JP7836568B2 - Motorcycle handlebar cover - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a handle cover for motorcycles (bikes) for protection against cold and wind, and more particularly to an improvement in the part that attaches to the handle.

The handle cover described in the following patent document is for bicycles and was first proposed by the present applicant, but it is a handle cover for a hybrid bike.
The objective of this invention was to prevent the handle cover from moving forward (rotating) when inserting a hand into the hand opening of the handle cover.
To address this issue, a rubber cord is placed inside the cover at the position corresponding to the grip end of the handle, and both ends of this rubber cord are led out to the outside of the back surface of the cover and converged to secure the cover and prevent it from moving, thus solving the above problem.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-285018

In the above-mentioned handlebar cover for cross bikes, the outer and inner gussets are not provided on the outer and inner circumferences of the upper and lower covering portions of the cover body.
This is because, since it's for bicycles, it lacks features like turn signals and rearview mirrors that are present on motorcycles, so a thin design without a groin area suffices.
Furthermore, the structure of the handlebars themselves differs from that of a bicycle.

The present invention relates to a handle cover for motorcycles for cold weather protection, and aims to improve the mounting or fixing part. Moreover, there are various shapes of motorcycle handles, including flat handles with a straight horizontal shape like the cross bike mentioned above, and handles with a central handle support part that is recessed downwards.
Furthermore, some models have equipment such as an oil cylinder for the front wheel's disc brake at the base of the right-hand handlebar grip.

Since such equipment does not exist at the base of the left handle grip, conventional motorcycle handle covers can be used without any particular problem by inserting a string-like member through the insertion hole provided around the periphery of the handle insertion opening, wrapping this string-like member around the handle from the outside of the periphery of the handle insertion opening of the cover, and securing both ends of the string-like member, thereby firmly attaching the cover to the handle.

However, as described above, when a conventional handle cover is applied to a handle grip where equipment such as a brake oil cylinder is located at the base of the right handle grip, and then secured by wrapping it with a string-like material, there is no problem with the part of the string-like material that passes through the insertion hole. However, when the string-like material that comes out of the insertion hole is wrapped around the periphery of the handle insertion opening of the cover to press down from the outside, it tends to shift or slip towards the center of the handle, making it impossible to properly secure the periphery of the handle insertion opening of the handle cover by pressing down from the outside.
This is because, when various equipment is attached to the base of the handle grip, the outer gusset of the cover leading to the opening of the cover covers the handle at a sharp angle, making it impossible to properly wrap and secure the periphery of the handle insertion opening with a string-like material.

Therefore, the objective of this invention is to provide a motorcycle handlebar cover having the above-mentioned outer and inner gusset portions, which can be securely attached or fixed to handlebars, especially those with equipment such as brake oil cylinders located at the base of the handlebar grips.

To solve the above problems, the first version of the present invention is a motorcycle handle cover in which the cover body has an upper covering portion and a lower covering portion, the outer circumference and inner circumference of the upper covering portion and the lower covering portion are provided with an outer gusset portion and an inner gusset portion, a handle insertion opening is provided in the front part of the inner gusset portion, a hand insertion opening is provided in a direction substantially perpendicular to the handle insertion opening, and fixing means for fixing the main body to the handle is provided near the handle insertion opening, wherein the fixing means is a string-like member, and the string-like member is inserted into a plurality of insertion holes provided on the periphery of the handle insertion opening This motorcycle handle cover features a design that allows the material to be inserted and converged to secure the handle cover to the handle, with one or more tongue-shaped pieces provided on the outer periphery of the handle insertion opening. These tongue-shaped pieces are positioned on the handle insertion opening side, with their free ends positioned away from the opening. This design prevents the string-like material from shifting towards the center of the handle when the handle cover is attached, by wrapping it between the tongue-shaped piece and the upper and/or lower covering portion of the cover body.

