Technical Field
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a two wheeled
vehicle and particularly relates to a compact occupant footrest assembly for said two wheeled vehicle. Background
[0002] Typically, occupant footrests adapted to extending from
either sides of a body frame of a two wheeled vehicle are provided, so that an occupant can comfortably place his feet while riding. Generally, the occupant footrests provided are foldable in nature so that they do not protrude outwards when not in use. However, in two wheeled vehicles provided with a cloth protecting member, used to secure an occupant's clothes from getting entangled between rear wheel spokes, an occupant footrest is provided integrally with the cloth protecting member and the cloth protecting member along with the occupant footrest is mounted onto the body frame of the two wheeled vehicle. The occupant footrest provided in the-above described design protrudes outwardly in a vehicle width direction. Protrusion of the occupant footrest consequently results in space constraints, especially when large numbers of such two wheeled vehicles are to be parked side by side in a warehouse. Further, the protrusion of the occupant footrest also causes difficulty during packaging and transportation of the two wheeled vehicle.
[0003] A known design tries to overcome problems associated with
the above mentioned design by providing an occupant footrest that is

detachable from the cloth protecting member. In the above mentioned
design, the occupant footrest is detachably mounted at its one end to a
body frame mounting bracket, and at its other end to a bracket provided in
a lower portion of the cloth protecting member, so that the occupant
footrest can be detached easily, thereby eliminating problems faced due to
of protrusion of the-occupant footrest. . However, in the design above
described, mounting locations of the occupant footrest act as load bearing
locations disposed at extreme ends of the occupant footrest.-As a result,
vibrations reaching the occupant footrest from an engine, or due to road
conditions are very high, especially because of a cantilever mounting of
the cloth protecting member. Moreover, although the occupant footrest is
detachable from the cloth protecting member, it does not prove to be a
convenient design for the customer since the above described design
also necessitates rework involving assembly of the occupant footrest at
vehicle delivery points, causing inconvenience to the customer.
[0004] Another known design tries to overcome problems
associated with vibrations by providing an elastic member such as a rubber grommet between a fastener and the body frame mounting bracket, when said occupant footrest is secured to the body frame. However, over a period of time, the rubber grommet shears off, resulting in vibration and deflection.

Summary of the Invention
[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above
circumstances.
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a two
wheeled vehicle including an occupant footrest assembly that is capable of
being compactly arranged in said two wheeled vehicle.
[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a two
wheeled vehicle including an occupant footrest assembly that is simple in
construction and that can be easily assembled.
[0008] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a
two wheeled vehicle including an occupant footrest assembly that has
sufficient load bearing strength.
[0009] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a
two wheeled vehicle including an occupant footrest assembly, whose
construction prevents vibrations from reaching the occupant.
[0010] It is one other object of the present invention to provide a two
wheeled vehicle including an occupant footrest assembly that aids in
enhancing an aesthetic appeal of said two wheeled vehicle.
[0011] The above and other objects are achieved by providing an
occupant footrest assembly in accordance with the present invention. The
occupant footrest assembly as per an embodiment of the present
invention includes a support shaft detachably attachable at its front portion
to at least a portion of body frame, and at its rear.portion to a cloth

protecting member. The occupant footrest assembly further includes an occupant footrest member pivotally supported on said support shaft in a manner such that the occupant footrest member can be pivotally rotated between a retracted position close to a body frame and an extended position protruding away from the body frame. The support shaft is inserted though a first boss and a second boss formed integrally at two ends of the occupant footrest member. The support shaft thus inserted through the occupant footrest member is secured to at least a portion of the body frame and to the cloth protecting member. Thus, the support shaft has detachable attachments at two locations. While the front portion of the support shaft is detachably attached to a body frame mounting bracket through a support shaft mounting boss, by means of a first fastener, the rear portion of the support shaft is detachably attached to a cloth protecting member mounting bracket through the second by means of a second fastener respectively.
[0012] Sliding of the occupant footrest member along a length of the
support shaft is prevented by a stopper disposed on the support shaft. Further, the stopper also enables pivotal rotation of the occupant footrest member about the support shaft by cooperation with the first boss provided at one end of the occupant footrest member, so that the occupant footrest member can be moved between a retracted position close to the body frame and an extended position protruding away from the body frame.

