Title of Invention

FRONT BODY COVER STRUCTURE FOR MOTORCYCLE

Abstract

[Problem] To achieve simplification of a molding die used for molding a rear cover and enhance the degree of freedom in molding the rear cover, with respect to a front body cover structure for a motorcycle in which the rear cover for covering a head pipe, which steerably supports a steering stem and is provided at the front end of a body frame, and the steering stem from the rear has formed therein a bulged portion that is curved rearwardly convex so as to avoid interference with the head pipe and the steering stem. [Solution] A rear cover 37A includes a rear cover main body 65, and a cover member 66A attached to the rear cover main body 65 so as to form a bulged portion. [Selected Drawing] Fig. 2

Full Text

[Document Name] Specification [Title of the Invention] FRONT BODY COVER STRUCTURE FOR MOTORCYCLE [Technical Field] [0001] The present invention relates to a front body cover structure for a motorcycle which has a rear cover for covering a head pipe, which steerably supports a steering stem and is provided at the front end of a body frame, and the steering stem from the rear, the rear cover having formed therein a bulged portion that is curved rearwardly convex so as to avoid interference with the head pipe and the steering stem. [Background Art] [0002] In a known scoter-type motorcycle disclosed in Patent Document 1, a leg shield serving as a rear cover for covering a steering stem and a head pipe from the rear is integrally formed of synthetic resin from a step floor to a handlebar cover. [Patent Document 1] JP Patent No. 3875029 [Disclosure of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention] [0003] In the laterally central portion of the leg shield disclosed in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, there is integrally formed a bulged portion that is curved rearwardly convex so as to avoid interference with the steering stem and the head pipe. Since this bulged portion has a larger curvature than the portions positioned on the left and right of the bulged portion, the shape of a molding die used for molding the leg shield becomes complex, and the freedom of design of the leg shield may become restricted as a result. Further, the resulting constraint may also affect the freedom in creating a design that satisfies increasingly diverse user preferences. [0004] The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances mentioned above, and accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a front body cover structure for a motorcycle which achieves simplification of the molding die for molding a rear cover and can enhance the degree of freedom in molding the rear cover. [Means for Solving the Problem] [0005] To attain the above-mentioned object, in an aspect of the invention in Claim 1, there is provided a front body cover structure for a motorcycle, including a rear cover for covering a head pipe, which steerably supports a steering stem and is provided at a front end of a body frame, and the steering stem from the rear, the rear cover having a bulged portion that is curved rearwardly convex so as to avoid interference with the head pipe and the steering stem, in which the rear cover includes a rear cover main body, and a cover member that is attached to the rear cover main body so as to form the bulged portion. [0006] In an aspect of the invention in Claim 2, in addition to the aspect of the invention in Claim 1, the cover member which is matched in color tone to a handlebar cover for covering an upper portion of the steering stem and a central portion of a bar-shaped steering handlebar coupled to an upper end of the steering stem, and which differs in color tone from the rear cover main body is formed in a shape that is smoothly continuous to a back surface of a central portion of the handlebar cover. [0007] In an aspect of the invention in Claim 3, in addition to the aspect of the invention in Claim 1 or 2, an accessory is attached to the cover member. [0008] In an aspect of the invention in Claim 4, in addition to the aspect of the invention in Claim 3, the accessory is a loading hook formed integrally with the cover member. [0009] In an aspect of the invention in Claim 5, in addition to the aspect of the invention in Claim 3, a battery is arranged in front of the head pipe, and a speaker or a navigation unit as the accessory is disposed on the cover member. [Effect of the Invention] [0010] According to the aspect of the invention in Claim 1, since the bulged portion of the rear cover is formed by the cover member attached to the rear cover main body, it is possible to simplify the shape of a molding die used for molding the rear cover