DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a step through type vehicle and more particularly, but not exclusively to a tail cover assembly for the step through type vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Typically, vehicle layout design for a step-through type scooter type motorcycle features a step-through frame and a flat surface called as a floorboard used for disposing legs of a rider when the rider puts his/her feet on the floorboard. Further, the scooter features bodywork, including a front leg shield and body that conceals all or most of the mechanisms.
[0003] Most of the vehicular parts in the scooter type motorcycle are concealed by the one or more body panels. Likewise, a rear portion of the vehicle is also covered by a tail cover assembly. The tail cover assembly may include one or more covers. The tail cover assembly is configured to support and cover at least a portion of the tail lamp assembly.
[0004] Furthermore, the tail cover assembly improves the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle by substantially covering the see through gaps if any at the rear portion of the vehicle. Further, the tail cover assembly effectively covers rear portion of the vehicle frame assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0005] 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:
[0006] Fig. 1 shows a left side perspective view of the scooter type vehicle.
[0007] Fig. 2 illustrates a tail cover assembly configured to accommodate a key access according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0008] Fig. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a tail cover center piece being exploded from the tail cover assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] Fig. 4 illustrates a rear portion of the two-wheeled vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[00010] Fig. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention.
[00011] Fig 6 illustrates a sectional view of the rear portion of the scooter taken along the vehicle longitudinal axis PP` according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[00012] Fig. 7a and Fig. 7b illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00013] Generally, in a two-wheeled vehicle, all or most of the vehicular parts are concealed or covered by a number of body panels. The number of body panels includes a front panel, a rear panel, a front cover, and a rear cover. A rear portion disposed rearwardly to a floorboard assembly of the vehicle is covered by the side panels including the right side panel and the left side panel. Particularly, the sides of the rear portion of the vehicle are covered by the side panels.
Further, the rear most portion of the vehicle, in particular the rearmost portion of a vehicle frame assembly of the vehicle is covered by a tail cover assembly. The tail cover assembly includes at least a portion of the side panels.
[00014] Generally, to access an under seat area of the two-wheeled vehicle, a key access is disposed on either of the right side panel and the left side panel. Every time, the user has to access the under seat area, the user has to get out of the vehicle and insert the key in the key access area. The key access area is not a comfortable location under certain circumstances, including a parking lot, wherein huge number of vehicles are parked under a compact and tightly packed space and adjacent to each other in the locality. Under many situations, due to lack of space, the key cannot be inserted into the key access area. Further, sometimes, the user of the vehicle might overlook the inserted key on the side panel and try to park the vehicle in a compact space. Because of which, the key inserted in the key access area is subject to deformation and becomes useless for immediate use by the user. Therefore, such a location for providing key access area on the side panels including the right side panel and the left side panel is not desired by the user.
[00015] Furthermore, the visibility of the key access area disposed on the right side panel and the left side panel accounts to poor aesthetic appeal of the vehicle.
[00016] Further, particularly, during filling of the fuel into the fuel tank disposed in the under seat area of the vehicle, the user has to insert the key in the key access area whilst standing closer to the key access area. There might be a possibility that the key inserted into the key access area interferes with the thighs of the rider causing harm to the rider.
[00017] Furthermore, due to presence of the key access area on any one of the side panels, the width of the vehicle increases. The increased width of the vehicle at the rear portion is not preferred aerodynamically due to lack of channelization of the flowing atmospheric air during vehicle running condition.
[00018] Therefore, the present invention provides a more convenient key access area for easier accessibility of the rider.
[00019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the key access area is disposed downstream of the seat assembly and the one or more access portions provide access to the key of the user along a vertical direction, that is from the top side of the vehicle. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the key access is disposed in the tail cover assembly. The tail cover assembly is disposed rearwardly to a seat assembly when viewed from the plan view. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the fuel tank cap is disposed closer to the key access area. The key access area disposed on the tail cover assembly enables better convenience to the user and provides easier operation to the user. The key access is disposed on the tail cover assembly prevents contact of the key inserted in the key access area with the rider’s thighs. This further ensures that the vehicle width is maintained resulting in compactness of the vehicle.
[00020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the access portion that can be used to dispose the key access area is disposed on the tail cover assembly, in particular on a tail cover center piece that is disposed in between a right side panel and a left side panel. The access portion is disposed on at least one of a right side, a left side and on the vehicle longitudinal axis. passing through the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The vehicle longitudinal axis passes through the vehicle starting from the vehicle front towards the vehicle rear passing through a handlebar assembly, through a seat assembly and passing through a middle portion of the tail cover center piece. The access portion so disposed at a close proximity to the vehicle longitudinal axis is also disposed at a close proximity to the fuel tank opening. This way it is easy to access the access portion and simultaneously the fuel tank opening by the rider. Further, the key inserted into in the access portion does not interfere with the surrounding objects as well as with the body of the rider. Therefore, the access portion provided on the tail cover center piece is the most comfortable position for inserting the key by the user to access the fuel tank opening and also to access an under seat area.
