SPECIFICATION

[Title] Supporting Structure for a Head Lamp and a Fuel Reservoir

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[Technical Field]

[0001]

The present invention relates to a supporting structure for a head lamp and a fuel reservoir and more particularly concerns a supporting structure for a head lamp and a fuel reservoir, which can inhibit the invasion of rainwater or the like into a joint portion between a lamp housing and a lens.

[Background Art]

[0002]

A conventional example of the supporting structure for the head lamp and the fuel reservoir comprises a head-lamp support to which a head lamp is attached (for example, see Patent Literature 1).

[0003]

However, the conventional art houses the head lamp in the head-lamp support comprising a framework and therefore causes a problem.

[0004]

[Patent Literature 1]
Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-217028 (see Figs. 1 and 2).

[Disclosure of the Invention]

[Problem the Invention Attempts to Solve]

[0005]

The conventional technique causes the following problem.
Rainwater or the like is feasible to invade the joint portion between the lamp housing and the lens.

The head lamp is housed in the head-lamp support formed from a framework. Therefore, while it is raining, if the rainwater is led to the head-lamp support, the rainwater falls from the head-lamp support to the joint portion between the lamp housing and the lens and readily invades the joint portion. On supplying fuel, when the spilt fuel is conducted to the head-lamp support, it falls on the joint portion between the head¬lamp and the lens, and is likely to enter the joint portion.

When the rainwater and the fuel enter the joint portion between the lamp housing and the lens, if a sealing material or an adhesive is used for the joint portion, the joint potion is caused to deteriorate or swell. Further, in the event that the rainwater or the fuel enters even the interior area of the housing, it likely causes the lens to become frosted

[0006]

The present invention has an object to provide a supporting structure for a head lamp and a fuel reservoir, capable of solving the above-mentioned problems and inhibiting the invasion of the rainwater or the like into the joint portion between the lamp housing and the lens.

[Means for Solving the Problem]

[0007]

The inventive featuring matter of the invention as defined in claim 1 is as follows.

As exemplified in Fig. 2(A), in a supporting structure which comprises a head-lamp support 1 and a head lamp 2 attached thereto, the head lamp 2 comprising a lens 4 attached to a front portion of a lamp housing 3, a fuel reservoir 5 being arranged rearwards of the head lamp 2, an attaching flange 6 projecting forwardly of the fuel reservoir 5 and being fixed to the head-lamp support 1, as exemplified in Fig. 1(A), Figs. 2(A) and 2(B), and Fig. 3, a joint portion 7 between the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4 includes a joint-portion ceiling wall portion 9 formed in a head-lamp ceiling wall 8, at least part of the joint-portion ceiling wall portion 9 being arranged at a position higher than the attaching flange 6 of the fuel reservoir 5.

[Effect of the Invention]

[0008]

(Invention of Claim 1)
The rainwater or the like can be prohibited from entering the joint portion between the lamp housing and the lens.
As shown for example only in Fig. 1(A), Figs. 2(A) and 2(B), and Fig.3, the joint portion 7 between the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4 includes the joint-portion ceiling wall portion 9 formed in the head-lamp ceiling wall 8, at least part of the joint-portion ceiling wall portion 9 being disposed at a position higher than the attaching flange 6 of the fuel reservoir 5. Owing to this arrangement, when it is raining, even if the rainwater flows along a wall of the fuel reservoir 5 to be led to the attaching flange 6 and the head-lamp support 1, it can be inhibited from invading the joint portion 7 between the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4. Further, when supplying the fuel, even though the spilt fuel goes along the wall of the fuel reservoir 5 to be conducted to the attaching flange 6 and the head-lamp support 1, the spilt fuel can be prohibited from entering the joint portion 7 between the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4.

[0009]

(Invention of Claim 2)

It offers the following effect in addition to that presented by the invention of claim 1.
A head-lamp support of a simple structure can support the fuel reservoir.

As exemplified in Fig. 1(A), the head-lamp support 1 has a framework 10. The framework 10 comprises a horizontally directed upper frame portion 11 and upright left and right horizontal side frame portions 12, 12. As illustrated in Fig. 1(A), Figs. 2(A) and 2(B), and Fig. 3, the attaching flange 6 of the fuel reservoir 5 is fixed to the upper frame portion 11 through fixing means 13. This enables the head-lamp support 1 of a simple structure to support the fuel reservoir 5.

[0010]

(Invention of Claim 3)

It offers the following effect in addition to that presented by the invention of claim 2.
It highly functions for the rainwater or the like to be inhibited from entering the joint portion between the lamp housing and the lens.

