FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10; rule 13]
TITLE: “A SCUFF PLATE ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE AND A SCUFF PLATE
THEREOF”
Name and Address of the Applicant: TATA MOTORS PASSENGER VEHICLES LIMITED, Floor 3, 4, Plot-18, Nanavati Mahalaya, Mudhana Shetty Marg, BSE, Fort, Mumbai, Mumbai City, Maharashtra, 400 001
Nationality: IN
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure in general relates to the field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the disclosure relates to a vehicle floor and a mounting ramp of a vehicle. Further, embodiments of the disclosure, relates to a scuff plate and a scuff plate assembly for the vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
In recent years, the automobile industry has focused on developing products, systems, assemblies that render vehicles or produce from such vehicles to be eco-friendly and maintain sustainable environment. Also, the automobile industry has been developing various approaches for the vehicle to be either run by sustainable source or be modified to exhaust less pollutants to environment or reduce conventional fuel consumption for substantially same performance, in order to meet jurisdictional regulatory principles. To cater such demands, one of the available options is to reduce curb weight or structural dimensions of the vehicles, which in turn results in reduced weight of the vehicle and less fuel consumption or electrical power consumption.
Conventionally, with variation in curb weight or the structural dimensions or change in type of power source being employed in the vehicle, positioning of constituents of the vehicles such as, vehicle floor, average ground clearance, seating configuration and the like may change, where such change may be in a tolerance range of a few millimetres from pre¬existing position and/or configuration. Due to such changes in tolerance range, characteristics of the vehicle including, but not limited to, ambience, aesthetic profile, and the like may be affected.
Further, to complement such changes in constituents of the vehicle, sub-assemblies such as scuff plate assemblies including interior trims, floorboards, mounting units, scuff plates, and the like may not be readily connectable in an assembly line of the manufacturing plant owing to such variation of a few millimetres of tolerance. Due to which, the sub-assemblies may be required to be re-designed. The re-designing of such sub-assemblies may require freshly designing of a mould for manufacturing, which increases costs associated with the sub-assemblies. Also, when the mould of each component of the sub-assembly is being re¬designed, configuration of mating between two or more components of the sub-assembly may vary, which may require changes to be made in the assembly line of the manufacturing plant

whereby increasing assembly-lead time, complexity in assembling the sub-assemblies, and the like.
The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitation associated with the conventional arts.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by an assembly as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the assembly as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a scuff plate for a vehicle is disclosed. The scuff plate includes a first plate portion and a second plate portion angularly extending from the first portion. Further, the scuff plate includes a first major surface and a second major surface opposite to the first major surface defined to each of the first plate portion and the second plate portion. The scuff plate also includes a reinforcing section defined and extending between at least portion of the first major surface of the first plate portion and the first major surface of the second plate portion. At least a portion of the reinforcing section is defined with a locking portion.
In an embodiment, the reinforcing section includes a rib section and a support section. The rib section extends parallel to the second plate portion. The support section extends parallel to the first plate portion and connecting the rib section with the second plate portion. Further, the support section is adapted to support the locking portion. The reinforcing portion is defined with a stopper extending across the locking portion to distribute transverse load acting on at least one of the first plate portion and the second plate portion.
In an embodiment, the locking portion comprises a plurality of locking pins extending away from the first plate portion. Further, at least one of the reinforcing section and the locking portion is supported by a plurality of stiffeners, configured to distribute force acting on at least one of the first plate portion and the second plate portion.

In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a scuff plate assembly for a portion of a vehicle floor is disclosed. The assembly includes a mounting bracket which is disposed on a ramp of the vehicle floor. The mounting bracket is defined with a receiving portion facing away from the vehicle floor. The assembly further includes a scuff plate connectable to the mounting bracket. The scuff plate includes a first plate portion and a second plate portion angularly extending from the first portion. Further, the scuff plate includes a first major surface and a second major surface opposite to the first major surface defined to each of the first plate portion and the second plate portion. The scuff plate also includes a reinforcing section defined and extending between at least portion of the first major surface of the first plate portion and the first major surface of the second plate portion. At least a portion of the reinforcing section is defined with a locking portion, which is configured to engage and lock with the receiving portion of the mounting bracket.
In an embodiment, the mounting bracket is defined with at least one aperture for harnessing wire.
In an embodiment, the locking portion is configured to snap-lock with the receiving portion of the mounting bracket.
It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a scuff plate, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 2 illustrates a sectional view of the scuff plate of Figure 1.
Figure 3 illustrates a scuff plate assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the mechanism and assembly illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an assembly, and a system that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system or assembly. In other words, one or more elements in an assembly or a system proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the assembly.
Embodiments of the disclosure are described in the following paragraphs with reference to Figures 1 and 3. In the figures, the same element or elements which have same functions are indicated by the same reference signs. It is to be noted that, the vehicle is not illustrated in the figures for the purpose of simplicity. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the assembly as disclosed in the present disclosure can be used in any vehicle including, but not liming to, passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles.

