Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]

THROTTLE COVER ACCOMMODATING A THROTTLE DEVICE

HERO MOTOCORP LIMITED, an Indian Company at: The Grand Plaza, Plot No.2, Nelson Mandela Road, Vasant Kunj- Phase -II, New Delhi, India, 110 070

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention relates to a throttle cover accommodating a throttle device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

A throttle device is conventionally used for controlling (opening / closing) a throttle valve of a vehicle. The throttle device comprises an operating knob and a throttle cable. The operating knob is located within a throttle cover while the throttle cable connects the operating knob to the throttle valve. The operating knob is coupled to a throttle grip and rotates in combination with the throttle grip. The throttle grip is mounted to a right end of the handlebar of the vehicle.The throttle cable is connected to a fitting groove formed in the operating knob. When the driver rotates the throttle grip, the operating knob also rotates relative to the handlebar to pull the throttle cable and control opening and closing of the throttle valve.

Since opening and closing of the throttle valve are controlled by the throttle grip, a level of opening and closing of the throttle valve is governed by angle of rotation of the throttle grip. In some cases, there may arise a need to increase a distance between the opening and the closing of the throttle valve (referred to as increased stroke length of throttle valve).

An option to attain increased stroke length of throttle valve is to increase an angle of rotation of the throttle grip. However, it is desired to maintain the angle of rotation of the throttle grip below a maximum value. By maintaining the angle of rotation of the throttle grip below the maximum value, an ease of operating the throttle grip is enhanced. For example, in some instances, it is desired to maintain the angle of rotation of the throttle grip below about 90 degrees. Thus, it may be desired to attain the increased stroke length of throttle valve without increasing the angle of rotation of the throttle grip above the maximum value.

Another option to attain increased stroke length of throttle valve is to increase a size of the operating knob. Since the operating knob has a circular outer shape with a cam profile, a radius of the operating knob has to be increased. Increasing the radius of the operating knob results in increasing a size of the throttle cover. Increasing a size of the throttle cover has several disadvantages and is not desired.

Thus, there exists a need to attain an increased stroke length of throttle valve without increasing the angle of rotation of the throttle grip, without increasing the size of the operating knob and without increasing the size of the throttle cover.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a throttle cover mounted on a handle bar. The handle bar comprises a throttle grip operably connected to a throttle device. The throttle device comprises a throttle cable connected to an operating knob. The operating knob comprises a base portion and a cam portion. The cam portion extends between a first rotation restricting portion and a second rotation restricting portion. In accordance with the invention, the throttle cover comprisesa first abutting portionand a second abutting portionadapted to engage with the first rotation restricting portion and the second rotation restricting portion respectively; and a throttle cable exit channelfor allowing the throttle cable to traverse outside the throttle cover. In an embodiment of the invention, the second abutting portion is sandwiched between the first abutting portion and the throttle cable exit channel.

In an embodiment of the invention, thethrottle cover at least partially covers the throttle device.

In another embodiment of the invention, the engagement between the first rotation restricting portion with the first abutting portiondefines a first extremity for rotation of the throttle grip with respect to the throttle cover and the engagement between the second rotation restricting portion with the second abutting portion definesa second extremity for rotation of the throttle grip with respect to the throttle cover.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, a guiding contour is provided in the throttle cover above the throttle cable exit channel for allowing the throttle cable to traverse outside the throttle cover with least deviation.

In still other embodiment of the invention, the throttle cover can be a part of a handle cover or a switch case or a mirror holder.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising;a front fork;a head pipe configured with the front fork;a handle bar connected to the head pipe to maneuver the vehicle, the handle barcomprising a throttle grip operably connected to a throttle device, the throttle device comprising a throttle cable connected to an operating knob, the operating knob comprising a base portion and a cam portion, the cam portion extending between a first rotation restricting portion and a second rotation restricting portion ; and the throttle cover comprising;a first abutting portion and a second abutting portion adapted to come in contact with the first rotation restricting portion and the second rotation restricting portion respectively; and an throttle cable exitchannel for allowing the throttle cable to traverse outside the throttle cover;wherein, the second abutting portionis sandwiched between the first abutting portionand the throttle cable exit channel.

