Adjustable handlebar riser assembly

An adjustable handlebar riser assembly has an outer member, an inner member, a pin, a retainer member and a locking member. The inner member and the outer member have mating flat-bottom V-shaped faces. The inner member slides at least in part within the outer member. Each of the outer and inner members has at least one aperture through their flat-bottom V-shaped faces. The pin is inserted in an aperture of the outer member and in an aperture of the inner member. The retaining member is connected to the pin at one end while the locking member is connected to an opposed end of the pin. The locking member can exert a tension on the pin, pressing the outer member onto the inner member for locking these members at a selected position relative to one another.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to adjustable handlebar riser assemblies for vehicles.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles, such as, for example, snowmobiles and all terrain vehicles use a handlebar to provide steering control. The handlebar is typically attached to a steering column through a clamp. The clamp used in these steering columns allows the vehicle user to adjust the rotational position of the handlebar with respect to the steering column, but does not allow for other adjustments to be made to the position of the handlebar. The rotational position of the handlebar affects the comfort of the vehicle user's arms, wrists, and hands, but has little effect on the reach, which defines the distance separating the seated user from the handlebar. If a vehicle user desires to adjust the reach, the vehicle user may replace the handlebar with a different model where the hand positions are further or closer to the vehicle user. Since this option is not economically feasible for every rider, many riders are forced into a riding position that may not be comfortable. Also, the option of replacing a handlebar to suit the needs of a particular user is not convenient in the case of a vehicle driven by more than one person.

A handlebar riser may be inserted between the steering column and the handlebar in order to move the handlebar position within a better reach of the vehicle user. Not only can a handlebar riser move the handlebar closer to the rider, it also provides a pivot point for pivoting the handlebar forward, giving the steering column a greater angle with vertical without placing the handlebar too far toward the rear.FIG. 1Ato1D provide various views of a conventional handlebar riser.FIGS. 1A to 1Dshow a handlebar riser100having four sides102,104,106and108, a top face110and a bottom face111. The top face has two recesses112,114for installation of a central tubular part of a handlebar (not shown), and four threaded vertical holes116,118,120and122for receiving fasteners, for example bolts, for attachment of clamps or caps (not shown) that maintain the handlebar in position on the handlebar riser100. The bottom face also has recesses and threaded vertical holes for mounting of the handlebar riser100, using clamps or caps, on a horizontal shaft (not shown) fixedly mounted to the steering column. A height124of the handlebar riser100is fixed. Various models may differ in height and the vehicle user may select a particular handlebar riser having a height that provides a desired reach.

The handlebar riser100may solve at least in part the problem of reach desired by the vehicle user. However, several problems related to reach of the handlebar remain. A particular vehicle, whether a snowmobile, an all-terrain vehicle, and the like, may be operated by various persons, for instance by several family members of various sizes or when the vehicle is leased on a short-term basis to various customers. Also, when the vehicle is ridden for an extended period, for example for a few hours at a time, the user may desire to vary his/her position by adjusting the reach of the handlebar. These needs cannot be met with a fixed height handlebar riser.

A need, therefore, has developed for a handlebar riser that allows adjustments to be made to the position of the handlebar with respect to the rider without requiring the replacement of the handlebar or of the riser.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to ameliorate at least some of the inconveniences present in the prior art.

The present introduces a handlebar riser assembly to ameliorate at least some of the inconveniences present in conventional handlebar risers.

In one aspect, the present provides an adjustable handlebar riser assembly comprising an outer member and an inner member slidably disposed at least in part within the outer member. The outer member has opposite sides, each of the opposite sides having on its internal face a flat-bottomed V-shaped protrusion. The inner member has opposite sides having on their external faces flat-bottomed V-shaped recesses adapted for mating with the flat-bottomed V-shaped protrusions of the outer member. Each of the outer and inner members has at least one aperture. A pin having an axis normal to the opposite sides of the outer member is inserted in one of the at least one aperture of the outer member and in one of the at least one aperture of the inner member. A retaining member is connected to the pin and a locking member is operatively connected to the pin at an opposed end from the retaining member. The locking member is configured for releaseably exerting a tension on the pin, the locking member and the retaining member pressing the outer member onto the inner member for locking the outer member at a selected position relative to the inner member.

