FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to a storage compartment and, more particularly to, a lighting system to illuminate the storage compartment of a two-wheeled vehicle.
BACKGROUND

[002] Generally, a two-wheeled vehicle (e.g., a scooter) is provided with a storage compartment. The storage compartment is used for storing belongings of a rider or a pillion passenger such as a helmet, a document, a tool kit etc. Conventionally, the storage compartment in case of a scooter is configured under a seat. The seat is locked using a seat lock / latch. Usually an illumination system for illuminating the space of the storage compartment includes an illuminating bulb provided inside the storage compartment.
[003] The illumination system for the storage compartment is, generally, having a plunger acting as a switch for operating the illumination system. Plunger is actuated by the seat when it is opened or closed. In this system, there exists a possibility that due to extra load on the seat, road conditions or driving habits, the plunger may get misaligned. This mis-alignment can cause malfunctioning of the illumination system. The situation gets worse with the age of the vehicle and of the related components. Also, conventionally, different systems are used for locking the seat and to illuminate the storage compartment.
[004] Therefore, there is a need for a single arrangement for locking the seat and for illuminating the storage compartment, and which precludes other drawbacks like malfunctioning of the illumination system due to mis-alignment.

SUMMARY
[005] In an embodiment, an illumination system for a storage compartment of a two-wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The storage compartment includes a latch including a cam. The latch is electrically grounded. The cam is rotatably disposed for engaging and disengaging with a seat for enabling an open position and a closed position of the seat. The illumination system for the storage compartment includes a power source, a terminal point and an illuminating element. The terminal point is disposed on the latch. The terminal point is an electrically conducting point. The illuminating element is disposed in the storage compartment. The illuminating element includes a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal is electrically connected to the terminal point and the second terminal is electrically connected to the power source. When the cam is rotated for enabling the open position of the seat, the cam comes into contact with the terminal point to complete an electrical circuit formed by the power source, the illuminating element and the latch that is electrically grounded, thereby switching ON the illuminating element. When the seat is engaged to the latch in the closed position, the cam loses contact with the terminal point, thereby disconnecting the electrical circuit and switching OFF the illuminating element.
[006] In an embodiment, the illumination system further includes an insulating holder supported on the latch. The terminal point is mounted on the insulating holder.
[007] In an embodiment, the power source is a battery of the two-wheeled vehicle. In an embodiment, the illuminating element is a light emitting diode (LED) bulb.
[008] In an embodiment, a two-wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The two-wheeled vehicle includes a power source, a body frame, a seat, a box shaped storage compartment and an illumination system. The seat is hingedly mounted on the body frame. The seat includes a hook. The box shaped storage compartment is disposed on a rear portion of the body frame. The box shaped storage compartment includes a latch including a first cam. The latch being electrically grounded, the first cam is rotatably disposed for engaging and disengaging with the hook for enabling an open position and a closed position of the seat. The illumination system includes a terminal point and an illuminating element. The illuminating element is disposed in the box shaped storage compartment. The illuminating element includes a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal is electrically connected to the terminal point and the second terminal is electrically connected to the power source. When the first cam is rotated for enabling the open position of the seat, the first cam comes into contact of the terminal point to complete an electrical circuit formed by the power source, the illuminating element and the latch that is electrically grounded, thereby switching ON the illuminating element. When the seat is engaged to the latch in the closed position, the first cam loses contact with the terminal point, thereby disconnecting the electrical circuit and switching OFF the illuminating element.
[009] In an embodiment, the latch further includes a first surface, a second surface and a second cam. The second surface is substantially perpendicular to the first surface. The first surface is adapted to be mounted to at least one of the box shaped storage compartment and the body frame. The first cam is rotatably mounted to the second surface and the second cam mounted to the second surface.
[0010] In an embodiment, the latch further includes a spring connecting the first cam and the second cam. The spring is configured for biasing the first cam to come in contact with the terminal point when the hook is disengaged with the first cam.
[0011] In an embodiment, the latch further includes at least one mounting hole, a first pin and a second pin. The mounting hole is configured in the first surface for mounting the first surface via at least one fastener. The first pin on which the first cam is pivotally coupled to the second surface and the second pin on which the second cam is coupled to the second surface. The first cam rotates about the first pin to lock or unlock the hook of the seat.
[0012] In an embodiment, the illumination system further includes an insulating holder supported on the latch. The terminal point is mounted on the insulating holder. The power source includes a battery of the two-wheeled vehicle. The illuminating element is a light emitting diode (LED) bulb.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The invention itself, together with further features and attended 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 wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
[0014] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a two-wheeled vehicle fitted with an illumination system for a storage compartment, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a seat lock/latch, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] Figure 3 illustrates a view of the lock/latch and schematics of the illumination system for the storage compartment when a seat is closed and locked, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0017] Figure 4 illustrates a view of the lock/latch and schematics of the illumination system for the storage compartment when the seat is unlocked, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] 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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] 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.
[0020] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, structure 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 structure 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.
