FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to packaging mechanism of a scooter and more particularly to the packaging mechanism of different embodiments of the scooter in the vicinity of the floor board of said 5 scooter.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In existing scooters, fuel tank of the scooter is generally mounted on the rear portion of the scooter, below which embodiments like engine cooling units such as radiator etc. are also mounted. Due to said arrangement
10 heat generated at that location is more. Also as fuel tank is mounted behind the storage unit of the scooter thus storage space for the user is to be compromised in order to provide fuel tank enough space.
Further, while the fuel tank is at the back, its fuel indicator is generally displayed at the front with the scooter information display unit. This unit
15 only works at the time of the scooter ignition and at off mode change in fuel level cannot be monitored.
In some scooter fuel tank is provided below the floor board of the scooter but it is kept at the centre of the floor board and its clearance with the ground becomes a problem. By changing the fuel tank or any other
20 embodiment of the scooter centre of gravity (CG) of the scooter shifts considerably, that affects the stability of the scooter badly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Main objective of present invention is to provide an improved scooter packaging mechanism, in which the fuel tank is shifted to the side of the scooter below the joint of the floor board and the rear part of the scooter. 5 Outer side of the fuel tank is exposed outside of the scooter frame but is covered with a fuel tank cover and the centre stand outer plane. In order to maintain the CG of the scooter exhaust muffler of the scooter is moved in the opposite side of the fuel tank location such that the muffler unit remains within the scooter frame and the exhaust opening is made 10 through a cavity formed in the exhaust unit.
Summary provided above explains the basic features of the invention
and does not limit the scope of the invention. Additional detailed
information related to the enablement of the invention will be provided in
the detailed description and accompanying claims. Scope of the invention
15 shall be based on the claims provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawing(s). Provided drawings are incorporated in and constitute embodiments of the 20 invention and illustrates several aspects of the invention and together with a description of the embodiments serve to explain the principles of the invention. Drawings given below are provided to support the description of
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the invention and are not limiting the scope of the present invention. A brief description of the drawing is as follows:
Figure 1 is depicting the prior art related to the described invention. It is also describing the difference between the prior art and the described 5 invention.
Figure 2 to Figure 6 are showing essential embodiments related to the invention. Said figures also describe the mounting arrangement for the enablement of the invention. Details provided in the drawing are best mode of invention enablement but does not cover the complete scope of it.
10 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that best enabling arrangements of the invention can be explained through all 15 possible embodiments and examples of it. The invention may have application to all kind of two wheeled scooters.
Figure 1, describes the prior art arrangement of the fuel tank 107O, storage unit 102O and the exhaust muffler in existing scooters 100.
As shown, fuel tank 107O is provided behind the storage unit 102O of
20 the scooter 100 and above the rear wheel 104 of the scooter 100. As
appropriate volume (minimum around 6 litres) is to be provided for the fuel
tank 107O thus space for the storage unit 102O is compromised and
maximum of 18 litres space can be provided.
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By removing said fuel tank 107O from the existing location, minimum 4-5 litre space for the storage unit 102O can be increased.
Further, referring to Figure 2 to Figure 6 different embodiments of the
invention are provided. As shown, fuel tank 107 is shifted to the side of the
5 scooter 100 below the floor board 108 and the rear part of the scooter 100.
Further, outer side of the fuel tank 107 is exposed outside the scooter frame but lies within the scooter body area 126-127. This scooter body area 126- 127 are defined by pillion foot boards 124, 125 of the scooter. This exposed part is covered with a fuel tank cover that is integrated with 10 the fuel tank 107. Fuel tank 107 is positioned in such a way that its outer periphery is behind the centre stand 106.
In said exposed part of the fuel tank 107, a fuel level indicator 105 is provided that works on mechanical operations for example float base mechanism. With this fuel level indictor 105 fuel level of the scooter can be 15 monitored even in the scooter off mode. This indicator 105 may work on different principles like hydraulic technique or electrical or electronic circuitry based on the configuration and packaging of the type of scooter.
