Title of Invention

COWL STRUCTURE OF MOTORCYCLE

Abstract

The present invention has as an object the enhancement in a appearance characteristic and a texture around a head light in a front cowl. [Solution] A front cowl 35, when viewed from the front, includes an inner cowl 81 surrounding a head light 36, and an outer cowl 82 further surrounding the periphery of the inner cowl 81. At the inner cowl 81, when viewed from the front, left and right step-shaped portions 95, 95 including a plurality of bent portions 94 are provided. These left and right step-shaped portions 95, 95 are provided at a portion covered with the outer cowl 82. Fastening members 77 which fasten the outer cowl 82 to the inner cowl 81 are attached to the step-shaped portions 95. [Selected Drawing] Fig. 7

Full Text

[Document Name] Specification [Title'of the Invention] COWL STRUCTURE OF MOTORCYCLE [Technical Field] [0001] The present invention relates to an improvement of a cowl structure of a motorcycle, which is provided with a front cowl which surrounds a head light and covers a forward section of a vehicle. [Background Art] [0002] There has been known a cowl structure of a motorcycle which is provided with a head light lightening ahead of a vehicle, and a front cowl which surrounds the head light and covers a forward section of the vehicle (refer to, for example, Patent Document 1) [Patent Document 1] JP-A No. 2004-284399 (Fig. 4) [0003] In Fig. 4 of the Patent Document 1, in a front cowl 7 (reference numeral employed in the same document is applied In the following, the same as above), an opening 19 is provided. At this opening 19, the head light 8 is provided With an upper edge portion of the front cowl 7, a lower end portion 21 of a windscreen 10 is engaged. Moreover, at a rear end portion of a side surface of the front cowl 7, two left and right mounting portions 29 are provided. By the mounting portions 29, the front cowl 7 is mounted on the side of the vehicle. [0004] Incidentally, with the technology of the Patent Document 1, the front cowl 7 is made of a single member and, for example, the color of the front cowl 7 is caused to be limited to one color. Therefore, there was room for improvement in enhancing of an appearance characteristic and a texture around the head light. [Disclosure of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention] [0005] The present invention has as an object the enhancement of an appearance characteristic and a texture around a head light in a front cowl. [Means for Solving the Problem] [0006] The invention according to Claim 1 is characterized in that in a cowl structure of a motorcycle, provided with a head light for lightening ahead of a vehicle, and a front cowl surrounding the head light and covering a forward section of the vehicle, the front cowl, when viewed from the front, includes an inner cowl surrounding the head light, and an outer cowl further surrounding a periphery of the inner cowl. [0007] The invention according to Claim 2 is characterized in that, at the inner cowl, when viewed from the front, step-shaped portions which include plural bent portions are provided, the step-shaped portions are provided at a portion covered with the outer cowl, and fastening members which fasten the outer cowl to the inner cowl are attached to the step-shaped portions. [0008] The invention according to Claim 3 is characterized in that an edge of the outer cowl is bent and a tip end of the outer cowl abuts on the inner cowl at substantially right angles. [0009] The invention according to Claim 4 is characterized in that a wind introducing passage which can allow wind to flow obliquely upper in a rearward direction is formed by causing an upper portion of the outer cowl to be overlapped on an upper portion of the inner cowl, an outlet port of the wind introducing passage is covered with a meter panel, and a wind outlet port for allowing the wind to pass is provided at the meter panel. [Effect of the Invention] [0010] In the invention according to Claim 1, the front cowl includes the inner cowl surrounding the head light, and the outer cowl further surrounding the periphery of the inner cowl. In short, the front cowl is made up by causing the outer cowl to be put on the outside of the inner cowl. [0011] For example, if a part of the inner cowl is made exposed to the outside of the outer cowl, and the inner cowl and the outer cowl are pigmented with different colors, it is possible to obtain the front cowl having both a high appearance characteristic and a texture which are not obtained in a front cowl of a single-sheet structure. In addition, the outer cowl is put on the inner cowl, to thereby form a double structure, so that it possible to enhance the rigidity of the front cowl and, moreover, it is possible to cause a travel wind to be further easy to pass through a gap between the inner cowl and the outer cowl. Therefore, it is unnecessary to provide a separate wind