FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel tank and seat lock and more particularly to a lockset with mechanism for opening fuel tank and seat lock of a two-wheeled vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] In general, in a scooter or scubek type vehicles, the fuel tank is positioned in the rear side of the vehicle. Normally for opening the seat lock and fuel tank lock, a separate lock mechanism is installed. During filling fuel inside the fuel tank, the rider has to get down, go to the rear end of the vehicle, and open the fuel tank lock for filling fuel in the fuel tank. The vehicles wherein fuel tank is located in rear and fuel tank cap is exposed, key for the fuel tank has to be inserted on the side panels on the rear of the vehicle. Historically, the ignition lock performs multiple functions integrated into it, which further tend to confuse customers.
[0003] In such a vehicle, the fuel-filling task thereby involves more number of steps to be followed and a lot more than required time is needed for filling the fuel tank. In addition, the customer has to insert key at multiple location for operating seat, fuel tank cap lock, Ignition lock & steering lock. This mechanism also involves more number of parts and hence takes longer time to assemble the lock mechanism on to the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] To obviate the limitations of the prior art an all - in - one lock (Ignition lock, seat lock, steering lock and fuel tank cap lock) is proposed. By the new design of the lock mechanism, the cost and size of the lock is reduced which also provides an enhanced convenience to customer. The customer need not insert key at multiple location for operating seat, fuel tank cap lock, Ignition lock & steering lock. Proven mechanism like plunger is proposed to be used. More clarity on the mode of operation as integrating 4 modes of operation into one lock tend to confuse end - user. In the current invention, a seat and fuel tank cap is operated by rotating the knob mounted on the panel rear.
[0005] By rotating 90°, clockwise seat lock can be opened and by rotating 90°, counter clockwise fuel tank cap can be opened. These operations are possible only after releasing the locking mechanism from a designated position on the steering lock. When the mechanism cable is pulled by aligning the key to the designated position on the lock for mechanism release, this cable releases the knob. Without this release, the customer cannot operate the knob. After the key position is in normal condition, the cable engages the actuator into knob and knob cannot be rotated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure lillustrates a typical two-wheeler.
Figure 2illustrates operating knob on rear of front panel.
Figure 3 illustrates the rear view of the operating knob and ignition lock system.

Figure 4 illustrates the lock opening panel.
Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of the operating knob in normal position and ignition lock.
Figure 6 illustrates.the functioning of operating knob.
Figure 6A illustrates the retracting function of operating knob.
Figure 7 illustrates the internal construction of the operating knob in normal condition.
Figure 8 illustrates the locking mechanism of operating knob in normal condition.
Figure 9 illustrates the locking mechanism of operating knob under operating . condition.
Figure 10 illustrates the un-locking mechanism of the seat lock.
Figure 11 illustrates the un-locking mechanism of the fuel tank.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An all in one lockset is described herein, for a scooter/scubek type vehicle, which performs combined operations of seat opening, steering lock opening/closing, fuel tank cap opening and ignition on/off integrated into a single lock. The same key at the same location and on the same insertion can be operated to perform the above actions. Since, the seat opening mechanism and fuel tank opening mechanism utilize a

different actuating means from that utilized by ignition lock and steering lock, the current described lock is light weight, easy to assemble and easy to operate.
[0007] By the lock described in the current invention, the seat and fuel tank cap opening are delinked from the integrated lock and separate smaller mechanism is devised to operate the same. By this segregation of locking mechanism, integrated lock becomes smaller and a separate knob is used to operate seat and fuel tank cap lock. Hence, the new design helps to provide convenience of operating all the four locks from the front of the vehicle and reduces the confusion associated with it. More over the mechanism is locked such a way that the customer has to select the opening intent by rotating the key to mechanism release position.
[0008] There is a set sequence of operating the lockset. For opening the steering . lock, the key has to be inserted into the key slot on ignition lock and rotated to the said position on the ignition lock.. For making the ignition on-off, the key has to be inserted into the key slot and rotated to the said position on the ignition lock and vice versa.
[0009] For opening seat-lock, the key has now to be inserted into the ignition lock and rotated to "mechanism release" position on the ignition lock and the knob has to be rotated clockwise to release the seat lock. Knob comes back to vertical position upon release.
[00010] For opening fuel tank-cap, lock the key has now to be inserted into the ignition lock and rotated to "mechanism release" position on the ignition lock and the

