DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates to a three-wheeled vehicle. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to a splash guard assembly for the three-wheeled vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In many of the developing & under developed countries, motor vehicle particularly a three wheeled automotive vehicle is a significant mode of public transportation. It is vastly used as a point to point mode of transport in rural and urban areas. When driving the vehicle, especially in the under developed rural areas where road infrastructure is a major issue the mud, water and splashes gets into engine and other rear parts of the vehicle.
[0003] Generally, a vehicle splash guard assembly, sometimes referred to as mud flaps, have been used on automobiles to reduce mud spray to the vehicle and additionally protects the finish and undercarriage of the vehicle on which they are mounted. Typically, the mud flaps or splash guard assembly are located behind vehicle rear wheels and thus protects the vehicle from water spray, rocks and like debris.
[0004] An existing three-wheeled vehicle is equipped with a wheel arch and a splash guard assembly to prevent rear wheels from throwing dirt, gravel, rocks, water or other materials to the rear section of vehicle. The wheel arch is mounted on a vehicle body panel and the splash guard assembly is mounted on frame. However, a gap between the wheel arch and the splash guard assembly provides a tangential splashing zones adjoining a rear wheel, hence resulting in mud, water and splashes entry to the engine mounted in a rear compartment of the vehicle. Although, the conventional mud flaps, splash guard assembly and the wheel arch can minimize the spray of water, mud, and rocks, but cannot completely prevents the entry of water and splashes into the vehicle. Hence, degrading engine efficiency and performance and further introducing corrosion to metal components.
[0005] Hence, it is desirable to modify the structure of the splash guard assembly for the three-wheeled vehicle so as to prevent the water entry, splashes of mud to the rear compartment of the vehicle and thus protect the engine from mud and water splash by the pair of rear wheels of the three-wheeled vehicle. Further, it is needed to provide an improved structure for the splash guard assembly for the three-wheeled vehicle which is easy to mount on the vehicle and is cost effective.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] This invention will be better understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0007] Fig. 1 shows a side view of a three-wheeled vehicle as per one embodiment of the present invention.
[0008] Fig. 2 shows a rear view of the three-wheeled vehicle of Fig.1 as per one embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] Fig. 3 is a fragmentary exploded view showing a splash guard assembly for the three-wheeled vehicle of Fig.1 as per one embodiment of the present invention.
[00010] Fig 4a is a perspective view of a splash guard assembly detachably secured to a body panel of the three- wheeled vehicle of Fig.1 as per one embodiment of the present invention.
[00011] Fig.4b is a side view of a rear portion of the three-wheeled vehicle of Fig.1 as per one embodiment of the present invention.
[00012] Fig.5a is a side view of rear portion of the three-wheeled vehicle of Fig.1 as per one embodiment of the present invention.
[00013] Fig.5b is a sectional view of the splash guard assembly detachably secured to the body panel of three-wheeled vehicle of Fig.1 as per the present invention.
[00014] Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself, and the manner in which it may be made and used, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying figures forming a part thereof.
[00015] 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.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00016] Generally, mud accumulation on an engine and engine parts of vehicles is major issue in rainy season. It reduces engine efficiency by reducing heat transfer. For a liquid cooled engine where radiator is used, the radiator vents are blocked by mud and hence resulting in reduced performance of the radiator and the engine. Moreover, mud splashes increases the vehicle weight and reduces fuel economy. Typically, a splash guard assembly or mud guard are secured to a vehicle to reduce wheel spray to the rear of the vehicle. However, such splash guard assembly is normally made up of rubber or other flexible material and are secured at their upper edges to a vehicle from rearwardly of each of the pair of rear wheels of the three-wheeled vehicle.
[00017] In an existing three-wheeled vehicle, a splash guard assembly is mounted at the back region of each of the pair of rear wheels of the three-wheeled vehicle. Traditionally, the splash guards are mounted to a vehicle body panel or structure forming part of a wheel arch opening, such as, for example, a vehicle fender.
