FIELD OF INVENTION:
The present invention relates to a handlebar grip used in two wheeled vehicles. More particularly the present invention relates to handlebar grip assembly providing ventilation so as to provide air flow on rider's hands.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
It is well known that two wheeler riders in general are prone to fatigue due to hot weather. The human body attempts to counter the heat through perspiration and changes in blood circulation to cool the rider's body. The palms of the human hand are one of those areas where heat is exchanged more efficiently than other parts of the body. Rider's hands are also engaged tightly on the handlebar grips for stabilizing, steering and preventing user from excessive vibrations and shocks. The tight gripping also prevents the hands from cooling. There exists a real need to provide a cooling effect to two wheeler riders. Ventilated handlebar grips can be used to provide a flow of air over the rider's palms, thereby cooling the person engaged in the activity.
The handlebar grips used till date as shown in fig. 1 are generally made of rubber or plastic material which are hollow from inside and can be inserted onto the ends of handlebars generally tubular in shape. These grips do not dry out any sweat produced in the palm of the rider due to absence of air circulation between palm and the grip.
It has also been noticed that while using such grips users face problems like pain in palm, blister formation in palm, discomfort and slippage of hand over the grip.
The handlebar grips used in automobiles are one of the important parts of the vehicle in terms of functionality, safety and style.
A wide variety of hand controls are used on automobiles with handlebars. These controls are operated while gripping the handle bar. The right hand side of the handlebar is to be gripped firmly enough and yet the grip should be opened against the throttle return spring


and manipulated to accelerate and decelerate the vehicle. It is to be noted that riding the bike at speed on motorways, this gripping effort uses high muscular effort.
However, riders have complained about the fatigue they face during a long drive. Blister formation has been found at various points on the palm. Hot weather, constant rubbing of hand against the grip along with the sweat on the palm is the cause of blister formation and slipping of hand. This can cause loss of gripping, throttling and control over the vehicle.
Therefore there always existed a need to develop a handlebar grip which provides better comfort to the rider by overcoming the above mentioned shortcomings.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The main object of the present invention is to provide a handle bar grip which overcomes at least one of the problems of prior art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
Figure 1 illustrates the conventional handlebar grip for two wheeled vehicles.
Figure 2 illustrates various pressure points on hand which come in contact with the grip.
Figure 3 illustrates the increase in contact area of the hand with the grip.
Figure 4a illustrates the handlebar grip assembly for air circulation according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4b illustrates the handlebar grip with its opening near the second end for air
intake.
Figure 4c illustrates an exploded view of the handlebar grip as described in figure 4a.
Figure 4d illustrates handlebar grip with varying cross section, ulnar support (support for
the hand) and the set of grooves provided for air circulation.
Figure 4e illustrates varying cross section of the grooves for embodiment.
Figure 5a illustrates an alternate embodiment of the handlebar grip with air intake from
atmosphere from first end.
Figure 5b illustrates the handlebar grip assembly with varying cross section for mass
customization.


Figure 5c illustrates an exploded view of the grip assembly including soft cushion and the
insert.
Figure 5d illustrates varying cross section of the grooves for embodiment.
Figure 6a illustrates yet another embodiment of the handlebar grip where the air enters
through a flap provided at the second end.
Figure 6b illustrates an insert with slots for air circulation for the handlebar grip assembly
of the present invention.
Figure 6c illustrates an exploded view of the said embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description well known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the description with unnecessary detail.
The present invention is mainly described with reference to right hand side handlebar grip. The left hand side will be a mirror image to that of the right hand side.
Accordingly the present invention provides a handlebar grip for two wheeled and three wheeled vehicles, the said handlebar grip having a first end and a second end, the second end being in close proximity to the end weight, said handlebar grip comprising at least one air intake opening, the said opening being oriented in the direction of forward travel of the vehicle; and at least one groove over the external layer of the handlebar grip extending from the said air intake opening along the surface of the grip.
According to an aspect of the present invention a handlebar grip is described wherein the handlebar grip comprises an insert defining an internal layer of the handlebar grip.
According to another aspect of the present invention a handlebar grip is described wherein the said air intake opening is present at a protruded portion of the internal layer of the handlebar grip, the said protruded portion present at the second end of the grip.
According to one more aspect of the present invention a handlebar grip is described wherein the said groove/channel extends from the said air intake opening to first end of the handlebar grip.


