Claims:WE CLAIM
1. A support structure (100) for a floorboard (200) of a vehicle (10), the support structure (100) comprising:
a plate (110) having a top surface (110a) configured to receive the floorboard (200), and a bottom surface (110b) having a mounting aperture (112) configured to receive a pillion footrest rod (40) attached to a main frame (50) of the vehicle (10), whereby the support structure (100) is sandwiched between the floorboard (200) and the pillion footrest rod (40).

2. The support structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting aperture (112) receives a distal end (40’) of the pillion footrest rod (40).

3. The support structure (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mounting aperture (112) comprises a protrusion (114) having a groove (114’), the protrusion (114) extending towards the top surface (110a) of the plate (110).

4. The support structure (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the top surface (110a) of the plate (110) comprises a first opening (120) such that the groove (114’) in the protrusion (114) receives a corresponding rib present beneath the floorboard (200).

5. The support structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom surface (110b) of the plate (110) comprises a substantially U-shaped hoop (116) disposed adjacent to the mounting aperture (112), the hoop (116) snugly fits on to the pillion footrest rod (40).

6. The support structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top surface (110a) of the plate (110) comprises a second opening (130), the second opening (130) receives a portion of the floorboard (200) in order to affix the support structure (100).

7. A floorboard (200) for a vehicle (10) comprising:
a substantially rectangular quasi-flat surface (210) disposed between a handlebar (220) and a seat (24) of the vehicle (10), the rectangular quasi-flat surface (210) splitting into a left region (220) and a right region (230), the left region (220) and the right region (230) extending rearwards in a vehicle front-rear (F-R) direction; and
a support structure (100) for the floorboard (200), the support structure (100) mounted on a pillion footrest rod (40) attached to a main frame (50) of the vehicle (50) wherein the support structure (100) being sandwiched between the left region (220) of the floorboard (200) and the pillion footrest rod (40).

8. The floorboard (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the support structure (100) comprises:
a plate (110) having a top surface (110a) configured to receive a portion of the left region (220) of the floorboard (200), and a bottom surface (110b) having a mounting aperture (112) configured to receive the pillion footrest rod (40).

9. The floorboard (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the mounting aperture (112) comprises a protrusion (114) having a groove (114’), the protrusion (114) extending towards the top surface (110a) of the plate (110).

10. The floorboard (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the top surface (110a) of the plate (110) comprises a first opening (120) such that the groove (114’) in the protrusion (114) receives a corresponding rib present beneath the left region (220) of the floorboard (200).