main body, and also enhance the degree of freedom in the overall shape of the rear cover. According to the aspect of the invention in Claim 2, the cover member is formed smoothly continuous to the handlebar cover located above the cover member, and is matched in color tone to the handlebar cover. A sense of integrity with the handlebar cover can be thus created, which provides an effect of increasing the sharpness of the overall body design, and also allows for differentiation of the motorcycle by accentuating the body design. [0012] According to the aspect of the invention in Claim 3, a motorcycle having an accessory function can be obtained by replacing only the cover member without replacing the entire cover member, thereby making it possible to achieve differentiation of the motorcycle at low cost. [0013] According to the aspect of the invention in Claim 4, since the loading hook is formed integrally with the cover member, as compared with a case where the loading hook is provided separately from the body cover, it is possible to avoid an increase in the number of parts, and obtain a motorcycle including the loading hook by only replacing the cover member. [0014] According to the aspect of the invention in Claim 5, a motorcycle having the speaker or navigation unit disposed at a position near the battery can be obtained without replacing the entire vehicle cover. [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention] Hereinbelow, ernbodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [0016] Figs. 1 to 10 show a first eiribodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 is a side view of a scooter-type motorcycle. Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view of the front portion of the scooter-type motorcycle, Fig. 3 is a view as seen along the arrow 3 in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a rear view as seen along the arrow 4 in Fig. 2, Fig. 5 is a rear view corresponding to Fig. 4 in a state with a cover member detached, Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in Fig. 4, Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 7-7 in Fig. 4, Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 8-8 in Fig. 4, Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 9-9 in Fig. 4, and Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 10-10 in Fig. 4 [0017] First, in Fig. 1, a body frame F of a scooter-type motorcycle includes a main frame pipe 17 with a head pipe 16 secured to its front end, a cross pipe 18 that is secured at right angles to the rear end of the main frame pipe 17, and a pair of left and right rear frame pipes 19 whose front ends are linked to both end portions of the cross pipe 18. [0018] The main frame pipe 17 is formed by integrally linking a down frame portion 17a inclined rearwardly downward form the head pipe 16, and a lower frame portion 17b extending rearward substantially horizontally from the rear end of the down frame portion 17a. The cross pipe 18 extends in the lateral direction of the body frame F, and the axially central portion of the cross pipe 18 is secured at right angles to the rear end portion of the main frame pipe 17. [0019] A steering stem 20 is steerably supported on the head pipe 16. A front fork 21 with a front wheel WF journaled to its lower end portion is connected to the lower end of the steering stem 20. The central portion of a bar-shaped steering handlebar 22 is coupled to the upper end of the steering stem 20. [0020] A power unit P of a unit swing type is supported on the front portions of both the rear frame pipes 19 in the body frame F in a vertically swingable manner via a link 23. The power unit P includes an engine E arranged on the front side of a rear wheel WR, and a transmission device M arranged to the left of the rear wheel WR. The rear wheel WR is journaled to the rear portion of the power unit P. A rear cushion unit 24 is provided between the left-side rear frame pipe 19 of the pair of left and right rear frame pipes 19 and the rear portion of the power unit P. [0021] An intake pipe 26 is connected to the upper side wall of a cylinder head 25 in the engine E- The intake pipe 26 is connected via a carburetor 28 to an air cleaner 27 arranged to the left of the rear wheel WR. Further, the upstream end of an exhaust pipe 29, which is extended to the right side of the rear wheel WR so as to guide exhaust gas, is connected to the lower side wall of the cylinder head 25. The downstream end of the exhaust pipe 29 is connected to an exhaust muffler 30 arranged to the right of the rear wheel WR. [0022] A storage box 31 arranged above the engine E is supported in place between the front portions of both the rear frame pipes 19 in the body