DESC:Technical Field
[0001] The present subject matter described herein generally relates to a motorcycle, and particularly but not exclusively relates to a tail cover assembly for said motorcycle.
Background
[0002] Typically, motorcycles are provided with a plurality of rearwardly extending body panel members that is used for covering the rear portion/tail portion of the frame structure, and are usually referred to as tail cover panels. Said tail cover panels are typically independently secured to a frame structure of said motorcycle using individual mounting brackets. Said tail cover panels besides serving to cover a tail portion of the frame structure, also serve to support a tail lamp member at a rear portion of the motorcycle, above a rear fender. Particularly, said tail lamp member being surrounded by two or more tail cover panels is secured to a portion of the frame structure by an independent tail lamp securing bracket. Thus, typically the complexity involved in mounting said tail cover panels and the tail lamp member to the frame structure is significantly high due to a plurality of brackets being used. As a result, not only does the assembly time involved in securing said tail cover panels and the tail lamp member go up, but so does the cost of manufacturing increase. Moreover, since the tail lamp member is surrounded by two or more tail cover panels, fit and finish around the tail lamp area also gets affected due to assembly variations, thereby affecting aesthetics of the rear portion of the motorcycle.
[0003] Further, in typical motorcycles the tail lamp member is disposed well beyond a rear end of the frame structure, with an extended metal bracket extending rearwardly from the frame structure for supporting the tail lamp member. The tail lamp member therefore acts as an overhanging mass and is subjected to damage due to vibration & lack of sufficient support.
[0004] There is therefore a need to overcome problems encountered in conventional motorcycles as cited in the above described paragraphs.

