DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a saddle type motor vehicle, and more particularly to a pillion handle attached to a frame assembly of the saddle type vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, a saddle type vehicle comprises of a frame assembly extending rearwardly from a head tube. The frame assembly acts as a skeleton and a structural member for the vehicle that supports the vehicle loads. A front wheel is connected to a front portion of the frame assembly through one or more front suspension(s). The frame assembly extends towards a rear portion of the vehicle. A rear wheel is connected to a frame assembly through one or more rear suspension(s). The frame assembly comprises of an engine assembly mounted to it. The engine assembly is functionally connected to the rear wheel, which provides forward motion to the vehicle. A muffler assembly is provided at a lateral side of the vehicle mounted to the frame assembly or the vehicle through a mounting bracket. Typically, plurality of panels is mounted to the frame assembly of the vehicle that covers various vehicle parts mounted thereon.
[0003] Conventionally, a pillion handle is provided at an extreme end of the seat assembly for an easy support to the pillion. The pillion handle comprises of a holding part which extends around the legs of the pillion and further extend backwards to from a rear holding part for the same pillion handle. It is the prerogative of the pillion to use either of the holding portions for support and comfort. The pillion handle also comprises of a mounting lug which is used for attaching the pillion handle to the vehicle frame assembly. In order to provide a minimum operating clearance a cut is put or a space is provided in the tail cover or in the seat assembly such that the pillion handle can be attached to the frame through the mounting lug. Though in cases as such the whole system degrades the aesthetic feature of the vehicle and allows water and mud to be splashed in as well.
[0004] However, in some known arts another arrangement of the pillion handle was provided to improve the above stated problems. A single mounting bracket was provided in a space between the side tubes of the frame assembly extending along the vehicle width direction, placed at an extreme end of the side tubes, being welded to the left hand side tube and right hand side tube as well. The pillion handle is mounted over the mounting bracket through mounting opening provided on the surface of the mounting bracket and the pillion handle as well, and some fasteners provided to keep the system attached.
[0005] The system described in the known art above also faced some functional challenges. The pillion handle in the above stated system was heavy, and the size of the mounting bracket was not optimized as it was a bulky. The pillion handle was mounted through hex screws which served as fasteners and this arrangement compromised with the pillion seat foam thickness, whereas a different arrangement was needed for the seat lock as well which also played a role in the reduced pillion seat foam thickness. This packaging challenge enforces a compromise on the seat foam & seating comfort which is undesirable. Higher foam thickness by increasing seat height is also undesirable owing to difficulty of getting on to the vehicle. Therefore, there is a need to have a solution to the above stated problems without a compromise on the contradicting requirements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The detailed description of the present subject matter is described with reference to the accompanying figures. Same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0007] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary two-wheeled vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0008] Fig. 2 illustrates a side view of the pillion seat assembly with the pillion handle and seat lock arranged of a two wheeled vehicle as shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0009] Fig. 3 illustrates an enlarged view of the pillion handle attached to the side tube of the frame assembly of the two wheeled vehicle shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00010] Fig. 4 illustrates an exploded view of a mounting bracket attached to the side tubes of the two wheeled vehicle shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00011] Fig. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the arrangement of the pillion handle to the mounting bracket placed between the side tubes of the two wheeled vehicle as shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00012] Fig. 6 illustrates an exploded view of the arrangement of the seat lock to the mounting bracket placed between the side tubes of the two wheeled vehicle as shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00013] Fig. 7 illustrates an enlarged view of the pillion handle of the two wheeled vehicle shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00014] The present subject matter is aimed at overcoming the above described frailties of the prior art. In this view, the present invention provides a construction of the pillion handle which does not hampers the aesthetic features of the vehicle, nor does provides a cut section or a gap between the seat and the tail cover through which there is a high probability of mud and water entry. In furtherance to it, the present subject matter also provides a pillion handle which is lighter in weight with optimized mounting bracket size. The present subject matter also provides an arrangement in which the pillion seat foam thickness is increased providing a comfortable ride & thereby overcomes all the above stated problems & contradictions.
