WO2008065676A2

WO2008065676A2 - Mounting arrangement of number plate in a motorcycle

Info

Publication number: WO2008065676A2
Application number: PCT/IN2007/000526
Authority: WO
Inventors: Abraham Joseph; Vivek Nilkanth Patwardhan
Original assignee: Bajaj Auto Limited
Priority date: 2006-11-27
Filing date: 2007-11-07
Publication date: 2008-06-05
Also published as: PE20081212A1; WO2008065676A3

Abstract

A motorcycle having a front wheel assembly mounted to a chassis by means of a suspension means, a front registration number plate mounted between the chassis and the front wheel assembly, there being in a stationary state, a static clearance distance representing a maximum travel that would be permitted before the number plate interfered with the movement of the front wheel assembly, wherein the maximum compression stroke of the front suspension means is greater than the said static clearance distance and wherein a mounting arrangement enables the number plate to move between a first position and a second position in response to actuation of the front suspension assembly.

Description

TITLE: MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT OF NUMBER PLATE IN A MOTORCYCLE

The invention is related to a motorcycle.

The invention is more particularly related to mounting arrangement of front registration number plate of a motorcycle.

BACKGROUND:

The present invention relates to a movable registration number plate and more particularly to an arrangement of movable number plate for a two wheeler vehicle. Conventionally, the front registration number plate of a motorcycle is fixedly mounted on the steering mechanism such as a fork assembly between the headlamp assembly and the front wheel. When the motorcycle travels over a rough road, the suspension extends and compresses corresponding to toughs and bumps of the terrain. This is repeated very often on a rough terrain which creates jerky movements of the front wheel with the mudguard. This occurs quite frequently to a normal vehicle rider on a day to day basis. Further, in a motorcycle, for a given position of head lamp with fairing and the front mudguard, the travel of the front suspension is generally compromised as it is required to provide sufficient clearance between the front number plate and the front mud guard; otherwise the mudguard is quite likely to hit the number plate during the compressive stroke of the suspension. Due to the restrictions imposed on travel stroke of the suspension, the ride tends to be bumpier thus reducing the ride comfort. It is advantageous to offer a comfortable ride to a motorcycle rider under rough and difficult road conditions. Owing to the problem mentioned above, there is a general need to provide a movable number plate whose vertical surface is adjustable / tiltable and cooperates with the travel of the front suspension. It is attempted to provide a more comfortable ride of the motorcycle by providing an arrangement of the number plate which will move corresponding to the movement of the wheel and the mudguard, thereby allowing a possibility of mounting a suspension with a longer travel stroke. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

From the point of view of comfort, safety and strategic perspective, this invention offers a simple yet novel solution to overcome the above discussed problem in the known structure of mounting the number plate. The problem is overcome by offering a pivotable number plate in a two wheeler, more specifically a motorcycle. Moreover, the number plate as per the invention is capable of achieving pleasing aesthetics. The applicant has found that the invention can be implemented via a low weight mounting structure which can be securely supported in the angular position and in the deflected positions. It is very readily made movable between the erect position and the angular position.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION:

The invention comprises a motorcycle having a front wheel assembly mounted to a chassis by means of a suspension means, a front registration number plate mounted between the chassis and the front wheel assembly, there being in a stationary state, a static clearance distance representing a maximum travel that would be permitted before the number plate interfered with the movement of the front wheel assembly and wherein the maximum compression stroke of the front suspension means is greater than the said static clearance distance.

The invention further comprises an arrangement for mounting the front registration number plate in a motorcycle, the motor cycle having a chassis on which is mounted a front wheel assembly by means of a front suspension assembly, said number plate being positioned between the front wheel assembly and the chassis wherein the mounting arrangement enables the number plate to move between a first position and a second position in response to actuation of the front suspension assembly.

Preferably, the said number plate is vertical, or close to vertical, in the first position and is substantially angled in the second position relative to the first position. This angling may be effected by hinged connection of the number plate to the wheel assembly, the chassis and/or a front fork assembly. Preferably, in the stationary state, a static clearance distance exists between the number plate and the front wheel assembly, and the maximum compression stroke of the fork assembly is greater than the static clearance distance.

Preferably the number plate is mounted between the front wheel assembly and a headlight of the motorcycle wherein a mounting means enables the number plate to articulate between a first position and a second position.

Preferably, the first position of the number plate corresponds to static position of the front fork assembly.

