Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a handlebar assembly of a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to handlebar assembly having a slidable handlebar.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Currently, in a segment of saddle type vehicles, rider/user of the vehicle cannot switch between a racing mode and a touring mode. For a rider to experience both the racing mode and touring mode, different vehicles need to be bought. This results in more expense and creates a need for a single vehicle to give racing as well as touring experiences. Also, while riding the vehicle, the rider may feel comfortable in one position at one moment. However, after some time, the same position may not be comfortable due to changes in road condition and comfort of the rider of the vehicle.
[003] Prior arts discloses vehicles with fixed handles bars. The fixed handlebars of the vehicle poses several limitations. First, in vehicles having fixed handlebars, positioning of the handlebars is sub-optimal. Second, the fixed position of handlebars, even if comfortable at start of a ride, can become uncomfortable after long hours on the road or owing to an injury, illness, weight gain or a variety of other changes in condition of the rider over a period of time. Also, the same vehicle is driven by multiple riders having different physical characteristics such as height, weight etc. A fixed handlebar position in a vehicle may be comfortable for some riders and the same vehicle may be uncomfortable for the other riders.
[004] In view thereof, there is a need-felt to overcome at least the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[005] In one aspect of the present invention, a handlebar assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The handlebar assembly comprises a handlebar. The handlebar is connected to a suspension assembly to selectively and slidably move the handlebar in a first direction.
[006] In an embodiment, the handlebar assembly comprises a left guide member and a right guide member. The left guide member is an elongated member adapted to be mounted on a left front fork of the suspension assembly of the vehicle and the right guide member is an elongated member adapted to be mounted on a right front fork of the suspension assembly of the vehicle. The left guide member and the right guide member are adapted to fixedly receive an upper triple clamp of the vehicle and slidably receive a handlebar of the vehicle. The handlebar comprises a handlebar holder. The handlebar holder extends in a lateral direction of the vehicle. The handlebar holder comprises a left end portion and a right end portion. The handlebar holder is adapted to be received on the left guide member and the right guide member. The handlebar holder slides along a length of the left guide member and the right guide member. The handlebar assembly further comprises a height adjusting member. The height adjusting member comprises a base member and a linear actuator disposed on the base member. The base member is adapted to be fixedly mounted on the left front fork and the right front fork. The linear actuator is operably connected to the handlebar holder for linear movement of the handlebar holder along the length of the left guide member and the right guide member in the first direction of the vehicle. The extent of movement of the handlebar holder along the first direction of the vehicle is directly proportional to a stroke length of a rod of the linear actuator.
[007] In an embodiment, the handlebar holder comprises a left sliding member and a right sliding member. The left sliding member extends downwardly from the left end portion of the handlebar holder and the right sliding member extends downwardly form the right end portion of the handlebar holder. Each of the left sliding member and the right sliding member comprises an aperture to receive the left guide member and the right guide member.
[008] In an embodiment, the base member of the height adjusting member comprises a left mounting portion and a right mounting portion. Each of the left mounting portion and the right mounting portion also comprises an aperture to receive the left front fork and the right front fork. The linear actuator is provided between the left mounting portion and the right mounting portion.
[009] In an embodiment, the base member of the height adjusting member is supported on a lower triple clamp of the vehicle. The lower triple clamp is supported on the left front fork and the right front fork.
[010] In an embodiment, the left end portion of the handlebar holder is adapted to detachably receive a left handlebar tube and the right end portion of the handlebar holder is adapted to detachably receive a right handlebar tube.
[011] In an embodiment, the left end portion of the handle bar holder is integrally formed with a left handle bar tube and the right end portion of the handlebar holder is integrally formed with a right handle bar tube.
[012] In an embodiment, the linear actuator comprises a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism is configured to arrest the movement of the rod of the linear actuator at plurality of positions.
[013] In an embodiment, the handle holder comprises a switch operably connected with the height adjusting member. The switch is configured to control the movement of the rod in the first direction of the vehicle.
