Technical Field

The present invention relates to a frame assembly for a two wheeled vehicle.

Background

Two wheeled vehicles such as scooters typically include a frame assembly, which forms a body structure thereof, and supports a front wheel and a rear wheel. Generally, a frame assembly of a two wheeled vehicle is an elongate structure extending from a front end to a rear end, and is composed of welded tubular members, including a head tube disposed in the front end, a downtube extending reawardly downwards from said head tube, a pair of floor board support tubes extending substantially parallely to at least a portion of the down tube, a pair of side tubes extending rearwardly upwards from a cross bridge connecting said pair of floor board support tubes, and a pair of rear tubes extending rearwardly and obliquely upwards from said pair of side tubes. Further, the frame assembly includes a plurality of mounting members and stiffening members to receive mounting of various parts thereof and for stiffening the frame assembly respectively. Generally, for receiving a utility box, a pair of cross members is disposed over the pair of side tubes, in a manner such that one cross member each is disposed over a front portion and a rear portion respectively of the pair of side tubes. However, such an arrangement for receiving the utility box, not only leads to the direct transfer of load from the utility box to the pair of cross members, but also to transfer of load from a seat assembly to the pair of cross members through the utility box. Further, in such an arrangement there is no equal distribution of load from the pair of cross members to the pair of side tubes. Thus, the pair of cross members act as a load carrying members of the frame assembly and is prone to fatigue and cracking as a result of the load. Typically, to prevent the pair of cross members from cracking, thickness of the pair of cross members is increased. However, increasing the thickness of the pair of cross member leads to an increase in the overall weight of the frame assembly, which is undesirable.

Moreover, mounting the utility box on the pair of cross members does not enable one to increase a depth of the utility box, as space available for the disposition of the utility box gets restricted to the limited space available between the pair of cross members and the seat assembly. Also, mounting the utility box on the pair of cross members does not enable one to maximise a width of the utility box, as the resultant mounting does not involve utilisation of space around the pair of side tubes and the pair of cross members.

Therefore, it is an objective of the present invention to substantially eliminate defects encountered in the prior art as mentioned above by providing a frame assembly, which permits a reliable mounting of the utility box, without increasing the thickness of supporting members such as the pair of cross members and thereby, not leading to an increase in the weight of the overall frame assembly of the two wheeled vehicle.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a frame assembly for a two wheeled vehicle which can reliably support a utility box.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a frame assembly which aids in maximising depth and width of the utility box mounted thereon.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a frame assembly which ensures effective load transfer from the utility box thereto.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a frame assembly which supports the utility box reliably without involving significant increase in weight thereof.

The above and other objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a two wheeled vehicle comprising a frame assembly adapted to receive a utility box. As per an embodiment of the present invention, the frame assembly includes a head tube, a down tube extending rearwardly and downwardly from said head tube, a first cross bridge extending sidewardly from both sides of said down tube, and along a vehicle width direction, a pair of floor board support tubes extending rearwardly and substantially perpendicularly to the first cross bridge on both sides thereof, a second cross bridge bridging the pair of floor board support tubes at a rear end thereof, a pair of side tubes extending rearwardly and substantially upwardly from the second cross bridge, a front cross member bridging the pair of side tubes in a front portion thereof, and a rear cross member bridging the pair of side tubes in a rear portion thereof. The frame assembly further includes a pair of front gusset plates, and a pair of rear gusset plates. Whereas each front gusset plate of the pair of front gusset plates connects the front cross member to each side tube of the pair tubes in a front portion thereof, each rear gusset plate of the pair of rear gusset plates connects the rear cross member to each side tube of the pair of side tubes in a rear portion thereof. Particularly, while each front gusset plate of the pair of front gusset plates is rigidly attached between the front cross member and each side tube of the pair of side tubes, in the front portion thereof, each rear gusset plate of the pair of rear gusset plates is rigidly attached between the rear cross member and each side tube of the pair of side tubes, in a rear portion thereof. Further, each front gusset plate of the pair of front gusset plates is provided with a front mounting boss, and each rear gusset plate of the pair of rear gusset plates is provided with a rear mounting boss to receive the utility box. Thus, whereas a bottom surface of a front portion of the utility box gets mounted between the front cross member and the front portion of the pair of side tubes, a bottom facing surface of a rear portion of the utility box gets mounted between the rear cross member and the rear portion of the pair of side tubes.

