Title of Invention

"A BODY STRUCTURE OF VEHICLE"

Abstract

A body structure of a vehicle (10) comprising, a body cover (23) disposed on the lower side of a tandem seat (22), and passenger steps (37) for the passenger seated on a rear portion of said tandem seat to put his feet on provided on the lower side of said body cover (23), characterized in that recessed portions (23a) are provided at side surfaces of said body cover (23) on the upper side of said passenger steps (37).

Full Text

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [0001] [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates particularly to a vehicle body structure of a vehicle such that the passenger can ride thereon comfortably. [0002] [Prior Art] As a vehicle body structure of a vehicle, there has been known, for example, the one described in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 6-48343 "Motor Scooter Type Vehicle". In Figs. 2 and 3 of the above publication, there is shown a vehicle in which auxiliary foot rests 96, 96 (the symbols used in the publication are used here and hereinafter) are provided at side surfaces of a rear cover 94 covering side portions of a rear portion of the vehicle body, and recessed portions 114, 114 are provided respectively along the auxiliary foot rests 96, 96 in the vicinity of the auxiliary foot rests 96, 96. By the presence of the recessed portion 114, the gap between the recessed portion 114 and a power unit 32 on the inside of the rear cover 94 is reduced, resulting in that hot air from an exhaust pipe 44 would not easily enter into the rear cover 94. [0003] [Problems to Be Solved by the Invention] In the running of a vehicle, for example, where it is necessary to run at a low speed in a city street in a summery season, the running airflow may not sufficiently come into contact with the riders and the riders may feel unpleasant. This is more so particularly for the passenger seated on the rear seat. In such a case, the unpleasant feeling can be reduced if the running airflow can be caused to come into contact with the body of the passenger as efficiently as possible by utilizing a part of the vehicle body. The position of the recessed portion 114 of the vehicle as mentioned above is located roughly at the same height as the auxiliary foot rest 96, just corresponding to the position of the shoe of the passenger. Therefore, it is difficult to control the running airflow so as to bring the airflow into contact with the body of the passenger. [0004] In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to improve the vehicle body structure of a vehicle and thereby to enable particularly the passenger to ride comfortably. [0005] [Means for Solving the Problems] In order to attain the above object, claim 1 is characterized in that, in a vehicle comprising a body cover disposed on the lower side of a tandem seat and passenger steps for the passenger seated on a rear portion of the tandem seat to put his feet on provided on the lower side of the body cover, recessed portions are provided at side surfaces of the body cover on the upper side of the passenger steps. [0006] With the recessed portions provided at side surfaces of the body cover on the upper side of the passenger steps, airflows can be passed through the recessed portions, and the airflows can be sufficiently brought into contact with the inside of the legs of the passenger seated on the rear portion of the tandem seat, so that the passenger can feel cool and can ride comfortably. [0007] Claim 2 is characterized in that the recessed portions have a triangular shape with a width reduced toward the rearwardly upward side in side view. With the recessed portions having a triangular shape with a width reduced toward the rearwardly upward side in side view, the appearance property of the body cover can be more emphasized, and a sharp impression can be provided. [0008] Claim 3 is characterized in that rearmost portions of the recessed portions are connected to edge lines provided in a rearwardly upward form on the body cover. Since the triangular recessed portions are connected naturally to the edge lines and the edge lines set off the recessed portions to advantage, the appearance property of the body cover can be further enhanced. [0009] Claim 4 is characterized in that a tail lamp unit is disposed at a rear end portion of the body cover, and the rear end of the tail lamp unit is formed in a V shape with a width reduced toward the rearwardly upward side. [0010] It is possible to respectively emphasize the V-shaped rear ends of the recessed portions and the V-shaped rear end of the tail lamp unit, and to harmonize the V-shaped rear ends of the recessed portions with the V-shaped rear end of the tail lamp unit, so that the appearance property of the side surfaces of the vehicle body can be made to be more attractive. [0011] Claim 5 is characterized in that the body cover is provided at its rear end with a triangular portion with a width reduced toward the rearwardly upward side, and the