frame F. An occupant seat 32 that covers the storage box 31 from above is supported on the upper front portion of the storage box 31 so as to be openable and closable. Further, a fuel tank 33 is arranged in rear of the storage box 31 so as to be supported by both the rear frame pipes 19. [0023] Referring also to Fig. 2, the body frame F, the engine E, the storage box 31, and the fuel tank 33 are covered with a body cover 35A. The body cover 35A includes a front cowl 36 that covers the head pipe 16 and the steering stem 20 from the front, a center cowl 37A serving as a rear cover for covering the head pipe 16, the steering stem 20, and the upper portion of the down frame portion 17a of the main frame pipe 17 from the rear side, a step floor 38 linked to the lower portion of the center cowl 37A, a pair of left and right leg shields 39 that couple both sides of the front cowl 36, center cowl 37A, and step floor 38 to each other, a pair of left and right upper side under cowls 40, which extend rearward from the lower ends of both the leg shields 39 while covering the lower frame portion 17b of the main frame pipe 17 from the side and are linked to both sides of the step floor 38, a pair of left and right lower side under cowls 41 suspended downward from the lower edges of both the upper side under cowls 4 0, and rear covers 42 that cover the storage box 31 and the fuel tank 33 from both sides and are continuous to the rear ends of the upper side under cowls 40 and lower side under cowls 41. The occupant seat 32 is arranged on the rear covers 42. [0024] The step floor 38 integrally includes a floor portion 38a that is formed flat so that the feet of the rider seated on the occupant seat 32 are placed thereon, and an upright portion 38b extending upright from the front end of the floor portion 38a so as to cover the lower portion of the down frame portion 17a in the main frame pipe 17 from the rear side. The leg shields 39 are coupled to both sides of the upright portion 38b, and the upper side under cowls 40 are coupled to both sides of the floor portion 38a. Further, the lower end of the center cowl 37A is linked to the upper end of the upright portion 38b. [0025] The front wheel WF is covered from above by a front fender 45 including a first-half fender member 43 and a latter-half fender member 44. The front fender 45 is supported by the front fork 17. Further, the rear wheel WR is covered from the rear side and above by a rear fender 46 arranged so as to be suspended downward from the rear portion of the rear cover 42. The rear fender 46 is supported by the rear frame pipes 19. [0026] Of the body cover 35A, the leg shields 39 and the upper side under cowls 40 are made of metal, for example, iron, and the portion excluding the leg shields 39 and the upper side under cowls 40 is made of synthetic resin. Further, of the front fender 45, the first-half fender member 43 is made of iron, for example, and the latter-half fender member 44 is made of synthetic resin. [0027] The upper portion of the steering stem 20 and the central portion of the steering handlebar 22 are covered by a handlebar cover 47 made of synthetic resin. A headlight 48 is disposed in the front portion of the handlebar cover 47, and winkers 4 9 are disposed on both the left and right sides of the front cowl 36. A battery 50 and a horn 51 are disposed in front of the head pipe 16 so as to be covered by the front cowl 36 from the front. The battery 50 and the horn 51 are supported on a support frame 52 secured in place by the head pipe 16. Further, a front license plate 54 is fixed to the front ends of a pair of bar-shaped support members 53 extending forwardly downward from the support frame 52 and projected forward of the front cowl 36. As shown in Fig. 1, a rear license plate 55 is attached to the rear fender 46. [0028] In Fig. 3, a meter unit 58 including a speedometer and a fuel gauge is disposed in the upper portion of the handlebar cover 47. A dimmer switch 59, a winker switch 60, and a horn switch 61 are disposed in the left end portion of the handlebar cover 47, and an on/off switch 62 and a starter/lighting switch 63 for the headlight 48 are disposed in the right end portion of the handlebar cover 47. [0029] Referring also to Figs. 4 and 5, in the upper portion of the center cowl 37A, there is formed a bulged portion that is curved rearwardly convex so as to avoid interference with the head pipe 16 and the steering stem 20. The center cowl 37A includes a center cowl main body 65 serving as a rear cover main body, and a cover member 66A attached to the center cowl main body 65 so as to form the bulged portion. [0030] A choke knob 67 is disposed in the upper left side of the center