End cap, and handle and two-wheeled vehicle with end cap

Abstract

To provide an end cap capable of adjusting the operability of a handle of a two-wheeled vehicle without being visually recognized from outside.SOLUTION: An end cap X attachable to a handle H of a two-wheeled vehicle includes: a hollow main body portion 1; a shaft rod 2 passing through a main body portion 1 and connectable to the handle H; a connection member 3 capable of connecting the main body portion 1 and the shaft rod 2; and a weight adjusting member capable of being accommodated inside the main body portion 1. The main body portion 1 has an inner circumferential surface 14 around a central axis A, and a radius of an open end part of the inner circumferential surface 14 is longer than a maximum radius of the shaft rod 2 with respect to the central axis A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an end cap that can be attached to the tip of a handlebar of a motorcycle and that allows adjustment of the operability of the handlebar. [Background technology]

[0002] In saddle-type motorcycles for riding on public roads, improved maneuverability ensures safety, and reduced vibration leads to user comfort. Furthermore, road vehicles for general use can be customized to suit the user's purposes and preferences, and parts that are both safe and highly aesthetically pleasing are often required. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3101232 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The bar end cap described in Patent Document 1 is configured to be attached by inserting the end cap onto the tip of a motorcycle handlebar pipe. However, this bar end cap mainly serves as a decorative function and does not allow for adjustment of the operability of the handlebar. Furthermore, the connection method in which a rubber stopper is pressed against the inside of the handlebar pipe may improve the design, but does not ensure the stability of the handlebar itself.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has an object to provide an end cap that allows the operability of the handle of a motorcycle to be adjusted without being visible from the outside. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention, which solves the above-mentioned problem, is an end cap that can be attached to the handle of a two-wheeled vehicle, and comprises a hollow main body, an axle that passes through the main body and can be connected to the handle, a connecting member that can connect the main body and the axle, and a weight adjustment member that can be housed inside the main body, wherein the main body has an inner surface that faces and surrounds a central axis, and the radius of the open end of the inner surface about the central axis is longer than the maximum radius of the axle. With this configuration, it is possible to adjust the operability of the handle of the two-wheeled vehicle without being visible from the outside.

[0007] In a preferred form of the present invention, the main body portion has a storage bottom surface at the end of the inner circumferential surface, and in the assembled state in which the main body portion, the axial rod, the connecting member, and the weight adjustment member are assembled, the length of the weight adjustment member is approximately equal to the distance from the storage bottom surface to the connecting member in the direction of the central axis. With this configuration, the weight adjustment member can be stably attached inside the end cap without being visible from the outside.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the weight adjustment member has a through hole through which the shaft rod can pass. With this configuration, the weight adjustment member can be easily and stably attached.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the weight adjustment member has an inner wall surface of the through hole that can come into surface contact with a surface of the shaft rod about the central axis. With this configuration, the weight adjustment member can be attached more stably.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the weight adjustment member has an outer surface surrounding the central axis that is capable of surface contact with the inner circumferential surface. With this configuration, the weight adjustment member can be attached more stably.

[0011] The present invention, which solves the above problem, is a handle equipped with the end cap. With this configuration, the weight and operability of the handle can be easily changed without the change in configuration being visible from the outside.

