Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present disclosure relates to the field of automobiles. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a footrest device of a two-wheeled vehicle.

BACKGROUND
[002] The information in this section merely provides background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art(s) for the present disclosure.
[003] Riders of motorcycles and other recreational vehicles typically sit astride the vehicle on a saddle at a comfortable arm's length from a handlebar, which provides the means for steering the vehicle. The rider's feet are supported by footrests while in this seated position. Additionally, a shaft of the footrest facilitates mounting of an engine of the vehicle with a frame of the vehicle. Specifically, the footrest comprises flanges wrapped around the shaft of the footrest, and holes defined in the said flanges facilitate coupling a crankcase of the engine with the frame of the vehicle.
[004] Typically, the shaft of the footrest is comprised of a hollow tube having constant thickness and/ or cross-section along a length of the shaft. Cylindrical shape of the shaft offers difficulty in terms of mounting the components of the vehicle on the frame and in terms of load bearing capacity of the shaft. While efforts have been made to design the shaft of the footrest as a solid shaft, however, said design led to increase in the weight and overall cost of the footrest assembly. Further, new vehicle regulations require footrest to have higher load bearing capacity from the existing design.
[005] Accordingly, there remains a need in the domain to provide an improved footrest device of a vehicle that is adapted to overcome at least the problems identified above.

SUMMARY
[006] The one or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by the system/assembly as claimed, and additional advantages are provided through the provision of the system/assembly/method as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
[007] Pursuant to an aspect of the present disclosure, in an embodiment, a footrest device of a vehicle is disclosed. The footrest device comprises a support member adapted to be disposed below an engine of the vehicle. The support member comprises an intermediate portion, a first side extending from the intermediate portion in a first direction of the vehicle, and a second side extending from the intermediate portion in a second direction of the vehicle. An area of cross-section of at least one of the first side and the second side is different than an area of cross-section of the intermediate portion of the support member.
[008] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the area of cross-section of at least one of the first side and the second side is more than the area of cross-section of the intermediate portion of the support member.
[009] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the support member is made of sheet metal.
[010] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the support member is made by stamping process.
[011] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the footrest device comprises at least one flange extending from the first side and the second side to facilitate coupling the footrest device with a crankcase of the engine.
[012] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one flange is welded to the first side and the second side of the support member.
[013] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one flange is welded to a flat surface of the first side and the second side of the support member.
[014] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the support member comprises oblique segments extending upwardly with respect to the intermediate portion, in a vertical direction, from the first side and the second side.
[015] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the oblique segments extend forwardly with respect to the intermediate portion, in a horizontal direction, from the first side and the second side.
[016] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the oblique segments has an end to facilitate providing foot pegs at the footrest device.
[017] Within the scope of the present disclosure, the footrest device of the present disclosure has a variable cross-section along a length of the support member of the footrest device, and said variable cross-section offers design optimization in terms of load bearing capacity and ease in mounting the components, for example, the crankcase, of the vehicle. It can be contemplated that that larger cross-section is provided at locations where higher stresses are received from the engine crankcase.
[018] Further, manufacturing the footrest device by way of sheet metal reduces the material required in conventional footrest devices and thereby reduces the weight of the footrest device.
[019] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.
[020] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

