WO2001002239A1

WO2001002239A1 - Cycle grip

Info

Publication number: WO2001002239A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/018689
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wayne R. Lumpkin
Original assignee: Avid, L.L.C.
Priority date: 1999-07-07
Filing date: 2000-07-07
Publication date: 2001-01-11
Also published as: WO2001002239A8

Abstract

An improved grip (10) for a cycle consists of a cylindrical grip body (12) and a compression member (14) around the circumference of a lengthwise segment (24) of the cylindrical grip body (12). The compression member (14) is operable between a relaxed state and a compression state where it radially compresses the cylindrical body (12) to adhere it to a handle bar of a cycle. The compression member (14) consists of a band (36) and an over center buckle (38). The over center buckle (38) includes an elongate body (40) having a proximal end (42) and a distal end (44) with one end of the band (36) attached to the proximal end (42) of the buckle body (40) and the other end of the band (36) is attached intermediate the proximal and distal ends (42, 44) of the buckle body (40). As the buckle body (40) is actuated between the relaxed state in an upright position transverse the band (36) and the compressive state substantially parallel to the band (36), the effective length of the band is decreased so as to enable the compression member (14) to compress the cylindrical grip body (12) to the handle bar.

Description

CYCLE GRIP

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to grips for the handle bars of a cycle, and more particularly to a grip for a cycle which may be readily attached to and removed from the handle bars of the cycle.

BACKGROUND ART

Cylindrical handle bar grips have been utilized on the ends of handle bars of bicycles and motorcycles (collectively "cycles") for decades. These grips are typically made of a soft polymer that both improves a user's ability to grasp the handle bars of the cycle and cushions the hand against the effect of vibrations and small impacts as the cycle is ridden.

The use of handle bar grips has for many years presented a paradox. The grips are preferably made of a relatively low durometer polymer such as rubber to enhance the graspability and cushioning effects. However, while such grips improve the user's ability to grasp them while on the handle bars, this same property makes it difficult to install the grips onto the handle bars of the cycle. That is, as these cylindrical grips are axially advanced over the ends of the handle bars, there is a high coefficient of friction between the polymer and the handle bars. One manner of dealing with this problem is to lubricate the inner surface of the grip with a volatile lubricant such as hair spray or water. A volatile lubricant is necessary because once the grip is installed on the handle bar, slippage between the grip and the handle bar must be avoided. Adhesives for adhering the grips to the handle bars are generally not acceptable because the grips, being of a low durometer material, wear with time and must be replaced. Use of an adhesive can make it prohibitively difficult to remove the grips. Once the grips are installed, even with the use of a volatile lubricant, they can be difficult to remove when replacement is necessary. Another problem with such conventional grips is that when the cycle is ridden in wet conditions, water can work its way between the inner diameter of the grips and the handle bars causing the grips to slip, thus creating a hazardous situation for the rider. A further problem with these conventional grips is that while the outer diameter of handle bars is generally uniform, there can be variances in the manufacturing tolerances of a millimeter or more making it virtually impossible for some grips to adhere adequately to some handle bars or further increasing the difficulty of attaching some grips to some handle bars. One grip assembly intended to address some of these problems is made by ODI of Riverside, California. This grip assembly includes a rigid polymer cylindrical liner and a relatively low durometer over molding which is co-molded to the liner. The cylindrical liner has two axially extending tabs at each end. The over molding extends over the outer surface of the liner with the exception of the axially extending tabs. The grip further includes a pair of circular clamps with a compression gap bridged by a screw. Each circular clamp includes a pair of radial notches in its inner diameter corresponding to the axially extending tabs of the rigid polymer lining. In use, the circular clamps axially receive the handle bar as does the grip body. The axially extending tabs of the liner are received in the corresponding radial notches in the inner diameter of the clamp and the screws are then tightened to narrow the compression gap and thereby fixedly attach the clamps to the handle bar by virtue of the compression.