As exemplified in Fig. 1(A), the joint portion 7 between the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4 includes the left and right horizontal side wall portions 15, 15 formed in the left and right head-lamp horizontal side walls 14, 14, and at least an upper half portion of each of the left and right horizontal side wall portions 15, 15 is arranged on the outer side from the left and right horizontal side frame portions 12, 12 of the head-lamp support 1 when seen forwardly of the front surface. Thus the rainwater or the fuel which flows along the left and right horizontal side walls 12,12 of the head lamp support 1 hardly invades the upper half portion of each of the left and right joint-portion horizontal side wall portions 15, 15. This highly functions to inhibit the rainwater or the like from invading the joint portion 7 between the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4.

[0011]

(Invention of Claim 4)

It offers the following effect in addition to that presented by the invention of claim 2 or claim 3.

It highly functions for the rainwater or the like to be inhibited from entering the joint portion between the lamp housing and the lens.

As exemplified in Fig. 2(A), the joint portion 7 between the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4 includes the left and right horizontal side wall portions 15, 15 formed in the left and right head-lamp horizontal side walls 14, 14, at least a lower half portion of each of the left and right horizontal side wall portions 15, 15 is arranged on the forward side from the left and right horizontal side frame portions 12, 12 of the head-lamp support 1. Thus the rainwater or the fuel which flows along the left and right horizontal side frame portions 12,12 of the head-lamp support 1 hardly invades the lower half portion of each of the left and right joint- portion horizontal side wall portions 15, 15. This highly functions to inhibit the rainwater or the like from invading the joint portion 7 between the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4.

[0012]

(Invention of Claim 5)

It offers the following effect in addition to that presented by the invention as defined in any one of claims 2 to 4. The lens of the head lamp can be reduced in the dimension of forward projection from the head¬lamp support.

As exemplified in Figs. 2(A) and Fig. 3, the joint-portion ceiling wall portion 9 is arranged just above the upper frame portion 11 and the lamp housing 3 extends through the interior area of the head-lamp support 1. This can reduce the dimension in which the lens 4 of the head lamp 2 projects forwards of the headlamp support 1.

[0013]

(Invention of Claim 6)

It offers the following effect in addition to that presented by the invention of claim 5.
It highly functions for the rainwater or the like to be inhibited from entering the joint portion between the lamp housing and the lens.

As illustrated in Fig. 2(A), while the head-lamp support 1 has the left and right horizontal side frame portions 12, 12 inclined downwardly toward the rear, the joint portion 7 between the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4 includes the left and right joint-portion horizontal side wall portions 15, 15 formed' in the left and right head-lamp horizontal side walls 14, 14, the left and right joint-portion horizontal side wall portions 15, 15 being inclined downwardly toward the front. Thus as the left and right joint-portion horizontal side portions 15, 15 of the joint portion 7 between the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4 come down, they go further away from the left and right horizontal side frame portions 12, 12. This makes the rainwater and the fuel hardly invade the lower half portion of each of the left and right joint-portion horizontal sidewall portions 15, 15 and therefore highly functions for inhibiting the invasion of the rainwater and the like into the joint portion between the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4.
[0014]

(Invention of Claim 7)

It offers the following effect in addition to that presented by the invention as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6.

It highly functions for the rainwater or the like to be inhibited from entering the joint portion between the lamp housing and the lens.

As exemplified in Fig. 2(B), the joint-portion ceiling portion 9 comprises a fitting portion 16 formed by the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4 fitted with each other. The fitting portion 16 has a fitting clearance 17 an outside inlet 18 of which is formed at its front portion. Thus the rainwater or the like which flows forwardly out of the attaching flange 6 of the fuel reservoir 5 hardly invades the fitting clearance 17 and therefore it highly functions to inhibit the rainwater or the like from invading the joint portion 7 between the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4.

[0015]

(Invention of Claim 8)

It offers the following effect in addition to that presented by the invention as defined in claim 7. It highly functions to inhibit the invasion of the rainwater or the like from the joint-portion ceiling wall portion into the head lamp.

As exemplified in Fig. 2(B), the fitting portion 16 comprises a fitting groove 20 formed in the lamp housing 3 and a fitting-in portion 22 formed in the lens 4. The fitting groove 20 has a front end opened to provide a groove inlet 23, through which the fitting-in
i portion 22 of the lens 4 is inserted rearwardly. Thus the fitting clearance 17 of the joint-portion ceiling wall portion 9 is formed in the shape of labyrinth, through which when passing, the rainwater or the like encounters difficulty, and therefore highly functions to
3 inhibit the invasion of the rainwater or the like from the joint-portion ceiling wall portion 9 into the head lamp 2.

[0016]

(Invention of Claim 9)

It offers the following effect in addition to that presented by the invention as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8. It highly functions for the rainwater or the like to be inhibited from entering the joint portion between the lamp housing and the lens.

