Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a saddle-type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a saddle-type vehicle having a pillion handle assembly for mounting a seat latch and providing an antitheft protection therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Saddle-type vehicles generally have a utility storage box disposed under a seat for storing articles. The utility storage box is configured to be covered from above by the seat and the utility storage box is accessed by opening and closing the seat. The seat is having a front end hingedly attached to a front side of the utility storage box and a rear end is removably attached to a seat latch. The seat latch is mounted on a cross member of a frame assembly of the vehicle through hinge brackets. The seat latch is actuated by a latch cable connected to a key lock which is operated to lock and unlock the seat providing access inside the utility storage box.
[003] In the above-mentioned configuration of conventional vehicles, the cross member and the latch cable is accessible from an underside of the vehicle. The latch cable is accessible from the underside of the vehicle and is tampered to unlock the seat and steal the items stored in the utility storage box. To safeguard the same, conventionally in vehicle, additional cover members are attached on the cross member of the vehicle to protect the latch cable from being tampered. However, the additional cover members unduly increase the number of components in assembling the vehicle and also increases the overall weight of the vehicle. Further, the attachment of the additional cover members disadvantageously increases the manufacturing complexities and assembly of the vehicle.
[004] Further, despite having the additional cover members, the seat latch is still prone to theft when provided with existing hook type configuration. In such configuration, a hook of the seat is received inside a lock member of the seat latch and is locked or released based on the requirements of a user. To facilitate a smooth operation of locking and releasing the hook, a play is provided to the hook. During operation, the play of the hook is translated to create a tolerance gap with the vehicle seat. Through this tolerance gap, the latch cable can be easily accessed and tampered which renders the utility storage box to be vulnerable to theft.
[005] In addition to above mentioned problems, it is well known to mount the seat latch on the hinge brackets which are welded to the frame. These hinge brackets are provided with mounting holes for fastening the seat latches. However, during manufacturing of the vehicle, a variation in alignment of the seat latch and the hinge brackets occurs, due to which the location of the mounting holes of the hinge brackets is misaligned and the seat latch position is affected. Due to change in position, the hook is not received inside the seat latch and even collides thereof which consequently hinders the seat from locking properly.
[006] In view of the foregoing, there is a need to provide a saddle-type vehicle which may overcome the above-mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[007] In one embodiment, a saddle-type vehicle is disclosed. The saddle-type vehicle includes a head tube and a main tube extending rearwardly from the head tube in a front-rear direction of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a pair of seat rails extending rearwardly from the main tube in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and a cross member joining rear ends of the seat rails. The vehicle includes a vehicle seat and a pillion handle assembly mounted on the cross member. The pillion handle assembly having a base member and a latch mechanism for the vehicle seat. The latch mechanism being mounted on the base member of the pillion handle assembly. The latch mechanism is configured to lock and unlock the vehicle seat.
[008] In an embodiment, the base member of the pillion handle assembly extends parallelly to the cross member in a vehicle width direction.
[009] In an embodiment, the pillion handle assembly includes a plurality of side projections extending vertically from an upper surface of the base member. The side projections being disposed in proximity to the latch mechanism to cover the latch mechanism when the vehicle seat is in a locked position.
[010] In an embodiment, the base member includes a housing formed on the upper surface of the base member. The housing of the base member is configured to receive the latch mechanism.
[011] In an embodiment, the housing of the base member being configured to conform to shape and dimension of the latch mechanism.
[012] In an embodiment, the latch mechanism is having a slot portion formed on an upper surface of the latch mechanism and an actuation element operably connected with the slot portion. The slot portion of the latch mechanism is adapted to receive a plunger of the vehicle seat.
[013] In an embodiment, the actuation element of the latch mechanism is configured to lock the vehicle seat by locking the plunger inside the slot portion. The actuation element of the latch assembly unlocks the vehicle seat by releasing the plunger from the slot portion.
[014] In an embodiment, the plunger of the latch assembly is mounted on an inner surface of the vehicle seat. The inner surface being a surface facing the latch mechanism.
[015] In an embodiment, the pillion handle assembly includes first mounting portions and second mounting portions. The first mounting portions being formed on the base member for mounting the pillion assembly on the cross member. The second mounting portions being formed inside the housing for mounting the latch mechanism.
[016] In an embodiment, the second mounting portions being disposed diagonally on the housing for mounting the latch mechanism via fasteners.
[017] In an embodiment, the pillion handle assembly includes a left side grip member; a right side grip member, and a bridge member joining the left side grip member and the right side grip member. The left side grip member and the right side grip member extend from the base member in a rearward direction.

