Seat mount structure for saddle ride vehicle

A seat mount structure for a saddle ride vehicle having seat brackets provided on a vehicle body frame, includes hooks on a bottom plate of a seat, and locking the hooks to the seat brackets to thereby mount the seat to the vehicle body frame. The structure also includes front-side cushion rubbers for receiving the load on the seat side mounted to the seat brackets, the front-side cushion rubbers being located on the inner side of the hooks. With this seat mount structure for a saddle ride vehicle, a bending moment at a lock portion between the vehicle body frame side and the seat side is suppressed, and the ride comfort is enhanced while setting the moldability of a seat bottom plate to be equivalent to that in the related art.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2004-258991, 258978, and 258996, each of which was filed on Sep. 6, 2004, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a seat mount structure for a saddle ride vehicle.

2. Description of Background Art

As a seat mount structure for a saddle ride vehicle in the related art, there is known a seat mount structure in which a seat is locked to a vehicle body frame by locking members, and the load is received by a plurality of elastic bodies or brackets (see, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 3-31620).

Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 3-31620 will be described below. Incidentally, the symbols described in the publication are used as they are.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 3-31620, a main frame 12 is provided with support brackets 12a and 12c, while a seat 30 is provided at its seat bottom plate 31 with a lock piece 34, a lock hook 35 and a plurality of damper sheets 36, the lock piece 34 is locked to a lock pin 12b provided on the support bracket 12a, the look hook 35 is locked to a lock arm 12d provided on the support bracket 12c, and the damper sheets 36 are set in contact with the upper surface of the support bracket 12c, whereby the seat 30 is mounted to the main frame 12.

In Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 3-31620, the position where the lock piece 34 is locked to the support bracket 12a and the position where the seat-side load is received by the support bracket 12c and the damper sheets 36 are spaced from each other. Therefore, for example in the case where the load is not exerted uniformly on portions of the seat 30 and a high load is exerted on the side of one of the damper sheets 36 with the result of a large deflection, the seat 30 is inclined. In this instance, a bending moment is generated at the locking portion between the support bracket 12a and the lock piece 34, so that is may be necessary to secure the rigidity of the support bracket 12a and the lock piece 34 against the bending moment.

As a conventional saddle ride vehicle, particularly a conventional structure around the foot rests, there is known (1) a structure in which a frame is projected to lateral sides from a vehicle body frame to support the foot boards (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 11-165679).

Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 11-165679 will be described below. Incidentally, the symbols used in the publication are used.

Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 11-165679 describes that, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the publication, front and rear wheels (W) are covered respectively by front fenders (B1) and by rear fenders (B2), foot boards (10A) and (10B) for mounting the rider's feet thereon are mounted between the front fenders (B1) and the rear fenders (B2), and the foot boards (10A) and (10B) are supported by frames (1A) and (1B) mounted to both side portions of a vehicle body frame (F).

The frames (1A) and (1B) are each composed of an outer frame (1a) angular U-shaped in plan view and mounted to a side portion of a main lower member (32) constituting the vehicle body frame F, and a roughly L-shaped reinforcing member (2) mounted to the bottom of the angular U shape of the outer frame (1a).

In Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 11-165679, the frames (1A) and (1B) supporting the foot boards (10A) and (10B) are each composed of the angular U-shaped outer frame (1a) and the reinforcing member (2), so that the foot boards (10A) and (10B) are securely supported by the frames (1A) and (1B), but a reduction in the numbers of component parts of the frames (1A) and (1B) is expected due to the request for reductions in weight and cost and the like.

As a conventional brake device for a saddle ride vehicle, there is known one in which a foot board on which to mount a foot is provided with a hole, and the tip end of a brake pedal is projected from the lower side to the upper side of the foot board through the hole (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2001-1975, and Japanese Patent No. 3217743).

Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2001-1975, and Japanese Patent No. 3217743 will be described. The symbols used in the publications will be used.

Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2001-1975, describes that, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the publication, a foot board 3 is mounted to a lower tube 1 through a foot rest bracket 2, a brake arm 4 is vertically swingably mounted to the lower tube 1 and on the lower side relative to the foot board 3 through a turning base end 4b, and an upwardly bent portion 4a on the tip end side of the brake arm 4 is projected from the lower side to the upper side through a window hole 7 opened in the foot board 3.

FIGS. 1 and 4 of Japanese Patent No. 3217743 also show a structure in which, like the above-mentioned structure, the tip end of a brake pedal 60A disposed on the lower side of a foot board 10A is projected upwards through a window hole opened in the foot board 10A.

In Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2001-1975, since the most portion of the brake arm 4 is disposed on the lower side of the foot board 3, it is necessary to take into account the flying of a stone to the brake arm 4 or adhesion of mud or the like to the brake arm 4. In addition, it is desirable that a step-in portion at the tip end of the brake arm 4 is lower so that it is easier for the rider to take the posture of stepping in the step-in portion.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to improve a seat mount structure for a saddle ride vehicle so as thereby to suppress the bending moment on the locking portion between the vehicle body frame side and the seat side and further to enhance the riding comfort without providing a large number of load-receiving portions.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a structure for supporting foot rests and foot boards of a saddle ride vehicle by which it is possible to reduce the number of component parts, to contrive reductions in weight and cost, and further to keep good support of the foot boards while enhancing the productivity.

It is still another object of the present invention to improve a brake device for a saddle ride vehicle, thereby to prevent collision of stones against a brake pedal or adhesion of mud or the like to the brake pedal, and to enable the rider to step in the brake pedal while assuming an easy posture.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a seat mount structure for a saddle ride vehicle includes a bracket provided in a vehicle body frame, and a hook provided on a bottom plate of a seat, the hook locked to the bracket to thereby mount the seat to the vehicle body frame, characterized in that an elastic body for receiving a seat-side load is mounted to the bracket so that the elastic body is located on the inner side of the hook when the hook is locked to the bracket.

