Abstract:
A motorcycle handlebar grip cover comprises a pair of mating hemicylindrical cover members. Each cover member is comprised of a first cavity portion configured to cover a grip portion of a motorcycle handlebar grip, and a second cavity portion configured to cover a flange of the motorcycle grip. The cover members connect to one another when the inner surface of each cover member engages the outer surface of the grip.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to custom accessories for a motor vehicle, such as a motorcycle. In particular, the present invention relates to a cover accessory for a motorcycle handlebar grip. 
         [0002]    Consumers have shown a strong interest in customizing their motorcycles by adding accessories to enhance the appearance of the motorcycle. It is common for a stock motorcycle to include basic black rubber handlebar grips. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a typical handlebar grip  10  is generally cylindrical with a grip portion  12  and a radial flange  14  at one end, which has a greater diameter than the grip portion  12 . The opposite end of the grip  10  is generally aligned with the end of the handlebar  18 . The grip has an inner cylindrical surface which is slid over an end portion  16  of the motorcycle handlebar  18 , or in the case of the right-side grip, over a throttle tube carried at the end of the handlebar  14 . The stock grips  10  are commonly secured to the handlebar  18  and the throttle tube with an adhesive to ensure that the grips do not move axially relative to the handlebar/throttle tube. In the case of the left-side grip, the grip is also secured from rotational movement relative to the handlebar. 
         [0003]    If it is desired to enhance the appearance of the motorcycle grips, the stock grips have to be removed from the handlebar/throttle tube and replaced with entirely new grips. The grip removal process is labor intensive and involves cutting the existing grip and peeling it off the handlebar, removing the old adhesive and cleaning and preparing the handlebar/throttle tube to receive the new grips. The installation process of new grips is also labor intensive and requires proper application of adhesive to the mating surfaces of the grip and the handlebar/throttle tube and curing time of the adhesive before the grips are suitable for use. The grip replacement process is a particularly involved process if the stock motorcycle is equipped with heated grips. The ability to alter the aesthetics of stock handlebar grips without have to remove the existing grips is an improvement in the art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention is a cover for a motorcycle handlebar grip that has a grip portion and a flange. The cover comprises two hemicylindrical shells that mate together to cover the grip portion and the flange. A first generally hemicylindrical shell has a first end, a second end and a shell wall extending between the first and second ends. The shell wall of the first shell has an outer surface, an inner surface and defines opposing first and second edges between the first and second ends. A first portion of inner surface of the first shell wall defines a first cavity having a first radius, and a second portion of the inner surface of the first shell wall defines a second cavity having a second radius greater than the first radius. A second generally hemicylindrical shell has a first end, a second end and a shell wall extending between the first and second ends. The shell wall of the second shell has an outer surface, an inner surface and defines opposing first and second edges between the first and second ends. A first portion of inner surface of the second shell wall defines a first cavity having a first radius, and a second portion of the inner surface of the second shell wall defines a second cavity having a second radius greater than the first radius. The cover further comprises means for connecting the first shell and the second shell together, the first cavities of the first and second shells thereby defining a generally cylindrical cavity for covering and engaging the grip portion of the motorcycle handlebar grip, and the second cavities of the first and second shells thereby defining a generally circular cavity for covering and engaging first and second sides of the flange of the motorcycle handlebar grip. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic view of a typical stock motorcycle handlebar grip mounted on a handlebar; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is an exploded side view of the motorcycle handlebar grip cover assembly of the present invention positioned relative to a stock motorcycle handlebar grip; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of a first grip cover member of the motorcycle handlebar grip cover assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the motorcycle handlebar grip cover assembly of  FIG. 2  taken along line  4 - 4 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged exploded partial end perspective view of the motorcycle handlebar grip cover assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional view of a first alternative embodiment of the motorcycle handlebar grip cover of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view of a second alternative embodiment of the motorcycle handlebar grip cover of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view of a motorcycle handlebar with a heated handlebar grip; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is an exploded partial side view of a motorcycle handlebar grip cover assembly for covering a heated handlebar grip on a right-side handlebar of a