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 perspective view of an exemplary vehicle having a pillion handle assembly for providing an antitheft protection to a latch mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a top view of a latch mechanism mounted on the pillion handle assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a pillion handle assembly mounted on a cross member of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates another perspective view of a pillion handle assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of a rear portion of the vehicle having a seat in a locked position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[019] The present invention relates to a saddle-type vehicle having a pillion handle assembly configured to receive a latch mechanism for a seat. The pillion handle assembly provides an antitheft protection to the latch mechanism.
[020] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective 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 a front wheel (110), a rear wheel (120), a main tube (not shown) and a pair of seat rails (130) (shown in Figure 2). A head tube (not shown) is attached to the main tube. The pair of seat rails (130) is attached to the main tube. A rear frame (not shown) is attached to the main tube. The vehicle (100) has an internal combustion engine (118) as a prime mover that is swingably supported on the rear frame of the vehicle (100). In an embodiment, the vehicle includes an electric motor (not shown) or a combination of the electric motor and an internal combustion engine (not shown) as the prime mover as per design feasibility and requirement. The head tube supports a steering shaft (not shown) and a front suspension (108) attached to the steering shaft. The vehicle (100) includes a front body cover (112) for covering a front portion of the head tube and a rear body cover (not shown) for covering a rear portion of the head tube. The front suspension (108) supports the front wheel (110). The front wheel (110) is covered by a front fender (106) mounted to the front suspension (108).
[021] In an embodiment, a handlebar (102) is adapted to rotate about the steering shaft for turning the vehicle (100). Further, a rear suspension (not shown) is provided to the rear wheel (120) for dampening the vibrations induced during travel of the vehicle (100) over undulations on the road surface. The rear wheel (120) is disposed in a rear portion of the vehicle (100). The rear wheel (120) is adapted to receive the motive force from the prime mover. The vehicle (100) includes a pillion handle assembly (200) disposed at a rear end of the vehicle (100).
[022] A transmission assembly (not shown) is provided for transferring the drive force from the prime mover onto the rear wheel (120) for driving the vehicle (100). In an embodiment, the driving force of the internal combustion engine (118) or the electric motor is transmitted through a chain drive (not shown) or a belt drive (not shown).
[023] In an embodiment, the saddle-type vehicle (100) comprises the main tube extending rearwardly from the head tube in a front-rear direction of the vehicle (100). The pair of the seat rails (130) extending rearwardly from the main tube in the front-rear direction. A vehicle seat (150) is covering a utility storage box (not shown) from above. A cross member (140) (shown in Figure 3) joins rear ends of the seat rails (130). The pillion handle assembly (200) is mounted on the cross member (140).
[024] Figure 2 shows a top view of the pillion handle assembly (200). The pillion handle assembly (200) having a base member (210) extending in a vehicle width direction along A-A’ axis (defines the vehicle width direction with respect to an axis). The pillion handle assembly (200) further includes a left side grip member (220a) and a right side grip member (220b). The left side grip member (220a) and the right side grip member (220b) extending from the base member (210) towards a rearward direction of the vehicle (100). A bridge member (230) joins the left side grip member (220a) and the right side grip member (220b) together.
[025] In an embodiment, the pillion handle assembly (200) has first mounting portions (214) formed on the surface of the base member (210) for mounting the pillion assembly on the cross member (140) (shown in Figure 3). The first mounting portions (214) are recess formed on an upper surface of the base member (210) and adapted to receive fasteners thereto. The fasteners are tightened with attachment means of the cross member (140). The attachment means include threaded portions formed on the cross member (140) and being configured to receive fasteners.
[026] In accordance with the invention, the base member (210) of the pillion handle assembly (200) is configured to accommodate or receive a latch mechanism (300). The latch mechanism (300) is configured to lock and unlock the vehicle seat (150) providing an access to the utility storage box being covered by the vehicle seat (150). In accordance with an embodiment, a housing (212) (shown in Figure 4) is formed on the base member (210) for receiving the latch mechanism (300).
[027] In an embodiment, the pillion handle assembly (200) includes second mounting portions (224) formed inside the housing (212) for mounting the latch mechanism (300) on the pillion handle assembly (200) through fasteners. In another embodiment, the second mounting portions (224) include a pair of recesses being disposed diagonally on the housing (212) for mounting the latch mechanism (300).
[028] In an embodiment, the latch mechanism (300) includes a slot portion (310) formed on an upper surface (312) of the latch mechanism (300); and an actuation element (320) operably connected with the slot portion (310). The slot portion (310) being adapted to receive a plunger (152) (shown in Figure 5) of the vehicle seat (150). The actuation element (320) is operably connected to a lock mechanism via a latch cable. The lock mechanism is operated to unlock the seat (150) by activating the actuation element (320) which in turn releases the plunger (152) for opening the seat (150) thereto.
