FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to a vehicle and, more particularly, to footstep holding device of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND

[002] Generally, in two-wheeled vehicles such as motorcycle, a footstep holding device is attached to a vehicle body frame. The footstep holding device has a provision, in the form of a bracket, to mount a footstep on which the rider / pillion can rest his/her foot. The footstep holding device is formed of a metallic structure. Since the footstep holding device is a visible member of the vehicle, it also contributes to the overall appearance of the vehicle, therefore, the footstep holding device is shaped in accordance with an overall appearance of the vehicle body, Hence, many a times the footstep holding device is designed to appear big for aesthetic purpose. Since, the footstep holding device is made up of metal, an increase in the size of the footstep holding device results in increased weight and cost.
SUMMARY
[003] In an embodiment, a footstep holding device for positioning on at least one side of a vehicle is provided. The footstep holding device comprises a metal stay mounted to a body frame of the vehicle. The metal stay comprises a plurality of body frame mounting provisions configured to mount the metal stay to the body frame of the vehicle. The metal stay further comprises a plurality of cover supporting provisions and a footstep mounting provision. The footstep holding device further comprises a footstep for placing a rider's foot thereupon. The footstep is configured to be engaged with the footstep mounting provision. The footstep holding device further comprises a cover configured to at least partially cover the metal stay. The cover is configured to be engaged with the plurality of cover supporting provisions.
[004] In an embodiment, the metal stay comprises a lower bar configured to extend substantially in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The metal stay further comprises an upper bar comprising a first section substantially parallel to the lower bar and a second section extending frontwardly and upwardly from the first section. The upper bar is fixed with the lower bar through at least one welded plate shaped bracket. The lower bar and the upper bar are configured to include at least one of the plurality of body frame mounting provisions and at least one of the plurality of cover supporting provisions. The metal stay further comprises a box bracket attached to lower end portion of each of the upper bar and the lower bar. The box bracket comprises the footstep mounting provision for engaging the footstep.
[005] In an embodiment, the cover comprises a first cover section and a second cover section integrally formed. The first cover section adapted to cover the first section of the metal stay and the second cover section adapted to cover the second section of the metal stay when the cover is engaged with the metal stay.
[006] In an embodiment, the footstep mounting provision is a bracket comprising holes for engaging the footstep through a fastening member inserted through the holes in the bracket and through a hole configured in the footstep.
[007] In an embodiment, the footstep holding device further comprises a metallic piece attached to upper end portion of the upper bar. The metallic piece comprises a first cover supporting provision of the plurality of cover supporting provisions in form of an opening. The cover comprises a first reinforcing provision in form of an opening configured to be engaged with the first cover supporting provision through a fastening member.
[008] In an embodiment, the footstep holding device further comprises a metallic piece extending downwardly from the lower bar. The metallic piece comprises a second cover supporting provision of the plurality of cover supporting provisions in form of an opening. The cover comprises a second reinforcing provision in form of an opening configured to be engaged with the second cover supporting provision through a fastening member.
[009] In an embodiment, the box bracket comprises a third cover supporting provision of the plurality of cover supporting provisions. The cover comprises a third reinforcing provision configured to be engaged with the third cover supporting provision through a fastening member.
[0010] In an embodiment, the cover is a plastic cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0011] 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:
[0012] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] Figure 2 illustrates a view of a footstep holding device of the vehicle of Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0014] Figure 3 illustrates a view of a metal stay of the vehicle of Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the invention; and
[0015] Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of the footstep holding device of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0016] 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

