Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[Refer Section 10, Rule 13]

TITLE OF INVENTION
A Saddle Type Vehicle

APPLICANT
TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED, an Indian company, having its address at “Chaitanya”, No.12 Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 006, Tamil Nadu, India.

PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed. 
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention generally relates to a saddle type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to provision of a step holder in the saddle type vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Generally, in conventional saddle type vehicles, especially in motorcycle type vehicles, a rider step assembly is provided that supports a footrest structure. The rider places their feet on the footrest and operates a gearshift pedal or a brake pedal while resting their feet on the footrest structure. Conventionally, the rider step assembly is mounted directly over the frame of the vehicle. Alternatively, the rider step assembly is mounted at one end on a swing arm pivot point, and on the other end to the frame. Such an arrangement ensures rigidity of the rider step assembly.
[003] To ensure the mounting of the rider step assembly in an ergonomically optimised manner, in conventional arrangements, a cantilever mounting for the footrest is required to be provided with respect to the rider step assembly. The cantilever type mounting of the footrest results in increased vibrations of the footrest.
[004] In attempts to overcome these increased vibration levels, vehicles have been provided with tie bars which interconnect the step holder assemblies on each side of the vehicle, i.e. left side step holder is connected to the right side step holder. However, such a tie bar occupies additional space and hence packaging of the tie bar and other supporting components remains a challenge in the limited packaging space available in saddle type vehicles.
[005] Thus, there is a need in the art for a saddle type vehicle, which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] In one aspect, the present invention is directed towards a saddle type vehicle that has a head pipe and a pair of left and right front frames extending rearwardly and downwardly from the head pipe. A pair of left and right pivot brackets extend rearwardly from the pair of left and right front frames. A first cross member extends between the left and right pivot brackets and the first cross member has a hollow cross section. A second cross member is provided inside the hollow cross section of the first cross member. The second cross member extends in a vehicle width direction. Further, at least one step holder is configured to be attached to the second cross member and is configured to support a foot peg of the vehicle.
[007] In an embodiment of the invention, the second cross member has a left end and a right end, wherein the second cross member has a tubular cross section and the tubular cross section is flattened at the left end and the right end of the second cross member.
[008] In a further embodiment of the invention, the saddle type vehicle has a left step holder configured to be attached to the left end of the second cross member and a right step holder configured to be attached to the right end of the second cross member.
[009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the step holder has a front portion and a rear portion wherein the rear portion of the step holder is configured to support the foot peg and be attached to the second cross member.
[010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the rear portion of the step holder has an inward extension for attaching the rear portion of the step holder to the second cross member, and the foot peg extends outwardly from the rear portion of the step holder.
[011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the front portion of the step holder is configured to be attached to one of the pair of left and right front frames.
[012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the front portion of the step holder is configured to be attached to one of the pair of left and right pivot brackets.
[013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the step holder is configured to support a gearshift lever, a brake lever, and a master cylinder for hydraulic braking.

