Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cover member having a cut out portion for easy visibility of a coolant level in a coolant reservoir.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] In saddle type vehicles having liquid cooled engine, a coolant is used to decrease and regulate temperature of an internal combustion engine. The coolant is stored in a coolant reservoir. The coolant reservoir is generally covered with a side cowl (left side cowl or right side cowl) and is difficult to detect a level of coolant in the coolant reservoir. For best performance of the internal combustion engine, it is necessary that the coolant in the coolant reservoir is maintained at optimum level at all times. However, owing to difficulty in detecting the level of the coolant, the user may not be aware of the low level of the coolant in the coolant reservoir which will negatively affect the performance of the internal combustion engine and might also lead to deterioration of the internal combustion engine, which is undesirable.
[003] In view thereof, there is a need felt to solve at least the above-mentioned problem of inadequate visibility and difficulty in checking the level of coolant without compromising the appearance and fit and finish requirements of the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[004] In one aspect of the invention, a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a fuel tank cover, a side cowl, a coolant reservoir and a cover member. The coolant reservoir is at least partially covered by the side cowl. The cover member is adapted to cover a gap between the fuel tank cover and the side cowl. The cover member is mounted at least on the fuel tank cover and the side cowl. The cover member has at least one protruding cut-out portion such that level of a coolant in the coolant reservoir is visible through the cut-out portion.
[005] In an embodiment, the cover member extends between a first portion and a second portion in a front-rear direction of the vehicle. The cover member includes an intermediate portion between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion of the cover member is adapted to be mounted on a frame of the vehicle. In one non-limiting example, the first portion has one or more mounting holes for mounting the first portion onto the frame of the vehicle. The second portion of the cover member is adapted to be mounted on the side cowl of the vehicle. In one non-limiting example, the second portion comprises a resilient mounted plug for mounting the second portion onto the side cowl of the vehicle. The intermediate portion comprises the at least one protruding cut-out portion through which the rider of the vehicle or a mechanic can check the level of the coolant in the coolant reservoir. The protruding portion is a duct shaped hollow portion which extends in a direction towards the coolant reservoir. The intermediate portion is adapted to be mounted on the fuel tank cover. In one non-limiting example, the intermediate portion comprises a hook adapted to be mounted on the fuel tank cover.