[0017] 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.
[0018] 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.
[0019] The terms “vehicle”, “two-wheeled vehicle” and “motorcycle” 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.
[0020] The terms “front / forward”, “rear / rearward / back / backward”, “up / upper / upward”, “down / downward / lower / lowerward” 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.
[0021] Figure 1 illustrates a two-wheeled vehicle (100) or a saddle riding type vehicle (100) comprising, inter-alia, a front wheel (202) steered by a handle bar (204), the handle bar (204) is steerably supported by a head pipe at a front end of a vehicle body frame (not shown), a rear wheel (206) driven by a power unit (not shown) comprising an engine unit (126) and a transmission unit, a seat (212), a footstep holding device (11) supported by the vehicle body frame whereupon a passenger places his/her foot. The engine unit (126) (e.g., internal combustion engine) is a single cylinder engine with a crank shaft placed along the vehicle width direction and the power unit is pivot-supported / swingably supported to the vehicle body frame so as to be able to swing in a vertical direction. The footstep holding device (11) can be provided either on one lateral side or on both lateral sides (e.g., left and right sides with respect to rider) of the two-wheeled vehicle (100). It may be noted that the two-wheeled vehicle (100) is shown to have include above stated parts, however, those ordinarily skilled in the art would appreciate that the two-wheeled vehicle (100) includes other parts which may not be relevant for explaining embodiments of the present invention and hence are not shown and described.
[0022] Figure 2 illustrates an assembled view of the footstep holding device (11) and Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of the footstep holding device (11). The footstep holding device (11) is mounted to the body frame of the two-wheeled vehicle (100). As depicted in Figure 2 and Figure 4, the footstep holding device (11) comprises a cover (14) preferably made of plastic (hereinafter also referred to as 'plastic cover (14)') a metal stay (12) and a footstep (13). In one embodiment of the present invention, the plastic cover (14) and the footstep (13) are mounted to the metal stay (12), and the metal stay (12) is mounted / fixed to the body frame of the two-wheeled vehicle (100). When the metal stay (12) is mounted to the body frame, it provides support to the plastic cover (14) and the footstep (13). The cover (14) (hereinafter referred to as 'plastic cover') acts as an aesthetic member. The footstep (13) serves as a platform for rider / pillion to place his / her foot over it.
[0023] As illustrated in the Figure 3, the metal stay (12) is a metallic body comprising a plurality of body frame mounting provisions intended to mount the metal stay (12) to the body frame of the vehicle (100). In a non-limiting example, the plurality of body frame mounting provisions includes a first body frame mounting provision (12a) and a second body frame mounting provision (12b). Similarly, the metal stay (12) comprises, a plurality of cover supporting provisions intended to mount the plastic cover (14) to the metal stay (12). In a non-limiting example, the plurality of cover supporting provisions include a first cover supporting provision (12d), a second cover supporting provision (12e) and a third cover supporting provision (12f). The metal stay (12) is also provided with a footstep mounting provision (13a) where the footstep (13) is mounted. In an embodiment, the footstep mounting provision (13a) is in form of a bracket including holes (13b) and (13c).
[0024] The plastic cover (14) is shaped as per requirements of the aesthetics of the vehicle (100). In an embodiment of the invention, the plastic cover (14) is mounted from a side of the vehicle (100) to cover a portion of the vehicle (100) which is frontward of a rear suspension (129), rearward of a cylinder head of the engine unit (126), and upward of a muffler (190). The plastic cover (14) can be provided either on one side of the vehicle (100) or on both sides (i.e. right side and left side) of the vehicle (100). In an embodiment of the invention, the plastic cover (14), when seen from one side (e.g. right side), has two integral portions, a first cover section (14s1) extending in longitudinal direction of the vehicle (100) and a second cover section (14s2) extending in frontward and upward direction from the first cover section (14s1). The plastic cover (14) is provided with at least one reinforcing provision to attach the plastic cover (14) onto the metal stay (12).
[0025] In an embodiment, the plastic cover (14) is provided with a first reinforcing provision (14a) in form of an opening, where the first reinforcing provision (14a) is disposed in the frontward and upward portion (i.e. the second cover section (14s2)) of the plastic cover (14). The plastic cover (14) also includes a second reinforcing provision (14b) in the form of an opening and a third reinforcing provision (14c) in form of an engaging provision disposed on the first cover section (14s1).
[0026] The first reinforcing provision (14a), disposed in the second cover section (14s2) of the plastic cover (14), is adapted to align with the first cover supporting provision (12d) (described later) of the metal stay (12) when the plastic cover (14) is mounted to the metal stay (12). The second reinforcing provision (14b) is disposed on frontward of the longitudinal portion (i.e. the first cover section (14s1)) of the plastic cover (14) and is adapted to align with the second cover supporting provision (12e) (described later) of the metal stay (12) when the plastic cover (14) is mounted to the metal stay (12). The third reinforcing provision (14c) is disposed in a rearward portion of longitudinal portion of the plastic cover (14) and is adapted to align with the third cover supporting provision (12f) (described later) of the metal stay (12) when the plastic cover (14) is mounted to the metal stay (12).
[0027] The metal stay (12) is a metallic body composed of metallic bars and a box bracket. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, in an embodiment, the metallic bars include an upper bar (12u) and a lower bar (12l). The lower bar (12l) extends substantially in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle (100). The upper bar (12u) integrally includes a first section (12u1) extending substantially parallel to the lower bar (12l) and a second section (12u2) extending frontwardly and upwardly thereafter from the first section (12u1). The upper bar (12u) and the lower bar (12l) are contoured in such manner that they provide sufficient support to the plastic cover (14). Towards rear end thereof of the upper bar (12u) and the lower bar (12l), a box bracket (12z) is attached to the upper bar (12u) and the lower bar (12l), where the box bracket (12z) further strengthens the footstep holding device (11). The upper bar (12u) and the lower bar (12l) can be fixed to each other at multiple places, such as, as illustrated in the Figure 3. For example, the upper bar (12u) and the lower bar (12l) are fixed using a welded plate shaped bracket (12y).
[0028] As depicted in the Figure 3, the first body frame mounting provision (12a) is provided towards free end of the frontward and upward portion of the upper bar (12u) of the footstep holding device (11). In the vicinity of the first body frame mounting provision (12a), a metallic piece (15) is attached to the upper bar (12u) in spaced apart relationship, and the first cover supporting provision (12d) in the form of an opening is provided on the metallic piece (15). The second body frame mounting provision (12b) is provided frontward free end of the lower bar (12l) of the footstep holding device (11). In the vicinity of the second body frame mounting provision (12b), a metallic piece (16) is attached to the lower bar (12l) extending downward in an inclined manner, and the second cover supporting provision (12e) in the form of an opening is provided on the metallic piece (16). The box bracket (12z) is provided with a footstep mounting provision (13a). The box bracket (12z) is further provided with the third cover supporting provision (12f).
[0029] At the time of assembly, the metal stay (12) is mounted to the body frame using the first body frame mounting provision (12a) and the second body frame mounting provision (12b). Then the plastic cover (14) is mounted to the metal stay (12) using a fastening member (17a) passing through the first reinforcing provision (14a) and the first cover supporting provision (12d); a fastening member (17b) passing through the second reinforcing provision (14b) and the second cover supporting provision (12e); and a fastening member (not shown) passing through the third reinforcing provision (14c) and the third cover supporting provision (12f). Then, the footstep (13) is mounted to the footstep mounting provision (13a) using a fastening member (13d) inserted through the holes (13b) and (13c) and through a hole (13e) configured in the footstep (13) . Hence, the plastic cover (14) at least partially covers the metal stay (12), for example, the first cover section (14s1) is adapted to cover the first section (12u1) of the metal stay (12) and the second cover section (14s2) is adapted to cover the second section (12u2) when the plastic cover (14) is engaged with the metal stay (12). Thus, the plastic cover (14) of the footstep holding device (11) acts as an aesthetic member and the metal stay (12) of the footstep holding device (11) provides necessary support to the plastic cover (14) and the footstep (13). Hence, cost and weight of the footstep holding device (11) and eventually of the vehicle (100) is reduced.
[0030] 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 invention 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 footstep holding device (11) for positioning on at least one side of a vehicle (100), the footstep holding device (11) comprising:
a metal stay (12) mounted to a body frame of the vehicle (100), the metal stay (12) comprising:
a plurality of body frame mounting provisions (12a, 12b) configured to mount the metal stay (12) to the body frame of the vehicle (100);
a plurality of cover supporting provisions (12d, 12e, 12f); and
a footstep mounting provision (13a);
a footstep (13) for placing a rider's foot thereupon, the footstep (13) configured to be engaged with the footstep mounting provision (13a); and
a cover (14) configured to at least partially cover the metal stay (12), the cover (14) configured to be engaged with the plurality of cover supporting provisions (12d, 12e, 12f).

