Support member for a vehicle

Abstract

A support member (100) of a vehicle (200) is disclosed. The support member (100) includes a first bar (110), a second bar (120), a cross bar (130), and a step bar (140). The cross bar (130) connects the first bar (110) and the second bar (120). The cross bar (130) extends along a width direction (W) of a body frame (300) of the vehicle (200). The step bar (140) is provided on a portion of the cross bar (130) and extends away from at least one of the first bar (110) and the second bar (120). The support member (100) distributes forces received from an external source evenly or uniformly on both the first bar (110) and the second bar (120) and avoids tilting, lifting of one of the bars (110, 120) and pivotal movement of the vehicle (200) when the support member (100) is operated by a user of the vehicle (200).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to the field of vehicles. In particular, but not exclusively, this disclosure relates to vehicle support components. Background Technology

[0002] Two-wheeled vehicles require support when stationary or parked. For this purpose, vehicles are equipped with at least one support structure. Typically, two-wheeled vehicles have side brackets and a center bracket. The center bracket supports the full weight of the vehicle, while the side brackets, along with the wheels, bear the weight of the vehicle. The center bracket lifts the rear wheel off the ground, allowing it to rotate freely, thus facilitating bicycle maintenance, upkeep, and repair.

[0003] The center support is equipped with two outriggers configured to support or bear the weight of the vehicle when in use. A lever extends laterally from the center of the vehicle to receive human or external forces / loads that allow the center support to operate from its retracted state to its operational or deployed state. This lever is typically attached to the proximal side of the nearest outrigger, which is closer to the user applying force to the lever. This results in an uneven distribution of input force from the user across the two different outriggers of the center support, with the nearest outrigger connected to the lever receiving the majority of the force. This uneven distribution of force, with one outrigger receiving more force from the user than the other, causes the center support to pivot about the outrigger receiving the majority of the force, while the outrigger receiving less force tends to lift off the surface / ground. This situation can pose a structural threat to the center support and lead to failure in areas of higher stress concentration, and may further threaten the user operating the center support.

[0004] This disclosure is intended to overcome one or more of the foregoing limitations or any other limitations. The information disclosed in the Background section of this disclosure is only for enhancing understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be construed as an admission or any form of implied consent that such information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One or more deficiencies of the prior art are overcome by the systems or apparatuses disclosed below, and additional advantages are provided by the apparatuses described in this disclosure.

[0006] Additional features and advantages are achieved through the technology disclosed herein. Other embodiments and aspects of this disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered part of the claimed disclosure.

[0007] In one non-limiting embodiment of this disclosure, a support member for a vehicle is disclosed. The support member includes a first rod, a second rod, a crossbar, and a pedal rod. The crossbar connects the first rod and the second rod. The crossbar extends along the width direction of the vehicle. The pedal rod is disposed on a portion of the crossbar and extends away from at least one of the first rod and the second rod.

[0008] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the crossbar defines a first portion, a middle portion, and a second portion. A pedal lever is disposed between the middle portion and one of the first and second portions of the crossbar.

[0009] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the pedal lever is defined with a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the middle portion of the crossbar near the first end, and the second end being a free end extending away from the crossbar to receive human loads from an external source.

[0010] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the surface of the second end of the pedal lever includes a plurality of protrusions that can engage with the surface of an external source.

[0011] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the support member includes a pivot tube. A first rod and a second rod are attached to the pivot tube from their respective ends.

[0012] In one embodiment of this disclosure, one of the first and second rods defines a groove to allow a portion of the pedal rod to extend through the groove.

[0013] In another non-limiting embodiment of this disclosure, a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a body frame and a support member. The support member is operatively connected to the vehicle's body frame. The support member includes a first rod, a second rod, a crossbar, and a pedal rod. The crossbar connects the first rod and the second rod. The crossbar extends along the width direction of the vehicle. The pedal rod is disposed on a portion of the crossbar and extends away from at least one of the first rod and the second rod.

