| Title of Invention | REAR SIDE COVER SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR MOTORCYCLE |
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| Abstract | To provide a rear side cover support structure for a motorcycle which is resistant to resonance while achieving an improvement in outward appearance and a reduction in weight. A tail lamp 77 is arranged in a rear end portion between left and right rear side covers 74 and 76, a rear end portion 74E of the rear side cover 74, which forms an upper portion of the rear portion of the rear side cover 74, extends along the lower surface of a grab rail 68, a claw portion 74b that extends upward is formed in an upper surface 74a of the rear end portion 74E, a groove 113b into which the claw portion 74b is inserted is provided in the lower surface of the grab rail 68, and a lower surface 74c of the rear end portion 74E is abutted on the tail lamp 77 via a cushion member 115. Fig. 3 |
| Full Text | [Document Name] Specification [Title of the Invention] REAR SIDE COVER SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR MOTORCYCLE [Technical Field] [0001] The present invention relates to a rear side cover support structure for a motorcycle. [Background Art] [0002] As a rear side cover for a motorcycle according to the related art, there is known one which is arranged below the rear portion of a seat (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Patent Document 1] JP Patent No. 3745842 [3] Figs. 5 and 9 of Patent Document 1 will be described below. A body cover 23 as a rear side cover is arranged below the rear portion of a seat 12, a tail light 50 is arranged above the Center of the rear end portion of the body cover 23, and flasher lamps 51, 51 are arranged on the left and right of the rear end of the body cover 23. [Disclosure of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention] [4] While the rear end portion of the body cover 23 is formed with a large vertical width in order to improve rigidity, or to provide resistance to resonance with Vibration of the body, this leads to, for example, a lack of attractiveness in terms of outward appearance in comparison to a sharp shape with a narrowed rear end, and also an increase in weight. An object of the present invention is to provide a rear side Cover support structure for a motorcycle which is resistant to resonance while achieving an improvement in outward appearance and a reduction in weight. [Means for Solving the Problem] [5] An aspect of the invention according to Claim 1 relates to a rear side cover support structure for a motorcycle, including, in its rear portion, a pair of left and right rear side covers that Cover a side portion of a rear portion of a body, and a grab rail, in which a tail lamp is arranged in a rear portion between the left and right rear side covers, a rear end portion of each of the rear side covers, which forms an upper portion of a rear portion of each of the rear side covers, extends along a lower surface of the grab rail, a claw portion that extends upward is foDnned in an upper surface of the rear end portion, a groove into v/hich the clav; portion is inserted is provided in the lower surface of the grab rail, and a lower surface of the rear end portion is abutted on the tail lamp via a cushion member. [6] As an effect, since the rear end portion of the rear side Cover, which forms the upper portion of the rear portion of the rear side cover, has an elongated, acutely angled shape, so the outward appearance becomes attractive, and the rear side cover becomes lightweight. Further, when the claw portion formed in the upper surface of the rear end portion of the rear side cover is inserted into the groove portion of the grab rail, and the lower surface of the rear end portion of the rear side cover is abutted on the tail lamp via the cushion men±)er, both the upper and lower surfaces of the rear end portion of the rear side cover are supported in place, thereby suppressing resonance of the rear side cover. [0008] In an aspect of the invention according to Claim 2, the rear portion of each of the rear side covers is formed in a horizontal V shape in side view. As an effect, the rear end portion of the rear side cover forms an upper portion shaped like a horizontal V, creating an elongated, acutely angled shape that slopes upward toward the rear. [9] In an aspect of the invention according to Claim 3, a surface of the grab rail is formed of rubber or soft resin. As an effect, the claw portion of the rear side cover can be easily inserted into the groove of the soft grab rail. Also, a soft feel can be provided upon gripping the grab rail. [10] In an aspect of the invention according to Claim 4, in a rear portion of the grab rail, a flat surface is provided so as to cover the top of the tail lamp in