DESC:Technical Field
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a motorcycle, and particularly but not exclusively relates to a split seat assembly for a motorcycle.
Background
[0002] Conventionally, in motorcycles a seat functions as a lid for a housing box located under the seat, particularly in cases where said seat is an integrated seat and the housing box has a length substantially equal to length of said seat. Typically, said seats are hinged to a body frame via hinges either at a front end thereof or at a rear end thereof, and are configured so that they are secured by a seat lock mechanism. Said seat lock mechanism enables locking of the seat to the body frame of the motorcycle. The seat is released by inserting a key into a key cylinder attached to the body frame and rotating the key, for accessing the housing box.
[0003] However, in cases where engine capacity of the motorcycle is increased, and as a consequence where the rear tire size has to be increased, a higher elevation of a rear portion of said seat is required so as to accommodate the housing box by reducing its volume, so as to ensure minimum clearance with the rear tire. In such cases, a split seat assembly is provided wherein a rider seat and a pillion seat is provided independently of each other over a pair of upper tubes of the body frame.
[0004] In a known art where a split seat assembly is provided for a motorcycle with the rider seat and the pillion seat are mounted over the pair of upper tubes independently of each other, the rider seat is secured to the pair of upper tubes by means of fasteners. Thus, access to components underlying the rider seat becomes restricted, more so as it involves removal of fasteners used to affix said rider seat.
[0005] Particularly, access to components such as a battery unit gets affected due to constraints in dismantling the rider seat, more so in cases where the battery is stored below the rider’s seat. Thus, access to the battery unit is hindered and as a result serviceability of the battery unit also gets affected. Besides the battery unit, serviceability of parts such as an air cleaner also gets affected as a result of cumbersomeness in dismantling the rider seat.
[0006] There is therefore a need to provide easy access to parts underlying the rider seat, such as the battery unit of the motorcycle, while ensuring safety of said battery unit.
Summary of the Invention
[0007] The present invention has been devised in view of the problems discussed above and is intended to provide a split seat assembly for a motorcycle, said split seat assembly adapted to be secured to a body frame of a motorcycle through an integrated seat lock assembly, the provision of which eases access to parts underlying said split seat assembly.
[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a motorcycle including a split seat assembly which is capable of being easily handled while seat opening and closing.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a motorcycle including a split seat assembly which provides ease of access to a space lying thereunder and containing various parts of the motorcycle.
[0010] It is yet another embodiment of the present invention to provide a motorcycle including a split seat assembly, a configuration of which eases access to parts such as battery unit lying thereunder, while at the same time ensuring that the battery unit is theft proof.
[0011] In order to accomplish the foregoing objects, the present invention provides a motorcycle; said motorcycle as per a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprising: a body frame, said body frame including a head tube, a main tube extending rearwardly from the head tube, a pair of upper tubes extending rearwardly from said main tube and at least partially obliquely upwardly towards a rear end portion of the motorcycle, a pair of side tubes extending obliquely downwardly and forwardly from the pair of upper tubes towards a lower portion of the main tube. Further, the motorcycle comprises a split seat assembly including a rider seat and a pillion seat disposed over the pair of upper tubes. The motorcycle also includes at least pair of side covers disposed below the rider seat, in a manner so as to cover at least a portion of the pair of side tubes and the pair of upper tubes when viewed from a motorcycle sideward direction. Further, a battery unit is disposed below the rider seat and between the pair of side covers.
[0012] As per a preferred embodiment, the battery unit is disposed in a space formed below the rider seat, by being mounted to either of the pair of upper tubes, and supported by either of the pair of side tubes. Further, the battery unit is covered by either of the pair of side covers when viewed from a motorcycle sideward direction. Particularly, in order to ensure safety of the battery unit, at least a portion of one of the side covers disposed immediately behind the battery unit is secured under the rider seat, so that said side cover cannot be easily removed for removing the battery unit. Further, the rider seat is secured to the pair of upper tubes through an integrated seat lock assembly which is adapted to release at least the rider seat, thereby permitting ease of access to the space below the rider seat, and therefore to the battery unit. Therefore, as per the present embodiment access to the battery unit is provided through the rider seat, while ensuring both ease of access as well as safety of the battery unit.
