TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a three-wheeled vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to mounting of a spare wheel for the three-wheeled vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, motor vehicle, particularly a three-wheeled automotive vehicle is used widely for the purpose of public transportation in most of the countries. Though such vehicle is designed to bear a load of certain amount, generally it is
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overloaded and is operated for long hours almost every day to meet the requirements of the public. Prolonged usage of the three-wheeled vehicle on a daily basis leads to wear and tear of different parts of the vehicle. Further, the poor condition of the roads having potholes adds to early damaging of the parts of the vehicle. One of the parts, which are subject to frequent wear and tear, is wheels of the three-wheeled vehicle. However, spare parts are available to replace the damaged parts of the vehicle. A spare wheel is provided in any conventional three-wheeled vehicle.
[0003] Generally, the conventional three wheeled passenger vehicle comprises of a spare wheel mounted either below a driver seat or in an engine compartment. The engine compartment may also include an additional component such as a radiator for cooling the engine. The space in the engine compartment is greatly reduced by the additional component and it is not possible to mount the spare wheel in the engine compartment any more. The same arrangement of the spare

wheels mounted in the engine compartment does not hold good for the engines having radiators. Therefore, the spare wheel has to be mounted anywhere else in the three-wheeled vehicle.
[0004] Further, in a three-wheeled passenger vehicle provided with LPG/CNG cylinders, mounting of one or more spare wheels in the vehicle is a challenging job. Most of the space below the driver seat is occupied by the LGP/CNG cylinders leaving no scope for mounting of the spare wheels in the same location. Therefore, there is a requirement for the spare wheel to be mounted in different locations in the vehicle other than locations conventionally used.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0006] Fig. 1 shows a side view of a three-wheeled vehicle having a LPG/CNG cylinder under the driver seat.
[0007] Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a frame structure of a three-wheeled vehicle.
[0008] Fig. 3(a) illustrates a first embodiment for arrangement of the spare wheel in a three-wheeled vehicle.
[0009] Fig. 3(b) shows an exploded view of the spare wheel in accordance with first embodiment.

[00010] Fig. 4(a) shows a second embodiment of spare wheel mounting in a three-wheeled vehicle.
[00011] Fig. 4(b) shows an exploded view of the spare wheel mounting in accordance with the second embodiment.
[00012] Fig. 5(a) shows a spare wheel mounting in accordance with a third embodiment and a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[00013] Fig. 5(b) shows an exploded view of the spare wheel mounting in accordance with the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[00014] Fig. 6(a) shows a spare wheel mounting in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[00015] Fig. 6(b) shows an exploded view of the spare wheel mounting in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00016] The invention relates to a spare wheel mounting on three-wheeled vehicle and an objective is the obtaining of a construction to obtain the wheel in a conveniently accessible position, and which does not occupy valuable storage space in the vehicle body or interfere with access thereto. Another object of the invention is to provide an outside mounting of a spare wheel on an automobile in a manner to enable ready access to the spare wheel for mounting or removal thereof. Another objective of the present subject matter is to dispose the spare wheel in the three-wheeled vehicle such that center of gravity balance is

maintained in the vehicle. The present invention proposes different mounting locations for a spare wheel for three wheeled vehicles having LPG/CNG cylinders under the driver seat. The different mounting locations of the spare wheel proposed in the present invention holds good for three wheeled vehicles having a radiator for cooling of the engine provided in the rear of the three-wheeled vehicles. The various embodiments proposed in the present invention are described with respect to the drawings as follows.
[00017] Fig. 1 illustrates a side view of a three-wheeled vehicle and Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a frame structure of a three-wheeled vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The three-wheeled vehicle comprises of a cabin 111 including a front cabin Ilia and a rear cabin 111b. In an embodiment, the frame structure of the three-wheeled vehicle includes three compartments. A front compartment including a head tube 201 that mounts a handle bar assembly 106 of the three-wheeled vehicle and the head tube 201 is capable of steering a front wheel 101, a main tube 206 that connects the head tube 201 and a central tube 203, a driver seat assembly 104 that is housed on top of the central tube 203 and a pair of LH side tube 205 and a RH side tube 202. The three wheeled vehicle also includes a pair of rear wheels 102 and a front fender 103 disposed above the front wheel 101. Sometimes, an LPG/CNG cylinder 110 may be placed under the driver seat assembly 104. In one embodiment, the frame structure further includes a middle compartment that includes a passenger seat assembly 108 comprising of a seat base bottom and a backrest, a passenger barrier 107 restricting entry/exit of the passengers into the

