Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A front body panel assembly (200) for covering a front portion of a two-wheeled vehicle (100), the front body panel assembly being mounted on the vehicle (100) using mounting means and comprising a plurality of panel members, the plurality of panel members having means for interfacing the with each other to form the front body panel assembly (200), the plurality of panel members comprising:
a front panel centre member (210), the front panel centre member (210) covering a front centre portion of the vehicle (100); and
at least one pair of side members (220l,r; 230l,r; 240l,r) disposed on either sides of the front panel centre member (210), the pair of side members (220l,r; 230l,r; 240l,r) comprising a left side member (220l, 230l, 240l) disposed on a left side of the front panel centre member (210) and a right side member (220l, 230l, 240l) disposed on a right side of the front panel centre member (210), the pair of side members (220l,r; 230l,r; 240l,r) covering front side portions of the vehicle (100).

2. The front body panel assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, where in the at least one pair of side members comprises:
a pair of lower front panel members (220l and 220r) including a left lower front panel member (220l) and a right lower front panel member (220r), the pair of lower front panel members (220l and 220r) extending along a side of front signal lamps (250) of the vehicle (100) till a front fender (122) of the vehicle (100); and
a pair of top-cover front panel members (230l and 230r) including a left top-cover front panel member (230l) and a right top-cover front panel member (230r), the pair of top-cover front panel members (230l and 230r) being disposed above the pair of lower front panel members (220l and 220r) and detachably attached to the front signal lamps (250) at the top.

3. The front body panel assembly (200) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mounting means includes a front bracket 260 disposed rearward of the front panel centre (220) member and mounted on a battery box of the vehicle (100), the front bracket 260 having mounting provisions (262) and a pin structure (264), the mounting provisions (262) being used for mounting at least some of the plurality of members of the front body panel assembly (200), the front panel centre member (210) hingedly attached to the pin structure of the front bracket, thereby enabling hanging of the front panel centre member (210) when disassembled from the front body panel assembly (200).

4. The front body panel assembly (200) as claimed in claim 3, where in the front panel centre member (210) covers the mounting means (222l,r) of the pair of lower front panel members (220l and 220r) in the assembled condition and in the disassembled condition when the front panel centre member (210) hangs from pin structure, the mounting means (222l,r) of each of the lower front panel members (220l and 220r) is uncovered and accessible.

5. The front body panel assembly (200) as claimed in claim 2, where in the at least one pair of side members includes a pair of middle cover front panel members (240l,r) including a left middle cover member (240l) and a right middle cover member (240r), the pair of middle cover front panel members (240l,r) is disposed to the inner side of the lower front panel members (220l and 220r) and disposed vertically between the pair of lower front panel members (220l and 220r) and the pair of top-cover front panel members (230l and 230r).

6. The front body panel assembly (200) as claimed in claim 5, where in the mounting means for mounting the pair of middle cover panel members (240l,r) consists of a single fastener for each of the left middle cover member (240l) and the right middle cover member (240r).

7. The front body panel assembly (200) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pair of middle cover front panel members (240l,r) is mounted on to the front bracket 260 and the pair of lower front panel members (220l and 220r).

8. The front body panel assembly (200) as claimed in claim 5, where in the front panel centre member (210) covers the mounting means (242l,r) of the pair of middle cover front panel members (240l,r) in the assembled condition and in the disassembled condition when the front panel centre member (210) hangs from the rotatable structure, the mounting means (242l,r) of each of the pair of middle cover front panel members (240l,r) is uncovered and accessible.

9. The front body panel assembly (200) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pair of middle cover front panel members (240l,r) are disposed vertically below the front signal lamps 250 and cover a front portion below the pair of front signal lamps 250 of the vehicle, each of the pair of middle cover front panel members (240l,r) having an inner border (246) and an outer border (248), the inner border (246) being adapted to respective front signal inner borders and the outer border including a locking mechanism for attaching to the respective lower front panel members(220l and 220r).

10. The front body panel assembly (200) as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the pair of middle cover front panel members (240l,r) includes a snap locking mechanism (520) around a periphery of each of the pair of middle cover front panel members (240l,r).