[00015] Typically, a saddle type motor vehicle comprises of a frame assembly extending rearwardly along the length of the vehicle from a head tube. The frame assembly acts as a structural member and a skeleton for the vehicle that supports the vehicle loads. The frame assembly comprises of a front portion which connects a front wheel through one or more front suspensions, wherein it further extends in a rearward fashion comprising of a rear wheel connected to the frame through one or more rear suspensions. A set of left hand side tube and right hand side tube bifurcate from the frame assembly extending in a rearward direction along the length of the vehicle. The saddle type vehicle comprises of a seat assembly mounted over the side tubes and a rear wheel connected to it through one or more rear suspensions.
[00016] Moreover, when a pillion is seated on the vehicle he/she needs a support to hold on to when the vehicle is running. To solve such a purpose a pillion handle is provided attached to the frame assembly to the side tubes at its extreme end and placed above the rear fender, such that the pillion can use it for a comfortable ride. Generally, the pillion handle is connected to the side tubes through a mounting lug which extends along the vehicle width direction in lateral fashion. A cut through or a space is provided between the seat assembly and the tail cover for the mounting lug to be attached to the frame assembly so that the pillion handle can be connected to it. However, such systems tamper with the aesthetic features of the vehicle and face vibrational issues as well. There was a problem of mud and water entering through the gap and cut through as well.
[00017] In one of the known arts, the above problems were addressed and tried to be solved. A mounting bracket was provided in the space between the side tubes. The mounting bracket extended in a lateral fashion along the vehicle width direction in a straight plane, being welded to the left-hand side tube and right hand side tube simultaneously. The pillion handle is attached to the mounting bracket through mounting holes provided on the surface of both of them. The system is attached with the help of hex screws which acts as fasteners keeping the structure intact. However, the improved subject matter in this case also faces challenges as the size of the mounting bracket becomes bulky and is not optimized. The weight of the pillion handle is also increased in this case and an extra space is required for the seat lock. In fact, the arrangement of the hex screws which keeps the system intact results into reduced pillion seat foam thickness.
[00018] Therefore, the present subject matter overcomes the above stated problems of the system known in the prior art. One of the objectives of the present subject matter is to provide a saddle type vehicle employed with a pillion handle with reduced weight. Another objective of the present subject matter is to provide a pillion handle system which overcomes the vibration problem and does not compromise with the pillion seat foam thickness. In furtherance to it the present subject matter also provides mounting bracket which is optimized and reduced in size as compared to the previous systems and yet is stable. Lastly, the present subject matter aims to eliminate some of the extra embodiments required for attaching the whole system resulting in a light and stable system.
[00019] In an embodiment in accordance with the present subject matter, a saddle type vehicle is provided employed with a stable centrally mounted pillion handle which has its mounting portion substantially disposed in the central portion of the vehicle at the rear end. Generally, the frame assembly for a saddle type vehicle comprises of a head tube assembly placed between the handlebar assembly and the front fork assembly. The frame assembly later bifurcates into a couple of side tubes at its end, namely left hand side tube and right hand side tube. A seat assembly for the rider and pillion is mounted on the side tubes, with a footrest assembly being connected to the side tubes as well. A rear wheel is also connected to the side tubes of the frame assembly through one or more rear suspensions. The comfort for the pillion is one of the major aspects which any vehicle aims to provide. Keeping the pillion’s comfort as priority a pillion handle is provided which can be used as a support while the vehicle is running.
[00020] In an embodiment, the pillion handle is provided at the rearmost end of the vehicle placed above a rear fender which the pillion can use for his/her support while the vehicle is running. The pillion handle has an upstream portion having minimum two mountings followed by a downstream portion which is substantially above the upstream portion. In another embodiment, the two portions may be connected by a mid-portion. The downstream portion of the centralized pillion handle have a substantially symmetric extending arms downstream extending towards the rear of the vehicle. The arms have a forward extending portion symmetrically placed about the vehicle longitudinal plane & these form a holding member for the pillion to hold for comfort & safety. In an embodiment, the centralised pillion handle forms a delta shape profile. An integrated mounting bracket is provided in a space provided between the left hand side and the right hand side tube. The integrated mounting bracket extends in a straight lateral direction along the vehicle width direction, disposed at the extreme end of the side tube assembly. In an embodiment, the mounting bracket lies below the seat assembly and is welded to the left hand side tube and the right hand side tube simultaneously. The mounting bracket is optimized in a much more compact shape such that it can be said as comprising of two portions, first dipped portion on which the seat lock is attached, and another elevated portion on which the pillion handle is attached. The mounting bracket can be seen as a staircase shaped structure wherein the dipped portion extends in an upward fashion to form a second elevated portion. The second elevated portion also extends in a straight lateral fashion similar to the first dipped portion although it lies in a plane above as that of the dipped portion and is substantially parallel to it.
