Technical Field
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a two wheeled
vehicle and particularly relates to an occupant steprest assembly for said two wheeled vehicle. Background
[0002] Typically, two wheeled vehicles including motorcycles and
scooters are provided with an occupant steprest which is adapted to extend in a vehicle width direction from both sides of a body frame of said two wheeled vehicle and provide support for feet of the occupant. Said occupant steprest serves to provide comfortable resting position for feet of the occupant. Besides providing comfort for resting of feet, the occupant steprest also serve to absorb vibrations. Typically, an occupant steprest comprises a steprest holder and an elastic sleeve disposed over said steprest holder. A variety of casting/moulding and fabrication processes may be used in the manufacture of the steprest holder based on type of material selected for the same. A fabrication process is generally chosen for manufacturing the steprest holder with increased strength at a low cost. Said fabrication process involves welding of all child parts of the steprest holder. However, problems associated with welding the child parts increase manifold at the stage of mass production. For example, it becomes difficult to control a position where welding is to be performed and the dimensions of a weld bead at the time of mass production. Improper welding practices adopted in the manufacture of the steprest

holder in turn affect the assembly of the elastic sleeve over the same.
Particularly, improper dimensions and improper position of the weld bead
in an inner surface of the steprest holder causes the elastic sleeve to get
easily displaced from the steprest holder. Moreover, often in order to
accommodate the elastic sleeve properly over the weld bead in the
steprest holder, material from the elastic sleeve has to be relieved locally,
thereby affecting the vibration absorbing capacity of the elastic sleeve and
therefore the seating comfort of the occupant.
[0003] It is therefore desirable to provide an occupant steprest
assembly whose structure facilitates proper seating of the elastic sleeve.
Summary of the Invention
[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above
circumstances.
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a two
wheeled vehicle including an occupant steprest assembly that can be
accurately and easily fabricated.
[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide a two
wheeled vehicle including an occupant steprest assembly that provides
good seating comfort for an occupant riding thereon.
[0007] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a
two wheeled vehicle including an occupant steprest assembly which has
sufficient load bearing strength and vibration absorption capacity.

[0008] With the above and other objects in view, the present
invention provides a two wheeled vehicle including an occupant steprest assembly adapted to be mounted to a body frame of said two wheeled vehicle on both sides thereof. As per an embodiment of the present invention, the occupant steprest assembly comprises a steprest holder and an elastic sleeve disposed around said steprest holder. Further, the steprest holder comprises a top holder member, a bottom holder member rigidly attached to at least a portion of the top holder member, and a stopper bracket adapted to be rigidly attached at a rear end of said top holder member. Particularly, the top holder member is provided with at least a pair of flanges protruding from a left and right side arms of said top holder member, and the stopper bracket is provided with at least a pair of insertion slots in a central surface thereof for receiving said at least a pair of flanges. Insertion of the at least a pair of flanges into the at least a pair of insertion slots ensures that there is at least a partial contact between the at least a pair of flanges with an outer periphery of the pair of insertion slots, thereby allowing a means for rigid attachment of the top holder member with the stopper bracket. For example, a forging process such as welding can be carried out along at least a portion of the outer periphery of the at least a pair of insertion slots of the* stopper bracket. In other words, a structure of the top holder member and the stopper bracket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention permits welding to be performed in an outer surface of the stopper bracket, and thereby

aids in eliminating a formation of a weld bead in an inner surface of the
steprest holder. Therefore, no hindrance in the form of the weld bead will
be encountered while assembling the elastic sleeve. As a result, proper
seating of the elastic sleeve around the steprest holder is ensured.
Moreover, reliable attachment of the top holder member with the stopper
bracket is also ensured since a welding process can be conveniently
performed on an outer side of the central surface of stopper bracket.
[0009] 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 Drawings
[0010] 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:
[0011] FIG.1 illustrates a side view of a two wheeled vehicle
including an occupant steprest assembly in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG.2 illustrates a body frame of the two wheeled vehicle in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG.3 illustrates a perspective view of the occupant steprest
assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG.4 illustrates an exploded view of a steprest holder of the
occupant steprest assembly depicting constituent parts thereof in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] - FIG.5 illustrates a perspective view of a top holder member
of the steprest holder as viewed from a rear side thereof in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG-6 illustrates a perspective view of a stopper bracket of
the steprest holder in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG.7 illustrates a perspective view of the steprest holder in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
[0018] The present subject matter relates to an occupant steprest
assembly for a two wheeled vehicle, and particularly relates to a layout of
a steprest holder of said occupant steprest assembly which facilitates easy
and reliable fabrication thereof.
[0019] Exemplary embodiments detailing features of an occupant
steprest 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. Further, it is to be noted that the present disclosure is applicable to two wheeled vehicles including motorcycles, scooters, scooterettes and the like.
[0020] Firstly a description is made of an entire schematic structure
of a two wheeled vehicle 100 with reference to FIG.1 and FIG.2.
[0021] FIG.1 is a side view of the two wheeled vehicle 100. As
shown in FIG.1, the two wheeled vehicle 100 includes a body frame assembly 10 (shown in FIG.2). The body frame assembly 10 supports a steering assembly including a steering shaft (not shown), and a handle bar assembly 20 in a front portion thereof. A front fork 21 is rotatably supported to a lower portion of the steering shaft. The handlebar assembly 20 provided above the front fork 21 allows steering of a'front wheel 22. A front fender 23 is provided to cover an upper portion of the front wheel 22

