Handlebar assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022033030-A1
Application number	US-202016983237-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 3, 2020
Priority date	Aug 3, 2020
Publication date	Feb 3, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

A handlebar assembly is basically provided with a handlebar and a support. The handlebar has an outer circumferential surface and an arrangement area disposed inside the outer circumferential surface. The arrangement area is configured to arrange an electric switch unit at least partially inside the outer circumferential surface. The support is at least partially disposed in the arrangement area and supporting the electric switch unit to receive an operating force applied to operate the electric switch unit.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A handlebar assembly comprising:
a handlebar having an outer circumferential surface and an arrangement area disposed inside the outer circumferential surface, the arrangement area being configured to arrange an electric switch unit at least partially inside the outer circumferential surface; and a support at least partially disposed in the arrangement area and supporting the electric switch unit to receive an operating force applied to operate the electric switch unit.

2 . The handlebar assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising
a cover arranged to at least partially overlying the electric switch unit.

3 . The handlebar assembly according to claim 2 , wherein
the cover is arranged such that the electric switch unit is clamped between the cover and the support.

4 . The handlebar assembly according to claim 3 , wherein
the cover includes an elastic part to receive the operating force.

5 . The handlebar assembly according to claim 2 , wherein
the cover is removably coupled to at least one of the handlebar and the support.

6 . The handlebar assembly according to claim 2 , wherein
the cover includes a cover opening to at least partly expose the electric switch.

7 . The handlebar assembly according to claim 2 , wherein
the cover includes an elastic part to receive the operating force.

8 . The handlebar assembly according to claim 1 , wherein
the cover is configured to be flush with the outer circumferential surface of the handlebar at least around an outer edge portion of the cover.

9 . The handlebar assembly according to claim 1 , wherein
the support is adhesively attached to the handlebar.

10 . The handlebar assembly according to claim 1 , wherein
the support is removably coupled to the handlebar.

11 . The handlebar assembly according to claim 1 , wherein
the arrangement area includes an interior space in which the electric switch unit is arranged.

12 . The handlebar assembly according to claim 11 , wherein
the handlebar has a handlebar opening to access the interior space, and the support is snap-fitted into the handlebar opening.

13 . The handlebar assembly according to claim 1 , wherein
the support includes a handlebar attachment disposed in the arrangement area, the handlebar attachment is made of an elastomeric material.

14 . The handlebar assembly according to claim 1 , wherein
the arrangement area includes a recess, and the electric switch unit is at least partially disposed in the recess.

15 . The handlebar assembly according to claim 1 , wherein
the support is threadedly attached to the handlebar.

16 . The handlebar assembly according to claim 1 , wherein
the support is bolted to the handlebar.

17 . The handlebar assembly according to claim 1 , wherein
the support is clamped between the electric switch unit and the handlebar.

18 . The handlebar assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising
the electric switch unit.

19 . The handlebar assembly according to claim 18 , wherein
the electric switch unit includes a housing and an operating portion pivotally coupled to the housing.

20 . The handlebar assembly according to claim 19 , wherein
the operating portion at least partially extends beyond the outer circumferential surface in a radial direction of the handlebar.

Assignees

• Shimano Kk

Inventors

• Matsumoto Hiroshi
• Takahashi Ayako
• Hirota Kodai
• Sakai Takuma
• Nishino Takafumi

Classifications

• H01H21/24

  biased to return to normal position upon removal of operating force · CPC title

• H01H21/04

  Cases; Covers · CPC title

• B62K23/02 Primary

  hand actuated (arrangements of controls on handle-bars of engine-driven cycles B62K11/14) · CPC title

• B62K23/06

  Levers · CPC title

• B62K11/14

  Handlebar constructions, or arrangements of controls thereon, specially adapted thereto (hand controls per se B62K23/02) · CPC title