Claims:WE CLAIM
1. A guard member (100) for a motor vehicle (10) comprising: a tube member (110) extending from a first end (110a) to a second end (110b), the first end (110a) and the second end (110b) are affixed to a main frame (50) of the motor vehicle (10) and are spaced apart from each other; and at least a first footrest member (210) mounted on the tube member (110).

2. The guard member (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a portion (110’) of the tube member (110) is extruded coplanarly such that when a body panel (26) is received on a main frame (50) of the motor vehicle (10) the portion (110’) of the tube member (110) extends adjacently along a length of the body panel (26) and protects the body panel (26) in event of a crash.

3. The guard member (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end (110a) of the tube member (110) is detachably attached to a first mounting bracket (120a), the first mounting bracket (120a) disposed where a main tube (54) of the main frame (50) turns upwards and extends rearwards in a vehicle front rear direction (F-R) and terminates into a pair of seat rails (56).

4. The guard member (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second end (110b) of the tube member (110) is detachably attached to a second mounting bracket (120b), the second mounting bracket (120b) being affixed to a portion of the seat rails (56).

5. The guard member (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a second footrest member (220) disposed frontwards from the first footrest member (210) in a vehicle front-rear direction (F-R).

6. A motor vehicle (10) having a main frame (50), the main frame (50) having a head tube (52) for receiving a steering shaft; a main tube (54) extending downwardly and rearwardly in a vehicle front rear direction (F-R) from the head tube (52), turning upwardly and terminating into seat rails (56); a pair of body panels (26) disposed on either side of the main frame (50); and a guard member (100), the guard member (100) comprising: a tube member (110) extending from a first end (110a) to a second end (110b), the first end (110a) and the second end (110b) are affixed to the main frame (50) of the motor vehicle (10) and are spaced apart from each other; and at least a first footrest member (210) mounted on the tube member (110).

7. The motor vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least a portion (110’) of the tube member (110) is extruded coplanarly such that when the body panel (26) is received on the main frame (50) of the motor vehicle (10) the portion (110’) of the tube member (110) extends adjacently along a length of the body panel (26) and protects the body panel (26) in event of a crash.

8. The motor vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first end (110a) of the tube member (110) is detachably attached to a first mounting bracket (120a), the first mounting bracket (120a) disposed where the main frame (50) bends upwards and extends rearwards in a vehicle front rear direction (F-R) and terminates into the pair of seat rails (56).

9. The motor vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second end (110b) of the tube member (110) is detachably attached to a second mounting bracket (120b), the second mounting bracket (120b) being affixed to a portion of the seat rails (56).

