GB2030829A

GB2030829A - A hand warming device

Info

Publication number: GB2030829A
Application number: GB7838822A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: NEWCOME R
Current assignee: NEWCOME R
Priority date: 1978-09-30
Filing date: 1978-09-30
Publication date: 1980-04-10

Abstract

A hand warmer device for insertion in a tubular member such as a handle-bar (14) comprises an electric heating element (11), support means (12) for supporting said element (11) within the tubular member (14) and positioning it away from the internal wall or walls of the tubular member (14), and connecting means (24) for connecting the heating element (11) to an electric power supply. The device includes means for retaining the heating element (11) in place in the tubular member (14), the retaining means comprising a flexible dished disc (20) having a central opening in which is located a stud (15) projecting from one end of the heating element (11), the disc (20) being prevented from moving off the stud by (15) a locating member (21). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A hand warming device This invention relates to a hand warming device and more particularly to a hand warmer for location in a tubular member such as the handle-bar of a motorcycle, snow-mobile or the like.

One of the discomforts associated with winter travel on a motorcycle is cold hands.

Riders usually wear gloves but these are normally not sufficient to keep out the cold. One of the reasons for lack of warmth provided by gloves is that they cannot be too bulky or else the rider's control of the cycle may be impeded.

Broadly the invention consists of a hand warmer device for insertion in a tubular member comprising an electric heating element, support means for supporting said element within a tubular member and positioning it away from the internal wall or walls of the tubular member and means for connecting the heating element to an electric power supply.

In more fully describing the invention according to its preferred embodiment, reference will be made to the accompanying drawing which shows schematically the main constructional features of the device as located within a tubular member.

According to the preferred form of the invention, a continuous wire 11 is wound on a suitable heat resistant cylindrical-core 10. The gauge of wire and turns per unit length are dictacted by the size of the device, the available power supply and the amount of heat required.

A rubber or synthetic ring 1 2 engages about the peripheral surface of each end of the core 1 0. The rings 1 2 have an external diameter slightly larger than the internal diameter of the handlebar or tubular member 14 and they locate on (or alternatively in peripheral grooves) the surface of the core 10.

The core 10 is thus supported between the two spaced apart rings 1 2 so that it is coaxial with the tubular member 14.

A stud 1 5 is located in a threaded opening 1 6 at one end of the core 10 and is coaxial therewith. A washer 1 7 is located over the stud 1 5 and has a projection 1 8 coupled thereto which passes through an opening or passageway 1 3 in core 1 0. Washer 1 7 is held in place by lock nut 1 9. A flexible metal disc 20 is located on stud 1 5 and is prevented from moving off the stud by a backing nut 21. Wire 11 is soldered or crimped onto the projection 1 8 of washer 1 7 at 22.The other end of wire 11 is likewise soldered or crimped onto connector or terminal 24 at the point indicated by 23 and extends through an opening or bore 26 in core 10.

In use an electrical connection (not shown) is engaged on terminal 24 and the device then inserted into the end of a handle-bar 1 4.

The device has a generally snug fit due to the rings 1 2 about the core 1 0. The flexible disc 20, which is dished, has a diameter slightly larger than the internal diameter of the handle-bar 1 4 and when the device is correctly positioned the backing nut 21 is tightened down which causes the disc 20 to flex outwardly and grip the internal wall 25 of the handlebar 14. Disc 20 serves two functions.

Firstly it earths the device to complete the electrical circuit and secondly it locates the device in position.

The device is easily installed or removed and can be readily dismantled for servicing such as fitting a new element. The peripheral rings not only support the core but prevent the ingress of dust and moisture as well as absorbing vibrations and expansion due to heat. In operation the handlebar is heated from within and this heat is transferred through the handgrip to the rider's hands. It will be appreciated that a hand warmer is placed in each end of the handle-bar.

The present discription only relates to a preferred form of the invention and modifications within the scope thereof will be apparaent to those skilled in the art.

CLAIMS (30 Sep 1978) 1. A hand warmer device for insertion in a tubular member comprising an electric heating element, support means for supporting said element within a tubular member and positioning it away from the internal wall or walls of the tubular member and means for connecting the heating element to an electric power supply.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the support means is at least two annular members spaced apart along the heating element, said annular members having an external diameter substantially the same as the internal diameter of said tubular member.

3. The device according to claim 2 wherein the annular members are resilient rings of an insulating material.

4. The device according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 3 wherein locating means are provided whereby said heating element when in said tubular member can be retained in place therein.

5. The device according to claim 4 wherein said retaining means comprises a flexible dished disc having a central opening which is located over a stud projecting from one end of said heating element, said disc being prevented from moving off said stud by a backing member.