In an embodiment of the invention, wherein an angle between the first rotation restricting portion and the second rotation restricting portion is in the range of 80 to 110 degrees.

In another embodiment of the invention, a throttle cable guiding channel is formed on the periphery of the cam portion for keeping the part of the throttle cable between a first end and a second end of the throttle cable in a continuous surface contact with the operating knob.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the cam portion is formed with a throttle cable accommodating aperture for operably connecting the first end of the throttle cable with the operating knob.

One advantage of the invention is that the throttle cover allows increase in the stroke length of throttle valve. Other advantage of the present invention is that the due to the throttle cover, the increment in the stroke length does not require rotation of throttle grip more than a maximum value. Because the throttle cover can be a part of handle cover or switch case or mirror holder, yet another advantage of the present invention is that the throttle cover is more versatile in terms of applicability.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES:

In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to exemplary embodiments as illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views. The figures together with a detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate the embodiments and explain various principles and advantages, in accordance with the present invention where:

Figure 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a right hand side of the handle bar of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of throttle device and throttle cover assembled on handle bar of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 illustrates a side view of the throttle device viewed along the longitudinal axis of the handle bar,in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 illustrates a side view of an operating knob viewed along the longitudinal axis of the handle bar, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 illustrates a close up view of an operating knob, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 illustrates an isometric view of the throttle cover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 8 illustrates an exploded view of assembly around the handle bar of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

It may be noted that to the extent possible, like reference numerals have been used to represent like elements in the drawings. Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, one or more elements may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

Detailed Description of the Invention:
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,”“an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment”, and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover anon-exclusive inclusion, such that one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.

As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the terms "coupled to", “connected to”, “operably connected to”, and “operatively connected to” are intended to include both direct connection / coupling (in which two elements that are coupled / connected to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling / connection (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements).Therefore, the terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are used synonymously.Similarly, the terms “connected to” and “connected with”are used synonymously.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The device, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-mentioned element as being essential to the practice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used.

While the present invention is illustrated in the context of a vehicle, however, cover and aspects and features thereof can be used with other types of vehicles as well. The terms “vehicle”, “two wheeled vehicle” and “motorcycle” have been interchangeably used throughout the description. The term “vehicle” comprises vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, mopeds, scooter type vehicles, All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) and the like.

The terms “front / forward”, “rear / rearward / back / backward”, “up / upper / top”, “down / lower / lower ward / downward, bottom”, “left / leftward”, “right / rightward” used therein represents the directions as seen from a vehicle driver sitting astride and these directions are referred by arrows Fr, Rr, U, Lr, L, R in the Figures.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated a side view of a vehicle (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle (10) comprises, inter-alia, a front fork (12), a head pipe (14), a front fender (16), a front wheel (18), a headlight (20), a handle bar (22), a fuel tank (24), an engine unit (26), a rear wheel (28), a rear fender (30), a tail light (32), a seat (34), a tool box (36), a frame (38), and an exhaust pipe (40).

Referring to Figure 2, a right hand side of the handle bar (22) of the vehicle (10) comprises a throttle grip (42) and a throttle cover (44) located in close proximity thereof. The throttle grip (42) is utilized for controlling opening and closing of the throttle valve of the vehicle (10), once the throttle grip (42) is rotated relative to the handlebar (22).

Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 4, a throttle device (46) is operably connected to the throttle grip (42). The throttle device (46) is configured to rotate in combination with the throttle grip (42). The throttle device (46) comprises a throttle cable (48) connected to an operating knob (50).The throttle cover (44) is present in proximity of the throttle device (46) and at least partially covers the throttle device (46).

In particular, the operating knob (50) and a first end (?48?_1) of the throttle cable are located within the throttle cover (44), while a second end (?48?_2) of the throttle cable is located outside the throttle cover (44). Further, the operating knob (50) is also coupled to the throttle grip (42) and rotates along with the throttle grip (42).

