Abstract:
A saddle type vehicle includes a parking operator for allowing the lever to be lengthened without affecting the surrounding members. A parking lever is arranged more forward than the tip of a first finger of an operator when the first finger is fully extended forward. Therefore, there is no concern that the hand holding the left grip section may touch the parking lever. Thus, the lever can be sufficiently lengthened. In addition, the parking lever is sufficiently far from the grip section toward the vehicle front. As a result, there is no concern that the parking lever may interfere with a normal gripping operation. In addition, a handle switch or other part can be readily arranged on a switch box on the base portion of the grip section without being affected by the parking lever.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority under 35 USC 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-197015 filed Sep. 26, 2014 the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a saddle type vehicle including a parking operator on a handle bar. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Background Art 
         [0005]    Some commercially available saddle type vehicles include a parking brake adapted to apply braking pressure to the wheels during parking in addition to a brake adapted to apply braking pressure to the wheels during driving. It is known to use a parking brake that is operated by using a parking operator. See, for example, FIG. 2 in Japanese Patent No. 5150431. 
         [0006]    As illustrated in FIG. 2 of Japanese Patent No. 5150431, a second manual operator, a parking lever (15) (the number in parenthesis represents the reference numeral used in Japanese Patent No. 5150431; the same applies hereinafter) corresponding to a parking lever is attached to a handle bar ( 11 ) by means of a second shaft ( 14 ) in a freely swingable manner. 
         [0007]    When the folded parking lever ( 15 ) is rotated manually counterclockwise about 180 degrees, a parking brake wire ( 22 ) is loosened, thus deactivating the parking brake (causing the wheels to be unbraked). 
         [0008]    If a request is made to reduce the operating force, what is taken into consideration is to lengthen the parking lever ( 15 ). Because of the principle of leverage, the longer the parking lever ( 15 ), the smaller the operating force. On the other hand, it is necessary to secure a space for that purpose near the handle grip. This affects the surrounding members including a reduced space for arranging and operating other members. As a result, it is structurally difficult to lengthen the folded parking lever ( 15 ). 
         [0009]    Against the backdrop of a further need to reduce the operating force, however, a structure is needed which allows the lever to be lengthened without affecting the surrounding members. 
       SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, a saddle type vehicle is provided that includes a parking operator that allows the lever to be lengthened without affecting the surrounding members. 
         [0011]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, a saddle type vehicle is provided that has a steering handle bar that includes a parking operator adapted to activate a parking brake during parking. 
         [0012]    The handle bar has a grip section on its end portion. A lever bracket is provided on the base portion of the grip section. A holding section is provided on an area of the lever bracket more toward the vehicle front than the handle bar to hold a parking lever serving as the parking operator. 
         [0013]    The parking lever provided on the holding section is arranged longitudinally far from the grip section so that when a first finger extends forward from the state of holding the grip section, the fingertip does not reach the parking lever. 
         [0014]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, a switch box is provided on the handle bar between the grip section and the lever bracket. The parking lever has a curved portion to avoid interference with the switch box. 
         [0015]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, a lever lock mechanism is provided between the parking lever and the lever bracket to restrict the return of the parking lever when the parking brake is activated. The lever lock mechanism includes a lock lever and a stopper member. The lock lever is provided on the parking lever in a swingable manner. The stopper member is provided on the lever bracket to engage with the lock lever. 
         [0016]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, a knuckle visor is arranged forward of the parking lever to protect the grip section. One end of the knuckle visor is fastened to the lever bracket together with the parking lever. 
         [0017]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, a meter case is provided forward of the handle bar. A parking switch is provided on the lever bracket to detect the position of the parking lever. A parking brake lamp or an indicator adapted to show the parking status is provided on the meter case. The lamp or indicator is illuminated or goes out on the basis of information from the parking switch. 
         [0018]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, a parking lever is arranged longitudinally far from the grip section so that when the first finger extends forward from the state of holding the grip section, the fingertip does not reach the parking lever. The parking lever can extend along the grip section to a sufficient length. In addition, the parking lever is sufficiently away from the grip section toward the vehicle front. As a result, there is no concern that the parking lever may interfere with a normal gripping operation. In addition, a handle switch or other part can be readily arranged on a switch box on the base portion of the grip section without being affected by the parking lever. 
         [0019]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, a saddle type vehicle is provided that includes a parking operator that allows the lever to be lengthened without affecting the surrounding members. 
         [0020]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, a switch box is provided between the grip section and the lever bracket. The parking lever has curved portions to avoid interference with the switch box. This makes it possible to secure a switch space for the switch box while at the same time preventing interference with the switch box, thus contributing to improved ease of use of the switch box. 
