Holder for handgrip device

Field of invention

This invention is related to "Holder for handgrip device" and more particularly related a retrofittable holder for providing a handgrip for the pillion rider of a two-wheeler.

Background of the invention

Mostly in motorcycles, handgrip device is provided either behind the pillion rider or on both the sides in the pillion-seating region. The said handgrip device is permanently mounted on the frame structure behind the seat. The said device provides a secure hold to the pillion rider when the vehicle is accelerating, decelerating or moving at steady high speeds. Since the said device is mounted behind the pillion seating area, it is uncomfortable for the pillion rider to access the said device located behind his back and can cause fatigue during the vehicle movement. In case of ladies sitting on one side of the vehicle, the said device is accessible only to one hand causing further safety related issues especially during sudden braking of the vehicle. However this problem overcome in some motorcycles by providing two separate seats for the rider and pillion. In these vehicles, an inverted U type holder is mounted onto the frame structure between the riders' seat and pillion seat in addition to the handgrip device provided behind the pillion seat. This arrangement for such vehicles makes the pillion rider to hold the said U type holder since it is in front of the pillion rider. Even if the pillion sits on the side, there is a secure hold for each of the hands of the pillion rider. In some two-wheelers provided with a single continuous seat to be shared by rider and pillion, have a strap attached to the middle of the seat. The ends of the strap being riveted or fastened on either side of the seat base which holds the seat. Such arrangement is effective only if the seat base is made of sheet metal since the seat should not tear off while pulling. Considering the cost effectiveness and manufacturing feasibility, the contemporary motorcycles are having only plastic seat bases. In such vehicles having a continuous seat with plastic seat base, there is a need to provide a safe holder for handgrip device for the pillion.

Hence the main objective of the invention is to provide a holder for a handgrip device for a two-wheeler having a continuous seat.

Brief description of the invention

The present invention consists of a stiffener securely held to the seat base by known nneans behind the rider-seating region. The said stiffener consists of a strip formed to match the profile of the locater on the seat base and it runs across the breadth of the seat base. The said stiffener is enmolded or fastened by known means with the plastic seat base. At least two slots of .known shapes are provided as provision for a cable or belt to pass through on either sides of the stiffener. The length of the slots is parallel to the length of the seat base. The portion of the stiffener where the slots are present is exposed. The slots, which help in adjusting the length of the cable or belt and securing the cable / belt in position, are aligned such that the cable / belt passes over the seat base at an ergonomically convenient angle to the profile of the seat contour. The edges of the stiffener are given a smooth radius and the said stiffener is made of a suitable material, which ensures the structural integrity of the seat assembly.

Brief description of the drawings

The above and other features, aspects and advantages of the subject matter will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where; Figure 1 illustrates the perspective view of a scooter type motorcycle Figure 2 illustrates the belt system on the seat assembly for a scooter type rnotorcycle with respect to embodiments of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The invention relates to provision of a stiffener secured to the seat base behind the rider-seating region by known means. Here the stiffener includes a strip or a band which runs across the seat base as shown in the drawing. Moreover, the said stiffener is fastened with the seat by known means to avoid any slip and maintain rigidity and safety for the pillion rider while riding. A holder is used with slots as shown the figures for providing grip and holding arrangement for the belt used. The slots are parallel arranged to the seat base. Here the belt is ergonomically arranged which suits the profile of the seat contour. The said stiffener is arranged such that it ensures structural integrity with the seat assembly by including the provisions of smooth radius and a fitting material to suit all the aesthetic as well as functional requirements.

Figure 1 illustrates the perspective view of a scooter type motorcycle 203. Scooter-type vehicles, or scooters 203, include a frame assembly 102, which usually supports the body of a scooter, along with front 105 and rear 112 wheels.

Typically, a frame structure 102 for a scooter type motorcycle comprises a main frame and may also have a sub-frame. The sub-frame is attached to the mainframe using appropriate fastening members. All the other components such as the body panels 201, the engine 109, and the electrical units are mounted on the main frame and the sub frame either directly or by means of holders and fastening members.