[0021] For the better understanding of this invention, reference would now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures and description here below, further, in the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same components in various views.
[0022] While the present invention is illustrated in the context of a saddle riding type vehicle, however, lighting system and aspects and features thereof can be used with other type of vehicles as well. The terms “vehicle”, “two-wheeled vehicle” and “scooter” have been interchangeably used throughout the description. The term “two-wheeled vehicle” includes vehicles such as a motorcycle, a scooter, a bicycle, a moped, a scooter type vehicle, an all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and the like.
[0023] The terms “front / forward”, “rear / rearward / back / backward”, “up / upper / upward”, “down / downward / lower / lower ward” 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.
[0024] Figure 1 illustrates a view of a two-wheeled vehicle (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) comprises, inter-alia, a front fork (1), a front wheel (2), a front fender (3), a front cover (4), a leg shield (5), a steering handle bar (6), a handle bar cover (7), a body frame (8), a box shaped storage compartment (9), a step floor (10), a rear cover (11), a seat (12), a mirror (31), a display meter (32), a side cover (33), a rear fender (34), a rear wheel (35), a muffler (36), a main stand (37), a tail light (38), and a rear grip (39). It may be noted that the vehicle is shown to have include above stated parts, however, those skilled in the art would appreciate that the vehicle includes other parts which may not be relevant for explaining the present invention and hence are not shown and described.
[0025] Conventionally, the seat (12) is hingedly mounted to the body frame (8) through a pivot joint (14) and is swingable so as the seat (12) can assume an open position and a closed position. A lower (on the rearward side when the seat (10) is in the closed position) portion of the seat (12) has a U shaped hook (52). The U shaped hook (52) is primarily intended for engaging and disengaging a lock/latch (53) provided on the body frame (8) or on the storage compartment (9) of the two-wheeled vehicle (100). The storage compartment (9) is a box shaped structure disposed on the rear portion of the body frame (8) where the box shaped structure has an opening in the upper direction. The storage compartment (9) is covered by the seat (12) and the opening is accessible or not accessible (closed) based on the open position and the closed position of seat (12), respectively. Further, the lock/latch (53) is fixed to the storage compartment (9). The seat (12) can be locked with the help of the lock/latch (53). In the closed position, the U shaped hook (52) of the seat (12) engages with the lock/latch (53).
[0026] Figure 3 illustrates the lock/latch (53) fixed to the storage compartment (9). The lock/latch (53) is made of a metal or any electrically conductive material. In an embodiment, the lock/latch (53) is an L shaped bracket comprising a first surface (61) and a second surface (70) where the second surface (70) is substantially perpendicular to the first surface (61). The first surface (61) of the lock/latch (53) is provided with at least one mounting hole (65) to mount the lock/latch (53) to the storage compartment (9). In the illustrated embodiment, two mounting holes (65) are shown, however there may be more or fewer number of such mounting holes (65). In another embodiment, the lock/latch (53) can be mounted to the body frame (8). The mounting of the lock/latch (53) can be done using suitable techniques such as by using at least one fastener or by clamping.
[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the lock/latch (53) comprises two cams as a first cam (62) and a second cam (63). The first cam (62) and the second cam (63) are respectively pivoted through a first pin (67) and a second pin (68) to the second surface (70) of the lock/latch (53). The first cam (62) is rotatably disposed for engaging and disengaging with the seat (12) for enabling the open position and the closed position of the seat (12). The first cam (62) rotates about the first pin (67) to lock or unlock the U shaped hook (52) of the seat (12). A spring (66) connects the first cam (62) and the second cam (63). The spring (66) is biased such that the first cam (62) comes in contact with a terminal point (64) when the hook (52) is disengaged with the first cam (62).
[0028] With reference to Figure 3 and Figure 4, an illumination system (71) of the present invention includes an illuminating element (72), a power source (73), an electric connector (74) and the terminal point (64). In an embodiment, the illuminating element (72) can be a light emitting diode (LED) or any other type of bulb, a suitable device disposed in the storage compartment (9). In an embodiment, the power source (73) is a two-wheeled vehicle battery, etc. The lock/latch (53) is electrically grounded (see, 80). The illuminating element (72) is having two terminals (72a, 72b). The first terminal (72a) of the illuminating element (72) is connected the terminal point (64), and the second terminal (72b) is connected to the power source (73).
[0029] In an embodiment, the terminal point (64) can be configured on an insulating holder (75) supported on the second surface (70).
[0030] Referring back to Figure 3, an engaged position of the lock/latch (53) when the seat (12) is closed, is shown. When the seat (12) covering the storage compartment (9) is closed, the first cam (62) of the lock/latch (53) is engaged with the U shaped hook (52) of the seat (12). As shown in Figure 3, there is no electrical contact between first cam (62) of the lock/latch (53) and the terminal point (64), hence the first cam (62) is not connected to the illuminating element (72). More specifically, an electric circuit of the illumination system (71) remains in an open state (due to broken connection between the first cam (62) and the terminal point (64)) and the illuminating element (72) is in OFF state.
