NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE APPLICANT:
HERO MOTOCORP LIMITED, an Indian company, of The Grand Plaza, Plot No. 2, Nelson Mandela Road, Vasant Kunj- Phase-II, New Delhi – 110070, India.

NATIONALITY: IN

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present disclosure relates to field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a vehicle equipped with a terminal unit. Embodiments of the present disclosure discloses the vehicle equipped with the terminal unit, which is accessible by a pillion rider.

BACKGROUND

[002] The information in this section merely provides background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art(s) for the present disclosure.

[003] Two-wheeled vehicles are used by commuters for daily commute or even long-distance travelling. With large population relying on two-wheeled vehicles for commuting and to make the two-wheelers more user friendly, various features have been added which enhances user experience. One such feature is providing charging terminals in two-wheelers for charging external devices during commuting.

[004] Conventionally, charging terminals are equipped at locations such as at a front side of the two-wheeler, typically proximal to lock system, handle mounted controls and side of body frames. However, such configuration enables only the rider to benefit from accessing the terminal and deprives the pillion rider from accessing the terminal, which is undesired. Further, positioning the terminal at above-mentioned locations may be exposed to external factors such as dust, rains where water may ingress into the terminal, which is undesired.

[005] The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other similar limitations associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY

[006] The one or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by the system (vehicle) as claimed, and additional advantages are provided through the provision of the system as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

[007] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a body frame and a seat supported by the body frame. Further, the vehicle includes a terminal unit which is disposed on the body frame and enclosed by at least a portion of the seat. The configuration of providing the terminal unit which is enclosed by the portion of the seat facilitates a pillion rider to access the terminal unit. Further the configuration provides easy and convenient way of accessing the terminal unit by the pillion rider even during seating and commuting on the vehicle.

[008] In an embodiment, the body frame includes a head tube configured to rotatably support a steering mechanism, a down frame extending downward and rearward from the head tube. Further, the body frame includes a left seat rail and a right seat rail, each extending away from the down frame. Further, the body frame includes a cross member connected to the left seat rail and the right seat rail in a width wise direction of the vehicle.

[009] In an embodiment, the terminal unit is disposed on the cross member, below a space of the seat. This configuration aids in easy and convenient access of the terminal unit to the pillion rider, during commuting on the vehicle.

[010] In an embodiment, at least portion of the seat is defined with an opening for accessing the terminal unit. The opening aids in exposing the terminal unit when the seat is positioned on the left seat rail and the right seat rail.

[011] In an embodiment, the seat is a single seat adapted to enclose the terminal unit.

[012] In an embodiment, the seat is a split seat includes a first seat and a second seat, wherein one of the first seat and the second seat is adapted to enclose the terminal until.

[013] In an embodiment, the vehicle includes a lid movably coupled to a seat base of the seat and adapted to be displaceable between a closed position (CP) and an open position (OP). The lid in the closed position (CP) shields the terminal unit and in the open position (OP) provides access to the terminal unit. The configuration of the lid aids in shielding the terminal unit when not accessed by the pillion and protects the terminal unit from external factors such as dust, rain and the like.

[014] In an embodiment, the lid is coupled to the seat by one of hinged connection and a snap fit connection. This facilitates easy and effortless actuation of the lid by the pillion rider for selectively accessing the terminal unit.

[015] In an embodiment, terminal unit comprises at least one of a power supply function and a communication function, and configured for inserting or removing terminal connection of an external device. The terminal unit is an universal serial bus (USB) terminal unit.

[016] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

[017] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[018] The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the description. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

[019] Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of a portion of a vehicle, depicting a terminal unit and a lid in an open position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[020] Figure 2 illustrates another exploded view of the portion of the vehicle, depicting the terminal unit and the lid in a closed position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[021] Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a body frame, depicting exploded view of the terminal unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[022] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a body frame of the vehicle, depicting terminal unit assembled on a cross member, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[023] Figure 5 illustrates a top view of a portion of the vehicle, depicting the open position of the lid, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[024] Figure 6 illustrates a side perspective view of the portion of the vehicle, depicting the closed position of the lid, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[025] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[026] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the Figures 1 to 6 and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[027] Before describing detailed embodiments, it may be observed that the novelty and inventive step that are in accordance with the present disclosure resides in a in which a terminal unit is disposed on a body frame and the terminal unit being enclosed by a portion of a seat. It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art can be motivated from the present disclosure and modify the various constructions of location of the terminal unit being positioned in the vehicle. However, such modification should be construed within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings are showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

[028] In the present disclosure, the term “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[029] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusions, such that a device that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.