Preferably, the second position of the number plate is such that compression stroke of the suspension is greater than the static clearance.

Preferably the mounting means comprises a first supporting member, one end of which is mounted on the vehicle steering means such as a fork, supports the vehicle registration number plate mounted on the other end of the said first supporting member; the said number plate having a second supporting member mounted on part of the moving part of the front fork assembly.

Preferably a mud guard is supported from the front fork and moves in unison therewith and the second supporting member is mounted to said mud guard.

Preferably, the maximum stroke of the front suspension is greater than the static clearance distance so as to provide for increased comfort of the rider;

Preferably, the headlamp is mounted proximate the front mudguard;

Preferably, axial movement of the suspension translates to movement of the said number plate between the first position and the second position.

Preferably, the said number plate does not obstruct the travel of the suspension. OBJECTIVES:

1. One of the objectives of the invention is to provide a longer travel of front suspension for better ride comfort, for a given headlamp position.

2. Another or alternate objective of the invention is to provide an arrangement whereby the front registration number plate of a motorcycle does not obstruct the travel of the suspension.

3. Another or alternate objective of the invention is to allow superior frontal aesthetics by allowing suitable packaging of head lamp assembly with respect to the front wheel.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION:

The invention, its working and advantages may be fully understood by the following figures:

Figure 1 illustrates a conventional arrangement of mounting the front registration number plate on a typical motorcycle, having a front wheel with a mudguard (25), wherein the number plate (23) is fixedly mounted on fork assembly (21 ) of the motorcycle such that the number plate (23) is positioned fixedly between the head lamp assembly (22) and front wheel mudguard (25), and the mounting is generally by means of any known fixing means including clamping means (24). When the motorcycle moves over a rough terrain, the vertical movement of the wheel with the mudguard (25) dynamically reduces the space between the number plate (23) and the said mud guard (25). The relative position of number plate (23) with respect to the head lamp (22) is fixed. Only the front wheel assembly (25) moves up and down and hence an adequate clearance has to be maintained between the head lamp (22) and the number plate (23) as well as between the number plate (23) and the front mudguard (25), when the suspension (21 ) is in a fully compressed state. Such a clearance would prevent inadvertent interference of the number plate (23) with the mud guard (25). The technical specifications of the front suspension would be designed in such a way that its travel during extreme compressive stroke is not impeded by the presence of the number plate. This would make the suspension harder by design resulting in a bumpy ride on rough terrain for a given position of the head lamp assembly.

Figure 2 illustrates the front wheel assembly according to prior art, when the front suspension is partially compressed, wherein the space between the front registration number plate (23) with respect to the front mud guard (25) is reduced. It may be observed the clearance space between the front number plate (23) and the mud guard (25) dynamically reduces with the compressive travel of the suspension (21 ).

Figure 3 and 4 illustrate the arrangement of the front registration number plate (10) according to an embodiment of the invention. These figures illustrate the side view and the isometric view respectively of the motorcycle with the number plate (10) mounted according to the invention on bracket (2) and the number plate is in close to vertical position. The number plate has a flat surface with an upper edge (10a) and a lower edge (10b). At the lower edge (10b) of the number plate, a second supporting member (1 ) is disposed with one end mounted to the bracket (2) with a hinge (5) and mounted movably by a spring (8) on the top surface of the mudguard (11 ) of the front wheel thereby guiding the number plate for rotational movement along its axis in the forward and backward direction. The spring (8) maintains constant pressure on number plate (10) so as to retain it in forward direction. The number plate (10) is supported at its top edge by a first supporting member (3) with a hinge (6) at one end at the rear of the number plate and a second hinge (7) at the other end mounted on the bracket (4) which in turn is mounted on the fork. A detailed view of the mounting arrangement is illustrated in Figure 3. Figure 3 shows one end of the supporting member 3 having surfaces 3a, 3b. Washers 25 of resilient material (say plastic) are placed between intermediate portion of hinge 6 and surfaces 3a, 3b. A bush 27 of a resilient material (such as plastic) is placed between outer periphery of hinge 16 and inner peripheries of surfaces marked as 3a and 3b. The said bush and washers are provided in view to avoid metal to metal contact and to allow easy and economical replacement of these parts. Similar arrangement is provided at the other end of the supporting member 3 which is hinged to 7.

