WHEEL COVER MOUNTING STRUCTURE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a wheel cover, and more particularly, to a wheel cover mounting structure for a vehicle with swinging power unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Generally, an upper and rear portion of an anterior wheel in a two wheeled vehicle having a swinging power unit is partially covered with a wheel cover. The wheel cover prevents mud splashing, on the vehicle parts and the rider, caused by rotation of the anterior wheel.

[0003] In the prior art as depicted in FIG. 1, a lower portion of a wheel cover 113 is mounted directly over a lower bracket 200 through a plurality of wheel cover mountings 11 secured in the respective recesses in the lower bracket 200. In this way, the wheel cover 113 is atop the lower bracket 200. Further, the lower bracket 200 also connects an anterior wheel to the vehicle frame through fork assembly and is extended forwardly to provide the required area for mounting the wheel cover 113. The spread between all the respective recesses in the lower bracket is the wheel cover mounting area 21. Apart from load transfer, the lower bracket 200 withstands shock, impact, torsion and clamping loads and also facilitates steering of the vehicle.

[0004] It is also known in the prior art that the wheel cover and the wheel cover mountings experience vibrations when the vehicle is in motion. A smaller wheel cover mounting area increases the vibrations experienced by the overhangs on either side of the wheel cover mounting area during the operation of the vehicle. These vibrations may lead to fatigue failure of the wheel cover and wheel cover mountings thereby making the position of such mountings and the point of contact of the wheel cover to the wheel cover mountings, significant. Consequently, the wheel cover mounting area requires good stiffness to overcome or withstand such vibrations. A bigger span of wheel cover mountings (bigger wheel cover mounting area) provides better stiffness, increased fatigue life and reduced vibrations in the wheel cover and wheel cover mountings.

[0005] By and large, a vehicle with bigger anterior wheel size has to be equipped with a bigger wheel cover to properly cover the upper and rear portion of the anterior wheel. However, in order to prevent fatigue failure of the wheel cover and wheel cover mountings due to vibrations, the wheel cover mounting area has to be increased. The lower bracket is generally made by forging and sometimes fabricated from sheet metal. Any increase in wheel cover mounting area leads to additional forging area in the lower bracket. Thus, there is an upsurge in the weight and cost of the lower bracket as well as that of overall vehicle. Further, an increase in the weight of the forged lower bracket increases the steering mass which adversely affects the handling and control of the vehicle.

[0006] Hence, the present subject matter is directed to overcome one or more problems as set forth above. It is therefore an object of the present subject matter

to provide a means for mounting a wheel cover on a lower bracket of a two wheeled vehicle having a swinging power unit which can readily be adapted to fit different sizes and shapes of a wheel cover. It is another object of the present subject matter to provide a wheel cover mounting structure for mounting a wheel cover to a lower bracket at least at one location. It is a further object of the present subject matter to restrain the cost and weight of the lower bracket without attenuating its functionality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] To this end, the present subject matter discloses a flexible wheel cover mounting structure for mounting and removably connecting a wheel cover to a lower bracket, in a vehicle with swinging power unit, in such a way that the wheel cover is positioned below the wheel cover mounting structure which is appended forwardly to a lower bracket. The wheel cover mounting structure comprises at least two arms, a first arm and a second arm, wherein the first arm is connected to the lower bracket and the second arm is connected to the wheel cover, and both arms are planar, angularly disposed to each other and include side walls.

[0008] According to an aspect of the present subject matter, the first arm is welded to the lower bracket whereas the second arm removably secures the wheel cover through a securing mechanism provided therein. The securing mechanism comprises a through hole provided on the upper surface of the second arm, a weld nut provided and welded over the through hole so that the wheel cover is secured to the second arm by a threaded fastener passing sequentially through the wheel cover, the through hole and the weld nut.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present subject matter, the lower bracket is made by forging whereas the wheel cover mounting structure is made of any material including a sheet metal or a metal
alloy.

[00010] According to a further aspect of the present subject matter, at least one wheel cover mounting structure is disposed on either side of the longitudinal axis of the wheel cover and a longtudinal half of the wheel cover is welded to the lower surface of the lower bracket facing the ground.

