Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to saddle type vehicles and more particularly to a rear fender assembly for such vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] In existing saddle-type two-wheeled vehicles such as scooters, a rear fender of the vehicle only acts as a mud guard and does not carry Rear Turn Signal Lamps (RTSL), and its associated wire routing. It has been attempted to mount the RTSL on the rear fender. However, such mounting of heavy components such as the RTSL left, RTSL right, license plate illuminator, license plate, and the like on the fender of the scooter makes the fender bulky and the fender may not be able to take the load.
[003] A fender integrating other parts of the vehicle such as RTSL L, RTSL R, license plate illuminator, license plate and the like becomes bigger and bulkier. Such a fender needs to be made of stronger and heavier material to take the extra load of the additional components/parts of the vehicle. In some implementations, such fenders are mounted on a metallic frame, which is heavy and the metallic frame is again attached to the frame of the vehicle or the metallic frame could be an extension of the frame of the vehicle. The wires of the RTSL and the illuminator would have to be wrapped or clipped to the metallic frame. The metallic frame may be visible outside, which is not desired from aesthetic point of view. Further, the RTSLs may be cantilevered from the rear fender for mounting to the rear fender and are thus prone to damage. It has been observed that the openly exposed RTSLs’ housings usually get damaged very often. Further, the RTSL wire routings are also usually left hanging over or exposed, which are prone to damage too. The exposed wires of the RTSLs and tail-light are prone to damage and also lead to short circuit damaging the connected electrical components of the vehicle and add to repair and maintenance cost.
[004] Further, the fenders in the prior art are not only bulkier but also require multiple mountings and fasteners for mounting the various parts of the vehicle on to the fender. This increases the part count and adds to the cost of parts and service and maintenance.
[005] Thus, there is a need in the art for a rear fender for a vehicle which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] In one aspect, the present invention is directed at a rear fender assembly for a rear wheel of a saddle type vehicle. The rear fender assembly comprises a fender sub-assembly. The fender sub-assembly comprises a rear fender and a bottom panel. The bottom panel is mounted over the rear wheel and supports the rear fender. The bottom panel is joined to the rear fender. A pair of rear turn signal lamps of the vehicle is mounted by sandwiching each of the rear turn signal lamps between the rear fender and the bottom panel on both left and right sides of the vehicle.
[007] In an embodiment, the rear fender assembly comprises a plurality of components and corresponding mounting provisions for mounting the plurality of components on the rear fender. The plurality of components includes a pair of rear turn signal lamps, a license plate, a license plate lamp, and a reflector.
[008] In an embodiment, the fender sub-assembly has a proximal end and a distal end with respect to a tail cover bottom of the vehicle. The fender sub-assembly is fastened to the tail cover bottom of the vehicle at the proximal end. The tail cover bottom has a plurality of holes for routing cables of the vehicle. The fender sub-assembly has a plurality of holes corresponding to the plurality of holes for fastening at the tail cover bottom.
[009] In an embodiment, the fender sub-assembly has a horizontal arm and an inclinedly dropping arm. The horizontal arm extends substantially horizontally from the proximal end till a first end of the inclinedly dropping arm. The inclinedly dropping arm extends from the first end till the distal end. The license plate lamp is mounted on the horizontal arm close to the first end.
[010] In an embodiment, the fender sub-assembly has a pair of protective wings including a left wing and a right wing. The pair of protective wings provide protection to the pair of the rear turn signal lamps. Each of the protective wings are protrusions on the horizontal arm of the fender sub-assembly and extend in both left and right directions of the vehicle.
[011] In an embodiment, the bottom panel has a ribbed structure that includes ribs. The ribs provide strength and rigidity to the fender sub-assembly. The ribs enable routing of cables of the pair of turn signal lamps and the license plate lamp through the space between the ribbed structure and the rear fender.
[012] In another aspect the invention is directed at a vehicle comprising a utility space, a tail cover bottom and a rear fender assembly for a rear wheel of the vehicle. The rear fender assembly comprises a fender sub-assembly fastened to the tail cover bottom and a plurality of components. The fender sub-assembly comprises a rear fender and a bottom panel. The bottom panel is mounted over the rear wheel and supports the rear fender. The bottom panel is joined to the rear fender. A pair of rear turn signal lamps of the vehicle is mounted by sandwiching each of the rear turn signal lamps between the rear fender and the bottom panel on both left and right sides of the vehicle. The plurality of components includes a pair of rear turn signal lamps, a license plate, a license plate lamp, and a reflector; and corresponding mounting provisions for mounting the plurality of components on the rear fender.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[013] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic side view of a saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a rear fender assembly of the vehicle in an exploded perspective view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 illustrates the rear fender assembly in an assembled perspective view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 illustrates the rear fender assembly in an exploded perspective view along with a tail cover bottom of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 illustrates the rear fender assembly in an assembled bottom view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[014] The present invention relates to a saddle type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a rear fender for the saddle type vehicle.
[015] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic side view of a saddle type vehicle 190, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In various embodiments, the vehicle 190 is a two-wheeler vehicle. For example, the vehicle 190 is a two-wheeler type vehicle, a step-through scooter type vehicle, a saddle type vehicle, a straddle type vehicle, and the like. The vehicle 190 may be an Electric Vehicle (EV), a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) based vehicle and have components suitable for traction. The vehicle 190 has two wheels - a front wheel 192f and a rear wheel 192r and a utility space (not shown) covered by a plurality of vehicular body panels, one such being at extreme rear of the vehicle, herein referred to as a tail cover bottom 196. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the vehicle 190 has a rear fender assembly 100 for covering the rear wheel 192r of the vehicle 190.
