GB2183569A - Cycle accessories - Google Patents

Abstract

A cycle handlebar handgrip assembly comprises a grip section (12) and a housing section (14) in which a timer unit (28) (not shown) having a digital display (40) (not shown) is removably received. The handgrip assemblies may be sold in pairs, comprising an assembly incorporating a display for fitting to one handlebar of a cycle, with a matching handgrip without display fitting to the other handlebar of a cycle. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cycle Accessories Field ofinvention This invention relates to cycle accessories and is concerned particularly with a cycle handlebar handgrip.

Field ofinvention In accordance with the invention there is provided a cycle handlebar handgrip assembly incorporating a digital display.

Preferably the assembly incorporates a timer having a digital display, although the digital display may be for other equipment such as an odometer or heart rate monitor.

The handlebar assembly conveniently comprises a tubular grip section and a housing section in which a display unit, e.g. timer unit, including the display is located. The grip and housing sections are preferably integrally formed with each other, eg being in the form of a one piece plastics moulding, eg of EVA.

The display unit, eg timer unit, is preferably movable, eg for repair and battery replacement purposes, for example by being slidably received in the housing section. Further, a number of different, interchangeable units may be used with a given handgrip assembly, eg offering different functions.

In embodiments comprising a timer, the timer conveniently comprises an electrical or electronic timer module, which may be of conventional construction, including a digital display. A multi-function timer module is preferably used, being capable of displaying one or more functions including time in hours, minutes and seconds (either on a twelve or twenty four hour clock), day of the week, day of the month, date, and possibly also alarm, stopwatch and/or hourly chime features. The timer module conveniently includes a replaceable battery, such as a standard silver oxide battery.

The timer module is conveniently arranged for push-button operation for adjustment and function mode alteration, in known manner. In this case, operation is conveniently effected from the exterior of the timer unit/housing by a respective operating button associated with each timer module push-button, each operating button having a knob accessible from the exterior of the timer unit/housing. The operating buttons are biased to an inoperative position, eg by means of springs, the buttons being movable inwardly to an operating position for adjustment of the timer module by finger pressure exerted by user. Preferably, the arrangement is such that a positive operating action is required for adjustment of the module to minimise the risk of accidental operation. The operating buttons preferably include a iarge knob to facilitate operation by a gloved hand.

The grip section is conveniently in the form of a tube the inner diameter of which is dimensioned to fit all standard cycle handlebars, except "drop" handlebars. The grip section is conveniently of a suitably resilient flexible material to obtain a tight push fit on standard handlebars.

A sleeve, eg of ribbed rubber, may be fitted to the exterior of the grip section for cosmetic and practical purposes, eg to improve grip.

The handgrip assembly is conveniently designed for fitting to the left hand handlebar of a cycle (although right hand versions may also be produced if desired). A matching grip (excluding display) may be produced for the other handlebar, and the handgrips may conveniently be sold in pairs comprising, say, a left hand handgrip incorporating display and a matching right hand handgrip without display.

The handgrip assemblies may be produced in a variety of colours and styles as desired.

A preferred embodiment of cycle handlebar handgrip assembly in accordance with the invention and incorporating a timer will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of handgrip and housing sections of an assembly in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a partial side view of the arrangement of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view of the arrangement of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a plan view of a timer unit for use with the arrangement of Figures 1 to 3, with parts of the timer unit omitted for clarity; Figure 5 is a side view of the timer unit of Figure 4; Figure 6 is an end view of the timer unit of Figures 4 and 5;; Figure 7 is a plan view (to a slightly reduced scale) of the timer unit of Figures 4 to 6 assembled with the arrangement of Figures 1 to 3, with the timer unit shown in full and with a sleeve fitted to the handgrip section; and Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of the arrangement of Figure 7.

Detailed description of the drawings Figures 1 to 3 illustrates a one piece plastics moulding 10 forming part of a cycle handlebar handgrip assembly and comprising a grip section 12 and a housing section 14. A circular section passage 16 (Figure 3) extends through the grip section 12, the passage being dimensioned to be a push fit on a standard cycle handlebar (other than a drop handlebar), the material of the moulding being sufficiently resilient and flexible to attain a tight push fit on a handlebar.

The housing section 14 extends inwardly from the inner end of the grip section and comprises a planar base 18 with upstanding side walls 20 and a slightly higher upstanding end wall 22 at the outer end, adjacent the grip section. A pair of reinforcing ribs 24 are provided on the underside of the base, with a circular arrangement of 8 holes 26 extending through a central region of the base for passage of sound as will be described below.

The housing section 14 is designed to receive removably a timer unit 28 (illustrated in Figures 4,5 and 6).

To this end, the housing section side walls 20 each includes a longitudinal inwardly extending upper lip 30 defining a longitudinal recess 32 therebelow. Further, a ridge 34 is provided on the upper face of end wall 22.

