JP7610035B2 - Step structure for saddle-type vehicles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a step structure for a saddle-type vehicle.

Conventionally, there is known a step structure for a saddle-type vehicle in which a step that is rotatable around an axis provided on a stay rotates between a deployed position extending in the vehicle width direction and a stored position rotated upward from the deployed position (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, grooves corresponding to the deployed position and the stored position are provided, and a ball biased by a biasing member engages with the groove, locking the step in the deployed position and the stored position.

JP 2008-254469 A

In the step structure of the conventional saddle-ride type vehicle, when the step is in the stored position, the ball engages with the groove, so that the step is fixed in the position where it has been rotated upward as far as possible. Therefore, when returning the step from the stored position to the deployed position, it is difficult to apply a force to the step to rotate it downward, and the operation of deploying the step can be time-consuming.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a step structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle that enables the step to be easily changed from a stored state to an deployed state.

This specification contains the entire contents of Japanese patent application No. 2021-189385, filed on November 22, 2021.
The step structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle comprises a step rotatably provided around an axis provided on a stay, a ball and a groove provided between the stay and the step, and a biasing member that biases the ball into the groove, wherein the step is rotatable between a deployed position extending in the vehicle width direction and a stored position rotated upwardly from the deployed position around the axis, and the step is locked in the deployed position and the stored position by the ball engaging with the groove, characterized in that the groove comprises a first groove with which the ball engages in the deployed position and a second groove with which the ball engages in the stored position, and the second groove is an arc-shaped member that extends long in the rotation direction around the axis.

In the step structure of a saddle-type vehicle, the step can be easily changed from a stored state to an deployed state.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a saddle-ride type vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a left side view of the left step structure. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the step structure. FIG. 4 is a front view of the step structure. FIG. 5 is a side view of the base end portion of the step as viewed from the outer side in the vehicle width direction in a state in which the step has been rotated upward. FIG. 6 is a front view showing the step rotated upward. FIG. 7 is a view of the ball and the plate member in the deployed position as viewed from the front in the axial direction of the shaft. FIG. 8 is a view of the ball and the plate member in the stored position as viewed from the front in the axial direction of the shaft.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, directions such as front, back, left, right, and up and down are the same as directions relative to the vehicle body unless otherwise specified. In addition, the symbol FR in each drawing indicates the front of the vehicle body, the symbol UP indicates the upper part of the vehicle body, and the symbol LH indicates the left side of the vehicle body.

[Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a side view of a saddle-ride type vehicle 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The saddle-type vehicle 10 is a vehicle that includes a body frame 11, a power unit 12 supported by the body frame 11, a front fork 14 that supports a front wheel 13 so as to be freely steerable, a swing arm 16 that supports a rear wheel 15, and a seat 17 for a passenger.
The saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is a vehicle in which a passenger sits astride a seat 17. The seat 17 is provided above the rear portion of the body frame 11.

The body frame 11 includes a head pipe 18 provided at the front end of the body frame 11, a front frame 19 located rearward of the head pipe 18, and a rear frame 20 located rearward of the front frame 19. The front end of the front frame 19 is connected to the head pipe 18.
The seat 17 is supported by a rear frame 20 .

The front fork 14 is supported by a head pipe 18 so that it can be steered left and right. The front wheel 13 is supported by an axle 13a provided at the lower end of the front fork 14. A steering handle 21 that is held by the rider is attached to the upper end of the front fork 14.

The swing arm 16 is supported by a pivot shaft 22 that is supported by the body frame 11. The pivot shaft 22 is a shaft that extends horizontally in the vehicle width direction. The pivot shaft 22 is inserted into the front end of the swing arm 16. The swing arm 16 swings up and down about the pivot shaft 22.
The rear wheel 15 is supported by an axle 15 a provided at the rear end of a swing arm 16 .

The power unit 12 is disposed between the front wheels 13 and the rear wheels 15 and is supported by the body frame 11 .
The power unit 12 is an internal combustion engine. The power unit 12 includes a crankcase 23 and a cylinder portion 24 that houses a reciprocating piston. An exhaust device 25 is connected to an exhaust port of the cylinder portion 24.
The output of the power unit 12 is transmitted to the rear wheel 15 by a driving force transmission member that connects the power unit 12 and the rear wheel 15 .