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 and Figure 2 illustrate perspective views of a front portion of a vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a cover member in the front portion of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a front perspective view of the cover member, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a rear perspective view of the cover member, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 illustrates assembly of the right side cowl on the vehicle, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of the right side cowl, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 illustrates a coolant reservoir, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9 illustrates assembly of the coolant reservoir on the main frame of the vehicle, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 10 illustrates the coolant reservoir being assembled on the main frame vehicle, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 11 and Figure 12 illustrates mounting of the coolant reservoir in rightward direction of the vehicle, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 13 illustrates a bracket on the main frame of the vehicle for receiving the first portion of the cover member, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 14 illustrates assembly of the cover member on the main frame of the vehicle, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 15 illustrates the cover member being assembled on the main frame of the vehicle, in accordance with the 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] For the purpose of the present invention, the term “vehicle” comprises a saddle type vehicle, such as a motorcycle, having a liquid cooled internal combustion engine. The term “vehicle” also comprises, not being limited to, conventional internal combustion engine vehicles and hybrid vehicles.
[009] Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrate perspective views of a front portion of a vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the front portion of the vehicle 100 comprises a fuel tank cover 102. The fuel tank cover 102 is adapted to enclose an upper portion of the fuel tank. The fuel tank cover 102 is well known in the art and the construction and functioning of the same has not been discussed in detail. The vehicle 100 further comprises a left side cowl (not shown) and a right side cowl 104. The left side cowl and the right side cowl 104 are supported by a main frame of the vehicle 100. As already known, the main frame of the vehicle 100 supports various components of the vehicle 100 and comprises a head tube 122 (shown in Figure 9) and one or more main tubes 112 (shown in Figure 9). The one or more main tubes 112 extends from the head tube 122 in a vehicle rear direction. The main frame of the vehicle 100 may further comprise a pair of rear tubes (not shown), one or more down tubes (not shown) and/or a pivot frame (not shown) which are already known in the art and have not been discussed in detail. The fuel tank cover 102 and the side cowls i.e., the left side cowl and the right side cowl 104 are assembled in such a manner that no gap is visible between the fuel tank cover 102 and the side cowls 104. However, in reality, a gap 120 has to be maintained between the fuel tank cover 102 and the side cowls 104 as side cowls 104 are painted parts and, in absence of the gap 120 between the fuel tank cover 102 and the side cowls 104, there are occurrences of issues such as rattling of the fuel tank cover 102 and the side cowls 104, and powder formation. The present invention makes use of the gap 120 to provide easy visibility to level of a coolant in a coolant reservoir 106. The present invention essentially provides a cover member 108 (shown in Figure 3) which covers the gap 120 and provides easy visibility to level of the coolant in the coolant reservoir 106. In one non-limiting example, the coolant reservoir 106 is provided between the head tube 122 and the right side cowl 104. In such a scenario, the cover member 108 is provided to cover the gap 120 between the fuel tank cover 102 and the right side cowl 104. In another non-limiting example, the coolant reservoir 106 is provided between the head tube 122 and the left side cowl (not shown). In such a scenario, the cover member 108 is provided to cover the gap 120 between the fuel tank cover 102 and the left side cowl (not shown). In one non-limiting example, the cover member 108 is used to cover the gap 120 between the fuel tank cover 102 and the right side cowl 104 as well as fuel tank cover 102 and the left side cowl (not shown). The enlarged feature A in Figure 1 illustrates a portion of the coolant reservoir 106 visible from the gap 120 between the fuel tank cover 102 and the right side cowl 104. The enlarged feature B in Figure 2 illustrates a gap 120 between the fuel tank cover 102 and the right side cowl 104.
[010] Figure 3 illustrates a cover member 108 in the front portion of the vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[011] As shown, the cover member 108 is provided between the fuel tank cover 102 and the right side cowl 104. The cover member 108 comprises at least one protruding cut out portion 110 such that level of the coolant in coolant reservoir 106 is easily visible through the protruding cut out portion 110, when viewed by an onlooking person such as the rider of the vehicle 100 or the mechanic.
[012] Figure 4 illustrates a front perspective view of the cover member 108, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 illustrates a rear perspective view of the cover member 108, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[013] As shown, the cover member 108 comprises a first portion 108a, a second portion 108c and an intermediate portion 108b extending between the first portion 108a and the second portion 108c. The cover member 108 further comprises a front surface 124 and a rear surface 126. The rear surface 126 faces the main frame of the vehicle 100 and front surface 124 is opposite the rear surface 126 such that it is visible to the person looking at the vehicle 100 in an assembled state. The person can be the rider of the vehicle 100 or the mechanic. The first portion 108a of the cover member 108 is adapted to be mounted on the main tubes 112 (shown in Figure 9) of the vehicle 100. In one non-limiting example, the first portion 108a comprises a bracket B1 having one or more mounting holes M1. The main tubes 112 of the vehicle 100 may also comprise a bracket B2 (shown in Figure 13) having one or more mounting holes M2 (shown in Figure 14). During assembly, the one or more mounting holes M1 on the bracket B1 of the first portion 108a of the cover member 108 are aligned with the one or more mounting holes M2 on the bracket B2 of the main tube 112 and fastened with one or more fasteners F1 (shown in Figure 14) such as nuts, bolts, screws and the likes. The bracket B1 is provided on the rear surface 126 of the cover member 108.
