DESC:HANDLE COVER
FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[001] The present invention relates to vehicles and, more particularly, to handle cover of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND

[002] Generally, in a vehicle, one or more switches are used for controlling operation of one or more devices such as headlight, horn, winker, position light. Typically, in a two-wheeled vehicle, all these switches are mounted on the handle cover near the hand grip such that the rider can easily access the switches while driving the vehicle. There are few switches which are snap fit type of switches and generally, fitted on the handle cover of the vehicle. However, to improve the aesthetic look of the switches on the handle bar of the vehicle, there are some switches used in the vehicle which are mounted to the handle cover from inside the handle cover using one or more screws such that only actuation portion of the switches is visible on the handle cover and the remaining portion including mounting portion of the switches are hidden by the handle cover and are not visible from the outside. However, in servicing of such type of switches, the handle cover needs to be removed which may be a time consuming process.
SUMMARY

[003] In an embodiment, a handle cover for a two-wheeled vehicle comprises a main handle cover and at least one of a left switch cover and a right switch cover. The main handle cover is configured to cover at least a first portion of a handle bar of the two-wheeled vehicle. The main handle cover comprises at least one of a left side provision for accommodating one or more switches and a right side provision for accommodating one or more switches. The left switch cover is removably mounted to the main handle cover to cover the left side provision. The left switch cover comprises one or more provisions for enabling a user to operate the one or more switches, wherein the one or more switches are mounted from underside of the left switch cover. The right switch cover is removably mounted to the main handle cover to cover the right side provision. The right switch cover comprises one or more provisions for enabling the user to operate the one or more switches. The one or more switches are mounted from underside of the right switch cover. The left switch cover is removable to access the one or more switches, and wherein the right switch cover is removable to access the one or more switches.
[004] In an embodiment, the main handle cover comprises a central body, a left side portion and a right side portion. The central provision is in form of an opening for accommodating a console unit. The left side portion extends from the central body towards a left handgrip of the handle bar and the left side portion comprises the left side provision. The right side portion extends from the central body towards a right handgrip of the handle bar, and the right side portion comprises the right side provision.
[005] In an embodiment, each of the one or more provisions and the one or more provisions comprises an opening conforming to corresponding switch of the one or more switches and the one or more switches, respectively. The one or more switches and the one or more switches comprise a horn switch, a head light switch, a position lamp switch and a passing switch.
[006] In an embodiment, the left switch cover and the right switch cover is mounted to the main handle cover through at least one of a snap fit means and a screw-bolt means. In an embodiment, the left side provision comprises a plurality of slots for mounting the left switch cover on the left side portion, and the right side provision comprises a plurality of slots for mounting the right switch cover on the right side portion.
[007] In an embodiment, the left switch cover comprises an extension comprising a through hole for mounting the left switch cover to the left side provision using a screw passing through a hole configured in the left side provision and through the hole. In an embodiment, the right switch cover comprises an extension comprising a through hole for mounting the the right switch cover to the right side provision using a screw passing through a hole configured in the right side provision and through the hole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[008] The invention itself, together with further features and attended advantages, will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way of example only wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
[009] Figure 1 illustrates a view of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] Figure 2 illustrates another view of a portion of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] Figure 3 illustrates a view of a main handle cover of a handle cover of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0012] Figure 4A illustrates a view of a left switch cover of the handle cover of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0013] Figure 4B illustrates a view of a right switch cover of the handle cover of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention; and
[0014] Figure 5 illustrates an exploded view of the handle cover of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0015] The drawings referred to in this description are not to be understood as being drawn to scale except if specifically noted, and such drawings are only exemplary in nature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the invention.
[0017] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
[0018] The terms “vehicle”, “two-wheeled vehicle” and “motorcycle” have been interchangeably used throughout the description. The term “two wheeled vehicle” includes vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, mopeds, scooter type vehicle, all terrain vehicles (ATV) and the like.
[0019] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate two different views of a two-wheeled vehicle (100) (hereinafter also referred to as ‘vehicle (100)’) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle (100) comprises, inter-alia, a front fork (121), a head tube (110), a front fender (109), a front wheel (108), a handle bar (107), a fuel tank (105) provided below a seat (106), an engine unit (126), evaporated fuel collecting device (not shown), an air cleaner assembly (not shown), a muffler (not shown), rear suspension (not shown) and a rear wheel (127). It may be noted that the vehicle (100) is shown to have include above stated parts, however, those skilled in the art would appreciate that the vehicle (100) includes other parts which may not be relevant for explaining the present invention and hence are not shown and described.
[0020] Referring jointly to Figures 1 and 2, a vehicle body frame of the vehicle (100) comprises the head tube (110), a main frame (112) and a pair of rear seat (right and left) sub-frames (114a), (114b) and one or more cross frame members (116), (120). The main frame (112) extends downward and rearward from the head tube (110) and then extends in substantially horizontal direction. The main frame (112) is provided with a cross member (124) which is connected to the rear end of the main frame (112). The cross member (124) extends in the cross direction of the vehicle (100). A pair of rear seat sub-frames (114a) and (114b) extends rearwardly and upwardly from the ends of the cross member (124) and then extends in substantially horizontal direction. The rear parts of the rear seat sub-frames (114a) and (114b) curve at the rear end and are connected by a bracket (123). The rear side cross frame member (116) is constructed over the front part of the rear side approximately horizontal part of the rear seat sub-frames (114a) and (114b). The fuel tank (105) is arranged on rear end portion of the rear seat sub-frames (114a) and 114b) and under the seat (106). The handle bar (107) is inserted in the head tube (110) and is rotatable relative to the head tube (110). The handle bar (107) is fixed at an upper end of the steering shaft and extends in a vehicle-widthwise direction. A handle cover (202) covers a central part of the handle bar (107) in the vehicle-widthwise direction. A left and right side handgrips (126L, 126R) are attached to the handle bar (107) on the left and right sides of the handle cover (202) in the vehicle-widthwise direction and are rotatable with respect to the handle bar (107).