Yet another aspect of the present invention a handlebar grip is described wherein the said handlebar grip comprises a supporting means to rest the hand.
Another aspect of the present invention describes a handlebar grip wherein the said at least one air intake opening is present at first end of the handlebar grip.
According to one more aspect of the present invention a handlebar grip is described wherein the air intake opening is present at external layer of the handlebar grip.
Yet another aspect of the present invention describes a handlebar grip wherein the said groove/channel extends from the said air intake opening to second end of the handlebar
grip-
An aspect of the present invention describes a handlebar grip wherein the said air intake opening is attached to a flap assembly having a cavity to collect the air.
Another aspect of the present invention a handlebar grip is described wherein the said flap assembly having a passage for guiding the air collected towards the air inlet opening.
One more aspect of the present invention describes a handlebar grip wherein the handlebar grip is of non uniform cross section.
Yet another aspect of the invention describes a handlebar grip wherein the grooves extending from the said opening to over the surface of grip decrease in their cross section so as to create pressure difference.
An aspect of the present invention describes a handlebar grip wherein the external layer of the grip is made up of one of the following: rubber, PVC blend, or blend of polymer material.
One more aspect of the invention describes a handlebar grip wherein the internal layer is made up of rigid plastic or rigid material.
It is an object of this invention to provide handlebar grip (100, 200, 300) in two wheeled or three wheeled vehicles. The said handlebar grip is having a first end (101, 201, 301) and a second end (102, 202, 302) the second end being in close proximity to the end


weight (103, 203, 303) of the handlebar. The handlebar grip comprises of at least one air intake opening (104, 204, 304), the said opening being oriented in the direction of forward travel of the vehicle. More specifically, the said air inlet opening allows the air to enter the handlebar grip. Furthermore, the handlebar grip is made up of two layers, internal layer (106, 206, 306) and external layer (107, 207, 307). The air inlet opening can be present on either end, first end (101, 201, 301) or second end (102, 202, 302). Moreover, the air inlet opening can be present on internal layer (106, 206, 306) or external layer (107, 207, 307) of the handlebar grip. Additionally the internal layer of the handlebar grip is an insert.
In addition to the air inlet openings, the handlebar grip comprises of at least one groove (105, 205, 305) which extends from the said opening to over the surface of the grip. More specifically, the groove is present on external surface of the handlebar grip and is spread over its surface in a manner so as to extend from the starting end to other end. The grooves are channels or air discharge openings which extend so as to channelise the flow of air on the surface of handlebar grip. The grooves are positioned in such a manner so as to fall below the rider's palm which is firmly pressed against the handlebar grip while the rider is riding the vehicle.
Furthermore, the shape of handlebar grip has been so defined so as to support the whole hand in natural and relaxed position. The handlebar grip is provided with varying cross section which provides the rider a provision of customization. Due to different hand length and hand width, masses rider can hold the grip as per his ergonomic suitability. There are also soft materials (208) present at localized areas, which are directly in contact with pressure points (sensitive areas) (Figure 2) of the hand and thus improving the comfort and stress on the muscles. The blister formation due to the hard materials and compression of hand is well addressed by the combination of increasing contact area (Figure 3) and providing soft material over the grip.
Moreover, the external layer of the grip which is in contact with rider's hand is made up of rubber or PVC blend or blend of polymer material. The internal layer of the grip is made up of hard plastic or hard polymer. The external layer and the internal layer are combined to each other and they collectively form the handlebar grip.


