Patent Publication Number: US-2011067522-A1

Title: Bicycle handlebar grip

Description:
This application is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 11/745,583, filed May 8, 2007. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a grip and more particularly, to a bicycle handlebar grip. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     A conventional bicycle handlebar grip comprises a tubular member made of a composite material, and a plastic sleeve mounted on the tubular member in a close fit manner. The composite material consists of a substrate, such as an epoxy, and a reinforcement, such as a carbon fiber. However, it is necessary to coat a protective layer on the surface of the tubular member to facilitate mounting the plastic sleeve onto the tubular member and to prevent the tubular member from being scratched by the plastic sleeve, so that the conventional bicycle handlebar grip has a complicated working process, thereby increasing the costs of fabrication. In addition, the plastic sleeve is mounted on the tubular member in a manual manner, thereby decreasing the quality of the product and increasing the costs of fabrication. Further, the plastic sleeve is not combined with the tubular member closely, thereby decreasing the structural strength of the bicycle handlebar grip. Further, water or dust easily enters the gap between the plastic sleeve and the tubular member thereby causing a sanitary problem. Further, the plastic sleeve is formed by extruding so that the plastic sleeve has fixed patterns and shapes, thereby decreasing the outer appearance of the bicycle handlebar grip. 
     The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a bicycle handlebar grip having an enhanced combination strength. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a bicycle handlebar grip and a method for making the grip, wherein the bicycle handlebar grip comprises an inner fiber layer and an outer plastic layer, wherein the fiber layer is light and hard to reduce the weight and increase the structural strength of the bicycle handlebar grip, while the plastic layer is soft and has an adjustable thickness to provide a comfortable sensation to a user when holding the bicycle handlebar grip. 
     A further objective of the present invention is to provide a bicycle handlebar grip and a method for making the grip, wherein the holding portion of the plastic layer is molded in the die to form different spatial patterns and shapes to enhance the outer appearance of the bicycle handlebar grip and to facilitate the user holding the bicycle handlebar grip. 
     A further objective of the present invention is to provide a bicycle handlebar grip and a method for making the grip, wherein the plastic layer is made of a transparent material so that the fibers of the fiber layer are viewable outwardly from the plastic layer to enhance the aesthetic quality of the bicycle handlebar grip. 
     A further objective of the present invention is to provide a bicycle handlebar grip and a method for making the grip, wherein the plastic layer includes a holding portion coated on the outer surface of the fiber layer, an engaging portion penetrating through the weaving gaps of the fiber layer, and a permeating portion extending through the weaving gaps of the fiber layer into the inner surface of the fiber layer to enhance the combination strength between the fiber layer and the plastic layer and to enhance the structural strength of the bicycle handlebar grip. 
     A further objective of the present invention is to provide a bicycle handlebar grip and a method for making the grip, wherein the fiber layer is combined with the plastic layer integrally to prevent water or dust from passing between the fiber layer and the plastic layer. 
     A further objective of the present invention is to provide a bicycle handlebar grip and a method for making the grip, wherein the plastic layer is molded in the die so that the bicycle handlebar grip is made automatically to increase the quality of the product and to reduce the costs of fabrication. 
     Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bicycle handlebar grip in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view showing expansion of a fiber layer of the bicycle handlebar grip as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the fiber layer of the bicycle handlebar grip taken along line  3 - 3  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view showing the fiber layer of the bicycle handlebar grip being placed into a die. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the bicycle handlebar grip as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a bicycle handlebar grip in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the bicycle handlebar grip as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart of a method for making the grip as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a flow chart of a method for making the grip as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings and initially to  FIGS. 1-5 , a bicycle handlebar grip in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises an inner fiber layer  10  and an outer plastic layer  20 . 
     The fiber layer  10  has an inner surface  12  and an outer surface  11  and includes a plurality of fibers  101  interweaving with each other and a plurality of weaving gaps  13  located between the fibers  101 . The fiber layer  10  has a substantially tubular shape. The fiber layer  10  is made of a fiber cloth and preferably made of a carbon fiber cloth. The weaving gaps  13  of the fiber layer  10  are distributed between the fibers  101  evenly and connected with each other. The weaving gaps  13  of the fiber layer  10  are at least distributed on the inner surface  12  of the fiber layer  10 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the weaving gaps  13  of the fiber layer  10  are distributed between the outer surface  11  and the inner surface  12  of the fiber layer  10  evenly. 
