Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a motorcycle and
particularly relates to a rear fender for a motorcycle.
Background
Most contemporary vehicles, including motorcycles, facilitate the
charging of electronic devices such as a mobile phone or a music player on board. The same is achieved by providing a charging unit on board the vehicle. Typically, in a motorcycle, a charging unit is inserted into a slot provided in the headlamp housing. However, such a provision hinders the access to the turn signal lamp bulb, as the rear portion of the charging unit interferes with a boss used to mount the turn signal lamp, thereby causing difficulty in servicing the bulb. Moreover, the sharp edges of wire housing of the charging unit also damage the headlamp, turn signal lamp and bulb wires. Also, as an inlet of the charging unit is exposed to the outside, dust and water entry into the same is inevitable. Rattling of the charging unit is also a common occurrence as the same is not fastened to any mounting structure and is merely inserted into a slot provided in the headlamp housing. Further, the charging unit is not theft proof as it is exposed to the outside. There is therefore a need to address problems associated with the known mounting location of the charging unit.

Summary of the Invention
The present invention has been made in view of the above
circumstances.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a space for accommodating a charging unit of an electronic device in a motorcycle, in a manner such that the charging unit is protected from dust and water entry.
It is another object of the present invention to secure the charging unit from damage due to rattling.
It is yet another object of the present invention to secure the charging unit from the threat of theft.
The present subject matter described herein therefore relates to a mounting location for a charging unit of an electronic device.
According to the present invention, the charging unit is located in a space integrally formed in a rear fender of the motorcycle. The space is integrally formed in an upper portion of the rear fender and includes an anterior portion and a posterior portion. The charging unit is disposed in said anterior portion of said space.
A first aspect of the present invention deals with a means for mounting the charging unit in the anterior portion by means of a mounting plate.

A second aspect of the invention deals with a means for directly mounting the charging unit to the anterior portion of the space integrally formed in the rear fender.
Disposing the charging unit in the space integrally formed in the rear fender ensures that the charging unit is covered from a top side by a seat of the motorcycle. Thus, exposure of the charging unit to the outside is prevented, thereby preventing dust and water entry into the charging unit. Threat of theft is also avoided as the charging unit is not exposed to the outside. Further, securing the charging unit to the rear fender by means of a mounting plate ensures that the charging unit is also protected from damage due to rattling.
Brief Description of Drawings
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:
FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a typical motorcycle having a rear fender in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the rear fender in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG.2.
FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view (area only) taken along line A-A in FIG.2.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a mounting plate used for mounting said charging unit in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a bottom side of the mounting plate in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the rear fender depicting the charging unit as disposed therein, in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 8 illustrates a top perspective view depicting the charging unit as disposed in the rear fender, in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Exemplary embodiments detailing construction of the rear fender
and location of the charging unit therein, 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. It is to be noted that terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "front", "rear", "forward" "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 rider sitting thereon. Furthermore, a motorcycle longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to the motorcycle, while a motorcycle lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis

relative to the motorcycle. 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. It is to be noted that the present invention is applicable for any two wheeled vehicle having a rear fender.
Referring to FIG.1, the layout of a motorcycle, identified generally by the reference numeral 20 is elaborated.
FIG.1 illustrates a side view of a motorcycle 20 having a rear fender 32 in accordance with the present invention.
The motorcycle 20 comprises a body frame which supports parts of the motorcycle 20. The body frame includes a head pipe 22 at a front portion thereof, a down tube 23 extending rearwardly and downwardly from the head pipe 22, a pair of main tubes (not shown) extending rearwardly from the head pipe 22, and a pair of side tubes (not shown) extending rearwardly from the pair of main tubes.
In a front portion of the motorcycle 20, the head pipe 22 supports a steering shaft (not shown) rotatably in a certain range and a front fork 18 pivotally. In an upper portion of the head pipe 22, a handlebar 15 is rotatably integrally connected to the steering shaft. A front wheel 16 is journaled to a lower end of the front fork 18 and the front wheel 16 is rotated in a certain range by steering the handlebar 15. A front fender 30 for covering the upper side of the front wheel 16 is mounted to the front fork 18. Further, an engine unit 25 is mounted to the down tube 23 by means of an engine mounting bracket 24.

