DESC:Technical Field

[0001] This invention generally relates to an electrical system on a vehicle. More specifically, it relates to an electrical charging outlet for an electronic device.
Background

[0002] Electrical outlets have been part of electrical systems as long as electrical machines and appliances have been in daily use. Many modern day electrical and electronic devices and appliances come with removable or fixed batteries, so that the appliance may be used without the requirement of being plugged in the entire time. This requires that the device / appliance be charged on a regular basis so that the device may be used in an uninterrupted manner. This requirement for the device to be charged persists even during transit or travel. Public transport, especially long-distance public transport such as trains usually provide some form of charging means in the carriage.
[0003] Private vehicles also require that charging outlets be provided, especially with mobile phones being used for navigation by a large number of drivers. It is however, not as easy to provide a charging outlet on a two wheeler vehicle as on a four wheeler vehicle. Four wheeler vehicles have more white space as compared to a traditional two wheeler, which until recently, has been a functional mode of transport rather than a luxurious mode of transport. Two wheelers generally do not have a lot of available space for disposing such an outlet while configuring the appropriate electrical connections required for it.
[0004] Literature provides examples of such mountings in storage areas, in body panels or in other faired body parts. However, none of those positions are as convenient as one which is directly in front of the driver’s eyes, on the handlebar or on the instrument panel. In order to separately mount such a part on the handlebar, the mounting means have to be sandwiched between existing instruments. This would mean difficulty of assembly and servicing. Thus, the present invention seeks to provide an integrated mounting means for a charging outlet disposed on the handlebar of a two-wheeler which is easy to assemble as well as service.
Brief Description of Drawings

[0005] Figure 1 has two exemplary illustrations. The first is an exemplary illustration of a front perspective view of a handlebar of a two-wheeler with the charging outlet being mounted on the same. The second is a zoomed in front perspective view of the same mounting means and the charging outlet, wherein the fasteners have been removed, so that the mounting arrangement can be illustrated, while it is mounted to the handlebar.
[0006] Figure 2 has three exemplary illustrations. The first and the second exemplary illustrations provide an exploded perspective view of the charging outlet and its mounting means without the handlebar. The third illustration shows the present invention in assembled condition without the handlebar.
[0007] Figure 3 has two exemplary illustrations. The first illustration is a front perspective view of the present invention. The second illustration is a top perspective view of the present invention.
Detailed Description

