine guard 200 has a top member 210 and a bottom member 212. The top member 210 and the bottom member 212 are detachably attached to each other. As seen in Figures 2 and 3, the top member 210 has an arched top body 210’ and a pair of top side arms, i.e. a first top side arm 210a and a second top side arm 210b extending rearwardly from the arched top body 210’ in the vehicle front-rear direction F-R. Similarly, the bottom member 212 has an arched bottom body 212’ and a pair of bottom side arms, i.e. a first bottom side arm 212a and a second bottom side arm 212b extending rearwardly from the body 212’ in the vehicle front-rear direction F-R. The arched top body 210’ and the arched bottom body 212’ with the respective rearwardly extending first top side arm 210a and the second top side arm 210b, and the first bottom side arm 212a and the second bottom side arm 212b thereby afford an aerodynamic shape to the engine guard 200 thereby allowing wind to move with minimum resistance. In an embodiment of the invention, the arched bottom body 212’ along with the first bottom side arm 212a and the second bottom side arm 212b guard at least a bottom portion of the engine 200.
[029] In an embodiment depicted in Figure 4, at least a portion of the arched top body 210’ along with a portion of the first side arm 210a and the second side arm 210b extend upwards to form a vertically extended wall 210x. The vertically extended wall 210x thus provides an additional protection to the anterior portion of the engine. Further, when the motor vehicle 10 is in motion, the vertically extended wall 210x channelizes oncoming wind towards the engine 12, thereby cooling the engine 12.
[030] Referring to Figures 2 and 5, in an embodiment, inner face of the engine guard 200 is contoured corresponding to an outer periphery of the engine 12 to guard the engine 12. In a further embodiment, inner face of the arched top body 210’ is contoured to the outer periphery of the engine 12 to guard the engine 12. Furthermore, as seen in Figure 5, the inner face of the arched top body 210’ is contoured further to outer periphery of the exhaust pipe 40 to guard the exhaust pipe 40 as well.
[031] In an embodiment of the invention, depicted in Figure 3, the top member 210 and the bottom member 212 have a plurality of vertically spaced apart slats 230. The spaced apart slats 230 are disposed between the first top side arm 210a and the first bottom side arm 212a; and the second top side arm 210b and the second bottom side arm 212b. The spaced apart slats 230 are essentially enforcing members and increase an overall strength of the engine guard 200. The spaced apart slats 230 further channelize wind towards the engine 12, thereby cooling the engine 12.
[032] Referring now to Figure 4, outer surface of the arched top body 210’ has a substantially flat surface 216. The flat surface has plurality of through holes 218. In another embodiment of the invention, the outer surface of the arched top body 210’ has a grill 218’ disposed thereon. The grill 218’ further has the plurality of through holes 218 to channelize the wind towards the engine 12, thereby cooling the engine 12. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the plurality of through holes 218 channelize oncoming wind/ air (shown by thick dotted lines) towards the engine 12 from front in the vehicle front-rear direction. Further the plurality of slates 230 being disposed on the sides of the engine guard 200, channelize flow of the wind coming from either sides of the vehicle 10 towards the engine 12. Thus, the plurality of holes 218 in combination with the plurality of slats 230 assist in substantially cooling the engine 12.
[033] As shown in Figure 1, and as explained hereinabove, the engine mounting bracket 100 of the present invention is disposed at the lower end of the down tube 26. In an embodiment of the invention, the engine mounting bracket 100 has a hoop 120 (shown in Figure 4) attached to its surface. In another embodiment, the engine mounting bracket 100 has the hoop 120 attached to a lower portion of the engine mounting bracket 100 as seen in Figure 4. In yet another embodiment of the invention, and as shown in Figure 4, the hoop 120 that is attached to the engine mounting bracket 100 is substantially U-shaped.
[034] Referring to the embodiment depicted in Figure 2, for a pivot attachment with the hoop 120, the engine guard 200 has a receptacle 220. As seen in Figure 3, the receptacle 220 receives the hoop 120 allowing the engine guard 200 to swing about the hoop 120. Thus, as shown in Figures, the receptacle 220 is provided on an inner face of the top member 210. In yet another embodiment, the receptacle 220 is provided on an inner face of the arched top body 210’.
[035] In an embodiment of the invention, the receptacle 220 has a constricted entry region 220a and a receiving region 220b. As seen in Figure 2, a gap formed in the constricted entry region 220a of the receptacle 220 is substantially lesser than a cross-sectional diameter of the U-shaped hoop 120. Due to this, the constricted entry region 220a offers resistance while receiving the hoop 120. The hoop 120 thus must be pushed through the constricted entry region 220a of the receptacle 220. This configuration of the receptacle 220 ensures that the hoop does not slide out of the receptacle 220 during jerks, vibrations, and mishaps. Once the hoop 120 is pushed through the constricted entry region 220a it is received inside the receiving region 220b. When the hoop 120 is disposed inside the receiving region 220b of the receptacle 220, it allows the engine guard 200 to swing about the hoop 120.
[036] The receptacle 220 and the hoop 120 thereby allow the engine guard 200 to swing between a first position and a second position. The first position, as shown in Figure 5, is whereby the engine guard 200 is substantially parallel to ground. Alternatively, in the second position, the engine guard 200 is displaced downwardly towards the ground.
[037] Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, rear end of each of the first bottom side arm 212a has a first fixating hole 214a and rear end of the second bottom side arm 212b has a second fixating hole 214b (not shown). Thus, the engine guard 200 is detachably mounted on an engine side cover 12a using fixating means 240 through the first fixating hole 214a and the second fixating hole 214b.
[038] In another embodiment as depicted in Figure 4, the first engine guard mounting bracket 250a and the second engine guard mounting bracket 250b are detachably attached to either sides on the engine side cover 12a. The first engine guard mounting bracket 250a has a first mounting hole 250a’ and the second engine guard mounting bracket 250b has second mounting hole 250b’. Accordingly, the first fixating hole 214a of the first bottom side arm 212a of the bottom member 212 is aligned with the first mounting hole 250a’ of the first engine guard mounting bracket 250a. Similarly, the second fixating hole 214b of the second bottom side arm 212b of the bottom member 212 is aligned with the second mounting hole 250b’ of the second engine guard mounting bracket 250b. Thus, the first bottom side arm 212a and the second bottom side arm 212b are detachably mounted on the first engine guard mounting bracket 250a and the second engine guard mounting bracket 250b, respectively using fixating means 240. In an embodiment, the fixating means 240 are selected from screws, nuts, bolts, etc. Thus, when the first bottom side arm 212a and the second bottom side arm 212b are detached from the engine side cover 12a, the engine guard 200 swings about the hoop 120 thereby assuming the second position.
[039] Advantageously, the engine guard of the present invention offers a quick and easy attachment and detachment. Thus, during servicing or during accessing the engine, the entire engine guard need not be removed. By detaching the fixating means, the engine guard may be disengaged only from the engine and swung to bring it in the second position. This affords a seamless access to the engine. Therefore, there is a substantial reduction in service time. Further, damages like dents and cracks caused to the engine guard when the engine guard is completely detached from the main frame and stored, are also completely obviated. The elements like the vertically extended wall, the vertically spaced apart slats, and the grill having through holes as described hereinabove channelize oncoming wind when the vehicle is in motion. The oncoming wind thus substantially cools down the engine.
[040] 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.