introducing port and it is possible to reduce the production cost of the cowl. [0012] In the invention according to Claim 2, the step-shaped portions which include the plural bent portions are provided at the inner cowl, and the fastening members which fasten the outer cowl to the inner cowl are attached to the step-shaped portions. The step-shaped portions include the plural bent portions, so that rigidity can be considerably enhanced. [0013] Moreover, the step-shaped portions are provided at the portion which is covered with the outer cowl, and the outer cowl is applied to the step-shaped portions and fastened by the fastening members, so that it is possible to considerably enhance the rigidity of the front cowl at portions of the inner cowl and outer cowl which are invisible from the outside. [0014] In the invention according to Claim 3, the edge of the outer cowl is bent and the tip end of the outer cowl abuts on the inner cowl at substantially right angles, so that ups and downs are provided around the inner cowl and head light, and it is possible to obtain a shape having a feeling of depth which is not obtained in a flat surface. It is possible to cause the feeling of depth to be given around the head light, so that it is possible to enhance the appearance characteristic of a forward section of the vehicle . In addition, the structure around the head light is formed so as to have a substantially V-shape in cross-section, whereby the rigidity of the front cowl can be further enhanced. [0015] In the invention according to Claim 4, in the proximity of a front inclined surface of the front cowl, the wind introducing port for intaking a travel wind is provided between the outer cowl and the inner cowl. By constructing so as to allow the wind to be able to be guided toward between the outer cowl and the inner cowl, it is possible to obtain a wind introducing structure with the simple construction. In addition, by causing the upper portion of the outer cowl to be overlapped on the upper portion of the inner cowl, the wind introducing inlet port can be allowed not to be conspicuous and the appearance characteristic of the vehicle is not deteriorated. [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention] [0016] A mode for carrying out the present invention will be explained hereinafter on the basis of the accompanying drawings. Incidentally, the drawings shall be viewed on the basis of the directions of reference numerals Fig. 1 is a side view of a motorcycle according to the present invention. A motorcycle body frame 11 of the motorcycle 10 includes, as essential elements thereof, a steering shaft 13 rotatably provided at a head pipe 12 which is provided at a front end section of a vehicle, a bridge member 14 mounted to the steering shaft 13, a steering handlebar 15 and a front fork 16 which are mounted to an upper portion and a lower portion of the bridge member 14, a main frame 17 provided so as to extend rearward from the head pipe 12, a seat rail 18 provided so as to extend rearward from a rear portion of the main frame 17, a middle down frame 22 which is provided so as to extend obliquely downward and rearward from a forward end portion 17a of the main frame 17, pass under an engine 21, extend obliquely forward and upward, and be connected to the main frame 17, a pivot plate 23 mounted to a middle portion 22m of the middle down frame 22, a swing arm 26 provided at the pivot plate 23 through a pivot shaft 24 so as to extend rearward and supporting a rear wheel 27 so as to allow the rear wheel 27 to be swingable, a rear upper frame 28 provided so as to extend obliquely upward from the middle portion 22m of the middle down frame 22 and interconnecting the middle portion and the seat rail 18, and an auxiliary frame 32 extending obliquely rearward and downward from a middle portion 28m of the rear upper frame 28 and having a fellow passenger's step 31 mounted to a lower end portion thereof. [0017] To lower end portions of the front fork 16, a front wheel 25 is mounted. To a rear end portion of the swing arm 26, the rear wheel 27 acting as a drive wheel is mounted. Between the swing arm 26 and the seat rail 18, a rear cushion unit 34 for relieving shock which the rear wheel 27 receives from the surface of a road is mounted. [0018] To the bridge member 14, a windscreen for a rider and a front cowl 35 for improving the appearance characteristic of the vehicle are mounted. To the front cowl 35, a head light 36 for lightening ahead of the vehicle is attached. Detailed structures thereof will be explained hereinafter with reference to next Figures. [0019] The engine 21 includes a crankcase 42 suspended by the pivot plate 23, a cylinder block 41 attached to a front portion of the crankcase 42 and arranged substantially horizontally, a cylinder head 44 covering a front portion of the cylinder block 41, and an intake system member 46 and an exhaust system member 47 which are