HANDLEBAR MOUNT ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A handlebar mount assembly for isolating a cycle handlebar from vibrations emanating from operation of a cycle, the assembly including a bottom bracket assembly configured for attachment to a cycle steering mechanism, a top bracket assembly configured for attachment to the bottom bracket assembly, a pair of polymer sleeves configured for placement around the handlebar, a tension clamp configured for clamping the handlebar and a clamp bushing configured for placement between the tension clamp and the top bracket assembly. The sleeves prevent direct contact between the top bracket assembly and the bottom bracket assembly, and the bushing prevents direct contact between the tension clamp and the top bracket assembly. In this manner, the handlebar mount assembly prevents direct and indirect contact of the steering mechanism to the handlebar through the metal components of the handlebar mount assembly.

Claims

1. A cycle handlebar mount comprising: a top bracket assembly, a bottom bracket assembly, and a cycle handlebar about which an elastomeric first sleeve, an elastomeric second sleeve and a tension clamp assembly are disposed, the cycle handlebar being operatively coupled between the top bracket assembly and the bottom bracket assembly, wherein the cycle handlebar and the tension clamp assembly do not directly contact the top bracket assembly or the bottom bracket assembly.

2. The cycle handlebar mount of claim 1 wherein the first sleeve and the second sleeve are compressed between the top bracket assembly and the bottom bracket assembly.

3. The cycle handlebar mount of claim 1 comprising a bushing compressed between the tension clamp assembly and the top bracket assembly.

4. The cycle handlebar mount of claim 3 wherein the bushing is located within a void defined in part by an inner surface of the top bracket assembly.

5. The cycle handlebar mount of claim 3 wherein the void is defined by a periphery of an opening extending through an upper wall of the top bracket assembly.

6. The cycle handlebar mount of claim 1 wherein the tension clamp assembly includes a top clamp portion, a bottom clamp portion and one or more clamp fasteners coupling the top clamp portion to the bottom clamp portion, at least one of the one or more clamp fasteners having a head portion extending within a void defined by a periphery of an opening extending through an upper wall of the top bracket assembly, and wherein a bushing is disposed between the head portion and the periphery of the opening.

7. The cycle handlebar mount of claim 1 wherein the tension clamp assembly includes a top clamp portion, a bottom clamp portion and a vertically extending clamp arm extending within a void defined in part by a depression within an inner surface of a top wall of the top bracket assembly, and wherein a bushing is disposed about the clamp arm and between the clamp arm and the inner surface of the top wall.

8. A method of installing a cycle handlebar to a cycle steering mechanism comprising: attaching a bottom bracket to the cycle steering mechanism, disposing an elastomeric first sleeve and an elastomeric second sleeve about the cycle handlebar, clamping a tension clamp assembly about the cycle handlebar and between the first sleeve and the second sleeve, and placing the cycle handlebar in the bottom bracket with the first sleeve and the second sleeve being in contact with the bottom bracket and the cycle handlebar and the tension clamp assembly being spaced apart from the bottom bracket, and attaching the a top bracket to the bottom bracket with the first sleeve and the second sleeve being compressed between the bottom bracket and the top bracket and the cycle handlebar and the tension clamp assembly being spaced apart from the top bracket.

9. The method of claim 8 comprising placing a bushing between the tension clamp assembly and the top bracket.

10. The method of claim 9 comprising placing the bushing within a void defined at least in part by the top bracket.

11. The method of claim 9 comprising placing the bushing about a tension clamp assembly fastener which extends into the void so that the bushing extends to and between the fastener and the top bracket.

12. The method of claim 9 comprising placing the bushing about a tension clamp assembly arm which extends into the void so that the bushing extends to and between the fastener and the top bracket.

13. A cycle handlebar mounting kit comprising: a tension clamp including a top clamp portion and a bottom clamp portion, the top clamp portion and the bottom clamp portion being configured for receiving and clamping a cycle handlebar therebetween, a first bottom bracket including a base portion, a substantially U-shaped portion having a front flange portion and rear flange portion and a central opening extending through the base portion and the substantially U-shaped portion, the first bottom bracket being configured for attachment to a motorcycle steering mechanism, a top bracket having a substantially U-shaped portion, a rear flange portion, a front first flange portion, a front second flange portion and an open front slot located between the first and second flange portion, an elastomeric first sleeve configured for disposal around a cycle handlebar, an elastomeric second sleeve configured for disposal around the cycle handlebar, and a bushing.

