Title of Invention

FUEL COCK OPERATING APPARATUS FOR SCOOTER TYPE VEHICLE

Abstract

[Solving Means] A fuel cock operating apparatus 34 for a scooter type vehicle is comprised of a fuel cock opening/closing mechanism 41 provided on the side of a fuel tank 24, an operating mechanism 42 disposed at a level higher than a low-floor type floor 36 and on the lower side of a luggage box 22, and a wire 43 laid between a first pulley in the fuel cock opening/closing mechanism 41 and a second pulley in the operating mechanism 42. An operating lever in the operating mechanism 42 is covered with a vehicle body cover 28, and the vehicle body cover is provided with a lever operating opening. [Effects] A luggage box with such a large volume as to be capable of containing a large thing such as a helmet can be secured under a seat. The operating lever can be operated without need to open and close the seat, and enhancement of operability of the operating lever can be contrived. [Selected Drawing] FIG. 1

Full Text

FORM 2 THE PATENTS ACT 1970 [39 OF 1970] COMPLETE SPECIFICATION [See Section 10, rule 13] "FUEL COCK OPERATING APPARATUS FOR SCOOTER TYPE VEHICLE" HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., a corporation of Japan having a place of business at 1-1, Minamiaoyama 2-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan, The following specification particularly describes the nature of the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed :- [retailed Description of the invention] [0001] [Technical Field to which the Invention Pertains] The present invention relates to a fuel cock operating apparatus for a scooter type vehicle. [0002] , [Prior Art] / 2 In a conventional fuel cock operating apparatus, a fuel cock of a fuel tank disposed on the lower side in a motorcycle is operated in a remote mode by operating an operating portion disposed on the upper side in the motorcycle (see, for example, Patent Reference 1). [0003] [Patent Reference 1] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Hei 8-4397 (pp. 2-3, FIG. 1) [0004] Patent Reference 1 will be described in detail, referring to the drawings. FIG. 15 is an illustration of a fuel cock operating apparatus for a motorcycle according to the prior art (a copy of FIG. 1 in Patent Reference 1). The fuel cock operating apparatus is of the type in which a fuel cock 4 disposed on the lower side in the motorcycle is operated by an operating handle 14 disposed on the upper side in the motorcycle. Push-pull wires 19, 19 are laid between an operating pulley 13 (see FIG. 2 in the publication) at the operating handle 14 and an action pulley 10 at the fuel cock 4, whereby the system can be operable without stooping, and operability of the system can be enhanced. [0005] 3 [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the fuel cock operating apparatus shown in FIG. 15, however, at the time of operating the operating handle 14, it is necessary to first release a lock mechanism (not shown) at a seat 1 by use of a key, then to hold the seat 1 in the state of being oscillated upwards, to operate the operating handle 14, and thereafter to close the seat 1. Thus, it takes time to put the key out and in and to open and close the seat 1. In addition, where the operating handle 14 is disposed on the lower side of the seat 1, the open space on the lower side of the seat 1 is reduced due to the presence of the operating handle 14, resulting in that a luggage box portion cannot be provided on the lower side of the seat 1 or the volume of the luggage box portion provided on the lower side of the seat 1 would be reduced. [0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cock operating apparatus for a scooter type vehicle which ensures that a large-volume luggage box can be secured on the lower side of a seat and enhancement of operability of an operating lever can be contrived. [0007] [Means for Solving the Problems] 4 In order to attain the above object, claim 1 resides in a fuel cock operating apparatus for a scooter type vehicle including a low-floor type floor provided between a steering handle and a seat, a luggage box provided at a front portion on the lower side of the seat, a fuel tank provided at a rear portion on the lower side of the seat, a fuel cock provided at a lower portion of the fuel tank, the fuel cock being provided with a first pulley for opening and closing the fuel cock, a second pulley provided on the front side of the first pulley, a wire laid between the first and second pulleys, and an operating lever integrally attached to the second pulley, the fuel cock being operable by operating the operating lever, wherein the operating lever and the second pulley are disposed at levels higher than the low-floor type floor a.nd on the lower side of the luggage box. [0008] With the luggage box provided at a front portion on the lower side of the seat and with the operating lever disposed on the lower side of the luggage box, an open space for making it possible to enlarge the volume of the luggage box under the seat is obtained. [0009J Claim 2 is characterized in that the operating lever and the second pulley are attached to the side of a 5 vehicle body frame, the vehicle body frame, the operating lever, the second pulley, the luggage box and the fuel tank are collectively covered with a vehicle body cover, and the vehicle body cover is provided