Title of Invention

"LIGHT UNIT"

Abstract

A light unit, comprising a bulb, being a light emitting body, a base for supporting the bulb, and a light cover for covering the bulb, wherein the light cover is provided at a rear end with a gripping indent, opening to a lower side, formed to be surrounded by an outer wall section formed like a beak shape when viewed from the side and a partition wall extending downward from the outer wall section. FIG. 1

Full Text

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [0001] [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a light unit for a vehicle such as a motorcycle. [0002] [Related Art] With a vehicle such as a motorcycle, in order to improve ease of maintenance a light unit is sometimes made into a unitary structure having a plurality of lights. For example, in patent document 1, a tail light unit provided with a tail light and a license light is attached to the vehicle body using connecting means such as screws. [0003] [Patent document l] Japanese Patent No. 2980279 [0004] [Problems to be solved by the Invention] However, with the above described unit of the related art, although the tail light unit can be detached by removing the connection means, such as screws, at the time of detachment it is necessary to hold and support the outer surface of the end of the tail light unit. In particular, in the case of a structure where the light unit is pulled out from the vehicle body, it is necessary to apply force in the direction of pulling out the light unit, but if the area where the light unit is gripped is rounded it is difficult to apply this force due to slipping, and removal of the light unit consumes man-hours. This invention therefore provides a light unit that improves ease of maintenance by providing an indent for holding a light cover. [0005] [Means of Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above described objective, an invention relating to claim 1 is light unit (for example, the tail light unit 30 in the embodiments described later), comprising a bulb (for example, a tail light bulb 34, rear winker bulb 35 or license light bulb 36 in the embodiments), being a light emitting body, a base (for example a base 40 in the embodiments) for supporting the bulb, and a light cover (or example light cover 80, 90 in the embodiments) for covering the bulb, wherein a gripping indent (for example, the gripping indent 93 in the embodiments) is provided in the light cover. ^ With this type of structure, it is possible to grip the light unit ;.^ using the gripping indent and to apply force to the light unit. [0006] The invention of claim 2 is the invention of claim 1 with the gripping indent opening downwards and is provided at an end part of the light cover (or example, the light cover 90) in the embodiments. With this type of structure it is possible to not impair the external appearance of the gripping indent, and it is possible to easily grip the light unit [0007] The invention of claim 3 is the invention of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least a surround of the gripping indent in the light cover has a deep color. With this type of structure, it is possible to prevent the surround of the gripping indent appearing transparent. [0008] The invention of claim 4 is the invention of any one of claim 1 to claim 3, wherein a locking part (for example, the locking projection 56 in the embodiments), enabling attachment and removal to the base by insertion into and removal from a vehicle body (for example the bracket 28 in the embodiments),- is-provided in the base. With this type of structure, it is possible to push in and pull out the light unit while gripping the light unit using the gripping indent, and to insert and remove the locking section of the base into and from the vehicle body. [0009] [Brief description of the drawings] Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a mo'torcycle provided with the light unit of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the motorcycle. Fig. 3 is a front view of the light unit. Fig. 4 is a rear view of the light unit. Fig. 5 is a cross section along line A-A in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a cross section along line B-B in Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a cross section along line C-C in Fig. 3. Fig. 8 is a cross section along line D-D in Fig. 3. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of only a base looking from the direction Z in Fig. 3. Fig. 10 is a side elevation of only a light cover looking from the direction Z in Fig. 3. Fig. 11 is a cross section of a light cover of another embodiment. [0009] [Embodiments of the invention] Embodiments of the light unit of the present invention will now be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 11. Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a scooter type motorcycle provided with a tail light unit as the light unit of this invention, and Fig. 2 is a rear view of the same. In the description below, the directions front, rear, left, right up and down are looking from the point of view of a rider. A front wheel 2 of a motorcycle 1 is axially supported at a lower end of a front fork 3, and the front fork 3 is pivoted in a steerable manner in a head pipe 6 of a vehicle frame 5, via a handle stem 4. A handle 7 is attached to an upper end of the head pipe 6, and the periphery of the handle 7 is covered by a handle cover 9, except for grips 8, 8 on both ends. A headlight unit 10 integrating a head light and left and right front winkers (not shown) is arranged at a front part of the handle cover 9. [0010] The vehicle frame 5 is comprised of a downpipe 11 extending downwards from the headpipe 6, a lower pipe 14 forming a low-slung floor 13 together with a step floor 12 extending rearwards from a lower end of the downpipe 11, and a rear pipe 15 formed by curving a rear end section of the lower pipe 14 diagonally upwards. The headpipe 6 and the downpipe 11 are covered from behind by a leg shield standing up from a front end of the step floor 12, and covered from the front by a front cover 17. A lower part of the front cover 17 extends outwards so as to cover above the front wheel 2, and a front fender 18 is formed by a lower part of the front cover 17 and a lower part of the leg shield 16. [0011] The rear pipe 15 is made up of an inclined section 15a extending diagonally upwards from a rear end of the lower pipe 14, and a horizontal section 15b extending rearwards substantially horizontally from the inclined section 15a, and is covered by a rear cover 21 connecting to a rear end of the step floor 12. A seat 22 is arranged at an upper part of the rear cover 21. The seat 22 has a front end pivoted on a rear cover 21, and an upper opening of a property storage compartment (not shown) arranged inside the rear cover 21 is opened and closed. [0012] A front part of a power unit 24 is pivoted at a rear end of the lower pipe 14, so as to be capable of swinging up and down. The power unit 24 is integrally formed with an engine and a power transmission, and a rear wheel 25 is connected to a drive shaft at the rear of the power unit 24. A rear cushion 26 is arranged between the power unit 24 and the horizontal section 15b of the rear pipe 15. [0013] A tail light unit 30 is arranged at a rear end of the rear cover 21. The tail light unit 30 is removably attached to a bracket 28 extending diagonally upwards fixed to a rear end of the horizontal section 15b of the rear pipe 15. Here, the bracket 28 is part of the vehicle body of the motorcycle l.A rear fender 27 is provided at a lower rear side of the rear cover 21, below the tail light unit 30, and a license plate 29 is attached to the rear fender 27. [0014] Next, the tail light unit 30 will be described in more detail. Fig. 3 is a front view of the tail light unit 30 looking from the rear of the motorcycle 1, and Fig. 4 is a rear view of the tail light unit 30 looking from the front of the motorcycle 1. The tail light unit 30 is a unitary device made by integrating the tail light 31, left and right rear winker lights 32, 32, and a license light 33, with the tail light 31 being arranged at an upper central part, the rear winkers being arranged on the left and right sides of the tail light 31, and the license light 33 being arranged at a lower side of the tail light 31. The tail light 31 of this embodiment also acts as a brake light light, and the two are discriminated by varying the brightness when lit as a tail light and the brightness when lit as a brake light. [0015] As shown in Fig. 3, the visual appearance of the front of the tail light unit 30 is such that the part where the tail light 31 and the rear winker lights 32, 32 are arranged is widest in the vertical direction at a central part, with the vertical thickness becoming narrower in the lateral direction to form almost a fan shape, while a part where the license light 33 is arranged is substantially rectangular being longer in the lateral direction. The part where the license light 33 is arranged is narrower in the lateral direction than the part where the tail light 31 and the rear winker lights 32, 32 are arranged. Also, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the part where the tail light 31 and the rear winker lights 32, 32 are arranged is shaped curving towards the front of the vehicle as it extends towards the sides from the center. [0016] As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the tail light unit 30 is mainly comprised of the tail light bulb 34, as a light emitting body, rear winker bulbs 35, 35 and a license light bulb 36, a base 40 for supporting these bulbs 34 - 36, and two light covers 80, 90 for covering these bulbs 36 -36. [0017] The base 40 is integrally made of a resin molded part, and is provided