FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION [See section 10; rule 13]
TITLE OF THE INVENTION AN INTEGRATED MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE
APPLICANT(S)
TATA MOTORS PASSENGER VEHICLES LIMITED
Floor 3, 4, Plot-18, Nanavati Mahalaya,
Mudhana Shetty Marg, BSE,
Fort, Mumbai City - 400 001,
Maharashtra, India,
an Indian Company.
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] This disclosure relates generally to automobiles, and more particularly to an integrated mounting structure and methods for securing fuel storage cylinders and a spare wheel on an automobile.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Automobile industry has been moving towards adoption of alternative and relatively cleaner fuels, such as natural gas. Vehicles that use natural gas have multiple advantages over conventional petrol- or diesel-based vehicles, such as providing for low-cost operations and lower carbon footprint. The natural gas may be stored on the vehicle in compressed form in one or more fuel cylinders. Due to the multiple advantages associated with the natural gas-based vehicles as compared to existing gasoline-based vehicles, the existing vehicles may also be retrofitted and thereby converted to natural gas-based vehicles.
[003] However, various challenges are associated with mounting the fuel cylinders on the vehicle. For example, in the existing natural gas-based vehicles, especially in passenger vehicles, a single large compressed natural gas (CNG) cylinder is fitted in a rear compartment of the vehicle, via a mounting assembly using clamps and brackets. The CNG cylinder is mounted along the vehicle's transverse axis at a height substantially higher than the vehicle floor panel. As such, when the CNG cylinder is mounted in the rear compartment, the bulky CNG cylinder occupies a significant amount of luggage space, thereby leaving no or minimal practical storage space in the rear compartment of the vehicle.
[004] Further, retrofitting the CNG cylinders to an existing gasoline-based vehicles poses various challenges in mounting the spare wheel in the rear compartment of the vehicle. The spare wheel is mounted using a deep drawn wheel well panel in the conventional vehicles. To position the CNG cylinder, it therefore

becomes mandatory to mount the CNG cylinder at a higher level to enable access of the spare wheel positioned there-below. However, such positioning of the spare wheel and the CNG cylinder makes accessing and decoupling the spare wheel difficult and cumbersome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[005] In one embodiment, an integrated mounting system for a vehicle is disclosed. The integrated mounting system may include a floor-panel member configured to be positioned within the vehicle. The floor-panel member may define an upper surface defining a first region to accommodate a cradle assembly. The cradle assembly may be configured to support a plurality of fuel storage cylinders. The floor-panel member may further include a lower surface and a carrier assembly attached to the lower surface of the floor-panel member. The carrier assembly may include a carrier frame which may be configured to mount at least one spare wheel thereto.
[006] In another embodiment, a cradle assembly for securing a plurality of fuel storage cylinders in a vehicle is disclosed. The cradle assembly may include a cradle frame which may include a left lateral member, a right lateral member oppositely disposed to the left lateral member, a plurality of longitudinal members. The left lateral member, the right lateral member, and plurality of longitudinal members may be interconnected to form a rigid structure. The cradle frame may be configured to support a first fuel storage cylinder and a second fuel storage cylinder. The cradle assembly may further include at least two sets of strap guides configured to secure the first fuel storage cylinder and the second fuel storage cylinder to the cradle frame. The cradle assembly may be configured to be securely positioned on a floor-panel of the vehicle.
[007] In yet another embodiment, a method of securing fuel storage cylinders within a vehicle is disclosed. The method may include positioning a cradle

assembly on an integrated mounting system of the vehicle. The integrated mounting system may include a floor-panel member fitted to the vehicle. The floor-panel member may define an upper surface defining a first region to accommodate the cradle assembly and a lower surface. The integrated mounting system may further include a cradle assembly which may include a cradle frame. The cradle frame may include a left lateral member, a right lateral member oppositely disposed to the left lateral member, and a plurality of longitudinal members. The left lateral member, the right lateral member, and the plurality of longitudinal members may be interconnected to form a rigid structure. The cradle assembly may further include at least two sets of strap guides. The carrier assembly may be attached to the lower surface of the floor-panel member and may be configured to mount at least one spare wheel thereto. The method may further include positioning a plurality of fuel storage cylinders on the cradle assembly. The method may further include, upon positioning, securing the plurality of fuel storage cylinders on the cradle assembly, using the at least two sets of strap guides.
[008] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles.
[010] FIG. 1 illustrates a rear perspective view of a vehicle, in accordance with
some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[011] FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of the integrated mounting system
with a pair of fuel storage cylinders mounted thereon, in accordance with some
embodiments.

