Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a pillion seat of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] In conventional saddle type vehicles, loads are carried either on a pillion seat or on a carrier assembly provided below the pillion seat. The carrier assembly is accessible by detaching the pillion seat from the vehicle. When the loads are carried on the pillion seat, there are chances that the pillion seat will get damaged, which is undesirable. In order to carry the loads on the carrier assembly, the pillion seat is required to be detachably mounted on the vehicle so that the seat can be easily detached when the loads are to be carried on the vehicle. The detachable mounting of the seat on the vehicle makes the pillion seat prone to thefts. In order to avoid theft of the pillion seat, a separate lock mechanism may be required to lock the pillion seat which increases the costs for maintaining the vehicle and is, therefore, undesirable. In scenarios where the seats are required to be detached for carrying the loads, there is another concern of storing the seat in the detached condition.
[003] In view of the foregoing, there is a need-felt to overcome at least the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[004] In one aspect of the invention, a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle comprises a head pipe, a main frame, a pair of left and right seat rails, a carrier assembly, and a pillion seat. The main frame extends rearwardly from the head pipe. The pair of left and right seat rails extends rearwardly from the main frame. The carrier assembly is disposed between the left seat rail and the right seat rail. The carrier assembly has an upper surface, a lower surface, a right side surface and a left side surface. The lower surface of the carrier assembly is a surface opposite the upper surface of the carrier assembly. The right side surface extends between the upper surface and the lower surface in right side of the vehicle. The left side surface extends between the upper surface and the lower surface in left side of the vehicle. The pillion seat is provided in the rear portion of the vehicle. In the present invention, the pillion seat is divided into a left pillion seat and a right pillion seat. The pillion seat is divided along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The left pillion seat is rotatable in a first pre-defined range by means of a left extension member and the right pillion seat is rotatable in a second pre-defined range by means of a right extension member such that, at a first position, the left pillion seat and the right pillion seat are received on the upper surface of the carrier assembly and, at a second position, the left pillion seat is substantially parallel to the left side surface of the carrier assembly and the right pillion seat is substantially parallel to the right side surface of the carrier assembly.
[005] In an embodiment, the left extension member is mounted on the left seat rail of the vehicle. The left extension member is rotatable along the left seat rail in the first pre-defined range. The left extension member has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface faces the carrier assembly at the first position. The left pillion seat is mounted on the second surface of the left extension member. Similarly, the right extension member is mounted on the right seat rail of the vehicle. The right extension member is rotatable along the right seat rail in the second pre-defined range. The right extension member has a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface. The third surface faces the carrier assembly at the first position. The right pillion seat is mounted on the fourth surface of the right extension member. In one non-limiting example, the first pre-defined range and the second pre-defined range is zero degree to 270 degrees. At the first position, when the left pillion seat and the right pillion seat are received on the upper surface of the carrier assembly, the left pillion seat and the right pillion seat are at zero degree with respect to the carrier assembly. At the second position, when the the left pillion seat is substantially parallel to the left side surface of the carrier assembly and the right pillion seat is substantially parallel to the right side surface of the carrier assembly, the left pillion seat and the right pillion seat are at 180 degrees with respect to the carrier assembly. It is to be understood that, at the second position, the carrier assembly, left extension member and the right extension member are adapted for carrying loads.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[006] 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 illustrates a schematic view of the frame structure of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the frame structure of the vehicle, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a partial schematic view of the rear portion of the vehicle with the pillion seat in a first position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a partial schematic view of the rear portion of the vehicle with the pillion seat in a second position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a partial schematic view of the rear portion of the vehicle with the pillion seat in a third position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 illustrates a partial schematic view of the rear portion of the vehicle with the pillion seat in the second position and the third position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 illustrates a partial exploded view of the rear portion of the vehicle with the pillion seat, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[007] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder.
[008] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of the frame structure 10 of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the frame structure 10 of the vehicle, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[009] In the present invention, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to the vehicle, defining a vehicle longitudinal direction while a lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to said vehicle, defining a vehicle width direction. 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. 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 rearward direction, an arrow Up denotes upward direction, an arrow Dw denotes downward direction, an arrow Rt denotes right direction and an arrow Lt denotes left direction, as and where applicable.