         [0021]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, a holding mechanism of the parking lever includes a lock lever and a stopper member. The lock lever is provided on the parking lever in a swingable manner. The stopper member is provided on the lever bracket. The return of the parking lever can be restricted using the parking lever and the lever bracket, thus providing a holding mechanism having a simpler structure and contributing to lighter and less expensive holding mechanism. 
         [0022]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, a knuckle visor is arranged forward of the parking lever to protect the grip section. One end of the knuckle visor is fastened to the lever bracket together with the parking lever. Because the knuckle visor is fastened together with the parking lever, there is no relative position deviation between the knuckle visor and the parking lever, thus making it possible to bring them close to each other with no interference therebetween. This saves assembly parts, reduces assembly man-hours, and contributes to a smaller knuckle visor. 
         [0023]    Further, the parking lever is housed in the knuckle visor as seen in a plan view, thus providing improved appearance. 
         [0024]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, a meter case is provided forward of the handle bar. A parking switch is provided on the lever bracket to detect the position of the parking lever. A parking brake lamp or an indicator adapted to show the parking status is provided on the meter case. The lamp or indicator is illuminated or goes out on the basis of information from the parking switch. This allows the driver to visually recognize the parking brake condition in the same manner as he or she views the meter. The parking switch is attached to the lever bracket, thus making it possible to economize on other members such as switch bracket. 
         [0025]    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 DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  is a left side view of a saddle type vehicle; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is a plan view near a handle bar; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of the area near a left grip section; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a parking operator; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of a bracket main body; 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  is a configuration diagram of a lever lock mechanism; 
           [0034]      FIGS. 8(   a ) and  8 ( b ) are working diagrams of the lever lock mechanism; 
           [0035]      FIG. 9  is a right side view of a swing arm; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 10  is a right side view of another swing arm. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]    A description will be given below of an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the diagrams should be viewed in the direction of the reference numerals. 
         [0038]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a saddle type vehicle  10  includes a front fork  12 , a front wheel  13 , a handle bar  14 , a fuel tank  15  and a seat  16 , an engine  17 , a swing arm  18 , a rear wheel  19 , a front cowl  22 , a screen  23 , and a headlight  24 . The front fork  12  is steerably attached to the front portion of a vehicle body frame  11 . The front wheel  13  is attached to the lower portion of the front fork  12  in a freely rotatable manner. The steering handle bar  14  is attached to the upper portion of the front fork  12 . The fuel tank  15  and the seat  16  are arranged rearward of the handle bar  14  in this order and supported by the vehicle body frame  11 . The engine  17  is arranged under the fuel tank  15  and supported by the vehicle body frame  11 . The swing arm  18  extends rearward from the vehicle body frame  11 . The rear wheel  19  is attached to the swing arm  18  in a freely rotatable manner. The front cowl  22  is arranged forward of the fuel tank  15  in such a manner so as to surround the front fork  12 . The screen  23  is attached to the upper portion of the front cowl  22 . The headlight  24  is attached to the front portion of the front cowl  22 . The saddle type vehicle  10  is ridden by straddling the seat  16 . 
         [0039]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a left grip section  26 L (L is a subscript representing left; the same applies hereinafter), a left switch box  27 L, and a left lever bracket  28 L, are attached to the left end portion of the handle bar  14  from the tip to the vehicle body center. A right grip section  26 R for acceleration(R is a subscript representing right; the same applies hereinafter), a right switch box  27 R, and a right lever bracket  28 R, are attached to the right end portion of the handle bar  14  from the tip to the vehicle body center. A meter case  29  is arranged forward of the handle bar  14  on the vehicle and at the center along the vehicle width. 
         [0040]    A description will be given below of the detailed structure of the area near the left grip section  26 L. 
         [0041]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of the area near the left grip section  26 L.  FIG. 4  is an exploded view thereof 
         [0042]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the left grip section  26 L is attached to the left end portion of the handle bar  14 . The left switch box  27 L is attached to the handle bar  14  on the side of the vehicle body center of the left grip section  26 L. The left lever bracket  28 L is attached to the handle bar  14  on the side of the vehicle body center of the left switch box  27 L. 
         [0043]    The left lever bracket  28 L includes a bracket main body  31  and a cap  32 . The left lever bracket  28 L can be detached from the handle bar  14  by removing a bolt  33 . 
         [0044]    A left rear mirror attachment section  35  and a holding section  37  of a parking lever  36  are provided on the bracket main body  31 . The holding section  37  is located more forward on the vehicle than the handle bar  14 . 
         [0045]    Further, a stopper member  39 , having a sawtooth section  38 , is attached to the bracket main body  31 . Near the stopper member  39 , a receiving face  41  is formed to receive the parking lever  36 , and a wire guide section  43  is provided to guide a parking brake wire  42 . 