As exemplified in Fig. 2(B), an upright wall 26 is provided upwardly from a head-lamp ceiling wall 8 rearwardly of an outside inlet 25 of a joint clearance 24 of the joint-portion ceiling wall portion 9. And as shown in Figs. 4(A) and 4(B), Fig. 5 and Figs. 6(A) and 6(B), the upright wall 26 is continuously formed along the head-lamp ceiling wall 8 in a horizontal direction. Thus the rainwater and the fuel that try to approach the outside inlet 25 of the joint portion 7 between the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4 from the fuel reservoir 5 side, are shielded by the upright wall 26 and therefore hardly invade the joint clearance 24 formed in the joint-portion ceiling wall portion 9 of the head lamp 2. This highly functions to inhibit the rainwater and the like from entering the joint portion 7 between the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4.

[0017]

The head-lamp ceiling wall increases its strength. As exemplified in Fig. 2(B), the upright wall 26 is provided upwardly from the head-lamp ceiling wall 8. And as shown in Figs. 4(A) and 4(B), Fig. 5 and Figs. 6(A) and 6(B), the upright wall 26 is continuously formed along the head-lamp ceiling wall 8 in the horizontal direction. This upright wall 26 .serves as a rib to increase the strength of the head-lamp ceiling wall 8.

[0018]

(Invention of Claim 10)

It offers the following effect in addition to that presented by the invention as defined in claim 9. It highly functions for the rainwater or the like to be inhibited from entering the joint portion between the lamp housing and the lens.

As shown in Figs. 4(A) and 4 (B) , Fig. 5 and Figs. 6(A) and 6(B) for example only, left and right lateral side portions 27, 27 of the head-lamp ceiling wall 8 are raised up to a position higher than a mid portion 28 therebetween. Left and right lateral side portions 29, 29 of the joint-portion ceiling wall portion 9 are arranged higher than a mid portion 30 therebetween. The upright wall 26 is disposed between the raised left and ) right lateral side portions 27, 27 of the head-lamp ceiling wall 8. In consequence, the rainwater and the fuel that have flowed along the wall of the fuel reservoir 5 to be led to the attaching flange 6 are inhibited from invading the left and right lateral side portions 29, 29 of the joint-portion ceiling wall portion 9 due to their height as well as the mid portion 28 owing to the existence of the upright wall 26, respectively. This highly functions to inhibit the rainwater or the like from entering the joint portion 7 between the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4.

[0019]

(Invention of Claim 11)

It offers the following effect in addition to that presented by the invention as defined in claim 10. The head-lamp ceiling wall enhances its strength.

As exemplified in Figs. 4(A) and 4(B), Fig. 5 and Figs. 6(A) and 6(B), the upright wall 26 has its left and right opposite sides connected to the left and right lateral side portions 27, 27 of the head-lamp ceiling wall 8. Thus the head-lamp ceiling wall 8 has its left and right lateral side portions 27, 27 connected to the > mid portion 30 through the upright wall 26 and therefore increases its strength.

[0020]

(Invention of Claim 12)

It offers the following effect in addition to that presented by the invention as defined in any one of claims 9 to 11 The rainwater is inhibited from entering the joint-portion ceiling wall portion and an upper-cover fixing means.

As exemplified in Figs. 2(A) and 2(B), an upper cover 32 is secured to the upright wall 26 by an upper cover fixing means 31 and covers the joint-portion ceiling wall portion 9 and the upper-cover fixing means 31 from the front and above. Therefore, the upper cover 32shields them from the falling rain and inhibits the rainwater from entering the joint-portion ceiling wall portion 9 and the upper-cover fixing means 31.

[0021]

(Invention of Claim 12)

It highly function to inhibit the rainwater from invading the join-portion ceiling wall portion and the upper-cover fixing means. As exemplified in Figs. 2(A) and 2(B), the upper cover 32 is secured to the upright wall 26 by the upper-cover fixing means 31 and has a lower edge 33 extending along the head-lamp ceiling wall 8. Accordingly, it is possible to precisely position the upper cover 32 with respect to the head-lamp ceiling wall 8 and set a clearance between the lower edge 33 of the upper cover 32 and the head-lamp ceiling wall 8 to a small one. Thus the rainwater can be inhibited from entering through the clearance into the upper cover 32. This can highly function to inhibit the invasion of the rainwater into the joint-portion ceiling wall portion 9 and the upper-cover fixing means 31.

[0022]

(Invention of Claim 13)

It offers the following effect in addition to that presented by the invention as defined in claim 12. It highly functions for the rainwater or the like to be inhibited from entering the joint portion between the lamp housing and the lens.

As exemplified in Figs. 2(A) and 2(B), and Fig. 3, the upper cover 32 has a rear edge 34 extending along a front surface 35 of the fuel reservoir 5. Thus the rainwater and the fuel which tend to flow down from a ceiling wall 47 of the fuel reservoir 5 to the front surface 35 is shielded by the upper cover 32 by setting a clearance between the rear edge 34 of the upper cover 32 and the front surface 35 of the fuel reservoir 5 to a small one. This highly functions to inhibit the rainwater or the like from entering the joint portion 7 between the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4.