plan view. [0011] As an effect, since the top of the tail lamp is covered by the flat surface of the grab rail, it is unnecessary to extend the left and right rear side covers to the top of the tail lamp. so the rear side cover becomes more lightweight. Also, the tail lamp is protected by the grab rail. [Effect of the Invention] [0012] In the aspect of the invention according to Claim 1, a tail lamp is arranged in a rear portion between the left and right rear side covers, a rear end portion of each of the rear side Covers, which forms an upper portion of a rear portion of each of the rear side Covers, extends along a lower surface of the grab rail, a claw portion that extends upward is formed in an upper surface of the rear end portion, a groove into which the claw portion is inserted is provided in the lower surface of the grab rail, and a lower surface of the rear end portion is abutted on the tail lamp via a cushion member. Thus, since the rear portion of the rear side cover is formed in a horizontal V shape, the rear end portion can be formed in an elongated, acutely angled shape to achieve an improvement in outward appearance and a reduction in weight. In addition, by inserting the claw portion of the rear side cover into the groove portion of the grab rail, and pressing the lower surface of the rear side cover by the tail lamp via the cushion member, resonance of the rear end portion of the rear side cover can be suppressed. [0013] In the aspect of the invention according to Claim 2, since the rear portion of each of the rear side covers is formed in a horizontal V shape in side view, the rear end portion of the rear side cover has an elongated, acutely angled shape that slopes upward towards the rear, thereby making it possible to improve the outward appearance in side view. [14] In the aspect of the invention according to Claim 3, since the surface of the grab rail is formed of loibber or soft resin, it is possible to improve the ease of Installation of the claw portion of the rear side cover and, in addition, a soft feel can be provided upon gripping the grab rail. [15] In the aspect of the invention according to Claim 4, since a flat surface is provided in the rear portion of the grab rail so as to Cover the top of the tail lamp in plan view, the top of the tail lamp is covered by the flat surface of the grab rail. Thus, there is no particular need to cover the top of the tail lamp by a rear center cover or the like, which makes it possible to reduce the surface area of the rear side cover, and make the rear side cover lightweight. Also, a load exerted from above the tail lamp can be borne by the flat surface of the grab rail, so the tail lamp can be protected. [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention] [16] The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. The drawings are to be viewed in the direction of reference numerals. Fig. 1 is a side view of a saddle-ride type vehicle that adopts a rear side cover support structure according to the present invention. A saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is a scooter type motorcycle in which a front fork 13 is steerably attached to a head pipe 12 that forms the front end of a body frame 11, a bar handle 14 and a front wheel 16 are respectively attached to the Upper end and lower end of the head pipe 12, a crankcase 21 of an engine 20 is attached to a main frame 17 that extends diagonally downward to the rear from the head pipe 12, and to a pivot plate 18 that extends downward from the rear end portion of the main frame 17, a swing arm 23 is attached to the pivot plate 18 via a pivot shaft 22 in a vertically swingable manner, a rear wheel 24 is attached to the rear end of the swing arm 23, a pair of left and right seat rails 25, 26 (Only reference numeral 25 on the foreground side is shown) extend diagonally upward to the rear from the rear portion of the main frame 17, a seat 27 is attached on top of the seat rails 25, 26, a pair of left and right sub- frames 31, 32 (Only reference numeral 31 on the foreground side is shown) are passed between the pivot plate 18 and the respective intermediate portions of the seat rails 25, 26, and a pair of left and right rear cushion units 33, 33 (Only one reference numeral 33 is shown) are passed between the rear end portion of the swing arm 23 and the respective intermediate portions of the seat rails 25, 26. [0017] The body frame 11 includes the head pipe 12, the main frame 17, the pivot plate 18, the seat rails 25, 26, and the sub-frames 31, 32 mentioned above. The front of the head pipe 12 is covered by a front cover 35, the sides of the head pipe 12 and main frame 17, and the top of the front portion of the main frame 17 are covered by a main front Cover 36, the lower portions of the side portions of the main frame