[0013] Summary provided above explains the basic features of the invention and does not limit the scope of the invention. The nature and further characteristic features of the present invention will be made clearer from the following descriptions made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of Drawings
[0014] The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will be better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings where:
[0015] FIG.1 illustrates a motorcycle including a split seat assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG.2 illustrates a side perspective view depicting a body frame of the motorcycle as covered by body covers in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG.3 illustrates an exploded view of the split seat assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG.4 illustrates a perspective view of the split seat assembly secured to the body frame in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG.5 illustrates a perspective view depicting an integrated seat lock assembly of the split seat assembly in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG.6 illustrates a perspective view depicting an integrated seat lock assembly of the split seat assembly in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
[0021] The present subject matter described herein relates to a split seat assembly, and particularly relates to a manner of providing access to parts disposed below a rider seat of said split seat assembly, such as battery unit, an air cleaner etc. A major objective of the present subject matter described herein is to provide ease of access to the battery unit, and thereby facilitate servicing of the battery unit.
[0022] Exemplary embodiments detailing features of the split seat assembly, in accordance with the present invention will be described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings. Various aspects of different embodiments of the present invention will become discernible from the following description set out hereunder. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Further, it is to be noted that terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “front”, “forward”, “rearward”, “downward”, “upward”, “top”, “bottom” and like terms are used herein based on the illustrated state or in a standing state of the motorcycle with a driver riding thereon unless otherwise elaborated. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to the motorcycle, while a lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the motorcycle. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0023] In describing the preferred and selected alternate embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions.
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a motorcycle 10 in accordance with the present invention. The motorcycle 10 includes a body frame 11 forming a body framework of the motorcycle 10.
[0025] In a front end portion of the body frame 11, a steering shaft (not shown) is supported rotatably in a certain range. Further a handlebar 12 is rotatably integrally connected to the steering shaft for steering the motorcycle, and is connected to a front wheel 13 through the steering shaft. An upper portion of the front wheel 13 is covered by a front fender 14 which prevents mud and water from getting deflected towards the steering shaft. Further, a front fork assembly 15 is mounted over the front fender 14.
[0026] In a portion lying ahead of the front fork assembly 15, a lighting device such as a headlamp 16, a pair of signalling devices such as turn signal lamps 17, a display device such as a speedometer (not shown) are housed by a holding structure (not shown) mounted thereto.
[0027] Furthermore, in a front portion of the body frame 11 a fuel tank 20 is arranged immediately behind a head pipe 11a and is disposed over an internal combustion engine 30.
[0028] A split seat assembly 40 is disposed immediately behind the fuel tank 20. The split seat assembly 40 includes a rider seat 40a and pillion seat 40b. In the present embodiment, the rider seat 40a and the pillion seat 40b are included as two separate portions of the seat assembly 40, with the pillion seat 40b being disposed rearwardly of the rider seat 40a.
[0029] Suspension systems are provided for comfortable steering of the motorcycle 10 on the road. The front fork assembly 15, which forms the front suspension system, serves as a rigidity component just like the body frame. The front fork assembly 15 clamped to the head pipe 11a through an upper bracket and a lower bracket, is capable of being moved to the left and right. Further, a rear suspension system, which is a hydraulic damped arrangement, is connected to the body frame 11 at a rear portion thereof.
[0030] The engine 30 is mounted to a front lower portion of the body frame 11 by means of an engine mounting bracket. The engine 30 is equipped with an exhaust system that includes an exhaust pipe (not shown) connected to the engine 30 and a muffler (not shown) connected to the exhaust pipe. The muffler (not shown) extends rearwards along the right side of a rear wheel 58.
[0031] Further, a swing arm 51 extending rearwards is swingably connected to a lower rear portion of the body frame 11. The rear wheel 58 is rotatably supported at a rear end of the swing arm 51. Power from the engine 30 is transmitted to the rear wheel 58 through a power drive mechanism, such as a drive chain, so as to drive and rotate the rear wheel 58.