The above described frame assembly comprising the pair of front gusset plates and the pair of rear gusset plates, aids in equal load distribution between the front cross member and each side tube of the pair of side tubes in the front portion thereof, and between the rear cross member and each side tube of the pair of side tubes in the rear portion thereof. Thus, since the utility box is not directly mounted either on the 5 front cross member or on the rear cross member, load does not get transferred to the front cross member and the rear cross member directly. As a result, cracking of the front cross member and the rear cross member due to excessive load is prevented. Further, since a position of the pair of front gusset plates and the pair of rear gusset plates, receiving the utility box is substantially lower with respect to position of the front cross member and the rear cross member, it enables in increasing depth of the utility box.

Summary provided above explains the basic features of the invention and does not limit the scope of the invention. Other objects, novel features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to the person skilled in the art from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Scope of the invention will be based on the claims provided.

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

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:

FIG.1 illustrates a two wheeled vehicle including a frame assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.2 illustrates a perspective view of the frame assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.3 illustrates an exploded perspective view depicting mounting 10 of a utility box to the frame assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.4 illustrates a perspective view of the utility box as mounted to a rear portion of the frame assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.5 illustrates a top perspective view of a top surface of the utility box in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Exemplary embodiments detailing construction of the frame assembly of a two wheeled vehicle, in accordance with the present 20 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.

Further, it is to be noted that terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "front", "forward", "rearward", "downward", "upward", "top", "bottom" and like terms are used herein based on the illustrated state or in a standing state of the two wheeled vehicle with a driver riding thereon. Furthermore, a vehicle 5 length direction refers to a direction along a longitudinal axis or a front to rear axis relative to the two wheeled vehicle, while a vehicle width direction refers to a direction along a lateral axis, or to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the two wheeled vehicle. 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. Further, it is to be noted that although the present invention has been exemplified for a scooter type vehicle, it is applicable to any two wheeled vehicle which comprises a utility box disposed below a seat assembly thereof.

Firstly a description is made of an entire schematic structure of a two wheeled vehicle 1 with reference to FIG.1.

FIG.1 illustrates the layout of the two wheeled vehicle 1 including a frame assembly 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The frame assembly 10 supports a front wheel 20, a rear wheel 30 and a power unit 40. Further, a front portion of the frame assembly 1 pivotally supports a front fork 15 such that it is steer-able to the left and right and further, the front wheel 20 is supported at a lower end of said front fork 15. A steering mechanism in the form of a handlebar 11 connected to an upper end of a front portion of the frame assembly 10 aids in steering the two wheeled vehicle 1. A handlebar cover (not shown) is mounted to the handlebar 11, and arranged on the handlebar cover is a meter device (not shown) including a speedometer, a fuel meter, a tachometer, and the like.

Further, the front portion of the frame assembly 10 is covered by a leg shield 16, which is positioned in front of a driver's legs to protect the driver's legs from wind or objects.

A floor board 17, on which a rider can place his or her feet, is arranged between the leg shield 16 and a pair of left and right side covers

The pair of left and right side covers 18 is disposed below a lower peripheral portion of a seat 45, which is supported by a rear portion of the frame assembly 10.Particularly, one side of the seat 45 is hinged to a frame assembly member (not shown), such that the seat 45 can b opened vertically to allow access to a utility box 50 (shown in FIG.3).

The power unit 40 equipped with an exhaust system is connected to a muffler (not shown) which extends rearwards along the right side of the rear wheel 30. Power from the power unit 40 is transmitted to the rear wheel 30 through a power drive mechanism, such as a drive chain, so as to drive and rotate the rear wheel 30. A rear fender 35 for covering the upper side of the rear wheel 30 is mounted to a rear portion of the frame assembly 10.