[00011] The foregoing objectives and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present subject matter. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present subject matter as well as the subject matter itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the ensuing detailed description of the subject matter and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00012] The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will be better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where:
FIG. 1 shows a side perspective view of a wheel cover mounted to a lower bracket in the prior art.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a vehicle with a swinging power unit capable to accommodate the present subject matter.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed side view of an anterior portion of the vehicle of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of a wheel cover mounting structure disposed in an anterior portion of the vehicle with front panel removed.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the wheel cover mounting structure attached to a lower bracket.

FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of the anterior portion of the vehicle describing the attachment of the wheel cover to the lower bracket.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of the wheel cover mounting structure attached to the lower bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[00013] The subject matter described herein relates to a flexible wheel cover mounting structure which is capable of connecting a wheel cover to a lower bracket in a vehicle with a swinging power unit. It is to be noted that "front" and "rear", and "left" and "right" wherever referred to in the ensuing description, refer to front and rear, and left and right directions as seen in a state of being seated on a seat of the vehicle. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to the vehicle, while a lateral axis refers generally to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the vehicle. Various other features of the wheel cover mounting structure according to the present subject matter here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder. The detailed explanation of the constitution of parts other than the subject matter which constitutes an essential part has been omitted at suitable places.

[00014] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a concerned vehicle with a swinging power unit. Typically such a vehicle includes a body frame assembly made up of several tubes welded together which usually supports the body of the said vehicle. The vehicle has a steerable anterior wheel 110 and a driven rear wheel 111 driven by driving force generated by the power unit. The body frame assembly 101 of the vehicle is an elongated structure, which typically extends from a forward end to a rearward end of the vehicle. It is generally convex in shape, as viewed from a side elevational view. The body frame assembly 101 includes a head pipe 600 and a down pipe that extends downward from the head pipe 600, and is covered by a plurality of vehicle body covers including a front panel 115, a leg shield 116, an under seat cover 117 and a side panel 112. The head pipe 600 is provided at the anterior end of the body frame 101.

[00015] A handlebar assembly 105 and a seat assembly 106 are supported at opposing ends of the frame assembly and a generally open area is defined there between known as floorboard 107 which functions as a step through space. A fuel tank (not shown) that stores fuel supplied to the engine is disposed at the rear end of the vehicle above the rear wheel 111. It is present on the upper side of the power unit along with a fuel tank cap. The seat for a driver and a pillion is placed forward to the fuel tank and rearwardly of the floorboard 107. A muffler is provided to the right side of the rear wheel, and connects to the engine. A side stand fixed to the left side of the body frame supports the vehicle such that vehicle inclines to the left side without falling.

[00016] Typically, a front suspension assembly 103 is operatively positioned between the anterior wheel 110 and the frame assembly. Similarly a rear suspension assembly 114 is operatively positioned between the rear wheel 111 and the frame assembly. The front suspension assembly 103 commonly is a telescopic fork arrangement while the rear suspension assembly 114 is a hydraulic damped arrangement.

[00017] In the said vehicle, the rear suspension swing arm typically supports the power unit which is configured to drive the rear wheel 111 of the vehicle. The power unit is structured such that an engine 102 and a swing case 108, which are well known for this form of straddle type vehicle, are integrally constructed. In an embodiment of the present invention, the engine is a four stroke single cylinder internal combustion engine and the swing case 108 is connected to a left side surface of a crankcase of the engine 102 so as to extend forward.

[00018] It is disposed on the vehicle frame with one end of the swing case 108 attached to the rear wheel hub in such a way that the power unit is substantially angularly disposed to the ground. The engine 102 is arranged horizontally, that is, its crankshaft is placed perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. Since the basic construction of an engine is known to those versed in the art, the details have been omitted. The said power unit is surrounded by a shroud (not shown) with a fan to enhance forced cooling of the power unit. The shroud present over the power unit is also known as cooling cowl and may be made of plastic resin or the likes.