Additionally, the grooves or the channels which extend from the air inlet opening to over the surface of the handlebar grip decrease in their cross sectional area as they travel over the handlebar grip (figure 4e, figure 5d). Specifically, the grooves or the channels decrease in depth as well as breadth as they travel over the surface of the handlebar grip. More specifically the starting point of the grooves is provided at such a place where the cross sectional area of the handlebar grip is more with respect to the cross sectional area at the place where the grooves or the channel ends. This has been done so as to create a pressure difference with respect to the air entering the grooves and that leaving. Further explanation of the same can be found in the proceeding description of drawings with reference to the embodiments.
In addition to the above, the present invention can be customized for different kind of two wheelers such as cruiser bikes, street bikes, sports bike etc. For each of the said bikes the angle at which the handlebar grip is assembled in the bike is different. With the change in angle of the handlebar grip angle, the position of air inlet opening has to be changed in order so that it is oriented in the direction of forward travel of the vehicle.
The following paragraphs describe an embodiment of the present invention with reference to figures 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d and 4e.
Figures 4a to 4e illustrate an embodiment of the two wheeled or three wheeled vehicles. The handlebar grip (100) is having a first end (101) and a second end (102), the second end (102) being in close proximity to the end weight (103) of the handlebar. In this embodiment of the present invention the air inlet opening (104) is present at the second end (102) and in the internal layer (106) of the handlebar grip (100), more specifically in the insert. Moreover, the handlebar grip (100) is provided in a protrusion (108) provided in the handlebar grip as shown. The said protrusion (108) is provided in such a manner so as to vary cross sectional area of the handlebar grip and provide a provision of customization to the rider. Furthermore, the positioning of protrusion becomes a support (108) for rider's hand thus improving comfort and decreasing stress on the muscles. The air inlet opening (104) is oriented in the direction of forward travel of the vehicle so as to force the air into the plurality of grooves or channels (105) provided over the surface of the handlebar grip (100). The grooves or channels (105) are air discharge openings which


are provided over the external layer (107) of the handlebar grip (100). More specifically the position of plurality of grooves (105) over the handlebar grip (100) makes it to fall under the palm of the rider so as to reduce the rider’s fatigue by cooling the palms on the rider’s hands.
Figure 4e illustrates grooves or channels (105) in particular. The grooves (105) extend from the air inlet opening (104) provided on the second end (102) of the handlebar grip to the first end (101) of the handlebar grip. The grooves decrease in their cross sectional area as they travel along the surface of the handlebar grip (100). More particularly the grooves (105) decrease in depth and breadth as they travel along the surface of the handlebar grip (100). This is done so as to create a pressure difference with respect to the air entering the grooves and that leaving. More particularly this is described in the table below with reference to the figure 4e.

(Table Removed)
Table 1
The following paragraphs describe another embodiment of the present invention with reference to figures 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d.
Figures 5a to 5d illustrate an embodiment of the two wheeled or three wheeled vehicles. The handlebar grip (200) is having a first end (201) and a second end (202), the second end (202) being in close proximity to the end weight (203) of the handlebar. In this embodiment of the present invention at least one air inlet opening (204) is present at the first end (201). The said opening is present in the external layer (207) of the handlebar


grip (201). Furthermore, the air inlet opening (204) is oriented in the direction of forward travel of the vehicle so as to force the air into the grooves or channels (205) provided over the surface of the handlebar grip (200). Also, the handlebar grip (200) is of varying cross sectional area and has been designed so that the grip provides support to whole hand in natural and relaxed position. The varying cross section gives the rider a provision of customization. Due to different hand length and hand width the masses rider can hold the handlebar grip as per his ergonomic suitability. Moreover, the air inlet opening (204) is present at such a place on the handlebar grip wherein the thickness of the external layer (207) of the handlebar grip is more as compared to rest of the surface. The air inlet opening (204) in the said embodiment continues over the handlebar grip (200) in the form of grooves or channels (205). Grooves or channels (205) are air discharge openings positioned so as to fall under the palm of the rider which in turn reduces the rider’s fatigue by cooling palms on the rider’s hands.
Figure 5d illustrates grooves or channels (205) in particular. The grooves (205) extend from the air inlet opening (204) provided on the first end (201) of the handlebar grip (200) to the second end (202) of the handlebar grip. The grooves (205) decrease in their cross sectional area as they travel along the surface of the handlebar grip. More particularly the grooves (205) decrease in depth and breadth as they travel along the surface of the handlebar grip (200). This is done so as to create a pressure difference with respect to the air entering the grooves (200) and that leaving. More particularly this is described in the table below with reference to the figure 5d.

