Technical Field
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a grab handle for a
motorcycle and particularly relates to a structure of said grab handle. Background
[0002] Typically, a grab handle made of aluminium or plastic is
provided in motorcycles to facilitate a pillion rider to hold onto the
motorcycle while riding. A grab handle also facilitates a rider while
applying a centre stand of the motorcycle. In order that the rider or the
pillion rider is able to grip the grab handle properly, the grab handle is
typically provided as a complete solid structure. To manufacture grab
handle in the form of a complete solid structure, typically plastic or
aluminium is poured into a mould cavity to attain the required shape.
However,, providing the grab handle as a complete solid structure adds to
the self weight of the part, leading to overhang of the part, and thereby
resulting in bending of the grab handle. Moreover, weight of the grab
handle also contributes to the overall increase in weight of the motorcycle.
[0003] A known art tries to overcome problems associated with the
above design of the grab handle by scooping out material from a bottom side of the grab handle, in a manner such that a hollow area is formed in the bottom side. Thus, material removal is achieved and overall weight of the grab handle is reduced. However, scooping out material results in sharp edges and ejector pin marks on the bottom side of the grab handle, causing discomfort to the pillion rider.

[0004] Another known art tries to address problems associated with
the above mentioned known art by providing a cover that can be fastened
over the scooped out area, so that the pillion rider can grip the grab handle
comfortably, allowing the pillion rider to experience the same level of
comfort as if he were holding a grab handle having a complete solid
structure. Thus, both material reduction and customer satisfaction is
achieved simultaneously.
[0005] However, providing a cover over the scooped out area
involves the use of extra parts such as the cover and fasteners, thereby,
causing much inconvenience during assembly, including higher assembly
time.
Summary of the Invention
[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above
circumstances.
[0007] It is one object of the present invention to provide a grab
handle for a motorcycle which is light in weight and at the same time is
durable in nature.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a grab
handle, the structure of which provides good gripping comfort for a pillion
rider.
[0009] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a
grab handle which can be easily manufactured.

[0010] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a
grab handle, the assembly of which does not involve the use of multiple parts.
[0011] The above and other objects are achieved in accordance
with the present invention by providing a grab handle comprising a pair of left and right mounting arms extending along a motorcycle width direction, a pair of left and right holding arms extending rearwardly from said left and right mounting arms and in a direction parallel to a motorcycle longitudinal axis, and a connecting arm connecting said pair of left and right holding arms at a rear end thereof. A dorsal side of the pair of left and right holding, arms includes an integrally formed partition wall running centrally along a longitudinal axis of said left and right holding arms, and a plurality of ribs equally spaced along a longitudinal axis thereof and extending transversely from said integrally formed partition wall, in a manner such that a plurality of slots are formed integrally in said pair of left and right holding arms.
[0012] The formation of the plurality of slots on either sides of the
integrally formed partition wall ensures removal of material from the dorsal side of the pair of left and right holding arms, thereby enabling weight reduction of the grab handle. However, the presence of the integrally formed partition wall along the longitudinal axis of the pair of left and right holding arms, and the formation of the plurality of slots at equal spacing from each other ensures that the removal of material does not. happen

continuously along a length and width of the pair of left and right holding
arms. Thus, while significant weight reduction is achieved, rigidity of the
grab handle is ensured.
[0013] Additionally, faces on the ventral and dorsal side of the pair
of left and right holding arms are formed in such a manner that they match
a profile of folded fingers of the pillion rider. Said profile of the pair of left
and. right holding arms facilitates the pillion rider to grip the grab handle
comfortably. Thus, weight reduction and customer satisfaction are
achieved simultaneously.
[0014] Moreover, the construction of the pair of left and right holding
arms in accordance with the present invention aids in increasing a form
stiffness of the grab handle along both the motorcycle longitudinal axis
and the motorcycle lateral axis. Thus, durability of the grab handle is also
ensured.
[0015] The grab handle in accordance with the present invention is
made of a rigid material. For example, the grab handle may be a one
piece moulded plastic part. The grab handle may also be a one piece
moulded part made of an alloy.
[0016] 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 the accompanying
drawings.

Brief Description of Accompanying Drawings
[0017] The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of
the subject matter will be better understood with regard to the following
description and accompanying drawings where: •
[0018] FIG.1 illustrates a side view of the motorcycle in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG.2 illustrates a perspective view showing a ventral side of
a grab handle of the motorcycle in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0020] FIG.3 illustrates a top perspective view of a dorsal side of the
grab handle of the motorcycle in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0021] FIG..4 illustrates a cross sectional view of one holding arm of
the pair of left and right holding arms of the grab handle in accordance
with the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
[0022] The present subject matter relates to a grab handle for a
motorcycle and particularly relates to a structure of said grab handle.
[0023] Exemplary embodiments detailing features of said grab
handle, in accordance with the present invention will be described
hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings. Various aspects
of different embodiments of the present invention will become discernible
from the following description set out hereunder. Rather, the following

