FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a step through type motorcycle and more particularly but not exclusively to a luggage hook assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Generally, a luggage hook assembly is provided for rider utility, wherein the luggage hook assembly is located at a front portion of the vehicle for ease of accessibility to the rider. Generally, a utility box or a utility chamber is arranged below the seat assembly, wherein the utility box is coupled to the seat assembly by means of a hinge, such that the seat assembly serves as a cover for the utility box. Besides the utility box, luggage hooks are provided in scooter type motorcycles to aid a rider in carrying handbags, shopping bags and the like. Typically, the luggage hook assembly is disposed either in the rear portion of the leg shield or below the front portion of the seat and above the floorboard.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0003] The above and other features, aspects and advantages of the subject matter will be better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where:
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a layout of a typical scooter'type motorcycle with a luggage hook assembly.
[0005] Figure 2 illustrates a front cover assembly of the scooter type motorcycle.
[0006] Figure 3 illustrates a front cover assembly including a back cover sub-assembly.
[0007] Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of the front cover assembly.
[0008] Figure 5 illustrates a back cover assembly of the front cover assembly.
[0009] Figure 6 illustrates an exploded view depicting assembly of the guide member.
[00010] Figure 7 illustrates a back cover subassembly.

[00011] Figure 8 illustrates a sectional view of the back cover subassembly taken along ab axis.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00012] The major benefits that a scooter type motorcycle" offers is that it provides a storage space to accommodate articles such as helmet, documents, bags etc. In a known art, the luggage hook assembly is disposed below the seat in a manner such that it is directly mounted to a front wall of the utility box through a large cut out provided in the front cover of the scooter type motorcycle. Such an arrangement for the disposition of the luggage hook assembly leads to poor vehicle aesthetics, as the cut out provided in the cover front is visible externally. Moreover, a metal plate is secured in luggage hook assembly provided in the utility box, where the luggage hook assembly is mounted, to provide structural support and to enhance the stiffness of the hook. However, in such an arrangement provided for the disposition of the luggage hook assembly there is a high possibility of the metal plate rusting, as water entry through the cut out provided in the cover front is inevitable. Thereby, the stiffness of the luggage hook assembly is affected. In addition, the use of metal plate leads to increased part count, manufacturing cost and weight of the vehicle, which is undesirable.
[00013] Moreover, there is known in the art other luggage hooks that are disposed below the seat and which project outwards. Such luggage hooks act as an obstruction for the placement of goods or articles on the floorboard and between the rider's feet as the projecting luggage hook interferes with the goods, thereby increasing the chances of damage to the luggage hook.
[00014] Further, in a know art, the luggage hook assembly is disposed in a depression provided in a front cover of the scooter type motorcycle. [00015] However, the assembly of the luggage hook assembly on to the front cover consumes lot of time while assembling and in addition, upon frequent usage of the hook arm lower and the hook arm upper, the area of contact between the luggage hook assembly and the front cover wears off resulting in poor aesthetics of the vehicle. Further, wearing of the front cover leads to replacement of entire

. front cover with a new front cover. Further, the damaged front cover does not support the luggage hook assembly sufficiently and results in displacement of the luggage hook assembly while operating by the user.
[00016] It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a retractable luggage hook assembly for a scooter type motorcycle, which adds appeal-to the vehicle aesthetics. It is yet another object of the invention to provide a durable luggage hook assembly. Thus, the present invention relates to a luggage hook assembly for a scooter type motorcycle.
[00017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the luggage hook assembly is supported on a back cover adapted to be mounted on the front cover.
[00018] The front cover is configured to include a cutout capable of receiving the back cover supporting the luggage hook assembly. Therefore, the assembly of the back cover on the front cover consumes less assembly time as compared to the prior arts.
[00019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the luggage hook assembly comprises a hook arm upper, a hook arm lower and a locking subassembly. In one aspect of the proposed invention, the locking sub assembly comprises an upper groove, a lower groove, a locking pin, a spring and a guide member. In another aspect of the invention, the locking subassembly comprises an upper groove, lower groove, a locking spindle, and a spring, wherein the locking spindle is integrally formed with hook arm upper.
[00020] Further, a slot is provided in the space between the upper groove and the lower groove to receive a guide member facilitating the movement of the hook arm lower with respect to the back cover. According to one aspect, 'the guide member covers the clearance between the luggage hook assembly and the back cover. By controlling the clearance between the luggage hook assembly and the back cover, the displacement of the luggage hook assembly while operating is restricted.

