TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a scooter type motorcycle. More particularly but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a rear panel for the scooter type motorcycle.
5 BACKGROUND
[0002] Typically, vehicle layout design for a scooter features a step-through frame and a flat surface called as a floorboard used for disposing legs of a rider during vehicle riding conditions. Further, the scooter features bodywork, including a rear panel and body that conceal all or most of the vehicular mechanisms. The rear
0 panel functions as a leg shield in protecting the rider’s legs from front of the
vehicle. The rear panel is assembled with a front panel and is mounted on to the frame assembly. A luggage hook is assembled to the rear panel for utility of the rider. Furthermore, the rear panel covers the frame assembly from behind. Therefore, it is important to achieve good fit and finish between front panel and
5 rear panel. Since, most of the parts in the scooter are concealed by the body, the
body parts are to be designed such that they fit into the body space achieving optimum utilization of space in the scooter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying
0 figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like
features and components.
[0004] Fig. 1 shows a side view of a scooter type vehicle having a rear panel according to the present invention.
[0005] Fig. 2 illustrates a rear panel assembled on a frame assembly of a scooter
5 type motorcycle.
[0006] Fig. 3 illustrates a front view of a rear panel.
[0007] Fig. 4 illustrates the rear panel supported by a support structure.

[0008] Fig. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a top rear panel and a bottom rear panel.
[0009] Fig. 6 illustrates a rear perspective view of a top rear panel.
[00010] Fig. 7 illustrates a front perspective view of a bottom rear panel.
[00011] Fig. 8 illustrates a rear perspective of a support structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00012] Typically, during assembly of a step through saddle type motorcycle, firstly, an engine is assembled onto the frame assembly, followed by assembly of the front panel and then assembly of a front wheel supported by a pair of front forks with a front fender, later followed by assembly of handlebar and at the end, the rear panel is assembled behind the front panel. It is difficult to assemble a rear panel due to its larger surface area. Further, the larger surface area of the rear panel leads to handling difficulties. Hence, in order to avoid difficulty during assembly of the real panel and to avoid handling difficulties, conventional rear panels with larger surface area are not desirable. Additionally the rear panel typically has an almost full round neck to cover the steering stem portion with minimal gap or opening to enable assembly of panel around the stem. However, the opening is detrimental to avoid entry of water, mud etc. which can lead to failure of steering system & other parts accommodated in the front portion. Closing the top neck portion with large rear panel is difficult to assemble & service.
[00013] Furthermore, entire rear panel has to be replaced if any portion of the rear panel is damaged. Further, serviceability of the parts underlying the rear panel becomes difficult. In order to service the underlying parts, entire rear panel has to be disassembled. Thereby, increasing the servicing time, which is undesirable.
[00014] Furthermore, the rear panel with larger surface area is prone to larger warpage. Warpage includes deflection or deforming of the rear panel into an undesirable form as compared to its original shape/form. The rear panel that has

undergone deformation, tends to have gaps with respect to the interfacing parts, for example, in this case, the rear panel tends to have undesirable gaps with the front panel. During servicing or due to other external factors, water might enter into the region enclosed by the rear panel, which is detrimental to the life of underlying parts. The underlying parts may include sensitive electrical parts; therefore, water entering into the region of the electrical parts enclosed by the rear panel may damage the electrical parts. In vehicles where the front wheel is a driven wheel connected to suitable power train such as hub motor, many of the electronic components like controller, battery etc. located ahead of the rear panel can get exposed to mud water owing to poor fit & finish leading to poor durability & reliability. Additionally, with multiple electronic parts in the front portion, ease of service & access to the parts become important. Dismantling single large rear panel all the time for access can be cumbersome & time consuming leading to poor maintainability.
[00015] Furthermore, due to warpage of the rear panel, entire rear panel has to be replaced even if a small portion of the rear panel has undergone deformation. Therefore, a rear panel with larger surface area is not desirable.
[00016] Due to different fit and finish requirements of the rear panel with different interfacing parts at various portions, desired gap or required fit and finish is not acquired.
[00017] The aforementioned problems present in the conventional step through scooter type motorcycle are overcome according to the proposed invention.
[00018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rear panel includes one or more panels. The one or more panels are a top rear panel and a bottom rear panel. The top rear panel and the bottom rear panel are supported by the frame assembly. Specifically, the main pipe supports the top rear panel and the bottom rear panel. The rear panel top and the rear panel bottom enable easier assembly of the rear panel onto the main pipe. Further, in case of any damage to the top rear panel or the bottom rear panel, the top rear panel and the bottom rear