[0012] The present invention, which solves the above-mentioned problems, is a two-wheeled vehicle equipped with the handlebar. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a two-wheeled vehicle in which the weight and operability of the handlebars can be easily changed without any change in the configuration being visible from the outside. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems and provides an end cap that allows adjustment of the operability of the handle of a motorcycle without being visible from the outside. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of the end cap according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are a perspective view showing the assembly of the components of an end cap according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and an explanatory diagram showing only a main body portion in cross section. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of components of a main body portion of an end cap according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a shaft of an end cap according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a connecting member of an end cap according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship when attaching an end cap and a handle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of an end cap according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, the end cap X according to each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The description will be made in detail in the order of the configuration of the embodiment, the method of implementation, and other examples. It should be noted that the following embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0016] First Embodiment As shown in Figures 1, 2(a), 2(b), and 6, the end cap X includes a main body 1, axle 2, a connecting member 3, a weight 4, and a washer 5, and can be attached to a handlebar H of a motorcycle via the axle 2. In addition, a central axis A in each drawing is the central axis of each of the main body 1, axle 2, connecting member 3, weight 4, and washer 5, and the direction in which the central axis A extends is defined as the axial direction, and the direction of a plane perpendicular to the central axis A is defined as the cross-sectional direction. Furthermore, in the following description, the state in which the main body 1, the shaft 2, the connecting member 3, the weight 4, and the washer 5 are assembled as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2(b) will be referred to as the assembled state.

[0017] The handle H is a rod-shaped or tubular member that a user grips to enable steering and other operations on a two-wheeled vehicle, particularly a saddle-type two-wheeled vehicle, and in this embodiment, it has a hole with a thread (internal thread) in the axial direction, as shown in Figure 6. With this configuration, various parts, not just the end cap X, can be attached to the tip.

[0018] As shown in Figures 3(a), 3(b), and 3(c), the main body 1 is a columnar or cylindrical container-like member that is hollowed out in the axial direction, and forms the outer surface of the end cap X, particularly the main appearance when attached to the handlebar H of a motorcycle. By accommodating other members (weight 4, etc.) inside the hollow main body 1, changes in the state of the end cap X cannot be seen from the outside, and the handlebar H can always be handled with a consistent appearance.

[0019] The main body 1 has a tip end 11 at one axial end and a base end 12 at the other axial end. The main body 1 also has an outer peripheral surface 13 and an inner peripheral surface 14 that surround the central axis A, a housing bottom surface 15 that is the end of the internal hollow, and a holding hole 16 that can hold the axial rod 2 by inserting it therethrough.

[0020] The tip end 11 is the end of the main body 1 located on the tip side of the bar of the handlebar H when the end cap X is attached to the handlebar H of a motorcycle, and the base end 12 is the end of the main body 1 located on the base side of the bar of the handlebar H when the end cap X is attached to the handlebar H of a motorcycle. Here, it is preferable that the cross-sectional size of the tip end 11 is smaller than the cross-sectional size of the base end 12. With this configuration, the main body 1 is formed to fit the shape of the user's hand, making it easier to grip the end cap X as part of the handlebar H.

[0021] The outer peripheral surface 13 is the side surface of the main body 1 that surrounds the central axis A and connects the tip end 11 and the base end 12, and is the part that the user grips during use. Preferably, the outer peripheral surface 13 has a shape in which a portion is cut into a flat or concave surface in the axial direction. With this configuration, the unevenness formed on the outer peripheral surface 13 acts as a non-slip surface, allowing the user to grip the main body 1 stably.

[0022] The inner circumferential surface 14 is an inner wall that faces the central axis A and is provided by hollowing out the inside of the main body 1 from the base end 12, and terminates just before the tip end 11. The storage bottom surface 15 is a surface that is provided at the end of the inner circumferential surface 14 and extends in a direction that intersects with the central axis A. This makes it possible to store members such as the weight 4 in the storage space inside the main body 1 formed by the inner circumferential surface 14 and the storage bottom surface 15.