10. The motor vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 6 comprises a second footrest member (220) disposed frontwards from the first footrest member (210) in a vehicle front-rear direction (F-R).
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a guard member for a motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Typically, two-wheeler scooter type vehicles have large body panels mounted on both sides of the main frame. Over the past years, the body panels have been extensively used as an area for aesthetic improvements ranging from having different shapes and configurations to labelling and graphic printing. Thus, the body panels are an important part of the vehicle.
[003] A two-wheeler vehicle is always prone to mishaps, falls, accidents, etc. When the vehicle falls, maximum damage is caused to the body panels. Repairing the damages i.e. dents and scratches or replacing the damaged parts is cost-intensive. Hence, the body panels must be protected. In order to protect the body panels, manufacturers of vehicle accessories have developed frame-like structured body guard which is mounted above to the body panel such that when the vehicle falls, the body guard takes the impact and protects the body panels.
[004] However, such after-market body guards are heavy and since they are bulk manufactured, they do not take vehicle aerodynamics, handling or vehicle aesthetics into consideration. As such, once fitted on to the vehicle, the after-market body guards severely affect vehicle handling. Further, increased weight increases drag forces and resisting forces acting of the vehicle, thereby decreasing the overall performance of the vehicle. Additionally, the after-market body guards are not a perfect fit and hence loosen or break due to vehicle vibrations over a short period of time.
[005] Further, vehicle manufacturers provide footrests for pillion while manufacturing the vehicle. However, due to different seating positions, for instance when sitting side-ways, the pillion footrests provided are not accessible to the pillion rider. Realizing this problem, the vehicle manufacturers have developed another pillion footrest that is mounted on the vehicle frame and extends from behind the body panel towards the feet. The additional pillion footrest is mounted by means of two mountings, which are placed in proximity to each other because of space constraint. Thus, the mounting of the pillion footrest is not rigid, stiff or stable enough to bear weight of the pillion rider have more than an average build. Further, since the additional footrest is mounted towards rear suspension, the mounting arrangement may interfere and damage the rear suspension when vehicle is experiencing jerks and brakes.
[006] Thus, there is a need in the art for a guard member which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[007] In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a guard member for a motor vehicle. The guard member includes a tube member extending from a first end to a second end, the first end and the second end are affixed to a main frame of the motor vehicle and are spaced apart from each other; and at least a first footrest member mounted on the tube member.
[008] In an embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the tube member is extruded coplanarly such that when a body panel is received on a main frame of the motor vehicle the portion of the tube member extends adjacently along a length of the body panel and protects the body panel in event of a crash.
[009] In another embodiment of the invention, the first end of the tube member is detachably attached to a first mounting bracket, the first mounting bracket is disposed where the main frame turns upwards and extends rearwards in a vehicle front rear direction and terminates into a pair of seat rails.
[010] In yet another embodiment, the second end of the tube member is detachably attached to a second mounting bracket, the second mounting bracket being affixed to a portion of the seat rails.
[011] In a further embodiment, the guard member includes a second footrest member disposed frontwards from the first footrest member in a vehicle front-rear direction.
[012] In another aspect, the present invention discloses a motor vehicle having a main frame, the main frame having a head tube for receiving a steering shaft; a main tube extending downwardly and rearwardly in a vehicle front rear direction from the head tube, turning upwardly and terminating into seat rails; a pair of body panels disposed on either side of the main frame; and a guard member, the guard member having: a tube member extending from a first end to a second end, the first end and the second end are affixed to the main frame of the motor vehicle and are spaced apart from each other; and at least a first footrest member mounted on the tube member.
[013] In another embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the tube member is extruded coplanarly such that when the body panel is received on the main frame of the motor vehicle the portion of the tube member extends adjacently along a length of the body panel and protects the body panel in event of a crash.
[014] In an embodiment, the first end of the tube member is detachably attached to a first mounting bracket, the first mounting bracket is disposed where the main frame bends upwards and extends rearwards in a vehicle front rear direction and terminates into the pair of seat rails.
[015] In a further embodiment, the second end of the tube member is detachably attached to a second mounting bracket, the second mounting bracket being affixed to a portion of the seat rails.