[00021] In an embodiment, the pillion handle in attached to the integrated mounting bracket on the second elevated portion through at least two mounting openings provided on the surface of the mounting bracket and the pillion handle as well. The pillion handle can be seen to be comprising of two portions, the first portion extending in a straight lateral fashion along the length of the vehicle lying under the seat assembly helping in a stable attachment of the pillion handle to the mounting bracket. The second portion extends upwards in an inclined fashion at an angle from the first portion such that it syncs and extends along the surface of the extreme end of the pillion seat assembly.
[00022] In an embodiment, the pillion handle comprises of two holding portions, namely left side holding portion and right side holding portion. The holding portions extend outwards from an extreme corner ends of the second inclined portion. However, the holding portions further shape in to project inwards forming a substantial delta shaped structure and extending in a front direction along the outer periphery of the tail cover and substantially similar to its shape. The pillion uses these holding portions of the pillion handle for support and comfort while the vehicle is running.
[00023] The present subject matter provides a system which makes the vehicle ride as comfortable as possible for the pillion. In an embodiment, the present subject matter provides such an arrangement of the pillion handle which increases the pillion seat foam thickness almost 1.5 times more as compared to known solutions. In furtherance to it the present subject matter provides such a system which allows the seat locked to be placed in the same arrangement and reduces some of the extra embodiments required. The present subject matter provides a system which is much more stable and not prone to any vibrational issues.
[00024] The aforesaid and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following description.
[00025] Arrows provided in the top right corner of each figure depicts direction with respect to the vehicle, wherein an arrow F denotes front direction, an arrow R indicated R direction, an arrow Up denotes upward direction, an arrow Dw denoted downward direction, an arrow Rh denotes right side, an arrow Lh denoted left side, as and where applicable.
[00026] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary two-wheeled vehicle (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle (100) includes a frame assembly (not shown) that extends from a head tube (not shown), which is disposed in the front portion of the vehicle (100). The frame assembly includes a mainframe (not shown) comprising a main tube extending rearward from a rear portion of the head tube and a down tube (not shown) that extends rearwardly downward from the head tube. The frame assembly may further comprise a sub-frame formed by a pair of side tubes (not shown) that extend obliquely rearward from the main frame. An engine assembly (11) is supported by the main frame of the frame assembly. A rear wheel (9) is functionally coupled to the engine assembly (11) through a transmission system. A rear fender (12) disposed upwardly of the rear wheel (9) covers at least a portion of the rear wheel (9). A pair of front forks (13) supports a front wheel (10) and is steerably supported by the head pipe. A handlebar assembly (14) is connected to an upper portion of the pair of front fork (13). Further, a front fender assembly (8) covers at least a portion of the front wheel (10) and the front fender assembly (8) is mounted to the front forks (13).
[00027] A fuel tank (2) is mounted to the main tube of the frame assembly and disposed rearwardly of the handlebar assembly (14). A seat assembly is seen to be comprising of two portions, one being a rider seat assembly (4) and other being a pillion seat assembly (5) being disposed rearwardly of the fuel tank assembly (2) and supported by the pair of rear tubes. A front cover (3) is seen to be adjoined below the rider seat assembly (4) of the vehicle (100). Further, the vehicle (100) comprises a headlamp (1) that is disposed forwardly over the pair of front forks (13). A tail cover assembly (7) is disposed rearwardly of the side panel assembly and extends along the pair of rear tubes thereby covering at least a portion of the pair of rear tubes. The tail cover assembly (7) extends towards a rear portion of the frame assembly and is adapted to accommodate a pillion handle (6) attached to its side. In relation to the following figure an arrow F denotes a front direction, an arrow R indicates a rear direction of the vehicle (100).
