TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a handlebar assembly for a scooter type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a split handlebar assembly provided for steering the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, in a conventional steering system of a scooter type vehicle, the handle bar is fixed to the steering stem of the Y type fork through a pipe welded to a bottom side of a handlebar assembly. In the typical scooter type vehicle, most of the portions of the handlebar assembly are covered by panels except on the portions where the riders hands are placed for steering and for operating the controls. In such an arrangement it is not possible to adjust the handlebar with respect to seating posture of the rider unlike in a motorcycle handlebar system or a steering system which is provided with such features. The position of the handlebar with respect to the seating posture of the rider is an important ergonomic characteristic. The handle bar width and position of the handle bar with respect to the seat is fixed for any particular motorcycle. In some cases this factor is believed to have made the customer choice of vehicle available in the market since the ergonomic position of the rider is comfortable for driving comfort and for good maneuverability. This is at the expense of other better quality parameters available in other vehicles except for the uncomfortable ergonomic posture. Hence, there is a requirement for providing a split handlebar assembly, which solves the above mentioned problems. The split handlebar assembly also gives aesthetic appeal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0004] Fig. 1 shows a side view of a scooter type vehicle.
[0005] Fig. 2 shows a side view of a steering system of a scooter type vehicle employing a handlebar assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0006] Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of a handlebar assembly according to an embodiment.
[0007] Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of a handlebar assembly according to an embodiment.
[0008] Fig. 5 shows an exploded view of a handlebar assembly according to an embodiment.
[0009] Fig. 6 shows an enlarged view of an upper bracket according to an embodiment of the proposed invention.
[00010] Fig. 7 shows an enlarged view of an handlebar holder according to an embodiment of the proposed invention.
[00011] Fig. 8 shows an enlarged view of an handlebar holder according to an another embodiment of the proposed invention.

[00012] Fig. 9 shows an enlarged view of an upper bracket according to an embodiment of the proposed invention.
[00013] Fig. 10 shows an exploded view of a plurality of vibration dampers, a plurality of padding elements and a plurality of locator elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00014] This invention therefore proposes a split handlebar assembly of a steering system for a scooter type vehicle having provisions for adjustment and choice is given to the customer to adjust the handle bar assembly position to suit his riding posture for better comfort level. The present invention is explained in greater detail through the following description.
[00015] Fig.l shows a side perspective view of a scooter type vehicle 111. It can be observed from the figure that the handle bar assembly 110 is enclosed under the panels provided in the scooter type vehicle 111. The handlebar assembly is provided for comfortable steering of the vehicle 111. The steering system employing a handle bar assembly 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention is as shown in Fig.2. The handlebar assembly 110 includes an upper bracket 104 with an extended portion 109. A steering axis 105 is attached to the extended portion 109 of the upper bracket 104. The various parts involved in the handlebar assembly 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be understood in greater detail from the following description.
[00016] Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the handlebar assembly 110 according to an embodiment. The handlebar assembly 110 includes an upper bracket 104, a

plurality of receiving portions 208, a left handlebar holder 202, a right handlebar holder 203, a left handlebar 102, a right handlebar 101, a set of control switches 201, a plurality of control levers 103 and an extended portion 109 of the upper bracket 104. The left handlebar 102 and the right handlebar 101 are of tubular type and are detachably attached to the left handlebar holder 202 and the right handlebar holder 203 respectively. The plurality of receiving portions 208 are disposed on the left hand side 205 and the right hand side 206 at a top portion of the upper bracket 104. The left handlebar holder 202 is rotatably mounted to the left hand side 205 receiving portion and the right handlebar holder 203 is rotatably mounted to the right hand side 206 receiving portion. The upper bracket 104 has provisions to accommodate a set of control switches 201 and a plurality of control levers 103. The various members of the handlebar assembly 110 are capable of being detachably attached, providing a split handlebar assembly.
[00017] Fig. 4 shows a handlebar assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. The upper bracket 104 according to an embodiment is configured to accommodate a plurality of vibration dampers 901. The mounting position of the different members of the handlebar assembly 110 remains same as that of the embodiment as discussed in Fig. 3.
[00018] Fig. 5 shows a handlebar assembly according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. The different parts of the handlebar assembly 110 remains same as that of the handlebar assembly 110 as discussed in Fig. 3. The upper bracket 104 includes an extended portion 109. The extended portion 109 as shown in Fig. 5 is a flat surface capable of accommodating a plurality of vibration

