Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to providing a clearance between a foot rest mounting structure and a swing arm mounting axle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Typically, in vehicles such as two-wheelers, foot rest assembly and brake assembly are assembled in a lower middle zone of right hand side of the vehicle. The brake assembly comprises a brake pedal and a master cylinder which are mounted on a foot rest mounting structure of the foot rest assembly.
[003] In prior arts, a swing arm mounting axle (for mounting a swing arm) is mounted on the foot rest mounting structure or a bracket mounting the swing arm mounting axle is co-fastened with the foot rest mounting structure. However, continuous oscillations of the swing arm mounting axle affects the mounting and operation of the master cylinder of the brake assembly, which is undesirable.
[004] Also, the master cylinder of the brake assembly, for effective braking performance, is inclined at an angle with respect to the brake pedal. In such scenarios, master cylinder assembly may interfere with nut runner/tool used to assemble/disassemble swing arm mounting axle. This interference may cause difficulty in assembly/disassembly of the swing arm mounting axle, which is also undesirable.
[005] In view of the foregoing, there is a need felt to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] In one aspect of the invention, a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle comprises a head pipe and a frame assembly. The frame assembly extends rearwardly from the head pipe. The vehicle further comprises a brake assembly, a swing arm mounting axle and a foot rest mounting structure. The brake assembly comprises a brake pedal and a master cylinder. The master cylinder is operably connected to the brake pedal. The swing arm mounting axle is supported on the frame assembly and adapted for mounting a swing arm. The foot rest mounting structure is connected to the frame assembly and adapted to receive a foot rest on which a rider places his feet. The foot rest mounting structure is also adapted to receive the master cylinder and the brake pedal. The master cylinder is inclined at an angle with respect to the brake pedal for effective braking performance. The master cylinder is received on the foot rest mounting structure at a first location and a second location and a profile of the foot rest mounting structure facing the swing arm mounting axle between the first location and the second location is adapted to provide a clearance between the foot rest mounting structure and the swing arm mounting axle.
[007] In an embodiment, at least 50 percent length of the profile facing the swing arm mounting axle between the first location and the second location is concave and substantially concentric with a longitudinal axis of the swing arm mounting axle.
[008] In an embodiment, a first line joining a center of the first location and a center of the swing arm mounting axle and a second line joining a center of the second location and the center of the swing arm mounting axle forms an included angle in a range of 45 degree to 180 degrees.
[009] In an embodiment, the foot rest assembly is removably fastened to the frame assembly via plurality of fasteners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[010] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 is a schematic top view of a frame of a vehicle illustrating foot rests on right hand side and left hand side of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a partial right side schematic view of the frame assembly of the vehicle illustrating a foot rest mounting structure, a brake assembly , a swing arm and a swing arm mounting axle, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates an enlarged view of portion A shown in Figure 2, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates an enlarged view of portion A shown in Figure 2 without the swing arm mounting axle, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates an angular relationship between mounting locations on the foot rest mounting structure and a center of the swing arm mounting axle, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[011] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder. Arrows provided in the top right corner of Figures depicts direction with respect to the two-wheeled vehicle, wherein an arrow F denotes front direction, an arrow R indicates rear direction, an arrow Rt denotes right hand side direction, an arrow Lt denoted left hand side direction, as and where applicable.
[012] Figure 1 is a schematic top view of a frame assembly 104 of a vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[013] The vehicle 100 includes the frame assembly 104 to support different parts of the vehicle. A head pipe 102 is provided at a front end of the frame assembly 104. The head pipe 102 supports a steering shaft (not shown) rotatably in a certain range. In an upper portion of the head pipe 102, a handlebar assembly (not shown) is rotatably connected to the steering shaft. The handlebar assembly is used to steer the vehicle 100 and is connected to a front wheel (not shown) through a front fork assembly (not shown). The front fork assembly is further supported partially on a front fender (not shown) and is connected to the front wheel. An upper portion of the front wheel is covered by the front fender which prevents mud and water from getting deflected towards an upper portion of the front fork assembly.
[014] For safety of the rider and in conformance with the traffic rules, a headlamp unit (not shown) and turn signal lamp units (not shown) are provided in a front portion of the vehicle 100. A tail lamp unit (not shown) and turn signal lamps (not shown) are also provided in a rear portion of the vehicle 100. The safety of the vehicle 100 is also improved by providing a brake assembly which controls braking operation of a front brake device and a rear brake device of the front wheel and a rear wheel (not shown) respectively. The brake assembly, among other components, comprises a brake pedal 106 (shown in Figure 2) and a master cylinder 108 (shown in Figure 2).