[0013] Thus, as per the above disclosure, the occupant footrest
assembly can be compactly arranged close to the body frame of the two
wheeled vehicle when an occupant is not riding and can be extended
away from the body frame to accommodate feet of the occupant during a
riding condition. Further, a simple construction of the occupant footrest
assembly, involving the use of only two fasteners facilitates easy assembly
and disassembly of the occupant footrest assembly.
[0014] As per the above disclosure, the support shaft acts as a load
bearing member, supporting the occupant footrest member at two locations. However, load from the supporting shaft gets equally distributed to at least a portion of the body frame and the cloth protecting member through the body frame mounting bracket and the cloth protecting member mounting bracket respectively. Moreover, considerable weight of the support shaft also ensures that resonance due to the cloth protecting member, which has a cantilever mounting is shifted, thereby aiding in substantial reduction of vibrations.
[0015] The foregoing objective and summary provide only a brief
introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other. objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.

Brief Description of Accompanying Drawings
[0016] 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:
[0017]"" FIG.1 illustrates a side view of a two wheeled vehicle such
as a motorcycle in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG.2 illustrates a perspective view of an occupant footrest
assembly secured to a cloth protecting member in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG.3 illustrates a perspective view of the occupant footrest
assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG.4 illustrates an exploded view of the occupant footrest .
assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG.5 illustrates a support shaft of the occupant footrest
assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG.6 illustrates an occupant footrest member of the
occupant footrest assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the
presentjnvention.
[0023] FIGJa illustrates a retracted position of the occupant footrest
assembly in accordance with in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.

[0024] FIG.7b illustrates an extended position of the occupant
footrest assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG.8 illustrates a perspective view of the occupant footrest
assembly in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
[0026] The present subject matter relates to an occupant footrest
assembly for a two wheeled vehicle, and particularly relates to structure
of parts thereof for achieving overall compactness thereof.
[0027] Exemplary embodiments detailing features of an occupant
footrest assembly, in accordance with 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. Further, it is to be
noted that terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "front", "forward",
"rearward", "downward", "upward", "top", "bottom" and like terms are used
herein based on the illustrated state or in a standing state of the two
wheeled vehicle with a driver riding thereon unless otherwise specified.
Furthermore, a vehicle longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis
relative to the two wheeled vehicle, while a vehicle lateral axis refers to a

side to side, or left to right axis relative to the two wheeled vehicle. 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. •
[0028] FIG.1 illustrates a side view of a two wheeled vehicle 10,
such as a motorcycle in accordance with the present, invention. Said vehicle 10 includes a body frame 13 forming a skeleton of said vehicle 10, and to which at least an engine 12 is mounted. A head pipe 14 is provided at a front end of the body frame 13. The head pipe 14 supports a steering shaft (not shown) rotatably in a certain range and a front fork 15 pivotally. In an upper portion of the head pipe 14, a handlebar 16 is rotatably integrally connected to the steering shaft. A front wheel 18 is journaled to a lower end of the front fork 15 and is rotated in a certain range by steering the handlebar 16.
[0029] In a front portion of the body frame 13 a fuel tank 19 is
arranged immediately behind the handle bar 16 and is disposed over the engine 12.
[0030] A seat 20 is disposed over left and right seat rails (not
shown) of the body frame 13 and is placed behind the fuel tank 19. The seat 20 includes a front rider portion and rear pillion portion. A cloth protecting member 25 is connected to a left seat rail and extends downwardly from the seat 20 to cover a side portion of a rear wheel 35. Further, an. occupant footrest assembly 30 is at least partially detachably

attached to a lower portion of the cloth protecting member 25 so as to
facilitate an occupant to place his/her feet.
[0031] The engine 12 is supported to the body frame 13 by being
suspended in a front lower portion of the body frame 13. The engine 12 is
equipped with an exhaust system that includes an exhaust pipe (not
shown) connected to the engine 12 and a muffler (not shown) connected
to the exhaust pipe. The muffler extends rearwards along the right side of
the rear wheel 35.
[0032] Further, a swing arm 40 extending rearwards is swingably
connected to a rear lower portion of the body frame 13. The rear wheel 35
is rotatably supported at a rear end of the swing arm 40. Power from the
engine 12, suspended in a front lower portion of the body frame 13 is
transmitted to the rear wheel 35 through a power drive mechanism, such
as a drive chain, so as to drive and rotate the rear wheel 35.
[0033] A rear fender 45 for covering an upper side of the rear wheel
35 is mounted to a rear portion of body frame 13 and a front fender 50 for
covering an upper side of the front wheel 18 is mounted to the front fork
15. Most of the rear portion of the body frame 13 is covered with a rear
cowl 55.
[0034] Referring to FIGs.2-8, description is given of the occupant
footrest assembly 30 in accordance with the present invention.
[0035] FIG.2 shows a perspective view of the occupant footrest
assembly 30 detachably attached to at least the cloth protecting member