[00018] In order that the aims and achievements of the present invention will be clearly understood, it is advisable to state at this juncture, that the common types of fenders or mud guards now in general use do not entirely prevent road matter from being cast upon the bodies of three-wheeled vehicles. This inability of the existing structure for splash guard assembly to completely entrap road matter, has been traced to the general construction and design of the same, that is, in transverse cross section the ordinary fender usually presents a substantially flat or slightly convex surface to the periphery of the vehicle wheel which, as will be explained, does not fully block the progress of the road material set into motion by a vehicle wheel. For instance, when the road material is forcibly propelled by a vehicle wheel against the substantially flat surface of an ordinary fender, it will splatter or diffuse into fine volatile particles, which spread in cloud formation beyond the margins of the fender. This volatile matter is then caught in the wind, always attending a moving vehicle, and carried back so as to be deposited upon the body and other exterior parts of the vehicle.
[00019] Further, in the three wheeled vehicle, a wheel arch is mounted on body panel and splash guard assembly is mounted on frame. However, there is a gap between the wheel arch and the splash guard assembly and this gap leads to mud entry to the engine compartment. Thus, traditional mud flaps or the splash guard assembly are unable to eliminate spray and splash. Typically, the wheel arch is not rigid enough to protect the body panel of three wheeled vehicle from any type of breakage or deformation. Hence, results in insufficient stiffness to the body panel. Another problem with the traditional splash guard assembly in the three wheeled vehicle is that, it has a relief for a suspension spring and shock absorber unit through which mud can enter into the engine placed in a rear compartment. Of the three-wheeled vehicle. Thus, one or more tangent lines over the circumference of said each of the pair of rear wheel depicts the splashing zones of water adjoining the pair of rear wheel. Hence, through the splashing zone between the wheel arch and the splash guard assembly, mud, debris, splashes and stones enters into the engine and other rear parts of the three-wheeled vehicle.
[00020] With these objectives in view, the present invention provides for a simple, cost-effective and inexpensive splash guard assembly to prevent mud and other matter from being thrown upwardly from said each of the pair of rear wheels onto the running gear or body of the three-wheeled vehicle. The present invention discloses an improved splash guard assembly to substantially prevent the entry of mud or splashes into the rear of the three-wheeled vehicle. The object of the present invention is to solve the problem of sewage splashing easily caused by the vehicle which passes through a waterway. As per one embodiment of the present invention, said splash guard assembly includes a horizontal portion and a vertical portion. In one embodiment, said splash guard assembly further includes at least one side extension extending outwardly from at least one end of said horizontal portion and at least one mounting flange extending outwardly from at least one end of said vertical portion. As per one embodiment, the horizontal portion of the splash guard assembly is configured to represent the wheel arch for the conventional splash guard assembly. In one embodiment, said horizontal portion is detachably secured to said vertical portion. Referring to one embodiment, said horizontal portion and said at least one mounting flange of said vertical portion includes at least one fastener receiving hole respectively, configured to receive one or more fasteners for detachably securing said horizontal portion to the vertical portion of the splash guard assembly . Thus in one embodiment, said horizontal portion is detachably mounted on the vertical portion such that no gap exists between said horizontal portion and the vertical portion and hence a potential path for mud entry is blocked. In one embodiment, the splash assembly covers said suspension spring and shock absorber unit from at least one side. In one embodiment, the mounting of the horizontal portion onto the vertical portion makes the splash guard assembly as an integral part of the body panel such that the splash guard is secured to the body panel and hence splash guard assembly is assembled without removing said each of the pair of the rear wheels of the three-wheeled vehicle.
[00021] The present invention relates to an improved structure for the splash guard assembly which provides enough stiffness to the body panel of the three-wheeled vehicle. For this purpose, said at least one side extension is provided to horizontal portion. As per one embodiment of the present invention, said at least one side extension from one end of the horizontal portion representing the wheel arch of the three-wheeled vehicle is integrally formed with the horizontal portion of the splash guard assembly, thus the horizontal portion provides sufficient strength and stiffness to the body panel of the three wheeled vehicle and hence prevents it from any kind of deformation or breakage caused accidentally by stones or any gravel and also the horizontal portion acts as a reinforcing for the body panel for three-wheeled vehicle.
[00022] The other object of the present invention is to provide at least one mounting flange to at least one end of the vertical portion of the splash guard assembly. In one embodiment, said at least one mounting flange has plurality of fasteners receiving holes. As per one embodiment, the vertical portion gets mounted to the horizontal portion in the manner that all the tangential points and splashing zones between the horizontal portion and the vertical portion gets covered, hence preventing the entry of mud or splashes to the rear compartment of the vehicle.
