DESC: FOOTPEG ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[001] The present invention relates to vehicles and, more particularly to footpeg assembly in vehicles.
BACKGROUND

[002] Saddle-ride type vehicles include foot rests/footpegs on a vehicle body on which a rider places his/her feet. Footpegs are disposed towards the lower end of the body frame on opposite sides thereof for the rider to place his feet while riding. A left footpeg is mounted to the left side of the vehicle and a right footpeg is mounted to the right side of the vehicle. Typically, the footpegs are mounted to the respective brackets attached to the vehicle body, and the footpegs are adapted to move between a folded/closed position and an open/normal position.
[003] In the existing configurations, the brackets are mounted to the body frame such that the left footpeg can be mounted only to the left side footpeg bracket and the right side footpeg can be mounted only to the right side bracket. Therefore, the left and right footpeg have to be the mirror image of each other to fit in such arrangement. However, the design of such footpegs has some inherent disadvantages, as the same footpeg cannot be used on both sides of the vehicle. Therefore, the left side footpeg and the right side footpeg are required to be manufactured separately. Hence, the manufacturing, inventory cost increases.
[004] Hence, there exists a need for footpeg assembly, where a same footpeg can be used on either side of the vehicle.
SUMMARY
[005] In an embodiment, a footpeg assembly in a two-wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The footpeg assembly comprises a left footpeg assembly, and a right footpeg assembly. Each of the left footpeg assembly and the right footpeg assembly comprises a bracket and a footpeg. The bracket is attached to a vehicle side body frame, where the vehicle side body frame is one of a left side body frame or a right side body frame. The footpeg is adapted to be swingably coupled to the bracket. The footpeg comprises a footpeg mount portion and a step portion. The footpeg mount portion is adapted to be turnably mounted to the bracket along any of a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation. The first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation have angular relationship. The step portion extends outwardly from the footpeg mount portion. The step portion comprises a foot placing surface at about a predetermined angle with each of the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation.
[006] In an embodiment, the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation have orthogonal relationship. In an embodiment, the predetermined angle is 45 degree.
[007] In an embodiment, the footpeg mount portion comprises a wall structure comprising at least two pairs of opposite walls, where each wall comprises a mounting hole.
[008] In an embodiment, the footpeg assembly comprises a mounting shaft adapted to be inserted through mounting holes of the bracket and mounting holes of the pair of opposite walls. In an embodiment, the footpeg assembly comprises another mounting shaft adapted to be inserted through mounting holes of the bracket and mounting holes of the pair of opposite walls.
[009] In an embodiment, wherein the footpeg mount portion comprises an extension extending from a corner of two walls of the at least two pairs of opposite walls such that the extension is towards the bracket when the footpeg is mounted to the vehicle side body frame.
[0010] In an embodiment, the bracket is a U-shaped bracket comprising a base portion fixed to the vehicle side body frame; and leg portions comprising mounting holes respectively, wherein the leg portions are adapted to receive the footpeg mount portion.
[0011] In an embodiment, the footpeg assembly further comprises at least one biasing means for keeping the footpeg biased in open position, wherein a first end of the biasing means is connected to the step bracket and a second end of the of the biasing means is connected to a portion of the footpeg.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The invention itself, together with further features and attended 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 accompanying drawing wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
[0013] Figure 1 illustrates a footpeg assembly in an open position, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0014] Figure 2A is an exploded view of a right side footpeg assembly and a left side footpeg assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0015] Figure 2B illustrates a view of a footpeg bracket, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0016] Figure 3A-3E illustrate different views of a footpeg, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0017] Figure 4 illustrates footpeg assembly in a partially closed position, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0018] Figure 5 is sectional view along the line LL’ shown in the Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the 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.
DESCRIPTION