In a further aspect, the outer member has four sides and a hollow interior allowing at least partial insertion of the inner member therein. The inner member also has four sides and is internally reinforced for resisting the tension exerted on the pin.

In an additional aspect, the inner member comprises two internal reinforcement walls extending on either sides of the pin.

In a further aspect, the at least one aperture of one of the outer and inner members is diametrically opposed apertures for insertion of the pin while the at least one aperture of an other of the outer and inner members is diametrically opposed slots for slideable insertion of the pin. The tension exerted on the pin causes a deformation of the outer member for pressing the outer member onto the inner member.

In another aspect, the deformation of the outer member causes closure of a gap between angled faces of the flat-bottomed V-shaped protrusions of the outer member and angled faces of the flat-bottomed V-shaped recesses of the inner member.

In a further aspect, the locking member comprises a cam lever adapted to release the tension on the pin when in an unlocked position and to exert the tension on the pin when in a locked position.

In another aspect, the cam lever is rotatable between the unlocked position and the locked position.

In another aspect, the adjustable handlebar riser assembly further comprises a cylindrical nut held by the cam lever and fastened to the pin. Moving the cam lever in the locked position pulls on the cylindrical nut to exert the tension on the pin.

In a further aspect, pressing the outer member onto the inner member comprises pressing an internal face of the outer member onto an external face of the inner member.

In another aspect, the at least one aperture of one of the inner and outer members comprises a slot.

In a further aspect, the outer member has a mating end for attachment to one of a handlebar and a steering column shaft. The inner member has a mating end for attachment to an other of the handlebar and the steering column shaft.

In another aspect, the outer member comprises an upper surface having recesses adapted for receiving the handlebar and having holes for receiving fasteners for attaching the handlebar to the outer member. The inner member comprises a lower surface having recesses adapted for mounting on the steering column shaft and having holes for receiving fasteners for attaching the inner member to the steering column shaft.

In a further aspect, the mating end of the outer member and the mating end of the inner member define substantially equal clamping positions for attachment to the handlebar and to the steering column shaft.

In another aspect, the mating end of the outer member and the mating end of the inner member have substantially equal widths while an insertable depth of the inner member is smaller than an interior depth of the outer member.

In a further aspect, the adjustable handlebar riser assembly further comprises a spacer disposed between the locking member and an external face of the outer member, the spacer having an aperture, the pin being inserted in the aperture of the spacer, the locking member pressing on the spacer for further pressing the outer member onto the inner member.

In another aspect, the spacer has angled faces contacting angled external faces of the outer member.

In a further aspect, contact between the angled faces of the spacer and the angled external faces of the outer member prevents relative rotation between the inner member and the outer member about the axis of the pin.

In another aspect, pressing of the locking member on the spacer generates first forces transmitted between the angled faces of the spacer and the angled external faces of the outer member and further generates second forces parallel to the first forces, the second forces being transmitted between angled faces of the flat-bottomed V-shaped protrusions of the outer member and angled faces of the flat-bottomed V-shaped recesses of the inner member.

In a further aspect, the second forces maintain a level of insertion of the inner member into the outer member and prevent the relative rotation between the inner member and the outer member about the axis of the pin.

In another aspect, a first contact area between the angled faces of the spacer and the angled external faces of the outer member is less than a second contact area between the flat-bottomed V-shaped recesses of the inner member and the flat-bottomed V-shaped protrusions of the outer member.

Embodiments of the present invention each have at least one of the above-mentioned aspects, but do not necessarily have all of them. It should be understood that some aspects of the present invention that have resulted from attempting to overcome some of the deficiencies of conventional handlebar risers and of conventional adjustable steering columns may not overcome all of these deficiencies and may overcome other deficiencies not specifically recited herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present adjustable handlebar riser assembly will be described with respect to a snowmobile. However, it is contemplated that the adjustable handlebar riser assembly could be used for adjusting the height and reach of handlebars and similar steering controls for other vehicles, such as, but not limited to, a motorcycle, a scooter, a three-wheel road vehicle and an all-terrain vehicle (ATV).

