Title of Invention

"AUXILIARY STEP DEVICE FOR SCOOTER TYPE MOTORCYCLE"

Abstract

An auxiliary step device for a scooter type motorcycle including a seat having a seating portion for a fellow passenger and provided on a body frame and a body cover for covering said body frame and lower surroundings of said seat characterized in that: a step frame is suspended in said body cover from a rear frame of said body frame which is located above a rear wheel, said step frame extending downward so as to be exposed from the lower edge of said body cover; a flat step is mounted on an extended portion of said step frame in such a manner as to project sideward from the vehicle body; and said step frame comprises a rearward extending horizontal portion a front end of which is mounted on a front part of said rear frame, and a rear upright portion which extends upward from the rear end of said horizontal portion and an upper end of which fixed on a rear part of said rear frame, wherein said step frame s fixed on the intermediate frame portion at three positions of the front end of the horizontal portion, an intermediate portion of said horizontal portion and an upper end of said rear upright portion; and wherein said step is mounted on said horizontal portion and near said rear upright portion.

Full Text

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field of the Invention] THe present invention relates to an auxiliary step device of a scooter type two-seater motorcycle. [Related Art] In general, a scooter type two-seater motorcycle includes a double seat on which a driver and a fellow passenger are seated; a floor panel for allowing the driver to rest the feet thereon, which is provided on the front portion of the body; and an auxiliary step for allowing the fellow passenger to rest the foot thereon, which is provided on the rear portion of the body. Various auxiliary steps improved for allowing a fellow passenger to ride on a motorcycle in a comfortable posture have been known, for example, from © a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 6-13307 titled "Auxiliary Foot Rest Device", and a technique in which an auxiliary step is directly provided on a body cover . The technique will be described with reference to Figs. 1, 3 of the document. In addition, the description is made using the same reference numerals as those described in the document. A front step portion 16A having a height equivalent to that of a rear wheel 32 is provided on a rear frame 16, and tiltable auxiliary foot rests 66a, 66b (equivalent to auxiliary steps) are fixed at positions near the rear portion of the front step portion 16A. Each of the auxiliary foot rests 66a, 66b is of a bar type (pillion step), and it is tilted along the lower edge of the rear cover 48 to be contained when any fellow passenger does not ride on the motorcycle. The technique is characterized in that auxiliary steps integrally formed on rear, lower edges of both side surfaces of a body cover are disposed over a power unit. [Problem to be Solved by the Invention] The technique 0, however, is disadvantageous in that the auxiliary foot rests 66a, 66b are disposed at a high position nearly equal to that of the upper edge of the rear wheel 32 and further they are of a bar-type so that a fellow passenger is not necessarily easy in getting on/off the motorcycle and must ride thereon in an uncomfortable posture in which the leg is bent. On the other hand, the technique ©is also disadvantageous in that the position of each auxiliary step is limited by formation of the body cover and the step width is small so that a fellow passenger using the auxiliary steps is not easy in getting on/off the motorcycle and is not comfortable in foot rest for a long period of time. An object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary step device for a scooter type motorcycle, which allows a fellow passenger to get on/off the motorcycle and to ride on it in a comfortable posture. [Means for Solving the Problem] To achieve the above object, according to the invention described in claim 1, there is provided an auxiliary step device for a scooter type motorcycle including a seat having a seating portion for a fellow passenger and provided on a body frame, and a body cover for covering the body frame and lower surroundings of the seat, the auxiliary step device including: a step frame suspended from the body frame in the body cover and extending in such a manner as to be exposed downward from the lower edge of the body cover; and a plate-like step mounted on an extended portion of the step frame in such a manner as to project sideward from the body. Here, the plate-like step on which a fellow passenger rests the foot is formed of a flat plate having, for example, an approximately rectangular shape in a plan view. Since the plate-like step having a wide step space and being easy in foot rest can be largely extended to a position convenient for a fellow passenger,the fellow passenger can ride on the motorcycle in a comfortable posture. For example, by setting the height of the