Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A utility box (100) for a two-wheeled vehicle (10),
the utility box (100) being disposed below a hingedly openable seat (24),
said utility box (100) comprising:
a first compartment (110); and
a second compartment (120), whereby volume of the first compartment (110) being larger than volume of the second compartment (120);
wherein the second compartment (120) being disposed adjacently frontward from the first compartment (110) in a vehicle front-rear direction (F-R); and
wherein the seat (240) being hingedly attached to a seat attachment member (140) disposed anterior to the second compartment (120), such that opening the seat (24) allows access to the utility box (100).

2. The utility box (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second compartment (120) extends frontward from the first compartment (110) in the vehicle front-rear direction (F-R) from a top edge of the first compartment (110) such that, intermingling of items stored inside the first compartment (110) and the second compartment (120) is prevented.

3. The utility box (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second compartment (120) comprises a plurality of sub-compartments (120a, 120b).

4. The utility box (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plurality of sub-compartments (120a, 120b) is disposed in a step-through relation with each other in order to ensure strength of the utility box (100).

5. The utility box (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second compartment (120) comprises at least one partition member (130) dividing the second compartment (120) into a first sub-compartment (120a) and a second sub-compartment (120b).
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a utility box for a two-wheeled vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Generally, all scooter-type two wheeled vehicles have a utility box/ storage box disposed underneath a seat. Accordingly, the seat is hingedly attached to a portion of the utility box such that in order to access the utility box, the seat can be hingedly opened.
[003] The utility box provides ample space for storing all kinds of items such as helmets, bags, wallets, phones, earphones, coins, books, pens etc. In this regard, not only does the utility box provide a space for storing these items, but it also provides ample protection to the items from dust, water and other external factors. This is because the utility box is well guarded by body frame of the vehicle and is accessible only by opening the hingedly openable seat. Further, vehicle manufacturers also provided charging ports inside the utility boxes as an additional feature to help users charge their phones while being stored. Hence, the utility box has proven to be one of the most preferred features by the users.
[004] However, along with aforementioned advantages, the utility boxes also have certain drawbacks. Most common drawback and difficulty faced by users is that owing to the single utility box, all items - regardless of the size - are stored together. Due to vehicle movement and vibrations, all the large and small items get easily intermingled. This makes it difficult for the users to access smaller sized items like earphones, coins, pens, charging wires etc. when they are stored along with larger sized items like helmets, bottles, gloves, etc.
[005] In order to salvage the aforementioned issue, the vehicle manufacturers provided lights inside the utility boxes for the users to see and identify the items clearly. Although the light does help, but not only does the light require an additional power source, it also does not help stop the intermingling of the items.
[006] Thus, there is a need in the art for a utility box which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[007] The present invention is directed to a utility box for a two-wheeled vehicle. The utility box is disposed below a hingedly openable seat. The utility box includes a first compartment and a second compartment, whereby volume of the first compartment is larger than volume of the second compartment. The second compartment is disposed adjacently frontward from the first compartment in a vehicle front-rear direction and wherein the seat is hingedly attached to a seat attachment member disposed anterior to the second compartment such that opening the seat allows access to the utility box.
[008] In an embodiment of the invention, the second compartment extends frontward from the first compartment in the vehicle front-rear direction (F-R) from a top edge of the first compartment such that, intermingling of items stored inside the first compartment and the second compartment is prevented.
[009] In another embodiment of the invention, the second compartment includes a plurality of sub-compartments.
[010] In a further embodiment, the plurality of sub-compartments is disposed in a step-through relation with each other in order to ensure strength of the utility box.
[011] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the second compartment includes at least one partition member dividing the second compartment into a first sub-compartment and a second sub-compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[012] 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 two-wheeled motor vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a top perspective view of the two-wheeled motor vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows a side view of the two-wheeled motor vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[013] The present invention relates to a utility box for a two-wheeled vehicle.
[014] Figure 1 illustrates a right-side view of an exemplary scooter-type motor vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. As shown in the Figure, towards front side in a vehicle front-rear direction F-R, the vehicle 10 has one or more front suspensions 16 (only one shown) connected to a front wheel 18. The front wheel 18 is further connected to a handlebar assembly 22. The handlebar assembly 22 further forms a steering assembly of the vehicle 10. The steering assembly has a pair of rearview mirrors 39 (only one shown). Towards the front, the vehicle 10 further has a headlight 12 and a front fender 14 disposed above the front wheel 18.
[015] Further, the vehicle 10 has a seat 24 mounted to a front portion of the utility box 100. The seat 24 is hingedly openable to provide access to the utility box 100 (shown in Figure 2) disposed beneath the seat 24.
[016] The vehicle 10 has a floorboard 29 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 29. Towards rear side in the vehicle front-rear (F-R) direction, the vehicle 10 has a pair of body panels 26 (only one shown) received on each side of the vehicle. The vehicle 10 further 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 20 disposed towards the rear side.
[017] 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) etc. The vehicle 10 is thus stored in a riding-ready position on a center stand 34.
[018] Referring now to Figure 2, the present invention discloses a utility box 100 which is disposed below the hingedly openable seat 24. As seen in the Figure, in order to be hingedly openable, the seat 24 is hingedly attached to a seat attachment member 140. According to the invention, the utility box 100 includes a first compartment 110 and a second compartment 120. The second compartment 120 is disposed adjacently frontward from the first compartment (110) in the vehicle front-rear direction (F-R). In this regard, the seat attachment member 140 is disposed anterior to the second compartment 120, such that when the seat 24 is opened, both the first compartment 110 and the second compartment 120 can be accessed by the user. According to the invention, volume of the first compartment 110 is larger than volume of the second compartment 120. This allows the user to store suitable items like helmets, bottles etc. - which occupy large space - in the first compartment 110; and to store suitable items like earphones, coins, cables etc., - which occupy smaller space - in the second compartment 120.
[019] In an embodiment of the invention, the second compartment 120 extends frontward from the first compartment 110 in the vehicle front-rear direction F-R from a top edge of the first compartment 110. In this regard, intermingling of items stored inside the first compartment (110) and the second compartment (120) is prevented.
[020] Referring yet to Figure 2, in another embodiment of the invention, the second compartment 120 is configured to have plurality of sub-compartments. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the second compartment 120 has a partition member 130 thereby dividing the second compartment 120 into a first sub-compartment 120a and a second sub-compartment 120b. This is done to further facilitate segregation of the items meant to be stored in the second compartment 120 for further ease of access to the user. For example, the user can choose to store coins in the first sub-compartment 120a and charging cable in the second sub-compartment 120b.
[021] Referring to Figure 3, in a further embodiment of the invention, the plurality of sub-compartments 120a, 120b are disposed in a step-through relation with each other. This is done to ensure strength to the utility box 100. The seat 24 which is mounted to the front portion of the utility box 100 is heavy, therefore it is important to increase the strength of the utility box 100 such that it can sturdily support the seat and is capable of holding the items securely. The step through relation among the sub compartments 120a,120b increases section modulus which eventually strengthens the utility box 100.
[022] Advantageously, the present invention provides a solution for storing items occupying less space separately from the items occupying more space. Further, since the second compartment extends from the top edge of the first compartment and owing to differences in volumes between the first compartment and the second compartment, the user does not have to dig deep to find the items stored in the second compartment. This configuration also effectively prevents intermingling of the items stored in the first and the second compartments. Further, the step through arrangement of the sub-compartments of the second compartment ensures adequate strength to the hingedly openable seat.
[023] 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.