[0031] With reference to Figure 4, when the lock of the seat (12) is opened with the help of a key or otherwise, the first cam (62) of the lock/latch (53) releases the U shaped hook (52) of the seat (12). Also, the first cam (62) of the lock/latch (53) comes in contact with the terminal point (64) and the electric circuit of the illumination system (71) gets completed. As the first cam (62) comes in contact with the terminal point (64), the illuminating element (72) switches to ON state and illuminates the space of the storage compartment (9).
[0032] Various embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide illumination system that eliminates a requirement of a separate switch, contact or non-contact, therefore offering a cost effective solution. Further, since the electrical contacts are provided on the same body, the issues of misalignment are eliminated, as compared to the conventional system, where for actuation of the switch, contact or non contact type, proper alignment of seat with respect to storage compartment is essential].
[0033] While few embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the above embodiments and modifications may be appropriately made thereto within the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0034] 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 disclosure 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. An illumination system (71) for a storage compartment (9) of a two-wheeled vehicle (100), the storage compartment (9) comprising a latch (53) comprising a cam (62), the latch (53) being electrically grounded, the cam (62) being rotatably disposed for engaging and disengaging with a seat (12) for enabling an open position and a closed position of the seat (12), the illumination system (71) for the storage compartment (9) comprising:
a power source (73);
a terminal point (64) disposed on the latch (53), the terminal point (64) being an electrically conducting point; and
an illuminating element (72) disposed in the storage compartment (9), the illuminating element (72) comprising a first terminal (72a) and a second terminal (72b), the first terminal (72a) electrically connected to the terminal point (64) and the second terminal (72b) electrically connected to the power source (73),
wherein when the cam (62) is rotated for enabling the open position of the seat (12), the cam (62) comes into contact with the terminal point (64) to complete an electrical circuit formed by the power source (73), the illuminating element (72) and the latch (53) that is electrically grounded, thereby switching ON the illuminating element (72), and
wherein when the seat (12) is engaged to the latch (53) in the closed position, the cam (62) loses contact with the terminal point (64), thereby disconnecting the electrical circuit and switching OFF the illuminating element (72).
2. The illumination system (71) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an insulating holder (75) supported on the latch (53), wherein the terminal point (64) is mounted on the insulating holder (75).
3. The illumination system (71) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power source (73) is a battery of the two-wheeled vehicle (100).
4. The illumination system (71) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the illuminating element (72) is a light emitting diode (LED) bulb.

5. A two-wheeled vehicle (100), comprising:
a power source (73);
a body frame (8);
a seat (12) hingedly mounted on the body frame (8), the seat (12) comprising a hook (52);
a box shaped storage compartment (9) disposed on a rear portion of the body frame (8), the box shaped storage compartment (9) comprising a latch (53) comprising a first cam (62), the latch (53) being electrically grounded, the first cam (62) being rotatably disposed for engaging and disengaging with the hook (52) for enabling an open position and a closed position of the seat (12); and
an illumination system (71) comprising:
a terminal point (64) disposed on the latch (53), the terminal point (64) being an electrically conducting point; and
an illuminating element (72) disposed in the box shaped storage compartment (9), the illuminating element (72) comprising a first terminal (72a) and a second terminal (72b), the first terminal (72a) electrically connected to the terminal point (64) and the second terminal (72b) electrically connected to the power source (73),
wherein when the first cam (62) is rotated for enabling the open position of the seat (12), the first cam (62) comes into contact of the terminal point (64) to complete an electrical circuit formed by the power source (73), the illuminating element (72) and the latch (53) that is electrically grounded, thereby switching ON the illuminating element (72), and
wherein when the seat (12) is engaged to the latch (53)in the closed position, the first cam (62) loses contact with the terminal point (64), thereby disconnecting the electrical circuit and switching OFF the illuminating element (72).
6. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the latch (53) further comprises:
a first surface (61) and a second surface (70) substantially perpendicular to the first surface (61), the first surface (61) adapted to be mounted to at least one of the box shaped storage compartment (9) and the body frame (8);
the first cam (62) rotatably mounted to the second surface (70); and
a second cam (63) mounted to the second surface (70).
7. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the latch (53) further comprises a spring (66) connecting the first cam (62) and the second cam (63) for biasing the first cam (62) to come in contact with the terminal point (64) when the hook (52) is disengaged with the first cam (62).
8. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the latch (53) further comprises:
at least one mounting hole (65) configured in the first surface (61) for mounting the first surface (61) via at least one fastener;
a first pin (67) on which the first cam (62) is pivotally coupled to the second surface (70); and
a second pin(68) on which the second cam (63) is coupled to the second surface (70),
wherein the first cam (62) rotates about the first pin (67) to lock or unlock the hook (52) of the seat (12).
9. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the illumination system (71) further comprises an insulating holder (75) supported on the latch (53), wherein the terminal point (64) is mounted on the insulating holder (75).
10. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the power source (73) comprises a battery of the two-wheeled vehicle (100).
11. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the illuminating element (72) is a light emitting diode (LED) bulb.