14. The kit of claim 13 comprising one or more clamp fasteners configured for coupling the top clamp portion to the bottom clamp portion, at least one of the one or more clamp fasteners having a head portion configured for extending within a void defined by a periphery of an opening extending through an upper wall of the top bracket, wherein the bushing is configured for placement about the head portion and between the head portion and the upper wall.

15. The kit of claim 13 wherein the top clamp portion includes an integral, vertically extending clamp arm configured for extending within a void defined at least in part by an upper wall of the top bracket assembly and wherein the bushing is configured for placement about the clamp arm and between the clamp arm and the upper wall.

16. The kit of claim 13 wherein the top clamp portion and the bottom clamp portion are hingedly coupled to one another.

17. The kit of claim 13 comprising a second a bottom bracket including a base portion, a substantially U-shaped portion having a front flange portion and rear flange portion and a central opening extending through the base portion and the substantially U-shaped portion, the second bottom bracket being configured for attachment to a motorcycle steering mechanism,

18. The kit of claim 17 wherein the first bottom bracket and the second bottom bracket for a single, integral bracket.

19. The kit of claim of claim 17 including first bolts configured for coupling the top bracket to the bottom bracket, second bolts configured for clamping the tension clamp around the cycle handlebar and third bolts configured for coupling the first bottom bracket to the cycle steering mechanism.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Furthermore, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a handlebar mount in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 2 is rear perspective view of the handlebar mount of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a handlebar sleeve of the handlebar mount of FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a side of a tension clamp of the handlebar mount of FIG.

[0019] FIG. 5 is an elevational view of an end of the tension clamp of FIG. 4.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a plan view of an inner surface of an upper portion of the tension clamp of FIG. 4.

[0021] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a clamp bushing of the handlebar mount of FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a side of a bottom bracket of the handlebar mount of FIG.

[0023] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the bottom bracket of FIG. 8.

[0024] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the bottom bracket of FIG. 8.

[0025] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a top bracket of the handlebar mount of FIG. 1.

[0026] FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the top bracket of FIG. 11.

[0027] FIG. 13 is an elevational view of a side of the top bracket of FIG. 11.

[0028] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the handlebar mount of FIG. 1.

[0029] FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of a handlebar mount in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 16 is rear perspective view of the handlebar mount of FIG. 15.

[0031] FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a top clamp member of a hinged clamp of the handlebar mount of FIG. 15.

[0032] FIG. 18 is a rear perspective view of the top clamp member of FIG. 17.

[0033] FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of a bottom clamp member of the hinged clamp of the handlebar mount of FIG. 15.

[0034] FIG. 20 is a rear perspective view of the bottom clamp member of FIG. 19.

[0035] FIG. 21 is an elevational view of a side of the top clamp member of FIG. 17.

[0036] FIG. 22 is an elevational view of a side of the bottom clamp member of FIG. 19.

[0037] FIG. 23 is a top plan view of the top clamp member of FIG. 17.

[0038] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a bottom bracket of the handlebar mount of FIG. 15.

[0039] FIG. 25 is an elevational view of a side of the bottom bracket of FIG. 24.

[0040] FIG. 26 is a top plan view of the bottom bracket of FIG. 24.

[0041] FIG. 27 is a bottom plan view of the bottom bracket of FIG. 24.

[0042] FIG. 28 is a front perspective view of a top bracket of the handlebar mount of FIG. 15

[0043] FIG. 29 is an elevational view of a side of the top bracket of FIG. 28.

[0044] FIG. 30 is a top plan view of the top bracket of FIG. 28.

[0045] FIG. 31 is a bottom plan view of the top bracket of FIG. 28.