dampers 901. The extended portion 109 is attached to the steering axis 105. The steering axis 105 surface is also maintained as a flat surface to match with the extended portion 109 flat surface.
[00019] Fig.6 shows an enlarged view of the upper bracket 104 of the handlebar assembly 110 as shows in the Fig. 3. From the figure it can be observed that at least one projection 601 is disposed at a circumference of the right hand side 206 receiving portion and the left hand side 205 receiving portion. The projection 601 is used to provide rotational motion to the right handlebar holder 203 and the left handlebar holder 202 according to the position of the rider. The position of the right handlebar holder 203 and the left handlebar holder 202 can be adjusted accordingly to suit the rider's position on the vehicle. The ease of adjustment of the handlebar assembly 110 is provided to the rider by the present invention. A hole 602 is provided on the extended portion 109 of the upper bracket 104. The hole facilitates tightening of the steering stem 105 with the extended portion 109. The right handlebar holder 203 and the left handlebar holder 202 is rotatably attached to the plurality of receiving portions 208.
[00020] Fig. 7 shows an enlarged view of the left handlebar holder 202 according to an embodiment explained in the Fig. 3. The left handlebar holder 202 includes plurality of depressions 701 for adjustment of the position of the right handlebar holder 203 and the left handlebar holder 202 as desired by the rider. The projection 601 provided on the upper bracket 104 fit into the plurality of depressions 701 provided on the left handlebar holder 202 and also on the right handlebar holder 203. The plurality of depressions 701 are provided adjacent to

each other. The rider can fit the projection 601 in any of the depressions according to the requirement.
[00021] Fig. 8 shows an enlarged view of the right handlebar holder 203 and the left handlebar holder 202 according to an embodiment as explained in Fig. 4. Fig. 9 shows an enlarged view of the upper bracket 104. The upper bracket according to an embodiment as explained in Fig. 4 is configured to accommodate a plurality of vibration dampers 901.
[00022] Fig. 10 shows an exploded view of the plurality of vibration dampers 901 sandwiched between the plurality of padding elements 902 and the plurality of locator elements 903. The upper bracket 104 is configured to accommodate the plurality of vibration dampers 901. The vibrations emanating out due to an engine operation are passed on to the rider through handlebar assembly 110 leading to rider irritation and discomfort. Hence, a vibration damping system needs to be inserted in the handlebar assembly 110 to prevent the vibrations passing to the rider. The vibration dampers 901 are inserted to eliminate the vibrations emanating out due to an engine operation. The plurality of vibration dampers 901 are inserted on to the upper bracket 104 using, for example, bolts. In order to avoid direct impact of the bolts, the plurality of vibration dampers 901 are sandwiched in between plurality of padding elements 902. The padding elements 902 are kept in place by the locator elements 903.
[00023] This invention therefore proposes a scooter type vehicle 111 steering system with split handle bar assembly having provisions for adjustment and

choice is given to the customer to adjust the handle bar assembly 110 position to suit his riding posture for better comfort level.
[00024] 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:

