Saddle-type vehicles

Abstract

To provide a straddle-type vehicle that suppress vibration of handlebars by damper support and has a simple structure without a support structure for a handlebar cover.SOLUTION: A straddle-type vehicle includes: a left and right pair of handlebars 20; weight bodies 25 each disposed at an axial outer end of the handlebar 20; and handle covers 30 each disposed between the axial outer end of the handlebar 20 and the weight body 25. The weight body 25 is swingably damper-supported by the handlebar 20 in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction AX of the handlebar 20. The handle cover 30 is held between the handlebar 20 and the weight body 25.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a saddle-type vehicle having a pair of left and right handlebars and a handlebar cover attached to the handlebars and covering the front of the handlebars. [Background technology]

[0002] In some straddle-type vehicles such as motorcycles, weights are provided at the grip ends of the handlebars to dampen vibrations of the handlebars, and handlebar covers are attached to the front of the handlebars (for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, a cylindrical weight is disposed at the outer end of the handlebars, and a handlebar cover is disposed on the outside of the weight. The handlebar cover is fixed to the outer end of the handlebars by bolts via a cylindrical collar and a rubber bushing disposed in a hollow hole in the weight. The weight is damper-supported on the handlebars via the rubber bushing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6483362 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the structure of Patent Document 1, a dedicated structure is provided for supporting the handle cover, which tends to make the structure complicated.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a saddle-type vehicle in which vibration of the handlebars is suppressed by damper support, and the structure is simplified by omitting a dedicated support structure for the handlebar cover. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the saddle-ride type vehicle of the present invention is a saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with a pair of left and right handlebars, and further comprising: a weight body disposed at the axial outer end of the handlebar and damper-supported on the handlebar so as to be swingable in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the handlebar; and a handle cover disposed between the axial outer end of the handlebar and the weight body and sandwiched between the handlebar and the weight body. Here, the "handle cover" includes a hand cover that protects the rider's hands from wind while riding, and a lever cover that protects the lever attached to the handlebar.

[0007] With this configuration, the weight body is damper-supported on the handlebar, which suppresses vibration of the handlebar. Also, because the handle cover is sandwiched between the handlebar and the weight body, a dedicated support structure for the handle cover can be omitted, simplifying the structure.

[0008] In the present invention, a rotation prevention mechanism may be further provided to prevent the handle cover from rotating relative to the handle bar. Since the handle cover is clamped by a weight body supported so as to be able to swing, there is a concern that the handle cover may rotate relative to the handle bar. However, with this configuration, the rotation prevention mechanism prevents the handle cover from rotating relative to the handle bar, so the handle cover can be positioned.

[0009] In this case, an engagement hole may be formed in one of the handle cover and the handle bar, and an engagement protrusion that engages with the engagement hole may be formed in the other. Here, the "engagement hole" includes an engagement hole for a key groove and a knock pin. Also, the "engagement protrusion" includes a key and a knock pin that are inserted into the key groove. With this configuration, a rotation prevention mechanism with a simple structure can be realized.

[0010] In the present invention, a screw hole extending in the axial direction may be formed at the axial end of the handlebar, the weight body may be cylindrical, a flexible cylindrical damper member may be fitted into the hollow hole, and a fastening member may be inserted into the hollow hole of the damper member to fasten the weight body and the handle cover together to the screw hole of the handlebar, the head of the fastening member being located inside the hollow hole of the weight body. With this configuration, the head of the fastening member does not protrude outward in the vehicle width direction from the weight body, thereby preventing the vehicle width direction dimension from becoming large.

[0011] In the present invention, the handle cover may have a mounting portion that is sandwiched between the handlebar and the weight body, an extension portion that extends from the mounting portion toward the outside in the axial direction of the handlebar to a position inside the outer end of the weight body, and a cover portion that extends forward from the outer end of the extension portion and further curves inward to cover at least a portion of the handlebar from the front. With this configuration, since the handle cover is provided inside the outer end of the weight body, it is possible to prevent the vehicle width dimension from becoming large.

[0012] The handle cover of the present invention is a handle cover attached to a pair of left and right handle bars of a saddle-ride type vehicle, and is supported at one end on the outer ends of the handle bars. A weight body is damper-supported on the outer side of the handle cover to be swingable in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the handle bar, and is prevented from rotating relative to the handle bar by a rotation-stop mechanism.