triangular portion is so formed as to lap over bulbs of winkers provided in the tail lamp unit in side view. [0012] It is possible to emphasize the triangular portion of the body cover, and to synchronize the triangular portion of the body cover with the V-shaped rear ends of the recessed portions and the V-shaped rear end of the tail lamp unit, so that it is possible to provide a better impression design with the feeling of unity as side surfaces of the vehicle body. In addition, the bulbs of the winkers can be protected by the triangular portion of the body cover. [0013] [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention] A mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below based on the accompanying drawings. The drawings are to be looked at according to the posture of symbols. [Brief Description of the Drawings] [Fig. 1] A perspective view of a vehicle adopting a vehicle body structure according to the present invention. [Fig. 2] A side view of a motorcycle according to the present invention. [Fig. 3] A side view showing a major part of the structure of a front portion of a vehicle body in a vehicle according to the present invention. [Fig. 4] A front view showing a major part of the structure of the front portion of the vehicle body in the vehicle according to the present invention. [Fig. 5] A sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4. [Fig. 6] A side view of the vehicle body in the vehicle according to the present invention. [Fig. 7] An action view for illustrating the action of recessed portions of the vehicle body in the vehicle according to the present invention. [Fig. 8] A perspective view showing a major part of a rear portion of the vehicle body in the vehicle according to the present invention. [Fig. 9] A side view of a major part of the rear portion of the vehicle body in the vehicle according to the present invention. [Fig. 10] A back elevation showing the rear portion of the vehicle body in the vehicle according to the present invention. [Fig. 11] A perspective view showing the rear portion of the vehicle body in the vehicle according to the present invention. [Fig. 12] A plan view of the rear portion of the vehicle body in the vehicle according to the present invention. [Fig. 13] An action view for illustrating the action of the rear portion of the vehicle body in the vehicle according to the present invention. [Fig. 14] An illustration of a luggage storing structure of the vehicle body in the vehicle according to the present invention. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle adopting a vehicle body structure according to the present invention. A motorcycle 10 as the vehicle is a vehicle which is provided with designs of individual parts with the feeling of unity, is provided with a strong appeal of a fierce and sharp appearance which has been poor in the conventional bicycles, particularly, in a motor scooter type vehicle, and is additionally provided with characteristic functions. [0014] Namely, a handle cover 12 covering a handle 11, a front cover 14 covering an upper portion of a front fork 13, a head lamp 15 and front winkers 16, 16 (the front winker 16 on one side is not shown) embedded in the front cover 14, a front fender 18 covering an upper portion of a front wheel 17, a step floor 21 for the driver to put his feet on, a tandem seat 22, a body cover 23 covering the lower side of the tandem seat 22, a tail lamp unit (not shown) disposed on the rear side of the body cover 23, and a rear grip 24 disposed on the rear side of the tandem seat 22 so as to be gripped by the passenger seated on a rear portion of the tandem seat 22 are the component parts which are objects of addition of the feeling of unity of design and the characteristic functions mentioned above. Incidentally, recessed portions 23a which will be described later of the body cover 23 are hatched for easy understanding of the shape. (This applies also to Figs. 6 and 7 hereinafter.) [0015] Fig. 2 is a side view of the motorcycle according to the present invention. The motorcycle 10 is comprised of a head pipe 32 fitted to the front end of a vehicle body frame 31, the front fork 13 rotatably fitted to the head pipe 32, the front wheel 17 fitted to the lower ends of the front fork 13, the front fender 18 covering the front wheel 17, the handle 11 fitted to an upper portion of the front fork 13, the handle cover 12 covering the handle 11, the front cover 14 covering an upper portion of the front fork 13, a head lamp 15 so disposed that its lens surface forms a continuous surface roughly continuous with a front surface of the front cover 14, the front winkers 16, 16 (the front winker 16 on the depth side is not shown) so disposed that their lens surfaces form continuous surfaces roughly continuous with the front surface of the front cover 14, and a leg shield 33 provided at rear portions of side portions of the front cover 14. [0016] In addition, the motorcycle 10 is comprised of a front inner cover 34 fitted to a rear portion of the leg shield 33, the