with a lever operating opening for operating the operating lever therethrough. [0010] Since the operating lever disposed near the lever operating opening in the vehicle body cover is operated directly by hand, the operating lever can be operated without need to put a key for releasing a lock mechanism for the seat out and in or to open and close the seat, so that operability of the operating lever is enhanced. [0011] Claim 3 is characterized in that a rear portion of the vehicle body cover is connected to a vehicle body frame through a hinge so that the vehicle body cover is an open-front type cover, and the operating lever is disposed on the inside of the turning locus of the lower end of the opening in the vehicle body cover so as not to hamper opening and closing motions of the vehicle body cover. [0012] At the time of providing the operating lever inside the vehicle body cover, if the operating lever is 6 projected beyond the outside surface of the vehicle body cover, operability of the operating lever is enhanced, but the vehicle body cover interferes with the operating lever at the time of opening the vehicle body cover. In consideration of this problem, the operating lever is sunk to such a position as not to hamper the opening and closing motions of the vehicle body.cover, to contrive enhancement of the operability of the operating lever and securing of the opening and closing of the vehicle body cover. [0013] Claim 4 is characterized in that the luggage box and the vehicle body cover are attached to a stay provided on the front side of a rear grip. It is contrived to enhance the strength of the vehicle body cover united with the luggage box by the stay and to enhance the strength of the rear grip. [0014] [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention] An embodiment of 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. The terms "left" and "right" refer to the directions as viewed from the rider, "front (or forward)" means the forward-running side, and "rear (or rearward)" 7 means the side opposite to the forward-running side. [Brief Description of the Drawings] [FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a left side view of a scooter type vehicle according to the present invention. [FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fuel cock operating apparatus according to the present invention. [FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view (No. 1) of a fuel cock opening/closing mechanism in the fuel cock operating apparatus according to the present invention. [FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view (No. 2) of the fuel cock opening/closing mechanism in the fuel cock operating apparatus according to the present invention. [FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the fuel cock opening/closing mechanism in the fuel cock operating apparatus according to the present invention. [FIG. 6] 8 FIG. 6 is a detailed view of part 6 of FIG. 1. [FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an operating mechanism in the fuel cock operating apparatus according to the present invention. [FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the operating mechanism in the fuel cock operating apparatus according to the present invention. [FIG. 9] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the operating mechanism in the fuel cock operating apparatus according to the present invention. [FIG. 10] FIG. 10 is a left side view of a vehicle body cover according to the present invention. [FIG. 11] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a hinge according to the present invention. [FIG. 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a rear grip according to the present invention. [FIG. 13] FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 1. 9 [FIG. 14] FIG. 14 is a view illustrating the opening and closing of the vehicle body cover covering an operating lever according to the present invention. [FIG. 15] FIG. 15 is an illustration of a fuel cock operating aooaratus for a motorcycle according to the prior art. 10 FIG. r i s a left siOe view of a scooter type vehicle according to the present invention. The scoote type venicie 10 is a scooter including, as principal components, a vehicle body frame 11, a front fork 12 mounted to the front side of the vehicle body frame 11, front wheel 13, a front fender 14 and a steering handle 15 mounted onto the front fork 12, a swing-type power unit 16 mounted to a lower portion of the vehicle body frame 11 and including a wheel side engine having a fou cycle horizontal engine disposed on a lateral side of a wheel of a rear wheel 17 and a transmission which are provided as an integral unit, the rear wheel 17 mounted to a rear portion of the power unit 16, a rear suspensic for suspending the power unit 16, a luggage box 22 disposed in the center of the vehicle body frame 11, a seat 23 disposed as an upper-portion of the luggage box 22, a fuel tank 24 mounted to an upper portion of the vehicle body frame 11, a body cover 25 for covering the vehicle body frame 11, and a rear grip 2 6 provided at a rear portion. Symbol 2 7 denotes a hinge attached to a rear portion of the vehicle body frame 11, 2 8 a body uni as a vehicle body cover, 31 the engine of the power unit 16, 32 a rear frame constituting a rear portion of the 11 vehicle body frame 11, 34 a fuel cock operating