FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[001] The present invention relates to a two wheeled vehicle and, more particularly, to body cover structure for the two wheeled vehicle.
BACKGROUND

[002] Generally, a straddle riding type or two-wheeled vehicle (hereinafter 'vehicle') is provided with one or more body cover structures to cover various parts of body frame of the vehicle. For example, a typical body cover structure can be provided on at least one of a front side, a rear side, a left side or a right side of the vehicle to cover underlying one or more components of the vehicle such as body frame portion, electrical components and the like. Such body cover structures, for example a side cover structure is provided with an open cut region in a typical shape (e.g., V shape) to improve aesthetic appearance of the vehicle. However, such open cut region in the side cover structure partially reveals components that lie behind the side cover structure.
[003] Further, the open cut region in the side cover structure provides a passage for air to pass through to the components that lie behind the open cut regions when the vehicle is running, thereby causing unwanted sound. The side cover structure in the open cut region tends to vibrate, which may generate a crack on the edges of the open cut regions, which if propagated can cause breakage of the side cover structure.
[004] In view of the above, there is a need to design a body cover structure without denigrating the aesthetic appeal of the two-wheeled vehicle.
SUMMARY
[005] In an embodiment, a body cover structure for use in a two-wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The body cover structure includes a body cover, a cut section and a cap structure. The body cover includes a first side surface and a second side opposite to the first side surface. The second side surface includes one or more provisions for fixing the body cover on at least one component of the two-wheeled vehicle. The cut section is configured in at least a portion of the body cover and is a see-through cut structure. The cap structure is configured to cover the cut section from side of the second side surface. The cap structure includes at least one mounting provision adapted to be disengageably engaged with at least one complementary mounting provision configured on the second side surface.
[006] In an embodiment, the body cover structure is at least one of a left side cover structure and a right side cover structure of the two-wheeled vehicle. In an embodiment, the at least one component is a body frame of the two-wheeled vehicle. In an embodiment, at least one component is a fuel tank of the two-wheeled vehicle.
[007] In an embodiment, the cut section is configured in a front portion or a rear portion of the body cover. In an embodiment, the rear portion of the body cover includes one or more holes for mounting the body cover to at least one of a left seat rail member , a left centre frame member , a left sub frame member, a main frame and a head pipe of the two-wheeled vehicle.
[008] In an embodiment, the at least one mounting provision is a mounting hole and the at least one complementary mounting provision is a protrusion capable of being engaged in the mounting hole. In an embodiment, the body cover is made of resin or plastic. In an embodiment, the cut section of the side cover structure is configured to substantially assume a V-shape.
[009] In an embodiment, cut section of the side cover structure is configured to substantially assume a boomerang shape or an arrow shape. In an embodiment, the cut section is configured to point in a longitudinal direction of the two-wheeled vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0010] The invention itself, together with further features and advantages, will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanied drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
[0011] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a portion of a two-wheeled vehicle fitted with a left side cover structure, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] Figure 2 illustrates a body frame of the two-wheeled vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view depicting the body frame of the two-wheeled vehicle and the left side cover structure, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] Figure 4 illustrates a view of the left side cover structure without a cap structure, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] Figure 5 illustrates another view of the left side cover structure without the cap structure, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] Figure 6 illustrates an exploded view depicting the left side cover structure and the cap structure, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] Figure 7 illustrates a view of the left side cover structure with the cap structure mounted thereto, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0018] Figure 8 illustrates another view of the left side cover structure with the cap structure mounted thereto, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] The drawings referred to in this description are not to be understood as being drawn to scale except if specifically noted, and such drawings are only exemplary in nature. The colored drawings, if provided along with this description are only meant to make the details of invention clear and have no effect whatsoever on the scope of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the invention.
[0021] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or method 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 or method. 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.
[0022] For the better understanding of this invention, reference would now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures and description here below, further, in the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same components in various views.
[0023] While the present invention is illustrated in the context of a saddle riding type vehicle, however, body cover structure and aspects and features thereof can be used with other type of vehicles as well. The terms “vehicle”, “two wheeled vehicle” "two-wheeled vehicle", and “motorcycle” may have been interchangeably used throughout the description. The term “two wheeled vehicle” includes vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, mopeds, scooter type vehicle, all terrain vehicles (ATV) and the like.
[0024] The terms “front / forward”, “rear / rearward / back / backward”, “up / upper / upward”, “down / downward / lower / lower ward” that may be used therein represent the directions as seen from a vehicle driver sitting astride and these directions are referred by arrows Fr, Rr, U, Lr in the drawing. Further, “left / leftward”, “right / rightward” that may be used herein represent the directions as seen from a vehicle driver sitting astride.