description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. 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 motorcycle with a driver riding thereon unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, a motorcycle longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to the motorcycle, while a motorcycle lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the motorcycle. Particularly, a motorcycle width direction refers to a direction along/parallel to a motorcycle lateral axis. 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. Further, it is to be noted that although the present invention has been exemplified for a motorcycle, it is applicable for any two wheeled vehicle such as a scooter type motorcycle, scooterette, and the like.
[0024] FIG.1 illustrates a side view of motorcycle 10 in accordance
with the present invention.
[0025] As illustrated in FIG.1, the motorcycle 10 includes a body
frame 13 to which an engine 12 is mounted. A head pipe 14 is provided at a front end of the body frame 13. The head pipe 14 supports a steering shaft (not shown) rotatably in a certain range and a front fork 15 pivotally. In an upper portion of the head pipe 14, a handlebar 16 is rotatably integrally connected to the steering shaft. A front wheel 18 is journaled to

a lower end of the front fork 15 and is rotated in a certain range by
steering the handlebar 16. A front fender 17 for covering an upper portion
of the front wheel 18 is attached to the front fork 15.
[0026] A head light 19 is disposed in front of the head pipe 14. An
instrument cluster (not shown) including a speedometer is provided above
the head light 19.
[0027] In a front portion of the body frame 13 a fuel tank 20 is
arranged behind the head pipe 14 and is disposed over the engine 12. A
seat 21 is placed immediately behind the fuel tank 20. The seat 21
includes a front rider portion and rear pillion rider portion.
[0028] Further, a cover assembly 25 is mounted on either sides of
the fuel tank 20 for protecting the fuel tank 20 from damage and also for
improving the aesthetic appeal of the motorcycle 10.
[0029] The engine 12 is supported to the body frame 13 by being
suspended in a front lower portion of the body frame 13. The engine 12
has a crank case that accommodates a crank shaft that extends along a
motorcycle width direction. A cylinder block, a cylinder head and a head
cover are stacked on the crankcase and connected thereto by bolts.
[0030] The engine 12 is equipped with an exhaust system that
includes an exhaust pipe (not shown) connected to the engine 12 and a
muffler (not shown) connected to the exhaust pipe. The muffler extends
rearwards along the right side of the rear wheel 30.

[0031] Further, a swing arm 35 extending rearwards is swingably
connected to a rear lower portion of the body frame 13. The rear wheel 30
is rotatably supported at a rear end of the swing arm 35. Power from the
engine 12, suspended in a front lower portion of the body frame 13 is
transmitted to the rear wheel 30 through a power drive mechanism, such
as a drive chain, so as to drive and rotate the rear wheel 30.
[0032] A rear fender 40 for covering an upper side of the rear wheel
30 is mounted to a rear portion of body frame 13. Most of the rear portion
of the body frame 13 is covered with a rear cowl 50.
[0033] A grab handle 60 to be grabbed by a pillion rider is provided
at a rear end of the seat 21. The grab handle 60 is adapted to be fixed to a
grab handle mounting bracket disposed over upper tubes (not shown) of
the body frame 13 by welding or by means of fasteners.
[0034] In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG- 2, the grab
handle 60 includes a pair of left and right mounting arms (60a, 60a)
extending along a motorcycle width direction, a pair of left and right
holding arms (60b, 60b) extending rearwardly from said pair of left and
right mounting arms (60a, 60a) and in a direction parallel to a motorcycle
longitudinal axis, and a connecting arm 60c connecting said pair of left
and right holding arms (60b, 60b) at a rear end thereof.
[0035] The grab handle 60 is mounted to said grab handle mounting
bracket (not shown) disposed below the seat 21 by fastening the pair of

left and right mounting arms (60a, 60a) to said mounting bracket by means of fasteners.
[0036] In the present embodiment of the invention, as may be seen
in FIG.2, the pair of left and right holding arms (60b, 60b) of the grab handle 60 includes three faces namely a first ventral face 60va, a second ventral face 60vb, and a third ventral face 60vc on a ventral side thereof. Further, a dorsal side of the pair of left and right holding arms (60b, 60b) includes a first dorsal face 60da and a second dorsal face 60db (shown in FIG.3), said first dorsal face 60da and said second dorsal face 60db being at least slightly inclined to one another. Furthermore, the dorsal side of the pair of left and right holding arms (60b, 60b) includes an integrally formed partition wall 61 which runs centrally along a longitudinal axis thereof. Furthermore, a plurality of ribs 62 equally spaced along the longitudinal axis of the pair of left and right holding arms (60b, 60b) extends transversely from the integrally formed partition wall 61, on either side thereof. Thus, a mesh like pattern is formed on the dorsal side of the pair of left and right holding arms (60b, 60b). Moreover, the plurality of ribs 62 is spaced between a plurality of slots 63 integrally formed on either -sides of the integrally formed partition wall 61. The plurality of slots 63 are formed throughout the length and width of the pair of left and right holding arms (60b, 60b).
[0037] Formation of the plurality of slots 63 integrally on the dorsal
side of the pair of left and right holding arms (60b, 60b) ensures that there

