Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a licence plate mounting structure
for a motorcycle and particularly relates to a licence plate mounting structure which also serves as a battery accommodating structure in a motorcycle.
Background
Batteries are disposed in vehicles for providing electrical power
start and for lighting. In scooter type motorcycles, a battery box is generally disposed inside a utility box or in a space formed under the floor board or at a location behind the motorcycle front cover and above the front suspension. Battery disposed behind the motorcycle front cover and above the front suspension of the motorcycle is constantly exposed to vibrations and rattling due to movement of the front suspension in vehicle running condition and thereby, the battery becomes prone to damage as it keeps moving in the vertical and lateral direction of vehicle plane. Therefore, it is important to protect the battery from vibrations and secure it tightly to the body frame. Rubber bands or metal strips are generally used to secure the battery. However, the support provided by rubber bands or metal strips do not prove to be adequate and does not completely secure the battery from vibrations. Also, the use of additional rubber bands or metal strips leads to an increase in the number of parts.
Therefore, it becomes important to provide a battery accommodating structure which can accommodate and retain the battery

securely while providing adequate protection against the vibrations coming from the front suspension, without using additional elements for securing the battery. At the same time, it is also important to ensure that the design of the battery accommodating structure is such that it does not cause an increase in the size of the motorcycle body and also not cause an obstruction in the arrangement of other internal parts of the motorcycle.
Further, in conventional scooter type motorcycles, a licence plate or a registration plate is usually mounted to a licence plate mounting bracket welded to the head pipe of the scooter type motorcycle. Welding of a number of parts including the licence plate mounting bracket on the head pipe leads to weakening of strength of the head pipe.
Therefore, it is desirable to eliminate the welding of licence plate mounting bracket on the head pipe and provide an alternate mounting structure for the licence plate and thereby reduce the number of welded parts on the head pipe.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention has been made in view of the above
circumstances.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a licence plate mounting structure that enables mounting of a licence plate without involving welding of a licence plate mounting bracket on the head pipe of a motorcycle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a licence plate mounting structure that also accommodates a battery therein, in a

manner such that the battery is prevented from slipping and is secured from vibrations coming from a front suspension.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a licence plate mounting structure that also accommodates a wiring harness and a starter relay along with the battery.
The present subject matter described herein therefore relates to a licence plate mounting structure, which also serves as an accommodating structure for a battery.
According to the present invention, the licence plate mounting structure is disposed between a head pipe and a front cover of the motorcycle, and includes a casing top portion and a casing bottom portion, said casing top portion and said casing bottom portion being detachably attached to one another. Whereas, the casing bottom portion is adapted to receive a battery, the casing top portion is adapted to not only cover the battery accommodated in said casing bottom portion but also to receive a licence plate mounting bracket.
The casing bottom portion is mounted to the head pipe of the motorcycle by means of a bottom mounting lug and a rear mounting bracket. Further, the casing top portion is detachably attached to the casing bottom portion once the battery is accommodated in said casing bottom portion. Thus, the battery is secured within the casing bottom portion. Furthermore, the casing top portion that includes a pair of front mounting lugs which are adapted to abut against the front cover, receives

the licence plate mounting bracket. In other words, the licence plate mounting bracket is sandwich mounted to the casing top portion through the front cover. Further, the licence plate is mounted to the licence plate mounting bracket. Thus, the licence plate mounting structure mounted to the head pipe receives the licence plate.
Since the licence plate is directly mounted to the licence plate mounting structure, which also houses the battery, the need for a separate mounting bracket on the head pipe of the motorcycle is eliminated. Thus, the present embodiment of the licence plate mounting structure not only aids in securing the battery from but also receives the licence plate of the motorcycle.
Summary provided above explains the basic features of the invention and does not limit the scope of the invention. The nature and further characteristic features of the present invention will be made clearer from the following descriptions made with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings
The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will be better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings where:
FIG.l illustrates a front view of a motorcycle in accordance with the present invention.