[0023]

(Invention of Claim 14)

It offers the following effect in addition to that presented by the invention as defined in any one of ) claims 1 to 13. It highly functions for the muddy water or the like to be inhibited from entering a join-portion bottom wall portion and a lower-cover fixing means.

As shown in Figs. 2(A) and 2(C), a lower cover 37 covers a joint-portion bottom wall portion 38 and a lower-cover fixing means 36 from the front and below. Thus the lower cover 37 shields the muddy water or the like splashed by the wheels and the like of a machine loaded with the head lamp 2 and the fuel reservoir 5 and as a result the muddy water and the like is inhibited from invading the joint-portion bottom wall portion 38 and the lower-cover fixing means 36.

[0024]

It highly functions for the muddy water or the like to be inhibited from entering the joint-portion bottom wall portion and the lower-cover fixing means.

As shown in Figs. 2(A) and 2(C), the lower cover 37 is secured to the head lamp 2 by the lower-cover fixing means 36 and as shown in Figs. 2(A) and 2(C), and Fig. 5(B), the lower cover 37 has an upper edge 39 extending along the head-lamp bottom wall 40. Accordingly, it is possible to precisely position the lower cover 37 with respect to the head-lamp bottom wall 40 and set a clearance between the upper edge 39 of the lower cover 37 and the head-lamp bottom wall 40 to a small one. Thus the muddy water or the like can be inhibited from entering through the clearance into the lower cover 37. This can highly function to inhibit the invasion of the muddy water or the like into the joint-portion ceiling bottom wall portion 38 and the lower-cover fixing means 36.

[0025]

(Invention of Claim 16)

It offers the following effect in addition to that presented by the invention as defined in claim 14. It is possible to inhibit the invasion of the rainwater into the joint-portion bottom wall portion and the lower-cover fixing means.
As exemplified in Fig. 2(A), the lens 4 has a front wall 41 a lower half portion of which is formed to become a convex curved surface projecting forwards. Thus the lens 4 serves as a protection for shielding the falling rain, whereby the falling rain can be prevented from entering the clearance between the upper edge 39 of the lower cover 37 and the head-lamp bottom wall 40. This can inhibit the invasion of the rainwater into the joint-portion bottom wall portion 38 and the lower-cover fixing means 36.

[0026]

(Invention of Claim 16)

It offers the following effect in addition to that presented by the invention as defined in any one of claims 1 to 15. The engine can be readily loaded onto a machine.

As shown in Fig. 2(A), the head-lamp 2 and the fuel reservoir 5 are supported by an engine 42 through the head-lamp support 1, whereby the head lamp 2, the fuel reservoir 5 and the engine 42 can be integrally loaded onto an agricultural machine or a construction machine. This enables the engine 42 to be easily loaded onto various sorts of machines.

[0027]

(Invention of Claim 17)

It offers the following effect in addition to that presented by the invention as defined in claim 16. It is possible to prevent the overheating of the head lamp and the fuel reservoir.

As illustrated in Fig. 8 for example only, the engine 42 is a horizontal engine where a cylinder portion 44 is arranged rearwardly of a crank case 43. The fuel reservoir 5 is disposed just above the crank case 43 and the head lamp 2 is arranged forwards of the fuel reservoir 5. Owing to this arrangement, the fuel reservoir 5 and the head lamp 2 hardly undergo the thermal effect exerted by the cylinder portion 44 and the cylinder head 4 6 so that the head lamp 2 and the fuel reservoir 5 can be inhibited from being overheated.

[0028]

(Invention of Claim 18)

It offers the following effect in addition to that presented by the invention as defined in claim 17. The engine can be readily loaded onto a machine.

As shown in Fig. 8, the engine 42 is a water-cooled engine where a radiator 45 for the engine cooling water is attached to immediately above the cylinder portion 44, whereby the head lamp 2, the fuel reservoir 5, the radiator 45 and the engine 42 can be integrally loaded onto an agricultural machine or a construction machine. This enables the engine 42 to be easily loaded onto various sorts of machines.

[0029]

(Invention of Claim 19)

It offers the following effect in addition to that presented by the invention as defined in claim 17. The engine can be readily loaded onto a machine.

