Claims:We Claim;
1. A saddle type vehicle (100), said vehicle (100) comprising:
frame assembly (200) for skeletal support to said vehicle (100);
frame assembly includes upper tube (202a, 202b), side tube (203), and head tube (201); comprising
a dual function carrier cum pillion handle (113) mounted on said upper tube (202a, 202b);
said dual function carrier cum pillion handle includes sandwich bridge mounting member (301), mounting means (401); and
seat assembly (111) is mounted on said upper tube (202a, 202b;
the stiffener member (303) is mounted on to edge of said mounting member (301) and opposite to said dual function carrier cum pillion handle (113) conforming to the profile of said edge of said mounting member (301).
2. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said edge is the top edge (304) of said mounting member (301).
3. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said a dual function carrier cum pillion handle (113) have atleast two mounting means (401a, 401b) are disposed symmetrically about the longitudinal plane Lg of said vehicle (100).
4. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said atleast two mounting means (401a, 401b) is disposed in a longitudinal direction of said vehicle (100) at a predetermined pitch distance P1.
5. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said atleast two mounting means (401a, 401b) are disposed in a lateral direction Lt of said vehicle (100) at a predetermined pitch distance P3.
6. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stiffener member (303) includes middle seat hook portion (501) and end portion (302a, 302b), where seat hook potion (501) locks seat assembly (111) to the seat guide (503).
7. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said atleast an end portion (302a, 302b) of said stiffener member (303) is mounted on said upper tube frame (202a, 202b).
8. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stiffener member (303) has a predetermined cross sectional area SA.
9. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said cross sectional area SA of said stiffener member (303) is more than one time and less than five times the thickness MT of said mounting member (301). i.e. MT <= SA <= 5MT
10. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said atleast a mounting means (401) is mounted on a predetermined pitch distance P1 and predetermined distance P2 between said dual function carrier cum pillion handle (113) and said rear most mounting means (401b) of the at least two mounting means (401a, 401b).
11. The saddle type vehicle as claimed in claim 10, wherein said predetermined distance P2 is configured to meet the criteria, 2 times of P1 is smaller than or equal to predetermined distance P2. i.e. 2P1 < = P2
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates to a saddle type vehicle. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to the installation of pillion handle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In the developing countries, the saddle type vehicles are used as the means of commuting, as a taxi and also for carrying luggage. Moreover, consumer might be carrying luggage on the pillion handle bar which is otherwise meant as a support for the pillion rider. Further, to cater such requirement, the pillion handles are designed as carrier type pillion handles which perform the dual function of carrier structure as well as pillion handle.
[0003] For such dual function structure, a robust design is required so as to perform the two functions with good load carrying capacity as well as durability. Such carrier structures are so configured that they can be interchangeably replace a pillion handle for the same vehicle based on need. The mountings of the pillion handle & the carrier need to be kept common to enable such flexibility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] 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.
[0005] Fig.1 is a side view of a motorcycle type vehicle as per one embodiment of the present invention.
[0006] Fig.2 is a perspective view of a frame as per one embodiment of the present invention
[0007] Fig.3 is top view of a dual function carrier cum pillion handle with stiffener member as per one embodiment of the present invention of the present invention.
[0008] Fig. 4 is the left side view of a dual function carrier cum pillion handle as per one embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] Fig.5 is an exploded view of the stiffener member as per one embodiment of the present invention
[00010] Fig. 5a is a left side view of a dual function carrier cum pillion handle with seat hook as per one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00011] In saddle type vehicle, the pillion handle is mounted on the rear part of the vehicle behind the seat. Further, this pillion handle is provided for the pillion rider to seat & hold firmly when the vehicle is moving. Additionally, during dynamic movement & jerks like braking, sudden acceleration, executing humps etc. the pillion handle enables the pillion to seat comfortable with a safe & secure grip on the vehicle. Moreover, it is also used to hold & facilitate putting the vehicle on stand.