[0001] Personal vehicles, especially four wheelers, are usually equipped by the manufacturer to have an electrical outlet for the convenience of the user. Traditional four wheelers have been equipped with electrical cigarette lighters for many decades. Subsequently, OEMs began providing electrical chargers for various devices one may find use for in a car. These chargers were sometimes disposed in the place of the electrical cigarette lighter, and special adapters were required to plug electrical equipments with conventional plugs.
[0002] Amenities such as a charging outlet or a phone mount on a motorcycle have become necessary over the years as more and more people are using devices such as smartphones. One of the reasons devices such as smartphones are used extensively is to consult maps available on the internet while travelling. They also provide geolocation services through GPS and other means. In short, such devices have made our lives easier. Whereas four wheelers have enough space to mount such phones, and have electrical outlets to charge them while driving, such amenities being easily mounted inside the vehicle.
[0003] The necessity for electrical charging in two wheelers became apparent in recent years, and it was felt that not providing such amenities by the manufacturer could prove to be more dangerous. Owners would have aftermarket parts installed, which would disturb the electrical systems of the vehicles. Otherwise, they would make frequent stops to check their phones and other devices periodically. In other cases, the riders would try to operate their electronic devices such as their phone or watches while driving the vehicle.
[0004] In order to prevent the possibility of any accident occurring due to such practices, it is best to provide amenities such as charging outlets at the time of production itself. However, in order to accommodate such an additional part in an existing model, it would require additional mounting means which would have to be accommodated with all the existing mountings on a heavily constricted space on the instrument panel on the handlebar.
[0005] However, it is not so easy for two wheelers. These devices are required to be safely secured so that they do not fall on the ground while the vehicle is moving. With the mounting of such devices comes the need to charge them on the move. In the absence of such parts being provided by the OEM, vehicle owners often have aftermarket parts retrofitted, which can damage the internal electrical circuits of the vehicle.
[0006] In order to provide such a charging outlet in not only new vehicle designs, but in existing two wheelers as well, the mounting means have to be designed such that the device can be mounted on the handlebars near the instrument cluster as that location is the most convenient for the vehicle driver to use. The present invention is thus a charging outlet integrated into the existing mountings on the handlebar. This enables ease of assembly and servicing of the electrical instrument cluster on the handlebar. This also makes the mounting more secure, as it is not sandwiched between other mountings. It also reduces the overall weight of the vehicle as no additional parts are being installed on the vehicle, while also being ergonomically sound.
[0007] The present invention is a charging outlet provided on the mounting element that mounts the mirror and the lever (brake or clutch) on the handlebar, mounted besides the switch panel, which is mounted beside the handle grip for easy access.
[0008] The best modes of enabling the invention are described in the following paragraphs through exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are not limiting the means of practicing the invention, rather they only exemplify merely some of the many ways in which this invention can be practiced.
[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the charging outlet is disposed on the left-hand side of the handlebar. In another embodiment, the left-hand side of the handlebar is configured to support the left-hand grip, the clutch lever, the left-hand side mirror and the left-hand side switch panel.
[00010] In yet another embodiment, the left-hand side lever is a brake lever, for a vehicle configured with automatic transmission or CVT. In yet another embodiment, a parking brake lock is provided with the left-hand side lever.
[00011] In an embodiment, the mounting means of the left hand side lever and the left hand side mirror comprises a mounting bracket, comprising a first part and a second part, the first part disposed in front of the driver, and the second part is a complimenting part that fits along the contours of the handlebar, opposite to the driver that supports the mirror and the lever. In another embodiment, the parts of the mounting bracket are immobilised by fastening them together along the fastener inlets provided on the first and second part of the mounting bracket.
[00012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the charging outlet is disposed below the first part of the mounting bracket, such that there is a first rectangular elongation from the bottom of the first part configured to a fixed length oriented vertically downwards. A second rectangular elongation oriented horizontally is configured at the lower end of the first elongation.
[00013] In another embodiment, a USB port is provided in the lid covered opening on the second elongation. In yet another embodiment, the USB port is communicatively connected to the rest of the electrical systems of the vehicle with a wire being disposed with the rest of the wiring harness connected on to the electrical switches on the left side handlebar.
[00014] In an embodiment of the present invention, the switch panel is disposed between the mounting bracket and the left side hand grip.
[00015] The following description is given according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[00016] Figure 1 has two exemplary illustrations (100, 110). The first is an exemplary illustration of a front perspective view of a handlebar of a two-wheeler with the charging outlet being mounted (100) on the same. The present figure (100) shows an exemplary embodiment of the left-hand side of the handlebar (101). In the present embodiment, the left-hand grip (104) is provided on the extreme end of the handlebar (101). The left-hand side lever (103) is also provided, which may function either as a clutch lever or a brake lever. The clutch lever is mounted on the second part of the mounting bracket (107), which also supports the mounting of the mirror holder (106).
