DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates to a saddle-type vehicle. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to a rear light assembly for the scooter- type vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In order to make motorcycles lighter in weight and appealing to diverse groups, small models of motorized cycle designs have been developed. Generally, such vehicles include a small engine block coupled with other components and suspended on a body frame just in front of and surrounding a rear wheel. Such motorized cycles, often referred to as a scooter-type vehicle, includes a front body portion and a rear body portion, a floorboard provided between said front body portion and said rear body portion, a seat assembly provided at the rear body portion of said vehicle, a storage box positioned below said seat assembly and the body cover extending from the front body portion to the rear body portion along a vehicle longitudinal axis. The vehicle body cover surrounds the engine to improve the outer appearance of the vehicle and protect the component elements of the vehicle. Generally, a rear light assembly is mounted on a rear end of the rear body portion of the scooter type vehicle. Typically, the rear light assembly makes the rear of the vehicle to have good recognition and visibility on road.
[0003] Relatively recent advances in technology have allowed the rear light assembly of the vehicle to incorporate other light sources into vehicle lighting applications. In an existing scooter type vehicle, the rear light assembly has been designed to incorporate light emitting elements, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs). While the use of LEDs provides certain benefits in some lighting applications, however the implementation of LEDs in the rear light assembly is more expensive in order to meet the photometric requirements of a vehicle light system and thus any damage to the rear light assembly results in high replacement, maintenance and repair cost for the vehicle.
[0004] In a known scooter type vehicle, the rear light assembly being mounted at the rear body portion of the vehicle is designed to incorporate light emitting elements, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs).
[0005] In another known scooter type vehicle, the rear light assembly of the vehicle is disposed at least partially in the rear body cover of the vehicle and includes an LED left and right pair of turn signals, an LED tail lamp and a centre cover provided for covering an upper side of the LED tail lamp. As a result, any damage caused to the tail lamp and said left and right pair of turn signals reduces the lifetime of the rear light assembly. Furthermore, since the real lamp assembly including the tailamp and the left and right side indicators are LED lamps, hence any failure or damage to the rear light assembly results in necessity of frequent replacement of the entire rear light assembly. Thus, results in increased cost of replacement and hence overall increases the repair and maintenance cost for the vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] 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.
[0007] Fig.1 is a left-hand side view of a scooter type vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0008] Fig.2 shows a perspective view of a rear body portion of the vehicle as per one embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] Fig. 3 shows the perspective view of the rear body portion of the vehicle illustrating at least a portion of a centre cover extending rearwardly beyond a rear light assembly of the vehicle along a vehicle rear-back direction, as per one embodiment of the present invention.
[00010] Fig.4 is a sectional view of the of the rear body portion of the vehicle illustrating at least a portion of the centre cover extending rearwardly beyond the rear light assembly of the vehicle along the vehicle rear-back direction, as per one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00011] Conventionally, a rear light assembly of a scooter type vehicle is disposed at least partially within a rear body cover of a vehicle body cover. Typically, the rear light assembly includes a tail lamp, a left and right pair of turn signals and a centre cover covering an upper side of the tail lamp. A known scooter type vehicle discloses the use of LEDs in the rear light assembly for the vehicle, in which the tail lamp and said left and right pair of turn signals are made up of an array of a plurality of LED's.
[00012] Although the implementation of LEDs in rear light assembly of the scooter type vehicle is highly desirable, however any damage to the rear light assembly due to rear impact and rear end collisions of the vehicle results in high replacement cost for the rear light assembly, thereby increasing the overall maintenance and repair costs for the vehicle.
[00013] Hence, it is desirable to provide a modified and improved structure of said centre cover for the rear light assembly which can substantial protect the rear light assembly from damage during the rear impact of the vehicle and hence reduces the necessity for high cost replacement and maintenance of the vehicle, thereby decreasing the overall maintenance and repair cost for the vehicle. More particularly, it is desirable to modify at least a portion of the centre cover for the rear light assembly for the scooter type vehicle such that the damage to the rear light assembly including the tail lamp and said left and right pair of turn signals is substantially prevented during rear end collisions of the vehicle. Further, it is desirable to provide a simple, improved and modified structure for the centre cover which can provide improved appearance and aesthetic value to the vehicle.