cover 36 are covered by the upper portions of a pair of left and right main frame side covers 37, 38 (Only reference numeral 37 on the foreground side is shown), and lower covers 43, 44 (Only reference numeral 43 on the foreground side is shown), which Cover the sides of a cylinder portion 41 of the engine 2 0 and the sides of the rear portion of the main frame 17, are connected to the lower edges of the main frame side covers 37, 38, [0018] The engine 20 is a driving source that extends substantially horizontally front to rear. A cylinder block 51 is attached to the front end of the crankcase 21, a cylinder head 52 is attached to the cylinder block 51, the front end of the cylinder head 52 is covered by a head cover 53, and a transmission 55 is provided integrally with the rear portion of the crankcase 21. The cylinder head 52 is connected with an intake device 57 at its Upper portion, and with an exhaust device 58 at its lov7er portion. The intake device 57 includes a throttle body 62 that is connected to the cylinder head 52 via an intake manifold 61, and an air cleaner 64 that is connected to the throttle body 62 via a connecting tube (not shown) . The upper portion of the air cleaner 64 is supported by the front portion of the main frame 17. The exhaust device 58 includes an exhaust pipe 66 that is connected to the cylinder head 52, and a muff1er 67 that is connected to the rear end of the exhaust pipe 66. A grab rail 68, which is grabbed by a pillion passenger seated in the rear portion of the seat 27, is attached to the rear end portions of the seat rails 25, 26. Below the seat 27, there are arranged a center cover 71 that is contiguous to the main frame cover 36, the main frame side Covers 37, 38, and the lower Covers 43, 44, and a pair of left and right body side Covers 72, 73 (Only reference numeral 72 on the foreground side is shown) and a pair of left and right rear side Covers 74, 76 (Only reference numeral 74 on the foreground side is shown), which cover the sides of the seat rails 25, 26. A tail lamp 77 is arranged between the rear portions of the left and right rear side covers 74, 76, and a rear fender 78 that covers the top of the rear wheel 24 is arranged between the lower portions of the left and right rear side Covers 74, 76. [0021] Here, reference numeral 85 denotes a handlebar cover that Covers the bar handle 14, reference numeral 86 denotes a front fender that covers the top of the front wheel 16, reference numeral 8 7 denotes a head lamp arranged so as to be exposed from the lower portion of the front cover 35, reference numerals 88, 88 (Only reference numeral 88 on the foreground side is shown) denote a pair of left and right rider steps that project laterally from the crankcase 21, reference numerals 89, 89 (Only reference numeral 8 9 on the foreground side is shown) denote pillion passenger steps that are respectively attached to the sub-frames 31, 32 via a step holder 91, reference numeral 92 denotes an Output shaft that projects laterally from the transmission 55, reference nuraeral 93 denotes a drive sprocket attached to the Output shaft 92, reference nurneral 94 denotes a driven sprocket provided integrally with the rear wheel 24, reference nurneral 96 denotes a chain wrapped around each of the drive sprocket 93 and the driven sprocket 94, reference nurneral 97 denotes a chain cover that Covers the top of the chain 93, and reference nurneral 98 denotes a main stand attached to the pivot plate 18. [0022] Fig. 2 shows a main-portion plan view of a saddle-ride type vehicle according to the present invention (The arrow (FRONT) in the drawing indicates the front of the vehicle; The same applies hereinafter) . The grab rail 68 formed in a shape that becomes narrower from the front portion toward the rear portion is arranged in rear of the seat 27. [23] The grab rail 68 is a part that is arranged above the tail larep 77 and Covers the tail lamp 77 from above, and includes crest portions 68a, 68a that are arranged on the left and right in a truncated chevron shape that opens widely toward the front, and a trough portion 68c that is formed so as to be lower than the crest portions 68a, 68b and flat between the crest portions 68a, 68b. The hands of a pillion passenger are rested on side edges 68d, 68e of the crest portions 68a, 68b, and the trough portion 68c is used as a carrier. [24] Side edges 72a, 73a of the body side Covers 72, 73 are provided so as to be contiguous to left and right side edges 27a, 27b of the front portion of the seat 27, and the side edges 68d, 68e of the grab rail 68 are provided so as to be contiguous to the extensions of the side edges 72a, 73a of the body side Covers 72, 73. Thus, in plan view, the contour of the rear portion of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is formed in a smooth