TITLE : A FLEXIBLE LOADING SURFACE IN A TWO WHEEL VEHICLE

FIELD OF INVENTION:

This invention relates to a two wheel vehicle such as a motorcycle.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION:

A two wheel vehicle such as a motorcycle typically includes a frame comprising a rider seat and a pillion rider seat (herein referred to as a pillion seat) which are either a single piece or a two piece construction and are rigidly or removably fixed on the respective locating areas on the vehicle frame. There is provided a U-shaped pillion hand hold commonly known as a grab handle for the pillion rider. The shape of the grab handle can vary on design requirements. The grab handle is rigidly mounted on the frame behind the pillion seat and its limbs are rigidly fixed on the vehicle frame. Occasionally, when the pillion seat is not occupied, the vehicle rider may want to carry some luggage or a filled bag or a sack on the top surface of the pillion seat and the grab handle. In such a situation, there is a possibility that the pillion seat may be damaged or spoiled by the load: Besides, the available space for carrying the load on the pillion seat is limited owing to the presence of the grab handle. Even if the pillion seat is removed, the space available for carrying the load is still limited. Moreover, load may not be properly balanced owing to difference in heights of top surface of the seat and the grab handle. This imbalance raises safety issues for a two wheeler moving on the road.

OBJECTS OF INVENTION:

An object of the invention is to provide an increased loading surface on a two wheel vehicle such as a motorcycle.

Another or alternate object of the invention is to provide a relatively flat loading platform on a two wheel vehicle such as a motorcycle.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION:

In one aspect the invention comprises a two wheel vehicle having a frame upon which is mounted a rider seat, a pillion seat and a grab handle, the grab handle having at least two positions of operation, namely a first position in which the grab handle is conveniently positioned for use by a pillion passenger, and a second position in which an upper end of the grab handle is lower than the first position.

Preferably, the grab handle is substantially vertical in the first position and substantially horizontal in the second position.

Preferably, the pillion seat is removable.

Preferably, the grab handle is pivotable between said first position and said second position.

Preferably the grab handle, when in the second position, does not obstruct a top surface of the vehicle frame.

Preferably, a safety means operates to prevent the pillion seat being mounted to the frame when the grab handle is in the second position.

Preferably, the grab handle becomes fixed in the first position when the pillion seat is in position.

Conveniently, the interaction between the pillion seat and the grab handle is such that the grab handle becomes secured in the first position (that is, in the upright position) without the need for the operator to operate any additional locking mechanisms to achieve this.

Alternatively, additional operator controlled locking means can be used to secure the grab handle in the first position.

in a preferred form of the invention, the grab handle is a primary grab handle, and the motorcycle frame also includes secondary grab handles located on either side of the pillion seat. These grab handles are moveable between first and second positions in a similar fashion to the primary grab handle, in a transverse direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION:

According to the invention there is provided a two wheel vehicle such as motorcycle including a frame, comprising a rider seat mounted rigidly on the vehicle frame and a pillion rider seat removably mounted on the respective locating area of the vehicle frame adjoining the rider seat and a foldable grab handle supported on the vehicle frame behind the pillion rider seat.

The following is a detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is plan view of a motorcycle frame fitted with a grab handle, pillion seat and rider seat according to a first embodiment of the invention where the grab handle is mounted at a certain angle to a horizontal plane.

Figure 2 is plan view of the motor cycle frame of Figure 1 with the rider seat and pillion seat partially cut;

Figure 3 is side perspective view of the motorcycle frame of Figure 1 with the rider seat and the pillion seat partially cut;

Figure 4 is plan view of the motorcycle frame of Figure 1 with the grab handle in a horizontal position and the pillion seat removed and with a cut rider seat;

Figure 5 is a side perspective of the motorcycle frame of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a bottom isometric view of the motorcycle frame of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is an isometric view of the grab handle in the frame of Figure 1 ;

Figure 8 is an isometric view of an open ended tubular member of the grab handle of Figure 7 with bolt members located in the tubular member;

Figure 9 is a section at AA in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is an isometric view of a channel shaped bracket of the grab handle of Figure 7;

Figure 1 1 is a bottom isometric view of the pillion seat of the motorcycle frame of Figure 1 ;

Figure 12 is a view of a cable lock mechanism of the pillion seat of the motorcycle frame of Figure 11 ;

Figure 13 is a plan view of a motorcycle frame fitted with a grab handle, pillion seat and rider seat according a second embodiment of the invention, shown with the rider seat and pillion seat partially cut and with the grab handle in a position at a certain angle to a horizontal plane.