[00014] The present invention provides a modified structure for said at least a portion of the centre cover of the rear light assembly for the scooter type vehicle which can prevent the LED tail lamp and the LED left and right side indicators from damage and frequent replacement.
[00015] The present invention relates to the saddle type two and three wheeled vehicle including a scooter-type vehicle comprising a front body portion and a rear body portion. Further, as per one embodiment of the present invention, the scooter type vehicle includes the seat assembly provided at the rear body portion of said vehicle and a pillion handle disposed rearward of the seat assembly. In one embodiment, the body cover extends from the front body portion to the rear body portion along the vehicle longitudinal axis. As per one embodiment, said body cover comprises the front body cover disposed in the front body portion of the vehicle and the rear body cover disposed in the rear body portion of the vehicle. As per one embodiment, the rear light assembly is disposed in the rear of the seat assembly and at least partially within the rear body cover of the vehicle body cover. In one embodiment, said rear light assembly comprises the tail lamp, the left-right pair of turn signals and the centre cover. In one embodiment, the center cover covers the upper side of said tail lamp of the rear light assembly. As per one embodiment, said centre cover of the rear light assembly comprises a concavely curved portion and a slightly inclined surface. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the centre cover extends rearwardly from an upper surface of said concavely curved portion and beyond said rear light assembly through a predetermined distance. In one embodiment, said at least a portion of the centre cover is integrally formed with said upper surface of said concavely curved portion and extends rearwardly beyond said rear light assembly through the predetermined distance. In another embodiment, said at least a portion of the centre cover is detachably secured to said upper surface of said concavely curved portion and extends rearwardly beyond said rear light assembly through the predetermined distance.
[00016] Further, as per one embodiment, said at least a portion of the centre cover extends rearwardly from the said upper surface of said concavely curved portion of said centre cover of the rear light assembly along a vehicle rear-back direction. In one embodiment, said at least a portion of the centre cover extends rearwardly beyond a rearward projection of said tail lamp of the rear light assembly.
[00017] Referring to one embodiment, said at least a portion of said centre cover extending rearwardly along the vehicle rear back direction includes a concavely curved section. In one embodiment, said concavely curved section comprises a concave surface facing the rear-back direction of the vehicle. Further, as per one embodiment, said concavely curved section of said centre cover includes a vehicle brand name printed therein. Further, in another embodiment, said vehicle brand name is securely positioned in said concave curved section of the modified cover centre of the tail light of the vehicle. Thus, the concavity of said concave curved section protects the vehicle brand name from any damage during any rear end collision of the vehicle and hence the vehicle brand name is securely positioned in said modified centre cover. In one embodiment, said at least a portion of said center cover is located at a position higher than said rear light assembly disposed at least partially within the rear body cover.
[00018] The present invention generally relates to the rear light assembly positioned at the vehicle’s rear end and at a position slightly lower than said at least a portion of the centre cover integrally formed with said upper surface of said centre cover of the rear light assembly. More specifically, this invention relates to said modified at least a portion of the centre cover of the vehicle which extends rearwardly beyond the tail lamp so as to reduce the intensity of the damage to the tail lamp during rear end impact of the vehicle.
[00019] The present invention relates to a rear light assembly disposed on a vehicle widthwise side of the rear body portion of the scooter type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to said modified said at least a portion of the centre cover of the rear light assembly which is formed in continuation with said concavely curved portion of said centre cover of the rear light assembly vehicle. As per one embodiment of the present invention, said modified at least a portion of the rear body cover extends beyond said rearward projection of the tail lamp so as to prevent the rear light assembly from the likelihood of damage during vehicle rear impacts.