The saddle-type vehicle 10 also includes a front fender 26 that covers the front wheel 13 from above, a rear fender 27 that covers the rear wheel 15 from above, a step 28 on which a rider places his or her feet, and a fuel tank 29 that stores fuel used by the power unit 12.
The front fender 26 is attached to the front fork 14. The rear fender 27 and the step 28 are provided below the seat 17. The fuel tank 29 is supported by the body frame 11.

The saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is a motorcycle. The saddle-ride type vehicle 10 includes a body cover 30 that covers a body including a body frame 11.
The front frame 19 includes a pair of left and right main frames 31 extending rearward and downward from the head pipe 18, and a pair of left and right pivot frames 32 extending downward from rear ends of the main frames 31. The pivot frames 32 are located rearward of the power unit 12 and forward of the rear wheel 15 in a side view of the vehicle. The pivot shaft 22 is supported by the pivot frames 32.

Figure 2 is a left side view of the left step structure 40. The step structures 40 are provided on the left and right sides of the vehicle body. The left and right step structures 40 are provided approximately symmetrically on the left and right, so the following description will refer to the left step structure 40. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the step structure 40. Figure 4 is a front view of the step structure 40 as viewed from the front.

The step structure 40 includes the step 28 on which a rider places his/her foot, a stay 41 attached to the pivot frame 32 serving as the vehicle body, and a shaft 42 supporting the step 28 so as to be rotatable.
The step structure 40 also includes a ball 43 that can engage with the stay 41 , and a biasing member 44 that biases the ball 43 toward the stay 41 .

FIG. 5 is a side view of the base end portion of the step 28 as viewed from the outer side in the vehicle width direction in a state in which the step 28 has been rotated upward.
2 to 5, the stay 41 includes a stay body 45 that is attached to the pivot frame 32 and supports the step 28, and a plate member 46 that is attached to the stay body 45. The ball 43 engages with the plate member 46.
The stay main body 45 comprises a plate-shaped base portion 45a attached to the pivot frame 32, a front shaft support portion 45b protruding outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower portion of the base portion 45a, and a rear shaft support portion 45c protruding outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower portion of the base portion 45a rearward of the front shaft support portion 45b.

The base portion 45a is in the form of a plate arranged to face the outer surface of the pivot frame 32. The stay 41 is fixed to the outer surface of the pivot frame 32 by a pair of stay fasteners 41a that are inserted into the front portion of the stay body 45 from the outer side in the vehicle width direction.
The front shaft support portion 45b and the rear shaft support portion 45c are plate-shaped and protrude outward in the vehicle width direction from the outer surface of the base portion 45a.
In a side view of the vehicle, the front shaft support portion 45b and the rear shaft support portion 45c are parallel to each other and incline upwardly toward the rear. The rear shaft support portion 45c is located rearward and below the front shaft support portion 45b.
The stay body 45 has a shaft support hole 45d penetrating the front shaft support portion 45b and the rear shaft support portion 45c.

The shaft 42 includes a shaft portion 42a that is inserted into the shaft support hole 45d, a flange portion 42b that extends radially outward from one end of the shaft portion 42a, and an engagement hole 42c that radially penetrates the other end of the shaft portion 42a.
The shaft 42 is inserted into the shaft support hole 45d from the front. The shaft portion 42a passes through the front shaft support portion 45b and the rear shaft support portion 45c.
The shaft 42 is prevented from slipping out rearward by the flange portion 42b abutting against the front shaft support portion 45b from the front.
The engagement hole 42c is located rearward of the rear shaft support portion 45c, and engages with a pin-shaped clip 47. On the shaft 42, a washer 48 is interposed between the clip 47 and the rear surface of the rear shaft support portion 45c.
The shaft 42 is prevented from slipping out from the front side by a clip 47 .

The step 28 includes a step body 50 that extends longitudinally in the vehicle width direction, and a step cover 51 that covers the upper surface of the step body 50 from above.
The base end 50 a of the step body 50 is provided with a rotation hole 52 through which the shaft 42 is inserted, and a storage hole 53 for storing the biasing member 44 and the ball 43 .