25. As illustrated in FIG.2, the occupant footrest assembly 30 is
detachably attached at two locations. While a front portion of the occupant
footrest assembly 30 is detachably attached to a body frame mounting
bracket 13a, supported in a front lower portion of said cloth protecting
member 25; a rear portion of the occupant footrest assembly 30 is
detachably attached to a cloth protecting member mounting bracket 25a
provided in a rear lower portion of said cloth protecting member 25.
[0036] Description of the construction of the occupant footrest
assembly 30 in accordance with the present invention is made with reference to FIGs 3-8.
[0037] The occupant footrest assembly 30 comprises a support
shaft 30a and an occupant footrest member 30b pivotally supported on said support shaft 30a. The occupant footrest member 30b is a C shaped member comprising a first boss 30bc and a second boss 30bd at its two ends. The support shaft 30a is inserted through the first boss 30bc and the second boss 30bd of said occupant footrest member 30b. As may be seen in FIG.3 and FIG.4, the support shaft 30a provided with a hole at its rear end is inserted through said first boss 30bc and said second boss 30bd, and is fastened at its rear end by means of a second fastener 30c. Particularly, the support shaft 30a is detachably attached to a cloth protecting member mounting bracket 25a (shown in FIG.2) through the second boss 30bd by means of the second fastener 30c. The cloth protecting member mounting bracket 25a is abutted against the second

boss 30bd so that the support shaft 30a, the occupant footrest member
30b and the cloth protecting member mounting bracket 25a are sandwich
mounted by means of a single second fastener 30c.
[0038] Further, the occupant footrest assembly 30 is secured to at
least a portion of the body frame 13 by means of attachment members
provided on the support shaft 30a. As per the present embodiment, and as
may be seen in FIG.5, a mounting boss 30ab provided in a front portion of
the support shaft 30a aids in securing the occupant footrest assembly 30
to a portion of the body frame 13. The support shaft 30a is detachably
attached to the body frame mounting bracket 13a (shown in FIG.2)
through a mounting hole 30abc in the mounting boss 30ab by means of a
first fastener. Further, the body frame mounting bracket 13a is detachably
attached to a bracket 13b (shown in FIG.1), which in turn is rigidly
attached to a portion of a pillion footrest mounting rod 13c (shown in
FIG.1). In other words, the body frame mounting bracket 13a is sandwich
mounted at one point along with the support shaft 30a to the pillion
footrest mounting rod 13c through said mounting boss 30ab.
[0039] Further, to prevent sliding of the occupant footrest member
30b in a forward direction along a length of the support shaft 30a, the support shaft 30a is provided with a stopper 30ad. In the present embodiment, the stopper 30ad is a semi cylindrical member welded in a front portion of the support shaft 30a, and behind said mounting boss 30ab (shown in FIG.5). Particularly, the stopper 30ad is adapted to

cooperate with the first boss 30bc to allow pivotal rotation of the occupant footrest member 30b about the support shaft 30a between an extended position A protruding away from the body frame and a retracted position B close to the body frame. In order that the occupant footrest member 30b can pivotally rotate about the support shaft 30a, the first boss 30bc is provided with an integral extension member 31 (shown in FIG.6) that has a shape complimentary to that of the stopper 30ad. In an assembled condition, a front face 30bca (shown in FIG.6) of the first boss 30bc abuts against a rear face 30ada of the stopper 30ad (shown in FIG.5 & FIG.6). Further, when the occupant footrest member 30b is moved to a retracted position B close to the body frame 13, a left hand face 31b of the integral extension member 31 abuts against an upper face 30adb of the stopper 30ad. Thus, a movement of the occupant footrest member 30b towards the retracted position B continues, until the left hand face 31b of the integral extension member 31 abuts against the upper face 30adb of the stopper 30ad and stops at the retracted position B when the left hand face 31b of the integral extension member 31 abuts against the upper face 30adb of the stopper 30ad (shown in FIG.7a). Similarly; when the occupant footrest member 30b is moved -to the extended position A protruding away from the body frame 13, a right hand face 31c of the integral extension member 31 abuts against the lower face 30adc of the stopper 30ad. Thus, a movement of the occupant footrest member 30b towards the extended position A continues, until the right hand face 31c of