Figure 1 is an exemplary embodiment of a scuff plate (100) for a vehicle, according to the present disclosure. The scuff plate (100) is configured to form a portion of a vehicle floor (not explicitly shown in Figures) when assembled with various sub-assemblies such as, interior trims, door mounts, vehicle floor panels and the like. The scuff plate (100) is located and positioned proximal to and/or along an interior trim of a vehicle door, aiding an operator to get into and/or get off the vehicle. Also, the scuff plate (100) is configured to act as a step at the vehicle door or at vehicle, for providing support to the operator during entering and exiting the vehicle. The scuff plate (100) is further configured to cover at least portion of cables and/or harnesses being channelized at the vehicle door and prevent the operator from snagging to such cables or harnesses. For such configuration, the scuff plate (100) includes a first plate portion (101) and a second plate portion (102) angularly extending from the first portion, as best seen in Figure 1.
In the illustrative embodiment, the first plate portion (101) and the second plate portion (102) are integrally formed to define a continuous external surface of the scuff plate (100) being flush with the vehicle floor or a mounting ramp at the vehicle door. For instance, the first plate portion (101) and the second plate portion (102) define an inverted L-profile or semi¬circular profile or inverted J-profile, where profile of the scuff plate (100) may be based on configuration of at least one of the vehicle floor, interior trims, a mounting ramp, and the like of the vehicle. Further, the first plate portion (101) is defined to be substantially horizontal and be accessible to support the operator or commuter for entering or exit the vehicle. Here, the term “substantial” may refer to orientation of the first plate portion (101) about a horizontal axis of at least one of the vehicle floor panel and the mounting ramp, where such orientation may be in a range of 0° to 5° relative to the horizontal axis (not seen in Figures). Additionally, the second plate portion (102) is structured to downwardly and angularly extend from an end of the first plate portion (101), to act as a barrier and cover portion of the vehicle, when viewed from a vehicle cabin. The downward extension of the second plate portion (102) may be in a range of range of 30° to 95° relative to the first plate portion (101). Due to such configuration, the second plate portion (102) is configured to extend and/or intrude towards the vehicle floor or the mounting ramp and cover portions of the cables or harnesses being channelised through the vehicle floor panels or a body-in-white of the vehicle.

In an embodiment, the first plate portion (101) may be adapted to extend downwardly and angularly to the second plate portion (102), to define a U-profile or C-profile. Such configuration of the first plate portion (101) and the second plate portion (102) may be based on configuration of the mounting ramp and connection between such mounting ramp and the scuff plate (100). Here, configuration of the mounting ramp should not be construed as a limitation of the present disclosure, as the scuff plate (100) is configured to engage and connect with the mounting ramp to cater difference in dimensional tolerances between at least one of the vehicle floor planes and the mounting ramp, the body-in-white and the mounting ramp, and any other configuration in which a sill panel level of the vehicle floor may be varied.
Referring again to Figure 1, the first plate portion (101) and the second plate portion (102) of the scuff plate (100) defines a first major surface (103a) and a second major surface (103b), where the second major surface (103b) being on an opposite side to the first major surface (103a). In an embodiment, the first major surface (103a) and the second major surface (103b) may be defined as a surface about width of the scuff plate (100), which may be traversed to extend along the length of the scuff plate (100). Further, for explanation of the present disclosure, the second major surface (103b) of the first plate portion (101) and the second plate portion (102) may be considered to be a surface being exposed to the vehicle cabin and being accessible by the operator or commuter, while the first major surface (103a) of the first plate portion (101) and the second plate portion (102) may be considered to face the vehicle floor.
Turning now to Figures 2 and 3, the scuff plate (100) is part of a scuff plate assembly (200) and is connectable to a mounting bracket (107). The scuff plate (100) may be configured to connect and accommodate the mounting bracket (107) within the first major surface (103a) of the first plate portion (101) and the second plate portion (102). To connect with the mounting bracket (107), the scuff plate (100) may include a reinforcing section (104) which may be defined and extending between at least portion of the first major surface (103a) of the first plate portion (101) and the first major surface (103a) of the second plate portion (102). The reinforcing section (104) may be adapted to support and carry load acting on the scuff plate (100) at the second major surface (103b) of the first plate portion (101) and the second plate portion (102). The reinforcing section (104) may be integrally formed with the first major surface (103a) of the first plate portion (101) and the second plate portion (102). In an