With the elastic body mounted to the bracket so that the elastic body is located on the inner side of the hook, the locking position and the load-receiving position are made to be substantially the same. This ensures that, even in the case where the load is not exerted uniformly on the portions of the seat, a bending moment is not liable to be generated on the hook.

In addition, since the locking position serves also as a load-receiving position, the new load-receiving position is added to the conventional load-receiving position, so that the number of load-receiving positions can be increased.

According to a second aspect of the present invention the hook is provided at a substantially lowermost position of the bottom plate of the seat.

With the hook provided at the substantially lowermost position of the bottom plate of the seat, a higher load is exerted on the position of locking the bracket by the hook than on other portions, and such a load can therefore be received effectively.

According to a third aspect of the present invention the bracket is provided with a wall portion for restricting the position of the hook, near the vehicle body center in the vehicle width direction.

The wall portion makes it easier to guide the hook to the bracket at the time of locking the hook to the bracket. Besides, after the hook is locked to the bracket, the wall portion prevents the hook from getting out of position.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention a rear portion of the seat is supported on the vehicle body frame through the elastic body.

With the rear portion of the seat supported on the vehicle body frame through the elastic body, it becomes difficult for vibrations from being transmitted from the vehicle body side to the seat.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a saddle ride vehicle includes: front fenders covering from the upper side to the rear side of front wheels; and rear fenders covering from the front side to the upper side of rear wheels; characterized in that the vehicle includes foot boards connecting the front fenders and the rear fenders to each other and disposed near the rider's feet, and the foot boards are each supported in the state of being clamped between a foot bracket, which includes a first member extended in the vehicle width direction and a second member extended in the vehicle front-rear direction from the tip end of the first member, and a foot rest disposed on the upper side of the foot bracket.

Since the foot bracket is composed of the first member extended in the vehicle width direction and the second member extended in the vehicle front-rear direction from the tip end of the first member, the structure is simple, and a reduction in the number of component parts and reductions in weight and cost can be contrived. Moreover, since the foot boards are each supported in the state of being clamped between the foot bracket and the foot rest, good support of the foot boards can be kept.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the foot bracket satisfies the relationship of 0.5L1<L2<L1, where L1is the length of the first member, and L2is the length of the second member.

In the case where the length L2of the second member satisfies the relationship of 0.5L1≧L2, the proportion of the length L2of the second member based on the front-rear length of the foot board connected to the front fender and the rear fender is reduced, and it becomes easier for the foot board to be deflected. On the other hand, in the case where the length L2of the second member satisfies the relationship of L2≧L1, the second member is so long as to lead to an increase in the weight of the foot bracket. Therefore, with the foot bracket set in the range of 0.5L1<L2<L1, a reduction in weight and good support of the foot boards can be simultaneously achieved.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the foot rest is mounted in a cantilever mode to a vehicle body frame through the foot bracket.

With the foot rest mounted in a cantilever mode to the vehicle body frame, the support structure for the foot rests is more simplified.

In addition, where the weight of the foot rest is equivalent to the weight of a conventional foot rest, it is possible to enlarge the outer shape of the foot bracket and to support a foot board with a larger area, as compared with the case of the related art.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention a brake device for a saddle ride vehicle, including, on both lateral sides of the vehicle, foot boards disposed between a front fender and a rear fender, and foot rests provided at upper portions of the foot boards, and a brake pedal stepped in by a foot mounted on the foot board and the foot rest; characterized in that the brake pedal is disposed on the upper side relative to the foot board; the brake pedal includes an arm portion movable vertically, and a pedal portion provided at a tip end portion of the arm portion so as to be stepped in by the foot; and the arm portion includes a bent portion projectedly bent to the vehicle outside in plan view.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention the tip end portion of the arm portion and the pedal portion are flush with each other in side view.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention the arm portion and the pedal portion are molded integrally with each other.

According to a eleventh aspect of the present invention a side surface of the brake pedal is located on the inner side of an inner end surface of the foot rest when the brake pedal is stepped in.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, of said foot board, a portion located on the lower side of the tip end of the brake pedal is more sunk than the other portions.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the locking position where the seat is locked to the vehicle body frame side and the support position where the seat is supported on the vehicle body frame side are substantially the same, so that the generation of a bending moment in the hook located at the lock position can be suppressed, as compared with the case where the seat lock position and the seat support position are different as in the related art.

In addition, since the seat is supported also at the lock position, the number of support positions is increased, so that the load can be dispersed more than in the related art, the bottom plate of the seat can be restrained from being deformed, and the ride comfort can be enhanced. Further, notwithstanding the increase in the number of support positions, the modifications on the bottom plate side and on the vehicle body frame side can be reduced, and an increase in cost can be suppressed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the hook is provided at a substantially lowermost portion of the bottom plate of the seat, and the support position for the seat is provided at a portion where a high load is exerted, so that the load can be efficiently received and dispersed, the deformation of the bottom plate of the seat can be restrained more, and the ride comfort can be enhanced more.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the wall portion makes it possible to securely perform the positioning of the hook at the time of mounting the seat, and to mount the seat easily. In addition, the wall portion can prevent the seat from getting out of position in the vehicle width direction during driving of the vehicle.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the rear portion of the seat is supported on the vehicle body frame through the elastic body, so that vibrations can be prevented from being transferred from the vehicle body side to the seat.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the foot boards can be supported by foot brackets simple in structure, and a reduction in the number of component parts and reductions in weight and cost can be contrived.