I/We claim:
1. A handle bar assembly (110) for a scooter type vehicle (111), said
handle bar assembly (110) comprising:
an upper bracket (104) with an extended portion (109), said upper bracket (104) including a plurality of receiving portions (208) disposed on a left hand side (205) and a right hand side (206) of said upper bracket (104);
a steering axis (105) capable of being mounted to said extended portion (109) of said upper bracket (104);
a left handlebar holder (202) rotatably disposed on a left hand side (205) receiving portion of said plurality of receiving portions (208) of said upper bracket (104);
a right handlebar holder (203) rotatably disposed on a right hand side (206) receiving portion of said plurality of receiving portions (208) of said upper bracket (104);
a left handlebar (102) mounted on said left handlebar holder (202); and
a right handlebar (101) mounted on said right handlebar holder (203);
characterized in that,

said left handlebar (102) is detachably attached to said left handlebar holder (202) and said right handlebar (101) is detachably attached to said right handlebar holder (203), at least one projection (601) disposed along the circumference of said left hand side (205) receiving portion and said right hand side (206) receiving portion on said upper bracket (104) for providing rotational movement to said left handlebar holder (202) and said right handlebar holder (203).
2. A handle bar assembly (110) for a scooter type vehicle (111), said
handle bar assembly (110) comprising:
an upper bracket (104) with an extended portion (109), said upper bracket (104) including a plurality of receiving portions(208) disposed on a left hand side (205) and a right hand side (206) of said upper bracket (104);
a steering axis (105) capable of being mounted to said extended portion (109) of said upper bracket (104);
a left handlebar holder (202) rotatably disposed on a left hand side (205) receiving portion of said plurality of receiving portions (208) of said upper bracket (104);
a right handlebar holder (203) rotatably disposed on a right hand side (206) receiving portion of said plurality of receiving portions (208) of said upper bracket (104);
a left handlebar (102) mounted on said left handlebar holder (202); and

a right handlebar (101) mounted on said right handlebar holder (203);
characterized in that,
said left handlebar (102) is detachably attached to said left handlebar holder (202) and said right handlebar (101) is detachably attached to said right handlebar holder (203), at least one projection (601) disposed along the circumference of said left hand side (205) receiving portion and said right hand side (206) receiving portion on said upper bracket (104) for providing rotational movement to said left handlebar holder (202) and said right handlebar holder (203), a plurality of vibration dampers (901) sandwiched between padding elements (902) and locator elements (903) disposed in said upper bracket (104) provide a reduced vibration to said handlebar assembly (110).
3. The handlebar assembly (110) for a scooter type vehicle (111) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said left handlebar (102) and said right handlebar (101) having provisions for mounting a plurality of control levers (103) and a plurality of control switches (201).
4. The handlebar assembly (110) for a scooter type vehicle (111) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said upper bracket (104) having a flat extended portion (109) is capable to accommodate said plurality of vibration dampers (901) in a horizontal direction.
5. The handlebar assembly (110) for a scooter type vehicle (111) as claimed in claim 2 ,wherein said plurality of vibration dampers (901) includes a plurality of padding elements (902) and a plurality of locator elements (903) to provide

a better point of contact between said upper bracket (104) and said plurality of vibration dampers (901).
6. The handlebar assembly (110) for a scooter type vehicle (111) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said left handlebar holder (202) and right handlebar holder (203) is having at least one socket (702) to facilitate detachable attachment of the left handlebar (102) and the right handlebar (101).
7. The handlebar assembly (110) for a scooter type vehicle (111) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said plurality of locator elements (903) are provided to hold said plurality of padding elements (902) in place preventing displacement of said plurality of padding elements (902) while bolting of said plurality of vibration dampers (901) to said upper bracket (104).
8. The handlebar assembly (110) for a scooter type vehicle (111) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said plurality of vibration dampers (901) is provided with said plurality of padding elements (902) to prevent direct impact on said plurality of vibration dampers (901) during mounting of said plurality of vibration dampers (901) to said upper bracket (104).
9. The handlebar assembly (110) for a scooter type vehicle (111) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said left handlebar holder (202) and said right handlebar holder (201) is detachably attached to said upper bracket (104) through at least one slot (402) provided on said upper bracket (104).

10. The handlebar assembly (110) for a scooter type vehicle (111) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upper bracket (104) includes a hole (602) for tightening with said steering axis (105).