FIELD OF THE INVENTION
more particularly, but not exclusively, to a front portion of the scooter type motorcycle with a swinging power unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The front portion of a scooter type motorcycle forwardly of the vehicle rider comprises of a front covering member and a rear covering member engaged to the front covering member. The rear covering member has a front surface towards the front covering member and a rear surface towards the vehicle rider. A storage member is connected to the rear covering member to form a storage space between the two to store easily accessible articles. Conventionally, the storage member is secured to the rear covering member from the vehicle rear direction. In this construction, the fasteners are prone to rusting as they are openly secured and hence are susceptible to rain and sunlight. Thus, the present construction of securing the storage member to the rear covering member is disadvantageous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The present invention will now be briefly described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0004] FIG. 1 shows a side elevation view of a saddle type vehicle exemplified in the form of a two wheeled scooter type motorcycle.

[0005] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a front portion of the scooter type motorcycle.

[0006] FIG. 3 shows a rear view of a storage member connected to a rear covering member according to the present invention.

[0007] FIG. 4 shows the front perspective view of the storage member according
[0008] FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a rear covering member subassembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 6 shows a top sectional view of the front portion of the scooter type motorcycle along the axis
[00010] FIG. 7 shows a front perspective view of the storage member according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00011] It is to be noted that in the ensuing description, the present invention is usable in a saddle type vehicle exemplified in the form of a two wheeled scooter type motorcycle for illustration. Further "front" and "rear", and "left" and "right" referred to in the ensuing description of the illustrated embodiment refer to front and rear, and left and right directions as seen by an onlooker while standing ahead of the vehicle and looking at it. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis, except otherwise mentioned, refers to a front to rear axis relative to the said motorcycle, while a lateral axis, except otherwise mentioned, refers generally to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the said motorcycle. Various other features and embodiments of the present subject matter here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder. The detailed explanation of the constitution of parts other than the subject matter which constitutes an essential part has been omitted at suitable places.

