Handlebar grip device

Abstract

Provided is a handlebar grip device that enables operating portions to be operated easily and accurately, and that eliminates the need for separate handlebar switch devices.　The handlebar grip device, which is attached to a handlebar pipe H of a vehicle and can be gripped by a driver, is provided with a grip body 2 having a gripping region Q1 that can be gripped by a driver and an operating region Q2 in which operating portions (t1 to t4) enabling vehicle equipment to be operated are formed, wherein the grip body 2 is formed such that the gripping region Q1 and the operating region Q2 overlap in a portion on the inner side relative to the vehicle.

Description

Handle Grip Device

[0001] The present invention relates to a handle grip device that is fixed to a handle pipe of a vehicle and can be gripped by a driver.

[0002] Generally, vehicles such as motorcycles and ATVs are equipped with a handlebar for steering, and handlebar grips are attached to both ends of the handlebar for the rider to hold while riding. A handlebar switch device having a plurality of operating portions (operating knobs) for operating various electrical components mounted on the vehicle is fixed adjacent to the handlebar grip, as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-85949

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, the operating unit was formed on a handle switch device attached adjacent to the handle grip, so that the operating unit sometimes had to be formed at a position beyond the range of movement of the fingers of the driver holding the handle grip, making it difficult to accurately operate the operating unit while firmly gripping the handle grip.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a handle grip device that allows the operation of an operating portion to be performed easily and accurately.

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 is a handle grip device that is attached to a vehicle's handle pipe and can be gripped by a driver, and is characterized in that it has a grip body having a gripping area that can be gripped by the driver and an operating area in which an operating part is formed that can operate vehicle equipment, and the grip body is formed so that the gripping area and the operating area overlap.

[0007] The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that in the handle grip device of claim 1, the operation area is formed on the rider's side of the grip body.

[0008] The invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that, in the handle grip device described in claim 1, a throttle operation unit for operating the vehicle's drive source is formed in the operation area, and the throttle operation unit is slidable within the range of movement of the driver's fingers holding the grip area.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the handle grip device of the first aspect, the grip body is integrally formed with a lever holder for holding an operating lever so that the operating lever can swing.

[0010] The invention described in claim 5 is characterized in that, in the handle grip device described in claim 1, the grip body is formed with a grip heater that can warm at least the fingertips of the driver gripping the gripping area, and the grip heater is formed in the gripping area so as to overlap with the operating area.

[0011] The invention described in claim 6 is characterized in that, in the handle grip device described in claim 1, it is provided with an arm portion fixed to the tip of the handle pipe and extending toward the driver, and the grip main body extends from the tip of the arm portion toward the inside of the vehicle.

[0012] The invention described in claim 7 is characterized in that, in the handle grip device described in claim 6, the arm portion is formed with a holding shape that holds wiring extending from the grip body toward the handle pipe.

[0013] The invention of claim 8 is characterized in that in the handle grip device of claim 6, a turn signal lamp of a vehicle is attached to the handle pipe at a position adjacent to the base end of the arm portion.

[0014] According to the invention of claim 1, the grip body has a gripping area that can be gripped by the driver and an operation area in which an operation part that can operate vehicle equipment is formed, and since the grip body is formed so that the gripping area and the operation area overlap, the operation part can be operated easily and accurately.

[0015] According to the invention of claim 2, the operating area is formed on the driver's side of the grip body, so that the operating part of the operating area can be easily operated with the thumb of the driver's hand holding the gripping area.

[0016] According to the invention of claim 3, a throttle operating section for operating the vehicle's drive source is formed in the operating area, and the throttle operating section can be slid within the range of movement of the driver's fingers holding the gripping area. This eliminates the need for rotating the grip when operating the throttle as in the conventional case, and improves the freedom of the shape of the gripping area.

[0017] According to the invention of claim 4, the grip body is integrally formed with a lever holder that holds the operating lever in a swingable manner, so that the grip body to which the operating lever is attached can be made into a unit, and the handle grip device and the operating lever can be assembled to the handle pipe simultaneously.