[015] The vehicle 100 also comprises foot rests 116 on which rider places his feet while riding the vehicle 100. The foot rests 116 are provided on left hand side and right hand side of the vehicle 100.
[016] Further, suspension systems are provided for comfortable steering of said vehicle 100 on road. The front fork assembly, which forms the front suspension system, serves as rigidity component just like the frame assembly 104. A swing arm 118 is also provided, the swing arm 118 having a front end (not shown) pivotally supported by a swing arm mounting axle 110 mounted on the frame assembly 10. The rear wheel is rotatably supported on a rear end 118a of the swing arm 118 by a rear wheel drive axle (not shown).
[017] The vehicle 100 is also provided with a power generating unit (not shown) for generating power. Power from the power generating unit is transmitted to the rear wheel of the vehicle 100 through a suitable transmission assembly (not shown) so as to drive and rotate the rear wheel. The power generating unit may be an internal combustion engine and/or an electric motor. In internal combustion engine vehicle and hybrid vehicle, fuel tank and exhaust system may be suitably provided in the vehicle 100.
[018] Figure 2 is a partial right side schematic view of the frame assembly 104 of the vehicle 100 illustrating a foot rest mounting structure 112, a brake assembly, a swing arm 118 and a swing arm mounting axle 110, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[019] As shown, the right hand side of the vehicle 100 comprises a foot rest mounting structure 112. The foot rest mounting structure 112 is connected to the frame assembly 104. The brake assembly is also shown which comprises the master cylinder 108, the brake pedal 106, a mechanical linkage (such as a spring that helps retract the pedal and further connects to the master cylinder) (not shown), a hydraulic/brake fluid reservoir (not shown), brake lines/brake hoses (not shown), brake calipers (not shown), drum brake/disc brake (not shown) etc. to perform braking operation. The construction and functioning of different components of the brake assembly is already known in the art and is not discussed in detail. The components of the brake assembly such as the brake pedal 106 and the master cylinder 108 which are relevant for the purposes of the present invention have been discussed. As already known, the master cylinder 108 is a pumping element in the brake assembly. The master cylinder 108 uses force applied on the brake pedal 106 to generate hydraulic pressure in the brake lines. At the end of the brake lines, the generated hydraulic pressure is used to apply braking force on the wheels of the vehicle 100.
[020] The foot rest mounting structure 112 receives the right hand side foot rest 116 on which the rider of the vehicle places his foot while riding the vehicle 100. The foot rest mounting structure 112 is connected to the frame assembly 104. In one non-limiting example, the foot rest mounting structure 112 is fastened to the frame assembly 104 with one or more fasteners 114. The foot rest mounting structure 112 has one or more first mounting holes (not shown) which correspond with one or more mounting holes (not shown) provided on the frame assembly 104. The one or more first mounting holes on the foot rest mounting structure 112 are aligned with the one or more mounting holes on the frame assembly 104 and fastened with the one or more fasteners 114 known in the art such as, not being limited to, nuts, bolts, screws, etc. The brake pedal 106 is pivotably mounted to the footrest mounting structure 112.
[021] The brake pedal 106 and the master cylinder 108 of the brake assembly are also mounted on the foot rest mounting structure 112. For effective braking operation, the master cylinder 108 is oriented in a direction towards the brake pedal 106. The first end (not shown) of the swing arm 118 is mounted on a swing arm mounting axle 110 which is supported on the frame assembly 104 and a rear end 118a of the swing arm 118 is operably connected to the rear wheel of the vehicle 100. The swing arm mounting axle 110 extends between a first end 110a (shown in Figure 3) and a second end (not shown) in a width direction (left to right direction) of the vehicle 100 and the first end 110a of the swing arm mounting axle 110 supports the first end of the swing arm 118. As shown in the Figure, the first end 110a of the swing arm mounting axle 110 is proximate to the foot rest mounting structure 112. However, in the present invention, a profile P (shown in Figure 4) of the foot rest mounting structure 112 is adapted to provide a clearance between the foot rest mounting structure 112 and the swing arm mounting axle 110 which will be discussed in further detail in subsequent Figures.
[022] Figure 3 illustrates an enlarged view of portion A shown in Figure 2, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[023] As shown, the foot rest mounting structure 112 is connected to the frame assembly 104 using one or more first fasteners 114. The brake pedal 106 of the brake assembly is mounted on the foot rest mounting structure 112. In one non-limiting example, the brake pedal 106 is mounted on the foot rest mounting structure 112 using one or more fasteners such as nuts, bolts, screws and the likes. The master cylinder 108 of the brake assembly is also mounted on the foot rest mounting structure 112 at a first location 112a and a second location 112b. In one non-limiting example, the first location 112a is a first mounting hole and a second location 112b is a second mounting hole provided on the foot rest mounting structure 112. The master cylinder 108 is also provided with a first mounting hole (not shown) and a second mounting hole (not shown). The mounting holes of the master cylinder 108 are aligned with the mounting holes of the foot rest mounting structure 112 and fastened with one or more fasteners 120. As can be seen, the master cylinder 108 is oriented in a direction towards the brake pedal 106, which results in effective braking operation.