[0025] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a two-wheeled vehicle (1) fitted with a side cover structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. The two wheeled vehicle (1) comprises, inter-alia, a fuel tank (9), an engine unit (10), a seat (11), a body cover structure such as a left side cover structure and a right side cover structure (not shown), a rear suspension (15), a swing arm (17), a dress guard (18), a rear wheel (19), a rear fender (20), a rear cowl (21) and a tail light (22). It may be noted that the vehicle (1) is shown to have include above stated parts, however, those skilled in the art would appreciate that the vehicle (1) includes other parts which may not be relevant for explaining the present invention and hence are not shown and described.
[0026] With reference to Figure 2, a body frame (31) of the two-wheeled vehicle (1) comprises a main frame (32) which extends obliquely in a rearward and downward direction from a head pipe (3), a pair of a left seat rail member (23L) and a right seat rail member (not visible as being in overlap with the left seat rail member (23L)) extending from a rear end portion of the main frame (32); a pair of a left down frame member (25L) and a right down frame member (not visible being in overlap with the left down frame member (25L)) extending in a downward and then rearward direction from a front end portion of the main frame (32); a pair of a left centre frame member (27L) and a right centre frame member (not visible being in overlap with the left centre frame member (27L)) connected to rear end portions of the left down frame member (25L) and the right down frame member, respectively in a state that the left centre frame member (27L) and the right centre frame member are extended obliquely in the downward and rearward direction from a rear portion of the main frame (32) and thereafter, in the downward direction and a pair of left sub frame member (29L) and a right sub frame member (not visible being in overlap with the left sub frame member (29L)) which are respectively extended between the left seat rail member (23L) with the left centre frame member (27L) and the right seat rail member with the right centre frame member, respectively.
[0027] With reference to Figure 1, the left seat rail member (23L) (shown in Figure 2) and the right seat rail member are primarily intended to support the seat (11) (rider and / or pillion) disposed above the rear wheel (19). The dress guard (18), which is connected to the left seat rail member (23L), covers left side of the rear wheel (19). The rear wheel (19) is covered from above by the rear fender (20) which is mounted to the rear end portion of the left seat rail member (23L) and the right seat rail member. The rear wheel suspension section includes the swing arm (17) supporting the rear wheel (19) and at least one rear suspension (15) attached between the swing arm (17) and the left seat rail member (23L) or the right seat rail member. The tail light (22) is mounted towards rear portion of the vehicle (1).
[0028] Various embodiments of the present invention provide a body cover structure, and one or more examples of which is shown in Figures 4 to 8. The body cover structure in the illustrated embodiments of Figures 4 to 8, is shown as a left side cover structure, and hereinafter the body cover structure and the left side cover structure are used interchangeably. The body cover structure includes a body cover (12L) configured to be mounted to at least one component of the vehicle (1), a cut portion (41) configured in the body cover (12L) and a cap structure (46) for covering the cut portion (41). The body cover (12L) shown in illustrated figures is an example of a left side cover of the vehicle (1), and hereinafter the 'body cover (12L)' is also interchangeably referred to as 'left side cover (12L)'.
[0029] The body cover or the left side cover (12L) has two side surfaces as a side surface (13A) and a side surface (13B), that are shown in Figure 3. The left side cover (12L) is shaped based on aesthetic demands of the vehicle (1) and is made of resin or plastic material. With reference to Figure 3, the left side cover (12L) can be mounted on at least one component such as the body frame (31) of the two wheeled vehicle (1).
[0030] In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 4, the left side cover (12L) comprises the cut section (41) that is typically a see-through cut structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the cut section (41) is configured in a front portion (56) of the left side cover (12L). Additionally or optionally, the cut section (41) can be provided on a rear portion (57) of the left side cover (12L). As shown in Figure 4, the cut section (41) substantially assumes a V-shape, boomerang shape or an arrow shape pointing in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle (1).
[0031] In an embodiment, the rear portion (57) of the left side cover (12L) is provided with one or more holes (48) for mounting the left side cover (12L) to the left seat rail member (23L), the left centre frame member (27L), the left sub frame member (29L), the main frame (32) or the head pipe (3). Without limiting to scope of the present invention, referring to Figure 3, the left side cover (12L) is mounted on the fuel tank (9) and the body frame (31) of the vehicle (1). In an embodiment the left side cover (12L) is mounted to the body frame (31) of the vehicle (1) by bolting or fastening.
