Patent Description:
Some straddled vehicles are equipped with a shift pedal. The shift pedal is rotatably attached to the straddled vehicle. A rider changes gears in the transmission by operating the shift pedal with his or her foot. For example, the rider shifts up a gear by pushing up the shift pedal with his or her foot from below. The rider downshifts the gear by pressing down on the shift pedal with his or her foot from above.

For example, as disclosed in International Publication No. <CIT>, the shift pedal includes a pedal tread portion and a cover. The pedal tread portion projects to the side of the vehicle and has a cylindrical shape. The cover is made of rubber and is attached to cover the pedal tread portion. The cover has a cylindrical shape. The tip of the pedal tread portion projects outward from the cover and has a larger diameter than the other part of the pedal tread portion. Therefore, by locking the tip of the pedal tread portion to the cover, the cover is prevented from coming off from the pedal tread portion. Description of the invention.

In the shift pedal described above, the tip of the pedal tread portion has a larger diameter than the hole of the cover, so that the cover is prevented from slipping off from the pedal tread portion. However, since the tip of the pedal tread portion has a larger diameter than the hole of the cover, it is not easy to attach the cover to the pedal tread portion. An object of the present invention is to firmly prevent a cover made of an elastic material from coming off a shift pedal, and to facilitate attachment of the cover to the shift pedal. <CIT> discloses a straddled vehicle according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

A straddled vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention includes a vehicle body and a shift pedal. The shift pedal is attached to the vehicle body. The shift pedal includes a shaft portion, an arm portion, a pedal tread portion, and a cover. The shaft portion is rotatably supported by the vehicle body. The arm portion extends in a front-rear direction of the vehicle from the shaft portion. The pedal tread portion projects laterally from the arm portion. The cover is made of an elastic material and covers the pedal tread portion. The pedal tread portion includes an inner lateral portion, an outer lateral portion, and a first notch. The inner lateral portion is connected to the arm portion. The outer lateral portion is arranged further laterally outward than the inner lateral portion. The first notch is located between the inner lateral portion and the outer lateral portion. The outer lateral portion has a same width as the inner lateral portion in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The cover includes a hole and a first protrusion. The pedal tread portion is inserted into the hole. The first protrusion protrudes from the inner surface of the hole. The first protrusion engages with the first notch within the hole, so that the cover is prevented from coming off from the pedal tread portion.

In the straddled vehicle according to the present aspect, the cover is prevented from coming off from the pedal tread portion by the first protrusion engaging the first notch in the hole. Therefore, the cover made of an elastic material is firmly prevented from coming off from the pedal tread portion, and the cover can be easily attached to the pedal tread portion.

The outer lateral portion of the pedal tread portion may include a pedal end. The pedal end may be located at the outermost lateral side in the pedal tread portion. The cover may include a cover end. The cover end may be located at the outermost lateral side in the cover. The pedal end may be flush with the cover end or may be arranged further laterally inward than the cover end. In this case, the pedal end is arranged flush with the cover end or further laterally inward than the cover end. Therefore, a rider's foot is less likely to hit the pedal end and thereby the operability is improved.

The pedal tread portion may have a plate shape. In this case, compared to the case where the pedal tread portion is cylindrical, the resistance during insertion of the pedal tread portion becomes smaller and the installation becomes easier.

The pedal tread portion may include a first edge, a second edge, and a second notch. The first edge may extend in a left-right direction of the vehicle. The second edge may extend in the left-right direction of the vehicle and be arranged on the opposite side of the first edge. The second notch may be located between the inner lateral portion and the outer lateral portion. The cover may include a second protrusion protruding from the inner surface of the hole. The cover may be prevented from coming off from the pedal tread portion by the second protrusion being engaged with the second notch in the hole. The first notch may be provided at the first edge. The second notch may be provided at the second edge. In this case, since the two protrusions are respectively engaged with the notches, the effect of preventing slippage is improved.