Referring now to the Figures,FIG. 2shows a snowmobile having installed thereon an adjustable handlebar riser assembly200. The snowmobile10has a forward end13and a rearward end15, defined consistently with a forward travel direction of the vehicle. The snowmobile10includes a frame11to which the various snowmobile components are assembled. The frame11has a tunnel17generally consisting of sheet metal bent in an inverted U-shape and extending rearwardly along a longitudinal axis23of the snowmobile10. The snowmobile10has a front suspension system12located at a forward portion of the frame11. The front suspension system12supports the forward portion of the snowmobile10on the ground and provides steering control for the snowmobile10. The front suspension system12includes two skis14and two ski legs21, though it could be contemplated that a snowmobile could have a single ski. A steering column20couples a steering device, in the form of a handlebar18positioned forward of a rider28, to the skis14. The steering column20comprises a steering column shaft assembly19, and the adjustable handlebar riser assembly200through which the handlebar18is secured to the steering column shaft assembly19. The adjustable handlebar riser assembly200will be described in greater details below. The steering column20transmits the movement of the handlebar18to the ski legs21and to the skis14through tie rods40and tie rod ends42, or alternatively through another mechanical linkage or via an electro-mechanical system. By turning the handlebar18, the skis14are pivoted to steer the snowmobile10. A propulsion system comprises an endless track30positioned at the rearward end15of the snowmobile10and generally disposed under the tunnel17. The endless track30rotates to propel the snowmobile10through snow. An internal combustion engine32, located at the forward portion of the frame11under fairings25(shown in part in transparency to reveal the engine32and other components of the snowmobile10), is operatively arranged to drive the endless track30through a continuously variable transmission (CVT)33. It is contemplated that the engine32could be replaced by an electric motor or by a combination of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. It is also contemplated that the CVT33could be replaced by another type of transmission system. A straddle-type cushioned seat24is provided above the tunnel17. A snowmobile operator sits on the seat24during the operation of the snowmobile10. A windshield35is connected to the fairings25near the forward end13of the snowmobile10.

The adjustable handlebar riser assembly200will now be described in more details in the following description ofFIGS. 3 to 10. The adjustable handlebar riser assembly200comprises a plurality of elements, some of which may or may not be present in various embodiments. The adjustable handlebar riser assembly200comprises an outer member202, an inner member204, a pin206having a head208, a cam lever210, a cylindrical nut212, a lock washer216and a spacer330.

The inner member204has four sides including a back side230, a left side232, a front side234and a right side236, and a mating end238for attachment to a steering column20. The mating end238has two opposed recesses239,240for mounting on a horizontal shaft44fixedly mounted to a steering column shaft assembly19. The mating end238also has four holes241,242,244and246for receiving fasteners, for example bolts, for attachment of clamps or caps46that maintain the adjustable handlebar riser assembly200in position on the horizontal shaft44. A center-to-center distance248is defined between the holes241and242. The same distance248is defined between holes244and246. In a perpendicular direction, a center-to-center distance250is defined between the holes241and246. The same distance250is defined between the holes242and244. The vertical holes241,242,244and246have internal threads for receiving bolts. Other constructions of the inner member204may have a differently shaped mating end238with through holes for mounting to a steering column using nuts and bolts.