Figure 14 is an isometric view of the motorcycle frame of Figure 13 with the rider seat cut and without pillion seat and with the grab handle in a horizontal position.

Figure 15 illustrates a bottom isometric view of the rider and pillion seat of the motorcycle frame of Figures 13 and 14;

Figure 16 illustrates a mechanism of unlocking the grab handle of Figure 7 from a first position, by a simple cable.

Figure 17 illustrates another mechanism of unlocking the grab handle of Figure 7 from the first position, employing a conventional Turnbuckle arrangement.

Figure 18 illustrates a bottom isometric view of yet another mechanism of unlocking the grab handle of Figure 7 from the first position, by a simple crank slider arrangement.

Figure 18a illustrates a top isometric view of the mechanism in figure 18.

Figure 19 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention with the pillion seat in position on the rear portion of the frame.

Figure 20 illustrates this embodiment with the pillion seat unfastened from its ^■ position.

Figure 21 depicts a detailed isometric view of the grab handle of Figure 7.

Figure 22 illustrates an isometric view of a motorcycle frame fitted with a primary grab handle, secondary grab handles, pillion seat and rider seat according to the preferred embodiment of the invention where the primary grab handle is at an angle to the horizontal plane and the secondary grab handles are in a substantially vertical plane.

Figure 23 depicts an isometric view of the motorcycle frame of Figure 22 with the primary grab handle and secondary grab handles in a horizontal position and the pillion seat removed.

Figure 24 illustrates a top view of the motorcycle frame of Figure 22 depicting the pillion seat housed in a compartment.

As illustrated in Figures 1 to 12 of the accompanying drawings, as best seen in figure 2, a motorcycle vehicle frame 1 comprises a rider seat 2 hinged at 3 (as depicted in Figures 2 and 3) on the front side and rigidly mounted on the vehicle frame 1. A pillion seat 6 is mounted on the vehicle frame adjoining the rider seat 2. The pillion seat 6 is provided with a pair of vertical members 26 (as best seen in Figure 11 ) protruding down from the underside thereof adapted to push fit or press fit into corresponding recesses 27 (as best seen in Figures 4 and 5) formed

W in the pillion seat locating area in the vehicle frame 1. The pillion seat 6 is provided with an L-shaped locator 9 (as seen in Figure 11) on an under surface at the rear end. A C-shaped holder 10 (Figures 5 and 6) is provided underneath a cross member 1 1 fixed to the vehicle frame.

The vehicle frame 1 includes a foldable, collapsible, adjustable or removable grab handle 12 which is U-shaped. The limbs 12a, 12b are pivoted in a pair of spaced channel shaped brackets 13 using pivot pins 14 in pivot holes 15 (Figures 5, 6 and 7) provided in the limbs 12a, 12b. The brackets 13 are fixed to the vehicle frame with their open sides directed rearwards. The grab handle can be raised and lowered with respect to the vehicle frame in the open sides of the brackets about the pivots provided by the pivot pins 14. Each limb 12a and 12b of the grab handle is provided with a lobe 16 (Figure 7) at each pivoted end thereof. The lobes 16 is provided with a first hole 17 and a second hole 18 (Figure 7) in spaced apart relationship with each other and the respective pivot hole 15 in each of the limbs 12a and 12b of the grab handle. The first holes 17 of the two limbs are directly opposite to each other and the second holes 18 of the two limbs are also directly opposite to each other. An open ended tubular member 19 (Figures 2 and 4) is fixed to the channel shaped brackets 13.

Two plungers 20 (Figures 6, 8 and 9) are movably held in the tubular member, one on each side thereof, and are urged apart by a spring 21 (Figures 8 and 9) located in the tubular member 19. Each of the plungers 20 is provided with an operating pin 20a, 20a protruding out through a respective oblong slot 22 (Figure 8) provided along the length of the tubular member 19 at a respective side thereof. The sliding movement of the plungers 20 in the tubular member 19 is limited by the length of the respective oblong slots 21. Outer ends of the plungers 20 are adapted to pass through openings 23 (Figure 10) provided in the sidewalls of the channel shaped brackets 13 and to engage in and disengage from the first holes 17 and second holes 18 provided in the lobes 16 of the limbs of the grab handle 12 alternately.