plate-like step to be equal to that of the floor panel on which a driver rests the feet, a fellow passenger can ride the motorcycle in a comfortable posture like the driver. Also, since most of the step frame is covered with a body cover, the appearance performance can be improved. In addition, since the plate-like step is positioned outside the body cover, the mounting /dismounting of the body cover can be made easy, which improves workability in maintenance and checking of a power unit and the like. According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the feature of the invention described in claim 1, the step frame passes through a space between the lower edge of the body cover and a swing type power unit at the upper limit position. The plate-like step can be freely set in arrangement, for example, in terms of the mounting height without any limitation due to arrangement of the swing type power unit. This increases the degree of freedom in design of the plate-like step. According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the feature of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, the plate-like step is fixed on the extended portion. The strength of the step can be further increased to the extent that a fellow passenger can easily get on/off the motorcycle using the step. Moreover, unlike the related art tiltable type, any operation for taking in /out the step is not required when a fellow passenger rides on the motorcycle, so that the hand of the fellow passenger is not soiled. According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the feature of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, the plate-like step is vertically tiltably mounted on the extended portion and is further biased to an exposure side by a spring. When being applied with an external force, the step is temporarily tilted against a biasing force of the spring. Consequently, even if an impact load is applied to the step, the spring can sufficiently absorbed it. According to the invention described in claim 5, there is provided an auxiliary step device for a scooter type motorcycle, including: a first step frame suspended from a body frame; a second step frame having a base portion to which the lower portion of the first step frame is connected through a body cover by means of a bolt; and a plate-like step mounted on the second step frame. Since the plate-like step having a wide step space and being easy in foot rest can be largely extended to a position convenient for a fellow passenger, the fellow passenger can ride on the motorcycle in a comfortable posture . Moreover, since the first step frame serves as both a means for fixing the body cover and a means for fixing the second step frame, the mounting work to the body frame can be simplified. In addition, the body cover and the plate-like step can be removed only by loosening the bolt, which improves workability in maintenance and checking of the power unit and the like. According to the invention described in claim 6, there is provided an auxiliary step device for a scooter type motorcycle including a seat having a seating portion for a fellow passenger and provided on a body frame, and a body cover for covering the body frame and lower surroundings of the seat, the auxiliary step device including: a step frame having a base portion connected to the inner surface of the body cover by means of a bolt, the step frame extending in such a manner as to be exposed downward from the lower edge of the body cover; and a plate-like step mounted on an extended portion of the step frame in such a manner as to project sideward from the body. Since the plate-like step having a wide step space and being easy in foot rest can be largely extended to a position convenient for a fellow passenger, the fellow passenger can ride on the motorcycle in a comfortable posture. Moreover, since the step frame is mounted on the body cover, the plate-like step can be removed only by removal of the body cover, which improves workability in maintenance and checking of a power unit and the like. In addition, since the base portion of the step frame is fixed on the inner surface of the body cover, the fixing portion of the step frame is covered with the body cover, which improves the appearance performance. Accordingly the present invention relates to an auxiliary step device for a scooter type motorcycle including a seat having a seating portion for a fellow passenger and provided on a body frame and a body cover for covering said body frame and lower surroundings of said seat characterized in that: a step frame is suspended in said body cover from a rear frame of said body frame which is located above a rear wheel, said step frame extending downward so as to be exposed from the lower edge of said body cover; a flat step is mounted on an extended portion of said step frame in such a manner as to project sideward from the vehicle body; and said step frame comprises a rearward extending horizontal portion a front end of which is mounted on a front part of said rear frame, and