Description:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

A HANDLEBAR ASSEMBLY AND A VEHICLE

APPLICANT:

TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED, an Indian Company at: “Chaitanya”, No.12 Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 006.

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

 
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a handlebar assembly of a vehicle. More particularly but not exclusively, the present subject matter relates to a handlebar assembly and a headlamp assembly of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, for vehicles with handlebar configuration, such as two wheelers, three wheelers or quad bikes, the head lamp stay can be mounted/ clamped on an upper bracket through suitable fasteners. The upper bracket of the conventional handlebar assembly along with a lower bracket form the support for the handlebar and the front fork assembly. The upper bracket includes a plurality of mounting provisions which may include tail signal lamp (TSL), ignition lock, headlamp, housing/stay headlamp, front fork, upper bracket cover, handle holder and its mountings etc. These exclusive resting and mounting provisions are provided on the upper bracket for the headlamp stay mounting. This leads to the resting surface being sufficient enough to provide an optimum seating surface and provision for suitable fasteners.
[0003] However, this exclusive mounting provision leads to increased casting weight and machining cost on the upper bracket. Further, the assembly requiring higher number of components like fasteners/mounting provisions would take time to assemble which increases cost. Also, the resilient mounting done on the upper bracket of the handlebar is well known in the industry.
[0004] Therefore, with regards to the above problems, the design orientation of the upper bracket should be such so as to sandwich the headlamp stay with the handle holder assembly. This will further reduce the number of components, mountings and fastening provisions on the upper bracket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The details are described with reference to an embodiment of a handlebar assembly along with the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference similar features and components.
[0006] Figure 1 illustrates a front view of a vehicle with handlebar assembly in one embodiment of the invention.
[0007] Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the front portion of the vehicle with handlebar assembly in one embodiment of the invention.
[0008] Figure 3 illustrates a side perspective view of a headlamp mounted on a handlebar assembly of the vehicle in one embodiment of the invention.
[0009] Figure 4 illustrates rear perspective view of the handlebar assembly of the vehicle (without the handlebar) in one embodiment of the invention.
[00010] Figure 5 illustrates a side view of the handlebar assembly (without handlebar) of the vehicle in one embodiment of the invention.
[00011] Figure 6 illustrates a back view of the handlebar assembly along with a headlamp showing a plane AA in one embodiment of the invention.
[00012] Figure 7 illustrates a side cut sectional view of the handlebar assembly of the vehicle cut across the plane AA in one embodiment of the invention.
[00013] Figure 8 illustrates a top perspective view of the headlamp being mounted on a third member of the handlebar assembly in one embodiment of the invention.
[00014] Figure 9 illustrates a side view of the headlamp being mounted on a third member of the handlebar assembly in one embodiment of the invention.
[00015] Figure 10 illustrates a perspective bottom view of the third member in one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00016] In order to achieve one or more of the above-mentioned objectives and other related objectives, the present invention provides a handlebar assembly for a two-wheeled vehicle.
[00017] As per one embodiment of the invention, a handlebar assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The handlebar assembly comprises a handlebar which is configured to steer the vehicle; a first member that is configured to support the handlebar using the holder assembly. The holder assembly includes a second member. The handlebar assembly also includes a third member to support one or more electrical or electronic loads. The third member and the holder assembly are attached to the first member using the second member.
[00018] As per another embodiment of the invention, in the handlebar assembly, the holder assembly includes an upper holding member and a lower holding member. The upper holding member is detachably attached to the lower holding member. The handlebar can be rigidly supported in a space between the upper holding member and the lower holding member.
[00019] As per one embodiment of the invention, in the handlebar assembly, the holder assembly is being disposed above the first member and the third member is being disposed below the first member.
[00020] As per one embodiment of the invention, in the handlebar assembly, the first member includes first set of openings; the third member includes second set of openings; the second member being substantially straight is received into the first set of openings and the second set of openings. The second set of openings and the first set of openings are coaxial when the third member is attached to the first member.
[00021] In one embodiment of the invention, the second member is a steel insert attached to the lower holding member. In another aspect of the invention, the second member is integrally made with the lower holding member. This way, in this embodiment, the upper holding member, lower holding member, the handlebar, the first member and the third member are held together using the second member which passes through the first and second set of openings. This results in the first member, being sandwiched between the holder assembly with the handlebar on one side and the third member on the other side. Electrical load like a headlamp can be mounted on the third member which can be a stay member in an embodiment. The unique configuration and arrangement of the handlebar assembly achieves the above without the need of any additional mountings and without altering existing vehicular architecture. In another embodiment the second member can be a non-linear shape or zig-zag or L/Z shape while having composite or multiple sub-parts. The second member can also be made of multiple parts in order to retrofit in the first set of openings and second set of openings accordingly as per non-liner configuration. However, the first set of openings and second set of openings would not be limited to coaxial configuration in such cases.