is material removal from the dorsal side thereof. Moreover, since the plurality of slots 63 are formed across the length and width of the left and right holding arms (60b, 60b) on the dorsal side thereof, significant amount of material removal is achieved. However, at the same time since the plurality of slots 63 are equally spaced from each other and also since the integrally formed partition wall 61 runs centrally along the length of the pair of left and right holding arms (60b, 60b), and between the plurality of slots 63, the material removal is not continuous throughout the length and width of the pair of left and right holding arms (60b, 60b). As a result, rigidity and form stiffness of the grab handle 60 does not get affected. Thus, durability of the grab handle 60 is ensured.
[0038] Further, a cross section of the pair of left and right holding
arms (60b, 60b) taken along the length A-A, as shown in FIG.4, gives an
inverse pentagonal profile, with the first ventral face 60va, the second
ventral face 60vb, the third ventral face 60vc, the first dorsal face 60da
and the second dorsal face 60clb forming five sides of the inverse
pentagonal profile, and with a top surface of the integrally formed partition
wall 61 forming the apex of the inverse pentagonal profile.
[0039] A pentagonal cross section of the pair of left and right
holding arms (60b, 60b) is the most ergonomical profile for the grab handle 60 of the motorcycle since it matches with a profile formed by closed fingers of a fist. Moreover, when the pillion rider grabs a holding arm having a pentagonal profile, no gap is formed between the fingers of

the pillion rider and the holding arm. Thus, gripping comfort of the pillion rider is also ensured by the construction of the grab handle 60, as per the present embodiment.
[0040] The plurality of slots 63 is formed on the dorsal side of the
pair of left and right holding arms (60b, 60b) as per one embodiment of the present invention, by providing projections having a shape complimentary to that of the plurality of slots 63 in the core of a mould, so that material such as plastic or an alloy gets filled around the projections. In the present embodiment, the plurality of slots 63 is rectangular in shape. Side walls 63a of the plurality of slots 63 are in a draw direction of the grab handle 60 in the mould. Thus, as per the present embodiment, the grab handle 60 including the pair of left and right mounting arms (60a, 60a), the pair of left and right holding arms (60b, 60b) and the connecting arm 60c is manufactured as a one piece mould. Thereby, ease of manufacturability of the grab handle 60 is ensured.
[0041] The grab handle 60, manufactured as described above is
directly mounted to the grab handle mounting bracket disposed below the seat 21 through the pair of left and right mounting arms (60a, 60a) by means of fasteners. No additional parts such as a cover to cover a dorsal side of the grab handle, and fasteners to fasten the same are used to enhance the gripping comfort of the grab handle 60. As a result, number of parts is reduced and ease of assembly is ensured.

[0042] In order to provide a superior gripping comfort for the pillion
rider, as per a second embodiment of the present invention, soft material
such as rubber or foam may be inserted in the plurality of slots 63.
[0043] While the present invention has been shown and described
with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it will be apparent
to those skilled in the art that changes in form, connection, and detail may
be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined in the appended claims.

1/We Claim:
1. A grab handle (60) for a motorcycle, said grab handle (60)
comprising a pair of left and right mounting arms (60a,60a), a pair
of left and right holding arms (60b, 60b) extending rearwardly from
said pair of left and right mounting arms (60a,60a), in a direction
parallel to a motorcycle longitudinal axis, and a connecting arm
(60c) connecting said pair of left and right holding arms (60b, 60b)
at a rear end thereof,
characterized in that,
the pair of left and right holding arms (60b, 60b) includes an integrally formed partition wall (61) on a dorsal side thereof, and running centrally along a longitudinal axis thereof, and a plurality of ribs (62) equally spaced along said longitudinal axis of said pair of left and right holding arms (60b,60b), extending transversely from said integrally formed partition wall (61) on either sides thereof, in a manner such that a plurality of slots (63) are formed in said pair of left and right holding arms (60b, 60b).
2. The grab handle (60) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality
of slots (63) are integrally formed along a length and width of said
pair of left and right holding arms (60b,60b).

3. The grab handle (60) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of ribs (62) are integrally formed in said pair of left and right holding arms (60b,60b).
4. The grab handle (60) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said dorsal side thereof includes a first dorsal face (60da) and a second dorsal face (60db) formed inclined to one another.
5. The grab handle (60) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said grab handle (60) includes on its ventral side a first ventral face (60va), a second ventral face (60vb), and a third ventral face (60vc).
6. The grab handle (60) as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein said first ventral face (60va), said second ventral face (60vb), said third ventral face (60vc), said first dorsal face (60da), and said second dorsal face (60db) together form an inverse pentagonal profile.
7. The grab handle (60) as claimed in claims 1-6, wherein said grab handle is formed as one integral member in a mould.
8. The grab handle (60) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 7, wherein said plurality of slots (63) includes side walls (63a) formed in a draw direction of said mould.