The frame assembly 102 includes a head tube, which supports a front wheel suspension assembly 103 of the vehicle. An upper frame extends from the head tube to a rearward end of the vehicle body. A swing arm 110 is pivotally supported by the upper frame and supports a rear wheel 112 of the vehicle. The frame assembly may include a lower frame removeably coupled to the upper frame and defining a space there between.

The sub-frame preferably supports at least one component of the scooter-type vehicle in the space, such as a fuel tank, for example.

Typically, front 103 and rear 111 suspension assemblies are operatively positioned between the front 105 and rear 112 wheels and the frame assembly 102. The front suspension assembly 103 commonly is a telescopic fork arrangement, while the rear suspension assembly 112 is a swing type arrangement. In a scooter, the rear suspension swing arm 110 typically supports a power unit 109, which is configured to drive the rear wheel of the scooter.

The power unit 109, is coupled along with a transmission assembly, such as a drive shaft, drive belt, or chain and sprocket assembly.

The frame assembly 102 of a scooter-type vehicle is an elongated structure, which typically extends from a forward end to a reanward end of the scooter. A scooter frame assembly 102 generally is convex in shape, as viewed from a side elevational view. A handlebar assembly 106 and a seat assembly 108 are supported at opposing ends of the frame assembly 102 and a generally open area is defined there between.

Accordingly, the open area 202 between the handlebar assembly 106 and the seat assembly 108 allows the scooter to be easily straddled, or mounted, as opposed to a typical motorcycle, wherein a motorcycle fuel tank occupies the space between the handlebar assembly and the seat assembly. Such an arrangement may be referred to as a "step-through" frame assembly. Generally, a scooter frame assembly 102 is constructed of a welded-up assembly of individual tubular members.

Typically, a central portion of the frame assembly includes a pair of upper tubes, and a pair of lower tubes. The individual pairs of upper and tower rails usually are aligned with one another in a vertical direction and spaced from one another in a lateral direction, with the pair of upper rails being spaced above the pair of lower rails.

Figure 2 illustrates top perspective view of a scooter type motorcycle 203 equipped with a stiffener with respect to embodiments of the present invention. It shows the total arrangement and mounting of the seat belt stiffener on the scooter type motorcycle 203 accompanying all the embodiments. The stiffener 401 consists of a strip formed to match the profile of the locater on the seat base 108 and it runs across the breadth of the seat base. The said stiffener 401 is enmolded or fastened by known means with the plastic seat base. At least two slots 403 of known shapes are provided as provision for a cable or belt to pass through on either sides of the stiffener 401. The length of the slots 43 is parallel to the length of the seat base. The portion of the stiffener where the slots are present is exposed. The slots 403, which help in adjusting the length of the cable or belt and securing the cable / belt in position, are aligned such that the cable / belt passes over the seat base at an ergonomically convenient angle to the profile of the seat contour. The edges of the stiffener are given a smooth radius and the said stiffener is made of a suitable material, which ensures the structural integrity of the seat assembly.

Although the subject matter has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. As such, the spirit and the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiment contained therein.

Claims

1. A holder for handgrip device comprising
a seat belt stiffener 401 mounted on a seat base 108f I
wherein the said stiffener 401 comprises of a strip formed to match the profile of the said seat base 108 and it runs across the breadth of the seat base 108 characterized in that the said stiffener has plurality of slots 403 for holding a belt.

2. A holder for handgrip device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said
stiffener 401 is enmolded or fastened by known means with the plastic
seat base 108.

3. A holder for handgrip device as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least two
slots 403 of known shapes are provided as provision for a cable or belt
to pass through on either sides of the stiffener 401.

4. A holder for handgrip device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the said
slots are aligned such that the cable / belt passes over the seat base at
an ergonomically convenient angle to the profile of the seat contour.

5. A holder for handgrip device as claimed in claim 1, wherein it is made
of polymer.

6. A holder for handgrip device as claimed in claim 1, wherein it is made
of metal strip.

7. The holder for handgrip device as claimed substantially as
hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.