Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Elements
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-13
2001-07-24
Bucci, David A. (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Elements
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263759
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The field of the invention is handlebar grips and the invention relates more particularly to handlebar grips which are held to the handlebar in such a way that they do not turn during use. Such handlebar grips are used on bicycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), watercraft and snowmobiles. Handlebar grips, particularly for use on mountain bikes, are preferably soft on the outside so that they can be held without irritating the rider's hands over rough terrain. However, soft grips are often difficult to adhere to the handlebars without turning and it is advantageous that the handlebar grips do not turn with respect to the handlebar.
Various designs have been patented in an attempt to provide a securely held soft grip. One such design is shown in the Kuipers, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,735. This patent shows a two-piece slip-resistant grip which has an outer nylon lattice housing member with two end clamps. This lattice and end clamp assembly is placed over a softer inner sleeve which extends through the openings in the lattice and is clamped in place by the end cap and flanged end. This assembly is limited to a design where the hand contacting portion is in the shape of diamonds which pass through the lattice. Also, this grip results in the soft inner portion contacting the handlebar and with extended time the soft portion tends to form a bond with the handlebar and is very difficult to remove.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,344,684 to Steere, Jr., et al., shows a handlebar grip which has an inner portion with a transparent or translucent outer portion adhered thereto. The inner portion is slipped on the handlebar without any tightening means. Another two-part grip is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,416,166 to Jannard, et al. which has a two-part grip having an outer sleeve fitted over an inner sleeve. These two parts are interlocked by their matching designs.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,535,649 shows a foam surfaced handlebar grip which has a foam sleeve which is held over a hard polymer tube by an end cap and a coupling member. A cork handlebar grip is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 605,626 to Blanchard, Jr. This patent utilizes a slotted tapered pipe which has a nut at each end which captures the cork grip portion.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide handlebar grips which are soft and comfortable for the rider to hold and yet will not turn around the handlebar during riding, and still further, can be easily removed for replacement when desired.
The present invention is for a handlebar grip assembly removably attached near an end of a handlebar. The handlebar has a pair of grip receiving lengths adjacent each end. A handlebar grip assembly is removably affixed about each of the grip receiving lengths of the handlebar. The handlebar grip assembly comprises an inner rigid shell having an inner surface to slide over one of the pair of grip receiving lengths of the handlebar. At at least one of the ends the rigid shell has a lengthwise protrusion extending outwardly from the inner surface and radially outwardly to form a curved protrusion from the at least one end of the rigid shell. An outer flexible grip has an inner surface affixed to the outer surface of the inner rigid shell and has a soft preferably textured outer surface which is gripped by the rider. At least one rigid clamp has an inner gripping surface into which is formed at least one shell protrusion receiving recess and the rigid clamp has means for tightening the clamp against the handlebar outer surface and against the at least one lengthwise protrusion sufficiently so that the clamp when tightened will hold the handlebar grip assembly in a non-turning manner on the handlebar. The clamp also has means for loosening the clamp from the handlebar so that the handlebar grip assembly can be removed from the handlebar. Preferably, there are two protrusions at each end of the handlebar of the rigid shell of the handlebar to securely hold the handlebar grip assembly to the handlebar.
REFERENCES:
patent: 568024 (1896-08-01), Gorman
patent: 3832912 (1974-09-01), Edwards
patent: 4535649 (1985-08-01), Stahel
patent: 5315895 (1994-05-01), Kattus et al.
patent: 5904442 (1999-05-01), Takeda
patent: 5934154 (1999-08-01), Noel
patent: 6035742 (2000-03-01), Hollingsworth et al.
Grimes E. David
Hollingsworth Joseph E.
Averill, Jr. Edgar W.
Bucci David A.
Johnson Vicky A.
Valor Concept Marketing, Inc.
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