A fuel tank 19 is arranged immediately behind the handle bar 15 and is disposed over the engine unit 25. A seat 27 is placed immediately behind the fuel tank 19.
Further, a swing arm 28 is swingably connected to the down tube 23 at a rear portion thereof, in a manner such that the swing arm 28 extends rearwardly from the engine unit 25. A rear wheel 29 is rotatably supported at a rear end of the swing arm 28.
Power from engine unit 25 is transmitted to the rear wheel 29 through a power drive mechanism, such as a drive chain, so as to drive and rotate the rear wheel 29.
A rear fender 32 for covering the upper side of the rear wheel 29 is mounted to the rear portion of body frame. Although in the present embodiment, the rear fender 32 is a split fender, however in another embodiment, the rear fender 32 may be a combined fender.
FIG.2 illustrates a top view of the rear fender 32 in accordance with the present invention. As shown in the figure, a space 3 is integrally formed in an upper portion of the rear fender 32. The space 3 includes an anterior portion 4 and a posterior portion 5, separated from each other by means of a separating wall 6a. The space 3 is formed in a front portion of the rear fender 32 and is located under the seat 27. Further, the space 3 is enclosed by a plurality of enclosing walls (6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g). While the posterior portion 5 is enclosed by a first enclosing wall 6f, a second enclosing wall 6g, a third enclosing wall 6e and the separating wall 6a, the

anterior portion 4 is enclosed by a fourth enclosing wall 6b, a fifth enclosing wall 6c, a sixth enclosing wall 6d and the separating wall 6a. The anterior portion 4, thus enclosed is provided with a plurality of mounting lugs (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) preferably at corners formed by the separating wall 6a, the fourth enclosing wall 6b, the fifth enclosing wall 6c and the sixth enclosing wall 6d, for receiving a mounting plate 10 (shown in FIG.5) used to mount a charging unit 9 (shown in FIG.5)
FIG.3 and FIG.4 illustrate a cross sectional view of the rear fender 32 taken along line A-A of the rear fender. As shown in FIG.3 and FIG.4, while the posterior portion 5 extends substantially linearly from the first enclosing wall 6f towards the separating wall 6a, substantially parallely to the motorcycle longitudinal axis, the anterior portion 4 extends substantially curvedly from the separating wall 6a towards a fifth enclosing wall 6c in a forward direction. The charging unit 9 of an electronic device is mounted to the anterior portion 4 of the rear fender 32.
FIG.5 illustrates a perspective view of the mounting plate 10. As may be seen, the mounting plate 10 is provided with an opening 11 to receive the charging unit 9. Further, the mounting plate 10 is provided with a plurality of mounting holes 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d corresponding to the plurality of mounting lugs 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d formed in the anterior portion 4. As depicted in FIG.6, the charging unit 9 inserted through the opening 11, is fastened to the mounting plate 10 at a rear portion thereof. A pair of mounting bosses 12 is disposed at the rear portion of the mounting plate

10 to facilitate fastening of the charging unit 9 to the mounting plate 10. A pair of mounting flanges 13 extending from either sides of the charging unit 9, at a rear portion thereof is made to overlap with the pair of mounting bosses 12 and a pair of fasteners is used to fasten the charging unit 9 to the mounting plate 10. Fastening the charging unit 9 to the mounting plate 10 ensures that charging unit 9 is reliably secured and is not prone to damage due to rattling.
Further, the mounting plate 10 along with an assembly of the charging unit 9 mounted thereto as described above, is fastened to the anterior portion 4 though the plurality of mounting holes 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d by means of fasteners. Thus, the charging unit 9 for an electronic device such as a mobile phone or a music player is mounted to the anterior portion 4. In the present embodiment, the charging unit 9 is a charging port that receives a charging device utilised for charging the electronic device.
FIG. 7 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the rear fender 32 depicting the charging unit 9, as mounted therein. As shown in the figure, the charging unit 9 is mounted to the anterior portion 4 of the space 3 integrally formed in the rear fender 32, by means of the mounting plate 10. A slot 17 is provided in the fifth enclosing wall 6c to receive a connecting wire (not shown) emerging from the charging unit 9. The location of the charging unit 9 in the anterior portion 4 of the rear fender 32 aids in convenient routing of the connecting wire along a base of the rear fender