[014] The second portion 108c of the cover member 108 is adapted to be mounted on the side cowl 104 of the vehicle 100. In one non-limiting example, the second portion 108c of the cover member 108 comprises a resilient mounting plug 116 and the side cowl 104 comprises a receiving unit 128 (shown in Figure 7) to receive the resilient mounting plug 116. The resilient mounting plug 116 helps in maintaining the gap 120 between the cover member 108 and the side cowl 104 to avoid rattling of the cover member 108 and the side cowl 104 and also prevents powder formation owing to side cowl 104 being a painted part. The resilient mounting plug 116 is provided on the rear surface 126 of the cover member 108.
[015] The intermediate portion 108b of the cover member 108 is adapted to be mounted on the fuel tank cover 102 of the vehicle 100. In one non-limiting example, the intermediate portion 108b comprises a hook 118 and the fuel tank cover 102 comprises a mating portion to receive the hook 118. The hook 118 is provided on the rear surface 126 of the cover member 108.
[016] The intermediate portion 108b of the cover member 108 further comprises at least one protruding cut-out portion 110. The protruding cut-out portion 110 is a hollow duct like portion which extends from the front surface 124 of the cover member 108 to the rear surface 126 of the cover member 108 and further extends downwards in a direction towards the coolant reservoir 106 of the vehicle 100. The cut-out size of the protruding cut out portion 110 is so optimized that the minimum coolant level is easily visible without having any trouble to the rider or mechanic. The protruding cut out portion 110 provides clear visibility to check the coolant level in the coolant reservoir 106. The protruding cut-out portion 110 converges eye-sight of the person checking the coolant level and provide visibility of the coolant level to the person without removing any part of the vehicle 100. Also, the mounting of the first portion 108a on the main tube 112 of the vehicle 100 and mounting of the intermediate portion 108c on the fuel tank cover 102 leads to zero gap between the cover member 108 and the fuel tank cover 102, thereby increasing the aesthetics of the vehicle 100.
[017] Figure 6 illustrates assembly of the right side cowl 104 on the vehicle 100, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of the right side cowl 104, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[018] The right side cowl 104 is configured to be mounted on the main tube 112 of the vehicle 100. For mounting onto the main tube 112 of the vehicle 100, the right side cowl 104 has one or more mounting provisions 130 along a periphery of the right side cowl 104. Also, the right side cowl 104 comprises the receiving unit 128 to receive the resilient mounting plug 116 of the second portion 108c of the cover member 108.
[019] Figure 8 illustrates a coolant reservoir 106, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 illustrates assembly of the coolant reservoir 106 on the main frame of the vehicle 100, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 illustrates the coolant reservoir 105 being assembled on the main frame of vehicle 100, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[020] The coolant reservoir 106 is mounted on the main tube 112 of the vehicle 100. For mounting on the main tube 112 of the vehicle 100, the coolant reservoir may comprise one or more brackets B3 having one or more mounting holes M3. The main tube 112 of the vehicle 100 also comprises a bracket B4 having one or more mounting holes M4. The one or more mounting holes M3 of the bracket B3 are aligned with the mounting holes M4 of the bracket B4 and fastened with one or more fasteners such as screws, nuts, bolts and the likes. The coolant reservoir 106 also comprises a first indicator (L1) to indicate maximum level of the coolant in the coolant reservoir 106 and a second indicator (L2) to indicate a minimum level of the coolant in the coolant reservoir 106.
[021] Figure 11 and Figure 12 illustrates mounting of the coolant reservoir 106 assembled of the vehicle 100, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[022] The coolant reservoir 106 is provided between the head tube 122 and right side cowl 104 of the vehicle 100. The coolant reservoir 106 may be at least partially covered by the right side cowl 104. The coolant reservoir 106 may also be partially covered by the fuel tank cover 102.
[023] Figure 13 illustrates a bracket B4 on the main frame of the vehicle 100 for receiving the first portion 108a of the cover member 108, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 14 illustrates assembly of the cover member 108 on the main tube 112 of the vehicle 100, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 15 illustrates the cover member 108 being assembled on the main tube 112 of the vehicle 100, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[024] The first portion 108a of the cover member 108 is adapted to be mounted on the main tube 112 of the vehicle 100. The first portion 108 comprises the bracket B1 having one or more mounting holes M1. The main tube 112 of the vehicle 100 may also comprise the bracket B2 having one or more mounting holes M2. During assembly, the one or more mounting holes M1 on the bracket B1 of the first portion 108a of the cover member 108 are aligned with the one or more mounting holes M2 on the bracket B2 of the main tube 112 and fastened with the one or more fasteners F1 such as nuts, bolts, screws and the likes.
[025] 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 difficulty in frequently checking the level of coolant in the coolant reservoir is solved by present invention.
[026] In the present invention, zero gap is maintained between the cover member and fuel tank cover by means of the hook on the intermediate portion of the vehicle and mounting provisions on the first portion of the cover member. The zero gap between the cover member and the fuel tank cover increases the aesthetics and neatness of the vehicle. Further, adequate gap is provided between the cover member and the side cowl by adequate overlap and resilient plug mounting. The resilient plug mounting and the adequate overlap overcomes issues such as rattling of the side cowl and the cover member and powder formation as the side cowl is painted part.
[027] In the present invention, the cover member is provided between fuel tank cover and right cowl. Moreover, the cover member can also be provided between the fuel tank cover and the left cowl. The cover member covers the covers the internal raw detailing of the vehicle. Also, the cover member avoids dust or water entry to the internal components of the vehicle. The cover member helps in reducing the gap between the fuel tank cover and side cowls which looks like a rat hole in absence of the cover member. It is to be understood that the cover member can be provided between the fuel tank cover and both the side cowls or either of the side cowls.
[028] In the present invention, the cut out protruding features of the cover member facilitates easy visibility and frequent checking of the coolant in the coolant reservoir before disassembling any part of the vehicle. Owing to easy visibility and frequent checking of the coolant in the coolant reservoir, required quantities of coolant can be maintained in the coolant reservoir which achieves superior performance of the internal combustion engine.