Diametrically opposed slots222are present on the back and front sides230and234, which are opposite sides extending normal to an axis of the pin206. Within a perimeter defined by the four sides230,232,234,236are defined two reinforcement walls254and256. The reinforcement walls254and256are perpendicular to a plane containing one of the slots222and parallel to the axis of the pin206. The reinforcement walls254and256internally reinforce the inner member204and prevent, or limit, deformation of the inner member204when a tension is applied on the pin206. Other orientations for the reinforcement walls254and256are contemplated such as honeycomb shaped or angled reinforcement walls. The back and front sides230and234have flat-bottomed V-shaped recesses extending on their external faces along a height of the back and front sides230and234. The flat-bottomed V-shaped recesses comprise middle faces258and260and, on each side thereof, angled faces262,264,266and268. The slots222extend along the middle flat faces258and260. It is contemplated that the middle faces258,260, and the angled faces262,264,266and268could be smooth, or could be textured or knurled for increasing friction when/if mating with the outer member202.

The inner member204is wider at the mating end238. The back and front sides230and234taper towards the top of the inner member204. The left and right sides232and236are shorter than the back and front sides230and234, thus not reaching the top of the inner member204. Edges of the angled flat faces262,264,266and268define an insertable depth270of the inner member204. An insertable width272of the inner member204is defined in part by its shape and in part by an internal width and shape of the outer member202. In the context of the present disclosure, a width is a dimension taken parallel to the handlebar18and a depth is taken normal to the width. ConsideringFIG. 3, this shape of the inner member204, combined with a shape of the outer member202, enables a deep insertion of the inner member204within the outer member202in spite of a broad perimeter defined by the mating end238. In other embodiments, the inner member204could have a constant cross-section, from bottom to top.

With reference toFIGS. 5A-5D, the outer member202has a mating end274for attachment to the handlebar18. The mating end274has two opposed recesses275,276for receiving the handlebar18. The mating end274also has four holes277,278,280and282for receiving fasteners, for example bolts, for attachment of clamps or caps50that maintain the handlebar18in position on the adjustable handlebar riser assembly200. As illustrated, the holes277and278and the holes280and282have the same center-to-center distance248defined on the outer member202. A center-to-center251distance between the holes277and282and between the holes278and280is the same as the distance250defined on the outer member202. It is contemplated that the distances250and251could be different as well. The holes277,278,280and282have internal threads for receiving bolts. Other constructions of the outer member202may have a differently shaped mating end274with through-holes for mounting of a handlebar18using nuts and bolts.

The outer member202has four sides, including a back side284, a left side286, a front side288and a right side290, collectively defining a hollow interior. The back and front sides284and288are opposite sides extending perpendicularly from an axis of the pin206. Diametrically opposed apertures220are present on the back and front sides284and288. The back and front sides284and288also have flat-bottomed V-shaped protrusions extending on their interior faces along a height of the back and front sides284and288. The flat-bottomed V-shaped protrusions comprise middle faces292and294and, on each side thereof, angled faces296,298,300and302. The flat-bottom V-shaped protrusions on the interior faces of the outer member202correspond to flat-bottom V-shaped recesses on the external faces of the outer member202. The flat-bottom V-shaped recess on the back side284comprises a middle external face324and, on each side thereof, angled external faces326and328. The front side288is comparatively shaped. The apertures220shown onFIGS. 3, 6A and 6Bare located in the middle faces292and294, near an end thereof opposite from the mating end274. It is contemplated that the middle faces292,294, and the angled faces296,298,300and302could be smooth, or could be textured or knurled for increasing the friction when/if mating with the inner member204.

The outer member202is wider at the mating end274. The back and front sides284and288taper towards the bottom of the outer member202. The left and right sides286and290are shorter than the back and front sides284and288, thus not reaching the bottom of the outer member202. This tapering of the outer member202towards its bottom enables a deep insertion of the inner member204within the outer member202. In other embodiments, the outer member202could have a constant cross-section, from bottom to top.

The outer member202has an interior width304sized to accommodate the insertable width272of the inner member204. The outer member202also has an interior depth306, defined by edges of the angled faces296,298,300and302, and sized to accommodate the insertable depth270of the inner member204. The interior faces of the back and front sides284and288are shaped to mate with the external faces of the back and front sides230and234of the inner member204, when inserted within the outer member202. This mating of the flat-bottomed V-shaped recesses of the inner member204with the flat-bottomed V-shaped protrusions of the outer member202provide increased contact areas between the inner member204and the outer member202. Mating of the flat-bottomed V-shaped recesses and protrusions also helps maintaining proper vertical alignment between the outer member202and the inner member204, preventing sideways motion between these members and thus limiting rocking movement of the handlebar18when in a locked position.

