FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a lock and more
particularly, but not exclusively, to a grommet structure for a lock of a vehicle
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The front portion of a scooter type motorcycle forwardly of the
motorcycle rider comprises of a front cover and a rear cover which are operatively connected to each other. The rear cover has a forwardly surface towards the front cover and a rearwardly surface towards the motorcycle rider. A lock set is mounted on a frame of the motorcycle in a space between the front cover and the rear cover. The lock set has a key hole facing the rider through a lock hole provided in the rear cover.
[0003] The lock set is assembled in a manner that the rear cover and lock
set are disposed in the same plane. However, it is probable during welding of the lock set to the frame that the lock set moves from its disposing position. This occurs due to unskilled welding or due to deposition of welding material which leads to a mismatch between lock set and lock hole of the rear cover causing difficulty in the assembly of the two. The assembly mismatch also leads to dissatisfaction of the motorcycle rider and deprives the vehicle of its aesthetic potential.
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[0004] Further, conventionally the key hole is generally not surrounded
due to which it is difficult for the motorcycle rider to access the key hole for operation of the lock. The key is then prone to move in a broad unsurrounded area around the lock set. The problem is aggravated during very low visibility conditions when enough natural or artificial light is not available to see the key hole of the lock set.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a
grommet structure for the lock set of a two wheeled vehicle to ensure easy accessibility of the lock set and align the lock set with the rear cover to diminish the impact of frame variations. It is also an object of the present invention to ensure easy assembly of the grommet structure thus reducing assembly time.
[0006] To this end, the present subject matter discloses a scooter type
motorcycle comprising a front cover and a rear cover connected to each other and disposed in a front portion of the motorcycle. The rear cover comprises a lock hole configured to receive a detachable grommet member. The grommet member comprises of a central opening and a collar. The grommet member receives a lock set from the front direction of the motorcycle and a portion of the lock set is surrounded by the grommet member. It also maintains a clearance with the lock set to accommodate any positional changes in the lock set during attachment of the lock set on the frame of the motorcycle.
[0007] The central opening of the grommet member receives the lock set
and the collar allows it to sit on the periphery of the lock hole. The grommet member maintains a clearance with the lock set but not with the lock hole due to which any frame variations affecting the lock set are accommodated. Even if the lock set is moved from its position due to frame variations and unskilled welding, the changes do not affect the assembly of lock set with the rear cover as it is mounted on the lock hole with the help of the grommet member. Further, the collar channelizes a key towards the key hole of the lock set allowing easy accessibility.
[0008] The foregoing objectives and summary is provided to introduce a
selection of concepts in a simplified form, and is not limiting. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present subject matter as well as the subject matter itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the ensuing detailed description of the subject matter and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] The above and other features, aspects and advantages of the subject
matter will be better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where:
[00010] FIG. 1 shows a side elevation view of a saddle type vehicle
exemplified in the form of a two wheeled scooter type motorcycle according to the present invention.
[00011] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a frame structure of the motorcycle.
[00012] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a front portion of the
motorcycle.
[00013] FIG. 4 shows a rear view of an upper portion of a right member of
a rear cover accomodating a lock set.
[00014] FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a grommet member and the lock
set assembled with the rear cover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00015] Various other features and embodiments of the present subject
matter here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder. The detailed explanation of the constitution of parts other than the subject matter which constitutes an essential part has been omitted at suitable places. It is to be noted that in the ensuing description, the saddle type vehicle is exemplified with a two wheeled scooter type vehicle for better illustration. However, the concepts introduced herein are also applicable on any saddle type vehicle having a swinging internal combustion engine. Further "front" and "rear", and "left" and "right" referred to in the ensuing description refer to front and rear, and left and right directions as seen in a state of being seated on a seat of the scooter type vehicle. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis, except otherwise mentioned, refers to a front to rear axis relative to the said vehicle, while a lateral axis, except otherwise mentioned, refers generally to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to said vehicle.