[00012] Generally, in developing countries where a saddle type vehicle is primarily used as a commuter vehicle for transportation of people & goods, the saddle type vehicle is used as the commuting vehicle and carrying luggage. To enable such dual function, the pillion handle structure is configured to perform the additional function of a carrier structure to holds goods. Typically, the pillion handle portion has a rearward extension portion which constitutes a suitable good loading platform to carry load. The extension is typically an overhang portion of the structure with a conflicting challenge of maximizing the loading platform space vis-à-vis keeping the overhang to the minimum. The carrier portion is often subjected to large dynamic loads & stresses owing to the vehicle executing different terrains like pot holes, humps etc. with heavy loads. Such loads exert much higher stresses on the entire structure as well as the attachment means from where they need to pass on the loads to the posterior rearward vehicle frame structure which is primarily in form of rear structure upper tubes of the chassis of the vehicle. As per some known art, additional mounting means or brackets are provided to reduce the adverse effect of the overhang which make the design costly with more number of parts, lead to poor aesthetics with multiple mounting means as well as reduce the flexibility of changing from conventional pillion handle vehicle to dual function pillion handle structure vehicle, thereby compromising the utility aspect of the vehicle as well as increasing the variety for the manufacturer. The primary attachment of the pillion handle is required to be adequately disposed under the pillion seat or / & covered by vehicle body panels so as to achieve good aesthetics for the vehicle. Thus, the primary attachment portion of the dual function structure with the vehicle structure becomes critical. Strengthening this attachment means without increasing the weight or cost is a challenge while overcoming all other explained challenges. Adding any additional secondary attachment means posterior to the primary attachment means can lead to undesirable longitudinal extension of the vehicle frame structure & / or also lead to cluttered & poor aesthetics of the attachment portion. In case of requirement of a simple single function pillion handle, the additional attachment portion adds to undesirable wastage cost & / or problems like rusting, etc. Further, for mounting of such dual function pillion handle the mounting bracket used needs to be robust to withstand the increase in load resulting from the luggage and force multiplication from the increase overhang of the carrier type pillion handle. Moreover, increasing the strength of the such primary attachment means / bracket can also be done by increasing the thickness of the mounting bracket, which increases the overall weight of the mounting bracket & the system itself.
[00013] Further, in the known art, to overcome the force on the dual function pillion handle also referred as carrier cum pillion handle, the spacing between the mounting bolts is increased by increasing the length of the carrier type pillion handle, thereby increasing the size of the carrier type pillion handle and the mounting brackets, which increases the weight and cost of the saddle type vehicle.
[00014] Therefore, a cost effective common dual function carrier cum pillion handle overcoming all above problems & other problems in known art is desirable.
[00015] The present subject matter discloses a cost effective dual function carrier cum pillion handle structure which is configured with a sandwich bridge mounting means and a stiffener member structure, which enables achieving good structural strength, stability, good load capacity & durability & least effect on the weight of the mounting means as well as the overall dual function carrier cum pillion handle structure.
[00016] As per an aspect of the present invention, the stiffener member is mounted to the edge lying opposite to the dual function carrier cum pillion handle and the ends of the stiffener member are mounted to the upper tube frame rear / posterior structure. As per an aspect of the present invention, the stiffener member can be of different cross section like square, tube etc. with a cross section area SA. As per an aspect of the present invention, the cross section area SA of the stiffener member is not more than five times of the thickness MT of the mounting member and not less than one-time thickness of the mounting member. More than five times the thickness of the mounting member will adversely increase the weight of the vehicle making it costly and less than one time will adversely decrease the strength of the stiffener member leading to poor durability & potential breakage or crack with usage. As per an aspect of the present invention, the ratio of the parameters within the range of MT <= SA <= 5MT gives the desirable optimal configuration of low stress, low weight & maximum load carrying capacity of the dual function carrier structure. Further, a stiffener member is mounted on to the top edge of the mounting means, opposite to the dual function carrier cum pillion handle configured to have a geometry conforming to the profile of the edge of the mounting means which ensures desired strength of the mounting member at the edge opposite to the dual function carrier cum pillion handle and reduced the weight of the system as well as the entire saddle type vehicle.
[00017] As per an aspect of the present invention, the projected portion of the stiffener member is configured to perform the additional function as a seat hook, thereby eliminating the need of additional components for ensuring the locking of seat securing device on to a seat guide projecting from a seat base. As per an aspect of the present invention, the primary attachment portion of the dual function carrier cum pillion handle to the vehicle structure is configured to have at least two attachment means disposed symmetrically (at least 2 on either side of the longitudinal plane Lg of the vehicle) about the longitudinal plane Lg of the vehicle & each of the attachment means is disposed in a substantially longitudinal direction of the vehicle at a predetermined pitch distance (P1) when viewed from the side of the vehicle. As per an aspect of the present invention, the at least two attachment means are disposed at a predetermined pitch distance (P3) in the lateral direction when viewed in the plan view of the vehicle. As per an aspect of present invention, the at least one pitch distance P1 or P3 can be zero meaning the at least 2 attachment means are disposed in a linear orientation either in longitudinal direction Lg or lateral direction Lt of the vehicle. As per an aspect of the present invention, the carrier structure is configured to be integrated with the dual function carrier cum pillion handle to form a substantial overhang portion posterior to the pillion grab rail portion Gr. The rearmost portion of the carrier structure is disposed at a predetermined distance P2 from the rearmost primary attachment means.