The inner member204is slidably disposed in part within the outer member202. The pin206is inserted through circular apertures220of the outer member202, through slots222of the inner member204, and through a circular aperture332of the spacer330. The spacer330is disposed generally between the back side284of the outer member202and the cam lever210. The slots222allow sliding up or down of the pin206along a height252of the slots222. The cam lever210and the cylindrical nut212are operably connected to the pin206at an opposed end from the head208. The cylindrical nut212is held in place by the cam lever210and is screwably connected to the pin206, at a threaded end214of the pin206.

The cam lever210releaseably exerts a tension on the pin206. The cam lever210may be placed in an unlocked position, releasing any tension on the pin206and releasing any pressure on the spacer330. The cam lever210may also be placed in a locked position. The cam lever210is rotatable to alternate between the unlocked and the locked positions. Referring particularly toFIG. 5D, the cylindrical nut212is received in an aperture211of the cam lever210that is eccentrically positioned within a portion213of the cam lever210. A thickness d1of a periphery of the portion213of the cam lever210that mates with the spacer330when the cam lever210is in the locked position, as shown onFIG. 5D, is greater than a thickness d2of the periphery of the portion213that mates with the spacer330when the cam lever210is in the unlocked position, as shown for example onFIG. 6B. In the locked position, the greater thickness d1of the periphery of the portion213causes the cylindrical nut212to move away from the spacer330. As a result, the cam lever210and the head208, exert a tension on the pin206for pressing on the spacer330and further on the outer member202, deflecting the outer member202onto the inner member204for locking the outer member202at a selected position relative to the inner member204. Initial tension adjustment is made by rotating the pin206while the cam lever201is in the unlocked position, the smaller thickness d2of the periphery of the portion213being positioned again the spacer330so that the threaded end214of the pin206is driven into the cylindrical nut212until a snug fit of the cam lever210on the spacer330and on the outer member202is obtained. Final tensioning is then made by pivoting the cam lever210until its length is generally parallel to a length of the outer member202, placing the greater thickness d1of the periphery of the portion213on the spacer330and pulling the cylindrical nut212away from the spacer330, preventing any relative movement between the inner and outer members204and202during use. Examples of materials considered appropriate for the cam lever210include, but are not limited to, acetal polymers and nylon.

The spacer330is rigid so as not to deform under the action of the cam lever201. The spacer330provides a generally U-shaped, low-friction face334over which the cam lever210can easily rotate while compressing the spacer330between the cam lever210and the outer member202. As shown in the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 7C, the spacer330includes a flat-bottomed V-shaped front face that is congruous with and mates with the back side284of the outer member202. The U-shaped rear face334and the flat-bottomed V-shaped front face of spacer330prevent the cam lever210from inadvertently rotating about pin206even when in the unlocked position. The flat-bottomed V-shaped front face of the spacer330comprises a middle face336and two angled faces338and339on both sides of the middle face336. The circular aperture332is defined in the middle face336of the spacer330. When the cam lever210is rotated to the locked position, the middle face336and the angled faces338and339of the spacer330exert a force onto the middle external faces324and on the angled external faces326and328of the outer member202. This force ensures that the angled faces296and298of the outer member202are directly pushed toward the angled faces262and264of the inner member204, as best seen onFIG. 7C. Because of the angled faces338and339of the spacer330, the angled faces296and298of the outer member202are forced directly into the angled faces262and264of the inner member204, creating a contact area where the force generated by the pin206and the cam lever210is directly applied and thus the force required to keep the outer member202into contact with the inner member204is not only the deformation of the outer member202. Again with respect toFIG. 7C, forces F1and F3exerted by the spacer330onto the outer member202are parallel to forces F2and F4exerted by the outer member202onto the inner member204.

