TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject-matter, in general, relates to a rear cover assembly for a step-through vehicle, and in.particular but not exclusively, relates to a luggage hook assembly disposed on the rear cover of the step-through vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, a retractable luggage hook assembly is provided for rider utility, wherein the retractable luggage hook assembly is located on a rear cover at a front portion of the vehicle for ease of accessibility to the rider. The retractable luggage hook assembly is known in the art and comprises of, a hook member for • carrying loads, a holder on the hook member for the rider to operate the hook, pip(s) on both left hand and right hand sides of the hook member, and a hook retainer member. The pip provides interference locking of the hook member with the rear cover, wherein the rear cover is configured to have one or more depressions of equivalent size to accommodate the pip present on the hook member.
[0003] The rider wears out the pip present on the hook member easily upon frequent usage, resulting in lose fitting and rattling of the hook member present in the rear cover of the two-wheeled vehicle. Therefore, die interference locking of the hook member with the rear cover is not achieved and the hook member is often found hanging out of the rear cover instead of being in line with the rear cover. The so. hung hook member may be an obstruction to the rider when the

hook member is not in. use by the rider, leading to rider irritation and dissatisfaction or even a distraction while riding the vehicle.
[0004] The locking system provided by the pip on the hook member requires the rider to push the hook member hard into the rear cover in order to achieve interference locking and pull out the hook member hard from the rear cover when required by the rider. Hence, another disadvantage of the existing retractable luggage hook assembly includes the difficulty in operating the hook member by the rider.
[d005]tHenceA an objective .of. the present invention is to disclose a retractable luggage hook with an effective locking system and an easily operable luggage hook assembly, which would overcome the above-discussed problems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0007] Fig. 1 shows a side view of a scooter type vehicle having a retractable luggage hook assembly according to the present invention.
[0008] Fig. 2(a) shows a section view of the retractable luggage hook assembly, in which hook member is locked with the hook retainer member.
[0009] Fig. 2(b) Shows an enlarged view of the retractable luggage hook assembly in locked condition.

[00010] Fig. 3(a) shows a section view of the retractable luggage hook assembly, in which retractable luggage hook assembly is in unlocked condition.
[00011] Fig. 3(b) shows an enlarged view of the retractable luggage hook assembly in unlocked condition.
[00012] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of rear cover with a provision to receive the projection of the hook retainer member.
[00013] Fig. 5(a) represents perspective view of the hook member according to the present invention.
[00014] Fig. 5(b) represents perspective view of the hook retainer member according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00015] The present invention discloses a retractable juggage hook assembly mounted and located on rear cover below rear side of the headlamp housing, to provide ease of operation to the rider. The retractable luggage hook assembly according to the present invention comprises mainly of a hook member and a hook retainer member having a projection as an integral part. The difficulty in operating the hook member by the rider is overcome through the present invention and can be understood in detail with the help of figures in the following description.
[00016] Fig. 1 shows a side view of the scooter type vehicle. The vehicle has a vehicle frame assembly 121 made up of several tubes welded together, which. usually supports the body of the said vehicle. The vehicle has a steerable front

wheel 101 and a driven rear wheel 102. The vehicle frame assembly 121 of the vehicle is an elongated structure, which typically extends from a forward end to a rearward end of the vehicle. It is generally convex in shape, as viewed from a side elevation view. The said vehicle frame assembly 121 includes a head tube 119, a main tube 120 and may have a sub-frame. The sub-frame is attached to the main tube 120 using appropriate joining mechanism. The vehicle frame assembly 121 is covered by a plurality of vehicle body covers including a front panel 103, a rear cover 104, a panel front bottom 106, and a side panel 107.
[00017] A handlebar assembly 113 and a seat assembly 108 are supported at opposing ends of the frame assembly and a generally open area is defined there between known as floorboard 109, which functions as a step through space. The seat for a driver and a pillion is placed forward to a fuel tank and rear side of floorboard 109. A front fender 110 is provided above the front wheel 101 to avoid the said vehicle and its occupants from being splashed with mud. Likewise, a rear fender 117 is placed between fuel tank and rear wheel 102, and to the outer side in the radial direction of rear wheel 102. Rear fender 117 inhibits rain water or the like from being thrown up by rear wheel 102.
[00018] Suspensions are provided for comfortable steering of the vehicle on the road. A front suspension assembly (not shown) is connected to a front fork 111. The rear suspension assembly comprises of at least one rear suspension 112 preferably on the left side of the vehicle. However, a vehicle with two rear suspensions, namely on the left side and the right side is also possible. For the safety of the user and in conformance with the traffic rules, a headlight 114 in the