[016] Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the rear fender assembly 100 of the vehicle 190 in an exploded perspective view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The rear fender assembly 100 comprises a fender sub-assembly 102 and a plurality of components mounted to the fender sub-assembly 102. The fender sub-assembly 102 comprises a rear fender 110 and a bottom panel 120. The bottom panel 120 is disposed over the rear wheel 192r and supports the rear fender 110. The bottom panel 120 is joined to the rear fender 110 using fasteners (102f, shown in Figure 5). A pair of rear turn signal lamps 194 of the vehicle 190 is mounted by sandwiching each of rear turn signal lamps (194l,194r) between the rear fender 110 and the bottom panel 120 on both left and right sides of the vehicle 190. In an embodiment, each of the rear fender 110 and the bottom panel 120 have guides provided along a periphery of the rear fender 110 and the bottom panel 120. The rear fender 110 and the bottom panel 120 may be snap fitted to each other using the guides.
[017] The rear fender 110 functions to prevent splashes from the rear wheel 192r. Each of the rear turn signal lamps (194l,194r) (RTSL) includes a back panel, a Printed Circuit Board, and a turn signal lamp lens, joined together by an assembly mount screw (194m, shown in Figure 5). The assembly of the RTSL with the fender sub-assembly 102 is done by using the assembly mount screws (194m) at the bottom which gives a better fitment in the assembly line of the vehicle (190) and also an aesthetically pleasing part mounting detail by hiding the assembly mounting screws (194m).
[018] In an embodiment, the plurality of components includes the pair of rear turn signal lamps 194, a license plate 190N, a license plate lamp 190L, and a reflector 190R. The rear fender assembly 100 comprises the plurality of components (194, 190N, 190L, 190R) and corresponding mounting provisions for mounting the plurality of components (194, 190N, 190L, 190R) on the rear fender 110. The license plate lamp 190L may be an LED lamp powered by a battery through cables of the vehicle 190 for illuminating the license plate 190N, which carries the regulation registration number of the vehicle 190.
[019] In an embodiment, the bottom panel 120 has a ribbed structure including ribs 120r. The ribs 120r of the bottom panel 120 provide strength and rigidity to the fender sub-assembly 102. The ribs 120r enable routing of the cables of the pair of turn signal lamps 194 and the license plate lamp 190L through the space between the ribbed structure and the rear fender 110.
[020] Figure 4 illustrates the rear fender assembly 100 in an assembled perspective view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The fender subassembly 102 is attached to one of the plurality of vehicular body panels, the tail cover bottom 196. The tail cover bottom 196 is in turn supported on a frame of the vehicle 190. The fender sub-assembly 102 has a proximal end 102EP and a distal end 102ED with respect to the tail cover bottom 196 of the vehicle 190. The fender sub-assembly 102 is fastened to the tail cover bottom 196 of the vehicle 190 at the proximal end 102EP.
[021] Figure 5 illustrates the rear fender assembly 100 in an exploded perspective view along with the tail cover bottom 196 of the vehicle 190, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The tail cover bottom 196 has a plurality of holes 196h for routing the cables of the vehicle 190 and for mounting the fender sub-assembly 102. The fender sub-assembly 102 has a plurality of holes 102h corresponding to the plurality of holes 196h in the tail cover bottom 196 for fastening at the tail cover bottom 196. The plurality of holes 196h includes holes corresponding to the plurality of holes 102h and also additional holes for routing the cables of the vehicle 190 to the battery.
[022] Referring to Figure 4 again, in an embodiment, the fender sub-assembly 102 has a horizontal arm 102H and an inclinedly dropping arm 102D. The horizontal arm 102H extends substantially horizontally from the proximal end 102EP till a first end 102DEF of the inclinedly dropping arm 102D. The inclinedly dropping arm 102D extends from the first end 102DEF till the distal end 102ED. The license plate lamp 190L is mounted on the horizontal arm 102H close to the first end 102DEF. The rear fender 110 is a single piece component. The horizontal arm 102H and the inclinedly dropping arm 102D of the rear fender 110 is a single piece integral component. Similarly, the bottom panel 120 is a single piece component. The horizontal arm 102H and the inclinedly dropping arm 102D of the bottom panel 120 is a single piece integral component.
[023] In an embodiment, the fender sub-assembly 102 has a pair of protective wings 130 including a left wing 130l and a right wing 130r. The pair of protective wings 130 provide protection to the pair of the rear turn signal lamps 194. Each of the protective wings (130l and 130r) are protrusions on the horizontal arm 102H of the fender sub-assembly 102 and extend in both left and right directions of the vehicle 190. The fender sub-assembly 102 including the rear fender 110 and the bottom panel 120 provide support to the pair of rear turn signal lamps 194 by being widest at a junction where the fender sub-assembly 102 sandwiches the pair of rear turn signal lamps 194. The fender sub-assembly 102 protrudes at the junction outwards and thereby protects the pair of rear turn signal lamps 194 from damage.
[024] Figure 6 illustrates the rear fender assembly 100 in an assembled bottom view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The rear fender assembly 100 has an aerodynamically advantageous profile. In the bottom view, the rear fender assembly 100 resembles the shape of an aeroplane. This reduces the air drag on the vehicle 190.
[025] Advantageously, the rear fender assembly provided by the invention is lighter and sleek in design even though carrying upto five parts/components of the vehicle. Unlike the conventional rear fender which has a tube member for holding the fender, the rear fender of the invention has a bottom plastic panel as a supporting flap, which helps in weight reduction. The bottom panel is made of plastic and has ribs. This reduces the weight and at the same time adds strength to the rear fender to take the load of the parts/components of the vehicle. The bottom panel also provides easy-to-clean approach for the user in case of mud splash or dirt, coming from the wheel or surrounding.
[026] Further, the two members of the fender sub-assembly, the rear fender and the bottom panel, are joined by sandwiching the rear signal tail lamps. This reduces the number of fasteners required for mounting and joining the rear fender assembly. The fender assembly is broadest and also has wings at the mounting of the RSTL, thus protecting and providing higher strength to the RSTLs.
[027] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