[00020] Various other features and advantages of the invention are described in detail below with reference to 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. It should be noted that the drawings should be viewed in the direction of orientation of the reference numerals.
[00021] Further “front” and “rear”, and “left” and “right” referred to in the ensuing 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 scooter 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.
[00022] Fig. 1 shows a side elevation view of the scooter type vehicle (1) (hereinafter ‘vehicle’) as per one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the vehicle (1) comprises a front body portion (F) and a rear body portion (R). As per one embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle body cover (100) extends from the front body portion (F) to the rear body portion (R) along a vehicle longitudinal axis (AA). The body cover (100) comprises a front body cover (100a) disposed in the front body portion (F) of the vehicle (1) and a rear body cover (100b) disposed in the rear body portion (R) of the vehicle (1). As per one embodiment, said rear body cover (100b) comprises an under seat cover (102) and a pair of laterally spaced side covers (101) enclosing a storage box (not shown). In one embodiment, the right side cover of said pair of laterally spaced side covers (101) is symmetrical to the left side cover (101) of said pair of laterally spaced side covers (101) and hence not shown. Further in one embodiment, the vehicle (1) has a steerable front wheel (10) and a driven rear wheel (13) driven by driving force generated by a power unit (12). An upper portion of the front wheel (10) is covered by a front fender (9). A rear fender (3) is accommodated at the rearmost end of the vehicle (1) to partially cover the rear wheel (13). A handle bar assembly (5) is attached to an upper end of a head pipe of a vehicle frame assembly (not shown). A headlamp unit (8) is arranged forwardly of the handle bar assembly (5) and is surrounded by a visor (7) from the front direction. A pair of left and right rearview mirrors (6L), (6R) extends upwards and outwards on either side of the visor (7). A seat assembly (4) for a driver and a pillion handle (2) is placed forward to a fuel tank (200). The handle bar assembly (5) and the storage box (not shown) are supported at opposing ends of a vehicle frame assembly (not shown) and a generally open area is defined therebetween known as floorboard (11) which functions as a step through space. In one embodiment of the present invention, the rear light assembly (300) is mounted on a rear end of the rear body portion (R) and at least partially within the rear body cover (100b) of the vehicle body cover (100).
[00023] Fig.2 shows a side view of the rear body portion (R) of the vehicle (1) as per one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the rear body cover (100b) of the vehicle body cover (100) covers the rear body portion (R) of the vehicle (1). As per one embodiment, the seat assembly (4) is disposed on the rear body portion (R) of the vehicle (1). In one embodiment, the seat assembly (4) for the vehicle is disposed in the rear body portion (R) for externally enclosing said upper part of the storage box. According to one embodiment, the rear light assembly (300) is disposed in a rear of the seat assembly (4) and at least partially within the rear body cover (100b) of the vehicle body cover (100). As per one embodiment of the present invention, said rear light assembly (300) comprises the tail lamp (301), said pair of left and right pair of turn signals (302) and the center cover (303) which covers the upper side of said tail lamp (301) of the rear light assembly (300). As per one embodiment, the fuel tank (200) is located rearward of the seat assembly (4) and beneath said rear body cover (100b). In one embodiment, the right turn signal lamp (302) is symmetrical to the left turn signal lamp hence not shown.
[00024] Further in Fig.2, referring to one embodiment of the present invention, characterized in that said centre cover (303) of the rear light assembly (300) comprises a concavely curved portion (304) (shown in Fig.3) and the slightly inclined surface (400b). In one embodiment, said at least a portion (303b) of the centre cover (303) extends rearwardly from an upper surface of said concavely curved portion (304) and beyond said rear light assembly (300) through the predetermined distance (D) shown in Fig 4. As per one embodiment, said at least a portion (303b) of the centre cover (303) is integrally formed with said upper surface (304a) of said concavely curved portion (304) and extends rearwardly beyond said rear light assembly (300) through the predetermined distance (D). In another embodiment of the present invention, said at least a portion (303b) of the centre cover (303) is detachably secured to said upper surface (304a) of said concavely curved portion (304) and extends rearwardly beyond said rear light assembly (300) through the predetermined distance (D).