a rear upright portion which extends upward from the rear end of said horizontal portion and an upper end of which fixed on a rear part of said rear frame, wherein said step frame s fixed on the intermediate frame portion at three positions of the front end of the horizontal portion, an intermediate portion of said horizontal portion and an upper end of said rear upright portion; and wherein said step is mounted on said horizontal portion and near said rear upright portion. [Brief Description of the ACCOMPANYING Drawings] [Fig. 1] A side view of a scooter type motorcycle of the present invention. [Fig. 2] A side view of the rear portion of the scooter type motorcycle of the present invention. [Fig. 3] A side view of an auxiliary step device (first embodiment) of the present invention. [Fig. 4] A sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3. [Fig. 5] A sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3. [Fig. 6] A sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 3. [Fig. 7] A sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 3. [Fig. 8] A rear view of the auxiliary step device (first embodiment) of the present invention. [Fig. 9] A side view of an auxiliary step device (second embodiment) of the present invention. [Fig. 10] A side view of an auxiliary step device (third embodiment) of the present invention. [Fig. 11] A side view of an auxiliary step device (fourth embodiment) of the present invention. [Embodiment of the Invention] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the drawings are to be seen in the direction of characters. A first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 8. Fig. 1 is a side view of a scooter type motorcycle of the present invention. A scooter type motorcycle 1 is a two-seater motorcycle, and it includes a body frame 2, a body cover 10 for covering the body frame 2, a front wheel 21, a rear wheel 22, a seat 23, and a power unit 41. The seat 23 is a double seat having a seating portion allowing a driver and a fellow passenger to be seated thereon. Reference numeral 25 indicates a spare tire, which is mounted on a rear portion of the body frame 2 by means of a rear carrier 26 and a support 27. The body frame 2 includes a head pipe 3, a front fork 4 operably supported on the head pipe 3, a handlebar 5 connected to the front fork 4, a down tube 6 extending rearward , downward from the head pipe 3 , and a rear frame 7 extending rearward from the lower end of the down tube 6. A front wheel 21 is suspended from the lower end of the front fork 4. The rear frame 7 is formed in an approximately elliptic shape in a plan view, and it includes a pair of right and left front frame portions 7a (only one is shown in the figure) extending rearward from the lower end of the down tube 6 substantially in the horizontal direction, a pair of right and left intermediate frame portions 7b extending rearward, upward, obliquely from the rear portions of the front frame portions 7a, and a rear frame portion 7c connecting the rear ends of the intermediate frame portions 7b to each other. The body cover 10 includes a front cover 11 and a front side cover 12 for covering the front portion of the head pipe 3 and the upper portion of the front wheel 21, a handle cover 13 for covering surroundings of the handlebar 5, a leg shield 14 for covering the front leg portion of a driver, a front panel 15 for supporting the Teg portion of the driver, a center cover 16 for covering the front portions of the intermediate frame portions 7b, a side cover 17 and an under cover 18 for covering both side surfaces of the rear portion of the body frame 2, and a rear/upper cover 19 for covering the rear, upper portion of the body frame 2. A rear fender 31 for covering the upper portion of the rear wheel 22 is disposed on the rear portion of the side cover 17. In this way, the body cover 10 covers the lower surroundings of the body frame 2 and the seat 23. Fig. 2 is a side view of the rear portion of the scooter type motorcycle of the present invention. The power unit 41 includes a two-cycle forced air-cooled engine 42 and a continuously variable transmission 43 for transmitting an output of the engine 42 to the rear wheel 22. The continuously variable transmission 43 is connected to the rear wheel 22. In addition, reference numeral 44 indicates an air cleaner for the engine. A rear suspension of the motorcycle 1 is a swing arm type in which the power unit 41 of a swing arm type is suspended from the rear portion of the rear frame 7 by means of rear cushions (dampers) 47. Specifically, the \ rear suspension has a configuration that the front portion of the power unit 41 is vertically rockably mounted on the front portions of the intermediate frame portions 7b through link mechanisms 46, and the rear portion of the power unit 41 is mounted on the rear portions of the X intermediate frame potions 7b through the rear cushions 47. A containing box 51 and a fuel tank 52 are respectively disposed, under the seat 23, on the front and rear sides of the rear portion of the motorcycle 1. The