[0032] A rear fender 52 for covering an upper side of the rear wheel 58 is mounted to a rear portion of the body frame 11 to prevent mud and water splashed by the rotating rear wheel 58 from entering the muffler, the engine 30 and other parts disposed close by.
[0033] To enhance the overall aesthetics of the motorcycle 10 and to prevent undesired foreign particles from entering parts of the motorcycle, a plurality of rear covers 60 including a pair of side covers 60a and a pair of tail covers 60b are attached to a rear portion of the body frame 11.
[0034] FIG.2 illustrates a side perspective view of the body frame 11. As may be seen, the body frame 11 includes a head tube 11a at a front end thereof, a down tube 11b extending downwardly and rearwardly from said head tube 11a, a main tube 11c extending rearwardly from the head tube 11a and at least a portion thereof extending downwardly, a pair of upper tubes 11d extending rearwardly from an intermediate portion of said main tube 11c and at least partially obliquely upwards towards a rear portion of the motorcycle, and a pair of side tubes 11e extending downwardly and forwardly from a rear portion of said pair of upper tubes 11d. The body frame 11 also includes a first cross tube 11f bridging said pair of upper tubes 11d at a front portion thereof, and a second cross tube 11g bridging said pair of upper tubes 11d at a rear portion thereof.
[0035] The above described body frame 11 supports the split seat assembly 40 (shown in FIG.1). Particularly, the split seat assembly 40 is mounted to the pair of upper tubes 11d of said body frame 11. More particularly, the pair of upper tubes 11d is provided in a manner such that the rear portion thereof is substantially inclined with respect to a front portion thereof. As a result, the pillion seat 40b gets disposed at a higher elevation with respect to the rider seat 40a so that there is sufficient clearance of the pillion seat 40b from the rear wheel 58. Moreover, in the present embodiment, the rider seat 40a and the pillion seat 40b are disposed in a manner such that they are separated by an intermediate cover 55. Thus, an upper portion of the pair of upper tubes 11d is covered by the split seat assembly 40 and at least partially by the intermediate cover 55. Further, at least a side portion of the pair of upper tubes 11d and the pair of side tubes 11e is covered by the pair of side covers 60a and the pair of tail covers 60b when viewed from a motorcycle sideward direction.
[0036] FIG.3 illustrates an exploded view of the split seat assembly and as it is mounted to the body frame. As per an aspect of the present invention, a battery unit 61 is disposed in a space underlying the rider seat 40a. Particularly, the battery unit 61 is mounted to either of the upper tubes of the pair of upper tubes 11d. In the present embodiment, the battery unit 61 is disposed between the pair of upper tubes 11d and the pair of side tubes 11e towards a right hand side of the motorcycle, and below the rider seat 40a. Further, in the present embodiment the battery unit 61 is covered externally by a right hand side cover of the pair of side covers 60a. Particularly, in the present embodiment, at least a portion of the right hand side cover is sandwich mounted along with a right hand tail cover of the pair of tail covers 60b to a right hand upper tube of the pair of upper tubes 11d. However, in another embodiment, the battery unit 61 may be similarly secured to a left hand upper tube of the pair of upper tubes 11d and covered by a left hand side cover of the pair of side covers. In other words, the battery unit 61 is mounted to an upper tube of the pair of upper tubes 11d, and is covered by any one side cover of the pair of side covers 60a when viewed from a motorcycle sideward direction. Particularly, at least one mounting fastener 62 is used to sandwich mount at least a portion of the right hand side cover together with a right hand tail cover to the right hand upper tube of the pair of upper tubes 11d. In the present embodiment, at least one mounting provision for sandwich mounting the right hand side cover is provided below the rider seat 40a, so that it is accessible only upon unlocking the rider seat 40a. In other words, at least a portion of one side cover of the pair of side covers 11d, including the at least one mounting fastener 62 for sandwich mounting said side cover is disposed below the rider seat 40a in a manner such that at least a portion of said rider seat 40a covers said at least one mounting fastener 62 and a mounting portion of said side cover. Thus, the battery unit 61 is accessible by firstly unlocking the rider seat 40a, followed by unfastening said mounting fastener 62. Thus, providing the at least one mounting fastener 62 below the rider seat 40a helps in ensuring that the battery unit 61 cannot be accessed without unlocking the rider seat 40a, thereby providing a safety feature for the battery unit 61. Therefore, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the battery unit 61 is accessible only through the rider seat 40a.