As shown in Fig,8 for example only, the engine 42 is a water-cooled engine where a hopper 59 for the engine cooling water is attached to immediately above the cylinder portion 44, whereby the head lamp 2, the fuel reservoir 5, the hopper 59 and the engine 42 can be integrally loaded onto an agricultural machine or a construction machine. This enablles the engine 42 to be easily loaded onto various sorts of machines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030]

[Fig. 1] shows a head lamp which is used for an engine according to an embodiment of the present invention and an upper and a lower covers are attached to. Fig. 1(A) is a front view, Fig. 1(B) is a sectional view taken along a line B-B in Fig. 1(A) and Fig. 1(C) is a sectional view taken along a line C-C in Fig. 1(A);

[Fig. 2] shows the head lamp to which the upper and lower covers are attached. Fig. 2(A) is a sectional view taken along a line II-II in Fig. 1(A), Fig. 2(B) is an enlarged view when seen in a direction indicated by an arrow B in Fig. 2(A) and Fig. 2(C) is an enlarged view when seen in a direction indicated by an arrow C in Fig. 2(A);

[Fig. 3] is a sectional view taken along a line III-III in Fig. 1(A);

[Fig. 4] shows the head lamp in Fig. 1. Fig. 4(A) is a front view and Fig. 4(B) is a plan view;

[Fig. 5] shows the head lamp in Fig. 1. Fig. 5(A) is a perspective view of the head lamp and Fig. 5(B) is a perspective view of the head lamp to which the upper and lower covers are attached, when seen from the right front side, respectively;

[Fig. 6] shows the head lamp in Fig. 1. Fig. 6(A) is a perspective view of the head lamp and Fig. 6(B) is a perspective view of the head lamp to which the upper and lower covers are attached when seen from the right rear side, respectively;

[Fig. 7] shows a head-lamp support which is used for the engine according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7(A) is a front view, Fig. 7(B) is a sectional view taken along a line B-B in Fig. 7(A) and

Fig. 7(C) is a sectional view taken along a line C-C in Fig. 7(A), and Fig. 7(D) is a right side view;;
[Fig. 8] is a left side view of the engine according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[Fig. 9] is a perspective view of the engine in Fig. 8, when seen from the left front side; and

[Fig. 10] is a left side view of another engine according to a modification of the embodiment of the present invention.

MOST PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0031]

An embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference to the drawings. Figs. 1 to 10 show an engine according to the embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an explanation is given for a uni-cylinder water-cooled horizontal diesel engine.

[0032]

This engine is provided with a supporting structure for a head lamp and a fuel reservoir.
The supporting structure for the head lamp and the fuel reservoir are outlined as follows.
As shown in Fig. 2(A), a head lamp 2 is attached to a head-lamp support 1 and comprises a lens 4 attached to a front portion of a lamp housing 3. A fuel reservoir 5 is arranged rearwardly of the head lamp 2. An attaching flange 6 projects forwards from the fuel reservoir 5 and is fixed to the head-lamp support 1. The lamp housing 3 houses a light-source lamp 48 and has an inner surface which serves as a reflecting surface.

[0033]

The supporting structure for the head lamp and the fuel reservoir is devised as follows.
As shown in Fig. 1(A), Figs. 2(A) and 2(B), and Fig. 3, the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4 are jointed together through a joint portion 7, which is provided with a ceiling wall portion 9 formed in a head-lamp ceiling 8. The joint-portion ceiling wall portion 9 is arranged at a position higher than the attaching flange 6 of the fuel reservoir 5 in its entirety. Fig. 1(A) shows the joint-portion ceiling wall portion 9 in thick solid line and broken line.

From the aspect of inhibiting the invasion of the rainwater and the like into the joint portion 7 between the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4, whole the joint-portion ceiling wall portion 9 is desirably arranged at a position higher than the attaching flange 6 of the fuel reservoir 5. However, the joint-portion ceiling wall portion 9 may be partly disposed at the position higher than the attached flange 6 of the fuel reservoir 5.

[0034]

The structure for attaching the fuel reservoir is as follows. As shown in Fig. 1(A), the head-lamp support 1 has a framework 10. The framework 10 comprises a horizonally directed upper frame portion 11 and upright left and right horizontal side frame portions 12, 12. As shown in Fig. 1(A), Figs. 2(A) and 2(B), and Fig. 3, the attaching flange 6 of the fuel reservoir 5 is attached to the upper frame portion 11 by reservoir-fixing means 13.

The reservoir-fixing means 13 are bolts. The attaching flange 6 projects forwards from a front peripheral wall 49 of the fuel reservoir 5. The fuel reservoir 5 has a ceiling wall 41 provided with an oil-supply port 57.

[0035]

The head-lamp support has the following structure. As shown in Figs. 7 (A) to 7(D), the head-lamp support 1 comprises a horizontal base portion 50 and the framework 10 conducted upwardly out of a front-end edge portion of the base portion 50. As shown in Fig. 1(A), the head lamp 2 is secured to the framework 10 through I two pairs of left and right head-lamp fixing means 51,51.