In addition, since the first member and the second member constituting the foot bracket are simple in shape, productivity can be enhanced.

Further, the good support of the foot board by clamping it between the foot bracket and the foot rest ensures that it is unnecessary to particularly use a reinforcing member, which also contributes to the reductions in weight and cost.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the length L1of the first member and the length L2of the second member satisfy the relationship of 0.5L1<L2<L1, the foot brackets are light in weight, so that the foot boards are not liable to be deflected, and a reduction in weight and good support of the foot boards can be simultaneously achieved.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the foot rest is supported in a cantilever mode, so that the support structure for the foot rest can be more simplified, and a reduction in weight can be contrived.

In addition, where the weight of the foot rest is equivalent to that in the related art, for example, the outer shape of the foot bracket can be enlarged, the area of the foot board can also be enlarged, the foot positions can be enlarged at the times of riding on and getting off the vehicle, it becomes easier to ride on and getting off the vehicle, and the spaces near the feet during driving are broadened, which promises an easy riding posture.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the brake pedal is disposed on the upper side relative to the foot board, so that it is possible to prevent collision of stones against the brake pedal and adhesion of mud or the like to the brake pedal.

In addition, with the brake pedal including the arm portion and the pedal portion and with the arm portion including the bent portion projectedly bent to the vehicle outside in plan view, it becomes easy to step in the pedal portion, and erroneous stepping in of the arm portion can be prevented.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the tip end portion of the arm portion and the pedal portion are substantially flush with each other in side view, so that the pedal portion can be easily formed, and the cost can be reduced.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the arm portion and the pedal portion are molded integrally, so that the number of component parts can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced. Besides, the brake pedal can be made in a simple shape, and appearance quality can be enhanced.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the side surface of the brake pedal is located on the inner side of the inner end surface of the foot rest when the brake pedal is stepped in, so that the movable range of the brake pedal can be set on a lower side without largely bending the brake pedal, and the rider can step in the brake pedal while assuming an easy posture.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, of the foot board, a portion located on the lower side of the tip end of the brake pedal is more sunken than the other portions, so that the movable range of the brake pedal can be enlarged, and the degree of freedom in designing the brake device can be increased.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below, based on the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1is a side view of a saddle ride vehicle in which a seat mount structure according to the present invention is adopted. The saddle ride vehicle10is a small-type buggy including a vehicle body frame11serving as a skeleton, a power unit12disposed on the inside of a lower portion of the vehicle body frame11, an intake device13and an exhaust device14which are connected to the power unit12. Also included are a fuel tank16and a seat17which are mounted to upper portions of the vehicle body frame11, left and right front wheels21steerably mounted to front portions of the vehicle body frame11through a steering shaft18, left and right fenders22covering the upper side and the rear side of the front wheels21respectively, left and right rear wheels24vertically movably mounted to lower rear portions of the vehicle body frame11through a swing arm23, left and right rear fenders26covering the front side and the upper side of the rear wheels24respectively, and left and right foot boards28connecting between the front fenders22and the rear fenders26and supporting thereon foot rests27for the driver.

The vehicle body frame11includes left-right pairs of frame components having, on each side, a front frame31so inclined as to have its upper end on the rear side of its lower end, an upper inclined frame32and a lower inclined frame33which are extended rearwardly downwards from an intermediate portion of the front frame31, a lower main frame34connected to the lower end of the front frame31and the rear ends of the upper inclined frame32and the lower inclined frame33and having a rear portion raised. An upper front frame36connects between the upper inclined frame32and the lower inclined frame33while extending somewhat rearwardly upwards, an upper rear frame37extends somewhat rearwardly upwards from an intermediate portion of the upper inclined frame32and having an intermediate portion connected to the rear end of the lower main frame34. A rear inclined frame38is disposed bridgingly between the lower main frame34and the upper rear frame37, the left-right pairs being connected through a plurality of cross members (not shown). Incidentally, symbol41denotes a front bumper frame, and42denotes a bumper support frame.

The power unit12is composed of an engine52having the intake device13and the exhaust device14connected to a cylinder head51, and a transmission53provided to be integral with the engine52.

The intake device13is composed of an air cleaner55for cleaning the intake air, a connecting tube56attached to a front portion of the air cleaner55, a carburetor57connected to the front end of the connecting tube56, and an intake pipe58connected to a front portion of the carburetor57and to the cylinder head51.

The exhaust device14is composed of an exhaust pipe61extended upwards from the cylinder head51and then rearwards, and a muffler62connected to the rear end of the exhaust pipe61.

The fuel tank16is a resin-made container having a front portion mounted to the front frame31side through a front portion mount portion63, and having a bottom portion mounted to the upper rear frame37through a left-right pair of bottom portion mount portions64. Incidentally, symbol65denotes a cap for closing a fuel supply port.

The seat17is a member detachably attached to the upper rear frame37. The seat17is locked to and elastically supported on the upper rear frame37side by a left-right pair of front portion lock portions, and is positioned to and elastically supported on the upper rear frame37side by a left-right pair of rear portion positioning portions67.

The steering shaft18has its upper portion rotatably supported on the front frame31side, and has its lower portion rotatably supported on the lower main frame34side, with a bar handle71mounted to the upper end of the steering shaft18. Incidentally, symbol72denotes a steering handle cover.

Also shown are a CDI unit81, an ignition coil82, a high-tension cord83, a side cover84molded integrally with the rear fender26, a guard member86mounted to the upper inclined frame32for covering the right side in the vehicle width direction (the depth side of the paper surface) of the exhaust pipe61, and a blow-by hose87for recirculating a blow-by gas from the inside of a crankcase88of the power unit12to the air cleaner55.

