Claims:1. A straddle type vehicle 100, said vehicle 100 comprising:
A utility box 200; and
a housing member 301 being detachably attached with a utility box 200 of said vehicle 100 to create a secure secondary storage space A within said utility box 200. 5
2. The vehicle 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said utility box 200 includes multiple walls 201, 204, 205 and a bottom portion 203, wherein said bottom portion 203 extends rearwardly and then vertically upwardly to form a rear wall 206 of said utility box 200.
3. The vehicle 100 as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said rear wall 206 being extended rearwardly in said vehicle 100, where said rear wall 206 includes a seat latch opening 208 for 10 locking a seat assembly 140 of said vehicle 100.
4. The vehicle 100 as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said rear wall include semi pierced openings 209 for detachably attaching said housing member 301 to said utility box 200 in said vehicle.
5. The vehicle 100 as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said housing member 301 include 15 multiple walls 303, 306, 305 having flat profile, wherein a wall 204 being vertically extended from said walls 303, 306, 305 and extended laterally with respect to said rear wall 206 of said utility box 200 such that it forms a secure holding area A to hold the valuable items in said utility box 200.
6. The vehicle 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing member 301 includes multiple 20 reinforcement member 302 (302a, 302b, 302c, 302d, 302e, 302f), on the side facing the utility storage space, for providing strength to said housing member 301 in said utility box 200.
7. The vehicle 100 as claimed in claim 1 or 5, wherein said housing member 301 include walls 303, 305 having flat profile, wherein said walls includes multiple mounting lugs 307a, 307b, 25 307c & 307d., on the side abutting the wall 206 of the utility box 200
8. The vehicle 100 as claimed in claim 1 or 7, wherein multiple mounting lugs 307a, 307b, 307c & 307d being detachably attached to one or more semi pierced openings 209 on a rear wall 206 of said utility box 200.
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9.The vehicle 100 as claimed in claim 1 or 7, wherein multiple mounting lugs 307a, 307b, 307c& 307d being attached to one or more semi pierced openings 209 on a rear wall 206 of saidutility box 200. , Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates to a straddle type vehicle. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to a housing member in utility box in a straddle type vehicle referred here as vehicle.
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BACKGROUND.
[0002] Generally, in a vehicle, e.g. a two wheeled vehicle with a step through type frame assembly, a floorboard is provided at a step through space. A user rests his feet on the floorboard, which enables him to have a seating posture, while driving. A seat assembly is disposed in a posterior portion of the step through space. The seat assembly comprises 10 a rider seat and a passenger seat. Generally, in a vehicle with a step through type frame assembly, a utility box is disposed below the seat assembly. The seat assembly, in an open condition, provides access to the utility box. Hence, the utility box is placed under the seat and is generally the last component to be assembled on the rear half of the vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 15
[0003] The detailed description is described with reference to a layout of a two wheeled scooter type strep thru vehicle along with the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0004] Fig.1 is a side view of a straddle type vehicle as per one embodiment of the present invention. 20
[0005] Fig.2 is a top perspective view of a utility box as per one embodiment of the present invention.
[0006] Fig.3 is a top perspective view of a utility box with holding member as per one embodiment of the present invention.
[0007] Fig.3a is a top perspective view of a holding member as per one embodiment of 25 the present invention.
[0008] Fig.3b is a rear perspective view of a holding member as per one embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] Fig.4 is a top view of a utility box as per one embodiment of the present invention. 30
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[00010] Fig.4a is a sectional view of a utility box with holding member as per one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0001] Typically, in straddle type vehicle, a frame assembly includes a front zone and a rear zone. The front zone supports a steering assembly along with a front telescopic 5 suspension of the vehicle. The front zone includes a head tube, a main frame member that provides stiffness and strength for withstanding the forces acting thereon. The rear zone includes a rear wheel, and a rear suspension assembly connected. A power unit is mounted swingably in the rear zone of the straddle type vehicle. Therefore, the rear zone and front zone are subjected to various forces from the front and rear wheel through the 10 suspension and from the power unit in addition to the payloads arising out of the occupants & goods. Moreover, the vehicle is provided with style parts or body panels that are mounted to the frame assembly for providing utility space and aesthetic appeal, while being able to withstand vibrations.