[0023] 1(b) and 2(b), it is preferable that the inner circumferential surface 14 has a step formed midway, so that the portion housing the weight 4 and the portion housing the connecting member 3 have different radii from the central axis A. With this configuration, even when the weight 4 is not housed inside, the connecting member 3 can be abutted against the step to prevent slippage.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2(b), the minimum radius of the inner circumferential surface 14 in the cross-sectional direction about the central axis A is longer than the maximum radius of the rod body 21 of the axial rod 2 (described later) that passes through the main body 1. The inner diameter of the open end (the end closest to the base end) of the portion housing the weight 4 is also longer than the maximum radius of the rod body 21. This creates a gap in the cross-sectional direction between the inner circumferential surface 14 and the axial rod 2, allowing for the housing of components such as the weight 4. The "radius" here refers to the distance from the central axis A to any point on the outer periphery in the cross-sectional direction of the inner circumferential surface 14 or the axial rod 2. Therefore, although the cross-sectional shapes of the inner circumferential surface 14 and the axial rod 2 are shown as circular in the drawings, other shapes (e.g., elliptical, sectorial, polygonal) may be used as long as sufficient space can be secured inside the main body 1.

[0025] As shown in Figures 3(b) and 3(c), the retaining hole 16 is a hole that passes through the tip portion 11 from the housing bottom surface 15 on the central axis A, and allows the axial rod 2 to be inserted and held. Furthermore, it is preferable that the size and shape of the retaining hole 16 are substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape of the axial rod 2. With this configuration, the axial rod 2 can be held stably, and the area of ​​the housing bottom surface 15 is secured, making it easier to store components such as the weight 4.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4, the shaft 2 has a rod body 21 that can be connected to the handlebars H of a motorcycle, and a head 22 that can engage and hold the body 1. The body 1 may be rotatable relative to the shaft 2, so that even if the body 1 comes into contact with an obstacle, it can rotate to slide the handlebars H, thereby deflecting the force and minimizing damage. The rod main body 21 is a rod- or column-shaped member that extends in the axial direction with a substantially constant cross-sectional shape, and as shown in Figure 2(b), it passes through the retaining hole 16 of the main body 1 and is connected to the handlebars H of the motorcycle. In addition, the rod main body 21 has a screw portion 211 on one end.

[0027] The threaded portion 211 is a screw-like member with helical recesses and projections extending over a predetermined axial length from one end of the rod body 21. With this configuration, the end cap X can be attached to the bar of the handlebar H of a motorcycle using the principle of screw fastening. The axial length of the threaded portion 211 is preferably 10% to 80% of the length of the rod body 21, more preferably 20% to 70% of the length of the rod body 21, and even more preferably 30% to 60% of the length of the rod body 21. With this configuration, the screw threads do not come into contact with the body 1 or weight 4 while maintaining a stable connection with the handlebar H, making it easy to assemble the end cap X.

[0028] Head 22 is provided at the end of rod body 21 opposite threaded portion 211, and is a columnar or plate-like member having a larger cross-sectional shape than rod body 21, forming a stepped structure due to the difference in cross-sectional size with rod body 21. Furthermore, the cross-sectional size and shape of head 22 are large enough that it cannot be inserted through retaining hole 16 of body 1. With this configuration, it can be engaged with body 1 around the periphery of retaining hole 16 to maintain their relative positions.

[0029] The head 22 is preferably configured to have irregularities on its outer surface around the central axis A, and to have a recess (groove, cross recess, hexagonal socket, etc.) on the end face opposite the rod body 21. With such a configuration, the shaft 2 can be easily connected to the handlebar H of the motorcycle using a tool or the like.

[0030] 5, the connecting member 3 has a connecting member main body 31, an insertion hole 32 through which the axial rod 2 can be inserted, and a protrusion 33 protruding from one end face of the connecting member main body 31. The main body 1 and the axial rod 2 are connected via the connecting member 3 in addition to the retaining hole 16.

[0031] The connecting member main body 31 is a columnar member having a side surface surrounding the central axis A, and can be fitted into the hollowed-out internal space of the main body 1. The cross-sectional shape of the connecting member main body 31 is substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape formed by the inner circumferential surface 14 of the main body 1, and as shown in FIG. 2(b), a part or all of the axial side of the connecting member main body 31 comes into surface contact with a part of the inner circumferential surface 14 on the root end 12 side, thereby enabling fitting. This configuration not only maintains the shape of the main body 1, but also ensures an internal space in the main body 1, making it possible to accommodate components such as the weight 4.