List of Reference Numerals
100-vehicle
102- fuel tank cover
104- side cowl
106-coolant reservoir
108- cover member
108a- first portion
108b- intermediate portion
108c- second portion
110- protruding cut out portion
112- main tubes
116- resilient mounting plug
118- hook
120-gap
122- head tube
124- front surface
126-rear surface
128- receiving unit
130- mounting provision of side cowl
B1- Bracket on first portion of the cover member
B2-Bracket on main tube
B3- bracket on coolant reservoir
B4- bracket on main tube
M1- mounting holes on bracket B1
M2- mounting holes on bracket B2
M3- mounting holes on bracket B3
M4- mounting holes on bracket B4
L1- first indicator
L2- second Indicator
F1- Fasteners , Claims:WE CLAIM:

1. A vehicle (100) comprising:
a fuel tank cover (102);
a side cowl (104);
a coolant reservoir (106), the coolant reservoir (106) being at least partially covered by the side cowl (104); and
a cover member (108) mounted at least on the fuel tank cover (102) and the side cowl (104), the cover member (108) adapted to cover a gap (120) between the fuel tank cover (102) and the side cowl (104), the cover member (108) having at least one protruding cut-out portion (110) such that level of a coolant in the coolant reservoir (106) is visible through the cut-out portion (110).

2. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover member (108) extends between a first portion (108a) and a second portion (108c) in a front-rear direction of the vehicle (100).

3. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first portion (108a) of the cover member (108) is adapted to be mounted on a frame (112) of the vehicle (100).
4. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first portion (108a) of the cover member (108) comprises one or more mounting holes (M1).

5. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second portion (108c) of the cover member (108) is adapted to be mounted on the side cowl (104).

6. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second portion (108c) comprises a resilient mounting plug (116) adapted to be mounted on the side cowl (104).

7. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the protruding cut-out portion (110) extends in a direction towards the coolant reservoir (106), the protruding cut-out portion (110) being provided on an intermediate portion (108b) between the first portion (108a) and the second portion (108c).

8. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the intermediate portion (108b) is adapted to be mounted on the fuel tank cover (102).

9. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the intermediate portion (108b) comprises a hook (118) adapted to be mounted on the fuel tank cover (102).

Dated this 27th day of January 2023
TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

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