motorcycle; 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is an exploded partial side elevation of a motorcycle handlebar grip cover assembly for covering a heated handlebar grip on a left-side handlebar of a motorcycle; 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view of a third alternative embodiment of a first motorcycle handlebar grip cover member for covering a left-side handlebar grip, which is shown in cross-section; 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is an exploded end view of a grip cover assembly comprised of the first grip cover member of  FIG. 10  and a second grip cover member; 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is a side view of a fourth alternative embodiment of a motorcycle handlebar grip cover assembly of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  is a side perspective view of a sleeve of the grip cover assembly of  FIG. 12 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]      FIG. 2  is an exploded side view of the motorcycle handlebar grip cover assembly  20  of the present invention positioned over a motorcycle handlebar grip  10  (shown in phantom) that is mounted on a motorcycle handlebar  18 . Grip cover assembly  20  generally comprises a first cover member  22 , a second cover member  24 , and an end plate  26 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , cover members  22  and  24  each comprise a generally hemi-cylindrical shell, a first portion  28  of which is configured to cover the grip portion  12  of grip  10 , and a second portion  30  of which is configured to cover the flange  14  of grip  10 . Cover members  22  and  24  are each formed from a sturdy thin-walled material, such as aluminum or suitable polymer. Suitable polymers for molding the cover members  22 ,  24  include acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyester, polycarbonate, fiber reinforced plastics, and the like. The outer surfaces of cover members  22 ,  24  may be chrome plated for aesthetics. 
         [0020]    Cover members  22  and  24  each comprise an outer surface  32 , an inner surface  34 , an end wall  36  at a first end of each cover member, and edges  38 , which extend from the end wall  36  to the second portion  30 , which defines a second end of each cover member. The inner surface  34  of the first portion  28  of each cover member  22 ,  24  defines a first cavity  40  configured to match the generally cylindrical outer surface of the grip portion  12  of grip  10 . The inner surface  34  of the second portion  30  of each cover member  22 ,  24  defines a curved second cavity  42  which is configured to match the outer perimeter and upper portion of adjacent sides of the flange  14  of grip  10 . A portion  44  of the wall defining cover members  22 ,  24  is configured to have increased wall thickness between cavity  40  and cavity  42  to accommodate bores  46  for securing cover members  22  and  24  together. Edges  38  of cover member  22  seat against edges  38  of cover member  24  when cover members  22  and  24  are installed over the existing grip  10 . 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , in one embodiment cover member  24  includes one or more tabs  48  which extend above the edges  38  of cover member  24 . Tabs  48  are configured to engage complimentary connectors  50  ( FIG. 3 ) formed along edges  38  of cover member  22 , when the respective edge portions  38  of cover members  22  and  24  are seated against one another. Tabs  48  and connectors  50  ensure that the edges  38  of cover members  22  and  24  are held together initially in the assembly process, and remain together after assembly of cover members  22 ,  24 . Edges  38  of cover members  22 ,  24  may be connected together by other means consistent with the scope of the disclosed specific embodiment. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , bores  46  of cover member  22  extend from outer surface  32  to edges  38 . The portion  44  of the wall forming cover member  22  is skived along outer surface  32  to form channels  52  to create an access to bores  46  for threaded connectors  54 . Bores  46  of cover member  24  are configured with internal threads to receive threaded connectors  54  and thereby secure cover members  22  and  24  together in the vicinity of second portion  30 . In one embodiment, the end walls  36  of cover members  22  and  24  are configured with a plurality of axially oriented threaded bores  54  for connection of end plate  26 , which secures end walls  36  together. In an alternate optional embodiment, end wall  36  of cover member  22  is configured with a stepped radial bore  58  that extends from outer surface  32  to edge  59  of end wall  36 . Radial bore  58  aligns with a complimentary internally threaded bore  60  in the end wall  36  of cover member  24 . Optional bores  58  and  60  provide an alternate means of connecting the end walls  36  of cover members  22  and  24  together with a threaded connector. 
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the grip cover assembly  20  of  FIG. 2  taken along line  4 - 4 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , portion  28  of each cover member has a radius of curvature which closely matches the radius of curvature of the outer surface of the grip portion  12  of grip  10  such that when tabs  48  engage connectors  50 , the material forming grip  10  is under compression. Thus, the frictional contact of the inner surfaces  34  of portion  28  of cover members  22  and  24  with grip  10  is sufficient to keep cover members  22  and  24  from axial and longitudinal movement relative to grip  10 . 