In addition, a brake pedal91is disposed on the right side in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body frame11, left and right foot brackets92are attached respectively to the left and right lower main frames34for supporting the left and right foot boards28, a pole stay93is attached to a rear end portion of the upper rear frame37for erecting a pole, a reflector94is attached to a lower portion of the pole stay93. Also shown are a rear cushion unit96, a drum brake97mounted to the rear end of the swing arm23for braking the rear wheel24.

FIG. 2is a plan view of the saddle ride vehicle according to the present invention, in which the fuel tank16has its front portion wider than its rear portion in plan view, and is provided with a front portion mount portion63at the center of the front portion thereof.

The seat17is provided on its bottom plate105(seeFIG. 1) with left and right hooks106,106constituting the front portion lock portions66, and with left and right positioning projections107,107constituting the rear portion positioning portions67.

The left and right front fenders22,22are integrally provided with a front cover108at a central portion thereof.

The foot rests27are members attached, through the foot boards28, to the foot brackets92provided on the left and right sides and being roughly L-shaped, and are portions on which to mount the driver's feet.

The bar handle71is provided at its left front portion with a rear brake lever111for operating the drum brakes97(seeFIG. 1) on the rear wheel side, and is provided at its right front portion with a front brake lever112for operating disk brakes (not shown) on the front wheel side. Namely, the rear wheel drum brakes97can be operated both by the brake pedal91and by the rear brake lever111.

In the figure, symbols114to118denote the cross members provided in the vehicle body frame11, symbol121denotes a U-shaped cross pipe connected to the rear ends of the left and right upper rear frames37, and symbol122denotes a transmission change pedal.

FIG. 3is a side view (arrow (FRONT) in the figure indicates the front side of the vehicle, here and hereinafter) of a major part for illustrating the seat mount structure according to the present invention, showing the condition where the seat17has been removed from the upper rear frames37.

The left and right upper rear frames37are each provided with a seat bracket261for mounting the seat17, and a cross member118is disposed bridgingly between the left and right upper rear frames37.

The seat17includes, on its bottom plate105, a tank-side cushion rubber262to be abutted on a rear surface16aof the fuel tank16, a tank-side lock piece263projected forwards for locking to the lower side of a tank projected portion16bprojected on a rear portion of the fuel tank16, the above-mentioned left and right hooks106provided respectively on left and right bulged portion264bulged to the lower side, left and right intermediate portion cushion rubbers267to be abutted on the cross member266disposed bridgingly between the left and right upper rear frames37, and left and right positioning projections107projected downwards from a base portion268for positioning on the cross member118side. Incidentally, a front-side cushion rubber271attached to the seat bracket261and left and right rear-side cushion rubbers272attached to the cross member118will be described later.

The bulged portions264and the hooks106on the seat17side and the seat bracket261and the front-side cushion rubber271on the upper rear frame37side constitute the above-mentioned front portion lock portion66.

In addition, the base portion268and the positioning projections107on the seat17side and the cross member118and the rear-side cushion rubber272on the upper rear frame37side constitute the above-mentioned rear portion positioning portion67.

FIG. 4is an illustration of the seat and a seat mount portion according to the present invention (the seat17is shown in bottom view, while the seat mount portion (on the vehicle body frame11side) is shown in plan view), showing that the hooks106are locked to the seat brackets261mounted respectively to the left and right upper rear frames37,37, the intermediate portion cushion rubbers267,267are abutted on the cross member266disposed bridgingly between the left and right upper rear frames37,37, and the positioning projections107,107are engaged with the cross member118disposed bridgingly between the left and right upper rear frames37,37. Incidentally, symbols273,273denote projected portions provided on the bottom plate105, and symbol274denotes a lock pin disposed bridgingly between the projected portions273,273for locking a seat lock device which will be described later.

The tank-side cushion rubber262and the tank-side lock piece263are each disposed at the center in the vehicle width direction of the bottom plate105.

FIG. 5is a front view showing the mounted condition of the seat according to the present invention, showing the left and right front portion lock portions66,66.

Specifically, the figure shows that the hooks106are locked respectively to the left and right seat brackets261,261, and the bulged portions264constituting base portions of the hooks106are elastically supported by the front-side cushion rubbers271attached respectively to the seat brackets261,261. Incidentally, symbol276denotes a seat lock lever whose tip end is locked to the above-mentioned lock pin274(seeFIG. 4).

FIG. 6is a sectional view alone line6-6ofFIG. 5, showing the front portion lock portion66in the condition where the hook106is locked to the seat bracket261.

The seat bracket261is provided with a rubber fitting hole281at a position near a rear edge portion thereof, the rear edge portion is bent downwards to form a bent portion282, and the front-side cushion rubber271is fitted in the rubber fitting hole281. The bulged portion264of the bottom plate105is provided with the hook106integral with the lower surface264athereof.

Here, symbol277denotes a wall portion which is provided as one body with the seat bracket261so as to be located on the inner side of the hook106thus fitted, serves as a guide at the time of locking the hook106, and prevents the locked hook106from getting out of position to the inner side in the vehicle width direction. In addition, symbols106a,264bare inclined surfaces provided respectively in the hook106and the bulged portion264for facilitating the locking at the time of locking the hook106to the seat bracket261.

In the condition where the hook106is locked to the seat bracket261, an elastic force of the front-side cushion rubber271pushes up the lower surface264aof the bulged portion264, so that a corner portion106bof the hook106is pressed against the bent portion282of the seat bracket261.

Thus, the front portion lock portion66in the present invention is a portion which is locked to the seat bracket261with the hook106and receives the load of the seat17with the front-side cushion rubber271, and, when the hook106is locked to the bent portion282(the condition shown in the figure), the front-side cushion rubber271is located on the inside of the hook106, i.e., the hook106and the front-side cushion rubber271are at substantially the same position.