[0046] FIG. 32 is an exploded perspective view of the handlebar mount of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] FIGS. 1 through 14 depict a cycle handlebar mount 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 15 through 32 depict a cycle handlebar mount 100 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. Mounts 10 and 100 are utilized to couple a handlebar 11 to a motorcycle steering mechanism 13 while damping the transmission of vibrations from the cycle steering mechanism to the cycle handlebar. Before the present articles, devices, and/or methods are disclosed and described in detail, it is to be understood that they are not limited to specific methods unless otherwise specified, and as such may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology as used herein is used only for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting.

[0048] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, mount 10 generally includes bottom brackets 12, a top bracket 14, a pair of sleeves 16, a tension clamp 18 and a clamp bushing 20. Referring to FIG. 3, each of sleeves 16 forms a cylinder and is fabricated from an elastomeric polymer. Suitable polymers from which sleeves 16 can be fabricated include asphaltics, polyurethanes, poly(vinyl acetate) and copolymers, acrylics, natural rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber and silicone rubber. Sleeves 16 are configured for wrapping directly around handlebar 11. The hardness of the sleeves and clamp bushing may vary depending on the desired stiffness of the coupling of the handlebar to the cycle.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 4 through 6, tension clamp 18 includes an upper portion 36 having an inner, half-cylinder surface 37 and a lower portion 38 having an inner, half cylinder surface 39. Each of upper portion 36 and lower portion 38 has opposing wing portions 40 with two adjacent, threaded bolts holes 41 for receiving threaded bolts. Portions 36, 38 are configured for receiving and clamping handlebar 11 within respective inner, half-cylinder surfaces 37, 39. By clamping it is meant that portions 36 and 38 hold or secure the handlebar tightly therebetween to prevent movement of the handlebar through the application of inward pressure against the handlebar, which is selectively increased or decreased by tightening or loosening the bolts, as required.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 7, clamp bushing 20 includes an elongate polymer member, with rounded corners, having pair of adjacent openings 42 therethrough. Openings 42 are configured for receiving and completely surrounding the heads of the pair of bolts used to clamp tension clamp 18 to handlebar 11. Clamp bushing 20 is fabricated from an elastomeric polymer. Suitable polymers from which clamp bushing 20 can be fabricated include asphaltics, polyurethanes, poly(vinyl acetate) and copolymers, acrylics, natural rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber and silicone rubber.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 8 through 10, each of bottom brackets 12 has a substantially Y-shaped cross-section, a half-cylinder, inner surface 44, a stem portion 46, a bolt hole 48 extending through stem portion 46 and through inner surface 44, and opposing arms 50 through which a pair of adjacent bolt holes 52 extend. A bolt head space 54 is provided within bolt hole 48 for entirely receiving the head of a bolt. Stem portion 46 and bolt hole 48 are configured for attaching bottom bracket 12 to motorcycle steering mechanism 13. A pair of bottom brackets 12 is attached to motorcycle steering mechanism 13 with a bracket 12 located on either side of tension clamp 18.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 11 through 13, top bracket 14 includes a front face 56, a rear face 58, a top face 59 and a half-cylinder, bottom face 60. Top face 59 has a flat portion 61 extending from rear face 58 and an angled portion 62 which extends downwardly from flat portion 61 towards front face 56. Extending from bottom face 60 through a central portion of the flat portion of top face 59 and adjacent to rear face 58 is an elongate opening 64. Adjacent to each end of elongate opening 64 is a bolt hole 66 arranged to receive two bolts. Formed within front face 56 is an elongate open slot or indentation 68. Located adjacent to each end of indentation 68 is a pair of bolts holes 70. Top bracket 14 is configured for attaching to the pair of bottom brackets 12 and thereby clamping handlebar 11 between the bottom brackets and the upper bracket.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 14, bottom brackets 12 are attached to motorcycle steering mechanism 13 by inserting threaded bolts 71 through threaded bolt hole 48 of each bottom bracket 12 and complementary bolts holes 72 in steering mechanism 13. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 14, tension clamp 18 is attached to a center of handlebar 11 by placing the handle bar between the inner, half-cylinder surfaces 37, 39 of upper and lower portions 36, 38, aligning the threaded bolt holes of the wing portions 40 of the upper portion 36 with the lower portion 38 and threading bolts 73 through passageways 41. With tension clamp 18 in place, each end of handlebar 11 is inserted through a sleeve 16, and each sleeve 16 is slid along handlebar 11 until resting adjacent to tension clamp 18.