[00023] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved and modified splash guard assembly for mounting on the rear portion of the three-wheeled vehicle behind said each of the pair of rear wheels. Further, it is an object of the invention to provide a modified and improved structure for the splash guard assembly can be manufactured at a reasonable cost and can be readily assembled upon the vehicle frame.
[00024] Another object of the present invention is to cover the relief for the suspension spring and shock absorber unit in such a manner so that mud and splashes do not enter the engine and other rear parts in the three-wheeled vehicle. Thus, as per one embodiment of the present invention, said at least one mounting flange from said at least one end of the vertical portion is configured to cover the suspension spring and shock absorber unit, hence imparting protection to the engine and the vehicle .
[00025] The invention, primarily relates to the splash guard assembly or mud flaps , mountable on the rear portion of the vehicle, extending vertically behind and overlapping a portion of each of said pair of rear wheel.
[00026] As per one embodiment of the present invention, the splash guard assembly for the three wheeled vehicle has the advantages of being capable of effectively preventing splashing stains and flying stones. With objective of present invention, the splash guard assembly provides stiffness and strength to the body panel for the three wheeled vehicle and hence prevents it from any kind of deformation. In one embodiment, said vertical portion with said at least one mounting flange is mounted to the horizontal portion of the splash guard assembly in such a manner that all the tangential points and splashing zones over the rear wheel periphery is eliminated and thus mud and splashes entry to the rear compartment and engine of the three wheeled vehicle is prevented hence increasing the efficiency of vehicle.
[00027] In present invention, the three-wheeled vehicle comprises of the splash guard assembly. The splash guard assembly comprises of the horizontal portion and the vertical portion. In one embodiment, the horizontal portion of the splash guard assembly includes a main arcuate portion having a cross section including a central curved section and said at least one side extension joined to the sides of the curved section to form a relatively sharp angled juncture portion. Thus, as per one embodiment, the horizontal portion depicts an arc-shaped metal sheet being arcuately shaped along the edge in conformity with the arcuacy of the rear wheels wheel periphery. In one embodiment, the horizontal portion has at least one side extension extending outwardly. In one embodiment, said at least one side extension is an integral part of said horizontal portion, and thus the structure imparts much stiffness to the body panel of three wheeled vehicle. Thus, as per one embodiment, the splash guard assembly eliminates the gap between said arc shaped metal sheet and said vertical portion.
[00028] In one embodiment, said splash guard assembly prevents the penetration of mud and splashes to said engine placed in the rear compartment of the three-wheeled vehicle. As per one embodiment, the vertical portion of said splash guard assembly comprises said at least one mounting flange extending outwardly from at least one end. In one embodiment, the horizontal portion and said at least one mounting flange of said vertical portion comprises of the plurality of fasteners. In one embodiment, said vertical portion through said at least one mounting flange is mounted onto the horizontal portion through one or more fasteners. As per one embodiment, said one or more fasteners involves clip nuts, rivets, bolts and snap fit. In one embodiment, the vertical portion has said at least one mounting flange configured for covering the suspension spring and shock absorber unit from said at least one side, thus preventing the entry of mud into the engine and other rear parts of the three-wheeled vehicle.
[00029] The present invention relates to a new and useful improvements and structural refinements in the three-wheeled vehicle and the principal object of the invention is to provide the splash guard assembly for said each of the pair of rear wheels for the three-wheeled vehicle, so as to protect the engine as well as other portions of the three -wheeled vehicle against splashing water, mud, stones, gravel, etc.
[00030] Although the present invention has been exemplified for the three-wheeled vehicle, it is not restricted only for the three-wheeled vehicle. Application of the present invention may be extended to other vehicles, including four –wheeled vehicles.
[00031] Exemplary embodiment detailing features of the three-wheeled vehicle, in accordance with the present invention will be described hereunder. The embodiments described herein apply to the three-wheeled vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine. However, the present invention is not restricted in its application and is also applicable to vehicles employing the drive motor or either by the internal combustion engine or the drive motor selectively or by the internal combustion engine alone.