[0018] According to the invention of claim 5, the grip body is formed with a grip heater that can warm at least the fingertips of the driver who grips the gripping area, and the grip heater is formed in the gripping area so as to overlap with the operating area.Therefore, the fingertips of the driver who grips the gripping area can be effectively heated by the grip heater, and the driver can easily and accurately operate the operating part by extending the heated fingertips.

[0019] According to the invention of claim 6, an arm portion is provided that is fixed to the tip of the handle pipe and extends toward the driver, and the grip body extends from the tip of the arm portion toward the inside of the vehicle, thereby improving the design while maintaining the operability of the operating portion.

[0020] According to the invention of claim 7, the arm portion is formed with a holding shape that holds the wiring extending from the grip body toward the handle pipe, thereby securely holding the wiring extending from the grip body and avoiding poor appearance due to the wiring being exposed.

[0021] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the vehicle turn signal lamps are attached to the handlebar pipes adjacent to the base ends of the arms, thereby providing a continuous appearance between the handlebar grip device and the turn signal lamps, further improving the design. Furthermore, since the turn signal lamps are positioned near the outer ends of the handlebar pipes, visibility from the outside can be improved. Furthermore, since the turn signal lamps are attached to the handlebar pipes adjacent to the base ends of the arms, they are protected by the arms and can be prevented from being damaged even if the vehicle rolls over.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle to which a handle grip device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the front side of a vehicle to which the handle grip device is applied; FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the handle grip device (right handle grip device); FIG. 4 is a front view showing the handle grip device (right handle grip device); FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the handle grip device (left handle grip device) in a removed state; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the handle grip device (left handle grip device); FIG. 3 is a front view showing the handle grip device (left handle grip device); FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the handle grip device (left handle grip device); FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a state in which a driver is gripping the grip area of ​​the handle grip device (left handle grip device);

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. A handle grip device according to a first embodiment is applied to a vehicle such as a motorcycle equipped with a handle pipe for steering, and as shown in Figures 1 to 3, is composed of a right handle grip device 1R and a left handle grip device 1L attached to the left and right ends of the handle pipe H of the vehicle.

[0024] The right-side handle grip device 1R is fixed to the handle pipe H of the vehicle and can be held by the driver in his / her right hand, and as shown in Figures 4 to 8, is configured with an arm portion A and a grip body 2. The arm portion A is made of a long member that is fixed to the tip of the handle pipe H and extends toward the driver (the rear side of the vehicle), and its base end A1 is fixed to the tip surface of the handle pipe H with a bolt b.

[0025] The grip body 2 extends from the tip A2 of the arm portion A toward the inside of the vehicle (the left side in Figures 4 to 7), and includes a gripping area cover 2a (grip area Q1) that can be gripped by the driver, and an operation area cover 2b (operation area Q2) on which are formed a plurality of operation parts (t1, t2) that can be used to operate the vehicle's equipment (electrical equipment, drive mechanisms, etc. equipped in the vehicle).

[0026] 8, the grip body 2 according to this embodiment is configured to have a metal frame F that is bent from the tip of the arm portion A and extends toward the inside of the vehicle (to the left in the figure), and a grip area cover 2a and an operation area cover 2b are attached to cover the metal frame F. A switch case s is attached to the tip side of the metal frame F, and an operation area cover 2b is attached to cover this switch case s.

[0027] Furthermore, a lever holder 3 that swingably holds an operating lever 4 is formed integrally with the frame F. The operating lever 4 can be swung about the shaft member L by the driver holding the grip area cover 2a and pulling it toward themselves with their fingers (index finger, middle finger, etc.), and this operation enables, for example, braking (including clutch operation in the case of the operating lever 4 of the left handle grip device 1L).