11. The front body panel assembly (200) as claimed in claim 2, where in the pair of top-cover front panel members (230l and 230r) are disposed above and cover a front portion above the pair of front signal lamps (250l,r) of the vehicle (100).

12. The front body panel assembly (200) as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the pair of lower front panel members (220l and 220r) has a mounting flange (222l,r) extending from top and each of the pair of top-cover front panel members (230l and 230r) has a mounting boss (232r) formed on the inner surface of each of the top-cover front panel members (230l and 230r), each of the mounting flange (222l,r) being adapted to the respective mounting boss (232r) for enabling mounting of the top cover front panel members (230l and 230r).

13. The front body panel assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, where in the profile of at least some of the plurality of panel members is adapted to the profile of a rear panel member (270) of the vehicle (100).

14. The front body panel assembly (200) as claimed in claim 13, where in the profile of the rear portion of the at least one pair of side members (220l,r; 230l,r; 240l,r) is adapted to the profile of the rear panel member (270) of the vehicle (100).

15. The front body panel assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of panel members includes a lower front panel centre member (212), the lower front panel centre member (212) being disposed below the front panel centre member (210) and also disposed between the pair of lower front panel members (220l and 220r).

16. The front body panel assembly (200) as claimed in claim 15, wherein the lower front panel centre member (212) has a plurality of slits (214), the plurality of slits (214) enabling passage of air and sound.
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a front panel assembly for covering various components of a two-wheeled vehicle such as a scooter type vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] In a scooter type vehicle, the various components and parts of the scooter such as battery, front signal lamps, ISG controller, front suspension members, wiring harness and the like, are disposed in a space frontward to the head pipe of the frame. Such front zone components and parts are covered by assembling a stylish front panel which also provides the aesthetics to the scooter.
[003] Conventionally and as known in the art, a single piece front panel member is used to cover the front zone components to keep the part count lesser and to avoid multiple processing requirements.
[004] With the existing single-piece construction of the front panel as known in the art, if it is desired to adopt the front panel for varying finish parameter at different locations of the front panel for aesthetics purposes, the finishing process becomes cumbersome and costly.
[005] Again due to the single piece construction, the size of the front panel is big and generally approximates the width of the vehicle. This further adds to the difficulty in the serviceability of the front zone components since the bigger size panel is assembled with a large number of fasteners, which need to be removed during maintenance for accessing the components. Greater number of fasteners is also more time-consuming. Hence, this results in increase in maintenance cost and time.
[006] Further, in cases of damages and/or accidents, replacement of panel incurs high cost on customers.
[007] Another problem associated with the existing front panels in the art is appreciated with respect to the maintenance of front suspension of the vehicle. The front suspension of the vehicle is disposed in the front zone of the vehicle, extending downwardly frontward from a lower bracket member which is used to mount the front fender of the vehicle. The front body panel is assembled to a front bracket member of the vehicle. The gap between the front body panel and the front fender is very low. The fasteners used to mount the front suspension to the bracket member are hindered by the front body panel. As a result, the front body panel is required to be removed completely for accessing the fasteners of the front suspension during its maintenance. The complete removal of the front body panel is a time -consuming activity resulting in maintenance difficulty and increase in time taken for maintenance of the front suspension of the vehicle.
[008] Also, during most of the maintenance activities some of which have been discussed above, the front body panel is dis-assembled completely and removed from the vehicle and placed aside. The loose front panel when put aside becomes prone to damage, scratches, etc. and requires special care. This has even more significance considering the fact that the front panel is an aesthetic component and is the face of the vehicle.
[009] With the existing single piece construction, there are further difficulties and higher cost with respect to manufacturing because being a big part, higher dimension control is required during manufacturing with lower tolerances. Again, because of the aesthetic nature of the panel, symmetry and uniformity in finishing operations is desired and needs to be maintained over a larger surface area.