[00032] The three-wheeled automotive vehicle is mainly, but not solely, used as a passenger carrier. It is to be noted that “front” and “rear”, and “left” and “right” wherever 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 vehicle and looking forward. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to the vehicle, while a lateral axis refers generally to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the vehicle. Various other features of the three-wheeled vehicle according to the present subject matter here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder.
[00033] Further 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.
[00034] Fig. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary three-wheeled vehicle (100) (hereinafter ‘vehicle’), as per one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the vehicle (100) has a frame (400) (shown in Fig.4a), which includes a head tube, a main tube assembly extending rearward from the head tube. As per one embodiment, the vehicle (100) has a front cowl (104) positioned in the anterior portion of the head tube. A wind shield (102) is mounted to the front cowl (104). A floorboard (107) is extending from the bottom portion of the front cowl (104) to the rearward direction of the vehicle (100), supported by the main frame. A handle bar assembly (103) is rotatably supported by the head tube, positioned behind the front cowl (104). A steering assembly (not shown) comprises a front wheel (106) connected to the handle bar assembly (103) through one or more suspension(s) (not shown). A front fender (105) is above the front wheel (106), covering at least a portion of the front wheel (106). A bottom portion of a vehicle body panel (113) is connected to the posterior portion of the floorboard (107). As per one embodiment of the present invention, a pair of rear wheels (110) are connected to a swing arm through one or more rear suspension(s) of a rear suspension system (117). As per one embodiment, said one or more rear suspension(s) of the rear suspension system (117) includes the suspension spring and the shock absorber unit (112) and a suspension spring (115) with one end pivotally connected to said frame (400). As per one embodiment, the rear suspension system (117) is pivotally coupling said pair of rear wheels (110) to the frame (400). In one embodiment, a hood (101) connects a top portion of the front cowl (105) and a top portion of the body panel (113).
[00035] Further in Fig.1, the vehicle (100) is longitudinally divided into a front portion (F) and a rear portion (R) along the line X-X’. As per one embodiment, said front portion (F) has a driver’s seat assembly (108) and said rear portion (R) has a long passenger seat (109) with a seating capacity of minimum three passengers. As per one embodiment, the driver’s seat assembly (108) is positioned in a posterior portion to the handle bar assembly (103). In one embodiment, driver’s seat assembly (108) comprises a seat base (108a) and a fixed backrest (108b).In one embodiment, the driver operates the vehicle (100) in a sitting position by sitting on the seat base (108a). Referring to one embodiment, a partition wall is positioned along the line X-X’ extending in the lateral direction of the vehicle (100). In one embodiment, the vehicle (100) can be used as a passenger carrier vehicle or a load carrier vehicle. Further, as per one embodiment of the present invention, said vehicle (100) further comprises a splash guard assembly (300) (shown in Fig.3, Fig.4 and Fig.5) located laterally behind each of said pair of rear wheels (110) of the vehicle (100).
[00036] Fig.2 illustrates a rear compartment (200) provided in the rear portion (R) of vehicle (100) as per one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, said rear compartment (200) in the rear portion (R) of vehicle (100) houses an internal combustion engine (201) and other vehicular components. As per one embodiment, the internal combustion engine (201) produces the necessary power which is then transferred to the rear wheel (110) through a vehicle transmission system. In one embodiment, the engine (201) because of the bigger size, occupies a significant space in the rear compartment (200) due to which the available space for other components is limited. As per one embodiment, said frame (400) comprises of two long members, namely a first long member and a second long member one on each side of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Further, the rear compartment (200) is supported on the vehicle frame (400).