Summary of the Invention
[0005] The present invention is directed to overcome all or any of the problems set forth in the background.
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a motorcycle including a tail cover assembly adapted to effectively support a tail lamp.
[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a motorcycle including a tail cover assembly that enables in effectively supporting a tail lamp while aiding in reducing the number of brackets used for securing the tail lamp.
[0008] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a motorcycle including a tail cover assembly that enables in preventing overhang of a tail lamp at a rear portion of the motorcycle.
[0009] It is one more object of the present invention to provide a motorcycle including a tail cover assembly, the construction of which enables in enhancing the aesthetic appeal around the tail lamp.
[0010] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a motorcycle including a tail cover assembly, the construction of which aids in reducing the number of interfacing parts with the tail lamp.
[0011] Accordingly, in order to achieve the above and other objects, the present invention provides a motorcycle having a tail cover assembly. The tail cover assembly as per an aspect of the present invention includes a left tail cover, and a right tail cover disposed on either sides of a rear portion of a frame structure of said motorcycle and covering the rear portion of the frame structure. Said left tail cover and said right tail cover are bridged at their front portion by a central tail cover and at their rear portion by a rear tail cover. Further, said tail cover assembly includes a bottom tail cover detachably attached to said left tail cover and said right tail cover. Particularly, said bottom tail cover is adapted to secure the tail cover assembly to the frame structure.
[0012] As per an aspect of the present invention, said tail cover assembly is adapted to reliably support a tail lamp of the motorcycle at a rear portion thereof. As per an embodiment of the present invention, said bottom tail cover is adapted to accommodate at least a portion of said tail lamp. Particularly, said tail lamp is surrounded by a peripheral portion of said bottom tail cover. Thus, it is ensured that the tail lamp has only one interfacing part around it. Presence of a single interfacing part around the tail lamp aids in attaining better fit and finish around the tail lamp, as the gaps formed due to variations in multiple interfacing parts around the tail lamp is significantly reduced.
[0013] Further, as per another aspect of the present invention, the tail cover assembly includes a bracket member for securing parts of the tail cover assembly including the left tail cover, and the right tail cover to the frame structure; and the tail lamp to the bottom tail cover. The bracket member also serves to receive the rear tail cover. Particularly, as per an embodiment, said tail lamp is sandwich mounted to the bottom tail cover together with at least one mounting arm of said bracket member. Thus, the present invention seeks to provide a single mounting bracket for not only securing parts of the tail cover assembly but also the tail lamp. Therefore, not only is the number of parts reduced but also the assembly time is reduced, and ease of assembly is ensured.
[0014] Further, as per yet another aspect of the present invention, the tail lamp is arranged in a manner so that an outer periphery thereof is accommodated well within a peripheral portion of at least a portion of the tail cover assembly and is disposed close to the frame structure of the motorcycle. Therefore, while it is ensured that there is sufficient support for the tail lamp, it is also ensured that there is no overhanging mass of the tail lamp. Thus, rigidity of the tail lamp is ensured and damage of the tail lamp due to vibrations is prevented.
[0015] 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
[0016] 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:
[0017] FIG.1 illustrates a side view of a motorcycle including a tail cover assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG.2 illustrates a side view of said tail cover assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG.3 illustrates a top view of said tail cover assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG.4 illustrates a bottom perspective view of said tail cover assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG.5 illustrates a cross sectional view depicting a tail lamp as secured to the tail cover assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG.6 illustrates an exploded view of said tail cover assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG.7 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the tail lamp as secured to said bottom tail cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description
[0024] Exemplary embodiments detailing construction of a tail cover 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. It is to be noted that terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “front”, “rear”, “forward” “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 rider sitting thereon. Furthermore, a motorcycle longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to the motorcycle, while a motorcycle 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.
[0025] FIG.1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary two-wheeled vehicle such as a motorcycle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0026] Said motorcycle 100 depicted in FIG.1 includes a frame structure 105 including a head tube 105a in a front portion thereof, said frame structure 105 extending from said head tube 105a, towards a rear portion of said motorcycle 100. The frame structure 105 includes a mainframe (not shown) that extends rearwardly downward from the head tube 105a. The frame structure 105 may further comprise a sub-frame formed by at least a pair of rear frames 105b (shown in FIG.3) that extend rearwards and obliquely upward from the main frame.
[0027] In a front end portion of the motorcycle 100, a steering shaft (not shown) is supported rotatably in a certain range. Further a handlebar 140 steerably supported to the head tube 105a is connected to a front wheel 135 through the steering shaft. An upper portion of the front wheel 135 is covered by a front fender 145 which prevents mud and water from getting deflected towards the steering shaft. Further, a front fork assembly (not shown) extending upwards from the front wheel 135 is also steerably supported to the head tube 105a.
[0028] Further, a front portion of the motorcycle 100 also includes a front fairing assembly 165 that is disposed forwardly of the head tube 105a and extending sidewardly covering at least a portion of a fuel tank 150 which is arranged immediately behind the head tube 105a and is disposed above an engine 110. Also, said motorcycle 100 includes a bottom cowl assembly 170 that covers at least a portion of the engine 110, protecting the same from dust, dirt, and water. Furthermore, said motorcycle 100 includes one or more side panel(s) 175 disposed on either sides thereof and is mounted to the main frame covering various parts including an air filter, and one or more electronic/electrical components that are mounted to the frame structure 105.
[0029] A seat assembly 155 is disposed rearwardly of the fuel tank 150 and is supported by said pair of rear frames 105b.
[0030] A swing arm 115 extending rearwards is swingably connected at its front end to the main frame, and at its rear end is rotatably connected to a rear wheel 120. In the present embodiment, a single mono-shock rear suspension 116 connects the swing arm 115 to the frame structure 105. Furthermore, a front end portion of the swing arm 115 is detachably attached to a portion of a footrest assembly 190. As may be seen, said footrest assembly 190 is disposed adjacent to a transmission case 195 when viewed from a vehicle left hand side direction, said transmission case housing a transmission system including the gearbox. The rear wheel 120 is functionally coupled to the engine 110 through the transmission system.