[0013] With this configuration, the weight body is damper-supported on the handlebar, so vibration of the handlebar is suppressed. Also, because the handle cover is sandwiched between the handlebar and the weight body, a dedicated support structure for the handle cover can be omitted, simplifying the structure. Furthermore, the anti-rotation mechanism prevents the handle cover from rotating relative to the handlebar, so the handle cover can be positioned. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the handle cover and the saddle-type vehicle equipped with the same of the present invention, vibration of the handle is suppressed, and a support structure dedicated to the handle cover can be omitted, resulting in a simplified structure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a front portion of a motorcycle, which is a type of saddle-ride type vehicle, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a cover bracket of a handle cover of the motorcycle. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the support structure of the handle cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a side view showing the front of a motorcycle, which is a type of saddle-ride type vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In this specification, "right" and "left" refer to the "right" and "left" seen from the driver riding on the vehicle. Additionally, "front" and "rear" refer to the "front" and "rear" in the traveling direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, "inner" and "outer" refer to the side closer to the center of the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction as the inner side, and the side farther from the center of the vehicle body as the outer side.

[0017] The body frame FR of the motorcycle of this embodiment has a main frame 1 constituting a front half thereof and a rear frame 2 constituting a rear half thereof. The rear frame 2 is connected to the rear of the main frame 1.

[0018] A front fork 6 is rotatably supported via a steering shaft (not shown) on a head pipe 4 at the front end of the main frame 1. A front wheel 8 is attached to the lower end of the front fork 6. A handlebar 10 is attached to the upper end of the front fork 6. A side mirror 14 is attached to the handlebar 10.

[0019] A swing arm bracket 12 is provided at the rear end of the main frame 1. A swing arm (not shown) is supported by the swing arm bracket 12 so as to be able to swing up and down freely, and a rear wheel (not shown) is attached to the rear end of the swing arm.

[0020] An engine E, which serves as a drive source, is attached below the main frame 1 and in front of the swing arm bracket 12. The engine E drives a rear wheel (not shown) via a power transmission member (not shown) such as a chain. A fuel tank 16 is disposed on top of the main frame 1, and a seat 18 on which a rider sits is attached to the rear frame 2.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the handlebar 10 has a supported portion 19 supported by the vehicle body and a pair of left and right handlebars 20. The handlebars 20 have a grip portion 20a that is gripped by the rider. The handlebars 20 in this embodiment are cylindrical, and their axis center AX is inclined slightly rearward toward the outside in the vehicle width direction in a plan view. A screw hole 20c extending in the axial direction AX is formed in the axial outer end 20b of each handlebar 20. In this embodiment, the screw hole 20c is a hollow hole 20c of a nut member 21 welded to the outer end 20b of the handlebar 20 shown in FIG. 4. A first engagement hole 21a is formed in the outer end surface of the nut member 21.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, a brake lever 22 is attached to the right handlebar 20, and a clutch lever 24 is attached to the left handlebar 20.

[0023] Weight bodies 25 are disposed at the axial outer ends 20b, 20b of the left and right handlebars 20, 20. The weight bodies 25 are, for example, cylindrical weights, and are supported so as to be swingable about the axis AX of the handlebar 20. In detail, the weight bodies 25 are damper-supported on the handlebar 20 so as to be swingable in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction AX of the handlebar 20. The weight bodies 25 suppress vibration of the handlebar 10, reducing fatigue of the rider.

[0024] Handle covers 30, 30 are supported on the left and right handlebars 20, 20. Here, the "handle cover 30" includes a hand cover that protects the rider's hands from wind while riding, and a lever cover that protects the levers 22, 24 attached to the handlebars 20.

