Bicycle handlebar grip
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ERGON INT GMBH
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-22
AI Technical Summary
Bicycle handles with bar ends often suffer from the risk of the bar end getting stuck and incorrect angle settings, leading to inconsistent strain on the wrist, arms, and shoulders due to limited gripping positions.
A bicycle handle design featuring an inner sleeve made of a harder material than the handle element, allowing for multiple gripping positions with a support element for the thumb to prevent slipping, and a palm support element for enhanced ergonomics, enabling secure grip and reduced strain through adjustable attachment methods.
The design allows for reliable grip in different positions, reducing the risk of slipping and providing ergonomic support, thus ensuring a secure hold during braking or driving over bumps while adjusting the strain on the wrist, arms, and shoulders.
Smart Images
Figure EP2024065416_19122024_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Bicycle handle
[0002] The invention relates to a bicycle handle.
[0003] A variety of different bicycle grips are known for different purposes. For example, bicycle grips are known which, when mounted, have a bar end on the outer area that essentially points in the direction of travel. This makes it possible to grip the bicycle grip at the bar end in addition to a conventional gripping position in which the bicycle grip is gripped so that the thumb is positioned below the bicycle grip. In this case, the bar end is also gripped. By changing the gripping position, the hand is rotated by approximately 90°. This leads to a change in the load on the wrist. This change in load also continues into the arms and shoulders. A disadvantage of bicycle grips with a bar end, however, is the risk of getting caught on the bar end. The angle of the bar end is also often incorrectly set by the user.
[0004] The object of the invention is to create a bicycle handle with different gripping positions.
[0005] The object is achieved according to the invention by a bicycle handle having the features of claim 1.
[0006] The bicycle handle according to the invention has an inner sleeve which is at least partially surrounded by a grip element. The inner sleeve is preferably made of a harder material than the grip element. This makes it possible to fasten the inner sleeve to the handlebar via a clamping element. For this purpose, the inner sleeve can have a clamping area which is at least partially surrounded by a clamping element. Likewise, the inner sleeve itself can have projections or the like which serve to clamp the inner sleeve to the bicycle handlebar. For this purpose, it is possible, for example, for the inner sleeve itself to be designed similar to a clamp and for the corresponding projections to be connected to one another using a screw or other connecting means and to be moved towards one another for clamping.It is also possible to attach the inner sleeve to the bicycle handlebar in another way, for example by providing a snap-in connection between the inner sleeve and the bicycle handlebar, by providing an inner clamp connected to the inner sleeve and projecting into the bicycle handlebar, or for example by gluing or the like.
[0007] The inner sleeve is preferably completely surrounded by the grip element, wherein the grip element is made in particular of a softer plastic material than the inner sleeve. The grip element can be made of different materials, in particular materials of different softness, to form different areas of the grip element. The thickness of the grip element can also vary in different areas to form, for example, more heavily padded areas. The surface of the grip element can have different textures to form different gripping areas and in particular for secure gripping, for example even in wet conditions. If necessary, the inner sleeve can also be omitted, so that the grip element is arranged directly on the bicycle handlebar. This is particularly possible if the grip element itself has sufficient hardness or stability.The fixing is then carried out, for example, by a clamping element, whereby in this embodiment it is preferred that the fixing is carried out directly due to the friction, if necessary by providing an additional adhesive connector, a snap-in connection or the like.
[0008] The grip element can be gripped in a conventional gripping position, in which the thumb is arranged underneath the grip element and the remaining four fingers on the upper side of the grip element, with the four fingers except the thumb gripping the grip element on the upper side and on the front. According to the invention, a further gripping position is possible, in which the thumb is not arranged underneath the grip element, but rather, like the remaining four fingers, on the upper side and possibly the front of the grip element. In such a gripping position, there would initially be a risk of slipping, for example when braking. According to the invention, a support element for the thumb recess is therefore arranged in an inner region of the grip element. In the gripping position, in which the thumb rests against the upper side of the grip element with the remaining four fingers, ieIn a gripping position, the holding element according to the invention is arranged between the index finger and thumb in the thumb groove. The support element thus supports the gripping position, preventing the hand from slipping off the handle, for example, when braking or driving over uneven surfaces, thus ensuring a reliable grip in a different gripping position.
[0009] The inner section of the grip element is the section that faces inward when mounted, i.e., in the direction of the handlebar stem. The inner sections of the two bicycle grips therefore face each other when mounted.
[0010] Due to the inventive provision of a holding element in an inner region of the grip element, it is thus possible to easily realize at least two different gripping positions. On the one hand, a changing grip position and, on the other hand, a picking up position are possible. Changing grips is also very easy, since only the position of the thumb is changed from the changing grip position to the picking up position. Nevertheless, the bicycle handle is held differently. This leads to a change in the load on the wrists, arms, and shoulders. In particular, this changes the angle of the wrist and stretches the arms. The holding element is preferably designed as a projection. In a preferred embodiment, this is preferably designed similar to a bulge or a hump. Furthermore, it is preferred that the holding element is formed integrally with the grip element.Furthermore, it is preferred that the outer surfaces of the holding element be convex. In particular, the outer surface adjacent to the thumb recess in the gripping position is preferably convex.