Thus the upward and downward motion of the front wheel with the mudguard translates to the tilting movement of the number plate (10) about the hinges (5) and (6) and the supporting member (3) about the hinge (7). Clearly, as the space between the front mudguard and the head lamp (9) reduces during the compressive stroke of the suspension, the number plate tilts to stay clear of this reducing space. Similarly, the number plate retracts to its earlier position when the suspension expands.

It may thus be observed that the number plate is movable during the upward and downward movement of the wheel assembly corresponding to the compression and expansion of the suspension and does not pose an impediment in the travel of the suspension. The suspension, therefore, can be provided with a longer travel implying better ride comfort.

Figure 5 illustrates the rear isometric view of the arrangement illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is the side view of the front portion of the motorcycle illustrating the position of the front number plate according to the invention when the front suspension is partially compressed, when the vehicle rider has mounted the motorcycle.

Figure 7 is the side view of the front portion of the motorcycle illustrating the position of the arrangement when the front suspension is fully compressed.

It may be observed that the number plate (10) has tilted fully about the hinges (5) and (6) during the extreme compressive stroke of the suspension.

Figure 8 is the rear isometric view of the arrangement illustrated in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is the front isometric view of the arrangement illustrated in Figure 7.

The number plate is in the first position as illustrated in Figure 3, Figure 4 and Figure 5 including the side view, front isometric view and rear isometric view. The number plate attains a substantially vertical position when the front suspension is partially compressed owing to the rider mounting the vehicle. This is illustrated in Figure 6. Figure 7, 8 and 9 illustrate different positions of the number plate when the front suspension compresses owing to road load conditions and reaching a substantially horizontal position.

Basically, the preferred embodiment is illustrated keeping in mind the Indian environment and the Indian laws for two wheelers.

The applicant further discloses an alternate embodiment of the invention in Figures 10, 11 , 12 and 13.

Figure 10 depicts the side view of the front portion of a motorcycle, in a static condition, with an alternate arrangement of mounting of the front registration number plate.

Figure 1 1 depicts the above embodiment with the front suspension partially compressed.

Figure 12 depicts the above embodiment with the front suspension fully compressed.

Figure 13 is an isometric view of the above arrangement.

According to Figures 10, 1 1 , 12 and 13, a bracket 101 is mounted on the fork assembly (113) and a bracket 102 is fixed to bracket 101 through a hinge joint (103). At least one torsion spring (104) is provided at the said hinge (103) in such a way that the bracket (102) has a downward acting force. A stopper (1 10) is provided on bracket (102) to limit the downward movement of number plate (100) in static condition. Number plate (100) is fixed to bracket (102) by known fastening means.

A rubber knob (111) is provided on the bottom face of the bracket (102) such that the lowermost edge of the knob is the lowermost point of the bottom surface of the said mounting arrangement. The bottom edge of the knob touches the top surface of the front fender when the suspension is in its compressive stroke. This in turn actuates the bracket (102) to move in a clockwise direction about the hinge (103) against the force of the torsion spring (104). Thus, the number plate (100) mounted on the bracket (102) moves up during the compressive stroke of the suspension. When the suspension expands, the wheel assembly moves down relative to the number plate (100); the torsion spring (104) causes the bracket (102) to move in a counter clockwise direction about the hinge (103). The number plate (100) returns to its earlier position.

The applicant further discloses another alternate embodiment of the invention in Figures 14, 15 and 16.

Figures 14 to 16 illustrate the arrangement of the front registration number plate (200) according to another embodiment of the invention. These Figures illustrate the side view and the isometric view respectively of the motorcycle with the number plate (200) mounted according to the invention on bracket (202) and the number plate is in the first position. The number plate has a flat surface with an upper edge (210a) and a lower edge (210b). At the lower edge (210b) of the number plate, a second supporting member (201 ) is disposed with one end mounted to the bracket (202) with a hinge (205) and mounted movably by a spring (208) on the top surface of the mudguard (211 ) of the front wheel thereby guiding the number plate for rotational movement along its axis in the forward and backward direction. The spring (208) maintains constant pressure on number plate (200) so as to retain it in forward direction. The number plate (200) is supported at its top edge by a first supporting member (203) with a hinge (206) at one end at the rear of the number plate and a second hinge (207) at the other end mounted on the bracket (204) which in turn is mounted on the fork.