[00025] Fig. 3 shows the perspective view of the rear body portion (R) of the vehicle (1) illustrating said at least a portion of the centre cover (303) extending rearwardly beyond the rear light assembly (300) as per one embodiment of the present invention. As per one embodiment of the present invention, the rear body cover (100b) of the vehicle (1) includes said pair of left and right laterally spaced side covers (101) and the under seat cover (102) (shown in Fig.1) enclosing the storage box (not shown) for storing items. In one embodiment, the seat assembly (4) for the vehicle is disposed in the rear body portion (R) for externally enclosing an upper part of the storage box. As per one embodiment, the pillion handle (2) is positioned higher than the seat assembly (4). In one embodiment, the fuel tank (200) is located rearward of the seat assembly (4) and beneath said rear body cover (100b). As per one embodiment, the fuel filler opening (200a) is formed in said at least a portion of said centre cover (303) and faces said fuel oil supply port of said fuel tank (200). In one embodiment, the fuel lid (200b) is provided for covering the opening (200a) of the fuel tank (200). Furthermore, as per one embodiment, an opening direction of a fuel lid (200b) for accessing said fuel tank (200) is towards the seat assembly (4) and hence the refueling operation using the gun barrel (14) can be done through any one of said at least two directions (RB), (RR), (RL) including the vehicle rear-back direction (RB), the vehicle rear-right direction (RR), and the vehicle rear-left direction (RL). Thus, facilitating significant reduction in the fuel spillage during the refueling of the vehicle using the gun barrel (14). In one embodiment, said rear light assembly (300) comprises the tail lamp (301), said pair left and right of turn signal lamps (302) and the center cover (303) which covers said upper side of said tail lamp (301) of the rear light assembly (300).
[00026] Further in Fig.3, as per one embodiment of the present invention, said centre cover (303) of the rear light assembly (300) comprises a concavely curved portion (304) such that the fuel spillage and damage to said rear light assembly (300) is prevented during refuelling of said fuel tank (200). Further, said at least a portion (303b) of the centre cover (303) extends rearwardly from the said upper surface (304a) of said concavely curved portion (304) of said centre cover (303) of the rear light assembly (300) along the vehicle rear-back direction (RB). In one embodiment, said at least a portion (303b) of the centre cover (303) extending rearwardly beyond a rearward projection (301a) of said tail lamp (301) of the rear light assembly (300) includes a concavely curved section (305). The concavely curved section (305) comprises a concave surface (305b) facing the rear-back direction (RB) of the vehicle (1). In one embodiment, said concavely curved section (305) of said centre cover (303) includes the vehicle brand name printed therein. In another embodiment, said concavely curved section (305) of said centre cover (303) includes the vehicle brand name securely positioned therein. Further, said at least a portion (303b) of said centre cover (303) extending rearwardly is located at a position higher than said rear light assembly being disposed at least partially within the rear body cover (100b).
[00027] Further in Fig.3, as per one embodiment, a drain hole (400) is formed on said at least a portion of said centre cover (303) of the rear lamp assembly (300). Referring to one embodiment, the said centre cover (303) of the rear lamp assembly (300) comprises a slightly inclined plane (400b) towards the drain hole (400a). In one embodiment, a drain hose (400) is attached to the drain hole (400a) for draining out the spilled fuel during refuelling the fuel tank (200). As per one embodiment, said at least a portion (303b) of said centre cover (303) includes the concavely curved section (305). The concavely curved section (305) of said at least a portion (303b) of said centre cover (303) of the rear light assembly (300) includes the vehicle brand name printed therein. As per one embodiment, said vehicle brand name is securely positioned in said concavely curved section (305) of the centre cover (303) of the real lamp assembly (300) of the vehicle (1).