[0036]

There is the following relationship between the joint portion of the head lamp and the framework. As shown in Fig. 1(A), the joint portion 7 between the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4 has joint-portion horizontal side wall portions 15, 15 formed in the left and right head-lamp horizontal side walls 14, 14. The joint-portion horizontal side wall portions 15, 15 are arranged in its entirety on the outer side from the left and right horizontal side frame portions 12, 12 of the head-lamp support 1 when seen forwardly of the front surface. In Fig. 1(A), the joint-portion horizontal side wall portion 15 is shown in thick solid line.

From the viewpoint of inhibiting the entrance of the rainwater and the like into the joint portion 7 between the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4, whole the joint-portion horizontal side wall portions 15, 15 are advantageously arranged on the outer side from the left and right horizontal side frame portions 12, 12 of the head-lamp support 1 when seen forwardly of the front surface. However, at least an upper half portion of each of the joint-portion horizontal side wall portions 15,15 may be disposed on the outer side from the left and right horizontal side frame portions 12, 12 of the head-lamp support 1 when seen forwardly of the front surface.

[0037]

As shown in Fig. 2(A), the joint portion 7 between the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4 has joint-portion horizontal side wall portions 15, 15 formed in the left and right head-lamp horizontal side walls 14, 14. A lower half portion of each of the joint-portion horizontal side wall portions 15, 15 is arranged forwardly from the left and right horizontal side frame portions 12, 12 of the head-lamp support 1.

From the viewpoint of inhibiting the entrance of the rainwater and the like into the joint portion 7 between the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4, whole the joint-portion horizontal side wall portions 15, 15 are advantageously arranged forwardly from the left and right horizontal side frame portions 12, 12 of the head-lamp support 1. However, at least an lower half portion of each of the joint-portion horizontal side wall portions 15, 15 formed in the left and right head-lamp horizontal side walls 14, 14 may be disposed forwardly from the left and right horizontal side frame portions 12, 12 of the head-lamp support 1.

[0038]

As shown in Fig. 2(A) and Fig. 3, the joint-portion ceiling wall portion 9 is arranged just above the upper frame portion 11 and the lamp housing 3 extends through the framework of the head-lamp support 1.

As shown in Fig. 2(A), the left and right horizontal side frame portions 12, 12 of the head-lamp support 1 are inclined downwards rearwardly. The joint portion 7 between the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4 includes the joint-portion horizontal side wall portions 15, 15 formed in the left and right head-lamp horizontal side walls 14, 14. The joint-portion horizontal side wall portions 15, 15 are inclined downwards toward the front.

[0039]

The head lamp is constructed as follows.

As shown in Fig. 2(B), the joint-portion ceiling wall portion 9 comprises a fitting portion 15 formed by the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4 fitted with each other. The fitting portion 16 has a clearance 17 an outside inlet of which is formed at its front portion.

As shown in Fig. 2(B), the fitting portion 16 comprises a fitting groove 20 formed in the lamp housing 3 and a fitting-in portion 22 formed in the lens 4. The fitting groove 20 has a front end opened to provide an inlet 23, through which the fitting-in portion 22 of the lens 4 is inserted toward the rear.

The fitting clearance 17 is sealed by a sealing member 53.

As shown in Fig. 2(C), a joint-portion bottom wall portion 38 also adopts the same structure as the joint-portion ceiling wall portion 9. Further, as shown in Figs. 1(B) and 1(C), each of the joint-portion horizontal side portion 15 and the joint-portion bottom wall portion 38 also adopts the same structure as the joint-portion ceiling wall portion 9. As shown in Figs. 1(A) and 1(C), Figs. 4(A) and 4(B), and Figs. 5(A) and Fig. 5(B), the lens 4 engages with the lamp housing 3 through an engaging portion 54.

[0040]

As shown in Fig. 2(B), an upright wall 26 is provided upwardly from the head-lamp ceiling wall 8 rearwardly of the outside inlet 25 of the joint clearance 24 of the joint-portion ceiling wall portion 9 and as shown in Figs. 4(A) and 4(B), Fig. 5, and Fig. 6(A) and 6(B), is continuously formed in a horizontal direction along the head-lamp ceiling wall 8.

As shown in Figs. 4(A) and 4(B), Fig. 5(A), and Figs. 6(A) and 6(B), left and right lateral side portions 27, 27 of the head-lamp ceiling wall 8 are raised up to a position higher than a mid portion 28 therebetween, and left and right lateral side portions 29, 29 of the joint-portion ceiling wall portion 9 are arranged higher than a mid portion 30 therebetween. The upright wall 26 is disposed between the raised left and right lateral side portions 27, 27 of the head-lamp ceiling wall 8.

As shown in Figs. 4(A) and 4(B), Fig. 5(A) and Figs. 6(A) and 6(B), the upright wall 26 has its left and right opposite sides connected to the left and right lateral side portions 27, 27 of the head-lamp ceiling wall 8.

[0041]

There is the following relationship between the head lamp and upper and lower covers.

