DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to two-wheeled motor vehicles and more particularly, but not exclusively to a seat assembly for two-wheeled vehicles.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, in a two-wheeled vehicle with a step-through type frame assembly, a floorboard is provided at a step-through space. A user rests his feet on the floorboard, which enables him to have a seating posture, while driving. A seat assembly is disposed in a posterior portion of the step-through space. The seat assembly comprises a rider seat and a passenger seat. A passenger grip is provided on a rear portion of the seat assembly. The passenger grip enables the pillion rider to get support. Generally, in a vehicle with a step-through type frame assembly, a utility box is disposed below the seat assembly. The seat assembly, in an open condition, provides access to the utility box. Further, the seat assembly is provided with a cushion material that provides comfortable ride. Also, the seat assembly provides an aesthetic look to the vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0003] The detailed description of the present subject matter is described with reference to the accompanying figures. Same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0004] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of a step-through type wheeled vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of present subject matter.
[0005] Fig. 2 depicts an exploded view of parts laid thereon the frame assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0006] Fig. 3 (a) illustrates a left side perspective view of a seat assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0007] Fig. 3 (a) depicts an exploded view of the seat assembly, in accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 3 (a).
[0008] Fig. 3 (c) depicts a left side view of a seat assembly and a passenger grip in an assembled condition.
[0009] Fig. 3 (d) depicts a top view of the seat assembly and the passenger grip depicted in Fig. 3 (c).
[00010] Fig. 3 (e) depicts a cross sectional view of the seat assembly depicted in Fig. 3 (d).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00011] Generally, in a vehicle with a step-through type frame assembly, the seat assembly is provided with a cushion material to provide comfortable ride to the rider and the passenger. Further, the seat assembly provides access to the utility box and the seat assembly acts a secure lid to the utility box. Further, in some vehicles, a fuel tank opening is also provided below the seat assembly. Further, a pillion handle that has a pair of passenger grips, which are disposed adjacent to the seat assembly and extending rearwardly of the seat assembly, mounted to the frame assembly. Also, the seat locking is provided rearwardly below the seat assembly to secure the seat assembly to the frame assembly. Therefore, the seat assembly is to be locked effectively as it provides access to the utility box and the fuel tank opening.
[00012] However, interference between the seat assembly and the passenger grips results in improper positioning of the seat assembly. The width of the seat assembly is to be maintained in order to provide comfortable riding experience to the user and for the aesthetic reasons. On the other hand, such wide seat layout of the seat assembly provides excess force on the seat due to interference. In turn, the seat assembly is improperly locked to the frame assembly affecting the security.
[00013] Hence, an object of the present subject matter is to provide a vehicle with a step-through type frame assembly. It as an object to provide a vehicle with a seat assembly that is comfortable for seating. Another object being, the utility box disposed below the seat assembly is provided with secure access. Additional object being, fouling of the seat assembly, especially seat cover, is to be reduced.
[00014] It is a feature of the present subject matter that, a first space is provided between an outer peripheral surface(s) of the seat assembly and the passenger grips at a portion adjacent to a connecting portion of a base portion and passenger grips of the pillion handle. The first space is equal to a second space provided between the outer peripheral surface and the passenger grips at another portion away from said connecting portion. Thus, it an advantage of the present subject matter that an optimum clearance is provided between the seat assembly and the pillion handle thereby reducing the interference at the connecting portion.
[00015] It is an aspect of the present subject matter that the width of the seat assembly is retained and at the same time, the interference is reduced.
[00016] In a preferred embodiment, a recess portion is provided on the foam portion of the seat assembly. It is an advantage that the seat cover takes the shape of the seat foam provided.
[00017] It is yet another aspect of the present subject matter that recess portion is provided on the peripheral surface of the seat foam at a portion adjacent to the connecting portion, and when viewed from top, or in a vehicle top view, the recess portion is not visible. Therefore, it is an additional advantage that the aesthetics are retained.
[00018] It is yet another additional advantage that the width of the seat assembly is retained thereby retaining the riding comfort.
[00019] It is another feature of the present subject matter that the, seat locking is improved. It is an advantage that the security is improved.
[00020] In an embodiment, a vehicle with a step-through type frame assembly is provided. A seat assembly is mounted to a pair of railing of the frame assembly. A primary drive mechanism is provided below the seat assembly. The primary drive mechanism includes an internal combustion engine. In an embodiment, an electric motor, acts as a secondary drive mechanism. A utility box is disposed above the engine assembly. In one embodiment, the seat assembly is hingedly connected to the frame assembly. In another embodiment, the seat assembly is hingedly connected to the utility box. Also, in an open condition of the seat assembly, the utility box is accessible. A fuel tank is disposed above a rear wheel. In an embodiment, a fuel tank opening is provided below the seat assembly that is accessible in a seat open condition. In an embodiment, the seat assembly is formed by a rider seat and a tandem seat. In an embodiment, the rider seat and the tandem seat are integrally formed. The pillion handle is disposed adjacent to the tandem seat and extending rearwardly of the seat assembly. In an embodiment, the seat assembly is formed by a seat base, which is rigid structure. Further, the seat base is disposed with a foam member on an upper surface of the seat base. Also, seat cover covers the foam member and extends until a lower circumference of the seat base.