The structure of the frame assembly 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is elaborated with reference to FIG.2. As per the present embodiment, the frame assembly 10 includes a head tube 101, a down tube 102 extending rearwardly and downwardly from 5 said head tube 101, a first cross bridge 102a extending sidewardly from both sides of said down tube 102, and along a vehicle width direction, a pair of floor board support tubes 102b extending rearwardly and substantially perpendicularly to the first cross bridge 102a on both sides thereof, a second cross bridge 103 bridging the pair of floor board support tubes 102b at a rear end thereof, a pair of side tubes 104 extending rearwardly and substantially upwardly from the second cross bridge 103, a pair of rear tubes 105 extending rearwardly and obliquely upwardly from said pair of side tubes 104, a front cross member 106 bridging the pair of side tubes 104 in a front portion thereof, and a rear cross member 107 bridging the pair of side tubes 104 in a rear portion thereof. While the head tube 101, the down tube 102 together with the first cross bridge 102a, the pair of floor board support tubes 102b and the second cross bridge 103 constitute a front frame portion 10a of the frame assembly 10, the pair of side tubes 104, the pair of rear tubes 105, together with the front cross member 106 and the rear cross member 107 constitute a rear frame portion 10b of the frame assembly 10.

The frame assembly 10 as per an embodiment of the present invention further includes a pair of front gusset plates 108 and a pair of rear gusset plates 109. While each front gusset plate of the pair of front gusset plates 108 is disposed between the front cross member 106 and one side tube of the pair of side tubes 104 in a front portion thereof, each rear gusset plate of the pair of rear gusset plates 109 is disposed between 5 the rear cross member 107 and one side tube of the pair of side tubes 104 in a rear portion thereof. In other words, while each front gusset plate of the pair of front gusset plates 108 connects the front cross member 106 and one side tube of the pair of side tubes 104 in a front portion thereof, each rear gusset plate of the pair of rear gusset plates 109 connects the rear cross member 107 and one side tube of the pair of side tubes 104 in a rear portion thereof.

Particularly, as per an aspect of the present embodiment, while the pair of front gusset plates 108 is rigidly attached between the front cross member 106 and the pair of side tubes 104 in a front portion thereof, the pair of rear gusset plates 109 is rigidly attached between the rear cross member 107 and the pair of side tubes 104 in a rear portion thereof. Thus, since the pair of front gusset plates 108 and the pair of rear gusset plates 109 is disposed in a space formed between the front cross member 106 and the pair of side tubes 104, and between the rear cross member 107 and the pair of side tubes 104 respectively, they aid in load distribution between the front cross member 106, the rear cross member 107 and the pair of side tubes 104. Furthermore, each front gusset plate of the pair of front gusset plates 108 is provided with a front mounting boss 108a, and each rear gusset plate of the pair of rear gusset plates 109 is provided with a rear mounting boss 109a to receive the utility box 50. The front cross member 106 and the rear cross member 107 are provided to connect the pair of side tubes 104, so as to increase the stiffness around 5 the pair of side tubes 104

In the present embodiment the pair of front gusset plates 108 and the pair of rear gusset plates 109 are either composed of a polymeric material such as plastic or an alloy material.

Utility box mounting to the rear frame portion 10b is as illustrated in

FIG.3. In the present embodiment, the utility box 50 includes a base 50c provided with a pair of front mounting lugs 50a and a pair of rear mounting lugs 50b. As may be seen in the figure, a pair of front mounting lugs 50a and a pair of rear mounting lugs 50b is fastened to the front mounting boss 108a and to the rear mounting boss 109a respectively. Thus, a front side portion 50f of the utility box 50 abuts against the front cross member 106 and a rear side portion 50r of the utility box 50 abuts at least partially against the rear cross member 107. When the utility box 50 gets mounted in the manner as described above, the pair of front gusset plates 108 aid in distributing a front side load of the utility box 50 between the front cross member 106 and each side tube of the pair of side tubes 104 in a front portion thereof, and the pair of rear gusset plates 109 aid in distributing a rear side load of the utility box 50 between the rear cross member 107 and each side tube of the pair of side tubes 104 in the rear portion thereof.

Thus, concentration of load on the front cross member 106 and the rear cross member 107 is avoided, and thereby the need to reinforce the cross members by increasing their thickness is also eliminated. Hence, the pair of front gusset plates 108 and the pair of rear gusset plates 109 not only 5 serve as mounting members for the utility box 50 but also as reinforcement members for the rear frame portion 10b of the frame assembly 10. Furthermore, since the pair of front gusset plates 108 and the pair of rear gusset plates 109 are disposed adjacent to the pair of side tubes 104, it allows the utility box 50 to be held wider and closer to the pair of side tubes 104, thereby enabling complete utilisation of a width of the pair of side tubes 104, thus, enabling to achieve an increased width of the utility box 50. This also enables in improving the stability of ride during critical handling conditions such as cornering. Moreover, since the utility box 50 is not mounted on either the front cross member 106 or the rear cross member 107, it permits a flexibility to embed the chassis numbering on the rear cross member 107 more clearly.

