To,

The Head of R&D, Corporate R & D Centre, Tube Investments of India Ltd. TPI Campus, Avadi, Chennai - 600 054, Tamil Nadu, India Phone:+91-44-42291950 Fax:+91-44-26383390

Sub :- Design project for a foldable cycle. Respected Sir, We are students of M. S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bangalore; planning to do a project under your guidance during the semester end Holidays spanning from 25 June 2011 to 30 Aug 2011. Our main intention is to work on the concept of foldable cycles. After doing some literature survey on the afore mentioned topic,we tried to put some of our ideas on paper. It is then that we realized that, all the major companies working in this particular domain had either a futuristic design not suitable for Indian conditions or they were too bulky to be carried around. So the main stress points of our design is that it should be practical and viable to Indian Market and conditions. Also we realised that would not be able to do anything significant without the backing of a Corporate R & D centre and a related Industry already established in the market. It is in this regard that we request your support to help us realise our dream of developing a truly new concept fit for the Indian market.

Current scenario: Designs available globally are futuristic to be implemented in India. They are bulky. There is an imminent need of foldable cycles in India. The designs available are mostly for cycles with smaller cycle frames (generally meant for kids of age group 8-15), where the seats are heightened along with front handle providing discomfort while riding to adults, who are the potential customers for the product. There is no commercial design with foldable tyres. What is being planned: Create a foldable design for a cycle with larger frame that would be easier to be used by adults. Incorporate a design to fold the tyres of the cycle, for which we have a concept. To Use composite materials like carbon fibers to have larger strength to weight ratio.

Hoping for a favourable reply soon (Names and details)