containing box 51 and the fuel tank 52 are fixed on the intermediate frame portions 7b. The containing box 51 is formed in a box-like shape with the upper side open. A seat 23 is mounted on the upper, front portion of a flange 51a of the containing box 51 by means of a hinge 53. The containing box 51 contains, for example, a helmet 54. The motorcycle 1 has an auxiliary step device 60 for allowing a fellow passenger to rest the foot thereon, which is disposed on the left side (on this side in Fig. 2) of the rear, lower portion of the body. In addition, reference numeral 56 indicates a battery, and 57 indicates a main stand. Fig. 3 is a side view of the auxiliary step device (first embodiment) of the present invention. The auxiliary step device 60 includes a step frame 61 suspended from the intermediate frame portion 7b of the rear frame 7, and a plate-like step 72 fixed on a lower extended portion 65 of the step frame 61. The intermediate frame portion 7b is tilted rearward, upward from the rear portion of the front frame portion 7a as described above, and the step frame 61 is formed in accordance with the tilting of the intermediate frame portion 7b into an approximately inverted L-shape composed of a horizontal portion 62 and an upright rear portion 63 and made of pipe material. The step frame 61 is fixed on the intermediate frame portion 7b by means of bolts at three positions of the front end of the horizontal portion 62, the upper end of an arm 64 erected from an approximately intermediate portion of the horizontal portion 62, and the upper end of the upright rear portion 63. In the step frame 61, a portion near the corner between the horizontal portion 62 and the upright rear portion 63, that is, the extended portion 65 shown by the hatching in Fig. 3 extends outward (on this side in Fig. 3). The plate-like step 72 is horizontally disposed on the extended portion 65 In addition, reference numeral 81 indicates a bracket for mounting the rear cushion 47; 82 is a bracket for mounting the rear portion of the containing box 51 and the front portion of the fuel tank 52; 83 is a bracket for mounting the rear portion of the fuel tank 52; and 84 is a bracket for mounting the main stand 57. The brackets 81 to 84 are welded on the intermediate frame portions 7b. Also, reference numeral 85 indicates a reinforcing plate for reinforcing a portion between the intermediate frame portion 7b and the base of the bracket 84. Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3. The horizontal portion 62 is fixed at the front end with an L-shaped support 66 in a plan view, and the support 66 is connected by means of a bolt 69 to the reinforcing plate 85 welded on the intermediate frame portion 7b. Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3. A bracket 88 welded on the intermediate frame portion 7b is formed into a hat-like shape with the outer side open in a plan view. The arm 64 has at the upper end a cylindrical support 67 connected to the bracket 88 by means of a bolt 69. Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 3. A bracket 89 welded on the intermediate frame portion 7b is formed into a hat-like shape with the outer side open in a plan view. The upright rear portion 63 is fixed at the upper end with a channel-like support 68 with the inner side open in a plan view, and the support 68 is fitted with the projecting back surface of the hat- like cross-section of the bracket 89 and is further fixed thereto by means of a bolt 69. Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 3. The auxiliary step device 60 has a configuration that a step arm 71 extends outward, upward, obliquely from the extended portion 65; the plate-like step 72 is fixed at the leading end of the step arm 71; and a step rubber 73 is placed on the upper surface of the plate-like' step 72 and is fixed thereto by a small screw 74. Accordingly, the plate-like step 72 is fixed on the extended portion 65. The plate-like step 72 on which the fellow passenger rests the foot thereon is formed of a flat plate having, for example, an approximately rectangular shape in a plan view. Fig. 8 is a rear view of the auxiliary step device (first embodiment) of the present invention, showing an arrangement of the auxiliary step device 60 as seen from the rear surface of the motorcycle. The step frame 61 is suspended from the left intermediate frame portion 7b of the rear frame 7 disposed over the rear wheel 22, and extends outward from the inside of the side cover 1.7 while bypassing a lower edge 17a of the side cover 17. The plate-like step 72 is mounted on the extended portion 65 of the step frame 61. In other words, the step frame 61 is suspended from the rear frame 7 of the body frame 2 in the body cover 10 and extends in such a manner as to be exposed downward from the lower edge of the body cover 10. The plate-like step 72 is mounted on the extended portion 65 in such a manner as to project sideward from the body. Accordingly, the step frame 61 passes through a space between the lower edge 17a of the side cover 17 and the swing type power