     The plastic layer  20  is enclosed around the outer surface  11  of the fiber layer  10  and combined with the fiber layer  10  integrally. The plastic layer  20  includes a holding portion  201  coated on the outer surface  11  of the fiber layer  10  and an engaging portion  202  penetrating through the weaving gaps  13  of the fiber layer  10 . The plastic layer  20  further includes a permeating portion  203  extending through the weaving gaps  13  of the fiber layer  10  into the inner surface  12  of the fiber layer  10 . The plastic layer  20  is made of a transparent material so that the fibers  101  of the fiber layer  10  are viewable outwardly from the plastic layer  20 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plastic layer  20  is made of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or thermoplastic rubber (TPR). 
     In fabrication, the fiber layer  10  is placed into a die  30 , a determined of melted plastic material  20  A is filled into the die  30  to enclose around the outer surface  11  of the fiber layer  10  to form the plastic layer  20  so that the plastic layer  20  is combined with the fiber layer  10  integrally. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the bicycle handlebar grip further comprises a plastic inner shell  40  mounted in the fiber layer  10  and having an outer surface  41  rested on the inner surface  12  of the fiber layer  10 . Preferably, the plastic inner shell  40  has a tubular shape and the outer surface  41  of the plastic inner shell  40  is combined with the permeating portion  203  of the plastic layer  20  integrally. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8  with reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , a method for making the grip comprises the steps of: a) preparing a fiber layer  10  which has an inner surface  12  and an outer surface  11  and includes a plurality of fibers  101  interweaving with each other and a plurality of weaving gaps  13  located between the fibers  101 , b) placing the fiber layer  10  into a die  30  and closing the die  30 , c) filling a melted plastic material  20  A into the die  30  to encompass the outer surface  11  of the fiber layer  10  and to penetrate through the weaving gaps  13  of the fiber layer  10 , d) cooling and solidifying the plastic material to form a plastic layer  20  which includes a holding portion  201  coated on the outer surface  11  of the fiber layer  10  and an engaging portion  202  penetrating through the weaving gaps  13  of the fiber layer  10 ; and e) opening the die  30  to remove a product which comprises the fiber layer  10  and the plastic layer  20  enclosed around the outer surface  11  of the fiber layer  10  and combined with the fiber layer  10  integrally. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the melted plastic material  20  A further extends through the weaving gaps  13  of the fiber layer  10  into the inner surface  12  of the fiber layer  10 , so that the plastic layer  20  further includes a permeating portion  203  extending through the weaving gaps  13  of the fiber layer  10  into the inner surface  12  of the fiber layer  10 . In addition, the outer surface  11  of the fiber layer  10  is previously coated with a bonding agent which is heated in the die  30  and is disposed at a melted state to combine with the melted plastic material  20  A integrally. Preferably, the bonding agent is made of a thermoplastic material. 