streamlined shape from the front end of the seat 2 7 to the rear end of the grab rail 68, thereby achieving an improvement in outward appearance and a reduction in air resistance. [25] Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. The grab rail 68 includes: a core 110 that includes a rod-like core 105 made of metal, a pair of left and right outer plate-like cores 106, 107 (Only one reference numeral 106 is shown) made of metal that are attached on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the rod-like core 105, and an inner plate-like core 108 made of metal that is attached on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the rod-like core 105; a pair of left and right attaching members (not shovm) for attaching the grab rail 68 to the seat rails 25, 26 (See Fig. 1; Only reference numeral 25 is shown) side, and a covering 113 made of rubber of soft resin that is formed so as to cover the core 110 and the attaching members. [26] The rod-like core 105, the outer plate-like cores 106, 107, a portion of the inner plate-like core 108 adjoining the rod-like core 105, and the covering 113 that envelopes these portions form holding portions 68L, 68R (see Fig. 2 for reference numeral 68R) that are held with the hands of a pillion passenger. The holding portions 68L, 68R slope downward toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction and are formed thicker than the central portion of the grab rail 68. Thus, the holding portions 68L, 68R are easy to grab and, further, are improved in rigidity by the core 110, and gives a soft feel when grabbed because of the covering 113 made of rubber or soft resin. [28] A pair of left and right protrusions 113a, 113a (Only one reference numeral 113a is shovm) that project downward are formed integrally with the lower surface of the grab rail 68, that is, the lower surface of the covering 113. A groove 113b is formed in each of the lower surfaces of the protrusions 113a, 113a. [29] Claw portions 74b, 74b (Only one reference numeral 74a is shown), which are formed integrally with upper surfaces 74a, 76a (Only one reference numeral 74a is shown) of rear end portions 74E, 76E (Only one reference numeral 74E is shown) of the rear side Covers 74, 76 (Only one reference numeral 74 is shown) so as to project upward, are inserted in the above-mentioned groove 113b. [30] Also, a cushion member 115, which is attached to the upper portion of the tail lamp 77, is abutted on lower surfaces 74c, 76c (Only one reference numeral 74c is shown) of the rear end portions 74E, 76E of the rear side Covers 74, 76. The grab rail 68 is attached to the seat rails 25, 26 and. as will be described later, the tail lamp 77 is also attached to the seat rail 25, 26 sides. Accordingly, by inserting the claw portions 74b, 76b respectively into the grooves 113b, 113b in the lower surface of the grab rail 68 and abutting the lower surfaces 74c, 76c of the rear side Covers 74, 76 on the rail lamp 77 via the cushion member 115, the rear end portions 74E, 76E of the rear side Covers 74, 76 are fixed in place, thereby making it possible to suppress resonance due to Vibration of the body. [32] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing rear side covers according to the present invention. The rear side Covers 74, 76 respectively include attaching portions 74f, 74g, 74h and attaching portions 76f, 76g, 76h which are attached to the body side Covers 72, 73 (see Fig. 2) . The claw portions 74b, 76b, which are supported on the grab rail 68 (see Fig. 2) side, are formed in the rear end portions 74E, 76E. [33] Fig. 5 is a side view of a rear side cover according to the present invention. A rear end 74k of the rear side cover 74 is formed in a horizontal V shape that becomes narrower toward the front, and the upper portion of the horizontal V shape, that is, the rear end portion 74E, extends diagonally upward toward the rear of the vehicle in an elongated, acutely angled fashion, and the claw portion 74b is formed in the upper surface 74a of the rear end portion 74E. A recess 74m provided in front of the rear end portion 74E is a portion for avoiding interference with the grab rail 68 (see Fig. 1) . It should be noted that reference numeral 74n denotes an attaching hole for attaching the rear fender 78 (see Fig. 1). Since the rear side cover 76 (see Fig. 4) is laterally symmetrica! to the rear side cover 74, and its basic configuration is the same, description thereof is omitted. Fig. 6 is a first perspective view showing a grab rail according to the present invention. The grab rail 68 includes, on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the left and right holding portions 68L, 68R, attaching portions 68M, 68N for attaching the grab rail 68 to the seat rails 25, 26 (See Fig. 1; Only reference numeral 25 is shovm) . A bolt Insertion hole 68h into which an attaching bolt is inserted is bored in each of the attaching portions 68M, 68N. [36] Fig. 7 is a second perspective view showing a grab rail according to the present invention, illustrating the bottom surface of the grab rail 68. In the bottom surface of the grab rail 68, the protrusions 113a, 113a are formed on the left and right in the rear portion, and the groove 113b is formed in each of the protrusions 113a, 113a. It should be noted that reference numeral 113c denotes a skirt portion that hangs down from the bottom surface of the grab rail 68 to the upper surface of the rear portion of the tail lamp 77 (see Fig. 1), and Covers the gap between the grab rail 68 and the tail lamp 77. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the rear end portions of rear side Covers according to the present invention and their vicinity. The tail lamp 77 is provided with a pair of left and right forwardly projecting portions 77a, 77b that extend forward of the vehicle. The forwardly projecting portions 77a, 77b are attached to a rear cross meinber 117 passed between the rear end portions of the seat rails 25, 26 (Only reference numeral 25 is shown), more specifically, a pair of left and right rear stays 117a, 117b that are provided to the cross member 117 so as to extend rearward. A left and right pair of the cushion members 115, 115 having a strip-like shape (Only one reference numeral 115 is shown) are affixed to the upper surface of the tail lamp 77, and the Upper surfaces of the cushion members 115, 115 are abutted on the lower surfaces of the rear end portions 74E, 76E of the rear side Covers 74, 76. [38] Fig. 9 is a main-portion rear viev; of a raotorcycle according to the present invention, showing how the skirt portion 113c provided in the bottom surface of the grab rail 68 Covers the gap between the grab rail 68 and the tail lamp 77. As a result, the outward appearance of the motorcycle 10 in rear view can be improved. [39] As shown in Fig. 1, Figs. 3 to 5, and Fig. 8 above, in the motorcycle 10 which includes the pair of left and right rear side Covers 74, 76 that cover the side portion of the rear portion of the body, and the grab rail 68 that is grabbed by a pillion passenger, the tail lamp 77 is arranged in a rear portion between the left and right rear side covers 74, 76, the rear end portions 74E, 76E of the rear side Covers 74, 76 which form the upper portions of the rear portions of the rear side covers 74, 76 extend along the lower surface of the grab rail 68, the claw portions 74b, 76b that extend upward are formed in the upper surfaces 74a, 76a of the rear end portions 74E, 76E, the grooves 113b, 113b into which the claw portions 74b, 76b are inserted are formed in the lower surface of the grab rail 68, and the lower surfaces 74c, 75c (Only one reference numeral 74c is shown) of the rear end portions 74E, 76E are abutted on the tail lamp 77 via the cushion member 115. Thus, since the rear portions (more specifically, the rear edges 74k, 76k) of the rear side covers 74, 76 are formed in a horizontal V shape (V shape in side view), the rear end portions 74E, 76E can be formed in an elongated, acutely angled shape to achieve an improvement in outward appearance and a reduction in weight. In addition, by inserting the claw portions 74b, 7Sb of the rear side covers 74, 76 into the groove portions 113b, 113b of the grab rail 68, and pressing the lower surfaces 74c, 76c of the rear side covers 74, 76 by the tail lamp 77 via the cushion member 115, resonance of the rear end portions 74E, 76E of the rear side covers 74, 76 can be suppressed. [0040] Also, since the rear portions of the rear side covers 74, 7 6 are formed in a horizontal V shape in side view, the rear end portions 74E, 76E of the rear side covers 74, 76 have an elongated, acutely angled shape that slopes upward towards the rear, thereby making it possible to improve the outward appearance in side view. [41] Further, as shown in Fig. 3, since the surface of the grab rail 68 is formed of rubber or soft resin, the claw portions 74b, 76b of the rear side Covers 74, 76 can be easily inserted into the grooves 113b, 113b of the grab rail 68, which makes it possible to improve the ease of installation of the claw portions 74b, 76b and, in addition, a soft feel can be provided upon gripping the grab rail 68. [42] Furtherraore, as shown in Fig. 2, since the trough portion 68c as a flat surface is provided in the rear portion of the grab rail 68 so as to cover the top of the tail lamp 77 in plan view, the top of the tail lamp 77 is covered by the trough portion 68c of the grab rail 68, or is covered by the crest portions 68a, 68b and the trough portion 68c. Thus, there is no particular need to Cover the top of the tail lamp 77 by a rear center cover or the like, which