[00019] FIG. 3 depicts the anterior portion of the concerned vehicle in detail and exemplifies a means for mounting the wheel cover 113 in the form of a wheel cover mounting structure 400 according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. A front fork 500 for rotatably supporting the anterior (front) wheel 110 is operably supported by the head pipe 600. The front fork 500 is connected to a lower bracket 200 and turnably supported on the head pipe 600. It includes a steering shaft S mounting a steering handle (not shown) at the upper end. The anterior wheel 110 is partially covered with a wheel cover 113. The wheel cover 113 has a largely curved front portion 113a, a flat middle portion 113b and a rearmost curved portion 113c covering the anterior wheel 110. The wheel cover 113 has an upper surface 118 facing the handlebar and a lower surface facing the ground. The wheel cover 113 is disposed in such a way so as to allow the motion of the wheel cover 113 accompanied by the steering operation of the front fork 500.

[00020] The wheel cover 113 is attached to the lower bracket 200 at least at one location. According to an embodiment of the present subbject matter, the flat middle portion 113b of the wheel cover is disposed below the lower bracket and attached to it through the wheel cover mouting structure 400. The wheel cover mounting structure 400 may be angularly disposed i.e. at an angle to the vehicle lateral axis. It is not visible to an onlooker as it is covered by a front panel 115. The wheel cover 113 is secured to the wheel cover mounting structure 400 in such a way that when secured, the wheel cover 113 is placed below the wheel cover mounting structure 400 and below the lower bracket 200. The wheel cover 113 is
thus attached to the lower bracket 200 at least at one location through the wheel cover mounting structure 400.

[00021] The wheel cover mounting structure is now described in detail. FIG. 4 depicts a top view of the wheel cover mounting structure 400 disposed in the anterior portion of the vehicle with front panel removed. The said wheel cover mounting structure 400 may be of any shape. Its detailed structure is illustrated in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the wheel cover mounting structure 400 comprises of at least two arms, a first arm 401 and a second arm 402. Both the arms are substantially planar and angularly disposed to each other. The first arm 401 and second arm 402 are generally polygonal in shape and provided with side walls 404 across their length. According to an aspect, the first arm 401 is connected to the lower bracket 200 and the second arm 402 is connected to the wheel cover mounting structure 400.

[00022] A C-section is visible when the wheel cover mounting structure 400 is sectioned along the lateral axis. It provides vertical stiffness to the wheel cover mounting structure 400 to overcome vibrations. An L-section is visible when the wheel cover mounting structure 400 is sectioned along the longitudinal axis. The horizontal axis of the L-section supports the wheel cover 113 providing sufficient contact area with the wheel cover 113 to meet the structural requirements. The vertical axis of the L- section provides sufficient weld strength to the wheel cover mounting structure 400 to increase the fatigue life. Both the sections can be optimized based on structural and vibrational requirements for a vehicle in motion.

[00023] Further, FIG. 7 shows a front view of the wheel cover mounting structure attached to the lower bracket. The lower bracket 200 encompasses an outward front surface 202 to attach the wheel cover mounting structure 400. The front surface 202 is adapted to fit against the rear surface of the first arm 401 thereby providing alignment and support to the wheel cover mounting structure 400. A suitable face may be provided to the front surface 202 on the lower bracket 200 to rest the wheel cover mounting structure 400. According to an aspect, the rear surface of the first arm 401 is welded to the front surface 202 of the lower bracket 200. The wheel cover mounting structure 400 is thus appended to the lower bracket 200 largely through its first arm 401.

[00024] FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of the anterior portion of the vehicle describing the attachment of the wheel cover 113 to the lower bracket 200. The second arm 402 comprises a securing mechanism through which the flat middle portion 113b of the upper surface of the wheel cover 113 is removably secured to the lower surface of the second arm 402. The securing mechanism comprises at least one through hole or slot and a weld nut 403 provided over the through hole and welded to the second arm 402. The through hole and weld nut 403 are provided at a suitable position on the upper surface of the second arm 402 to tightly secure the wheel cover 113. The middle portion 113b of the wheel cover 113 is therefore retained against the second arm 402 by a threaded fastener 405 passing sequentially through the openings in the middle portion 113b of the wheel cover 113, the through hole of the second arm 402 and tightened against the weld nut 403 of the second arm 402. Therefore, the wheel cover 113 is disposed below the lower bracket 200 unlike the prior art.