[00022] As per one embodiment of the invention, in the handlebar assembly, the second member is integrally formed with the lower holding member.
[00023] As per one embodiment of the invention, in the handlebar assembly, the third member partially overlaps with the first member in a lateral view of the vehicle. A portion of the third member is offset from the first member in the side view of the vehicle.
[00024] As per one embodiment of the invention, in the handlebar assembly, the second member of the holder assembly is inserted into the openings in the first member along with dampeners.
[00025] As per one embodiment of the invention, in the handlebar assembly, the dampeners include an upper dampener and a lower dampener.
[00026] As per one embodiment of the invention, in the handlebar assembly, the second member has a protruding portion through the third member. The protruding portion of the second member includes a threaded profile for receiving a nut to attach the third member to the first member.
[00027] As per one embodiment of the invention, in the handlebar assembly, the third member is made of a polymeric material. The third member has the second set of openings for receiving the second member. The second set of openings include hollow steel inserts for receiving the second member.
[00028] As per one embodiment of the invention, in the handlebar assembly, the portion of the third member includes mounting provisions for detachably attaching the one or more electrical or electronic loads.
[00029] As per one embodiment of the invention, in the handlebar assembly, the second member is a metal insert member.
[00030] As per one embodiment of the invention, in the handlebar assembly, the third member is a stay member. The stay member can include further mounting provisions for mounting the electrical or electronic loads.
[00031] As per one embodiment of the invention, in the handlebar assembly, the one or more electrical or electronic loads belong to a group consisting of indicators, lamp and other electrical devices.
[00032] In yet another embodiment of the invention, a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle comprises a wheel assembly; a fork assembly and a handlebar assembly. The handlebar assembly includes a handlebar which is configured to steer the vehicle. The handlebar assembly includes a first member which is configured to support the handlebar using a holder assembly. The holder assembly includes one second member. The handlebar assembly also includes a third member which is configured to support one or more electrical or electronic loads. The third member and the holder assembly are attached to the first member using the second member.
[00033] As per another embodiment of the invention, in the handlebar assembly, the holder assembly includes an upper holding member and a lower holding member. The upper holding member is detachably attached to the lower holding member such that the handlebar is rigidly supported in a space between the upper holding member and the lower holding member.
[00034] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to an embodiment in a handlebar assembly along with the accompanying drawings. However, the disclosed invention is not limited to the present embodiments.
[00035] The embodiments shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrate front view and side view respectively of a vehicle 100 with a handlebar assembly 200. The vehicle 100 further comprises a wheel assembly 300, a fork assembly 400 and one or more electrical or electronic loads 210. In this embodiment, the electric load disclosed is the headlamp along with peripheral electrical and electronic components. The handlebar assembly 200 including a handlebar 201 is configured to steer the vehicle 100. This configuration can be used in any type of vehicle depending upon the vehicle’s handling characteristics and is not limited to two-wheeled vehicle. The vehicle may belong to the group of quadbikes, snow bikes, triad bikes and even sled bikes as long as the vehicle uses the handlebar assembly 200. While not shown expressly, the vehicle includes a frame assembly for skeletal support of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a power unit which is capable of propelling the vehicle in the desired direction by a user.
[00036] Figure 3 and Figure 4 have been taken together for discussion. The handlebar assembly 200 includes a holder assembly 204 which has a space 204S to accommodate a handlebar (not shown). The holder assembly 204 is attached to a first member 202 using a second member 205 (shown in Fig. 7). In one aspect of this embodiment, the first member is an upper bracket out of a pair of supporting brackets. These brackets are meant to receive the forks of the fork assembly 400. The holder assembly 204 is being disposed above the first member 202. Figure 3 and 4 also show the electrical load 210 in the form of a headlamp and peripheral components being mounted on a third member (shown in Figures 5, 7, 8).
[00037] Figure 5 and Figure 6 have been taken together for discussion. The holder assembly 204 is includes an upper holding member 204U and a lower holding member 204L. The upper holding member 204U is detachably attached to the lower holding member 204L. The upper holder member 204U has a concave depression at the bottom surface that faces the upper surface of the lower holder member 204L. The upper surface of the lower holder member 204L also includes a matching concave depression. The upper holder member 204U and the lower holder member 204L are attached using fastening means 204F such that the concave surfaces face other forming the space 204S therebetween. The handlebar 201 (shown in Fig. 1) can be rigidly supported in the space 204S between the upper holding member 204U and the lower holding member 204L. A third member 203 is disposed below the first member 202. In one aspect of the invention, the third member 203 is a stay that can be made of polymeric material, metal and/or composite material. The first member 202 includes first set of openings 206B to receive the second member 205 (shown in Figure 7). A plane AA is shown in Figure 6 which passes along the second member 205 cutting through the holder assembly 204, the first member 202 and the third member 203. A sectional view from a lateral direction of the vehicle 100 of the plane AA is demonstrated in Figure 7.