[010] The frame structure 10 of the vehicle supports different parts of the vehicle, the construction and operation of which are already known in the art and have not been discussed for the sake of brevity. As shown, the frame structure 10 comprises a head pipe 100, a main frame 102 extending rearwardly from the head pipe 100 and a pair of a left seat rail 104 and a right seat rail 106 (shown in Figure 3) extending rearwardly from the main frame 102. The frame structure 10 shown in Figure 1 is specific to a moped-type vehicle having a mono-frame construction. However, frame structure 10 shown in Figure 1 should not be construed as limiting and the present invention can be implemented in frame structures having construction different than the frame structure 10 shown in Figure 1. The main frame 102, as shown in Figure 1, can be divided into at least a first part 102a, a second part 102b and a third part 102c. The first part 102a extends rearwardly and downwardly from the head pipe 100. The second part 102b extends rearwardly from the first part 102a. The third part 102c extends rearwardly and upwardly from the second part 102b. The pair of the left seat rail 104 and the right seat rail 106 extends rearwardly from the third part 102c of the main frame 102. As shown, a pillion seat 110 is provided. The pillion seat 110 is divided into a left pillion seat 110a and a right pillion seat 110b, the pillion seat 110 being divided along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
[011] Figure 3 illustrates a partial schematic view of the rear portion of the vehicle with the pillion seat 110 in a first position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 illustrates a partial schematic view of the rear portion of the vehicle with the pillion seat 110 in a second position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[012] As shown in Figure 4, a carrier assembly 108 is disposed between the left seat rail 104 and the right seat rail 106. The carrier assembly 108 comprises an upper surface 108a, a lower surface (not shown), a left side surface (not shown) and a right side surface (not shown). The upper surface 108a of the carrier assembly 108 is a surface which faces the pillion seat 110 i.e., the left pillion seat 110a and the right pillion seat 110b at a first position, which will be described in detail later. The lower surface is a surface opposite the upper surface 108a. In other words, the lower surface of the carrier assembly is a surface that faces a rear wheel (not shown) of the vehicle. The upper surface 108a of the carrier assembly 108 extends between a right end and a left end in a vehicle width direction (left-right direction of the vehicle). Similarly, the lower surface of the carrier assembly 108 extends between a right end and a left end in the vehicle width direction. The right side surface extends between the right end of the upper surface 108a of the carrier assembly 108 and the right end of the lower surface of the carrier assembly 108. Similarly, the left side surface extends between the left end of the upper surface 108a of the carrier assembly 108 and the left end of the lower surface of the carrier assembly 108.
[013] The present invention further comprises a left extension member 112 as shown in Figure 4. The left extension member 112 is rotatably mounted on the left seat rail 104 and is rotatable in a first pre-defined range. In one non-limiting example, the first pre-defined range is zero degrees to 270 degrees. The left extension member 112 comprises a first part 112c (shown in Figure 7) and a second part 112d. The first part 112c is rotatably mounted on the left seat rail 104. The second part 112d is substantially C-shaped and extends from the first part 112c. The second part 112d comprises a plurality of first tubes 112e. The plurality of first tubes 112e extends in a longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the vehicle. Also, at a first position and a second position of the left extension member 112, the plurality of first tubes 112e is spaced apart in the width direction of the vehicle. It is to be understood that above-described construction of the left extension member 112 should not be construed as limiting and other construction of the left extension member 112 are also possible for the purposes of the present invention. In one non-limiting example, the second part 112d is a substantially C-shaped solid structure extending from the first part 112c. The left extension member 112 also comprises a first surface 112a and a second surface 112b (shown in Figure 6). The first surface 112a is a surface of the left extension member 112 which faces the carrier assembly 108 in the first position of the left extension member 112. The second surface 112b of the left extension member 112 is a surface opposite the first surface 112a. The left pillion seat 110a is mounted on the second surface 112b of the left extension member 112 and, therefore, rotatable along with the left extension member 112 in the first pre-defined range. At the first position of the left extension member/left pillion seat 112, 110a, the left pillion seat 110a is received on the upper surface 108a of the carrier assembly 108 and at the second position of the left extension member/left pillion seat 112, 110a, the left pillion seat 110a is parallel to the left side surface of the carrier assembly 108.
[014] The present invention further comprises a right extension member 114 as shown in Figure 4. The right extension member 114 is rotatably mounted on the right seat rail 106 and is rotatable in a second pre-defined range. In one non-limiting example, the second pre-defined range is zero degrees to 270 degrees. The right extension member 114 comprises a third part 114c (shown in Figure 7) and a fourth part 114d. The third part 114c is rotatably mounted on the right seat rail 106. The fourth part 114d is substantially C-shaped and extends from the third part 114c. The fourth part 114d comprises a plurality of second tubes 114e. The plurality of second tubes 114e extends in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Also, at a first position and a second position of the right extension member 114, the plurality of second tubes 114e is spaced apart in the width direction of the vehicle. It is to be understood that above-described structure of the right extension member 114 should not be construed as limiting and other structures of the right extension member 114 are also possible for the purposes of the present invention. In one non-limiting example, the fourth part 114d is a substantially C-shaped solid structure extending from the third part 114c. The right extension member 114 also comprises a third surface 114a and a fourth surface (not shown). The third surface 114a is a surface of the right extension member 114 which faces the carrier assembly 108 in the first position of the right extension member 114. The fourth surface of the right extension member 114 is a surface opposite the third surface 114a. The right pillion seat 110b is mounted on the fourth surface of the right extension member 114 and, therefore, rotatable along with the right extension member 114 in the second pre-defined range. At the first position of the right extension member/right pillion seat 114,110b, the right pillion seat 110b is received on the upper surface 108a of the carrier assembly 108 and at the second position of the right extension member/right pillion seat 114, 110b, the right pillion seat 110b is parallel to the right side surface of the carrier assembly 108.
