DESC:Technical Field
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a step-through vehicle and particularly, but not exclusively relates to a structure of a grab handle for said step through vehicle.

Background
[0002] Typically, a grab handle made of aluminium or plastic is provided in two-wheeled vehicles such as a step-through vehicle to facilitate a pillion rider to hold onto said vehicle while riding. A grab handle also facilitates a rider while applying a centre stand of said vehicle. Contemporary two-wheeled vehicles also utilise said grab handle for enhancing an overall aesthetic appeal of the vehicle. For example, some two-wheeled vehicles make use of a split grab handle, which not only aids in providing grip support for a passenger seated in a rear seat, but also aids in improving overall aesthetic appeal of said vehicles, especially when viewed from a vehicle rearward direction.
[0003] A conventional split grab handle employed in a two-wheeled vehicle comprises a left grab handle and right grab handle, each grab handle including a mounting portion independent of the other. In other words, said left grab handle and said right grab handle are provided in a manner so that they are disjoint and are independently secured to a mounting bracket provided in a body frame of said two-wheeled vehicle. However, securing said left grab handle and right grab handle independently of one another results in creation of height difference/level difference between the two, owing to variations that may arise in said body frame including in a mounting bracket provided therein. Further, said left grab handle and said right grab handle provided independently of each other also lack sufficient form stiffness and are prone to buckling due to load.
[0004] In a known art which tries to address a problem of form stiffness in said split grab handle, an additional member which is substantially triangular in shape is provided which serves to bridge said mounting portion of each of said left grab handle and said right grab handle to each other from a top side thereof, and thereby aids in increasing form stiffness of said left and right grab handle. However, construction of said left and right grab handle as per the above description leads to a significant increase in weight of said left and right grab handle which is undesirable. Further, manufacturing difficulty and manufacturing cost also increases.
[0005] There is therefore a need to overcome problems described in the background.

