Hand hold for a motorcycle

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a hand hold for a motorcycle and more particularly to an improved hand hold structure with multi utility features for a motorcycle.

Background of the invention

Generally the rearmost end of a motorcycle is provided with a hand hold posterior to the motorcycle seat and above the tail light. The hand hold enables a pillion rider to hold on to the motorcycle firmly and provides seating support to the pillion rider. It is also used to put the motorcycle on the centre stand or side stand provided thereof.

A known hand hold is approximately of L-shaped construction with at least two members (or arms), a side member, present on either side of the rear end of the motorcycle, approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the motorcycle and a vertical member approximately vertical to the longitudinal axis of the motorcycle wherein the said members are continuous and angularly disposed to each other. The side member of the hand hold is provided with mounting means to rigidly fasten the hand hold to the motorcycle frame and is used by the pillion rider to hold on to the motorcycle.

Typically a rider of the motorcycle employs a detachable external lock to carry along and hold a helmet (or other useful article like a bag) during motorcycle static or moving condition. Usually this lock is attached to any of the side member of the said hand hold and helps to hold the helmet and prevents its theft. In this scenario, the helmet touches the motorcycle exterior and may hamper the exterior appearance of the motorcycle. The lock itself may rub along the length of the side member of the hand hold and cause scouring marks. When the motorcycle is being ridden, the lock tends to move along the length of the side member and does not allow the pillion rider to comfortably hold on to the side member of the hand hold.

Further the said detachable lock can also be attached to a saree guard or a crash guard of the motorcycle. In this lock position, when the helmet or bag is secured to the lock, it becomes difficult to park the motorcycle in a cramped parking space owing to the space taken up by the laterally secured helmet or bag.

Furthermore the lock increases the cost of ownership of the motorcycle. The difficulty in parking the motorcycle coupled with additional cost may be bothersome for the rider of the motorcycle and may force him to forego carrying his helmet while going out thereby seriously compromising his safety or leave behind the useful article(s). The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more problems as set forth above.

Summary of the invention
It is hence an object of the present invention to integrate a locking means with a hand hold provided in a motorcycle thereby enabling a rider of the motorcycle to effortlessly carry useful articles while going for a ride and ensuring his safety. The present invention therefore discloses a multipurpose means primarily for supporting a pillion rider and carrying useful articles on a two wheeled vehicle positioned posterior to a vehicle seat, the said multipurpose means comprising of a connecting member placed between a plurality of side members, the said multipurpose means secured to a frame of the vehicle through at least one mounting lug extended laterally from each said side member and through a bracket positioned at a lower level to the said connecting member connected to the each side member through a projection, the said connecting member further comprising of a hinge portion and a lock portion on opposite ends of the said connecting member in such a way that the said connecting member is capable of being locked and unlocked by a user (rider) of the vehicle.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a cost effective, easy to use and multipurpose hand hold usable by a pillion rider to hold on firmly to the motorcycle. The present invention thus provides a hand hold for a motorcycle posterior to the motorcycle seat comprising at least two side members, one on either side of the longitudinal axis of the motorcycle, a connecting member connecting the said side members capable of being locked and unlocked with a side member, a mounting lug provided on an anterior end of each side member attaching the said hand hold with the motorcycle frame, a bracket placed lower to the connecting member and connected to posterior end of the said side members through projection to further secure the said hand hold to the vehicle frame.

The foregoing objectives and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the ensuing detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a side view of a typical motorcycle.

Figure 2 shows a top view of the motorcycle fitted with a hand hold in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 illustrates the isometric view of a hand hold according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 depicts an isometric view of a hand hold secured to the motorcycle frame in a state where a connecting member of the said hand hold is unlocked.

Figure 5 shows a projection view of the hand hold secured to the motorcycle frame in a state where a connecting member of the said hand hold is locked.

Figure 6 illustrates another embodiment of a hand hold for a motorcycle. Detailed description of the invention

The present invention provides a multipurpose and improved hand hold for a motorcycle providing support to the pillion rider as well as allowing the rider to carry along useful articles without hampering the motorcycle external appearance and aiding the parking of motorcycle in a cramped parking space.

Various other features of the improved hand hold proposed here will be discernible from the following further description thereof set out hereunder.

In the ensuing exemplary embodiments, the vehicle is a two wheeled motorcycle. However it is contemplated that the disclosure in the present invention may be applied to any automobile capable to hosting a hand hold posterior to the seat without defeating the spirit of the invention like a scooter or a moped. Further "front" and "rear", and "left" and "right" referred to in the ensuing description for the illustrated embodiment refer to front and rear, and left and right directions as seen in a state of being
seated on a seat of the motorcycle and looking forward. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to the motorcycle, while a lateral axis refers generally to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the motorcycle.

