Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to a motorcycle and
particularly to a rear fender that covers a rear wheel of a motorcycle.
Background
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. However, since construction of the rear fender in conventional motorcycles is such that it follows a wheel arch shape in a front portion thereof, it results in the rear fender not covering the front portion of the rear wheel sufficiently. Besides the lack of sufficient coverage of the rear wheel, the conventional construction of the rear fender also leaves a considerable gap between the rear fender and a side cover of the motorcycle. As a result, a problem of mud splash and water entry into parts such as the battery box and engine mounting bracket lying just ahead of the rear fender from a side portion thereof is commonly encountered. The problem of mud splash and water entry, not only affects the durability of the parts but also the affects durability of the motorcycle on the whole. Moreover, conventional construction of the rear fender also does not facilitate air circulation around the rear side of an engine. As a result, plastic parts and wiring harness surrounding the engine become susceptible to damage caused by heat released by the engine. Moreover, heat accumulation around the engine also affects overall performance'of the engine.
Summary of the Invention
It is therefore, an object of the invention to provide a motorcycle including a rear fender that prevents mud splash and water splash into parts lying immediately ahead of the rear fender.
It is another object of the invention to provide a motorcycle including a rear fender that aids in circulating air around a rear side of an engine.
The present subject matter described herein therefore relates to a rear fender for a motorcycle. Particularly, the present subject matter deals with a rear fender comprising a first fender member and a second fender member detachably attached to each other. While the first fender member extends in a motorcycle forward direction, the second fender member extends in a motorcycle rearward direction. As per an embodiment of the present invention, a front portion of the first fender member includes a left L shaped member, a right L shaped member, and a bottom member bridging the left L shaped member and the right L shaped member. Whereas, the left shaped member and the right L shaped member extend laterally outwards in a motorcycle width direction from a left and right side portion of the front portion respectively, the bottom member connecting the left L shaped member and the right L shaped member extends substantially parallely to a ground surface.
Further, the left L shaped member includes a first protruding surface extending along a left side thereof in a motorcycle width direction,
a first vertical surface adjoining the first surface and extending substantially perpendicularly upwards from the first protruding surface, and an oblique surface extending downwardly from the first protruding surface. Furthermore, the right L shaped member includes a second protruding surface extending along a right side thereof in a motorcycle width direction and a second vertical surface adjoining the second protruding surface and extending substantially perpendicularly upwards from said second protruding surface. Further, a first notch is provided in the first vertical surface, and a second notch is provided in the second vertical surface for receiving a mounting rod of a pillion footrest on either sides of the rear fender. Additionally, the bottom member is provided with a plurality of apertures.
The plurality of apertures provide enhanced stiffness to the bottom member, and thereby enable the bottom member to ably support the left L shaped member and the right L shaped member. Moreover, the plurality of apertures provided in the bottom member also aid in circulating air around a rear side of an engine.
Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the left L shaped member, and the right L shaped member aid in increasing overall width of the rear fender, thereby increasing overall coverage area around a front portion of the rear wheel, and serve to prevent mud and water from splashing onto internal parts such as a battery box, an engine mounting bracket and into fasteners of various parts of the motorcycle. Moreover,
since the left L shaped member, and the right L shaped member extend in a motorcycle width direction, a gap between a side cover and the rear fender also reduces, thereby preventing dust and water from entering through the gap between the two.
Summary provided above explains the basic features of the invention and does not limit the scope of the invention. Other objects, novel features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to the person skilled in the art from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Scope of the invention will be based on the claims provided.
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 motorcycle including a rear fender in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.2 illustrates a side view of the rear fender in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.3 illustrates a top view of a first fender member of the rear fender in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.4 illustrates a perspective view of the first fender member as viewed from a left hand side of the motorcycle in a diagonally downward direction in accordance with the present invention.
FIG.5 illustrates a perspective view of the first fender member as viewed from right hand side of the motorcycle in a diagonally downward direction in accordance with the present invention.