[00021] These and other advantages of the present invention is provided in the following detailed description of the accompanying drawings.
[00022] Fig. 1 shows a left side perspective view of the scooter type vehicle. The vehicle 100 has a body frame assembly made up of several tubes welded together which usually supports the body of the said vehicle. The vehicle 100 has a steerable front wheel 101 and a driven rear wheel 102. The body 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 frame assembly includes a head tube 104, a main frame 111 and also may have a sub-frame. The sub-frame is attached to the main frame 111 using appropriate joining mechanism. The frame assembly is covered by a plurality of vehicle body covers including a front panel 103, a rear cover (not shown), a left front bottom panel 105, and a side panel 106.
[00023] A handlebar assembly 109 and a seat assembly 116 are supported at opposing ends of the frame assembly and a generally open area is defined there between known as floorboard 108 which functions as a step through space. The seat assembly 116 for a driver and a pillion is placed forward to a fuel tank and rear side of floorboard 108. A front fender 107 is provided above the front wheel 101 to avoid the vehicle 100 and its occupants from being splashed with mud. Likewise, a rear fender 112 is placed between the fuel tank (not shown) and the rear wheel 102, and to the outer side in the radial direction of the rear wheel 102. The rear fender 112 inhibits rain water or the like from being thrown up by the rear wheel 102. A front cover assembly 115 is disposed rearwardly to the floorboard 108 and under the seat assembly 116.
[00024] Suspensions are provided for comfortable steering of the vehicle on the road. A front suspension assembly (not shown) is connected to a front fork 118. The rear suspension assembly comprises of at least one rear suspension 117 preferably on the left side of the vehicle. However, a vehicle with two rear suspensions, namely on the left side and the right side of the vehicle at the rear portion is also possible. For the safety of the user and in conformance with the traffic rules, a headlamp assembly 110 in the front portion of the vehicle and a taillight assembly 114 in the rear portion of the vehicle 100 is also provided.
[00025] For the utility of the rider, a secondary storage assembly 113 is disposed in front of the front cover assembly 115.
[00026] Fig. 2 illustrates a tail cover assembly configured to accommodate a key access according to another embodiment of the present invention. The key access 204 is disposed on a right side of the tail cover center piece 202. Since, the key access 204 is disposed at a closer proximity to the fuel input 205, and on the tail cover center piece 202, the user can conveniently reach on to the key access 204 and the fuel input 205. Under certain circumstances like filling of fuel, the pillion can easily access the key access 204 and the fuel can be readily filled into the fuel tank. Therefore, a more comfortable and easily accessible location is provided for the key access 204.
[00027] Fig. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a tail cover center piece being exploded from the tail cover assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle 100 includes a rear portion 100r being substantially covered by a tail cover assembly 206. The tail cover assembly 206 includes a pair of side panels 106l, 106r and a tail cover center piece 202 disposed in between the pair of side panels 106l, 106r and coupling the pair of side panels 106l, 106r from the rear direction. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the tail cover center piece 202 covers at least an upper surface of the fuel tank assembly 208.
[00028] Further, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the fuel tank access to the fuel tank assembly 208 through the fuel input 205 is disposed on the tail cover center piece 202 and one or more access portions 203 is disposed on a right side of the vehicle longitudinal axis PP` and towards the right side of the fuel input 205. The one or more access portions 203 in the present embodiment includes a key access 204 configured to receive a key from the user for authorized access to the fuel tank and as well and an under-seat area of the vehicle for utility by the user.
[00029] Furthermore, the key access 204 provided at a close proximity and to the right side of the fuel input 205 allows easy access of the fuel input 205 simultaneous to the key access 204. This way, the user does not have to access two different places for the key access and again for the fuel input. The user is not subject to discomfort and further, the key access area is not disposed on the readily visible body cover. Therefore, the aesthetics of the vehicle is improved.
[00030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the tail cover center piece 202 is approximately perpendicular to the surface of the pair of side panels 106l, 106r. The one or more access portions 203 is accessed by inserting the key in the key access 204 along a vertical direction V and the key access 204 is facing towards the top side of the vehicle. The insertion of the key along the vertical direction V allows the user to insert the key even in a tightly packed parking space. Further, the so inserted key also does not interfere with the user’s body while accessing the fuel input 205.
[00031] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more access portions 203 are for example, one or more holes configured to receive the key access 204.
[00032] Fig. 4 illustrates a rear portion of the two-wheeled vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. The key access 204 is disposed downstream of the seat assembly 116 and facing top side thereby enabling ease of access and compact lateral width and packaging of the vehicle. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the tail cover center piece 202 is disposed rearwardly to the seat assembly 116. The tail cover center piece 202 is configured to support the key access 204. The key access 204 is configured to be disposed in the one or more access portions 203 provided on the tail cover center piece 202. The one or more access portions 203 are disposed in any one or two locations on the tail cover assembly 202. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the key access 204 and the one or more access portions 203 are disposed on the left side of the tail cover center piece 202. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more access portions 203 are disposed at a close proximity to the fuel input 205. Therefore, an easier and quicker access to the fuel input 205 is attained by the user by just accessing the key access 204.