Summary of the Invention
[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances.
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a step-through vehicle including a grab handle which is light in weight yet sturdy.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a step-through vehicle including a grab handle having a structure which enhances overall aesthetic appeal of said step-through vehicle.
[0009] The above and other objectives are achieved by providing a step-through vehicle with a grab handle adapted to be mounted to a rear mounting bracket disposed at a rear portion of a body frame of said vehicle and below a seat of said vehicle. As per an aspect of the present invention said grab handle integrally includes a left handle member and right handle member, at least a portion of each handle member protruding outwardly from below said seat and further extending rearwardly along a side portion of said seat towards a rear end of said vehicle. Particularly, when viewed from a rear side of said vehicle, said left handle member and said right handle member extend independently of one other.
[0010] As per an aspect of the present invention, said left handle member and said right handle member each comprises a mounting portion disposed in a front end, a supporting portion located behind the front end and a grabbing portion disposed in a rear end. Further, said grab handle includes a bridge member bridging said supporting portion of said left handle member and said right handle member. In other words, said bridge member extends from said supporting portion on one side of said grab handle and terminates at said supporting portion on other side of said grab handle. As per one aspect of the present invention, said bridge member is formed proximal to said front mounting portion of said left handle member and said right handle member. Providing said bridge member as per an embodiment of the present invention aids in ensuring that there is equal load distribution between said left handle member and said right handle member, said left handle member and said right handle member being disjoint at their rear ends. Moreover, as per another aspect of the present invention, said supporting portion of each of said left handle member and said right handle member has a thickness substantially greater than that of thickness of said grabbing portion. Thus, the supporting portion on either side of said grab handle together with said bridging member aids in improving form stiffness of said grab handle.
[0011] Further, as per one more aspect of the present invention, width of said bridge member is not maintained uniform throughout its length. For example, as per one embodiment of the present invention, width of said bridge member is maintained greater at its bridging portions in comparison to its central portion. Construction of said bridge member in accordance with an aspect of the present invention ensures that weight of said bridge member and that of the grab handle does not increase significantly.
[0012] Thus, the construction of the grab handle as per the principles of the present invention ensures that form stiffness of said grab handle is maintained while weight of said grab handle does not go up significantly. Moreover, since said left and right handle members are connected at a front portion it is ensured that said grab handle is mounted as a single entity to said rear mounting bracket, thereby ensuring that there is no height difference between said left handle member and said right handle member in an assembled condition, and thereby ensuring gripping comfort of a pillion rider.
[0013] Summary provided above explains the basic features of the invention and does not limit the scope of the invention. The nature and further characteristic features of the present invention will be made clearer from the following descriptions made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of Drawings
[0014] The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will be better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings where:
[0015] FIG.1 illustrates a side view of a step-through vehicle including a grab handle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG.2 illustrates a perspective view of a body frame of said step through vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG.3 illustrates a perspective view of said grab handle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG.4 illustrates an exploded view depicting mounting of said grab handle to a rear mounting bracket provided in said body frame in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
[0019] FIG.5 illustrates a cross sectional view taken along a line A-A and depicting a portion of a utility box resting against at least a portion of said grab handle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description
[0020] The present subject matter relates to a grab handle for a step-through vehicle and particularly relates to a structure of said grab handle.
[0021] Exemplary embodiments detailing features of said grab handle, in accordance with the present invention will be described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings. Various aspects of different embodiments of the present invention will become discernible from the following description set out hereunder. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Further, it is to be noted that terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “front”, “forward”, “rearward”, “downward”, “upward”, “top”, “bottom” and like terms are used herein based on the illustrated state or in a standing state of said step-through vehicle with a driver riding thereon unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, a vehicle longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to said vehicle, while a vehicle lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to said vehicle. Particularly, a vehicle width direction refers to a direction along/parallel to a vehicle lateral axis. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Further, it is to be noted that although the present invention has been exemplified for a step-through vehicle such as a scooter, scooterette and the like, it is also applicable for any two wheeled vehicle such as a motorcycle.
[0022] Firstly a description is made of an entire schematic structure of a step-through vehicle 10 such as a scooter with reference to FIG.1 in accordance with the present invention.
[0023] FIG.1 illustrates a perspective view of said step-through vehicle 10. As shown in FIG.1, said vehicle 10 includes a body frame 11 (shown in FIG.2), for example an underbone body frame, made of a metal, alloy or a polymeric material and covered by various body covers. The body frame 11 supports a steering assembly including a steering shaft (not shown), and a handlebar 12 in a front portion thereof. A front fork 13 is pivotally supported to the steering shaft. The handlebar 12 provided above the front fork 13 allows steering of a front wheel 20. At least a portion of the handlebar 12 is housed in a front cowl assembly 25 disposed in a front portion of said vehicle, and being supported by at least a portion of said body frame 11.
[0024] A front panel assembly 30 is disposed below said front cowl assembly 25 for covering a front portion of said body frame 11 extending below said front cowl assembly 25. In the present embodiment, said front panel assembly 30 accommodates a headlamp unit 32.
[0025] A front fender 35 is disposed below said front panel assembly 30 and extending forwardly of said front panel assembly 30. The front fender 35 is provided to cover an upper portion of said front wheel 20 to prevent dust and debris splashed by the rotating front wheel 20 from striking parts lying behind the front wheel 20. A rear panel (not shown) is provided to cover a rearward facing side of the body frame 11. The rear panel acts as a leg shield and protects a rider’s legs from a running wind blowing in a direction opposite to that of motorcycle running direction. Further, a floorboard 36 is also provided for a rider to place his legs and is disposed below the rear panel.
[0026] Left and right side covers 40 are disposed to cover left and right side surfaces of a rear portion of the body frame 11. A seat 45 is disposed above the left and right side covers 40. A grab handle 50 is mounted to a portion of said body frame 11 and is disposed below said seat 45. At least a portion of said grab handle 50 protrudes outwardly in a vehicle width direction from below said seat 45 and further extends rearwardly along a side portion of said seat 45 towards a rear end of said vehicle. Said grab handle 50 allows a pillion rider to have a grip over the vehicle to support himself.
[0027] A fuel tank (not shown) is arranged in a rear portion of the body frame 11. The fuel tank forms a part of a fuel supply system. The fuel tank supplies fuel for powering an engine 60. The engine 60 including a cylinder head (not shown) and a cylinder block (not shown) is powered by an air fuel mixture sent in by a throttle body of said fuel supply system to a combustion chamber of the engine 60.