11. The floorboard (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the top surface (110a) of the plate (110) comprises a second opening (130), the second opening (130) receives a portion of the floorboard (200) in order to affix the support structure (100).
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates a support structure for floorboard of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Motor vehicles, more particularly scooter type vehicles have a floorboard disposed between seat and handlebar of the vehicle. The floorboard serves as a footrest for the rider of the vehicle and also to carry and transport loads. Thus, the floorboards are manufactured in order to support higher weights.
[003] Over the years, in order to make the vehicles aesthetically appealing to their customers, vehicle manufacturers have changed the design of the floorboards from being disposed right between the seat and the handlebar, to starting from lower portion of front fenders to forking out and extending rearwards in a vehicle front-rear direction almost up till rear light of the vehicle.
[004] The portions of the floorboard which extend on both sides of the vehicle body have a pair of pillion footrests disposed towards the rear side in the vehicle front rear direction and on either side of the vehicle body. The footrests disposed on the extended floorboard are for a pillion passenger to rest his/ her feet upon. Thus, once the pillion passenger has embarked on the vehicle, he may rest his/ her feet on the rear footrests.
[005] It has however been seen that most of the times while embarking on the vehicle, the pillion passenger steps on the rear footrest first, thereby transferring his/ her entire weight on the footrest and then sits on the seat of the vehicle. Similarly, while getting down from the seat, the pillion passenger first stands erect and transfers all his/ her weight on to the rear footrest and then climbs down/ disembarks from the vehicle. This transfer of entire weight of a person on a single footrest of the floorboard leads to the concerned portion being damaged, cracked or broken.
[006] Thus, there is a need in the art for a support structure for a floorboard of a vehicle which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[007] The present invention in one aspect is directed to support structure for a floorboard of a vehicle The support structure includes a plate having a top surface configured to receive the floorboard, and a bottom surface having a mounting aperture configured to receive a pillion footrest rod attached to a main frame of the vehicle, whereby the support structure is sandwiched between the floorboard and the pillion footrest rod.
[008] In another embodiment, the mounting aperture receives a distal end of the pillion footrest rod. In yet another embodiment, the mounting aperture includes a protrusion having a groove, the protrusion extending towards the top surface of the plate.
[009] In yet another embodiment, the top surface of the plate includes a first opening such that the groove in the protrusion receives a corresponding rib present beneath the floorboard.
[010] In an embodiment of the invention, the bottom surface of the plate includes a substantially U-shaped hoop disposed adjacent to the mounting aperture, the hoop snugly fits on to the pillion footrest rod.
[011] In a further embodiment, the top surface of the plate includes a second opening, the second opening receives a portion of the floorboard in order to affix the support structure.
[012] In another aspect, the present invention discloses a floorboard for a vehicle. The floorboard includes a substantially rectangular quasi-flat surface disposed between a handlebar and a seat of the vehicle, the rectangular quasi-flat surface splitting into a left region and a right region, the left region and the right region extending rearwards in a vehicle front-rear (F-R) direction; and a support structure for the floorboard, the support structure mounted on a pillion footrest rod attached to a main frame of the vehicle wherein the support structure being sandwiched between the left region of the floorboard and the pillion footrest rod.
[013] In an embodiment of the invention, the support structure includes a plate having a top surface configured to receive a portion of the left region of the floorboard, and a bottom surface having a mounting aperture configured to receive the pillion footrest rod.
[014] In yet another embodiment, the mounting aperture includes a protrusion having a groove, the protrusion extending towards the top surface of the plate.
[015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the top surface of the plate includes a first opening such that the groove in the protrusion receives a corresponding rib present beneath the left region of the floorboard.
[016] In an embodiment, the top surface of the plate includes a second opening, the second opening receives a portion of the floorboard in order to affix the support structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[017] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 shows a right-side view of a motor vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a floorboard, a support structure and a main frame of the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows a top perspective view of the support structure for the floorboard in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 shows a bottom perspective view of the support structure for the floorboard in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 shows the support structure attached to a pillion footrest rod of the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[018] The present invention relates to a support structure for floorboard of a vehicle.