[00012] FIG. 1 shows a side elevation view of the scooter type motorcycle (hereinafter 'motorcycle'). The motorcycle (1) includes a frame assembly made up of several tubes welded together supporting the body of said vehicle. The motorcycle (1) has a steerable front wheel (2) and a driven rear wheel (4) driven by driving force generated, by a p.p.w,e£ unit:^ll^;T^ib^frM^h4pJ: (2)■ ofi:^^motorGyclei(:fc|*i^ axially-supported at a lower end of a front fork (3), and the front fork (3) is pivoted in a steerable manner in a head pipe (not shown) of the vehicle frame. A handle bar (7) is attached to an upper end of the head pipe. A headlight unit (10) is arranged forwardly of the handle bar (7) and is surrounded by a visor (9). The handle bar (7) and a seat (5) are supported at opposing ends of the frame assembly and a generally open area is defined there between known as floorboard (15) which functions as a step through space. The seat (5) for a driver and a pillion is placed forward to a fuel tank and rearwardly of the floorboard (15). An article storage device is provided below the seat (5) for storing useful articles. A side trim member (14) laterally beneath the floorboard (15) is provided to cover the lower frame members from being visible. The side trim member (14) is laterally present on both sides of the vehicle; however, only one is visible in the side view. A side stand fixed to the left side of the frame supports the vehicle such that the vehicle can incline to the left side without falling.
[00013] The vehicle frame assembly is covered by a plurality of vehicle body covers including a front covering member (16), a rear covering member (20), an under seat cover (13), a left side cover (6), a right side cover and a bottom cover (12). The right side cover is symmetrical to the left side cover (6) and hence not shown. A rear fender (8) is accommodated at the rearmost end of the motorcycle (1) to partially cover the rear wheel (4). Likewise, the front wheel (2) is covered by a lower member (17) of the front covering member (16). The lower member (17) has a rearwardly portion inclined rearwardly and curvedly toward the side trim member (14).
[00014] In said vehicle, the power unit (11) is configured to drive, and is swingably supported on the frame at one end and to the rear wheel (4) at the other end. In an embodiment, the power unit (11) is integrally formed with a forwardly inclined •• engine. the rear of the power unit (11). In an embodiment of the present invention, the engine is a four stroke single cylinder internal combustion engine.
[00015] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the front portion of the motorcycle (1) comprising the front covering member (16), the rear covering member (20) and the floorboard (15). The front covering member (16) and the rear covering member (20) are connected to each other with some clearance between them. They extend along the lateral axis of the vehicle from side to side. Jointly, the front covering member (16) and the rear covering member (20) cover the front frame members of the motorcycle (1) and provide aesthetic value to the motorcycle (1). The frame members particularly the head pipe, the steering tube and the downpipe (not shown) are located in the space created due to clearance between the front covering member (16) and the rear covering member (20). The rear covering member (20) is located rearwardly of the front covering member (16) and is connected to it. The rear covering member (20) in the present invention is configured to mount a horn device and supports front turn indicators on its surface. One of the front turn indicators is referred to by numeral 18 (FIG. 1), the other being not visible in this view and identical. The front turn indicator (18) is supported on the rear covering member (20).
[00016] Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the rear covering member (20) has a front
surface (21) facing the front covering member (16) and a rear surface (23) toward the vehicle rider. The rear covering member (20) is curved rearwardly to accommodate a front cavity (26) (FIG. 3) which is oriented substantially vertically to house the head tube, steering tube and the downpipe. An integrally formed middle member (25) ■ adjoins the front cavity (26) thus formed and vertically bisects the rear covering member (20). A lower portion of the rear covering member (20) functions as a leg shield for the vehicle •rider, which protects; the vehicle operator's leg from^y;. damage during vehicle operation.
[00017] According to the present invention, a storage member (30) is connected to the rear covering member (20) and is secured to it to form a storage space (34) in the front portion of the motorcycle (1). The storage space (34) is useful for storing articles. In an embodiment, the storage member (30) is disposed rearwardly of the rear covering member (20). The rear covering member (20) and the storage member (30) define a rear covering member subassembly (50) shown in FIG. 3. The rear covering member subassembly (50) is assembled and then the front covering member (16) is assembled with the rear covering member subassembly (50). The rear covering member (20) also comprises of a retractable member (28) and a key recess (27). The retractable member (28), when operational, projects toward the rear direction from the rear surface (23) and is used to hold certain items or articles. The key recess (27) is located laterally to the retractable member (28) and enables access of the rider to a key lock so that he can key in the engine and start the vehicle. In an embodiment, the key recess (27) is formed rightward of the retractable member (28). The lower portion of the rear covering member (20) is connected to the floorboard (15). In an embodiment, the lower portion of the rear covering member (20) is provided with a plurality of locking members (41) through which it is connected to the front portion of the floorboard (15). A lateral periphery of the rear covering member (20) is denoted by the numeral (29).
[00018] FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of the storage member (30). The storage member (30) comprises of a front surface (31) facing towards the rear surface (23) of the rear covering member (20). The front surface (31) is curved frontward at both sides to form a side surface (32). The side surface (32) comprises of the outer contour (33) of the, .storage iriembeiv^(30); The • storage. member (30) -includes one or, more protuberances, collectively referred by numeral (36), projecting forwardly from the front surface (31) of the storage member (20). The protuberance is forwardly projected and has an L-shaped cross section. Thus, a gap exists between a portion of the protuberance and the front surface. In an embodiment, the front surface (31) is provided with at least one protuberance located proximately to each corner of the front surface (31). In another embodiment, the upper portion of the front surface (31) is provided with two protuberances (36-1), (36- 2) located laterally opposed to each other. Each protuberance (36-1), (36- 2) is configured to hold one or more fastener receiving members (35) (FIG. 5). Each fastener receiving member (35) is held on the protuberance and allows a fastener to pass through itself and said protuberance
[00019] FIG. 5 shows an exploded of the rear covering member subassembly
(50). The figure shows the sub-assembly of the storage member (30) to the rear covering member (20). The rear covering member (20) comprises one or more recesses (24) to support the storage member (30). The recess (24), the fastener receiving member (35) and the protuberance (36-1) are co-axial. In an embodiment, The storage member (30) is secured to the rear covering member (20) through one or more fasteners (39) passing through the one or more recesses (24) of the rear covering member (20) and received in the one or more fastener receiving members (35), said one or more fasteners (39) extends from a vehicle front side (F) towards a vehicle rear side (R) along a longitudinal axis (XX)( shown in FIG.l) of said motorcycle (1).
[00020] FIG. 6 shows a top sectional view of the rear covering member subassembly (50) along the B-B axis of FIG. 3 and depicts the securing of one portion of the storage member (30) to the rear covering member (20). Each fastener (39) passes througtohe&ecess^M). of^ the-rear-.coyei*irigvmembef^(20-), passe?; through and secured against the fastener receiving member (35) of the storage member (30). When the storage member (30) is secured to the rear covering member (20) from the vehicle front direction, the storage space (34) is formed as shown by the numeral (34) to store useful articles. According to the present invention, the outer contour (33) of the storage member (30) is within the lateral periphery (29) of. the rear covering member . (20) as seen from the rear direction. In a preferred embodiment, the rear covering member (20) has four recesses (24) corresponding to four protuberances (36) holding four fastener receiving members (35) secured by the use of four fasteners. In an embodiment, each fastener receiving member (35) is enmolded with the respective protuberance.
[00021] In another embodiment of the storage member (30), the storage member (30) also includes one or more integrally formed bosses (37-1), (37-2) protruding forwardly from the front surface (31) as shown in FIG. 4. Preferably, the one or more bosses (37-1), (37-2) are located laterally opposed to each other along the sides of the storage member (30). Each boss (37-1), (37-2) has a through recess to receive a fastener. In an embodiment, the integrally formed bosses (37-1), (37-2) are provided in a lower portion of the storage member (30). Thus, in this embodiment, the storage member (30), at its lower portion, is secured to the rear covering member (20) through one or more fasteners (39) which pass through one or more recesses (24) of the rear covering member (20) from the vehicle front direction and received in the one or more bosses (37-1), (37-2); whereas at its upper portion, it is secured to the rear covering member (20) through the one or more fasteners (39) passing through one or more recesses (24) and received in the one or more protuberances (36-1), (36- 2).

