Patent Publication Number: US-2009232587-A1

Title: Handgrip mounting method

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to handgrips for handlebars and more specifically to a handgrip mounting method for mounting a tubular handgrip on a handlebar. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventionally, mounting a tubular handgrip on a handlebar is achieved by means of expanding the inner diameter of the tubular handgrip with a machine or by labor to an extent where the inner diameter of the tubular handgrip becomes greater than the outer diameter of the handlebar and then sleeving the tubular handgrip onto the handlebar. 
     The aforesaid handgrip mounting procedure is performed step by step, i.e., by means of widening the inner diameter of one segment of the tubular handgrip and sleeving the expanded first segment of the tubular handgrip onto the handlebar and then widening the inner diameter of a next segment of the tubular handgrip and forcing the expended second segment of the tubular handgrip onto the handlebar, and so forth. This handgrip mounting procedure is complicated, wasting much time and labor. Therefore, an improvement in this regard is necessary. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been accomplished in view of the above-noted circumstances. It is one objective of the present invention to provide a handgrip mounting method, which facilitates quick mounting of a tubular handgrip on a handlebar. 
     To achieve this objective of the present invention, the handgrip mounting method comprises the steps of: 
     a) applying a piece of releasable paper to one of a handlebar and a tubular handgrip to provide a lubrication effect in such a manner that an extending direction of the piece of releasable paper defines with a longitudinal axis of one of the handlebar and the tubular handgrip to which the piece of releasable paper is applied a contained angle smaller than 90 degrees; 
     b) sleeving the tubular handgrip onto the handlebar to have the piece of releasable paper be sandwiched in between the handlebar and the tubular handgrip and to have an end portion of the piece of releasable paper be exposed outside of the handlebar and the tubular handgrip; and 
     c) pulling the end portion of the piece of releasable paper to remove the piece of releasable paper away from the handlebar and the tubular handgrip. 
     According to this handgrip mounting method, the releasable paper works as a lubrication medium between the handlebar and the tubular handgrip so that the tubular handgrip can easily be sleeved onto the handlebar, saving much time and labor. After mounting of the tubular handgrip on the handlebar, the releasable paper is directly removed without any other complicated procedure. 
     Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a handgrip mounting flow chart according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic drawing showing two pieces of releasable paper applied to the periphery of a handlebar according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic drawing showing that the handlebar with the attached releasable paper is to be inserted into a tubular handgrip according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic drawing showing that the handlebar with the attached releasable paper is inserted into the tubular handgrip according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic drawing, showing the handlebar and the tubular handgrip bonded together after removal of the releasable paper according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic drawing showing that a releasable paper is spirally applied to the periphery of a handlebar according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic drawing showing that the handlebar with the attached releasable paper is to be inserted into a tubular handgrip according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic drawing, showing that the handlebar with the attached releasable paper is inserted into the tubular handgrip according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic drawing, showing the handlebar and the tubular handgrip bonded together after removal of the releasable paper according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic drawing showing that two pieces of releasable paper are applied to the inside wall of a tubular handgrip according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic drawing showing that a handlebar is to be inserted into the releasable paper bonded tubular handgrip according to the third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic drawing showing that the tubular handgrip with the attached releasable paper is sleeved onto the handlebar according to the third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic drawing showing the handlebar and the tubular handgrip bonded together after removal of the releasable paper according to the third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic drawing showing that a releasable paper is spirally applied to the inside wall of a tubular handgrip according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic drawing showing that a handlebar is to be inserted into the releasable paper bonded tubular handgrip according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic drawing showing that the tubular handgrip with the attached releasable paper is sleeved onto the handlebar according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic drawing showing the handlebar and the tubular handgrip bonded together after removal of the releasable paper according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , a handgrip mounting method in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps: 
     a) Apply two pieces of releasable paper  10  to two opposite sides of the periphery of a handlebar  20  or the inside wall of a tubular handgrip  30 . According to this embodiment, the two narrow elongated pieces of releasable paper  10  are applied to the two opposite sides of the periphery of a handlebar  20  (see  FIG. 2 ). The two pieces of releasable paper  10  provide a lubrication effect. By means of applying the two pieces of releasable paper  10  to the two opposite sides of the periphery of the handlebar  20 , the two opposite sides of the periphery of the handlebar  20  have a same lubrication coefficient to facilitate mounting of the tubular handgrip  30 . The handlebar  20  and the tubular handgrip  30  are arranged in a coaxial manner. The two pieces of releasable paper  10  extend along the length of the handlebar  20 . The extending direction of each releasable paper  10  defines with the axis of the handlebar  20  a specific contained angle smaller than 90 degrees. According to this embodiment, this specific contained angle is zero degree. The tubular handgrip  30  can a one-piece member formed by means of a molding technique. Alternatively the tubular handgrip  30  can be made by means of a stitching technique or draw string technique. According to this embodiment, stitching a piece material into shape forms the tubular handgrip  30 . This step of applying the two pieces of releasable paper  10  to the two opposite sides of the periphery of the handlebar  20  is performed subject to the following procedure:
         a1) The specific contained angle defined between each piece of releasable paper  10  and the longitudinal axis of the handlebar  20  is zero degree; the two pieces of releasable paper  10  extend axially from one end of the handlebar  20 ; the two pieces of releasable paper  10  are bonded to the periphery of the handlebar  20  by means of a glue or double-sided adhesive; according to this embodiment, the two pieces of releasable paper  10  are bonded to the periphery of the handlebar  20  with a double-sided adhesive; and   a2) The two pieces of releasable paper  10  are bilaterally attached to one end of the periphery of the handlebar  20  and extend along the length to the other end of the periphery of the handlebar  20 , and then the suspending part of each piece of releasable paper  10  that extends over the other end of the periphery of the handlebar  20  is turned backwards. Further, the double-sided adhesive does not cover the suspending part of each piece of releasable paper  10  that extends over the other end of the periphery of the handlebar  20 .       

     b) Sleeve the tubular handgrip  30  onto the handlebar  20  to have the two pieces of releasable paper.  10  be sandwiched in between the handlebar  20  and the tubular handgrip  30  with the end portion  14  of each piece of releasable paper  10  suspending outside of the handlebar  20  and the tubular handgrip  30  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). 
     c) Pull the end portions  14  of the two pieces of releasable paper  10  to remove the two pieces of releasable paper  10  away from the handlebar  20  and the tubular handgrip  30 . After removal of the two pieces of releasable paper  10  from the handlebar  20  and the tubular handgrip  30 , the double-sided adhesive is bonded to the inside wall of the tubular handgrip  30 , and therefore the tubular handgrip  30  is firmly bonded to the periphery of the handlebar  20  (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). 
     According to the aforesaid first embodiment, the two pieces of releasable paper  10  work as a lubrication media between the handlebar  20  and the tubular handgrip  30  so that the tubular handgrip  30  can easily be sleeved onto the handlebar  20 , solving the handgrip mounting problem of the prior art method. After mounting of the tubular handgrip  30  on the handlebar  20 , the two pieces of releasable paper  10  can be directly removed without any other complicated procedure. Therefore, this handgrip mounting method is easy to perform. When compared with the prior art method, the invention simplifies the processing procedure and shortens the work time. 