A cross piece 24 (Figure 7) is disposed between the limbs 12a, 12b of the grab handle12 and fixed thereto. A member 25 (Figure 7) is mounted on the cross

piece 24 in the direction of the rear end of the pillion seat. The distal end of the member 25 is provided with an upwardly directed bend 25a. It will be understood that features 24, 25 and 25a are optional.

In a situation where the rider wants to carry a pillion rider on the vehicle, the grab handle 12 is raised and substantially vertically positioned with respect to the vehicle frame 1 about the pivots 15 provided by the pivot pins 14 and is locked in position by the plungers 20 engaging into the holes 17 against the force of the spring 21 as described earlier. The pillion seat 6 is fixed on the respective locating area on the vehicle frame 1 by locating the L-shaped locator 9 (Figure 11 ) underneath the rear end of the pillion seat 6 in the C-shaped holder 10 against the cross member 1 1 and by push or press fitting the vertical members 26 at the under side of the pillion seat 6 in the respective locating recesses 27 in the vehicle frame. The pillion seat 6 comprising a lock body 28 (Figure 12) is fixed on the pillion rider seat locating area of the vehicle frame 1 by bolts 29 (Figure 6). This pillion seat lock is a well known arrangement hence does not need detailed explanation.

A lock rod 32 (Figure 11 ) protrudes down from the underside of the pillion rider seat 6 and is adapted to engage with the pillion seat lock 28 when the pillion rider seat 6 is fitted on the respective locating area on the vehicle frame 1 , thereby locking the pillion seat 6 to the frame 1.

In a situation where the rider wants to carry a load instead of a pillion rider, the pillion seat 6 is unlocked and removed from the respective locating area by pulling the inner cable of pillion seat lock 28. The pillion seat 6 remains unlocked and is removed from the respective locating area by disengaging the L-shaped locator 9 from the C-shaped holder 10 and cross member 1 1 and by disengaging the vertical members 26 from the recesses 27 in the vehicle frame 1.

The plungers 20, 20 are moved inward by manually forcing the operating pins 20a (Figure 8) towards each other against the force of the spring 21 (Figure 9). The plungers move inwardly against the force of the spring and disengage from the openings 23 in the sidewalls of the channel shaped brackets 13 and from the

respective first holes 17 in the lobes 16 of the limbs 12a, 12b of the grab handle (Figure 7). The grab handle 12 is free to be turned about the pivots provided by the pivot pins 14. Holding the operating pins 20a of the plungers 20 pressed towards each other, the grab handle is turned down or lowered and is made to lie horizontally. At this position, the outer ends of the plungers 20 and the openings 23 in the sidewalls of the channel shaped brackets are aligned with the second holes 18 in the lobes 16 of the limbs of the grab handle 12. On releasing the operating pins 20a of the plungers 20, the outer ends of the plungers 20 move out under the force of the spring 21 and engage in the second holes 18 in the lobes 16 through the openings in the side walls of the channel shaped brackets 13, thereby locking the grab handle in this position.

In this horizontal position the grab handle 12 does not obstruct the top surface of the pillion rider seat locating area, and effectively provides a convenient and extended loading surface. The grab handle 12 of the invention thus serves the dual purpose of providing- a hand grip for a pillion rider in the first or upright position and a larger flat surface for carrying load when in the second or horizontal- position as detailed above. It will be noted that the upper portion of the grab handle 12 is substantially higher in the first, vertical position than in the second, horizontal position. The top surface of the pillion rider seat locating area and the grab handle being in horizontal position provide increased loading surface to facilitate larger loads to be conveniently supported and safely carried on the vehicle.

When the grab handle 12 is lying horizontally, the protrusion 25 from the cross piece 24 of the grab handle 12 remains horizontally directed towards the rider seat. This prevents location of the L-shaped locator 9 underneath the rear end of the pillion seat into the C-shaped holder 10 underneath the cross member 1 1 , thereby preventing mounting of the pillion seat on the respective locating area when the grab handle is in horizontal position, thus providing a safety means in the form of a lock-out feature. This means that when the grab handle 12 is in the horizontal position, the lock-out feature prevents the rider from inadvertently mounting the pillion seat 6 on the frame. This ensures that proper safety

considerations are met in that if the pillion seat 6 is being used, the lock-out feature ensures that the grab handle 12 is in the appropriate operating position.

When the pillion seat locating area is used to carry a load, the pillion seat 6 is removed. Therefore, the pillion seat does not get damaged or spoiled. When the grab handle 12 is lying horizontally _τ to form platform for a load, it is flush with the pillion seat locating area. Therefore the load can be properly balanced and safely carried on the platform.

