Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See 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 relates to a saddle type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to provision of a utility box assembly in a saddle type vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Conventional saddle type vehicles, particularly scooter type vehicles, a single large seat is provided which seats both the rider as well as the pillion. Provision of a single large seat facilitates provision a single large utility box, on which the seat base rests. The utility box is a box type structure which is manufactured by means of injection moulding. Since the utility box is injection moulded, they are traditionally designed in such a way that draft for the entire box type structure is cleared in a single ejection direction.
[003] For the utility box, the most important factor is maximisation of storage space. In conventional vehicles, attempts have been made to maximise the volume of the utility box with respect to the available packaging volume. However, a conventional shape of the utility box needs additional modifications to accommodate a helmet to provide enough clearance between the helmet and the walls of the utility box.
[004] In other conventional vehicle with a split seat design in which separate seats are provided for the rider and the pillion, when this aforementioned approach is followed, the volume that is created inside the utility box is not sufficient to package a full-face helmet. To accommodate the full face helmet, the accommodation provision of the full face helmet is done towards the forwardmost part of the utility box and thereafter, the rear end of the utility box is modified to facilitate the full face helmet packaging. Such a configuration impedes the ejection of the utility box in a single direction. Further to allow this, packaging of certain components such USB, On Board Diagnostics and Utility Box lamp, access to which is provided through the utility box, has to be modified as well.
[005] Thus, there is a need in the art for a saddle type vehicle which addresses the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] In an aspect, the present invention is directed towards a saddle type vehicle. The saddle type vehicle has a pair of left and right rear frames extending rearwardly from a portion of front frame. The pair of left and right rear frames is configured to support a seat. The saddle type vehicle further has a utility box assembly. The utility box assembly is disposed between the pair of left and right rear frames. The utility box assembly has a front box member that is supported on the pair of left and right rear frames and a rear member that is detachably attached at a rear portion of the front box member. Herein, the front box member and the rear member define a utility storage space for the saddle type vehicle.
[007] In an embodiment of the invention, the front box member has a bottom face and a pair of side faces extending longitudinally upwards from the bottom face. The rear member is detachably attached between the pair of side faces.
[008] In a further embodiment of the invention, the bottom face of the front box member has a depression defined therein. The depression protrudes downwardly, thereby increasing the utility storage space defined by the front box member and the rear member.
[009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the rear member has a recessed profile that is recessed towards a rear of the vehicle, thereby increasing the utility storage space defined by the front box member and the rear member.
[010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the recessed profile of the rear member is configured such that the recessed profile has a maximum rearward extension at a centre portion of the rear member, when seen in a vehicle side view.
[011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the saddle type vehicle has a bridge bracket member extending between the pair of left and right rear frames. The front box member is supported on the pair of left and right rear frames and the bridge bracket member.
[012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the bottom face of the front box member has an inward indentation provided on a right hand side of the bottom face in a vehicle front view, the inward indentation being provided for allowing accommodation of a rear shock absorber extending between the front frame and a transmission case.
[013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the rear member is disposed at the rear portion of the front box member such that at interface of the rear member with the front box member, the rear member is flushed with the front box member.
[014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the rear member has one or more openings configured to provide access to one or more vehicle components.
[015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the one or more vehicle components include a USB charger, an On-Board Diagnostics unit, and a box light for illuminating the utility storage space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[016] 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 saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a top perspective view of the saddle type vehicle with a utility box assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a front view of a front box member of the utility box assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a rear perspective view of the utility box assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the utility box assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6a and 6b illustrate a front and a side view of a rear member of the utility box assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 7 illustrates a top view of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 8 illustrates a sectional and magnified view of the utility box assembly of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 9 illustrates a top perspective view of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 10 illustrates a front view of the utility box assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 11 illustrates a side perspective view of the rear member being attached to the front box member, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[017] The present invention relates to a saddle type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to provision of a utility box assembly in a saddle type vehicle.
[018] Herein, the vehicle includes a power unit that comprises at least one of an internal combustion (IC) engine or an electric drive source.
[019] In an embodiment, the saddle type vehicle is a mild hybrid type vehicle wherein an electric motor assists the internal combustion engine. In this embodiment, an Integrated Starter Generator, in addition to performing the starter and generator function, assists the internal combustion engine when required. The hybrid assist functionality controls the vehicle to rely solely on electric power of the ISG in riding conditions such as coasting or braking, and swiftly restarting the internal combustion engine when required.
[020] Figure 1 illustrates a left side view of a saddle type vehicle 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, the saddle type vehicle 10 has a front frame 110. The front frame 110 extends rearwardly from a head pipe (not shown). The saddle type vehicle 10 further has a pair of left and right rear frames 120. The pair of left and right rear frames 120 extend rearwardly from a portion of front frame 110. The pair of left and right rear frames 120 are configured to support a seat (not shown). The seat is supported on the pair of the left and right rear frames 120 such that the seat is hingedly openable, and said hinge is provided towards a front portion of the seat.
[021] As further illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2, the saddle type vehicle 10 has a utility box assembly 130. The utility box assembly 130 is disposed between the pair of left and right rear frames 120. Thus, the utility box assembly 130 is disposed under the seat and is accessible by opening the seat. Herein, the utility box assembly 130 comprises a front box member 140. The front box member 140 is supported on the pair of left and right rear frames 120. The utility box assembly 130 further has a rear member 150. The rear member 150 is detachably attached at a rear portion of the front box member 140. Thus, the front box member 140 and the rear member 150 define a utility storage space for the saddle type vehicle 10. As a result, a split type construction of the utility box assembly 130 is provided, which means that the volume of the utility storage space is not restricted by the length and breadth of the space available between the pair of left and right rear frames 120 or under the seat, and hence provisions can be made for further increasing the utility storage space inside the utility box assembly 130.
