Movable handguard assembly

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present application relates to a handguard for a handlebar. In particular, the present application relates to a pivotal handguard for a handlebar of a vehicle, such as a motorbike, motorcycle, motor scooter, bicycle, or all-terrain vehicle (“ATV”).

BACKGROUND

Handguards for protecting the hands of riders of motorbikes, motorcycles, motor scooters, bicycles, and ATVs are known in the art. The handguard is configured to protect a rider's hands from debris as well as wind and rain. In one known embodiment, the handguard includes a shield member having a first end and a second end, wherein each end is rigidly connected to a handlebar of a vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, together with the detailed description provided below, describe exemplary embodiments of the claimed invention. Like elements are identified with the same reference numerals. The drawings are not to scale and the proportion of certain elements may be exaggerated for the purpose of illustration.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a handguard assembly mounted on a motorcycle;

FIG. 2 is a top elevation view of one embodiment a handguard assembly mounted on a handlebar;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a handguard assembly;

FIG. 4 is a top elevation view of a portion of one embodiment of a handguard assembly;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a torsion spring for a handguard assembly;

FIGS. 6A-C are simplified force diagrams illustrating exemplary forces applied to a shield of one embodiment of a handguard assembly; and

FIG. 7 is a simplified force diagram illustrating an external force applied to a shield of one embodiment of a handguard assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

“Right” and “left” as used herein refer to the right and left directions as viewed from the perspective of a rider of the vehicle.

An “inner” direction as used herein refers to a direction towards the body of the vehicle.

An “outer” direction as used herein refers to a direction away from the body of the vehicle.

FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified perspective view of one embodiment of a handguard assembly 100, including left and right handshields 110L,R mounted on a handlebar H of a motorbike M. In this embodiment, the handguard assembly 100 is positioned in front of the handlebar H to protect a rider's hand. In alternative embodiments, the handguard assembly 100 may be employed on a motorcycle, motor scooter, bicycle, ATV, or any other vehicle having handlebars.

In one embodiment, the shields 110L,R are constructed of a polymeric material. Exemplary polymeric materials include, without limitation, polypropylene, polyethylene, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) elastomeric, or a combination thereof. Polypropylene provides stiffness to the shields while polyethylene provides resilience and EPDM elastomeric provides flexibility. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the shields are constructed of metal.

If each shield 110L,R is constructed of a polymeric material, it can be molded to include complex features and to facilitate installation on a handlebar H. Furthermore, the use of a polymeric material allows each shield 110L,R to absorb impacts and retain its shape.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of the handguard assembly 100 connected to the handlebar H. In the illustrated embodiment, the shield 110 is connected to the handlebar H via an arm 120. The shield 110 is configured to move from a first position 110a to a second position 110b. In one embodiment, the shield 110 is placed in the first position 110a under normal conditions and is moved to the second position 110b when an external force is applied to an outer portion of the shield 110.

In the illustrated embodiment, the shield 110 moves by pivoting about a pivot point P. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the shield translates by sliding from a first position to a second position. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the shield is configured to both pivot and translate.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a handguard assembly 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the handguard assembly 100 includes the shield 110 and arm 120, and further includes a mount 130. In various embodiments, the arm 120 and/or the mount 130 is constructed of aluminum. In alternative embodiments, at least one of the arm 120 and mount 130 is constructed of steel, iron, or any other known metal or alloy. In another alternative embodiment, at least one of the arm 120 and mount 130 is constructed of a polymeric material. The arm 120 and the mount 130 may be constructed of the same material or of different material.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the mount 130 is a separate component connected to the arm 120. The mount 130 is configured to be connected to either the handlebar (not shown) or perch (not shown) of a vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, the mount 130 includes first and second C-shaped portions 140a,b. In an alternative embodiments (not shown), the mount may be a unitary O-shaped member or a pair of pivotally connected members.

In one embodiment the mount 130 is pivotally connected to the arm 120 via a pin or shaft (not shown). The mount 130 is then locked into position by a set screw, a locking pin, a locking washer, or other known locking mechanism. In an alternative embodiment, the mount 130 is pivotally connected to the arm 120 via a bolt or screw (not shown). In another alternative embodiment, the mount 130 is fixedly connected to the arm 120 via one or more bolts, screws, pins, nails, ties, or adhesive. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the mount is an extension of a unitary arm member.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, the C-shaped portions 140a,b are configured to be connected to each other via one or more bolts 150. In alternative embodiments (not shown), the C-shaped portions may be connected by screws, ties, or any other appropriate connecting members. In the illustrated embodiment, the C-shaped portions 140a,b of mount 130 are disposed in an upright configuration. In an alternative embodiment illustrated (not shown), the C-shaped portions are disposed horizontally. In other alternative embodiments (not shown), the C-shaped portions may be disposed in any orientation.

In FIG. 3, the arm 120 is pivotally connected to the shield 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the shield 110 includes a top projection 160a and a bottom projection 160b. The arm 120 is configured to be received between the top and bottom projections 160a,b. In an alternative embodiment, the shield includes a single projection and the arm includes a top and bottom projection. In another alternative embodiment, the shield includes a single projection and the arm is disposed above or below the projection. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the arm is slidably connected to the shield. In another alternative embodiment, the arm is both pivotally and slidably connected to the shield.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, the top projection 160a and the bottom projection 160b of the shield 110 include aligned apertures configured to receive a pin 170 in a generally vertical orientation. The arm 120 includes a corresponding aligned aperture configured to receive the pin 170 such that the arm is pivotally connected to the shield 110. In alternative embodiments, the arm 120 and shield 130 are configured to receive a shaft or other known pivoting members.

