DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to straddle type vehicles and particularly, but not exclusively, to a foot rest assembly.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Typically, most automotive vehicles have a somewhat flat foot rest area beneath an occupant's feet, bordered by an inclining toe pan section, a sharply inclining centre tunnel section and an inclining rocker panel section. Such conventional foot rest are carpeted but may be uncomfortable to an occupant due to the natural inclination of the occupant's feet when in a sitting position. Also, a straddle type vehicle generally has a foot-rest or a peg that allows a rider or a pillion rider to rest their feet when the vehicle is in motion. The foot-rest or peg is usually a single component attached to the straddle type vehicle.
[0003] The foot-rest or peg may include a heel guard. The function of the heel guard, as the name suggests, is to protect the heel from injuries due to the heel coming in contact with components of the straddle type vehicle which may be hot or abrasive to touch, also for avoiding a dangerously protruding component when the motorcycle is being used without a passenger behind the driver.
[0004] While the arrangement as prevalent in state of the art explains about the foot rest which is connected to the frame of the straddle type vehicle as a sub assembly which generates disadvantages like interference with the surrounding components etc. Also, when the rider’s foot or heel comes in contact with the components placed behind the heel guard, it may lead to the rider receiving injuries or malfunctioning of the components.
[0005] Therefore, a foot rest assembly that includes foot board and heel guard is required to allows protection to the user or rider of the straddle type vehicle while riding, without requiring removal or displacement of components of the straddle type vehicle, is desirable in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0006] The detailed description of the present subject matter is described with reference to the accompanying figures. Same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0007] Figure 1 illustrates a left side view of the straddle type vehicle, as per one embodiment of the present invention.
[0008] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a foot rest assembly of the straddle type vehicle, as per one embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] Figure 3 illustrates a left side view of the foot rest assembly of the straddle type vehicle, as per one embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] Figure 4 illustrates a rear view of the foot rest assembly of the straddle type vehicle, as per one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Generally, straddle type vehicles are provided with a foot-rest to support the foot of the rider or the pillion rider in course of the duration when the straddle type vehicle is being ridden. It is customary to provide the foot-rest with a heel guard to protect the heel of the rider. The foot-rest and the heel guard are usually formed together as a single component.
[0012] Such a construction of the foot-rest results in the entire weight incident upon the foot-rest being transmitted to the heel guard as well, thereby, bending or deforming the heel guard. The heel guard, when distorted, moves out of its mounted place, exposing the heel or foot of the rider to the components located behind the heel guard.
[0013] When the rider’s foot or heel comes in contact with the components placed behind the heel guard, it may lead to the rider receiving injuries or malfunctioning of said components. The components housed behind the heel guard includes rear suspension system, which contracts and expands continuously when the straddle type vehicle is in motion. The rider’s foot, heel or dress coming into contact with the rear suspension system may grievously injure the rider.
[0014] Therefore, a foot rest assembly that prevents distortion of heel guard during motion of the straddle type vehicle is desirable in the art.
[0015] The present invention provides a foot rest assembly comprising a foot board and a heel guard. The rider places the foot on the foot board which is adapted to take the weight of the rider. The heel guard has a separate function of protecting the foot or heel of the rider and preventing ingress of fabric or any portion of the foot of the rider past the heel guard.
[0016] As per one embodiment of the present invention, the foot board and the heel guard are separately mounted on the straddle type vehicle. Separate mounting of the foot board and the heel guard ensures that weight of the rider incident on the foot board is not transmitted to the heel guard, thereby, preventing distortion of the heel guard.
[0017] As per one embodiment of the present invention, the heel guard is mounted directly to the main tube of the frame assembly. Further, as per one embodiment of the present invention, the heel guard is mounted in close proximity to a transmission member or a swing arm and a rear suspension system, also mounted on the frame assembly separately. This is to protect the foot, heel or fabric of the rider from coming in contact with the rear suspension system, the transmission member or the motor.
[0018] As per one embodiment of the present invention, a lateral gap is provided between the heel guard and the rear suspension system. This is to prevent the heel guard and the rear suspension system from interfering with each other when the rear suspension system expands when undergoing compression. As per an embodiment of the present invention, the rear suspension is configured to be disposed on one of the lateral side offset from the mid plane of the vehicle & at least partially over lapping with the rear wheel when seen from the rear view of the vehicle & the foot/ heel guard is disposed with a lateral gap of 3 to 20 mm.
[0019] Thus, the present subject matter provides a foot rest assembly that prevents distortion of the heel guard. Therefore, the present invention addresses the drawbacks prevalent in the state of the art.
[0020] Apart from the advantages already mentioned, the described invention has several advantages over conventional arrangements prevalent in state of the art.
[0021] An embodiment of the present invention is described in further detail in conjunction with the figures in the following description.
[0022] Figure 1 illustrates a left side view of the straddle type vehicle (100), as per one embodiment of the present invention. Typically, the frame assembly (not shown) comprises a head tube (not shown), a main tube (125) and a pair of side tubes (not shown). The head tube (not shown) is disposed towards a front portion. The main tube (125) extends downwardly and rearwardly from the head tube (not shown). The other end of the main tube (125) is connected with the pair of side-tubes (not shown) through a bracket member (not shown). The head tube (not shown) is configured to rotatably support a steering tube (not shown) and further connected to the front suspension system (104) at the lower end. A handlebar support member (105) is connected to an upper end of the steering tube (not shown) and supports a handlebar assembly (106).