[015] The first position of the left extension member/left pillion seat 112, 110a and the right extension member/right pillion seat 114, 110b is indicated in Figure 3 wherein the left extension member/left pillion seat 112, 110a and the right extension member/right pillion seat 114, 110b are received on the upper surface 108a of the carrier assembly 108. The second position of the left extension member/left pillion seat 112, 110a and the right extension member/right pillion seat 114, 110b is indicated in Figure 4 wherein the left extension member/left pillion seat 112, 110a is parallel to the left side surface of the carrier assembly 108 and the right extension member/right pillion seat 114, 110b is parallel to the right side surface of the carrier assembly 108. It is to be understood that, at the first position, a pillion rider can be seated on the pillion seat 110 and, at the second position, the loads are carried by the carrier assembly 108, the left extension member 112 and the right extension member 114.
[016] Figure 5 illustrates a partial schematic view of the rear portion of the vehicle with the pillion seat 110 in a third position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[017] The left extension member/left pillion seat 112, 110a and the right extension member/right pillion 114, 110b seat can be positioned at a third position in the first pre-defined range and the second pre-defined range, respectively. There can be multiple third positions at which the left extension member/left pillion seat 112, 110a and the right extension member/right pillion seat 114, 110b can be positioned. The third position is different from the first position and the second position. The positioning of the left extension member/left pillion seat 112, 110a and the right extension member/right pillion seat 114, 110b at a second position or a third position is based on the characteristics of the loads to be carried on the carrier assembly such as, not being limited to, dimensions and nature of the load.
[018] Figure 6 illustrates a partial schematic view of the rear portion of the vehicle with the pillion seat 110 in the second position and the third position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[019] As shown, the left extension member/left pillion seat 112, 110a and the right extension member/right pillion seat 114, 110b can be moved from the second position to the third position. It has already been stated that the left extension member/left pillion seat 112, 110a is rotatable in the first pre-defined range and the right extension member/right pillion seat 114, 110b is rotatable in the second pre-defined range. In one non-limiting example, the first pre-defined range is zero degree to 270 degrees and the second pre-defined range is zero degree to 270 degrees. Figure 6 indicates the third position being at 90 degrees with respect to the first position and second position being at 180 degrees with respect to the first position. However, the third position being at 90 degrees should not be construed as limiting and third position can be positioned at other angles with respect to the carrier assembly 108.
[020] Figure 7 illustrates a partial exploded view of the rear portion of the vehicle with the pillion seat 110 in the third position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[021] As shown, the carrier assembly 108, left extension member 112, right extension member 114, left pillion seat 110a and the right pillion seat 110b are separate components. In one non-limiting example, the carrier assembly 108 is integrally formed with the left seat rail 104 and the right seat rail 106. In another non-limiting example, the carrier assembly 108 is fastened to the left seat rail 104 and the right seat rail 106 using one or more fasteners. The left extension member 112 is rotatably mounted to the left seat rail 104 and the right extension member 114 is rotatably mounted on the right seat rail 106 using mounting means that are capable of providing rotational movement such as, not being limited to hinges.
[022] The left pillion seat 110a is mounted on the left extension member 112 and the right pillion seat 110b is mounted on the right extension member 114 using one or more mounting means such as, not being limited to hinges.
[023] The claimed features of the present invention as discussed above are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed features/steps enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Specifically, the technical problem of detaching the seat from the vehicle for carrying the loads is solved by the present invention.
[024] In the present invention, the pillion seat is not detachable. The pillion seat is divided into the left pillion seat and the right pillion seat along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The left pillion seat and the right pillion seat is rotatably mounted on the seat rails via extension members such that, at the first position, the pillion rider can sit on the pillion seat and, at the second position, the carrier assembly and the extension members are used to carry loads on the vehicle.
[025] In the present invention, the pillion seat is not detachably mounted to the carrier assembly and, therefore, is not prone to thefts. As the pillion seat is not prone to thefts, there is no need to provide a locking mechanism for the pillion seat, which decreases the maintenance cost of the vehicle. In the present invention, as the seat is not detached from the vehicle, no extra space is required to store the detached seat.
[026] 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
10- frame structure
100- head pipe
102-main frame
102a- first part of the main frame
102b- second part of the main frame
102c- third part of the main frame
104-left seat rail
106- right seat rail
108-carrier assembly
108a-upper surface of the carrier assembly
110- pillion seat
110a-left pillion seat
110b-right pillion seat
112-left extension member
112a-first surface of the left extension member
112b-second surface of the left extension member
112c- first part of the left extension member
112d- second part of the left extension member
112e-first tubes of the left extension member
114-right extension member
114a-third surface of the right extension member
114c- third part of the right extension member
114d- fourth part of the right extension member
114e-second tubes of the right extension member
, C , C , Claims:1. A vehicle comprising:
a main frame (102) extending rearwardly from a head pipe (100);
a pair of a left seat rail (104) and a right seat rail (106) extending rearwardly from the main frame (102);
a carrier assembly (108) disposed between the left seat rail (104) and the right seat rail (106), the carrier assembly (108) having an upper surface (108a), a lower surface opposite the upper surface (108a) and left and right side surfaces extending between the upper surface (108a) and the lower surface;
a pillion seat (110) divided into a left pillion seat (110a) and a right pillion seat (110b) along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the left pillion seat (110a) being rotatable in a first pre-defined range by means of a left extension member (112) and the right pillion seat (110b) being rotatable in a second pre-defined range by means of a right extension member (114) such that, at a first position, the left pillion seat (110a) and the right pillion seat (110b) are received on the upper surface (108a) of the carrier assembly (108) and, at a second position, the left pillion seat (110a) is parallel to the left side surface of the carrier assembly (108) and the right pillion seat (110b) is substantially parallel to the right side surface of the carrier assembly (108).

2. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the left extension member (112) being mounted on the left side rail (104) and the right extension member (114) being mounted on the right seat rail (106), the left extension member (112) being rotatable along the left seat rail (104) in the first pre-defined range and the right extension member (114) being rotatable along the right seat rail (116) in the second pre-defined range.

3. The vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the left extension member (112) has a first surface (112a) and a second surface (112b), the first surface (112a) being opposite the second surface (112b), the first surface (112a) facing the carrier assembly (108) at the first position.

4. The vehicle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the left pillion seat (110a) is mounted on the second surface (112b) of the left extension member (112).

5. The vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the right extension member (114) has a third surface (114a) and a fourth surface, the third surface (114a) opposite the fourth surface, the third surface (114a) facing the carrier assembly (108) at the first position.

6. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the right pillion seat (110b) is mounted on the fourth surface of the right extension member (114).

7. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first pre-defined range and the second pre-defined range being 0 degree to 270 degrees.

8. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein, at the first position, the left pillion seat (110a) and the right pillion seat (110b) being at 0 degree with respect to the carrier assembly (108).

9. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein, at the second position, the left seat (110a) and the right seat (110b) being at 180 degrees with respect to the carrier assembly (108).

10. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier assembly (108), left extension member (112) and the right extension member (114) are adapted for carrying loads at the second position.