[0028] Further, combustion gases generated by the engine 60 is let out as exhaust from a muffler extending along a right hand side of said vehicle 10.
[0029] A toggle link member (not shown) supports the engine 60 swingably on a lower side of the left and right side covers 40. A rear wheel 65 is connected to the toggle link member via the engine 60. Power from the engine 60 is transmitted to the rear wheel 65 for driving said vehicle 10 by means of a transmission assembly.
[0030] Suspensions are provided for comfortable steering of the vehicle on the road. A front suspension assembly (not shown) includes the front fork 13. Further, a rear suspension assembly is provided which is a hydraulic damped arrangement and is connected to the body frame 11. In another embodiment, said rear suspension assembly includes two rear suspension members 16, connected to the rear portion of the body frame 11.
[0031] For the safety of the user and in conformance with the traffic, a taillight 70 is also provided in the rear portion of said step-through vehicle 10.
[0032] FIG.2 illustrates a perspective view of said body frame 11. As may be seen, said body frame 11 includes a head tube 11a, a main tube 11b extending downwardly and rearwardly from said head tube 11a, a pair of floorboard support tubes 11c supported to said main tube 11b, a front cross bridge 11d bridging the pair of floorboard support tubes 11c at a rear end of said pair of floorboard support tubes 11c, and a pair of side tubes 11e extending rearwardly and inclinedly upwards from the front cross bridge 11d. At a rear end of said pair of side tubes 11e, a rear mounting bracket 11f is provided, said rear mounting bracket 11f capable of receiving at least said grab handle 50. A plurality of mounting bosses are provided in said rear mounting bracket 11f for receiving corresponding mounting provisions of said grab handle 50.
[0033] FIG.3 illustrates a perspective view of said grab handle 50. The grab handle 50 as per the present invention integrally includes a left handle member 50a and a right handle member 50b. Further, each of said left handle member 50a and said right handle member 50b comprises a mounting portion 51 disposed on a front end of the grab handle 50, a supporting portion 52 disposed on an intermediate portion of the grab handle 50 and a grabbing portion 53 disposed on a rear end of the grab handle 50. Particularly, while said mounting portion 51 extends in a vehicle width direction, said supporting portion 52 extends upwardly and substantially inclinedly from said supporting portion 51 towards a vehicle rearward direction. Further, said grabbing portion 53 extends rearwardly and curves from said supporting portion 52 towards said rear end of said vehicle. In the present embodiment, said grabbing portion 53 of said left handle member 50a is maintained disjoint from said grabbing portion 53 of said right handle member 50b. In other words, when viewed from a vehicle rearward or vehicle sideward direction, said left handle member 50a and said right handle member 50b extend independently of one another. Further, said grab handle 50 integrally includes a bridge member 54 bridging said supporting portion 52 of each of said left handle member 50a and said right handle member 50b. In the present embodiment, and as may be seen in FIG.3, said bridge member 54 extends along a vehicle width direction, bridging supporting portion 52 of said left handle member 50a with said supporting portion 52 of said right handle member 50b. Further, as may be seen said bridge member 54 is provided rearwardly of said mounting portion 51 of said left and right handle members. The bridge member 54 as per the present invention serves to improve form stiffness of said grab handle 50. Moreover, since said bridge member 54 serves to bridge said left handle member 50a with said right handle member 50b, a problem of level difference between the grabbing portion in each of said left handle member 50a and said right handle member 50b, in an assembled condition of said grab handle 50 does not arise. Further, since said bridge member 54 is provided proximal to said mounting portion 51, said bridge member 54 remains below a portion of the seat 45 in an assembled condition of the grab handle 50, thereby ensuring that only said grabbing portion 53 of said left and right handle members is only visible from the outside. Moreover, presence of said bridge member 54 also aids in closing a through space that may be formed between said seat 45 and said grab handle 50, when viewed from a vehicle rearward direction, thereby aiding in enhancing aesthetic appeal of a rear portion of said vehicle. Further, in the present embodiment, width of said bridge member 54 is not maintained uniform throughout its length. For example, in the present embodiment, bridging portions 54a of the bridge member 54 have a width greater than width of a central portion 54b of said bridge member 54. In other words, width of said bridge member 54 is maintained larger closer to the supporting portion 52 of said left handle member 50a and said right handle member 50b, while a reduced width is maintained at the central portion 54b. As result of maintaining reduced width at the central portion 54b, it is ensured that unnecessary material addition does not happen for the bridge member 54, thereby ensuring an optimal weight for the bridge member 54. Therefore, the construction of said grab handle 50 as per the principles of the present invention aids in ensuring sufficient form stiffness while maintaining an optimal weight for the same.
[0034] FIG.4 illustrates an exploded view depicting mounting of said grab handle 50 to said rear mounting bracket 11f in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As may be seen, the mounting portion 51 of each of said left handle member 50a and said right handle member 50b is independently mounted to said rear mounting bracket 11f. Particularly, one or more mounting holes 51a are provided in each mounting portion 51 of said left handle member 50a and said right handle member 50b, which are aligned with corresponding one or more mounting bosses 11fa provided on either sides of said rear mounting bracket 11f, before using fasteners and washer members for securing said grab handle 50 to said rear mounting bracket 11f. Thus, although the mounting portion 51 of each of said left handle member 50a and said right handle member 50b is independently secured to said rear mounting bracket 11f, the grab handle 50 is mounted as a whole to the rear mounting bracket 11f owing to the presence of the bridge member 54 bridging said left handle member 50a and said right handle member 50b. As a result, alignment issues between said left handle member 50a and said right handle member 50b with respect to the rear mounting bracket 11f are done away with.
[0035] FIG.5 illustrates a cross sectional view taken along a line A-A, depicting position of said seat 45 and a utility box 47 with respect to the grab handle 50. As may be seen, a portion of the utility box 47, disposed below said seat 45 buts against a lug member 51b each provided in said mounting portion 51 of said left handle member 50a and said right handle member 50b. Particularly, in the present embodiment, the utility box 47 is sandwiched between the seat 45 disposed above it and the grab handle 50 disposed below it. A damper member 46 is provided in a base structure of said seat 45 protruding downwards towards said utility box 47. When load is applied on the seat 45 by a pillion rider, load transfer happens from the seat 45 to said grab handle 50 in accordance with the present embodiment. Particularly, the damper member 46 compresses against a portion of the utility box 47, causing said portion of the utility box 47 to but against the lug member 51b. Thus, the lug member acts as a load taking member and prevents breakage of portion of the grab handle as well as any peripheral parts.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A step-through vehicle (10) comprising:
a body frame (11) adapted to provide skeletal support to the step-through vehicle (10);
a seat (45) disposed on a rear portion of the body frame (11); and
a grab handle (50) mounted to a portion of the body frame (11) and at least a portion of the grab handle (50) being disposed below said seat (45);
characterized in that, the grab handle (50) includes a left handle member (50a), a right handle member (50b) and a bridge member (54), each of said left handle member (50a) and right handle member (50b) including a mounting portion (51), a supporting portion (52) and a grabbing portion (53), said bridge member (54) being adapted to connect the supporting portion (52) of each of the left handle member (50a) and the right handle member (50b).