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

[022] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a two wheeled vehicle comprising a footrest device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[023] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the footrest device of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[024] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the footrest device of FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[025] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the footrest device of FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[027] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the FIGS. and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[028] Before describing detailed embodiments, it may be observed that the novelty and inventive step that are in accordance with the present disclosure resides in a footrest device of a vehicle. It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art can be motivated from the present disclosure and modify the various constructions of the footrest device. However, such modification should be construed within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings are showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.
[029] In the present disclosure, the term “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
[030] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, such that a device that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
[031] The terms like “at least one” and “one or more” may be used interchangeably or in combination throughout the description.
[032] While the present disclosure is illustrated in the context of a vehicle, however, footrest device and aspects and features thereof can be used with other type of vehicles as well. The term “vehicle” comprises vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, mopeds, scooter type vehicle, and the like.
[033] The terms “front/forward”, “rear/rearward/back/backward”, “up/upper/top”, “down/lower/lower ward/downward, bottom”, “left/leftward”, “right/rightward” used therein represents the directions as seen from a vehicle driver sitting astride.
[034] Pursuant to an embodiment, a footrest device of a vehicle is disclosed. The footrest device comprises a support member adapted to be disposed below an engine of the vehicle. The support member comprises an intermediate portion, a first side extending from the intermediate portion in a first direction of the vehicle, and a second side extending from the intermediate portion in a second direction of the vehicle. An area of cross-section of at least one of the first side and the second side is different than an area of cross-section of the intermediate portion of the support member. In an embodiment, the area of cross-section of at least one of the first side and the second side is more than the area of cross-section of the intermediate portion of the support member. The support member is made of sheet metal. Further, the support member is made by stamping process.
[035] In an embodiment, the footrest device comprises at least one flange extending from the first side and the second side to facilitate coupling the footrest device with a crankcase of the engine. Further, the at least one flange is welded to the first side and the second side of the support member. Moreover, the at least one flange is welded to a flat surface of the first side and the second side of the support member.
[036] In a further embodiment, the support member comprises oblique segments extending upwardly with respect to the intermediate portion, in a vertical direction, from the first side and the second side. Also, the oblique segments extend forwardly with respect to the intermediate portion, in a horizontal direction, from the first side and the second side. Each of the oblique segments has an end to facilitate providing foot pegs at the footrest device.
[037] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same numerals will be used to refer to the same or like parts. Embodiments of the disclosure are described in the following paragraphs with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. In FIGS. 1 to 4, the same element or elements which have same functions are indicated by the same reference signs.
[038] Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle (10), for example, a two-wheeled vehicle, such as a motorcycle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, is disclosed. The vehicle (10) comprises a frame (12), a pair of front forks (14), a front fender (16), a rear fender (18), a front wheel (20), a steering handle bar (22), an engine (24) (or a battery unit), a driving unit, for example, a motor, a side body cover (26), a leg shield (28), a tail light (30), a headlight (32), a rear suspension (34), a rear grip (36), and a rear wheel (38) adapted to be driven by the driving unit. The frame (12) comprises a pair of seat sub-frames for mounting the seat (40). Further, the vehicle (10) comprises a head tube that is adapted to be steerably connected to the front forks (14), and the front wheel (20) may be attached to a lower end of the front forks (14). The handlebar (22) may be attached to an upper end of the head tube. The head light (32) may be arranged in front of the handlebar (22). The front fender (18) may be provided so as to cover an upper portion of the front wheel (20). The leg shield (28) that protects legs of the rider may be provided on the front side. The tail light (30) and the rear fender (18) may be provided at a rear portion of the frame (12). The driving unit may be arranged under the seat (40) of the vehicle (10). The engine (24) of the vehicle (10) is adapted to supply energy to various components of the vehicle (10) for driving the vehicle (10).
[039] In accordance with the present disclosure, the rear suspension (34) may comprise a swing arm (42) and a suspension system (44). The swing arm (42) may be configured to pivotally couple the rear wheel (38) of the vehicle (10) to the frame (12) of the vehicle (10) such that during movement/ travel of the vehicle (10) over an uneven terrain, the rear wheel (38) of the vehicle (10) may pivot with respect to the frame (12) for damping the shock and/or vibrations and thus offer smooth riding experience to the rider and/ or passenger. Further, the suspension system (44) may be embodied as a shock absorber, a first end of which is coupled to the frame (12) of the vehicle (10) and a second end is coupled to an axle of the rear wheel (38) of the vehicle (10).
[040] In accordance with the present disclosure, the vehicle (10) comprises a footrest device (100) as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. The footrest device (100) is provided in the front lower portion of the vehicle (10). In an embodiment, the footrest device (100) is adapted to be coupled to the engine (24) of the vehicle (10). In a specific embodiment, the footrest device (100) is adapted to be coupled to a crankcase of the engine (24) of the vehicle (10). Without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure, the footrest device (100) is configured to provide a surface for resting feet of the rider while riding the vehicle (10) on any terrain. Additionally, the footrest device (100) facilitates easy and convenient actuation of components, for example, brake pedal, gear shift pedal (46), etc., of the vehicle (10). As typically known, the footrest device (100) is adapted to extend sideways, both leftwardly and rightwardly, from and/ or across the frame (12) of the vehicle (10). The leftward end and the rightward end of the footrest device (100) provide surface for resting the left foot and the right foot, respectively, of the vehicle (10), when the rider is sitting astride on the vehicle (10).
[041] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, different views of the footrest device (100) of the present disclosure are shown. The footrest device (100) comprises a support member (102) adapted to be disposed below the engine (24) of the vehicle (10). In an embodiment, the support member (102) is adapted to be disposed below the crankcase of the engine (24) and is coupled to the crankcase of the engine (24). Without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure, the support member (102) extends from the left side of the vehicle (10) to the right side of the vehicle (10) and provides the surface for resting the feet of the rider. The support member (102) comprises an intermediate portion (110) in the middle of the support member (102). In an embodiment, a middle segment of the support member (102) having a constant thickness in a vertical direction may constitute the intermediate portion (110) of the support member (102).