[00028] Fig.4 is a sectional view of the of the rear body portion (R) of the vehicle (1) taken along the longitudinal centre plane (BB) of the vehicle (1) in Fig.3, illustrating said at least a portion (303b) of the rear body cover (100b) extending rearwardly beyond the rear light assembly (100) of the vehicle (1) along the vehicle rear-back direction (RB), as per one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, said at least a portion (303b) of the centre cover (303) integrally formed with said upper surface of said centre cover (303) extends rearwardly beyond said rear light assembly (300) through the predetermined distance (D). Further, as per one embodiment, said at least a portion (303b) of the centre cover (303) extends rearwardly beyond a rearward projection (301a) of said tail lamp (301) of the rear light assembly (300).
[00029] It is advantageous to modify said at least a portion of the centre cover of the rear light assembly for the scooter type vehicle to significantly prevent the damage to the rear light assembly in the event of the rear end collisions of the scooter type vehicle and hence extends the service life of the rear light assembly. In one embodiment, said modified centre cover comprises said at least a portion thereof extending rearwardly beyond said rear lamp assembly through the predetermined distance along the vehicle rear-back direction. Further, said concave curved section formed in said at least a portion of the centre cover includes the vehicle brand name securely positioned therein. Additionally, the modified said at least a portion of the rear body cover provides an improved aesthetic appearance of the vehicle
[00030] Improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A scooter-type vehicle (1), said vehicle (1) comprising:
a front body portion (F) and a rear body portion (R);
a body cover (100) extending from the front body portion (F) to the rear body portion (R) along a vehicle longitudinal axis (AA), said body cover (100) comprising a front body cover (100a) disposed in the front body portion (F) of the vehicle (1) and a rear body cover (100b) disposed in the rear body portion (R) of the vehicle (1); and
a rear light assembly (300) disposed at least partially within the rear body cover (100b) of the vehicle body cover (100), said rear light assembly (300) comprises a tail lamp (301), a left-right pair of turn signals (302) and a center cover (303) which covers an upper side of said tail lamp (301) of the rear light assembly (300);

characterized in that said centre cover (303) of the rear light assembly (300) comprises a concavely curved portion (304) and a slightly inclined surface (400b); wherein at least a portion (303b) of the centre cover (303) extends rearwardly from an upper surface of said concavely curved portion (304) and beyond said rear light assembly (300) through a predetermined distance (D).

2. The scooter-type vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least a portion (303b) of the centre cover (303) is integrally formed with said upper surface (304a) of said concavely curved portion (304) and extends rearwardly beyond said rear light assembly (300) through the predetermined distance (D).
3. The scooter-type vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least a portion (303b) of the centre cover (303) is detachably secured to said upper surface (304a) of said concavely curved portion (304) and extends rearwardly beyond said rear light assembly (300) through the predetermined distance (D).
4. The scooter-type vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least a portion (303b) of the centre cover (303) extends rearwardly from the said upper surface (304a) of said concavely curved portion (304) of said centre cover (303) of the rear light assembly (300) along a vehicle rear-back direction (RB).
5. The scooter-type vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least a portion (303b) of the centre cover (303) extends rearwardly beyond a rearward projection (301a) of said tail lamp (301) of the rear light assembly (300).
6.The scooter-type vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said at least a portion (303b) of said rear body cover (100b) extending rearwardly from said centre cover (303) includes a concavely curved section (305).
7. The scooter-type vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said concavely curved section (305) comprises a concave surface (305b) facing the rear-back direction (RB) of the vehicle (1).
8. The scooter-type vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said concavely curved section (305) of said centre cover (303) includes a vehicle brand name printed therein.
9. The scooter-type vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said concavely curved section (305) of said centre cover (303) includes a vehicle brand name securely positioned therein.
10. The scooter-type vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least a portion (303b) of said centre cover (303) extending rearwardly is located at a position higher than said rear light assembly (300) and is being disposed at least partially within the rear body cover (100b).