[0023] As per one embodiment of the present invention, two telescopic suspensions of the front suspension system (104) are attached to a holding member (not shown) on the lower part of the steering tube (not shown) on which is supported the front wheel (109). The upper portion of the front wheel (109) is covered by a front fender (108) mounted to the bottom portion of the steering shaft (not shown). The front end of the straddle type vehicle (100) is protected by a front panel assembly (120). A head lamp assembly (140) is disposed in the front portion with the head lamp (not shown) configured to be surrounded by the front panel assembly (120).
[0024] As per one embodiment of the present invention, a seat assembly (150), on which a rider may sit, is supported on a rear portion of the straddle type vehicle (100). A tail cover assembly (141) is connected to the seat assembly (150). A coolant tank (not shown) is also disposed below the seat assembly (150). A side cover assembly (130) serves to shield the sides of the straddle type vehicle (100).
[0025] As per one embodiment of the present invention, there is front brake (111) and rear brake (not shown) arranged on the front wheel (109) and a rear wheel (110) respectively. The rear wheel (110) is covered by a rear wheel hugger (113) and a rear fender (114) with a tail light (not shown) disposed near it, at the end of the seat assembly (150). The rear wheel (110) is supported towards the rear side of the frame by a horizontally coupled transmission member (180). The transmission member (180) which also acts as a structural member and referred interchangeably as a swing arm, connects the rear wheel to the vehicle frame. The transmission member (180) is secured to the rear of the frame assembly (not shown) of the straddle type vehicle (100) through a rear suspension system (181).
[0026] As per one embodiment of the present invention, a foot rest assembly (160) including a foot board (161) and a heel guard (162) is located, on both sides of straddle type vehicle (100), near the transmission member (180) and the rear suspension system (181).
[0027] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a foot rest assembly (160) of the straddle type vehicle (100), as per one embodiment of the present invention. The foot rest assembly (160), as shown in the figure includes the foot board (161) and the heel guard (162). The foot board (161) is adapted to carry the weight of the foot of the rider of the straddle type vehicle (100) throughout the duration when the straddle type vehicle (100) is being ridden. The foot board (161) is mounted to the straddle type vehicle (100) separate from the heel guard (162). The heel guard (162) is mounted to the main tube (125) of the frame assembly. Moreover, the present mounting of the heel guard (162), protects the coolant tank (201), electrical machine housing unit (203) from getting distorted during the motion of the vehicle and also protect rider’s foot, heel or fabric from coming in contact with the heat dissipated by a motor (202).
[0028] Figure 3 illustrates a left side view of the foot rest assembly (160) of the straddle type vehicle (100), as per one embodiment of the present invention. The foot rest assembly (160) comprising the foot board (161) and the heel guard (162) are separately mounted to main tube (125) so as to prevent the stress of the weight of the rider’s foot from bending or deforming the heel guard (162) of the foot rest assembly. The heel guard (162) is located close to the rear suspension system (181) in order to prevent the rider’s foot, heel or fabric from coming in contact with the rear suspension system (181). Further as per one embodiment of the present invention, the heel guard (162) is mounted directly on the main tube (125) of the frame assembly by at least a fastener (301a, 301b) which ensures strength to the mounting structure of the heel guard (162) and also ensure poka yoke assembly in the mounting structure. Further, this arrangement of heel guard (162) and foot board (161) results to enough clearance and also, decrease chances of interference with the surrounding components. Also, there is enough space present for assembling modified components.
[0029] Figure 4 illustrates a rear view of the foot rest assembly (160) of the straddle type vehicle (100), as per one embodiment of the present invention. The foot rest assembly (160) comprises the foot board (161) and the heel guard (162). The foot board (161) is adapted to take the weight of the foot of the rider and the heel guard (162) is configured to protect / shield the foot, heel or fabric of the rider interfering with the rear suspension system (181).
[0030] Further, as per one embodiment of the present invention, the heel guard (162) of the foot rest assembly (160) is mounted close to the rear suspension system (181) with adequate gap (G) provided between the heel guard (162) and the rear suspension system (181). The gap allows for bulging of the rear suspension system (181) when the rear suspension system (181) undergoes compression. The gap ensures that no interference occurs between the heel guard (162) and the rear suspension system (181) in all riding conditions of the straddle type vehicle (100).
[0031] Figure 5 illustrates a right side view of the straddle type vehicle (100), as per another embodiment of the present invention. Further, as per another embodiment of the present invention, an engine (502) and a muffler (501) is included in the straddle type vehicle apart from the other components which are discussed in earlier embodiment.
[0032] Further, as per another embodiment of the present invention, the heel guard (162) and foot board (161) as mounted to main tube (125) separately, protects the rider’s foot from the heat dissipated by the engine (502) and muffler (501). Moreover, the foot board (161) is adapted to take the weight of the foot of the rider and the heel guard (162) is configured to protect the foot, heel or fabric of the rider interfering with the engine (502) and muffler (501)
[0033] Thus, the present invention describes a foot rest assembly (160) comprising a separately mounted foot board (161) and heel guard (162), wherein the foot board (161) is adapted to take the weight of the rider and the heel guard (162) separately functions to guard the heel or foot of the rider. The foot rest assembly (160), as disclosed, prevents distortion of the heel guard (162) and, therefore, prevents the heel, foot or fabric of the rider coming in contact with any of the components shielded by the heel guard (162).
[0034] It is to be understood that the aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein. Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible in the light of above disclosure. Therefore, within the scope of claims of the present subject matter, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.

