DESC:Technical Field
[0001] The present subject matter described herein generally relates to a motorcycle and particularly relates to a rear fender for said motorcycle.
Background
[0002] Generally, motorcycles include a rear fender that covers a rear wheel in order to safeguard internal parts of the motorcycle from mud and water, splashed by the rotating rear wheel. Conventionally, the rear fender is provided in a manner such that it covers an upper portion and a rear portion of the rear wheel partially. However, due to lack of sufficient coverage of the rear wheel, conventional rear fenders fail to prevent mud and water splash onto parts surrounding an engine of the motorcycle, especially air filter, battery box and the like.
[0003] In order to ensure better coverage of the rear wheel, a known art provides a rear fender which is elongated, extending substantially towards a front end and a rear end of the motorcycle, in a manner so that the rear wheel is covered substantially. However, due to lack of sufficient support to the body frame, said rear fender is subject to overhang, especially at a rear portion thereof. Particularly, lack of sufficient support causes the rear fender to behave like a cantilever beam, thereby leading to overhang in a rear portion of the rear fender. Problem of overhang is more pronounced in the rear portion because the rear portion of the rear fender accommodates/supports a number of parts including a pair of rear turn signal lamps, a licence plate, licence plate illuminator etc. Moreover, rear fender being a plastic part, it has a tendency to vibrate due to overhang. Rattling results in generation of unpleasant noise, and also results in damage to rear fender. Additionally, since the rear portion of the rear fender supports a number of parts there is also a need to locally stiffen the rear portion of said rear fender.
Summary of the Invention
[0004] The present invention is directed to overcome all or any of the problems set forth in the background.
[0005] It is an object of the present subject matter to provide a motorcycle with a rear fender which is elongated and yet not prone to overhang.
[0006] It is an object of the present subject matter to provide a motorcycle with a rear fender which is adapted to be sufficiently supported to a body frame of the motorcycle.
[0007] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide a motorcycle with a rear fender adapted to be locally stiffened, especially at a rear portion thereof.
[0008] It is one more object of the present subject matter to provide a motorcycle including a rear fender whose construction enables to prevent rattling thereof.
[0009] It is still another object of the present subject matter to provide a rear fender whose construction enables to enhance durability thereof.
[0010] To this end, the present invention discloses a rear fender for a motorcycle, said rear fender being disposed below a tail cover assembly and above a rear wheel of said motorcycle, and mounted to a body frame of the motorcycle. Said rear fender according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a first fender portion extending towards an engine of said motorcycle, a second fender portion extending rearwards and at least partially inclinedly downwards from said first fender portion, and a third fender portion extending rearwards and downwards from said second fender portion. According to an embodiment, said rear fender further comprises an extended stiffener bracket detachably attached thereto, and extending along an inner surface thereof, for attachment to a body frame of the motorcycle. As per an aspect of the present invention, the rear fender is supported to the body frame at least partially through said extended stiffener bracket.
[0011] According to an embodiment, said extended stiffener bracket disposed in the inner surface of the rear fender extends from said first fender portion up to the second fender portion. As per an aspect, said extended stiffener bracket includes a plate member, a LH arm, and a RH arm, wherein said LH arm and said RH arm extend outwards from said plate member and at least partially parallelly to a longitudinal axis of the rear fender. In the present embodiment, the plate member is detachably attached to the second fender portion of the rear fender. Further, the LH arm and the RH arm are sandwich mounted to the body frame along with the first fender portion of the rear fender. In the present embodiment, said extended stiffener bracket is composed of a metal or an alloy. Thus, the extended stiffener bracket not only serves as a stiffening member but also serves as a mounting member for the rear fender. Particularly, since the extended stiffener bracket extends substantially along a length of the rear fender and is sandwich mounted to the body frame, better support is ensured for the rear fender. Thus, said stiffener bracket aids in preventing overhang of the rear fender despite its long length. Therefore, as the rear fender is not prone to overhang, rattling of the rear fender is also prevented.