cowl main body 65, and a main switch 68 is disposed in the upper right side of the center cowl main body 65- An opening 69 having an inverted triangle shape as seen in front view is formed between the choke knob 67 and the main switch 68 and in an upper portion at the center in the width direction of the center cowl main body 65. The cover member 66A is attached to the center cowl main body 65 so as to close the opening 69. Further, the cover member 66A is colored such that the cover member 66a is matched in color tone to the handlebar cover 47 and differs in color tone from the center cowl main body 65. The cover member 66A is formed in a shape that is smoothly continuous to the back surface of the central portion of the handlebar cover 47. [0031] In Fig. 6, mounting portions 70 having pass-through holes 71 are integrally provided at both upper side edges of the opening 69 and in the center cowl main body 65. Bosses 72 provided integrally so as to project from both upper sides of the cover member 66A are abutted on the mounting portions 70 from the rear side along the traveling direction of the motorcycle. Screw members 73, which are passed through the pass-through holes 71 of the mounting portions 70 from the front side, are brought into threaded engagement with the bosses 72. [0032] In Fig. 1, a mounting portion 74 that extends upward inside the opening 69 is integrally provided at the lower side edge of the opening 69 and in the center cowl main body 65. In the mounting portion 74, there are provided a pass-through hole 75, and a positioning hole 76 located above the pass-through hole 75. On the other hand, in the lower potion of the cover member 66A, there are integrally formed a projection 78 and a positioning pin 79. The projection 78 projects forward so as to foi^ a recess 77 that is rearwardly open, with its distal end abutted on the mounting portion 74 from the rear side in a portion corresponding to the pass-through hole 75. The positioning pin 79 is in fitting engagement with the positioning hole 76. Secured to the head pipe 16 at the front end of the body frame F is a stay 80 that abuts on the portion of the center cowl main body 65 corresponding to the pass-through hole 75 of the mounting portion 74 from the front side. A screw member 82, which is passed through the distal end of the projection 78, the pass-through hole 75 of the mounting portion 74, and the stay 80 such that its enlarged head portion 82a is received in the recess 77, is brought into threaded engagement with a weld nut 81 secured to the stay 80. [0033] That is, the cover member 66A is fastened to the center cowl main body 65 at two upper left and right locations, and the lower portion of the cover member 66A is fastened to the stay 80 together with the center cowl main body 65. [0034] In Fig. 8, an elastic member 83 that abuts on the down frame portion 17a of the main frame pipe 17 from the rear side is fitted onto the laterally central portion of the upper end of the upright portion 38b in the step floor 38. Further, a plurality of insertion holes 84 are provided at the upper end of the upright portion 38b so as to be spaced at lateral intervals. Further, inserting projections 85 that can be respectively inserted into the insertion holes 84 from above are provided so as to project from the lower end of the center cowl main body 65 The lower end portion of the center cowl main body 65 is abutted on the upper end of the upright portion 38b in the step floor 38 so that the inserting projections 85 are inserted into the insertion holes 84. [0035] Referring also to Fig. 9, at two vertically spaced locations in both the left and right sides of the center cowl main body 65, projections 88 projecting forward so as to form recesses 87 that are rearwardly open are integrally provided with its distal end abutted on the leg shields 39 from the rear side. Screw members 89, which are passed through the distal ends of the projections 88 and the leg shields 39 so that their enlarged head portions 89a are received in the recesses 87, are brought into threaded engagement with weld nuts 90 secured to the inner surfaces of the leg shields 39. That is, both the left and right side portions of the center cowl main body 65 are fastened to the leg shields 39. [0036] In Fig. 10, rearwardly extending mounting portions 91 are integrally provided in both the left and right sides of the upper portion of the front cowl 36. In both the left and right sides of the upper portion of the center cowl main body 65, projections 93 projecting forward so as to form recesses 92 that are rearwardly open are integrally provided such that their distal ends are abutted on the mounting portions 91 from the rear