[00021] Further, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a guide member is interposed in between' the back cover and the luggage hook
assembly. The guide member is interposed in between the hook arm lower and the
i
back cover. The guide member prevents wearing of the back cover due to friction between the hook arm lower and the back cover that may occur during operation of the luggage hook assembly. Therefore, a more stable and reliable operation of the luggage hook assembly is achieved according to the proposed invention.
[00022] Further, the back cover is prevented from wearing off and the aesthetics of the vehicle is preserved.
[00023] Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the back ■ cover supporting the luggage hook assembly is secured to a rear side of the front cover. Therefore, the securing means for example, fasteners are not visible on the front surface of the front cover. The fasteners remain on the rear side of the front cover and the aesthetics of the vehicle are improved.
[00024] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the back cover comprises one or more slots. The one or more slots facilitate the mounting of the back cover to the rear side of the front cover. Hence, the back cover is detachably attachable to the rear side of the back cover. Further, the back cover provides ease of assembly on to the front cover.
[00025] Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the luggage hook assembly includes a locking member disposed in between a hook arm upper and a hook arm lower. The hook arm upper and the hook arm lower are configured accordingly to receive the locking member. The locking member ensures safe retaining of the articles belonging to the rider. For example, . a helmet can be locked by using the locking member.
[00026] The previously mentioned and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in detail in conjunction with the figures in the following description.

[00027] In Figure 1, a layout of a typical scooter type motorcycle 100 with a luggage hook assembly 10 according to the present invention is elaborated. In the present embodiment, the scooter type motorcycle 100 includes a body frame (not shown) supporting a power unit 4 in the rear portion, a front wheel 3 and, a rear wheel 12. Further, the body frame (not shown) includes a head pipe (not shown) that pivotally supports a front fork 5, such that the front fork 5 is steerable to left and right. The front wheel 3 is joumaled to a lower end of a front fork 5. A front fender 6 is arranged on the front fork 5 to cover an upper portion of the front wheel 3. Further, a steering mechanism such as a handle bar 11 is fixed to an upper end of the head pipe (not shown). , [00028] The front portion of the body frame (not shown) is covered by a leg shield 15, which is positioned in front of the driver's legs to protect the driver's legs from wind or objects. A floorboard 16, on which a rider can place his or her ■ feet, is arranged between the leg shield 15 and a pair of left and right side covers 17. The pair of left and right side covers 17 are disposed below a seat 19, which is supported by a rear portion of the body frame (not shown). Further, a front cover assembly 8 is disposed below a front portion of the seat assembly 19 and above the floorboard 16. The luggage hook assembly 10 for suspending handbags, helmets, shopping bags and the like is disposed in the front cover 8. ' [00029] Figure 2 illustrates a front cover assembly 8 of the scooter type motorcycle 1. As.may be seen in the figure, a cutout 101 is provided in an upper portion of the front cover 8, wherein the cutout 101 is configured to receive the. luggage hook assembly. According to the present embodiment, the luggage hook assembly is assembled on to the front cover 8 from rear side. [00030] The construction of the luggage hook assembly 10 in accordance to the present invention will be elaborated with reference to Figures 3-9. [00031] Figure 3 illustrates a front cover assembly including a back cover sub¬assembly. The front cover assembly 8 includes a back cover assembly 103. The back cover assembly 103 supports the luggage hook assembly 10. The front cover assembly 8 is configured with one or more projections 102 capable of receiving the back cover assembly 103. The one or more projections 102 are disposed on a