The above described grip is an improvement over prior art grips as it facilitates relatively easy attachment and removal of the grips from the handle bar. However, the circular clamps require precision machining or molding and are therefore relatively expensive. In addition, a user must use tools to install and remove the grips. Moreover, tolerances between the tabs and the notches in the inner diameter of the clamp can cause some radial slippage when the grip is in use. Further, variances in outer diameters of handle bars can render the clamps ineffective. The present invention is directed toward overcoming one or more of the problems discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An improved grip for a cycle consists of a cylindrical grip body and a compression member around the circumference of a lengthwise segment of the cylindrical grip body. The compression member is operable between a relaxed state and a compression state where it radially compresses the cylindrical body to adhere it to a handle bar of a cycle. The compression member preferably consists of a band and a over center buckle. The over center buckle consists of a elongate body having a proximal and distal ends where one end of the band is attached to the proximal end of the buckle body and the other end of the band is attached intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the buckle body. As the buckle body is actuated between a relaxed state in an upright position transverse the band and a compression state substantially parallel to the band, the effective length of the band is decreased so as to enable the compression member to compress the cylindrical grip body to the handle bar. The cylindrical grip body may consist of a relatively high durometer polymer liner and a relatively low durometer over molding which is co-molded to the liner. The ends of the liner preferably include lengthwise slots that are filled with the lower durometer over molding during co- molding. The compression member engages the ends of the grips over this slotted portion. As the compression member is moved between its relaxed state and its compression state, the low durometer material is compressed and extruded through the gaps into contact with the handle bar. This improves the "gription" between the grip and the handle bar because the lower durometer material has a higher co-efficient friction.

The cycle grip of the present invention facilitates easy attachment and removal of the grip to the handle bar of a cycle. The relatively high durometer liner makes it easy to axially advance the grip over the handle bar of a cycle. The compression member, which preferably consists of a band and an over center buckle, can be easily engaged and disengaged, without the use of special tools, to securely attached the grip to a cycle handle bar with minimal effort. The grip can be easily manufactured using conventional co-molding techniques and the compression member is also easily manufactured and inexpensive. Thus, the many advantageous of the present invention can be provided for a minimal cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the cycle grip of the present invention; Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the grip of Figure 1 taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the liner of the cycle grip of the present invention;

Figure 4A is a partial perspective view of one end of the cycle grip showing actuation of one embodiment of a compression member;

Figure 4B is the same as Fig. 4A only showing an alternate embodiment of a compression member; Figure 5 is a side view of the over center buckle of the compression member; and

Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the grip body of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A cycle grip 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown in perspective view in Figure 1. The cycle grip 10 consists of a cylindrical grip body 12 and a compression member 14 located at each end of the grip body 12.

Referring to Figure 2, which shows the grip body cross section, the grip body consists of a liner 16 and an over molding 18. The liner 16 is shown in its entirety in Figure 3. Each end of the liner 16 has a plurality of axial slots or flutes 20. In addition, near each end of the liner 16 are a pair of axially spaced annual flanges 22 which define an annual recess 24 therebetween. Also near each end of the inner surface the liner 16 an annular step 26 defines a larger inner diameter portion 28 of the liner 16. The liner 16 is preferably injection molded from a relatively high durometer polymer. A rigid polymer such as polyvinyl chloride may be a suitable material for the liner 16. Alternatively, the liner could be made of a resilient material such as metal.

Referring back to Figure 2, the over molding 18 will be described in greater detail. The over molding 18 is preferably injection molded or co-molded, about the liner 16 in a second step of a molding process. The over molding is made from a relatively low durometer, high friction material such as a thermoplastic rubber material or the like. Each end of the over molding 18, like the liner 16, has a pair of axially spaced annular flanges 30 defining an annular recess 32 therebetween. During injection molding the over molding 30 flows into the axial slots 20 and fills them as illustrated at 34. In addition, the over molding flows into the larger inner diameter portion 28 of the liner 16 as illustrated at 36.

The compression member 14 is best viewed in Figure 4 A. The compression member consists of a band 36 and a buckle 38. The buckle 38 consists of a body 40 having a proximal end 42 and a distal end 44. The body 40 is preferably arcuate about a radius corresponding to the outer diameter of annular recess 32. A transverse notch 45 is in the inner diameter of the body 40 near the proximal end 42. In one embodiment, shown in Fig. 4A, one end of the band 36 is attached to a hole 46 at the proximal end 42 of the buckle 38 and the other end of the band 36 is received in the transverse notch 45 a short distance from the proximal end. In this embodiment, band 36 may be a length of wire or cable bent about the notch 45 with the ends received in the hole 46. In this embodiment, the compression member can be removed from the grip. In another embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4B, one end of the band is fixedly attached to a boss 47 integrally molded with liner 16 and extending through the over molding. The other end of the band is received in the notch 45 of the body 40. The proximal end of the body 42 is pinned between the annular flange 22 by a pin (not shown) received in the hole 46 so that the body may pivot about its proximal end. In this embodiment, the compression member cannot be removed from the grip. In the relaxed state illustrated in Figs. 4A and 4B, the grip 10 can readily axially receive the handle bar of a cycle. Once the grip is moved to the desired position, the compression member can be moved to a compression state by actuating the buckle 38 in the direction of the arrow 48. This shortens the effective length of the band 36 and thereby compresses the end of the grip body 12.