[00033] Fig. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention. According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the key access 204 is disposed on the vehicle longitudinal axis PP` that passes through the tail cover center piece 202 centrally. Fig 6 illustrates a sectional view of the rear portion of the scooter taken along the vehicle longitudinal axis PP` according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The tail cover center piece 202 is disposed rearwardly to the seat assembly 116. The tail cover center piece 202 is configured to support the key access 204. The key access 204 is configured to be disposed in one or more access portions 203 provided on the tail cover center piece 202. The one or more access portions 203 are disposed in any one or two locations on the tail cover assembly 202. According to the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in the Fig. 4, the one or more access portions 203 are disposed on the vehicle longitudinal axis PP`. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more access portions 203 are disposed at a close proximity to the fuel input 205 (not shown). Therefore, an easier and quicker access to the fuel input 205 is attained by the user by just accessing the key access 204.
[00034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least an inner peripheral portion 202a of the tail cover center piece 202 is tucked underneath at least a portion of a pillion handle assembly 209 disposed rearwardly to the seat assembly 116. The overlapping assembly of the at least a portion of the pillion handle assembly 209 with the inner peripheral portion 202a of the tail cover center piece 202 prevents entry of rain water, dust, mud and other foreign objects into the area underneath the tail cover center piece 202. Further, the key access 204 disposed underneath the tail cover center piece 202 is also protected from external environmental factors. Furthermore, the key access 204 made of metallic material is prevented from undergoing rusting and further deterioration. Therefore, durability of the key access 204 is increased and a reliable operation of the key access 204 is ensured.
[00035] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the seat assembly 116 includes a highest point Hp disposed in a first plane P1. Furthermore, the one or more access portions 203 is disposed in a second plane P2. The second plane P2 is disposed downstream of the first plane P1. This way, the one or more access portions 203 do not interfere with the other vehicular parts, the users of the vehicles, and also with the vehicles in the surrounding environment.
[00036] Furthermore, the one or more access portions 203 is configured to receive the key access 204 along a vertical direction K. The vertical direction K provides easy access to the key access 204 for the user to easily insert the key in order to access the fuel input (now shown).
[00037] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the key access 204 is detachably attached to the one or more access portions 203.
[00038] Fig. 7a and Fig. 7b illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention. According to a third embodiment of the present invention, the key access 204 is disposed on a left side of the vehicle longitudinal axis PP`. The key access 204 is disposed at a close proximity to the fuel input 205 for easy access.
[00039] 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.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A step-through saddle type vehicle (100) comprising:
a seat assembly (116) disposed rearwardly to a handlebar assembly (109) of the vehicle (100); and
a tail cover assembly (206) disposed underneath said seat assembly (116), said tail cover assembly (206) includes a pair of side panels (106l, 106r) and a tail cover center piece (202) disposed between said pair of side panels (106l, 106r),
wherein,
said tail cover center piece (202) includes one or more access portions (203) disposed on at least one of a right side, a left side and along a vehicle longitudinal axis (PP`).
2. The step-through saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tail cover center piece (202) includes a fuel input (205) disposed at a close proximity to said one or more access portions (203).
3. The step-through saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tail cover center piece (202) includes a fuel input (205) disposed along said vehicle longitudinal axis (PP`) and at least one key access (204) disposed on at least one of said right side of said vehicle longitudinal axis (PP`) and said left side of said vehicle longitudinal axis (PP`).
4. The step-through saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more access portions (203) is configured to receive at least one key access (204).
5. The step-through saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more access portions (203) are one or more holes.
6. The step-through saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tail cover center piece (202) includes an inner peripheral portion (202a) configured to overlap with at least a portion of a pillion handle assembly (209) in assembled condition.
7. The step-through saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one key access (204) is detachably attached to said one or more access portions (203).
8. The step-through saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more access portions (203) is configured to receive the key access 204 along a vertical direction (V).
9. A step-through saddle type vehicle (100) comprising:
a seat assembly (116) disposed rearwardly to a handlebar assembly (109) of the vehicle (100); and
a tail cover assembly (206) disposed underneath said seat assembly (116), said tail cover assembly (206) includes a pair of side panels (106l, 106r) and a tail cover center piece (202) disposed between said pair of side panels (106l, 106r),
wherein,
said tail cover center piece (202) includes one or more access portions (203) disposed in a second plane (P2) located downstream to a first plane (P1) comprising a highest point (Hp) of the seat assembly (116) and said one or more access portions (203) is configured to provide access along a vertical direction (K).