embodiment, the reinforcing section (104) may also be connected to the first major surface (103a) of the first plate portion (101) and the second plate portion (102) by at least one of welding, adhesive bonding, and the like, where the reinforcing section (104) together with the first plate portion (101) and the second plate portion (102) may be connectable to the mounting bracket (107). Due to such configuration of the reinforcing section (104), aspect ratio of the scuff plate (100) may be adaptably changed without having to re-design structure of the scuff plate (100) or the mounting bracket (107) in the scuff plate assembly (200). Also, for manufacturing of the scuff plate (100), a die including a profile of the reinforcing section (104) may be selectively included between the dies of the first plate portion (101) and the second plate portion (102), whereby rending manufacturing cost and process of the scuff plate (100) to remain substantially unaltered. With that, dimensional tolerances due to variation in at least one of the vehicle floor, the seating configuration and the like in the vehicle may be compensated without having to re-design the scuff plate assembly (200) for the vehicle floor.
The reinforcing section (104) includes a rib section (104a) and a support section (104b), as best seen in Figure 2. The rib section (104a) is connected to at least a portion of the first plate portion (101) at one end, and other end opposite to the one end of the rib section (104a) is connected to the support section (104b). The support section (104b) is connected to at least a portion of the second plate portion (102). In the illustrative embodiment, the rib section (104a) is structured to extend substantially parallel to the second plate portion (102), while the support section (104b) is structured to extend substantially parallel to the first plate portion (101). Here, the term “substantially” may refer to angular variation of about 1° to 5° between the rib section (104a) and the support section (104b) relative to the first plate portion (101) and the second plate portion (102), respectively. In an embodiment, the rib section (104a) may be configured to carry, distribute, and/or absorb at least vertical component of a load acting on the first plate portion (101), while the support section (104b) may be configured to carry, distribute, and/or absorb at least horizontal component of the load acting on the first plate portion (101). Similarly, the rib section (104a) may be configured to carry, distribute, and/or absorb at least vertical component of the load acting on the second plate portion (102), while the support section (104b) may be configured to carry, distribute, and/or absorb at least horizontal component of the load acting on the second plate portion (102). In an embodiment, load bearing capacity of the rib section (104a) and the support section (104b) may be dependent on parameters including, but not limited to, material of the scuff plate

(100), thickness of the first plate portion (101) and the second plate portion (102), thickness of the rib section (104a) and the support section (104b), load acting on the scuff plate (100), and the like.
In the illustrative embodiment, at least a portion of the reinforcing section (104) is defined with a locking portion (105) to lock with the mounting bracket (107), as best seen in Figures 2 and 3. The support section (104b) of the reinforcing section (104) is adapted to support the locking portion (105). The locking portion (105) is structured to downwardly extend from the support section (104b) (i.e., away from the first plate portion (101)), to engage and accommodate the mounting bracket (107) as seen in Figure 3. Further, the locking portion (105) includes a plurality of locking pins (105a) extending away from the first plate portion (101), where each of the plurality of locking pins (105a) is resiliently structured for adjusting and snap-locking with a receiving portion defined in the mounting bracket (107). Additionally, to accommodate the mounting bracket (107), the reinforcing section (104) is defined with a stopper (104c). The stopper (104c) is structured to extend across the locking portion (105) to distribute transverse load acting on at least one of the first plate portion (101) and the second plate portion (102).
In the illustrative embodiment, two locking pins (105a) are depicted, while such number of locking pins (105a) should not be construed as a limitation, as more than two locking pins (105a) may be defined in the locking portion (105) to connect with the mounting bracket (107). Further, each of the plurality of locking pins (105a) is defined with an engaging portion (105b) capable of being secured within the receiving portion as best seen in Figure 3. Additionally, as dimensional tolerances between at least one of the sill floor level, the vehicle floor, and the mounting ramp are compensated by the reinforcing section (104) of the scuff plate (100), configuration of the locking portion (105) and the plurality of locking pins (105a) remain substantially unchanged, eliminating requirement for re-designing due to such variation in tolerances. Additionally, for manufacturing, portion of the die pertaining to the reinforcing section (104) may be adjoined by the die of the locking portion (105) for producing the scuff plate (100). Due to such configuration, assembling the scuff plate (100) and the mounting bracket (107) in the assembly line of the manufacturing plant may not be affected or required to be changed.
In the illustrative embodiment, the first plate portion (101), the second plate portion (102), the reinforcing section (104) and the locking portion (105) is supported by a plurality of