       FIGS. 6-9  illustrate a handgrip mounting method in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. This second embodiment includes the following steps: 
     a) Apply a releasable paper  40  to the periphery of a handlebar  50  or the inside wall of a tubular handgrip  60 . According to this embodiment, the releasable paper  40  is spirally applied to the periphery of a handlebar  50  (see  FIG. 6 ). The releasable paper  40  provides a lubrication effect. The handlebar  50  and the tubular handgrip  60  are arranged in a coaxial manner. The releasable paper  40  is arranged on the periphery of the handlebar  50  and extended spirally around the length of the handlebar  50 . The extending direction of the releasable paper  40  defines with the axis of the handlebar  50  a specific contained angle  42  smaller than 90 degrees. According to this embodiment, this specific contained angle is about 60 degrees. The tubular handgrip  60  can be formed by means of a one-piece molding technique. Alternatively the tubular handgrip  60  can be made by means of a stitching technique or draw string technique. According to this embodiment, stitching a piece material into shape forms the tubular handgrip  60 . This step of applying the piece of releasable paper  40  to the periphery of the handlebar  50  is performed subject to the following procedure:
         a1) The specific contained angle defined between the extending direction of the releasable paper  40  and the axis of the handlebar  50  is 60 degrees; the releasable paper  40  is spirally wound round the handlebar  50  from one end of the handlebar  50  toward the other end; the releasable paper  40  is bonded to the periphery of the handlebar  50  by means of a glue or double-sided adhesive; according to this embodiment, the releasable paper  40  is bonded to the periphery of the handlebar  50  with a glue; and       

     b) Sleeve the tubular handgrip  60  onto the handlebar  50  to have the releasable paper  40  be sandwiched in between the handlebar  50  and the tubular handgrip  60  with the end portion  44  of the releasable paper  40  suspending outside of the handlebar  50  and the tubular handgrip  60  (see  FIGS. 7 and 8 ). 
     c) Pull the end portion  44  of the releasable paper  40  to remove the releasable paper  40  away from the handlebar  50  and the tubular handgrip  60 . After removal of the releasable paper  40  from the handlebar  50  and the tubular handgrip  60 , the inside wall of the tubular handgrip  60  is bonded to the periphery of the handlebar  50  (see  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) 
     According to the aforesaid second embodiment, the releasable paper  40  works as a lubrication medium between the handlebar  50  and the tubular handgrip  60  so that the tubular handgrip  30  can easily be sleeved onto the handlebar  50 . This second embodiment achieves the same effects as the aforesaid first embodiment but using only one piece of releasable paper. 
       FIGS. 10-13  illustrate a handgrip mounting method in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. This third embodiment includes the following steps: 
     a) Apply two pieces of releasable paper  70  to two opposite sides of the periphery of a handlebar  80  or the inside wall of a tubular handgrip  90 . According to this embodiment, the two narrow elongated pieces of releasable paper  70  are bilaterally applied to the inside wall of the tubular handgrip  90  (see  FIG. 10 ). Same as the aforesaid first and second embodiments, the two pieces of releasable paper  70  provide a lubrication effect. The handlebar  80  and the tubular handgrip  90  are arranged in a coaxial manner. The two pieces of releasable paper  70  extend along the length of the tubular handgrip  90 . The extending direction of each releasable paper  70  defines with the axis of the tubular handgrip  90  a specific contained angle of zero degree. The tubular handgrip  90  can be a one-piece member formed by means of a molding technique. Alternatively the tubular handgrip  90  can be made by means of a stitching technique or draw string technique. According to this embodiment, the tubular handgrip  90  is made by means of a draw string technique. This step of applying the two pieces of releasable paper  70  to the inside wall of the tubular handgrip  90  is performed subject to the following procedure:
         a1) The specific contained angle defined between each piece of releasable paper  70  and the tubular handgrip  90  is zero degree; the two pieces of releasable paper  70  extend axially from one end of the handlebar  80  toward the other end thereof; the two pieces of releasable paper  70  are bonded to the periphery of the handlebar  80  by means of a glue or double-sided adhesive; according to this embodiment, the two pieces of releasable paper  70  are bonded to the periphery of the handlebar  80  with a double-sided adhesive; and   a2) The two pieces of releasable paper  70  are bilaterally attached to one end of the inside wall of the tubular handgrip  90  and extend along the length to the other end of the inside wall of the tubular handgrip  90 , and then the suspending part of each piece of releasable paper  70  that extends over the other end of the tubular handgrip  90  is turned backwards. Further, the double-sided adhesive does not cover the suspending part of each piece of releasable paper  70  that suspends outside the tubular handgrip  90 .       