The head208applies a force F5, via the lock washer216, on the front side288of the outer member202. The force F5results in forces F6and F7transmitted between the angled faces300and302of the outer member202and the angled faces266and268of the inner member204, at contact areas aa and bb. A vector sum of F6and F7opposes a vector sum of F2and F4.

A length of contact A1defined between by the angled faces338and339of the spacer330and portions of the angled external faces326and328of the outer member202in contact with angled faces338and339is inferior to the lengths of contact areas cc and dd defined between the angled faces296,298of the outer member202and the angled faces262,264of the inner member204.

Because of the angled orientation of the faces326,328,338and339, the forces F2, F4, F6and F7each have force components Fd in a direction parallel to an axis of the pin206and force components Fw in a direction perpendicular to Fd. Both Fd and Fw prevent relative vertical movements between the outer member202and the inner member204to maintain a level of insertion of the inner member204into the outer member202. Additionally, the Fw components of the forces F2and F6are in one direction while Fw components the forces F4and F7are in an opposite direction. Upon application by the handlebar of a clockwise or counter clockwise moment M on the pin206, cancellation of the Fw components of the forces F2and F6by the forces F4and F7prevents relative rotation about the axis of the pin206, or play, between the inner member204and the outer member202. Thus the contact areas aa, bb, cc and dd formed when the cam lever210is in the locked position prevent both vertical movements and rotational movements between the inner member204and the outer member202.

A variant of the adjustable handlebar riser200may locate the cam lever210and the cylindrical nut212, or another locking member, on a left or right side of the outer member202, the pin206being inserted through apertures located on the left and right sides286,290of the outer member202and through apertures located on the left and right sides232,236of the inner member204. It is also contemplated to provide individual holes in place of slots222to render the adjustments finite instead of infinite.

Turning toFIGS. 7 to 10, operation of the adjustable handlebar riser assembly200will now be described.

The cross-sectional view ofFIG. 7B, taken about cutaway lines A-A visible onFIG. 7A, illustrates how the cam lever210pulls on the cylindrical nut212to exert a tension on the pin206while applying pressure on the back side284of the outer member202, via the spacer330. The head208, at the other end of the pin206, applies pressure on the front side288of the outer member202, via the lock nut216. The back and front sides284and288of the outer member202deflect under the applied pressure and transmit the pressure to the back and front sides230and234of the inner member204. More particularly, the pressure is applied between various faces of the flat-bottomed V-shaped protrusions and recesses of the back sides284and230, and of the front sides288and234, as described above. The reinforcement walls254and256prevent deformation of the inner member204.

A variant of the inner member204, constructed without the reinforcement walls254and256and possibly with a sturdier construction of the sides230,232,234and236of the inner member204, is also contemplated.

Another variant of the inner member204is illustrated onFIGS. 10A and 10B. In this variant, the reinforcement wall256has a plurality of apertures344. It is contemplated that the reinforcement wall256could have a single aperture344. Though not shown, the reinforcement wall254also has one or more apertures matching the apertures344for allowing insertion of a cross bolt340transversally through both reinforcement walls254and256. The cross bolt340has, at one end, a head346comprising a recess for insertion of a hex key (not shown) and attaches at an opposite end to a nut342. Other types of fasteners or quick release pins are also contemplated.

The cross bolt340can be inserted above or below the pin206to selectively limit an adjustment range of the adjustable handlebar riser assembly200. Inserting the cross bolt340below the pin206limits the insertion of the inner member204into the outer member202. Insertion of the cross bolt340above the pin206limits an overall extension of the adjustable handlebar riser assembly200. Two cross bolts340inserted into two apertures344, positioned above and below the pint206and attached with two nuts342, can limit further the adjustment range of the adjustable handlebar riser assembly200.