Referring to Figure 2, when the compression member compresses the end of the grip, the over molding 18 and the liner 16 are compressed to the handle bar with the over molding 18, which is of both a lower durometer and a co-efficient of friction in direct contact with the handle bar. This provides an extremely sure grip to the handle bar. In addition, it enables the buckle to compensate for variances in handle bar outer diameter. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 4A and 4B, the band 36 and the buckle 38 are configured to substantially fill the annual recess 32. This improves the aesthetics of the grip and also minimizes the opportunity for dirt and other debris to accumulate in the annular recess 32.

The buckle 38 is illustrated in Figure 5. The distal end of the buckle 44 is preferably chamfered so that when the buckle is in the compression state, the user's fingernail or some other implement such as a key can get under the buckle to allow it to be readily opened.

Another embodiment of the handle grip of the present invention is illustrated in cross section in Figure 6. In this embodiment the liner 16 is configured so that the liner defines the distal ends of the grip body 12. This illustrated at 50. The end 50 is still fluted by the slots 20 and these slots are filled with the over molding 16. In addition, the over molding 16 fills the larger inner diameter portion 28 as illustrated at 52. This embodiment has the advantage of having the band and a buckle of the compression member in direct contact with the more robust higher durometer polymer of the liner and thus minimizes the risk of the band cutting into and damaging the lower durometer over molding. This embodiment may be used with either embodiment of the compression member illustrated in Fig. 4A or 4B.

Another embodiment of the grip of the present invention which is not illustrated would include a lengthwise slit in the grip body to further facilitate axially advancing the grip body over the handle bar. In addition, the grip body could be cut along a lengthwise axis into two halves for facilitating placement over a handle bar. In such an embodiment, it would be desirable to provide a third compression member proximate the center of the grip. In such an embodiment, the compression member would be preferably be received in an annular groove and be configured to be flush with the grip material adjacent the groove.

The present invention further contemplates various combinations of the elements described herein. For example, a different compression member could be utilized with the embodiments of the grip body. More particularly, the circular clamp with a compression gap such as described above with regard to the ODI grip could be received in the annular recess 32 to provide the desired compression. Or, structures similar to a conventional screw drive hose clamp could be utilized. Another possible alternative compression member would be a ratched nylon strap which is also commonly used as a hose clamp. In addition, the over center buckle and strap could be made alternate ways. For example, the straps could be embedded in the bands during molding. Another possible compression member could be a simple wire received in the annular recess 32 with the ends of the wire joined in a pigtail and thereby tightened to maintain the grip in place.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A grip for a cycle comprising: a cylindrical grip body, the cylindrical grip body including at least one lengthwise segment that is radially compressible about the circumference of the segment; and a compression member operatively associated with the circumference of each lengthwise segment, the compression member being operable between a relaxed state not compressing the segment and a compression state compressing the segment about its circumference.

2. The grip of claim 1 wherein the cylindrical grip body comprises a cylindrical liner made of a rigid material and an over molding overlying the liner made of a material having a lower durometer than the liner.

3. The grip of claim 2 wherein the compressible lengthwise segment comprises lengthwise slots in the cylindrical liner.

4. The grip of claim 3 wherein the over molding material resides in the lengthwise slots.

5. The grip of claim 1 further comprising arcuate grooves in the outer surface of the grip body overlying the lengthwise segment, the compression member being received in the arcuate grooves.

6. The grip of claim 1 wherein the compression member comprises a strap extending around the circumference of the segment and an over center buckle having a proximal end and a distal end with one end of the strap joined to the proximal end of the buckle and the other end of the strap being joined to the buckle intermediate its ends, the compression member being in a relaxed state with the buckle transverse the circumference of the segment and in a compression state with the buckle pivoted to lie substantially parallel to the circumference of the segment.

7. The grip of claim 3 wherein the lengthwise slots extend to the end of the liner.

8. The grip of claim 1 wherein the over molding does not overly the lengthwise segment.

9. The grip of claim 3 wherein the over molding does not overly the lengthwise segment.

10. The grip of claim 2 wherein the over molding underlies the liner at the lengthwise segment.

11. The grip of claim 1 wherein the compression member comprises a strap having first and second ends extending around substantially the entire circumference of the segment and an over center buckle having a proximal end and a distal end, one end of the strap being fixedly attached to a boss extending radially from the lengthwise segment, the proximal end of the buckle being pivotally secured to the lengthwise segment radially spaced from the boss, and the other end of the strap being joined to the buckle intermediate its ends, the compression member being in a relaxed state with the buckle transverse the circumference of the segment and in a compression state with the buckle pivoted to lie substantially parallel to the circumference of the segment.