panel can be replaced separately. The ease of serviceability is ensured due to the top rear panel and the bottom rear panel.
[00019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the top rear panel and the bottom rear panel are supported by a support structure disposed on the main pipe. The support structure is fixedly attached to the main pipe. The support structure includes a central portion from which two arms extend laterally. The two laterally extending arms each include one or more receiving portions that are configured to receive the top rear panel.
[00020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the support structure includes a stem portion extending downwardly from the central portion. The stem portion is configured to support the bottom rear panel. The stem portion comprises one or more provisions to receive the bottom rear panel.
[00021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the top rear panel includes one or more locator protrusions capable of being abutted on one or more receiving portions. Further, the bottom rear panel includes one or more holes to receive a fastening means through one or more provisions provided on the stem portion of the support structure.
[00022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the top rear panel and the bottom rear panel are overlapping with each other. A portion of the top rear panel is covered by a portion of the bottom rear panel during assembly; this overlapping ensures good fit and finish between the top rear panel and the bottom rear panel.
[00023] Furthermore, according to an embodiment, a top portion of the top rear panel is not open-ended; instead the top rear panel includes a through hole for allowing a head pipe of the frame assembly to pass through. The top rear panel ensures that, most portions around the head pipe remains covered. Therefore, entry of water particles during servicing or due to external factors is efficiently prevented. Further, due to a closed upper portion of the top rear panel, warpage is prevented to a considerable extent. Therefore, durability of the rear panel is

increased comparatively and more reliable rear panel is achieved according to the present invention.
[00024] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the support structure is detachably attached to the main pipe of the frame assembly. According to the proposed invention, improved fit and finish is achieved.
[00025] Fig. 1 shows a side view of the scooter type vehicle. The vehicle has a frame assembly made up of several tubes welded together, which usually supports the body of the said vehicle. The vehicle has a steerable front wheel 101 and a driven rear wheel 102. The frame assembly of the vehicle is an elongated structure, which typically extends from a forward end to a rearward end of the vehicle. It is generally convex in shape, as viewed from a side elevation view. The said frame assembly includes a head tube (not shown), a main frame 108 and may have a sub-frame. The sub-frame is attached to the main frame using appropriate joining mechanism. The frame assembly is covered by a plurality of vehicle body covers including a front panel 103, a rear panel 104, a panel front bottom 105, and a side panel 106.
[00026] A handlebar assembly 110 and a seat assembly 107 are supported at opposing ends of the frame assembly and a generally open area is defined there between known as floorboard 113 that functions as a step through space. The seat for a driver and a pillion is placed forward to a fuel tank and rear side of floorboard 113. A front fender 109 is provided above the front wheel 101 to avoid the said vehicle and its occupants from being splashed with mud. Likewise, a rear fender 114 is placed between fuel tank and rear wheel 102, and to the outer side in the radial direction of rear wheel 102. Rear fender 114 inhibits rainwater or the like from being thrown up by rear wheel 102.
[00027] Fig. 2 illustrates a rear panel assembled on a frame assembly of a scooter type motorcycle. The rear panel 104 is disposed rearwardly to the frame assembly 114. Particularly, the upper part of the rear panel 104 is disposed such that it covers a substantial rear potion of a head pipe 115 of the frame assembly 114 and the lower part of the rear panel 104 covers the rear portion of the main pipe 108.

