DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter, in general, relates to a straddle type vehicle, and, in particular relates, to a seat assembly for the two-wheeled vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, in two wheeled vehicle requirement of a utility box is very high as it has limited space to store the belongings of the rider. Generally, in step through vehicle it is stored below the seat where the seat is mounted with the frame side rails and is said mounting is generally covered with the sides of the storage box therefore the serviceability becomes an issue. Therefore, to service the seat assembly, it is to be removed along with the storage box, that incur high labour cost to the user of the vehicle. Further, in saddle type vehicle, specially motorcycles, where the center portion of frame is disposed in front of the rider sitting portion, the utility box is either not provided of is provided on side of the vehicle. In these types of vehicles, the utility box cannot not be provided below the seat as seat is required to be opened by removing the entire seat not using the pivot movement due to seat interference with the center portion of frame in the front and with the pillion handle on rear side, which is not very convenient to use when storing the goods. be opened with a pivot movement.
[0003] Further, in all vehicles the seat provided are of generally of resin material with plain surface which create discomfort for the user of the vehicle in case of long driving hours, as riders skin under the fabric is in direct contact with the seat surface and therefore it disturbs the blood flow in the skin that causes fatigue related injuries, pain & discomfort. Also, customers typically buy aftermarket seat covers with various patterns and material such as fabric, resin, nylon netted covers that provides an aesthetic appeal to the seat, but in those seat covers also the riders skin under the fabric remains in direct contact with the seat surface and disturbs the blood flow in the skin.
[0004] Therefore, a seat assembly is required in order to solve above mentioned and other related problems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures.
[0006] Fig. 1 illustrates a two-wheeled vehicle, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.
[0007] Fig. 2 illustrates a seat assembly for the two-wheeled vehicle, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.
[0008] Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 illustrate the seat structure and the mounting arrangement of the seat, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.
DESCRIPTION
[0009] The following specification describes the invention. However, the following description does not limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is completely dependent on the claims.
[00010] To summarize, the present subject matter provides a straddle type vehicle (hereinafter ‘vehicle’) having a seat assembly that is directly mounted on a utility box. Particularly the front side of a seat of the seat assembly is mounted on the utility box at a pivot point disposed in a front portion of the utility box. In addition, the rear side of the seat includes a holder for the seat, which may include an indented surface. The rear side of the seat also includes a locking mechanism. Said seat is mounted on the utility box such that a relief is provided on a center panel disposed in the front side of the utility box, the relief accommodates the front portion of the seat in open condition. The seat also has a seat surface includes an uneven pattern, that increases the surface resistance of the rider while sitting on the seat to improve the stability of the rider while driving. In addition, said uneven seat surface will include air traps at one or more locations to improve the rider comfort during long rides, as the air traps will create a circulation between the rider fabric and the seat.
[00011] In detail, an objective of the present invention is to provide the vehicle that includes a frame structure extending from a front portion to a rear portion of the vehicle, in a longitudinal plane of the vehicle. The frame structure includes a front part, a center part, and a rear part. The vehicle also includes a panel assembly, that includes a front panel, a center panel, and a rear panel. The front panel is disposed in the front portion of the vehicle, the center panel is disposed at a center portion of the vehicle, and the rear panel being disposed in the rear portion of the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle includes a utility box disposed in the rear portion of the vehicle, and that is supported with the rear part of the frame. The vehicle includes a seat assembly disposed above the utility box, and also mounted to the utility box. The seat assembly is mounted over the utility box such that the center part of the frame and the center panel are touching or disposed adjacent below to a front side of the seat assembly. The seat assembly includes a seat with a mounting structure at a front side of the seat. The mounting structure is pivotally attached to a front part of the utility box at a pivot point.
[00012] It is an objective of the present invention to provide the center panel being disposed in front of the seat and above the center part of the frame. In detail the center panel includes a first end and a second end, such that the first end is connected to the front panel in the front portion of the vehicle, and the second end being connected to the rear panel adjacent below the seat in the rear portion of the vehicle. Said second end of the center panel includes a relief below the front side of the seat, the relief is configured to provide a degree of freedom of pivotal movement to the front side of the seat during pivotal movement of the mounting structure at the pivot point.
[00013] It is an objective of the present invention to provide the seat with a holder at a rear side of the seat, that defines a grip portion used for supporting the seat during pivotal movement. Said holder may be integrated to the seat or may be attached as a separate attachment. The holding structure includes a left extension, a right extension, and a mid-portion, where the left extension and the right extension extends backwards from the mid-portion.
[00014] It is another objective to provide a locking mechanism with the seat at the rear side of the seat, which includes a first part attached below the rear side of the seat and a second part attached to a rear part of the utility box.
[00015] Further, it is an objective of the present subject matter is to provide the vehicle with a seat assembly that includes a seat with a seating surface for a user of the vehicle, where the seating surface includes a non-uniform pattern. Said non-uniform pattern is defined by at least one series of contours disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal plane of the vehicle. Said at least one series of contours defines one or more air-traps having a predetermined depth
[00016] Further, the embodiments of the present subject matter will be explained in details with reference to the provided Figures. Fig. 1 shows a left side view of the straddle type two wheeled vehicle (hereinafter ‘vehicle’). The vehicle (100) includes a front wheel (101), a front panel (102), a front suspension system (103), a handle bar assembly (104), a frame structure (105) extending from a front portion F to a rear portion R, a floorboard (106), a power unit (not shown), a seat assembly (107), a transmission system (108), a rear wheel (109), a rear suspension system (110), a rear panel (111), and a center panel (112). The front wheel (101), the front panel (102), the front suspension system (103), the handle bar assembly (104), a front part (not shown) of the frame structure (105) are disposed on the front portion (F) of the vehicle (100). A center part (105C) of the frame structure (105), the center panel (112), the floor board (105), the power unit (not shown) are disposed on a center portion (C) of the vehicle (100). A rear part (not shown) of the frame structure (105), the seat assembly (107), the transmission system (108), the rear wheel (109), the rear suspension system (110), and the rear panel assembly (111) are disposed on the rear portion (R) of the vehicle (100).