[00017] In the present embodiment, the switch panel (108) is disposed between the assembled mounting bracket (107, 109) and the hand grip (104). According to the present embodiment, the switch panel (108) comprises the indicator switch and the horn switch.
[00018] As per the present embodiment, the first part of the mounting (109) and the second part of the mounting bracket (107) have a shape so that at least one surface on each of (107) and (109) fits the outer surface of the handlebar (101) at the position of their mounting.
[00019] The second exemplary illustration (110) in Figure 1 illustrates the mounting means of the two parts of the mounting bracket (107, 109). According to the present embodiment, the first part (109) and the second part (107) are fastened to each other by means of fasteners (112a, 112b) which are fitted into fastener inlets (111a, 111b) configured so that (111a) has complimentary openings on the first part (109) and the second part (107). A fastening means (112a, 112b) is configured to be long enough to fasten both the Mounting brackets together. According to the present embodiment, the first (109) and second (107) parts of the mounting bracket, and the fastening openings (111a, 111b) are configured such that there is one fastener (112a, 112b) on either side of the handlebar (101). According to the present embodiment, there is at least a fastener (112a) on top of the handlebar (101) and at least a fastener (112b) below the handlebar (101).
[00020] Figure 2 has three exemplary illustrations. The first (200) and the second (210) illustration together depict an exploded view of the first part (109, 200) and seond part (107, 210) of the mounting bracket.
[00021] According to the present embodiment, (200) shows that the first part of the mounting bracket comprises of the following: a top fastener inlet (111a) oriented along a front-rear direction of the vehicle, a clamp section (208) with a shape complimentary to the shape of the handlebar (101), a first elongated portion (206) emanating vertically downwards from the clamp section (208), a bottom fastener inlet (111b) configured to be disposed on the first elongated portion (206) and oriented along a front-rear direction of the vehicle.
[00022] According to the present invention, at the lower end of the first elongated portion (206), a second rectangular elongation (204) is disposed such that it is oriented horizontally in the front-rear direction, configured to have a lid (202) on the side facing the rear of the vehicle. The lid (202) is connected to the second elongated portion (204) by a hinge (203). The second elongated portion (204) is attached to the first elongated portion (206) at its bottom surface, such that the surface area of the bottom surface of the first elongated portion (206) is smaller than the surface area of the top surface of the second elongated portion (204).
[00023] According to the present embodiment, the USB charging outlet is disposed in the second elongated portion (204), such that when the lid (202) is opened, a compatible wired or wireless USB connecter can be connected to the outlet.
[00024] Also according to the present embodiment, a connecting wire configured to connect the USB outlet to the electrical systems of the vehicle is disposed on the side of the second elongated portion (204) facing the front of the vehicle, such that it can then be disposed into the wiring hereness coming into the left hand switch panel (108).
[00025] According to the present embodiment, (210) shows that the second part of the mounting bracket comprises of the following: a fastener inlet (214) for mounting the mirror holder (106), a top fastener inlet (211a) complimentary to the top fastener inlet (111a) in the first part of the mounting bracket (200), a clamp portion (212) with a shape complimentary to the shape of the handlebar (101), bottom fastener inlet (211b) complimentary to the bottom fastener inlet (111b) in the first part of the mounting bracket (200), a mounting hole (216) for the left hand lever (103), an inlet hole (218) for the connecting wire / line to the left hand lever (103), and a retreating portion (219) for the lever (103) after being actuated.
[00026] The third illustration (220) is a driver’s perspective view of the assembled mounting bracket (200 & 210), without the handlebar (101), the left-hand lever (103) and the connecting wire / line (102). The fastener inlet (214) for mounting the mirror holder (106), the inlet hole (218) for the wire / line (102) connecting the left hand lever (103), the top and bottom fasteners (112a & 112b), the clamp portions (208 & 212) on the first and second parts of the mounting bracket, the first elongated portion (206), the second elongated portion (204), the lid (202) on the second elongated portion (204) at the bottom, and the hinge (203) connecting the lid to the second elongated portion (204) are visible in this view.
[00027] Figure 3 has two exemplary illustrations. The first illustration (300) is a front perspective view of the assembled mounting bracket (200 & 210), without the handlebar (101). The fastener inlet (214) for mounting the mirror holder (106), the inlet hole (218) for the wire / line (102) connecting the left hand lever (103), the top and bottom fasteners (112a & 112b), the clamp portion (208) on the first part of the mounting bracket (200), the first elongated portion (206) and the lid (202) on the second elongated portion at the bottom are visible in this view.
[00028] The second illustration (310) is a top perspective view of the same. The fastener inlet (214) for mounting the mirror holder (106), the mounting hole (216) for the left hand lever (103), the retreating portion (219) for the left hand lever (103), the inlet hole (218) for the connecting wire / line (102) to the left hand lever (103), the second elongated portion (204) and the lid (202) on the second elongated portion at the bottom are visible in this view.