[0021] The front fork (121) is steerably supported by the head tube (110) and the front wheel (108) is attached to a lower end of the front fork (121). The handle bar (107) is attached to an upper end of the head tube (110). A head light (113) is arranged in front of the handle bar (107). A front fender (109) is provided so as to cover an upper portion of the front wheel (108).
[0022] The seat (106) on which the rider straddles is supported by the pair of rear seat sub-frames (114a) and (114b). The footboard (125) is disposed between the front portion of the seat (106) and the head tube (110).
[0023] A leg shield (102) that protects legs of the rider is provided on the front side of the vehicle (100). A centre frame cover (103) is provided behind the leg shield (102). A centre cover (104) is provided below the front portion of the seat (106). A side cover (101) that covers a vehicle side surface is provided behind the centre cover (104).
[0024] Referring now to Figures 3, 4A, 4B and 5, configuration and placement of a handle cover (202) of the vehicle (100) is described, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0025] The handle cover (202) includes a main handle cover (203) for covering at least a first portion of the handle bar (107), and at least one of a left side provision (216L) and a right side provision (216R). The main handle cover (203) is illustrated in Figure 3, and the left side provision (216L) and the right side provision (216R) are illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B, and an exploded view of the handle cover (202) is illustrated in Figure 5.
[0026] The main handle cover (203) comprises a central body (210), a left side portion (212L) and a right side portion (212R). The main handle cover (203) is mounted to the handle bar (107) between the left and the right hand grips (126L, 126R) for covering the first portion of the handle bar (107). Herein, the first portion represents a portion of the handlebar (107) on which components like console unit, switch assemblies, etc are accommodated, and in so much it should be understood that the first portion is in line of sight of an operator of the vehicle (100) or accessible by the operator while riding the vehicle (100). The central body (210) includes a central provision (214) in form of an opening for accommodating a console unit (204). The central body (210) covers the rear part of the handle bar (107) and more specifically, the central body (210) covers the central part of the first portion of the handle bar (107) in the widthwise direction of the two-wheeled vehicle (100).
[0027] The left side portion (212L) of the main handle cover (203) extends from the central body (210) along the left side of the handle bar (107) towards the left handgrip (126L). The right side portion (212R) of the main handle cover (203) extends from the central body (210) along the right side of the handle bar (107) towards the right handgrip (126R). The left side portion (212L) further includes a left side provision (216L) in the form of an opening for accommodating one or more switches (208a, 208c). The one or more switches (208a, 208c) may be termed as ‘left switch assembly’. The right side portion (212R) further includes a right side provision (216R) in the form of opening for accommodating one or more switches (208b, 208d). The one or more switches (208b, 208d) may be termed as ‘right switch assembly’. Each of the left side provision (216L) and the right side provision (216R) has a plurality of slots for mounting a left switch cover (206L) and a right switch cover (206R), respectively. For example, in the example representation shown in Figure 3, the left side provision (216L) includes a plurality of slots (226a, 226b) and the right side provision (216R) includes a plurality of slots (226c, 226d).
[0028] The left switch cover (206L) and the right switch cover (206R) include one or more provisions in the form of openings for accommodating a plurality of switches. For example, as shown in Figure 4A, the left switch cover (206L) includes openings (218a, 218c) for accommodating switches (208a, 208c), and as shown in Figure 4B, the right switch cover (206R) includes openings (218b, 218d) for accommodating switches (208b, 208d). Herein, the switches (208a, 208c) may be termed as left switch assembly and the switches (208b, 208d) may be termed as right switch assembly. The shape and size of each of the provisions (e.g., the openings (218a, 218b, 218c, 218d)) conform to actuation portion of the corresponding switches (208a, 208b, 208c, 208d) such that the actuation portion of the switches (208a, 208b, 208c, 208d) remain outside of the provisions (218a, 218b, 218c, 218d) and accessible by the operator of the vehicle (100) while riding the vehicle (100). Examples of the plurality of switches (208a, 208b, 208c, 208d) may include a horn switch, head light switch, a position lamp switch, a passing switch and the like switches.
[0029] In an embodiment, the switch covers (206L and 206R) are mounted to the main handle cover (203) using at least one of a snap fit means and screw-bolt means, therefore, the switch covers (206L and 206R) can be removed quickly during assembly or/and servicing of the switches. For example, each of the left and right switch covers (206L, 206R) includes an extension (218L, 218R) at the bottom peripheral side of the left and right switch covers (206L, 206R). In an embodiment, the extensions (218L, 218R) have through holes, for example holes (219L, 219R). In this embodiment, the switch covers (206L or 206R) are mounted on the main handle cover (203) using a screw (220L, 220R) which is positioned on the underside of the handle bar (107) and not visible from the outside, therefore, it acts as antitheft for the switches.
[0030] Additionally or alternatively, in an embodiment, the left and right switch covers (206L, 206R) are removably mounted to the left side provision (216L) and the right side provision (216R), respectively, using a snap fit means. For example, each of the left and right switch covers (206L, 206R) has one or more protrusion on the upper side, for example protrusions (226L, 226R). The one or more protrusions (226L, 226R) fit into slots for example slots 226a, 226b, 226c and 226d provided in the left side provision (216L) and the right side provision (216R). .
[0031] The handle cover (202) has one or more provisions (222a, 222b, 222c and 222d) in form of holes configured at appropriate positions of the main handle cover (203). Using the provisions (222a, 222b, 222c and 222d), the main handle cover (203) is mounted to the handle bar (107).
[0032] As all of the switches (208a, 208b, 208c, 208d) are mounted from the underside of the switch covers (206L or 206R), therefore, there is no need to remove the handle cover (202) for servicing the switches (208a, 208b, 208c, 208d). The switches (208a, 208b, 208c, 208d) along with the wire harness can easily be accessed by removing only the switch covers (206L or 206R) and not the entire main handle cover (203).
[0033] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this invention, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