         [0024]    In one preferred embodiment, connectors  50  are projections which extend radially inward from edges  38  forming a lip. Connectors  50  are integrally formed with the arcuate wall  60  forming cover member  22 . Tabs  48  each are configured with a transverse groove  62  adjacent to edges  38 . Grip cover assembly  20  is installed over an existing grip by positioning cavity  40  of one of cover members, e.g., cover member  22 , over grip portion  12  and cavity  42  over flange  14 . The opposite cover member, e.g., cover member  24  is then positioned over the opposite side of grip  10 . Cover members  22 ,  24  are manually squeezed together until connectors  50  fit within the transverse grooves  62  of tabs  48 , thereby securing edges  38  together. As shown in  FIG. 5 , end walls  36  of cover members  22 ,  24  fit together to cover the end of grip  10 . End plate  26  has mounting holes  66  which align with internally threaded bores  54  formed in end walls  36 . End plate  26  mounts to end walls  36  with screws  68  and secures end walls  36  of cover members  22 ,  24  together. 
         [0025]      FIG. 6A  is an exploded cross-sectional view of a first alternative embodiment of grip cover assembly  120 . Grip cover assembly  120  is substantially identical to grip cover assembly  20  with the addition of a cylindrical sleeve  121  positioned over grip portion  12  of grip  10 . Sleeve  121  may be formed from a suitable flexible material, such as rubber. Sleeve  121  may be configured to adjust for fluctuations in the outer diameter of grip portion  12  to ensure that the inner surfaces  134  of cover members  122  and  124  make good contact along the length of grip  10 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 6B  is exploded cross-sectional view of a second alternative embodiment of grip cover assembly  220 . Grip cover assembly  220  is substantially identical to grip cover assembly  20  with the addition of means on the inner surfaces  234  of cover members  222  and  224  for increasing the frictional contact between cover members  222 ,  224  and grip portion  12  of grip  10 . In one embodiment, the means for increasing frictional contact comprise a plurality of inward radiating raised portions  223  of inner surfaces  234  along cavity  240 . Raised portions  223  are configured to engage a superficial layer of the material forming grip  10  along the length of grip portion  12  to ensure that grip cover assembly  220  does not rotate or move axially relative to grip  10 . Raised portions  223  may have varying dimensions to aid in adjusting for variability in the outer diameter of grip  10  along the length of grip portion  12 . In alternative embodiments, the inner surface  234  may eliminate raised portions  223  and be fitted with an adhesive tape. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 7-9  show alternative embodiments of a grip cover assembly configured for use with heated grips  310 , which comprise embedded heating elements in the grip body. As shown in  FIG. 7 , heated grips  310  typically include an electrical lead wire ˜311 that is routed through flange  314  to the embedded heating elements in grip  310 .  FIG. 8  is an enlarged partial view of cover assembly  320  configured for use on a heated motorcycle grip connected to the throttle tube on the right handlebar  318  of a motorcycle. As shown in  FIG. 8 , to accommodate electrical lead wire  311 , cover members  322 ,  324  are configured with semi-circular side wall cut-outs  313  in the wall of second portion  330  along edges  338 . The side wall cut-outs  313  are configured such that when cover members  322  and  324  are fully assembled, wire  311  is captured in the opening defined by cut-outs  313 . Cut outs  313  provide redundant assurance that grip cover assembly  320  does not move axially and rotationally relative to grip  310  and that the throttle tube rotates when grip cover assembly is rotated. 
         [0028]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged partial view of cover assembly  320  configured for use on a heated motorcycle grip connected to the left handlebar of a motorcycle. As shown in  FIG. 9 , cover member  324  comprises a semi-circular side wall cut-out  313  along edge  338  in the vicinity of second portion  330 , and cover member  322  comprises an enlarged side wall cut-out  315 . When cover members  322  and  324  are connected together, cut-outs  313  and  315  form an arcuate wall opening adjacent to cavity  342  that is substantially longer than the width of wire  311 , which allows the grip cover assembly on the left handlebar a degree of mounting adjustability so it can match the mounting orientation of the grip cover assembly on the right handlebar grip. 