step floor 21 disposed on the rear side of lower portions of the leg shield 33 and the front inner cover 34, the body cover 23 covering the vehicle body on the rear upper side of the step floor 21, the tandem seat 22 disposed on the upper side of the body cover 23, the rear grip 24 disposed on the rear side of the tandem seat 22, the tail lamp unit 35 disposed on the rear side of the body cover 23, a rear fender 36 fitted to the lower side of a rear portion of the body cover 23, storable passenger steps 37 fitted to rear portions of the step floor 21, and a lower cover 3 8 covering a lower portion of the step floor 21. [0017] Furthermore, the motorcycle 10 is comprised of a swing type power unit 41 swingably fitted to a lower portion of a central portion of the vehicle body frame 31, a rear wheel 42 fitted to a rear portion of the power unit 41, a rear cushion unit 43 whose end portions are fitted respectively to the rear end of the power unit 41 and a rear portion of the vehicle body frame 31, and a stand 44 disposed on the lower side of the power unit 41. [0018] Here, numeral 51 denotes a radiator, 52 denotes a radiator fan, 53 denotes a cooling water reservoir tank, 54 ... (... indicates plurality, here and hereinafter) denote vent ports provided in the lower cover 38, 55 denotes a battery, 56 denotes a spark plug maintenance lid, 57 denotes a carburetor, 61 denotes an air cleaner, 62 denotes a fuel tank, 63 denotes a luggage box for storing a helmet and the like, 64, 64 denote rearview mirrors, 65, 66 denote brake levers (the brake lever 66 on the depth side is not shown), 67 denotes an engine constituting a front portion of the power unit 41, 67a, 67b and 67c denote a cylinder portion, a cylinder head and a head cover respectively which constitute the engine 67, and 68 denotes a crankshaft. [0019] Fig. 3 is a side view showing a major part of the structure of a front portion of the vehicle body in the vehicle according to the present invention. The figure shows the condition wherein a front surface 14a of the front cover 14 at a front portion of the vehicle body and a lens surface 15a of the head lamp 15 are made to be a continuous surface which is roughly steplessly continuous, the front surface 14a of the front cover 14 is constituted of a cover upper surface 14b located above the head lamp 15 and a cover lower surface 14c located below the head lamp 15, upper and lower portions of the lens surface 15a of the head lamp 15 are constituted of a lamp upper surface 15b having an inclination angle 91 relative to the vertical line roughly the same as that of the cover upper surface 14b of the front cover 14 and a lens lower surface 15c having an inclination angle 92 relative to the vertical line smaller than that of the lamp upper surface 15b, and the boundary between the lens upper surface 15b and the lens lower surface 15c is made to be a bending point 15d. [0020] The cover lower surface 14c of the front cover 14 is a portion which is provided at its upper portion with a recessed portion 14d along the lower edge of the head lamp 15. The front cover 14 is molded as one body with the leg shield 33. [0021] The front fender 18 disposed on the lower side of the front cover 14 is a member whose upper edge 18a (namely, the profile) is roughly parallel to the profiles of the cover upper surface 14b and the lens upper surface 15b, in side view. [0022] The handle cover 12 disposed on the upper side of the front cover 14 is a member in which the profile of a front surface 12a thereof is roughly parallel to the profile of a tip end portion 14e exclusive of the recessed portion 14d of the cover lower surface 14c. Incidentally, numeral 71 denotes a meter such as a speed meter and a fuel gage, 72 denotes a meter visor formed as one body with the handle cover 12 so as to cover the front side of the meter 71, and 73 denotes a hook for hanging a shopping bag or the like (the so-called convenience hook). [0023] Fig. 4 is a front view showing a major part of the structure of a front portion of the vehicle body in the vehicle according to the present invention. The figure shows the condition wherein the lower edge 15e of the head lamp 15 and the lower edges 16a, 16a of the front winkers 16, 16 are formed respectively in a V shape, the recessed portion 14d of the front cover 14 is formed in a V shape along the lower edge 15e of the head lamp 15, and an edge line 14f provided at the cover lower surface 14c (this is the front surface 14a on the lower side of both the head lamp 15 and the front winkers 16, 16) of the front cover 14 is formed in a V shape. [0024] In addition, in the figure, it is shown that the handle cover 12 is provided with a groove portion 12b for demarcating the meter visor 72 in a V shape, and the lower edge 12c of the handle cover 12 itself is also formed in a V shape. [0025] The head lamp 15 has the lens surface 15a comprised of a cut surface 15f provided with cuts and a roughly-circular clear surface 15g not provided with cuts, and a position lamp 74 is added to a