[00017] The front panel (102), the rear panel (111), and the center panel (112) defines a panel assembly of the vehicle (100) that extends rearward from the front portion (F) to the rear portion (R), along the frame structure (105). The front panel (102) cover the front portion (F) of the vehicle (100), the rear panel (111) covers the rear portion (R) of the vehicle (100), and the center panel (112) covers the center portion (C) of the vehicle (100). The center panel (112) is disposed at one or more locations at the center portion (C) of the vehicle (100). The center panel (112) is disposed on a portion of the center part (105C) of the frame structure (105), on left and right sides of the vehicle (100).
[00018] Further, referring to Figs. 2-4 the embodiments, interdependent functionality and mounting arrangement of said embodiment will be explained in detail. The seat assembly (107) of vehicle (100) is disposed above a utility box (113) (shown in Fig. 4) that is disposed in the rear portion (R) of the vehicle (100), and is being supported with the rear part (not shown) of the frame (105). The seat assembly (107) is mounted over the utility box (113) such that the center part (105C) of the frame (105) and the center panel (112) are touching or disposed adjacent below to a front side (107F) of the seat assembly (107). The seat assembly (107) broadly includes a seat (107S) that is mounted to the utility box (113) and behind the center panel (112). The seat (107S) includes a mounting structure (107M), a holder (107H), a locking mechanism (107L), and a seating surface (107N).
[00019] The seat (107S) is directly mounted over the utility box (113) through the mounting structure (107M). The mounting structure (107M) is provided at a front side (107F) of the seat (107S). The front side (107F) of the seat (107S) is pivoted at a pivot point (113P) provided in a front part (113F) of the utility box (113), such that the mounting structure (107M) is pivotally attached to the pivot point (113P) provided at the front part (113F) of the utility box (113), such that the seat (107S) opens over the center panel (112). The pivot point (113P) and the mounting structure (107M) may include any attaching mechanism such as a pivoting hook or the like.
[00020] The seat (107S) is mounted above the utility box (113) such that that center panel (112) is disposed in front of the seat (107S) and above the center part (105C) of the frame structure (105). The center panel (112) includes a first end (112F) and a second end (112R). The first end (112F) is connected to the front panel (102) in front portion (F) of the vehicle (100). The second end (112R) is connected to the rear panel (111) such that the second end (112R) extend adjacent below the front side (107F) of the seat (107S) in the rear portion (R) of the vehicle (100). Therefore, the center panel (112) is disposed in front of the seat (107S) and above the center part (105C) of the frame structure (105). The second end (112R) of the center panel (112) includes a relief (114) below the front side (107F) of the seat (107S). The relief (114) provides a degree of freedom of pivotal movement for the front side (107F) of the seat (107S) during pivotal movement of the mounting structure (107M) at the pivot point (113P). The relief (114) accommodates the front side (107F) of the seat (107S) in open condition and maintains a gap between the seat (107S) and the center panel (112).
[00021] The holder (107H) is attached at a rear side (107R) of the seat (107S) such that the holder (107H) defines a grip portion used for supporting the seat (107S) during pivotal movement. In an embodiment, the holder (107H) is an indented surface on the rear side (107R) of the seat (107S). The holder (107H) includes a left extension (115), a right extension (116), and a mid-portion (117). The left extension (115) and the right extension (116) extend backwards from the mid-portion (117). The mid-portion (117) forms a cavity or a depression (grip portion) such that hand of the user of the vehicle (100) fits in and slides below the rear side (107R) to open the seat (107S). In an embodiment, the mid-portion (117) includes an inclination towards the rear portion (R) of the vehicle (100). In an embodiment, the holder (107H) may be an integrated structure to the seat (107S) and may be attached as a separate attachment.
[00022] The locking mechanism (107L) of the seat (107S) is disposed at the rear side (107R) of the seat (107S). In an embodiment, the locking mechanism (107L) is disposed below the holder (107H). The locking mechanism (107L) includes a first part (118) and a second part (119). The first part (118) is attached with the seat (107S) and the second part (119) is attached with the utility box (113). In a locked condition, the first part (118) and the second part (119) are engaged to each other and can only disengaged using an authorized unlocking unit such as a key. The locking mechanism (107L) may include a mechanical lock, an electronic lock, or the like.
[00023] Further, the seating surface (107N) defines an upper surface of the seat (107S) used for providing seating support to the rider. The seating surface (107N) includes a non-uniform pattern defined by at least one series of contours (120). For example, at least one series of contours (120) includes a number of negative contours forming an undulated surface of the non-uniform pattern. However, the non-uniform pattern may include any surface in which one or more negative contours are formed. This non-uniform pattern of the seat (107S) increases the surface resistance of the rider while sitting on the seat (107S), which will improve the stability of the rider while driving. Thus, the non-uniform pattern of seating surface (107N) of the seat (107S) ensures an optimum friction or resistance with the contact surface of the seat to avoid slip of the rider during in plane & out of plane maneuvers as well as during braking.
[00024] The non-uniform pattern defined by the at least one series of contours (120) is predisposed substantially at the rider to seat contact interface. Said at least one series of contours (120) is disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal plane A-A’ of the vehicle (100). For example, in another embodiment, it may contain a series of substantially orthogonal contours. In another embodiment, the at least one series of contours (120) are disposed at an acute angle to each other and to the longitudinal plane A-A’ of the vehicle (100). In another embodiment, the at least one series of contours (120) are disposed at an obtuse angle to each other and the longitudinal plane A-A’ of the vehicle (100). In addition, the at least one series of contours (120) include one or more predetermined pitch distances in one or more directions. for example, the pitch of the pattern formed in the case of orthogonal contours is of a first predetermined pitch distance in one direction and a second predetermined pitch distance in another direction. In another embodiment, the pattern or the pitch may be non-uniform in either of the directions. Also, in an embodiment, the pitch of the pattern formed in the case of orthogonal contours may be same in all the direction i.e. the first predetermined pitch distance or the second predetermined pitch distance.
[00025] Additionally, the at least one series of contours (120) defines one or more air-traps having a predetermined depth, that is substantially smaller than the extent to which the human tissue can get pressed inside the gaps formed by the at least one series of contours (120). In an embodiment, the seating surface (107N) with non-uniform patterns will include air traps at one or more locations. These air traps will improve the rider comfort during long rides, as the air traps will create a circulation between the rider fabric and the seat. The non-uniform pattern of the seating surface (107N) is designed according to human ergonomics & biomechanics point-of-view. The non-uniform patterns facilitate adequate open spaces to enable good blood circulation to the tissues under skin layer of the rider. Thus, in comparison to the plain surface seats or seat covers with various patterns where the rider’s fabric and skin are in continuous contact to the seating surface resulting in fatigue related injuries, pain & discomfort, the non-uniform pattern of the seat provide comfort to the rider due to proper blood circulation while sitting.
[00026] The above description is an exemplary description of the intended invention and does not limit the scope. It is to be understood that the aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein. Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible in the light of above disclosure. Therefore, within the scope of claims of the present subject matter, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.