with an upper base 42 constituting the fan shaped part of the front, a lower base 43 constituting the substantially rectangular part of the front, and a connecting wall section 41 for connecting the upper base 42 and the lower base 43. [0018] The upper base 42 forms a base section for the tail light 31 and the rear winker lights 32, 32. As shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, a rear side of the upper base 42 is inclined so that it rises up as it extends towards the rear, and a casing section 44 provided with a light cover attachment groove 44a that is substantially U-shaped in cross section opening to the rear is formed in an outer peripheral part of the rear side of the upper base 42. As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, a cylindrical wall section 45 opening to the rear is provided in the center of the upper base 42, and an upper part and lower part at the opening side of the cylindrical wall section 45 are joined to an inner side of the casing section 44. A front wall 47 having an insertion hole 46 is formed in a front end of the cylindrical wall section 45, and a bulb socket 71 for holding the tail-light bulb 45 is fitted into this insertion hole 46. Further, a tail light lens 72 for blocking off the rear opening of the cylindrical wall section 45 is fixed in a locked manner in an indent 49 provided at an inner surface of the rear opening of the cylindrical wall section 45. The tail light lens 72 is formed from semi-transparent resin that is colored red, for example, and specified lens cutting is carried out on the inner surface of the tail light lens 72. [0019] As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 6, at left and right symmetrical positions either side of the cylindrical wall section 45 on the upper base 42, cylindrical wall sections 51, 51 are provided opening to the rear side, and an upper section and lower section at the opening side of each cylindrical wall section 51 are connected to the inner side of the casing section 44. A front wall 53 having an insertion hole 52 is formed in a front end of each cylindrical wall section 51, and a bulb socket 73 for holding the rear winker bulb 35 is fitted into this insertion hole 52. Also, dome shaped rear winker light lenses 74 covering the rear winker bulbs 35 are fixed in a locked manner to an annular stepped section 54 provided in a front wall 53 of each cylindrical wall section 51. The rear winker light lenses 74 are made of semitransparent resin tinted, for example, orange, and the inner surfaces are subjected to specified lens cutting. [0020] Also, as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 6, an L-shaped bracket 55 projecting forwards and then curving downwards is provided in the front wall 53 of each cylindrical wall section 51, and a mushroom shaped latching projection 56 projects with an axis sloping downwards to the front from the front surface of the bracket 55. This latching projection 56 can be inserted into and removed from a grommet (not shown) fixed to a bracket 28 constituting part of the previously described vehicle body, and by inserted the latching projection 56 into the grommet and latching it is possible to attach the tail light unit 30 to the bracket 28, while it is similarly possible to remove the tail light unit 30 from the bracket 28 by pulling the latching projection 56 out of the grommet. [0021] A light cover 80 for the tail light 31 and the rear winker lights 32 is fixed to the upper base 42 to cover the whole of the rear side of the upper base 42. An outer part 81 of the light cover 80 is curved forwards, and a claw section 82 that projects forwards is provided on a specified region of the outer part 81. The light cover 80 has the outer part 81 arranged at an inner wall outer side of the casing section 44 in the upper base 42, and the light cover 80 is fixed to the upper base 42 by inserting the claw section 82 into the indented groove 44a of the casing section 44 and connecting the claw section 82 to the casing section 44 using hot melt 57. [0022] Also, as shown in Fig. 5, a downwardly projecting latch projection 83 and an indent 84 are provided in the claw section 82 inserted into a connection section for the casing section 44 and connecting wall section 41 of the upper base 42, and by inserting the latch projection 83 into a latch hole 58 provided in the casing section 44, and inserting an upper part of the connecting wall section 41 into the indent 84, the latch projection 83 is latched to the upper part of the connecting wall section 41. [0023] The light cover 80 is formed of clear transparent resin, for example, with a circular pattern 85 formed concentric with a specified region centered on an extension of the axis of the tail light bulb 34, and circular patterns 86 formed concentric with a specified region centered on an extension of the axis of each rear winker bulb 35, As shown in