[0012] 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
[0013] 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:
[0014] FIG.1 illustrates a side view of a motorcycle comprising a rear fender in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG.2 illustrates a perspective view of a rear portion of body frame of the motorcycle, with a rear fender mounted thereto in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG.3 illustrates a front view of the rear fender depicting an inner surface thereof in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG.4a illustrates a bottom view of the rear fender depicting mounting of an extended stiffener bracket to the body frame in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG.4b illustrates a cross sectional view of the rear fender taken along a line A-A in FIG.4a depicting mounting of said extended stiffener bracket to the body frame in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG.5 illustrates an exploded view of a rear portion of the rear fender depicting mounting of plurality of rear body parts thereto in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG.6 illustrates a cross sectional view of a rear portion of the rear fender depicting mounting of a licence plate mounting bracket thereto in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
[0021] The present invention described herein discloses a rear fender including an extended stiffener bracket adapted to support said rear fender to a body frame of a motorcycle, while stiffening said rear fender locally.
[0022] Exemplary embodiments detailing features of said rear fender, 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 motorcycle with a driver riding thereon unless otherwise elaborated. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to the motorcycle, while a lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the motorcycle, unless otherwise elaborated. 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.
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a motorcycle 10 in accordance with the present invention. The motorcycle 10 includes a body frame 11 forming a body framework thereof. A head pipe 12 is provided at a front end of the body frame 11. The head pipe 12 supports a steering shaft (not shown) rotatably in a certain range. In an upper portion of the head pipe 12, a handlebar 13 is rotatably integrally connected to the steering shaft. The handlebar 13 is used to steer the motorcycle 10 and is connected to a front wheel 14 through the steering shaft. An upper portion of the front wheel 14 is covered by a front fender 15 which prevents mud and water from getting deflected towards a front fork assembly 16 extending above the front fender 15.
[0024] In a portion lying ahead of the head pipe 12, a lighting device such as a headlamp 17, a pair of signalling devices such as front turn signal lamps 18, a display device such as a speedometer (not shown) are housed by a holding structure (not shown) mounted to said head pipe 12.
[0025] Furthermore, in a front portion of the body frame 11 a fuel tank 30 is arranged immediately behind the head pipe 12 and is disposed over an internal combustion engine 35.
[0026] A seat assembly 40 is disposed immediately behind the fuel tank 30. The seat assembly 40 includes a front rider seat portion and rear pillion seat portion. In one embodiment, the front rider portion and the rear pillion portion are included as two separate portions of the seat assembly 40. In another embodiment, the front rider portion and the rear pillion portion may form one continuous portion of the seat assembly 40.
[0027] Suspension systems are provided for comfortable steering of the motorcycle 10 on the road. The front fork assembly 16, which forms the front suspension system, serves as a rigidity component just like the body frame 11. The front fork assembly 16 clamped to the head pipe 12 through an upper bracket and a lower bracket, is capable of being moved to the left and right. Further, a rear suspension system, which is a hydraulic damped arrangement, is connected to the body frame 11.
[0028] The engine 35 is mounted to a front lower portion of the body frame 11 by means of an engine mounting bracket. The engine 35 is equipped with an exhaust system that includes an exhaust pipe (not shown) connected to the engine 35 and a muffler (not shown) connected to the exhaust pipe. The muffler (not shown) extends rearwards along the right side of a rear wheel 50.
[0029] Further, a swing arm 51 extending rearwards is swingably connected to a lower rear portion of the body frame 11. The rear wheel 50 is rotatably supported at a rear end of the swing arm 51. Power from the engine 35 is transmitted to the rear wheel 50 through a power drive mechanism, such as a drive chain, so as to drive and rotate the rear wheel 50.
[0030] To enhance the overall aesthetics of the motorcycle 10 and to prevent undesired foreign matter from entering parts of the motorcycle, a pair of tail covers 55 is attached on either side of said motorcycle and to a rear portion of the body frame 11.
[0031] A rear fender 60 for covering an upper side of the rear wheel 50 is mounted to a rear portion of body frame 11 and disposed below said pair of tail covers 55, and above said rear wheel 50 to prevent mud and water splashed by the rotating rear wheel 50 from entering the muffler, the engine 35 and other parts disposed close to the engine 35.