[0025] The handle cover 30 has a cover body 32 that covers at least a portion of the handle bar 20 from the front, and a cover bracket 34 that supports the cover body 32 on the handle bar 20. In this embodiment, the cover body 32 covers the levers 22, 24 and the grip portion 20 from the front. The cover body 32 is made of resin, for example. However, the material of the cover body 32 is not limited to this. In FIG. 2, the right-side cover body 32 is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0026] The handle cover 30 is supported in a cantilever manner on the outer end 20b of the handlebar 20. In other words, a cover bracket 34 of the handle cover 30 is attached at one end 34a to the outer end 20b of the handlebar 20, and a cover body 32 is attached to the other end 34b. In this embodiment, the cover body 32 is detachably attached to the other end 34b of the cover bracket 34 by a fastening member 35 such as a screw. One end 34ba of the cover bracket 34 is disposed between the axial outer end 20b of the handlebar 20 and the weight body 25, and is sandwiched between the handlebar 20 and the weight body 25.

[0027] The following describes the support structure of the handle cover 30 and the weight body 25 to the handle bar 20. The cover bracket 34 of the handle cover 30 is made of, for example, steel, and extends from one end 34a, which is sandwiched between the handle bar 20 and the weight body 25, toward the outside in the axial direction of the handle bar to a position inside the outer end 25a of the weight body 25 in the vehicle width direction, then extends forward and further curves inside in the vehicle width direction to connect to the other end 34b.

[0028] In other words, the weight body 25 is located on the outer side of the handle cover 30 in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the weight body 25 protects the handle cover 30 in the event of a vehicle rollover. As a result, it is only necessary to replace the weight body 25, which is relatively inexpensive. In addition, because the weight body 25 is located on the outer side of the handle cover 30 in the vehicle width direction, the position and size of the handle cover 30 are not affected by the size of the weight body 25. Therefore, the versatility of the handle cover 30 is increased, and the weight body 25 can be easily changed.

[0029] One end 34a of the cover bracket 34 constitutes an attachment portion 36 that is sandwiched between the handlebar 20 and the weight body 25. An insertion hole 36a facing outward in the vehicle width direction is formed in the attachment portion 36. In addition, a portion of the cover bracket 34 that extends from the attachment portion 36 toward the outside in the axial direction of the handlebar 20 to a position more inward than the outer end 25a of the weight body 25 constitutes an extension portion 38 of the handle cover 30.

[0030] Furthermore, the area extending forward from the outer end of the extension portion 38 of the cover bracket 34 and curving inward in the vehicle width direction, and the cover body 32, constitute the cover portion 40 of the handle cover 30. A partial cover body 32 extending in the vehicle width direction is attached to the cover portion 40. In this embodiment, the portion extending forward from the outer end of the extension portion 38 of the cover bracket 34 functions as a lever cover that protects the levers 22, 24. Also, the cover body 32 in front of the handlebar 20 functions as a hand cover that protects the driver's hands from wind while traveling.

[0031] 3, the cover bracket 34 of this embodiment has a first member 41 made of an annular member and a second member 42 made of a plate material. The first member 41 is formed by cutting and machining an annular member. In detail, it is formed by cutting one end wall and a part of the peripheral wall indicated by the two-dot chain line 100 of the annular member.

[0032] The other end wall of the annular member constitutes the mounting portion 36, and the remaining portion of the peripheral wall constitutes the extension portion 38. The hollow hole in the annular member constitutes the insertion hole 36a of the mounting portion 36. A first recess 44 recessed outward in the vehicle width direction is formed in the mounting portion 36 by machining out a part of the other end face of the annular member indicated by the two-dot chain line 102. Furthermore, a second engagement hole 45 is formed on the inner side surface of the mounting portion 36 in the vehicle width direction, more specifically, on the bottom surface of the first recess 44.

[0033] The second member 42 is formed by bending a plate material. In detail, one end of the second member 42 is joined to one end (outer end) of the extension portion 38 of the first member 41, extends forward from the outer end of the extension portion 38, and further extends while curving inward in the vehicle width direction. The second member 42 forms a part of the cover portion 40. However, the structure of the cover bracket 34 is not limited to this, and may be formed by forging, for example.

[0034] 4, a second recess 46 recessed outward in the vehicle width direction is formed at the inner end of the weight body 25 in the vehicle width direction. The outer diameter of the second recess 46 and the outer diameter of the first recess 44 are set to be approximately the same and slightly larger than the outer diameter of the nut member 21.