[012] FIG. 2B illustrates a top view of the integrated mounting system with the
pair of fuel storage cylinders mounted thereon, in accordance with some
embodiments.
[013] FIG. 2C illustrates a bottom view of the integrated mounting system, in
accordance with some embodiments.
[014] FIG. 2D illustrates another bottom view of the integrated mounting system
showing a possible positioning of the spare wheel thereon, in accordance with some
embodiments.
[015] FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a cradle assembly without the pair
of cylinders, in accordance with some embodiments.
[016] FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of the cradle assembly with the pair
of cylinders, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[017] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the integrated mounting system, in
accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[018] FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the integrated mounting system, in
accordance with some embodiments.
[019] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method of securing fuel storage cylinders
and spare wheel within a vehicle, in accordance with some embodiment of the
present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[020] The foregoing description has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which forms the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying other devices, systems, assemblies and mechanisms for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that, such equivalent constructions do not depart from the

scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristics of the disclosure, to its device or system, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
[021] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusions, such that a system or a device that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps 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.
[022] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same numerals have been used to refer to the same or like parts. The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to FIGs. 1-6. It is to be noted that the system may be employed in any vehicle including but not limited to a passenger vehicle, a utility vehicle, commercial vehicles, and any other vehicle with an exhaust system. For a sake of clarity, a vehicle is not shown.
[023] Presently, in natural gas-based vehicles, a single large compressed natural gas (CNG) cylinder may be fitted in a rear compartment of the vehicle. However, packaging the cylinder in the rear compartment of the vehicle reduces the available storage space of the vehicle. Further, in order to enable access to the spare wheel, which is generally packaged in the rear compartment of the vehicle, the CNG cylinder should be mounted at a substantially higher level. Such arrangement makes further reduces the storage space and further makes decoupling of the spare wheel

from the vehicle difficult. Therefore, it is desirable to provide an integrated mounting system that can mount the CNG cylinder(s) and the spare wheel on the vehicle in a compact manner, thereby creating sufficient storage space in the vehicle.
[024] Referring now to FIG. 1, a rear perspective view of a vehicle 100 is illustrated, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As is illustrated, the vehicle 100 may include a vehicle structural body 102. The vehicle structural body 102 extends in a front (F) to rear (R) direction along a vehicle longitudinal axis (B-B’) and side-to-side along a vehicle lateral axis (A-A’).
[025] The vehicle structural body 102 may further include an integrated mounting system 104. For example, in an embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 1, the integrated mounting system 104 may be attached to or integrated with the vehicle structural body 102. Further, as illustrated, the integrated mounting system 104 may be positioned towards a rear compartment 106 of the vehicle 100. In alternate examples, the integrated mounting system 104 may be located towards the front of the vehicle 100 or any other position within the vehicle 100 as well. Further, in some embodiments, the integrated mounting system 104 may be configured for positioning a plurality of fuel storage cylinders thereon. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the integrated mounting system 104 may be configured for positioning thereon a pair of fuel storage cylinders 108A, 108B (hereinafter, collectively referred as pair of fuel storage cylinders 108 or plurality of fuel storage cylinders 108) on an upper side of the integrated mounting system 104. In some embodiments, each of the pair of fuel storage cylinders 108 may be a compressed natural gas (CNG) cylinder or a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder. It should be noted that the pair of fuel storage cylinders 108 may not be restricted to the CNG or LPG cylinders may include any other possible energy storage system including electric batteries, Hydrogen-based energy generation apparatus, etc.

[026] In some embodiments, the integrated mounting system 104 may be further configured for attaching thereto at least one spare wheel 110. To this end, the integrated mounting system 104 may include a carrier assembly attached thereto towards lower side of the integrated mounting system 104. The at least one spare wheel 110 may be mounted on the integrated mounting system 104 via the carrier assembly. This is explained in detail, in conjunction with FIGs. 4-5.
[027] A removable partition member 112 may be disposed over the pair of the fuel storage cylinders 108. The removable partition member 112 may divide the rear compartment 106 of the vehicle 100 in two parts, i.e. space below the removable partition member 112 and space above the removable partition member 112. The space below the removable partition member 112 may be utilized for installation of the integrated mounting system 104 in the vehicle 100 and the space above the removable partition member 112 may be used for storing luggage. As such, the removable partition member 112 may act to isolate the fuel storage cylinders 108 (positioned below the removable partition member 112) from the storage space (defined above the removable partition member 112), within the rear compartment of the vehicle 100. The removable partition member 112 may be configured to be fitted to the fuel storage cylinders 108 or to the vehicle structural body 102, to be securely fitted at its position and allow storing of luggage thereon. Further, it should be noted that the removable partition member 112 may be removable to allow easy access to the pair of the fuel storage cylinders 108 underneath. As such, the removable partition member 112 may be detachably fitted to the fuel storage cylinders 108 or to the vehicle structural body 102, for example, via fasteners such as screws, nut-bolt assemblies, etc. In some other examples, the removable partition member 112 may be detachably fitted via a slot arrangement, such that a section (e.g. an edge) of the removable partition member 112 may fit into a slot defined with the vehicle structural body 102.
[028] The integrated mounting system 104, therefore, provides an efficient solution for mounting the pair of fuel storage cylinders 108 and the at least one