[022] As illustrated in the embodiment depicted in Figure 3, the front box member 140 comprises a bottom face 142 and a pair of side faces 144A, 144B. The pair of side spaces 144A, 144B extend longitudinally upwards from the bottom face 142. To define the utility storage space, the rear member 150 is then detachably attached between the pair of side faces 144A, 144B.
[023] As illustrated in Figure 4 and specifically illustrated in Figure 5, to increase the utility storage space and maximize the usage of available packaging space in the saddle type vehicle 10, the bottom face 142 of the front box member 140 has a depression 148 defined therein. The depression 148 protrudes downwardly, to make use of the packaging space available above a transmission case 180 (shown in Figure 1) which extends rearwardly from the front frame 110, and thereby increase the utility storage space defined by the front box member 140 and the rear member 150. In an embodiment, the shape of the depression 148 is defined as such that the depression 148 is configured to accommodate a full face helmet.
[024] As referenced in Figure 3, the bottom face 142 of the front box member 140 has an inward indentation 146 provided on a right hand side of the bottom face 142 in a vehicle front view. The inward indentation 146 is provided for allowing accommodation of a rear shock absorber 170 (shown in Figure 1) extending between the front frame 110 and the transmission case 180. This allows for avoidance of interference between the utility box assembly 130 and the rear shock absorber 170, thus ensuring ease of assembly.
[025] As further illustrated in Figure 4 and Figure 5, to further increase the utility storage space and maximize the usage of available packaging space in the saddle type vehicle 10, the rear member 150 has a recessed profile 151. The recessed profile 151 is configured such that the rear member 150 is recessed towards a rear of the vehicle 10. The recessed profile 151 of the rear member 150 allows the usage of packaging space available towards the rear of the vehicle 10 under the pair of left and right rear frames 120, and thereby increases the utility storage space defined by the front box member 140 and the rear member 150.
[026] In the embodiment depicted in Figure 6a and Figure 6b, to make the most optimum use of available packaging space and allowing easy movement of items such as the full face helmet in and out of the utility box assembly 130, the recessed profile 151 of the rear member 150 is configured such that the recessed profile 151 has a maximum rearward extension (Xi) at a centre portion 150C of the rear member 150, when seen in a vehicle side view. This configuration thus allows more utility storage space and allows easier movement of items in and out of the utility box assembly 130. This is because even if a full face helmet is stored in the utility box assembly 130, there would still be free space available behind the helmet, which would allow access to the rider.
[027] In an embodiment, to facilitate supporting of the front box member 140 to the pair of rear frames, the saddle type vehicle 10 comprises a bridge bracket member 160 (shown in Figure 2). The bridge bracket member extends between the pair of left and right rear frames 120. To support the front box member 140 on the bridge bracket member 160, as illustrated in Figure 7 and Figure 8, one or more mounting provisions 162 such as fasteners are provided which pass through the front box member 140 and on to the bridge bracket member 160, thus supporting a front portion of the front box member 140 on to the bridge bracket member 160.
[028] Similarly, to support a rear portion of the front box member 140, as illustrated in Figure 9, one or more rear mounting provisions 122 such as fasteners are provided which pass through the rear portion of the front box member 140 and on to the pair of left and right rear frames 120, thus supporting the front box member 140 on to the left and right rear frames 120, in addition to the support at the bridge bracket member 160 as explained earlier.
[029] As illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, the rear member 150 is disposed at the rear portion of the front box member 140 such that at interface of the rear member 150 with the front box member 140, the rear member 150 is flushed with the front box member 140. Such a configuration not only allows for elimination of any gaps, but also allows a smooth base for a base of the seat to rest upon.
[030] In a further embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 10, the rear member 150 comprises one or more openings 152 (shown in Figure 6a) configured to provide access to one or more vehicle components. In an embodiment, the one or more vehicle components comprise a USB charger 154, an On-Board Diagnostics unit 156, and a box light 158 for illuminating the utility storage space. In that, the opening 152 are provided such that, even when the utility storage space is occupied, the recessed profile 151 of the rear member 150 would allow unhindered access to the vehicle components.
[031] In the embodiment depicted in Figure 11, to ensure error free detachable attachment of the rear member 150 on to the front box member 140, the utility box assembly comprises one or more locators 190 provided on the front box member 140. The locators 190 are configured to communicate with corresponding slots on the rear member 150. The rear member 150 is mounted on the front box member only when the locators 190 sit in the slots on the rear member 150, thus ensuring error free assembly.
[032] Advantageously, the present invention provides a saddle type vehicle with a utility box assembly which has a front box member and a rear member that is detachably attached on the front box member, thus providing a split type construction. The split type construction allows the utility box assembly to be provided in the saddle type vehicle while not being limited by the space available under the seat and between the pair of rear frames.
[033] Further, the depression defined on the bottom face of the front box member and the recessed profile of the rear member allow for maximum usage of the available packaging space, thus increasing the utility storage space.
[034] Furthermore, the provision of the openings on the rear member to allow access to the vehicle components also ensures that access to these components is not restricted in any manner, even when the utility storage space is fully occupied.
[035] 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
110: Front frame
120: Pair of left and right rear frame
122: Rear Mounting Provisions
130: Utility Box Assembly
140: Front Box Member
142: Bottom face of the Front Box Member
144A, 144B: Side Faces of the Front Box Member
146: Inward Indentation
148: Depression on the Bottom Face of the Front Box Member
150: Rear Member
151: Recessed Profile of the Rear Member
152: One or more openings on the Rear Member
154: USB Charger
156: On-Board Diagnostics unit
158: Box Light
160: Bridge Bracket Member
162: Mounting Provisions
170: Rear Shock Absorber
180: Transmission Case
190: Locators , Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A saddle type vehicle (10), comprising:
a pair of left and right rear frames (120), the pair of left and right rear frames (120) extending rearwardly from a portion of front frame (110), the pair of left and right rear frames (120) configured to support a seat; and
a utility box assembly (130), said utility box assembly (130) being disposed between the pair of left and right rear frames (120), the utility box assembly (130) comprising:
a front box member (140), said front box member (140) being supported on the pair of left and right rear frames (120); and
a rear member (150) detachably attached at a rear portion of the front box member (140), wherein the front box member (140) and the rear member (150) define a utility storage space for the saddle type vehicle (10).

2. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front box member (140) comprises a bottom face (142) and a pair of side faces (144A, 144B) extending longitudinally upwards from the bottom face (142), and the rear member (150) is detachably attached between the pair of side faces (144A, 144B).

3. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bottom face (142) of the front box member (140) has a depression defined therein, the depression protruding downwardly, thereby increasing the utility storage space defined by the front box member (140) and the rear member (150).

4. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear member (150) has a recessed profile (151) that is recessed towards a rear of the vehicle (10), thereby increasing the utility storage space defined by the front box member (140) and the rear member (150).

5. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the recessed profile (151) of the rear member (150) is configured such that the recessed profile (151) has a maximum rearward extension (Xi) at a centre portion (150C) of the rear member (150), when seen in a vehicle side view.

6. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a bridge bracket member (160) extending between the pair of left and right rear frames (120), wherein the front box member (140) is supported on the pair of left and right rear frames (120) and the bridge bracket member (160).

7. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the bottom face (142) of the front box member (140) has an inward indentation (146) provided on a right hand side of the bottom face (142) in a vehicle front view, the inward indentation (146) being provided for allowing accommodation of a rear shock absorber (170) extending between the front frame (110) and a transmission case (180).

8. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear member (150) is disposed at the rear portion of the front box member (140) such that at interface of the rear member (150) with the front box member (140), the rear member (150) is flushed with the front box member (140).

9. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear member (150) comprises one or more openings (152) configured to provide access to one or more vehicle components.

10. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the one or more vehicle components comprise a USB charger (154), an On-Board Diagnostics unit (156), and a box light (158) for illuminating the utility storage space.

Dated this 06th day of Septembers 2022
TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

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