[0002] Generally, in a vehicle with a step--through type frame assembly, a seat assembly 15 is provided with a cushion material to provide comfortable ride to a rider and a passenger. Further, the seat assembly provides access to a utility box and secures the utility box. Further, in some vehicles, a fuel tank opening is provided below the seat assembly. Further, a pillion handle that has a pair of passenger grips are disposed adjacent to the seat assembly and extending rearwardly of the seat assembly that is mounted to the frame 20 assembly. Also, a seat lock is provided rearwardly below the seat assembly to secure the seat assembly to the frame assembly. The seat assembly, in an open condition, provides access to the utility box. Generally, the utility box is a load carrying member and is also used for storing the articles of the riders. The utility box can also be individually removed for servicing the parts beneath. 25
[0003] As the utility box is covered by the seat assembly, thereby it secures the utility box. The user may leave valuable items like smart phones, wallet, and watches in the utility box of the vehicle, since the utility box is covered and locked by the seat latch in the vehicle. The seat assembly is hingedly openable, i.e., the rider can access the items stored in the utility box by opening the seat latch in the vehicle. Therefore, this 30
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configuration has a long horizontal portion in the utility box which is only covered by the seat assembly from the top without having any secure connection between them. Such known art increases the chances of stealing of the valuable items stored in the utility box once an unauthorized person is able to open the seat assembly lock. In certain cases, when the vehicle is parked in a parking space or on a road, a person having ill motive of 5 stealing items, easily access the items as stored in the utility box by disengaging the seat lock by accessing the cable which locks the seat assembly. Additionally, it is noted that the unauthorized person tends to slightly lifts the seat assembly of the vehicle by force flexing the resin base of the seat and accesses/steals the valuable items from the utility box. 10
[0004] Additionally, the utility box includes a charging point inside the box. Thus, to charge the cell phones/smart phones, the rider/user has to place/store the valuable items like smart phone in the utility box. When the power unit is in ON condition, the heat generated by the power unit is transferred to the valuable items like smart phone disposed in the utility box. This impacts the efficiency of the smart phones and also, creates 15 discomfort to the user/rider. Further, in a vehicle running condition, when the vehicle takes a sharp turn, or meet with an obstacle, there is a chance that the items like smart phones may interfere, undesirably collide with the other items stored in the utility box or may hit wall of the utility box. This may lead to damaging of the valuable items like smart phones and a connected wire for charging the smart phones. Hence, there is a need 20 of providing utility box in the vehicle in which the stored valuable items can be safely and securely stored with higher security and also, reduce the impact of heat on the stored items like smart phones in the utility box.
[0005] Typically, in known art, an additional storage bag/housing member is disposed inside the utility box for safely and securely placing/storing the valuable items in the 25 utility box. However, this configuration has its own disadvantage that the utility box includes permanent openings to detachably attach the additional storage bag with the utility box, thus it requires additional fasteners to attach the housing member with the utility box. These permanent openings tend to accumulate dust and water inside the utility box, thus hampering the items as stored in the utility box. Further, to overcome this 30
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disadvantage, there is a need to place elastic covers/sealing member, which leads to increase number of parts and also not economically preferred. Also, any additional valuables storage member, providing a secure storage space, eats into the available utility space. As a result, a user who may not need an additional secure storage will be compelled to compromise with the available space. From a manufacturer’s point of view, 5 it is a dilemma so as to either provide the secure secondary storage space or configure single large utility space thereby achieve ease of manufacturing albeit at a compromise to the user of the vehicle.
[0006] Hence, there exists a challenge of designing secure housing member to store valuable items in a utility box for a compact two wheeled vehicle, which can ensure 10 safety to the user of two wheeled vehicles without any major change in layout design and manufacturing set-up of the vehicle.
[0007] Therefore, there is a need to have an improved housing member, which securely as well as safely protects the components while maintaining the conventional layout of the utility box in the vehicle while overcoming all of the above problems and other 15 problems of known art.
[0008] The present invention provides a solution to the above problems while meeting the requirements of minimum modifications in the utility box of the vehicle.
[0009] With the above objectives in view, the present invention discloses a straddle type vehicle and more particularly the improved mounting of the housing member which 20 securely protects the components while ensuring ease of serviceability.
[00010] As per one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle comprising a frame assembly, side panels, and a front panel is disclosed. The frame assembly includes a main frame member, a head tube and a pair of rear frame members which extends inclinedly rearward from a rear portion of the main frame member defining a step through portion. 25 Further, as per one aspect of the present invention, the main frame member is mounted to the head tube of the frame assembly and extends downwardly where a floorboard member is connected to the main frame member of the vehicle. Further, as per one aspect of the present invention, a cross member floorboard is mounted in between the pair of floorboard members to provide strength to the mounting of floorboard member. 30
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[00011] As per one aspect of the present invention, a utility box is disposed between the pair of rear frame members of the straddle type vehicle. The utility box includes multiple walls that are, front wall, side walls, a bottom portion. The bottom portion extended rearwardly and vertically upwardly to form a rear wall of the utility box. The rear wall is extended horizontally rearwardly to form a seat base for locking the seat assembly with a 5 seat latch in the vehicle. A housing member is detachably attached with the rear wall of the utility box.
