DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The subject matter described herein, in general, relates to a handlebar assembly for a vehicle and more particularly to a handlebar assembly for a multi wheeled vehicle to arrest and limit vibrations reaching the handlebar.

BACKGROUND
[0002] A conventional handlebar assembly for a multi wheeled vehicle including but not limited to a two wheeled vehicle and a three wheeled vehicle is mounted on a steering system using fastening means such as nuts and bolts, screws, studs and the like. The handlebar assembly typically includes tubular handlebar assembly and various control units for example, headlamp switch, electric start switches, horn switch, indicator switches, clutch, accelerator, front wheel brake control, speedometer, and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The detailed description is described with reference to an embodiment of a two wheeled saddle type vehicle along with the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0004] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of a multi wheeled vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0005] Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a handlebar assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0006] Fig. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the handlebar assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0007] The tubular handlebar assembly provides adequate grip to the rider and enables the rider to accelerate or deaccelerate the vehicle as per the requirement. The rider while riding a vehicle whose power unit produces higher vibration receives higher frequency of vibration to his hands through the handlebar assembly. To achieve high speed the rider usually accelerate the vehicle more which results in higher vibrations being released to the handlebar assembly which ultimately reach the rider making his ride uncomfortable. Receiving more vibrations may even affect the nerves of the rider which ultimately deteriorates the riding experience. These vibrations may also affect the rider’s control on the vehicle and makes the vehicle prone to accidents.
[0008] Generally, while riding a multi wheeled vehicle, a handlebar is an important aspect for the rider. The rider for the maximum period rests his hands on the handlebar and controls the multi wheeled vehicle through his hands. At higher speeds the role of handlebar is even more critical for experiencing a comfortable ride. The rider must feel confident while riding the multi wheeled vehicle and not receive disturbing vibrations while riding the multi wheeled vehicle especially at higher speeds. These vibrations may be contained or dampened by attaching a damper at distal ends of the handlebar. However, there is a requirement to prevent occurrence of these vibrations at the first place.
[0009] Generally, plurality of holes and through holes are drilled on the handlebar for attachment of various components. Usually, plurality of electrical components are attached or mounted to the handlebar through such holes. But, drilling holes and through holes on the handlebar results in creating of weak spots around the hole. Often when the vehicle is running at high speeds these weak spots are one of the sources of vibrations. Additionally, these weak spots compromise the strength of the handlebar. During an accident, the handlebar breaks or cracks from these weak spots. As a result, the rider experiences more injury. Therefore, a major objective of the handlebar is to eliminate the need for drilling of holes and through holes on the handlebar while still being able to mount parts.
[00010] The present subject matter discloses an improved handlebar assembly comprising: a handle tube, a lever holder and a switch assembly. The lever holder is mounted on the handle tube and the switch assembly is engaged on the lever holder through an coupling mechanism.
[00011] In an embodiment, the coupling mechanism includes the lever holder having an attachment provision. The attachment provision is configured to accommodate a complimentary projection or protrusion. Wheras, the projection is an integral part of the switch assembly.
[00012] In an alternate embodiment, the coupling mechanism includes the switch assembly having a attachment provision. The attachment provision is configured to accommodate a projection. The projection is an integral part of the lever assembly.
[00013] In another embodiment, the projection and the attachment provision are slidably engaged.
[00014] In an embodiment a depth of the attachment provision is greater than the height of the projection.
[00015] In another embodiment, the lever holder is any two of a clutch lever holder, brake lever holder, and a master cylinder.
[00016] Summary provided above explains the basic features of the invention and does not limit the scope of the invention. The nature and further characteristic features of the present invention will be made clearer from the following descriptions made with reference to an embodiment of a straddle type two wheeled vehicle along with the accompanying drawings.
[00017] Exemplary embodiments detailing features of the handlebar assembly, in accordance with the present subject matter will be described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings. Various aspects of different embodiments of the present subject matter will become discernible from the following description set out hereunder. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. Further, it is to be noted that terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “front”, “forward”, “rearward”, “downward”, “upward”, “top”, “bottom” and like terms are used herein based on the illustrated state or in a standing state of the saddle-type vehicle with a driver sitting thereon unless otherwise elaborated. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to the saddle-type vehicle, defining a vehicle longitudinal direction; while a lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to said vehicle, defining a vehicle lateral direction. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[00018] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of a multi wheeled vehicle (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The multi wheeled vehicle (100) includes a frame structure (105) supporting a front wheel (110) and a rear wheel (115). The front wheel (110) and the rear wheel (115) are rotatably supported by front suspension system (120) and the rear suspension system (125), respectively. In one embodiment, the rear wheel (115) is additionally supported by a swingarm (not labelled). The front wheel (110) is provided with a front wheel brake (130). In the present embodiment, the front wheel brake (130) is a disc brake. However, the front wheel brake (130) can be a drum brake or the disc brake, which is actuated using a hydraulic actuation.
[00019] In the present embodiment, a power unit (140) is mounted to a front portion of the frame structure (105) and is disposed substantially below a fuel tank (145) and rearward of the front wheel (110). Further, a carburetor or a fuel injection system or the like (not shown) supplies air-fuel mixture to the power unit (140) including an internal combustion engine. Further, the front wheel (110) is pivotally supported by the frame structure (105) and a handle bar assembly (150) is functionally connected to the front wheel (110) for maneuvering the vehicle (100). The handle bar assembly (150) supports an instrument cluster, vehicle controls including throttle, clutch, or electrical switches. Further, the handle bar assembly (150) supports at least one independent brake actuation lever.The vehicle (100) inlcudes another lever that is a brake pedal (not shown) disposed adjacent to a rider foot support structure (185).
[00020] Further, a seat assembly (180) is mounted to the frame structure (105) and disposed rearward of the fuel tank (145). The rider can operate the vehicle (100) in a seated position on the seat assembly (180). Moreover, the vehicle (100) includes a pair of rider foot support structure (185) disposed on either side of the vehicle (100) for the user to rest feet. The foot support structure (185) being secured to the frame structure (105) of the vehicle (100).
[00021] Further, the multi wheeled vehicle (100) includes a front fender (195) covering at least a portion of the front wheel (110) and a rear fender (190) covering at least a portion of the rear wheel (115). Also, the vehicle (100) is provided with plurality of panels including front panel (170A) and rear panel (170B) mounted to the frame structure (105) and covering the frame structure (105) and/or parts of the vehicle (100). Also, the vehicle (100) is employed with plurality of mechanical, electronic, and electromechanical system including an anti-lock braking system, a vehicle safety system, or an electronic control system.
[00022] Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the handlebar assembly (150) as per an embodiment of the present invention. The handlebar assembly (150) is comprising: a handle tube (151), a lever holder (152), and a switch assembly (153). The lever holder (152) is mounted on the handle tube (151), and the switch assembly (153) is directly engaged with the lever holder (152) through an coupling mechanism while the lever holder (152) has a central opening to insert the handle tube (151) therein. The lever holder (152) is supported on the handle tube (151) at the inner surface of the central opening but is not rigidly clamped onto the handle tube (151). As per the illustrated embodiment, a lever assembly (152’) includes a lever (152A). The lever (152A) may act as a clutch lever or a brake lever. The coupling mechanism includes the lever holder (152) having a attachment provision (152B) and the switch assembly (153) having an integrally formed projection (153B). The attachment provision is configured to accommodate the projection (153B) to ensure that the switch assembly (153) is supported by the lever holder (152) instead of mounting the switch assembly (153) to the handle tube (151) through one or more holes.
[00023] As per another embodiment, the coupling mechanism includes the switch assembly (153) having an attachment provision (152B) and the lever holder (152) having an integrally formed projection (153B). Further, the attachment provision (152B) is engaged with the projection (153B) to provide a linkage mechanism between the switch assembly (153) and the lever holder (152).
[00024] Fig. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the handlebar assembly (150). As per the illustrated embodiment, the coupling mechanism includes a fastening means (155) provided on the projection (153B) and the fastening means (155) is inserted in the attachment provision (152B). In order to accommodate the fastening means (155), a depth of the attachment provision (152B) is kept greater than the height of the projection (153B).
[00025] Further, as per another embodiment, the provision (152B) and the projection (153B) being slidably engaged with each other. The current invention enables isolating direct vibration transfer from the handlebar tube (151) to the handlebar grip (154) and thereby to the user of the vehicle since the mounting of the switch assembly to the handlebar assembly (150) is now through the lever assembly (152’) and more specifically through an attachment provision (152B) on the lever assembly (152’).
[00026] Another advantage, the present invention achieves relates to maintaining minimum distance between the switch assembly (153) and the lever holder (152). This ensures that the rider may conveniently operate the lever (152A) and one or more switches (153A) without hassle of extending a thumb or fingers away from a grip (154). Additionally, the assembly of the switch assembly (153) on the lever holder (152) reduces assembly time during the manufacturing process.
[00027] As per an embodiment, the lever holder (152) may be any of a clutch lever holder, brake lever holder, and a master cylinder.
[00028] Although the subject matter has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. It is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the features described herein. Rather, the features are disclosed as embodiments of the present subject matter.
[00029] Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible in the light of above disclosure. Therefore, within the scope of claims of the present subject matter, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.


LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

100: Vehicle
105: Frame structure
110: Front wheel
115: Rear wheel
120: Front suspension system
125: rear suspension system
130: Front wheel brake
140: Power unit
145: Fuel tank
150: Handle bar assembly
151: Handle tube
152: Lever Holder
152’: Lever assembly
152A: Lever
152B: Attachment Provision
153: Switch Assembly
153A: One or More Switches
153B: Projection
154: Grip
155: Fastening means
170A: Front Panel
170B: Rear panel
,CLAIMS:We Claim
1. A handlebar assembly (150) for a straddle type vehicle (100), said handle bar assembly (150) comprising:
a handle tube (151);
a lever holder (152); and
a switch assembly (153),
wherein,
said lever holder (152) being mounted on said handle tube (151), and
said switch assembly (153) being mechanically coupled on said lever holder (152) through a coupling mechanism.
2. The handlebar assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coupling mechanism includes said lever (152) having an attachment provision (152B), said attachment provision (152B) being configured to accommodate a projection (153B), wherein said projection (153B) being integrally formed on said switch assembly (153).
3. The handlebar assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coupling mechanism includes said switch assembly (153) having an attachment provision (152B), said attachment provision (152B) being configured to accommodate a projection (153B), wherein said projection (153B) being integrally formed on said lever assembly (152).
4. The handlebar assembly as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said coupling mechanism includes a fastening means (155), said fastening means (155) being accommodated on said attachment provision (152B), said fastening means (155) being capable of attaching said attachment provision (152B) with said projection (153B).
5. The handlebar assembly as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein a depth of said provision (152B) being greater than a height of said projection (153B).
6. The handlebar assembly as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said provision (152B) and said projection (153B) being configured to slidably engage with each other forming said coupling mechanism.
7. The handlebar assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lever holder (152) being any two of a clutch lever holder, brake lever holder, and a master cylinder.