[0014] The foregoing description of the invention is merely illustrative and is not intended to be limiting in any way. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The novel features and characteristics of this disclosure are set forth in the specification. However, the disclosure itself, as well as its preferred modes of use, further objectives, and advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and wherein: Figure 1 A side view of a vehicle having a support member in an deployed state, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown. Figure 2 A side view of a vehicle having a support member in a retracted state, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown. Figure 3A An embodiment according to this disclosure is shown. Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the vehicle's body frame; Figure 3B An embodiment according to this disclosure is shown. Figure 3A Exploded view of the vehicle's body frame; Figure 4A An embodiment according to this disclosure is shown. Figure 3B A front view of the support structure; Figure 4B An embodiment according to this disclosure is shown. Figure 4A Side view of the support structure; Figure 5A Another embodiment according to this disclosure is shown. Figure 3B Rear view of the support components; and Figure 5B Another embodiment according to this disclosure is shown. Figure 5A Side view of the support structure.

[0016] Those skilled in the art will understand that the elements in the accompanying drawings are shown for simplicity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to aid in understanding the embodiments of this disclosure. Specific Implementation

[0018] While this disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternatives, specific embodiments thereof have been illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings and will be described in detail below. However, it should be understood that this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the forms disclosed, but rather is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0019] Before describing the detailed embodiments, it can be observed that the novelty and inventiveness of this disclosure lies in the construction and configuration of the support members of the vehicle body frame. However, such modifications should be construed as being within the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the accompanying drawings illustrate only those specific details relevant to understanding embodiments of this disclosure, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art who have the benefits of the description herein.

[0020] The terms “comprising,” “including,” or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that an apparatus, structure, or method that includes a series of components or steps may include not only those components or steps but also other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to the apparatus, structure, or method. In other words, one or more elements in an apparatus introduced by “comprising…” do not exclude the presence of other elements or additional elements in the apparatus, unless further constraints are imposed.

[0021] The following paragraphs refer to Figures 1 to 5B This disclosure is described. In the accompanying drawings, the same one or more elements having similar functions are indicated by the same reference numerals. Referring generally to the drawings, a configuration of a two-wheeled vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of this disclosure is shown. The drawings show the body frame of the two-wheeled vehicle (200), which may generally be identified by reference numeral (300). Hereafter, the body frame (300) may also be referred to as the frame (300), and the terms are used interchangeably. The body frame (300) of the vehicle (200) embodies a support member, which is identified by reference numeral 100 in the corresponding drawings. Other features and elements of the body frame (300) that support the components of the vehicle (200) are depicted by their respective reference numerals in the corresponding figures, and the same reference numerals will be used thereafter corresponding to the respective features. It should be understood that the teachings of this disclosure are not limited to any particular vehicle. In the corresponding figures, only the essential features that are important for understanding the novel configuration according to this disclosure are labeled.

[0022] While other features are explained in detail, they are not labeled so as not to obscure the embodiments. Although a specific configuration of the body frame (300) is described in this disclosure, it should not be construed as a limitation of this disclosure. The novelty and inventiveness of this disclosure lies in the support member (100) of the body frame (300) of the vehicle (200). The body frame (300) of this disclosure may be embodied as a main frame, a single-cradle frame, a double-cradle frame, a peripheral frame, a truss frame, a monocoque frame, etc. The body frame (300) of this disclosure may also be embodied as a frame used in the manufacture of scooters / assist bicycles, including a lower-rib or step-back frame.

[0023] The terms “vehicle,” “two-wheeled vehicle,” “electric vehicle,” “motorcycle,” and “motorcycle” are used interchangeably throughout this specification. The term “vehicle” includes vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, mopeds, scooter-type vehicles, etc. In this disclosure, the term “exemplary” is used herein to mean “as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment or implementation described herein as “exemplary” should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous relative to other embodiments. Although this disclosure is described in the context of two-wheeled vehicles, the features shown can also be used with other types of vehicles. The terms “front / forward,” “rear / backward / rear / rearward / rearside,” “upper / upper / top,” “raised / closed,” and “lower / lower / downward / below, bottom” as used herein indicate the direction seen from the perspective of a driver straddling the vehicle.

[0024] The following detailed description is exemplary only and is not intended to limit the application and use. Furthermore, it is not intended to be bound by any theory set forth in the foregoing background or the invention description or the following detailed description. It should be understood that, unless explicitly stated otherwise, this disclosure may take various alternative orientations and sequences of steps. It should also be understood that the specific devices or components shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept defined in the appended claims. In the following, preferred embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. While specific terms such as “front,” “back,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” and “right,” as well as other terms that incorporate these specific terms and indicate a particular direction, will be used, their use is solely for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Therefore, it should be noted that the meaning of these terms or terms should not unduly limit the technical scope of the invention.