List of Reference Numerals
100 Vehicle
F Front portion of 100
R Rear portion of 100
C Center portion of 100
A-A’ Longitudinal plane of 100
101 Front wheel of 100
102 Front panel 100
103 Front suspension system 100
104 Handle bar assembly 100
105 Frame structure 100
105C Center part of 105
106 Floorboard of 100
107 Seat assembly of 100
107S Seat 107
107L Locking mechanism of 107S
107M Mounting structure of 107S
107N Seating surface of 107S
107R Rear side of 107S
107F Front side of 107S
107H Holder of 107S
108 Transmission system of 100
109 Rear wheel of 100
110 Rear suspension system of 100
111 Rear panel of 100
112 Center panel of 100
112F Front part of 112
112R Rear part of 112
113 Utility Box of 100
113F Font part of 113
114 Relief in 112R
115 Left extension of 107H,
116 Right extension of 107H
117 Mid-portion of 107H
118 First part of 107L
119 Second part of 107L
119 Contours of 109N
,CLAIMS:We claim,
1) A vehicle (100) comprising;
a frame structure (105) extending from a front portion F to a rear portion R of the vehicle (100), in a longitudinal plane A-A’ of the vehicle (100), the frame structure (105) including a front part (not shown), a center part (105C), and a rear part (not shown);
a panel assembly, the panel assembly includes a front panel (102), a center panel (112), and a rear panel (111), the front panel (102) being disposed in the front portion (F) of the vehicle (100), the center panel (112) being disposed at a center portion (C) of the vehicle 100, and the rear panel (111) being disposed in the rear portion (R) of the vehicle 100;
a utility box (113) disposed in the rear portion (R) of the straddle type vehicle (100), the utility box (113) being supported with the rear part (not shown), and behind the center part (105C) of the frame structure (105C); and
a seat assembly (107) disposed above the utility box (113) such that the center part (105C) of the frame (105) and the center panel (112) are disposed adjacent below to a front side (107F) of the seat assembly (107), the seat assembly (107) being mounted to the utility box (113), the seat assembly (107) includes a seat (107S) including a mounting structure (107M) at the front side (107F), the mounting structure (107M) being pivotally attached to a front part (113F) of the utility box (113) at a pivot point (113P).