The outer lateral portion and the inner lateral portion may have a maximum width at the pedal tread portion in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. In this case, the resistance during insertion of the pedal tread portion becomes smaller compared to the case where a large-diameter portion for preventing the pedal tread portion from coming off is provided at the outer end of the pedal tread portion. This makes attachment of the cover even easier.

The first notch may be located laterally outside a center of the pedal tread portion in the left-right direction of the vehicle. In this case, when the pedal tread portion is inserted into the hole of the cover to a certain extent, the first protrusion is engaged with the first notch. Therefore, it is easy to push the pedal tread portion into the cover.

The first notch may have a curved shape. In this case, the first protrusion easily enters the first notch. This makes attachment of the cover even easier.

Hereinafter, a straddled vehicle according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. <FIG> is a side view of a straddled vehicle <NUM> according to an embodiment. The straddled vehicle <NUM> is a so-called off-road type motorcycle. As shown in <FIG>, the straddled vehicle <NUM> includes a vehicle body <NUM>. The vehicle body <NUM> includes a steering device <NUM>, a front wheel <NUM>, a seat <NUM>, a power unit <NUM>, a rear wheel <NUM>, a swing arm <NUM>, and a vehicle body frame <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the front, rear, left, and right directions refer to the front, rear, left, and right directions as viewed from a rider seated on the seat <NUM>.

The vehicle body frame <NUM> includes a head pipe <NUM> and a main frame <NUM>. The head pipe <NUM> extends forward and downward. The main frame <NUM> is connected to the head pipe <NUM>.

The steering device <NUM> is rotatably supported by the head pipe <NUM>. The steering device <NUM> is configured to be steered by a rider. The steering device <NUM> includes a front fork <NUM> and a handle member <NUM>. The front fork <NUM> rotatably supports the front wheel <NUM>. The front fork <NUM> is rotatably supported by the head pipe <NUM>. The handle member <NUM> is connected to the front fork <NUM>. The handle member <NUM> is operable left and right by a rider.

The seat <NUM> is arranged behind the head pipe <NUM>. The seat <NUM> is supported by the vehicle body frame <NUM>. The power unit <NUM> is arranged below the seat <NUM>. The power unit <NUM> is supported by the main frame <NUM>. The power unit <NUM> generates driving force to rotate the rear wheel <NUM>. The power unit <NUM> includes an engine <NUM> and a transmission <NUM>.

The rear wheel <NUM> is arranged behind the power unit <NUM>. The rear wheel <NUM> is connected to the main frame <NUM> via the swing arm <NUM>. The swing arm <NUM> is swingably supported by the main frame <NUM>. The rear wheel <NUM> is rotatably supported by the swing arm <NUM>.

A foot step <NUM> and a shift pedal <NUM> are arranged below the seat <NUM>. The foot step <NUM> is arranged behind the shift pedal <NUM>. A rider's foot is placed on the foot step <NUM>. The foot step <NUM> is connected to the main frame <NUM>. The foot step <NUM> projects laterally from the main frame <NUM>.

The shift pedal <NUM> is rotatably attached to the vehicle body <NUM>. The shift pedal <NUM> is attached to the transmission <NUM>, for example. Note that the shift pedal <NUM> is not limited to be attached to the transmission <NUM>, and may be attached to other parts such as the vehicle body frame <NUM>. The shift pedal <NUM> is operated by a rider's foot. By operating the shift pedal <NUM>, the gear of the transmission <NUM> is changed.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the shift pedal <NUM>. <FIG> is a top view of the shift pedal <NUM>. <FIG> is a side view of the shift pedal <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the shift pedal <NUM> includes a pedal body <NUM> and a cover <NUM>. The pedal body <NUM> is rotatably attached to the vehicle body <NUM>. The pedal body <NUM> is made of metal such as aluminum.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the pedal body <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the pedal body <NUM> includes a shaft portion <NUM>, an arm portion <NUM>, and a pedal tread portion <NUM>. The shaft portion <NUM> is rotatably supported by the vehicle body <NUM>. The shaft portion <NUM> projects laterally from the arm portion <NUM>. The arm portion <NUM> has a plate shape. The arm portion <NUM> extends from the shaft portion <NUM> in the front-rear direction.

