Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02419169 2003-02-18
HANDLE ACCESSORY FOR VEHICLE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to vehicles and more particularly, relates to a
handle
assembly for use by a passenger in a vehicle such as a motorcycle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Motorcycles are an increasingly popular form of transportation, perhaps
partially
due to the fuel economy achieved, manoeuverability and the ease with which
parking
space can be found. Presently, motorcycles are also popular as touring
vehicles for short
and extended vacation travel. This popularity has created a demand for methods
to adapt
a conventional single rider vehicle so that a companion may be accommodated.
These
adaptations may be made either at the time of ordering the vehicle or as an
after purchase
option.
Most motorcycles are originally equipped with a single seat for a single
operator,
but many motorcycle buyers equip their purchase with seats adapted to
accommodate two
riders. This modification is extensively practiced and makes the vehicle more
desirable
for extended use for touring and the like.
The popularity of the motorcycle, especially one equipped for two riders, has
created a demand for accessories to make the vehicle more pleasant to use. At
the present
time, a passenger on the vehicle generally holds on to the driver. While this
inherently has
worked, it would also be desirable that the passenger would be able to grip a
portion of the
motorcycle when desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a handle assembly for
gripping
by a passenger on a motorized vehicle such as a motorcycle.
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According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a handle
assembly for use by a passenger on a vehicle, the handle assembly comprising a
base
member, a plurality of apertures formed in the base member to receive a
fastening device,
first and second members extending upwardly from the base member, and first
and second
handles extending outwardly from the members, the handles being substantially
parallel to
the base member.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided, in
a
vehicle having a fuel tank interposed between a pair of handle bars and a
rider's seat, the
fuel tank having an access opening thereto, the improvement comprising a
handle
assembly for use by a passenger, the handle assembly being secured about the
access
opening.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is
provided, in a
vehicle having a rider's seat, a passenger seat disposed rearwardly thereof,
and a pair of
handle bars, the improvement comprising a handle assembly mounted forwardly of
the
rider's seat and rearwardly of the handle bar assembly.
The handle structure of the present invention is particularly suitable for
motorcycles although it will understood that it could also be employed with
other vehicles
wherein a passenger sits behind a vehicle operator - i.e. vehicles such as
snowmobiles,
personal watercraft, all-terrain vehicles, etc. Also, on certain vehicles, the
handle
assembly could be used by young children who might be sitting in front of the
driver.
Indeed, in many vehicles, such an arrangement will provide a safer environment
than
where the child is sitting rearwardly of the vehicle operator who cannot see
what is
happening.
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In the preferred embodiment, the base member is securable to the structure
intermediate the handle bars of the machine and the driver's seat or saddle.
On most
motorcycles, this structure comprises a fuel tank and which fuel tank has a
cap secured to
an access opening thereto. As such, most of such structures have threaded
apertures for
receiving a neck structure. It is these threaded apertures which are designed
to receive the
fastening means utilized in securing the base of the handle structure to the
motorcycle.
Naturally, it will be understood that the location of the apertures in the
base plate may be
varied according to the particular type and model of motorcycle.
The base may assume various configurations and thus, could be arranged to be
circular or semi-circular to generally follow the outline of the access
opening to the fuel
tank. Naturally, other configurations could be utilized.
The handles per se are preferably connected to the base by an intermediate
structure
although it will be understood that one could utilize handles extending
directly outwardly
from the base. The handles desirably have a covering thereon in a conventional
manner.
The structure may be formed as a single cast unit or alternatively, may be
made of
separate portions secured together. Preferably, it is of a metallic material
such as a
stainless steel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the
accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:
Figure I is a top plan view of a handle member according to one embodiment of
the present invention;
Figure 2 is a rear elevational view thereof;
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Figure 3 is a rear perspective view illustrating a front portion of a
motorcycle;
Figure 4 is a top view of a motorcycle showing the handle member of the
present
invention secured thereto;
Figure 5 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of a handle member
according
to the present invention; and
Figure 6 is a top plan view of a still further embodiment of a handle member
according to the present invention.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters
thereto, there
is illustrated in Figure 1 a handle member according to an embodiment of the
present
invention and which handle member is generally designated by reference numeral
10.
Handle member 10 includes a base portion 12 which is of a arcuate semi-
circular
configuration and includes a pair of apertures 14 formed therein. Secured to
one end of
base portion 12 is an outwardly extending handle 16 having a grip 18 thereon.
At the
other end of base portion 12, there is also provided an outwardly extending
handle 20
having a grip 22 thereon.
Base portion 12 and handles 16, 20 may be formed of any suitable material
although they are preferably formed of an aluminum material and have grips 18,
22
formed of a conventional foam like material. This provides a handle member
which is
light, strong and aesthetic. It will, of course, be understood that other
materials may
be used.
As shown in Figures 3 and 4, there is provided a conventional motorcycle 24
having conventional handles 26 and 28. A fuel reservoir 30 is centrally
located and
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fuel reservoir 30 includes a base plate member 32 screw threadedly engaged
therewith
to receive a cap for the fuel tank. As aforementioned, screws 34 retain base
plate
member 32.
According to the present invention, handle member 10 may be mounted as seen in
Figure 4 so as to provide a gripping means for a passenger.
Turning to the embodiment of Figure 5, similar reference numerals have been
employed for similar components. As may be seen in Figure 5, this embodiment
includes
a clock or watch 36 which is secured to the base portion 12.
In the embodiment of Figure 6, again similar reference numerals have been
employed for similar components. In this embodiment, there is illustrated a
watch 36
attached to base portion 12 and also a support 38 for a map or other papers.
Naturally,
one could employ only the support 38 without the watch or clock 36.
The handles 16 and 20 may be releasably attached to base portion 12 and thus
different styles of handle grips may be employed.
It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of
illustration only and that changes or modifications may be made thereto
without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, for example, the handles of
the present
invention could be attached at other places - i.e. to the chassis or the like.
Naturally, they
could also be incorporated in the original manufacture of the motorcycle.
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