FIG.6 illustrates a cross sectional view taken along a line P-P of a front portion of the first fender member depicting the left L shaped member and the right L shaped member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Exemplary embodiments detailing construction and structure of a
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. It is to be noted that terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "front", "rear", "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 unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, a motorcycle length direction refers to a direction along a motorcycle longitudinal axis or refers to a front to rear axis relative to the motorcycle, while a motorcycle width direction refers to a direction along a motorcycle lateral axis or 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 although the present invention has been exemplified for a split rear fender, however, the present invention may not be restricted only to a split rear fender and is also applicable to a single piece rear fender. Additionally, the present invention is also applicable to a fender of a scooter type motorcycle.
Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a motorcycle 100 having a rear fender 10 in accordance to the present invention.
The motorcycle 100 includes a body frame 20 to which an engine 40 is mounted. A head pipe 21 is provided at a front end of the body frame 20. The head pipe 21 supports a steering shaft (not shown) rotatably in a certain range and a front fork 25 pivotally. In an upper portion of the head pipe 21, a handlebar 30 is rotatably integrally connected to the steering shaft. A front wheel 35 is journaled to a lower end of the front fork 25 and the front wheel 35 is rotated in a certain range by steering the handlebar 30. A front fender 70 covers the upper side of the front wheel 35.
In a front portion of the body frame 20 a fuel tank 45 is arranged immediately behind the handle bar 30 and is disposed over the engine 40. A seat 55 is placed immediately behind the fuel tank 45.
For the safety of the rider and in conformance with the traffic rules, a headlamp unit 50 and a turn signal lamp unit 51 is provided in the front portion of the motorcycle 100. The headlamp unit 50 and the turn signal
lamp unit 51 are housed in a headlamp housing assembly, which includes a front housing cover and a rear housing cover coupled to each other.
Suspension systems are provided for comfortable steering of the motorcycle 100 on the road. The front fork 25, which forms a part of the front suspension system, serves as rigidity component just like the body frame 20. The front fork 25 clamped to the head pipe 21 through an upper bracket (not shown) and a lower bracket (not shown) 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 20. The rear suspension system comprises of at least one rear suspension 56 preferably on a left hand side of the motorcycle 100. However, in a motorcycle with two rear suspensions, the same may be disposed on the left side and the right side respectively of said motorcycle 100.
The engine 40 is mounted to a front lower portion of the body frame 20 by means of an engine mounting bracket 20a. The engine 40 is equipped with an exhaust system that includes an exhaust pipe (not shown) connected to the engine 40 and a muffler (not shown) connected to the exhaust pipe. The muffler (not shown) extends rearwards along the right side of a rear wheel 65.
Power from the engine 40 suspended in a front lower portion of the body frame 20 is transmitted to the rear wheel 65 through a power drive mechanism, such as a drive chain, so as to drive and rotate the rear wheel 65.
Further, a swing arm 60 extending rearwards is swingably connected to a rear lower portion of the body frame 20. The rear wheel 65 is rotatably supported at a rear end of the swing arm 60. The swing arm 60 also supports the rear suspension 56.
A rear fender 10, mounted to a rear portion of the body frame 20 and comprising a first fender member 10a and a second fender member 10b is used for covering an upper side of the rear wheel 65 so as to prevent mud and water splashed by the rotating rear wheel 65 from entering internal components of the motorcycle 100. Further, the first fender member 10a accommodates a pair of passenger footrest mounting rod 90 on either sides of the motorcycle 100.
The construction of the rear fender 10 in one embodiment is as illustrated in FIG. 2. In the present embodiment the rear fender 10 comprises a first fender member 10a extending in a motorcycle forward direction and a second fender member 10b extending in a motorcycle rearward direction. Further, the first fender member 10a and the second fender member 10b are detachably attached to each other. In other words, the rear fender 10 as per the present embodiment is a split rear fender.