[010] Thus, there is a need in the art for a front panel for a scooter type vehicle, which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[011] In one aspect, the present invention is directed at a front panel assembly for covering a front portion of a two-wheeled vehicle such as a scooter type vehicle. The front body panel assembly is mounted on to the vehicle using mounting means and includes a plurality of panel members. The plurality of panel members has interfacing means for joining with each other to form the front body panel assembly. The front body panel assembly includes a front panel centre member, and one or more pairs of left and right side members disposed on either sides of the front panel centre member.
[012] In an embodiment, the panel assembly has two pairs of side members disposed on either dies of the front panel centre member. A pair of top cover front panel member is disposed vertically above a pair of lower front panel members.
[013] In various embodiments, the front panel centre member, in an assembled and mounted state covers the mounting means of the lower front panel members such as the fastener and the snap locking mechanism. The front panel centre member also has an integral rotatable structure adapted to a pin structure of a front bracket mounted on a battery box of the vehicle. The rotatable structure of the front panel centre member and the pin structure engagement enable the front panel centre member to hang from the vehicle when disassembled. In the disassembled and hanging state, the front panel centre member uncovers the mounting means such as the fastener and the snap locking mechanism of the lower front panel members and provides access to the same.
[014] In another embodiment, the panel assembly also includes a pair of middle cover front panel members below the front signal lamps of the vehicle and disposed vertically between the pair of lower front panel members and the pair of top-cover front panel members and. The middle cover members are also disposed to the inner sides of the lower front panel members.
[015] In an embodiment each of the middle cover front panel members is mounted on to the vehicle using a single fastener only. In an alternative embodiment, each of the middle cover front panel members has snap locking mechanism around their periphery for mounting on to the vehicle.
[016] In an embodiment, the middle cover panel members cover the suspension mechanism fasteners when mounted on the vehicle and provides access to the fasteners when unmounted. In an embodiment, each of the middle cover members has an inner and outer border. The inner border is adapted to respective front signal lamp inner borders. The outer border has a locking mechanism for attaching to the respective lower front panel members.
[017] In a further embodiment, each of the lower front panel members has a mounting flange extending from top and each of the top cover front panel members has a mounting boss. The mounting flanges are adapted to the respective mounting bosses for enabling mounting of the top cover front panel members.
[018] In a further embodiment, the profile of the front panel members is adapted to the profile of a rear body panel member of the vehicle.
[019] In a further embodiment, the plurality of panel members includes a lower front panel centre member. The lower front panel centre member is disposed below the front panel centre member and the pair of lower front panel members. The lower front panel centre member has a plurality of slits cut through for enabling passage of air and sound.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[020] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2A illustrates a front panel assembly in a perspective exploded view, and
Figure 2B illustrates the front panel assembly in an assembled front view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2C illustrates the front panel assembly with other components of the vehicle, in an assembled perspective view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figures 2D and 2E illustrate the front panel assembly with other components of the vehicle in an exploded perspective view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a front bracket, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 illustrates the front panel assembly in partially unassembled front view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a pair of middle cover front panel members in a back view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 illustrates the pair of middle cover front panel members in a perspective view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 7 illustrates the front panel assembly in an exploded perspective view showing the interfacing among plurality of panel members of the front panel assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[021] The present invention relates to a front panel for a two wheeled vehicle 100. More particularly, the present invention relates to a front panel assembly for covering various components of a scooter type vehicle.
[022] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As an example, the vehicle 100 is a scooter type vehicle. The vehicle 100 has a transmission system (not shown) including an internal combustion engine (not shown) as a prime mover, that is disposed behind a floorboard 114 and below a seat assembly 116 and/or a storage bin (not shown). In an embodiment, the transmission system includes an electric motor (not shown) or a combination of the electric motor and the internal combustion engine as the prime mover as per design feasibility and requirement. The vehicle 100 has a front wheel 118 and a rear wheel 120.