spare wheel 110 thereto, for example, in the rear compartment of the vehicle 100, thereby creating sufficient storage space in the vehicle. In particular, the packaging of the integrated mounting system 104 within the rear compartment 106 of the vehicle 100 enables installing of the removable partition member 112 at a position above the pair of fuel storage cylinders 108 and along the vehicle lateral axis (A-A’). The integrated mounting system 104 allows for mounting two or more fuel storage cylinders 108 instead of only one,that further helps in making the packaging of the fuel storage cylinders 108 more compact and creating more storage space. The integrated mounting system 104 therefore creates sufficient storage space in the rear compartment 106 and at the same time provides improved mounting and compact packaging of the pair of fuel storage cylinders 108 of a predefined capacity as required for the vehicle. Additionally, the integrated mounting system 104 provides for securing the at least one spare wheel 110 to a bottom surface thereof for ease of assembling and disassembling of the spare wheel 110 when required.
[029] Referring now to FIGs. 2A-2D. FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view 200A of the integrated mounting system 104 with the pair of fuel storage cylinders 108 mounted thereon, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 2B illustrates a top view 200B of the integrated mounting system 104 with the pair of fuel storage cylinders 108 mounted thereon, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 2C illustrates a bottom view 200C of the integrated mounting system 104, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 2D illustrates another bottom view 200D of the integrated mounting system 104 showing a possible positioning of the spare wheel 110 thereon, in accordance with some embodiments.
[030] The integrated mounting system 104 may include a floor-panel member 202. The floor-panel member 202 may be configured to be fitted to the vehicle 100, for example, in the space defined below the removable partition member 112. The floor-panel member 202 may define an upper side 204 and a lower side 206. In some embodiments, the upper side 204 of the floor-panel member 202 may be accessible from within the rear compartment 106 of the vehicle 100 (not shown in

Fig. 2). The lower side 206 may be accessible from outside the vehicle 100, for example from underneath the integrated mounting system 104. The floor-panel member 202 is further illustrated in and explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 4.
[031] Referring now to FIG. 4, a perspective view 400 of the integrated mounting system 104 (without cradle assembly) is illustrated, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The integrated mounting system 104 includes the floor-panel member 202. The floor-panel member 202 may be made of a strong and rigid sheet, the material of which may be selected from a metal (for example, Steel, Aluminum, etc.) or an alloy. Furthermore, the floor-panel member 202 may be manufactured using a standard die-casting method. Alternatively, other manufacturing techniques, such as machining, welding, and forging may be used.
[032] As mentioned above and as shown in FIG. 4, the floor-panel member 202 may define the upper side 204 and the lower side 206. The upper side 204 of the floor-panel member 202 may define a first region to accommodate a cradle assembly 208. For example, the first region may be defined via a depression formed within the upper side 204 between a left wall 418L and a right wall 418R. The cradle assembly 208 may be detachably fastened in between the left wall 418L and a right wall 418R. The first region defined by the upper side 204 of the floor-panel member 202 may have a substantially a planar surface (between the left wall 418L and a right wall 418R) for positioning of the cradle assembly 208 thereon.
[033] The cradle assembly 208 may be detachably attached to the upper side 204
of the floor-panel member 202, using fasteners such as rivets, nut-bolt assemblies,
screws, etc. Additionally, one or more brackets (not shown in FIG. 2) may be used
to securely mount and attach the cradle assembly 208 to the floor-panel member
202.
[034] It should be noted that the cradle assembly 208 may also be retrofitted to
the upper side 204 of the floor-panel member 202. In other words, the cradle

assembly 208 may be configured to be fitted to the floor-panel member 202 or an equivalent thereof of an existing vehicle. The cradle assembly is further illustrated and explained in conjunction with FIGs. 3A-3B.
[035] Referring now to FIGs. 3A-3B. FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view 300A of the cradle assembly 208 (without the pair of fuel storage cylinders 108), in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view 300B of the cradle assembly 208 with the pair of fuel storage cylinders 108 mounted thereon, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIGs. 3A-3B, the cradle assembly 208 may include a cradle frame 302 for securing the plurality of fuel storage cylinders 108. The cradle frame 302 may be made from a strong and rigid material selected from a metal (for example, Steel, Aluminum, etc.) or an alloy.
[036] As illustrated in FIGs. 3A-3B, in some embodiments, the cradle frame 302 may include a left lateral member 304L and a right lateral member 304R. The right lateral member 304R may be oppositely disposed to the left lateral member 304L. The cradle frame 302 may further include a plurality of longitudinal members – a first longitudinal member 306A, a second longitudinal member 306B, and a third longitudinal member 306C (hereinafter, collectively referred to as plurality of longitudinal members 306). In some example embodiments, the first longitudinal member 306A, the second longitudinal member 306B, and the third longitudinal member 306C may be disposed parallel to each other. Further, the third longitudinal member 306C may be disposed between the first longitudinal member 306A and the second longitudinal member 306B. The left lateral member 304L, the right lateral member 304R, and the plurality of longitudinal members 306 may be interconnected to form a supporting rigid structure 302 (also referred to as cradle frame 302 in this disclosure) for supporting the plurality of fuel storage cylinders 108. In some embodiments, the left lateral member 304L, the right lateral member 304R, and the plurality of longitudinal members 306 may be joined by means of welding. Alternatively, fasteners such as nut-bolt assembles, screws, rivets, etc.