The step cover 51 is attached to the upper surface of the portion of the step body 50 that is on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the base end portion 50a of the step body 50. The step cover 51 is fixed to the step body 50 by a plurality of step cover fasteners 54 that are inserted into the step body 50 from below. The occupant places his/her feet on the upper surface of the step cover 51.
The step cover 51 is made of a material that is softer than the step body 50 and has higher vibration-proofing properties than the material of the step body 50. The step cover 51 is made of an elastomer such as rubber. The step body 50 is made of a metal material such as an iron-based material or a light alloy.

A bank sensor 55 is attached to the underside of the tip of the step body 50. The bank sensor 55 includes a cylindrical member 55a that contacts the underside of the tip of the step body 50, and a fastener 55b that is inserted into the cylindrical member 55a from below and fastened to the underside of the step body 50.

The step 28 has a base end 50a of a step body 50 disposed between the front shaft support portion 45b and the rear shaft support portion 45c. The step 28 is rotatably supported by a shaft portion 42a inserted into a pivot hole 52 of the base end 50a. The pivot hole 52 passes through the base end 50a.
An axis 42d of the shaft portion 42a is inclined downward toward the rear in a side view of the vehicle. The step 28 is rotatable up and down about the axis 42d.

4, the step 28 is in a deployed position in which the step 28 extends in the vehicle width direction. In the deployed position, an upper surface 28a of the step 28 extends substantially horizontally in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the front.
When the occupant normally drives the saddle-ride type vehicle 10, the step 28 is set in the deployed position, and the occupant places his/her feet on the substantially horizontal upper surface 28a.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing the step 28 in an upwardly rotated state.
6, the step 28 is in a stored position rotated upward from the deployed position. In the stored position, an upper surface 28a of the step 28 is inclined upward and outward in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the front.
For example, when the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is parked, the step 28 can be made compact in the vehicle width direction by setting the step 28 to the storage position, making it easier to park the saddle-ride type vehicle 10.

The step structure 40 includes a locking mechanism 60 that locks the step 28 in the deployed and retracted positions.
The locking mechanism 60 is composed of a ball 43 , a biasing member 44 , and a plate member 46 .

Fig. 7 is a view of the ball 43 and the plate member 46 as viewed from the front in the axial direction of the shaft 42. Fig. 7 shows the deployed position.
2 to 7, the plate member 46 is attached to the rear shaft support portion 45c of the stay main body 45. The plate member 46 is a flat plate, and is provided separately from the stay main body 45.
5, the plate member 46 is attached to the rear shaft support portion 45c so that the rear surface of the plate member 46 abuts against the front surface of the rear shaft support portion 45c. The plate member 46 is disposed between the rear surface of the base end portion 50a of the step body 50 and the front surface of the rear shaft support portion 45c, and is attached to the front surface of the rear shaft support portion 45c. The axis 42d of the shaft 42 is perpendicular to the plate member 46.

The storage hole 53 provided in the base end 50a of the step body 50 is a hole that extends parallel to the pivot hole 52. In other words, the storage hole 53 is parallel to the axis 42d. In the deployed position, the storage hole 53 is located on the inner side of the pivot hole 52 in the vehicle width direction.
The storage hole 53 is a blind hole that extends from the rear surface of the base end portion 50a to the front surface of the base end portion 50a. The rear end of the storage hole 53 opens rearward, and the front end of the storage hole 53 is closed.

The biasing member 44 is a coil spring. The biasing member 44 is received in the storage hole 53 from the opening at the rear end of the storage hole 53. One end of the biasing member 44 is received by the bottom of the storage hole 53.
The spherical ball 43 is received in the receiving hole 53 from the opening at the rear end of the receiving hole 53 and abuts against the other end of the biasing member 44 .
Plate member 46 covers storage hole 53 from the rear and presses ball 43 into storage hole 53. Biasing member 44 is sandwiched and compressed between the bottom of storage hole 53 and ball 43. Biasing member 44 biases ball 43 toward plate member 46 by a restoring force against compression. Plate member 46 is pressed against the front surface of rear shaft support portion 45c by the biasing force of biasing member 44 via ball 43.
The biasing member 44 and the ball 43 rotate integrally with the step 28 as the step 28 rotates about the axis 42d.