(Table Removed)
Table 2

The following paragraphs describe yet another embodiment of the present invention with reference to figures 6a, 6b and 6c.
Figures 6a to 6c illustrate an embodiment of the two wheeled or three wheeled vehicles. The handlebar grip (300) is having a first end (301) and a second end (302), the second end (302) being in close proximity to the end weight (303) of the handlebar. In this embodiment of the present invention at least one air inlet opening (304) is present at the second end (302). The said opening is present in the internal layer (306) of the handlebar grip. This opening is further connected to a flap (303) which has a cavity (304a) for collecting air. In this embodiment of the present invention the cavity (304a) points in the direction of movement of the vehicle. The air which is collected by air passes on to a passage or a conduit in the flap. The end point of the conduit or the passage of the flap is connected to the opening (304) provided in the internal layer (306) of the handlebar grip (300). The opening (304) in the internal layer or the insert is provided in the form of a projection as shown in the figure. The projecting part of the insert causes varying cross section of the handlebar grip. This has been so designed, so that the grip provides support to whole hand in natural and relaxed position. The varying cross section gives the rider a provision of customization. Due to different hand length and hand width the masses rider can hold the handlebar grip as per his ergonomic suitability. The air inlet opening (304) in the said embodiment continues over the handlebar grip (300) in the form of plurality of grooves or channels (305). Grooves or channels (305) are air discharge openings positioned so as to fall under the palm of the rider which in turn reduces the rider's fatigue by cooling palms on the rider's hands.
While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrated and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation and various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We Claim:
1. A handlebar grip for two wheeled and three wheeled vehicles, the said handlebar
grip having a first end and a second end being in close proximity to the end weight, said
handlebar grip comprising:
at least one air intake opening, the said opening being oriented in the direction of forward travel of the vehicle; and
at least one groove over the external layer of the handlebar grip extending from the said air intake opening along the surface of the grip.
2. The handlebar grip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handlebar grip comprises an insert defining an internal layer of the handlebar grip.
3. The handlebar grip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said air intake opening is present at a protruded portion of the internal layer of the handlebar grip, the said protruded portion present at the second end of the grip.
4. The handlebar grip as claimed in claim 1 and 3, wherein the said groove/channel extends from the said air intake opening to first end of the handlebar grip.
5. The handlebar grip as claimed in claim 3, wherein the said handlebar grip comprises a supporting means to rest the hand.
6. The handlebar grip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said at least one air intake opening is present at first end of the handlebar grip.
7. The handlebar grip as claimed in claim 6, wherein the air intake opening is present at external layer of the handlebar grip.
8. The handlebar grip as claimed in claim 6, wherein the said groove/channel extends from the said air intake opening to second end of the handlebar grip.


9. The handlebar grip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said air intake opening is attached to a flap assembly having a cavity to collect the air, the cavity pointing in the direction of forward travel of the vehicle.
10. The handlebar grip as claimed in claim 8, wherein the said flap assembly having a passage for guiding the air collected towards the air inlet opening.
11. The handlebar grip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handlebar grip is of non uniform cross section.
12. The handlebar grip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grooves extending from the said opening to over the surface of grip decrease in their cross section so as to create pressure difference.
13. The handlebar grip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external layer of the handlebar grip is made up of one of the following:

a) Rubber;
b) PVC blend; or
c) Blend of polymer material.

14. The handlebar grip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the internal layer of the handlebar grip is made up of rigid plastic or rigid material.
15. The handlebar grip for two wheeled and three wheeled vehicles substantially as herein described with reference to the foregoing specification and accompanying