[00038] Figure 7 illustrates a side cut sectional view of the handlebar assembly 200 of the vehicle (shown in Fig. 1) cut across the plane AA (shown in Figure 6) in one embodiment of the invention. The third member 203 and the holder assembly 204 are attached to the first member 202 using the second member 205. In one aspect of the invention, the second member 205 is integrally formed with the lower holding member 204L. The second member 205 can be seen to be passing from the lower holder 204L and through the first member 202 and the third member 203. This way the first member 202 is sandwiched between the holder assembly 204 and the third member 203 thereby providing a robust assembly for the handlebar 201 as well the electric load 210 using the second member 205 and without using any additional components or mountings. In this embodiment in Figure 7, a portion of the third member 203 is offset from the first member 202 such that the third member 203 partially overlaps with the first member 202 and another portion of the third member 203 projects ahead of the first member 202 in a front direction of a vehicle 100 seen from a lateral view of the vehicle 100. This configuration ensures robust attachment of the third member 203 through the overlapping portion and enables mounting of the electrical load 210 such as a headlamp on the portion of the third member 203 that projects beyond the first member 202. The second member 205 can be seen to be having a threaded portion 205T that protrudes out of the third member 203. Fastening member 205N such as a threaded nut can be used to fasten over the threaded portion. This provides a robust attachment of the third member 203 with the first member 202 and the holder assembly 204. The second member 205 helps in withstanding the clamping loads of the holder assembly 204 during assembly including the handlebar 201 and various components mounted thereon. In one aspect, a one or more dampeners (207, 208) are disposed within the first set of openings 206B in the first member 202. This provides a cushioned disposition to the second member 205 in the first member 202 which bears the load of the holder assembly 204 along with the third member 203 with the electrical loads 210. The dampeners (207, 208) help in absorbing vibrations in that travel through the second member 205. The dampeners (207, 208) include an upper dampener 207 and a lower dampener 208 which surround the portion of the second member 205 that is inside the first member 202. In one aspect the upper dampener 207 is substantially V-shaped and the lower dampener 208 is in substantially inverted V-shape configuration. The dampening members (207, 208) can made of rubber or similar polymeric material with suitable dampening properties. The dampening properties reduces the adverse effects of vibration felt by a user in the handlebar 201 of the handlebar assembly 200. Further, the third member 203, which in this case in the form of a stay member, enables the mounting of electrical load 210. The structure of the electrical or electronic loads 210 is such that a space is created for clamping without compromise on functional requirement of the electrical or electronic loads 210.
[00039] Figure 8 and Figure 9 illustrate top perspective view and side view, respectively, of the headlamp being mounted on the third member 203 of the handlebar assembly 200. The third member 203 includes the second set of openings 206S where the second member 205 is received. The second set of openings 206S and the first set of openings 206B (shown in Fig. 6) are coaxial when the third member 203 is attached to the first member 202 (shown in Fig. 6). The second member 205 (shown in Fig. 5) along with the upper dampener (shown in Fig. 5) and lower dampener (shown in Fig. 5) are inserted into the second set of openings 206S and the first set of openings 206B. The second set of openings 206S includes hollow steel inserts for receiving the second member 205. The third member 203 includes various mounting provisions 212 for detachably attaching the electrical or electronic loads 210.
[00040] Figure 10 a side perspective view of the third member 203 in one embodiment of the invention. The third member 203 includes the second set of openings 206S and for receiving the second member 205 (shown in Fig. 7) such that the first member 202 (shown in Fig. 6) is sandwiched between the holder assembly 204 (shown in Fig. 4) and the third member 203. The portion of the third member 203 includes mounting provisions 212 for attaching the electrical or electronic loads 210.
[00041] In view of the above, the embodiments of the invention disclosed above and the claimed features below provide a stable, robust and compact handle bar assembly 200 for a vehicle 100. By using the novel and inventive second member 205, which in these embodiments, are in the form of an insert, the holder assembly 204 is able to not only support the handlebar 201 but also effectively attach the first member 202 and the third member 203. Thus, there are no separate mountings or components required to mount or attach the third member 203 which enables the mounting of the electrical loads 210. This, assembly, therefore eliminates the need for additional components and consequently reduces the weight to the vehicle, while decreasing time and cost required for assembly. All this can be achieved without substantially altering the vehicle architecture or casting any new components.
[00042] The embodiments of this invention are not limited to particularly two-wheeled vehicle and can cover any type of vehicle involving the handlebar assembly along with the headlamp. For example, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and ““they”” can include plural referents unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. Further, when introducing elements/components/etc. of the assembly/system described and/or illustrated herein, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there is one or more of the element(s)/component(s)/etc. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional element(s)/component(s)/etc. other than the listed element(s)/component(s)/etc.
[00043] This written description uses examples to provide details on the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
[00044] It is to be understood that the aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein. Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible in the light of above disclosure.