three-wheeled vehicle in one direction only, a central member 204 capable of mounting a driver backrest. Further, in one embodiment, the frame structure also includes a rear compartment that houses the cabin assembly 109.
[00018] Fig. 3(a) illustrates a spare wheel mounted outside the three-wheeled vehicle in accordance with a first" embodiment of the present invention. The three wheeled vehicle comprises of a driver seat assembly 104 disposed in the front cabin. The driver seat assembly 104 includes a driver seat base 104a and a driver backrest 104b. The spare wheel 301 is mounted on a passenger barrier 107. A
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spare wheel mounting structure 303 is capable of mounting the spare wheel 301. The spare wheel 301 mounted outside the vehicle does not interfere/hinder with any other parts present inside the vehicle. Further, the spare wheel 301 does not occupy any space inside the three-wheeled vehicle and the space inside the vehicle can be used by the driver/the passenger.
[00019] Fig. 3(b) illustrates an exploded view of. the spare wheel mounting in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The passenger barrier 107 as shown in the Fig. 3(a) is mounted across a B-pillar 302 and a RH side panel of the cabin assembly 109 in a three-wheeled vehicle. A spare wheel 301 is mounted on the RH of the passenger barrier 107 and is outside the vehicle. The passenger barrier 107 is provided for the safety of the passenger commuting in the three-wheeled vehicle. Most often, the three-wheeled vehicle is overloaded than the normal capacity of the vehicle. There may be a possibility that there are more than three passengers traveling in the three-wheeled vehicle and the passengers tend to sit on the passenger barrier 107 provided. Hence, for the safety

of the passengers traveling, the spare wheel 301 mounted on the passenger barrier 107 ensures that no passenger sits on the passenger barrier 107.
[00020] The first embodiment enables easy access of the spare wheel 301 to the driver because of its positioning outside the vehicle. Further, the spare wheel 301 while being accessed by the driver does not hinder to any other parts in the vehicle and the passengers are not subject to any discomfort. Furthermore, the mounting of the spare wheel 301 on the RH of the passenger barrier 107 maintains RH center of gravity balance in the three-wheeled vehicle.
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[00021] Fig. 4(a) shows a spare wheel mounting in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The spare wheel 301 is mounted in the front compartment of the three-wheeled vehicle. The spare wheel 301 mounted in the front compartment.of the three wheeled vehicle saves space from the middle -compartment and the rear compartment of the three wheeled vehicle, the space saved in the middle compartment can be used by the passengers to meet their requirements and the space saved in the rear compartment can be used to mount the radiators for the purpose of cooling the engine.
[00022] Fig. 4(b) shows an exploded view of the spare wheel mounting in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. The spare wheel 301 is mounted on RH of the main tube 206. The spare wheel 301 is mounted to a rear portion of a front panel of the three-wheeled vehicle and is substantially disposed towards RH of the rear portion of the front panel. The spare wheel 301 is closer to the rider and is easily accessible. For a three-wheeled vehicle having engine at the rear compartment, the spare wheel mounted in the front

compartment balances the center of gravity in the vehicle. Further, the space saved can be utilized by the passengers. The spare wheel 301 mounted inside the vehicle near to the driver is a safe location for the spare wheel 301. The present embodiment enables the mounting of LPG/CNG cylinders under the driver's seat, since the spare wheel is riot mounted under the driver seat as in the conventional three wheeled vehicle.
[00023] Fig. 5(a) shows a spare wheel mounting in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. The spare wheel 301 is mounted in the front cabin Ilia of the three-wheeled vehicle. The space inside the vehicle is saved for the purpose of customer utilization. A rear cabin 111b includes a passenger seat assembly 108 further including a passenger seat base 108a and a passenger backrest 108b.
[00024] Fig. 5(b) shows an exploded view of the spare wheel mounting in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention. The spare wheel 301 is mounted on the central member 204 of the three-wheeled vehicle. The spare wheel 301 is substantially disposed on the RH of the driver backrest in the driver seat assembly 104. The spare wheel is closer to the driver and is easy to access. The spare wheel 301 mounted on the RH of the driver backrest balances RH center of gravity in the vehicle carrying engine on the left side at the rear compartment of the vehicle. Further, the spare wheel 301 does not occupy any space in the engine area or under the driver seat. Hence, the LPG/CNG cylinder can be fitted under the driver seat or a radiator coupled engine in the engine area as suitable can be used in the three wheeled vehicle without any hindrance caused