[0025] Furthermore, it should be understood that the wording and terminology used herein are for descriptive purposes only and should not be considered limiting. Unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms “fixed,” “accommodate,” “installed,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupling,” and their variations, are used extensively and cover direct and indirect installation, connection, support, and coupling. Moreover, “connection” and “coupling” are not limited to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. It should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific apparatus, methods, applications, conditions, or parameters described and / or shown herein, and the terminology used herein is to describe embodiments by way of example and is not intended to limit the claimed invention. Various embodiments will be described in the following description. Specific configurations and details are outlined for illustrative purposes to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. Furthermore, known features may be omitted or simplified so as not to obscure the embodiments.

[0026] like Figures 1-2 As shown, the vehicle (200) or two-wheeled vehicle includes one or more body parts, such as a body frame (300), a steering mechanism (240), at least one front ground contact member / driven wheel (210), at least one rear ground contact member (220) / drive wheel, a fuel tank (not explicitly shown), headlights (230), and a cover assembly adapted to cover the body frame (300) and provide aesthetics for the vehicle (200). The fuel tank may be configured to be mechanically fastened to the body frame (300) of the vehicle (200). The body frame (300) supports a power unit, which includes, but is not limited to, a drive motor / engine (not explicitly shown) and a transmission unit coupled to the drive motor or internal combustion engine. In an illustrative embodiment, the power unit may be located in the middle portion of the vehicle (200). The body frame (300) may support the power unit in the middle portion of the vehicle (200). The drive motor of the power unit provides the necessary power to drive the rear wheels of the vehicle (200). In the example shown, the engine can provide the necessary power to drive the rear grounding member (220) of the vehicle (200).

[0027] Alternatively, the engine can provide the necessary power to drive the front grounding member (210), or simultaneously drive the front grounding member and the rear grounding member, without limiting the scope of the invention. The rear grounding member (220) can be connected to the engine via a transmission mechanism. The fuel tank can provide the necessary fuel to the engine to generate power within the vehicle (200). Alternatively, a drive motor [in the case of an electric vehicle] can provide the necessary power to drive the front grounding member (210), or simultaneously drive the front grounding member (210) and the rear grounding member (220), without limiting the scope of the invention. The rear wheel (220) is connected to the drive motor via a transmission mechanism. The drive motor can be electrically connected to a battery module to receive power for selectively operating and driving at least one of the front wheel (210) and the rear wheel (220).

[0028] The vehicle body frame (300) of the vehicle (200) can resiliently or operably connect the support member (100) to the vehicle body frame (300). The resilient connection between the support member (100) and the vehicle body frame (300) can be facilitated by a coiled spring (170). The coiled spring (170) can be configured to be attached between a portion of the vehicle body frame (300) and a pin (160) protruding from the support member (100). The support member (100) described in this disclosure may also be interchangeably referred to as the center support (100) throughout this disclosure. The support member (100) can be configured to be actuated between a retracted state (100r) and an extended state (100e). In one embodiment, the center support (100) may be positioned in a retracted state (100r) until an external source (e.g., a user of the vehicle (200)) inputs or applies an external force to the center support (100) to extend it to an extended state (100e), thereby allowing at least one of the wheels (210, 220) of the vehicle (200) to be raised during stationary or motionless movement of the vehicle (200).

[0029] See Figures 3A-3B The vehicle body frame (300) of the vehicle (200) may include a head tube (310). An upper tube (320) may extend rearward (Rr) and downward (Dn) from the upper portion of the head tube (310) to allow mounting of a fuel tank thereon. Furthermore, a lower frame (330) may extend rearward (Rr) and downward (Dn) from the lower portion of the head tube (310). A support member (100) is operatively connected to a portion of the lower frame (330). This connection can be pivotally connected to a pivot tube (150) (e.g., Figure 4BThe pivot tube (150) and the lower frame (330) are mechanically fastened together. In one embodiment, the pivot tube (150) may be defined as a hollow member, preferably a cylinder with a hollow portion (150a), but not limited thereto; any shape or structure that facilitates the function of the pivot tube (150) may be used interchangeably. The pivot tube (150) of the support member (100) and the lower frame (330) of the body frame (300) may be connected by a strut (105). The strut (105) may be configured to be received in the hollow portion (150a) of the pivot tube (150) and in at least one support (340) extending from the lower frame (330) of the body frame (300). In one embodiment, the pivot tube (150) may be provided with a bushing structure between the hollow portion (150a) and the strut (105) to allow the pivot tube (150) to pivot smoothly relative to the body frame (300) of the vehicle (200).