[014] In another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle comprises a suspension assembly and handlebar assembly having a construction as discussed in the preceding paragraphs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[015] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a handlebar assembly without a linear actuator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the handlebar assembly with the linear actuator, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the handlebar assembly , in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4a illustrates a front perspective view of a top portion of the handlebar assembly, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4b illustrates a rear perspective view of the top portion of the handlebar assembly, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates an exploded view of the top portion of the handlebar assembly, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6a and Figure 6b are top perspective view and bottom perspective view of an upper triple clamp, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a handlebar holder, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8a and Figure 8b are perspective views of a left guiding member and a right guiding member, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9a and Figure 9b are side perspective views of a left sliding member and a right sliding member with a left guiding member and a right guiding member, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9c and Figure 9d are top perspective views of a left sliding member and a right sliding member sliding with a left guiding member and a right guiding member, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 10a and Figure 10b are bottom perspective view and top perspective view of a sliding member, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 11 illustrates a height adjusting member without a linear actuator, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 12 illustrates an actuator of a height adjusting member, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 13a and Figure 13b illustrate top views of the handlebar assembly, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 14 illustrate a sectional view of the handlebar assembly cut along line A-A as shown in Figure 13a, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 15a, Figure 15b and Figure 15c illustrate a right side view, front view and the left side view of the handlebar assembly, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 16 illustrates a sectional view of the handlebar assembly cut along line B-B as shown in Figure 15b, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[016] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder.
[017] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a handlebar assembly without a linear actuator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the handlebar assembly with the linear actuator, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the handlebar assembly, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[018] For the purpose of the present invention, the term “vehicle” comprises any vehicle provided with a handlebar assembly and a suspension assembly such as, not being limited to motorcycles. The term “vehicle” also comprises, not being limited to, conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles.
[019] Furthermore, for the purposes of the present invention, a lateral axis (L1-L1) refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the saddle type vehicle, defining a vehicle lateral. Arrows provided in the top right corner of figures depicts direction with respect to the saddle type vehicle, wherein an arrow F denotes front direction, an arrow R indicates rearward direction, an arrow Rt denotes right direction, an arrow Lt denotes left direction, as and where applicable.
[020] As shown, the handlebar assembly comprises a handlebar 109 (as shown in Figure 7) connected to a suspension assembly to selectively and slidably move the handlebar 109 in a first direction F1-F1. For the purposes of the present invention, the first direction F1-F1 is a direction towards a rider of the vehicle and away from the rider of the vehicle. In other words, the handlebar 109 can slidably move in a direction towards a rider of the vehicle and away from the rider of the vehicle.
[021] The handlebar assembly comprises a left guide member 102, a right guide member 104, the handlebar 109 and a height adjusting member 120. As shown, the left guide member 102 is an elongated member adapted to be mounted on a left front fork 106 of the suspension assembly and the right guide member 104 is an elongated member adapted to be mounted on a right front fork 108 of the suspension assembly. In a non-limiting example, the left guide member 102 and the right guide member 104 are hollow structures having an inner diameter slightly greater than outside diameter of the left front fork 106 and the right front fork 108 so that the left guide member 102 and the right guide member 104 can be telescopically fitted onto the left front fork 106 and the right front fork 108. The left guide member 102 and the right guide member 104 are adapted to receive an upper triple clamp 126 of the vehicle. It is to be understood that the shape of the left guide member 104 and the right guide member 108 corresponds to the shape of the left front fork 106 and the right front fork 108.
[022] The handlebar 109 of the handlebar assembly comprises a handlebar holder 110. The handlebar holder 110 extends in the lateral direction L1-L1 of the vehicle. The handlebar holder 110 comprises a left end portion 112 and a right end portion 114. The handlebar holder 110 is adapted to be received on the left guide member 102 and the right guide member 104. The handlebar holder 110 is adapted to slide along a length of the left guide member 102 and the right guide member 104. As shown, the handlebar holder 110 comprises a left sliding member 128 and a right sliding member 130. The left sliding member 128 extends downwardly from the left end portion 112 of the handlebar holder 110 and the right sliding member 130 extends downwardly form the right end portion 114 of the handlebar holder 110. Each of the left sliding member 128 and the right sliding member 130 comprises an aperture to receive the left guide member 102 and the right guide member 104.