[00025] So far, for the sake of simplicity, the present description describes a single wheel cover mounting structure 400. However the vehicle has at least two such wheel cover mounting structures attached to the lower bracket 200 disposed on either side of the longitudinal axis of the wheel cover 113. In a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, the entire wheel cover 113 is secured to the lower bracket 200 at least at four points of contact. Precisely, a front part of middle portion 113b of the wheel cover 113 is indirectly secured to the lower bracket 200 through the wheel cover mounting structure 400 as described above whereas a rear part of the middle portion 113b of the wheel cover 113 is directly secured to a lower surface (facing the ground) of the lower bracket 200 through another set of fasteners 406 which pass through the middle portion 113b and secured to the dedictaed openings 203 in the lower bracket 200. Thus for the purposes of this descripiton, the area surrounding the four points of contact is the wheel cover mounting area.

[00026] According to another embodiment of the present subject matter, to further strengthen the wheel cover 113, instead of using fasteners, a longitudinal half of the rear part of the middle portion 113b of the wheel cover 113 is directly welded to the lower surface (facing the ground) of the lower bracket 200.

[00027] According to a further aspect of the present subject matter, the wheel cover mounting area may be varied by varying the size and position of the wheel cover mounting structure 400, without the need for additional forging on the lower bracket, to accommodate different sizes of wheel covers based on wheel size. The wheel cover mounting area may be increased or decreased by varying the length of the first and the second arm of the wheel cover mounting structure 400. Thus, a longer wheel cover mounting structure 400 along its long axis will increase the wheel cover mounting area whereas a shorter wheel cover mounting structure along its long axis will decrease the wheel cover mounting area. This aspect reduces the weight and cost of the vehicle without compromising on performance and functional requirements. Moreover the said wheel cover mounting structure is formed as a one piece structure and is preferably made of sheet metal or synthetic resin.

[00028] The present subject matter and its equivalent thereof offer many advantages, including those which have been described henceforth. The simplicity and structure of the wheel cover mounting structure 400 allows it to be adapted to mount different sizes and shapes of a wheel cover. The said mounting structure also meets the stiffness requirement to overcome the vibrations experienced by overhangs. The present invention can also be used in a three wheeled vehicle having a wheel cover.
[00029] The present subject matter is thus described. In this description, the terms "wheel cover mountings" and "fasteners" have been used interchangeably and both denote the same meaning. The description is not intended to be exhaustive nor is it intended to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed embodiments may be modified in light of the above description. The embodiments described are chosen to provide an illustration of principles of the invention and its practical application to enable thereby one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Therefore the forgoing description is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that described in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A flexible wheel cover mounting structure for mounting and removably connecting a wheel cover to a lower bracket in such a way that the said wheel cover is positioned below the wheel cover mounting structure, the said wheel cover mounting structure appended forwardly to a lower bracket and comprising at least two arms, a first arm and a second arm, wherein the first arm is connected to the lower bracket and the second arm is connected to the wheel cover, both arms being planar, angularly disposed to each other and including side walls.

2. The wheel cover mounting structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein a rear surface of the first arm is welded to the front surface of the lower bracket, the second arm comprising a securing mechanism through which the flat middle portion of the upper surface of the wheel cover is removably secured to the lower surface of the said second arm through the said securing mechanism.

3. The wheel cover mounting structure as claimed in claim 2 wherein the said securing mechanism comprises at least one through hole provided in the said second arm, a weld nut provided on the upper surface of the said second arm over the said through hole so that the upper surface of the middle portion of the said wheel cover is secured to the lower surface of the said second arm by a threaded fastener passing sequentially through the said wheel cover surface, the said through hole and the said weld nut.

4. The wheel cover mounting structure as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the lower bracket is made by forging.

5. The wheel cover mounting structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said wheel cover mounting structure is made of any material including a sheet metal or a metal alloy.

6. A vehicle having a swinging power unit provided with the wheel cover wherein at least one wheel cover mounting structure, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, is disposed on either side of the longitudinal axis of the wheel cover and a longtudinal half of the wheel cover is welded to the lower surface of the lower bracket facing the ground.

7. A wheel cover mounting structure substantially as herein described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.