GB2622600A

GB2622600A - Handlebar grip assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2622600A
Application number: GB2213786.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Doe Kristian; Williams Jack; Ryan Green David
Original assignee: OXFORD PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: OXFORD PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 2022-09-21
Filing date: 2022-09-21
Publication date: 2024-03-27
Also published as: GB202213786D0

Abstract

A grip assembly comprising having a protruding section 8 offset to the inside of the grip, having a channel (17, figure 2) running through the protruding section 8 around the diameter of the grip, a second part consisting of an incomplete ring 10 with a narrow section on the inner diameter and a channel 9 on the outer diameter. The incomplete ring locates into the channel and the ring can rotate around the protruding section of the grip whilst limiting horizontal movement. Accessories such as a hand guard 12 may be attached without interfering with the safe use of the throttle. The grip assembly having an over-moulded grip surface either side of the protruding section. In an alternative embodiment (figure 8), the projection has a ridge 53 and the ring a corresponding groove 52.

Description

Description:

This invention relates to a device for attaching products to a handlebar.

When riding handlebar-controlled vehicles, people often want to attach various products such as guards, covers and protectors onto and around the handlebars and hands.

Handlebar accessories are installed on two-wheeled vehicles to protect the hands of the rider from risks such as discomfort and harm due to cold and potential impact with other vehicles, projectiles from the road and vegetation on narrow roads and paths.

In the prior art, most of the guards have a single protective function, which does not utilise the extended space to completely cover the hand.

The use of throttle-controlled vehicles makes it difficult to attach anything to the throttle side handlebar as it has to rotate freely and the attached products are often prevented from rotating due the protruding controls. Furthermore, there is a risk of the attachments becoming caught on the protruding controls which could lead to the throttle being stuck in position.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the invention adopts the following technical solutions: The present invention proposes a grip assembly unit with attachment means for attaching a handlebar accessory via the incomplete ring; the incomplete ring can rotate about an axis, allowing the throttle to rotate without interfering with the handlebar accessory.

The attachment means is preferably provided by an integrated channel within the substrate of the grip, although the attachment means may also be provided by other means, such as a channel in the outer grip.

The attachment means is preferably provided by an incomplete ring that can flex into the channel of the grip, although the attachment means may also be provided by other means, such as snap Et, fasteners or friction ft.

The attachment means may be adjustable so that the degree of rotation can be modified to suit the vehicle or accessory.

The attachment means may be adjustable so that the horizontal position can be modified to suit the vehicle or accessory.

Figure 1 shows the grip assembly with protruding section, incomplete ring and hand covering accessory Figure 2 shows the incomplete ring being attached to the grip Figure 3 shows the grip assembly with the incomplete ring attached Figure 4 shows a section view of the incomplete ring running in the channel of the grip Figure 5 shows the incomplete ring Figure 6 shows the grip substrate with an integrated channel Figure V shows an alternative ring for attaching accessories to the grip.

Figure 8 shows an alternative grip with an extrusion to correspond to the channel of the incomplete ring

Extended Descriptions

In figure 1, a section view of a handlebar grip can be seen with a protruding section offset to the inside of the grip 8 creating a channel 9 that can be used to attach the incomplete ring 10 and allow it to rotate on an axis 11. An accessory such as a hand guard or covering 12 can connect to the Incomplete ring 10 without interfering with the rotation of the throttle 13.

If a larger accessory is fitted, then a secondary attachment could be used to connect the accessory to the end of the handlebars 14; alternatively, the incomplete ring could be replaced with another attachment ring or clamping system to allow for other accessories to be used.

In figure 2, a three-step process is shown whereby the incomplete ring 15 slides onto the grip 16 before attaching via the channel 17 in the protruding section 18 of the grip 15. The protruding section 18 is positioned on the inside of the grip 16 to allow room for the rider's hands to fit on the grip 16. The inside of the grip has a flange 19 which prevents the incomplete ring 15 from being put on from the inside. The protruding section 18 is chamfered 20 to allow the incomplete ring 15 to slide on easily. The channel 17 has fiat sides to prevent the incomplete ring 15 from accidental removal. The incomplete ring 15 in this Instance has high walls 21 to accommodate a fabric accessory securely.