The motorcycle frame preferably includes a compartment 312 in which the pillion seat can be stored when not it use.

The vehicle frame 1 as illustrated in Figures 13 to 15 of the accompanying drawings is the same as that illustrated in Figs 1 to 12 except for the following differences. The rider seat 2a (Figure 13) is provided with a protrusion 4 at the rear end underside thereof. A member 5 is provided at the rear end of the locating area of the rider seat on the vehicle frame. The rider seat is also having a lock rod 44a projecting downward which gets engaged into seat lock 28a mounted on a bracket 43a welded to the frame.

The locking arrangement for rider seat is similar to the locking arrangement provided for pillion rider seat in the earlier embodiment explained above. The pillion rider seat is also provided with an L-shaped locator 9 at the rear end underside thereof adapted to be located in a C-shaped holder 10 provided underneath a cross member 11 fixed to the vehicle frame. The rider seat is moved onto and upwards from the locating area thereof on the vehicle frame about the hinge 3 thereof after unlocking the lock 28a. The rider seat is releasably fixed on the locating area thereof on the vehicle frame by press fitting or push fitting the protrusion 4 at the rear end underside of the rider seat over the member 5 at the rear end of the rider seat locating area on the vehicle frame and lock rod 44a of the rider seat getting locked in lock 28a.

In a situation where the rider wants to carry a pillion rider on the vehicle, the grab handle 12 is raised and positioned vertically inclined with respect to the vehicle

frame about the pivots provided by the pivot pins 14 such that the plungers 20, 20 and the openings 23 in the sidewalls of the channel shaped brackets are aligned with the first holes 17 in the lobes 16 of the limbs 12a and 12b of the grab handle 12 (as described earlier with reference to Figures 6, 7 and 8). On releasing the operating pins 20a at the inner ends of the plungers held stressed towards each other under contraction of the spring 21 (Figure 9), the outer ends of the plungers move out through the openings 23 in the sidewalls of the brackets 13 (Figure 10) and engage in the respective first holes 17 in the lobes 16 of the brackets thereby locking it in the vertically inclined position.

The rider seat 2a is moved up and sideways from the respective locating area on the vehicle frame about the hinge 3 thereof when the bush 4 underneath the rear end of the rider seat disengages from the upright member 5. The pillion seat 6a is located on the respective locating area on the vehicle frame by anchoring the projection 7 (Figure 13) at the front end underside thereof on the upright member 5 through the opening 8 in the projection and by locating the L-shaped locator 9 underneath the rear end of the pillion seat in the C-shaped holder 10 against the cross member 1 1 fixed to the vehicle frame. The rider seat 2a is then moved onto the respective locating area and the protrusion 4 at the rear end under side thereof is push or press fitted on the member 5. The rider seat and the front end of the pillion seat are thus held onto the member and the rear end of the pillion seat is held onto the C-shaped holder 10 against the cross member 11.

In the vertically inclined position of the grab handle, the protrusion 25 protruding from the cross piece 24 between the limbs of the grab handle remains directed downwardly allowing the rear end of the pillion seat to be introduced into and located on the respective locating area. In a situation where the rider wants to carry a load instead of pillion rider, the rider seat 2a is unlocked and moved up from the respective locating area about the hinge 3. The projection 7 of pillion seat is thus free to be moved. The pillion seat is removed from the respective locating area by lifting the projection 7 and disengaging the L-shaped locator 9 from the C-shaped holder 10.

The 'other details of the vehicle frame have not been described in the specification as such are not relevant to the invention and are not necessary for understanding the invention.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the plungers 20 may be conveniently operated by a mechanized means, employing a cable. One such mechanism is depicted in Figure 16. The operating pins 20a are adapted to hold inner cable branches 51 which are in turn connected to a plunger 52 of the splitter body 53. The plunger holds these two branches at one end and an operating branch 56 at the other end. The operating branch is conveniently mounted at a suitable point marked as 54 on vehicle frame or any convenient location on the vehicle. The said operating branch is provided with a loop 55 for pulling purpose. For operating the grab mechanism, rider needs to pull this loop 55 thereby sliding the operating pins 20a and in turn the plungers 20 and releasing the grab 12 for rotation.

Similarly, other mechanisms like a Tumbuckle arrangement (Figure 17) or a crank slider arrangement (Figure 18,18a) may be conveniently used to operate the plungers 20 pins 20a with a greater ease, than a manual effort.

