REAR PANEL FOR A SCOOTER TYPE VEHICLE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a front portion of a saddle type vehicle and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a rear panel in the front portion of a scooter type motorcycle with a swinging power unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The front portion of a scooter type motorcycle forwardly of the vehicle rider comprises of a front panel and a rear panel which are operatively connected to each other. The rear panel has a forwardly surface towards the front panel and a rearwardly surface towards the vehicle customer. The present construction of the rear panel is disadvantageous as it fails to properly support the horn device and front turn indicators on its forwardly surface. The horn device is secured to the forwardly surface of the rear panel as a single point mount. When the motorcycle is driven, the customer has to manoeuvre the motorcycle in traffic rotating the steering in left and right directions to get past the traffic. Hence, the horn device is prone to rotation during the steering of the vehicle. In bump conditions, such single point mount may break which causes rattling sound and the customer is left without the horn device making the manoeuvring of the motorcycle bothersome for him.

[0003] The rear panel also fails to support the front turn indicators on its forwardly surface. In the scooter type motorcycle, the front turn indicators are mounted on either side of the front panel and their long length leads to more overhang in the extreme corners. The rear panel maintains a clearance with the front panel and does not provide any support to the front turn indicators. Due to such mounting, there is no support for the extreme corners of the front turn 5 indicators, and if a frontal load is applied, they tend to move inward towards the forwardly surface of the rear panel. For example, during the display of vehicle in a showroom, a potential customer touches the vehicle to determine the fit and finish. While touching when he applies frontal load to the front turn indicator, it deflects inward.

[0004] Further, such rear panel is mounted on the frame. There is a problem in that the vehicle frame becomes heavier and the structure becomes complicated since a frame mounting bracket exclusive for mounting the rear panel is extended from the frame which adds to the weight and cost of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Therefore, a need exist to provide a rear panel for a scooter type motorcycle which can durably and strongly support a horn device and a front turn indicator on its surface for enhanced durability of the vehicle. There is also a need to mount the rear panel so as to reduce the weight and manufacturing cost of the vehicle.

[0006] To this end, the present subject matter discloses a scooter type motorcycle having a front panel, a rear panel located rearwardly of the front panel, a floorboard and a horn device. The front panel and the rear panel are connected to each other and disposed in a front portion of the motorcycle. The rear panel includes a plurality of bosses in an upper portion, an arcuate projection having a supporting base and disposed below the plurality of bosses, a supporting structure butting against an extreme corner of a front turn indicator provided in the vehicle wherein the horn device is supported on the plurality of bosses and rests on the supporting base of the arcuate projection.

[0007] According to an aspect, the rear panel is jointly mounted to the front panel and the floorboard through sandwich mounting. Further, the plurality of bosses and the arcuate projection are enmoulded with the rear panel.

[0008] The foregoing objectives and summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form, and is not limiting. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present subject matter as well as the subject matter itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the ensuing detailed description of the subject matter and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] The above and other features, aspects and advantages of the subject matter will be better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where:

[00010] FIG. 1 shows a side elevation view of a saddle type vehicle exemplified in the form of a two wheeled scooter type motorcycle according to the present invention.

[00011] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a frame structure of the motorcycle.

[00012] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a front portion of the scooter type motorcycle.

[00013] FIG. 4 shows a front view of a forwardly surface of the rear panel.

[00014] FIG. 5 shows the front view of the forwardly surface of the rear panel illustrating the mounting of a horn device.

[00015] FIG. 6 shows a front view of the forwardly surface of the rear panel illustrating the supporting structure for supporting a front turn indicator.

[00016] FIG. 7 shows the exploded detailed view of sandwich mounting of the rear panel, front panel and the floorboard.

[00017] FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of the sandwich mounting of the FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[00018] Various other features and embodiments of the present subject matter here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder. The detailed explanation of the constitution of parts other than the subject matter which constitutes an essential part has been omitted at suitable places. It is to be noted that in the ensuing description, the saddle type vehicle is exemplified with a two wheeled scooter type vehicle for better illustration. 20 However, the concepts introduced herein are also applicable on any saddle type vehicle having a swinging internal combustion engine. Further "front" and "rear", and "left" and "right" referred to in the ensuing description 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, except otherwise mentioned, refers to a front to rear axis relative to the said vehicle, while a lateral axis, except otherwise mentioned, refers generally to a side to side, or left to right 5 axis relative to said vehicle.