3 to 7, the plate member 46 includes a plate member main body 61 sandwiched between the base end portion 50a and the rear shaft support portion 45c, and a rotation restricting portion 62 protruding from the plate member main body 61 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction.
3, an engagement portion 45e with which the rotation restricting portion 62 engages is provided at a lower end portion of the base portion 45a of the stay main body 45. The engagement portion 45e is a hole that penetrates the base portion 45a in the vehicle width direction, and is located between the front shaft support portion 45b and the rear shaft support portion 45c.
The plate member 46 is restricted from rotating about the axis 42d as a result of the rotation restricting portion 62 engaging with the engaging portion 45e.

The plate member body 61 has a shaft hole 64 through which the shaft 42 is inserted, and a groove 70 in which the ball 43 engages.
The shaft hole 64 is a round hole through which the shaft portion 42a passes. The shaft hole 64 is provided in the upper part of the plate member main body 61.

7 shows a trajectory 43a of the rotation of the ball 43 when the step 28 rotates. The trajectory 43a is an arc of an imaginary circle whose center is the axis 42d. This imaginary circle is concentric with the shaft hole 64 and has a larger diameter than the shaft hole 64. The trajectory 43a is the trajectory of the center of the ball 43. The trajectory 43a is located on the inside and below the shaft hole 64 in the vehicle width direction.
When the step 28 rotates, the ball 43 moves on the plate member 46 along a trajectory 43 a while being pressed against the plate member 46 by the biasing member 44 .
The circumferential direction of the locus 43 a , which is the extension direction of the locus 43 a , is the rotation direction R of the step 28 .

Fig. 8 is a view of the ball 43 and the plate member 46 as viewed from the front in the axial direction of the shaft 42. Fig. 8 shows the stored position.
7 and 8, the groove 70 includes a first groove 71 with which the ball 43 engages when the step 28 is in the deployed position, and a second groove 72 with which the ball 43 engages when the step 28 is in the stored position.
The first groove 71 and the second groove 72 are provided on the locus 43a. In detail, the center in the width direction of the first groove 71 and the center in the width direction of the second groove 72 are located on the locus 43a. Here, the width direction of the first groove 71 and the second groove 72 is a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction R when viewed in the axial direction of the axis 42d.

The first groove 71 is located on the inner side and below the shaft hole 64 in the vehicle width direction.
The first groove 71 is a hole penetrating the plate member body 61. The first groove 71 is a hole having a smaller diameter than the ball 43, and the ball 43 engages with the first groove 71 when it reaches the position of the first groove 71.
The first groove 71 is longer in the width direction of the first groove 71 than in the rotation direction R.

The second groove 72 is located outwardly and below the first groove 71 in the vehicle width direction.
The second groove 72 is a hole penetrating the plate member main body 61. The second groove 72 is an elongated hole extending long in the rotation direction R. The second groove 72 is longer in the rotation direction R than the first groove 71.
The second groove 72 is longer than the diameter of the ball 43 in the rotation direction R, but the width of the second groove 72 is smaller than the diameter of the ball 43. Therefore, the ball 43 engages with the second groove 72 when it reaches the position of the second groove 72.

The second groove 72 has a deployment side end 72a, which is an end located on the side of the first groove 71 in the rotation direction R, a storage side end 72b, which is an end located on the opposite side of the deployment side end 72a in the rotation direction R, and an arc portion 72c extending in the rotation direction R between the deployment side end 72a and the storage side end 72b. The arc portion 72c connects the deployment side end 72a and the storage side end 72b in the rotation direction R.

The deployment side end 72 a is formed by a pair of curved corners that follow the contour of the ball 43 and a straight portion that connects the pair of corners in the width direction of the second groove 72 .
The storage end 72b has an inclined portion 73 that reduces the width of the storage end 72b from the deployment end 72a toward a tip 72d of the storage end 72b.
The storage end 72b has a triangular shape that tapers from the deployment end 72a toward the tip 72d. The inclined portion 73 is formed by two sides that form the tip 72d of the triangle.