List of References:
Fig.1:
100: Straddle Type Vehicle
105: Handlebar Support Member
106: Handlebar Assembly
120: Front Panel Assembly
108: Front Fender
109: Front Wheel
104: Front Suspension System
111: Front Brake
140: Head Lamp Assembly
181: Rear Suspension System
180: Transmission Member
110: Rear Wheel
113: Real Wheel Hugger
141: Tail Cover Assembly
114: Rear Fender
130: Side Cover Assembly
150: Seat Assembly
125: Main Tube
160: Foot Rest Assembly.
161: Foot Board.
162: Heel Guard.
Fig.2:
201: Coolant Tank.
202: Motor.
203: Housing unit
Fig.3:
301 (301a, 301b): Fasteners.
Fig.4:
G: Gap
Fig.5:
501: Muffler
502: Engine
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A straddle type vehicle (100) comprising;
a foot rest assembly (160), located on both sides of said straddle type vehicle (100);
a main tube (125) extends downwardly and rearwardly in said straddle type vehicle (100);
wherein, said foot rest assembly (160) includes a foot board (161) and a heel guard (162), said foot board (161) and said heel guard (162) being separately mounted to said main tube (125).

2. The straddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heel guard (162) is configured to shield a rider’s foot from a rear suspension system (181).

3. The straddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein a gap (G) is provided between said heel guard (162) and said rear suspension system (181), said gap (G) being adapted to accommodate bulging of the rear suspension system (181).
4. The straddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said rear suspension system (181) is disposed on one side offset and at least partially overlapping the rear wheel (110).

5. The straddle type vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heel guard (162) is mounted on said main tube (125) with at least a fastener (301).

6. The straddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heel guard (162) is configured to shield a rider’s foot from an electrical machine housing unit (203).

7. The straddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heel guard (162) is adapted to shield a rider’s foot from an engine (502) and a muffler (501).