[0032] FIG.2 depicts the rear fender 60 as mounted to the rear portion of the body frame 11. In the present embodiment, the rear fender 60 includes a first fender portion 60a disposed below a pair of upper tubes 11a of said body frame 11 and having a front portion extending in a motorcycle forward direction towards the engine 35, a second fender portion 60b extending rearwards from said first fender portion 60a and further extending at least partially inclinedly downwards, and a third fender portion 60c extending rearwardly and downwardly from the second fender portion 60b to cover a rear portion of the rear wheel 50 at least partially. In the present embodiment, the first fender portion 60a, the second fender portion 60b and the third fender portion 60c are detachably attached to one another. However, in another embodiment, the rear fender 60 including said first fender portion 60a, said second fender portion 60b, and said third fender portion 60c may be formed as a single integral structure. In the present embodiment, the first fender portion 60a is mounted to said pair of upper tubes 11a through a mounting bracket 11ab. Further, the second fender portion 60b being detachably attached to the first fender portion 60a is further detachably attached to a stiffener member 11s disposed between said pair of upper tubes 11a and a pair of side tubes 11b and rigidly attached to said pair of upper tubes 11a and said pair of side tubes 11b. In the present embodiment said stiffener member 11s is provided to support said pair of upper tubes 11a and said pair of side tubes 11b. Furthermore, the second fender portion 60b also includes a pair of rear mounting brackets 60bm for rear mounting to a pillion handle mounting bracket 11c rigidly supported between said pair of upper tubes 11a.
[0033] FIG.3 illustrates a front view of the rear fender 60 depicting an inner surface thereof. As may be seen, the rear fender 60 is an elongated member which is substantially long. Whereas, the first fender portion 60a, serves to only support the rear fender 60 to the body frame 11, the second fender portion 60b, and the third fender portion 60c, constituting a rear portion of the rear fender 60, serve to receive a plurality of rear body parts. Particularly, while the second fender portion 60b receives a pair of rear turn signal lamps 65, a licence plate illuminator 66 (shown in FIG.5), a pair of side reflex reflectors 67, and a licence plate 68 (shown in FIG.5), the third fender portion 60c serves to receive a rear reflex reflector 69. Owing to the substantial length of the rear fender 60, and minimal support offered to the rear fender 60 from the body frame, there is a need to provide additional support to the rear fender 60 so as to prevent overhang in the rear portion thereof. Especially, since the second fender portion 60b and the third fender portion 60c receive additional rear body parts, the need to provide sufficient support in the rear portion of the rear fender 60, is even more pronounced, so that the rear portion of the rear fender does not give way.
[0034] In the present embodiment, the rear fender 60 includes an extended stiffener bracket 61 detachably attached thereto. As per an aspect, the extended stiffener bracket 61 extends along an inner surface of said rear fender 60 from the second fender portion 60b up to the first fender portion 60a.
[0035] According to an embodiment, the extended stiffener bracket 61 includes a plate member 61a, a LH arm 61b and a RH arm 61c. In the present embodiment, the LH arm 61b and the RH arm 61c are rigidly attached to the plate member 61a. However, in another embodiment, the LH arm 61b and the RH arm 61c may be detachably attached to the plate member 61a. Further, the LH arm 61b and the RH arm 61c extend along a left side and a right side of the first fender portion 60a, substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rear fender 60.
[0036] Further, with reference to FIG.3, mounting of the extended stiffener bracket to the rear fender 60 is elaborated. In the present embodiment, the plate member 61a is detachably attached to the rear fender 60. Preferably, the plate member 61a is disposed along a central section of said second fender portion 60b. In the present embodiment, while a rear end 61aa of the plate member 61a is fastened through corresponding pair of mounting slots 62 (shown in FIG.6) provided in the second fender portion 60b, a front end 61ab is fastened to a pair of corresponding mounting brackets (not shown) provided at a front section of the second fender portion 60b.
[0037] With reference to FIG.4a and FIG.4b, mounting of the extended stiffener bracket to the body frame is elaborated. FIG.4a illustrates a bottom view of the rear fender 60 as mounted to the body frame. In the present embodiment, the LH arm 61b and the RH arm 61c are sandwich mounted to the body frame together with the first fender portion 60a. Particularly, the LH arm 61b and the RH arm 61c are sandwich mounted together with the first fender portion 60a to the stiffener member 11s.
[0038] FIG.4b illustrates a front perspective view of a cross section of the rear fender taken along a line A-A in FIG.4a, depicting the extended stiffener bracket 61 as mounted to the body frame. As shown in FIG.4b, the LH arm 61b and the RH arm 61c of the extended stiffener bracket 61 are sandwich mounted to the stiffener member 11s of the body frame along with the first fender portion 60a. The stiffener member 11s in turn is rigidly attached to the pair of upper tubes 11a and the pair of side tubes 11b. Thus, besides the rear fender 60 being directly mounted to the pair of upper tubes 11a through mounting brackets 11ab & to the pillion handle mounting bracket through the pair of rear mounting brackets 60bm (shown in FIG.2), the rear fender 60 is also supported to the pair of upper tubes 11a through the extended stiffener bracket 61. Thus, additional support is ensured for the rear fender 60 through the extended stiffener bracket 61. Moreover, since the extended stiffener bracket 61 also extends till the second fender portion 60b, it also provides stiffness to the rear portion of the rear fender 60 locally. Preferably, the extended stiffener bracket 61 is made of a rigid material such as metal or alloy.