stiffeners (106), as best seen in Figures 2 and 3. The plurality of stiffeners (106) are configured to distribute force acting on at least one of the first plate portion (101) and the second plate portion (102). In an embodiment, the plurality of stiffeners (106) include a first band of stiffeners (106a), a second band of stiffeners (106b) and a third band of stiffeners (106c), which are configured to selectively connect portion of the scuff plate (100) for distributing forces. For example, the first band of stiffeners (106) are configured to extend from at least a portion of the first plate portion (101) to connect with at least a portion of the rib section (104a) to support in distributing force acting on the first plate portion (101). Also, the second band of stiffeners (106) are configured to extend from at least a portion of the second plate portion (102) to connect with at least a portion of the support section (104b) to support in distributing force acting on the second plate portion (102). The third band of stiffeners (106) are configured to extend along the rib section (104a) and the support section (104b) for further distributing the forces being imparted on the reinforcing section (104) of the scuff plate (100). Due to such configuration, light materials may be employed for manufacturing of the scuff plate (100) without having to compromise on structural rigidity and mitigating bulky structures for reinforcements or load distribution. In addition, as the forces acting on the scuff plate (100) is distributed or re-distributed, forces being transmitted to the mounting bracket (107) is minimized or eliminated, due to which cables, harnessing wires, and the like may be passed through at least one aperture defined in the mounting bracket (107).
In an embodiment, method of manufacturing of the scuff plate (100) is by injection moulding process, which remains unchanged due to substantially minimal variation in design. Due to which requirement of producing new die for injection moulding may be avoided.
In an embodiment, as characteristics of the scuff plate assembly (200) such as, configuration of the scuff plate (100), configuration of the mounting bracket (107), connection between the mounting bracket (107) and the scuff plate (100), and the like remain substantially unaltered, additional manufacturing cost for compensating dimensional tolerances is avoided.
EQUIVALENTS
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the

plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings,

should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

We Claim:
1. A scuff plate (100) for a vehicle, the scuff plate (100) comprising:
a first plate portion (101) and a second plate portion (102) angularly extending from the first portion,
a first major surface (103a) and a second major surface (103b) opposite to the first major surface (103a) defined to each of the first plate portion (101) and the second plate portion (102),
a reinforcing section (104) defined and extending between at least portion of the first major surface (103a) of the first plate portion (101) and the first major surface (103a) of the second plate portion (102), and
wherein at least a portion of the reinforcing section (104) is defined with a locking portion (105).
2. The scuff plate (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing section (104)
comprises:
a rib section (104a), extending parallel to the second plate portion (102); and a support section (104b), extending parallel to the first plate portion (101) and connecting the rib section (104a) with the second plate,
wherein the support section (104b) is adapted to support the locking portion (105).
3. The scuff plate (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking portion (105) comprises a plurality of locking pins (105a) extending away from the first plate portion (101).
4. The scuff plate (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing portion is defined with a stopper (104c) extending across the locking portion (105) to distribute transverse load acting on at least one of the first plate portion (101) and the second plate portion (102).
5. The scuff plate (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the reinforcing section (104) and the locking portion (105) is supported by a plurality of stiffeners (106), configured to distribute force acting on at least one of the first plate portion (101) and the second plate portion (102).

6. A scuff plate assembly (200) for a portion of a vehicle floor, the assembly
comprising:
a mounting bracket (107), disposed on a ramp of the vehicle floor, the mounting bracket (107) is defined with a receiving portion facing away from the vehicle floor; and
a scuff plate (100) connectable to the mounting bracket (107), the scuff plate (100) comprising:
a first plate portion (101) and a second plate portion (102) angularly extending from the first portion,
a first major surface (103a) and a second major surface (103b) opposite to the first major surface (103a) defined to each of the first plate portion (101) and the second plate portion (102),
a reinforcing section (104) extends along and is defined between at least portion of the first major surface (103a) of the first plate portion (101) and the first major surface (103a) of the second plate portion (102),
wherein at least a portion of the reinforcing section (104) is defined with a locking portion (105) to engage and lock with the receiving portion of the mounting bracket (107).
7. The assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the reinforcing section (104) comprises:
a rib section (104a), extending parallel to the second plate portion (102); and a support section (104b), extending parallel to the first plate portion (101) and connecting the rib section (104a) with the second plate,
wherein the support section (104b) is adapted to support the locking portion (105).
8. The assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the locking portion (105) comprises a plurality of locking pins (105a) extending away from the first plate portion (101).
9. The assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least one of the reinforcing section (104) and the locking portion (105) is supported by a plurality of stiffeners (106), configured to distribute force acting on at least one of the first plate portion (101) and the second plate portion (102).
10. The assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the mounting bracket (107) is defined with at least one aperture for harnessing wire.

11. The assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the locking portion (105) is configured to snap-lock with the receiving portion of the mounting bracket (107).