[0011] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the holding element is designed such that it has a height of at least 5 mm, in particular at least 7 mm and particularly preferably at least 10 mm, compared to an adjacent upper side of the grip element. The maximum height of the holding element is preferably less than 15 mm. The width of the holding element is in a preferred embodiment in the range from 5 to 15 mm. The holding element, which is designed in particular as a projection with rounded and preferably convex outer sides, thus does not protrude, or only protrudes slightly, above the upper side of the user's hand in the gripping position. This alone ensures that the hand is reliably held in the gripping position, even in the event of vibrations or the like.
[0012] To further improve ergonomics, it is preferred that an inner surface of the holding element be at an angle in the range of 90° to 120° with an upper side of the grip element. The inner surface of the holding element is the side facing toward the inner region of the grip element. The inner surfaces of the holding elements thus face each other when the bicycle grips are mounted.
[0013] The outer surface of the holding elements, i.e. the surface of the holding elements opposite the inner surface, preferably has an angle of 90° to 130° to the top side of the grip element. It is particularly preferred if the inner surface has a smaller angle to the top side of the grip element than the outer surface. The angles are always measured to the immediately adjacent top side of the grip element. The angles are preferably measured in a center plane of the holding element, which is aligned such that the longitudinal axis of the bicycle grip also lies in the center plane. The longitudinal axis of the bicycle grip corresponds in the mounted state to the longitudinal axis of the handlebar in the area in which the bicycle grip is mounted.
[0014] When mounted, the holding element essentially points upward. This ensures that, in the gripping position, the thumb groove, i.e., the area between the thumb and index finger, rests against the holding element. The grip is particularly positioned on a rear surface facing the user, as well as on the inner and outer surfaces of the respective holding element. The grip is usually not positioned on the front surface of the holding element, which essentially faces in the direction of travel.
[0015] In a further preferred embodiment, the grip element has a different height on an inner side of the holding element than on an outer side of the holding element. The inner side of the holding element is the side of the grip element that is arranged on the inner side in the assembled state, i.e. on the side of the holding element pointing inwards towards the handlebar stem. Correspondingly, the outer side of the holding element is the side of the grip element that is arranged on the opposite side, pointing away from the handlebar stem in the assembled state. It is particularly preferred that the height on the inner side is lower than on the outer side. This further improves the ergonomics in the gripping position. A different height can be achieved in particular by different thicknesses of the grip element in the corresponding area.In the assembled state, the upper side of the grip element thus has a different distance from a center line of the grip element or from the longitudinal axis of the handlebar in the corresponding area. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the bicycle grip according to the invention, a palm support element is additionally connected to the grip element and particularly preferably formed integrally with it. In the assembled state of the bicycle grip, the palm support element points towards the user and serves to support the palm of the hand. The palm support element is therefore a particularly wing-shaped extension. The palm support element is preferably arranged such that in the gripping position, the thumb recess is arranged between the palm support element and the holding element on a rear side of the bicycle grip.It is particularly preferred that the handball support element is arranged further outwards on the bicycle handle relative to the holding element.
[0016] In the assembled state, the palm support element preferably points substantially toward the user, and the holding element points substantially upward. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, an angle of preferably 90° ± 20°, in particular 90° ± 10°, exists between the palm support element and the holding element. The angle is preferably determined between a center plane of the palm support element and a center plane of the holding element.
[0017] In a further preferred development of the invention, the upper side of the grip element, in the assembled state, is designed to rise from an outer region towards the holding element. It is therefore particularly preferred that the grip element is thinner in an outer region, at least on the upper side, than in the region in the immediate vicinity of the holding element. Such a rising, in particular continuously rising, profile of the upper side of the grip element provides support for the hand, particularly in the area of the metacarpophalangeal joints. This is in particular a supination support. The invention is explained in more detail below using a preferred embodiment with reference to the attached drawings.
[0018] They show:
[0019] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a bicycle handle according to the invention from the rear,
[0020] Fig. 2 a corresponding bicycle handle in plan view in the direction of arrow II in Fig. 1,
[0021] Fig. 3 shows the bicycle handle shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in front view in the direction of arrow III in Fig. 2 and
[0022] Fig. 4 is a schematic view from the outside in the direction of arrow IV in Fig. 1.