[024] Figure 3 also illustrates the first end 110a of the swing arm mounting axle 110 which supports the first end (not shown) of the swing arm 118. As shown, the first end 110a of the swing arm mounting axle 110 is proximate to the foot rest mounting structure 112. One objective of the present invention is to isolate the foot rest mounting structure 112 from the swing arm mounting axle 110. In order to achieve said objective, the profile (outline) P of the foot rest mounting structure 112 facing the swing arm mounting axle 110 between the first location 112a and the second location 112b is adapted such that a clearance is provided between the foot rest mounting structure 112 and the swing arm mounting axle 110. In other words, the foot rest mounting structure 112 does not interfere with the outer surface of the swing arm mounting axle 110. In one non-limiting example, at least 50 percent length of the profile P facing the swing arm mounting axle 110 between the first location 112a and the second location 112b is concave in shape and substantially concentric with a longitudinal axis L (shown in Figure 5) of the swing arm mounting axle 110. Such a construction provides sufficient clearance between the foot rest mounting structure 112 and the swing arm mounting axle 110 such that oscillations of the swing arm mounting axle 110 do not affect the mounting and the working of the master cylinder 108. Also, owing to said clearance, the swing arm mounting axle 110 can be easily assembled or disassembled as the tool used for assembly/disassembly of the swing arm mounting axle 110 can be easily accommodated in the clearance provided between the swing arm mounting axle 110 and the foot rest mounting structure 112.
[025] Figure 4 illustrates an enlarged view of portion A shown in Figure 2 without the swing arm mounting axle 110, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[026] As shown, the profile P of the foot rest mounting structure 112 between the first location 112a and the second location 112b of the foot rest mounting structure 112 is adapted such that clearance is provided between the swing arm mounting axle 110 and the foot rest mounting structure 112. In other words, the swing arm mounting axle 110 is isolated from the foot rest mounting structure 112. In one non-limiting example, at least 50 percent length of the profile P facing the swing arm mounting axle 110 between the first location 112a and the second location 112b is concave in shape and substantially concentric with the longitudinal axis L of the swing arm mounting axle 110.
[027] Figure 5 illustrates an angular relationship between mounting locations 112a, 112b on the foot rest mounting structure 112 and a center C of the swing arm mounting axle 110, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[028] As shown, a first line L1 joining a center of the first location 112a and a center C of the swing arm mounting axle 110 and a second line L2 joining a center of the second location 112b and the center C of the swing arm mounting axle 110 forms an included angle θ in a range of 45 degree to 180 degrees.
[029] The claimed features of the present invention as discussed above are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed features enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Specifically, the technical problem of swing arm mounting axle 110 being mounted on the foot rest mounting structure 112 and affecting the mounting and working of the master cylinder 108 of the brake assembly owing to continuous oscillations of the swing arm mounting axle 110 is solved by the present invention. Also, difficulty in assembly/disassembly of the swing arm mounting axle 110 owing to orientation of the master cylinder 108 of the brake assembly is solved by the present invention.
[030] In the present invention, the profile P of the foot rest mounting structure 112 facing the swing arm mounting axle 110 between the first location 112a and the second location 112b is adapted such that a clearance is provided between the foot rest mounting structure 112 and the swing arm mounting axle 110. In other words, the swing arm mounting axle 110 is isolated from the foot rest mounting structure 112. Owing to said clearance, the oscillations of the swing arm mounting axle do not affect the mounting and working of the master cylinder 108. Also, owing to the clearance provided between the swing arm mounting axle 110 and the foot rest mounting structure 112, the swing arm mounting axle 110 can be easily assembled/disassembled. The tool used for assembly/disassembly of the swing arm mounting axle 110 can be easily accommodated in the clearance between the swing arm mounting axle 110 and the foot rest mounting structure 112.
[031] Further, owing to the profile of the foot rest mounting structure, the foot rest mounting structure is optimised to be lower in weight without compromise in orientation of the master cylinder and ensure better packaging and assembly of surrounding components.
[032] In the present invention, co-fastening (sandwich) mounting is not required between footrest mounting structure and the swingarm mounting axle, which improves serviceability of the mounted parts.
[033] In the present invention, optimum inclination of the master cylinder with respect to the brake pedal is achieved for required braking performance. In other words, the concave profile of the foot rest mounting structure 112 allows better packaging of the master cylinder 108 in required inclination and also does not hinder the Swingarm mounting axle 110.
[034] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