Thus the upward and downward motion of the front wheel with the mudguard translates to the tilting movement of the number plate (200) about the hinges (205) and (206) and the supporting member (203) about the hinge (207). Clearly, as the space between the front mudguard 21 1 and the head lamp (209) reduces during the compressive stroke of the suspension 212, the number plate tilts to stay clear of this reducing space.

Similarly, the number plate retracts to its earlier position when the suspension expands. A stopper (215), as depicted in greater detail in an enlarged view in Figure 14 is provided from bracket 201 not to allow rotation of number plate beyond a position where it may get locked.

Figure 15 depicts the side view of the front portion of a motorcycle, in a static condition with the vehicle operator mounted, with another alternate arrangement of mounting of the front registration number plate.

Figure 16 depicts the above embodiment with the front suspension partially compressed.

This versatile, movable number plate is in compliance of Government regulations and is very beneficial in terms of performance over the fixed number plate existing in prior art.

The hinge mechanism applied for mounting is an open structure and occupies very small space. Thereby, mounting structure is not readily visible to the eye and not disturbing aesthetics of vehicle, though accessible for mounting and for maintenance. Besides, the entire arrangement is very compact.

The Government regulations call for certain method of disposition of the registration number plate on the vehicle. This invention complies with all such regulations with a simple, compact and rugged arrangement of mounting. In the prior art, when the name plate was fitted in that position, the design had to be restricted to ensure that the mudguard did not damage the name plate during the upward movement of the wheel during a bump. Thereby, the front suspension design was restricted by this constraint. It may be seen as described in the invention that the present invention overcomes the prior problem entirely and is simple to manufacture, mount and is also inexpensive in making.

The features of safely secured name plate are achievable as per this invention at minimal cost and with minimum addition of weight or component to the conventional motorcycle.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A motorcycle having a front wheel assembly mounted to a chassis by means of a suspension means, a front registration number plate mounted between the chassis and the front wheel assembly, there being in a stationary state, a static clearance distance representing a maximum travel that would be permitted before the number plate interfered with the movement of the front wheel assembly and wherein the maximum compression stroke of the front suspension means is greater than the said static clearance distance.

2. A mounting arrangement for the front registration number plate of a motorcycle in Claim 1, the motor cycle having a chassis on which is mounted a front wheel assembly by means of a front suspension assembly, said number plate being positioned between the front wheel assembly and the chassis wherein the mounting arrangement enables the number plate to move between a first position and a second position in response to actuation of the front suspension assembly.

3. A mounting arrangement in Claim 2 wherein the number plate is vertical or close to vertical in the first position and is substantially angled in the second position relative to the first position.

4. A mounting arrangement in Claim 3 wherein the number plate attains a substantially vertical position when the front suspension system is loaded with the vehicle operator's mass.

5. A mounting arrangement as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4 wherein the number plate is urged by a resilient biasing means towards the first position.

6. The mounting arrangement as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 5 where the first position of the number plate corresponds to static position of front suspension assembly.

7. The mounting arrangement as claimed in any of the Claims 2 to 6 where the second position of the number plate is such that compression stroke of the front suspension assembly is greater than the static clearance.

8. The mounting arrangement as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 7 where axial movement of the front suspension assembly translates to movement of the said number plate between the first position and the second position.

9. A mounting arrangement in any preceding Claim wherein the number plate is mounted by a hinged connection.

10. The mounting arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding Claims where the number plate is mounted between the front wheel assembly and a headlamp assembly of the motorcycle.

11. The mounting arrangement as claimed in Claim 10 where the headlamp is mounted proximate the front wheel assembly.

12. The mounting arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding Claims where the said number plate does not obstruct the travel of the front suspension assembly.

13. The fixing means in a mounting arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding Claims comprising a first supporting member, one end of which is mounted on the vehicle steering means, supports the vehicle registration number plate mounted on its other end; the said number plate having a second supporting member mounted to the moving part of the front suspension assembly.

14. The fixing means in Claim 13 where a mud guard is supported from the front suspension assembly and moves in unison therewith and the second supporting member is mounted to said mud guard.

15. The fixing means in Claim 13 where the maximum stroke of the front suspension is greater than the static clearance so as to provide for increased comfort of the rider;

16. The mounting arrangement as in Claims 1 to 12 and described with respect to Figures 3 to 16 as applied to a motorcycle.

17. The fixing arrangement as in Claims 13 to 15 and described with respect to Figures 3 to 16 as applied to a motorcycle.