List of Reference numerals:

100 Vehicle
200 Handlebar assembly
201 Handlebar
202 First member
203 Third member
204 Holder assembly
204U Upper holding member
204L
204S

204F Lower holding member
Space between upper and lower holder member
Fastening means
205
205T
205N Second member
Threaded portion of second member
Fastening member
206B First set of openings
206S Second set of openings
207, 208 One or more dampeners
207 Upper dampener
208 Lower dampener
210 Electrical or electronic loads
212 Mounting provisions
300 Wheel assembly
400 Fork assembly
500 Frame assembly

, Claims:We claim:
1. A handlebar assembly (200) for a vehicle (100), the handlebar assembly (200) comprising:
a handlebar (201), the handlebar (201) being configured to steer the vehicle (100);
at least one first member (202), the first member (202) being configured to support the handlebar (201),
a holder assembly (204), the holder assembly (204) being configured to hold the handlebar (201) on the first member (202), the holder assembly (204) including one second member (205),
wherein
the handlebar assembly (200) includes a third member (203), the third member (203) being configured to support at least one electrical load (210); and
the third member (203) and the holder assembly (204) being connected to the first member (202) using the second member (205).
2. The handlebar assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the holder assembly (204) includes an upper holding member (204U) and a lower holding member (204L), said upper holding member (204U) being detachably attached to the lower holding member (204L) such that the handlebar (201) being rigidly supported in a space between the upper holding member (204U) and the lower holding member (204L).
3. The handlebar assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the holder assembly (204) being disposed above the first member (202) and the third member (203) being disposed below the first member (202).
4. The handlebar assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the first member (202) includes first set of openings (206B);
the third member (203) includes second set of openings (206S);
the first set of openings (206B) and second set of openings (206S) being coaxial; and
the first of openings (206B) and second set of openings (206S) being configured to receive the second member (205).
5. The handlebar assembly (200) as claimed in claim 2 wherein the second member (205) being integrally formed with the lower holding member (204L).
6. The handlebar assembly (200) as claimed in claim 3 wherein
the third member (203) partially overlaps with the first member (202) in a lateral view of the vehicle (100); and
a portion of the third member (303) is offset from the first member (202) in a side view of the vehicle (100).
7. The handlebar assembly (200) as claimed in claim 4 wherein:
the second member (205) of the holder assembly (204) being inserted into first set of openings (206B) in the first member (202); and
the first set of openings (206B) include one or more dampeners (207, 208), the dampeners (207, 208) being configured to surround the second member (205).
8. The handlebar assembly (200) as claimed in claim 7 wherein the one or more dampeners (207, 208) include an upper dampener (207) and a lower dampener (208),
9. The handlebar assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second member (205) having a threaded portion, said threaded portion being adapted to receive a nut to connect said third member to said bracket.
10. The handlebar assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the third member (203) being made of a polymeric material, the third member (203) including openings (206S) for receiving the second member (205) and the openings being reinforced by hollow steel members for receiving the second member (205).
11. The handlebar assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1 wherein a portion of the third member (203) includes mounting provisions (212) for detachably attaching the one or more electrical or electronic loads (210).

12. The handlebar assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second member (205) is a metal insert and the third member is a stay member.

13. The handlebar assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more electrical or electronic loads (210) belong to a group consisting of indicators, lamp and other electrical devices.

14. The handlebar assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the holder assembly (204) includes an upper holding member (204U) and a lower holding member (204L); and
the upper holding member (204U) being detachably attached to the lower holding member (204L) such that the handlebar (201) being rigidly supported in a space between the upper holding member (204U) and the lower holding member (204L).

15. A vehicle (100) comprising:
a frame assembly, the frame assembly being configured to provide skeletal support to the vehicle (100);
a wheel assembly (300);
a fork assembly (400);
a frame assembly (500);
a handlebar assembly (200), the handle assembly (200) including a handlebar (201), the handlebar being configured to steer the vehicle;
a first member (202), the first member (202) being configured to support the handlebar (201) using at least one holder assembly (204), the holding member including one second member (205),
wherein
the handlebar assembly (200) includes a third member (203), the third member (203) being configured to support one or more electrical or electronic loads (210); and
the third member (203) and the holder assembly (204) being attached to the first member (202) using the second member (205).

Dated this the 21st day of February 2023

(Digitally Signed)
Sudarshan Singh Shekhawat
IN/PA-1611
Agent for the Applicant