The present invention is now described in detail in connection with the rendered drawings. It should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the description. The detailed explanation of the constitution of parts other than the invention which constitutes an essential part has been omitted at opportune places.

As shown in Figure 1, a typical motorcycle 1 comprises a body frame assembly made up of a number of tubes welded together. The motorcycle 1 has a steerable front wheel 11 and a driven rear wheel 12. The body frame primarily includes a head pipe 101, a plurality of main tubes 111, 112 originating from the head pipe 101 approximately horizontal to the ground and enclosed by various motorcycle components and a down tube 102. The main tubes 111, 112 span across the longitudinal axis of the motorcycle 1. The head pipe 101 is disposed at a front end of the body frame of the motorcycle and a front fork 103 rotatably carries the front wheel 11. The front fork 103 may be connected to the head pipe 101 by any known type of suspension system. The head pipe 101 supports a steering shaft (not shown) disposed inside the head pipe 101. The upper and lower ends of the steering shaft are fixed on an upper bracket and the under bracket. The front end of the main tube and an upper end of the down tube 102 are connected to the head pipe 101. The down tube 102 extends obliquely downward in front of an internal combustion engine E from the head pipe 101 whereas the main tube extends rearward from the front end thereof.

The engine E is disposed below the main tube, and the main tube supports it. The engine may be an engine of a water-cooled type or air-cooled type. Drive force output from the engine is transmitted to the rear wheel 12 via a chain. A front fender 104 is provided below the under bracket to avoid the motorcycle and its occupants from being splashed with mud.

A fuel tank 105 is disposed above the main tube, on the upper side of the engine E, for storing the fuel for propelling the motorcycle 1. A seat 106 for a driver and a pillion is further provided, with the said seat being placed behind the fuel tank 105 and rearwardly of the main tube.

The rear wheel 12 revolves about a central axle 13. The axle 13 is supported at each end by a swing arm 14, the swing arm in turn pivotally connected to the body frame of the motorcycle by a rear shock absorber 300. Generally a motorcycle may use any of the two arrangements for rear shock absorbers, namely dual shock and mono shock. However the present invention is exemplified through a dual shock absorber. The dual shock absorbers are fixed at their upper ends to the motorcycle frame. Their lower ends are fixed to the swing arm 14.

The anterior portion of the motorcycle placed forward to the fuel tank 105 comprises of a headlamp assembly, the headlamp assembly further comprising a headlamp 108 and a visor 107. The handle bar assembly further comprises of a handle bar 110 extending transversely to the vehicle. The handle bar 110 is fixed on an upper bracket. A pair of rear view mirror 109 is mounted one each on either side of the handle bar by the use of brackets.

Figure 2 shows a top view of the concerned motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein a hand hold 200 is mounted on to the frame of the motorcycle 1. The hand hold 200 is located posterior to the motorcycle seat 106 above the tail light and is projected laterally beyond seat width on left and right side of the longitudinal axis of the motorcycle. It comprises of a plurality of side members connected by a connecting member. In an embodiment of the present invention, the said hand hold 200 comprises of at least two side members 201, 202 equidistantly spaced from the motorcycle seat 106 on the left and right side and a connecting member 400 placed at the rearmost end of the motorcycle seat 106 between the side members 201, 202 thereby connecting them. The side members are used by a pillion rider for holding on to the motorcycle firmly when the motorcycle is in moving condition.

Figure 3 shows the isometric view of a hand hold according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The side member 201 has an anterior end 203 and a posterior end. A mounting lug 205 along the lateral
axis extends from the anterior end 203 of the side member 201. Likewise the side member 202 has an anterior end 204. A mounting lug 206 along the lateral axis extends from the anterior end 204 of the side member 202. The mounting lugs 205, 206 secure the said side members 201, 202 of the hand hold 200 to the main pipe 111, 112 of the motorcycle frame through the mounting means provided thereof in the respective mounting lugs.

A continuous bracket spread largely along the lateral axis of the motorcycle is positioned at a lower elevation than the connecting member 400. The said bracket provides additional support for mounting of the hand hold 200 to the main tubes of the motorcycle frame. In an embodiment of the present invention, the said bracket comprises of at least two longitudinal protrusions 208, 207, each protrusion being proximate to the respective side member 201, 202 and placed lower to the connecting member 400. The said protrusions have mounting means 210, 209 to further fasten or secure the hand hold 200 to the main tubes 111,112. The bracket is connected to the rest of the hand hold at atleast two locations. One side of the bracket is connected to a lower surface of a posterior end of the side member 201 through a projection 211 whereas the other side of the bracket is connected to a lower surface of a posterior end of the side member 202 through the projection 212.