Thus, by the structure in which the front-side cushion rubber271for supporting the load on the seat17side provided at the position of the hook106, in the present invention a large bending moment is not generated in the hook106at the lock position, as contrasted to the structure in which the locking position and the load bearing position are spaced from each other as in the related art.

In addition, as can be seen by returning toFIG. 4, since the locking position is also the load bearing position, the front-side cushion rubbers271,271are added to the tank-side cushion rubber262, the intermediate portion cushion rubbers267,267and the rear-side cushion rubbers272,272constituting the load bearing positions shown inFIG. 4, so that the load on the seat17side can be dispersedly received by only small changes on the vehicle body frame11side (namely, inFIG. 6, the bottom plate105is provided with the lower surface264aof the bulged portion264, and the seat bracket261is provided with the rubber fitting hole281) and the addition of the front-side cushion rubbers271,271.

For example, when the number of load bearing positions is simply increased separately from the locking position, large changes are required on the bottom plate side and the vehicle body frame side for providing the load bearing position, with the result of complication of the shapes of the bottom plate and the vehicle body frame or an increase in the number of component part; such an inconvenience can be dissolved according to the present invention.

FIG. 7is a sectional view showing the seat mount structure at the rear portion positioning portion according to the present invention, showing the lock portions of the left and right rear portion positioning portions67,67and a seat lock device.

The cross member118is provided with rubber fitting holes285,285, and rear-side cushion rubbers272are fitted respectively in the rubber fitting holes285,285.

The rear-side cushion rubber272is provided with a tapered hole272aand a through-hole272b,the positioning projection107on the seat17side is inserted in the tapered hole272aand the through-hole272b,and a base portion268of the bottom plate105is abutted on the upper surface of the rear-side cushion rubber272.

The seat lock lever276is provided with a hook portion276aat the upper end thereof, and the hook portion276ais hooked on the lock pin274, whereby a rear portion of the seat17is locked and prevented from being disengaged.

FIG. 8is a side view (partly in section) of the seat lock device according to the present invention, in which the seat lock device290is composed of a base portion292mounted to the cross member118by a plurality of bolts291, a support shaft294mounted to a lower projected portion293provided at the base portion292, the above-mentioned seat lock lever276swingably mounted on the support shaft294, and a torsion coil spring296for biasing the seat lock lever276in the direction for locking to the lock pin274.

The base portion292is composed of a plate301abutted on the back surface of the cross member118, a plurality of nuts302attached to the lower surface of the plate301, and the above-mentioned lower projected portion293, and the base portion292is attached to the cross member118by screwing the bolts291into the nuts302.

The seat lock lever276is composed of a bearing portion305to be fitted over the support shaft294, a first arm portion306provided with a hook portion276aat the upper end thereof, a second arm portion307serving as a stopper by being abutted on the plate301at the time of seat lock, a third arm portion308to be operated by hand for unlocking the seat, and a fourth arm portion309serving as a stopper by being abutted on the plate301when the third arm portion308is swung for unlocking the seat. Incidentally, symbol312denotes a slot opened in the cross member118for passing the first arm portion306therethrough.

The torsion coil spring296is a member which has its one end hooked on the cross member118or the plate301and its other end hooked on the third arm portion308, thereby biasing the seat lock lever276clockwise.

At the time of unlocking the seat17, the third arm308is swung counterclockwise against the elastic force of the torsion coil spring296, with the support shaft294as a center, and the hook portion276ais disengaged from the lock pin274, when the seat17is raised by the elastic force of the rear-side cushion rubber272, and the seat17is unlocked.

FIG. 9is a side view of a major part of the saddle ride vehicle according to the present invention (arrow (FRONT) in the figure indicates the vehicle front side), showing that a lower bracket201is mounted to the lower main frame34, the foot bracket92is mounted to the lower bracket201by a plurality of bolts202, and the foot board28(the portion whose profile is drawn in bold line) is supported by the foot bracket92. Incidentally, symbol203denotes a nut fixed to the foot bracket92for screwing the bolt202therein.

The foot board28is a resin-made component part roughly angular U-shaped in side view, in which a front wall205connected to the front fender22, a bottom wall206extended rearwards from the lower end of the front wall205, a rear wall207extended roughly upwards from the rear end of the bottom wall206and connected to the rear fender26, and a side plate208provided on the depth side of a rear portion of the bottom plate206and the rear wall207, are integrally molded, with the lower end of the bottom wall206and the rear end of the rear wall207being set substantially along the lower main frame34. Incidentally, symbol211denotes a mount-shaped portion molded integrally with the foot board28so as to extend in the vehicle width direction for mounting the foot rest27.

FIG. 10is a plan view of a major part of the saddle ride vehicle according to the present invention, in which the lower bracket201for mounting thereto the foot bracket92roughly L-shaped in plan view is a member mounted to, in addition to the lower main frame34, a cross member213disposed bridgingly between the left and right lower main frames34,34(only symbol34on one side is shown). Incidentally, symbols215to218and symbols221and222denote opening portions formed in the foot board28for preventing stagnation of muddy water or the like.

The foot bracket92supports the foot board28at a portion somewhat on the rear side relative to the center in the vehicle front-rear direction. With the foot rest27disposed at an upper portion of the foot bracket92, it is possible to enlarge the area27on the front side relative to the foot rest27, to ensure easy operation of the change pedal122by the driver's foot, and to allow the foot to be placed in an easy posture during driving.