According to Figure 17, the plungers 63 are provided with male threading at the ends directed towards the axis of the vehicle. A turnbuckle 62 provided with female threads is assembled between the said plungers 63. The female threading of turnbuckle engages with the male threading of the plungers. Turnbuckle 62 is provided with slots 61 for operation. The turnbuckle can be rotated by a suitable tool such as a lever or tommy bar by engaging with slots 61. Rotation of tumbuckle pulls the plungers 63 towards it thereby causing the grab 12 to release and move about pivot 14. Turnbuckle is a known mechanism hence does not require a detailed explanation.

According to Figure 18 and 18a, plungers 77 are adapted to act as slider, which are connected to link 72 which performs function of a connecting rod through a pin joint 73. The other end of link 72 is connected to crank 71 through pin joint 73a. The crank 71 is pivotably mounted on a base plate 76 through guide bush

74. A torsion spring 75 is provided in the mechanism for self returning purpose. One end of torsion spring 75 is anchored into the base plate 76 and the other end is anchored onto crank 71. Crank 71 may be provided with a suitably shaped grip such as 'D' (marked as 80 in Figure 18a) to enable turning of the crank with an external tool such as spanner. The vehicle operator has to turn the crank by a suitable tool, which in turn enables the plungers 77 to slide in slide bush 78 fixed to grab mounting brackets 70 inwards towards the vehicle axis. The grab 12 is released and moves about the pivot 14. A dust cover 79 may be provided for protecting the mechanism from dust.

Figures 19 to 21 describe another embodiment of the invention, wherein the locking arrangement by way of plungers is eliminated. The grab handle 82 is pivotably mounted on two grab mounting brackets 84. The pillion seat is provided with a projection 86. The presence of the pillion seat 81 in its fixed position on the rear of the frame locks the grab handle 82 in upright position as the projection 86 butts against bracket 85 of the grab handle 82. In this position the grab handle 82 serves its function of safety device for gripping by the pillion rider. When the seat is removed for purpose of carrying luggage on the rear portion of the frame, the grab handle is released. A simple arrangement of torsion springs 80 mounted on pivot pins 14 allows the grab handle to move to the horizontal position by spring force, where it is flush with the top surface of the rear of the frame. This forms a luggage carrying platform.

In a further embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figure 22, the frame includes two secondary grab handles 301 and provided with lower arms 302, one located on either side of the pillion seat 6. The lower arm is provided with a hinge arrangement 302A and a spring loaded locking arrangement 307, one of each is located on either side of pillion seat 6. The lower arms 302 are hinged around the brackets 310A and 310B welded to the vehicle frame. The locking arrangement is operated (i.e., engaged and disengaged) through a pin 308 provided at one end of locking arrangement. The hinge 307 allows the movement of secondary grab handles 301 to two positions, that is, a first position being substantially vertical and a second position being substantially horizontal, when the lock is disengaged. The locking arrangement 307 in its engage condition holds the

secondary grab handles in both the position. Thus, secondary grab handles can be moved between first and second positions in a similar manner to the primary grab handle 12.

The Figure 22 depicts the position in which the pillion seat 6 is in mounted condition. In this position, the grab handles 301 are substantially vertical. Figure 23 depicts the position of the secondary grab handles when the pillion seat has been removed. In this situation, the secondary grab handles 301 are in substantially horizontal position thereby providing substantial loading space for goods. The secondary grab handles, in the second position, are substantially in the same plane as that of the platform created by folding of primary grab handle 12 to the said second position (that is, horizontal position).

The pillion seat 6 may be stored in the compartment 312 suitably mounted on a side of the vehicle as illustrated in Figure 24. The compartment is designed to accommodate the pillion seat for convenience of the rider.

The rider seat can be releasably fixed on the respective locating area on the vehicle frame by other means. The pillion seat can be removably fixed on the respective locating area on the vehicle frame by other means or can be rigidly fitted on the respective locating area on the vehicle. The grab handle can be substantially U-shaped or arch shaped and can be made foldable, convertible or adjustable by other means. The secondary grab handles can be made foldable, convertible or adjustable by other means. Locking arrangement of secondary grab handles may be provided with a different construction. The rider seat and pillion seat can be of single piece construction. In a case where the pillion seat is not removable, the surface area for a load as provided by the surface area of the folded grab handle will be correspondingly reduced. The lock mechanism for the pillion seat can be of a different construction. Such modifications or variations in the construction of the invention are to be construed and understood to be obvious variants of the invention and within the scope thereof.