The plate member body 61 has a riding portion 74 on which the ball 43 rides when the ball 43 moves between the first groove 71 and the second groove 72. The riding portion 74 is a portion of the plate member body 61 that is located on the trajectory 43a between the first groove 71 and the second groove 72.

Here, the rotation operation of step 28 will be described.
4, when the step 28 is in the deployed position, the ball 43 is in a position overlapping the first groove 71 as shown in FIG. 7, and the ball 43 is pressed by the biasing member 44 to engage with the first groove 71. The ball 43 engages with the first groove 71, thereby restricting the rotation of the step 28. In other words, the step 28 is locked in the deployed position by the locking mechanism 60.
The step 28 is also restricted from rotating downward from the deployed position when a stopper portion (not shown) provided on the step 28 abuts against the stay 41.

When the step 28 rotates upward from the state shown in Fig. 4, the step 28 is positioned in the stored position as shown in Fig. 6. The angle of the stored position with respect to the deployed position is smaller than 90°.
For example, when parking the saddle-ride type vehicle 10, the occupant places the step 28 in the storage position. When the occupant applies an upward force exceeding a predetermined magnitude to the step 28, the ball 43 rides up the riding portion 74 against the biasing member 44. This releases the lock provided by the locking mechanism 60, and the step 28 becomes capable of rotating upward.

When the step 28 rotates upward, the ball 43 runs on the climbing portion 74. When the step 28 is in the storage position, the ball 43 engages with the second groove 72. The rotation of the step 28 is restricted by the ball 43 engaging with the second groove 72. In other words, the step 28 is locked in the storage position by the locking mechanism 60. As described below, the second groove 72 is an elongated hole, so that there are a first storage position and a second storage position, and the step 28 can move between the first storage position and the second storage position even when locked in the storage position by the locking mechanism 60.

Since the second groove 72 extends a long way in the rotation direction R, the ball 43 is movable in the rotation direction R within the second groove 72 when in the stored position.
Specifically, when the ball 43 is located at the deployment end 72a of the second groove 72, the step 28 is located in the first storage position shown by the solid lines in FIG.
When the ball 43 is located at the storage end 72b of the second groove 72, the step 28 is located at the second storage position shown by the phantom lines in Fig. 6. The upper surface of the step 28 in the second storage position is illustrated as an upper surface 28a'. The upper surface of the step 28 in the first storage position is illustrated as an upper surface 28a. The second storage position is the uppermost position where the step 28 has been rotated all the way up.
The first storage position is a position in which the step 28 is rotated downward relative to the second storage position, within the range of the length of the second groove 72.

When the ball 43 is positioned at the storage end 72b of the second groove 72 and is urged toward the storage end 72b by the urging member 44, the ball 43 automatically moves along the inclined portion 73 toward the deployment end 72a.
As a result, the ball 43 is normally in contact with the area between the arc portion 72c and the deployment-side end portion 72a when engaged with the second groove 72. Therefore, when in the stored position, the step 28 is normally in a position moved toward the first stored position with respect to the second stored position.

When the step 28 is positioned to the side of the first storage position, the step 28 becomes compact in the vehicle width direction, so that even if the parking space for the saddle-type vehicle 10 is narrow, the step 28 does not get in the way of parking, making parking easier.

In addition, when the step 28 is located on the side of the first storage position, the step 28 opens outward compared to when it is in the second storage position, making it easier to apply force from above to the step 28. Therefore, a passenger or the like can easily return the step 28 to the deployed position by pushing the step 28 downward with their foot or the like.
In detail, when an occupant or the like applies a downward force exceeding a predetermined magnitude to the step 28, the ball 43 rides up the ride-on portion 74 against the biasing member 44. This releases the lock provided by the locking mechanism 60, allowing the step 28 to rotate downward. When the step 28 rotates downward, the ball 43 runs on the ride-on portion 74. When the step 28 is located in the deployed position, the ball 43 engages with the first groove 71.