[00037] Fig.3 is fragmentary perspective view of the splash guard assembly (300) as per one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the splash guard assembly (300) is located laterally behind each of said pair of rear wheels (110) of the vehicle (100). As per one embodiment, said splash guard assembly (300) includes the horizontal portion (300a) and the vertical portion (300b). Referring to one embodiment, the splash guard assembly (300) further includes at least one side extension (301) extending outwardly from at least one end (303) of said horizontal portion (300a) and said at least one mounting flange (305), (309) extending outwardly from at least one end (308) of said (300b). In one embodiment, said horizontal portion (300a) is detachably secured to said vertical portion (300b).As per one embodiment, said horizontal portion (300a) and said at least one mounting flange (305), (309) of said vertical portion includes at least one fastener receiving hole (302) respectively, configured to receive one or more fasteners (307) for detachably securing said horizontal portion (300a) to the vertical portion (300b) of the splash guard assembly (300).In one embodiment, said one or more fasteners (307) involves rivets, bolts or clip nuts. As per one embodiment, said at least one side extension (301) of said horizontal portion (300a) of the splash guard assembly (300) is being integrally formed with at least a portion of said horizontal portion (300a).Referring to one embodiment, said at least one mounting flange (305), (309) of said vertical portion of the splash guard assembly (300) is integrally formed with at least a part of said vertical portion (300b). Further, as per one embodiment of the present invention, said at least a portion of the horizontal portion (300a) of the splash guard assembly (300) includes a main arcuate portion (310) having a cross section including a central curved section (310a) and said at least one side extension (301) joined to the sides of the curved section (310a) to form a relatively sharp angled juncture portion (311). As per one embodiment, said at least one mounting flange (305), (309) of said vertical portion (300b) of the splash guard assembly (300) is configured for covering said suspension spring and shock absorber unit (112) from at least one side (312). As per one embodiment, said suspension spring and shock absorber unit (112) includes said spring (114) and said shock absorber (115). In one embodiment, said horizontal portion (300a) is made up of rigid metal and said vertical portion (300b) is made up of a resin material.
[00038] Fig4a. illustrates a perspective view of splash guard assembly (300) being detachably secured to at least a portion of said body panel (113) of the vehicle (100) as per one embodiment of the present invention, the splash guard assembly (300) is secured to said at least a portion of the vehicle body panel (113). As per one embodiment of the present invention, the splash guard assembly (300) includes the horizontal portion (300a) and the vertical portion (300b). Referring to one embodiment, said splash guard assembly (300) includes said at least one side extension (301) extending outwardly from at least one end (303) of said horizontal portion (300a) and said at least one mounting flange (305), (309) extending outwardly from at least one end (308) of said (300b). In one embodiment said at least one mounting flange (305), (309) includes a first mounting flange (305) and the second mounting flange (309). As per one embodiment, said first mounting flange (305) of said at least one mounting flange (305), (309) is configured for covering said suspension spring and shock absorber unit (112) from said at least one side (312). In one embodiment, said includes said spring (114) and said shock absorber (115). As per one embodiment, said second mounting flange (309) of said at least one mounting flange (305), (309) and said horizontal portion (300a) includes said at least one fastener receiving hole (302) respectively, configured to receive said one or more fasteners (307) for detachably securing said horizontal portion (300a) to the vertical portion (300b) of the splash guard assembly (300). As per one embodiment of the present invention, said at least a portion of said splash guard assembly (300) is secured to the vehicle body panel (113) and hence facilitates in achieving sufficient stiffness and preventing the body panel (113) from any kind of breakage or deformation. In one embodiment, said pair of trailing arms (116) is suspending the body of said vehicle (100) with respect to said pair of rear wheels (110) through the suspension spring and shock absorber unit (112). In one embodiment, said suspension spring and shock absorber unit (112) includes said spring (114) and said shock absorber (115). Further, Fig.4b is a side view of the rear portion (R’) of the vehicle (100) as per one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the splash guard assembly (300) is secured to the body panel (113). In one embodiment, said vertical portion (300b) is detachably mounted to the horizontal portion (300a). As per one embodiment, said first mounting flange (305) of said at least one mounting flange (305), (309) is configured for covering said suspension spring and shock absorber unit (112) from said at least one side (312) so as to prevent the entry of mud to the engine (201) mounted in the rear compartment (200) of the vehicle (100). As per one embodiment, said suspension spring and shock absorber unit (112) includes said spring (114) and said shock absorber (115).