portion corresponding to the cut surface 15f in a triangular shape at a lower portion. Incidentally, symbol 15h denotes an edge line passing through the bending point 15d, and the lens surface 15a is bent with the edge line 15h as a boundary. [0026] Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4. The head lamp 15 is comprised of a housing 76, a reflector 77 fitted in the housing 76, a head lamp bulb 78 fitted to a roughly central portion of the reflector 77, and a lens 81 fitted to a front portion of the housing 76. A position lamp bulb 82 for the position lamp 74 is fitted to a lower portion of the housing 76, and a position lamp reflector 83 is formed as one body with a lower portion of the reflector 77. Incidentally, 85 and 86 denote a cable and a connector for passing electric current to the head lamp bulb 78, and 87 denotes a seal rubber fitted to a rear portion of the housing 76. [0027] The bending point 15d provided in the lens surface 15a of the lens 81 is provided roughly at the height position of the upper edge 77a of the reflector 77, and most of light reflected by the reflector 77 is transmitted through the lens lower surface 15c, whereby the amount of light radiated to the front side of the vehicle body is secured. [0028] Fig. 6 is a side view of the vehicle body in the vehicle according to the present invention, and shows the condition where a triangular recessed portion 23a with a width reduced toward the rearwarly upward side is provided in a side surface of the body cover 23, and the front end of an edge line 23b formed in a rearwardly upward form on the body cover 23 is connected to a rearmost portion of the recessed portion 23a. The recessed portion 23a is a portion disposed on the upper side of the passenger step 37, in Fig. 2. [0029] Returning to Fig. 6, the body cover 23 is provided at its rear end with an extension portion 23c as a triangular portion with a width reduced toward the rearwardly upward side. The tail lamp unit 35 disposed on the rear side of the body cover 23 is comprised of a stop lamp 91, and rear winkers 92, 92 (the rear winker 92 on the depth side is not shown) disposed on both sides of the stop lamp 91. [0030] The stop lamp 91 is a component part in which the rear end edge (namely, a lens surface) 91b of a lens 91a is formed in a roughly laterally directed V shape so that its width is reduced toward the rearwardly upward side in side view. The rear winker 92 is a component part in which the rear end edge (namely, a lens surface) 92b of a lens 92a is formed in a roughly laterally directed V shape so that its width is reduced toward the rearwardly upward side in side view. [0031] The tandem seat 22 is comprised of a driver's seat 95 as a front half and a passenger's seat 96 as a rear half, and a seat surface 96a of the passenger's seat 96 and a rear portion upper surface 24a of the rear grip 24 are roughly at the same height. [0032] The action of the recessed portion 23a of the body cover 23 described above will be described below. Fig. 7 is an action view for illustrating the action of the recessed portion of the vehicle body in the vehicle according to the present invention. For example, even in the case of running at a low speed in a city street in a summery season, the recessed portion 23a causes the running airflow (the running airflow flows in the direction of the arrow) to sufficiently come into contact with the inside of the leg portion, particularly the leg portion below the knee, of the passenger 98, resulting in that the passenger 98 who is located on the rear side of the driver and whose upper half body or the like would not easily receive the running airflow can feel cool. [0033] Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a major part of a rear portion of the vehicle body in the vehicle according to the present invention, and shows the condition where the large-type rear winkers 92, 92 (the rear winker 92 on the depth side is not shown) are arranged on the rear side of the body cover 23. [0034] Returning to Fig. 6, the rear winker 92 is located between the extension portion 23c of the body cover 23 and the stop lamp 91, in side view. In addition, similarly to the extension portion 23c in the roughly laterally directed V shape of the body cover 23 and the rear end edge 91b in the roughly laterally directed V shape of the stop lamp 91, the rear end edge 92b of the rear winker 92 is formed in a roughly laterally directed V shape. Therefore, the rear winker 92 can occupy an extremely large area between the extension portion 23c of the body cover 23 and the stop lamp 91. [0035] Fig. 9 is a side view of a major part of the rear portion of the vehicle body in the vehicle according to the present invention, and shows the condition where the extension portion 23c of the body cover 23 is so formed as to lap over a winker bulb 101 of the rear winker 92, in side view. [0036] The rear winker 92 adopts an uncolored transparent or translucent lens 92a, so that the entire body of the winker bulb 101 cannot be seen in