[00012] As per one aspect of the present invention, the rear wall includes multiple semi pierced openings. A holder member is detachably attached with the multiple semi pierced openings present in the rear wall of the utility box. This configuration ensures that the 10 holder member can be attached or detached as per the users need. Also, ensures safe placement of the components in the utility box of the vehicle.
[00013] Further "front" and "rear", and "left" and "right" referred to in the ensuing description of the illustrated embodiment refer to front and rear, and left and right directions as seen in a state of being seated on a seat of the vehicle and looking forward. 15 Furthermore, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to the vehicle, while a lateral axis refers generally to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the vehicle.
[00014] The present invention is now described briefly in connection with the rendered drawings. It should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the description. 20
[00015] In the ensuing exemplary aspects, the vehicle is a straddle type electric vehicle. However, it is contemplated that the concepts of the present invention may be applied to any of the straddle type vehicle including hybrid electric vehicles.
[00016] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary straddle type vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle 100 illustrated, 25 has a step-through type frame assembly 105. The step-through type frame assembly 105 includes, a front frame member 105A, a mid-frame member 105B and a pair of rear frame member 105C. One or more suspensions 110A connect a front wheel 110B, and a handlebar assembly 110C forming a steering assembly 110 of the vehicle. The steering assembly 110 is rotatably connected through the front frame member 105A. The mid-30 frame member 105B is connected to the front frame member 105A and is extending
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rearwardly downward from the front frame member 105A. Further, the pair of the rear frame member 105C is connected to the mid-frame member 105B through one or more frame tubes extending inclinedly rearward from a rear portion of the mid-frame member 105B towards a rear portion of the vehicle 100.
[00017] The vehicle includes a power unit (115) comprising at least one of an internal 5 combustion (IC) engine assembly 115 and a traction motor 120, for example a brush less direct current (BLDC) traction motor 120, is coupled to a rear wheel 125 through a transmission assembly (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, the traction motor 120 is hub mounted on the rear wheel 125 and the IC engine 115 is mounted to a swing arm 130, which is swingably connected to the frame assembly 105 through a toggle link. An 10 onboard battery drives the traction motor 120.
[00018] Further, the frame assembly 105 is covered by plurality of body panels including a front panel 135A, a leg shield 135B, an under-seat cover 135C, and a left and a right-side panel 135D, mounted on the frame assembly 105 and covering the frame assembly 105 and parts mounted thereof. 15
[00011] A front fender 140 is covering at least a portion of the front wheel 110A. In the present embodiment, the front fender 140 is integrally formed with the front panel 135A. A floorboard 145 is provided at the step-through space and mounted to the mid-frame 105B, wherein a rider can operate the vehicle 100 in a seated position by resting feet on the floorboard. Further, the floorboard 145 is capable of carrying loads. 20
[00019] A seat assembly 150 is mounted to the pair of rear frame member 105C. A utility box 200 (as shown in fig. 2) is disposed below the seat assembly 150 and is supported by the frame assembly 105. A rear fender 155 is covering at least a portion of the rear wheel 125 and is positioned upwardly of the rear wheel 125. One or more suspension(s) 160 are provided in the rear portion of the vehicle 100 for connecting the swing arm 130 to the 25 mainframe 105B thereby providing comfortable ride. The vehicle 100 comprises of plurality of electrical and electronic components including a headlight 165A, a tail light 165B.
[00020] Fig. 2 is a top perspective view of a utility box as per one embodiment of the present invention. As per one embodiment of the present invention, the utility box 200 30
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includes multiple walls 201, 204, 205, a bottom portion 203. The front wall includes a slot 202 which assists in opening the seat assembly 150 hingedly. The bottom portion is attached to the front wall 201 and extended rearwardly and then vertically upwardly to form a rear wall 206 of the utility box 200. The rear wall 206 is extended rearwardly in the vehicle, where it is configured with an opening 208 to accommodate a seat latch (not 5 shown) to lock the seat assembly with the vehicle and thus cover the utility box of the vehicle. The rearwardly extended portion of the rear wall 206 includes a light cum charging port 207 in the vehicle. The rear wall 206 includes multiple semi pierced openings 209 (209a, 209b, 209c, 209d) to detachably attach a housing member with the utility box in the vehicle for securely placing items inside the utility box. This semi 10 pierced opening can be pierced and opened up by the user/rider himself/herself thus reduce serviceability cost. Further, this also ensures restriction of entry of dust and water inside the utility box.