[00018] As per an aspect of the present invention, the distance / spacing (P1) & (P2) are configured to be in the range meeting criteria 2P1 <= P2, thereby ensuring good strength of the mounting member and durability of the system. The spacing between the mounting means will remain intact, which ultimately maintains the weight of the saddle type vehicle.
[00019] The various other features of the invention are described in detail below with reference to an embodiment of a two wheeled saddle type motorcycle along with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the corresponding reference number. With reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals will be used to identify the same or similar elements throughout the several views.
[00020] Further “front” and “rear”, and “left” and “right” referred to in the ensuring description of the illustrated embodiment refer to front and rear, and left and right directions as seen in a state of being seated on a seat of the saddle type vehicle. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to the vehicle, while a lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the 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.
[00021] Fig. 1 is a left side of the motorcycle type vehicle (100) (hereinafter ‘the vehicle’). According to one embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle (100) includes the frame assembly (200) schematically configured to mount the fuel tank (109). In a front portion (F) of the vehicle (100), a steering shaft (not shown) is supported rotatable in a certain range. Further a handlebar (105) is rotatable integrally connected to the steering shaft for steering the vehicle (100) and is connected to a front wheel (108) through the steering shaft. A steering handle (118) is rotatable supported, independently of a front fork assembly (106), on a steering stem provided on the head tube (201) (Fig. 2), an upper portion of the front wheel is covered by a front fender (107) which prevents mud and water from getting deflected towards the steering shaft. The front wheel (108) is rotatably mounted on the front portion (F) thereof and a rear wheel (117) is rotatable mounted on a rear portion (R) thereof. Further, the front fork assembly (106) is mounted over the front fender (107). In a portion lying ahead of the front fork assembly (106), a lighting device for example as a headlamp (103), a pair of signaling devices such as turn signal lamps (not shown), a display device such as a speedometer (not shown) are housed by a holding structure (not shown) mounted thereto. The portion, lying at the backside of the vehicle (100), includes the tail lamp (115), a rear fender (116) which prevents the entry of mud and water from getting deflected. An adjustable windscreen (102) is mounted to the front of the vehicle (100). A pair of rear view mirror (104) comprises a casing, the casing having a front mirror for reflecting the image of traffic approaching from behind. A shock absorber (112) is placed which gives better ride experience to the rider. A two legged stand (not shown) is used to support and hold the vehicle (100). The stand (not shown) moves on a pivot (not shown) to take up two positions, one folded up and the other on the ground.
[00022] Further in Fig.1, in the front portion (F) of the vehicle (100), the fuel tank (109) is arranged immediately behind the head tube (201) (Fig. 2) and is disposed over an internal combustion engine (114). A seat assembly (111) is disposed immediately behind the fuel tank (109). A dual function carrier cum pillion handle (113) is disposed rearward of the seat assembly (111) which is supported on an upper tube (202a, 202b) and the upper tube (202a, 202b) is supported by side tube (203) (Fig. 2). Suspension systems are provided for comfortable steering of the vehicle on the road. The front fork assembly (106) forms the front suspension system and serves as a rigidity component. An internal combustion engine (114) is mounted to a front lower portion of the vehicle body frame by means of an engine mounting bracket (not shown). An internal combustion engine (114) is equipped with an exhaust system that includes an exhaust pipe (not shown) connected to the engine and a muffler (not shown) connected to the exhaust pipe.
[00023] Fig.2 is the perspective view of the frame assembly. As per one embodiment of the present invention, the frame assembly (200) includes the head tube (201), upper tube (202a, 202b), side tube (203), main tube (not shown) and pivot tube (not sown), ensures the strength and support to the vehicle. Further, as per one embodiment of the present invention, the engine (114) (shown in fig. 1) is mounted between the downtube (204) and main tube (not shown) through the mounting holes (205a, 205b, 205c), ensures the stability to the engine. Further, as per one embodiment of the present invention, the seat assembly is mounted on the upper tube (202a, 202b), ensures the rigidity to the seat assembly and the dual function carrier cum pillion handle is mounted on the upper tube (202a, 202b), ensures the strength to the mounting structure.
[00024] Fig. 3 is the top isometric view of the dual function carrier cum pillion handle. As per one embodiment of the present invention., the dual function carrier cum pillion handle is configured with a sandwich bridge mounting member (301) and a stiffener member (303) mounted on the at least one of the frame structure upper tube (202a, 202b). Further, as per one embodiment of the present invention, the stiffener member (303) is mounted on to top edge portion (304) of the mounting member (301), opposite to the dual function pillion handle (113) conforming to the profile of the edge of the sandwich bridge mounting member (301) and the ends (302a, 302b) of the stiffener member (303) are attached on at least one of the upper tube (202a, 202b), thereby, ensuring good strength & durability of the mounting member (301) at the edge opposite to the dual function carrier cum pillion handle Owing to this configuration, the force applied on the rod member gets neutralized at the ends of the stiffener member thereby reducing the stresses on the entire system & effectively transferring all the loads on the dual function carrier cum pillion handle to the vehicle frame structure. Moreover, the mounting alignment of stiffener member and sandwich bridge mounting member is in same line, thereby, reducing the assembly time.