side view, whereby appearance property is enhanced. In addition, the entire body of the winker bulb 101 is not hidden, and the lens area is enlarged, whereby a lowering of the amount of light is prevented, and visual recognizability from the distance is enhanced. [0037] Fig. 10 is a back elevation showing the rear portion of the vehicle body in the vehicle according to the present invention. Rear surface side edges 91c, 91c of a lower portion of a lens 91a of the stop lamp 91 are broadened toward the lower side, whereby the area of the lens 91a in back view is further enlarged, and its visual recognizability from the rear side is enhanced. [0038] Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the rear portion of the vehicle body in the vehicle according to the present invention, and shows the condition where the rear grip 24 is fitted to the side of the vehicle body-frame 31 (See Fig. 2) through the body cover 23 by bolts 104 ... at three positions. Incidentally, of a rear portion of the tandem seat 22, the hatched portion is a triangular portion 22c which will be described later. [0039] The rear grip 24 is comprised of a V-shaped large width portion 24b, and narrow extension portions 24c, 24c extended respectively from ends of the large width portion 24b. Particularly, the extension portions 24c, 24c are located at the lateral sides of the passenger, so that they can be easily reached by hand. [0040] Fig. 12 is a plan view of the rear portion of the vehicle body in the vehicle according to the present invention, and shows the condition where a rear portion of the tandem seat 22, namely, a rear portion of the passenger's seat 96 is projected rearward in a triangular shape in plan view, and he rear grip 24 is formed in roughly the same shape as the shape of the rear portion of the tandem seat 22 in plan view. [0041] Namely, the rear edge 22a of the tandem seat 22 is formed in a V shape, and the central front edge 24d of the rear grip 24 is formed in roughly the same V shape as the rear edge 22a of the tandem seat 22. [0042] Further, side edges 22b, 22b of the tandem seat 22 are narrowed toward the rear side, and end portion front edges (namely, the inside edges of the extension portions 24c, 24c) 24e, 24e of the rear grip 24 are narrowed toward the rear side in the same manner as the side edges 22b, 22b of the tandem seat 22. [0043] The triangular portion 22c which is hatched is formed at a rear portion of the tandem seat 22, so that the area of the passenger's seat 96 can be enlarged, and it is easier for the passenger to be seated. In addition, it is convenient for loading luggage. [0044] Besides, the rear edge 24f of the rear grip 24, the rear end edge 23d of the body cover 23, the rear end edge 91d of the upper surface of the stop lamp 91, and the rear end edge 35a of the tail lamp unit 35 (the rear end edge 3 5a corresponds to the rear end edge 91d of the upper surface of the stop lamp 91 plus the rear end edges of the upper surfaces of the rear winkers 92, 92 in plan view) are also formed to be narrowed toward the rear side. [0045] Thus, the rear edge 22a of the tandem seat 22, the central front edge 24d and the rear edge 24f of the rear grip 24, the rear end edge 23d of the body cover 23, the upper surface rear end edge 91d of the stop lamp 91, and the rear end edge 35a of the tail lamp unit 35 are respectively formed in a V shape. By this, a design with the feeling of unity can be obtained, and a favorable impression as the design of the rear portion of the vehicle body can be obtained. [0046] Fig. 13 is an action view for illustrating the action of the rear portion of the vehicle body in the vehicle according to the present invention, and shows the condition where elongate luggage 106 is loaded on the seat surface 96a of the passenger's seat 96 of the tandem seat 22 and the rear portion upper surface 24a of the rear grip 24, and is fixed by a rope 107. Where the seat surface 96a of the passenger's seat 96 and the rear portion upper surface 24a of the rear grip 24 are thus set at roughly the same height, the luggage 106 can be loaded stably. [0047] Fig. 14 (a) to (c) are illustrations of the luggage storing structure of the vehicle body in the vehicle according to the present invention. (a) is a perspective view illustrating a central portion of the vehicle body, namely, the step floor 21, of the motorcycle 10, and shows the condition where an upper portion lid 111 is provided at an upper surface of the step floor 21, and a lower portion lid 112 is provided at the lower cover 3 8 under the step floor 21, whereby a storage space (detailed hereinafter) provided in the step floor 21 can be utilized. [0048] (b) is a cross sectional view of the step floor, and shows the condition where a central portion of the step floor 21 has a structure in which the vehicle body frame 31 and sub-frames 114, 114 fitted to lower portions of the vehicle body frame 31 are located at apexes of a triangle, so that a functional component part such as, for example, a radiator 51 is disposed