         [0046]    Still further, a parking wire adjustment screw  49  is screwed into the bracket main body  31  to adjust the tension of the parking brake wire  42 . 
         [0047]    The parking lever  36  has a shape similar to an ordinary clutch lever or left brake lever and is a long lever member which is approximately as long as the left grip section  26 L. The parking lever  36  has a pin hole  44  at one end and a female threaded section  45 , a spring clamping hole  46 , and first and second curved portions  47  and  48  on the way to the other end. The parking lever  36  is sufficiently long, thus making it possible to keep the operating force required to swing the parking lever  36  sufficiently small. 
         [0048]    It should be noted that the second curved portion  48  is designed so that when the parking lever  36  is pulled, the tip portion of the parking lever  36  is approximately parallel with the left grip section  26 L, thus providing sufficient lever stroke. 
         [0049]    A screw or a pivot bolt  52  is screwed into the female threaded section  45  to secure a lock lever  51 . At this time, one end of a torsion spring  53  is inserted into the spring clamping hole  46 , and the other end thereof is pressed against a spring receiver  54  so that the torsion spring  53  spans between the parking lever  36  and the lock lever  51 . The lock lever  51  includes a finger placement section  55 . 
         [0050]    Further, a left knuckle visor  57 L is attached to the left grip section  26 L. The left knuckle visor  57 L is a member adapted to protect the left grip section  26 L in such a manner so as to surround the left grip section  26 L from front. The right grip section  26 R ( FIG. 2 ) is similarly protected by a right knuckle visor  57 R. 
         [0051]    In the present example, the left knuckle visor  57 L includes an L-shaped knuckle visor main body  58  and an I-shaped guard stay  59 , with a pin hole  61  and a female threaded section  62  provided in the guard stay  59 . 
         [0052]    The knuckle visor main body  58  is combined into one piece with the guard stay  59  by means of a screw  63  screwed into the female threaded section  62  of the guard stay  59 . The knuckle visor main body  58  and the guard stay  59  can be monolithically molded without separating them. However, if the knuckle visor main body  58  and the guard stay  59  are fabricated separately as in the present example, different materials can be used, thus making it possible to form the knuckle visor main body  58  in a more complicated shape and providing a molding die with a simpler structure. 
         [0053]    The guard stay  59  and the parking lever  36  are fastened together to the bracket main body  31  by passing a pin screw  64  through the pin hole  61  of the guard stay  59  and the pin hole  44  of the parking lever  36  and screwing the pin screw  64  into the holding section  37  of the bracket main body  31 . 
         [0054]    The other end of the knuckle visor main body  58  is secured to the other end (left tip) of the handle bar  14  with a screw  65 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 3  shows how the area near the left grip section  26 L looks when the assembly is complete. 
         [0056]    The tension of the parking brake wire  42  can be adjusted by turning the parking wire adjustment screw  49 . More specifically, a parking brake adjustment mechanism is provided on the side of the handle bar  14 , thus allowing for easy adjustment close at hand and providing improved ease of use. 
         [0057]    An imaginary line  67 A represents a hand holding the left grip section  26 L. At this time, the parking lever  36  is arranged more forward than the tip of a first finger  68 A that is fully extended forward. Therefore, there is no concern that the hand  67 A holding the left grip section  26 L may touch the parking lever  36 . 
         [0058]    An imaginary line  67 B represents a hand with its palm extended. At this time, the tip of a first finger  68 B that is fully extended forward reaches the parking lever  36 . 
         [0059]    When the first finger  68 B is pulled, the parking lever  36  rotates about the pin screw  64 , causing the parking lever  36  to approach the left grip section  26 L. At this time, although the parking lever  36  approaches the left switch box  27 L, the parking lever  36  is unlikely to interfere with the left switch box  27 L because the first curved portion  47  protrudes forward and is recessed towards the rear. This makes it possible to fully swing the parking lever  36  until it approaches the left grip section  26 L even if the left switch box  27 L is large in size. 
         [0060]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a recessed portion  71  is formed in the bracket main body  31  halfway along the height. The parking lever  36  is inserted into the recessed portion  71 . The bracket main body  31  is pinched from top and bottom by the guard stay  59 , and the pin screw  64  is inserted from top in this condition. A nut  72  is screwed onto the pin screw  64 . This secures the guard stay  59  to the bracket main body  31 . The parking lever  36  is supported by the bracket main body  31  and the pin screw  64  in a freely swingable manner. 
         [0061]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the bracket main body  31 . A parking switch  73  is directly attached to a bottom face  31  a of the bracket main body  31 . This eliminates the need for an attachment and therefore contributes to a reduction in the number of parts as compared to the case wherein the parking switch  73  is attached to the handle bar  14  via an attachment. 