     b) Sleeve the tubular handgrip  90  onto the handlebar  80  to have the two pieces of releasable paper.  70  be sandwiched in between the handlebar  80  and the tubular handgrip  90  with the end portion  74  of each piece of releasable paper  70  suspending outside of the handlebar  80  and the tubular handgrip  90  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ). 
     c) Pull the end portions  74  of the two pieces of releasable paper  70  to remove the two pieces of releasable paper  70  away from the handlebar  80  and the tubular handgrip  90 . After removal of the two pieces of releasable paper  70  from the handlebar  80  and the tubular handgrip  90 , the double-sided adhesive is bonded to the periphery of the handlebar  80 , and therefore the handlebar  80  and the tubular handgrip  90  are fixedly fastened together (see  FIGS. 12 and 13 ). 
     According to the aforesaid third embodiment, the two pieces of releasable paper  70  work as a lubrication media between the handlebar  80  and the tubular handgrip  90  so that the tubular handgrip  90  can easily be sleeved onto the handlebar  80 , solving the handgrip mounting problem of the prior art method. After mounting of the tubular handgrip  90  on the handlebar  80 , the two pieces of releasable paper  70  can be directly removed without any other complicated procedure. The two pieces of releasable paper  70  can be applied to the tubular handgrip  90 , achieving the same effect. Therefore, this handgrip mounting method is easy to perform. When compared with the prior art method, the invention simplifies the processing procedure and shortens the work time, i.e., this third embodiment achieves the same effects as the aforesaid first and second embodiments. 
       FIGS. 14-17  illustrate a handgrip mounting method in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This fourth embodiment includes the following steps: 
     a) Apply a releasable paper  100  to the inside wall of the tubular handgrip  120  (see  FIG. 14 ). The releasable paper  100  provides a lubrication effect. The handlebar  110  and the tubular handgrip  120  are arranged in a coaxial manner. The releasable paper  100  is spirally arranged on the inside wall of the tubular handgrip  120  and extended from one end of the tubular handgrip  120  toward the other end thereof. The extending direction of the releasable paper  100  defines with the axis of the tubular handgrip  120  a specific contained angle  102  of about 60 degrees. The tubular handgrip  120  is a one-piece member formed by means of a molding technique in this embodiment. This step of applying the piece of releasable paper  100  to the inside wall of the tubular handgrip  120  is performed subject to the following procedure:
         a1) The specific contained angle  102  defined between the extending direction of the releasable paper  100  and the axis of the tubular handgrip  120  is set in 60 degrees; the releasable paper  100  is spirally extended along the inside wall of the tubular handgrip  120  from one end of the inside wall of the tubular handgrip  120  toward the other end; the releasable paper  100  is bonded to the inside wall of the tubular handgrip  120  by means of a glue in this embodiment; and       

     b) Sleeve the tubular handgrip  120  onto the handlebar  110  to have the releasable paper.  100  be sandwiched in between the handlebar  110  and the tubular handgrip  120  with the end portion  104  of the releasable paper  100  suspending outside of the handlebar  110  and the tubular handgrip  120  (see  FIGS. 15 and 16 ). Further, the end portion  104  of the releasable paper  100  is provided with a cord member  106  for pulling by an external force. 
     c) Pull the cord member  106  at the end portion  104  of the releasable paper  100  to remove the releasable paper  100  away from the handlebar  110  and the tubular handgrip  120 . After removal of the releasable paper  100  from the handlebar  110  and the tubular handgrip  120 , the inside wall of the tubular handgrip  120  is bonded to the periphery of the handlebar  110  (see  FIGS. 16 and 17 ) 
     According to the aforesaid fourth embodiment, the releasable paper  100  works as a lubrication medium between the handlebar  110  and the tubular handgrip  120  so that the tubular handgrip  120  can easily be sleeved onto the handlebar  110 . This fourth embodiment does not limit the mounting of the releasable paper  100  to the tubular handgrip  120 . The releasable paper  100  can be applied to the periphery of the handlebar  110 , achieving the same effect of facilitating the installation of the installation. Therefore, this fourth embodiment achieves the same effects as the aforesaid first, second and third embodiments. 
     The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.