[00028] Fig. 2 illustrates a cross section side view of the pillion seat assembly (5) with the pillion handle (6) and a seat lock (15) of the two wheeled vehicle (100) shown in Fig. 1, arranged simultaneously with respect to each other in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, a mounting bracket (16) is placed under the pillion seat assembly (5) on which the seat lock (15) is placed. The pillion handle (6) of the two wheeled vehicle (100) is also attached to the mounting bracket (16). Thus, the mounting bracket (16) acts as a common interface for both the seat lock (15) and pillion handle (6).
[00029] Fig. 3 illustrates an enlarged view of the pillion handle (6) attached to a pair of side tube (17,18) of the two wheeled vehicle (100) as shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the two-wheeled vehicle (100) comprises of a couple of side tubes namely left hand side tube (17) and right hand side tube (18) which form a part of the frame assembly. The pillion handle (6) is attached to a mounting bracket (16) placed between the left hand side tube (17) and right hand side tube (18). In an embodiment, the seat lock (15) also forms part of the arrangement and is attached to the mounting bracket (16) as well.
[00030] Fig. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the mounting bracket (16) attached to the side tubes (17,18) of the two wheeled vehicle as shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the mounting bracket (16) is welded to the side tubes in the space provided between the left hand side tube (17) and right hand side tube (18). The mounting bracket (16) extends in a straight lateral direction along the width of the vehicle (100) and is disposed at the extreme end of the side tubes. In an embodiment, the mounting bracket (16) is shaped like a staircase seen to be comprising of two portions. First one being a dipped portion (19) and other one being an elevated portion (20). The dipped portion (19) also extends in a lateral fashion along the vehicle (100) width direction, however after a point it extends in an upward fashion to form the elevated portion (20) which also extends along the vehicle (100) width direction, however it is formed in a plane higher to that of the dipped portion (19) and is substantially parallel to it. In an embodiment, the seat lock (15) is attached to the mounting bracket (16) in the dipped portion (19) and the pillion handle (6) is attached to the mounting bracket (16) in the elevated portion (20).
[00031] Fig. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the arrangement of the pillion handle (6) and the mounting bracket (16) of the two wheeled vehicle (100) shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the pillion handle (6) is detachably attached to the mounting bracket (16) at its elevated portion (20). A set of mounting openings (21) are provided on the surface of the mounting bracket (16) as well as the pillion handle (6) through which the pillion handle (6) is detachably attached. In an embodiment, a set of screws (22) are provided which function as fasteners and keep the pillion handle (6) intact to the mounting bracket (16).
[00032] Fig. 6 illustrates an exploded view of the arrangement of the seat lock (15) and the mounting bracket (16) of the two wheeled vehicle (100) shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the seat lock (15) is detachably attached to the mounting bracket (16) at its dipped portion (19) such that no extra embodiment or space is required for the arrangement of the seat lock (15). The seat lock (15) is detachably attached to the mounting bracket (16) through a second set of mounting openings (23) provided on the surface of the seat lock (15) as well as the mounting bracket (16). A second set of screws (24) is provided which keep the seat lock (15) intact to the mounting bracket (16) through the second set of mounting openings (23) provided. Further, a seat lock snap cavity (29), which will engage with a locking feature i.e. a pin on the seat (not shown) is provided.
[00033] Fig. 7 illustrates an enlarged view of the pillion handle (6) of the two wheeled vehicle (100) as shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the pillion handle (6) comprises of two portions, first portion (25) extends along the length of the vehicle (100) in a rearward fashion being disposed under the pillion seat assembly (5). A second portion (26) extends in an inclined fashion at an angle from the first portion (25) such that it syncs and extends along the surface of the extreme end of the pillion seat assembly (5). In an embodiment, a couple of holding portions (27,28) namely left side holding portion (27) and right side holding portion (28) extend in an outward fashion from the extreme end corners of the second portion (26) of the pillion handle (6). However, the left side holding portion (27) and right side holding portion (28) further shape in to project inwards forming a substantial delta shaped structure while extending in front direction along the periphery of the tail cover (7), being substantially similar in shape to the outer periphery of the tail cover (7).