rear surface of the front cover assembly 8. Hence, the back cover assembly 103 is mounted on the rear surface of the front cover assembly 8. The luggage hook . assembly 10 projects outwards from the cutout 101. Therefore, the luggage hook assembly 10 can be accessed easily through the cutout 101. According to the proposed invention, the back cover assembly 103 is assembled on the rear side of the front cover assembly 8. Hence, the fasteners are not visible from the front side and the aesthetics of the vehicle-is improved. Further, good fit and finish is achieved by mounting the back cover assembly 103 on the rear surface of the front cover assembly 8, such that, only the luggage hook assembly 10 is visible ~ and accessible to the rider.
[00032] Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of the front cover assembly. As may be seen in the figure, the luggage hook assembly 10 comprises a hook arm upper 10a, a hook arm lower iOb and a locking sub assembly 204, wherein the locking sub assembly 104 is disposed perpendicular to the surface of the back cover assembly 103. The hook arm upper 10a and the hook arm lower 10b are secured to each other by means of the locking sub assembly 204.
[00033] In one aspect of the invention, as illustrated by Figure 3, the locking sub ■ assembly 204 comprises an upper groove lOf, a lower groove lOg, a locking pin 10c, a spring lOd and a guide member lOe. The upper groove lOf and the lower groove lOg are disposed on the surface of the back cover assembly 103 of the front cover assembly 8. In the present embodiment, the upper groove lOf and the lower groove lOg are integrally formed on the back cover assembly 103, one below the other and with a space therebetween. A slot lOh is provided in the space between the upper groove lOf and the lower groove lOg. Further, the upper groove lOf and the lower groove lOg receive the hook arm upper 10a and the hook arm lower 10b. The hook arm upper 10a is configured to .receive the locking pin 10c from a top side. The hook arm upper 10a, the locking pin 10c and the spring lOd, jointly secured by a circlip (not shown) from the bottom side are inserted into the upper groove lOf. The guide member lOe is detachably attached to the slot lOh provided on the back cover assembly 103. The hook arm upper 10a

is firmly secured in the upper groove lOf by means of the locking pin 10c and the guide member lOe. Further, the hook arm lower 10b is secured between the upper groove lOf and the lower groove lOg through the locking pin 10c adapted to be inserted into an aperture provided in the hook arm lower 10b. Thus, the luggage hook assembly 10 is secured on the back cover assembly 103 of the front cover assembly 8.
[00034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the hook arm
upper 10a and the hook arm lower 10b are capable of being movable from a first
position to a second position. The first position includes the hook arm upper 10a
and the hook arm lower 10b disposed substantially parallel to the front cover
assembly 8, and the second position includes the hook arm upper 10a and the
hook arm lower 10b disposed substantially perpendicular to the front cover
assembly 8.
[00035] Figure 5 illustrates a back cover assembly. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the back cover assembly 103 includes the luggage hook assembly 10. The back cover assembly includes a front face 104 projecting outwards from in between a pair of sidewalls 105. The front face 104 receives the luggage hook assembly 10 according to an embodiment. The front face 104 carrying the luggage hook assembly 10 is accessible through the cutout (not seen) in the front cover assembly. The pair of sidewalls 105 are mounted to the rear surface of the front cover assembly through one or more provisions 102. Therefore, the back cover assembly 103 is configured such that, only the front face 104 carrying the luggage hook assembly 10 projects out of the cutout and the remaining part of the back cover assembly 103 including the pair of sidewalls 105 remains behind the front cover assembly. Therefore, good fit and finish is - achieved through the proposed invention and the aesthetics of the vehicle is improved.
[00036] Further, according to an embodiment; the guide member lOe is detachably attached to the slot lOh. The guide member lOe fills the gap if any between the luggage hook assembly 10 and the front face 104 and prevents any