in a central space 115 between the vehicle body frame 31 and the sub-frames 114, 114, a storage space 116 is provided at a lateral side of the central space 115, and for example, an anti-theft member 117 which may be stained is stored in the 2-2- 2-5 storage space 116. The upper portion lid 111 can be fitted to and detached from the step floor 21, and the lower portion lid 112 is a member openable and closable relative to the lower cover 38. [0049] The anti-theft member 117, for example, has one end connected to the sub-frame 114, and the other end capable of being connected to a member installed on the outside of the vehicle such as a guard rail, an electric pole, a pole, etc. By this, in the case of using the anti-theft member 117, it suffices to connect only the other end of the anti-theft member 117, so that the connecting operation can be carried out easily. In addition, by connecting the one end of the anti-theft member 117 to the vehicle body side, the anti-theft member 117 can be prevented from getting lost. The anti-theft member 117 is preferably of the chain type or the wire type. (c) is a perspective view of the lower portion lid 112. The lower portion lid 112 is comprised of a main body 121, and side walls 122, 122 fitted to inside end portions of the main body 121. [0050] As has been descried referring to Fig. 7, the present invention is firstly characterized in that, in the motorcycle 10 comprising the body cover 23 disposed on the lower side of the tandem seat 22, and the passenger steps 37 for the passenger 98 seated on the rear portion of the tandem seat 22 to put his feet on provided on the lower side of the body cover 23, the recessed portions 23a are provided at the side surfaces of the body cover 23 on the upper side of the passenger steps 37. [0051] With the recessed portions 23a provided at the side surfaces of the body cover 23 on the upper side of the passenger steps 37, the airflow can be led through the recessed portions 23a, so that the airflow can be sufficiently brought into contact with the legs of the passenger 9 8 seated on the rear portion of the tandem seat 22, the passenger 98 can feel cool, and can ride comfortably. [0052] The present invention is secondly characterized in that the recessed portions 23a are each formed in a triangular shape with a width reduced toward the rearwardly upward side in side view, as has been described referring to Fig. 6. With the recessed portions 23a each formed in a triangular shape with the width reduced toward the rearwardly upward side in side view, the appearance property of the body cover 23 can be further emphasized, and a sharp impression can be obtained. [0053] The present invention is thirdly characterized in that the rear end portions of the recessed portions 23a are connected to the edge line 23b provided in a rearwardly upward form on the body cover 23. The triangular recessed portions 23a and the edge lines 23b are connected naturally, and the edge lines 23b set off the recessed portions 23a to advantage, and the appearance property of the body cover 23 can be further enhanced. [0054] The present invention is fourthly characterized in that the tail lamp unit 3 5 is disposed at the rear end portion of the body cover 23, and the rear end of the tail lamp unit 35 is formed in a V shape with a width reduced toward the rearwardly upward side in side view. It is possible to emphasize respectively the V-shaped rear ends of the recessed portions 23a and the V-shaped rear end of the tail lamp unit 35, and to harmonize the V-shaped rear ends of the recessed portions 23a and the V-shaped rear end of the tail lamp unit 35, so that the appearance property of the side surfaces of the vehicle body can be made to be more attractive. [0055] The present invention is fifthly characterized in that the body cover 23 is provided at its rear end with the extension portions 23c with a width reduced toward the rearwardly upward side, and the extension portions 23c are each so formed as to lap over the bulbs 101 of the rear winkers 92 provided in the tail lamp unit 35 in side view, as has been described referring to Figs. 6 and 9. [0056] It is possible to emphasize the extension portions 23c of the body cover 23, and to synchronize the extension portions 23c of the body cover 23 with the V-shaped rear ends of the recessed portions 23a and the V-shaped rear end of the tail lamp unit 35, so that it is possible to obtain a design which gives a more favorable impression with the feeling of unity as the side surfaces of the vehicle body. In addition, the bulbs 101 of the rear winkers 92 can be protected by the extension portions 23c of the body cover 23. [0057] [Effects of the Invention] The present invention, constituted as above, displays the following effects. The vehicle body structure of the vehicle as set forth in claim 1 resides in that the recessed portions are provided at side surfaces of the body cover on the upper side of the passenger steps. Therefore, airflow can be led through the recessed portions, and