[023] A head pipe 104 connects to the frame member 112. The head pipe 104 supports a steering shaft (not shown) and a front suspension (not shown) attached to the steering shaft through a lower bracket (not shown). The front suspension supports the front wheel 118. The upper portion of the front wheel 118 is covered by a front fender 122 mounted to the front suspension. In an embodiment, the front fender 122 is movable along with the front wheel 118, during travel over undulations on a road surface. A handlebar 124 is fixed to upper bracket (not shown) and can rotate about the steering shaft for turning the vehicle 100. A headlight 128 (front lamp 128) and an instrument cluster 126 is arranged on an upper portion of the head pipe 104.
[024] Further, a rear suspension (not shown) is provided to the rear wheel 120 for dampening the vibrations induced during travel of the vehicle 100 over undulations on the road surface. A taillight unit 130 is disposed at the end of the vehicle 100 and at the rear of the seat assembly 116. A grab rail 132 is also provided for facilitating the grip and/or balance to a rider/pillion on the vehicle 100 during movement. The rear wheel 120 is arranged below the seat assembly 116 and adapted to receive the motive force from the prime mover. A suitable transmission assembly is provided for transferring the drive force from the prime mover onto the rear wheel 120 for driving the vehicle 100. In an embodiment, the driving force of the internal combustion engine is transmitted through a chain drive (not shown) or a belt drive (not shown). A rear fender 134 is disposed above the rear wheel 120. An exhaust pipe (not shown) is also provided for the Internal combustion engine, that extends therefrom towards the rear end of the vehicle 100. Further, the head pipe 104 of the vehicle 100 is adapted to support a mounting structure for a battery 102. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the vehicle 100 includes a front panel assembly 200 for covering a front portion of the vehicle 100.
[025] Figure 2A-2E illustrate the front panel assembly 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2A illustrates the front panel assembly 200 in a perspective exploded view and Figure 2B illustrates the front panel assembly 200 in an assembled front view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2C illustrates the front panel assembly 200 with other components of the vehicle 100, in an assembled perspective view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Figures 2D and 2E illustrate the front panel assembly 200 with other components of the vehicle 100, in an exploded perspective view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[026] As illustrated in Figure 2A-2E, the front body panel assembly 200 includes a plurality of panel members and is mounted on the vehicle 100 using mounting means. The plurality of panel members has means for interfacing with each other to form the front body panel assembly 200.
[027] The plurality of panel members includes a front panel centre member 210 and at least one pair of side members (220l,r; 230l,r; 240l,r) disposed on either sides of the front panel centre member 210. The front panel centre member 210 covers a centre front portion of the vehicle 100. The pairs of side members (220l,r; 230l,r; 240l,r) are disposed on either sides of the front panel centre member 210. The pairs of side members (220l,r; 230l,r; 240l,r) include a left side member (220l, 230l, 240l) disposed on a left side of the front panel centre member 210 and a right side member (220l, 230l, 240l) disposed on a right side of the front panel centre member 210. The pairs of side members (220l,r; 230l,r; 240l,r) cover front side portions of the vehicle 100.
[028] In another embodiment, the front body panel assembly 200 also includes a pair of lower front panel members (220l and 220r) and a pair of top-cover front panel members (230l and 230r). The pair of lower front panel members (220l and 220r) includes a left lower front panel member 220l and a right lower front panel member 220r. The pair of lower front panel members (220l and 220r) extends along a side of front signal lamps 250 of the vehicle 100 till a front fender of the vehicle 100. The pair of top-cover front panel members (230l and 230r) include a left top-cover front panel member 230l and a right top-cover front panel member 230r. The pair of top-cover front panel members (230l and 230r) being disposed above the pair of lower front panel members (220l and 220r) and detachably attached to the front signal lamps 250 at the top.
[029] Figure 3 illustrates a front bracket 260, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment, the mounting means include the front bracket 260 disposed rearward of the front panel centre member 210 and mounted on a battery box of the vehicle 100. The ISG Controller lies between front bracket 260 and the battery box. The front bracket 260 has mounting provisions (262 and 264). The front bracket 260 has mounting provisions 262 and a pin structure 264. The bottom portion of the front bracket 260 has a forwardly extending land, which forms the cylindrical pin structure 264. The cylindrical pin structure 264 extends outwards in vehicle width direction on either sides from the vehicle centre. The cylindrical pin structure 264 is rigidly supported by two projections extending towards and connecting to the main body of the cylindrical pin structure 264 member on either sides.