[029] Figure 3 and Figure 4 show perspective views of the pillion handle assembly (200) mounted on a cross member (140) of a vehicle (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 3, the cross member (140) is joining rear ends of the seat rails (130) of the vehicle (100) (shown in Figure 1). The base member (210) of the pillion handle assembly (200) is mounted on the cross member (140) and extends parallelly to the cross member (140). The pillion handle assembly (200) further includes a plurality of side projections (216, 218). In an embodiment, the plurality of side projections (216, 218) are in a form of raised walls extending vertically from an upper surface (211) of the base member (210). The side projections (216, 218) are disposed in proximity to the latch mechanism (300) to cover the latch mechanism (300) from sides when the vehicle seat (150) is in a locked position. The side projections (216, 218) secure an outside access to the latch mechanism (300) when the vehicle seat (150) (shown in Figure 5) is in the locked position. The plurality of side projections (216, 218) being integrally formed with the base member (210).
[030] As shown in Figure 4, the base member (210) comprises the housing (212) formed on the upper surface (211) of the base member (210). The housing (212) being configured to accommodate or receive the latch mechanism (300) inside the base member (210). In an embodiment, the housing (212) of the base member (210) being configured to conform to shape and dimension of the latch mechanism (300). In an embodiment, the present configuration of the pillion handle assembly (200) prevents an access to the latch mechanism (300) from bottom side of the vehicle (100) by accommodating the latch mechanism (300) inside the housing (212) of the base member (210) which is further mounted on the cross member (140) and whereas the sides of the latch mechanism (300) are covered by side projections (216, 218) of the pillion handle assembly (200). In this manner, the pillion handle assembly (200) provides an antitheft protection to the latch mechanism (300). Further, an upper side of the latch mechanism (300) is covered by the seat (150) (shown in Figure 1).
[031] Figure 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of a rear portion of the vehicle (100) having a seat (150) in a locked position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The cross member (140) joins the rear ends of the seat rails (130) of the vehicle (100). The base member (210) of the pillion handle assembly (200) is mounted on the cross member (140). The latch mechanism (300) being received inside the housing (212) formed on the base member (210). In an embodiment, the shape and parameters of housing (212) i.e., length, breadth and height being in conformity with the shape and parameters of the latch mechanism (300) such that the assembly of the latch mechanism (300) is received and fastened inside the housing (212) via fasteners.
[032] In an embodiment, the vehicle seat (150) is covering a top surface of a utility storage box (160). The vehicle seat (150) is having an inner surface (151) facing the latch mechanism (300). The plunger (152) is mounted on the inner surface (151) of the vehicle seat (150). The plunger (152) of the vehicle seat (150) is received inside the slot portion (310) (shown in Figure 4) of the latch assembly and is locked or released by the actuation element (320) (shown in Figure 2).
[033] Advantageously, the present invention provides a saddle-type vehicle having a pillion handle assembly mounted on a cross member of a vehicle. The pillion handle assembly provides a secured mounting to a latch mechanism by accommodating the latch mechanism inside a housing formed on a base member of the pillion handle assembly and thus an outside access to the latch mechanism from below side of the cross member is completely prevented. Further, the pillion handle assembly also includes side projections formed on an upper surface of the base member which are disposed in proximity to the latch mechanism so as to protect the latch mechanism from sides. In accordance with the present invention, a top side of the latch mechanism is covered by the vehicle seat in its locked position and therefore, an enhanced protection is provided to the latch mechanism. Further, the present invention provides mounting portions formed inside the housing for fastening the latch mechanism which provides a technical advantage of preventing misalignment between the latch mechanism and the plunger of seat while locking. Due to the configuration of housing and side projections of the pillion handle assembly, the need of hinge brackets for mounting the latch mechanism and additional cover elements to secure the latch mechanism is eliminated which consequently reduces the part components and the overall weight of the vehicle as well as the manufacturing costs. The assembly of the pillion handle assembly along with the mounting of the latch mechanism is complex free and can be assembled and dismantled easily.
[034] 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 – Handlebar
106 – Front fender
108 – Front suspension
110 – Front wheel
112– Front body cover
118 – Internal combustion engine
120 – Rear wheel
130 – Pair of seat rails
140 – Cross member
150 – Vehicle seat
151 – Inner surface of the vehicle seat
152 – Plunger
160– Utility storage box
200 –Pillion handle assembly
210 – Base member
211 – Upper surface of the base member
212 – Housing
214 – First Mounting Portions
216 – Side projection
218 – Side projection
224 – Second Mounting Portions
220a – Left side grip member
220b – Right side grip member
230 – Bridge member
300 – Latch mechanism
310 – Slot portion
312– Upper surface of the latch mechanism
320 – Actuation element