displacement and vibration of the luggage hook assembly 10. Therefore, more reliable and durable luggage hook assembly 10 is achieved through the proposed invention.
[00037] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the luggage hook assembly 10 includes a locking member 205 disposed in between a hook arm upper 10a and a hook arm lower 10b. The hook arm upper 10a and the hook arm lower 10b are configured accordingly to receive the locking member 205. The locking member 205 ensures safe retaining of the articles belonging to the rider.
[00038] Figure 6 illustrates an exploded view depicting assembly of the guide member. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the guide member lOe is press fitted into the slot lOh disposed just below the upper groove lOf. The guide member lOe is configured to fit into the slot 10b.
[00039] Figure 8 illustrates a sectional view taken along ab axis of the back cover assembly as illustrated in Figure 7. The front face 104 projects outwardly from the pair of sidewalls 105. It is observed from the figure that the pair of sidewalls 105 is situated at a plane higher than that of the plane wherein the front face 104 is situated. The front face 104 is configured to receive the guide member lOe through the slot (not shown). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the guide member lOe is snap fitted into the slot provided in the front face 104. The. guide member lOe is firmly fitted into the front face 105. The contact area 203 indicates the snap fit details between the guide member lOe and the front face 104.
[00040] Figure 9a illustrates a front view of a guide member. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the guide member lOe includes a pair of outwardly projecting lateral hands lOea. The pair of lateral hands lOea project outwards from rear side of the guide member lOe. The pair of lateral hands lOea facilitate snap fitting of the guide member lOe along with the front face (not seen). Further, the middle portion of the guide member comprises an uneven surface lOeb to receive grooves disposed on the hook arm lower.

[00041] Figure 9b illustrates a-rear perspective of the guide member. The lateral hands lOea extend away from the rear surface.of the guide member and extend outwardly. The uneven surface lOeb is situated in between the lateral hands lOea. The uneven surface lOeb includes a depression lOec configured to receive the grooves disposed at a bottom portion of the hook arm lower.
[00042] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the back cover sub-assembly 103 is made of polymer.
[00043] 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 front cover assembly (8) disposed below a seat assembly (19) and rearwardly to a floorboard (16); and
a luggage hook assembly (10) comprising a hook arm upper (10a), a hook arm lower (10b), a locking sub assembly (104) including an. upper groove (lOf), a lower groove (lOg), a locking pin (10c), a spring (lOd) and a guide member (lOe), said hook arm upper (10a) and said hook arm lower (10b) are capable of selectively moving from a first position to a second position; characterized in that,
said front cover assembly (8) includes a back cover sub-assembly (103) comprising a front face (104) projecting outwardly through a cutout (101) on said front cover assembly (8), wherein said back cover sub-assembly (103) is detachably attachable on a rear surface of said front cover assembly (8), and wherein, said front face (104) supports said luggage hook assembly (10).
2. The step-through scooter type motorcycle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said front face (104) projects forwardly from in between a pair of sidewalls (105) extending away from said front face (104), said pair of sidewalls (105) enable detachable attachment of. said back cover sub¬assembly (103) to said rear surface of said front cover assembly (8).
3. The step-through scooter type motorcycle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said back cover sub assembly (103) is disposed substantially parallel to said front cover assembly (8).
4. The step-through scooter type motorcycle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said back cover sub-assembly (103) is configured to receive a guide member (lOe).

5. The step-through scooter type motorcycle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guide member (lOe) is interposed in between said back cover sub-assembly (103) and said hook arm lower (10b).
6. The step-through scooter type motorcycle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hook arm upper (10a) and the hook arm lower (10b) are secured to each other by means of the locking sub assembly (204).
7. The step-through scooter type motorcycle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first position includes the hook arm upper (10a) and the hook arm lower (10b) disposed substantially parallel to the front cover assembly (8), and the second position includes the hook arm upper (10a) and the hook arm lower (10b) disposed substantially perpendicular to the front cover assembly (8).
8. The step-through scooter type motorcycle (100) as claimed in claim I, wherein said luggage hook assembly (10) includes a locking member (205) disposed in between said hook arm upper (10a) and said hook arm lower (10b).
9. The step-through scooter type motorcycle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said back cover sub-assembly (103) is made of polymer.
10. The step-through scooter type motorcycle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said back cover sub-assembly (103) is fixedly attached to said front cover assembly (8).