to prevent dust and debris splashed by the rotating front wheel 22 from
striking parts lying behind said front wheel 22.
[0022] Further, a front panel 25 is provided to cover a forward facing
side of the body frame assembly 10. A rear panel 26 is provided to cover a
rearward facing side of the body frame assembly 10. The rear panel 26
serves as a leg shield and protects a rider's legs from a running wind
blowing in a direction opposite to that of vehicle running direction. Further,
a floor board 27 is also provided for a rider to place his legs and is
disposed below the rear panel 26.
[0023] Left and right side covers 28 are disposed to cover a left and
right side sections of a rear portion of the body frame assembly 10. A seat
29 is disposed above the left and right side covers 28. A utility box (not
shown) is disposed below the seat 29.
[0024] A fuel tank (not shown) is arranged in a rear portion of the
utility box. The fuel tank forms a part of a fuel supply system which also
includes a fuel pump (not shown), a canister (not shown), and a throttle
body (not shown). The fuel tank supplies fuel for powering an engine 30.
The engine 30 is powered by an air fuel mixture sent in by the throttle
body to a combustion chamber of the engine 30.
[0025] Further, combustion gases generated by the engine 30 is let
out as exhaust from a muffler extending along a right hand side of the two
wheeled vehicle 100.

[0026] A toggle link (not shown) supports the engine 30 swingably
on a lower side of the left and right side covers 28. A rear wheel 35 is connected to the toggle link via the engine 30. Power from the engine 30 is transmitted to the rear wheel 35 for driving the two wheeled vehicle 10 by means of a transmission assembly 40.
[0027] Particularly, a layout of the body frame assembly 10 is
elaborated with reference to FIG.2. The body frame assembly 10 includes a head tube 11 in a front end thereof, a main tube 12 extending downwardly and rearwardly from the head tube 11, a first cross bridge 13 extending sidewardly from both sides of said main tube 12, a pair of floor board support tubes 14 extending rearwardly and substantially perpendicularly to the first cross bridge 13, a second cross bridge (not shown) bridging the pair of floor board support tubes 14 at a rear end of said pair of floor board support tubes 14, and a pair of side tubes 15 extending rearwardly and inclinedly upwards from the second cross bridge.
[0028] In order to facilitate an occupant of the two wheeled vehicle
to be seated comfortably, an occupant steprest assembly 50 is mounted to both sides of the body frame assembly 10. As per an embodiment, said occupant steprest assembly 50 is mounted to the pair of side tubes 15 on both sides of the same by means of a U bracket. Particularly, the occupant steprest assembly 50 is mounted in a lower portion of the pair of side tubes 151.

[0029] With reference to FIG.3-FIG.7, a structure and construction
of the occupant steprest assembly 50 is elaborated.
[0030] FIG.3 is a perspective view of the occupant steprest
assembly 50 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As may be seen, the occupant steprest assembly 50 comprises a steprest holder 51 and an elastic sleeve 52 disposed around said steprest holder 51. The steprest holder 51 is provided with at least one mounting hole 51m for mounting to the pair of side tubes 15 (shown in FIG.2) through said U bracket. The elastic sleeve 52 aids in providing comfort to the feet of an occupant by absorbing vibrations. Preferably, the elastic sleeve 52 is made of a material such as rubber.
[0031] As per an embodiment of the present invention and as may *
be seen in FIG-4, the steprest holder 51 integrally includes a top holder member 51a, a stopper bracket 51b, and a bottom holder member 51c. Particularly, the top holder member 51a is an elongated member including left and right side arms 51 aa, wherein said left and right side arms 51 aa extend downwards from a top surface of said top holder member 51a on both sides thereof. In other words, the top holder member 51a is provided in a manner such that a left and right side portion thereof extends substantially downwards from the top surface thereof. Particularly, the left and right side arms 51 aa extend parallel to each other and serve to abut with at least a portion of the stopper bracket 51b and said bottom holder