[023] The handlebar assembly further comprises a height adjusting member 120. The height adjusting member 120 comprises a base member 122 and a linear actuator 124 disposed on the base member 122. The base member 122 is adapted to be mounted on the left front fork 106 and the right front fork 108 of the suspension assembly. The linear actuator 124 is operably connected to the handlebar holder 110 for linear movement of the handlebar holder 110 along the left guide member 102 and the right guide member 104 in the first direction F1-F1 of the vehicle. The extent of movement of the handlebar holder 110 along the first direction F1-F1 of the vehicle is directly proportional to a stroke length of a rod 124a of the linear actuator 124.
[024] As can be seen, the base member 122 of the height adjusting member 120 is supported on a lower triple clamp 127 of the vehicle. The lower triple clamp 127 is supported on the left front fork 106 and the right front fork 108 of the suspension assembly.
[025] Figure 4a illustrates a front perspective view of a top portion of the handlebar assembly, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4b illustrates a rear perspective view of the top portion of the handlebar assembly, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 illustrates an exploded view of the top portion of the handlebar assembly, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[026] As can be seen, the left sliding member 128 extends downwardly from the left end portion 112 of the handlebar holder 110 and the right sliding member 130 extends downwardly form the right end portion 114 of the handlebar holder 110. Each of the left sliding member 128 and the right sliding member 130 comprises an aperture to receive the left guide member 102 and the right guide member 104. In a non-limiting example, the left sliding member 128 and the right sliding member 130 are detachably attached to the left end portion 112 and the right end portion 114 of the handlebar holder 110 respectively. In a non-limiting example, the left sliding member 128 and the right sliding member 130 are integrally formed with left end portion 112 and the right end portion 114 of the handlebar holder 110 respectively. As can be seen, the left sliding member 128 and the right sliding member 130 are adapted to slide on the left guide member 102 and the right guide member 104. Also, the upper triple clamp 126 comprises a left clamping region 126a adapted to be fitted on the left guide member 102 and the right clamping region 126b adapted to be fitted on the right guide member 104.
[027] Figure 6a and Figure 6b are top perspective view and bottom perspective view of an upper triple clamp 126, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[028] As can be seen, the upper triple clamp 126 comprises the left clamping region 126a, the right clamping region 126b and a middle clamping region 126c. The middle clamping region 126c is adapted to receive a portion of the steering assembly (not shown) of the vehicle. The left clamping region 126a is adapted to clamp the left guide member 102 and the right clamping region 126b is adapted to clamp the right guide member 104.
[029] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a handlebar holder 110, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[030] As already stated, the handlebar holder 110 extends in the lateral direction L1-L1 of the vehicle. The handlebar holder 110 comprises the left end portion 112 and the right end portion 114. The left end portion 112 is adapted to receive the left sliding member 128 and the right end portion 114 is adapted to receive the right sliding member 130. The left sliding member 128 and the right sliding member 130 of the handlebar holder 110 are adapted to slide on the left guide member 102 and the right guide member 104 of the handlebar assembly. In an embodiment, the left end portion 112 of the handlebar holder 110 is adapted to detachably receive a left handlebar tube 116 and the right end portion 114 of the handlebar holder 110 is adapted to detachably receive a right handlebar tube 118. In an embodiment, the left end portion 112 of the handle bar holder 110 is integrally formed with a left handle bar tube 116 and the right end portion 114 of the handlebar holder 110 is integrally formed with a right handle bar tube 118.
[031] Figure 8a and Figure 8b are perspective views of a left guide member 102 and a right guide member 104, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[032] As can be seen, the left guide member 102 and the right guide member 104 are elongated hollow structure and correspond to the shape of the left front fork 106 and the right front fork 108 of the suspension assembly. The lower end of the left guide member 102 and the right guide member 104 are detachably fitted onto the left front fork 106 and the right front fork 108. The upper end of the left guide member 102 and the right guide member 104 are adapted to receive the upper triple clamp 126 of the vehicle. Also, the left sliding member 128 and the right sliding member 130 of the handlebar holder 110 are adapted to slide along the length of the left guide member 102 and the right guide member 104.
[033] As can be clearly seen, the left guide member 102 and the right guide member 104 have plurality of projections P1. The left sliding member 128 and the right sliding member 130 have corresponding depressions S1 which facilitate guiding of the left sliding member 128 and the right sliding member 130 onto projections P1 of the left guide member 102 and the right guide member 104.