[00025] Fig. 4 is the left side view of the dual function carrier cum pillion handle as per one embodiment of the present invention, the mounting member (301) includes the at least two mounting means (401a, 401b) disposed on one side of the vehicle mid plane or longitudinal plane Lg (shown in Fig 3). As per an aspect of the present invention, the mounting means are disposed at a predetermined pitch distance (P3) (shown in Fig 3) in the lateral direction of the vehicle Lt. The spacing between the mounting means (401a, 401b) is a predetermined pitch distance (P1). The carrier portion of the dual function pillion handle is disposed on the posterior side of the pillion handle grab rail portion (Gr) & in substantially in an overhanging configuration. The rearmost edge of the carrier portion is disposed at a predetermined distance (P2) from the rearmost mounting means (401b) of the at least two mounting means (401a, 401b). The ratio between the pitch (P1) and the distance (P2) is configured to be meeting the criteria 2P1 <= P2, thereby ensuring weight and cost reduction in the vehicle. When the ratio of P1: P2 varies outside this ratio, the dual function carrier cum pillion handle is lengthened to increase the pitch of the mounting bolts, ultimately increasing the weight and cost of the vehicle. Further, as per one embodiment of the present invention, the pitch (P1) is retained same as that required for a single function pillion handle configuration, thereby, ensuring the reduction of the weight and moreover, the same sandwich bridge mounting member (301) is used for mounting a dual function carrier cum pillion handle, thereby, eliminating the need of additional components, avoiding variety, ease of manufacturing assembly as well as service. This enables weight and cost reduction in the saddle type vehicle.
[00026] Fig. 5 is the isometric view of the stiffener member (303) as per one embodiment of the present invention, the stiffener member (303) is configured with the seat hook portion (501) disposed substantially in the central plane of the vehicle Lg. Further, as per one embodiment, the stiffener member (303) is a rod of diameter (d) & cross sectional area SA which is configured to be not more than the five times the thickness MT of the mounting member (301) and less than one time the thickness of the mounting bracket (301) i.e. MT <= SA <= 5MT, ensures the conformity of profile to the edge of the mounting bracket (301) and maintaining the strength of the stiffener member (303). Further, as per one embodiment of the present invention, the seat hook portion (501) (middle portion) of the stiffener member (303) is locked with the seat guide (503) (Fig. 5a) to secure the seat assembly (111) with the frame structure upper tube (202a, 202b) of the saddle type vehicle. This reduces the need of additional components for the locking or seat, thereby, reduces the weight, cost of the saddle type vehicle and moreover, the multiple step conforming profile of stiffener member (303) ensures the strength of the mounting bracket as the loads on the stiffener member is distributed uniformly.
[00027] The embodiments explained in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 of the present invention helps in minimizing the use of new components, maintaining the pitch of the mounting means as present in the mounting member, reducing the overall weight of the vehicle and make it cost effective.
[00028] Advantageously, the embodiments of the present invention, describes the potential modifications in the mounting of stiffener rod on the top edge the mounting bracket of the saddle type vehicle. This facilitates the simple and easy mounting of the stiffener member which can efficiently maintains the pitch of the mounting means e.g. through bolts or welding or the like.
[00029] Many other improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention.

List of reference symbol:
Fig. 1:
100: Vehicle
102: Windscreen
103: Headlamp
104: Rear View Mirror
105: Handlebar
106: Front Fork Assembly
107: Front Fender
108: Front Wheel
109: Fuel Tank
111: Seat Assembly
112: Shock Absorber
113: a dual function carrier cum pillion handle
114: Internal Combustion Engine
115: Tail Lamp
116: Rear Fender
117: Rear Wheel
118: Steering Handle
200: Frame Assembly
F: Front Portion
R: Rear Portion
Fig. 2:
201: Head Tube.
202: Upper Tube
203: Side Tube
204: Downtube
205: Mounting Holes
Fig. 3:
301: Mounting Bracket
302a,302b: Ends of stiffener member
303: Stiffener Member
304: Top Edge
P3: Pitch distance in Lateral Direction
Gr: Grab Rail
Fig. 4:
401a, 401b: Mounting Bolts
P1: Spacing between two mounting bolts
P2: Distance between a mounting hole and a dual function carrier cum pillion handle.
Fig. 5:
501: Seat Hook (Middle Portion)
d: Thickness of stiffener rod
Fig. 5a:
503: Seat Guide