[00019] FIG. 1 shows a side elevation view of the scooter type motorcycle (hereinafter 'motorcycle'). The motorcycle 1 includes a frame assembly made up of several tubes welded together supporting the body of said vehicle. The motorcycle 1 has a steerable front wheel 2 and a driven rear wheel 4 driven by driving force generated by an internal combustion engine 11. The front wheel 2 of the motorcycle 1 is axially supported at a lower end of a front fork 3, and the front fork 3 is pivoted in a steerable manner in a head pipe 51 of the vehicle frame. The frame assembly is covered by a plurality of vehicle body covers including a front panel 16, a rear panel 20, an under seat cover 13, a left side cover 6, a right side cover and a bottom cover 12. The right side cover is symmetrical to the left side cover and hence not shown.

[00020] A handle bar 7 is attached to an upper end of the head pipe 51. A headlight unit 10 is arranged forwardly of the handle bar 7 and is surrounded by a visor 9. The handle bar 7 and a seat 5 are supported at opposing ends of the frame 20 assembly and a generally open area is defined there between known as floorboard 15 which functions as a step through space. The seat 5 for a driver and a pillion is placed forward to a fuel tank and rearwardly of the floorboard 15. A utility box (not shown) is provided below the seat 5 for storing useful articles. A side trim member 14 laterally beneath the floorboard 15 is provided to cover the lower frame members from being visible. The side trim member 14 is laterally present on both sides of the vehicle; however, only one is visible in the side view. A side stand fixed to the left side of the frame supports the vehicle such that vehicle can 5 incline to the left side without falling. A rear fender 8 is accommodated at the rearmost end of the motorcycle to partially cover the rear wheel 4. Likewise, the front wheel 2 is covered by a lower member 17 of the front panel 16.

[00021] The lower member 17 has a rearwardly portion 19 inclined rearwardly and curvedly toward the side trim member 14. One of the front turn 10 indicators is referred to by numeral 18, the other being not visible in this view and identical. The front turn indicator 18 is mounted on the front panel 16. It is long in length and has an extreme corner 19 at its upper portion.

[00022] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the frame in said motorcycle. The frame assembly of the motorcycle 1 is an elongated structure, which typically extends from a forward end to a rearward end of the vehicle. It is generally convex in shape, as viewed from a side elevational view. The frame is comprised of the head pipe 51, a downpipe 52 extending downwards from the head pipe 51, a lower pipe 53 supporting the low-slung floorboard 15 extending rearwards from a lower end of the downpipe 52, and a rear pipe 57 formed by curving a rear end section of the lower pipe 53 diagonally upwards. The vehicle has two parallel and similar rear pipes laterally spaced apart from each other and hence only one is used to explain the present invention. Each rear pipe 57 is made of an inclined section extending diagonally upwards from a rear end of the lower pipe 53, and a horizontal section extending rearwards substantially horizontally from the inclined section and is covered by the side cover 6.

[00023] In said motorcycle, the engine 11 is configured to drive, and is swingably supported between the lower pipe 53 and the rear wheel 4. The engine 5 11 is integrally formed with a transmission system in a common casing, and the rear wheel 4 is connected to a drive shaft at the rear of a casing of the engine 11. In an embodiment of the present invention, the engine is a four stroke, forwardly inclined, single cylinder internal combustion engine.

[00024] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a front portion of the scooter type motorcycle. The front panel 16 and the rear panel 20 are disposed in the front portion of the motorcycle and are structurally connected to each other. The front panel 16 and the rear panel 20 have a clearance (space) between them to accommodate a portion of the frame of the motorcycle. The clearance varies from the top to bottom axis of the motorcycle depending upon the contours of the front 15 panel and the rear panel. More particularly, the head pipe 51, steering tube and a portion of the down pipe 52 are accommodated in the space between the front panel 16 and the rear panel 20. Thus, the front cover 16 and the rear cover 20 cover the members of the frame of the motorcycle and provide aesthetic value to the motorcycle 1.