[0028] The grip area cover 2a is made of a member that can be held by the driver's right hand, and as shown in Figures 6 and 7, constitutes the grip area Q1 of the grip body 2. The grip area cover 2a has a smooth shape overall so that the driver can easily hold it in his right hand, and is relatively wide and flat on the outer side of the vehicle (the side of the driver's little finger) and extends continuously toward the inner side of the vehicle (the side of the driver's thumb) and the front side of the vehicle (in a direction that avoids the operation area cover 2b formed on the driver's side).

[0029] The operation area cover 2b is made of a member that covers the switch case s, and as shown in Figures 6 and 7, constitutes the operation area Q2 in the grip body 2. The operation area cover 2b is formed on the tip side of the grip body 2 (the side of the thumb of the driver who grips the grip area cover 2a) on the driver's side (the rear side of the vehicle), and can be operated by the driver with the thumb of his right hand while visually checking the operation parts t1 and t2.

[0030] The operation unit t1 is a throttle operation unit that operates the vehicle's drive source (engine or motor) and can be slid within the range of movement of the driver's fingers while gripping the grip area cover 2a. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8, the operation unit t1 is an operation knob attached to the switch case s and can be slid in direction d in the figure by the driver's thumb P (see Fig. 7) while gripping the grip area cover 2a. By sliding the operation unit t1 upward from the initial position with the thumb P, the vehicle speed can be increased. Note that although the operation unit t1 in this embodiment can be slid in direction d (up and down) in the figure, it may also be slid in left and right directions or diagonally.

[0031] The operation unit t2 is made up of a pressable operation knob formed below the operation unit t1, and is configured to be able to start the drive source of the vehicle, for example, by being pressed by the thumb P of the driver holding the grip area cover 2a. Note that, although two operation units t1 and t2 are formed side by side in the vertical direction in the operation area Q2 of the grip body 2 in the right handle grip device 1R according to this embodiment, a single operation unit may be formed, or multiple operation units may be formed side by side in the horizontal direction.

[0032] Here, the grip body 2 of the right-side handle grip device 1R of this embodiment is formed with a gripping area Q1 and an operation area Q2 overlapping in the inner portion relative to the vehicle (the portion on the side of the thumb P of the driver's right hand gripping the gripping area cover 2a) as shown in Figures 4, 6, and 7. That is, the gripping area Q1 formed by the gripping area cover 2a and the operation area Q2 formed by the operation area cover 2b overlap (their areas overlap each other) in the longitudinal direction of the grip body 2 (the left-right direction in the figure) as shown in Figures 6 and 7, thereby forming an overlap area Q3 (overlapping area).

[0033] Furthermore, the grip body 2 according to this embodiment is formed with a grip heater 5 capable of heating at least the fingertips of the driver's right hand gripping the grip area cover 2a (grip area Q1). The grip heater 5 is disposed on the front side of the vehicle of the grip body 2, and its heating portion extends in a substantially linear manner in the longitudinal direction of the grip body 2 (the left-right direction in the figure), and is formed in the grip area Q1 so as to overlap with the operation area Q2.

[0034] 2, in this embodiment, the turn signal lamps 6 of the vehicle are attached to the handle pipe H at a position adjacent to the base end A1 of the arm portion A. The turn signal lamps 6 are made up of direction indicators of the vehicle, and the driver can selectively flash either the left or right turn signal lamp 6 by operating an operating unit t3, which will be described later. Although the turn signal lamps are attached in this embodiment, sidelights or daytime running lights (daytime running lights) may also be attached.

[0035] On the other hand, the left handle grip device 1L is fixed to the handle pipe H of the vehicle and can be held by the driver in his / her left hand, and as shown in Figures 9 to 12, is configured with an arm portion A and a grip body 2. Note that components of the arm portion A and the grip body 2 that are the same as those of the right handle grip device 1R are given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0036] The grip body 2 extends from the tip A2 of the arm portion A toward the inside of the vehicle (the right side in Figures 9 to 12), and includes a gripping area cover 2a (grip area Q1) that can be gripped by the driver, and an operation area cover 2b (operation area Q2) on which are formed a plurality of operation parts (t3, t4) that can be used to operate the vehicle's equipment (electrical equipment, drive mechanisms, etc. equipped in the vehicle).