FIG.3 illustrates a top view of the first fender member 10a of the rear fender 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment as illustrated in FIG.3, the first fender member 10a comprises a front portion 10aa and a rear portion 10ab, said front portion 10aa extending in a motorcycle forward direction and said rear
portion 10ab extending in a motorcycle rearward direction. Particularly, the front portion 10aa includes a left L shaped member 1; a right L shaped member 2, and a bottom member 8. Whereas the left L shaped member 1 and the right L shaped member 2 extend laterally outwards from a left side and a right side of the first fender member 10a of the motorcycle respectively in a motorcycle width direction, the bottom member 8 bridges said left L shaped member 1 and said right L shaped member 2 at a front lower portion of the first fender member 10a. As per the present embodiment, the left L shaped member 1 includes a first protruding surface 1a extending laterally outwards from a portion of the first fender member 10a and along a left side of the first fender member 10a, a first vertical surface 1b adjoining the first protruding surface 1a and extending substantially perpendicularly upwards form the first protruding surface 1a, and a first oblique surface 1c extending substantially inclinedly from the first protruding surface 1a towards the bottom member 8. Similarly, the right L shaped member 2 includes a second protruding surface 2a extending laterally outwards from a portion of the first fender member 10a, and along right side of the first fender member 10a, and a second vertical surface 2b, which adjoins the second protruding surface 2a and extends substantially perpendicularly upwards from the second protruding surface 2a. The bottom member 8 extends laterally from the second protruding surface 2a of the right L shaped member 2 upto the oblique surface 1c of the left L shaped member 1. The bottom member 8 includes a horizontal
surface 8a, a plurality of apertures 8b and a vertical wall 8c adjoining the oblique surface 1c.
Further, as per the present embodiment, whereas the left L shaped member 1 extends in a motorcycle forward direction from a first edge 3 of a first cut out 4 provided in the left side of the first fender member 10a, the right L shaped member 2 extends in the motorcycle forward direction from a second edge 5 of a second cut out 6 provided in the right side of the first fender member 10a. Particularly, while the left L shaped member 1 extends in the motorcycle forward direction up to the vertical wall 8c, the right L shaped member 2 extends in the motorcycle forward direction up to a point lying substantially beyond a front edge 8d of the bottom member 8. In the present embodiment, the first cut out 4 and the second cut out 6 are provided to accommodate a rear suspension 56 (shown in FIG.1) each on either sides of the first half portion 10aa of the first fender member 10a of the rear fender 10. Further, at least a notch (1d, 2d, shown in FIG.4 and FIG.5) each is provided in the left L shaped member 1 and the right L shaped member 2 to accommodate the pair of passenger footrest mounting rod 90 (shown in FIG.1).
FIG.4 illustrates a perspective view of the first fender member 10a of the rear fender 10 of the motorcycle, as viewed from the left side of the motorcycle and in a diagonally downward direction in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIG.4, a profile of the left L shaped member 1 is explained.
As shown in FIG.4, the first protruding surface 1a of the left shaped member 1 extends downwardly and substantially curvedly in the motorcycle forward direction from the first edge 3 of the first cut out 4 up to the oblique surface 1c. Further, the first vertical surface 1b, adjoining the first protruding surface 1a extends substantially perpendicularly upwards from an outer edge of the first protruding surface 1a and extends at least partially throughout a length of the first protruding surface 1a. A first notch 1d is provided in the first vertical surface 1b to accommodate one of the pair of passenger foot rest mounting rod 90 (shown in FIG.1) on the left side of the motorcycle 100. The oblique surface 1c extending between the first protruding surface 1a and the vertical wall 8c provides a clearance for a chain case 95 (shown in FIG.1) located below the rear fender 10.
FIG.5 illustrates a perspective view of the first fender member 10a as viewed from the right side of the motorcycle and in a diagonally downward direction, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the right L shaped member 2 is asymmetrical with respect to the left shaped member 1. Particularly, the second protruding surface 2a extends downwardly and substantially curvedly in a motorcycle forward direction from the second edge 5 of the second cut out 6 up to the bottom member 8. Further, the second vertical surface 2b adjoining the second protruding surface 2a, extends substantially perpendicularly upwards from an outer edge of said second protruding surface 2a, and continues along the right hand side of the
second protruding surface 2a up to a point beyond the front edge 8d of the bottom member 8. Further, a second notch 2d is provided in the second vertical surface 2b of the right L shaped member 2 to provide clearance for one of the pair of passenger foot rest mounting rod on the right hand side of the motorcycle 100.