[0035] The support structure of the weight body 25 and the handle cover 30 will be described below. First, a flexible cylindrical damper member 48 is fitted into the hollow hole 25b of the cylindrical weight body 25. The damper member 48 has an annular elastic member 48c such as rubber fixed to the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical inner collar 48b having a hollow hole 48a formed therein, and a cylindrical outer collar 48d fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the elastic member 48c. The inner and outer collars 48b, 48d and the elastic member 48c are joined by, for example, baking the elastic member 48c to each of the collars 48b, 48d.

[0036] The first recess 44 of the mounting portion 36 of the cover bracket 34 is fitted into the nut member 21 of the outer end 20b of the handlebar 20. As a result, the end face of the outer end portion 20b of the handlebar 20 and the inner end face of the mounting portion 36 of the cover bracket 34 abut against each other via the nut member 21. At this time, the knock pin 50 is inserted into the first engagement hole 21a of the nut member 21 and the second engagement hole 45 of the cover bracket 34. As a result, the position of the handlebar cover 30 relative to the handlebar 20 is adjusted, and the handlebar cover 30 can be prevented from rotating around the axis AX of the handlebar 20 relative to the handlebar 20.

[0037] That is, the first engagement hole 21a, the second engagement hole 45, and the knock pin 50 constitute a rotation prevention mechanism 60 that prevents the handle cover 30 from rotating relative to the handle bar 20. In this embodiment, the knock pin 50 constitutes an engagement protrusion that engages with the engagement holes 21a and 45. The configuration of the rotation prevention mechanism 60 is not limited to the example shown in the figure. For example, an engagement hole may be formed in one of the handle cover 20 and the handle cover 30, and an engagement protrusion that engages with the engagement hole may be formed in the other. Here, the "engagement hole" includes a key groove and an engagement hole for the knock pin, and the "engagement protrusion" includes a key and a knock pin that are inserted into the key groove.

[0038] Next, the cover bracket 34 and the weight body 25 are brought into contact with each other via the annular collar member 52. In detail, the inner end surface of the collar member 52 is brought into contact with the outer end surface of the mounting portion 36 of the cover bracket 34, and the collar member 52 enters the second recess 46 of the weight body 25. At this time, the inner end surface of the inner collar 48b of the damper member 48 is brought into contact with the outer end surface of the collar member 52.

[0039] In this state, a fastening member 55 such as a bolt is inserted from the outside in the vehicle width direction through the hollow hole 25b of the weight body 25, the hollow hole 48a of the damper member 48, the hollow hole 52a of the collar member 52, and the insertion hole 36a of the mounting portion 36 of the cover bracket 34 in this order, and is fastened to the screw hole 20c of the nut member 21. At this time, the head 55a of the fastening member 55 is located inside the hollow hole 25b of the weight body 25. In other words, the outer diameter of the head 55a of the fastening member 55 is set to be smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow hole 25b of the weight body 25. As a result, the weight body 25 and the handle cover 30 are fastened together to the screw hole 20c of the handlebar 20, and are detachably attached to the handlebar 20.

[0040] In detail, the handle cover 30 and the damper member 48 are attached to the handlebar 20 by fastening members 55. The weight body 25 is press-fitted into an outer collar 48d of the damper member 48 and is damper-supported via an elastic member 48c of the damper member 48. In other words, the weight body 25 is not rigidly fixed to the handlebar 20 by the fastening members 55. Therefore, the weight body 25 is able to swing in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction AX of the handlebar 20. In this embodiment, a C-ring 56 is attached to the damper member 48 to prevent the weight body 25 from coming off.

[0041] Here, as described above, the first recess 44 of the handle cover 30 and the second recess 46 of the weight body 25 have approximately the same outer diameter. Therefore, by fitting the second recess 46 of the weight body 25 into the nut member 21 of the outer end 20b of the handlebar 20, it is possible to apply the present invention to a vehicle on which the handle cover 30 is not mounted. In addition, since the outer end (nut member 21) of the handlebar 20 is fitted into the first recess 44, the vehicle width dimension can be reduced.

[0042] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the weight body 25 is damper-supported on the handlebar 20, so vibration of the handlebar 10 is suppressed. This reduces fatigue in the rider's arms. Also, because the handlebar cover 30 is sandwiched between the handlebar 20 and the weight body 25, a support structure dedicated to the handlebar cover can be omitted, simplifying the structure.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, the handle cover 30 is supported at one end by the outer end 20b of the handlebar 20, so that interference with the side mirror 14 (FIG. 1) and various levers 22, 24 can be easily avoided, making it highly versatile.