[0032] The insertion hole 32 is a hole that penetrates the entire connecting member 3 on the central axis A, and allows the axial rod 2 to be inserted therethrough. The cross-sectional shape of the insertion hole 32 is substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape of the rod main body 21 of the axial rod 2, thereby enabling the connecting member 3 and the axial rod 2 to be stably connected.

[0033] The protrusion 33 is a member that protrudes in the axial direction from one axial end face of the connecting member main body 31, and the insertion hole 32 passes through the protrusion 33 in a region where it interferes with the insertion hole 32 around the central axis A. The cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 33 may be any shape as long as it is smaller than the cross-sectional shape of the connecting member main body 31, but a flat shape, particularly a shape with one or more straight lines, is preferable. With this configuration, when the user removes the end cap X from the handle H to disassemble or reassemble the end cap X, the connecting member 3 that penetrates the main body 1 can be easily grasped and pulled out.

[0034] With the above configuration, the main body 1 and the shaft 2 can be connected via the connecting member 3. The end cap X can be attached to the handlebar H of a motorcycle using only the main body 1, shaft 2, and connecting member 3, but a configuration in which other members are incorporated is preferable for weight adjustment and stability of the assembled state.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the weight 4 is a member that imparts weight to the end cap X and is a weight adjustment member that can adjust the weight of the end cap X depending on whether it is housed inside the main body 1. In this embodiment, the weight 4 is a tubular member that has a length in the axial direction and a through-hole 41 on the central axis A. As shown in FIG. 2(b), the length of the weight 4 in the axial direction (direction of the central axis A) is approximately equal to the axial distance between the housing bottom surface 15 of the main body 1 and the connecting member 3 in the assembled state in which the end cap X is assembled. As a result, the weight 4 is in surface contact with both the housing bottom surface 15 and the connecting member 3 and is clamped. This configuration prevents the weight 4 from shifting axially in the assembled end cap X, and more stably holds the weight 4 inside the main body 1.

[0036] The through hole 41 is a hole that passes through the entire weight 4 on the central axis A, and allows the rod main body 21 of the axial rod 2 to pass through. The cross-sectional shape of the through hole 41 may be the same as or larger than the cross-sectional shape of the rod main body 21. In this case, if the cross-sectional shape of the through hole 41 is the same as (congruent with) the cross-sectional shape of the rod main body 21, the inner wall surface of the through hole 41 can come into surface contact with the side surface of the rod main body 21 (the surface around the central axis A), and with this configuration, the weight 4 can be stably held inside the main body 1.

[0037] 2(b), the outer surface of weight 4 that surrounds central axis A may have the same shape as inner circumferential surface 14 of main body 1, but may have a smaller radius around central axis A than inner circumferential surface 14 of main body 1 as long as it is larger than through-hole 41 and can ensure the overall strength of weight 4. In this case, if the outer surface has the same shape as inner circumferential surface 14 of main body 1, weight 4 can be in surface contact with inner circumferential surface 14, and with this configuration, weight 4 can be stably held inside main body 1.

[0038] The weight 4 only needs to satisfy at least one of the following conditions: the outer surface surrounding the central axis A has the same shape as the inner circumferential surface 14 of the main body 1, or the cross-sectional shape of the through-hole 41 is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the rod main body 21. This configuration prevents the weight 4 from shifting in the cross-sectional direction and ensures that it is stably held inside the main body 1. Furthermore, by changing the radius of the outer surface or the through-hole 41 within this condition range, multiple types of weights 4 can be prepared with different masses, allowing the user to select the weight 4 that best suits their feel and incorporate it into the end cap X.