unit 41 at the upper limit position shown by the imaginary line. Referring again to Fig. 3, the mounting position of the support 68 is apart downward from a line L connecting the mounting position of the support 66 to the mounting position of the support 67. Namely, the mounting positions of the three supports 66, 67, 68 are arranged to form a triangular shape in a side view (in Fig. 3). As a result, the supports 66, 67, 68 can stably support the load applied to the step 72. Next, the function of the auxiliary step device 60 having the above configuration will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The step frame 61 extends in such a manner as to be exposed downward from the lower edge 17a of the side cover 17 (extends outward from the inside of the side cover 17 while bypassing the lower edge 17a), and the extended portion 65 of the step frame 61 is largely extends outward so as to be arranged at a position allowing the fellow passenger to easily rest the foot thereon. Consequently the plate-like step 72 can be freely arranged, for example, in terms of its mounting height without any limitation due to arrangement of the side cover 17. This increases the degree of freedom in design of the plate-like step 72. In other words, the plate-like step 72 can be set in such a design that the fellow passenger can easily get on/off the motorcycle 1 and can ride on it in a comfortable posture. For example, as shown in Fig. 1, the height of the plate-like step 72 is set to be substantially equal to that of the floor panel 15 relatively low in height, that is, the height from the floor panel 15 to the upper surface of the seat 23 is substantially equal to the height from the plate-like step 72 to the upper surface of the seat 23. As a result, the plate-like step 72 being low in height allows the fellow passenger to easily get on/off the motorcycle like the driver. When the height from the plate-like step 72 to the upper surface of the seat 23 is excessively small, the fellow passenger must get on the motorcycle in a narrow posture in which the leg is bent. In the present invention, however, since the height is set at a suitable value substantially equal to the height from the floor panel 15 to the upper surface of the seat 23, the fellow passenger can get on the motorcycle in a comfortable posture like the driver. On the other hand, the swing type power unit 41 is vertically rocked between positions shown by a solid line and an imaginary line in Fig. 8. However, since the step frame 61 passes over the power unit 41 at the upper limit position, the auxiliary step device 60 is never brought in contact with the power unit 41. The plate-like step 72 can be thus freely set, for example, in terms of its mounting height without any limitation due to the arrangement of the power unit 41. This increases the degree of freedom in design of the plate-like step 72. In other words, the plate-like step 72 can be set in such a design that the fellow passenger can easily get on/off the motorcycle 1 and can ride on it in a comfortable posture. The auxiliary step device 60 has the plate-like step 72 having a wide step space for allowing the fellow passenger to easily rest the foot thereon, so that the passenger can easily get on/off the motorcycle, can ride on it in a comfortable posture, and is not tired after riding for a long period of time. A second embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 9. It is to be noted that parts corresponding to those in the first embodiment are indicated by the same characters and the explanation thereof is omitted. Fig. 9 is a side view of an auxiliary step device (second embodiment) of the present invention, which is characterized in that a plate-like step 72 is vertically tiltably mounted on an extended portion 65, and further, it is biased on the exposure side shown by a solid line in this figure by a torsion spring 91 (as a biasing means). Specifically, a step arm 71 is vertically tiltably mounted on the extended portion 65 by means of a pin 92, and the plate-like step 72 is fixed on the leading end of the step arm 71. In addition, reference numeral 93 indicates a stopper for determining the exposure position of the step arm 71. According to the second embodiment, when the plate-like step 72 is applied with an external force F, it is temporarily tilted against a biasing force of the torsion spring 91. Consequently, even if an impact load is applied to the plate-like step 72, the torsion spring 91 can sufficiently absorbed it. A third embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 10. It is to be noted that parts corresponding to those in the first embodiment are indicated by the same characters and the explanation thereof is omitted. Fig. 10 is a side view of an auxiliary step device (third embodiment) of the present invention, which is characterized in that a first step frame 94 is suspended from the intermediate frame portion 7b; the lower portion of the first step frame 94 is connected to the base portion of a second step frame 95 through the side cover 17 by means