[0044] Since the handle cover 30 is supported by one side and is sandwiched by the weight body 25 which is supported so as to be able to swing, there is a concern that the handle cover 30 may rotate about the axis AX of the handle bar 20 relative to the handle bar 20. In the above configuration, the rotation prevention mechanism 60 shown in Fig. 4 prevents the handle cover 30 from rotating relative to the handle bar 20, so the handle cover 30 can be positioned.

[0045] In this embodiment, the anti-rotation mechanism 60 is formed by combining the engagement holes 21a, 45 and the knock pin 50, so that the anti-rotation mechanism 60 can be realized with a simple structure and easy assembly.

[0046] The weight body 25 and the handle cover 30 are fastened together to the screw hole 20c of the handlebar 20 by the fastening member 55, so that the number of steps in the installation work can be reduced. In addition, the head 55a of the fastening member 55 is located inside the hollow hole 25b of the weight body 25. Therefore, the head 55a of the fastening member 55 does not protrude outward in the vehicle width direction from the weight body 25, so that the vehicle width dimension can be prevented from increasing.

[0047] 2, the handle cover 30 has an extension portion 38 that extends from the mounting portion 36 toward the outside in the axial direction of the handlebar 20, thereby preventing the handle cover 30 from interfering with the driver's hands and the various levers 22, 24. In addition, the extension portion 38 extends only to the inside in the vehicle width direction beyond the outer end 25a of the weight body 25, thereby preventing the dimension of the handle cover 30 in the vehicle width direction from becoming large.

[0048] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various additions, modifications, and deletions are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a motorcycle is used as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to saddle-type vehicles other than motorcycles, such as three-wheeled or four-wheeled vehicles for rough terrain driving, small planing boats, etc. Therefore, such vehicles are also included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 20 Handlebar 20b Axial outer end of handlebar 20c screw hole 21a 1st engagement hole (engagement hole) 25 Weight Body 25b Hollow hole 30 Steering wheel cover 36 Mounting part 38 Extension 40 Cover part 45 Second engagement hole (engagement hole) 48 Damper member 48a Damper member hollow hole 50 Knock pin (engagement protrusion) 55 Fastening members 55a Head of fastening member 60 Anti-rotation mechanism

Claims

1. A saddle-type vehicle having a pair of left and right handlebars, a weight body that is disposed at an axial outer end of the handlebar and is damper-supported on the handlebar so as to be swingable in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the handlebar; a handle cover disposed between an axially outer end of the handlebar and the weight body and sandwiched between the handlebar and the weight body, A screw hole is formed in an axial end of the handlebar, the screw hole extending in the axial direction. A saddle-type vehicle in which the weight body and the handle cover are fastened together to the screw hole of the handlebar by a fastening member.

2. 2. The saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising an anti-rotation mechanism for preventing said handle cover from rotating relative to said handlebar.

3. 3. A saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 2, wherein an engagement hole is formed in one of said handle cover and said handle bar, and an engagement protrusion that engages with said engagement hole is formed in the other of said handle cover and said handle bar.

4. 4. The saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the weight body is cylindrical, and a flexible cylindrical damper member is fitted into a hollow hole of the weight body. the weight body and the handle cover are fastened together to the screw hole of the handlebar by the fastening member inserted into the hollow hole of the damper member, A saddle-type vehicle, wherein the head of the fastening member is located inside the hollow hole of the weight body.

5. 5. The saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the handle cover is a mounting portion that is sandwiched between the handlebar and the weight body; an extension portion that extends from the attachment portion toward an outer side in the axial direction of the handlebar to a position inside an outer end of the weight body; A saddle-type vehicle has a cover portion that extends forward from the outer end of the extension portion and further curves inward to cover at least a portion of the handlebar from the front.

6. A handle cover to be attached to a pair of left and right handlebars of a saddle-type vehicle, A cantilever is supported on the outer end of the handlebar, A weight body is damper-supported on the handlebar so as to be swingable in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the handlebar, on the outer side of the handlebar cover, A handle cover that is prevented from rotating relative to the handle bar by a rotation prevention mechanism.

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