FIG.2 illustrates a side view of a motorcycle in accordance with the present invention.
FIG.3 illustrates a side view of a front portion of the motorcycle depicting location of a licence plate mounting structure in accordance with the present invention.
FIG.4 illustrates a side view of a front portion of the motorcycle depicting mounting arrangement of the licence plate mounting structure in accordance with the present invention.
FIG.5 illustrates a rear perspective view of the licence plate mounting structure in accordance with the present invention.
FIG.6 illustrates a front perspective view of the licence plate mounting structure in accordance with the present invention.
FIG.7 illustrates an exploded view depicting the installation of the licence plate to the licence plate mounting structure in accordance with the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Exemplary embodiments detailing construction and location of a
licence plate mounting structure adapted to receive a licence plate of a motorcycle, in accordance to the present invention will be described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings. Various aspects of different embodiments of the present invention will become discernible from the following description set out hereunder. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. It is to be noted that terms "upper", "lower",

"right", "left", "front", "rear", "forward" "downward", "upward", "top", "bottom" and like terms are used herein based on the illustrated state or in a standing state of the motorcycle with a rider sitting thereon. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to the motorcycle, while a lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the motorcycle. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. It is to be noted that although the present invention has been exemplified for a scooter type vehicle, however, the present invention may not be restricted only to a scooter type vehicle and is applicable to any two wheeled vehicle having a continuously variable transmission system.
Referring to FIG.1 and FIG.2, the layout of a motorcycle, identified generally by the reference numeral 100 is elaborated.
FIG.1 illustrates a front view of the motorcycle 100. The motorcycle 100 comprises a body frame (not shown) which supports parts of the motorcycle 100. The body frame comprises a head pipe 12 (shown in FIG.3), a down tube (not shown) extending rearwardly and downwardly from the head pipe 12, a pair of floor board support tubes (not shown) extending parallely to the down tube, and a pair of side tubes (not shown) extending rearwardly and inclinedly upwards from the pair of floor board support tubes.

A front portion of the motorcycle 100 is covered by front covering structures such as a front cover 20 disposed above a front fender 10, and a handle bar cover 21 disposed above the front cover 20 to cover the handle bar 21a, and a leg shield 22 disposed below the front cover 20 and behind the front fender 10 to cover a rider's legs on either sides. In the present embodiment, the front cover 20 covers a headlamp 23 from three sides thereof. Further, the front cover 20 also receives a licence plate 14, wherein the licence plate 14 is disposed above the headlamp 23.
The front portion of the motorcycle 100 further includes a front fork 30, which is pivotally supported by the head pipe 12 in a manner such that the front fork 30 is steerable to the left and right. A front wheel 35 is journaled to a lower end of the front fork 30. The front fender 10 is arranged on the front fork 30 to cover an upper portion of the front wheel 35.
Further, as may be seen in FIG.2, a rear portion of the body frame is covered by a pair of side covers 24 wherein said pair of side covers 24 cover at least a side surface of an engine 36 on either sides thereof. The rear portion of the body frame further includes a pair of rear covers 25 which are disposed behind the pair of side covers 24 and extend upto a tail lam unit 26.
A seat 40 is disposed above the pair of side covers 24 and the pair of rear covers 25. The layout of the seat 40 is such that two riders can be seated on a front portion and a rear portion thereof. A fuel tank (not