The connecting member 400 is the rear most structure of the said hand hold 200 as it is located rear most in the given construction scheme. It is connected to the respective posterior most ends of the side members 201, 202. The connecting member 400 comprises of a lock portion 403 and a hinge portion 401 at opposite ends of the connecting member 400. The hinge portion 401 is connected to the posterior most end of the side member 202 through a hinge whereas the lock portion 403 is connected to posterior most end of the side member 201 by a locking means 402. The connecting member 400 can be locked and unlocked with respect to the side member 201. Moreover the said locking means 402 can be present either at the posterior most end of the side member 201 or integrated with the lock portion 403 of the connecting member itself. A keyhole present in the lock portion 403 allows the user of the motorcycle to operate the locking means 402. Figure 4 shows the embodied hand hold secured to the motorcycle frame in a state where a connecting member of the said hand hold is unlocked. The connecting member 400 is capable of angular movement in unlocked state as it is hinged on one side. Figure 5 shows the embodied hand hold secured to the motorcycle frame in a state where a connecting member of the said hand hold is locked. The connecting member 400 may be placed at a higher elevation than the side members so as to provide back rest to the pillion rider.

Figure 6 describes another embodiment of the hand hold for the motorcycle wherein the connecting member 400 has a hinged portion 401 and an insert 404. The locking means 500 is annexed to the side member 201 having a corresponding slit 405 for the insert 404 and a key hole 403 for operating the locking means 500. When the useful article is attached inside of the connecting member 400, it is pressed and the insert 404 moves into the slit 405 after which the connecting member 400 is locked by the user by operating the locking means 500 through the keyhole 403.

From the forgoing description, it will be appreciated that the present invention offers many advantages. In the present invention, the lock function is integrated with the support function in the hand hold for the motorcycle. The present invention thus removes the need for a detachable external lock to be attached to the said hand hold and therefore results in trouble free riding experience for the rider and pillion rider.
The strap of any useful article including a helmet or a bag can be secured to the unlocked connecting member 400 and it can be locked afterwards by the user of the motorcycle through the key hole in the lock portion 403 of the connecting member. Thus secured useful article due to its rearmost attachment with respect to the rest of the motorcycle does not hinder the parking of the said motorcycle in a cramped parking space thereby relieving the user of trouble.

When the motorcycle is in moving condition, the movement of the secured article(s) is restricted along the lateral axis of the motorcycle due to the presence of projections 211, 212 which do not allow the said strap to move beyond the posterior end of any of the side member. Thus the said projections refrain the helmet strap (for example) from moving towards the anterior end of any of the side member. Therefore the pillion rider can comfortably hold on to the motorcycle along the length of any of the side member without the hindrance of the troublesome strap unlike the prior art.

Further the said hand hold and its constituents may be made up of any material including plastic resin and alloy.

The present invention is thus described. Although the expression "motorcycle" is used in this specification it is to be construed as including any other type of motor vehicle as well, to which this invention is applicable like scooter and moped. The terms and expressions in this specification are of description and not of limitation and do not exclude any equivalents of the features illustrated and described, but it is understood that various other embodiments are also possible without departing from the scope and ambit of this Invention which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Accordingly, the description is to be understood as an exemplary embodiment and reading of the invention is not intended to be taken restrictively.

We claim:

1. A multipurpose means primarily for supporting a pillion rider and carrying useful articles on a two wheeled vehicle positioned posterior to a vehicle seat, the said multipurpose means comprising of a connecting member placed between a plurality of side members, the said multipurpose means secured to a frame of the vehicle through at least one mounting lug extended laterally from each said side member and through a bracket positioned at a lower level to the said connecting member connected to the each side member through a projection, the said connecting member further comprising of a hinge portion and a lock portion on opposite ends of the said connecting member in such a way that the said connecting member is capable of being locked and unlocked by a user of the vehicle.

2. A hand hold for a vehicle posterior to a vehicle seat comprising:

a plurality of side members, at least one side member on either side of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle,
a connecting member connecting the said side members,

a mounting lug provided on an anterior end of a side member of the said hand hold attaching the said hand hold with a frame of the vehicle,

a bracket connected to a posterior end of the said side members through a plurality of projections to further secure the said hand hold to the vehicle frame,

wherein the said connecting member is capable of being locked and unlocked with a side member.

3. A hand hold for a vehicle as claimed in claim 2 wherein the said bracket is positioned at a lower elevation to the said connecting member.

4. A hand hold for a vehicle as claimed in claim 2 wherein a locking means may be attached to the posterior end of the side member or the connecting member.

5. A hand hold for a vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the said connecting member further comprises of a hinge portion and a lock portion.

6. A hand hold for a vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the said hand hold is made up of any material including plastic resin.

7. A hand hold for a vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the said vehicle may include a motorcycle, a scooter or a moped.

8. A hand hold for a motorcycle substantially as claimed in any of the preceding claims and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.