An occupant or the like can push up the step 28 against the biasing force of the biasing member 44 to move the ball 43 to the storage side end 72b and position the step 28 in the second storage position.
For example, if the saddle-type vehicle 10 comes close to an object when parking, the step 28 can be pushed up to the second storage position to prevent the step 28 from coming into contact with the object, making it easy to park the saddle-type vehicle 10.

In addition, if the step 28 hits an object while parking or the like while the step 28 is located on the side of the first storage position, the step 28 can rotate upward and escape to the side of the second storage position, thereby mitigating the impact. This reduces the impact acting on the step 28 and the object it hits.

As described above, according to the embodiment to which the present invention is applied, the step structure 40 of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 includes the step 28 provided rotatably around the shaft 42 provided on the stay 41, the ball 43 and the groove 70 provided between the stay 41 and the step 28, and the biasing member 44 that biases the ball 43 to the groove 70, the step 28 is rotatable between a deployed position extending in the vehicle width direction and a stored position rotated upward from the deployed position around the shaft 42, and the ball 43 engages with the groove 70 to lock the step 28 at the deployed position and the stored position. The groove 70 includes a first groove 71 with which the ball 43 engages at the deployed position and a second groove 72 with which the ball 43 engages at the stored position, and the second groove 72 is in the shape of a circular arc extending long in the rotation direction R around the shaft 42.
According to this configuration, since the second groove 72 has an arc shape extending long in the rotation direction R, the ball 43 can move in the second groove 72 in the rotation direction R. As a result, the step 28 can move between the second storage position, which is the uppermost position rotated to the uppermost position, and the first storage position, which is a position rotated downward from the second storage position, within the range of the length of the second groove 72 when in the storage position. When the step 28 is in the first storage position, it is easy for an occupant to apply force to the step 28 from above, so that the step 28 can be easily changed from the stored state to the deployed state. In addition, by holding the step 28 with a hand, etc., the step 28 can be rotated to the second storage position, so that the amount of protrusion of the step 28 in the vehicle width direction can be minimized, and the step 28 can be prevented from getting in the way when parking, etc.

Further, the second groove 72 is longer than the first groove 71 in the rotation direction R.
According to this configuration, a long rotation range of the step 28 can be ensured when in the stored position, making it easier for an occupant or the like to apply force to the step 28 from above.

In addition, the second groove 72 has an expansion side end 72a located on the side of the first groove 71 in the rotation direction R, and a storage side end 72b located on the opposite side of the expansion side end 72a in the rotation direction R, and the storage side end 72b has a sloped portion 73 that reduces the width of the storage side end 72b from the expansion side end 72a side toward the tip 72d of the storage side end 72b, and when the ball 43 is biased toward the storage side end 72b by the biasing member 44, it moves along the sloped portion 73 toward the expansion side end 72a side.
According to this configuration, the ball 43 can be moved toward the deployment-side end 72a by utilizing the biasing force of the biasing member 44. Therefore, the step 28 can be positioned, within the range of the length of the second groove 72, toward the first storage position that is rotated downward with respect to the second storage position.

Furthermore, the second groove 72 has an arc portion 72c extending in the rotation direction R between the deployment side end 72a and the storage side end 72b, and when viewed in the axial direction of the shaft 42, the storage side end 72b has a triangular shape that tapers toward the tip 72d.
According to this configuration, the second groove 72 has the arc portion 72c, which allows the length of the second groove 72. Also, with the simple structure in which the storage side end portion 72b is triangular, the biasing force of the biasing member 44 can be used to position the step 28 toward the first storage position, which is rotated downward with respect to the second storage position.

Further, when viewed in the axial direction of the shaft 42, the first groove 71 is longer in a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction R than in the rotation direction R.
According to this configuration, the first groove 71 is longer in the direction perpendicular to the rotation direction R than in the rotation direction R, so that even if a manufacturing error occurs in the positional relationship between the first groove 71 and the ball 43, the ball 43 can be appropriately engaged with the first groove 71. This makes it easier to manage manufacturing errors in the step structure 40.

In addition, the ball 43 and the urging member 44 are provided on the step 28, the stay 41 includes a stay main body 45 that supports the shaft 42 and a plate member 46 that is attached to the stay main body 45, and the first groove 71 and the second groove 72 are formed in the plate member 46.
According to this configuration, since the first groove 71 and the second groove 72 are formed in the plate member 46, the first groove 71 and the second groove 72 can be easily formed.

