Patent Publication Number: US-11390351-B1

Title: Compact streamlined variably adjustable handlebars

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to motorcycles, bicycles, snow mobiles and other vehicles with handlebars. More specifically, the present invention relates to systems and techniques for adjusting the position of the handlebars used on such vehicles. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     It is well-known in the motorcycle community that the typically fixed position of the handlebars has numerous limitations including: 1) a suboptimal positioning of the handlebars for a rider; 2) even if optimal at one time, the fixed handlebar position can be uncomfortable for a rider on another occasion due to injury, illness, weight gain or a variety of other changes in the riders condition or mood; and/or 3) the position of the handlebars, even if comfortable at the start of a ride, can become uncomfortable over time after long hours on the road. 
     Accordingly, a need existed in the art for an apparatus and method for adjusting the position of handlebars for motorcycles and other similar vehicles. While adjustable handlebars are known in the art, these conventional systems typically require the user to adjust the handlebar positions mechanically and by hand. This is slow, cumbersome and typically provides a discrete set of position options as opposed to a continuous set of position options. 
     The need in the art was addressed by U.S. Pat. No. 9,038,500 entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE MOTORIZED ADJUSTMENT OF MOTORCYCLE HANDLEBARS issued to P. Oravecz on May 26, 2015; U.S. Pat. No. 9,708,024 entitled FUNCTIONAL DUAL HANDLEBAR DESIGN WITH CONTROLS AND MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT issued to P. Oravecz on Jul. 18, 2017; U.S. Pat. No. 10,351,203 entitled FUNCTIONAL DUAL HANDLEBAR DESIGN WITH CONTROLS AND MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT issued to P. Oravecz on Jul. 16, 2019; U.S. Pat. No. 9,272,748 entitled MECHANISM FOR EFFECTING TRANSLATIONAL AND ROTATIONAL MOTION issued to P. Oravecz on Mar. 1, 2016; and U.S. Pat. No. 10,173,745 entitled MECHANISM FOR SECURING A PAYLOAD IN A DESIRED ANGULAR ORIENTATION issued to P. Oravecz on Jan. 8, 2019 the teachings of which are collectively incorporated herein by reference. 
     However, a need remains in the art for a more compact, streamlined, lightweight and cost effective system and method for adjusting the position of vehicle handlebars. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The need in the art is addressed by the powered handlebar adjustment assembly of the present invention adapted for use with a vehicle having first and second forks aligned in a parallel relation along a first longitudinal axis, first and second triple tree supports aligned in a second axis transverse to the first axis, and a set of handlebars mounted parallel to the first and second triple trees and transverse to the first and second forks. 
     In an illustrative embodiment, the powered handlebar adjustment assembly includes a first telescopic support having a first section thereof mounted between and in parallel with the first axis of the first and second forks and between and transverse to the axis of the first and second triple tree supports. A second section is mounted between the first triple tree and the handlebars at a proximal end of the second section and concentric with the first section at a distal end of the second section for translation relative thereto between the first and second forks and parallel thereto. 
     The assembly further includes a second telescopic support having a first section thereof mounted between and in parallel with the first axis of the first and second forks and between and transverse to the axis of the first and second triple tree supports. A second section of the second telescopic support is mounted between the first triple tree and the handlebars at a proximal end of the second section and concentric with the first section at a distal end of the second section for translation relative thereto between the first and second forks and parallel thereto. 
     A first actuator is mounted between the first and second forks and between the first and second triple tree supports. The first actuator is operationally coupled to the second section of the telescopic support via the first section thereof. 
     A second actuator is mounted between the first and second forks and between the first and second triple tree supports. The second actuator is operationally coupled to the second section of the second telescopic support via the first section thereof. Actuation of the actuators via a switch mounted on the handlebars is effective to cause the second sections of the telescopic supports to translate relative to the first sections thereof and thereby move the handlebars from a first position to a second position. In a more specific embodiment, a handlebar clamp is included for securing the first and second telescopic supports to the handlebars. First and second pressure levers secure the handlebar clamp to the handlebars whereby the handlebars are adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis through the clamp in a first open position of the levers and restrained against rotational motion about the longitudinal axis in a second closed position thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of an illustrative embodiment of the compact streamlined handlebar adjustment mechanism of the present invention mounted on a motorcycle in a first lowered position. 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the handlebar adjustment mechanism of the present invention as depicted in  FIG. 1  in the second elevated position. 
         FIG. 3  is a magnified partial sectional front view of the left actuator of the illustrative embodiment of the handlebar adjustment mechanism of the present invention in the first lowered operational position thereof. 
         FIG. 4  is a magnified partial sectional front view of the right actuator of the illustrative embodiment of the handlebar adjustment mechanism of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a magnified partial sectional front view of the left actuator of the illustrative embodiment of the handlebar adjustment mechanism of the present invention in a second elevated operational position thereof. 