[030] The terms like “at least one” and “one or more” may be used interchangeably or in combination throughout the description.

[031] While the present disclosure is illustrated in the context of a two-wheeled vehicle and the term “two-wheeled vehicle” incudes vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, mopeds, scooter type vehicle, all terrain vehicles and the like.

[032] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same numerals will be used to refer to the same or like parts. Embodiments of the disclosure are described in the following paragraphs with reference to Figures 1 to 6, the same element or elements which have same functions are indicated by the same reference signs.

[033] Referring to Figure 1 illustrates a portion of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle referred to herein, embodies two-wheeled scooter or moped and interchangeably referred to as “the vehicle”. Alternatively, the vehicle may embody any other ridden vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles and the like, without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In forthcoming paragraphs, the vehicle and the configuration of the same is elucidated. Although the description elucidates various body parts of the vehicle, in the corresponding figures reference is made only to those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

[034] The vehicle may broadly include a body frame [not explicitly seen in Figures] and a seat (101) supported by the body frame. In an embodiment, the body frame includes a head tube [not shown in Figures] which may be configured to rotatably support a steering mechanism [not shown in Figures]. Further, the body frame may include a down frame [not shown in Figures] extending downward and rearward from the head tube. As apparent from Figure 1, the body frame may include a left seat rail (103) and a right seat rail (104). Each of the left seat rail (103) and the right seat rail (104) may extend away from the down frame. Further, the body frame may include a cross member (105) which may be connected to the left seat rail (103) and the right seat rail (104) in a width wise direction of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the left seat rail (103), the right seat rail (104) and the cross member (105) may be a unitary structure. In another embodiment, the left seat rail (103), the right seat rail (104) and the cross member (105) may be assembled and joined together by a joining process including but not limiting mechanical and/or thermal joining process. The left seat rail (103) and the right seat rail (104) may be adapted to support the seat (101) which may be used by a rider and a pillion rider for seating on the vehicle.

[035] In an illustrated embodiment, the seat (101) is depicted as a split seat comprising a first seat (101a), which may be adapted to support seating of the rider and a second seat (101b) behind the first seat (101a), which may be adapted to support seating of the pillion rider. However, the same cannot be construed as a limitation since the seat (101) may be a single seat which may be adapted to support seating of both the rider and the pillion rider.

[036] Further, as apparent from Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle may include a terminal unit (102) which may be disposed on the body frame and may be enclosed by at least portion of the seat (101). As an example, the terminal unit (102) may be but not limiting to an universal serial bus (USB) terminal unit. The terminal unit (102) may include at least one of a power supply function and a communication function. Further, the terminal unit (102) may be configured to insert and remove terminal connection of an external device. In an embodiment, the external device may be any device which requires electric power for its operation. In an embodiment, as apparent from Figures 1 and 2, the terminal unit (102) may be disposed on the cross member (105), which may be positioned below a space of the seat (101). The term “space of the seat” may be construed as a dead space which is unutilized based on seating ergonomics of the pillion rider on the seat (101). In an embodiment, disposing the terminal unit (102) below the space of the seat (101) may aid in easy accessing of the terminal unit (102) by the pillion rider, even during commuting. In another embodiment, disposing the terminal unit (102) below the space of the seat (101) may also aid the rider to access the terminal unit (102) and place the external device in a storage below the seat (101), thereby safely positioning the external device connected with the terminal unit (102) during commuting.

[037] In an embodiment, terminal unit (102) may be disposed on the cross member (105) through a bracket (106). As best seen in Figures 3 and 4 the bracket (106) may include a tapered body (107) and at least one flange (108) extending from either sides of the tapered body (107). The at least one flange (108) may facilitate in coupling the bracket (106) with the cross member (105) by one of mechanical joining or thermal joining. In an illustrated embodiment, the bracket (106) is coupled through fasteners and the same cannot be construed as a limitation. In an embodiment, the tapered body (107) may be structured to angularly support the terminal unit (102). Angulalry positioning the terminal unit (102) may aid in easy and convenient accessing of the terminal unit (102) by the pillion rider during seating or commuting.

[038] In an embodiment, as seen in Figure 3, the bracket (106) may include a plurality of supporting walls (111) extending from the tapered body (107). Each of the plurality of supporting walls (111) may be structured to fixedly support the terminal unit (102) on the tapered body (107).