The plurality of apertures 8b is provided in the bottom member 8 for enhanced strength; so that the left L shaped member 1 and the right L shaped member 2 are ably supported by the bottom member 8. The plurality of apertures 8b also serves to improve the circulation of air around the rear side of the engine 40.
FIG.6 illustrates a cross sectional view of the left and right L shaped members along a line P-P in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the second vertical surface 2b of the right L shaped member 2 is maintained longer than the first vertical surface 1b of the left L shaped member 1. The length of the first vertical surface 1b of the left L shaped member 1 is maintained shorter to accommodate the chain case 95 (shown in FIG.1) below the rear fender 10, so that the chain case 95 does not hit the rear fender 10 in a full bump condition. Hence, the first vertical surface 1b of the left L shaped member 1 tapers into the oblique surface 1c, which is further, connected to the horizontal surface 8a of the bottom member 8 through the vertical wall 8c.
As per the present embodiment, the left L shaped member 1, the right L shaped member 2, and the bottom member 8 are formed integrally
with the first fender member 10a of the rear fender 10. Preferably, the rear fender 10 is made of a polymeric material such as plastic.
Although in the present embodiment, the rear fender exemplified is a split rear fender, constructional features of the rear fender as described herein can be adapted in any fender including a combined fender comprised as a single member.
Thus, the present construction of the rear fender aids in covering a larger surface area of the rear wheel as compared to that covered by any conventional rear fender. As a result, mud splash and water splash by the rear wheel into the internal parts of the motorcycle; especially into the parts of the motorcycle lying immediately ahead of the rear fender is prevented. Moreover, the plurality of apertures provided in the bottom member of the rear fender aid in circulating air around the rear portion of the engine, thus protecting the parts disposed around the rear side of the engine such as plastic parts and wiring harness.
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:
A rear fender (10) for a motorcycle, said rear fender (10) including a first fender member (10a) extending in a motorcycle forward direction, and a second fender member (10b) extending in a motorcycle rearward direction, wherein said first fender member (10a) and said second fender member (10b) are detachably attached to one another, characterized in that, said first fender member (10a) including a left L shaped member (1) extending laterally outwards from a portion thereof along a left side of the motorcycle (100), a right L shaped member (2) extending laterally outwards along a right side of the motorcycle (100), and a bottom member (8) extending substantially parallely to a ground surface and bridging said left L shaped member (1) and said right L shaped member (2) at a front lower portion of said first fender member (10a), is adapted to cover a larger surface area of a rear wheel (65) of the motorcycle (100).
The rear fender (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the left L shaped member (1) includes a first protruding surface (1a) extending laterally outwards in a motorcycle width direction along a left side thereof, a first vertical surface (1b) adjoining said first protruding surface (1a) and extending substantially perpendicularly upwards therefrom, and an oblique surface (1c) extending from said first protruding surface (1 a) up to the bottom member (8).
The rear fender (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the left L shaped member (1) further includes a first notch (1d) disposed in said first vertical surface (1b) for receiving at least one passenger footrest mounting rod of a pair of passenger footrest mounting rod (90).
The rear fender (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the right L shaped member (2) includes a second protruding surface (2a) extending laterally outwards in a motorcycle width direction along a right side thereof, and a second vertical surface (2b) adjoining said second protruding surface (2a) and extending substantially perpendicularly upwards therefrom.
The rear fender (10) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the bottom member (8) includes a horizontal surface (8a), a plurality of apertures (8b) disposed in said horizontal surface (8a), and a vertical wall (8c) connecting said oblique surface (1c) to the horizontal surface (8a).
The rear fender (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear fender (10) is one of a split fender and a combined fender.
A motorcycle (100) comprising the rear fender (10) as claimed in claims 1-6.