Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Special application – Steering wheel – shaft or column mounted
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-03
2001-05-01
Friedhofer, Michael (Department: 2832)
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Special application
Steering wheel, shaft or column mounted
C200S061850
Reexamination Certificate
active
06225584
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an audio operating device, and particularly to an audio operating device mounted on a motorcycle.
2. Background Art
While audio equipment mounted in four-wheel vehicles is well-known, audio equipment has recently been mounted on large-sized motorcycles. Some motorcycles so equipped have been configured such that the most commonly used audio switches are mounted on a handlebar adjacent to a handle grip.
FIG. 12
of the present application is a perspective view of a handlebar portion of a motorcycle on which conventional audio equipment is mounted.
Referring to
FIG. 12
, a switch unit
2
containing switches for operating a main body of the motorcycle is provided on a handlebar at a position adjacent to a handle grip
1
, and an audio switch unit
3
for operating the audio equipment is additionally provided on the switch unit
2
. A horn switch
201
, a blinker switch
202
, a hazard switch
203
, and a high-beam/low-beam selecting switch
204
are provided on the switch unit
2
. A choke lever
205
is provided on the handlebar at a position adjacent to the vehicular center side of the switch unit
2
.
A music selection switch
301
and a mute switch
302
are provided on the audio switch unit
3
. To allow a rider holding the handle grip
1
to easily operate the music selection switch
301
and the mute switch
302
with his thumb, the audio switch unit
3
is configured such that the operating plane thereof is tilted on the left side, that is, the handle grip
1
side. This configuration has been disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-open No. Hei 340183.
The above-described audio switch unit, however, has the following problem. As described above, the music selection switch
301
and the mute switch
302
are provided on the audio switch unit
3
; however, it is required to provide a number of switches other than the switches
301
and
302
to operate the audio equipment. Such switches are provided, for example, on an operating box disposed on a fuel tank.
Some motorcyclists do not like the layout in which an operating box is disposed on the fuel tank because such a layout detracts from the appearance of the motorcycle. To improve the appearance of the motorcycle, it may be considered to dispose a main box of the operating box at another location, for example, under the seat and collect switches to an audio switch unit provided on the handle portion.
However, the switch mounting plane of the audio switch unit must be extended in order to contain a large number of switches. In this case, it is difficult for a rider holding a handle grip to operate all of the switches with his fingers. This may result in error in operating the switches.
Also, the arrangement of a large number of switches on a single switch mounting plane presents a complex arrangement to the rider, and it may be difficult to distinguish among the switches during use.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a comprehensive audio operating device which does not detract from the appearance of the motorcycle.
It would also be desirable to provide an audio operating device in which a rider can accurately operate the audio switches during use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention achieves the above objects and other advantages not contemplated by the conventional art.
According to a first feature of the present invention, an audio operating device is provided on a handlebar of a motorcycle at a position adjacent to a handle grip. The device includes at least two operating planes opposed to a rider, the first operating plane being provided on a left handle grip side and tilted at a predetermined angle with respect to the axis of the left handle grip, towards a rider's hand holding the left handle grip. The second operating plane is adjacent to the first operating plane and is tilted towards the central portion of a vehicular body at a predetermined angle with respect to the first operating plane. The first and second operating planes are formed into a body which projects towards the rider.
According to the first feature, since the audio operating device has first and second operating planes, a large number of switches can be arranged on the audio operating device. In particular, since the first operating plane is tilted to the axis of the handle grip at a predetermined angle, it is easy for a rider to operate switches arranged on the first operating plane with his left hand. Because the second operating plane is tilted towards the center of the vehicle, it is easy for the rider to operate switches arranged on the second operating plane with his right hand.
According to a second feature of the present invention, of a plurality of operating switches, the switches which are less frequently used are arranged on the second operating plane. These switches may include switches necessary for initial setting of the audio operating device.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4455463 (1984-06-01), Rohl
patent: 4508944 (1985-04-01), Yahima et al.
patent: 4518836 (1985-05-01), Wooldridge
patent: 4565909 (1986-01-01), Yahima et al.
patent: 4701629 (1987-10-01), Citroen
patent: 4710599 (1987-12-01), Motodate et al.
patent: 5949149 (1999-09-01), Shitanaka et al.
patent: 3-40183 (1991-04-01), None
Ase Yukimi
Kanaoka Yoji
Shimamura Koichi
Birch & Stewart Kolasch & Birch, LLP
Friedhofer Michael
Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
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