by the spare wheel mounting. Further, the passengers are not subject to any discomfort while accessing the spare wheel.
[00025] In accordance with another embodiment, i.e., a fourth embodiment, the spare wheel 301 can be disposed substantially on the LH* of the driver backrest disposed on the central member 204 of the three-wheeled vehicle as well.
[00026] Fig. 6(a) shows a spare wheel mounting in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The spare wheel 301 is mounted in the rear compartment of the three-wheeled vehicle. The spare wheel 301 is disposed substantially in the luggage compartment behind the passenger backrest. The spare wheel 301 according to the present embodiment is disposed in a safe location.
[00027] Fig. 6(b) illustrates an exploded view of the spare wheel mounting in accordance with the fifth embodiment. The spare wheel 301 disposed in the luggage compartment at the rear compartment of the three wheeled vehicle balances rear center of gravity in the vehicle in case of three wheeled vehicle carrying LPG/CNG cylinder at the front compartment. Further, the spare wheel 301 does not cause any hindrance to other parts inside the vehicle and does not cause any disturbance to the passengers.
[00028] All the embodiments discussed in accordance with the present invention provide different mounting locations for the spare wheel. The spare wheel mounted in different positions in the three-wheeled vehicle saves a lot of inner space in the vehicle making it available for the passenger utilization and leads to

increased passenger satisfaction. The mounting locations of the spare wheel are easily accessible to the driver.
[00029] Although the subject matter has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. It is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the features described herein. Rather, the features are disclosed as embodiments of the electric motor.

I/We claim:
1. A three-wheeled vehicle (100) including a spare wheel mounting structure
(303) for mounting a spare wheel (301) to provide ease of accessibility and
for maintaining center of gravity, said three-wheeled vehicle (100)
comprising:
a cabin (111) including a front cabin (Ilia) and a rear cabin (lllb) separated by a central member (204);
a driver seat assembly (104) including a driver seat base (104a) and a driver backrest (104b) disposed in said front cabin (Ilia) and forwardly of said central member (204);
a passenger seat assembly (108) including a passenger seat base (108a) and a passenger backrest (108b) disposed inside said rear cabin (lllb) and substantially rearwardly of said central member (204); and
a spare wheel (301) mounted in at least one of a substantially rearward, substantially rightward, substantially leftward, and substantially forward direction of said central member (204).
2. The three-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spare
wheel (301) disposed in said substantially rearward direction includes a
spare wheel (301) disposed behind said passenger backrest (108b).

3. The three-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spare wheel (301) disposed in said substantially rightward direction includes a spare wheel (301) disposed rightwardly to said driver backrest (104b).
4. The three-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spare wheel (301) disposed in said substantially leftward direction includes a spare wheel (301) disposed leftwardly to said driver backrest (104b).
5. The three-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spare wheel (301) disposed in said substantially forward direction includes a spare wheel (301) disposed forwardly to said driver seat base (104a), and situated opposite to and rightwardly to said driver seat base'(104a).
6. The three-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said spare wheel (301) disposed behind said passenger backrest (108b) provides a theft-proof a safe location for said spare wheel (301).
7. The three-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said three-wheeled vehicle (100) includes a LPG/CNG cylinder (110) disposed under said driver seat base (104b).
8. The three-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spare wheel (301) is detachably attachable.
9. The three-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 provides for a safe access of the spare wheel (301).
10. The three-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said spare wheel (301) is disposed behind the passenger backrest (108b) to save space inside the cabin (111).