Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Elements
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-15
2003-07-08
Kim, Chong H. (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Elements
CD12S114000, C340S432000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06588297
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of rider control systems for handlebar steered vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to an integrated rider control system which integrates a handlebar with various controls, accessories and displays.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional handlebar assemblies typically include a tubular member transversely positioned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bicycle, motorcycle, or other handlebar steered vehicle. These conventional tubular handlebars can be formed into one of a number of different shapes, such as a straight bar, a U-shape, and a ram horn shape. These handlebar assemblies commonly have additional equipment such as vehicle controls, accessories or displays. Controls typically include devices such as shifters, brakes, etc. Displays can include devices such as shifter displays, computer displays, etc. Accessories typically include devices such as bells, bags, horns, etc. Typically, this equipment is mounted on the tubular handlebar assemblies with clamps, bands, clips or other substantially exposed fasteners. Often the mounting of this equipment on the tubular handlebar is performed on a piece-meal basis.
A representative prior art structure of a handlebar assembly is shown in FIG.
1
. The prior art handlebar assembly of
FIG. 1
uses a cylindrical tubular metallic handlebar
10
having a plurality of accessories
11
clamped on to the handlebar assembly leaving a number of sharp metal surfaces and fasteners exposed. The equipment mounting on the prior art handlebar structure encroaches into the rider's space and reduces the locations available to the rider for gripping the handlebar assembly.
Existing handlebar assemblies for handlebar steered vehicles and handlebar mounted equipment, however, have a number of further drawbacks. First, existing handlebar assemblies provide limited surface area for the mounting of existing additional equipment. The limited availability of mounting space on existing handlebar assemblies contributes to improper, inefficient or ineffective mounting and location of the additional equipment. The improper mounting configurations of the additional equipment can obstruct the user's view, encroach into the riding space of the rider, and reduce the surface area and the number of locations available to the rider for gripping the handlebar assembly. Moreover, the tubular shape of existing handlebar assemblies severely limits the number and types of compatible fasteners for the mounting of the additional equipment to the handlebar assembly.
Second, existing handlebar mounted equipment is substantially externally mounted has exposed clamps, clips, cables and fasteners. These existing exposed accessories, controls, displays, clamps and fasteners often include sharp metallic surfaces all of which can, and often do, cause injury to a vehicle user who contacts these devices during operation of the vehicle. The prior art solution has been to employ a cover, such as a soft cap, over the exposed sharp metal surfaces or fasteners. The exposed cables and wires connecting the equipment are clumsy and susceptible to entanglement with and damage by foreign objects during operation of the vehicle. The externally mounted equipment can be easily removed or broken away by thieves or vandals. This susceptibility of existing equipment to theft severely limits the user's ability and freedom to easily store or leave the vehicle unattended. Further, the externally mounted equipment are often and easily dislodged from their desired positions by contact with the user or a foreign object leading to premature failure or contributing to repeated and excessive readjustment of the equipment.
Third, existing handlebar assemblies for handlebar steered vehicles can fail, leaving the user with severely limited ability to control the vehicle and increasing the probability of serious- injury to the rider or others. Existing single-bar handlebar assemblies will often fail in environments in which large stresses are placed on the handlebar, such as occur in mountain biking and other off-road applications.
Finally, existing handlebar assemblies are typically axially symmetrical and has a pair handgrips or a pair of control actuators on each side of the handlebar assembly that are difficult to align with respect to one another. The user often must make repeated “eye-ball” adjustments before obtaining the desired symmetrical and rotational positioning of the handgrips or the actuators.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a handlebar assembly for handlebar steered vehicles that provides for integrated attachment of various equipment. In particular, it would be advantageous to provide an integral rider control device that integrally and receivably accommodates equipment. What is needed is an integral rider control device that contains includes additional mounting surfaces and receiving ports for equipment. There is a continuing need for an integrated rider control system that ergonomically optimizes the location of hand gripping surfaces and the positioning of equipment such that the rider's view is not obstructed and encroachment into the rider's space is minimized. There is a need for a rider control system that is adaptable to a greater variety of fasteners and fastening techniques. It would be advantageous to provide a rider control system that eliminates sharp metallic surfaces projecting from equipment and their fasteners. There is a continuing need for an integrated rider control system that minimizes the amount of exposed cables extending between the equipment. What is needed is an integrated rider control system that integrates equipment into the control system thereby significantly reducing the susceptibility of the equipment to theft or dislocation by contact with the rider or foreign objects. There is a need for an integrated rider control system that allows for easy, accurate and efficient alignment of hand grips or actuators with respect to each other. There is a need to provide an integrated rider control system having a fail safe design configured to back up the primary load bearing rider control assembly. It would also be advantageous to provide an integrated rider control system with a greater hand grip adjustment range of motion than existing handlebar assemblies. Finally, it would be advantageous to provide an integrated rider control system that includes the features specified above and has an inherent aesthetically appealing appearance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an integral rider control device for a handlebar steered vehicle. The integral rider control device includes an elongate integral support structure, a plurality of non-tubular mounting surfaces and a central region. The support having a left end for receiving a left a handgrip and a right end for receiving a right handgrip opposed to the left handgrip. The plurality of non-tubular mounting surfaces are formed in the integral support structure between the left end and the right end thereof. The mounting surfaces are each configured to receive a respective piece of equipment selected from the group consisting of controls, displays and accessories. The central region of the support structure configured to pivotally couple to the vehicle along a steering axis of the vehicle.
The present invention also provides for an integral handlebar for a handlebar-steered vehicle. The integral handlebar includes an integral elongate body having a left end adaptable to receive a left handgrip and a right end opposed to the left end and adaptable to receive a right handgrip. The body has a general surface. At least one receptacle is formed to extend inwardly from the general surface of the body and at a location between the left and right ends. The receptacle is adapted to receive a predetermined piece of equipment selected from the group consisting of controls, brakes and accessories. A depth of the receptacle is pre-selected such that the piece. of equipment
Darland Todd J.
Day Frederick K. W.
Goldman Charles M.
Raymo Christine
Kim Chong H.
Milosevic Milan
SRAM Corporation
Wunderlich Lisa
LandOfFree
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