2. The footstep holding device (11) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal stay (12) further comprises:
a lower bar (12l) configured to extend substantially in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle (100);
an upper bar (12u) comprising a first section (12u1) substantially parallel to the lower bar (12l) and a second section (12u2) extending frontwardly and upwardly from the first section (12u1), the upper bar (12u) fixed with the lower bar (12l) through at least one welded plate shaped bracket (12y), wherein each of the lower bar (12l) and the upper bar (12u) is configured to include at least one of the plurality of body frame mounting provisions (12a, 12b) and at least one of the plurality of cover supporting provisions (12d, 12e, 12f); and
a box bracket (12z) attached to lower end portion of each of the upper bar (12u) and the lower bar (12l), the box bracket (12z) comprising the footstep mounting provision (13a) for engaging the footstep (13).

3. The footstep holding device (11) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cover (14) comprises integrally formed a first cover section (14s1) and a second cover section (14s2), the first cover section (14s1) adapted to cover the first section (12u1) of the metal stay (12) and the second cover section (14s2) adapted to cover the second section (12u2) of the metal stay (12) when the cover (14) is engaged with the metal stay (12).

4. The footstep holding device (11) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the footstep mounting provision (13a) is a bracket comprising holes (13b) and (13c) for engaging the footstep (13) through a fastening member (13d) inserted through the holes (13b) and (13c) and through a hole (13e) configured in the footstep (13).

5. The footstep holding device (11) as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a metallic piece (15) attached to upper end portion of the upper bar (12u), wherein the metallic piece (15) comprises a first cover supporting provision (12d) of the plurality of cover supporting provisions (12d, 12e, 12f) in form of an opening, and wherein the cover (14) comprises a first reinforcing provision (14a) in form of an opening configured to be engaged with the first cover supporting provision (12d) through a fastening member (17a).

6. The footstep holding device (11) as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a metallic piece (16) extending downwardly from the lower bar (12l), wherein the metallic piece (16) comprises a second cover supporting provision (12e) of the plurality of cover supporting provisions (12d, 12e, 12f) in form of an opening, and wherein the cover (14) comprises a second reinforcing provision (14b) in form of an opening configured to be engaged with the second cover supporting provision (12e) through a fastening member (17b).

7. The footstep holding device (11) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the box bracket (12z) comprises a third cover supporting provision (12f) of the plurality of cover supporting provisions (12d, 12e, 12f), and wherein the cover (14) comprises a third reinforcing provision (14c) configured to be engaged with the third cover supporting provision (12f) through a fastening member.

8. The footstep holding device (11) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cover (14) is a plastic cover.