apparatus, and 35 denotes a front frame of the vehicle body frame 11. [0016] The body cover 2 5 includes a low-floor type floor 36 provided between the steering handle 15 and the seat 23, and a rear cover 37 provided on the rear side. The fuel cock operating apparatus 34 is comprised of a fuel cock opening/closing mechanism 41 provided at a lower portion of the fuel tank 24, an operating mechanism 42 disposed at a level higher than the low-floor type floor 3 6 and on the lower side of the luggage box 2 2, and a wire 43 having one end hooked onto the fuel cock opening/closing mechanism 41 and the other end hooked onto the operating mechanism 42. [0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fuel cock operating apparatus according to the present invention, showing that the fuel cock operating apparatus 3 4 is comprised of the fuel cock opening/closing mechanism 41, the operating mechanism 42, and the wire 43, and showing the rear frame 32 and the fuel tank 24. [0018] The rear frame 3 2 has a structure in which a lower cross member 32b is attached to lower portions of left and right rear pipes 32a, 32a, an upper first cross 12 member 32c and an upper second cross member 32d are attached to upper portions of th£ rear pipes 32a, 32a, first brackets 32e, 32e and a second bracket 32f are attached to the upper first cross member 32c, third brackets 32g, 32g are attached to the upper second cross member 32d, and a luggage box mount bracket 32h is attached to the lower cross member 32b. [0019] The fuel tank 24 includes a front flange portion 24b which is attached to the second bracket 32f with bolts 24a, 24a, and a rear flange portion 24d which is attached to the third brackets 32g, 32g with bolts 24c, 24c. The wire 43 is comprised of an opening wire 45 and a closing wire 46. [0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view (No. 1) of the fuel cock opening/closing mechanism in the fuel cock operating apparatus according to the present invention. The fuel cock opening/closing mechanism 41 has a structure in which a fuel cock 48 is provided at a lower portion of the fuel tank 24, the fuel cock 48 is provided with a first pulley 51 for opening and closing the fuel cock 48, and a tank-side bracket 52 is attached to a lower portion of the fuel tank 24. 13 [0021] A stop position of the first pulley 51 shown in FIG. 3 is an "OFF" position where the fuel cock 48 is closed. When the first pulley 51 is turned to the left (in the direction of arrow ®) from the "OFF" position shown in the figure, the first pulley 51 comes to an "ON" position where the fuel cock 4 8 is opened. When the first pulley 51 is turned to the right (in the direction of arrow (D) from the "OFF" position shown in the figure, the first pulley 51 comes to a "RES" position where the fuel cock 48 is switched to a reserve state. [0022] The opening wire 45 of the wire 43 is comprised of a wire cable outer 53, an inner wire 54, and a hook portion 55 provided at one end of the inner wire 54. The material of the inner wire 54 is, for example, stainless steel. The closing wire 46 is the same as the opening wire 45. [0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view (No. 2) of the fuel cock opening/closing mechanism in the fuel cock operating apparatus according to the present invention, showing the fuel cock 48 of the fuel cock opening/closing mechanism 41/ the first pulley 51 provided on the fuel cock 48, and 14 the tank-side bracket 52 fixed to a lower portion of the fuel tank 24 with bolts 57, 57. [0024] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the fuel cock opening/closing mechanism in the fuel cock operating apparatus according to the present invention. The fuel cock 48 includes a cock main body 61, a filter 62, a connection mouthpiece 63, and a joint nut 64. The first pulley 51 includes a resin-made pulley main body 6 6 provided with guide grooves 67, 67, hook recessed portions 68, 68, and an angular hole 71 into which the cock main body 61 is fitted. Symbol 72 denotes a small screw. The tank-side bracket 52 is provided with wire fixing portions 73, 73 for fixing the wire 43. [0025] FIG. 6 is a detailed view of part 6 of FIG. 1, show-ing the operating mechanism 42 and the body unit 28, and showing that the bottom of the luggage box 22 is fixed to the luggage box mount bracket 3 2h with a bolt 22a. [0026] The rear cover 37 of the body unit 28 is provided with a lever operating opening 82 for operating an operating lever 78 of the operating mechanism 42 15 there through. Symbol 83 denotes a ring member provided at the lever operating opening 82. [0027] The operating mechanism 42 is comprised of an operating-side bracket 76 fixed to the rear frame 32 of the vehicle body frame 11 by welding, a second pulley 77 turnably fitted in the operating-side bracket 76, and an operating lever 78 integrally attached to the second pulley 77. The operating lever 78 is disposed on the inside (in the direction of arrow a) of the turning locus 82b of the lower end 82a of the opening in the body unit 2 8 (rear cover 37) so as not to hamper the opening and closing motions (in the directions © and ©) of the body unit 28. Symbol 81 denotes a small screw. [0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the operating mechanism in the fuel cock operating apparatus according to the present invention, showing the rear side of the operating