EP4676815A1

EP4676815A1 - A handlebar cover for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP4676815A1
Application number: EP24712996.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ramanathan ANANTHANARAYANAN; Syam Sasidharan; Maddali ADITYA LALIT; Selvaraj Pradeep
Original assignee: TVS Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: TVS Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-03-05
Filing date: 2024-02-29
Publication date: 2026-01-14
Also published as: WO2024184916A1

Abstract

The present subject matter discloses a handlebar assembly (100) for a vehicle comprising a handlebar (101) and a handlebar cover (102), where the handlebar cover (102) is configured to cover a portion of the handlebar (101). Further, the handlebar cover (102) is configured to mount a display member (103) of the vehicle. The present subject matter, thus provides a new arrangement of mounting the display member onto the handlebar cover (102), thereby eliminating the need of additional brackets for mounting the display member (103).

Description

TITLE

A HANDLEBAR COVER FOR A VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present subject matter generally relates to handlebar assemblies, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to mounting of number plates on such handlebar assemblies.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Typically, in two-wheeled vehicles, it is quite often that a front fender for overhanging a front wheel and a number plate is positioned forwardly of a steering handle, that are mounted on the motorcycle separately. A front plate indicating a number is attached to the vehicle body. The number plate usually is secured to the vehicle by an upper bracket with screws or the like. In this structure, a gap tends to be formed between an upper surface of the front fender and a lower end of the number plate and, therefore, not only is the aesthetic appearance deteriorated, however, when the vehicle is used over rugged terrain or when the vehicle is used for a prolonged period of time, the front plate tends to swing often due to loosening of mounting provisions through which it is mounted on the bracket, thereby resulting in free-play of the front plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0003] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures, which is related to a handlebar assembly in a vehicle being one embodiment of the present subject matter. However, the present subject matter is not limited to the depicted embodiment s) and is applicable to all kinds of handlebar assembly in vehicles such as two-wheeled vehicle, racing bikes, ATVs and the like. In the figures, the same or similar numbers are used throughout to reference features and components.

[0004] Fig. 1 depicts a top side perspective view of a handlebar assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0005] Fig. 2 illustrates a front view of the handlebar assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0006] Fig. 3 illustrates a magnified view of a handlebar cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0007] Various features and embodiments of the present subject matter here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder.

[0008] Conventionally, in a two-wheeled vehicle, a number plate is a planar surface which requires two mounting points for mounting the number plate onto a mounting bracket. This mounting bracket is in turn mounted either onto a front panel of the vehicle or onto the handlebar. However, in vehicles, the front panel is a curved surface, therefore there arises a difficulty of mounting a planar number plate on a curved surface. Further, the number plate is statutorily required to be mounted using rivets only and the rivet assembly process is complicated on a curved surface.

[0009] Moreover, the conventional mounting brackets are casted and fabricated using sheet metal parts, wherein two mounting holes are provided for receiving the mounting plate. However, while casting or fabricating, such mounting holes may not be uniformly aligned and tolerance of the two mounting points become irregular which in turn tilts the number plate in one direction, leading to deformation of the number plate while mounting on the mounting bracket using rivets. Also there is a free-play of number plate while mounting the number plate on the bracket and also ease of rotation of handlebar by user becomes difficult due to additional number plate bracket.

[00010] Hence, there arises a need for a handlebar assembly for mounting the number plate, which eliminates the need of additional brackets for mounting the number plates and which also provides an improved aesthetic appearance to the front portion of the vehicle.

[00011] To this end, the present subject matter discloses an improved and aesthetically pleasing, lightweight and cost-effective handlebar assembly for mounting a number plate onto a handlebar cover, thereby eliminating the need of additional brackets for mounting the number plates.

[00012] Another objective of the present subject matter is to provide a handle bar assembly that eliminates the problem of free-play of the number plate after a prolonged period of vehicle driving, due to loosening of fasteners or rivets used for mounting of the number plate on the additional bracket.

[00013] Yet another objective of the present subject matter is to provide an improved handlebar assembly for mounting the number plate in such a manner that enables a user of the vehicle to easily rotate the handlebar, thereby enabling part reduction and reducing the weight of the vehicle due to removal of additional brackets and mounting provisions. [00014] It is another objective of the present subject matter to provide to an improved design and configuration of the handlebar assembly that enables natural cooling of the heated components located on the handlebar assembly.