6. The device according to claim 5 wherein the heating element is a heat resistant core with at least one continuous wire would thereon, said wire being in connection at one end to said stud and at the other end to said connecting means.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A hand warming device This invention relates to a hand warming device and more particularly to a hand warmer for location in a tubular member such as the handle-bar of a motorcycle, snow-mobile or the like. One of the discomforts associated with winter travel on a motorcycle is cold hands. Riders usually wear gloves but these are normally not sufficient to keep out the cold. One of the reasons for lack of warmth provided by gloves is that they cannot be too bulky or else the rider's control of the cycle may be impeded. Broadly the invention consists of a hand warmer device for insertion in a tubular member comprising an electric heating element, support means for supporting said element within a tubular member and positioning it away from the internal wall or walls of the tubular member and means for connecting the heating element to an electric power supply. In more fully describing the invention according to its preferred embodiment, reference will be made to the accompanying drawing which shows schematically the main constructional features of the device as located within a tubular member. According to the preferred form of the invention, a continuous wire 11 is wound on a suitable heat resistant cylindrical-core 10. The gauge of wire and turns per unit length are dictacted by the size of the device, the available power supply and the amount of heat required. A rubber or synthetic ring 1 2 engages about the peripheral surface of each end of the core 1 0. The rings 1 2 have an external diameter slightly larger than the internal diameter of the handlebar or tubular member 14 and they locate on (or alternatively in peripheral grooves) the surface of the core 10. The core 10 is thus supported between the two spaced apart rings 1 2 so that it is coaxial with the tubular member 14. A stud 1 5 is located in a threaded opening 1 6 at one end of the core 10 and is coaxial therewith. A washer 1 7 is located over the stud 1 5 and has a projection 1 8 coupled thereto which passes through an opening or passageway 1 3 in core 1 0. Washer 1 7 is held in place by lock nut 1 9. A flexible metal disc 20 is located on stud 1 5 and is prevented from moving off the stud by a backing nut 21. Wire 11 is soldered or crimped onto the projection 1 8 of washer 1 7 at 22.The other end of wire 11 is likewise soldered or crimped onto connector or terminal 24 at the point indicated by 23 and extends through an opening or bore 26 in core 10. In use an electrical connection (not shown) is engaged on terminal 24 and the device then inserted into the end of a handle-bar 1 4. The device has a generally snug fit due to the rings 1 2 about the core 1 0. The flexible disc 20, which is dished, has a diameter slightly larger than the internal diameter of the handle-bar 1 4 and when the device is correctly positioned the backing nut 21 is tightened down which causes the disc 20 to flex outwardly and grip the internal wall 25 of the handlebar 14. Disc 20 serves two functions. Firstly it earths the device to complete the electrical circuit and secondly it locates the device in position. The device is easily installed or removed and can be readily dismantled for servicing such as fitting a new element. The peripheral rings not only support the core but prevent the ingress of dust and moisture as well as absorbing vibrations and expansion due to heat. In operation the handlebar is heated from within and this heat is transferred through the handgrip to the rider's hands. It will be appreciated that a hand warmer is placed in each end of the handle-bar. The present discription only relates to a preferred form of the invention and modifications within the scope thereof will be apparaent to those skilled in the art. CLAIMS (30 Sep 1978)

1. A hand warmer device for insertion in a tubular member comprising an electric heating element, support means for supporting said element within a tubular member and positioning it away from the internal wall or walls of the tubular member and means for connecting the heating element to an electric power supply.

7. A heating device according to any one of the preceding claims when in combination with the handle-bar of a motor cycle, snowmobile or other vehicle having steering means which incorporates a handle-bar.

8. A heating device substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawing.

CLAIMS (6 Aug 1979)

9. A hand warmer device intended for insertion in a tubular member comprising an electric heating element, support means for supporting said element within a tubular member and positioning it away from the internal wall or walls of the tubular member, connecting means for connecting the heating element to an electric power supply, and retaining means for retaining the heating element in place in a tubular member, the retaining means comprising a flexible dished disc having a central opening in which is located a stud projecting from one end of the heating element, and the disc being prevented from moving off said stud by a locating member.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the support means comprises at least two annular members spaced apart along the heating element, the annular members having an external diameter substantially the same as the internal diameter of the tubular member.

11. A device according to claim 10 wherein the annular members are resilient rings of an insulating material.

12. A device according to claim 9, 10 or 11 wherein the heating element is a heat resistant core with at least one continuous wire wound thereon, the wire being in connection at one end to the stud and at the other end to the connecting means.

1 3. A heating device according to claim 9 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

14. A heating device according to any one of claims 9 to 1 3 when in combination with the handle-bar of a motor cycle, snow-mobile or other vehicle having steering means which incorporates a handle-bar.