[030] In an embodiment, the front panel centre member 210 has a rotatable structure on the bottom region of the inner surface and is hingedly attached to the pin structure 264 of the front bracket 260, thereby enabling hanging of the front panel centre member 210 when disassembled from the front body panel assembly 200. In an embodiment, the front panel centre member 210 is mounted to a rear body panel 270 having a plurality of rear panel mounting means (272). The front panel centre member 210 rests on the pin structure of the front bracket 260.
[031] Figure 7 illustrates the front panel assembly 200 in an exploded perspective view showing the interfacing among the plurality of panel members of the front panel assembly 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment, the mounting provisions includes lamp mounting provisions 266 provided on the top and bottom portion of the front bracket 260. The lamp mounting provisions 266 are used to mount the front signal lamps 260 of the vehicle 100 on either side. The pair of lower front panel members (220l,r) are connected to the front signal lamps (250l,r) via the front bracket 260 on either side and are mounted to the rear body panel 270 via plurality of mountings (222l and 222r).
[032] Referring to Figure 2A, in an embodiment, the mounting means for each of the pair of lower front panel members (220l and 220r) includes mounting flanges (222l,r) extending from the top of each of the pair of lower front panel members (210l and 210r). Referring again to Figures 2A-E, the front panel centre member 210 covers mounting means (222l and 222r) of the pair of lower front panel members (220l and 220r) in the assembled condition. On the other hand, in the disassembled condition when the front panel centre member 210 hangs from the pin structure 264, the mounting means (222l and 222r) of each of the lower front panel members (220l and 220r) is uncovered and accessible (as shown in Figure 7).
[033] In another embodiment, the front panel assembly 200 includes a pair of middle cover front panel members (240l,r) including a left middle cover member (240l) and a right middle cover member (240r). The pair of middle cover front panel members (240l,r) is disposed to the inner side of the lower front panel members (220l and 220r) and disposed vertically between the pair of lower front panel members (220l and 220r) and the pair of top-cover front panel members (230l and 230r).
[034] In another embodiment, the pair of middle cover front panel members (240l,r) is mounted on to the front bracket 260 and also on to the pair of lower front panel members (220l and 220r).
[035] In an embodiment, the middle cover front panel members (240l and 240r) are mounted to the front bracket 260 and to the lower front panel members (220l and 220r). The middle cover front panel members (240l and 240r) are disposed between front signal lamp 250, the front bracket 260, and the lower front panel members (220l and 220r).
[036] In an embodiment, the front panel centre member 210 is disposed in the portion formed by the pair of lower front panel members (220l and 220r), the pair of top-cover front panel members (230l and 230r) and the pair of middle cover front panel members (240l,r). The front panel centre member 210 extends rearwardly upwards from the bottom line of the middle cover front panel members (240l and 240r) to the top line of the top-cover front panel members (230l and 230r).
[037] Figure 4 illustrates the front panel assembly 200 in a partially assembled front view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The pair of middle cover front panel members (240l,r) is shown in a partially open and unassembled condition exposing and enabling access to front suspension fasteners (410l,r) of the vehicle 100. The front panel centre member 210 covers bracket mounting means (242l and 242r) (shown in Figures 4, 6 and 7) of the pair of middle cover front panel members (240l,r) in the assembled condition and in the disassembled condition when the front panel centre member 210 hangs from the pin structure 264, the bracket mounting means (242l and 242r) of each of the pair of middle cover front panel members (240l,r) is uncovered and accessible.
[038] In an embodiment, the bracket mounting means (242l and 242r) for mounting the pair of middle cover panel members (240l and 240r) consists of a single fastener for each of the left front panel member 220l and the right front panel member 220r.
[039] In another embodiment, the pair of middle cover front panel members (240l,r) are disposed vertically below the front signal lamps 250 and cover a front portion below the pair of front signal lamps 250 of the vehicle 100. Each of the pair of middle cover front panel members (240l,r) have an inner border 246 and an outer border 248 (shown in Figure 6). The inner border 246 is adapted to respective front signals (250l,r) and the outer border 248 includes a locking mechanism for attaching to the respective lower front panel members (220l and 220r).
[040] Figure 5 illustrates the pair of middle cover front panel members (240l,r) in a back view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in Figure 5, each of the pair of middle cover front panel members (240l,r) includes a snap locking mechanism (520) around the periphery.
[041] Figure 6 illustrates the pair of middle cover front panel members (240l,r) in a perspective view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in Figure 6, each of the pair of middle cover front panel members (240l,r) includes a bracket mounting means (242l and 242r) for mounting on to the front bracket 260.
[042] In an embodiment, the pair of top-cover front panel members (230l and 230r) are disposed above and cover a front portion of the vehicle100 above the pair of front signal lamps (250l,r).