List of Reference Numerals:
REAR FENDER ASSEMBLY 100
FENDER SUB-ASSEMBLY 102
HORIZONTAL ARM 102H
INCLINEDLY DROPPING ARM 102D
PLURALITY OF HOLES 102h
PROXIMAL END 102EP
DISTAL END 102ED
FASTENERS 102f
REAR FENDER 110
BOTTOM PANEL 120
RIBS 120r
PAIR OF PROTECTIVE WINGS 130
LEFT WING 130l
RIGHT WING 130r
VEHICLE 190
TAIL COVER BOTTOM 196
PLURALITY OF HOLES 196h
LICENSE PLATE 190N
LICENSE PLATE LAMP 190L
REFLECTOR 190R
REAR WHEEL 192r
REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMPS 194
REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMPS LEFT 194l
REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMPS RIGHT 194r
ASSEMBLY MOUNT SCREW 194m

, Claims:WE CLAIM:

1. A rear fender assembly (100) for a rear wheel (192r) of a saddle type vehicle (190), the rear fender assembly (100) comprising: a fender sub-assembly (102), the fender sub-assembly (102) comprising a rear fender (110) and a bottom panel (120), the bottom panel (120) being mounted over the rear wheel (192r) and supporting the rear fender (110), the bottom panel (120) being joined to the rear fender (110); wherein a pair of rear turn signal lamps (194) of the vehicle (190) is mounted by sandwiching each of the rear turn signal lamps (194l,194r) between the rear fender (110) and the bottom panel (120) on both left and right sides of the vehicle (190).

2. The rear fender assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprising a plurality of components (194, 190N, 190L, 190R) and corresponding mounting provisions for mounting the plurality of components (194, 190N, 190L, 190R) on the rear fender (110), the plurality of components comprising:
the pair of rear turn signal lamps (194),
a license plate (190N),
a license plate lamp (190L), and
a reflector (190R).