[0037] The grip area cover 2a is made of a member that can be held by the driver's left hand, and as shown in Figures 11 and 12, constitutes the grip area Q1 of the grip body 2. The grip area cover 2a has a smooth shape overall so that the driver can easily hold it in his left hand, and is relatively wide and flat on the outer side of the vehicle (the side of the driver's little finger) and extends continuously toward the inner side of the vehicle (the side of the driver's thumb) and the front side of the vehicle (in a direction that avoids the operation area cover 2b formed on the driver's side).

[0038] The operation area cover 2b is made of a member that covers a switch case (not shown) similar to the switch case s of the right-side handle grip device 1R, and as shown in Figures 11 and 12, constitutes the operation area Q2 in the grip body 2. The operation area cover 2b is formed on the tip side of the grip body 2 (the side of the thumb of the driver who grips the grip area cover 2a) on the driver's side (rear side of the vehicle), and can be operated by the driver with the thumb of his left hand while visually checking the operation parts t3 and t4.

[0039] The operation unit t3 is attached to a switch case (not shown) (a switch case similar to the switch case s of the right-side handle grip device 1R) and comprises an operation knob for flashing the vehicle's turn signal lamps 6. By swinging the knob left and right in the figure, the turn signal lamps 6 can be flashed in accordance with the direction of the swing. The operation unit t4 is attached to a switch case (not shown) and comprises an operation knob for sounding the vehicle's horn. By pressing the knob, the horn can be sounded. Note that, in the operation region Q2 of the grip body 2 of the left-side handle grip device 1L according to this embodiment, two operation units t3 and t4 are formed side by side in the vertical direction, but a single operation unit or multiple operation units may be formed side by side in the horizontal direction.

[0040] 9, 11, and 12, the grip body 2 of the left handle grip device 1L of this embodiment is formed with a gripping area Q1 and an operation area Q2 overlapping in an inner portion relative to the vehicle (a portion on the side of the thumb P of the driver's left hand gripping the gripping area cover 2a). That is, the gripping area Q1 formed by the gripping area cover 2a and the operation area Q2 formed by the operation area cover 2b overlap (their areas overlap each other) in the longitudinal direction of the grip body 2 (the left-right direction in the figure), as shown in FIGS.

[0041] Furthermore, the grip body 2 according to this embodiment is formed with a grip heater 5 capable of heating at least the fingertips of the driver's left hand gripping the grip area cover 2a (grip area Q1). The grip heater 5 is disposed on the front side of the vehicle of the grip body 2, and its heating portion extends in a substantially linear manner in the longitudinal direction of the grip body 2 (the left-right direction in the figure), and is formed in the grip area Q1 so as to overlap with the operation area Q2.

[0042] The right-side handle grip device 1R and the left-side handle grip device 1L according to this embodiment are provided with a grip body 2 having a gripping area Q1 (grip area cover 2a) that can be gripped by the driver and an operation area Q2 (operation area cover 2b) in which an operation unit (t1 to t4) that can be used to operate vehicle equipment is formed, and since the grip body 2 is formed so that the gripping area Q1 and the operation area Q2 overlap at an inner portion relative to the vehicle, the operation unit (t1 to t4) can be easily and accurately operated.

[0043] In particular, since the operation area Q2 according to this embodiment is formed on the driver's side of the grip body 2, the operation parts (t1 to t4) of the operation area Q2 can be easily operated with the thumb P of the driver's hand holding the grip area Q1. That is, since the grip area Q1 and the operation area Q2 overlap on the grip body 2, as shown in Figures 7 and 12, the thumbs P of the right and left hands of the driver holding the grip area Q1 are positioned within or adjacent to the operation area Q2, and the operation parts (t1 to t4) can be easily operated by slightly extending the thumbs P.