CLAIMS:CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A handle cover (202) for a two-wheeled vehicle (100), comprising:
a main handle cover (203) configured to cover at least a first portion of a handle bar (107) of the two-wheeled vehicle (100), the main handle cover (203) comprising at least one of:
a left side provision (216L) for accommodating one or more switches (208a, 208c); and
a right side provision (216R) for accommodating one or more switches (208b, 208d); and
at least one of:
a left switch cover (206L) removably mounted to the main handle cover (203) to cover the left side provision (216L), the left switch cover (206L) comprising one or more provisions (218a, 218c) for enabling a user to operate the one or more switches (208a, 208c), wherein the one or more switches (208a, 208c) are mounted from underside of the left switch cover (206L); and
a right switch cover (206R) removably mounted to the main handle cover (203) to cover the right side provision (216R), the right switch cover (206R) comprising one or more provisions (218b, 218d) for enabling the user to operate the one or more switches (208b, 208d), wherein the one or more switches (208b, 208d) are mounted from underside of the right switch cover (206R),
wherein the left switch cover (206L) is removable to access the one or more switches (208a, 208c), and wherein the right switch cover (206R) is removable to access the one or more switches (208b, 208d).

2. The handle cover (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main handle cover (203) comprises:
a central body (210) comprising a central provision (214) in form of an opening for accommodating a console unit (204);
a left side portion (212L) extending from the central body (210) towards a left handgrip (126L) of the handle bar (107), the left side portion (212L) comprising the left side provision (216L); and
a right side portion (212R) extending from the central body (210) towards a right handgrip (126R) of the handle bar (107), the right side portion (212R) comprising the right side provision (216R).

3. The handle cover (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the one or more provisions (218a, 218c) and the one or more provisions (218b, 218d) comprises an opening conforming to corresponding switch of the one or more switches (208a, 208c) and the one or more switches (208b, 208d), respectively.

4. The handle cover (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more switches (208a, 208c) and the one or more switches (208b, 208d) comprise a horn switch, a head light switch, a position lamp switch and a passing switch.

5. The handle cover (202) as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein each of the left switch cover (206L) and the right switch cover (206R) is mounted to the main handle cover (203) through at least one of a snap fit means and a screw-bolt means.

6. The handle cover (202) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the left side provision (216L) comprises a plurality of slots (226a, 226b) for mounting the left switch cover (206L) on the left side portion (212L), and wherein the right side provision (216R) comprises a plurality of slots (226c, 226d) for mounting the right switch cover (206R) on the right side portion (212R).

7. The handle cover (202) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the left switch cover (206L) comprises an extension (218L) comprising a hole (219L) for mounting the left switch cover (206L) to the left side provision (216L) using a screw (220L) passing through a hole (221L) configured in the left side provision (216L) and through the hole (219L).

8. The handle cover (202) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the right switch cover (206R) comprises an extension (218R) comprising a hole (219R) for mounting the the right switch cover (206R) to the right side provision (216R) using a screw (220R) passing through a hole (221R) configured in the right side provision (216R) and through the hole (219R).