Floor board 108 of said scooter 100 has a centre plane 108U and two side planes 108L such that centre plane 108U is located in a plane above 20 than the side planes 108L. Location of said centre plane 108U helps in limiting rider feet contact with it as fuel inlet 120 for the fuel tank 107 is mounted over it. Due to this position of the fuel inlet 120 in front of the rider it is easy to open it without getting down from the scooter 100.
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A fuel hose 123 is connecting the fuel inlet of the engine 115 to the fuel tank 107 such that said fuel hose 123 is passing through the space provided between the side trims S of the scooter 100.
Further, in order to maintain the CG of the scooter 100, exhaust muffler 116 is mounted on opposite side of the fuel tank 107. Said muffler 116 is placed on the side of the scooter 100 such that the muffler 116 remains within the scooter frame 121 and is visible through the side trim S of the scooter 100 as a part of it. Exhaust muffler 116 is positioned such that it protrudes outside the scooter frame 121 but lies within the scooter body area 126-127.
Exhaust outlet 117 for said muffler 116 is made through a cavity C formed in the side trim S. This configuration facilitates centre of gravity (CG) of the scooter 100 in the exact centre of scooter 100 body i.e. in the plane between the muffler 116 and the fuel tank 107 thus the scooter stability increases at a considerable level.
As shown in Figure 6, location of the muffler 116 is changed to the side of the scooter 100, thus it is mounted over the frame 121. An extending hook 122a from the frame 121 is fixed in a corresponding groove G in the exhaust muffler 116 such that exhaust muffler 116 is immovably mounted on the frame 121. A damping element is fixed between the muffler 116 and the frame 121 the scooter to limit the vibrations of the scooter 100.
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In scooters generally engines are swing able type, thus in order to maintain level with the swinging engine, muffler 116 shall swing with it. In this arrangement muffler 116 mounted on the frame 116 is fixed thus a flexible hose 118 is provided to connect exhaust port of engine 115 to the 5 inlet of exhaust muffler 107. This flexible hose 118 move with the swing motion of the engine 115 and hence engine 115 and muffler 116 efficiency can be maintained.
This packaging of the scooter reduces the heat level of the scooter 100 as the exhaust muffler 116 remains in the contact of direct flow of the 10 air and also helps in getting more storage unit 102N.
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WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1) A scooter comprising a front part and a rear part connected through a
floor board assembly defining a floor board and a plurality of side trims
extending downwards from the sides of the floor board and the floor board 5 has a centre plane and a plurality of side planes such that the upper plane
is above the side planes, characterized in that;
a fuel tank is mounted below the floor board such that a fuel opening
is provided in the centre plane of the floor board and the fuel tank is
located under the side panel of the floor board; and
10 an exhaust muffler is mounted below the side panel of the floor board
opposite to the fuel tank such that an exhaust outlet is on the side trim of
the floor board
wherein, the fuel tank and the exhaust muffler are mounted in the
proximity of an engine. 15 2) The scooter, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel tank is partially
exposed outside the scooter frame.
3) The scooter, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the exposed part of the
fuel tank is covered with a fuel tank cover.
4) The scooter, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the exposed part of the
20 fuel tank lies within outer plane of centre stand.
5) The scooter, as claimed in claim 2, wherein a fuel level indicator is
fixed on exposed part of the fuel tank.
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6) The scooter, as claimed in claim 1, wherein a fuel hose is connecting a fuel inlet to the fuel tank.
7) The scooter, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fuel hose is passing through the side trims.
5 8) The scooter, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exhaust outlet is defining a cavity in the side trim.
9) The scooter, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the muffler is fixed with the
frame of the scooter.
10) The scooter, as claimed in claim 1, wherein a flexible hose is
10 connecting an exhaust port of the engine and the exhaust muffler.