Fig. 7, a pair of left and right cylindrical sections 58, 58 projecting forwards are provided in the connecting wall section 41, and penetrating holes 58a through which fixing screws (not shown) for fixing the tail light unit 30 to the previously described bracket 28 pass, are formed in each cylindrical section 58. [0024] The lower base 43 constitutes a base section for the license light 33, and as shown in Fig. 5, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, is provided with an upper wall section 61 extending to the rear from a lower side of the connecting wall section 41, a vertical wall section 62 extending downwards from a rear end of the upper wall section 61, and a side wall section 63 extending downwards from left and right end sections of the upper wall section 61 and connecting to left and right end sections of the vertical wall section 62. A casing section 64 provided with a U-shaped light cover attachment indent groove 64a that opens to the rear is formed at front end sections of the upper wall section 61 and the side wall section 63, and at a lower end section of the vertical wall section 62. [0025] An insertion hole 65 is formed in the middle of the vertical wall section 62, and a bulb socket 75 for holding the license light bulb 36 is fitted into this insertion hole 65. As shown in Fig. 7 and Fig, 8, in the vertical wall section 62 screw holes 66, 66 are provided at left and right symmetrical positions either side of the through hole 65. [0026] As shown in Fig. 5, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, a light cover 90 for the license light 33 is fixed to the lower base 43, covering the entire rear side of the lower base 43. An outer wall section 91 of the light cover 90 has a substantially arcuate shape bulging out rearwards in plan view, as shown in Fig. 8, and a beak shape when viewed from the side, as shown in Fig. 5, and a rear end of the outer wall section 91 projects further to the rear than the rear end section of the light cover 80 for the tail light 31 and the rear winker lights 32. [0027] A partition wall 92 is provided in an inner rear part of the light cover 90, and a gripping indent 93 opening to a lower side is formed between the outer wall section 91 and the partition wall 92. Cylindrical stays 94, 94 projecting forwards from a rear inner surface of the outer wall section 91 are provided further to the left and right outer sides than the partition wall 92, being an inner section of the light cover 90. The stays 94, 94 are arranged at positions corresponding to the screw through holes 66, 66 of the lower base 43, and tip end surfaces of the stays 94, 94 run into the vertical wall section 62 of the lower base 43. Light cover attachment screw holes 94a are provided in each stay 94, at the tip end surface thereof. [0028] In the light cover 90, a section further in, in the thickness direction, than the two stays 94, 94, further forward than the partition wall 92, is opened to a lower side (refer to Fig. 5), and sides further to the left and right than this opening 95 are blocked off by a bottom wall section 96 (refer to Fig. 7). Claw sections 97 are provided at a front end of the outer wall section 91 and a front end of the bottom wall section 96, and lens attachment grooves 98 facing the opening 95 are provided in the lower end of the partition wall 92 and an edge section of the bottom wall section 96. The light cover 90 is formed of transparent resin deeply colored so as to appear black, for example. [0029] This light cover 90 has the claw sections 97 fitted into an indented groove 64a of the casing section 64 of the lower base 43, and the light cover 90 is fixed to the lower base 43 by screwing screws 99, 99 fitted into the screw insertion holes 66, 66 from the front of the lower base 43 into the screw holes 94a, 94a of the stays 94, 94. The opening 95 of the light cover 90 is then blocked off using the license light lens 76. The license light lens 76 is attached by inserting an edge into the indent groove 64a of the casing section 64 provided in a lower end of the vertical wall section 62 of the lower base 43, and into a lens attachment groove 98 provided in the partition wall 92 and the bottom wall section 96 of the light cover 90. The license light lens 76 is formed of black colored transparent resin, and as shown in Fig. 5, bulb light of the license light bulb 36 passes through the license light lens 76 and illuminates the license plate 29. [0030] In the tail light unit 30 configured in this way, when it becomes necessary to remove the tail light unit 30 from the vehicle body, first of all the fixing screws that are fitted into the penetrating holes of the base 40 are removed, and a hand is inserted into the gripping indent 93 of the light cover 90 so as to hold the outer wall section 91 of the light cover 90 and then the latching projection 56 of the base 40 can be simply removed from