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 top view of a saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a step holder, a first cross member and a second cross member of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a top exploded view of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the step holder, the first cross member and the second cross member of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a top sectional view of the step holder, the first cross member and the second cross member of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[015] The present invention generally relates to a saddle type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to provision of a step holder in the saddle type vehicle.
[016] Figure 1 illustrates a saddle type vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The saddle type vehicle 10 includes an internal combustion engine (not shown) or a traction motor for providing traction force to the saddle type vehicle 10. The saddle type vehicle 10 comprises a head pipe 22, and a pair of left and right front frames 110A, 110B that extend rearwardly and downwardly from the head pipe 22. The head pipe 22 supports a steering shaft (not shown) and two telescopic front forks (not shown) attached to the steering shaft to support a front wheel. The pair of left and right front frames 110A, 110B are located above the internal combustion engine or traction motor and extend rearwardly from the head pipe 22.
[017] As further illustrated in Figure 1, the saddle type vehicle 10 has a pair of left and right pivot brackets 120A, 120B that extend rearwardly from the pair of left and right front frames 110A, 110B. The pair of left and right pivot brackets 120A, 120B support a rear swing arm (not shown). The rear swing arm is connected to the pair of left and right pivot brackets 120A, 120B to swing vertically, and a rear wheel is connected to a rear end of the rear swing arm.
[018] As further illustrated in Figure 2, the saddle type vehicle 10 has a first cross member 130 that extends between the left and right pivot brackets 120A, 120B. As shown in Figure 2, the first cross member 130 has a hollow cross section. In an embodiment, the first cross member 130 is mounted on the left and right pivot brackets 120A, 120B and extends in a vehicle width direction.
[019] As further illustrated in Figure 2, the saddle type vehicle 10 comprises a second cross member 140. The second cross member 140 is provided inside the hollow cross section of the first cross member 130. In that, the second cross member 140 extends in the vehicle width direction and along the inside of the hollow cross section of the first cross member 130. The saddle type vehicle 10 further comprises at least one step holder 150. The at least one step holder 150 is configured to be attached to the second cross member 140. The step holder 150 is configured to support a foot peg 170 of the vehicle 10. In an embodiment, the step holder 150 is configured to support a gearshift lever for performing a gearshift operation, a brake lever for a performing braking operation and a master cylinder for hydraulic braking. Therefore, a rider of the saddle type vehicle 10 rests their foot on the foot peg 170 to operate the gearshift lever to perform the gearshift operation and the brake lever to perform a braking operation. The step holder 150 being connected to the second cross member 140 disposed inside the hollow cross section of the first cross member 130, results in lower level of vibrations in the step holder 150. In addition, the second cross member 140 being disposed inside the first cross member 130 also ensures that no additional space is required to package the second cross member 140.
[020] Reference is made to Figure 3 and Figure 4, wherein as illustrated, to allow for attachment of the step holder 150 on the second cross member 140, the second cross member 140 has a left end 140L and a right end 140R. Herein, the second cross member 140 has a tubular cross section. Further, the tubular cross section is flattened at the left end 140L and the right end 140R of the second cross member 140.
[021] In the embodiment depicted in Figure 4, the saddle type vehicle 10 comprises a left step holder 150L that is configured to be attached to the left end 140L of the second cross member 140, and a right step holder 150R configured to be attached to the right end 140R of the second cross member 140. The left step holder 150L is attached to the flattened cross section of the left end 140L of the second cross member 140, and similarly the right step holder 150R is attached to the flattened cross section of the right end 140R of the second cross member 150. Thus, the second cross member 140 in effect interconnects the left step holder 140L to the right step holder 150R.
[022] Reference is made to Figure 5, wherein as illustrated the step holder 150 comprises a front portion 152 and a rear portion 154, wherein the rear portion 154 of the step holder 150 is configured to support the foot peg 170. The foot peg 170 extends outwardly from the rear portion 154 of the step holder 150 in a vehicle width direction. The rear portion 154 of the step holder 150 is also configured to be attached to the second cross member 140.