Here, in the expressions "upper covering portion" and "lower covering portion,""uppersurface" and "lower surface" refer to the upper and lower surfaces when the handle cover is attached to the handle of a motorcycle (the same applies hereinafter).
Furthermore, the term "front" in the phrase "the handle insertion opening is provided in the front part of the inner gusset" means the direction of forward movement of the motorcycle when the handle cover is attached to the handle of the motorcycle (the same applies hereinafter).

The second aspect of the present invention is a motorcycle handle cover characterized in that, in the first aspect of the invention, two tongue-shaped pieces are provided: one on the upper covering portion side and one on the lower covering portion side.

The third aspect of this invention is a motorcycle handle cover characterized in that, in the first or second invention described above, the front side of the outer gusset or the front side of the handle insertion opening is provided with a bulging portion that protrudes outward.

In the first version of the present invention, the cover body has an upper covering portion and a lower covering portion, and outer and inner gussets are provided on the outer and inner circumferences of these upper and lower covering portions, respectively, a handle insertion opening is provided in the front part of the inner gusset, a hand insertion opening is provided in a direction approximately perpendicular to the handle insertion opening, and fixing means for fixing the main body to the handle are provided near the handle insertion opening. The basic structure is the same as that of conventional handle covers and provides cold and wind protection.

Furthermore, the fixing means consists of a string-like member, and the string-like member can be inserted through a plurality of insertion holes provided on the periphery of the handle insertion opening and converged to secure the handle cover to the handle. A tongue-shaped piece is provided at one or more locations on the outer periphery of the handle insertion opening, and the attachment position of this tongue-shaped piece is located on the handle insertion opening side, with the free end of the tongue-shaped piece positioned away from the handle insertion opening.
As a result, when attaching the handle cover to the handle, the string-like member is wrapped between the tongue and the upper and/or lower covering portion of the cover body, preventing the string-like member from shifting towards the center of the handle.

In other words, when wrapping the string-like member around the outside of the handle insertion opening of the cover, the tongue-shaped piece acts as a catch, preventing the string-like member from shifting or slipping towards the center of the handle. This allows the string-like member to be neatly wrapped around the outer periphery of the handle insertion opening of the cover, thus enabling the cover to be properly and securely fastened to the handle.

In the second version of the present invention, the appropriate number and appropriate location of the tongue pieces are specified, that is, one tongue piece is provided on the upper covering portion side and one on the lower covering portion side, for a total of two pieces, thereby achieving the same effect as the above invention.
Of course, it is also possible to install them on the edge of the handle insertion opening on the outer gusset.

In the third aspect of this invention, by providing a bulge on the front side of the outer gusset or on the front side of the handle insertion opening, the cover according to the present invention can effectively cover the handle grip even if an attachment is provided at the base of the handle grip.

This is an overall explanatory diagram showing one embodiment of a motorcycle handle cover according to the present invention, where (A) is a plan view and (B) is a bottom view. This diagram shows the motorcycle handle cover according to the above embodiment attached to the right handlebar, and is an explanatory diagram viewed from the front of the motorcycle. Figure 2 above is an enlarged explanatory diagram showing the portion where the string-like member is wrapped around the outer circumference of the opening periphery of the handle insertion opening of the cover.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.
Figure 1 is an overall explanatory diagram showing one embodiment of a motorcycle handle cover according to the present invention, where (A) is a plan view and (B) is a bottom view.

The handlebar cover for motorcycles according to the present invention (hereinafter also simply referred to as "cover") consists of a cover body 10 which is formed three-dimensionally in a bag shape from a sheet-like material made of synthetic leather or synthetic resin.
Its external shape is a three-dimensional, bag-like form that can cover the handlebar grips, brake levers, the base of the rearview mirror supports, various switches, and so on of a motorcycle.

More specifically, the cover body 10 consists of an upper covering portion 11, a lower covering portion 12, an outer gusset portion 13 connecting the upper and lower covering portions 11 and 12 at their outer and inner circumferences, and an inner gusset portion 14 (not clearly shown in the figure).