provided at an upper portion and a lower portion of the cylinder head 44. [0020] The intake system member 46 includes an intake pipe 48 connected to the cylinder head 44, a fuel supply device 49 connected to the intake pipe 48 and generating a gaseous mixture, and an air cleaner 51 connected to an upstream side of the fuel supply device 49. [0021] Moreover, the exhaust system member 47 includes an exhaust pipe 52 connected to the cylinder head 44, and a muffler 53 connected to a rear portion of the exhaust pipe 52. In the Figure, 54 is a front fender, 55 is a step for the rider, 56 is a fuel tank, 57 is a passenger's seat, 58 is a stand, 59 is a side cowl, 61 is a seat cowl, 62 is a grab rail, 63 is a rear fender, and 64 is a tail lamp. [0022] Fig. 2 is a side view of an essential section of the motorcycle according to the present invention. At a forward section of the motorcycle, the steering shaft 13 which is rotatably provided at the head pipe 12, a top bridge 67 which is mounted to an upper end portion of the steering shaft 13, a bottom bridge 68 which is mounted to a lower end portion of the steering shaft 13, and a stay member 74 which is mounted to the top bridge 67 and the bottom bridge 68, includes a bar-shaped member 71 and a plate-shaped member 72 which are welded together, and supports the front cowl 35, a meter panel 73, and the like, are provided. [0023] The stay member 74 has an upper bracket 76T and a lower bracket 76B which are attached to an upper portion and a lower portion of the stay member 74. To these upper and lower brackets 76T, 76B, the front cowl 35 is attached through fastening members 77 ••• (••• indicates plural number. In the following, the same as above) . To the front cowl 35, the head light 36 is attached. [0024] Incidentally, the front cowl 35 includes an inner cowl 81 and an outer cowl 82 covering an outside of the inner cowl 81. Screw members 83 *•■ are tightened from an inside of the inner cowl 81 into the outside of the outer cowl 82, to thereby fasten the outer cowl 82 to the inner cowl 81. In addition, around the head light 36, an opening 92 of the outer cowl 82 is formed so as to allow a part of the inner cowl 81 to be exposed to the outside. A detailed shape will be discussed hereinafter. [0025] Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along a line 3-3 in Fig. 2. In a surface (reference numeral 85 in Fig. 2) making a right angle with a front inclined surface (reference numeral 84 in Fig. 2) which forms a front surface of the front cowl, a surface 86 of the inner cowl and a surface 87 of the outer cowl are provided so as to be bent relative to each other. In this way, the two surfaces 86, 87 are arranged so as to be bent, to thereby make it possible to obtain a design which has a cubic effect and engenders a feeling of depth. [0026] Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion 4 of Fig. 3. An engaging groove 88 is provided in the inner cowl 81. A tip end 82a of the outer cowl 82 which is formed by bending an edge 82f of the outer cowl 8 2 abuts on the inner cowl 81 at substantially right angles and is engaged with the inner cowl 81. [0027] By such a structure, the inner cowl 81 and the outer cowl 8 2 form a boundary portion 89 of a valley shape in cross-section, so that ups and downs can be provided around the head light 36 and a shape engendering a cubic effect and a feeling of depth which are not obtained on a flat surface can be obtained. The feeling of depth and the like can be engendered around the head light 36, so that the appearance characteristic of the forward section of the vehicle can be enhanced. In addition, the structure around the head light is formed so as to have a substantially V-shape in cross-section, thus making it possible to further enhance the rigidity of the front cowl 35. [0028] Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along a line 5-5 in Fig. 2, in which a cross-sectional shape of an engagement portion of the inner cowl 81 and the outer cowl 82 on a horizontal plane of the vehicle is shown. In Fig, 5, when compared to Fig. 4, an angle 0 5 defined between the inner cowl 81 and the outer cowl 82 becomes a different angle and there is a relationship of 0 5 > 0 4. Therefore, when a comparison between a case of viewing a peripheral edge portion of the head light 36 from an oblique and upper direction, and a .case of viewing the peripheral edge portion of the head light 36 from a horizontal direction is made, different impression in a shape around the head light 36 can be given and the texture of the forward section of the vehicle can be further enhanced. [0029] Moreover, the angle 05 defined between the inner cowl 81 and the outer cowl 82 in the horizontal direction is larger than 90 degrees, so that travel wind W can be allowed to smoothly flow through even a valley portion 107 which is formed between the inner cowl 81 and the outer cowl 82. [0030] Fig. 6 is a front view of the outer