[0020] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawing and will be described 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, 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] The terms “footpeg” and “footrest” have been interchangeably used throughout the description. Further, the terms “step portion” and “foot placing surface” have been interchangeably used throughout the description. Further, the terms “step portion” and “foot placing surface”.
[0023] While the footpeg assembly has been described in the context of a saddle type riding vehicle, however, this is not limited to the saddle type riding vehicle only and the footpeg assembly and the features thereof may be used in any other vehicle or machine.
[0024] Figure 1 illustrates a footpeg assembly (100) in normal or open position, in accordance with an example of the present invention. The footpeg assembly (100) can be mounted in form of either a left side footpeg assembly or a right side footpeg assembly. For the example representation purposes, exploded views of two footpeg assemblies (100L) and (100R) are shown in Figure 2A. It is noted that though the footpeg assembly (100L) will be explained to be mounted on the left side of a two-wheeled vehicle and the footpeg assembly (100R) will be explained to be mounted on the right side of the two-wheeled vehicle, however the configurations of the two footpeg assemblies (100L) and (100R) are such that they can be mounted on either side of the two-wheeled vehicle. Hence, for the description purposes, Figure 2A illustrates the right side footpeg assembly (100R) and the left side footpeg assembly (100L). The left side footpeg assembly (100L) includes a left step bracket (103) fixed to a left side body frame (107) of the two-wheeled vehicle. The right side footpeg assembly (100R) includes a right step bracket (104) fixed to a right side body frame (106) of the two-wheeled vehicle. In an embodiment, the left side step bracket (103) and the right step bracket (104) are symmetric.
[0025] The footpeg assembly (100R) includes a footpeg (102), a right step bracket (104), a mounting shaft (114) and a biasing means (108) such as a spring. The footpeg (102) is turnably mounted to the right step bracket (104) such that the footpeg (102) can move between normal/open and closed/retracted position. The right step bracket (104) is fixed to the right side body frame (106) of the two-wheeled vehicle. In an embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 2B, each of the left step bracket (103) and the right step bracket (104) is a U-shaped bracket having two leg portions (203) and (205), provided with mounting holes (220), (222), respectively, and a base portion (207). The base portion (207) is fixed to the right side body frame (106) and the two leg portions (203), (205) are adapted to receive the footpeg (102). The structure of the left step bracket (103) is also same as that of the right step bracket (104). In the right footpeg assembly (100R), the footpeg (102) is mounted to the right step bracket (104) using a mounting shaft (114) so that the footpeg (102) is turnably mounted to the step bracket (104). The mounting shaft (114) comprises a head portion (116) at one end whose diameter is larger than the mounting shaft diameter and has a pin hole (118) at other end thereof. In an embodiment, a locking means (110) in the form of a pin for locking the mounting shaft (114) into the right step bracket (104) can be inserted through the pin hole (118). In an embodiment, at least one biasing means (108) is provided to keep the footpeg (102) biased in opened position. In an embodiment, the biasing means (108) is a torsional spring. One end (e.g., first end) of the torsional spring is connected to the step bracket (104) and other end (e.g., second end) is connected to a portion of the footpeg (102).
[0026] The structure of the left side footpeg assembly (100L) is same as that of the right side footpeg assembly (100R) except the axis of rotation of the footpeg (102) with respect to the bracket (e.g., the bracket (103), (104)). Hence, the description of the left side footpeg assembly (100L) is omitted. Further, the right side step bracket (104) and left side step bracket (103) are symmetric. Similarly, the footpeg (102) can be the right side footpeg (102) or the left side footpeg (102) and can be mounted to either side.
[0027] Figure 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E and 3F illustrate different views of the footpeg (102), according to an embodiment of the invention. The footpeg (102) comprises of a footpeg mount portion (204) which is turnably mounted to the right step bracket (104) and a step portion (202) which is extending outward from the footpeg mount portion (204). The step portion (202) has a foot placing surface (202a) on which the foot of the rider is placed. The foot placing surface (202a) is substantially parallel to the ground surface when the footpeg (102) is in the opened position.
[0028] The footpeg mount portion (204) is adapted to be turnably mounted to the bracket (103 or 104) along any of a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation, where the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation have angular relationship between them. Without limiting to the scope of the present invention, in an example embodiment, the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation have orthogonal relationship i.e. 90 degree angle between the axes. An embodiment of the footpeg (102) containing the footpeg mount portion (204) is described in Figures 3A to 3F, in which the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation are also described.