[0032] Referring now to Figure 5, the side surface (13B) of the left side cover (12L) is illustrated in accordance with an example embodiment. The front portion (56), on the side surface (13B), of the left side cover (12L) is provided with one or more provisions (50) for fixing the left side cover (12L) on either the fuel tank (9) or the body frame (31). In an embodiment two such provisions (50) are provided. Further, the rear portion (56), on the side surface (13B), of the left side cover (12L) is having at least one complementary mounting provision (51) (herein referred to as protrusion (51)) for fixing a cap structure (46) to the side surface (13B) of the left side cover (12L), as described in Figure 6. In an embodiment three protrusions (51) are provided for fixing the cap structure (46) to the side surface (13B) of the left side cover (12L).
[0033] Figure 6 illustrates the side surface (13B) of the left side cover (12L) and the cap structure (46). The cap structure (46) is used to cover the cut section (41) of the left side cover (12L). The cap structure (46) is mounted to the side surface (13B) of the left side cover (12L). The cap structure (46) can be of similar shape as that of the cut section (41). The cap structure (46) is provided with at least one mounting provision such as a hole (47) for mounting the cap structure (46) from the side surface (13B) of the left side cover (12L) through the at least one complementary mounting provision such as the protrusion (51) as shown in Figure 7. In an embodiment, the mounting of the cap structure (46) is done by bolting or fastening.
[0034] The depth of the cap structure (46) is maintained such that it does not denigrate the aesthetic appeal that is created by the cut section (41).
[0035] In an embodiment, all the structural details defined above are with respect to the left side cover (12L), however, the same can be applied to the right side cover structure. It must be noted that the description related to the right side cover structure is omitted for brevity.
[0036] Figure 8 illustrates the side surface (13A) of the left side cover (12L) with the cap structure (46). The cap structure (46) attached on the left side cover (12L) covers the cut section (41). Due to this, components of the vehicle (1) behind the left side cover (12L) are hidden and are saved from unwanted access and tampering. Also, the closure of the cut section (41) by the cap structure (46) will prevent entry of dust, dirt and other pollutants through the cut section (41) of the left side cover (12L). Further, the cap structure (46) blocks air flow through the cut section (41), resulting in less vibration and air noise due to the cut section (41). The cap structure (41) enhances the strength of the left side cover (12L).
[0037] While few embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the above embodiments and modifications may be appropriately made thereto within the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0038] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this invention, 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 invention. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention 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 invention and not as a limitation.

CLAIMS:
We claim:
1. A body cover structure for use in a two-wheeled vehicle (1), the body cover structure comprising:
a body cover (12L) having a first side surface (13A) and a second side surface (13B), the second side surface (13B) opposite to the first side surface (13A), the second side surface (13B) comprising one or more provisions (50) for fixing the body cover (12L) on at least one component of the two-wheeled vehicle (1);
a cut section (41) configured in at least a portion of the body cover (12L), the cut portion (41) being a see-through cut structure; and
a cap structure (46) configured to cover the cut section (41) from side of the second side surface (13B), the cap structure (46) comprising at least one mounting provision (47) adapted to be disengageably engaged with at least one complementary mounting provision (51) configured on the second side surface (13B).
2. The body cover structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body cover structure is at least one of a left side cover structure and a right side cover structure of the two-wheeled vehicle (1).
3. The body cover structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one component is a body frame (31) of the two-wheeled vehicle (1).
4. The body cover structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one component is a fuel tank (9) of the two-wheeled vehicle (1).
5. The body cover structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cut section (41) is configured in a front portion (56) or a rear portion (57) of the body cover (12L).
6. The body cover structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear portion (57) of the body cover (12L) comprises one or more holes (48) for mounting the body cover (12L) to at least one of a left seat rail member (23L), a left centre frame member (27L), a left sub frame member (29L), a main frame (32) and a head pipe (3) of the two-wheeled vehicle (1).
7. The body cover structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one mounting provision (47) is a mounting hole and the at least one complementary mounting provision (51) is a protrusion capable of being engaged in the mounting hole.
8. The body cover structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body cover (12L) is made of resin or plastic.
9. The body cover structure as claimed in claim 1, the cut section (41) of the side cover structure is configured to substantially assume a V-shape.
10. The body cover structure as claimed in claim 1, the cut section (41) of the side cover structure is configured to substantially assume a boomerang shape or an arrow shape
11. The body cover structure as claimed in claim 1, the cut section (41) is configured to point in a longitudinal direction of the two-wheeled vehicle (1).