[00021] In an embodiment, a seat recess is provided on a surface(s) disposed at lateral ends of the seat foam member that is adjacent to the connecting portion. The seat recess enables in providing a first space between the seat foam surface(s) and the passenger grips, which is disposed adjacent to said connecting portion is substantially equal to a second space between said surface(s) disposed away from said connecting portion. In another embodiment, a grip recess is provided on a surface(s) of the passenger grips facing the seat assembly and at a connection portion of the pillion handle.
[00022] In another embodiment, a bottom portion of the seat recess is substantially inward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the top portion of the seat recess. This enables the seat recess not to be visible in a top view of the vehicle, thereby maintaining the aesthetics of the seat assembly of the vehicle.
[00023] The aforesaid and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following description.
[00024] Arrows provided in the top right corner of each figure in the drawings depicts direction with respect to the vehicle, wherein an arrow F denotes front direction, an arrow R indicates rear direction, an arrow Up denotes upward direction, an arrow Dw denotes downward direction, an arrow RH denotes right side, and an arrow LH denotes left side.
[00025] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of a vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle 100 has a frame assembly 105, which has a step-through type layout, that includes a head tube 105A, a main tube 105B extending downwardly rearward from the head tube 105A, and a pair of railing 105C. The frame assembly 105 extends along a longitudinal direction/axis F-R of the vehicle 100. A handlebar assembly 110A is connected to a front wheel 115 through one or more front suspension(s) 110B. A steering assembly includes a steering shaft (not shown) rotatably connected to the head tube 105A, one or more front suspension(s) 110B connect the front wheel 115 at a lower end and the steering shaft at a top end, and the handlebar assembly 110A is connected to the steering shaft for steering the front wheel 115. The pair of railings 105C is formed by a left railing and a right railing. The vehicle includes a power unit 115 that includes at least one of an internal combustion (IC) engine 115, interchangeably used as engine 115, and an electric traction motor (not shown). Hereinafter, the terms power unit and the IC engine are interchangeably used. The engine 115 is functionally connected to a rear wheel 120 through a transmission system (not shown). The transmission system may be a variable transmission type, a fixed gear ratio type, or an automatic transmission.
[00026] Further, the rear wheel 120 is connected to the frame assembly 105 through one or more rear suspension(s) 125. The engine 115 is swingably connected to the frame assembly 105 through a toggle link (not shown). A seat assembly 130 is positioned above a storage compartment and is supported by the pair of railing(s) 105C. A passenger grip 135 is provided adjacent to the seat assembly 130 at a rear portion of the assembly 130. A utility box 160 (shown in Fig. 2), which acts as a storage compartment is positioned below the seat assembly 130. The utility box 160 is an example of the storage compartment. The vehicle 100 is mounted with plurality of body panels, which are mounted to the frame assembly 105.
[00027] A front fender 140 is covering at least a portion of the front wheel 115. A floorboard 145 is provided at a step-through space defined by the frame assembly 105. User can operate the vehicle 100 by resting his feet on the floorboard 145, in a sitting position. The seat assembly 130 is connected to the frame assembly 105 at the posterior portion of the step-through space. In an embodiment, the fuel tank (not shown) is positioned below the seat assembly 130. A rear fender 150 is covering the at least a portion of the rear wheel 120 and the rear fender 155 is positioned below the fuel tank. One or more rear suspension(s) 125 are provided in the rear portion of the vehicle 100 for comfortable ride. Also, the vehicle 100 comprises of plurality of electrical/electronic components including a headlight 160A, a tail light 160B, a battery (not shown), a transistor controlled ignition (TCI) unit (not shown), an alternator (not shown), a starter motor (not shown), an anti-lock braking system (not shown), and vehicle control unit (not shown).
[00028] Fig. 2 depicts an exploded view of selective parts laid thereon the frame assembly 105, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter as depicted in Fig. 1. The utility box 160 is mounted to the pair of railing(s) 105C, therebetween. In an embodiment, the seat assembly 130 is supported by the utility box 160 that is mounted to the pair of railing(s) 105C and the seat assembly 130 has an open condition and a closed condition due to the hinged connection. The seat assembly 130 includes a rider seat 130R and a tandem seat 130T that are integrally formed. The pillion handle 135 is disposed adjacent to the tandem seat and extending rearwardly of the seat assembly 130. The pillion handle 135 extends about an outer periphery of the seat assembly 130.
[00029] In an embodiment, the pillion handle 135 (as shown in Fig. 3 (e)) comprises a pair of passenger grips 135A, 135C, and a base member 135B. The pair of passenger grips 135A, 135C are disposed on right side and left side of the tandem seat. The passenger grip 135A, 135C extends towards a rear portion of the seat assembly 130. In another embodiment, the passenger grip(s) 135A, 135B are connected. As the seat assembly 130 is mounted to the pair of railings 105C, the seat assembly 130 covers at least a portion of the base member 135B. The base member 135B connects to the pair of railings 135A, 135C at a connecting portion 135BA, 135BC. Further, the base member 135B is mounted to one or more cross member(s) 105D disposed between the pair of railings 105C and the base member 135B is secured through fasteners. Furthermore, the pillion handle 135 may have a handle grip member 135D that is disposed rearwardly of the seat assembly, extending along the vehicle width direction, and connecting the pair of passenger grips 135A, 135C.
[00030] Fig. 3 (a) illustrates a left side perspective view of the seat assembly, in accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 2. Fig. 3 (b) depicts an exploded view of the seat assembly 130, in accordance with an embodiment as depicted in Fig. 3 (a). The seat assembly 130 comprises of a seat base 130A, which is rigid structure that acts as a structural member of the seat assembly 130. A foam member 130B is disposed above the seat base 130A and the foam member 130B is adapted to sit on the seat base 130A. The foam member 130B is made of non-rigid material and acts as cushion for providing comfortable ride to the user. The foam member includes any known cushion material including foam or the like.