may be used to join the plurality of longitudinal members 306 with the left lateral member 304L, the right lateral member 304R to each other.
[037] The cradle frame 302 may include a first frame section 308A and a second frame section 308B. For example, the first frame section 308A may be formed by the first longitudinal member 306A, the third longitudinal member 306C, the left lateral member 304L, and the right lateral member 304R. Similarly, the second frame section 308B may be formed by the second longitudinal member 306B, the third longitudinal member 306C, the left lateral member 304L, and the right lateral member 304R. The first frame section 308A may be configured to support the first fuel storage cylinder 108A thereon, and the second frame section 308B may be configured to support the second fuel storage cylinder 108B thereon, as is illustrated in FIG. 3B.
[038] The cradle assembly 208 may further include at least two set of strap guides 310L, 310R and 312L, 312R configured to secure the plurality of fuel storage cylinders 108 on the cradle frame 302. For example, a first set of strap guides 310L, 310R (also collectively referred to the first set of strap guides 310) may be configured to secure a first fuel storage cylinder 108A (of the pair of fuel storage cylinders 108) to the cradle frame 302. Similarly, a second set of strap guides 312L, 312R (also collectively referred to the second set of strap guides 312) may be configured to secure a second fuel storage cylinder 108B (of the pair of fuel storage cylinders 108) to the cradle frame 302. It should be noted that the in alternate embodiments, each set of strap guides 310, 312 may include less than or more than two strap guides, for example, depending on the size of the fuel storage cylinder, the strength of the strap guides, etc.
[039] By way of an example, each strap of the sets of strap guides 310, 312 may be made from a flexible metal or an alloy. Alternately, each strap of the sets of strap guides 310, 312 may be made from any other flexible material, for example, leather, plastic, composite material, etc. The first set of strap guides 310 may be configured

to be disposed circumferentially around the first fuel storage cylinder 108A to secure the first fuel storage cylinder 108A to the first frame section 308A of the cradle frame 302. Similarly, the second set of strap guides 312 may be configured to be disposed circumferentially around the second fuel storage cylinder 108B to secure the second fuel storage cylinder 108B to the second frame section 308B of the cradle frame 302.
[040] In some embodiments, each strap of the sets of strap guides 310, 312 may include a locking latch 314. The locking latch may be configured to fasten the respective strap guide of the sets of strap guides 310, 312 to secure the fuel storage cylinders 108 to the cradle frame 302. It should be noted that preferably the locking latch 314 may be configured to be unfastened to allow removing of the fuel storage cylinders 108 from the cradle frame 302, for example during serving or repairing. By way of example, the locking latch 314 may include a fastening mechanism including, but not limited to, a nut-bolt assembly, a screw, a ratchet mechanism, a zip tie, etc. It should be further noted that the sets of strap guides 310, 312 are configured to restrict lateral movement of the first fuel storage cylinder 108A and the second fuel storage cylinder 108B, especially when the vehicle is in motion and the fuel storage cylinders 108 are subjected to subjected wobbling along the vehicle lateral axis (A-A’).
[041] Each of the first frame section 308A and the second frame section 308B may further include a supporting member 316 positioned at a first longitudinal end of the cradle frame 302. For example, the supporting member 316 may be positioned towards one of the left lateral member 304L or the right lateral member 304R of the cradle assembly 208. Further, each of the first frame section 308A and the second frame section 308B may further include a blocking member 318 positioned at a second longitudinal end of the cradle frame 302 and opposite to the supporting member. For example, the blocking member 318 may be positioned towards one of the left lateral member 304L or the right lateral member 304R of the cradle assembly 208. The blocking member 318 may be positioned opposite to

the supporting member 316. Therefore, the supporting member 316 may be attached to one of the left lateral member 304L and the right lateral member 304R, and the blocking member 318 may be attached to the other of the left lateral member 304L and the right lateral member 304R. For example, in an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3A, the supporting members 316 may be attached to the right lateral member 304R, and the blocking members 318 may be attached to the left lateral member 304L. Further, it should be noted that in some alternate embodiments, the supporting member 316 may be attached to at least one of the first longitudinal member 306A, the second longitudinal member 306B, and the third longitudinal member 306C (instead of or along with being attached to the right lateral member 304L). Furthermore, the blocking member 318 may be attached to at least one of the first longitudinal member 306A, the second longitudinal member 306B, and the third longitudinal member 306C (instead of or along with being attached to the left lateral member 304L).
[042] It should be noted that one of the first fuel storage cylinder 108A and the second fuel storage cylinder 108B may be positioned between the supporting member 316 and the blocking member 318. By way of this positioning, the supporting member 316 and the blocking member 318 are configured to restrict longitudinal movement of the first fuel storage cylinder 108A and the second fuel storage cylinder 108B, especially when the vehicle is in motion and the fuel storage cylinders 108 are subjected to subjected wobbling along the vehicle longitudinal axis (B-B’).
[043] Referring once again to FIGs. 2A-2D, the integrated mounting system 104 may further include a carrier assembly 210 attached to the lower side 206 of the floor-panel member 202. The carrier assembly 210 may include a carrier frame (as illustrated in and explained via FIGs. 4-5) configured to mount the at least one spare wheel 110 thereto.
[044] Referring once again to FIG. 4, the integrated mounting system 104 may further include the carrier assembly 210 detachably attached to the lower side 206