[0023] The bicycle handle according to the invention, shown schematically in Figures 1 to 4, has a grip element 10. An inner sleeve, made in particular from a harder material, can be provided within the grip element 10. This inner sleeve can, for example, be visible in an outer region 12 of the bicycle handle and be surrounded by a clamping element and a clamp. For example, the sleeve has a slot provided in the corresponding clamping area to enable the inner sleeve and thus the bicycle handle to be clamped onto the handlebar. Likewise, the inner sleeve can also be connected to the bicycle handlebar in another way, for example by providing an inner clamp inserted into the bicycle handlebar and thus arranged inside the handlebar. Fixing via locking elements or by gluing is also possible. An inner sleeve can also be omitted, so that the grip element of the bicycle handle can be attached directly to the handlebar, for example by gluing or the like.is fixed. The grip element 10 has, in an inner region 14, a holding element 16, particularly designed as a projection. The inner region 14 is the region of the bicycle grip which, in the assembled state, faces inward toward the handlebar stem. The two inner regions 14 of two assembled bicycle grips thus face each other. Fig. 1 shows a rear view, ie, in the direction of travel, of a right-hand bicycle grip.
[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, the holding element 16 is designed as a projection having convex outer surfaces. In particular, a rear surface 18 facing the user, an outer surface 20, and an inner surface 22 are convexly curved. In particular, the surfaces 18, 20, and 22 merge seamlessly into one another. Preferably, a front surface 24 (Fig. 2) facing the direction of travel 30 is also convex and preferably merges seamlessly into the outer surface 20 and the inner surface 22.
[0025] Compared to an upper side 26 of the handle element, the holding element 16 has a height H of 5 to 15 mm. The upper side 26 forms an outer side 32 near the holding element 16 and an inner side 34 on the opposite side. Preferably, the outer side 32 is higher than the inner side 34 in the assembled state, as shown in Fig. 1.
[0026] Furthermore, it is preferred that the inner surface 22 has an angle o of 90° to 120° with respect to the inner side 34 of the bicycle handle (Fig. 3).
[0027] An outer side 20 of the holding element 16 has an angle ß of 90° to 130° with respect to an outer side 32.
[0028] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the bicycle handle according to the invention has a palm support element 40. In the assembled state, the palm support element 40 projects towards the user or against the direction of travel 30 (Fig. 2). The bicycle handle according to the invention can be gripped in particular in different positions. In a gripping position, the palm of the hand is arranged on an upper side 42 of the palm support element 40. The index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger grip the grip element on the front side 44 opposite the palm support element 40. The thumb grips the grip element in Fig. 2 on the inner side next to the palm support element of the bicycle handle in the area 46, with the thumb then being arranged on an underside 48 of the bicycle handle.
[0029] In the gripping position, the ball of the hand remains positioned on the upper side 42 of the palm support element, but moves slightly further inward toward the holding element 16. The index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger remain positioned on the front side 44 of the grip element and also move slightly further toward the holding element 16. The thumb is then positioned on the inner side 32, i.e., within the holding element 16, on the upper side of the bicycle handle. The area of the thumb recess rests against the rear surface 18 of the holding element 16.
Claims
Claims 1. Bicycle handle with an inner sleeve, optionally a clamping element at least partially surrounding the inner sleeve in a clamping area, a grip element (10) at least partially surrounding the inner sleeve and a holding element (16) for the thumb recess arranged in an inner area (14) of the grip element (10).
2. Bicycle handle according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding element (16) is designed as an extension.
3. Bicycle handle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the holding element (1) is formed integrally with the handle element (10).
4. Bicycle handle according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the holding element (16) has a height of at least 5 mm, in particular at least 7 mm and particularly preferably at least 10 mm and a maximum height of 15 mm relative to an adjacent upper side (32) of the handle element (10).
5. Bicycle handle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the holding element (16) has a width of 5 to 15 mm.
6. Bicycle handle according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the holding element (16) has an inner surface (22) which has an angle of 90° to 120° to the upper side (34) of the handle element (10).
7. Bicycle handle according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the holding element (16) has an outer surface (20) which has an angle of 90° to 130° to the upper side (32) of the handle element.
8. Bicycle handle according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the inner surface (22) has a smaller angle to the upper side (34) than the outer surface (20) to the surface (32).
9. Bicycle handle according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the holding element (16) points substantially upwards in the mounted state.
10. Bicycle handle according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the grip element on an outer side (32) of the holding element (16) has a different, in particular lower, height (H) than an inner side (34) of the holding element (16).
11. Bicycle handle according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the handle element (10) has a palm support element (40) which, in the mounted state of the bicycle handle, points in the direction of a user.
12. Bicycle handle according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a thumb recess area (46) for a gripping position of the hand is provided between the holding element (16) and the palm support element (40).
13. Bicycle handle according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that an angle between the palm support element (40) and the holding element (16) is 90° ± 20°, in particular 90° ± 10°.
14. Bicycle handle according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that an upper side (26) of the handle element 10 points upwards in the assembled state, is designed to rise from an outer region (12) in the direction of the holding element (16).