cowl according to the present invention. Fig. 7 is a front view of the inner cowl according to the present invention. Fig. 8 is a front view of the front cowl made up by covering the inner cowl with the outer cowl. The following description will be made with reference to Figs. 6 to 8. [0031] The front cowl 35, when viewed from the front, includes the inner cowl 81 surrounding the head light (reference numeral 36 in Fig. 2), and the outer cowl 82 further surrounding the periphery of the inner cowl 81. With respect to an opening portion around the head light 36, a size of an opening portion 91 of the inner cowl 81 is formed so as to be smaller than a size of an opening portion 92 of the outer cowl 82. [0032] Therefore, as discussed above, between the head light (reference numeral 36 in Fig. 2) and the outer cowl 82, the part of the inner cowl 81 becomes exposed. Incidentally, 93L, 93R are left and right winkers which are attached to the inner cowl 81. [0033] Referring together with Fig. 4, at the inner cowl 81, when viewed from the front, left and right step-shaped portions 95, 95 including a plurality of bent portions 94 •*• are provided. These left and right step-shaped portions 95, 95 are provided at a portion covered with the outer cowl 82. Moreover, the fastening members 77 •■■ fastening the outer cowl 82 to the inner cowl 81 are attached to the step-shaped portions 95. [0034] Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along a line 9-9 in Fig. 8. At a cowl structure 66 of the motorcycle, the head light 36, and the front cowl 35 surrounding the head light 3 6 and covering the forward section of the vehicle are provided. [0035] In an upper portion of the inner cowl 81 forming the front cowl 35, an engaging hole 96 is provided. With this engaging hole 96, an engaging pin 97 which is formed at an upper portion of the head light 36 is engaged. Moreover, in a lower portion of the inner cowl 81, an elongated hole 98 is provided. Along this elongated hole 98, a fastening hole 99 of the head light 99 is movably provided. By causing a screw 101 to be tightened into the fastening hole 99 from outward of the elongated hole 98, the head light 36 is adjusted in a preferable direction and fixed. [0036] Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along a line 10-10 in Fig. 8. Wind introducing passages 102 which are formed in the left and right portions of the front cowl 35 will be explained. By causing an upper portion 82t of the outer cowl 8 2 to be overlapped on the upper portion 81t of the inner cowl 81, the wind introducing passages 102 for allowing wind to flow in a rearward and obliquely upward direction are formed. Outlet ports 102d of this wind introducing passages 102 are covered with the meter panel 73. At this meter panel 73, a wind outlet port 104 for allowing wind to pass is provided. [0037] In the proximity of a front inclined surface 105 acting as the front inclined surface 84 of the front cowl 35, a wind introducing inlet port 106 for intaking a travel wind is provided between the outer cowl 82 and the inner cowl 81. [0038] By constructing so as to guide the wind toward between the outer cowl 82 and the inner cowl 81, it is possible to obtain a wind introducing structure with the simple construction. In addition, by causing the upper portion 82t of the outer cowl 82 to be overlapped on the upper portion 81t of the inner cowl 81, it is possible to cause the wind introducing inlet port 106 not to be conspicuous, and cause the appearance characteristic of the vehicle to be hard to be deteriorated. [0039] Referring to Figs. 7 and 8 together, at the inner cowl 81, the step-shaped portions 95 including the plural bent portions 94 ••■ are provided. The fastening members 77 ••• fastening the outer cowl 82 to the inner cowl 81 are attached to the step-shaped portions 95. The step-shaped portions 95 include a plurality of the bend portions 94 ••-, thus making it possible to enhance the rigidity of the front cowl 35. [0040] Moreover, the step-shaped portions 95 are provided at the portion covered with the outer cowl 82, and the step- shaped portions 95 are applied to the outer cowl 82 and fastened by the fastening members 77 ••*, so that it is possible to greatly enhance the rigidity of the front cowl 35 at portions of the inner cowl 81 and outer cowl 82 which are invisible from the outside. [0041] The operation of the above-mentioned cowl structure of the motorcycle will be discussed in the following. Returning to Fig. 4, the front cowl 35 includes the inner cowl 81 surrounding the head light 36, and the outer cowl 82 further surrounding the inner cowl 81 - In short, the front cowl 35 is made up 'by causing the outer cowl 82 to be put on the outside of the inner cowl 81 from the front. [0042] For example, if a part of the inner cowl 81 is made exposed to the outside of the outer cowl 82, and the inner cowl 81 and the outer cowl 82 are pigmented with different colors, it