front portion of the vehicle and a taillight 115 in the rear portion of the vehicle is also provided.
[00019] A retractable luggage hook assembly 105 is provided on the rear cover 104 of the scooter type vehicle for rider utility. According to the present invention, the retractable luggage hook assembly 118. is configured to include a hook retainer member 204 to retain the hook member 105 in a locked condition and an unlocked condition. The hook member 105 can be put into the locked condition by a hook member holder 202 by pushing the hook member 105 into the rear cover 104 and can be unlocked by pulling out the hook member 105 from the rear cover 104 using the hook member holder 202 . The mechanism of locking
and unlocking of the hook member 105 can be understood by the following
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discussion.
[00020] The sectional view of a retractable luggage hook assembly 118 mounted on the rear cover is as shown in Figs. 2(a) and 2(b). Fig. 2(a) shows the hook member 105 retained to the rear cover 104 by the hook retainer member 204 according to an embodiment. From the figure, it can be observed that the luggage hook assembly 118 is mounted to rear cover 104 such that the hook member 105 lies in line with the rear cover 104.
[00021] Fig. 2(b) shows an enlarged view of the retractable luggage hook assembly 118 in a locked condition according to an embodiment. The hook member 105 and the hook retainer member 204 are the two main components of the retractable luggage hook assembly 118 required to obtain effective locking system as per the present invention. The locking of the hook member 105 with the

hook retainer member 204 is obtained through a locking device 200, 201. The locking device 200, 201 comprises of a hole 201 and a projection 200. The hook member holder 202, the hole 201 and a hinge member 205 together form the hook member 105. The hinge member 205 is used to attach the hook member 105 to the rear cover 104, thereby provides pivotable position to the hook member 105. Accordingly, the hook member 105 can be put into locked condition to lay in line with the rear cover 104, when not required by the rider. Likewise, the hook retainer member 204 comprises of the projection 200 as an integral part and is disposed in the rear cover using fasteners 203. The rear cover 104 acts as a supporting member to hold the hook member 105 and the hook retainer member 204 together. The hook retainer 204 also acts as a structural support member for the hook member 105 in the locked condition.
[00022] The retractable luggage hook assembly is configured to achieve interference fit. The hook member 105 having the opening 201 is built to receive the projection 200 under locked condition. The present construction allows the rider to only push the hook member 105 gently into the rear cover depression to put the hook member 105 into lock position. Hence, the rider does not find it hard to operate the hook member 105.
[00023] The projection 200 is a flexible member, so that it is deflected during locking of the hook member 105. The projection 200, in the present construction moves down during locking of the hook member 105 and assumes back its normal position, when the hook member 105 is unlocked. A retractable luggage hook assembly having hook retainer member 204 with projection 200 as an integral part