[00015] The present subject matter discloses a handlebar assembly for a vehicle having a handlebar and a handlebar cover. The handlebar cover is configured to cover a portion of said handlebar. Further, the handlebar cover is configured to mount a display member of the vehicle. Here, the display member is a number plate.

[00016] In another embodiment, the handlebar cover includes at least two protrusions for receiving one or more rivets for mounting of the display member.

[00017] In yet another embodiment, the length of said at least two protrusions being greater than a length of said one or more rivets.

[00018] In yet another embodiment, the handlebar cover includes a cut-out which is disposed in a central portion of the handlebar cover.

[00019] In another embodiment, the at least two protrusions are positioned adjacent to one or more sides of a cut-out.

[00020] In yet another embodiment, the handlebar cover includes at least two louvres that are disposed along edges of the at least two protrusions.

[00021] In another embodiment, the handlebar cover includes at least two projections that are disposed at a top portion of the handlebar cover and above a cut-out of the handlebar cover.

[00022] In another embodiment, the at least two projections are configured to mount the handlebar cover on the handlebar of the vehicle through a set of fasteners.

[00023] In yet another embodiment, the handlebar cover includes a depressed portion being formed in between the at least two projections.

[00024] In another embodiment, the handlebar cover includes a lower portion being formed below the cut-out.

[00025] In yet another embodiment, the handlebar cover is made of plastic.

[00026] The present subject matter along with all the accompanying embodiments and their other advantages would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following paragraphs. [00027] The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.

[00028] The handlebar assembly may be implemented in any type of vehicle. However, for the purpose of explanation and by no limitation, the handlebar, and corresponding additional advantages and features are described through the following embodiments of a two-wheeled vehicle.

[00029] The aforesaid and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following description.

[00030] Referring to Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, which illustrates a top side perspective view of the handlebar assembly (100), a front view of the handlebar assembly (100) and a magnified view of a handlebar cover (102) in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter are described together for brevity purposes. A handlebar assembly (100) for a vehicle comprises a handlebar (101) and a handlebar cover (102). Herein, the handlebar cover (102) is configured to cover a portion of said handlebar (101); and the handlebar cover (102) is configured to mount a display member (103) of said vehicle. Herein, the display member (103) is a number plate or a license number plate used to denote the number of the vehicle. Further, in an embodiment, the handlebar cover (102) includes at least two protrusions (305) wherein said at least two protrusions can receive one or more rivets (not shown) for mounting said display member (103) onto the handlebar cover (102). The handlebar cover (102) further includes at least two projections (325). The at least two projections (325) enable mounting of the handlebar cover (102) on a handlebar (101) of the vehicle. Therefore, the display member (103) is mounted only on the handlebar cover (102) and the handlebar cover (102) is mounted on the handlebar 101). Thus, such mounting arrangement eliminates the need of an additional bracket used for mounting the number plate on the handlebar as the handlebar cover (102) itself acts as a number plate holder and the mounting bracket. Hence, no additional bracket is required for mounting the display member (103) or the number plate. Moreover, the problem of free-play of the display member (103) after a prolonged period of vehicle driving, due to loosening of fasteners or rivets used for mounting of the display member (103) on the additional bracket is also eliminated. Further, since there is no additional bracket on the handlebar (101) for mounting the display member (103), therefore, a user of the vehicle is capable of easily rotating the handlebar (101), thereby reducing the weight of the vehicle. Moreover, part reduction is also achieved due to elimination of such additional bracket and mounting provisions. Also, the at least two protrusions (305) are formed in such a manner that the length of the two protrusions (305) is greater than the length of the one or more rivets (not shown). Such length of the protrusions being greater than the length of the one or more rivets ensures that the one or more rivets are hidden from the view of a driver.

[00031] The handlebar cover (102) further includes a cut-out (315). This cut-out is disposed in a central portion of the handlebar cover (102). Herein, providing such cut-out (315) provides for weight reduction of the entire handlebar cover (102). Such cut-out (315) is disposed in such a way that the location of the cut-out also enables natural atmospheric air coming from the front of the vehicle to be blown onto the heated components located on the handlebar assembly (100) such as instrument cluster (not shown). Further, the at least two protrusions (305) are positioned adjacent to one or more sides of the cut-out (315).