mechanism 42, and showing that the operating-side bracket 76 is welded to the rear frame 32 on the lower sicie of the luggage box mount bracket 32h (see FIG. 6) in the vicinity of the .connection between the front frame 35 (see FIG. 6) and the rear frame 32, the second pulley 77 and the operating lever 78 are fitted in the operating-side bracket 7 6 in a turnable condition (in the 16 directions of arrows ® and ©) , and the wire 43 (the opening wire 45 and the closing wire 46) is hooked onto the second pulley 77. [0029] At the other end of the opening wire 45, the other end of the inner wire 54 is provided with a hook portion 84, the wire cable outer 53 is provided with an adjusting portion 85, and the length of the opening wire 45 is increased or decreased by use of the adjusting portion 8 5. The other end of the closing wire 4 6 is the same as the other end of the opening wire 45. [0030] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the operating mechanism in the fuel cock operating apparatus according to the present invention, showing that the operating mechanism 42 is comprised of the operating-side bracket 76, the second pulley 77, and the operating lever 78, as has been described above. Symbol 86 denotes a resin-made collar, which is attached to the operating lever 78. [0031] In addition, the operating mechanism 42 has a structure in which the operating lever 78 and the second pulley 77 are assembled into an integral unit, and the operating bracket 76 and the collar 86 are assembled into . an integral unit, with the operating lever 78 being 17 turned inside the collar 86. [0032] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the operating mechanism in the fuel cock operating apparatus according to the present invention. The operating-side bracket 76 includes a welding fixing portion 91 provided at one end thereof, a fitting hole 92 provided in the center thereof, and spline grooves 93... (....indicates plurality, here and hereinafter). [0033] The collar 8 6 is comprised of a ring portion 94 and spline projected portions 95... to be engaged respectively with the fitting hole 92 and the spline grooves 93--- in the operating-side bracket 76, and an inner circumferential surface 96 for receiving the operating lever 78. [0034] The second pulley 77 includes a resin-made pulley main body 101 provided with guide grooves 102, 102, hook recessed portions 103, 103, and an angular projected portion 104 for fitting of the operating lever 78. [0035] The operating lever 78 is provided with an angular hole 106 into which the angular projected portion 104 of 18 the second pulley 77 is fitted, and when the angular projected portion 104 is fitted in the angular hole 106, the operating lever 78 is united with the second pulley 77. When the operating lever 78 is set into an "OFF" position, the first pulley 51 {see FIG. 3) and the fuel cock 48 (see FIG. 3) are put into an "OFF" state; when the operating lever 78 is set into an "ON" position, the first pulley 51 {see FIG. 3) and the fuel cock 48 {see FIG. 3) are put into an "ON" state; and when the operating lever 78 is set into a "RES" position, the first pulley 51 (see FIG. 3) and the fuel cock 48 (see FIG. 3) are put into a "RES" state. [0036] FIG. 10 is a left side view of the vehicle body cover according to the present invention. The body unit 28 as the vehicle body cover includes the luggage box 22, the seat 23, the rear cover 37, the rear grip 26, and a hinge first bracket 142 for the hinge 27, which are assembled into an integral unit. The body unit 2 8 collectively covers the vehicle body frame 11 shown in FIG. 1, the operating lever 78 (see FIG. 8), the second pulley (see FIG. 8), the luggage box 22, and the fuel tank 24. [0037] FIG: 11 is an exploded view of the hinge according 19 to the present invention. The hinge 21 has a structure in which a hinge second bracket 143 is attached to the rear frame 32 of the vehicle body frame 11, a pivot pipe 144 is attached to the hinge second bracket 143, cushion rubbers 145, 145 are fitted respectively over both ends of the pivot pipe 144, and U-shaped guide members 146, 146 of the hinge first bracket 142 are fitted over the cushion rubbers 145, 145. Symbols 147, 147 denote holes through which bolts for attaching the rear grip 2 6 (see FIG. 10) are to be passed. [0038] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the rear grip according to the present invention. The rear grip 26 functions also as a reinforcing member for the body unit 28 (see FIG. 10), and has a structure in which the rear ends 152, 152 of a sub-frame 151 as a stay for supporting the luggage box 22 (see FIG. 10) and the rear cover 37 of the body unit 28 are attached to a U-shaped first grip 148, second grips 153, 153 are fixed to the sub-frame 151, and lugs 155, 155 are attached to the front ends 154, 154 of the sub-frame 151. The lower ends 148a, 148a of the first grip 148 are fitted in recessed portions provided with the bolt-passing holes 147 (see FIG. 11), 147 (see FIG. II), and bolts are screwed in, whereby the first grip 148 is .fixed to the hinge first bracket 142. 