2) The vehicle (100), as claimed in claim 1, wherein the center panel (112) includes a first end (112F) and a second end (112R), the first end (112F) being connected to the front panel (102) in front portion (F), and the second end (112R) being connected to the rear panel (111) adjacent below the seat (107S) in the rear portion (R), such that center panel (112) is disposed in front of the seat (107S) and above the center part (105C) of the frame structure (105).

3) The vehicle (100), as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second end (112R) of the center panel (112) includes a relief (114) below the front side (107F) of the seat (107C), the relief (114) is configured to provide a degree of freedom of pivotal movement for the front side (107F) of the seat (107S) during pivotal movement of the mounting structure (107M) at the pivot point (113P).

4) The vehicle (100), as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat (107S) includes a holder (107H) attached a rear side (107R) of the seat, the holder (107H) defines a grip portion used for supporting the seat (107S) during pivotal movement.

5) The vehicle (100), as claimed in claim 4, wherein the holder (107H) includes a left extension (115), a right extension (116), and a mid-portion (117).

6) The vehicle (100), as claimed in claim 5, wherein the left extension (115) and the right extension (116) extends backwards from the mid-portion (117).

7) The vehicle (100), as claimed in claim 6, wherein the seat (107S) includes a locking mechanism (107L) disposed at the rear side (107R) of the seat (107S), the locking mechanism (107L) including a first part (118) attached below the rear side (107R) of the seat (107S) and a second part (119) being attached to a rear part (113R) of the utility box (113).

8) A vehicle (100) comprising a seat assembly (107) including a seat (107S) adapted to provide a seating surface (107N) for a user of the vehicle (100), wherein the seating surface (107N) includes a non-uniform pattern defined by at least one series of contours (120) disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal plane A-A’ of the vehicle (100).
9) The vehicle (100), as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one series of contours (120) defines one or more air-traps having a predetermined depth.

10) The vehicle (100), as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one series of contours (120) include one or more predetermined pitch distance in one or more directions.