knob has to be rotated clockwise to release the fuel tank cap lock. Knob comes back to vertical position upon release.
[00011] The lockset disclosed in the current invention, provides a security system in which none of the four locks can be operated without inserting the key. The seat and fuel tank cap opening mechanism proposed has knob, actuator, actuator spring, mechanism cable, actuator housing, actuator base plate, mechanism back plate and torsional spring as essential elements.
[00012] This lockset disclosed in the current invention is cost effective and also simplifies the lock .design. This lockset disclosed in the current invention also does not required separate seat lock barrel. Hence, there is no need for separate seat and fuel tank cap lock. This lockset also provides enhanced convenience by having all functions of lock in front location and customer need not get down to operate seat lock. None of the four locks viz., seat, ignition, steering & fuel tank cap lock can be operated without having designated key. Due to the simple construction, the end user can easily understand the concept of knob usage.
[00013] Figure 1 shows a typical two-wheeled vehicle 1 with a rear wheel 2, engine 3, air filter 4, front wheel 5, floorboard6, utility box 7, side panel 9, front shock absorber 10, rear shock absorber 11, grab rail 12, tail lamp 13 and rider seat 14 and front panel 15. The direction of arrow "F* shows the front direction of the vehicle and direction of arrow "R" shows the rear direction of the vehicle. The power produced from the engine 3 is transmitted to the wheels.

[00014] Figure 2 shows front panel 15, rear of front panel 21, lockset 22, and operating knob 23. The lockset 22 has a key inserting location in which the key must be inserted for various operations of the vehicle to start. The various initiation operations performed through the lockset 22 are seat opening, steering lock opening/closing, fuel tank cap opening and ignition on/off. Operating knob 23 must be operated along with operating the key inserted in lockset 22 for specific functions to be initiated, which would be dealt in more detail in the further drawings.
[00015] Figure 3 shows actuator 16, intermediate space between front panel 15 and rear of front panel 21, labelled as 31, actuator disc housing 32 and lock set rear side 33. Figure 3 illustrates the internal construction of the actuator disc and lock operating mechanism. The system shown in Figure 3 corresponds to the region in between the said front panel 15 and rear of front panel 21.
[00016] Figure 4 shows lock set 22, lock shutter 41, "ON" Position 42, "OFF" Position 43 and "SEAT/FUEL TANK" Operating Position 44. The various functions performed by the lockset 22 as mentioned in Figure 2 are seat opening, steering lock opening/closing, fuel tank cap opening and ignition on/off. When the key is inserted in the lockset 22, the position of key corresponding to "OFF" Position 43 is the initial position where the key resides which further needs to be rotated for performing various desired functions. When the key is inserted in the lockset 22, the position of key corresponding to "ON" Position 42 makes the vehicle ready for ignition start. When ■ the key is inserted in the lockset 22, the position of key corresponding to the position

marked "SEAT/FUEL TANK" Operating Position 44 enables the lockset mechanism and actuator disc housing 32 to select anyone of the "SEAT " opening OR "FUEL TANK" opening. This extra layer of security system makes sure that the vehicle cannot be started during seat lock opening or fuel tank opening mode of operation that is very much desirable.
[00017] Figure 5 shows lock set 22, operating knob 23, cable mechanism 51 and actuator spring 52. The actuator disc housing 32 as described in Figure 4 activates the operating knob 23. If and only if the position of key corresponds to the position marked "SEAT/FUEL TANK" Operating Position 44 on the lockset 22, then only operating knob 23 is active, or else it is inactive. During inactive state of operating knob 23, the operation of operating knob 23 does not bring any changes in the fuel tank and seat lock status. :
[00018] Figure 6 shows lock set 22, actuator disc housing 32, actuator disc 71, cable for fuel tank opening 61 and cable for seat opening 62. Once the operating knob 23 is activated, the actuator disc housing 32 rotates the actuator disc 71 either in clockwise direction or anti clockwise direction. Due to rotation of the actuator disc 71 either in clockwise, direction or anti clockwise direction, the cable for fuel tank opening 61 and cable for seat opening 62 also gets angular displacement or rotates. This angular displacement or rotation of cable for fuel tank opening 61 and cable for seat opening 62 either gets slackened or tightened. This slackening and tightening of the two cables namely cable for fuel tank opening 61 and cable for seat opening 62 is used to bring