is possible to obtain the front cowl 35 having both a high appearance characteristic and a texture which are not obtained in the front cowl of a single-sheet structure. [0043] In addition, the structure in which the outer cowl 82 is put on the inner cowl 81, makes it possible to enhance the rigidity of the front cowl 35 and, moreover, makes it possible to cause the travel wind to be further easy to pass through a gap between the inner cowl 81 and the outer cowl 82, so that it is unnecessary to provide a separate wind introducing port and it is possible to also reduce the production cost of the cowl. [0044] Incidentally, in Claim 1, at the inner cowl, when viewed from the front, the step-shaped portions 'including the plural bent portions are provided. It is safe to cause these step-shaped portions to be provided at a portion which is not covered with the outer cowl. [0045] Moreover, an angle which allows the tip end of the outer cowl, whose edge is bent, to abut on the inner cowl is not limited to substantially right angles and safely set to arbitrary angles. While the present invention is applied to the motorcycle in the embodiment, it can be applied to a two-wheeled vehicle with a side car or a three-wheeled vehicle and safely applied to a general vehicle. [Industrial Applicability] [0046] The present invention is suitable for the cowl structure of the motorcycle. [Brief Description of the Drawings] [0047] [Fig. 1] is a side view of a motorcycle according to the present invention. [Fig. 2] is a side view of an essential section of the motorcycle according to the present invention. [Fig. 3] is a sectional view taken along a line 3-3 in Fig. 2 [Fig. 4] is an enlarged view of a portion 4 of Fig. 3. [Fig. 5] is a sectional view taken along a line 5-5 in Fig. 2. [Fig. 6] is a front view of an outer cowl according to the present invention. [Fig. 7] is a front view of an inner cowl according to the present invention. [Fig. 8] is a front view of a front cowl made up by causing the inner cowl of the present invention to be covered with the outer cowl. [Fig. 9] is a sectional view taken along a line 9-9 in Fig. 8. [Fig. 10] is a sectional view taken along a line 10-10 in Fig. 8. [Description of Reference Numeral] [0048] 10 •*• Motorcycle, 35 •- Front cowl, 36 ■*• Head light, 66 ••• Cowl structure of motorcycle, 73 ••• Meter panel, 77 ••* Fastening member, 81 •■• Inner cowl, 81t ••* Upper portion of inner cowl, 82 ••* Outer cowl, 82t ••• Upper portion of outer cowl, 82f *•■ Edge of outer cowl, 82a •- Tip end of outer cowl, 94 ••* Bent portion, 95 ■•■ Step-shaped portion, 102 •*• Wind introducing passage, 102d ••• Outlet port of wind introducing passage, 104 ••• Wind outlet port [Document Name] Scope of Claims [Claim 1] A cowl structure of a motorcycle, comprising: a head light for lightening ahead of a vehicle; and a front cowl surrounding the head light and covering a forward section of the vehicle, wherein the front cowl, when viewed from the front, includes: an inner cowl surrounding the head light; and an outer cowl further surrounding a periphery of the inner cowl. [Claim 2] The cowl structure of a motorcycle according to Claim 1, wherein: at the inner cowl, when viewed from the front, step-shaped portions which comprise plural bent portions are provided, the step-shaped portions being provided at a portion covered with the outer cowl; and fastening members which fasten the outer cowl to the inner cowl are attached to the step-shaped portions. [Claim 3] The cowl structure of a motorcycle according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein an edge of the outer cowl is bent and a tip end of the outer cowl abuts on the inner cowl at substantially right angles . [Claim 4] The cowl structure of a motorcycle according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein: a wind introducing passage which can allow wind to flow obliquely upper in a rearward direction is formed by causing an upper portion .of the outer cowl to be overlapped on an upper portion of the inner cowl; an outlet port of the wind introducing passage is covered with a meter panel; and a wind outlet port for allowing the wind to pass is provided at the meter panel.

Documents:

718-CHE-2008 EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECEIVED 02-11-2012.pdf

718-CHE-2008 FORM-3 02-11-2012.pdf

718-CHE-2008 OTHER PATENT DOCUMENT 02-11-2012.pdf

718-CHE-2008 AMENDED CLAIMS 02-11-2012.pdf

718-CHE-2008 AMENDED PAGES OF SPECIFICATION 02-11-2012.pdf

718-CHE-2008 EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECEIVED 02-11-2012.pdf

718-che-2008-abstract.pdf

718-che-2008-claims.pdf

718-che-2008-correspondnece-others.pdf

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

718-che-2008-drawings.pdf

718-che-2008-form 1.pdf

718-che-2008-form 26.pdf

718-che-2008-form 3.pdf

718-che-2008-form 5.pdf

718-che-2008-other documents.pdf

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