[0029] In an embodiment, the footpeg mount portion (204) comprises a wall structure, in an embodiment, the footpeg mount portion (204) comprises at least two pairs of opposite walls (e.g., four walls) i.e. a first wall (214), a second wall (208), a third wall (210) and a fourth wall (212). In an embodiment, a pair of opposite walls (214), (208), and another pair of opposite walls (210), (212) form a square shaped structure. Each of the four walls (214), (208), (210), (212) includes at least one mounting hole (218R, 216R, 216L, 218L). The position of mounting holes (218R, 216R, 216L, 218L) on each of respective four walls (214), (208), (210), (212) is such that a mounting shaft (114) can be inserted through the mounting hole (218L) of the wall (212) and the mounting hole (216L) of the opposite wall (210). Similarly, the mounting shaft (114) can be inserted through the mounting hole (218R) of the wall (214) and mounting hole (216R) of the opposite wall (208). Herein, a first axis of rotation (e.g., see XX`) passing through the mounting holes (216L) and (218L) forms an axis of rotation for the right side footpeg assembly (100R). Similarly, a second axis of rotation (e.g., see YY’) passing through the mounting holes (216R) and (218R) forms an axis of rotation for the left side footpeg assembly (100L). In the right and left side footpeg assembly (100R) and (100L), the first axis of rotation XX’ and the second axis of rotation YY` form a first angle with each other. In an embodiment, the first angle is 90 degree.
[0030] In an embodiment, the first axis of rotation XX’ and the second axis of rotation YY’ form a predetermined angle with each of the first axis of rotation XX’ and the second axis of rotation YY’. Without limiting to scope of the present invention, in an embodiment, the first axis of rotation XX’ forms an angle of 45 degree with the foot placing surface (202a) of the footpeg (102), and the second axis of rotation YY’ forms an angle of 45 degree with the foot placing surface (202a) of the footpeg (102). In an embodiment, the diameter of each of the four mounting holes (216L, 218L, 216R, 218R) is same. One of the mounting holes (216R) and (216L) at the lower walls (208) and (210) can also act as a mud discharging hole for facilitating discharge of accumulated mud. The mounting holes (216R) act as a mud discharging hole when the footpeg (102) is mounted to the left side of the vehicle and the mounting hole 216L will act as the mud discharging hole when the footpeg (102) is mounted to the right side of the vehicle.
[0031] The footpeg mount portion (204) of the footpeg (102) further includes an extension (206) extending from the wall structure. In an embodiment, extension (206) extends from the second wall (208) of the footpeg mount portion (204) and is located at one end of the footpeg mount portion (204) such that the extension (206) is towards the step bracket (104) when the footpeg (102) is mounted to the right side body frame (106). In an embodiment, the extension (206) extends from the second wall (208) substantially at the corner of the one lower wall i.e. wall (208) or the wall (210) and bends and extends further in the direction towards one end of the opposite wall (214) the footpeg mount portion (204). In an embodiment, as illustrated in figure 3C, the extension (206) is provided to the footpeg mount portion (204) such that the extension (206) lies in the lowest quadrant X’OY’ of the four quadrants formed by the XX’ and YY’.
[0032] For mounting the footpeg (102) to the left side of the vehicle, the mounting holes (220,222) of the left step bracket (103) and the mounting holes (218L, 216L) are aligned and the mounting shaft (114) is inserted through the holes (220L, 222L) of the left step bracket (103) and the mounting holes (218L, 216L). Further, the locking means (110) in the form of a pin for holding the mounting shaft (114) to the step bracket (104) is inserted through the pin hole (118). The biasing means (108) is also mounted. Thus, the footpeg (102) is turnably mounted to the left step bracket (103) of the vehicle.
[0033] As illustrated in Figure 2A, for mounting the same footpeg (102) to the right side of the vehicle, the mounting holes (220, 222) of the right step bracket (104) and the mounting holes (218R, 216R) are aligned and the mounting shaft (114) is inserted through the holes (220, 222) of the right step bracket (104) and the mounting holes (218R, 216R). Further, the locking means (110) in the form of a pin for holding the mounting shaft (114) to the step bracket (104) is inserted through the pin hole portion (118). The biasing means (108) is also mounted. Thus the footpeg (102) is turnably attached to the right step bracket (104) of the vehicle.
[0034] In operation, as illustrated in Figures 2A-2B to 5, when a stepping force is applied to the step portion (202) of the footpeg (102), the footpeg (102) rotates about the mounting shaft (114) and takes the opened position from the closed position. In the fully opened position of the footpeg (102), as illustrated in Figure 5, the extension (206) of the footpeg (102) abuts against the portion of the right step bracket (104), and serves as a stopper. In an embodiment, the extension (206) of the footpeg (102) abuts against the portion of the right side body frame member (106).
[0035] As described, the same footpeg can be used both on the left side and right side of the vehicle, therefore, the manufacturing, inventory cost can be saved. Further, there is no need to provide a separate hole for mud discharging as the one of the mounting holes will act as a mud discharging hole.
[0036] 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. For example, various types of footpeg having different shapes and profiles may be used in the footpeg assembly. 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:CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A footpeg assembly (100) in a two-wheeled vehicle, comprising:
a left footpeg assembly (100L), and
a right footpeg assembly (100R),
wherein each of the left footpeg assembly (100L) and the right footpeg assembly (100R) comprises:
a bracket (103; 104) attached to a vehicle side body frame, the vehicle side body frame being one of a left side body frame (107) or a right side body frame (106);
a footpeg (102) adapted to be swingably coupled to the bracket (103; 104), the footpeg (102) comprising:
a footpeg mount portion (204) adapted to be turnably mounted to the bracket (103;104) along any of a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation, the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation having angular relationship; and
a step portion (202) extending outwardly from the footpeg mount portion (204), the step portion (202) comprising a foot placing surface (202a) at about a predetermined angle with each of the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation.