The frame assembly 114 includes a support structure 202. The support structure 202 is capable of supporting at least a portion of the upper part of the rear panel 104 and at least a portion of the lower part of the rear panel 104.
[00028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the support structure 202 is fixedly attached, for example, welded to the main pipe 108 of the frame assembly 114. The support structure is disposed rearwardly to the main pipe 108, such that the support structure faces the rider when seated on the scooter type motorcycle 100. The support structure is disposed on a substantial upper portion of the main pipe 108. The support structure 202 is capable of receiving the rear panel 104.
[00029] An upper portion of the support structure 220 includes a central portion configured to receive an upper part of the rear panel 104. The upper portion of the support structure 220 includes laterally extending arms each comprising receiving portions capable of receiving the upper part of the rear panel 104. Similarly, the support structure 220 includes a stem portion extending downwardly from the central portion. The stem portion comprises a provision capable of receiving fastening means to attach the lower part of the rear panel 104 to the support structure 220.
[00030] Fig. 3 illustrates a front view of a rear panel. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rear panel 104 includes a top rear panel 104a and a bottom rear panel 104b. The bottom rear panel 104b is overlapping above the top rear panel 104a to form an abutting surface 208 therebetween. The overlapping ensures that there is no gap between the top rear panel 104a and bottom rear panel 104b. The top rear panel 104a includes a through hole 207 that allows the head pipe to pass thorough. The closed type top rear panel 207 ensures prevention of entry of water into the underling area comprising various electrical components.
[00031] Since, there are no open ended portions in the top rear panel 104a, the warpage of the top rear panel is prevented, and any deformation that may occur upon usage or during servicing of the vehicle is prevented to a greater extent.

[00032] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the bottom rear panel 104b includes a covering member 201. The covering member 201 is detachably attachable to the bottom rear cover 104. The bottom rear cover comprises of one or more apertures to receive the covering member 201.
[00033] The bottom rear panel 104b is detachably attached to the support structure 202 through a detachable means. The bottom rear panel 104b is attached from the side facing the rider while seated on the scooter type motorcycle 100. Therefore, in order to improve the aesthetics of the vehicle, particularly the aesthetics of the rear panel 104, the covering member is used to cover the detachable means portion on the bottom rear panel 104b. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the covering member 201 includes one or more second protrusions capable of being accommodated in the one or more apertures on the bottom rear panel 104b.
[00034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the top rear panel 104a and the bottom rear panel 104b are each having a varying thickness of about 2.5-2.7mm.
[00035] Fig. 4 illustrates the rear panel supported by a support structure. The support structure 202 supports at least a portion of the top rear panel 104a and at least a portion of the bottom rear panel 104b from rear side. The upper portion of the support structure 202 is capable of receiving the one or more locator protrusions provided on the top rear panel 104a. The locator protrusions are abutted against the one or more receiving portions each provided on the laterally extending arms of the support structure 202. Furthermore, the lower portion of the support structure 202 includes a stem portion that is capable of receiving the bottom rear panel 104b. The bottom rear panel is bolted or fastened to the stem portion of the support structure 202. Furthermore, through the support structure 202, required gap and fit and finish between the top rear panel 104a and the bottom rear panel 104b is achieved.
[00036] Fig. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a top rear panel and a bottom rear panel. The top rear panel 104a and the bottom rear panel 104b are assembled such

that a small portion of the bottom rear panel 104b overlaps with a small portion of the top rear panel 104a. The overlapping ensures better fit and finish and also improves the aesthetics of the scooter type motorcycle 100. Furthermore, the bottom rear panel 104b includes at least one hole 205 that enables mounting of the bottom rear panel 104b to the stem portion of the support structure 202. Furthermore, the covering member 201 is detachably attached to the bottom rear panel 104b by accommodating the second protrusions of the covering member 201 on the one or more apertures 206 on the bottom rear panel 104b. Furthermore, the top rear panel 104a includes a through-hole 207 enabling the head pipe to pass through. The through hole 207 is enclosed by a portion of the top rear panel 104a. More particularly, a bridge portion 204 bridges the gap between two lateral ends of the top rear panel 104a. Thereby covering the gap and ensuring that better enclosing is provided around the through hole 207.
[00037] Fig. 6 illustrates a rear perspective view of a top rear panel. The top rear panel 104a includes a bridge portion 204 that prevents warpage of the top rear panel. Furthermore, the bridge portion ensures better stability of the top rear panel 104a by making it more rigid and preventing movable/ deflectable free ends. The rear surface of the top rear panel 104a comprises a pair of locator protrusions 203 that are capable of abutting against the one or more receiving portions provided on the laterally extending arms of the support structure 202.
[00038] Fig. 7 illustrates a front perspective view of a bottom rear panel. The bottom rear panel 104b includes the at least one hole 205 for receiving the detachable means that mounts the bottom rear panel 104b to the stem of the support structure 202. Furthermore, the visibility of the at least one hole 205 and the one or more apertures 206 on the bottom rear panel 104b would affect the aesthetics of the scooter type motorcycle 100. Therefore, a covering member 201 is covered over the mounting portion of the bottom rear panel 104b.
[00039] Fig. 8 illustrates a rear perspective of a support structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. The support structure 202 includes a central portion 202a and a downwardly extending stem portion 202b. The support