As shown in Figs. 2(A) and 2(B), an upper cover 32 is secured to the upright wall 26 by an upper-cover fixing means 31 and covers the joint-portion ceiling wall portion 9 and the upper-cover fixing means 31 from the front and above. And as shown in Figs. 2(A) and 2(B), and Fig. 5, the upper cover 32 has a lower edge 33 extending along the head-lamp ceiling wall 8.

As shown in Figs. 2(A) and 2(B), and Fig. 3, the upper cover 32 has a rear edge 34 extending along a front surface 35 of the fuel reservoir 5.

As shown in Figs. 2(A) and 2(C), a lower cover 37 is secured to the head lamp 2 by a lower-cover fixing means 36. The joint portion 7 between the lamp housing 3 and the lens 4 includes a joint-portion bottom wall portion 38 formed in the head-lamp bottom wall 40. The joint-portion bottom wall portion 38 and the lower-cover fixing means 36 are covered with the lower cover 37 from the front and below. As shown in Figs. 2(A) and 2(C), and Fig. 5(B), the lower cover 37 has an upper edge 39 extending along the head-lamp bottom wall 40.

As shown in Fig. 2(A), the lens 4 has a front wall 41 a lower half portion of which is formed to become a convex curved surface projecting forwards.

As shown in Figs. 1(B) and 1(C), and Fig. 3, each of the lower edge 33 of the upper cover 32 and the upper edge 39 of the lower cover 37 engages with the head lamp 2 through an engaging portion 55.

[0042]
As shown in Fig. 2(A), the head lamp 2 and the fuel reservoir 5 are supported through the head-lamp support 1 by the engine 42.
As shown in Fig. 2(A), the head-lamp support 1 has a base portion 50 secured to a crank case 43 of the engine 42.

As shown in Fig. 8, the engine 42 is a horizontal engine where a cylinder portion 44 is disposed behind a crank case 43. The fuel reservoir 5 is arranged just above the crank case 43 and the head lamp 2 is disposed ahead of the fuel reservoir 5.

As shown in Fig. 8, the engine 42 is a water-cooled engine where a radiator 45 for the engine-cooling water is attached to immediately above the cylinder portion 44.

As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the fuel reservoir 5 has its left and right opposite sides on which side covers 56, 56 are placed. Each of these side covers 56, 56 is secured to the horizontal side frame portion 12 of the head-lamp support 1 and the radiator 45 through a side-cover fixing means 58.

[0043]

Fig. 10 shows a modification of the embodiment according to the present invention. In the modification, a hopper 59 for the engine-cooling water is employed instead of the radiator 45 for the engine-cooling water. More specifically, the engine 42 is a water-cooled engine where the hopper 59 for the engine-cooling water is attached to immediately above the cylinder portion 44. The hopper 59 is a tank for storing engine-cooling water, which absorbs heat of the cylinder portion 44 to gasify. The other structure and function are the same as those of the engine in Fig. 8. In Fig. 10, the elements identical to those of the engine in Fig. 8 are designated by the identical numerals.

(Claims)

1. A supporting structure for a head lamp and a fuel reservoir comprising a head-lamp support (1) and a head lamp (2) attached thereto, the head lamp (2)
comprising a lens (4) attached to a front portion of a lamp housing (3) , a fuel reservoir (5) being arranged rearwards of the head lamp (2), an attaching flange (6)
projecting forwards of the fuel reservoir (5) and being fixed to the head-lamp support (1), wherein a joint portion (7) between the lamp housing (3) and the lens (4) includes a joint-portion ceiling wall portion (9) formed in a head-lamp ceiling wall (8), at least part of the joint-portion ceiling wall portion (9) being arranged at a position higher than the attaching flange (6) of the fuel reservoir (5).

2. The supporting structure for a head lamp and a fuel reservoir as defined in claim 1, wherein the head-lamp support (1) has a framework (10) , which comprises a horizontally directed upper frame portion (11) and upright left and right horizontal side frame portions (12), (12), and the attaching flange (6) of the fuel reservoir (5) is secured to the upper frame portion (11) through a reservoir-fixing means (13).

3. The supporting structure for a head lamp and a fuel reservoir as defined in claim 2, wherein the joint portion (7) between the lamp housing (3) and the lens (4) includes left and right joint-portion horizontal side wall portions (15), (15) formed in left and right head-lamp horizontal side walls (14), (14), at least an upper half portion of each of the left and right joint-portion horizontal side wall portions (15), (15) being arranged on an outer side from the left and right horizontal side frame portions (12), (12) of the head-lamp support (1), when seen forwardly of the front surface.

4. The supporting structure for a head lamp and a fuel reservoir as defined in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the joint portion (7) between the lamp housing (3) and the lens (4) includes left and right joint-portion horizontal side wall portions (15), (15) formed in left and right head-lamp horizontal side walls (14), (14), at least a lower half portion of each of the left and right joint-portion horizontal side wall portions (15), (15) being arranged on a forward side from the left and right horizontal side frame portions (12), (12) of the head-lamp support (1).