FIG. 11is a plan view of the foot bracket according to the present invention, in which the foot bracket92is composed of a first bracket225extended in the vehicle width direction, and a second bracket226mounted to the tip end of the first bracket225orthogonally to the first bracket225so as to extend in the vehicle front-rear direction. The first bracket225is a member in which a plurality of nuts203for mounting to the lower bracket201(seeFIG. 4) are attached to flange portions227,227, and a flat portion228for mounting the foot board28(seeFIG. 4) thereon is provided with bolt insertion holes231,231for inserting foot rest mounting bolts therethrough.

Here, let the length of the first bracket225(the length from the lower main frame34to the tip end of the first bracket225) be L1, let the length of the second bracket226be L2, let the distance from the width center of the first bracket225to the front end226aof the second bracket226be L3, and let the distance from the width center of the first bracket225to the rear end226bof the second bracket226be L4, then the length L1and the length L2satisfy the relationship of 0.5L1<L2<L1.

In the case where the length L2of the second bracket is smaller than 0.5L1, i.e., one half of the length of the first bracket225, inFIG. 4, the proportion of the length L2of the second bracket226based on the front-rear length of the foot board28connected to the front fender22and the rear fender26becomes small, and the portion for supporting the foot board28is decreased, so that the foot board28becomes liable to be deflected.

In addition, returning toFIG. 11, in the case where the length L2of the second bracket226is greater than the length L1of the first bracket225, the second bracket226becomes long, and the weight of the foot bracket92increases.

The distance L3and the distance L4satisfy the relationship of L3>L4.

This is for ensuring that, inFIG. 4, since the driver's foot233mounted on the foot rest27projects more to the front side of the foot rest27than to the rear side of the foot rest27, the foot board28would not be liable to be deflected even if a high load is exerted on the foot board28on the front side relative to the foot rest27.

FIG. 12is a sectional view along line6-6ofFIG. 10, showing that the foot bracket92is mounted to the lower bracket201at an angle θ against the horizontal line234so that the outer side in the vehicle width direction is higher than the inner side in the vehicle width direction, the foot board28is clamped between the foot bracket92and the foot rest27, and, in this condition, the assembly is fastened by nuts235,235attached to the foot bracket92and bolts236,236.

The foot rest27is a member provided with an upper edge portion27awhich is roughly sawtooth-shaped for preventing slippage.

The foot board28is provided at the upper surface of an edge portion thereof with a rugged portion28acomposed of a plurality of ridges and a plurality of recesses for preventing slippage.

The second bracket226constituting the foot bracket92is composed of a metallic pipe.

FIG. 13is a sectional view along line7-7ofFIG. 10, in which the foot board28includes, on its bottom wall206, a mount-shaped portion211, a front board portion241provided on the front side of the mount-shaped portion211, and a rear board portion242provided on the rear side of the mount-shaped portion211. Let the height difference of the front board portion241relative to an extension line244of a flat top surface243of the mount-shaped portion211be D1, and let the height difference of the rear board portion242be D2, then the height difference of the front board portion241is greater than the height difference of the rear board portion242(D1>D2). In other words, the front board portion241is lower than the rear board portion242. Since a step-in portion of the change pedal122(seeFIG. 3. The brake pedal91(seeFIG. 2) on the side of the foot board28on the vehicle right side) is present on the front board portion241side, the front board portion241side is set lower so as to avoid interference with the step-in portion. Incidentally, symbols246to248in the figure denote tapered portions provided in the surroundings of the opening portions217,218,222, respectively.

The foot rest27is a member angular U-shaped in section, and the first bracket225of the foot bracket92is a member including an erected portion252angular U-shaped in section, and flange portions227,227bent to both sides from the lower end of the erected portion252, which are integrally molded.

FIG. 14is a plan view of a major portion for illustrating the brake pedal according to the present invention (in the figure, arrow (FRONT) indicates the vehicle front side here and hereinafter), showing that a pivot plate401is mounted to the side of the vehicle body frame11, specifically the lower main frame34, a swing shaft402is mounted to the pivot plate401, a bearing portion403is rotatably mounted to the swing shaft402, and the brake pedal91(the portion indicated by bold line) is mounted to the bearing shaft403so as to extend to the vehicle front side.

The brake pedal91is composed of an arm portion404having a rear end portion mounted to the bearing portion403, and a pedal portion405integrally molded by bending the tip end portion side of the arm portion404, and the arm portion404is composed of a straight portion407provided in a straight form at a rear portion, and a bent portion408bent from the front end of the straight portion407to the outside in the vehicle width direction.

The pedal portion405is a portion having been bent into a loop form and then having its tip end welded to the arm portion404.

The foot rest27is a member mounted on a mount-shaped portion211formed to be high while extending in the vehicle width direction at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the foot board28, and has its inner end surface27b(the end surface on the inside in the vehicle width direction) spaced to the outside in the vehicle width direction from a side surface91aof the brake pedal91.

The foot bracket92is composed of a first bracket225having its one end mounted to the lower main frame34and being extended to the outside in the vehicle width direction, and a second bracket226mounted to the tip end of the first bracket225in the state of being extended in the vehicle front-rear direction.

Here, symbol28bdenotes a cutout portion provided at a position nearer to the vehicle body center relative to the foot board28and on the lower side of the brake pedal91, and symbols411to416are opening portions provided in the foot board28so as to obviate stagnation of muddy water or the like.

FIG. 15is a view along arrow4ofFIG. 14, showing a right side view of the vehicle body.

The brake pedal91is a member which is vertically movably mounted, through a bearing portion403, to the swing shaft402provided on the pivot plate401, and in which an arm portion404close to an upper portion of the foot rest27is bent to be projected to the upper side.

The arm portion404is a portion which includes a sub-arm portion421at a rear portion thereof, one end of a brake cable325is connected to the sub-arm portion421, and the other end of the brake cable325is connected to a brake arm322connected to the drum brake97.