[0039] FIG.5 illustrates an exploded view depicting mounting of plurality of rear body parts to a rear portion of the rear fender. As may be seen, plurality of rear body parts including the pair of rear turn signal lamps 65, the licence plate illuminator 66, a pair of side reflex reflectors 67, and a licence plate 68 are mounted to the second fender portion 60b of said rear fender 60. Particularly, the pair of side reflex reflectors 67 are mounted to a pair of mounting faces having a mounting hole each, said pair of mounting faces being provided in left and right peripheral surface of said second fender portion 60b. Providing the pair of side reflex reflectors 67 in a side portion of the rear fender 60 ensures visibility of said motorcycle in the dark when viewed from a motorcycle sideward direction. Further, the licence plate 68 is mounted to the second fender portion 60b through a licence plate mounting bracket 68a (shown in FIG.6). Particularly, the licence plate mounting bracket 68a is sandwich mounted along with the rear end 61aa of the plate member 61a to the second fender portion 60b through said pair of mounting slots 62. Thus, support is also provided for licence plate mounting through said extended stiffener bracket 61.
[0040] Furthermore, a rear reflex reflector 69 is fastened to the third fender portion 60c at a mounting slot provided therein.
[0041] As is apparent from the above teaching, for an elongated rear fender, as the one described above, the extended stiffener bracket 61 serves to prevent an overhang in the rear portion of said rear fender by providing additional support therein. Local stiffness is also provided by the extended stiffener bracket described herein. Thus, overall reliability and durability of the rear fender is improved. Besides serving to improve the stiffness of the rear fender, the extended stiffener bracket also serves as a mounting bracket for one or parts such as the licence plate.
[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.
,CLAIMS:I/We Claim:
1. A motorcycle (10) comprising a body frame (11), a rear fender (60) adapted to be detachably attached to said body frame (11), and at least a pair of side reflex reflectors (67), and at least one licence plate (68) attached to said rear fender (60);
wherein said rear fender (60) includes a first fender portion (60a) adapted to be mounted to the body frame (11), a second fender portion (60b) extending rearwards from said first fender portion (60a), and a third fender portion (60c) extending rearwardly and downwardly from said second fender portion (60b);
characterized in that, said rear fender (60) includes an extended stiffener bracket (61) attached thereto, and extending along an inner surface thereof comprising at least a plate member (61a), a LH arm (61b), and a RH arm (61c), said plate member (61a) being attached to said LH arm (61b) and said RH arm (61c), and wherein, at least a portion of said extended stiffener bracket (61) is adapted to be mounted to at least a portion of the body frame (11).
2. The motorcycle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first fender portion (60a), the second fender portion (60b) and the third fender portion (60c) are detachably attached to one other.
3. The motorcycle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the rear fender (60) is sandwich mounted to a stiffener member (11s) of the body frame (11) together with at least a portion of the extended stiffener bracket (61).
4. The motorcycle (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said stiffener member (11s) is rigidly attached to at least a pair of upper tubes (11a) of the body frame (11a).
5. The motorcycle (10) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 3, wherein the first fender portion (60a) is sandwich mounted to the stiffener member (11s) together with a LH arm (61b) and RH arm (61c) of the extended stiffener bracket (61).
6. The motorcycle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said LH arm (61b) and the RH arm (61c) extend along an inner side of the first fender portion (60a).
7. The motorcycle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plate member (61a) extends at least partially along an inner surface of said second fender portion (60).
8. The motorcycle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least a pair of side reflex reflectors (67) are supported to a side surface on both sides of the second fender portion (60c).
9. The motorcycle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the licence plate (68) is mounted to the second fender portion (60b) through a licence plate mounting bracket (68a).
10. The motorcycle (10) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 9, wherein the licence plate mounting bracket (68a) is sandwich mounted together with the second fender portion (60b) to at least a portion of the plate member (61a).