2. The footpeg assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation have orthogonal relationship.

3. The footpeg assembly (100) as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined angle is 45 degree.

4. The footpeg assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the footpeg mount portion (204) comprises a wall structure comprising at least two pairs of opposite walls (210, 212) and (208, 214), each wall comprising a mounting hole.

5. The footpeg assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a mounting shaft (114) adapted to be inserted through mounting holes (220, 222) of the bracket (103; 104) and mounting holes (216L, 218L) of the pair of opposite walls (210, 212).

6. The footpeg assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a mounting shaft (114) adapted to be inserted through mounting holes (220, 222) of the bracket (103; 104) and mounting holes (216R, 218R) of the pair of opposite walls (208, 214).

7. The footpeg assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the footpeg mount portion (204) further comprises an extension (206) extending from a corner of two walls of the at least two pairs of opposite walls (210, 212) and (208, 214) such that the extension (206) is towards the bracket (103; 104) when the footpeg (102) is mounted to the vehicle side body frame.

8. The footpeg assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket (103;104) is a U-shaped bracket comprising:
a base portion (207) fixed to the vehicle side body frame; and
leg portions (203), (205) comprising mounting holes (220), (222) respectively, wherein the leg portions (203), (205) are adapted to receive the footpeg mount portion (204).

9. The footpeg assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one biasing means (108) for keeping the footpeg (102) biased in open position, wherein a first end of the biasing means (108) is connected to the step bracket (103; 104) and a second end of the of the biasing means (108) is connected to a portion of the footpeg (102)