shown) is disposed beneath the seat 40, such that a centre portion of the seat 40 is disposed over the fuel tank. A pillion handle 45 is mounted in an under side of the seat 40.
The engine 36 is used to power the motorcycle 100. Power from the engine 36 is transmitted to a rear wheel 60 by a transmission system. Performance efficiency of the engine 36 is improved by cooling the engine 36 by means of an external fan (not shown).
A battery 11 (shown in FIG.5) operatively connected to a starter motor (not shown) is used for starting the motorcycle 100.
The subsequent paragraphs disclose a location for the battery 11 along with construction of a battery accommodating structure. The present embodiment primarily discloses a licence plate mounting structure L which serves as a battery accommodating structure.
Referring .to FIG.3 and FIG.4, a location of the licence plate mounting structure L is explained. As may be seen in FIG.3, the licence plate mounting structure L is sandwich mounted between the head pipe 12 and the front cover 20. In other words, the licence plate mounting structure L is made to abut with the front cover 20 in an assembled condition thereof, so that the licence plate 14 can be directly mounted to the licence plate mounting structure L without involving the welding of a licence plate mounting bracket 13 (shown in FIG.7) onto the head pipe 12.
As per the present embodiment, the licence plate mounting structure L is mounted to the head pipe 12 by means of a bottom

mounting lug 4 and a rear mounting bracket 9 provided therein. While the bottom mounting lug 4 is slipped onto the head pipe 12, the rear mounting bracket 9 is fastened to the head pipe 12 by means of a single fastener (shown in FIG.5). Thus, the licence plate mounting structure L is secured to the head pipe 12 at two locations. Use of the fastener for securing the licence plate mounting structure L ensures that the licence plate mounting structure L does not get damaged due to rattling. Moreover, a compact structure of the licence plate mounting structure L also ensures that the battery 11 disposed therein does not rattle.
With reference to FIG.5-FIG.7, construction of the licence plate mounting structure L is explained in greater detail.
FIG.5 is a rear perspective view of the licence plate mounting structure L. As shown in FIG. 5, the licence plate mounting structure L is a rectangular box shaped structure which comprises a casing bottom portion 1, and a casing top portion 2. The casing bottom portion 1 and the casing top portion 2 are adapted to be detachably attached to each other. As per the present embodiment, the casing top portion 2 is provided with a pair of self locking side lugs 5 on either sides thereof, which are configured to snap fit into a pair of slots provided on either sides of the casing bottom portion 1. The battery case top portion 1 is also secured to the battery case bottom portion 2 by means of a fastener 7, in a front portion thereof (shown in FIG.6). Fastening the battery case top portion 2 to the battery case bottom portion 1, in addition to snap fitting ensures that the battery

11 is safely secured in the licence plate mounting structure L, thereby, eliminating the need for use of additional supporting members like rubber bands, metal strips and the like.
Thus, since the licence plate mounting structure L is a rectangular box shaped structure, it is configured to accommodate the battery 11. The size of the licence plate mounting structure L can be varied depending on size of the battery. Further, the compact structure of the licence plate mounting structure L ensures that the battery 11 is covered from all sides and is secured from vibrations due to rattling. In the present embodiment, while the casing bottom portion 1 accommodates the battery 11, the casing top portion 2 covers the battery 11 at least partially. A pair of rubber cushion paddings 17 (shown in FIG.7) is provided in the interior of the battery case bottom portion 1 in order to absorb the vibrations caused due to the movement of front suspension.
Further, to facilitate convenience in connecting the battery to parts such as a starter motor (not shown), a pair of cut outs 2a are provided in a rear portion of the casing top portion 2 so that a pair of battery terminals 11a remain exposed outside the battery case top portion 2. Furthermore, a pair of rear insertion apertures 8 is also provided at a rear portion of the casing bottom portion 1 for accommodating a wiring harness. The wiring harness emerging from the battery 11 can be pinned to the pair of rear insertion apertures 8 by means of clamping members. Thus, snapping of wiring harness due to overhang can be prevented.