[034] Figure 9a and Figure 9b are side perspective views of a left sliding member 128 and a right sliding member 130 with a left guide member 102 and a right guide member 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9c and Figure 9d are top perspective views of a left sliding member 128 and a right sliding member 130 sliding with a left guide member 102 and a right guide member 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10a and Figure 10b are bottom perspective view and top perspective view of a sliding member 128, 130, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[035] As can be seen, the left sliding member 128 and the right sliding member 130 are adapted to be received on the left guide member 102 and the right guide member 104. The left sliding member 128 and the right sliding member 130 comprises depressions S1 corresponding to projections P1 on left guide member 102 and the right guide member 104 which facilitates sliding of the left sliding member 128 and the right sliding member 130 along a length of left guide member 102 and the right guide member 104 in the first direction F1-F1 of the vehicle.
[036] Figure 11 illustrates a height adjusting member 120 without a linear actuator 124, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[037] The height adjusting member 120 comprises a base member 122 and a linear actuator 124 (shown in Figure 12) disposed on the base member 122. The base member 122 is adapted to be mounted on the left front fork 106 and the right front fork 108. The base member 122 of the height adjusting member 120 comprises a left mounting portion 122a and a right mounting portion 122b. Each of the left mounting portion 122a and the right mounting portion 122b also comprises an aperture to receive the left front fork 106 and the right front fork 108. The linear actuator 124 is provided between the left mounting portion 122a and the right mounting portion 122b. In an embodiment, the base member 122 of the height adjusting member 120 is supported on the lower triple clamp 127 of the vehicle.
[038] Figure 12 illustrates a linear actuator 124 of a height adjusting member 120, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[039] The linear actuator 124 is operably connected to the handlebar holder 100 for linear movement of the handlebar holder 100 along the left guide member 102 and the right guide member 104 in the first direction F1-F1 of the vehicle. The extent of movement of the handlebar holder 110 along the first direction F1-F1 of the vehicle is directly proportional to a stroke length of a rod 124a of the linear actuator 124. In an embodiment, the linear actuator 124 comprises a lock mechanism (not shown). The lock mechanism is configured to arrest the movement of the rod 124a of the linear actuator 124 at plurality of pre-defined positions.
[040] Figure 13a and Figure 13b illustrate top views of the handlebar assembly, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 14 illustrate a sectional view of the handlebar assembly cut along line A-A as shown in Figure 13a, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[041] As can be clearly seen, the right end portion 114 of the handlebar holder 110 is detachably attached to the right sliding member 130 of the handlebar holder 110 by means of one or more first fasteners B1. Similarly, although not shown, the left end portion 112 of the handlebar holder 110 is detachably attached to the left sliding member 128 of the handlebar holder 110 by means of one or more fasteners.
[042] Figure 15a, Figure 15b and Figure 15c illustrate a right side view, front view and the left side view of the handlebar assembly, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 16 illustrates a sectional view of the handlebar assembly cut along line B-B as shown in Figure 15b, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[001] As can be clearly seen, the rod 124a of the linear actuator 124 is fastened to the handlebar holder 110 by means of one or more second fasteners B2 to lock the handlebar holder at plurality of different positions.
[002] In an embodiment, the handle holder 110 comprises a switch operably connected with the height adjusting member 120. The switch is configured to control the movement of the rod 124a in the first direction of the vehicle. The switch may be disposed on other locations of the vehicle which are easily accessible to the rider of the vehicle while riding.
[003] The claimed features/method steps of the present invention as discussed above are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed features enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Specifically, the technical problem of fixed handlebar which may lead to discomfort to the rider of the vehicle, is solved by present invention.
[004] In the present invention, the height of the handlebar is varied by a single actuator and is guided by left guide member and the right guide member mounted on to the left and right front forks. The left guide member and the right guard member can be easily mounted on the left front fork and the right front fork of the suspension assembly allowing retrofitting of the handlebar assembly in different vehicles.
[005] The present invention allows the rider to adjust the handlebar height based on the rider’s comfort. The adjustment in height of the handlebar results in ergonomic change which can be inferred as shifting between different riding modes. This features enhances the riding experience for the customers as it is catering customer of different anthropometries in a single motorcycle.
[006] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