[0030] Reference Figure 4A Figure 4D shows a different view of the support member (100). The support member (100) may include a first rod (110) and a second rod (120) extending from one end of the aforementioned pivot tube (150) of the support member (100). In another understanding, the first rod (110) and the second rod (120) can be understood as (one or both) legs of the central support (100), configured to support and bear the full weight of the vehicle (200) in the deployed state (100e) of the support member (100). To limit the first rod (110) and the second rod (120) in the width direction (W) of the vehicle body frame (300) of the vehicle (200) (e.g. Figure 3B Lateral movement on the crossbar (130) can position the crossbar (130) on the opposite side of the pivot tube (150), which can connect the first rod (110) and the second rod (120). The crossbar (130) can be defined in different parts, such as a first part (131), an intermediate part (132), and a second part (133).

[0031] To operate the support member (100) between the retracted state (100r) and the extended state (100e), a pedal lever (140) may be provided on a portion of the crossbar (130). In another interpretation, the pedal lever (140) may be connected from one end between the intermediate portion (132) and one of the first portion (131) and the second portion (133) of the crossbar (130). The pedal lever (140) may be configured to receive human loads from an external source, such as a user of a vehicle (200). The pedal lever (140) may extend away from at least one of the first bar (110) and the second bar (120). The pedal lever (140) may define a first end (140a) and a second end (140b). In one embodiment, a first end (140a) may be connected to the middle portion (132) of the crossbar (130) near the side, while a second end (140b) is a free end that extends away from the crossbar (130) to receive human loads from an external source. In a preferred embodiment, the first end (140a) of the pedal rod (140) may be connected to the middle portion (132) of the crossbar (130). In the most preferred embodiment, the first end (140a) of the pedal rod (140) may be connected between the middle portion (132) and one of the first portion (131) or the second portion (133) of the crossbar (130). For understanding this, the configuration can have different aspects. In a first configuration, the free end, i.e., the second end (140b) of the pedal lever (140), extends away from the crossbar (130) toward the first lever (110), while in another configuration, the second end (140b) of the pedal lever (140) extends away from the crossbar (130) toward the second lever (120). The connection between the pedal lever (140) and the crossbar (130) can be achieved using thermal bonding technology, without limiting the scope of this disclosure.

[0032] The free end, or second end (140b), of the pedal lever (140) may extend in the width direction (W) to engage with the user through manual movement of the user's foot. The user may press or apply force on the second end (140b) of the pedal lever (140) to operate the central support (100) between a retracted state (100r) and an extended state (100e). To engage the user's foot, the second end (140b) of the pedal lever (140) may include a plurality of protrusions (not explicitly shown) that engage with the surface of the user's foot that contacts the plurality of protrusions. The plurality of protrusions may be configured to provide a sufficient amount of friction to cause the second end (140b) of the pedal lever (140) to move with the user's foot in a desired direction or manner.

[0033] Special reference Figure 4BOne of the first rod (110) and the second rod (120) may be defined with a groove (115). The groove (115) here can be understood as a cut-off portion of the rod (110, 120). The groove (115) may be necessary to accommodate and allow a portion of the pedal rod (140) to extend longitudinally through it. In another understanding, the groove (115) as a cut-off portion may serve as a necessary feature provided in one of the first rod (110) and the second rod (120) to avoid interference as the pedal rod (140) extends longitudinally in the width direction (W) along the body frame (300) of the vehicle (200). The groove (115) may also address layout and encapsulation constraints in the vehicle (200) through the effective and ergonomic positioning of the pedal rod (115).