20 [0039] Next, the point of the process of mounting the rear grip 26 will be described. First, the lower ends 148a, 148a of the U-shaped first grip 148 and the hinge first bracket 142 (see FIG. 11) are fastened to each other with bolts, and a rear portion of the luggage box 22 and an upper end portion of the rear cover 3 7 are fixed to the lugs 155, 155 provided at the fronts end of the sub-frame 151 with stud bolts 157, 157, to form the body unit 28 (see FIG. 10) integral with the side of the rear grip 26. Subsequently, the rear grip 2 6 is mounted to the rear frame 32 (see FIG. 11) of the vehicle body frame. Specifically, the hinge first bracket 142 (fitted as indicated by dot-dash line arrow in FIG. 11) is assembled, and the lugs 155, 155 of the rear grip 26 are fixed to the first brackets 32e, 32e (see FIG. 2) of the upper first cross member 32c (see FIG. 2) of the vehicle body frame with opening/closing bolts 158, 158. This will be described in detail, referring to the next drawing. [0040] FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 1, showing the process of attaching and detaching the central portion of the body unit 28. As has been described above, the central portion of 21 the body unit 28 has an attached structure in which the luggage box 22 and the rear cover 37 are integrally assembled with the stud bolts 157, 157 welded to the lugs 155, 155 of the rear grip 26, and these three component parts are fixed to the brackets 84, 84 of the upper first cross member 32c of the vehicle body frame 11 with the opening/closing bolts 158, 158. On the other hand, at the time of detachment, the opening/closing bolts 158, 158 and the bolt 22a (see FIG. 6) at a front lower portion of the luggage box 22 are removed (by opening the seat 23) , whereby the three component parts can be turned in an integrated state, namely, in the state of the body unit 28. [0041] FIG. 14 is a view illustrating the opening and closing of the vehicle body cover covering the operating lever according to the present invention. The body unit 28 as the vehicle body cover is an open-front type cover in which a rear portion of the body unit (vehicle body cover) 28 is connected to the vehicle body frame 11 through the hinge 27, whereby the body unit (vehicle body cover) 2 8 is turned upwards and downwards (in the directions of arrows © and ©) with the hinge 27 as a center. The operating lever 78 inside the body unit 28 is 22 provided at such a position as not to hamper the opening and closing motions (in the directions (D and ©) of the body unit 28, as has been described above. [0042] Next, the point of the process of opening and closing the body unit 28 will be described briefly. First, the seat 23 is opened, the bolt 22a (see FIG. 6) for fixing the bottom of the luggage box 22 to the vehicle body frame 11 and the opening/closing bolts 158, 158 for fixing the central portion of the body unit 2 8 are removed, and the seat 23 is closed. Subsequently, the rear cover 37 is opened as indicated by arrow ©. In other words, the body unit 27 is turned upwards (in the direction of arrow ©) . [0043] Functions of the fuel cock operating apparatus for a scooter type vehicle as described above will be described below. The operating lever 7 8 and the second pulley 77 are disposed at levels higher than the low-floor type floor 36, as shown in FIG. 6, and on the lower side of the luggage box 22, as shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, a luggage box 22 with such a large volume as to be capable of containing a large thing such as a helmet can be secured under the seat 23. 23 [0044] As shown in FIG. 6, the operating lever 7 8 and the second pulley 77 are mounted to the vehicle body frame 11, the vehicle body frame 11 and the operating lever 78 are collectively covered with the body unit 28 serving as the vehicle body cover, and the rear cover 3 7 of the body unit 28 is provided with the lever operating opening 82 for operating the operating lever 7 8 therethrough. Therefore, the operating lever 7 8 can be operated without need to put a key for releasing the lock mechanism for the seat out and in or to open and close the seat, and enhancement of operability of the operating lever 7 8 can be contrived. [0045] In addition, since the operating lever 7 8 and the second pulley 77 are mounted to the vehicle body frame 11 and the operating lever 78 is covered with the rear cover 37 of the body unit 28, the rear cover 37 is prevented from projecting largely, and rideability for the rider can be maintained. [0046] As shown in FIG. 14, a rear portion of the body unit 28 as the vehicle body cover is connected to the vehicle body frame 11 through the hinge 27, whereby the body unit 28 is made to be an open-front type cover, and 24 the operating lever 78 is provided at such a position as not to hamper the opening and closing motions of the body unit 28. Therefore, the body unit (vehicle body cover) 28 can be opened, even though the operating lever 7 8 is disposed at a level higher than the low-floor type floor 3 6 shown in FIG. 1 and on the lower side of the luggage box 22. [0047] Since the luggage box 2 2 and the rear cover 3 7 in FIG. 10 are attached to the sub-frame 151 provided on the front side of the rear grip 26, it is possible to enhance the strength of the body unit 28 integrated with the luggage box 2 2 by the sub-frame 151, and to contrive enhancement of the strength of the rear grip. [0048] Incidentally, the open and closed positions, i.e., the "OFF", "ON" and "RES" positions of the operating lever 78 in FIG. 9 shown in the mode of carrying out the present invention are mere examples; the open and closed positions of the operating lever 78 may be only "OFF" and "ON" positions. Therefore, the open and closed positions of the operating lever 7 8 are arbitrary. The "OFF", "ON" and "RES" positions of the first pulley 51 and the fuel cock 48 in FIG. 3 are also arbitrary. 