FIG.4 illustrates a perspective view of the utility box 50 as mounted to the rear frame portion 10b of the frame assembly 10. As may be seen in the figure, mounting the utility box 50 on the pair of front gusset plates 108 and the pair of rear gusset plates 109, enables to achieve increase in the depth of the utility box 50, as it involves a shift in mounting position to a point substantially lower than a previous mounting position on the front cross member and the rear cross member.

Further, stiffness of the utility box 50 is improved by providing reinforcement members in the form of plurality of ribs 50g along an outer surface of side walls 50h of the utility box 50. Thus, the utility box 50 is not only reliably mounted on the rear frame portion 10b of the frame assembly 5 10; it is also made sufficiently durable by means of provision of the plurality of ribs 50g.

Furthermore, the present construction of the rear frame portion 10b of the frame assembly 10 aids in extending a top front portion 50e of the utility box 50 to a point just beyond the front cross member 106, so that a 10 battery box 60 may be supported between the front cross member 106 and the top front portion 50e of the utility box 50.

Further as shown in FIG.5, a top rear portion 50i of the utility box 50 is provided with a fuel inlet 70 for filling fuel. The fuel inlet 70 is closed with a cap 80. A ring 75 is disposed above the fuel inlet 70 and below the cap 15 80. As per the present embodiment the ring 75 has an inner diameter, greater than an outer diameter of the fuel inlet 70 but smaller than an outer diameter of the cap 80. As a result, the ring 75 is held intact between the fuel inlet 70 and the cap 80, thereby preventing evaporation of fuel from a gap between the fuel inlet 70 and the cap 80. In the present embodiment 20 the ring 75 is composed of a polymeric material such as plastic.

As is apparent from the above disclosure, construction of the frame assembly 10 as per the principles of the present invention ensures that the utility box 50 is reliably secured thereon, while ensuring that there is no compromise in the depth and width of the utility box. Moreover, the mounting of the utility box 50 on the frame assembly 10 is secured reliably without involving increase in overall weight of the frame assembly.

While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes in form, connection, and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims:

We Claim:

1. A frame assembly (10) for a two wheeled vehicle (1), wherein said frame assembly (10) includes a head tube (101), a down tube (102) extending rearwardly and downwardly from said head tube (101), first cross bridge (102a) extending sidewardly from both sides of said down tube (102), a pair of floor board support tubes (102b) extending rearwardly and substantially perpendicularly to the first cross bridge (102a), a second cross bridge (103) bridging the pair of floor board support tubes (102b) at a rear end thereof, a pair of side tubes (104) extending rearwardly and substantially upwardly from the second cross bridge (103), at least a front cross member (106) bridging said pair of side tubes (104) in a front portion thereof, at least a rear cross member (107) bridging said pair of side tubes (104) in a rear portion thereof, characterized in that, the frame assembly (10) further including at least a pair of front gusset plates (108) connecting the at least a front cross member (106) to each side tube of the pair of side tubes (104) in a front portion, and a pair of rear gusset plates (109) connecting at least a rear cross member (107) to each side tube of the pair of side tubes (104) in a rear portion thereof, is adapted to receive a utility box (50).

2. The frame assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the utility box (50) is received by the at least a pair of front gusset plates (108) and the at least a pair of rear gusset plates (109).

3. The frame assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the utility box (50) is disposed between the at least a front cross member (106) and the at least a rear cross member (107).

4. The frame assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least a pair of front gusset plates (108) is rigidly attached between the at least a front cross member (106) and each side tube of the pair of side tubes (104) in a front portion thereof.

5. The frame assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least a pair of rear gusset plates (109) is rigidly attached between the at least a rear cross member (107) and each side tube of the pair of side tubes (104) in a rear portion thereof.

6. The frame assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least a pair of front gusset plates (108) is provided with two or more front mounting boss (108a).

7. The frame assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least a pair of rear gusset plates (109) is provided with two or more rear mounting boss (109a).

8. The two wheeled vehicle (1) comprising the frame assembly (10) as claimed in claims 1-7.