of the floor-panel member 202. The carrier assembly 210 may include a carrier frame 402 to which the at least one spare wheel 110 (not shown in FIG. 4) may be mounted. The carrier frame 402 may include a central member 406 defining a peripheral surface 408. The carrier frame 402 may further include a plurality of structural members. In some embodiments, the carrier frame 402 may include at least two transverse members 410B, 410D, at least two longitudinal members 410A, 410C (the at least two transverse members 410B, 410D and at least two longitudinal members 410A, 410C, collectively, also referred to as plurality of structural members 410), and a central member 406. The at least two transverse members 410B, 410D and the at least two longitudinal members 410A, 410C may be attached to the central member 406 via a peripheral surface 408 associated with the central member 406, for example, via welding. In particular, rear ends of each of the at least two transverse members 410B, 410D, at least two longitudinal members 410A, 410C may be attached to at least a portion of the peripheral surface 408 of the central member 406. Further, the central member 406 may include an attachment portion (not shown in FIG. 4) having the wheel rim mounting bracket 218 configured to mount the at least one spare wheel 110 to the carrier frame 402.
[045] The carrier frame 402 may be detachably attached to the lower side 206 of the floor-panel member 202 via a plurality of mounting brackets. In particular, the plurality of mounting brackets may include a pair of left and right mounting brackets 412L, 412R, a pair of left and right first-type mounting reinforcement brackets 414L, 414R, and a pair of left and right second-type mounting reinforcement brackets 416L, 416R. In particular, the carrier frame 402 may be detachably secured to the floor-panel member 202 on the left side via the left first-type mounting reinforcement bracket 414L and the left second-type mounting reinforcement bracket 416L. The left first-type mounting reinforcement bracket 414L and the left second-type mounting reinforcement bracket 416L may be fastened to the left mounting bracket 412L. Further, the floor-panel member 202 may be detachably secured to the carrier frame 402 on the right side via the right first-type mounting reinforcement bracket 414R and the right second-type

mounting reinforcement bracket 416R. The right first-type mounting reinforcement bracket 414R and the right second-type mounting reinforcement bracket 416R may be fastened to the right mounting bracket 412R. As such, it may be possible to remove and re-attach the carrier frame 402 to the floor-panel member 202 by dismounting the plurality of mounting brackets.
[046] Referring to FIGs. 2B-2D and 4, the integrated mounting system 104 may further include a winch unit 212 configured to lift or lower the at least one spare wheel 110 (as shown in FIG. 2D) in order to mount or dismount the at least one spare wheel 110 from the vehicle 100. The winch unit 212 may be located laterally such that, when required, the spare wheel 110 can be assembled onto or decoupled from the vehicle by operating the winch unit 212 with ease, comfort and minimal effort.
[047] In some embodiments, the winch unit 212 may include a winch slot 214 located offset to the cradle assembly 208, through which the winch unit 212 can be accessed. The winch slot 214 may be located offset from the first region which is configured to accommodate the cradle assembly 208. In particular, the winch slot 214 may be positioned offset from the cradle assembly 208 and the pair of cylinders 108, when the cradle assembly 208 and the pair of fuel storage cylinders 108 are mounted on the integrated mounting system 104. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the said positioning of the winch slot 214 (i.e. offset from the cradle assembly 208 and the pair of fuel storage cylinders 108) allows for easy access to the winch slot 214 to mount or dismount the spare wheel 110. For example, the winch slot 214 may be positioned near a left corner or right corner of the integrated mounting system 104.
[048] The winch unit 212 may further include a winch manipulator which may be coupled with the winch slot 214. Further, the winch unit 212 may include a tension member 216, for example, a rope (for example, the rope may be made from a metal or an alloy, such as Stainless Steel, Copper, Aluminium, Bronze, etc.). For example,