[023] To attach the rear portion of the step holder 150 to the second cross member 150, the rear portion 154 of the step holder 150 comprises an inward extension 154’. The inward extension 154’ extends inwardly from the rear portion 154 of the step holder 150 in a vehicle width direction. The inward extension 154’ has through holes provided thereon. In an embodiment, the inward extension 154’ of the left step holder 150L is configured to be aligned with flattened cross section of left end 140L of the second cross member 140. Similarly, the inward extension 154’ of the right step holder 150R is configured to be aligned with the flattened cross section of the right end 140R of the second cross member 140. Through holes provided on the inward extension 154’ are aligned with through holes provided on left end 140L and the right end 140R of the second cross member 140, allowing fasteners to pass through. This allows attachment of the left step holder 150L on to the left end 140L of the second cross member 140, and of the right step holder 150R on to the right end 140R of the second cross member 140.
[024] To complete the mounting of the step holder 150 in the saddle type vehicle 10 and to provide sufficient structural rigidity, in an embodiment, the front portion 152 of the step holder 150 is configured to be attached to one of the pair of left and right front frames 110A, 110B. In an embodiment, the front portion 152 of the left step holder 150L is attached to the left front frame 110A and the front portion 152 of the right step holder 150R is attached to the right front frame 110B. Dual mounting of the step holder 150 at the front portion 152 and the rear portion 154 ensures enhanced structural rigidity to the attachment of the step holder 150. In an alternative embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 5, the front portion 152 of the step holder 150 is configured to be attached to one of the pair of left and right pivot brackets 120A, 120B. In an embodiment, the front portion 152 of the left step holder 150L is attached to the left pivot bracket 120A and front portion 152 of the right step holder 150R is attached to the right pivot bracket 120B. Such an arrangement allows for provision of a compact step holder 150.
[025] Advantageously, the present invention provides a saddle type vehicle in which a second cross member is provided within the hollow cross section of the first cross member and the step holder is attached to the second cross member. Such an arrangement achieves reduced vibration of the step holder and the foot peg. The second cross member interconnecting the left step holder and the right step holder further ensures that reduced vibrations are achieved in both the left step holder and the right step holder. Reduction in vibration enhances rider comfort and ride quality.
[026] Further, the provision of the second cross member inside the hollow cross section of the first cross member means that no additional packaging space is required for the accommodation of the second cross member.
[027] 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
10: Saddle Type Vehicle
22: Head Pipe
110A, 110B: Pair of Left and Right Front Frames
120A, 120B: Pair of Left and Right Pivot Brackets
130: First Cross Member
140: Second Cross Member
140L: Left end of the Second Cross Member
140R: Right end of the Second Cross Member
150: Step Holder
150L: Left Step Holder
150R: Right Step Holder
152: Front Portion of the Step Holder
154: Rear Portion of the Step Holder
154’: Inward Extension
170: Foot Peg
, Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A saddle type vehicle (10), comprising:
a head pipe (22);
a pair of left and right front frames (110A, 110B) extending rearwardly and downwardly from the head pipe (22);
a pair of left and right pivot brackets (120A, 120B) extending rearwardly from the pair of left and right front frames (110A, 110B);
a first cross member (130) extending between the left and right pivot brackets (120A, 120B), the first cross member (130) having a hollow cross section;
a second cross member (140) provided inside the hollow cross section of the first cross member (130), the second cross member (140) extending in a vehicle width direction; and
at least one step holder (150) being configured to be attached to the second cross member (140) and being configured to support a foot peg (170) of the vehicle (10).

2. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second cross member (140) has a left end (140L) and a right end (140R), wherein the second cross member (140) has a tubular cross section and the tubular cross section is flattened at the left end (140L) and the right end (140R) of the second cross member (140).

3. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 2, comprising a left step holder (150L) configured to be attached to the left end (140L) of the second cross member (140) and a right step holder (150R) configured to be attached to the right end (140R) of the second cross member (140).

4. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step holder (150) comprises a front portion (152) and a rear portion (154) wherein the rear portion (154) of the step holder (150) is configured to support the foot peg (170) and be attached to the second cross member (140).

5. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the rear portion (154) of the step holder (150) comprises an inward extension (154’) for attaching the rear portion (154) of the step holder (150) to the second cross member (140), and the foot peg (170) extends outwardly from the rear portion (154) of the step holder (150).

6. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the front portion (152) of the step holder (150) is configured to be attached to one of the pair of left and right front frames (110A, 110B).

7. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the front portion (152) of the step holder (150) is configured to be attached to one of the pair of left and right pivot brackets (120A, 120B).

8. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step holder (150) is configured to support a gearshift lever, a brake lever, and a master cylinder for hydraulic braking.

Dated this 30th day of September 2022

TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

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