[00016] FIG. 1 shows a side elevation view of the scooter type motorcycle
(also referred to as 'motorcycle'). The motorcycle 1 includes a frame assembly made up of several tubes welded together supporting the body of said motorcycle. The motorcycle 1 has a steerable front wheel 2 and a driven rear wheel 4 driven by driving force generated by an internal combustion engine (or power unit) 11. The front wheel 2 of the motorcycle 1 is axially supported at a lower end of a front fork 3, and the front fork 3 is pivoted in a steerable manner in a head pipe 31 of the frame. The frame assembly is covered by a plurality of vehicle body covers including a front cover 16, a rear cover 20, an under seat cover 13, a left side cover 6, a right side cover and a bottom cover 12. The right side cover is substantially symmetrical to the left side cover and hence not shown.
[00017] A handle bar 7 is attached to an upper end of the head pipe 31. A
headlight unit 10 is arranged forwardly of the handle bar 7 and is surrounded by a visor 9. The handle bar 7 and a seat 5 are supported at opposing ends of the frame assembly and a generally open area is defined there between known as floorboard 15 which functions as a step through space. The seat 5 for a driver and a pillion is placed forward to a fuel tank and rearwardly of the floorboard 15. An article storage device (not shown) is provided below the seat 5 for storing useful articles. A side trim member 14 laterally beneath the floorboard 15 is provided to cover the lower members of the frame from being visible. The side trim member 14 is laterally present on both sides of the vehicle; however, only one is visible in the side view. A side stand fixed to the left side of the frame supports the vehicle such that vehicle can incline to the left side without falling. A rear fender 8 is
accommodated at the rearmost end of the motorcycle to partially cover the rear wheel 4. Likewise, the front wheel 2 is covered by a lower member 17 of the front cover 16. The lower member 17 has a rearwardly portion 19 inclined rearwardly and curvedly toward the side trim member 14.
[00018] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the frame in said motorcycle. The
frame assembly of the motorcycle 1 is an elongated structure, which typically extends from a forward end to a rearward end of the vehicle. It is generally convex in shape, as viewed from a side elevational view. The frame is comprised of the head pipe 31, a downpipe 32 extending downwards from the head pipe 31, a lower pipe 33 supporting the low-slung floorboard 12 extending rearwards from a lower end of the downpipe 32, and a rear pipe 37 formed by curving a rear end section of the lower pipe 33 diagonally upwards. The vehicle has two parallel and similar rear pipes laterally spaced apart from each other and hence only one is used to explain the present invention. Each rear pipe 37 is made of an inclined section extending diagonally upwards from a rear end of the lower pipe 33, and a horizontal section extending rearwards substantially horizontally from the inclined section and is covered by the side cover 6.
[00019] In said motorcycle, the engine 11 is configured to drive, and is
swingably supported between the lower pipe 33 and the rear wheel 25. The engine 11 is integrally formed with a transmission system, and the rear wheel 4 is connected to a drive shaft at the rear of a casing of the engine 11. In an embodiment of the present invention, the engine is a four stroke, forwardly inclined, single cylinder internal combustion engine.
[00020] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a front portion of the scooter
type motorcycle. The front cover 16 and the rear cover are disposed in the front portion of the motorcycle and are structurally connected to each other. The front cover 16 and the rear cover 20 have a space 28 between the front cover and the rear cover to accommodate a portion of the frame of the motorcycle. More particularly, the head pipe 31, steering tube and a portion of the down pipe 32 are accommodated in the space 28. Thus, the front cover 16 and the rear cover 20 cover the members of the frame of the motorcycle and provide aesthetic value to the motorcycle 1.
[00021] Further, the rear cover 20 comprises of a forwardly surface 21
facing the front cover 16 and a rearwardly surface 22 toward the motorcycle rider. The forwardly surface 21 and the rearwardly surface 22 are spread laterally from along the lateral axis of the motorcycle 1. The rear cover 20 is configured to support a lock set 40. For better illustration, the rear cover 20 is further divided into a left member 23 and a right member 24 integrally formed with each other. The left member 23 and the right member 24 at their interface are curved inwardly toward the vehicle operator forming a middle member 25 of the rear cover 20. The middle member 25 is curved to form a front cavity 26 (FIG. 2) which accommodates the head pipe 31, steering tube and the downpipe 32. The rear cover 20 also functions as a leg shield which protects the vehicle operator's leg from any damage during vehicle operation.