[0044] In addition, the operation area Q2 in this embodiment is formed with a throttle operation unit (operation unit t1) that operates the vehicle's drive source, and the throttle operation unit can be slid within the range of movement of the driver's fingers holding the grip area Q1, thereby eliminating the need for rotational operation of the grip when operating the throttle as in the conventional case, and improving the freedom of the shape of the grip area Q1.

[0045] Furthermore, the grip body 2 in this embodiment is integrally formed with the lever holder 3 that holds the operating lever 4 in a swingable manner, so that the grip body 2 to which the operating lever 4 is attached can be made into a unit, and the handle grip device (1R, 1L) and the operating lever 4 can be assembled to the handle pipe H simultaneously.

[0046] Furthermore, the grip body 2 according to this embodiment is formed with a grip heater 5 that can heat at least the fingertips of the driver gripping the gripping area Q1, and the grip heater 5 is formed in the gripping area Q1 so as to overlap with the operation area Q2. Therefore, the fingertips of the driver gripping the gripping area Q1 can be effectively heated by the grip heater 5, and the driver can easily and accurately operate the operation parts (t1 to t4) by extending the heated fingertips.

[0047] In addition, according to this embodiment, the handlebar grip device is provided with an arm portion A that is fixed to the tip of the handlebar pipe H and extends toward the driver, and the grip body 2 extends from the tip A2 of the arm portion A toward the inside of the vehicle, so that the design can be improved while maintaining the operability of the operating portion (t1 to t4). Also, according to this embodiment, the turn signal lamps 6 of the vehicle are attached to the handlebar pipe H at a position adjacent to the base end A1 of the arm portion A, so that the handlebar grip device (1R, 1L) and the turn signal lamps 6 can have a continuous appearance, and the design can be further improved.

[0048] Therefore, it is preferable that the arm portion A is formed with a holding shape that holds the wiring extending from the grip body 2 toward the handle pipe H. Such a holding shape may be a shape (e.g., a cross shape) formed along the longitudinal direction on the outer peripheral surface of the arm portion A, or an internal space. By forming a holding shape in the arm portion A in this way, the wiring extending from the grip body 2 can be securely held and the deterioration of the appearance due to the wiring being exposed can be avoided.

[0049] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Similar to the first embodiment, the handle grip device according to the second embodiment is applied to a vehicle such as a motorcycle equipped with a handle pipe for steering, and is composed of a right handle grip device 1R and a left handle grip device 1L attached to the left and right ends of the handle pipe H of the vehicle, as shown in Figures 13 and 14. Note that components similar to those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0050] The right-side handle grip device 1R is fixed to the handle pipe H of the vehicle and can be held by the driver in the right hand. As shown in Figure 15, it is configured with a grip body 2 having a gripping area cover 2a (grip area Q1) that can be held by the driver and an operation area cover 2b (operation area Q2) on which multiple operation parts (t1, t2) are formed that can be used to operate the vehicle's equipment (electrical equipment, drive mechanisms, etc. equipped in the vehicle).

[0051] The grip body 2 in this embodiment is connected directly to the tip of the vehicle's handle pipe H (without going through the arm portion A of the first embodiment), and is formed with a mounting boss 7 for attaching the vehicle's rearview mirror (not shown), but the other components have the same shape and function as those in the first embodiment.

[0052] Here, the grip body 2 of the right-side handle grip device 1R of this embodiment is formed with the gripping area Q1 and the operating area Q2 overlapping in the inner area relative to the vehicle (the area on the thumb side of the driver's right hand gripping the gripping area cover 2a), as shown in Figure 15.

[0053] On the other hand, the left-side handle grip device 1L is fixed to the handle pipe H of the vehicle and can be held by the driver with the left hand. As shown in FIG. 16, it is configured with a grip body 2 having a gripping area cover 2a (grip area Q1) that can be held by the driver and an operation area cover 2b (operation area Q2) on which a plurality of operation parts (t3, t4) are formed that can be used to operate the vehicle's equipment (electrical equipment and drive mechanisms equipped in the vehicle, etc.).