the airflows can be sufficiently brought into contact with the inside of the legs of the passenger seated on a rear portion of the tandem seat, so that the passenger can feel cool, and can ride comfortably. [0058] The vehicle body structure of the vehicle as set forth in claim 2 resides in that the recessed portions are formed in a triangular shape with a width reduced toward the rearwardly upward side in side view, so that the appearance property of the body cover can be further emphasized, and a sharp impression can be obtained. [0059] The vehicle body structure of the vehicle as set forth in claim 3 resides in that the rearmost portions of the recessed portions are connected to the edge lines provided in a rearwardly upward form on the body cover. Therefore, the triangular recessed portions and the edge lines are connected naturally, and the edge lines can set off the recessed portions to advantage, so that the appearance property of the body cover can be further enhanced. [0060] The vehicle body structure of the vehicle as set forth in claim 4 resides in that the tail lamp unit is disposed at the rear end portion of the body cover, and the rear end of the tail lamp unit is formed in a V shape with a width reduced toward the rearwardly upward side in side view. Therefore, it is possible to emphasize respectively the V-shaped rear ends of the recessed portions and the V-shaped rear end of the tail lamp unit, and to harmonize the V-shaped rear ends of the recessed portions and the V-shaped rear end of the tail lamp unit, whereby the appearance property of the side surfaces of the vehicle body can be made to be more attractive. [0061] The vehicle body structure of the vehicle as set forth in claim 5 resides in that the body cover is provided at its rear end with a triangular portion with a width reduced toward the rearwardly upward side, and the triangular portion is so formed as to lap over the bulbs of the winkers provided in the tail lamp unit in side view. Therefore, it is possible to emphasize the triangular portion of the body cover, and to harmonize the triangular portion of the body cover with the V-shaped rear ends of the recessed portions and the V-shaped rear end of the tail lamp unit, whereby it is possible to obtain a design which gives a more favorable impression with the feeling of unity as the side surfaces of the vehicle body. In addition, the bulbs of the winkers can be protected by the triangular portion of the body cover. [Explanation of Symbols] 10: vehicle (motorcycle); 22: tandem seat; 23: body cover; 23a: recessed portion; 23b: edge line; 23c: triangular portion (extension portion); 35: tail lamp unit; 37: passenger step; 92: rear winker; 98: passenger; 101: bulb (winker bulb). We claim 1. A body structure of a vehicle (10) comprising, a body cover (23) disposed on the lower side of a tandem seat (22), and passenger steps (37) for the passenger seated on a rear portion of said tandem seat to put his feet on provided on the lower side of said body cover (23), characterized in that recessed portions (23a) are provided at side surfaces of said body cover (23) on the upper side of said passenger steps (37). 2. A body structure of a vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said recessed portions (23a) have a triangular shape (23c) with a width reduced toward the rearwardly upward side in side view. 3. A body structure of a vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein rearmost portions of said recessed portions (23a) are connected to edge lines (23b) provided in a reanvardly upward form on said body cover (23). 4. A body structure of a vehicle (10) as claimed in claims 2 or 3, wherein a tail lamp unit (35) is disposed at a rear end portion of said body cover (23), and the rear end of said tail lamp unit (35) is formed in a V shape with a width reduced toward the reanvardly upward side in side view. 5. A body structure of a vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein said body cover (23) is provided at its rear end with a triangular portion (23c) with a width reduced toward the reanvardly upward side, and said triangular portion (23c) is so formed as to lap over bulbs of winkers (101) provided in said tail lamp unit (35) in side view.

Documents:

1204-DEL-2002-Abstract-(18-07-2011).pdf

1204-del-2002-abstract.pdf

1204-DEL-2002-Claims-(09-04-2013).pdf

1204-DEL-2002-Claims-(18-07-2011).pdf

1204-del-2002-claims.pdf

1204-DEL-2002-Correspondence Others-(18-07-2011).pdf

1204-DEL-2002-Correspondence-Others-(09-04-2013).pdf

1204-del-2002-correspondence-po.pdf

1204-del-2002-description (complete).pdf

1204-del-2002-drawings.pdf

1204-DEL-2002-Form-1-(18-07-2011).pdf

1204-del-2002-form-1.pdf

1204-del-2002-form-18.pdf

1204-DEL-2002-Form-2-(18-07-2011).pdf

1204-del-2002-form-2.pdf

1204-DEL-2002-Form-3-(18-07-2011).pdf

1204-del-2002-form-3.pdf

1204-del-2002-form-5.pdf

1204-DEL-2002-GPA-(09-04-2013).pdf

1204-DEL-2002-GPA-(18-07-2011).pdf

1204-del-2002-gpa.pdf

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