25 The shape of the tank-side bracket 52 and the shape of the operating-side bracket 7 6 are arbitrary. Also, a lid may be provided for closing the lever operating opening 82 for operating the operating lever 78 therethrough. [0049] [Effects of the Invention] The present invention, constituted as described above, displays the following effects. According to claim 1, the operating lever and the second pulley are disposed at levels higher than the low-floor type floor and on the lower side of the luggage box. Therefore, a luggage box with such a large volume as to be capable of containing a large thing such as a helmet can be secured under the seat. [0050] According to claim 2, the operating lever and the second pulley are mounted to the vehicle body frame side, the operating lever is covered collectively with the vehicle body cover, and the vehicle body cover is provided with the lever operating Opening for operating the operating lever therethrough. Therefore, the operating lever can be operated without need to put a key for releasing a lock mechanism for the seat out and in or to open and close the seat, and enhancement of 26 operability of the operating lever can be contrived. [0051] In addition, the operating lever and the second pulley are mounted to the vehicle body frame, and the operating lever is covered with the vehicle body cover. Therefore, the vehicle body cover is prevented from projecting largely, and rideability for the rider can be maintained. [0052] According to claim 3, a rear portion of the vehicle body cover is connected to the vehicle body frame through the hinge, whereby the vehicle body cover is made to be an open-front type cover, and the operating lever is disposed on the inside of the turning locus of the lower end of the opening in the vehicle body cover so as not to hamper the opening and closing motions of the vehicle body cover. Therefore, the vehicle body cover does not interfere with the operating lever at the time of opening the vehicle body cover, so that it is possible to contrive enhancement of operability of the operating lever, and to contrive securing of the opening and closing of the vehicle body cover. [0053] According to claim 4, the luggage box and the vehicle body cover are mounted to the stay provided on 27 the front side of the rear grip. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the strength of the vehicle body cover integrated with the luggage box with the stay, and to contrive enhancement of the strength of the rear grip. [Description of Reference Numerals] 10 ... scooter type vehicle, 11 ... vehicle body frame 15 ... steering handle, 22 ... luggage box, 23 ... seat, 24 ... fuel tank, 2 6 ... rear grip, 2 7 ... hinge, 2 8 ... vehicle body cover (body unit) , 34 ... fuel cock operating apparatus, 36 ... low-floor type floor, 43 ... wire, 4 8 ... fuel cock, 51 ... first pulley, 7 7 ... second pulley, 78 ... operating lever, 82 ... lever operating opening, 82a ... lower end of opening, S2b ... turning locus, 151 ... stay (sub-frame) 28 [What is Claimed is] [Claim 1] A fuel cock operating apparatus for a scooter type vehicle comprising a low-floor type floor provided between a steering handle and a seat, a luggage oo>: provided at a front portion on the lower side of said seat, a fuel tank provided at a rear portion on the lower side of said seat, a fuel cock provided at a lower portion of said fuel tank, said fuel cock being provided with a first pulley for opening and closing said fuel cock, a second pulley provided on the front side of said first pulley, a wire laid between said first and second pulleys, and an operating lever integrally attached to said second pulley, said fuel cock being operable by operating said operating lever, wherein said operating lever and said second pulley are disposed on levels higher than said low-floor type floor and on the lower side of said luggage box. [Claim 2] A fuel cock operating apparatus for a scooter type vehicle according to claim i, wherein said operating lever and said second pulley are attached to the side of a vehicle body frame, said vehicle body frame, said operating lever, said second pulley, said luggage box and 29 said fuel tank are collectively covered with a vehicle body cover, and said vehicle body cover is provided with a lever operating opening for operating said operating lever therethrough. [Claim 3] A fuel cock operating apparatus for a scooter type vehicle according to claim 2, wherein a rear portion of said vehicle body cover is connected to a vehicle body frame through a.hinge, whereby said vehicle body cover is made to be an open-front type cover, and said operating lever is disposed on the inside of the turning locus of the lower end of said opening in said vehicle body cover so as not to hamper opening and closing motions of said vehicle body cover. [Claim 4] A fuel cock operating apparatus for a scooter type vehicle according to claim 3, attached to a stay provided on the front side of a rear grip. 30 31 5. A fuel cock operating apparatus for a scooter type vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 5/11/2003