The handlebar insertion opening 15 for inserting motorcycle handlebar grips, etc., is provided at the front end of the inner gusset 14, and the hand insertion opening 16 is provided in a direction approximately perpendicular to the handlebar insertion opening 15.
In the diagram, arrow F indicates the forward direction, showing the direction the motorcycle will move forward when the cover is attached to the handlebars. The cover shown is the one on the right.

The upper covering portion 11 has an extension portion 11a that extends rearward from the hand insertion opening 16, and is designed to cover the upper surface of the user's arm.
A cold-weather sheet member 20 made of boa or the like is attached to the inner surface of the cover body 10, and although not shown in the figure, a cold-weather insulation member made of stretchable knit fabric is provided around the periphery of the hand insertion opening 16.

The outer gusset portion 13 has a vertical width ranging from approximately 40 mm to 80 mm, with the handle insertion opening 15 side being about 40 mm and gradually narrowing. The hand insertion opening side is also formed in a shape that narrows slightly to about 65 mm.
This outer gusset portion 13 may be formed continuously from the same fabric as the upper covering portion 11 or the lower covering portion 12, or it may be sewn with a different fabric. In this embodiment, it is sewn with a different fabric.
In short, this outer gusset portion 13 only needs to have a predetermined vertical width.

On the other hand, the inner gusset portion 14 is provided between the handle insertion opening 15 and the hand insertion opening 16. The front end of this inner gusset portion 14 has the largest vertical width, while the rear end has zero vertical width because the upper covering portion 11 and the lower covering portion 12 are fixed together with fasteners 23.
In other words, this inner gusset portion 14 is formed such that its vertical width gradually decreases from the front end to the rear end of the handle insertion opening 15.

Furthermore, multiple holes 17, each consisting of a cross-shaped notch, are formed near the handle insertion opening 15 of the upper covering portion 11. Notches extend from these holes 17 to the handle insertion opening 15. These notches are not visible in Figure 1 because they are covered by the covering portion 18.

The support column of the rearview mirror can be inserted through the hole 17. That is, the tip of the handle grip can be inserted into the handle insertion opening 15, and the support column of the rearview mirror can be inserted through the hole 17 using the notch.
After inserting the rearview mirror support into the hole 17, the fastening hooks 19, 19 provided on the cover 18 can be locked in place, thereby closing the notch.

A notch 29 is formed in the lower covering portion 12, extending from the handle insertion opening 15, and a hole 27 is formed at the end of this notch 29. This notch 29 is covered by a covering portion 28, which extends to the hole 27. In Figure 1(B), a portion of the notch 29 is visible at the right edge of the handle insertion opening 15.

Brake wires will be inserted through these holes 27.
A fastening hook 19 is provided on the covering portion 28 that covers the cutout 29, allowing the cutout 29 to be closed.

In the above embodiment, the cover body 10 is composed of an upper covering portion 11, a lower covering portion 12, an outer gusset portion 13, an inner gusset portion 14, and an extension portion 11a that extends from the upper covering portion 11 toward the hand insertion opening 16. These portions are sewn together to form a bag-like structure.

However, the constituent fabrics for forming the cover body 10 can be freely designed, and there is no reason to limit their number or shape to the above embodiment; they can be freely modified.

The most distinctive feature of this invention lies in the opening edge of the handle insertion port 15.
Specifically, as shown in Figures 1(A) and (B), tongue-shaped pieces 30 are provided on the outside of the opening periphery of the handle insertion port 15.

This tongue piece 30 has a vertically elongated, roughly rectangular shape (with rounded corners on the free end side), and its handle insertion opening 15 side is sewn to the upper covering portion 11 and the lower covering portion 12, with the opposite side of the sewn portion being the free end.
In other words, a string-like member 31 for attaching the cover to the handle can be wrapped around and arranged between the tongue piece 30 and the upper covering portion 11, and between the tongue piece 30 and the lower covering portion 12.