[0037] FIG.4 illustrates a perspective view of the split seat assembly 40 as secured to the body frame of the motorcycle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As can be made out from FIG.4, the split seat assembly 40 including the rider seat 40a and the pillion seat 40b is mounted to the pair of upper tubes 11d and is secured thereto by means of an integrated seat lock assembly 70.
[0038] As per an aspect of the present invention, the integrated seat lock assembly 70 is adapted to effect release of either the rider seat 40a or the pillion seat 40b selectively. While the pillion seat 40b is adapted to be released due to actuation of a first seat latch 70a of said integrated seat lock assembly 70, the rider seat 40a is adapted to be released due to actuation of a second seat latch 70b, wherein said first seat latch 70a, and said second seat latch 70b are configured to be actuated by operation of a key inserted into a key cylinder 70c (shown in FIG.5) disposed below the intermediate cover 55 and supported by said intermediate cover 55. Particularly, a key insertion hole 70ca of said key cylinder 70c is provided on said intermediate cover 55. In the present embodiment, whereas the first seat latch 70a is disposed over the second cross bridge 11g, the second seat latch 70b is disposed over the first cross bridge 11f.
[0039] Thus, the space underlying the split seat assembly 40 is capable of being accessed by opening the rider seat 40a and the pillion seat 40b through integrated seat lock assembly 70. Particularly, the rider seat 40a and the pillion seat 40b can be opened independently of each other through the integrated lock assembly 70. In the present embodiment, the battery unit 61 disposed below the rider seat 40a, and behind either side cover of the pair of side covers 60a, is accessed by opening the rider seat 40a with the aid of the integrated seat lock assembly 70, followed by unfastening the mounting fastener used to fasten the right hand side cover of the pair of side covers 60a. The mounting fastener 62 can be easily accessed only by lifting the rider seat 40a once the same is unlocked, rather than dismantling the rider seat 40a from the pair of upper tubes 11d, therefore unfastening the mounting fastener 62 becomes less cumbersome, and the battery unit becomes easily accessible. Thus, the battery unit 61 can be accessed from a side portion of the motorcycle 10 without involving interference with other parts of the motorcycle. Further, opening of the rider seat 40a with the aid of the integrated lock assembly 70 also allows easy access to an air filter (not shown) located in a portion above the battery unit 61, and below the rider seat 40a. Thus, servicing of the air cleaner can also be performed conveniently. Moreover, since the key cylinder 70c is disposed below the intermediate cover 55, around which both the rider seat 40a and the pillion seat 40b are disposed, routing of a pillion seat cable 70pc (shown in FIG.5) and a rider seat cable 70rc (shown in FIG.5) emerging from the first seat latch 70a and the second seat latch 70b respectively can be conveniently performed. For example, in the present embodiment, the pillion seat cable 70pc is routed through a routing lug provided in a left hand tail cover of the pair of tail covers 60b.
[0040] FIG.5 and FIG.6 illustrate different embodiments for mode of working of the integrated seat lock assembly 70. For example, FIG.5 illustrates a first embodiment of the integrated seat lock assembly 70. As may be seen, the pillion seat latch cable 70pc emerging from the first seat latch 70a and the rider seat latch cable 70rc emerging from the second seat latch 70b are connected to the key cylinder 70c. Both the first seat latch 70a and the second seat latch 70b are adapted to be operated through said key cylinder 70c. Said key cylinder 70c in turn is configured to be actuated by rotation a key (not shown) either in a first direction or in a second direction. For example, in the present embodiment, the first direction is a clockwise direction, wherein rotation of the key in the clockwise direction causes the key cylinder 70c to actuate the second seat latch 70b. In other words, rotation of the key in the clockwise direction causes the rider seat latch cable 70rc to be pulled, which in turn causes a rider seat latch plunger 70bp to be pulled. Thus, actuation of the second seat latch 70b releases a rider seat hook latched to the rider seat 40a, thereby releasing the rider seat 40a. Similarly, rotation of the key in the anticlockwise direction causes the pillion seat latch cable 70pc to be pulled, which in turn causes a pillion seat latch plunger 70ap to be pulled. Thus, actuation of the first seat latch 70a releases a pillion seat hook latched to the pillion seat 40b, thereby releasing the pillion seat 40b. Thus, both the rider seat 40a and the pillion seat 40b are adapted to be released alternatively depending on direction of rotation of the key.