         [0062]    In  FIG. 6 , the parking lever  36  is touching the receiving face  41 , and a contact  74  of the parking switch  73  is pressed by the parking lever  36 . The parking lever  36  is in a non-parking condition. 
         [0063]    The switching signal of the parking switch  73  is sent to a relay section  75  which, for example, illuminates or extinguishes a parking brake lamp  76  provided on the meter case  29 . 
         [0064]    When the parking lever  36  is inactive, the parking brake lamp  76  is not illuminated. 
         [0065]    When the parking lever  36  is pulled clockwise about the pin screw  64  in  FIG. 6 , the contact  74  protrudes. When the protrusion exceeds a given value, the switching signal is changed, illuminating the parking brake lamp  76 . This makes it possible for the driver to visually recognize that the parking brake is applied. 
         [0066]    As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a lever lock mechanism  50  includes the stopper member  39 , the lock lever  51 , and the torsion spring  53 . The stopper member  39  is provided on the bracket main body  31 . The lock lever  51  and the torsion spring  53  are provided on the parking lever  36 . 
         [0067]    The torsion spring  53  biases the lock lever  51  counterclockwise about the screw  52 . The counterclockwise rotation of the lock lever  51  is restricted by a stopper piece  77  touching the lock lever  51 . The stopper piece  77  stands from the parking lever  36 . 
         [0068]    In  FIG. 7 , the lock lever  51  is not in engagement with the sawtooth section  38 . 
         [0069]      FIG. 8(   a ) illustrates non-parking condition. As illustrated in  FIG. 8(   b ), the parking lever  36  is swung. The parking brake wire  42  is pulled by the parking lever  36 . The tip of the parking brake wire  42  is connected to an arm  81  of a parking brake  80  shown in  FIG. 9 . When the arm  81  is swung, the parking brake  80  pinches a brake disk  82 . 
         [0070]    When the finger placement section  55  is pushed forward of the vehicle in  FIG. 8(   b ), the lock lever  51  is swung as shown by an imaginary line. Next, when the parking lever  36  is swung back slightly, the lock lever  51  comes into engagement with the sawtooth section  38 . Even if the finger is removed from the parking lever  36  in this condition, there is no concern that the parking lever  36  may return to the previous position. More specifically, the lever lock mechanism  50  maintains the parking lever  36  at the parking brake position. 
         [0071]    It should be noted that the braking force can be selected as necessary by using the stopper member  39  having the sawtooth section  38 . 
         [0072]    In order to deactivate the parking brake  80 , pull the parking lever  36  slightly in  FIG. 8(   b ). As a result, the lock lever  51  shown by an imaginary line is detached from the sawtooth section  38  and returns to the position shown by the solid line thanks to the action of the torsion spring (reference numeral  53  in  FIG. 7) . From here onward, the lever lock mechanism  50  can be restored to the condition shown in  FIG. 8(   a ) by loosening the parking lever  36 . 
         [0073]    It should be noted that the torsion spring  53  may act in the direction opposite to that in the present structure so that the lock lever  51  is pushed toward the stopper member  39 , and so that as soon as the parking lever  36  is pulled, the lock lever  51  comes into engagement with the sawtooth section  38 . 
         [0074]    As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , a disk brake  83 , a hydraulic brake device, is arranged upwardly relative to the swing arm  18  adapted to support the rear wheel  19 , and the parking brake  80  is arranged downwardly relative to the swing arm  18 . A hydraulic hose  84  is arranged along the upper side of the swing arm  18 . 
         [0075]    The parking brake wire  42  is arranged in such a manner so as to pass on the side of the vehicle body center of the swing arm  18 . The parking brake wire  42  is protected by the swing arm  18 . This also provides improved appearance. 
         [0076]    The swing arm  18  is a hollow casting made of an aluminum alloy. A hole  85  through which casting sand is discharged remains on the face of the swing arm  18  on the side of the vehicle body center. 
         [0077]    A rubber plug  86  is fitted in the hole  85 . The parking brake wire  42  runs along the rubber plug  86 . 
         [0078]    It should be noted that, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the parking brake  80  may be arranged upwardly relative to the swing arm  18 . With this arrangement, the parking brake  80  is farther from the road surface, thus making it less likely that flying stones from the road surface may strike the parking brake  80 , and that muddy water from the road surface may splash onto the parking brake  80 . 
         [0079]    It should be noted that although applied to a two-wheeled vehicle in the present embodiment, the present invention may also be applied to three- and four-wheeled vehicles. 
         [0080]    Further, although attached to the left grip section in the present example, the parking operator may also be attached to the right grip section. 
         [0081]    The present invention is suitable for application to a saddle type vehicle having two wheels. 
         [0082]    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.