the winch manipulator may be configured to be rotated by a user using a handle (not shown in FIGs. 1-5) which may couple with the manipulator (not shown in FIGs. 2B-2D and 4) via the winch slot 214. The winch manipulator may be further configured to tighten or loosen the tension member 216. For example, the tension member 216 may be configured to wind on the body of the winch manipulator in response to the rotation of the winch manipulator in one of the clockwise and or anti-clockwise direction, to tighten the tension member 216. As such, the tension member 216 may be configured to unwind from the body of the winch manipulator in response to the rotation of the winch manipulator in the opposite direction, to thereby loosen the tension member 216. The winch unit 212 may further include a wheel rim mounting bracket 218 which may be configured to couple with the spare wheel 110, for example, via a central hole of the spare wheel 110. One end of the tension member 216 may be connected to the winch manipulator and other end of the tension member 216 may be connected to wheel rim mounting bracket 218. The tension member 216 may be coiled and stored within a housing rigidly attached to a lower surface of the floor-panel member 202. The winch manipulator may be configured to be manipulated by a user to retract or extend the tension member 216 to thereby raise or lower the spare wheel 110.
[049] In order to mount the spare wheel 110 on the integrated mounting system 104, the spare wheel 110 may be coupled with the wheel rim mounting bracket 218, and the winch manipulator may be rotated using the handle to tighten the tension member 216. As a result, the spare wheel 110 is lifted and tightened while it is positioned within the carrier frame 402 of the carrier assembly 210. The carrier frame 402 allows for securely mounting the spare wheel 110 on the carrier assembly 210. Further, in order to release (unmount) the spare wheel 110 from the integrated mounting system 104, the winch manipulator may be rotated using the handle to loosen the tension member 216, as a result of which, the spare wheel 110 is untightened and lowered. The wheel rim mounting bracket 218 may be uncoupled from the spare wheel 110 to thereby release the spare wheel 110.

[050] FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view 500 of the integrated mounting system 104 along with the pair of cylinders 108 and the spare wheel 110, in accordance with some embodiments. As already mentioned above, the integrated mounting system 104 may be configured for positioning the plurality of fuel storage cylinders 108 thereon and attaching thereto the at least one spare wheel 110. To this end, the integrated mounting system 104 may include the floor-panel member 202 configured to be fitted to the vehicle 100. The floor-panel member 202 may define the upper side 204 and the lower side 206, such that the upper side 204 may be accessible from within the rear compartment 106 of the vehicle 100 and the lower side 206 may be accessible from outside of the vehicle 100.
[051] The upper side 204 of the floor-panel member 202 may define the first region to accommodate a cradle assembly 208 which may be detachably attached to the upper side 204 of the floor-panel member 202, using fasteners optionally using one or more brackets (not shown in FIG. 5). The cradle assembly 208 may include the cradle frame 302 for securing the plurality of fuel storage cylinders 108. In some embodiments, the cradle frame 302 may include the left lateral member 304L, the right lateral member 304R oppositely disposed to the left lateral member 304L, and the plurality of longitudinal members – the first longitudinal member 306A, the second longitudinal member 306B, and the third longitudinal member 306C. The left lateral member 304L, the right lateral member 304R, and the plurality of longitudinal members 306 may be interconnected to form the rigid structure 302 i.e. the cradle frame 302. The cradle frame 302 may define the first frame section 308A (formed by the first longitudinal member 306A, the third longitudinal member 306C, the left lateral member 304L, and the right lateral member 304R) and the second frame section 308B (formed by the second longitudinal member 306B, the third longitudinal member 306C, the left lateral member 304L, and the right lateral member 304R). The first frame section 308A and the second frame section 308B may be configured to support the first fuel storage cylinder 108A and the second fuel storage cylinder 108B, thereon.

[052] The cradle assembly 208 may further include the at least two set of strap guides 310, 312 configured to secure the plurality of fuel storage cylinders 108 on the cradle frame 302, in particularly to the first frame section 308A and the second frame section 308B, respectively. Each strap of the sets of strap guides 310, 312 may include the locking latch 314 to fasten the respective strap guide to secure the fuel storage cylinders 108 to the cradle frame 302. The sets of strap guides 310, 312 may assist in restricting lateral movement of the first fuel storage cylinder 108A and the second fuel storage cylinder 108B, especially when the vehicle is in motion and the fuel storage cylinders 108 are subjected to subjected wobbling along the vehicle lateral axis (A-A’). Each of the first frame section 308A and the second frame section 308B may further include the supporting member 316 and the blocking member 318 positioned opposite to each other. The supporting member 316 and the blocking member 318 may restrict longitudinal movement of the first fuel storage cylinder 108A and the second fuel storage cylinder 108B.
[053] The integrated mounting system 104 may further include the carrier assembly 210 attached to the lower side 206 of the floor-panel member 202. The carrier assembly 210 may include the carrier frame 402 configured to mount the at least one spare wheel 110 thereto. The carrier frame 402 may include the at least two transverse members 410B, 410D, the at least two longitudinal members 410A, 410C, and the central member 406. The at least two transverse members 410B, 410D and the at least two longitudinal members 410A, 410C may be attached to the central member 406 via a peripheral surface 408 associated with the central member 406, for example, via welding. The central member 406 may include an attachment portion (not shown in FIG. 5) having the wheel rim mounting bracket 218 configured to mount the at least one spare wheel 110 to the carrier frame 402. Further, the carrier frame 402 may be detachably secured to the floor-panel member 202 via the pair of left and right first-type mounting reinforcement brackets 414L, 414R and the pair of left and right second-type mounting reinforcement brackets 416L, 416R. In particular, the carrier frame 402 may be detachably secured to the floor-panel member 202 on the left side via the left first-type mounting