It may be noted that the vehicle (10) is shown to have included above stated parts, however, those skilled in the art would appreciate that the vehicle (10) includes other parts which may not be relevant for explaining the present invention and hence are not shown and described.

Referring to Figure 5, the operating knob (50) comprises a base portion (52) and a cam portion (54). The base portion (52) defines a base circle of the operating knob (50) around which the cam portion (54) is formed. The cam portion (54) of the operating knob (50) is formed with a throttle cable accommodating aperture (56), a throttle cable guiding channel (58), a first rotation restricting portion (60) and a second rotation restricting portion (62).

In an embodiment of the present invention , the throttle cable guiding channel (58) is formed on the periphery of the cam portion (54) for keeping the part of the throttle cable(48) between a first end (481)and a second end (482) of the throttle cable in a continuous surface contact with the operating knob (50). Further, the cam portion (54) is formed with a throttle cable accommodating aperture (56) for operably connecting the first end (481)of the throttle cable with the operating knob (50).

Referring to Figure 6, an angle (64) between the first rotation restricting portion (60) and the second rotation restricting portion (62) is in the range of 80 to 110 degrees. The angle (64) between the first rotation restricting portion (60) and the second rotation restricting portion (62) defines the span of the cam portion (54) formed around the base portion (52) of the operating knob (50).

Referring to Figure 7, the throttle cover (44) comprises a first abutting portion (66) and a second abutting portion (68). The first abutting portion (66) and second abutting portion (68) is adapted to engage with the first rotation restricting portion (60) and the second rotation restricting portion (62). The throttle cover (44) further comprises a throttle cable exit channel (70) for allowing the throttle cable (48) to traverse outside the throttle cover (44).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first rotation restricting portion (60) and the second rotation restricting portion (62) selectively engages with the first abutting portion (66) and the second abutting portion (68) upon the rotation of the throttle grip (42). As a result of the rotation of the throttle grip (42) in a first direction, the first rotation restricting portion (60) engages with the first abutting portion (66) to form an abutting contact. Due to the abutting contact between the first rotation restricting portion (60) and first abutting portion (66), the first rotation restricting portion (60) ceases to exhibit rotational motion further.

Similarly, as a result of rotation of the throttle grip (42) in a direction opposite to the first rotational direction, the second rotation restricting portion (62) engages with the second abutting portion (68) to form an abutting contact. Due to the abutting contact between the second rotation restricting portion (62) and second abutting portion (68), the second rotation restricting portion (62) ceases to exhibit rotational motion further. The engagement between the first rotation restricting portion (60) with the first abutting portion (66) and the second rotation restricting portion (62) with the second abutting portion (68) defines the two extremities for rotation of the throttle grip (42) with respect to the throttle cover (44).

According to an embodiment of the invention, the second abutting portion (68) is sandwiched between the first abutting portion (66) and the throttle cable exit channel(70).Due to the sandwiching of the second abutting portion (68) in between the first abutting portion (66) and the throttle cable exit channel (70), the second end (?48?_2) of the throttle cable easily traverses outside the throttle cover (44) via the throttle cable exit channel (70).

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a guiding contour (72) is provided in the throttle cover (44) above the throttle cable exit channel (70) for allowing the throttle cable (48) to traverse outside the throttle cover (44) with least deviation.The guiding contour (72) provides a reaction force on the part of throttle cable (48) present in vicinity of the guiding contour (72). The force exerted by the guiding contour (72) guides the throttle cable (48) towards the throttle cable exit channel (70) and curtails any deviation of the throttle cable (48) while traversing out of the throttle cover (44) towards the throttle valve(not shown).