[00034] It is to be understood that the aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein. Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible in the light of above disclosure. Therefore, within the scope of claims of the present subject matter, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A saddle type vehicle comprising a frame assembly comprising a head tube disposed in a front portion of said vehicle (100), a main tube extending in a rearward direction from said head tube;
a seat assembly comprising of a rider seat assembly (4) and a pillion seat assembly (5) disposed above said main tube;
an integrated mounting bracket (16) attached to said main tube, being disposed in an area between said left hand side tube (17) and right hand side tube (18), and
a pillion handle (6) disposed at an extreme rear end of said pillion seat assembly (5) attached to said integrated mounting bracket (16).
2. A saddle type vehicle (100) comprising:
a frame assembly comprising a head tube disposed in a front portion of said vehicle (100), a main tube extending in a rearward direction from said head tube, and a pair of side tubes (17,18), namely a left hand side tube (17) and a right hand side tube (18) extending in a further rearward direction from said main tube;
a seat assembly comprising of a rider seat assembly (4) and a pillion seat assembly (5) disposed above said side tubes (17,18);
an integrated mounting bracket (16) attached to said side tubes (17,18), being disposed in an area between said left hand side tube (17) and right hand side tube (18), and
a pillion handle (6) disposed at an extreme rear end of said pillion seat assembly (5) attached to said integrated mounting bracket (16).
3. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said integrated mounting bracket (16) extends in a straight lateral fashion along a widthwise direction of said vehicle (100) & is placed below said pillion seat assembly (5), and is welded at an rear end of said side tubes (17,18).
4. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said integrated mounting bracket (16) is a staircase shaped structure comprising of a first depressed portion (19), wherein said first depressed portion (19) further extends in an upward direction to form a second elevated portion (20).
5. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said second elevated portion (20) extends in a straight lateral direction along the width of said vehicle (100) similar as that of said first depressed portion (19), and said second elevated portion (20) is formed in a plane above said first depressed portion (19).
6. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said vehicle (100) further comprises of a seat lock (15) detachably attached to said integrated mounting bracket (16) in said first depressed portion (19).
7. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said pillion handle (6) is detachably attached to said integrated mounting bracket (16) at said second elevated portion (20) through at least couple of mounting openings (21) provided in a same lateral line on surface of said integrated mounting bracket (16) and said pillion handle (6) thereto.
8. A pillion handle (6) for a saddle type vehicle (100), said pillion handle (6) comprises two portions, a first portion (25) and a second portion (26), wherein said first portion (25) extends in straight rearward fashion along the length of vehicle (100), and said first portion (25) comprises of at least two mounting openings (21) provided for attachment of said pillion handle (6) to said mounting bracket (16).
9. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first portion (25) extends upward in an inclined fashion at an angle to form said second portion (26) extending along an outer periphery of extreme end of said pillion seat assembly (5) surface.
10. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said pillion handle (6) comprises of two holding portions, namely a left side holding portion (27) and a right side holding portion (28), wherein said holding portions (27,28) extend and project out from corner most end of said second portion (26).
11. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein said holding portions (27,28) form a delta shaped structure to bend in to extend in a curved manner along an outer periphery of a tail cover (7) attached at both sides of said side tubes (17,18) in a forward direction along length of said vehicle (100).
12. A pillion handle assembly for a saddle type vehicle (100) comprising a pair of side tubes (17, 18) disposed at a rear portion, wherein said pillion handle assembly comprises:
an integrated mounting bracket (16) disposed in an area between said side tubes (17, 18) being attached thereto;
a pillion handle (6) disposed at an extreme rear end of said vehicle (100) and attached to said integrated mounting bracket (16); and
a seat lock (15) attached to said integrated mounting bracket (16).
13. A pillion handle (6) for a saddle type vehicle (100), said pillion handle (6) is centrally mounted having a mounting portion substantially disposed in the central portion of the vehicle (100) at a rear end of said vehicle (100).
14. The pillion handle (6) as claimed in claim 8 or 13, said pillion handle (6) comprising an upstream portion having minimum two mountings followed by a downstream portion which is substantially above the upstream portion, said upstream portion and said downstream portion connected by a mid- portion.
15. The pillion handle (6) as claimed in claim 14, wherein said downstream portion includes a substantially symmetric extending arms extending downstream towards the rear of the vehicle (100).
16. The pillion handle (6) as claimed in claim 15, wherein said extending arms comprises a forward extending portion symmetrically placed about a longitudinal plane of said vehicle (100) forming a holding member for the pillion rider to hold.