[0031] Further, the motorcycle 100 includes a tail cover assembly 200 which extends obliquely upwardly towards a tail portion of said motorcycle, and is disposed upwardly of the rear wheel 120. Particularly, the tail cover assembly 200 is disposed adjoining at least a portion of the seat assembly 155 and extends above the rear wheel 120. In the present embodiment, the tail cover assembly 200 forms a rear structure of said motorcycle 100.
[0032] FIG.2 is a side view of the tail cover assembly 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The tail cover assembly 200 as per an aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of tail cover members detachably attached to one another and secured to said frame structure 105 through two or more of said plurality of tail cover members. Particularly, as per an embodiment of the present invention, the tail cover assembly 200 includes a left tail cover 200a, a right tail cover 200b (shown in FIG.3), a bottom tail cover 200c, a lower tail cover 200d, a central tail cover 200e (shown in FIG.3), and a rear tail cover 200f. The tail cover assembly 200 as per an aspect of the present invention aids in supporting a rear fender 206 to the frame structure of the motorcycle.
[0033] As may be seen in FIG.3, the left tail cover 200a and the right tail cover 200b are fastened to said at least a pair of rear frames 105b at a front portion, and extend rearwardly towards the tail portion of the motorcycle, and serve to cover a side portion of said at least a pair of rear frames 105b. Further, the left tail cover 200a and the right tail cover 200b are connected to each other by the central tail cover 200e and the rear tail cover 200f. Whereas the central tail cover 200e serves to bridge the left tail cover 200a and the right tail cover 200b at their front end, the rear tail cover 200f serves to bridge the left tail cover 200a and the right tail cover 200b at their rear end.
[0034] Further, the left tail cover 200a and the right tail cover 200b are also detachably attached to the bottom tail cover 200c. Furthermore, other parts of the tail cover assembly 200 and a tail lamp 201 as per the present invention are also attached to the bottom tail cover 200c as may be seen in FIG.4. Particularly, said tail lamp 201 is detachably attached to said bottom tail cover 200c and arranged in a manner such that an outer periphery 201p (shown in FIG.7) of said tail lamp 201 is contained within at least a peripheral portion 200cp of said bottom tail cover 200c. Further, as may be seen in FIG.4, said tail lamp 201 is arranged directly below the left tail cover 200a and the right tail cover 200b and between said left tail cover and the right tail cover 200b. Therefore, since the tail lamp 201 is supported between parts of the tail cover assembly 200, it is ensured that overhang of the tail lamp 201 in the rear portion of the motorcycle is prevented. Moreover, since the outer periphery 201p of the tail lamp 201 is surrounded by the bottom tail cover 200c, it is ensured there is only a single interfacing part around the tail lamp 201. Therefore, in the present embodiment fit and finish around the tail lamp 201 is significantly improved.
[0035] FIG.5 denotes mounting of the tail lamp 201 to the tail cover assembly 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As per the present embodiment, the tail cover assembly 200 includes a bracket member 203 (shown in FIG.6) for securing the tail lamp 201. Particularly, the tail lamp 201 is sandwich mounted together with at least one mounting arm of a plurality of mounting arms 203aa, 203ab, 203ac, 203ad of said bracket member 203 to the bottom tail cover 200c.
[0036] As may be seen in FIG.6, the bracket member 203 is provided in a rear portion of the tail cover assembly 200. The bracket member 203 including said plurality of mounting arms 203aa, 203ab, 203ac, 203ad serves to connect different parts of the tail cover assembly 200. While the bracket member 203 serves to connect some parts of the tail cover assembly to said pair of rear frames 105b, said bracket member 203 also serves to couple the tail lamp 201 to the tail cover assembly 200. In the present embodiment said plurality of mounting arms 203aa, 203ab, 203ac, 203ad includes a bottom mounting arm 203aa, a top mounting arm 203ab, a left mounting arm 203ac, and a right mounting arm 203ad. Particularly, the bottom mounting arm 203aa of the bracket member 203 serves to receive the tail lamp 201. More particularly, said tail lamp 201 is sandwich mounted to the bottom mounting arm 203aa together with the bottom tail cover 200c using a single fastener. A mounting boss 200ca is provided in the bottom tail cover 200c to receive said fastener fastening said bracket member 203 and said tail lamp 201. Further, said left mounting arm 200ac and said right mounting arm 200ad serve to receive the left tail cover 200a and the right tail cover 200b respectively. Particularly, the left mounting arm 203ac and the right mounting arm 200ad are sandwich mounted to one of said at least a pair of rear frames 105b of the frame structure 105 together with the left tail cover 200a and the right tail cover 200b respectively. Further, the top mounting arm 203ab serves to receive the rear tail cover 200f. In the present embodiment, said rear tail cover 200f is firstly located over locating provisions provided on the left tail cover and the right tail cover, followed by fastening of a top portion of said rear tail cover with the top mounting arm 203ab. Thus, the present invention contemplates the use of a single bracket member for securing parts of the tail cover assembly 200 to said pair of rear frames 105b. Moreover, the present invention also uses the same bracket member for securing the tail lamp to the tail cover assembly. Thus, the use of the bracket member 203 aids in eliminating use of multiple bracket members for securing individual members of the tail cover assembly to the frame structure, thereby aiding in reducing part count. Further, use of a single bracket member also aids in achieving better fit and finish since variations in part mounting due to variation in corresponding mounting brackets is avoided.
[0037] Further as per an aspect of the present invention and as may be seen in FIG.7 the tail lamp 201 is secured to the tail cover assembly in a manner such an outer periphery 201p thereof is surrounded by a peripheral portion 200cp of said bottom tail cover 200c. Particularly, in the present embodiment, said outer periphery 201p is surrounded by an inner peripheral portion of the bottom tail cover 200c. Thus, the tail lamp 201 is encompassed within the bottom tail cover 200c. Therefore, the tail lamp 201 is well supported by the bottom tail cover 200c and is prevented from overhanging. Moreover, since the outer periphery 201p of the tail lamp 201 is surrounded by the bottom tail cover 200c, the tail lamp 201 encounters only the bottom tail cover 200c as the interfacing part, rather than having multiple parts of the tail cover assembly as interfacing parts. Elimination of multiple parts around the tail lamp aids in preventing poor fit and finish around the tail lamp due to variations in each of said multiple parts with respect to the tail lamp.
[0038] As is apparent from the above teaching, construction of the tail cover assembly as per the present invention not only aids in supporting a tail lamp reliably without the use of additional mounting brackets, but also aids in improving aesthetic appearance around the tail lamp area. Further, the construction of the tail cover assembly also facilitates convenient and faster assembly of the tail lamp to the frame structure.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A motorcycle (100) comprising:
a frame structure (105) adapted to provide skeletal support to the motorcycle (100);
a plurality of lamps including a tail lamp (201), said tail lamp (201) being disposed in a rear portion of the frame structure (105);
a tail cover assembly (200) mounted on the rear portion of the frame structure (105);
characterized in that, the tail cover assembly (200) includes a plurality of covers (200a, 200b, 200c, 200d, 200e, 200f) and a bracket member (203) including at least one mounting arm (203aa, 203ab, 203ac, 203ad), wherein the bracket member (203) secures the plurality of covers (200a, 200b, 200c, 200d, 200e, 200f) to the frame structure (105) through said at least one mounting arm (203aa, 203ab, 203ac, 203ad).