[0054] With sleeves 16 and tension clamp 18 securely attached to handlebar 11, handlebar 11 is placed over steering mechanism 13 and sleeves 16 aligned with bottom brackets 12. Handlebar 11 is then lowered so that sleeves 16 are received within the inner surfaces 44 of bottom brackets 12.

[0055] With handlebar 11 seated within bottom brackets 12, top bracket 14 is positioned over handle bar 11 and bottom brackets 12 and threaded bolts 75 are inserted through bolt holes 66 and 70. The threaded bolts 75 are aligned with complimentary threaded bolt holes 52 in bottom bracket 12, elongate opening 64 is aligned with one of the pair of adjacent bolt heads of the bolts 73 used to attach the upper and lower portions 36, 38 of tension clamp 18 and indentation 86 is aligned with the other pair of adjacent bolt heads of the bolts 73 used to attach the upper and lower portions 36, 38 of tension clamp 18. With the foregoing portions aligned, top bracket 14 is lowered with sleeves 16 being sandwiched between the inner half-cylinder surfaces 44 of the bottom brackets 12 and half cylinder surface 60 of the top bracket 14. With handlebar 11 secured between top bracket 14 and bottom bracket 12, clamp bushing 20 is positioned above elongate opening 64 with openings 42 aligned with the bolts heads of bolts 73 located within elongate opening 64. Clamp bushing 20 is then lowered and placed over the bolt heads so that the bolts heads are located within opening 42 of clamp bushing 20. Clamp bushing is used to prevent direct contact of the bolt heads to top bracket 14, while allowing indirect interaction between the bolt heads and tension clamp 18 with top bracket 14.

[0056] Mount 10, assembled as described above, serves to isolate handlebar 11 from steering mechanism 13 by preventing a completely rigid coupling of handlebar 11 to the steering mechanism. Instead, rigid couplings are replaced with flexible coupling by virtue of sleeves 16 and clamp bushing 20. Sleeves 16 prevent direct contact between the top bracket and the bottom bracket\, and the bushing prevents direct contact between the tension clamp and the top bracket. In this manner, the handlebar mount assembly prevents direct and indirect contact of the steering mechanism to the handlebar through the metal components of the handlebar mount assembly.

[0057] FIGS. 15 through 32 depict cycle handlebar mount 100. As illustrated in FIGS. 15, 16 and 32, mount 100 generally includes a one-piece bottom bracket 112, a top bracket 114, a pair of sleeves 116, a hinged tension clamp 118 and a clamp bushing 120. Each of sleeves 116 forms a cylinder and is fabricated from an elastomeric polymer such as asphaltics, polyurethanes, poly(vinyl acetate) and copolymers, acrylics, natural rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber and silicone rubber. Sleeves 116 are configured for wrapping directly around handlebar 11.