[00021] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a utility box with housing member as per one embodiment of the present invention. As per one embodiment of the present invention, 15 the housing member 301 is detachably attached with the rear wall 206 of the utility box with various attachment means like snap fit. In another implementation, the housing member 301 is integrally attached with the rear wall 206 of the utility box with various attachment means like snap fit as per one embodiment of the present invention, the housing member 301 has a step profile. The housing member 301 includes multiple walls 20 303, 305, 306 (as shown in fig. 3a) having flat profile, integrally attached with each other. A wall 304 extended vertically upward and extended laterally with respect to the rear wall of the utility box such that it forms a secure valuable holding area A to hold the valuable items in the utility box. As per one embodiment of the present invention, the housing member is configured with multiple reinforcement member 302 (302a, 302b, 25 302c, 302d, 302e, 302f), on the side facing the utility storage space, for providing strength to the housing member in the utility box. As per one embodiment of the present invention, the walls 303, 305 are configured with multiple mounting lugs 307a, 307b, 307c, 307d, on the side abutting the wall 206 of the utility unit, which detachably engage with the multiple semi pierced openings 209 on the rear wall 206 of the utility box 30 through snap fit mechanism, eliminating need of additional component to attach the
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housing member with the rear wall of the utility box. In another implementation, the mounting lugs 307a, 307b, 307c & 307d is attached to multiple semi pierced openings 209 on a rear wall 206 of said utility box 200.
[00022] In another implementation, the housing member is detachably attached to the rear wall of the utility box through slide fit mechanism. In another implementation, the 5 housing member can be one of a synthetic, resin bag, an integrated mesh structure. A flexible strap can be provided in the housing member to protect the items. This configuration provides convenience to the user/rider to attach the housing member as per their requirement and at same time enables ease of single manufacturing for the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) avoiding variety in production. Also, this 10 configuration provides ease of assembly and serviceability of the housing member and the items stored in the holding member. Further, this also ensures that the items for example, smart phones, keys, wallet etc. do not get mix up with the other items provided in the utility box in the vehicle. Additionally, this configuration also eliminates entanglement of charging wire while charging the smart phone, as the holding member is 15 disposed in vicinity of the light cum charging point in the utility box. The present invention enables a flexibility for the user to either configure an additional secure storage space inside the utility box as and when needed while also enabling an option to maximize the utility storage space by quick dismantling of the housing member thereby rendering maximum space in the utility unit. 20
[00023] Fig. 4 and Fig. 4a is a top view and a sectional view of the utility box with a housing member as per one embodiment of the present invention. As per one embodiment of the present invention, the lug 307c is attached to the rear wall of the utility box through various attachment means like snap fit (removable or non-removable), thus eliminating need of requirement of additional components to attached the housing 25 member with the rear wall of the utility box. The housing member 301 is attached in vicinity of a seat base in the utility box. This configuration ensure that the valuable items are placed safely and securely in the secondary storage space A. Further, this configuration be being configured on the rear vertical wall keeps the storage space A away from the heat of the power unit 125 and thereby eliminates the impact of the heat 30
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generated by the power unit of the vehicle on the items placed inside the housing member.
[00024] The invention helps in overcoming the problem of theft or tampering of the components, impact of heat generated by the power unit of the vehicle. It also achieves increased serviceability of the member while maintaining the conventional capacity of 5 the utility box in the vehicle, overall weight and width of the vehicle and ultimately makes it cost effective. The present invention enables a flexi-modular design of the utility unit to create a secondary secure storage space A within it which can be configured either as detachable or permanent based on the choice of the manufacturer.
[00025] Advantageously, the embodiments of the present invention, describes the 10 potential modifications in the mounting of the housing member to securely place the components.
[00026] Many other improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention.
List of reference symbol: 15
Fig. 1:
100: Straddle type Vehicle
165A: Headlight
135A: Front Panel
105: Frame Assembly 20
105A: Front Frame Member
140: Front Fender
110: Sender Assembly
110A: One or more suspensions
110B: a front wheel 25
110C: a handle bar assembly
105B: a mid-frame member
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145: Floorboard
135B: Rear Panel
135C: under seat panel
150: Seat Assembly
105C: a pair of rear frame member 5
135D: a left and a right-side panel
One or more suspension
155: Rear Fender
125: Rear Wheel
120: Motor 10
115: Power unit
130: Swing arm
Fig. 2
201: Front wall
202: Slots 15
203: Bottom Portion
204, 205: side walls
206: Rear wall
209 (209a, 209b, 209c, 209d): Openings
207: Charging Point 20
208: Opening
Fig. 3
301: Housing Member
Fig. 3a
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303: flat wall
302a, 302b, 302c, 302d, 302e, 302f, 302g: Reinforcement member
306: Flat wall
305: Flat wall
304: Lateral Wall 5
Fig. 3b
307a, 307b, 307c, 307d: Mounting lugs
Fig. 4
BB’: Sectional Vie