Furthermore, the plate member 46 includes a rotation restricting portion 62 that restricts the rotation of the plate member 46 relative to the stay body 45 .
According to this configuration, the rotation of the plate member 46 can be restricted with a simple structure.

Furthermore, the stay body 45 includes an engagement portion 45e with which the rotation restricting portion 62 engages.
According to this configuration, the rotation of the plate member 46 can be restricted with a simple structure in which the rotation restricting portion 62 is engaged with the engaging portion 45 e of the stay main body 45 .

The above-described embodiment shows one mode in which the present invention is applied, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.
In the above embodiment, the first groove 71 and the second groove 72 are described as being provided in the plate member 46 of the stay 41, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first groove 71 and the second groove 72 may be formed in the rear shaft support portion 45c of the stay main body 45 without providing the plate member 46.
In the above embodiment, the ball 43 is described as moving toward the deployment end 72a along the inclined portion 73 when it is urged toward the storage end 72b by the urging member 44, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the ball 43 may move from the storage end 72b toward the deployment end 72a by gravity acting on the step 28 or the like. In this case, the storage end 72b may be formed in the same elongated hole shape as the deployment end 72a, without providing the inclined portion 73.
The present invention may also be applied to a step structure for a step for a passenger seated behind the occupant.
In the above embodiment, the step structure 40 mounted on the saddle-ride vehicle 10, which is a motorcycle, has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the step structure 40 may be provided on a three-wheeled saddle-ride vehicle and a saddle-ride vehicle having four or more wheels.

[Configuration supported by the above embodiment]
The above embodiment supports the following configurations.

(Configuration 1) A step structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle comprising: a step rotatably arranged around an axis provided on a stay; a ball and a groove provided between the stay and the step; and a biasing member that biases the ball into the groove, wherein the step is rotatable between a deployed position extending in the vehicle width direction and a stored position rotated upwardly relative to the deployed position around the axis, and the step is locked in the deployed position and the stored position by the ball engaging with the groove, wherein the groove comprises a first groove with which the ball engages in the deployed position and a second groove with which the ball engages in the stored position, and the second groove is an arc-shaped groove that extends long in the rotation direction around the axis.
According to this configuration, since the second groove is an arc extending long in the rotation direction, the ball can move in the second groove in the rotation direction. As a result, in the stored position, the step can move between the uppermost position rotated to the uppermost position and a position rotated downward from the uppermost position within the range of the length of the second groove. When the step is in a position rotated downward from the uppermost position, it is easy for a passenger to apply force to the step from above, so that the step can be easily changed from the stored state to the deployed state. In addition, by holding the step with a hand, etc., in the position rotated to the uppermost position, the amount of protrusion of the step in the vehicle width direction can be minimized, and the step can be prevented from getting in the way when parking, etc.

(Configuration 2) The step structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle according to configuration 1, wherein the second groove is longer than the first groove in the rotation direction.
According to this configuration, a long rotation range of the step can be ensured when in the stored position, making it easier for passengers to apply force to the step from above.

(Configuration 3) A step structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle described in configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that the second groove has a deployment side end located on the side of the first groove in the rotation direction, and a storage side end located on the opposite side of the deployment side end in the rotation direction, the storage side end having a sloped portion that reduces the width of the storage side end from the deployment side end side toward the tip of the storage side end, and the ball moves along the sloped portion toward the deployment side end side when biased toward the storage side end by the biasing member.
According to this configuration, the ball can be moved toward the deployment end by utilizing the biasing force of the biasing member, and therefore the step can be positioned at a position rotated downward from the uppermost position within the range of the length of the second groove.

(Configuration 4) A step structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle as described in Configuration 3, characterized in that the second groove has an arc portion extending in the rotation direction between the deployment side end and the storage side end, and when viewed in the axial direction of the shaft, the storage side end has a triangular shape that tapers toward the tip.
According to this configuration, the second groove has an arcuate portion, so the second groove can be made longer. Also, with a simple structure in which the storage end is triangular, the biasing force of the biasing member can be used to position the step in a position rotated downward from the uppermost position.