[042] The support member (102) further comprises a first side (120) and a second side (130), as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. The first side (120) is adapted to extend from the intermediate portion (110) in a first direction of the vehicle (10). Further, the second side (130) is adapted to extend from the intermediate portion (110) in a second direction of the vehicle (10). The second direction of the second side (130) is opposite to the first direction of the first side (120) of the support member (102). In an embodiment, the first side (120) may extend from the intermediate portion (110) in the left direction of the vehicle (10), and the second side (130) may extend from the intermediate portion (110) in the right direction of the vehicle (10), when seen sitting astride on the vehicle (10). Without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure, the first side (120) and the second side (130) of the support member (102) may have a constant thickness in the vertical direction.
[043] Further, in accordance with the present disclosure, an area of cross-section of at least one of the first side (120) and the second side (130) is different than an area of cross-section of the intermediate portion (110) of the support member (102). In an embodiment, the area of cross-section of both of the first side (120) and the second side (130) is different than the area of cross-section of the intermediate portion (110) of the support member (102). In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the area of cross-section of at least one of the first side (120) and the second side (130) is more than the area of cross-section of the intermediate portion (110) of the support member (102). Without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure, the area of cross-section of the first side (120) and the second side (130) and the area of cross-section of the intermediate portion (110) of the support member (102) may be taken along respective planes that are parallel to a vertical axis and a longitudinal axis of the vehicle (10). Within the scope of the present disclosure, for the footrest device (100), the larger cross-section of the first side (120) and the second side (130) of the support member (102) compared to the cross-section of the intermediate portion (110) offers design optimization in terms of load bearing capacity and ease in mounting the components of the vehicle (10).
[044] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the support member (102) may be made of sheet metal. Further, the support member (102) may be made by stamping process. In other embodiments, the support member (102) may be made by other suitable techniques, for example, forging, casting, etc.
[045] In accordance with the present disclosure, the footrest device (100) comprises at least one flange (140) extending from the first side (120) and the second side (130) of the support member (102). The at least one flange (140) is configured to facilitate coupling the footrest device (100) with the crankcase of the engine (24). Additionally, in an embodiment, the at least one flange (140) may facilitate mounting other components of the vehicle (10) on the frame (12) of the vehicle (10). Each of the at least one flange (140) defines a hole (142) therein, which is adapted to receive fasteners for coupling the footrest device (100) with the crankcase of the engine (24). As is shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the footrest device (100) comprises four flanges (140), two flanges (140) of which extend from the first side (120) of the support member (102) and the remaining two flanges (140) extend from the second side (130) of the support member (102). In an embodiment, the flanges (140) may extend from the support member (102) either forwardly or rearwardly along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (10). As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 4, one flange (140) from each of the first side (120) and the second side (130) extend in the forward direction and other flange (140) from each of the first side (120) and the second side (130) extend in the rearward direction.
[046] Without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure, the at least one flange (140) is welded to the first side (120) and the second side (130) of the support member (102). In other embodiment, the at least one flange (140) may be mounted on the first side (120) and the second side (130) of the support member (102) by any suitable means and technique, for example, by adhesion, fastening, etc. In an embodiment, the at least one flange (140) is adapted to be welded or mounted to a flat surface (122, 124, 132, 134) of the first side (120) and the second side (130) of the support member (102). The flat surface (122, 124, 132, 134), as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, of the first side (120) and the second side (130) of the support member (102) may be defined along the plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (10).
[047] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the support member (102) comprises oblique segments (150) extending from the first side (120) and the second side (130) of the support member (102). The oblique segments (150) are adapted to extend upwardly in the vertical direction with respect to the intermediate portion (110) from the first side (120) and the second side (130) of the support member (102), as shown in FIG. 3. In a further embodiment, the oblique segments (150) are adapted to extend forwardly with respect to the intermediate portion (110), in a horizonal direction or along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (10), from the first side (120) and the second side (130) of the support member (102), as shown in FIG. 4. In alternate embodiment, the oblique segments (150) may extend rearwardly with respect to the intermediate portion (110), in the horizonal direction or along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (10), from the first side (120) and the second side (130) of the support member (102).
[048] Further, each of the oblique segments (152) has an end (152) to facilitate providing foot pegs (160) at the footrest device (100), as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. The foot pegs (160) may be made of plastic, thermoplastic, metal, rubber, or any suitable material and may be configured to provide surface for resting the feet of the rider on the footrest device (100). Also, each of the foot pegs (160) may be made as a tubular body having a hollow cavity defined therein. The hollow cavity may be adapted to be of a suitable shape, for example, cylindrical, or cuboidal, or any other suitable shape, that is complimentary to the shape of the end (152) of the oblique segment (150) for receiving the foot peg (160).
[049] Within the scope of the present disclosure, the footrest device (100) of the present disclosure has a variable cross-section along a length of the support member (102) of the footrest device (100), and said variable cross-section offers design optimization in terms of load bearing capacity and ease in mounting the components, for example, the engine (24) and/ or the crankcase of the engine (24), of the vehicle (10). It can be contemplated that that larger cross-section is provided at locations where higher stresses are received from the engine (24) and/ or the crankcase of the engine (24).
[050] Further, manufacturing the footrest device (100) by way of sheet metal reduces the material required in conventional footrest devices and thereby reduces the weight of the footrest device (100).
[051] The various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated embodiments; rather, these embodiments are intended to fully and completely disclose the subject matter of the disclosure to those skilled in this art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Thicknesses and dimensions of some components may be exaggerated for clarity.
[052] Herein, the terms “attached”, “connected”, “interconnected”, “contacting”, “mounted”, “coupled” and the like can mean either direct or indirect attachment or contact between elements, unless stated otherwise.
[053] Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity. As used herein the expression “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[054] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[055] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this disclosure, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other modifications in the nature of the disclosure or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