, C , Claims:1. A saddle-type vehicle (100) comprising:
a head tube;
a main tube extending rearwardly from the head tube in a front-rear direction of the vehicle (100);
a pair of seat rails (130) extending rearwardly from the main tube in the front-rear direction of the vehicle (100);
a cross member (140) joining rear ends of the seat rails (130);
a vehicle seat (150);
a pillion handle assembly (200) mounted on the cross member (140), the pillion handle assembly (200) having a base member (210); and
a latch mechanism (300) for the vehicle seat (150), the latch mechanism (300) being mounted on the base member (210) of the pillion handle assembly (200), the latch mechanism (300) being configured to lock and unlock the vehicle seat (150).

2. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base member (210) extending parallelly to the cross member (130) in a vehicle width direction.

3. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pillion handle assembly (200) comprises a plurality of side projections (216, 218) extending vertically from an upper surface (211) of the base member (210), the side projections (216, 218) being disposed in proximity to the latch mechanism (300) to cover the latch mechanism (300) when the vehicle seat (150) is in a locked position.

4. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base member (210) comprises a housing (212) formed on the upper surface (211) of the base member (210), the housing (212) being configured to receive the latch mechanism (300).

5. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the latch mechanism (300) comprises: a slot portion (310) formed on an upper surface (312) of the latch mechanism (300); and an actuation element (320) operably connected with the slot portion (310).

6. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the slot portion (310) being adapted to receive a plunger (152) of the vehicle seat (150).

7. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the actuation element (320) being configured to lock the vehicle seat (150) by locking the plunger (152) inside the slot portion (310) and unlock the vehicle seat (150) by releasing the plunger (152) from the slot portion (310).

8. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the plunger (152) is mounted on an inner surface (152) of the vehicle seat (150), the inner surface (152) being a surface facing the latch mechanism (300).

9. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pillion handle assembly (200) comprises first mounting portions (214) formed on the base member (210) for mounting the pillion handle assembly (200) on the cross member (140).

10. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pillion handle assembly (200) comprises second mounting portions (224) formed inside the housing (212) for mounting the latch mechanism (300).

11. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pillion handle assembly (200) comprises: a left side grip member (220a); a right side grip member (220b), the left side grip member (220a) and the right side grip member (220b) extending from the base member (210) in a rearward direction; and a bridge member (230) joining left side grip member (220a) and the right side grip member (220b).

12. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the housing (212) of the base member (210) being configured to conform to shape and dimension of the latch mechanism (300).

13. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second mounting portions (224) being disposed diagonally on the housing (212) for mounting the latch mechanism (300) via fasteners.