To elaborate further, when attaching the cover according to the above embodiment to the handle, the string-like member 31 is inserted through a plurality of insertion holes provided on the peripheral edge of the handle insertion opening 15 of the cover body 10 (in reality, as shown in Figure 1, the string-like member 31 is inserted through the insertion holes beforehand). Then, this string-like member 30 is wrapped around the outside of the peripheral edge of the handle insertion opening 15 of the cover and secured. At this time, the tongue-shaped piece 30 can be positioned between the upper covering portion 11 and the lower covering portion 12 for wrapping and securing.

This prevents the string-like member 31 from shifting or slipping from the outside of the cover's opening periphery to the center of the handle, thus ensuring the cover is securely fastened to the handle.

In other words, the tongue-shaped piece 30 serves as a hook when the cover is secured and attached by the string-like member 31.

As mentioned earlier, some motorcycle handlebars have equipment such as an oil cylinder for the disc brake at the base of the right-hand handlebar grip. When installing the cover on this type of handlebar, the thickness of the cover narrows sharply from the equipment towards the handlebar. Therefore, the outer edge of the opening of the handlebar insertion opening 15 of the cover cannot be properly wrapped with the string-like member 31, causing it to shift towards the center of the handlebar. To prevent this, the tongue-shaped piece 30 acts as a catch, preventing shifting and slippage.

On the upper and lower covering portions 11 and 12, a cold-weather sheet material 20, such as boa, is attached to the back surface, indicated by the dashed lines in the figure. The dashed lines represent the seams where the cold-weather sheet material is sewn in place.

Figure 2 shows the motorcycle handle cover according to the above embodiment attached to the right handlebar, and is an explanatory diagram viewed from the front of the motorcycle.

As can be clearly seen from this diagram, the mirror support portion 37 is inserted through the hole 17 provided in the upper covering portion 11 via a notch provided from the handle insertion opening 15. Then, the fastening hook 19 provided on the cover portion 18 is secured to cover the handle. Similarly, although not shown in the diagram, the brake wire is inserted through the hole in the lower covering portion 12 via a notch provided from the handle insertion opening 15. The cover portion is then secured with the fastening hook. Finally, the string-like member 30, which is inserted through multiple insertion holes provided on the periphery of the handle insertion opening 15, is wrapped around the outer periphery of the handle insertion opening 15. At this time, the string-like member 30 is positioned inside the tongue piece 31, that is, between the tongue piece 31 and the upper covering portion 11, and similarly on the lower covering portion side, it is positioned between the tongue piece and the lower covering portion and wrapped around, securing it in place to fasten and attach the cover to the handle.

Figure 3 is an enlarged explanatory diagram of the portion in Figure 2 where the string-like member is wrapped around the outer circumference of the opening of the handle insertion port of the cover.

Insert the handlebar Hb through the handlebar insertion opening 15 of the cover, and also insert the mirror support portion through a hole not shown in the diagram. Secure the string-like member 31, which is inserted through multiple insertion holes, by wrapping it around the outside of the opening periphery of the handlebar insertion opening 15 about twice.

At this time, a string-like member 31 is placed under the tongue-shaped piece 30, which is provided on the outside of the opening periphery of the handle insertion opening 15 of the upper covering portion 11, and secured.
This drawing shows the string-like member 31 being wrapped around the tongue piece 30 and the front covering portion 12 about twice and secured.
The same applies to the underside covering on the reverse side.
As mentioned earlier, this prevents the string-like member 31 from shifting or slipping towards the center of the handlebar Hb.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but various design modifications can be made in the present invention as follows.
The handle cover according to the present invention can be applied to handles of motorcycles that have various equipment attached to the base of the handle grips.
If there are no various attachments at the base of the handlebar grips, it is possible to use conventional handlebar covers.

The external shape of the handle cover can be modified in various ways to accommodate the handle grips, brake levers, and various accessories.
For example, the outer gusset portion 13 can be formed to have a bulge that protrudes outward (towards the front) on the front side 13f (see Figure 1) or on the handle insertion side of the front side 13f.
In short, as long as the shape can adequately cover the various equipment attached to the base of the grip, its form can be modified and redesigned in various ways.