of a bolt 96; and a plate-like step 72 is mounted on the second step frame 95. According to the third embodiment, the first step frame 94 serves both as a means for fixing the side cover 17 and a means for fixing the second step frame 95, to thereby simplify the mounting work to the intermediate frame portion 7b. Moreover, the side cover 17 and the plate-like step 72 can be removed only by loosening the bolt, which improves workability in maintenance and checking of the power unit 41 and the like. A fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 11. It is to be noted that parts corresponding to those in the first embodiment are indicated by the same characters and the explanation thereof is omitted. Fig. 11 is a side view of an auxiliary step device (fourth embodiment) of the present invention, which is characterized in that the base portion of a step frame 98 is fixed on the inner surface of the side cover 17 by means of a bolt; the step frame 98 extends in such a manner as to be exposed downward from the lower edge 17a of the side cover 17; and a plate-like step 72 is mounted on an extended portion 98a in such a manner as to project sideward from the body. Specifically, in the fourth embodiment, a bracket 97 is provided on the inner surface of the side cover 17 and the base portion of the step frame 98 is fixed on the bracket 97 by means of a bolt 99; the step frame 98 extends outward while bypassing the lower edge 17a of the side » cover 17; and the plate-like step 72 is mounted on the extended portion 98a through a step arm 71. According to the fourth embodiment, since the step frame 98 is mounted on the side cover 17, the step 72 can be removed only by removal of the side cover 17, which improves workability in maintenance and checking of the power unit 41 and the like. Al though the auxiliary step device 60 is disposed on the left side of the body in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it may be disposed on the right side of the body. Moreover, two pieces of the auxiliary step devices 60 may be each disposed on both the sides of the body. In the case where the auxiliary step device 60 is disposed on the left or right side of the body, the fellow passenger riding the motorcycle sideways can rest the foot on the plate-like step 72. On the other hand, in the case where the auxiliary step devices 60 are disposed on both the sides of the body, the fellow passenger riding astride the seat 23 can rest the feet on both the plate-like steps 72, 72. [Effect of the Invention] The present invention having the above-described configuration exhibits the following effects: The present invention described in claim 1 provides the auxiliary step device including: a step frame suspended from the body frame in the body cover and extending in such a manner as to be exposed downward from the lower edge of the body cover; and a plate-like step mounted on an extended portion of the step frame in such a manner as to project sideward from the body. Accordingly, since the plate-like step having a wide step space and being easy in foot rest can be largely extended to a position convenient for a fellow passenger, the fellow passenger can ride on the motorcycle in a comfortable posture. For example, by setting the height of the plate-like step to be equal to that of the floor panel on which a driver rests the feet, a fellow passenger can ride the motorcycle in a comfortable posture like the driver. Also, since most of the step frame is covered with a body cover, the appearance performance can be improved. In addition, since the plate-like step is positioned outside the body cover, the mounting/dismounting of the body cover can be made easy, which improves t workability in maintenance and checking of a power unit and the like. In the invention described in claim 2, the step frame passes through a space between the lower edge of the body cover and a swing type power unit at the upper limit position. Accordingly, the plate-like step can be freely set in arrangement, for example, in terms of the mounting height without any limitation due to arrangement of the swing type power unit. This increases the degree of freedom in design of the plate-like step. In the invention described in claim 3, the plate-like step is fixed on the extended portion. Accordingly, the strength of the step can be further increased to the extent that a fellow passenger can easily get on/off the motorcycle using the step. Moreover, unlike the related art tiltable type, any operation for taking in/out the step is not required when a fellow passenger rides on the motorcycle, so that the hand of the fellow passenger is not soiled. In the invention described in claim 4, the plate-like step is vertically tiltably mounted on the extended portion and is further biased to an exposure side by a spring. Accordingly, when being applied with an external force, the step is temporarily tilted against a biasing force of the spring. Consequently, even if an impact load is applied to the step, the spring can sufficiently absorbed it. The invention described