As shown in Figures 4,5 and 6, timer unit 28 comprise a housing of generally rectangular configuration within which is located an electronic timer module (not shown) to be described below. The housing has a recessed upper face 36 which includes a rectangular window 38 through which a digital display 40 of the timer module is visible, as shown in Figure 7.

The side walls of the timer unit housing each includes a longitudinally extending lower lip 42 defining a longitudinal recess 44 thereabove. Further, a recess 46 is provided in the underside of an overhanging outer end portion 48 of the housing.

The timer unit 28 is arranged to be slidably received in housing section 14, with lips 30 being received in recesses 44 and lips 42 being received in recesses 32. The timer unit 28 is retained in position by being a tight friction fit, and also by engagement of ridge 34 in recess 46. The timer unit 28 can be easily removed from housing section 14 by suitable sliding movement accompanied by a slight initial lift of the timer unit relative to the housing section 14to release ridge 34 from recess 46.

A circular arrangement of 8 holes (not shown) is provided in the base wall of the timer unit housing for passage of sound from the timer module to the exterior, these holes being aligned with holes 26 when the timer unit is fitted in the housing section 14.

The timer module of timer unit 28 may be an electronic timer of conventional construction and as mentioned above includes a digital display 40. The module is conveniently operated by replaceable batteries, such as standard silver oxide batteries. The module may be a multi-function timer eg indicating time in hours, minutes and seconds (either on a twelve or twenty four hour clock), day of the week, day of the month, date, and may also incorporate a resettable alarm, hourly chime and possibly also a stopwatch.

The timer module includes three operating knobs 48 operable from the exterior of the timer unit for adjustment and function mode alteration, in conventional manner. The knobs are omitted from Figures 4 to 6 for clarity, but are shown in Figures 7 and 8. The knobs are biased to outer, inoperative positions by associated springs (not shown), being inwardly movable in conventional manner by finger or thumb pressure for operation.

The specification of one preferred timer module is as follows: i) Crystal frequency 37,768 Hz ii) Loss/Gain In normal temperature (SC to 25"C) Monthly Rate better than +/- 20 seconds.

iii) Operating temperature: 0 C-505 C iv) Time/Caiender Display Hours, Minutes, Seconds.

Dates and AM/PM Marker displayed.

Alarm Set and Hourly Chime Marker displayed (when stop watch function is activated.) v) Stopwatch and Lap Time Display A. Mins, Sec and 100th sec.

B. Hrs. Mins and sec. (Displayed after first 59 min 59 secs).

vi) Alarm Display Hours, Mins and AM/PM Displayed.

vii) Hourly chime. Displays Date or Alarm Time.

viii) 12/24 Hr. Interchange Date Displayed.

ix) Battery 50 mAh - 1.5 volt Life Time 2 years.

x) Melody Tunes Six Melody Tunes may be provided for the use of: i) Alarm sound.

ii) Activated at any other time.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the fully assembled handlebar handgrip, comprising the timer unit 28 of Figures 4 to 6 assembled with the grip and housing sections of Figures 1 to 3. In addition, Figures 7 and 8 show a sleeve 50 of ribbed rubber fitted over the exterior of the grip section for cosmetic and practical purposes, sleeve 50 improving grip and user comfort.

The timer unit may be easily removed for purposes such as repair and battery replacement without removing the assembly from a cycle handlebar. Further the timer unit may be replaced by other units, possibly having different functions.

Claims (18)

1. A cycle handlebar handgrip assembly incorporating a digital display.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, comprising a tubular grip section and a housing section in which a display unit including the display is located.

3. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein the grip and housing sections are integrally formed with each other.

4. An assembly according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the display unit is removable.

5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein the display unit is slidably received in the housing section.

6. An assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the grip section is in the form of a tube the inner diameter of which is dimensioned to fit standard cycle handlebars.

7. An assembly according to claim 6, wherein the grip section is of a suitably resilient flexible material to obtain a tight push fit on standard handlebars.

8. An assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein a sleeve is fitted to the exterior of the grip section.

9. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a timer having a digital display.

10. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the timer comprises an electrical or electronic timer module.

11. An assembly according to claim 10, comprising a multi-function timer module, capabie of displaying one or more functions.

12. An assembly according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the timer module includes a replaceable battery.

13. An assembly according to claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein the timer module is arranged for push-button operation.

14. An assembly according to claim 13, comprising a respective operating button associated with each timer module push-button, each operating button having a knob accessible from the exterior of the timer unit/housing.

15. An assembly according to claim 14, wherein the operating buttons are biased to an inoperative position, the buttons being movable inwardly to an operating position for adjustment of the timer module by finger pressure exerted by user.

16. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, for fitting to the left hand handlebar of a cycle.

17. A cycle handlebar handgrip assembly substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

18. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims for fitting to one handlebar of a cycle, in combination with a matching handgrip without displayforfitting to the other handlebar of a cycle.