     Thus, the fibers  101  of the fiber layer  10  are bonded and formed by the bonding agent to prevent the fibers  101  of the fiber layer  10  from being displaced and deformed so that the fiber layer  10  maintains a tubular shape. In addition, when the melted plastic material  20  A into the die  30  is filled into the die  30 , both of the bonding agent and the melted plastic material  20  A are made of the same material which is a thermoplastic material, so that the bonding agent is melted by the high temperature of the die  30  and the melted plastic material  20  A to combine with the melted plastic material  20  A integrally. Thus, the bonding agent is movable with the melted plastic material  20  A to encompass the outer surface  11  of the fiber layer  10 , to penetrate through the weaving gaps  13  of the fiber layer  10 , and to extend through the weaving gaps  13  of the fiber layer  10  into the inner surface  12  of the fiber layer  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9  with reference to  FIGS. 1-7 , a method for making the grip comprises the steps of: a) preparing a plastic inner shell  40 , b) preparing a fiber layer  10  which has an inner surface  12  and an outer surface  11  and includes a plurality of fibers  101  interweaving with each other and a plurality of weaving gaps  13  located between the fibers  101 , c) mounting the inner surface  12  of the fiber layer  10  onto an outer surface  41  of the plastic inner shell  40 , d) placing the fiber layer  10  and the plastic inner shell  40  into a die  30  and closing the die  30 , e) filling a melted plastic material  20  A into the die  30  to encompass the outer surface  11  of the fiber layer  10  and to penetrate through the weaving gaps  13  of the fiber layer  10 , t) cooling and solidifying the plastic material to form a plastic layer  20  which includes a holding portion  201  coated on the outer surface  11  of the fiber layer  10  and an engaging portion  202  penetrating through the weaving gaps  13  of the fiber layer  10 ; and g) opening the die  30  to remove a product which comprises the plastic inner shell  40 , the fiber layer  10  mounted on the plastic inner shell  40  and the plastic layer  20  enclosed around the outer surface  11  of the fiber layer  10 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the melted plastic material  20  A further extends through the weaving gaps  13  of the fiber layer  10  into the inner surface  12  of the fiber layer  10 , so that the plastic layer  20  further includes a permeating portion  203  which extends through the weaving gaps  13  of the fiber layer  10  into the inner surface  12  of the fiber layer  10  and is combined with the outer surface  41  of the plastic inner shell  40 . In addition, the outer surface  11  of the fiber layer  10  is previously coated with a bonding agent which is heated in the die  30  and is disposed at a melted state to combine with the melted plastic material  20  A. Preferably, the bonding agent is made of a thermoplastic material. 
     Thus, the fibers  101  of the fiber layer  10  are bonded and formed by the bonding agent to prevent the fibers  101  of the fiber layer  10  from being displaced and deformed so that the fiber layer  10  maintains a tubular shape. In addition, when the melted plastic material  20  A into the die  30  is filled into the die  30 , both of the bonding agent and the melted plastic material  20  A are made  10  of the same material which is a thermoplastic material, so that the bonding agent is melted by the high temperature of the die  30  and the melted plastic material  20  A to combine with the melted plastic material  20  A integrally. Thus, the bonding agent is movable with the melted plastic material  20  A to encompass the outer surface  11  of the fiber layer  10 , to penetrate through the weaving gaps  13  of the fiber layer  10 , and to extend through the weaving gaps  13  of the fiber layer  10  into the inner surface  12  of the fiber layer  10 . 
     Accordingly, the bicycle handlebar grip comprises an inner fiber layer  10  and an outer plastic layer  20 , wherein the fiber layer  10  is light and hard to reduce the weight and increase the structural strength of the bicycle handlebar grip, while the plastic layer  20  is soft and has an adjustable thickness to provide a comfortable sensation to a user when holding the bicycle handlebar grip. In addition, the holding portion  201  of the plastic layer  20  is molded in the die  30  to form different spatial patterns and shapes to enhance the outer appearance of the bicycle handlebar grip and to facilitate the user holding the bicycle handlebar grip. Further, the plastic layer  20  is made of a transparent material so that the fibers  101  of the fiber layer  10  are viewable outwardly from the plastic layer  20  to enhance the aesthetic quality of the bicycle handlebar grip. Further, the plastic layer  20  includes a holding portion  201  coated on the outer surface  11  of the fiber layer  10 , an engaging portion  202  penetrating through the weaving gaps  13  of the fiber layer  10 , and a permeating portion  203  extending through the weaving gaps  13  of the fiber layer  10  into the inner surface  12  of the fiber layer  10  to enhance the combination strength between the fiber layer  10  and the plastic layer  20  and to enhance the structural strength of the bicycle handlebar grip. Further, the fiber layer  10  is combined with the plastic layer  20  integrally to prevent water or dust from passing between the fiber layer  10  and the plastic layer  20 . Further, the plastic layer  20  is molded in the die  30  so that the bicycle handlebar grip is made automatically to increase the quality of the product and to reduce the costs of fabrication. 
     It is to be noted that the step of coating the bonding agent is used to combine the fiber layer  10  with the outer surface  41  of the plastic inner shell  40  together before forming the plastic layer  20 , therefore the method to combine the fiber layer  10  with the outer surface  41  of the plastic inner shell  40  is limited to only coating the bonding agent. For example, a two-sided rubber (not shown) is also capable of being used to combine the fiber layer  10  with the outer surface  41  of the plastic inner shell  40  together. 
     Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.