[0034] The pedal lever (140) of the central support (100) of this disclosure is attached to the proximal side of the middle portion of the crossbar (130), allowing for a uniform distribution of force input by the user of the vehicle (200) and preventing the vehicle (200) from tilting or pivoting around one of the outriggers of the central support (100). This prevents lifting of one of the outriggers (110, 120), and allows the vehicle (200) to be lifted off the ground conveniently and safely without causing any injury to the user or the central support (100). The central support (100) of this disclosure can have a longer service life and can withstand loads without failure. The robust and ergonomic configuration of the central support (100) ensures that the two outriggers (110, 120) of the central support (100) do not lose contact with their mating surfaces when the central support (100) is operated from the retracted state (100r) to the extended state (100e).

[0035] It should be understood that those skilled in the art can develop systems with similar configurations without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Such modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, this disclosure is intended to cover such modifications and variations, provided they fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0036] Equivalents: The embodiments described herein, along with their various features and advantageous details, are explained with reference to non-limiting embodiments in the specification. Descriptions of known components and processing techniques have been omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended only to facilitate an understanding of how the embodiments described herein can be practiced and to further enable those skilled in the art to implement the embodiments described herein. Therefore, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein.

[0037] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others, by applying present knowledge, can readily modify and / or adapt such specific embodiments for various applications without departing from the general concept. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be understood within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It should be understood that the wording or terminology used herein is for descriptive purposes and not for limitation. Thus, while the embodiments herein have been described from the perspective of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be implemented with modifications to the spirit and scope of the embodiments described herein. Any discussion of documents, actions, materials, devices, articles, etc., contained in this specification is for the purpose of providing context for this disclosure only. It should not be construed as an admission that any or all of these matters constitute part of the prior art or common general knowledge in the field relating to this disclosure that existed anywhere prior to the priority date of this application.

Claims

1. A support member (100) for a vehicle (200), comprising: First shot (110) and second shot (120); A crossbar (130) connects the first bar (110) and the second bar (120), and the crossbar (130) extends along the width direction (W) of the vehicle (200); as well as A pedal lever (140) is disposed on a portion of a crossbar (130) and extends away from at least one of the first lever (110) and the second lever (120).

2. The support component (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The crossbar (130) defines a first portion (131), a middle portion (132), and a second portion (133), and the pedal rod (140) is disposed at one of the following: at the middle portion (132), and between the middle portion (132) of the crossbar (130) and one of the first portion (131) and the second portion (133).

3. The support component (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The pedal lever (140) is defined with a first end (140a) and a second end (140b), the first end (140a) being connected to the proximal side of the middle portion (132) of the crossbar (130), and the second end (140b) being a free end extending away from the crossbar (130) to receive human loads from an external source.

4. The support component (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The surface of the second end (140b) of the pedal lever (140) includes a plurality of protrusions that are capable of engaging with the surface of the external source.

5. The support component (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, Includes a pivot tube (150), wherein the first rod (110) and the second rod (120) are attached to the pivot tube (150) from one end of each of them.

6. The support component (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, One of the first rod (110) and the second rod (120) defines a groove (115) to allow at least a portion of the pedal rod (140) to extend through the groove (115) in the width direction (W).

7. A vehicle (200), comprising: Body frame (250); as well as A support member (100) operably connected to the vehicle frame (250), the support member (100) comprising: First shot (110) and second shot (120); A crossbar (130) connects the first bar (110) and the second bar (120), and the crossbar (130) extends along the width direction (W) of the vehicle (200); as well as A pedal lever (140) is disposed on a portion of the crossbar (130) and extends away from at least one of the first bar (110) and the second bar (120).

8. The vehicle (200) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The crossbar (130) defines a first portion (131), a middle portion (132), and a second portion (133), and the pedal rod (140) is disposed between the middle portion (132) and one of the first portion (131) and the second portion (133) of the crossbar.

9. The vehicle (200) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The pedal lever (140) is defined with a first end (140a) and a second end (140b), the first end (140a) being connected to the proximal side of the middle portion (132) of the crossbar (130), and the second end (140b) being a free end extending away from the crossbar (130) to receive human loads from an external source.

10. The vehicle (200) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The surface of the second end (140b) of the pedal lever (140) includes a plurality of protrusions that are capable of engaging with the surface of the external source.

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