32. A peg 33 is provided on the base of the rear fender 32 for routing the connecting wire along the base of the rear fender 32 and to prevent overhang of the connecting wire and subsequent snapping of the connecting wire.
Locating the charging unit 9 in the anterior portion 4 ensures that the charging unit 9 can be easily accessed by opening the seat 27. Moreover, ease of handling is further facilitated since the electronic device (not shown) being charged by the charging unit 9 can be located in the posterior portion 5 of the space 3 while charging. The posterior portion 5 of the space 3 can also be used to accommodate tools used for servicing parts of the motorcycle. Further, the anterior portion 4 of the space 3 can not only be used to mount a charging unit 9 for an electronic device but can also be used to house other component of the motorcycle, including an Electronic Control Unit (ECU), an immobiliser unit, a battery case and the like.
FIG. 8 illustrates a top perspective view of the rear fender 32, depicting the charging unit 9 as mounted to the rear fender 32, in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the charging unit 9 of an electronic device is mounted in the anterior portion 4 of the space 3 of the rear fender 32, without involving the use of the mounting plate 10. A pair of protruding walls 14 provided with mounting holes and extending from the fourth enclosing wall 6b and the sixth enclosing wall 6d of the anterior portion 4, and substantially

perpendicular to said fourth enclosing walls 6b and the sixth enclosing wall 6d is used to mount the charging unit 9 in the anterior portion 4. Said pair of protruding walls 14 is formed integrally in the anterior portion 4 of space 3 in the rear fender 32. A pair of fasteners is used fasten the charging unit 9 to the pair of protruding walls 14.
Directly mounting the charging unit 9 in the anterior portion 4 of the rear fender 32 without involving the use of the mounting plate 10 ensures that part count, and thereby cost is reduced. Moreover, direct mounting also aids in reducing assembly time, thereby improving overall productivity.
Thus, the present construction of the rear fender 32 that includes the space 3 formed integrally therein serves as a secured location for the disposition of the charging unit 9. Exposure of the charging unit 9 to the outside is prevented since an upper portion thereof is covered from a top side by a seat 27 of the motorcycle. Moreover, provision of a plurality of enclosing walls around the anterior portion and the posterior portion of the rear fender also aid in preventing dust and water splashed by a rotating rear wheel from entering the charging unit. The charging unit is also secured from the threat of theft is as it is not exposed to the outside.
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:

We Claim:
1. A rear fender (32) for a motorcycle (20), wherein said rear fender (32) includes a space (3) integrally formed therein, in an upper portion thereof; characterized in that: said space (3) including an anterior portion (4) and a posterior portion (5) separated by a separating wall (6a) and enclosed by a plurality of enclosing walls (6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g) is adapted to receive a charging unit (9) of an electronic device in said anterior portion (4), and wherein the plurality of enclosing walls (6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g) and the separating wall (6a) are formed integrally in the rear fender (32).
2. The rear fender (32) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the posterior portion (5) extends from a first enclosing wall (6f) of the plurality of enclosing walls (6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g) up to the separating wall (6a), substantially linearly and substantially parallely to a motorcycle longitudinal axis.
3. The rear fender (32) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anterior portion (4) extends from the separating wall (6a) up to a fifth enclosing wall (6c) of the plurality of enclosing walls (6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g), substantially curvedly and along the motorcycle longitudinal axis.
4. The rear fender (32) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the charging unit (9) is mounted to the anterior portion (4) by means of a mounting plate (10).

5. The rear fender (32) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting plate (10) includes an opening (11) to receive the charging unit (9).
6. The rear fender (32) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting plate (10) includes at least a pair of mounting bosses (12) disposed at a rear portion thereof.
7. The rear fender (32) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of
enclosing walls (6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g) enclosing the anterior portion
(4) includes a slot (17) for receiving a connecting wire emerging
from the charging unit (9).
8. The rear fender (32) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anterior portion (4) includes at least a pair of protruding walls (14) to receive the charging unit (9).
9. The rear fender (32) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear fender (32) is one of a split fender and a combined fender.
10. A motorcycle (20) comprising the rear fender (32) as claimed in claims 1-9.