List of Reference Numerals
102-left guide member
104-right guide member
106- left front fork
108- right front fork
109- handle bar
110-handle bar holder
112- left end portion of the handle bar holder
114- right end portion of the handle bar holder
116- left handlebar tube
118- right handle bar tube
120- height adjusting member
122- base member
122a- left mounting portion
122b- right mounting portion
124- linear actuator
124a- rod of the linear actuator
126- upper triple clamp
126a- left clamping region
126b-right clamping region
126c- middle clamping region
127- lower triple clamp
128- left sliding member
130- right sliding member
P1- Projections
S1-depressions
B1-First Fasteners
B2- Second fasteners
F1-F1- first direction
L1-L1- lateral direction , Claims:WE CLAIM:

1. A handlebar assembly for a vehicle comprising a handlebar (109), the handlebar (109) being connected to a suspension assembly to selectively and slidably move the handlebar (110) in a first direction (F1-F1).

2. The handlebar assembly as claimed in claim 1 comprising: a left guide member (102) and a right guide member (104), the left guide member (102) being an elongated member adapted to be mounted on a left front fork (106) of the vehicle and the right guide member (104) being an elongated member adapted to be mounted on a right front fork (108) of the vehicle.

3. The handlebar assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the handlebar (109) comprises a handlebar holder (110), the handlebar holder (110) extending in a lateral direction (L1-L1) of the vehicle and having a left end portion (112) and a right end portion (114), the handle bar holder (110) adapted to be received on the left guide member (102) and the right guide member (104) and slide along a length of the left guide member (102) and the right guide member (104).

4. The handlebar assembly as claimed in claim 3, comprising a height adjusting member (120), the height adjusting member (120) having a base member (122) and a linear actuator (124) disposed on the base member (122), the base member (122) adapted to be mounted on the left front fork (106) and the right front fork (108) and the linear actuator (124) being operably connected to the handlebar holder (110) for linear movement of the handlebar holder (110) along the length of the left guide member (102) and the right guide member (104) in the first direction (F1-F1) of the vehicle.

5. The handlebar assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the left end portion (112) of the handle bar holder (110) being adapted to detachably receive a left handlebar tube (116) and the right end portion (114) of the handle bar holder (110) being adapted to detachably receive a right handlebar tube (118).

6. The handlebar assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the left end portion (112) of the handle bar holder (110) being integrally formed with a left handlebar tube (116) and the right end portion (114) of the handle bar holder (110) being integrally formed with a right handlebar tube (118).

7. The handlebar assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the left guide member (102) and the right guide member (104) being further adapted to receive an upper triple clamp (126) of the vehicle.

8. The handlebar assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the handlebar holder (110) comprises a left sliding member (128) and a right sliding member (130), the left sliding member (128) extends downwardly from the left end portion (112) and the right sliding member (130) extends downwardly from the right end portion (114), each of the left sliding member (128) and the right sliding member (130) comprising an aperture to receive the left guide member (102) and the right guide member (104).

9. The handlebar assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the base member (122) of the height adjusting member (120) comprises a left mounting portion (122a) and a right mounting portion (122b), each of the left mounting portion (122a) and the right mounting portion (122b) comprising an aperture to receive the left front fork (106) and the right front fork (108), the linear actuator (124) being provided between the left mounting portion (122a) and the right mounting portion (122b).

10. The handlebar assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the base member (122) of the height adjusting member (120) being supported on a lower triple clamp (127) of the vehicle

11. The handlebar assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein extent of movement of the handlebar holder (110) along the first direction (F1-F1) of the vehicle being directly proportional to a stroke length of a rod (124a) of the linear actuator (124).

12. The handlebar assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the linear actuator (124) comprises a lock mechanism, the lock mechanism configured to arrest the movement of the rod of the linear actuator (124) at plurality of positions.

13. The handlebar assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the handlebar holder (110) comprises a switch operably connected with the height adjusting member (120), the switch being configured to control movement of the rod (124a) in the first direction (F1-F1) of the vehicle.

14. A vehicle comprising:
- a suspension assembly; and
- a handlebar assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims.
Dated this 21st day of March 2024
TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

(Nikhil Ranjan)
of Khaitan & Co
Reg No IN/PA-1471