[043] Referring to Figure 2A, each of the pair of top-cover front panel members (230l and 230r) has mounting bosses. A mounting boss 232r of the right top-cover front panel member 230r can be seen in Figure 7. Similarly, the left top-cover front panel member 230l has a mounting boss 232l (not shown). The mounting bosses (232l and 232r) are formed on the inner surfaces of each of the top-cover front panel members (230l and 230r). Each of the mounting flanges (222l,r) is adapted to the respective mounting bosses (232l,r) for enabling mounting of the top cover front panel members (230l and 230r).
[044] In an embodiment, the profile of at least some of the plurality of panel members of the front panel assembly 200 is adapted to the profile of a rear body panel member 270 of the vehicle 100. In another embodiment, the profile of the rear portion of the at least one pair of side members (220l,r; 230l,r; 240l,r) is adapted to the profile of the rear body panel member 270 of the vehicle 100.
[045] Referring to Figures 7 and 2E, the front panel assembly 200 includes a lower front panel centre member 212, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The lower front panel centre member 212 is disposed below the front panel centre member 210 and is also disposed between the pair of lower front panel members 220l and 220r. The lower front panel centre member 212 has plurality of mounting means 216 for mounting on to the pair of lower front panel members 220l and 220r thorough mounting means 224 of the pair of lower front panel members 220l and 220r.
[046] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the lower front panel centre member 212 has a plurality of slits 214. Each of the plurality of slits 214 is cut thorough the lower front panel centre member 212 and enables passage for air for circulation and air cooling in the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 also has a horn mounted on the head pipe 104 under the front panel centre member 210. The plurality of slits 214 also provide passage for the sound of the horn to pass through. The lower front panel centre member 212 is connected behind the front wheel 118 of the vehicle 100, between the front fender 134 and the front panel centre member 210. The gap between the front panel centre member 210 and the lower front panel centre member 212 allows for the front suspension (not shown) of the front wheel 118 to pass through.
[047] Advantageously, the splitting of the front panel allows to have variety of finish for the individual members to improve appearance. It helps in reducing the time required for the maintenance of front zone vehicle components as only individual members can be removed to access. This reduces the maintenance cost also. In case of damage due to vehicle fall, accident and/or the like, individual members can be replaced. This reduces cost. The pair of lower front panel members are of metal and protects the vehicle from major damage during vehicle fall / accident and/or the like. The top-cover members and middle cover members bring aesthetic appeal to the front zone by having a highlighting finish that differs the surrounding panels.
[048] In addition, the middle cover members also provide access to the front suspension members’ fasteners during maintenance. The centre member provide access to the inner components such as Battery, ISG Controller, horn, signal lamps, wiring harness and/or the like upon removing the fasteners from the rear body panel and being able to rotate about the pin structure.
[049] Further, since the pair middle cover members are mounted to the front bracket member using only one fastener each, they allow for easy dis-assembly and access to the front suspension fasteners.
[050] Furthermore, the pair of middle cover panel members can also be assembled without any fasteners by providing required number of snap locks around the periphery of the component. This makes access to front suspension fasteners even quicker. As the components does not contain any mountings, the removal is much easier by just with a small pull. This also avoids the need to open the front panel Centre member. Once the middle cover panel members are removed with a small pull, front suspension fasteners can be accessed.
[051] Further, the mounting of front panel centre member to the rear body panel and resting it on the rotatable structure of the front bracket member allows for easy dis-assembly and lets the centre member hang on the pivot of the rotating mechanism; avoiding complete removal of the centre member from the vehicle and placing it separately. The rotating mechanism avoids the need of complete removal of the centre member thereby eliminating handling damages such as scratches and/or the like. After placing the centre member in rotated open condition, the fasteners used to mount the pair of middle cover panel members are accessible. The middle cover panel members can be dis-assembled by removing these fasteners. This helps in easy access to fasteners used to mount the front suspension members to the lower bracket member and removal of the front suspension members during maintenance.
[052] Further, the front body panel assembly of the invention splits the front body panel into the plurality of front panel members which allows for individual assembly and dis-assembly process thereby reducing the number of fasteners used for mounting and the time taken for assembling and dis-assembling the individual parts.
[053] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.