[00039] Fig.5a is a side view of the rear portion (R) of the vehicle (100) as per one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, said at least a portion of said splash guard assembly (300) is secured to the vehicle body panel (113). As per one embodiment, said modified structure of the splash guard assembly (300) is configured to cover said suspension spring and shock absorber unit (112) from at least one side (312) thus eliminating the entry of splashes to the engine (201) placed in the rear compartment (200) and rear part of the vehicle (100). In one embodiment, said suspension and shock absorber unit (112) includes said spring (114) and said shock absorber (115).As per one embodiment, said the vertical portion (300b) is detachably mounted onto horizontal portion (300a) through said second mounting flange (309) of said at least one mounting flange (305), (309) in such a manner that the gap as to between the horizontal portion (300a) and vertical portion (300b) is eliminated in a way that the tangential points or splashing zones over the periphery of said each of the pair of said rear wheel (110) preventing mud, splashes and stones entry to the rear of vehicle (100). Further, Fig.5b is a sectional view of the splash guard assembly (300) detachably secured to the body panel (113) as per one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the splash guard assembly (300) is located laterally behind each of said pair of rear wheels (110) of the vehicle (100). In one embodiment, said splash guard assembly (300) includes the horizontal portion (300a) and the vertical portion (300b). As per one embodiment, said splash guard assembly (300) further includes said at least one side extension (301) extending outwardly from at least one end (303) of said horizontal portion (300a) and said at least one mounting flange (305), (309) extending outwardly from at least one end (308) of said vertical portion (300b).
[00040] Advantageously, as per one embodiment of the present invention, said improved and modified structure for the splash guard assembly protects the engine mounted in the rear compartment of the vehicle from mud and water splash from said each of the pair of rear wheels. In one embodiment, said modified splash guard assembly is mounted in the vehicle so as to substantially block mud and water from splashing back toward an engine during operation of the vehicle. Further, it is advantageous to provide the splash guard assembly being configured to ensure a space for maintenance. As per one embodiment of the present invention, said modified splash guard assembly is located respectively laterally inside of each of said pair of rear wheels with said at least one mounting flange covering said spring and the shock absorber unit. Thus, protecting the spring and the shock absorber unit as well as the rear compartment of the vehicle from mud and water splash by each of the pair of rear wheels.
[00041] Improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention.
,CLAIMS:I/We claim:

1. A three-wheeled vehicle (100), said vehicle (100) comprising:
a frame (400) defining a vehicle longitudinal axis (AA);
a front wheel (106) and a pair of rear wheels (110) supported by the frame (400);
a rear suspension system (117) pivotally coupling said pair of rear wheels (110) to the frame (400), said rear suspension system (117) including a suspension spring and shock absorber unit (112) with one end pivotally connected to said frame (400); and
a splash guard assembly (300) located laterally behind each of said pair of rear wheels (110) of the vehicle (100), said splash guard assembly (300) including a horizontal portion (300a) and a vertical portion (300b);
wherein said splash guard assembly (300) further includes at least one side extension (301) extending outwardly from at least one end (303) of said horizontal portion (300a) and at least one mounting flange (305), (309) extending outwardly from at least one end (308) of said vertical portion (300b); and wherein said horizontal portion (300a) is detachably secured to said vertical portion (300b).
2. The three-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said horizontal portion (300a) and said at least one mounting flange (305), (309) of said vertical portion (300b) includes at least one fastener receiving hole (302) respectively, configured to receive one or more fasteners (307), (304) for detachably securing said horizontal portion (300a) to the vertical portion (300b) of the splash guard assembly (300).
3. The three-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said one or more fasteners (304), (307) are rivets, bolts or clip nuts.
4. The three-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one side extension (301) of said horizontal portion (300a) of the splash guard assembly (300) is being integrally formed with at least a part of said horizontal portion (300a).
5. The three-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one mounting flange (305), (309) of said vertical portion (300b) of the splash guard assembly (300) is integrally formed with at least a part of said vertical portion (300b).
6. The three-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a part of the horizontal portion (300a) of the splash guard assembly (300) includes a main arcuate portion (310) having a cross section including a central curved section (310a) and said at least one side extension (301) joined to the sides of the curved section (310a) to form a relatively sharp angled juncture portion (311).
7. The three-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one mounting flange (305), (309) of said vertical portion (300b) of the splash guard assembly (300) is configured for covering at least a spring (114) and a shock absorber (115) of said suspension spring and shock absorber unit (112) from at least one side (312).
8. The three-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said horizontal portion (300a) is made up of rigid metal.
9. The three-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vertical portion (300b) is made up of at least one of a rigid metal and a resin material .
10. The three- wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a portion (313) of said splash guard assembly (300) is secured to a vehicle body panel (113).