2. The motorcycle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of covers (200a, 200b, 200c, 200d, 200e, 200f) of the tail cover assembly (200) comprises one or more of a left tail cover (200a), a right tail cover (200b), a bottom tail cover (200c), a lower tail cover (200d), a central tail cover (200e) and a rear tail cover (200f).

3. The motorcycle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bottom tail cover (200c) is detachably attached to the left tail cover (200a) and the right tail cover (200b), and wherein the one or more of the bottom tail cover (200c), the left tail cover (200a) and the right tail cover (200b) is adapted to secure the tail cover assembly (200) to the frame structure (105).

4. The motorcycle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the left tail cover (200a) and the right tail cover (200b) are bridged at a front portion of the left tail cover (200a) and at a front portion of the right tail cover (200b)by the central tail cover (200e).

5. The motorcycle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the left tail cover (200a) and the right tail cover (200b) are bridged at a rear portion of the left tail cover (200a) and at a rear portion of the right tail cover (200b) by the rear tail cover (200f) .

6. The motorcycle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the bottom tail cover (200c) is adapted to receive at least a portion of the tail lamp (201), the tail lamp (201) being surrounded by an inner peripheral portion (200cp) of the bottom tail cover (200c) such that an outer periphery (201p) of the tail lamp (201) is configured to be contained within said inner peripheral portion (200cp) of the bottom tail cover (200c).

7. The motorcycle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said at least one mounting arm (203aa, 203ab, 203ac, 203ad) of the bracket member (203) of the tail cover assembly (200) is adapted to receive one or more of the left tail cover (200a), the right tail cover (200b), the bottom tail cover (200c), the lower tail cover (200d), the central tail cover (200e) and the rear tail cover (200f).

8. The motorcycle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the tail lamp (201) is mounted between the bottom tail cover (200c) and said at least one mounting arm (203aa, 203ab, 203ac, 203ad) of the bracket member (203) of the tail cover assembly (200).