reinforcement bracket 414L and the left second-type mounting reinforcement bracket 416L. The left first-type mounting reinforcement bracket 414L and the left second-type mounting reinforcement bracket 416L may be fastened to the left mounting bracket 412L. Further, the carrier frame 402 may be detachably secured to the floor-panel member 202 on the right side via the right first-type mounting reinforcement bracket 414R and the right second-type mounting reinforcement bracket 416R. The right first-type mounting reinforcement bracket 414R and right the second-type mounting reinforcement bracket 416R may be fastened to the right mounting bracket 412R.
[054] The integrated mounting system 104 may further include the winch unit 212 configured to lift or lower the at least one spare wheel 110. The winch unit 212 may include the winch slot 214 located laterally and offset to the cradle assembly 208 and the pair of fuel storage cylinders 108. The winch unit 212 may further include the winch manipulator coupled with the winch slot 214, and the tension member 216 (not shown in FIG. 5).
[055] Referring now to FIG. 6, a flowchart of a method 600 of securing fuel storage cylinders 108 and the spare wheel 110 on the vehicle 100 is illustrated, in accordance with some embodiments. At step 602, the cradle assembly 208 may be mounted on the floor-panel member 202 of the integrated mounting system 104 of the vehicle 100. As already mentioned above, the integrated mounting system 104 may include the floor-panel member 202 fitted to the vehicle 100. The floor-panel member 202 may define the upper side 204 defining the first region to accommodate the cradle assembly 208, and the lower side 206. The cradle assembly 208 may include the cradle frame 302 which may include the left lateral member 304L, the right lateral member 304R oppositely disposed to the left lateral member 304L, and the plurality of longitudinal members 306. For example, the plurality of longitudinal members 306 may include the first longitudinal member 306A, the second longitudinal member 306B, and the third longitudinal member 306C. The left lateral member 304L, the right lateral member 304R, and the plurality of

longitudinal members 306 may be interconnected to form the rigid structure (also referred to as the cradle frame 302. The cradle assembly 208 may further include the at least two sets of strap guides 310, 312, configured to secure the pair of fuel storage cylinder 108 to the first frame section 308A and the second frame section 308B of the cradle frame 302. The carrier assembly 210 may be attached to the lower side 206 of the floor-panel member 202. Further, the carrier assembly 210 may be configured to mount the at least one spare wheel 110 thereto.
[056] At step 604, the plurality of fuel storage cylinders 108 may be positioned on the cradle assembly 208, and in particularly to the cradle frame 302. At step 606, upon positioning, the plurality of fuel storage cylinders 108 may be secured on the cradle assembly 208, using the at least two sets of strap guides 310, 312.
[057] At step 608, the at least one spare wheel 110 may be mounted on the carrier frame 402. As mentioned above, the floor-panel member 202 may define the lower side 206 to which the carrier assembly 210 may be attached to. The carrier assembly 210 may include carrier frame 402 which may further include the central member 406 defining the peripheral surface 408, the plurality of structural members 410 rigidly attached to the central member 406 via the peripheral surface 408 and the wheel rim mounting bracket 218 attached to the central member. It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the carrier frame 402 may be detachably attached to the floor-panel member 202 via the plurality of mounting brackets.
[058] Mounting the at least one spare wheel 110 on the carrier frame 402 may include coupling the at least one spare wheel 110 with the tension member 216 which is coupled with the winch manipulator and is configured to lift, lower, and secure the at least one spare wheel 110 with the carrier frame 402. To this end, the winch manipulator may be accessed from within the rear compartment of the vehicle 100 that may be positioned offset to the first region. By manipulating the winch manipulator, for example, using a handle, the tension member may be tightened to lift and secure the spare wheel 110 with the carrier frame 402.

[059] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
[060] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one

having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at Ieast one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A
alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous
to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to
systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A B, and C together, etc ) It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting tw o or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one ofthe terms,
either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."
[061] In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.
[062] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

We Claim:
1. An integrated mounting system (104) for a vehicle (100), comprising:
a cradle assembly (208) configured to support a plurality of fuel storage cylinders (108);
a floor-panel member (202) configured to be positioned within the vehicle (100), the floor-panel member (202) defining:
an upper side (204) defining a first region to accommodate the cradle assembly (208); and
a lower side (206); and a carrier assembly (210) attached to the lower side (206) of the floor-panel member (202), the carrier assembly (210) comprising:
a carrier frame (402) configured to mount at least one spare wheel (110) thereto.
2. The integrated mounting system (104) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cradle
assembly (208) comprises:
at least two lateral members (304L, 304R); and
at least two longitudinal members (306);
the at least two lateral members (304L, 304R) and the at least two longitudinal members (306) being interconnected to form a rigid structure, and configured to support the plurality of fuel storage cylinders (108).
3. The integrated mounting system (104) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
carrier frame (402) comprises:
a central member (406) defining a peripheral surface (408);
a plurality of structural members (410) rigidly attached to the central member (406) via the peripheral surface (408); and
a wheel rim mounting bracket (218) attached to the central member, and configured to mount the at least one spare wheel (110) to the carrier frame (402).