the grommet of the vehicle body side bracket 28 by pulling towards the rear. Therefore, it is possible to simply remove the tail light unit 30 from the vehicle body with one hand, and it is possible to subsequently carry the removed tail light unit 30 in that manner without any other action being necessary. Also, when attaching the tail light unit 30 to the vehicle body, it is possible to similarly grip the outer wall section 91 and attach, and simply carry out attachment by pushing the latching projection 56 into the grommet of the bracket 28, and after that it is possible to reliably fix the tail light unit 30 to the vehicle body by inserting the fixing screws into the though holes 58a and screwing them into the screw holes of the bracket 28. As a result, ease of maintenance of the tail light unit 30 is improved significantly. [0031] Also, with this embodiment, since the gripping indent 93 opens to the bottom, the gripping indent 93 can not be seen from the outside, and also, since the light cover 90 is tinted black it is possible to prevent the gripping indent 93 appearing transparent. It is therefore, possible to prevent the gripping indent 93 being conspicuous which improves the design. [0032] With this embodiment, the gripping indent 93 is provided so as to open to the bottom, but it is also possible to provide the gripping indent 93 so as to open to an upper side of the outer wall section 91 of the light cover 90, as shown in Fig. 11, for example. The position where the gripping indent is provided can also be anywhere at the lateral end of the light cover 90. With the previously described embodiment, the latch member (latch protrusion 56) for enabling attachment and removal of the light unit to and from the vehicle body is constructed as a male member, but it is also possible for the latch member of the light unit to be a female member, with a male member at the vehicle body side being fitted into this female member. Also, the above embodiment has been described by way of an example adopted in a tail light unit, but the present invention can also be adopted in a headlight unit. The present invention is also not limited to a motorcycle and can also be adopted in a three or four wheeled vehicle. [0033] [Effects of the invention] As has been described above, according to the invention of claim 1, since it is possible to apply force by gripping a light unit using a gripping indent, it is easy to handle the light unit, and it is easy to attach or remove the light unit, which significantly improves ease of maintenance. According to the invention of claim 2, it is possible to prevent the gripping indent impairing the external appearance, and it is possible to easily grip the light unit. [0034] According to the invention of claim 3, since it is possible to prevent the gripping indent appearing transparent, it is possible to prevent the external appearance being impaired. According to the invention of claim 4, the light unit is pushed in or pulled out while gripping the light unit using the gripping indent, and the latching section of the base is fitted into or removed from the vehicle body, which means tat it is easy to attach and remove-the light unit to and from the vehicle body. [Description of the Numerals] 28 bracket (vehicle body) 30 tail light unit (light unit) 34 tail light bulb (bulb) 35 rear winker bulb (bulb) 36 license light bulb (bulb) 40 base 56 latching projection (latch section) 80, 90 light cover 93 gripping indent We Claim: 1. A light unit, comprising a bulb, being a light emitting body, a base for supporting the bulb, a light cover for covering the bulb, and a locking part for enabling attachment and removal to the said base by insertion into and removal from a vehicle body wherein a gripping indent is provided in the light cover. 2. The light unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gripping indent opens downwards and is provided at an end part of the light cover. 3. The light unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a surround of the gripping indent in the light cover has a deep color. 4. The light unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking part is provided in the base.

Documents:

1103-DEL-2004-Abstract-(11-10-2010).pdf

1103-del-2004-abstract.pdf

1103-DEL-2004-Claims-(02-02-2012).pdf

1103-DEL-2004-Claims-(11-10-2010).pdf

1103-del-2004-claims.pdf

1103-DEL-2004-Correspondence Others-(02-02-2012).pdf

1103-DEL-2004-Correspondence-Others-(11-10-2010).pdf

1103-del-2004-correspondence-others.pdf

1103-del-2004-description (complete).pdf

1103-del-2004-drawinmgs.pdf

1103-DEL-2004-Form-1-(11-10-2010).pdf

1103-del-2004-form-1.pdf

1103-del-2004-form-19.pdf

1103-del-2004-form-2.pdf

1103-DEL-2004-Form-3-(11-10-2010).pdf

1103-del-2004-form-3.pdf

1103-del-2004-form-5.pdf

1103-DEL-2004-GPA-(11-10-2010).pdf

1103-del-2004-gpa.pdf

1103-DEL-2004-Petition-137-(11-10-2010).pdf