[00032] Further, the handlebar cover (102) includes at least two louvres (310) being disposed along edges of the at least two protrusions (305). Such louvres (310) owing to its design, it provides an aerodynamic effect for reducing air drag near the handlebar assembly (100). Further, the louvres (310) are positioned in such a manner that there is a minimum operating clearance between the handlebar cover (102) and at least two brake master cylinder (105), placed on either side of the handlebar assembly (100). Thus, the louvres (310) prevent touching of the brake master cylinder (105) with the handlebar cover (102).

[00033] Further, in another embodiment, the at least two projections (325) are disposed at a top portion of said handlebar cover (102) and above the cut-out (315) of said handlebar cover (102). Further, the handlebar cover (102) includes a depressed portion (320) being formed in between said at least two projections (325). Said depressed portion (320) enables accommodation of nearby electrical components such as couplers (not shown) so that there is no interference of the handlebar cover (102) with the nearby components. Also, the depressed portion (320) contributes to the objective of weight reduction the handlebar cover (102). Further, the handlebar cover (102) includes a lower portion (330), said lower portion (330) being formed below said cut-out (315). The lower portion (330) provides aesthetic appeal to the handlebar cover (102).

[00034] Further, the handlebar cover (102) is made of plastic. As opposed to conventional number plate holders and conventional tail lamp brackets that are casted, fabricated or molded using sheet metal parts with lower tolerances to load being exerted on the number plate holders or the conventional tail lamp brackets, the plastic handlebar cover (102) is capable of providing higher tolerances against load acting on the handlebar (101). [00035] The present subject matter also provides advantages in terms of eliminating the problem of difficulty of mounting a planar number plate on a curved surface and further, the assembly process is simplified because of directly mounting the number plate of a planar handlebar cover instead of mounting it on a curved surface of front panel. The problem of deformation of the number plate while mounting number plate onto the sheet metal bracket is also overcome due to the handlebar cover being made up of plastic.

[00036] While certain features of the claimed subject matter have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the claimed subject matter.

List of reference signs:

100 handlebar assembly

101 handlebar

102 handlebar cover

103 display member

105 brake master cylinder

305 at least two protrusions

310 at least two louvres

315 cut-out

320 depressions

325 at least two projections

330 lower portion

Claims

Claims:

1. A handlebar assembly (100) for a vehicle, said handlebar assembly (100) comprising: a handlebar (101); wherein said handlebar assembly (100) includes: a handlebar cover (102), said handlebar cover (102) being configured to cover a portion of said handlebar (101); and wherein said handlebar cover (102) being configured to mount a display member (103) of said vehicle.

2. The handlebar assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handlebar cover (102) having at least two protrusions (305), said at least two protrusions (305) being capable of receiving one or more rivets for mounting said display member (103).

3. The handlebar assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein length of said at least two protrusions (305) being greater than a length of said one or more rivets.

4. The handlebar assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handlebar cover (102) includes a cut-out (315), said cut-out being disposed in a central portion of said handlebar cover (102).

5. The handlebar assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least two protrusions (305) being positioned adjacent to one or more sides of a cut-out (315).

6. The handlebar assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said handlebar cover (102) having at least two louvres (310), said at least two louvres (310) being disposed along edges of said at least two protrusions (305).

7. The handlebar assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handlebar cover (102) includes at least two projections (325), said at least two projections (325) being disposed at a top portion of said handlebar cover (102) and above a cut-out (315) of said handlebar cover (102).

8. The handlebar assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said at least two projections (325) being configured to mount said handlebar cover (102) on a handlebar (101) of a vehicle.

9. The handlebar assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said handlebar cover (102) includes a depressed portion (320), said depressed portion (320) being formed in between said at least two projections (325).

10. The handlebar assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said handlebar cover (102) includes a lower portion (330), said lower portion (330) being formed below said cut-out (315).

11. The handlebar assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handlebar cover (102) being made of plastic.