[00031] Further, a seat cover 130C is disposed above the seat foam 130B, wherein the seat cover 130C covers, and secures the foam member 130B to the seat base 130A. The seat cover 130C protects the seat from rain and dust. Also, the seat cover 130C takes the shape of the foam member 130B. An elastic member 130D is provided at a bottom portion of the seat base 130A and the elastic member is extending so as to come in contact with an upper circumference of the utility box 160. Further, the bottom portion of the seat base 130A is provided with one or more elastic cushion(s) 130E for providing additional support to the seat assembly 130, when the seat assembly 130 is in closed condition. The elastic cushions(s) 130E prevents excess pressure acting on the seat assembly 130, in the closed condition of the seat assembly 130, especially in loaded condition. A seat hook (not shown) is provided at the bottom portion and substantially at a rearward portion of the seat base 130A. The seat assembly 130 includes a top surface TS that is substantially a top portion of the seat assembly 130. The seat hook gets locked with latch member (not shown) provided on the frame assembly 105. Further, a seat recess 200 is provided on an outer peripheral surface(s) PS of the seat assembly 130.The seat recess 200 is disposed at lateral ends, which is the width end(s) of the seat foam member 130B that is adjacent to the connecting portion(s) 135BA, 135BC (as shown in Fig. 3 (e)). The seat recess 200 enables in providing a first space FS between the seat assembly 130 and the passenger grips 135A, 135C, which is at a portion adjacent to said connecting portion 135BA, 135BC.The first space FS is substantially equal to a second space SS, which is provided between said seat assembly 130 and the passenger grips 135A, 135C disposed away from said connecting portion 135BA, 135BC. In an assembled condition of the seat assembly 130, the cover takes the shape of the seat foam member 130B along with the seat recess 200 provided on the seat foam member 130B.
[00032] In another embodiment, a grip recess (not shown) is provided on an inner peripheral surface(s) of the passenger grips 135A, 135C of the pillion handle 135 that are facing the lateral end(s) of the seat assembly 130. The grip recess is provided on said surface(s) of the passenger grips at a portion adjacent to the connecting portion 135BA, 135BC of the pillion handle 135. This grips recess enables formation of at least a portion of the first space FS thereby providing optimum clearance between the seat assembly 130 and the pillion handle 135.
[00033] Fig. 3 (c) depicts a left side view of a seat assembly and a passenger grip in an assembled condition. Fig. 3 (d) depicts a top view of the seat assembly and the passenger grip, in accordance with the embodiment as depicted in Fig. 3 (c). Fig. 3 (e) depicts a cross sectional view of the seat assembly depicted in Fig. 3 (d), which is taken at axis X-X’. The passenger grips 135A, 135C of the pillion handle 130 are disposed on left side and right side adjacent to the tandem seat of the seat assembly 130. The passenger grips 135A, 135C disposed adjacent to the tandem seat of the seat assembly 130 extends rearwardly of the seat assembly 130. Moreover, the pillion handle 135 is disposed at a height that is less than the height of the seat assembly 130 so as to avoid interference between the pillion rider and the pillion handle. Therefore, the seat recess 200 is also provided up to the height of the pillion handle 135. The seat recess 200 does not extend till a top portion of the seat assembly 130. This enables in top view the seat recess 200 not to be visible and at the same time, width of the seat assembly is maintained thereby retaining the rider comfort. In other words, in a top view, the top surface TS of the seat assembly 130 overlaps with the seat recess portion 200. The aesthetics of the seat assembly 130 is not affected.
[00034] The seat recess 200 is provided on the outer peripheral surface(s) PS of the seat foam member 130B facing the pillion handle 135 and at a portion adjacent to the base member 135B creating a first space FS between said surface(s) PS and the passenger grips 135A, 135C disposed at said connecting portion(s) 135BA, 135BC. The seat recess 200 extends adjacent to the base member 135B, in the longitudinal direction F-R of the vehicle 100. Nonetheless, a second space SS is formed between the surface(s) of the foam member 130B and the passenger grips 135A, 135C, which is away from said connecting portion 135BA, 135BC. In addition, the first space FS is substantially equal to the second space SS.
[00035] According to the implementation of the embodiment, the seat recess 200, which is provided on the seat foam member 130B, is provided on the right outer peripheral surface PS and the left outer peripheral surface PS of the seat assembly 130. The pillion handle 135 includes passenger grips(s) 135A, 135C includes comprising a right passenger grip 135A and a left passenger grip 135C. The right passenger grip 135A is disposed adjacent to the right outer peripheral surface of the seat assembly 130. Similarly, the left passenger grip 135C is disposed adjacent to the left outer peripheral surface PS of the seat assembly 130. The base member 135B of the pillion handle extends in a lateral direction connecting the passenger grips 135A, 135C. The base member 135B is below the seat assembly 130 and when viewed in a top view, the seat assembly 130 overlaps with the base member 135B. The base member 135B and the passenger grips 135A, 135B are connected to each other at a connecting portion(s) 135CB, 135AB. As the passenger grip(s) 135A, 135C are adjacently disposed to the seat assembly 130, the connecting portion(s) 135CB, 135AB is substantially in proximity to the outer peripheral surface of the seat assembly 130 that is facing the passenger seat grips 135A, 135C and at least a portion of the base member 135B.
[00036] The outer peripheral surface PS of the said seat assembly 130 is provided seat recess 200 on both sides of the seat assembly 130. Moreover, the seat recess 200 provides a first space FS between the outer peripheral surface(s) PS of the seat assembly 130 and the passenger grips 135A, 135C. The seat recess 200 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the seat assembly 130 at a portion adjacent to the connecting portion 135CB, 135AB. A second space SS is provide between the passenger grips 135A, 135C and the seat assembly 130 at another portion(s) away from the connecting portion(s) 135CB, 135AB. The first space FS is substantially equal to a second space SS thereby maintaining optimum clearance between the pillion handle 135 and the seat assembly 130.
[00037] The present subject enables to use a seat base of the seat assembly without any modification. Therefore, the need for use or modification of a mould for the seat base is eliminated. In addition, in a top view, the seat recess provided on the seat foam member is not visible thereby maintaining aesthetics of the seat. Further, fouling of the seat assembly near the base member is reduced. Moreover, the locking of the seat assembly to the frame assembly is improved.
[00038] It is to be understood that the aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein. Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible in the light of above disclosure. Therefore, within the scope of claims of the present subject matter, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described
,CLAIMS:I/We claim:

1. A two-wheeled vehicle (100) comprising:
a frame assembly (105) comprising a pair of rear tubes (105C);
a pillion handle (130) including a pair of passenger grips (130A, 130C) and a base member (130B), said base member (130B) is extending in a vehicle width direction (RH-LH) connecting the pair of passenger grips (130A, 130C) at a connecting portion(s) (135AB, 135CB) , and said base member (135B) is supported by the pair of rear tubes (105C); and
a seat assembly (130) includes a rider seat (130R) and a tandem seat (130T), said seat assembly (130) is mounted to the pair of rear tubes (105C) and said seat assembly (130) is covering at least a portion of the base member (135B) of the pillion handle (135), and said passenger grips (135A, 135C) are disposed adjacent to the tandem seat (135T);
characterized in that,
said seat assembly (130) is having an outer peripheral surface(s) (PS) disposed at a lateral end(s) (LH-RH) of the seat assembly (130), a first space (FS) provided between said outer peripheral surface(s) (PS) and said passenger grips (135A, 135C), at a portion adjacent to said connecting portion (135AB, 135CB), is substantially equal to a second space (SS) provided between said outer peripheral surface(s) (PS) and said passenger grips (135A, 135C) at another portion(s) away from said connecting portion (135AB, 135CB).

2. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein the seat assembly (130) includes a seat foam member (130B) disposed on a base member (130A) that is structural member of the seat assembly (130).

3. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the seat foam member (130B) includes an outer peripheral surface(s) (PS) disposed at said lateral ends (RH-LH) of the seat assembly (130) and facing said passenger grips (135A, 135C), said outer peripheral surface(s) (PS) is provided with a seat recess portion (200) at a portion adjacent to said connecting portion (135AB, 135CB) forming at least a portion of said first space (FS).

4. The two wheeled vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein said passenger grip(s) (135A, 135C) is provided with a grip recess portion a grip surface(s) facing the seat assembly (130), said grip recess portion is provided at a portion adjacent to said connecting portion(s) (135AB, 135CB) adapted to form at least a portion of said first space (FS).

5. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) of claim 1 or 3, wherein the seat assembly (130) includes a top surface (TS) and when viewed from top, said top surface (TS) overlaps with the seat recess portion (200).

6. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) of claim 1, said rider seat (130R) and said tandem seat (130T) are integrally formed to provide a continuous structure.

7. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein said pillion handle (130) is mounted to a cross-member (105D) connecting said pair of rear tube(s) (105C) of the frame assembly (105).

8. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein the vehicle (100) includes a utility box (160) disposed below the seat assembly (130) and is supported by the pair of rear tubes (105C), and said utility box (160) provides utility space accessible in an open condition of the seat assembly (130).

9. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein said frame assembly (105) defines a step-through space, said seat assembly (130) is disposed in a posterior portion of said step-through space.

10. The two-wheeled (100) of any of the aforementioned claims includes a power unit (115) comprising at least one of an internal combustion engine (115) and an electric traction motor.