<FIG> are enlarged views of the pedal body <NUM> showing the vicinity of the pedal tread portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the pedal tread portion <NUM> projects laterally from the arm portion <NUM>. The pedal tread portion <NUM> is made of sheet metal. The pedal tread portion <NUM> is connected to the arm portion <NUM> by, for example, welding. The pedal tread portion <NUM> has a plate shape that is bent convexly upward.

As shown in <FIG>, the pedal tread portion <NUM> includes an inner lateral portion <NUM> and an outer lateral portion <NUM>. The inner lateral portion <NUM> is connected to the arm portion <NUM>. The outer lateral portion <NUM> is arranged further laterally outward than the inner lateral portion <NUM>. The outer lateral portion <NUM> of the pedal tread portion <NUM> includes a pedal end <NUM>. The pedal end <NUM> is located at the outermost lateral side of the pedal tread portion <NUM>. The outer lateral portion <NUM> has the same width as the inner lateral portion <NUM> in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The outer lateral portion <NUM> and the inner lateral portion <NUM> have a maximum width in the pedal tread portion <NUM> in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

The pedal tread portion <NUM> includes an upper surface <NUM>, a bottom surface <NUM>, a first edge <NUM>, and a second edge <NUM>. The upper surface <NUM> has a curved shape convexly upward. The bottom surface <NUM> has a curved shape concave upward. The first edge <NUM> and the second edge <NUM> extend in the left-right direction of the vehicle. The first edge <NUM> and the second edge <NUM> extend linearly. The second edge <NUM> is located opposite the first edge <NUM>. The first edge <NUM> is located on the front side of the pedal tread portion <NUM>, and the second edge <NUM> is located on the rear side of the pedal tread portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the corner <NUM> between the first edge <NUM> and the pedal end <NUM> is rounded. The corner <NUM> between the second edge <NUM> and the pedal end <NUM> is rounded.

The pedal tread portion <NUM> includes a first notch <NUM> and a second notch <NUM>. The first notch <NUM> is provided in the first edge <NUM>. The first notch <NUM> has a shape recessed rearward from the first edge <NUM>. The first notch <NUM> is arranged facing forward. The second notch <NUM> is provided in the second edge <NUM>. The second notch <NUM> has a shape recessed forward from the second edge <NUM>. The second notch <NUM> is arranged facing rearward.

The first notch <NUM> and the second notch <NUM> are arranged between the inner lateral portion <NUM> and the outer lateral portion <NUM>. The first notch <NUM> and the second notch <NUM> are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The first notch <NUM> and the second notch <NUM> are arranged on the outer lateral side of the center of the pedal tread portion <NUM> in the left-right direction of the vehicle. The first notch <NUM> and the second notch <NUM> have a smoothly curved shape.

The pedal body <NUM> includes a reinforcing member <NUM>. The reinforcing member <NUM> projects laterally from the arm portion <NUM>. The reinforcing member <NUM> has a cylindrical shape. The reinforcing member <NUM> is connected to the arm portion <NUM> by, for example, welding. The reinforcing member <NUM> is arranged below the pedal tread portion <NUM>. The reinforcing member <NUM> is in contact with the bottom surface <NUM> of the pedal tread portion <NUM>. The reinforcing member <NUM> supports the pedal tread portion <NUM> from below.

The cover <NUM> is separate from the pedal body <NUM>. The cover <NUM> is attached to the pedal body <NUM>. The cover <NUM> is made of an elastic material such as rubber. The cover <NUM> covers the pedal tread portion <NUM>. <FIG> is an enlarged view of the shift pedal <NUM> showing the cover <NUM> and the vicinity of the pedal tread portion <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view of the cover <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the cover <NUM> has a flattened shape that is longer in the front-rear direction than in the vertical direction.