can also be designed to have deflection of the projection 200 in the upward, direction in locked position and the projection 200 assumes back its normal position when the hook member 105 is unlocked.
[00024] The unlocked condition of the luggage hook assembly is as shown in the Figs. 3(a) and 3(b). Fig. 3(a) shows a section view of the retractable luggage hook assembly, in which retractable luggage hook assembly 118 is in unlocked condition. The hook member 105 in unlocked condition can be understood in detail with the help of an enlarged view of the hook member 105 as shown in Fig.
3(b). The pivotable nature of the hook member 105 provides unlocking when
f-i . ■
required for rider utility. In addition, the hook member 105 while carrying load holds onto the hook retainer member 204, thus takes support from the hook retainer member 204.
[00025] The projection 200 being a flexible member does not wear out easily because of its deflecting nature. Therefore, with the present locking system of the retractable luggage hook assembly 118, even after frequent usage, the hook member 105 tends to remain in the locked position.
[00026] Fig. 4 shows a rear cover 104 with a hook member housing 410. From the figure, it can be seen that the rear cover 104 has a concave depression 206 to accommodate the hook member 105. In addition, a provision 400 is provided on the rear cover 104 to receive the projection 200 of the hook retainer member 204. The projection 200 protruding out of the provision 400 on the rear cover 104 provides interference locking to the hook member 105 under locked condition. The hook member housing 410 is disposed at upper end of the rear cover, at

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reachable distance to the rider from riding position. The location of the hook member housing 410 of the present subject matter is such that, the rider of the two-wheeled vehicle is capable of accessing the hook member 105 conveniently, for example, while seated in a riding position. Further, the hook member 105 also ensures that when in seated position, the rider of the two-wheeled vehicle accesses the hook member 105 with ease and without having to provide additional effort that may. otherwise have been necessary.
[00027] The perspective views of hook member 105 and the hook retainer member 204 according to the present invention are as shown in the Figs. 5(a) and 5(b). According to Fig.5 (a), the hook member 105 has a hook member holder 202 for the rider to operate. The hook member 105 is also provided with an opening 201 and a hinge member 205 inserted partially into the hook member 105 and partially into the rear cover 104; The hinge member 205 keeps the hook member 105 in a pivotable position for easy movement in upward and downward directions. Fig. 5(b) shows perspective view of the hook retainer member 204 having a projection 200 as an integral part. The hook retainer member 204 is attached to the rear cover 104 by fasteners.
[00028] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the hook retainer member 204 is configured to include a hole 201 and the hook member 105 includes a projection 200. The hole 201 present in the hook retainer member 204 is capable of receiving the projection 200 formed integrally in the hook member 105.

[00029] Although the subject matter has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. It is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the features described herein. Rather, the features are disclosed as embodiments of the electric motor.

I/We claim:
1. A step-through vehicle (1) comprising;
a vehicle frame assembly (121) including a head tube (119), a main tube (120) extending downwardly rearward from said head tube (119) in a longitudinal directionof the vehicle(l);
a rear cover (104) disposed rearwardly to said main tube (120), said rear cover (104) covers at least a portion of said main tube (120); • . a retractable luggage hook assembly (118) comprising a hook"-retainer member (204) attached to a front surface (208) of said rear cover (104), and a hook member (105) pivotable about a hinge axis (205),
wherein,
. said hook member (105) having a hole (201) is configured to receive a projection (200),which is integrally formed in said hook retainer member (204).
2. The step-through vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein-said hook
member (105) is engaged with said hook retainer member (204) when the
hole (201) receives the protrusion (200) and said hook member (105) is
disengaged from said hook retainer member (204) when the protrusion
(200) is away from the hole (201).

3; The step-through vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rear cover (104) includes a concave depression (206) configured to accommodate said hook member (105).
4. The step-through vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said concave depression (206) includes a provision (400) to receive said projection (200).
5. The step-through vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hook member (105) includes a hook member holder (202) to operate said hook
member (105).
*■»--. '■ • „•*■ . ■ "«■■, ..
6. The step-through vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said projection
(200) is a flexible member configured to undergo deflection when engaged with said hole (201) and said projection (200) assumes a original position when disengaged.. .
7. The step-through vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hook member (105) remains in line with said rear cover (104) when said hook member (105) is engaged with said hook retainer member (204).
8. The step-through vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hook retainer member (204) is fastened to the rear cover (104) through one or more fastening provisions (207) provided on the hook retainer member (204).