2. The step-through vehicle (10) according to claim 1, wherein said mounting portion (51) extends in a vehicle width direction, said mounting portion (51) being adapted to secure the grab handle (50) to the body frame (11) of the step-through vehicle (10).

3. The step-through vehicle (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said mounting portion (51) of each of the left handle member (50a) and the right handle member (50b) includes a lug member (51b) to support a portion of a utility box (47) being disposed below the seat (45) and adapted to butt against the lug member (51b) provided on each of the mounting portion (51) of the left handle member (50a) and the right handle member (50b).

4. The step-through vehicle (10) according to claim 3, wherein a damper member (46) is provided in a base structure of the seat (45), said damper member (46) being adapted to compress against the portion of the utility box (47) to cause said portion of the utility box (47) to butt against the lug member (51b).

5. The step-through vehicle (10) according to claim 1, wherein said supporting portion (52) extends upwardly from the mounting portion (51) in a vehicle rearward direction, the supporting portion (52) being disposed substantially inclined to said mounting portion (51).

6. The step-through vehicle (10) according to claim 1, wherein said grabbing portion (53) extends rearwardly from said supporting portion (52) towards a rear end of the step-through vehicle (10).

7. The step-through vehicle (10) according to claim 1, wherein said bridge member (54) is located close to the mounting portion (51), said bridge member (54) being disposed below a portion of the seat (45).

8. The step-through vehicle (10) according to claim 1, wherein said bridge member (54) includes one or more bridging portions (54a) and a central portion (54b), said bridging portions (54a) having a width greater than width of the central portion (54b).

9. The step-through vehicle (10) according to claim 1, wherein said bridge member (54) includes one or more bridging portions (54a) and a central portion (54b), said bridging portions (54a) having a width equal to width of the central portion (54b).

10. A step-through vehicle (10) comprising:
a body frame (11) adapted to provide skeletal support to the step-through vehicle (10);
a seat (45) disposed on a rear portion of the body frame (11); and
a grab handle (50) mounted to a portion of the body frame (11);
characterized in that, the grab handle (50) includes a left handle member (50a), a right handle member (50b) and a bridge member (54), each of said left handle member (50a) and right handle member (50b) including a mounting portion (51), a supporting portion (52) and a grabbing portion (53), said bridge member (54) being adapted to connect the supporting portion (52) of each of the left handle member (50a) and the right handle member (50b), said bridge member (54) being located close to the mounting portion (51), said bridge member (54) being located adjacent to the seat (45).