FIG.6 illustrates a front perspective view of the licence plate mounting structure L. As may be seen in FIG.6, in a side portion of the casing bottom portion 1 an insert lug 6 is provided to accommodate a starter relay. Further, the casing top portion 2 includes a pair of front mounting lugs 3 with mounting holes. In the present embodiment, the pair of front mounting lugs 3 is provided in the form of two elevated segments protruding from a front portion of the casing top portion 2. The pair of front mounting lugs 3 is spaced apart from each other and is formed as an integral part of the casing top portion 2. An upper surface of the pair of front mounting lugs 3 is made to incline downwards so that the pair of front mounting lugs 3 abuts with the front cover 20 in an assembled condition. Further, mounting holes are provided in the pair of front mounting lugs 3 for receiving a licence plate mounting bracket 13 (shown in FIG.7) of the motorcycle. A pair of retainers 18 is provided on the front mounting lugs 3 to secure the licence plate mounting bracket 13.
Installation of the licence plate 14 on the licence plate mounting structure L is explained with reference to FIG.7. An assembly sequence for installation of the licence plate 14 firstly involves mounting of the licence plate mounting structure L to the head pipe 12. Secondly, the front cover 20 is mounted to the head pipe 12. In an assembled condition of the licence plate mounting structure L, the pair of front mounting lugs 3 abuts with the front cover 20. A pair of mounting apertures 19 provided in the front cover 20 overlap with the mounting holes provided in the pair of front

mounting lugs 3 in an assembled condition of the licence plate mounting structure L and the front cover 20. Finally, the licence plate 14 is fastened to the pair of front mounting lugs 3 along with a licence plate mounting bracket 13 by a pair of fasteners.
Thus, the construction of the licence plate mounting structure L is such that it not only accommodates and secures the battery 11 from vibrations but also acts as a mounting structure for the mounting of licence plate 14 of the motorcycle.
A battery of any specification can be accommodated in the casing bottom portion 1 by increasing the height of the casing top portion 2 alone, without having to replace the entire licence plate mounting structure L. Further, servicing of the battery 11 can be easily performed by dismantling an entire unit of the licence plate mounting structure L after dismantling the front cover 20 of the motorcycle. Furthermore, voltage of the battery 11 can be checked without detaching the casing top portion 2 and the casing bottom portion 1, since the pair of battery terminals 11a remain exposed through the pair of cut outs 2a provided at the rear end of the casing top portion 2. Also, since in the present embodiment the licence plate mounting structure L is made of plastic, the risk of the licence plate mounting structure L catching fire due to contact of the pair of battery terminals 11a with a metal casing is eliminated. Thus, the licence plate mounting structure L according to the present invention secures the

battery 11 from damage due to vibrations as well as from damage due to fire.
Provision of the pair of front mounting lugs 3 in the casing top portion 2 ensures that the need for separately welding the licence plate mounting bracket 13 to the head pipe 12 is eliminated; thereby ensuring that strength of the head pipe 12 is not affected.
While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes in form, connection, and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims:

Claim:
1. A licence plate mounting structure (L) for a motorcycle (100), said
licence plate mounting structure (L) disposed between a head pipe
(12) and a front cover (20) of the motorcycle (100), and comprising
a casing bottom portion (1) and a casing top portion (2), wherein
said casing bottom portion (1) and said casing top portion (2) are
detachably attached to one another, characterized in that:
the casing top portion (2) includes at least a pair of front mounting lugs (3) adapted to receive a licence plate (14).
2. The licence plate mounting structure (L) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the casing top portion (2) includes a pair of self locking side lugs (5) for attachment to the casing bottom portion (1).
3. The licence plate mounting structure (L) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the casing top portion (2) further includes a pair of cut outs (2a) adapted to expose at least a portion of a battery (11) to the outside.
4. The licence plate mounting structure (L) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the casing top portion (2) further includes a pair of rear insertion apertures (8) to receive a wiring harness.
5. The licence plate mounting structure (L) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the casing top portion (2) further includes a rear mounting bracket (9) adapted for securing the licence plate mounting structure (L) to the head pipe (12).

6. The licence plate mounting structure (L) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the casing bottom portion (1) includes a bottom mounting lug (4) adapted for securing the licence plate mounting structure (L) to the head pipe (12).
7. The licence plate mounting structure (L) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the casing bottom portion (1) further includes an insert lug (6) for receiving a starter relay.
8. A motorcycle (100) comprising a licence plate mounting structure (L) as claimed in claims 1-7.