         [0029]      FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view of an alternate embodiment of a grip cover assembly  420  for mounting on grip  10  of the left handlebar  18 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , cover member  422  is mounted over grip  10 , with grip  10  and handlebar  18  shown in cross-section. Cover member  422  is substantially identical to cover member  22 , with the addition of redundant means for anchoring the end walls  426  of cover members  422 ,  424  to the handlebar  18 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , cavity  442  of cover members  422 ,  424 , like cavity  42  of cover members  22 ,  24 , is curved and captures flange  14  on opposite sides of flange  14  such that upon installation, grip cover assembly  420  is secured from axial movement relative to grip  10 . Likewise, as previously described, the close frictional contact of the inner surface  432  of cover members  422 ,  424  with the outer surface of grip  10  prevents rotational movement of the grip cover assembly relative to the grip. As an added measure, grip cover assembly  420  is configured with a mounting flange  427  that extends from the edge  459  of end wall  426  toward cover member  424  ( FIG. 11 ). Mounting flange  427  is configured with a recessed hole  429  that is coaxial with axis A of handlebar  18  when cover member  422  is mounted over grip  10 . Edge  459  of end wall  426  is configured with a channel  429 A also coaxial with axis A. Mounting flange  427  enables grip cover member  422  to be secured to the end of the handlebar  18  via known mounting devices, e.g., an expandable hub  433  located within handlebar  18 . In one embodiment, flange  427  is connected to the expandable hub  433  by a mounting bolt  431 , which passes through hole  429 , channel  429 A and a bore of an expandable hub  433  and threads into a nut  435  mounted on an internal end  437  of the expandable hub  433 . As bolt  431  is rotated, the internal end  437  of the expandable hub is drawn toward flange  427 , causing hub  433  to expand radially and thereby become secured to the inner surface of handlebar  18 . In this manner, cover member  422  is further secured from axial and/or radial movement relative to grip  10 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , end wall  426  of cover member  424  is configured with a complimentary cavity  439  which receives flange  427  when cover members  422  and  424  are assembled together. End walls  426  of cover members  422  may be secured together in the manner previously described relative to grip cover assembly  20 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 12  is a side view of a fourth alternative embodiment of a motorcycle handlebar grip cover assembly  520  of the present invention. Grip cover assembly  520  is substantially similar to grip cover assembly  120  ( FIG. 6A ) in that grip cover assembly  520  comprises cover members  522  and  524  positioned over a sleeve  521  ( FIG. 13 ) which is positioned over the grip portion  12  of grip  10 . Unlike sleeve  121  of grip cover assembly  120 , sleeve  521  comprises raised portions  523 . Cover members  522 ,  524  are configured with wall openings  525  that correspond to the shape of raised portions  523 , thereby allowing raised portions  523  to protrude through openings  525 . Raised portions  523  define a diameter D 1  of sleeve  521  which is greater than a diameter D 2  of assembled cover members  522 ,  524 . As a result, the soft feel of a rubber grip can be retained while the aesthetic appearance of the grip is enhanced by the contrasting metal covers. The number, shape and location of raised portions and cover wall openings may be varied. The sleeve wall may include a plurality of wall cut-outs  527  radially and axially spaced along sleeve  521 . Cut-outs  527  improve the flexibility and maneuverability of sleeve  521  to facilitate placement of sleeve  521  as it is slid into position over grip  10 . 
         [0031]    The grip cover assembly of the present invention provides a quick and simple means for altering the aesthetics of existing motorcycle handlebar grips without having to completely remove and replace the existing grips. The thin wall of the cover members keeps the diameter of the grip cover assembly relatively close to the original diameter of the stock grips being covered, and in the case of heated grips allows heat from the grips to be transmitted through the covers to retain the heating function of the existing heated grips. The outer surface  32  of cover members  22  and  24  may be shaped and/or adorned to achieve a desired appearance and/or tactile appeal. While various specific embodiments have been disclosed, it is intended that the various embodiments may be employed individually or collectively in combination with each other. 
         [0032]    Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.