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 17 through 22, hinged tension clamp 118 includes an upper portion 136 having an inner, half-cylinder surface 137 and a lower portion 138 having an inner, half cylinder surface 137. Each of upper portion 136 and lower portion 138 has a wing portion 140 having two adjacent, threaded bolts holes 141 for receiving threaded bolts. Opposite each wing portion 140 is a hinge mechanism for hingedly coupling upper portion 136 with lower portion 138. In particular, upper portion 136 includes a pair of spaced-apart cylinders 139 having aligned passageways 141. The space between cylinders 139 is configured to receive a pivot member 143 of lower portion 138 having a passageway 145 therethrough that aligns with passageways 141. A pin 147 is inserted through passageways 141 and passageway 145 thereby hingedly coupling upper and lower portions 136, 138. Protruding upwardly from a central portion of the top surface of the upper portion 136 is a clamp arm 149. Portions 136, 138 are configured for receiving and clamping handlebar 11 within the respective inner, half-cylinder surfaces 137.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 32, clamp bushing 120 includes an elongate polymer member, with rounded corners, having an opening 142 therethrough. Opening 142 is configured for receiving and completely surrounding clamp arm 149 of clamp tension clamp 118 to handlebar 11. Clamp bushing 120 is fabricated from a polymer such asphaltics, polyurethanes, poly(vinyl acetate) and copolymers, acrylics, natural rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber and silicone rubber.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 24 through 27, bottom bracket 112 includes a pair of bracket members 113 connected by a bridge member 115, each of members having a substantially Y-shaped cross-section, a half-cylinder, inner surface 144, a stem portion 146, a bolt hole 148 extending through stem portion 146 and through inner surface 144, and opposing arms 150 through which a pair of adjacent bolt holes 152 extend. A bolt head space 154 is provided within bolt hole 148 for receiving the head of a bolt. Stem portion 146 and bolt hole 148 are configured for attaching bottom bracket 112 to motorcycle steering mechanism 13. A bracket member 113 of bottom brackets 112 is attached to motorcycle steering mechanism 13 on either side of hinged tension clamp 118.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 28 through 31, top bracket 114 includes a front face 156, a rear face 158, a top face 159 and a half-cylinder, bottom face 160. Top face 159 has an uppermost flat portion 161 from which curved surfaces 162 and 163 extend toward front face 156 and rear face 158, respectively. Curved surface 163 terminates in an elongate footing 157 having two pairs of bolt holes 165 located at opposing ends of footing 157. Formed within bottom face 160 is an elongate indention 164. Formed within front face 156 is a rectangular-shaped, elongate indentation 168. Located adjacent to each end of indentation 168 is a pair of bolts holes 170. Top bracket 114 is configured for attaching to bottom bracket 112 and thereby clamping handlebar 11 between the bottom bracket and the upper bracket.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 32, bottom bracket 112 is attached to motorcycle steering mechanism 13 by inserting threaded bolts 171 through threaded bolt hole 148 of bottom bracket and complementary bolts holes 172 in the steering mechanism. Extension sleeves 175 can be used if it is desired to increase the distance between handlebar 11 and steering mechanism 13. Referring to FIGS. 15 and 31, tension clamp 118 is attached to a center of handlebar 11 by hingedly coupling upper and lower portions 136, 136 together by aligning passageways 141 with passageway 145 and inserting pin 147 therethrough. Thereafter, the handle bar is placed between the inner, half-cylinder surfaces 137 of upper and lower portions 136, 138, the threaded bolt holes of the wing portions 140 of the upper portion 136 are aligned with the lower portion 138 and bolts 173 are threaded through passageways 41. With tension clamp 18 in place, each end of handlebar 11 is inserted through a sleeve 116, and each sleeve 116 is slid along handlebar 11 until resting adjacent to tension clamp 118.

[0063] With sleeves 116 and tension clamp 118 securely attached to handlebar 11, handlebar 11 is placed over steering mechanism 13 and sleeves 116 aligned with respective bracket members 113 of bottom brackets 112. Handlebar 11 is then lowered so that a sleeve 116 is received within the inner surface 144 of each bracket member 113 of bottom brackets 112.

[0064] With handlebar 11 seated within bottom bracket 112, bushing 120 is placed about clamp arm 149 and top bracket 114 is positioned over handle bar 11 and bottom bracket 112 and threaded bolts 175 are inserted through bolt holes 165 and 170. The threaded bolts 175 are aligned with complimentary threaded bolt holes 152 in bottom bracket 112, elongate indentation 164 is aligned with bushing 120 and clamp arm 149 of tension clamp 118 and indentation 186 is aligned with the bolt heads of the bolts 173 used to attach the upper and lower portions 136, 138 of tension clamp 118. With the foregoing portions aligned, top bracket 114 is lowered with sleeves 116 being sandwiched between the inner half-cylinder surfaces 144 of the bottom brackets 112 and half cylinder surface 160 of the top bracket 114. With top and bottom brackets 114, 112 fully engaged, clamp arm 149, including the upper end thereof, is spaced apart from top bracket 114 so that a space is formed therebetween. Clamp bushing 120 is located within the space and compressed by and between clamp arm 149 with the sidewalls top bracket 144 which define indentation 186.

[0065] Mount 100, assembled as described above, serves to isolate handlebar 11 from steering mechanism 13 by preventing a completely rigid coupling of handlebar 11 to the steering mechanism. Instead, rigid couplings are replaced with flexible coupling by virtue of sleeves 116 and clamp bushing 120.