Documents:

1162-mum-2003-abstract(5-11-2003).doc

1162-mum-2003-abstract(5-11-2003).pdf

1162-MUM-2003-ABSTRACT(5-12-2011).pdf

1162-mum-2003-claims(5-11-2003).doc

1162-mum-2003-claims(5-11-2003).pdf

1162-MUM-2003-CLAIMS(AMENDED)-(5-12-2011).pdf

1162-MUM-2003-CORRESPONDENCE(2-6-2009).pdf

1162-mum-2003-corresponndence(29-10-2007).pdf

1162-mum-2003-corresponndence(ipo)-(7-11-2003).pdf

1162-mum-2003-description(complete)-(5-11-2003).pdf

1162-mum-2003-drawing(5-11-2003).pdf

1162-mum-2003-form 1(5-11-2003).pdf

1162-mum-2003-form 13(2-6-2009).pdf

1162-mum-2003-form 13(29-10-2007).pdf

1162-mum-2003-form 18(29-10-2007).pdf

1162-mum-2003-form 2(5-11-2003).doc

1162-mum-2003-form 2(5-11-2003).pdf

1162-mum-2003-form 2(title page)-(5-11-2003).pdf

1162-mum-2003-form 3(1-6-2004).pdf

1162-mum-2003-form 3(16-6-2004).pdf

1162-mum-2003-form 3(23-4-2004).pdf

1162-mum-2003-form 3(5-11-2003).pdf

1162-MUM-2003-FORM 3(5-12-2011).pdf

1162-mum-2003-form 5(5-11-2003).pdf

1162-MUM-2003-PETITION UNDER RULE-137(5-12-2011).pdf

1162-MUM-2003-PETITION UNDER RULE-137-(5-12-2011).pdf

1162-MUM-2003-POWER OF ATTORNEY(5-12-2011).pdf

1162-mum-2003-power of authority(5-11-2003).pdf

1162-MUM-2003-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT(5-12-2011).pdf