List of Reference Numerals

100-vehicle
102- head pipe
104- frame assembly
106- brake pedal
108-master cylinder
110-swing arm mounting axle
110a- first end of the swing arm mounting axle
112-foot rest mounting structure
112a- first location on the foot rest mounting structure
112b-second location on the foot rest mounting structure
114/ 120- fasteners
116- foot rest
118- swing arm
118a- rear end of the swing arm
P- Profile
L- longitudinal axis
L1- first line
L2- second line
C- Center of swing arm mounting axle
θ – included angle between L1 and L2

, Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A vehicle (100) comprising:
a head pipe (102);
a frame assembly (104), said frame assembly (104) extending rearwardly from the head pipe (102);
a brake assembly having a brake pedal (106) and a master cylinder (108);
a swing arm mounting axle (110) supported on the frame assembly (104) and adapted for mounting a swing arm;
a foot rest mounting structure (112) connected to the frame assembly (104) and adapted to receive a foot rest (116), the brake pedal (106) and the master cylinder (108) wherein the master cylinder (108) is received at a first location (112a) and a second location (112b) on the foot rest mounting structure (112) and a profile P of the foot rest mounting structure (112) facing the swing arm mounting axle (110) between the first location (112a) and the second location (112b) being adapted to provide a clearance between the foot rest mounting structure (112) and the swing arm mounting axle (110).

2. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least 50 percent length of the profile P facing the swing arm mounting axle (110) between the first location (112a) and the second location (112b) is concave and substantially concentric with a longitudinal axis (L) of the swing arm mounting axle (110).

3. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first line (L1) joining a center of the first location (112a) and a center (C) of the swing arm mounting axle (110) and a second line (L2) joining a center of the second location (112b) and the center (C) of the swing arm mounting axle (110) forms an included angle in a range of 45 degree to 180 degrees.

4. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foot rest mounting structure (112) is removably fastened to the frame assembly (104) via a plurality of fasteners (114).

Dated this 08th day of September 2022
TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

(Nikhil Ranjan)
of Khaitan & Co
Reg No IN/PA-1471