As can be seen onFIG. 11A, in the unlocked position, small gaps310,312,314,316,318and320are present between the various faces of the flat-bottomed V-shaped recesses of the inner member204and of the flat-bottomed V-shaped protrusions of the outer member202. As such, the outer member202and the handlebar18that is attached thereto can easily be raised or lowered relative to the inner member204and to the horizontal shaft44. As can be seen onFIG. 11B, in the locked position, at least gaps314,316,318and320have been closed by a slight deformation of the back and front sides284and288of the outer member. Hence strong contact is made between angled faces262,264,266and268of the inner member204and corresponding angled faces296,298,300and302of the outer member202. Though reduced, the gaps310and312are preserved between the middle faces258and260of the inner member204and corresponding middle faces292and294of the outer member202. Reinforcement walls254and256join with front and back sides234and230of the inner member204at lateral positions corresponding at least in part to contact areas cc, dd, aa and bb between angled faces262,264,266and268of the inner member204and corresponding angled faces296,298,300and302of the outer member202to ensure little if no deflection of the sides234and230. The contact areas aa and bb are on an opposite side of a lateral centerline CL from the contact areas cc and dd. The contact areas aa and bb are placed on one side of the pin206axis, while the contact cc and dd are on an opposite side of the pin206axis along a direction of the lateral centerline CL. Forces applied to the contact areas bb and cc are mostly transferred to the reinforcement wall254while the forces applied to the contact areas aa and dd are mostly transferred to the reinforcement wall256.

As can be seen onFIGS. 12 and 13, the adjustable handlebar riser assembly200is mounted to the horizontal shaft44of the steering column20. The horizontal shaft44is fixedly attached to the steering column shaft assembly19. Attachment of the handlebar riser assembly200to the horizontal shaft44is made using end caps46and bolts48or like fasteners screwed into the holes241,242,244and246of the inner member204. The handlebar18is mounted on the adjustable handlebar riser assembly200using end caps50and bolts52or like fasteners screwed into the holes277,278,280and283of the outer member202. The adjustable handlebar riser assembly200is mountable vertically or at a variable pivot angle relative to the steering column shaft assembly19. The handlebar18may be rotated so that handles54may adopt an angle preferred by a user of a vehicle using the disclosed arrangement.

Fixed risers of the prior art, such as the riser100ofFIG. 1, can be replaced by the adjustable handlebar riser assembly200of the present invention. The riser100is usually mounted to the steering column20using clamps or caps as well as bolts or similar fasteners. Using ordinary tools to, the handlebar18can be detached from the riser100, which can then be detached from the horizontal shaft44. The handlebar riser assembly200can now be installed on the horizontal shaft44using similar tools to fasten the caps46and the bolts48. A pivot angle of the handlebar riser assembly200relative to the steering column shaft assembly19can be selected before final tightening of the bolts48. Finally, the handlebar18is installed on the handlebar riser assembly200, using the caps50and the bolts52. An angle of the handlebar18is adjusted before final tightening of the bolts52.

In the embodiment shown onFIGS. 3 to 13, the outer member202is a top member and the inner member204is a bottom member. A variant in which the outer member202is a bottom member and the inner member204is a top member is also contemplated. Likewise, the embodiment ofFIGS. 3 to 13shows a single circular aperture220on each opposite face of the outer member202and a single slot222on each opposite face of the inner member204. A variant having slots on each opposite face of the outer member202and of the inner member204, and another variant having a plurality of apertures on each opposite face of the outer member202and/or having one or more apertures on each opposite face of the inner member204, are also contemplated.

It is contemplated that the head208could be replaced with other types of retaining members operably connected to the pin206and capable of maintaining an end of the pin206outside of the outer member202. Other such retaining members include for example a cotter pin, a nut, a c-clip, a T-handle and the like. Likewise, the cam lever210and the cylindrical nut212may be replaced with other types of locking members operably connected to the pin206and capable of applying a tension on the pin206. An example of a locking member comprises a rotatable handle having threads matching the threads214of the pin206.

In the present embodiment, the outer member202and the inner member204are constructed of extruded aluminum. Other embodiments in which the outer member202and the inner member204are constructed from other materials including, without limitation, steel, other metals, various plastics, composite materials, and the like, are also contemplated.