4. The integrated mounting system (104) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier frame (402) is detachably attached to the floor-panel member (202) via a plurality of mounting brackets.
5. The integrated mounting system (104) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
a winch unit (212) configured to lift or lower the at least one spare wheel (110), the winch unit (212) comprising:
a winch slot (214) and a winch manipulator positioned offset to the first region and accessible from within a rear compartment of the vehicle (100); and
a tension member (216) coupled with the winch manipulator and configured to couple with the at least one spare wheel (110), to lift, lower, and secure the at least one spare wheel (110) with the carrier frame (402).
6. The integrated mounting system (104) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of fuel storage cylinders (108) comprises a compressed natural gas (CNG) cylinder and a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder.
7. A cradle assembly (208) for securing a plurality of fuel storage cylinders (108) in a vehicle (100), the cradle assembly (208) comprising:
a cradle frame (302), comprising:
a left lateral member (304L);
a right lateral member (304R) oppositely disposed to the left lateral member (304L); and
a plurality of longitudinal members (306);
the left lateral member (304L), the right lateral member (304R), and plurality of longitudinal members (306) being interconnected to form a rigid structure;
the cradle frame (302) being configured to support a first fuel storage cylinder (108A) and a second fuel storage cylinder (108B); and

at least two sets of strap guides (310, 312) configured to secure the first fuel storage cylinder (108A) and the second fuel storage cylinder (108B) to the cradle frame (302),
the cradle assembly (208) being configured to be securely positioned on a floor-panel member (202) of the vehicle (100).
8. The cradle assembly (208) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least two sets
of strap guides (310, 312) comprise:
a plurality of locking latches (314) configured to fasten the at least two sets of strap guides (310, 312), to secure the first fuel storage cylinder (108A) and the second fuel storage cylinder (108B) to the cradle frame (302).
9. The cradle assembly (208) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plurality of
longitudinal members (306) comprise:
a first longitudinal member (306A);
a second longitudinal member (306B) oppositely disposed to the first longitudinal member (306A); and
a third longitudinal member (306C) disposed between the first longitudinal member (306A) and the second longitudinal member (306B).
10. The cradle assembly (208) as claimed in claim 9,
wherein the first longitudinal member (306A), the third longitudinal member (306C), the left lateral member (304L), and the right lateral member (304R) together define a first frame section (308A), the first frame section (308A) configured to support the first fuel storage cylinder (108A), and
wherein the second longitudinal member (306B), the third longitudinal member (306C), the left lateral member (304L), and the right lateral member (304R) together define a second frame section (308B), the second frame section (308B) configured to support the second fuel storage cylinder (108B).

11. The cradle assembly (208) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least two
sets of strap guides (310, 312) comprise:
a first set of strap guides (310), each of the first set of strap guides (310) being configured to be disposed circumferentially around the first fuel storage cylinder (108A) to secure the first fuel storage cylinder (108A) to the first frame section (308A); and
a second set of strap guides (310), each of the second set of strap guides being configured to be disposed circumferentially around the second fuel storage cylinder (108B) to secure the second fuel storage cylinder (108B) to the second frame section (308B).
12. The cradle assembly (208) as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:
a supporting member (316) positioned at a first longitudinal end of the cradle frame (302); and
a blocking member (318) positioned at a second longitudinal end of the cradle frame (302) and opposite to the supporting member (316),
wherein one of the first fuel storage cylinder (108A) and the
second fuel storage cylinder (108B) is positioned between the supporting
member (316) and the blocking member (318), and
wherein the supporting member (316) and the blocking member
(318) are configured to restrict longitudinal movement of one of the first
fuel storage cylinder (108A) and the second fuel storage cylinder (108B).
13. The cradle assembly (208) as claimed in claim 12,
wherein the supporting member (316) is attached to one of the left lateral member (304A) and the right lateral member (304R), and
wherein the blocking member (318) is attached to the other of the left lateral member (304L) and the right lateral member (304R).
14. A method (600) of securing fuel storage cylinders (108) and a spare wheel
(110) on a vehicle (100), the method (600) comprising:

positioning (602) a cradle assembly (208) on a floor-panel member (202) of an integrated mounting system (104), the floor-panel member (202) being fitted to the vehicle (100),
the floor-panel member (202) defining:
an upper side (204) defining a first region to accommodate the cradle assembly (208); and
a lower side (206); the cradle assembly (208) comprising:
a cradle frame (302), comprising:
a right lateral member (304R) oppositely disposed to the left lateral member (304L); and
a plurality of longitudinal members (306), the left lateral member (304L), the right lateral member (304R), and the plurality of longitudinal members (306) being interconnected to form a rigid structure; and at least two sets of strap guides (310, 312); positioning (604) a plurality of fuel storage cylinders (108) on the cradle assembly (208);
upon positioning, securing (606) the plurality of fuel storage cylinders (108) on the cradle assembly (208), using the at least two sets of strap guides (310, 312); and
mounting at least one spare wheel (110) to a carrier assembly (210) of the integrated mounting system (104), the carrier assembly (210) being attached to the lower side (206) of the floor-panel member (202).