member 51c so that said stopper bracket 51b and said bottom, holder
member 51c can be rigidly attached thereto by welding.
[0032] In the present embodiment, the bottom holder member 51c
is rigidly attached to the top holder member 51a from a bottom side of said
top holder member 51a, in a manner such that a pair of side portions of
the bottom holder member 51c abuts with at least a portion of said left and
right side arms 51 aa in a front portion of said left and right side arms 51 aa.
Particularly, for rigid attachment of the bottom holder member 51a with the
top holder member 51a, welding is performed from an inner side thereof,
along an inner periphery of said pair of side portions. Further, the stopper
bracket 51b is also rigidly attached to said top holder member 51a at a
rear portion of said top holder member 51a. However, in another
embodiment said stopper bracket 51b may be rigidly attached to the front
portion of the top holder member 51a. The stopper bracket 51b particularly
aids in preventing the elastic sleeve 52 from slipping rearwards off the top
holder member 51a. A top curved flange 51 bf is provided in the stopper
bracket 51b which abuts at least partially with the top surface of top holder
member 51a, in an assembled condition, thereby aiding in proper fitment
of the elastic sleeve 52 around said steprest holder 51.
[0033] A mode bf disposition of the elastic sleeve 52 over the
steprest holder 51 plays an important role in preventing the elastic sleeve 52 from getting displaced from the steprest holder 51. Particularly, a location of a point of attachment of the stopper bracket 51 b with the top

holder member 51a determines how reliably the elastic sleeve 52 seats on the top holder member 51a.
[0034] The mode of attachment of the stopper bracket 51b to the
top holder member 51a as per an embodiment of the present invention is elaborated with reference to FIG.5 -FIG.7.
[0035] FIG.5 illustrates a perspective view of the top holder member
51a as per an embodiment of the present invention. As may be seen, the top holder member 51a is provided with a pair of flanges 51 ab protruding from a peripheral portion 51abc of said left and right side arms 51 aa. Particularly, the pair of flanges 51 ab extend from the peripheral portion 51abc of said left and right side arms 51 aa, in a substantially rear side of said left and right side arms 51 aa. In other words, said pair of flanges 51 ab extend substantially inclinedly rearwards from the peripheral portion 51abc of said left and right side arms 51 aa. In the present embodiment, the pair of flanges 51 ab is integrally formed with the top holder member 51a. The pair of flanges 51 ab particularly is adapted to be attached to at least a portion of the stopper bracket 51b. The stopper bracket 51b as shown in FIG.6 is provided with at least a pair of insertion slots 51 bd formed in a central surface 51 be of said stopper bracket 51b. Particularly, said pair of insertion slots 51 bd receives the pair of flanges 51 ab. As per the present embodiment and as may be seen in FIG.7, at least a portion of the pair of flanges 51 ab comes in contact with at least a portion of outer periphery 53 of the at least a pair of insertion slots 51 bd when the same is

inserted therein. Thus, a forging process such as welding can be
performed along the at least a portion of the outer periphery 53 of the at
least a pair of insertion slots 51 bd. Thereby, a weld bead gets formed on
an outer side of the central surface 51 be of the stopper bracket 51b.
[0036] At the time of assembly of the elastic sleeve 52 around the
steprest holder 51, a significant portion of the elastic sleeve 52, constituting as an additional portion, has to be inserted in a gap formed between side sleeves 51 be of the stopper bracket 51b and the top surface of the top holder member 51a. Since no weld bead is formed therebetween, resistance offered by the weld bead to the elastic sleeve 52 is eliminated, thereby ensuring proper seating of the elastic sleeve 52 over the steprest holder 51. Moreover, since the welding is performed on an outer surface of the stopper bracket 51b, size and position of the weld bead may be easily controlled, thereby increasing accuracy and efficiency of manufacturing.
[0037] 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.

We Claim:
1. An occupant steprest assembly (50) for a two wheeled vehicle
(100), wherein said occupant steprest assembly (50) comprises a
steprest holder (51) adapted to be mounted to a body frame (10) of
said two wheeled vehicle on both sides thereof, and an elastic
sleeve (52) disposed around said steprest holder (51);
characterized in that,
the steprest holder (51) includes a top holder member (51a) provided with at least a pair of flanges (51 ab) protruding from left and right side arms (51 aa) of said top holder member (51a), and a stopper bracket (51b) provided with at least a pair of insertion slots (51 bd), wherein said at least a pair of flanges (51 ab) is adapted to be inserted into said at least a pair of insertion slots (51 bd) so as to enable rigid attachment of the top holder member (51a) with the stopper bracket (51b) along at least a portion of an outer periphery (53) of said at least a pair of insertion slots (51 bd).
2. The occupant steprest assembly (50) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said steprest holder (51) includes a bottom holder member.(51c)
adapted to be rigidly attached at least partially to a portion of said
top holder member (51a) from a bottom side of said top holder
member (51a).

3. The occupant steprest assembly (50) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pair of flanges (51 ab) extends from a peripheral portion (51abc) of said left and right side arms (51 aa).
4. The occupant steprest assembly (50) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least a pair of insertion slots (51 bd) is formed in a central surface (51 be) of said stopper bracket (51b).
5. The occupant steprest assembly (50) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stopper bracket (51b) includes a top curved flange (51 bf) adapted to abut with at least a portion of the top holder member (51a).
6. A two wheeled vehicle (100) including the occupant steprest assembly (50) as claimed in claims 1-5.