[016] In yet another embodiment, a second footrest member is disposed frontwards from the first footrest member in a vehicle front-rear direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[017] 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 shows a right-side view of a motor vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a main frame of the motor vehicle with a guard member mounted thereon in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows a rear perspective view of the main frame of the motor vehicle with the guard member mounted thereon in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 shows a top view of the motor vehicle and the guard member in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 shows an exploded view of mounting of the guard member in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 shows a top exploded view of the guard member in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[018] The present invention relates to a guard member for a motor vehicle.
[019] Figure 1 illustrates a right-side view of an exemplary saddle-type motor vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle 10 includes a main frame 50 (shown in Figure 2) having a head tube 52 (shown in Figure 2). The main frame 50 has a main tube 54 (shown in Figure 2) extending downward from the headtube 52. Further, the main tube 54 bends upwards and extends rearwards in a vehicle front-rear direction F-R into a pair of seat rails 56.
[020] As seen in Figure 1, the vehicle 10 has a seat 24 disposed on the pair of seat rails 56, whereby the seat 24 is hingedly openable to provide access to a utility box (not shown) disposed beneath the seat 24. Towards front side, the vehicle 10 has one or more front suspensions 16 (only one shown) connected to a front wheel 18 which is further connected to a handlebar assembly 22, which forms a steering assembly of the vehicle 10. The steering assembly has a pair of rearview mirrors 39a, 39b. Towards the front, the vehicle 10 further has a headlight 12 and a front fender 14 disposed above the front wheel 18. Further, the vehicle 10 has an internal combustion (IC) engine 34 disposed below the seat rails 56.
[021] The vehicle 10 has a floorboard 29 disposed between the handlebar 22 and the seat 24, wherein a rider can operate the vehicle 10 in a seated position by resting his/ her feet on the floorboard 29. Towards rear side in the vehicle front-rear (F-R) direction, the vehicle 10 has a pair of body panels 26 (only one shown) received on each side of the main frame. The vehicle 10 further has a rear wheel 32 connected to one or more rear suspensions 30. In addition, the vehicle 10 has a rear fender 28 covering at least a portion of the rear wheel 32 and is positioned upwardly of the rear wheel 32. The vehicle 10 has a rear light assembly 20 disposed towards the rear side.
[022] The vehicle 10 further includes plurality of electrical and electronic components including a transistor-controlled ignition (TCI) unit (not shown), an alternator (not shown), a starter motor (not shown).
[023] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the present invention discloses a guard member 100 for the motor vehicle 10. According to the invention, the guard member 100 has a tube member 110. The tube member 110 extends from a first end 110a to a second end 110b whereby the first end 110a and the second end 110b are affixed to the main frame 50 of the vehicle 10 and are spaced apart from each other.
[024] Referring now to Figure 4, in an embodiment of the invention at least a portion 110’ of the tube member 110 is extruded coplanarly. In this regard, when the body panel 26 is received on the main frame 50 of the motor vehicle 10, the portion 110’ of the tube member 110 extends adjacently along a length of the body panel 26 due to the coplanar extrusion. Since, the portion 110’ of the tube member 110 runs outwards from the body panel 26, the portion 110’ protects the body panel 26 in event of a crash.
[025] As shown in Figure 5, an embodiment of the present invention includes a first mounting bracket 120a and a second mounting bracket 120b being disposed on the main frame 50. The first mounting bracket 120a is disposed where the main tube 54 of the main frame 50 turns upwards and rearwards in the vehicle front-rear direction (F-R), whereas the second mounting bracket 120b is spaced apart from the first mounting bracket 120a and is affixed to a portion of the seat rails 56.
[026] Thus, in an embodiment of the invention, in order to mount the guard member 100 onto the main frame 50 of the vehicle 10, the first end 110a of the tube member 110 is detachably attached to the first mounting bracket 120a and the second end 110b of the tube member 110 is detachably attached to the second mounting bracket 120b. In an embodiment of the invention, the first end 110a and the second end 110b of the tube member 110 are detachably attached to the first mounting bracket 120a and the second mounting bracket 120b using various fixating means like screws, nuts, bolts, etc.
[027] Referring to Figure 6, according to the invention the guard member 100 includes at least a first footrest member 210 mounted on the tube member 110. In an embodiment of the invention, the guard member 100 further includes a second footrest member 220 disposed frontwards from the first footrest member 210 int the vehicle front-rear direction (F-R). In yet another embodiment, the first footrest members 210 and the second footrest members 220 are disposed on either side of the vehicle 10.
[028] Advantageously, the guard member of the present invention offers an enhanced durability, stability and strength due to a spaced apart mounting directly on the main frame. Owing to the spaced apart mounting of the guard member, there is no interference or hinderance caused to the rear shock absorber. Further, the guard member of the present invention does not hamper vehicle handling nor affects vehicle dynamics, thereby maintaining overall performance. With most of the portion of the guard member being disposed behind the body panel, the guard member offers better aesthetics as compared to after-market accessories. Furthermore, the guard member offers ease of assembly and serviceability. The guard member of the present invention further offers a better load distribution, safety and comfort. Additionally, there is reduction in the number of parts involved as compared to an after-market accessory and also a reduction in cost.
[029] 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.