(Configuration 5) A step structure for a saddle-type vehicle described in any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that, when viewed in the axial direction of the shaft, the first groove is longer in a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction than in the rotation direction.
According to this configuration, since the first groove is longer in the direction perpendicular to the rotation direction than in the rotation direction, even if a manufacturing error occurs in the positional relationship between the first groove and the ball, the ball can be properly engaged with the first groove, which makes it easier to manage manufacturing errors in the step structure.

(Configuration 6) A step structure for a saddle-type vehicle described in any one of configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that the ball and the biasing member are provided on the step, the stay comprises a stay main body supporting the shaft and a plate member attached to the stay main body, and the first groove and the second groove are formed in the plate member.
According to this configuration, since the first groove and the second groove are formed in the plate member, the first groove and the second groove can be easily formed.

(Configuration 7) A step structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle according to configuration 6, wherein the plate member is provided with a rotation restricting portion that restricts rotation of the plate member relative to the stay body.
According to this configuration, the rotation of the plate member can be restricted with a simple structure.

(Configuration 8) The step structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle according to configuration 7, wherein the stay body is provided with an engagement portion with which the rotation restricting portion engages.
According to this configuration, the rotation of the plate member can be restricted with a simple structure in which the rotation restricting portion is engaged with the engaging portion of the stay main body.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Saddle-ride type vehicle 28 Step 40 Step structure 41 Stay 42 Shaft 43 Ball 44 Urging member 45 Stay body 45e Engagement portion 46 Plate member 62 Rotation restricting portion 70 Groove 71 First groove 72 Second groove 72a Deployment side end 72b Storage side end 72c Arc portion 72d Tip 73 Inclined portion R Rotation direction

Claims (8)

A step structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle comprising: a step (28) provided rotatably about an axis (42) provided on a stay (41); a ball (43) and a groove (70) provided between the stay (41) and the step (28); and an urging member (44) that urges the ball (43) into the groove (70), wherein the step (28) is rotatable between a deployed position extending in the vehicle width direction and a stored position rotated upward with respect to the deployed position about the axis (42), and the step (28) is locked in the deployed position and the stored position by engaging the ball (43) with the groove (70),
The groove (70) includes a first groove (71) with which the ball (43) engages in the deployed position, and a second groove (72) with which the ball (43) engages in the stored position,
The step structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle is characterized in that the second groove (72) is an arc-shaped groove extending long in the rotation direction (R) about the shaft (42). The step structure for a saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the second groove (72) is longer than the first groove (71) in the rotation direction (R). The second groove (72) has a deployment side end (72a) located on the side of the first groove (71) in the rotation direction (R) and a storage side end (72b) located on the opposite side of the deployment side end (72a) in the rotation direction (R),
The storage end portion (72b) includes an inclined portion (73) that reduces the width of the storage end portion (72b) from the deployment end portion (72a) toward the tip (72d) of the storage end portion (72b),
3. The step structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when the ball (43) is urged toward the storage side end (72b) by the urging member (44), it moves along the inclined portion (73) toward the deployment side end (72a). The second groove (72) has an arc portion (72c) extending in the rotation direction (R) between the deployment side end portion (72a) and the storage side end portion (72b),
4. The step structure for a saddle-type vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that, when viewed in the axial direction of the shaft (42), the storage end portion (72b) has a triangular shape tapered toward the tip (72d). 3. A step structure for a saddle -type vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when viewed in the axial direction of the shaft (42), the first groove (71) is longer in a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction (R) than in the rotation direction (R). The ball (43) and the biasing member (44) are provided on the step (28),
The stay (41) includes a stay body (45) that supports the shaft (42) and a plate member (46) that is attached to the stay body (45),
3. The step structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the first groove (71) and the second groove (72) are formed in a plate member (46). The step structure for a saddle-type vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that the plate member (46) is provided with a rotation restriction portion (62) that restricts the rotation of the plate member (46) relative to the stay body (45). The step structure for a saddle-type vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that the stay body (45) is provided with an engagement portion (45e) with which the rotation restriction portion (62) engages.

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