[0039] As shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), washer 5 is an annular member surrounding central axis A, through which rod body 21 is inserted and which engages head 22. When end cap X is assembled, washer 5 abuts against the periphery of retaining hole 16 in main body 1 and is sandwiched between head 22. This configuration prevents direct abutment between main body 1 and axial rod 2, improving the stability of the assembled state. By changing washers 5 to ones with different thicknesses in the axial direction or by stacking multiple washers in the axial direction, the position of axial rod 2 can be fine-tuned to match the dimensions of handle H to which end cap X is attached.

[0040] The end cap X according to this embodiment may have the following configuration. However, the following configuration is merely an example, and the presence or absence of the configuration can be determined arbitrarily unless otherwise specified.

[0041] <Example of change> As shown in Fig. 3(b), the main body 1 may have a recess formed near the central axis A of the tip end 11, with a retaining hole 16 formed at the bottom of the recess. With this configuration, as shown in Fig. 2(b), in the assembled state, the head 22 of the axial rod 2 fits into the recess of the main body 1, making it difficult for external forces to be applied directly to the axial rod 2. This makes it difficult for the assembly of each component to loosen, stabilizes the entire end cap X, and improves its design.

[0042] When the end cap X is connected to the handlebar H of the motorcycle by screwing at the screw portion 211, a spacer may be provided in addition to the connecting member 3. This spacer is an annular or tubular member that can pass through the shaft rod 2, like the connecting member 3, and in the assembled state, it abuts against the connecting member 3 and is provided on the screw portion 211 side in the axial direction. With this configuration, the positional relationship between the components is maintained appropriately so that the end cap X and the handlebar H do not interfere with each other, and normal operation of the handlebar H is not hindered.

[0043] Hereinafter, a method for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The ...

[0044] <<Implementation Method>> The user first assembles the end cap X. First, the user aligns the retaining hole 16 of the main body 1 with the washer 5, passes the axial rod 2 through both holes, and sandwiches the washer 5 between the periphery of the retaining hole 16 and the head 22 of the axial rod 2. At this time, the central axes A of the main body 1, the axial rod 2, and the washer 5 are aligned on the same straight line.

[0045] Next, the user selects the weight adjustment member (weight 4) to be stored inside the main body 1, passes the shaft rod 2 through the through-hole 41 from the screw-attaching portion 211 side, and pushes it in until the end face of the weight 4 abuts the storage bottom surface 15. However, the weight 4 can also be selected not to be stored inside the main body 1. This allows the end cap X to be optimally comfortable for the user.

[0046] Next, the user passes the threaded portion 211 of the shaft 2 through the insertion hole 32 of the connecting member 3, and fits the inner peripheral surface 14 of the main body 1 with the outer peripheral side surface of the connecting member main body 31, thus covering the inside of the main body 1, thereby connecting the main body 1 and the shaft 2. At this time, regardless of whether the weight 4 is used or not, the central axes A of the assembled parts are aligned on the same straight line.

[0047] In the above-described method of assembling the end cap X, the threaded portion 211 is exposed, as shown in Figures 1 and 2(b). In contrast, if the handle H to which the end cap X is to be attached has a female thread inside, the user attaches the end cap X to the handle H by screwing the threaded portion 211 into the handle H in a screw-tightening manner.

[0048] When removing the end cap X from the handlebar H of the motorcycle or when disassembling the end cap X, the user performs the above steps in reverse order.

[0049] An end cap X according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0050] Second Embodiment As shown in Figure 7, the end cap X further includes an adapter 6, a retainer 8, and a fastener 7. These components are adapted to suit the internal configuration of the bar of the handlebar H of the motorcycle to which the end cap X is attached. For example, this may be the case if the handlebar H is a tubular member that does not have a thread (internal thread) inside the bar, and the end cap X cannot be attached using the threaded portion 211 of the shaft 2.