The cover <NUM> includes a cover end <NUM> and a hole <NUM>. The cover end <NUM> is located at the outermost lateral side of the cover <NUM>. The hole <NUM> extends in the left-right direction. The hole <NUM> penetrates the cover <NUM> in the left-right direction. The hole <NUM> is open at the cover end <NUM>. Similar to the pedal tread portion <NUM>, the hole <NUM> has a bent shape convexly upward.

The hole <NUM> includes an upper inner surface <NUM>, a lower inner surface <NUM>, a front inner surface <NUM>, and a rear inner surface <NUM>. The upper inner surface <NUM> is curved convexly upward. The lower inner surface <NUM> is curved convexly upward. The hole <NUM> extends in a curved line from the front inner surface <NUM> toward the rear inner surface <NUM>. The pedal tread portion <NUM> is inserted into the hole <NUM>. The pedal tread portion <NUM> is press-fitted into the hole <NUM>. Thereby, the cover <NUM> is attached to the pedal body <NUM>. The upper surface <NUM> of the pedal tread portion <NUM> contacts the upper inner surface <NUM>. The bottom surface <NUM> of the pedal tread portion <NUM> contacts the lower inner surface <NUM>. The first edge <NUM> of the pedal tread portion <NUM> contacts the front inner surface <NUM>. The second edge <NUM> contacts the rear inner surface <NUM>.

The cover <NUM> includes an upper curved surface <NUM> and a lower curved surface <NUM>. The upper curved surface <NUM> is provided on the upper surface of the cover <NUM>. The upper curved surface <NUM> is curved convexly upward. The lower curved surface <NUM> is provided on the lower surface of the cover <NUM>. The lower curved surface <NUM> is curved convexly downward. The upper curved surface <NUM> and the lower curved surface <NUM> are provided with anti-slip grooves. The curvature of the lower curved surface <NUM> is greater than the curvature of the upper curved surface <NUM>.

The cover <NUM> includes a lower cover portion <NUM> and an upper cover portion <NUM>. The lower cover portion <NUM> is located below the pedal tread portion <NUM>. The lower cover portion <NUM> is arranged facing the bottom surface <NUM> of the pedal tread portion <NUM>. The upper cover portion <NUM> is located above the pedal tread portion <NUM>. The upper cover portion <NUM> is arranged facing the upper surface <NUM> of the pedal tread portion <NUM>. The thickness of the lower cover portion <NUM> in the vertical direction is greater than the thickness of the upper cover portion <NUM> in the vertical direction.

As shown in <FIG>, a contact point between a first tangent line L1 and the cover <NUM> is defined as an upper contact point P1 as seen in the vehicle side view. The first tangent line L1 passes through a predetermined position P3 on the foot step <NUM> and contacts the cover <NUM> from above. The predetermined position P3 is, for example, the front end of the upper surface of the foot step <NUM>. Alternatively, the predetermined position P3 may be any other position on the upper surface of the foot step <NUM>. As seen in the vehicle side view, a contact point between a second tangent line L2 and the cover <NUM> is defined as a lower contact point P2. The second tangent line L2 passes through the predetermined position P3 on the foot step <NUM> and contacts the cover <NUM> from below. As seen in the vehicle side view, a direction in which a straight line L3 connecting the upper contact point P1 and the lower contact point P2 extends is defined as an operating direction A1 of a rider's foot. As shown in <FIG>, as seen in the vehicle side view, a dimension S1 of the cover <NUM> in the operating directionA1 is smaller than a dimension S2 of the cover <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the operating directionA1.

<FIG> is a sectional view taken along the line XII-XII of the shift pedal <NUM> in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the pedal tread portion <NUM> is arranged within the hole <NUM>. The pedal end <NUM> is arranged further laterally inward than the cover end <NUM>. The cover <NUM> includes a first protrusion <NUM> and a second protrusion <NUM>. The first protrusion <NUM> and the second protrusion <NUM> protrude from the inner surface of the hole <NUM>. The first protrusion <NUM> protrudes from the front inner surface <NUM>. The first protrusion <NUM> is engaged with the first notch <NUM> within the hole <NUM>. The second protrusion <NUM> protrudes from the rear inner surface <NUM>. The second protrusion <NUM> is engaged with the second notch <NUM> within the hole <NUM>. Thereby, the cover <NUM> is prevented from coming off from the pedal tread portion <NUM>.