[039] Turning back to Figure 1, at least a portion of the seat (101) may be defined with an opening (113) such that, the opening (113) may provide access for the terminal unit (102) disposed on the cross member (105). That is, upon installation of the seat (101) on the left seat rail (103) and the right seat rail (104), the opening (113) surrounds the terminal unit (102) thereby exposing the terminal unit (102), for accessing of the terminal unit (102). In an embodiment, the opening (113) may be a cut-out which may be defined in the portion of the seat (101), to expose the terminal unit (102), upon installation of the seat (101) on the body frame (thus, the left seat rail (103) and the right seat rail (104)).

[040] Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle may include a lid (112) which may be movably coupled to the opening (113) defined in the portion of the seat (101). In an embodiment, the lid (112) may be coupled to a seat base (114) of the seat (101), where the seat base (114) may be installed on the left seat rail (103) and the right seat rail (104). The lid (112) may be adapted to displace between a closed position (CP) [best seen in Figures 2 and 6] and an open position (OP) [best seen in Figures 1 and 5]. In an embodiment, the lid (112) may be movably positioned within the opening (113) and the lid (112) may be adapted to displace between the closed position (CP) and the open position (OP). As seen in Figures 2 and 6, the lid (112) in the closed position (CP) may shield the terminal unit (102), thus preventing the terminal unit (102) from external factors such as dust, rain and the like. Further, as seen in Figure 1 and 5, the lid (112) in the open position (OP) may provide access to the terminal unit (102) for connecting and removing the terminal connection of the external device.

[041] In an embodiment, the lid (112) may be movably connected to or within the opening (113) by one of a hinge connection or a snap fit connection, such that the lid (112) may be displaced (thus, pivoted) between the closed position (CP) and the open position (OP) for selectively accessing the terminal unit (102) based on requirement. In another embodiment, the lid (112) may be connected to the seat base (114) of the seat (101) through one of a hinge connection or a snap fit connection. The hinge connection or the snap fit connection aids in easy and effortless displacement of the lid (112) between the closed position (CP) and the open position (OP) for selectively accessing the terminal unit (102).

[042] In an embodiment, the lid (112) may include a beading provided along a periphery to provide water-proof shielding to the terminal unit (102) when the lid (112) is in the closed position (CP).

[043] The various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated embodiments; rather, these embodiments are intended to fully and completely disclose the subject matter of the disclosure to those skilled in this art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Thicknesses and dimensions of some components may be exaggerated for clarity.

[044] Herein, the terms “attached”, “connected”, “interconnected”, “contacting”, “mounted”, “coupled” and the like can mean either direct or indirect attachment or contact between elements, unless stated otherwise.

[045] Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity. As used herein the expression “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[046] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[047] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this disclosure, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other modifications in the nature of the disclosure or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

EQUIVALENTS:

[048] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[049] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

[050] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.

[051] The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
, Claims:We Claim:

1. A vehicle, comprising:
a body frame;
a seat (101) supported by the body frame; and
a terminal unit (102) disposed on the body frame and enclosed by at least portion of the seat (101).

2. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body frame comprises:
a head tube configured to rotatably support a steering mechanism;
a down frame extending downward and rearward from the head tube;
a left seat rail (103) and a right seat rail (104), each extending away from the down frame; and
a cross member (105) connected to the left seat rail (103) and the right seat rail (104) in a width wise direction of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein the terminal unit (102) is disposed on the cross member (105), below a space of the seat (101).

4. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least portion of the seat (101) is defined with an opening (113) for accessing the terminal unit (102).

5. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat (101) is a single seat adapted to enclose the terminal unit (102).

6. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat (101) is a split seat comprising a first seat (101a) and a second seat (101b), wherein one of the first seat (101a) and the second seat (101b) is adapted to enclose the terminal until.

7. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, comprises a lid (112) movably coupled to a seat base (114) of the seat (101) and adapted to displace between a closed position (CP) and an open position (OP).

8. The vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the lid (112) in the closed position (CP) shields the terminal unit (102) and in the open position (OP) provides access to the terminal unit (102).

9. The vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the lid (112) is coupled to the seat (101) by one of hinged connection and a snap fit connection.

10. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the terminal unit (102) comprises at least one of a power supply function and a communication function, and configured for inserting or removing terminal connection of an external device.

11. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the terminal unit (102) is an universal serial bus (USB) terminal unit.

Dated this 14th day of October 2022

GOPINATH ARENUR SHANKARAJ
IN/PA 1852
Of K&S Partners
AGENT FOR THE APPLICANT