         FIG. 6  is a magnified partial sectional front view of the right actuator of the illustrative embodiment of the handlebar adjustment mechanism of the present invention in a second elevated operational position thereof. 
         FIG. 7  is a partial right rear quarterly perspective view of the handlebar adjustment mechanism of the present invention as depicted in  FIG. 1  in the first lowered position. 
         FIG. 8  is the partial right rear quarterly perspective view of the illustrative embodiment of the compact streamlined handlebar adjustment mechanism of the present invention mounted on a motorcycle depicted in  FIG. 5  in the second elevated position. 
         FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of the handlebar adjustment mechanism of the present invention as depicted in  FIG. 8  in the second elevated position with alternate handlebar orientations shown in phantom. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Illustrative embodiments and exemplary applications will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to disclose the advantageous teachings of the present invention. 
     While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility. 
       FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of an illustrative embodiment of the compact streamlined handlebar adjustment mechanism of the present invention mounted on a motorcycle in a first lowered position. 
       FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the handlebar adjustment mechanism of the present invention as depicted in  FIG. 1  in the second elevated position. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the motorcycle  10  has a frame  11  (not shown) coupled to a front wheel  12  via an axle  13  and a fork  14  in accordance with conventional teachings. The fork  14  has first and second tubes or stanchions  16  and  18  aligned in parallel along the longitudinal axes thereof. The fork may be telescopic with active or passive tubes. As is known in the art, a telescopic fork is one that uses fork tubes with suspension components (coil springs and dampers) internally to dampen vibration. 
     In accordance with conventional teachings, at the distal end thereof, the fork stanchions  16  and  18  are attached to the front wheel  12  via the axle  13  and at the proximal end, secured to the vehicle frame  11  (not shown) via a triple tree  20 . The triple tree  20  has an upper yoke  22  and a lower yoke  24  mounted in parallel therewith along a longitudinal axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the fork  14 . As is well-known in the art, the triple tree  20  attaches the fork tubes  16  and  18  to the frame  11  (not shown) via steering head bearings (not shown), which allow a rider to steer the motorcycle by causing the forks to pivot from side to side. The upper and lower triple tree yokes  22  and  24  provide two solid clamping points that keep the fork tubes  16  and  18  parallel while also connecting the forks to the frame  11 . 
     As discussed more fully below, a handlebar assembly  26  is coupled to the fork via the compact, streamlined, handlebar adjustment mechanism  30  of the present invention. The handlebar assembly  26  is generally of conventional design and construction with a conventional handlebar  27  having first and second grips  28  and  29  at the distal ends thereof. 
     In accordance with the present teachings, the compact, streamlined, handlebar adjustment mechanism  30  couples the handlebar assembly  26  to the fork  14  via the triple tree  20 . First and second upper sections  33  and  35  of first and second parallel risers  32  and  34 , respectively, of the handlebar adjustment mechanism  30  are secured to the handlebar assembly  26  via a clamp  40 . The clamp  40  has a top plate  41  adapted to sit on top of the handlebar and a bottom plate  43  adapted to support the handlebar  27  from the underside thereof. 
     First and second pressure (aka ‘quick release’) levers  42  and  44  extend through the top plate  41  of the clamp  40  and engage threads  15  in the bottom plate  43  of the clamp  40 . As is well-known in the art, a quick release lever is a mechanism that consists of a rod (not shown) threaded on one end with a lever operated cam assembly on the other. When rotated, the irregularly shaped cam  45  serves to force the top plate  41  of the clamp  40  toward the bottom plate  43  and thereby secure the clamp  40  to the handlebar  27 . The clamp  40  and pressure levers  42  and  44  are shown more clearly in the rear perspective views of  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     When the levers  42  and  44  are lifted, the handlebar  27  is released and free to be manually rotated about the longitudinal axis thereof. This allows a rider to change the angle and elevation of the grips  28  and  29  at the distal end thereof as discussed more fully below with respect to  FIG. 8 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the first and second upper telescopic sections  33  and  35  of first and second risers  32  and  34 , respectively, are secured into the bottom plate  43  of the clamp  40  via a bolt  17  having threads  19 . First and second upper telescopic sections  33  and  35  extend through the upper yoke  22  of the triple tree  20  into first and second respective lower receiving sections  36  and  37 . In  FIG. 2 , note that only the upper and lower sections  35  and  37  of the second riser  34  are shown in a sectional view as the upper and lower sections  33  and  36  of the first section are identical in design and construction. 
     Optional collars  47  and  49  may be included above or below the upper yoke  22  for additional stability and stiffness. 
     In the best mode, for a typical motorcycle application, the upper sections  33  and  35  should have lengths ranging from 5 to 8.5 and diameters ranging from 1 1/4  to 1 3/4  inches and the lower sections  35  and  37  should have lengths ranging from 5 to 7 inches and diameters ranging from 1 3/8  to 1 7/8  inches. These dimensions enable the upper sections  33  and  35  to translate into the lower sections  36  and  37  respectively. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciated that the lengths and relative diameters of the upper and lower sections would be chosen based on the requirements of a chosen application and, as such, the present invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiment disclosed herein. 