[019] Figure 1 illustrates a right-side view of an exemplary saddle-type motor vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle 10 includes a main frame 50 (shown in Figure 5) having a head tube 38 (shown in Figure 2). The main frame 50 has a front member extending downward from the headtube 38. Further, the main frame 50 has a main tube (not shown) extending rearwardly in a vehicle front-rear direction F-R. The vehicle 10 further has a swing arm extending rearwardly in the vehicle front-rear (F-R) direction from the main tube.
[020] As seen in Figure 1, the vehicle 10 has a seat 24 disposed on a pair of seat rails 24a, which is hingedly openable to provide access to a utility box 25 (shown in Figure 2) disposed beneath the seat 24. Towards front side, the vehicle 10 has one or more front suspensions 16 (only one shown) connected to a front wheel 18 which is further connected to a handlebar assembly 22, which forms a steering assembly of the vehicle 10. The steering assembly has a pair of rearview mirrors 39a, 39b. Towards the front, the vehicle 10 further has a headlight 12 and a front fender 14 disposed above the front wheel 18. Further, the vehicle 10 has an internal combustion (IC) engine 34 disposed below the seat rails 24a.
[021] Towards rear side, the vehicle 10 has a rear wheel 32 connected to one or more rear suspensions 30. In addition, the vehicle 10 has a rear fender 28 covering at least a portion of the rear wheel 32 and is positioned upwardly of the rear wheel 32. The vehicle 10 has a rear light assembly 26 disposed towards the rear side.
[022] As seen in Figure 1, the vehicle 10 has a floorboard 200 disposed between the handlebar 22 and the seat 24, wherein a rider can operate the vehicle 10 in a seated position by resting his/ her feet on the floorboard 200. In the present embodiment, the floorboard 200 has a quasi-rectangular surface 210 (shown in Figure 2). As seen in Figure 2, the quasi-rectangular surface 210 splits into a left region 220 and a right region 230 whereby the left region 220 and the right region extend rearwards in the vehicle front-rear direction (F-R). Referring yet to Figure 2 and 5, the vehicle 10 has a pillion footrest rod 40 (only one shown) attached to either side of the main frame 50. Thus, each of the left region 220 and the right region 230 is received on the respective pillion footrest rod 40.
[023] The vehicle 10 further includes plurality of electrical and electronic components including a transistor-controlled ignition (TCI) unit (not shown), an alternator (not shown), a starter motor (not shown). Further, the vehicle 10 is made to stay in a riding ready position over a center stand 36.
[024] Referring now to Figure 3, the present invention discloses a support structure 100 for the floorboard 200 of the vehicle. According to the invention, the support structure 100 has a plate 110. The plate 110 has a top surface 110a and a bottom surface 110b. As seen in Figure 2, the support structure 100 is sandwiched between the floorboard 200, i.e. the left region 220 of the floorboard 200 and the pillion footrest rod 40. In this regard, in order to affix the support structure 100 therebetween the floorboard 200 and the pillion footrest rod 40, the top surface 110a of the plate receives the floorboard 200.
[025] As seen in Figure 3, in an embodiment of the invention, the top surface 110a of the plate 110 has a first opening 120 and a second opening 130. The second opening 130 receives a portion of the floorboard 200 to ensure attachment of the support structure 100 to the floorboard 200.
[026] As enunciated hereinbefore, in order to affix the support structure 100 therebetween the floorboard 200 and the pillion footrest rod 40, according to the present invention, the bottom surface 110b of the plate 110 has a mounting aperture 112 configured to receive the pillion footrest rod 40 which is attached to the main frame of the vehicle 10. In an embodiment, and as shown in Figure 4, the mounting aperture 112 receives a distal end 40’ of the pillion footrest rod 40 to ensure attachment of the support structure 100 to the pillion footrest rod 40. Referring now to Figure 3, in an embodiment of the invention, the mounting aperture 112 has a protrusion 114. The protrusion 114 extends towards the top surface 110a of the plate 110 through the first opening 120 of the top surface 110a. As seen in Figure 3, the protrusion 114 has a groove 114’. In this regard, the groove 114’ of the protrusion 114 receives a corresponding rib present beneath the floorboard 200 to ensure the attachment of the support structure 100 to the floorboard 200.
[027] Referring yet to Figure 4, in an embodiment of the invention, the bottom surface 110b of the plate 110 has a substantially U-shaped hoop 116. As seen in the Figure, the hoop 116 is disposed adjacent to the mounting aperture 112. Thus, as seen in Figure 5, when the support structure 110 is affixed on to the pillion footrest rod 40, the hoop 116 snugly fits onto a portion of the pillion footrest rod 40.
[028] Advantageously, the support structure of the present invention is affixed on either of the pillion footrest rods or both the pillion footrest rods. The support structure of the present invention being snugly attached to the floorboard and the pillion footrest rod and being sandwiched therebetween provides structural support to the floorboard when a pillion passenger embarks or disembarks from the vehicle by stepping onto the pillion footrest. The support structure of the present invention thus prevents the floorboard from cracking, breaking, or getting damaged in event when entire weight of the pillion passenger is on a single footrest during embarking or disembarking the vehicle.
[029] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.