[0051] The adapter 6 is a cylindrical or curved plate-like member having a length in the axial direction and a curved surface with a radius of curvature approximately equal to that of the outer surface of the rod body 21, thereby enlarging the radius of the rod body 21, particularly the threaded portion 211, from the central axis A. With this configuration, even if the interior of the bar of the handlebar H of a motorcycle does not have a thread, the adapter 6 can be inserted into the handlebar H to attach the end cap X. Furthermore, even when the end cap X is removed from the handlebar H, the shaft rod 2 is not exposed, preventing damage. Furthermore, the outer surface of the adapter 6 may be provided with a mesh-like recess (grooving). With this configuration, the adapter 6 can be easily inserted into the interior of the bar of the handlebar H.

[0052] The fastener 7 is a cylindrical or cylindrical container-like member having a length in the axial direction and a hole through which the adapter 6 or the rod body portion 21 of the axial rod 2 can be inserted, preventing the connecting member 3 from moving axially. The fastener 7 may also have a thread (internal thread) on the cylindrical inner wall surface so that it can be screwed onto the threaded portion 211 (a nut-like structure). With this structure, the components of the end cap X are sandwiched between the head 22 of the axial rod 2 and the fastener 7, preventing axial movement and maintaining the stability of the entire end cap X.

[0053] The retaining portion 8 is an annular member configured to surround the central axis A, and is capable of holding the adapter 6 so that it does not fall off the shaft rod 2. The retaining portions 8 may be provided at multiple locations in the axial direction of the adapter 6, and preferably are configured so that the retaining portions 8 fit into grooves provided in the adapter 6 over the entire circumference. With this configuration, the adapter 6 inserted inside the bar of the handlebar H of the motorcycle can be easily fixed in the axial direction.

[0054] Hereinafter, a method for implementing this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same components as those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described again. The implementation method described below is merely an example, and the implementation method is not limited to this, and the order of the steps may be reversed.

[0055] <<Implementation Method>> As shown in FIG. 7(a), the user attaches the adapter 6, fastener 7, and retainer 8. First, the user screws the fastener 7 into the threaded portion 211. Next, the user attaches the adapter 6 between the fastener 7 and the connecting member 3 along the shaft 2, and then secures the retainer 8 by wrapping it around the adapter 6. The user then inserts the threaded portion 211 of the end cap X assembled as described above, covered with the adapter 6, into the pipe of the handlebar H of the motorcycle, to attach it. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] X End Cap 1 Main body 11 Tip 12 Root end 13 Outer surface 14 Inner surface 15 Storage bottom 16 Retaining hole 2 axis rod 21 Rod body 211 Threaded part 22 Head 3. Connecting members 31 Connection member body 32 Insertion hole 33 Protrusion 4 weight 41 Through hole 5 Washers 6 Adapters 7 Fasteners 8 Presser foot A Center axis H Handle

Claims

1. An end cap that can be attached to a handlebar of a motorcycle, The device comprises a hollow main body, a shaft that passes through the main body and can be connected to the handle, a connecting member that can connect the main body and the shaft, and a weight adjustment member that can be housed inside the main body, The main body has an inner circumferential surface that faces a central axis and surrounds the main body. An end cap, wherein the radius of the open end of the inner circumferential surface is longer than the maximum radius of the axial rod with respect to the central axis.

2. The main body has a housing bottom surface at the end of the inner circumferential surface, In an assembled state in which the main body, the shaft rod, the connecting member, and the weight adjustment member are assembled, the length of the weight adjustment member is approximately equal to the distance from the housing bottom surface to the connecting member in the central axis direction. The end cap of claim 1 .

3. The weight adjustment member has a through hole through which the shaft rod can pass. The end cap of claim 1 .

4. The weight adjustment member has an inner wall surface of the through hole that is capable of surface contact with a surface around the central axis of the shaft rod. The end cap of claim 3 .

5. The weight adjustment member has an outer surface surrounding the central axis that is capable of surface contact with the inner circumferential surface. The end cap of claim 3 .

6. A handle comprising an end cap according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A two-wheeled vehicle comprising the handlebar according to claim 6.

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