According to the straddled vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the first protrusion53 engages with the first notch <NUM> in the hole <NUM>, so that the cover <NUM> is prevented from coming off with respect to the pedal tread portion <NUM>. Therefore, the cover <NUM> made of an elastic material is firmly prevented from coming off from the pedal tread portion <NUM>, and the cover <NUM> can be easily attached to the pedal tread portion <NUM>.

The straddled vehicle <NUM> is not limited to an off-road type, but may be another type of vehicle such as a street type or a moped. The shape of the shift pedal <NUM> is not limited to that of the embodiment described above, and may be changed. <FIG> is a sectional view of a shift pedal <NUM> according to a first modification. As shown in <FIG>, the pedal end <NUM> may be disposed flush with the cover end <NUM>.

The shape of the pedal tread portion <NUM> is not limited to that of the above embodiment, and may be changed. The shape of the cover <NUM> is not limited to that of the above embodiment, and may be changed. For example, <FIG> is an enlarged view of the pedal body <NUM> showing the vicinity of the pedal tread portion <NUM> according to the second modification. <FIG> is an enlarged view of the shift pedal <NUM> showing the vicinity of the pedal tread portion <NUM> according to the second modification. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the pedal tread portion <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape. The cover <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape.

Claim 1:
A straddled vehicle (<NUM>) comprising:
a vehicle body (<NUM>); and
a shift pedal (<NUM>) attached to the vehicle body (<NUM>), wherein
the shift pedal (<NUM>) includes:
a shaft portion (<NUM>) rotatably supported by the vehicle body (<NUM>),
an arm portion (<NUM>) extending in a front-rear direction of the vehicle from the shaft portion (<NUM>),
a pedal tread portion (<NUM>) projecting laterally from the arm portion (<NUM>), and
a cover (<NUM>) that is made of an elastic material and covers the pedal tread portion (<NUM>),
the pedal tread portion (<NUM>) including:
an inner lateral portion (<NUM>) connected to the arm portion (<NUM>),
an outer lateral portion (<NUM>) disposed further laterally outward than the inner lateral portion (<NUM>), and
a first notch (<NUM>) disposed between the inner lateral portion (<NUM>) and the outer lateral portion (<NUM>),
the outer lateral portion (<NUM>) has a same width as the inner lateral portion (<NUM>) in the front-rear direction of the vehicle (<NUM>),
the cover (<NUM>) including:
a hole (<NUM>) into which the pedal tread portion (<NUM>) is inserted, and
a first protrusion (<NUM>) protruding from an inner surface of the hole (<NUM>), and
the first protrusion (<NUM>) beings engaged with the first notch (<NUM>) in the hole (<NUM>) so that the cover (<NUM>) is prevented from coming off from the pedal tread portion (<NUM>);
wherein
the pedal tread portion (<NUM>) has a plate shape;
wherein off the pedal tread portion (<NUM>) includes:
a first edge (<NUM>) extending in a left-right direction of the vehicle (<NUM>),
a second edge (<NUM>) extending in the left-right direction of the vehicle (<NUM>) and arranged on an opposite side of the first edge (<NUM>), and
a second notch (<NUM>) arranged between the inner lateral portion (<NUM>) and the outer lateral portion (<NUM>),
the cover (<NUM>) includes a second protrusion (<NUM>) protruding from the inner surface of the hole (<NUM>),
the second protrusion (<NUM>) is engaged with the second notch (<NUM>) in the hole (<NUM>) so that the cover (<NUM>) is prevented from coming off from the pedal tread portion (<NUM>),
the first notch (<NUM>) is provided in the first edge (<NUM>), and characterized in that
the second notch (<NUM>) is provided in the second edge (<NUM>).