[0054] Here, the grip body 2 of the left-side handle grip device 1L of this embodiment is formed with the gripping area Q1 and the operating area Q2 overlapping in the inner area relative to the vehicle (the area on the thumb side of the driver's left hand gripping the gripping area cover 2a), as shown in Figure 16.

[0055] The right-side handle grip device 1R and the left-side handle grip device 1L according to this embodiment are provided with a grip body 2 having a gripping area Q1 (grip area cover 2a) that can be gripped by the driver and an operation area Q2 (operation area cover 2b) in which an operation unit (t1 to t4) that can operate the vehicle's equipment is formed, as in the first embodiment, and the grip body 2 is formed so that the gripping area Q1 and the operation area Q2 overlap at an inner portion relative to the vehicle, allowing the operation unit (t1 to t4) to be operated easily and accurately.

[0056] In particular, since the operation area Q2 according to this embodiment is formed on the driver's side of the grip body 2, the operation parts (t1 to t4) of the operation area Q2 can be easily operated with the thumb P of the driver's hand holding the grip area Q1. In other words, since the grip area Q1 and the operation area Q2 overlap on the grip body 2, the thumbs of the right and left hands of the driver holding the grip area Q1 are positioned within or adjacent to the operation area Q2, and the operation parts (t1 to t4) can be easily operated by slightly extending the thumb P.

[0057] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the grip body may not be integrally formed with the lever holder 3, or may not include the grip heater 5. Note that although the handle grip device according to the present embodiment is applied to a two-wheeled vehicle (engine-driven or motor-driven), it may also be applied to other types of vehicles (ATVs, snowmobiles, etc.) that have a handle pipe H.

[0058] The present invention can also be applied to devices with different external shapes or devices with additional functions, provided that they have the same gist as the present invention.

[0059] 1R Right-side handle grip device 1L Left-side handle grip device 2 Grip body 2a Gripping area cover 2b Operation area cover 3 Lever holder 4 Operation lever 5 Grip heater 6 Turn signal lamp 7 Mounting boss H Handle pipe t1 Throttle operation section t2 Starter operation section t3 Turn flasher operation section t4 Horn operation section A Arm section A1 Base end A2 Tip F Metal frame s Switch case b Mounting bolt d Slide operation direction Q1 Gripping area Q2 Operation area Q3 Overlap area

Claims

1. A handle grip device that is attached to a vehicle handle pipe and can be gripped by a driver, comprising a grip body having a gripping area that can be gripped by the driver and an operation area in which an operation part is formed that can operate vehicle equipment, and the grip body is formed so that the gripping area and the operation area overlap each other.

2. A handle grip device according to claim 1, wherein the operation area is formed on the rider's side of the grip body.

3. A handle grip device as described in claim 1, characterized in that a throttle operation unit for operating the vehicle's drive source is formed in the operation area, and the throttle operation unit is slidable within the movable range of the fingers of a driver gripping the grip area.

4. A handle grip device according to claim 1, characterized in that the grip body is integrally formed with a lever holder for holding an operating lever in a swingable manner.

5. A handle grip device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the grip body is formed with a grip heater capable of heating at least the fingertips of a driver gripping the gripping area, and the grip heater is formed in the gripping area overlapping with the operating area.

6. A handle grip device as described in claim 1, further comprising an arm portion fixed to the tip of the handle pipe and extending toward the rider, and the grip body extending from the tip of the arm portion toward the inside of the vehicle.

7. A handle grip device according to claim 6, characterized in that the arm portion is formed with a holding shape for holding wiring extending from the grip body toward the handle pipe.

8. A handle grip device according to claim 6, wherein a turn signal lamp of a vehicle is attached to a position adjacent to the base end of said arm portion on said handle pipe.

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