side. Screw members 94, which are passed through the distal ends of the projections 93 and the mounting portions 91 so that their enlarged head portions 94a are received in the recesses 92, are brought into threaded engagement with nuts 95 that are abutted on and engaged with the mounting portions 91 from the front. [0037] Next, operation of the first embodiment will be described. A bulged portion is formed in the center cowl 37A that covers the head pipe 16 at the front end of the body frame F and the steering stem 20, which is steerably supported on the head pipe 16, from the rear. The bulged portion is curved rearwardly convex so as to avoid interference with the head pipe 16 and the steering stem 20. The center cowl 37A includes the center cowl main body 65, and the cover member 66A attached to the center cowl main body 65 so as to form the bulged portion. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the shape of a mold die used for molding the center cowl main body 65, and also enhance the degree of freedom in the shape of the center cowl 37A as a whole [0038] Further, the cover member 66A is colored so that its color tone is matched to that of the handlebar cover 47 covering the upper portion of the steering stem 20 and the central portion of the steering handlebar 22 and differs from that of the center cowl main body 65. Further, the cover member 66A is formed in a shape that is smoothly continuous to the back surface of the central portion of the handlebar cover 47. A sense of integrity with the handlebar cover 47 can be thus created, which provides an effect of increasing the sharpness of the overall body design, and also allows for differentiation of the motorcycle by accentuating the body design. [0039] A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Fig. 11. A center cowl 37B constituting a part of a body cover 35B includes the center cowl main body 65, and a cover member 663 attached to the center cowl main body 65 so as to form a bulged portion that is curved rearwardly convex so as to avoid interference with the head pipe 16 and the steering stem 20. A loading hook 98 as an accessory is integrally formed with the cover member 66B. [0040] According to the second embodiment, a motorcycle having the loading hook 98 as an accessory can be obtained by replacing only the cover member 66B without replacing the entire cover member 35B, thereby making it possible to achieve differentiation of the motorcycle from competition. Further, since the loading hook 98 is formed integrally with the cover member 66B, it is possible to avoid an increase in the number of parts as compared with a case where the loading hook 98 is provided separately from the body cover. [0041] Figs. 12 and 13 show a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12 is a side view of the third embodiment corresponding to Fig. 2, and Fig. 13 is a view as seen along the arrow 13 in Fig. 12. [0042] A center cowl 37C constituting a part of a body cover 35C includes the center cowl main body 65, and a cover member 66C attached to the center cowl main body 65 so as to form a bulged portion that is curved rearwardly convex so as to avoid interference with the head pipe 16 and the steering stem 20. A tachometer 99 as an accessory is attached to the cover member 66C. [0043] According to the third embodiment as well, a motorcycle having the tachometer 99 can be obtained by replacing only the cover member 66C without replacing the entire cover member 35C, thereby making it possible to achieve differentiation of the motorcycle at low cost. [0044] Fig. 14 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. A center cowl 37D constituting a part of a body cover 35D includes the center cowl main body 65, and a cover member 66D attached to the center cowl main body 65 so as to form a bulged portion that is curved rearwardly convex so as to avoid interference with the head pipe 16 and the steering stem 20. A pair of speakers 100, 100 as accessories are attached to the cover member 66D. [0045] According to the fourth embodiment, a motorcycle having the speakers 100 can be obtained by replacing only the cover member 66D without replacing the entire cover member 35D, thereby making it possible to achieve differentiation of the motorcycle at low cost. Further, since the battery 50 is arranged in front of the head pipe 16, the speakers 100 can be arranged at a position near the battery 50. [0046] Fig. 15 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention A center cowl 37E constituting a part of a body cover 35E includes the center cowl main body 65, and a cover member 66E attached to the center cowl main body 65 so as to form a bulged portion that is curved rearwardly