[00025] The rear panel 20 in the present invention is configured to support a horn device and front turn indicators on its surface. The rear panel 20 has a forwardly surface 21 facing the front panel 16 and a rearwardly surface 22 toward the motorcycle rider. The forwardly surface 21 and the rearwardly surface 22 are spread laterally along the lateral axis of the motorcycle 1. For better illustration, the rear cover 20 is further divided into a left member 23 and a right member 24 integrally formed with each other. The left member 23 and the right member 24 at their interface are curved inwardly toward the vehicle operator forming a middle 5 member 25 of the rear cover 20. The middle member 25 is curved rearwardly to form a front cavity 27 (FIG. 4) which accommodates the head pipe 51, steering tube and the downpipe 52. The rear cover 20 also functions as a leg shield which protects the vehicle operator's leg from any damage during vehicle operation. More particularly, a lower portion 26 of the rear panel 20 functions as the leg 10 shield.

[00026] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate the structure of the rear panel 20 in detail. The rear panel 20 comprises of a plurality of bosses in an upper portion and an arcuate projection 33 having a supporting base 34 and disposed below the plurality of bosses. The plurality of bosses is provided on the forwardly surface 21 of the rear panel 20. More particularly, the plurality of bosses includes a first boss 31 and a second boss 32. The second boss 32 is positioned laterally below the first boss 31 so that it is not directly below the first boss 31. The first boss 31 and the second boss 32 are enmoulded along with the rear panel 20 and are threaded to receive a fastener. Further, the arcuate projection 33 is provided at a small distance below the first boss 31 and the second boss 32. The arcuate projection 33 is curved from side to side forming a supporting base 34.

[00027] A horn device 28 is supported and mounted at the forwardly surface 21 of the rear panel 20, preferably toward the right member 24 at an upper portion of the rear panel 20. However, in another embodiment, it can also be mounted at the left member 23 of the rear panel. The horn device 28 is present between the front panel 16 and rear panel 20 and hence invisible to an onlooker. The horn device 28 is supported on the plurality of bosses 31, 32 and rests on the 5 supporting base 34 of the arcuate projection 33. The mounting of the horn device 28 is now explained. The upper end of the horn device 28 is secured to the first boss 31 through a fastener 35. Thus, the horn device 28 hangs from the first boss 31. A lateral pip provided in the horn device is then located into the second boss 32 which provides further support to the horn device 28. The lower portion of the 10 horn device 28 rests on the supporting base 34 of the arcuate projection 33.

[00028] The first boss 31, the second boss 32 and the arcuate projection 33 on the forwardly surface 21 of the rear panel 20 provide a strong support to the horn device 28 on the rear panel 20. When the motorcycle is in operation, the horn device 28 is tightly secured in the first boss 31. The lateral second boss 32 provides lateral support to the horn device 28. When the steering is rotated from left to right direction during manoeuvring of the motorcycle, the supporting base 34 of the arcuate projection 33 functions as a locator and arrests the rotation of the horn device 28. The supporting base 34 forms a cavity extending from side to side due to which the horn device is stopped from rotation along the first boss 31. Thus during bump conditions, the failure of the horn device 28 is prevented as it is adequately supported by and mounted on the rear panel.

[00029] The rear panel 20 also comprises of a supporting structure 37. In an embodiment, the supporting structure 37 is formed integral on the forwardly surface 21 of the rear panel 20. FIG. 6 shows a front view of the forwardly surface 21 of the rear panel 20 illustrating the supporting structure 37 for supporting the front turn indicator 18. The supporting structure 37 is located where the rear portion of the extreme comer 19 of the front turn indicator 18 faces 5 the forwardly surface 21 of the rear panel 20. In an embodiment, the supporting structure 37 is a curved projection. According to an embodiment, the supporting structure is preferably an inverse V-shaped curved projection.

[00030] According to an aspect, the length of the supporting structure 37 is specific is less than or equal to the clearance between the front panel 16 and the forwardly surface 21 of the rear panel 20. During assembly, the extreme comer 19 of the front turn indicator 18 butts against the supporting structure 37. Since the overhang is more in the extreme comer 19 of the front turn indicator 18, the presence of supporting structure 37 removes the clearance between the front panel 16 and the rear panel 20 locally. The supporting stmcture 37 thus restricts the inward movement of extreme comer 19 of the front turn indicator 18 at all points of time. Hence, on application of a frontal load, the supporting stmcture 37 acts as a stopper and resists the inward movement of the front turn indicator 18. The front turn indicator thus appears planted and there is no inward deflection thus resulting into a good fit and finish perception.