makes it possible to reduce the surface area of the rear side covers 74, 76 (see Fig. 4), and make the rear side Covers 74, 76 lightweight. Also, a load exerted from above the tail lamp 77 can be borne by the trough portion 68c, and by extension, the entire grab rail 68, so the tail lamp 77 can be protected. [43] It should be noted that in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the groove 113b is provided in the grab rail 68, and the tail lamp 77 is abutted on the rear side cover 74 via the cushion member 115. However, this should not be construed restrictively. It is also possible to provide a groove in the upper portion of the tail lamp 77, provide a downwardly projecting claw portion, which is inserted into the groove, in the rear side cover 74, and make the grab rail 68 abut on the rear side cover 74 via the cushion meniber 115. [Industrial Applicability] [44] The rear side cover support structure according to the pres-ent invention is suitable for use in a motorcycle. [Brief Description of the Drawings] [45] [Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a side view of a saddle-ride type vehicle that adopts a rear side cover support structure according to the present invention. [Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a main-portion plan view of a saddle- ride type vehicle according to the present invention. [Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a sectional line taken along the line 3- 3 of Fig. 2. [Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing rear side Covers according to the present invention. [Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a side view of a rear side cover according to the present invention. [Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a first perspective view showing a grab rail according to the present invention. [Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a second perspective view showing a grab rail according to the present invention. [Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the rear end portions of rear side covers according to the present invention and its vicinity. [Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a main-portion rear view of a motorcycle according to the present invention. [Description of Reference Numerais] [0046] Saddle-ride type vehicle Body (body frame) 68 Grab rail 68c Fiat surface (trough portion) 74, 76 Rear side cover 74b, 76b Claw portion 74c, 76c Lower surface 74k, 76k Rear edge 74E, 76E Rear end portion 77 Tail lamp 113 Covering 113b Groove 115 Cushion member [Document Name] Scope of Claims [Claim 1] A rear side cover support structure for a motorcycle, comprising, in its rear portion, a pair of left and right rear side Covers that cover a side portion of a rear portion of a body, and a grab rail, wherein a tail lamp is arranged in a rear portion between the left and right rear side Covers, a rear end portion of each of the rear side covers, which forms an upper portion of a rear portion of each of the rear side covers, extends along a lower surface of the grab rail, a claw portion that extends upward is formed in an upper surface of the rear end portion, a groove into which the claw portion is inserted is provided in the lower surface of the grab rail, and a lower surface of the rear end portion is abutted on the tail lamp via a cushion member. [Claim 2] The rear side cover support structure for a motorcycle according to Claim 1, wherein the rear portion of each of the rear side covers is formed in a horizontal V shape in side view. [Claim 3] The side cover support structure for a motorcycle according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein a surface of the grab rail is covered with a covering made of rubber or soft resin. [Claim 4] The side cover support structure for a motorcycle according to any one of Claims 1 through 3, wherein in a rear portion of the grab rail, a flat surface is provided so as to cover the top of the tail lamp in plan view. |
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| Patent Number | 268515 | |||||||||
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| Indian Patent Application Number | 432/CHE/2009 | |||||||||
| PG Journal Number | 36/2015 | |||||||||
| Publication Date | 04-Sep-2015 | |||||||||
| Grant Date | 01-Sep-2015 | |||||||||
| Date of Filing | 26-Feb-2009 | |||||||||
| Name of Patentee | HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD. | |||||||||
| Applicant Address | 1-1,MINAMIAOYAMA2-CHOMEMINATO-KU. | |||||||||
Inventors:
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| PCT International Classification Number | B62323/00 | |||||||||
| PCT International Application Number | N/A | |||||||||
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PCT Conventions:
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