[00022] In yet another embodiment of the storage member (30) as shown in the profileto.rage member (30) is%altered soj-that the front surface (31) - ^ : has one or more protuberances (36-1), (36-2), (36-3), (36-4) projecting forwardly and at least one groove each (38) for each of the protuberances. In this embodiment, the one or more fasteners used for securing the rear covering member (20) and the storage member (30) is received within the groove (38) after passing through the fastener receiving member (35).
[00023] According to an aspect of the present invention, the one or more protuberances include a flange projecting forwardly from the front surface and having an L-shaped cross section. Further, the fastener receiving member includes a clip nut.
[00024] From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the presentinvention offers many advantages including those described above. The present invention is thus briefly described. It will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

I/We claim:

i: A scooter type motorcycle-tl7'comprismg!"a"Tfo^t^^vefing-member (16), a. rear covering member (20) located rearwardly of the front covering member (16), a storage member (30) connected to the rear covering member (20) to form a storage space (34), characterised in that, the storage member (30) includes one or more protuberances (36) projecting forwardly from a surface of the storage member (30). facing the rear covering member (20) and configured to hold one or more fastener receiving members (35); and the rear covering member (20) includes one or more recesses (24);
wherein the storage member (30) is secured to the rear covering member (20) through one or more fasteners (39) passing through the one or more recesses (24) of the rear covering member (20) and received in the one or more fastener receiving members (35),and wherein said one or more fasteners (39) extends from a vehicle front side (F) towards a vehicle rear side (R) along a longitudinal axis (XX) of said motorcycle (1).

2. The scooter type motorcycle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage member (30) also includes one or more integrally formed bosses (37) protruding forwardly from the surface of the storage member (30) in the vehicle front direction and wherein further the storage member (30) is secured to the rear covering member (20) through one or more fasteners (39) passing through the one or more recesses (24) of the rear covering member (20) from the vehicle front direction and received in the one

3. The scooter type motorcycle (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said one or more ibcifsiae$43member (30).
4. The scooter type motorcycle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more fastener receiving members (35) includes a clip nut.
5. The scooter type motorcycle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more fastener receiving members (35) are enmolded to the storage member (30).
6. The scooter type motorcycle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage member (30) comprises of a front surface (31) facing towards a rear surface (23) of the rear covering member (20).
7. The scooter type motorcycle (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said one or more protuberances (36) includes a flange projecting forwardly from the front surface (31) and having an L-shaped cross section.
8. The scooter type motorcycle (1) as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein an upper portion of the front surface (31) is provided with one or more two protuberances (36) located laterally opposed to each other.
9. The scooter type motorcycle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more recesses (24), said one or more fastener receiving member (35) and said one or more protuberances (36) are co-axial.
10. A method of securing a storage member (30) to a rear covering member (20) in a scooter type motorcycle (1) from a vehicle front direction, the storage member (30) and the rear covering member (20) forming a storage space (34), the storage member (30) comprising one or more protuberances (36) projecting forwardly from a surface

of the storage member (30) facing the rear covering member (20) and configured to £-^a4*-': < hold one or more-fastener -receiving; members (35),- the .rill:covering ,member (20)
including one or more recesses (24),
wherein one or more fasteners (39) pass through the one or more recesses (24) of the rear covering member (20) from the vehicle front direction and are received in the one or more fastener receiving members (35) supported on the storage member (30), and wherein said one or more fasteners (39) extends from a vehicle front side (F) towards a vehicle rear side (R) along a longitudinal axis (XX) of said motorcycle (1).