The pivot plate401is a member mounted to a connection portion between the upper inclined frame32and the lower main frame34, and is provided with a pivot shaft422for swingably mounting thereto the front end of the swing arm23.

The foot board28is a resin made component part substantially angular U-shaped in side view, in which a front wall205(seeFIG. 14) connected to the front fender22(seeFIG. 1), a bottom wall206extended rearwards from the lower end of the front wall205, a rear wall207extended substantially upwards from the rear end of the bottom wall206and connected to the rear fender26, and a side plate208provided on the depth side of both a rear portion of the bottom wall206and the rear wall207, these walls and plate being integrally molded, with the lower end of the bottom wall206and the rear end of the rear wall207being set substantially along the lower main frame34.

Here, symbol321denotes a triangular opening portion surrounded by the upper inclined frame32, the side cover84and the side plate208of the foot board28, symbol323denotes a brake cable laid to extend from the left brake lever111(seeFIG. 2) to the brake arm322of the drum brake97, and symbols328and332denote fixtures for attaching the brake cable323to the upper inclined frame32and the lower main frame34respectively.

FIG. 16is an illustration of the brake pedal according to the present invention, showing the brake pedal91as viewed from the vehicle front side. Incidentally, the foot board28(seeFIG. 15) is omitted.

A space424on the lower side of the brake pedal91, specifically, the space424formed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the inner end surface27bof the foot rest27, on the upper side of an inside inclined portion425provided at an upper portion of the foot bracket92, and on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the lower main frame34, is a space in which the stepped-in brake pedal91(the portion indicated by imaginary line) is located, i.e., a space into which the brake pedal91is to be stepped in.

Conventionally, the brake pedal has been disposed on the lower side of the foot board, and the tip end of the brake pedal has been projected upwards through a hole opened in the foot board. In the present invention, for disposing the brake pedal91on the upper side of the foot board28, the inner end surface27bof the foot rest27is moved to the outer side in the vehicle width direction, a cutout portion28b(seeFIG. 14) is formed on the inside of the foot board28, and an inside inclined portion425is provided at an upper portion of the foot bracket92, whereby the space424into which the brake pedal91is to be stepped in is formed. Incidentally, in place of the inside inclined portion425, the foot bracket92may be provided with a recessed portion for avoiding the brake pedal91stepped in.

As a result, in the present invention, notwithstanding the brake pedal91is disposed on the upper side of the foot board28, the brake pedal91can be stepped in to a low position, and the same operability of the brake pedal91as in the related art can be secured.

FIG. 17is a sectional view along line6-6ofFIG. 14, showing the condition where the brake pedal91is stepped in by a foot233. (The brake pedal91indicated by imaginary line is the brake pedal91before being stepped in.)

The foot board28includes, on the bottom wall206, a mount-shaped portion211, a front board portion241provided on the front side of the mount-shaped portion211, and a rear board portion242provided on the rear side of the mount-shaped portion211. Let the height difference of the front board portion241relative to an extension line244of a flat top surface243of the mount-shaped portion211be D1, and let the height difference of the rear board portion242relative to the rear board portion242be D2, the height difference of the front board portion241is greater than the height difference of the rear board portion242(D1>D2). Namely, the front board portion241is lower than the rear board portion242.

This means that, in view of the presence of the step-in portion (i.e., pedal portion405) of the brake pedal91on the side of the front board portion241, the front board portion241side is set lower so as to obviate its interference with the step-in portion. Incidentally, symbols431to433in the figure denote tapered portions provided in the surroundings of the opening portions413,414, and416, respectively.

The foot rest27is a member angular U-shaped in section, and a first bracket225of the foot bracket92is a member in which an erected portion252angular U-shaped in section and flange portions227,227bent to both sides from the lower end of the erected portion252are integrally molded.

Since the foot board28is thus provided with the front board portion241which is largely sunken downwards, the position of the brake pedal91before stepping-in can be set low, and the movable range of the brake pedal91can be enlarged.

As has been described referring toFIGS. 4 and 6, the present invention is firstly characterized in that, in the seat mount structure for the saddle ride vehicle10including the seat brackets261as brackets on the vehicle body frame11, including the hooks106provided on the bottom plate105of the seat17, and locking the hooks106to the seat brackets261to thereby mount the seat17to the vehicle body frame11, the front-side cushion rubbers271as elastic bodies for receiving the load on the seat17side are mounted to the seat brackets261so that the front-side cushion rubbers271are located on the inner side of the hooks106when the hooks106are locked to the seat brackets261.

The lock position for locking the seat17to the vehicle body frame11side and the support position for supporting the seat17to the vehicle body frame11side are set substantially the same, whereby in the present invention the bending moment generated in the hooks106located at the lock positions can be suppressed, as compared with the case where the lock position and the support position for the seat17are different as in the related art.

In addition, since the seat17is supported also at the lock positions, the number of the support positions is increased, the load can be dispersed more than in the related art, deformation of the bottom plate105of the seat17can be restrained, and the ride comfort can be enhanced.

The present invention is secondly characterized in that the hooks106are provided at the substantially lowermost portions of the bottom plate105of the seat17, as shown inFIG. 3.

Since the hooks106are provided at the substantially lowermost portions of the bottom plate105of the seat17and the support positions for the seat17are provided at portions where a high load is exerted, the load can be efficiently borne and dispersed, the deformation of the bottom plate105of the seat17can be suppressed more, and the ride comfort can be enhanced more.

The present invention is thirdly characterized in that the wall portions277for restricting the positions of the hooks106are provided near the vehicle body center in the vehicle width direction of the seat brackets261, as shown inFIG. 5.