List of Reference Numerals

100: left hand side of the handlebar assembly
101: the handlebar
102: wire / line connecting the left hand lever
103: the left hand lever
104: left hand grip
105: left side mirror
106: left side mirror holder
107: the second part of the mounting bracket
108: left switch panel
109: the first part of the mounting bracket
110: zoomed in view of the Mounting bracket
111a: top fastener inlet
111b: bottom fastener inlet
112a: top fastener
112b: bottom fastener
200: illustrative view of the Mounting bracket in front of the driver
202: lid for the charging outlet
203: hinge for the lid
204: the second elongated portion housing the charging outlet
206: the first elongated portion connecting the clamp to the outlet
208: the Mounting bracket section
210: illustrative view of the Mounting bracket opposite to the driver
211a: top fastener inlet complimentary to 111a
211b: bottom fastener inlet complimentary to 111b
212: the Mounting bracket section
214: fastener inlet for the mirror holder
216: mounting hole for the left hand lever
218: inlet hole for the wire / line connecting the left hand lever
219: retreating portion for the left hand lever
220: driver’s perspective view of the Mounting bracket assembly without the handlebar
300: front perspective view of the Mounting bracket assembly without the handlebar
310: top perspective view of the Mounting bracket assembly without the handlebar.

,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A mounting bracket (220) for mounting a mirror (105) and a lever (103) on a vehicle, said bracket (220) comprising a first part (200) and a second part (210),
said first part (200) being configured to have
a C shaped clamping portion (208),
a top fastener inlet (111a) disposed above said clamping portion (208), and
a bottom fastener inlet (111b) disposed below said clamping portion (208),
said second part (210) being configured to have
a C shaped clamping portion (212),
a top fastener inlet (211a) aligned with said top fastener inlet (111a) on said first part (200), disposed above said clamping portion (212),
a bottom fastener inlet (211b) aligned with said bottom fastener inlet (111b) on said first part (200), disposed below said clamping portion (212),
a fastener inlet (214) for a mirror holder (106),
a mounting hole (216) for a lever (103) and a retreating portion (219) for said lever (103), and
an inlet hole for one of a wire and a line (102) connected to said lever (103),
wherein,
said first part (200) being configured to have a first rectangular elongation (206) emanating from a bottom portion of said clamp portion (208) up to a predetermined length,
wherein,
said bottom fastener inlet (111b) being disposed in said first rectangular elongation (206),
and,
a second rectangular elongation (204) being disposed on a bottom portion of said first rectangular elongation (206) oriented in a front-rear direction,
wherein,
an electrical outlet being configured to be disposed within said second elongated portion.
2. The mounting bracket (220) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first part (200) and said second part (210) being assembled together with fasteners (112a, 112b), said fasteners (112a, 112b) being put into said top fastener inlets (111a, 211a) and said bottom fastener inlets (111b, 211b).

3. The mounting bracket (220) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second rectangular elongation (204) being configured to have a lid (202), said lid (202) being attached to a rear end of said second rectangular elongation (204) with a hinge joint (203), such that said electrical outlet being accessible when said lid (202) being in open condition.

4. The mounting bracket (220) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electrical outlet being an USB type outlet port.

5. The mounting bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electrical outlet being connected to an electrical system of a vehicle by an electrically connecting wire, said connecting wire being routed through a wiring harness of said vehicle disposed near said handlebar (101), wherein said connecting wire emanating from a front end of said second rectangular elongation (204).

6. The mounting bracket (220) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bracket being assembled on a handlebar (101) of a two-wheeler vehicle, such that said top fastener inlet (111a) being horizontally above said handlebar (101), and said bottom fastener inlet (111b) being horizontally below said handlebar (101).

7. The mounting bracket as claimed in claim 5, wherein said mounting bracket (220) being disposed on a left side of said handlebar (101).

8. The mounting bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fastener inlets (111a, 111b, 211a, 211b) being configured to accept a screw type fastener (112a, 112b).

9. A mounting bracket as claimed in claims 1-8, being disposed on one of a two-wheeler and a three-wheeler vehicle.