[00031] The length of the supporting stmcture 37 on the rear panel 20 cannot be more than the clearance between the front panel 16 and the rear panel 20. Otherwise, the supporting stmcture 37 would push the extreme corner 19 of the front turn indicator 18 more than the clearance, and thus the extreme corner would tend to project out of the front panel 16 in the front direction of the vehicle.

[00032] The supporting structure 37 can be of any shape and length as long as it locally removes the clearance between the front panel 16 and rear panel 20. 5 At least one supporting structure 37 is provided on either side of the rear panel 20 for each front turn indicator. In an embodiment, at least one supporting structure 37 is provided on each of the left member 23 and the right member 24 of the rear panel 20.

[00033] Further, such rear panel 20 is jointly mounted to the front panel 16 and the floorboard 15 through sandwich mounting. FIG. 7 shows the exploded detailed view of sandwich mounting of the rear panel, front panel and the floorboard. FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of the such sandwich mounting. A lower boss 42 is provided on either side of a lower portion 17 of the front panel 16. A corresponding opening 43 is provided in the lower portion of the rear panel 15 20 on its rearwardly surface. A bracket 41 is provided in one arm 15a of the floorboard 15.

[00034] The bracket 41 of the arm of the floorboard is sandwich mounted between the lower boss 42 of the lower portion 17 of the front panel 16 and the corresponding opening 43 in the lower portion of the rear panel 20. Each side of 20 rear panel, namely the left member 23 and the right member 24 is similarly mounted. Since the rear panel and the floorboard take support on the front panel and not on the frame, a frame mounting bracket on either side of the vehicle is avoided. Further, the sandwich mounting of the rear panel with the front panel and the floorboard also reduces the cost and weight of the vehicle as only two fasteners are required to secure three components.

[00035] Thus, the present invention provides an improved rear panel capable of mounting a horn device and also restricting the inward movement of 5 the front turn indicator. The rear panel is sandwich mounted leading to reduction in cost and weight of the vehicle.

[00036] The present subject matter is thus described. The description is not intended to be exhaustive nor is it intended to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed embodiments may be modified in light of the above description. The embodiments described are chosen to provide an illustration of principles of the invention and its practical application to enable thereby one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Therefore the forgoing description is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that described in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A scooter type motorcycle (1) comprising a front panel (16), a rear panel (20) located rearwardly of the front panel (16), a floorboard (15), a horn device (28), characterised in that, the rear panel (20) includes: a plurality of bosses (31, 32) in an upper portion, an arcuate projection (33) having a supporting base (34) and disposed below the plurality of bosses (31, 32), a supporting structure (37) butting against an extreme corner (19) of a front turn indicator (18); wherein the horn device (28) is supported on the plurality of bosses (31, 32) and rests on the supporting base (34) of the arcuate projection (33).

2. The scooter type vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of bosses includes a first boss (31) and a second boss (32) laterally below the first boss (31) wherein the horn device (28) is secured to the first boss (31) and located into the second boss (32).

3. The scooter type vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first boss (31), the second boss (32) and the supporting structure (37) are formed integral on a forwardly surface (21) of the rear panel (20) facing the front panel (16). The scooter type vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of bosses (31, 32) and the arcuate projection (33) are enmoulded with the rear panel (20). The scooter type vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the length of the supporting structure (37) is less than or equal to the clearance between the front panel (16) and the rear panel (20). The scooter type vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one supporting structure (37) is provided on either side of the rear panel (20) for each front turn indicator. The scooter type vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear panel (20) is jointly mounted to the front panel (16) and the floorboard (15) through sandwich mounting. The scooter type vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein a bracket (41) of an arm (15a) of the floorboard (15) is sandwich mounted between a lower boss (42) of a lower portion (17) of the front panel (16) and a corresponding opening (43) in a lower portion of the rear panel (20).