Referring to Figure 8, there is illustrated an exploded view of assembly around the handle bar (22) of the vehicle (10) showing the throttle cover (44) formed as a part of mirror holder (74). Although not shown the throttle cover (44) can be a part of handle cover or switch case according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In accordance with the aforementioned embodiments, the rotation of the throttle grip (42) with respect to the handle bar (22) in between the two extremities for rotation, allows wrapping of a larger part of the throttle cable (48) around the cam portion (54) of the throttle device (46). For an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the wrapping of the throttle cable (48) around the cam portion (54) of the throttle device (46) upon rotation of the throttle grip (42) increases the stroke length of the throttle valve (Not shown) of the vehicle (10).

The throttle cover (44) constructed according to the above mentioned embodiments increases the stroke length of the throttle valve without requiring rotation of throttle grip (42) more than the maximum value. Further, the throttle cover can be a part of handle cover or switch case or mirror holder, yet another advantage of the present invention is that the throttle cover (44) is more versatile in terms of applicability.

Additionally, the increased stroke length of the throttle valve of the vehicle (10) makes the throttle device (46) more sensitive towards the supply of power in conjunction with the rotation of the throttle grip (42).

While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

The figures and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.

Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following claims.
, C , Claims:We claim:

1. A throttle cover (44) mounted on a handle bar (22) comprising a throttle grip (42) operably connected to a throttle device (46), the throttle device (46) comprising a throttle cable (48) connected to an operating knob (50), the operating knob (50) comprising a base portion (52) and a cam portion (54), the cam portion (54) extending between a first rotation restricting portion (60) and a second rotation restricting portion (62), the throttle cover (44) comprising:
a first abutting portion (66) and a second abutting portion (68) adapted to engage with the first rotation restricting portion (60) and the second rotation restricting portion (62) respectively; and
a throttle cable exit channel (70) for allowing the throttle cable (48) to traverse outside the throttle cover (44);
wherein, the second abutting portion (68) is sandwiched between the first abutting portion (66) and the throttle cable exit channel (70).

2. The throttle cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the throttle cover (44) at least partially covers the throttle device (46).

3. The throttle cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engagement between the first rotation restricting portion (60) with the first abutting portion (66) and the second rotation restricting portion (62) with the second abutting portion (68) defines the two extremities for rotation of the throttle grip (42) with respect to the throttle cover (44).

4. The throttle cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein a guiding contour (72) is provided in the throttle cover (44) above the throttle cable exit channel (70) for allowing the throttle cable (48) to traverse outside the throttle cover (44) with least deviation.

5. The throttle cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the throttle cover (44) can be a part of handle cover or switch case or mirror holder (74).

6. A vehicle (10) comprising:
a front fork (12);
a head pipe (14) configured with the front fork (12);
a handle bar(22)connected to the head pipe (14) to maneuver the vehicle (10), the handle bar (22) comprising a throttle grip (42) operably connected to a throttle device (46), the throttle device (46) comprising a throttle cable (48) connected to an operating knob (50), the operating knob (50) comprising a base portion (52) and a cam portion (54), the cam portion (54) extending between a first rotation restricting portion (60) and a second rotation restricting portion (62); and
the throttle cover (44) comprising:
a first abutting portion (66) and a second abutting portion (68) adapted to come in contact with the first rotation restricting portion (60) and the second rotation restricting portion (62) respectively; and
a throttle cable exit channel (70) for allowing the throttle cable (48) to traverse outside the throttle cover (44);
wherein, the second abutting portion (68) is sandwiched between the first abutting portion (66) and the throttle cable exit channel (70).

7. The vehicle as claimed in claim 6, wherein an angle (64) between the first rotation restricting portion (60) and the second rotation restricting portion (62) is in the range of 80 to 110 degrees.

8. The vehicle as claimed in claim 6, wherein a throttle cable guiding channel (58) is formed on the periphery of the cam portion (54) for keeping the part of the throttle cable (48) between a first end (481)and a second end (482) of the throttle cable (48) in a continuous surface contact with the operating knob (50).

9. The vehicle as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cam portion (54) is formed with a throttle cable accommodating aperture (56) for operably connecting the first end (481) of the throttle cable with the operating knob (50).