       FIG. 3  is a magnified partial sectional front view of the left actuator of the illustrative embodiment of the handlebar adjustment mechanism of the present invention in the first lowered operational position thereof. 
       FIG. 4  is a magnified partial sectional front view of the right actuator of the illustrative embodiment of the handlebar adjustment mechanism of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a magnified partial sectional front view of the left actuator of the illustrative embodiment of the handlebar adjustment mechanism of the present invention in a second elevated operational position thereof. 
       FIG. 6  is a magnified partial sectional front view of the right actuator of the illustrative embodiment of the handlebar adjustment mechanism of the present invention in a second elevated operational position thereof. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3-6 , the movement of the upper telescopic sections  33  and  35  relative to the lower sections  36  and  37  is effectuated by first and second actuators  38  and  39  and first and second gear assemblies  46  and  48  respectively. In the illustrative embodiment, the actuators  38  and  39  are electric motors and the gear assemblies  46  and  48  are worm or screw drives. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the electric motors and worm drives can be replaced with pneumatic or hydraulic actuators without departing from the scope of the present teachings. 
     In  FIG. 3 , the left actuator  38  includes an electric motor  50  of which the rotor  51  thereof is coupled to a circular gear  52 . The gear  52  is mounted in engagement with a mating gear  54  mounted within the first gearing assembly  46  at the base of the first riser  32 . A screw  56  is secured within the gear  54  in threaded engagement with threads  58  in the upper section  33  of the riser  32 . 
     Similarly, in  FIG. 4 , the right actuator  39  is shown with an electric motor  60  of which the rotor thereof  61  is coupled to a second circular gear  62 . The second gear  62  is mounted in engagement with a mating gear  64  mounted within the second gearing assembly  48  at the base of the second riser  34 . 
     Accordingly, actuation of the first motor  50  is effective to induce translation of the upper section  33  of the first riser  32  in a telescopic manner from a first position as shown in  FIG. 3  to a second position as shown in  FIG. 5 . Likewise, actuation of the second motor  60  is effective to induce translation of the upper section  35  of the second riser  34  in a telescopic manner as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     In the best mode, both motors are actuated in unison however, it is envisioned that for some application or requirement, it might be beneficial to enable independent operation of the motors to effectuate a tilt in the handlebars from a horizontal orientation. 
       FIG. 7  is a partial right rear quarterly perspective view of the handlebar adjustment mechanism of the present invention as depicted in  FIG. 1  in the first lowered position. 
       FIG. 8  is the partial right rear quarterly perspective view of the illustrative embodiment of the compact streamlined handlebar adjustment mechanism of the present invention mounted on a motorcycle depicted in  FIG. 5  in the second elevated position. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a rocker switch  70  mounted, on the right or left grip  27  or  29 , actuates the motors  50  and  60 . In the best mode, the switch  70  is a rocker switch with three positions for ‘up’, ‘down’ and ‘neutral’ to enable the bars to be elevated from the lower position shown in  FIG. 7  to the upper position shown in  FIG. 8 . Other arrangements may be provided for activation of the motors without departing from the scope of the present teachings. 
     In  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a portion of the motorcycle frame or chassis  11  is shown along with a conventional speedometer. A headlight  72  is shown mounted on the triple tree  14  as is common in the art. 
       FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of the handlebar adjustment mechanism of the present invention as depicted in  FIG. 8  in the second elevated position with alternate handlebar grip orientations shown in phantom. The alternate grip locations are enabled by lifting the first and second quick release or pressure levers  42  and  44  and rotating the handlebar  26  about the longitudinal axis thereof at the clamp  40  to a desired orientation and subsequently closing the quick release levers  42  and  44 . 
     In the best mode, the handlebar adjustment mechanism  30  of the present invention is implemented with stainless steel or other suitable metallic material. Although the invention is not limited to the material construction thereof. 
     Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the present invention is not limited to use on motorcycles. The invention may be used on other vehicles having handheld steering mechanisms such as snow mobiles, jet skis, bicycles etc. 
     Thus, the present invention has been described herein with reference to a particular embodiment for a particular application. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the present teachings will recognize additional modifications, applications and embodiments within the scope thereof. For example, the present invention is not limited to use on motorcycles. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be used on any vehicle having a steering control such as a snow mobile, bicycle or other wheeled or ski based vehicle. Further, the invention is not limited to use on vehicles with handlebars. That is, the present teachings may be used on a vehicle with a single stalk steering control. Those of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that the invention is not limited to the use of electric motors as actuators. Hydraulic, pneumatic and/or solenoid actuators may be used as well. The remote control could be voice activated and helmet mounted. 
     It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any and all such applications, modifications and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.