[0041] FIG.6 illustrates a second embodiment of the integrated seat lock assembly 70. In said second embodiment, the pillion seat latch cable 70pc is connected to the key cylinder 70c. Further, the rider seat latch cable 70rc is connected to the first seat latch 70a. In the present embodiment, in order to unlock the rider seat 40a, firstly, the pillion seat 40b is unlocked by rotation of the key in the second direction, followed by manually pulling the rider seat latch cable 70rc. Thus, the rider seat 40a can be opened once the pillion seat 40b is unlocked. Thereafter, the battery unit 61 can be accessed through said rider seat 40a. Thus, the present configuration of the split seat assembly provides ease of access to the battery unit 61.
[0042] As is apparent from the above teaching, ensuring that the battery unit is accessible through the split seat assembly not only enables to ensure ease of access to the battery unit, thereby facilitating serviceability of the battery unit, but also enables to ensure protection of the battery unit.
[0043] While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes in form, connection, and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
,CLAIMS:I/We Claim:
1. A split seat assembly (40) for a motorcycle (10), said motorcycle (10) comprising:
a body frame (11) including a pair of upper tubes (11d) extending rearwardly and at least partially inclinedly upwardly from a portion of a main tube (11c), a first cross bridge (11f) and a second cross bridge (11g) connecting the pair of upper tubes (11d);
said split seat assembly (40), including a rider seat (40a) and a pillion seat (40b) mounted to the pair of upper tubes (11d), said pillion seat (40b) being mounted rearwardly of the rider seat (40a);
an intermediate tail cover (55) disposed between said rider seat (40a) and said pillion seat (40b);
a plurality of rear covers (60) including a pair of side covers (60a) detachably attached to the pair of upper tubes (11d), and disposed below and sidewardly of the rider seat (40a), and a pair of tail covers (60b) attached to the pair of upper tubes (11d) and disposed rearwardly of said pair of side covers (60a);and
a battery unit (61) disposed below the rider seat (40a) and being mounted to an upper tube of the pair of upper tubes (11d), wherein said battery unit (61) is covered by any one side cover of the pair of side covers (60a), when viewed from a motorcycle sideward direction;
characterized in that, the split seat assembly (40) is secured to the pair of upper tubes (11d) by means of an integrated seat lock assembly (70), wherein said integrated seat lock assembly (70) is capable of effecting release of either the rider seat (40a) or the pillion seat (40b) selectively.
2. The split seat assembly (40) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the integrated seat lock assembly (70) includes a first seat latch (70a) and a second seat latch (70b) connected to a key cylinder (70c).
3. The split seat assembly (40) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first seat latch (70a) disposed on the second cross bridge (11g) is connected to the key cylinder (70c) by a pillion seat latch cable (70pc).
4. The split seat assembly (40) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second seat latch (70b) disposed on the first cross bridge (11f) is connected to the key cylinder (70c) by a rider seat latch cable (70rc).
5. The split seat assembly (40) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the key cylinder (70c) is supported by the intermediate tail cover (55).
6. The split seat assembly (40) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the pair of side covers (60a), including at least one mounting fastener (62) for mounting said pair of side covers (60a) to the pair of upper tubes (11d) is covered by at least a portion of the rider seat (40a).
7. The split seat assembly (40) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 6, wherein said mounting fastener (62) sandwich mounts one side cover of the pair of side covers (60a) and one tail cover of the pair of tail covers (60b) to each upper tube of the pair of upper tubes (11d).
8. The split seat assembly (40) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 7, wherein release of the rider seat (40a) through the integrated seat lock assembly (70) followed by unfastening of said mounting fastener (62) permits dismantling of the battery unit (61).
9. A motorcycle (10) including the split seat assembly (40) as claimed in claims 1-8.