In figure 3, an isometric assembly view depicts the assembled invention in use. Tthe incomplete ring 22 is attached to the channel in the protruding section 24 of the substrate 25 of the grip. The incomplete ring 22 can rotate in either direction as shown by the arrow 26 to allow the grip 27 to rotate without impeding safe use.

In figure 4, a section view of the incomplete ring 28 can be seen in its assembled position with the protruding section 29 of the grip assembly. The incomplete ring 28 in this instance consists of a large inner channel 29 with high walls 30 to connect to an accessory and a narrow-keyed section 31 to run in the channel 32 of the protruding section 29. In this instance the parts would likely be made from lubricious polymers to allow smooth rotation of components. The protruding section 29 can be seen with a channel 32 wide enough to receive the keyed section 31 of the incomplete ring 28 and a chamfer 33 on either side of the protruding section to allow the incomplete ring 28 to easily slide into place.

In figure 5, a side view of the incomplete ring 34 showing the gap 35 in the ring to allow it to flex into position, a narrow key to slot into the grip 36 and high walls to secure the accessory 37.

In figure 6, an isometric view of the inner tube of the grip. The protruding section 38, which in this instance would be ultrasonically welded after the over moulding of the substrate 39, the flange 40 of the substrate which prevents the ring from being assembled from the inside of the grip and through holes 41 to allow the over-moulding to mechanically grip to the substrate. This assembly could be moulded as a single piece or, as in this instance, it could be a sub-assembly when, for instance, the grip has a heating element within it, the protruding section 36 will need to be assembled over the heating elements and winding path 42 within the substrate 39.

In figure 7, an alternative accessory 43 is shown assembled to the grip 44. In this instance the accessory has a fixture at the bar end 45 and the incomplete ring 46 is integral 47 to the accessory. In other instances, the accessory may have no additional fixtures. In other instances, the incomplete ring 46 may be replaced with an assembly using fasteners, snap fittings or friction-fit components.

Figure 8 shows an alternate example of the assembly. A section view of the incomplete ring 48 can be seen in its assembled position with the protruding section 49 of the grip assembly. The incomplete ring 48 in this instance consists of a large inner channel 50 with high walls 51 to connect to an accessory and a narrow channel 52 to run on the keyed section 53 of the protruding section 49. In this instance the parts would likely be made from lubricious polymers to allow smooth rotation of components. The incomplete ring 48 can be seen with a channel 52 wide enough to receive the keyed section 53 of the protruding section 49 and a chamfer 54 on either side of the protruding section to allow the incomplete ring 48 to easily slide into place.

Claims

Claims: 1. A handlebar grip unit comprising an integrated attachment means, comprising a channel or extrusion that corresponds to a channel or extrusion on a ring which attaches to an accessory; the attachment ring can freely rotate about the centreline axis of a grip whilst preventing horizontal or vertical movement.
2. A handlebar grip unit according to claim 1, in which the accessory attachment system is provided by a rotating ring.
3. A handlebar grip unit according to claim 1, in which the grip has an integrated channel which supports the attachment ring and allows rotation about an axis, whilst preventing horizontal or vertical movement.
4. A handlebar grip unit according to claim 1, in which the grip has an integrated extrusion which supports the attachment ring and allows rotation about an axis, whilst preventing horizontal or vertical movement.
5. A handlebar grip unit according to claim 1, in which the ac-cessory attachment is provided by a snap fit.
6. A handlebar grip unit according to claim 1, in which the ac-cessory attachment is provided by a friction fit.
7. A handlebar grip unit according to claim 1, in which the ac-cessory attachment is provided by a clamp.
8. A handlebar grip unit according to any of the preceding claims, in which the attachment system is integrated into the grip.
9. A handlebar grip unit according to any of the preceding claims, in which a heating system is integrated into the grip.