in claim 5 provides an auxiliary step device for a scooter type motorcycle, including: a first step frame suspended from a body frame; a second step frame having a base portion to which the lower portion of the first step frame is connected through a body cover by means of a bolt; and a plate-like step mounted on the second step frame. Accordingly, since the plate-like step having a wide step space and being easy in foot rest can be largely extended to a position convenient for a fellow passenger, the fellow passenger can ride on the motorcycle in a comfortable posture. Moreover, since the first step frame serves as both a means for fixing the body cover and a means for fixing the second step frame, the mounting work to the body frame can be simplified. In addition, the body cover and the plate-like step can be removed only by loosening the bolt, which improves workability in maintenance and checking of the power unit and the like. The invention described in claim 6 provides an auxiliary step device for a scooter type motorcycle, including: a step frame having a base portion connected to the inner surface of the body cover by means of a bolt, the step frame extending in such a manner as to be exposed downward from the lower edge of the body cover; and a plate-like step mounted on an extended portion of the step frame in such a manner as to project sideward from the body. Accordingly, since the plate-like step having a wide step space and being easy in foot rest can be largely extended to a position convenient for a fellow passenger, the fellow passenger can ride on the motorcycle in a comfortable posture. Moreover, since the step frame is mounted on the body cover, the plate-like step can be removed only by removal of the body cover, which improves workability in maintenance and checking of a power unit and ; the like. In addition, since the base portion of the step frame is fixed on the inner surface of the body cover, the fixing portion of the step frame is covered with the body cover, which improves the appearance performance. [Explanation of Characters] 1: scooter type motorcycle, 2: body frame, 7; rear frame, 7b: intermediate frame portion, 10: body cover, 17: side cover, 17a: lower edge, 41: swing type power unit, 42: engine, 43: continuously variable transmission, 60: auxiliary step device, 61: step frame, 65: extended portion, 72: plate-like step, 91: spring (torsion spring), 94: first step frame, 95; second step frame, 97: bracket, 98: step frame, 98a: extended portion We Claim: 1. An auxiliary step device for a scooter type motorcycle including a seat (23) having a seating portion for a fellow passenger and provided on a body frame (2) and a body cover (10) for covering said body frame '(2) and lower surroundings of said seat (23) characterized in that: a step frame (61) is suspended in said body cover (10) from a rear frame (7) of said body frame (2) which is located above a rear wheel (22), said step frame (61) extending downward so as to be exposed from the lower edge of said body cover (10); a flat step (72) is mounted on an extended portion (65) of said step frame (61) in such a manner as to project sideward from the vehicle body; and said step frame (61) comprises a rearward extending horizontal portion (62) a front end of which is mounted on a front part of said rear frame (7), and a rear upright portion (63) which extends upward from the rear end of said horizontal portion (62) and an upper end of which fixed on a rear part of said rear frame (7), wherein said step frame (61) is fixed on the intermediate frame portion (7d) at three positions of the front end of the horizontal portion (62), an intermediate portion of said horizontal portion (62) and an upper end of said rear upright portion (63; and wherein said step (72) is mounted on said horizontal portion (62) and near said rear upright portion (63). 2. An auxiliary step device for a scooter type motorcycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step frame (61) passes through a space between the lower edge of said body cover (10) and a swing type power unit (41) at the uppermost position. 3. An auxiliary step device for a scooter type motorcycle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said flat step (72) is fixed on said extended portion (65). 4. An auxiliary step device for a scooter type motorcycle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said flat step (72) is vertically tiltably mounted on said extended portion (65) and is further biased to an exposure side by a spring (91). 5. An auxiliary step device for a scooter type motorcycle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Documents:

1887-del-1996-abstract.pdf

1887-del-1996-claims.pdf

1887-del-1996-correspondence-others.pdf

1887-del-1996-correspondence-po.pdf

1887-del-1996-description (complete).pdf

1887-del-1996-drawings.pdf

1887-del-1996-form-1.pdf

1887-del-1996-form-13.pdf

1887-del-1996-form-19.pdf

1887-del-1996-form-2.pdf

1887-del-1996-form-3.pdf

1887-del-1996-form-4.pdf

1887-del-1996-form-6.pdf

1887-del-1996-gpa.pdf