EQUIVALENTS:
[056] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[057] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
[058] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
[059] The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary. , Claims:CLAIMS

We Claim:

1. A footrest device (100) of a vehicle (10), the footrest device (100) comprising:
a support member (102) adapted to be disposed below an engine (24) of the vehicle (10), the support member (102) comprising:
an intermediate portion (110);
a first side (120) extending from the intermediate portion (110) in a first direction of the vehicle (10); and
a second side (130) extending from the intermediate portion (110) in a second direction of the vehicle (10),
wherein an area of cross-section of at least one of the first side (120) and the second side (130) different than an area of cross-section of the intermediate portion (110) of the support member (102).

2. The footrest device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the area of cross-section of at least one of the first side (120) and the second side (130) more than the area of cross-section of the intermediate portion (110) of the support member (102).

3. The footrest device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support member (102) made of sheet metal.

4. The footrest device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support member (102) made by stamping process.

5. The footrest device (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least one flange (140) extending from the first side (120) and the second side (130) to facilitate coupling the footrest device (100) with a crankcase of the engine (24).

6. The footrest device (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one flange (140) welded to the first side (120) and the second side (130) of the support member (102).

7. The footrest device (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one flange (140) welded to a flat surface (122, 124, 132, 134) of the first side (120) and the second side (130) of the support member (102).

8. The footrest device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support member (102) comprises oblique segments (150) extending upwardly with respect to the intermediate portion (110), in a vertical direction, from the first side (120) and the second side (130).

9. The footrest device (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the oblique segments (150) extend forwardly with respect to the intermediate portion (110), in a horizontal direction, from the first side (120) and the second side (130).

10. The footrest device (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the oblique segments (150) has an end (152) to facilitate providing foot pegs (160) at the footrest device (100).