movement in the latching system of the fuel tank and seat lock mechanism and thereby by open the seat or fuel tank cap.
[00019] Figure 6A shows the actuator disc 71 and the torsional spring 65. The operating knob 23, on the actuator disc 71 resides within the inner diameter of the torsional spring 65. After operation of the operating knob 23, the actuator disc 71 rotates and retracts back to the original position.
[00020] Figure 7 shows actuator spring 52, cable for fuel tank opening 61, actuator disc 71, actuator pin 72, and actuator slot 73. Figure 7 shows the actuator disc housing 32 and actuator disc 71 in the inactive state. In this state, the actuator pin 72 protrudes inside the actuator slot 73 thereby restricting the rotation of the actuator disc 71 due to which there is not movement in cable for fuel tank opening 61 and cable for seat opening 62.
[00021] Figure 8 shows actuator spring 52, cable for fuel tank opening 61, cable for seat opening 62, actuator disc 71, actuator pin 72 and actuator slot 73. Figure 8 shows the actuator disc housing 32 and actuator disc 71 in the active state. In this state, the actuator pin 72 is away from the actuator slot 73 thereby allowing the rotation of the actuator disc 71 due to which the rotation of actuator disc 71 is possible which is enough to bring movement in cable for fuel tank opening 61 and cable for seat opening 62. Now, this movement in cable for fuel tank opening 61 and cable for seat opening 62 is used to open the fuel tank cap and seat lock.

[00022] Figure 9 shows actuator 16, actuator spring 52, actuator pin 72 and actuator slot 73. Figure 9 shows the internal structure of the actuator housing with the actuation, of actuator pin 72 being carried out by actuator spring 52 on insertion of the key, which pushes or pulls the actuator pin 72 and thereby the actuator slot 73 is engaged or disengaged.
[00023] Figure 10 shows actuator 16, operating knob 23, actuator disc housing 32, actuator spring 52, operating knob in utility box open position 101, cable from actuator disc to utility box linkage 102, utility box lock set 103 and utility box linkage pin 104. Figure 10 shows the operating knob 23 rotated in the clockwise direction, which tighten the cable from actuator disc to utility box linkage 102 which is further connected to utility box lock set 103 and utility box linkage pin 104 and thereby opens the seat lock.
[00024] Figure 11 shows actuator 16, operating knob 23, actuator disc housing 32, actuator spring 52, operating knob in fuel tank open position 111, cable from actuator disc to fuel tank cap linkage 112, fuel tank cap linkage 113 and fuel tank cap 114. Figure 11 shows the operating knob 23 rotated in the anti-clockwise direction, which tighten the cable from actuator disc to fuel tank cap linkage 112 which is further connected to fuel tank cap linkage 113 and fuel tank cap 114 and thereby opens the fuel tank cap.

We claim:
1. A locking system for a two-wheeled vehicle (l)comprising:
a lockset (22); wherein the said lockset (22) further comprises of a key position corresponding to a first ignition "OPT" position (42), and a second ignition "ON" position (41);
a fuel tank latch(113); the latch used to open the fuel tank cap (114);
a seat latch (104); the latch used to open the seat lock (103);
wherein the said lockset (22) is further provided with another key position corresponding to a "SEAT/FUEL TANK OPEN" position (43), the rotation of key at the key position (43) in one direction opens the said fuel tank latch (113) and in other direction opens the said seat latch (104).
2. A locking system for a two-wheeled vehicle (1) comprising:
a lockset (22); wherein the said lockset (22) further comprises of a key position corresponding to a first ignition "OFF' position (42), and a second ignition "ON" position (41);
a fuel tank latch(113); the latch used to open the fuel tank cap (114);
a seat latch (104); the latch used to open the seat lock (103);
an operating knob (23);

wherein the said lockset (22) is further provided with another key position corresponding to a "SEAT/FUEL TANK OPEN" position (43); the insertion of key at the key position (43) makes the fuel tank latch (113) and the said seat latch (104) in the "ready to operate" state and the said fuel tank latch . (113) and the said seat latch (104) being operated by the said operating knob (23).
3. The locking system as Claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 in which the operating knob (23) actuates the said fuel tank latch (113) and the said seat latch (104) by help of a cable or rod mechanism.
4. The locking system as Claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 wherein an actuator disc (71) and the operating knob (23) retract to their original position after operation.