The material used can be any material that is suitable for use as a handle cover; that is, a suitable material can be selected and used as appropriate, taking into consideration its shape retention, weather resistance, waterproofing, flexibility, etc.
The material of the gusset can also be freely selected, and the inner gusset in particular may be made of a material that is stretchable, allowing for the selection and use of various materials.
The thickness of the gusset at the top and bottom can also be adjusted as needed.
While a string-like member was used as the fastening method, an elastic material may also be used.

The shape, size, and number of tongue-shaped pieces, as well as their placement, can be freely designed and modified.
Furthermore, the material of the tongue piece is also flexible and can be the same as that of the upper and lower covering portions, and it can also be provided on the handle insertion edge of the outer gusset.
By providing tongue-shaped pieces at three locations—the upper covering portion, the lower covering portion, and the periphery of the handle insertion opening on the outer gusset—a reliable anti-slip effect is achieved.

In the above embodiment, the fastening hooks provided on the upper and lower covering portions are formed from male and female fastening hooks. However, other types of fastening hooks, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, can also be used.

Finally, the handle cover body according to the present invention consists of an upper covering portion, a lower covering portion, an outer gusset portion, and an inner gusset portion. However, these components do not exist independently and are not connected to each other (sewn or stitched). Instead, a portion of the upper covering portion and a portion of the lower covering portion may be formed continuously, with this continuous portion forming the outer gusset portion. Furthermore, as in the above embodiment, the upper and lower thicknesses of the hand-insertion side end of the inner gusset portion may be zero. In other words, the upper and lower covering portions may be directly fixed at this hand-insertion side end of the inner gusset portion. Of course, the upper and lower thicknesses of the hand-insertion side of the inner gusset portion do not necessarily have to be zero.

In summary, although the present invention has a simple structure, it provides a motorcycle handle cover that exhibits excellent effectiveness in preventing the string-like member used as a fastening means from shifting or slipping towards the center of the handlebar when attaching the handle cover to the motorcycle handlebars, even if various equipment is attached to the base of the handle grip. This is achieved by using a tongue provided on the outside of the opening periphery of the handle insertion opening to secure the string-like member.

10 Cover body 11 Upper covering part 11a Extension part 12 Lower covering part 13 Outer gusset part 14 Inner gusset part 15 Handle insertion opening 16 Hand insertion opening 17, 27 Hole part 18, 28 Cover part 19 Fastening hook 20 Cold-weather sheet member 23 Fastener 30 Tongue piece 31 String-like member 37 Mirror support part Hb Handlebar

Claims (2)

The cover body has an upper covering portion and a lower covering portion, and an outer gusset is provided connecting the outer circumferences of the upper covering portion and the lower covering portion, which is the portion between the front end of the handle insertion opening and the end of the hand insertion opening opposite to the handlebar center side of the hand insertion opening, and an inner gusset is provided connecting the inner circumferences of the upper covering portion and the lower covering portion, which is the portion between the rear end of the handle insertion opening and the end of the hand insertion opening on the handlebar center side of the hand insertion opening, and a fixing means for fixing the cover body to the handle is provided near the handle insertion opening, in a motorcycle handle cover,
The fixing means is a string-like member, and the string-like member can be inserted through a plurality of insertion holes provided on the periphery of the handle insertion opening and converged to secure the handle cover to the handle.
Tongue pieces are provided at one or more locations on the outer edge of the handle insertion opening.
The mounting position of this tongue is located on the handle insertion side, and the free end of the tongue is positioned away from the handle insertion opening.
This handlebar cover for motorcycles is characterized in that, when attaching the handlebar cover to the handlebars, the string-like member is wrapped between the tongue and the upper and/or lower covering portion of the cover body, thereby preventing the string-like member from shifting towards the center of the handlebars relative to the upper and/or lower covering portion . The motorcycle handle cover according to claim 1, characterized in that one tongue-shaped piece is provided on the upper covering portion side and one on the lower covering portion side, for a total of two pieces.