The positioning of the hooks106at the time of mounting the seat17can be securely performed with the wall portions277, and the seat17can be mounted easily. In addition, the wall portions277can prevent the seat17from getting out of position in the vehicle width direction during riding.

The present invention is fourthly characterized in that the rear portion of the seat17is supported on the vehicle body frame11through the rear-side cushion rubbers272serving as elastic bodies, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 7.

Since the rear portion of the seat17is elastically supported by the rear-side cushion rubbers272, vibrations can be prevented from being transmitted from the vehicle body side to the seat17.

Incidentally, while the wall portions of the brackets are arranged near the vehicle body center in the vehicle width direction in the present invention, the invention is not limited to this arrangement, and the wall portions may be arranged at positions on the outer sides in the vehicle width direction of the left and right hooks locked.

As has been described referring toFIGS. 1,10, and12above, the present invention is fifthly characterized in that, in the saddle ride vehicle10including the front fenders22covering from the upper side to the rear side of the front wheels21and the rear fenders26covering from the front side to the upper side of the rear wheels24, the vehicle10includes the foot boards28connecting the front fenders22and the rear fenders26to each other and disposed near the driver's feet, and the foot boards28are each supported in the state of being clamped between the foot bracket92, which is composed of the first bracket225as the first member extended in the vehicle width direction and the second bracket226as the second member extended in the vehicle front-rear direction from the tip end of the first bracket225, and the foot rest27disposed on the upper side of the foot bracket92.

The foot bracket28can be supported by the foot bracket92with a simple structure, whereby a reduction in the number of component parts and reductions in weight and cost can be contrived.

In addition, since the first bracket225and the second bracket226constituting the foot bracket92are simple in shape, productivity can be enhanced.

Further, since the foot board28is supported favorably by clamping it between the foot bracket92and the foot rest27, it is unnecessary to use the reinforcing member, which can also contribute to reductions in weight and cost.

The present invention is sixthly characterized in that, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, in the above-mentioned configuration, preferably, the length L1of the first bracket225of the foot bracket92and the length L2of the second bracket226of the foot bracket92satisfy the relationship of 0.5L1<L2<L1.

Since the length L1of the first bracket225and the length L2of the second bracket226satisfy the relationship of 0.5L1<L2<L1, the foot bracket92is small in weight, and the foot board28is not liable to be deflected, so that a reduction in weight and good support of the foot board28can be simultaneously achieved.

The present invention is seventhly characterized in that, as has been described referring toFIG. 12, in the above-mentioned configuration, preferably, the foot rest27is mounted to the vehicle body frame11(seeFIG. 1), specifically to the lower main frame34, through the foot bracket92in a cantilever mode.

Since the foot rest27is supported in a cantilever mode, the support structure for the foot rest27can be more simplified, and a reduction in weight can be contrived.

In addition, where the weight of the foot rest27is equivalent to that in the related art, for example the outer shape of the foot bracket92can be enlarged, the area of the foot board28can also be enlarged, and the foot positions at the time of riding on and getting off the vehicle are broadened, so that it is easier to ride on and get off the vehicle. Further, the spaces near the driver's feet during driving are broadened, so that it is easy for the rider to assume an easy riding posture.

Incidentally, while the foot bracket has been composed of two members in the present invention, this configuration is not limitative; the foot bracket may be composed of a single member, for example, an L-shaped member or a member nearly L- or T-shaped.

As has been described referring toFIGS. 2,14, and17above, the present invention is eighthly characterized in that, in the brake device for a saddle ride vehicle10, including, on both lateral sides of the vehicle, foot boards28disposed between the front fender22and the rear fender26, and foot rests27provided at upper portions of the foot boards28, and the brake pedal91stepped in by a foot233mounted on the foot board28and the foot rest27, the brake pedal91is disposed on the upper side relative to the foot board28, the brake pedal91includes the arm portion404movable vertically, and the pedal portion405provided at a tip end portion of the arm portion404so as to be stepped in by the foot, and the arm portion404includes the bent portion408projectedly bent to the vehicle outside in plan view.

Since the brake pedal91is disposed on the upper side relative to the foot board28, collision of stones against the brake pedal91and adhesion of mud or the like to the brake pedal91can be prevented.

In addition, since the arm portion404and the pedal portion405are provided and the arm portion404is provided with the bent portion408projectedly bent to the vehicle body outside in plan view, the pedal portion405is easy to step in, and erroneous stepping-in of the arm portion404can be obviated.

The present invention is ninthly characterized in that a tip end portion of the arm portion404and the pedal portion405are substantially flush with each other in side view.

Since the tip end portion of the arm portion404and the pedal portion405are substantially flush with each other in side view, the pedal portion405can be easily formed, and the cost can be reduced.

The present invention is tenthly characterized in that the arm portion404and the pedal portion405are integrally molded.

Since the arm portion404and the pedal portion405are integrally molded, the number of component parts can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced. Besides, the brake pedal91can be formed in a simple shape, and appearance quality can be enhanced.

The present invention is eleventhly characterized in that the side surface of the brake pedal91is located on the inner side of the inner end surface27bof the foot rest27when the brake pedal91is stepped in.

Since the side surface91aof the brake pedal91is located on the inner side of the inner end surface of the foot rest27when the brake pedal91is stepped in, the movable range of the brake pedal91can be set lower without largely bending the brake pedal91, and the rider can step in the brake pedal91while assuming an easy posture.

The present invention is twelfthly characterized in that, of the foot board28, the portion located on the lower side of the tip end of the brake pedal91is more sunken downwards than the other portions.

Since the portion, located on the lower side of the tip end of the brake pedal91, of the foot board28is more sunken downwards than the other portions of the brake pedal91, the movable range of the brake pedal91can be enlarged, and the degree of freedom in designing the brake device can be increased.