3. The rear fender assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2,
wherein the fender sub-assembly (102) has a proximal end (102EP) and a distal end (102ED) with respect to a tail cover bottom (196) of the vehicle (190) ; and
wherein the fender sub-assembly (102) is fastened to the tail cover bottom (196) of the vehicle (190) at the proximal end (102EP), the tail cover bottom (196) having a plurality of holes (196h) for routing cables of the vehicle (190), the fender sub-assembly (102) having a plurality of holes (102h) corresponding to the plurality of holes (196h) for fastening at the tail cover bottom (196).

4. The rear fender assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the fender sub-assembly (102) has a horizontal arm (102H) and an inclinedly dropping arm (102D), the horizontal arm (102H) extending substantially horizontally from the proximal end (102EP) till a first end (102DEF) of the inclinedly dropping arm (102D), the inclinedly dropping arm (102D) extending from the first end (102DEF) till the distal end (102ED), and the license plate lamp (190L) being mounted on the horizontal arm (102H) close to the first end (102DEF).

5. The rear fender assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fender sub-assembly (102) has a pair of protective wings (130) including a left wing (130l) and a right wing (130r), the pair of protective wings (130) providing protection to the pair of the rear turn signal lamps (194), each of the protective wings (130l and 130r) being protrusions on the horizontal arm (102H) of the fender sub-assembly (102) and extending in both left and right directions of the vehicle (190).

6. The rear fender assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the bottom panel (120) has a ribbed structure including ribs (120r), the ribs (120r) providing strength and rigidity to the fender sub-assembly (102), the ribs (120r) enabling routing of cables of the pair of turn signal lamps (194) and the license plate lamp (190L) through the space between the ribbed structure and the rear fender (110).

7. A vehicle (190), comprising:
a utility space;
a plurality of vehicular body panels; and
a rear fender assembly (100) for a rear wheel (192r) of the vehicle (190), the rear fender assembly (100) comprising:
a fender sub-assembly (102) fastened to the tail cover bottom (196) of the vehicle (190), the fender sub-assembly (102) comprising a rear fender (110) and a bottom panel (120), the bottom panel (120) being mounted over the rear wheel (192r) and supporting the rear fender (110), the bottom panel (120) being joined to the rear fender (110), wherein a pair of rear turn signal lamps (194) of the vehicle (190) is mounted by sandwiching each of the rear turn signal lamps (194l,194r) between the rear fender (110) and the bottom panel (120) on both left and right sides of the vehicle (190); and
a plurality of components: a pair of rear turn signal lamps (194), a license plate (190N), a license plate lamp (190L), and a reflector (190R); and corresponding mounting provisions for mounting the plurality of components (194, 190N, 190L, 190R) on the rear fender (110).

8. The vehicle (190) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fender sub-assembly (102) has a proximal end (102EP) and a distal end (102ED) with respect to a tail cover bottom (196) of the vehicle (190); and
wherein the fender sub-assembly (102) is fastened to the tail cover bottom (196) of the vehicle (190) at the proximal end (102EP), the tail cover bottom (196) having a plurality of holes (196h) for routing cables of the vehicle (190), the fender sub-assembly (102) having a plurality of holes (102h) corresponding to the plurality of holes (196h) for fastening at the tail cover bottom (196).

9. The vehicle (190) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the fender sub-assembly (102) comprises:
a horizontal arm (102H) and an inclinedly dropping arm (102D), the horizontal arm (102H) extending substantially horizontally from the proximal end (102EP) till a first end (102DEF) of the inclinedly dropping arm (102D), the inclinedly dropping arm (102D) extending from the first end (102DEF) till the distal end (102ED), the license plate lamp (190L) being mounted on the horizontal arm (102H) close to the first end (102DEF); and
a pair of protective wings (130) including a left wing (130l) and a right wing (130r), the pair of protective wings (130) providing protection to the pair of the rear turn signal lamps (194), each of the protective wings (130l and 130r) being protrusions on the horizontal arm (102H) of the fender sub-assembly (102) and extending in both left and right directions of the vehicle (190).

10. The vehicle (190) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the bottom panel (120) has a ribbed structure including ribs (120r), the ribs (120r) of the bottom panel (120) providing strength and rigidity to the fender sub-assembly (102), the ribs (120r) enabling routing of cables of the pair of turn signal lamps (194) and the license plate lamp (190L) through the space between the ribbed structure and the rear fender (110).