[00022] FIG. 4 shows an upper portion of the right member 24 of the rear
cover 20 whereas FIG. 5 shows exploded view of the lock set assembled with the
rear cover 20. The rear cover 20 comprises of a lock hole 27. Preferably, the lock hole 27 is provided in an upper portion of the right member 24 of the rear cover 20. The lock hole 27 receives and supports a detachable grommet member 30. The grommet member 30 has a central opening 34 and a collar 35. The central opening 34 further receives a lock set 40 from the front direction of the motorcycle whereas the collar 35 helps the grommet member sit on the periphery of the lock hole 27.
[00023] According to an embodiment, the contour of the lock hole 27 is
similar to profile of the grommet member 30 to ensure a smooth fit. The grommet member 30 is preferably an oval shaped structure along its width and cylindrical structure along its length. It is configured to form a surrounding around the lock set 40 such that at least a portion of the lock set 40 is surrounded by the grommet member 30. The grommet member 30 further removes the gap between the lock set 40 and the lock hole 27 of the rear cover 20 because the grommet member 30 is located between the lock set 40 and the lock hole 27. Thus, the grommet member 30 covers the gap between the rear cover 20 and the lock set 40.
[00024] The lock set 40 has a key hole 41. The key hole end of the lock set
40 facing the motorcycle rider is received in the central opening 34 of the grommet member 30. It remains confined within the grommet member 30 and hence the grommet member maintains a clearance with the lock set to accommodate any positional changes in the lock set during attachment of the lock set 40 on the frame of the motorcycle. More particularly, the lock set is welded to the frame.
[00025] The grommet member 30 is snap fitted to the lock hole 27 of the
rear cover 20 thus reducing assembly time. This arrangement helps in ease of assembly, good aesthetics and also easy accessibility for motorcycle rider as the frame variations are accommodated and key hole 41 is not offset. The key hole 41 of the lock set 40 in the present invention remains within the periphery of grommet member 30 and the motorcycle rider can slid his key into the central opening 34 which reduces the chance of missing the key hole 41.
[00026] Therefore, even if the lock set is moved from its position due to
frame variations and unskilled welding, the changes do not affect the assembly of lock set with the rear cover as it is mounted into the lock hole with the help of the grommet member. The cylindrical structure of the grommet member 30 ensures that the lock set 40 remains substantially within its periphery. Thus, the lock set 40 is aligned with the rear cover 20 through the grommet member 30. Further, the collar 35 channelizes a key towards the key hole of the lock set allowing easy accessibility.
[00027] In an embodiment, the grommet member is made of plastic
material or metal or alloy. In another embodiment, the collar 35 of the grommet member 30 is configured to glow during low visibility conditions. This is achieved by introduction of radium into the collar 35.
[00028] The present subject matter is thus described. The description is not
intended to be exhaustive nor is it intended to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed embodiments may be modified in light of the above description. The
embodiments described are chosen to provide an illustration of principles of the invention and its practical application to enable thereby one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Therefore the forgoing description is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that described in the appended claims.
We claim:
A scooter type motorcycle (1) comprising a front cover (16) and a rear cover (20), the front cover (16) and the rear cover (20) disposed in a front portion of the motorcycle (1) and having a space (28) between the front cover and the rear cover to accommodate a portion of a frame of the motorcycle, the rear cover (20) having a lock hole (27), wherein the lock hole (27) receives and supports a detachable grommet member (30) having a central opening (34) to further receive a lock set (40) from the front direction of the motorcycle and a collar (35) for sitting on the periphery of the lock hole (27); and wherein a portion of the lock set (40) is surrounded by the grommet member (30); and wherein further the grommet member (30) maintains a clearance with the lock set (40) to accommodate any positional changes in the lock set during attachment of the lock set (40) on the frame of the motorcycle.
The scooter type motorcycle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grommet member (30) is located between the lock set (40) and the lock hole (27).
The scooter type motorcycle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grommet member (30) is snap fitted to the lock hole (27) of the rear cover (20).
The scooter type motorcycle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a key hole (41) of the lock set (40) facing a motorcycle rider is confined within the periphery of central opening (34) of the grommet member (30).
The scooter type motorcycle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grommet member (30) is an oval shaped structure along its width and cylindrical structure along its length.
The scooter type motorcycle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grommet member (30) is made of any material including a plastic resin.
The scooter type motorcycle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grommet member (30) is configured to glow during low visibility conditions.