structure 202 also includes laterally extending arms 202c capable of receiving the top rear panel 104a through the receiving portions 202ca. The receiving portions 202ca receive the locator protrusions on the top rear panel 104a such that the locator protrusions just abut on the receiving portions 202ca.
[00040] Furthermore, the stem portion 202b includes a provision 202d capable of receiving the bottom rear panel 104b.
[00041] Furthermore, the stem portion includes rearwardly extending pair of walls that enable mounting of the support structure to the main pipe.
[00042] In the support structure 202, the laterally extending arms 202c and the central portion 202a are at different axes, such that the first axis including the laterally extending arms 202c is situated rearwardly to the second axis including the central portion 202a and the downwardly extending stem portion. The laterally extending arms 202c are capable of receiving the locator protrusions disposed on the top rear panel 104a. Furthermore, the stem portion located in the second plane is configured to receive the bottom rear panel 104b.
[00043] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rear panel 104 including the top rear panel 104a and the bottom rear panel 104b is made of resin.
[00044] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the support structure 202 is made of a group of metals including steel, aluminum, and cast iron.
[00045] Although the subject matter has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. It is to be understood that the aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein.

I/We claim:
1. A step-through scooter type motorcycle (100) comprising:
a vehicle body frame including a main frame (108); and a rear panel (104) disposed rearwardly to and supported by said main frame (108), wherein,
said rear panel (104) comprises a top rear panel (104a) and a bottom rear panel (104b), wherein a support structure (202) rigidly attached to said main frame (108) is configured to receive at least a portion of said top rear panel (104a) and said bottom rear panel (104b) such that at least a portion of said bottom rear panel (104b) overlaps with at least a portion of said top rear panel (104a).
2. The step-through scooter type motorcycle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top rear panel (104a) is supported by at least one laterally extending arms (202c) extending from a central portion (202a) of said support structure (202) and said bottom rear panel (104b) is supported by a stem portion (202b) extending downwardly from said central portion (202a) of said support structure (202).
3. The step-through scooter type motorcycle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bottom rear panel (104b) overlaps above said top rear panel (104a) to form an abutting surface (208) therebetween.
4. The step-through scooter type motorcycle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top rear panel (104a) and a bottom rear panel (104b) each include thickness varying in the range of 2.5-2.7 mm.
5. The step-through scooter type motorcycle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rear panel (104) is made of resin.
6. The step-through scooter type motorcycle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bottom rear panel (104b) includes at least one hole (205) and one or more apertures (206) enclosed by at least one covering member (201).

7. A support structure (202) to support a rear panel (104) for a step through
scooter type motorcycle (100) comprising:
a central portion (202a) and laterally extending arms (202c) from said central portion (202a), said laterally extending arms (202c) are capable of supporting at least a portion of a top rear panel (104a) of said rear panel (104); and
a stem portion (202b) extending downwardly from said central portion (202a), said stem portion (202b) is configured to support a bottom rear panel (104b) of said rear panel (104).
8. The support structure (202) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said laterally extending arms (202c) and the central portion are at different axes, such that the first axis (LM) including the laterally extending arms (202c) is situated rearwardly to the second plane (NO) including the central portion (202a) and the downwardly extending stem portion (202b).
9. The support structure (202) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said laterally extending arms (202c) each including a receiving portion (202ca) are capable of receiving said top rear panel (104a) and said stem portion (202b) comprises a provision (202d) to receive said bottom rear panel (104b).
10. The support structure (202) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said support structure (202) is made of a material selected from a group consisting of steel, aluminum and cast iron.