5. The supporting structure for a head lamp and a fuel reservoir as defined in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the joint-portion ceiling wall portion (9) is arranged just above the upper frame portion (11) and the lamp housing (3) extends through an interior area of the framework of the head-lamp support (1).

6. The supporting structure for a head lamp and a fuel reservoir as defined in claim 5, wherein the head-lamp support (1) has the left and right horizontal side frame portions (12), (12) inclined downwardly toward the rear, and the joint portion (7) between the lamp housing (3) and the lens (4) includes left and right joint-portion horizontal side wall portions (15), (15) formed in left and right head-lamp horizontal side walls (14), (14), the left and right joint-portion horizontal side wall portions (15), (15) being inclined downwardly toward the front.

7. The supporting structure for a head lamp and a fuel reservoir as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the joint-portion ceiling wall portion (9) comprises a fitting portion (16) formed by the lamp housing (3) and the lens (4) fitted with one another, the fitting portion (16) having a clearance (17) an outside inlet of which is formed at its front portion.

8. The supporting structure for a head lamp and a fuel reservoir as defined in claim 7, wherein the fitting portion (16) comprises a fitting groove (20) formed in the lamp housing (3) and a fitting-in portion (22) formed in the lens (4), the fitting groove (20) having a front end opened to provide an inlet (23), through which the fitting-in portion (22) is inserted rearwardly.

9. The supporting structure for a head lamp and a fuel reservoir as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein an upright wall (26) is provided upwardly from the head-lamp ceiling wall (8) behind an outside inlet (25) of a joint clearance (24) of the joint-portion ceiling wall portion (9), and the upright wall (26) is continuously formed along the head-lamp ceiling wall (8) in a horizontal direction.

10. The supporting structure for a head lamp and a fuel reservoir as defined in claim 9,wherein left and right lateral portions (27), (27) of the head-lamp ceiling wall (8) are raised up to a position higher than a mid portion (28) therebetween, and left and right lateral side portions (29), (29) of the joint-portion ceiling wall portion (9) are disposed at a position higher than a mid portion (30) therebetween, 1 the upright wall (26) being arranged between the raised left and right lateral side portions (27), (27) of the head-lamp ceiling wall (8).

11. The supporting structure for a head lamp and a fuel reservoir as defined in claim 10, wherein the upright wall (26) has its left and right opposite sides connected to the left and right lateral side portions (27), (27) of the head-lamp ceiling wall (8).

12. The supporting structure for a head lamp and a fuel reservoir as defined in any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein an upper cover (32) is secured to the upright wall (26) by an upper-cover fixing means (32) and covers the joint-portion ceiling wall portion (9). and the upper-cover fixing means (31) from the front and above, and
the upper cover (32) has a lower edge (33) extending along the head-lamp ceiling wall (8).

13. The supporting structure for a head lamp and a fuel reservoir as defined in claim 12, wherein the upper cover (32) has a rear edge (34) extending along a front surface (35) of the fuel reservoir (5).

14. The supporting structure for a head lamp and a fuel reservoir as defined in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a lower cover (37) is secured to the head lamp
(2) by the lower-cover fixing means (36), and the joint portion (7) between the lamp housing (3) and the lens (4) includes a joint-portion bottom wall portion (40) formed in a head-lamp bottom wall (38), the joint-portion bottom wall portion (38) and the lower-cover fixing means (36) being covered with the lower cover (37) from the front and below, and the lower cover (37) has an upper edge (39) extending along the head-lamp bottom wall (40).

15. The supporting structure for a head lamp and a fuel reservoir as defined in claim 14, wherein the lens (4) has a front wall (41) a lower half portion of which is formed to become a convex curved surface projecting forwards.

16. The supporting structure for a head lamp and a fuel reservoir as defined in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the head lamp (2) and the fuel reservoir (5) are supported through the head-lamp support (1) by an engine (42).

17. The supporting structure for a head lamp and a fuel reservoir as defined in claim 16, wherein the engine (42) is a horizontal engine where a cylinder portion (44) is arranged behind a crank case(43)the fuel reservoir (5) being arranged just above the crank case (43) , the head lamp (2) being disposed ahead of the fuel reservoir(5).

18. The supporting structure for a head lamp and a fuel reservoir as defined in claim 17, wherein the engine (42) is a water-cooled engine where a radiator (45) for the engine-cooling water is attached to immediately above the cylinder portion (44).

19. The supporting structure for a head lamp and a fuel reservoir as defined in claim 17, wherein the engine (42) is a water-cooled engine where a hopper (49) for the engine-cooling water is attached to immediately above the cylinder portion (44).