convex so as to avoid interference with the head pipe 16 and the steering stem 20. A navigation unit 101 as an accessory is attached to the cover member 66E. [0047] According to the fifth embodiment, a motorcycle having the navigation unit 101 that is arranged at a position near the battery 50 can be obtained by replacing only the cover member 66E without replacing the entire cover member 35E, thereby making it possible to achieve differentiation of the motorcycle at low cost. While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments but various design modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention defined in the appended claims. [Brief Description of the Drawings] [0049] [Fig. 1] is a side view of a scooter-type motorcycle according to a first embodiment. [Fig. 2] is an enlarged side view of the front portion of a scooter-type motorcycle. [Fig. 3] is a view as seen along the arrow 3 in Fig. 2. [Fig. 4] is a rear view as seen along the arrow 4 in Fig. 2. [Fig. 5] is a rear view corresponding to Fig. 4 in a state with a cover member detached. [Fig. 6] is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in Fig. 4. [Fig. 7] is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 7-7 in Fig. 4. [Fig. 8] is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 8-8 in Fig. 4. [Fig. 9] is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 9-9 in Fig. 4. [Fig. 10] is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 10-10 in Fig. 4. [Fig. 11] is a side view of a second embodiment corresponding to Fig. 2. [Fig. 12] is a side view of a third embodiment corresponding to Fig. 2. [Fig. 13] is a view as seen along the arrow 13 in Fig. 12 [Fig. 14] is a view of a fourth embodiment corresponding to Fig. 3. [Fig. 15] is a view of a fifth embodiment corresponding to Fig. 3. [Description of Reference Numerals] [0050] 16: Head pipe 20: Steering stem F: Body frame 37A, 37B, 37C, 37D, 37E: Center cowl as rear cover 65: Center cowl main body as rear cover main body 66A, 66B, 66C, 66D, 66E: Cover member 22: Steering handlebar 47: Handlebar cover 98: Loading hook as accessory 99: Tachometer as accessory 100: Speaker as accessory 101: Navigation unit as accessory [Document Name] Scope of Claims [Claim 1] A front body cover structure for a motorcycle, comprising a rear cover (37A, 37B, 37C, 37D, 37E) for covering a head pipe (16), which steerably supports a steering stem (20) and is provided at a front end of a body frame (F), and the steering stem (20) from the rear, the rear cover (37A to 37E) having a bulged portion that is curved rearwardly convex so as to avoid interference with the head pipe (16) and the steering stem (20), wherein the rear cover (37A to 37E) includes a rear cover main body (65), and a cover member (66A, 66B, 66C, 66D, 66E) that is attached to the rear cover main body (65) so as to form the bulged portion. [Claim 2] The front body cover structure for a motorcycle according to Claim 1, wherein the cover member (66A to 66E) which is matched in color tone to a handlebar cover (47) for covering an upper portion of the steering stem (20) and a central portion of a bar-shaped steering handlebar (22) coupled to an upper end of the steering stem (20), and which differs in color tone from the rear cover main body (65) is formed in a shape that is smoothly continuous to a back surface of a central portion of the handlebar cover (47)-[Claim 3] The front body cover structure for a motorcycle according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein an accessory (98, 99, 100, 101) is attached to the cover member (66B, 66C, 66D, 66E). [Claim 4] The front body cover structure for a motorcycle according to Claim 3, wherein the accessory is a loading hook (98) formed integrally with the cover member (66B). [Claim 5] The front body cover structure for a motorcycle according to Claim 3, wherein a battery (50) is arranged in front of the head pipe (16), and a speaker (100) or a navigation unit (101) as the accessory is disposed on the cover member (66D, 66E)-

Documents:

433-CHE-2008 AMENDED PAGES OF SPECIFICATION 17-02-2012.pdf

433-CHE-2008 AMENDED CLAIMS 17-02-2012.pdf

433-CHE-2008 CORRESPONDENCE PO.pdf

433-CHE-2008 EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECEIVED 17-02-2012.pdf

433-CHE-2008 FORM-3 17-02-2012.pdf

433-CHE-2008 OTHER PATENT DOCUMENT 17-02-2012.pdf

433-CHE-2008 POWER OF ATTORNEY 17-02-2012.pdf

433-che-2008-abstract.pdf

433-che-2008-claims.pdf

433-che-2008-correspondnece-others.pdf

433-che-2008-description(complete).pdf

433-che-2008-drawings.pdf

433-che-2008-form 1.pdf

433-che-2008-form 18.pdf

433-che-2008-form 26.pdf

433-che-2008-form 3.pdf

433-che-2008-form 5.pdf

abs-433-che-2008.jpg