the integral extension member 31 abuts against the lower face 30adc of the stopper 30ad and stops at the extended position A when the right hand face 31c of the integral extension member 31 abuts against the face 30adc of the stopper 30ad (shown in FIG.7b). Thus, a pivotal rotation of the occupant footrest member 30b is possible about the support shaft 30a. Provision of the stopper 30ad and the integral extension member 31 ensures that the occupant footrest member 30b does rotate downwards away from the extended position A. Thus, a compact arrangement of the occupant footrest assembly 30 is achieved due to this pivotal rotation of the occupant footrest member 30b. A lady pillion rider can rest her feet on the occupant footrest member 30b, when the same is in the extended position A.
[0040] In the present embodiment the support shaft 30a is made of
steel and is therefore a rigid member capable of bearing load of the occupant footrest assembly 30. Thus, mounting of the occupant footrest member 30a through the support shaft 30a ensures reliable mounting of the occupant footrest assembly 30. Moreover, considerable weight of the support shaft 30a also ensures that resonance due to the cloth protecting member 25 which has a cantilever mounting is shifted, thereby aiding in substantial reduction of vibrations.
[0041] In a second embodiment of the present invention (shown in
FIG.8), a cut out portion having a shape complimentary to that of the occupant footrest member 30b is provided in a body, of the cloth protecting

member 25, so that the occupant footrest member 30b may be completely accommodated within the cut out portion 25b when the occupant footrest member 30b is in the retracted position B. This ensures that the occupant footrest member 30b is in line with the cloth protecting member 25. Thus, aesthetic appeal of the two wheeled vehicle does not get affected due to protrusion of the occupant footrest member 30b, when said two wheeled vehicle is viewed from a sideward direction.
[0042] 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.

1/We Claim:
1. A two wheeled vehicle (10) comprising:
a body frame (13) including a pillion footrest mounting rod (13c); a cloth protecting member (25) detachably attached to a rear portion of the body frame (13); and
an occupant footrest assembly (30) attached to at least a portion of said body frame (13) and to at least to a portion of said cloth protecting member. (25),
wherein the occupant footrest assembly (30) comprising a support shaft (30a) adapted to be detachably attached at its front portion to at least a portion of said body frame (13), and at its rear portion to at least a portion of said cloth protecting member (25); and an occupant footrest member (30b) pivotally supported on said support shaft (30a), is capable of being pivotally rotated between a retracted position B close to said at least a portion of said body frame (13) and an extended position A protruding away from at least a portion of said body frame (13).
2. The two wheeled vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
support shaft (30a) includes a stopper (30ad) to prevent at least a
sliding motion of the occupant footrest member (30b) along a length
of said support shaft (30a).

3. The two wheeled vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the occupant footrest member (30b) comprises a first boss (30bc) and a second boss (30bd) to receive the support shaft (30a).
4. The two wheeled vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the first boss (30bc) integrally includes an extension member (31) that is adapted to cooperate with said stopper (30ad) to enable pivotal rotation of said occupant footrest member (30b) about the support shaft (30a).
5. The two wheeled vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support shaft (30a) is detachably attached to at least a portion of the body frame (13) through a mounting boss (30ab) disposed in a front portion of said support shaft (30a) by means of a first fastener.
6. The two wheeled vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support shaft (30a) is attached to at least a portion of a pillion footrest mounting rod (13c) through a body frame mounting bracket (13a) detachably attached to said support shaft (30a). .
7. The two wheeled vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the body frame mounting bracket (13a) is sandwich mounted at one point along with the support shaft (30a) to said pillion footrest mounting rod (13c) through said mounting boss (30ab).
8. The two wheeled vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 3, wherein the support shaft (30a) is detachably attached to the cloth
protecting member (25) through the second boss (30bd) by means of a second fastener (30c).
9. The two wheeled vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support shaft (30a) is made of steel.
10. The two wheeled vehicle (10) as claimed in claims 1-9, wherein said two wheeled vehicle (10) is a motorcycle.