In one embodiment, the pin 170 is configured to receive a locking mechanism (not shown) to hold the pin 170 in place and maintain the pivotal connection. Exemplary locking mechanisms include ties, pins, locking washers, or threaded nuts. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the arm includes a pair of projections configured to be received in the apertures of the first and second projections of the shield. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the apertures of the first and second projections of the shield are elongated, thus allowing translational movement between the arm and the shield. In yet another alternative embodiment, the arm includes an elongated aperture configured to receive a pin, thus allowing translational movement between the arm and the shield.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top elevation view of one embodiment of a portion of the arm 120 of the handguard assembly 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the arm 120 is connected to a torsion spring 180. A detailed view of an exemplary torsion spring is further illustrated in FIG. 5. In alternative embodiments (not shown), the arm may be connected to a spring, a elastomeric member, a piston and cylinder assembly, or any other known biasing member.

Referring back to FIG. 4, the torsion spring 180 is disposed about the pin 170. A first end (not shown) of the torsion spring 180 abuts a portion of the arm 120. A second end 185 of the torsion spring 180 extends away from the arm 120 to contact the shield (not shown). The torsion spring 180 thus biases the shield in a clockwise direction about the pin 170. The second end 185 of the torsion spring 180 is configured to be moved from a first position A to a plurality of other positions, including second position B.

In one embodiment, the torsion spring 180 is in stable equilibrium in the first position A. In other words, a force must be applied to the torsion spring 180 to move its second end 185 from the first position A towards the second position B. When the force is removed, the second end 185 automatically returns to the first position A. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the arm includes a latch, a notch, or other such retaining mechanism to hold the second end 185 of the torsion spring 180 in place at the second position B. In this embodiment, a second force must be applied to the torsion spring 180 to move the second end 185 from the second position B to the first position A.

In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the torsion spring 180 is in stable equilibrium in the second position B and the arm includes a latch, a notch, or other such retaining mechanism to hold the second end 185 of the torsion spring 180 in place at the first position A. In this embodiment, a force must be applied to the torsion spring 180 to move its second end 185 from the first position A towards the second position B. Additionally, a second force must be applied to the torsion spring 180 to move its second end 185 from the second position B towards the first position A.

As shown in FIG. 4, the arm also includes a set screw 190 configured to abut the shield (not shown) and place the shield in a selected orientation relative to the handlebar (not shown). In alternative embodiments, the arm may include a ratcheted member or other known adjustment members. The end 195 of the set screw 190 extends away from the arm to contact the shield 110 (not shown).

With continued reference to FIG. 4, the second end 185 of the torsion spring 180 applies a first force to the shield (not shown) and the end 195 of the set screw 190 applies a second force to the shield (not shown). FIGS. 6A-6C are simplified force diagrams illustrating the forces acting on the shield 110. The first force exerted by the torsion spring 180 is illustrated as F₁ and the second force exerted by the set screw 190 is illustrated as F₂. Further, the pin 170 of FIG. 4 is shown as pivot point P.

Because the forces F₁, F₂ are applied on opposite sides of the pivot point P the shield 110 is placed in a stable equilibrium. The rider may adjust the set screw, thereby adjusting the position at which stable equilibrium is achieved. For example, FIG. 6A illustrates a setting where the set screw 190 is adjusted to position the shield 110 generally parallel to the handlebar (not shown). FIG. 6B illustrates a setting where the set screw 190 is adjusted to position an inner portion 110_i of the shield 110 closer to the handlebar (not shown) than an outer portion 110_o. FIG. 6C illustrates a setting where the set screw 190 is adjusted to position the outer portion 110_o of the shield 110 closer to the handlebar (not shown) than the inner portion 110_i.

FIG. 7 is a simplified force diagram illustrating an external force F_E applied to the outer portion 110_o of the shield 110, wherein the external force F_E has a greater moment than the second force F₂ applied by the set screw 190. When this is the case, the outer portion 110_o of the shield 110 will pivot forward such that the set screw 190 no longer contacts the shield 110. In other words, referring back to FIG. 2, when an external force is applied, the shield 110 pivots from a first position 110a to a second position 110b.

With continued reference to both FIG. 2 and FIG. 7, in one embodiment the shield 110 returns to the first position 110a when the external force F_E is removed. In another embodiment, the arm 120 includes a latch, a notch, or another known retaining mechanism (not shown) to keep the shield 110 in the second position 110b after the external force F_E is removed. In this embodiment, the shield 110 returns to the first position 110a when an additional force is applied to the outer portion of the shield 110, in a direction opposite that of the external force F_E.

The external force F_E may be applied by various sources. For example, if the vehicle falls down while traveling uphill, the vehicle may slide backwards down the hill. In this instance, the ground applies the external force F_E. In another example, if the vehicle collides with an object, the rider may be thrown forward from the vehicle and the rider may strike the outer portion 110_o of the shield 110, thereby applying an external force F_E. In yet another example, the outer portion 110_o of the shield 110 may strike an object while the vehicle is traveling in reverse. In another example, debris or other foreign objects may strike the outer portion 110_o of the shield 110 from the rear.

By pivoting to a second position 110b, the shield 110 absorbs impacts without suffering as much damage as it otherwise would. Further, when the shield 110 pivots, more space is created between the shield 110 and the handlebar H, thereby creating more clearance for a rider to remove his hand from the handlebar H.

While the present application has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the application, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative apparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.