GB2283698A

GB2283698A - Vehicle handhold structure

Info

Publication number: GB2283698A
Application number: GB9323559A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Otto Wu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-11-15
Filing date: 1993-11-15
Publication date: 1995-05-17
Also published as: AU646381B3; FR2713578A3; CA2103485A1; FR2713578B3; GB9323559D0

Abstract

A vehicle handhold structure 10 for use in an automobile steering wheel 40 or a motorcycle handgrip (60, Fig 4) comprises a tubular shaped member 11 to be filled on the steering wheel 40 or handgrip and has a plurality of projections 12. The projections may be of a number of desired shapes, e.g. having rounded top ends, or being arch-shaped, hemispherical, semi-ellipsoidal or round-ended cone shaped. The projections are uniformly distributed thereon to contact and massage the hand(s) holding it. A longitudinal slit (13, Fig 3) in the tubular shaped member aids the attachment of it to a steering wheel. <IMAGE>

Description

VEHICLE HANDHOLD STRUCTURE The invention relates generally to handhold structures, and in particular to ones such as motorcycle handgrips and automobile steering wheels. The invention provides a handhold structure having hand massage projections formed thereon- to massage the hand holding it during the operation of the motorcycle and automobile.

Driving for a long while is a very tiring job. For professional long distance drivers, relaxation of both physical and mental strain is extremely desirable after a long time spent driving to ensure safe driving thereafter.

It is therefore desirable to provide a handhold structure for automobile steering wheel and motorcycle handgrip which has a plurality of projections formed thereon to contact and massage the muscle o the hand holding it to release the strain of the muscle due to long term holding.

An object of the present invention is to provide a handhold structure for an automobile steering wheel which comprises a plurality of round projections formed on a tubular base mounted on the steering wheel so as to contact and thus massage the hands holding the steering wheel.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a handhold structure for a motorcycle or bicycle handgrip which comprises a plurality of round projections of suitable size formed on a tubular base to be fitted over the handgrip so as to contact and massage the hand holding the handgrip.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a handhold structure for use with an automobile steering wheel or a motorcycle handgrip comprising tubular member to be fitted onto the said steering wheel or hand grip, a plurality of projections of desired shapes having rounded top end, such as arch shape, hemisphere shape, semi- ellipsoidal shape or round-end conical shape, being uniformly distributed thereon to contact and massage the hand(s) holding it.

The projections are preferably of a suitable material for massaging purposes.

Other objectives and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the present invention in which an automobile steering wheel constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the present invention in which an automobile steering wheel of a different type constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross sectional structure of the automobile steering wheel of FIG.

1 or 2; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the present invention in which a motorcycle or bicycle handgrip constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated; and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the motorcycle or bicycle handgrip of FIG. 4.

With reference to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 3, wherein a first embodiment of the handhold structure 10 in accordance with the present invention which 5 applicable to an automob1e steering wheel 40 is shown, the handhold structure 10 of the present invention comprises an elongated tubular base 11 shaped to be securely fit on the steering wheel 40. A plurality of projections 12 of desired shapes and size with rounded top ends are uniformly distributed on the outer surface of the tubular base 11 to contact and massage a hand 90 (see FIG. 3) holding the steering wheel 20.

The suitable shapes of the projections 12 may include arch shape, hemisphere shape, semi-ellipsoid shape or roundend cone shape. Certainly, other shapes having rounded top end may also be adopted, as is quite obvious to- those having ordinary skills.

Preferably, the tubular base 11 and the projections 12 are formed by a material of suitable resiliency in a single piece. Suitable material may include rubber and plastics.

Preferably, the tubular base 11 has an elongated slit 13 formed along the length thereof to allow the tubular base 11 to be fit on the steering wheel 40.

In FIG. 2, a second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated which is an application of the handhold structure designated by the reference numeral 20 in this second embodiment to a steering wheel 50 of another type which comprises two separated segments 51 and 52. In this embodiment, the handhold structure 20 of the present invention comprises two tubular bases 21 and 22 to be respectively securely it on the two segments 51 and 52 and each of the two tubular bases 21 and 22 has a plurality of round projections 23, which are the same in structure as the projections 12 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. I and 3, uniformly distributed thereon. Obviously, the crosssectional view shown in FIG. 3 is also applicable to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

The present invention may also be applied to the handgrip of a motorcycle or a bicycle (not shown), such as the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

With particular reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, in which the third embodiment of the handhold structure, designated by reference numeral 60, of the present invention for a motorcycle or bicycle handgrip 30 (FIG. 5) is shown, the handhold structures 60 comprises a tubular base 31 having an open end 32 to allow the tubular base 31 to be fit over the motorcycle or bicycle handgrip 30. A plurality of projections 33 having desired shapes, as discussed previously, uniformly distributed on the tubular base 31 so that by holding the handhold structure 60 of the present invention, the hand 90' contacts and thus massaged by the round projections 33.

-It is apparent that although the invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art may make changes to certain features of the preferred embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A handhold structure comprising: at least an elongated tubular member having means for mounting on a steering wheel or handgrip; and a plurality of projections uniformly distributed on said tubular member, said projections being formed in a shape having a rounded top end to contact and massage a hand holding said handhold structure.

2. A handhold structure as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said means for mounting said tubular member to the steering wheel comprises a longitudinal slit extending along the length of said tubular member.

3. A handhold structure as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said means for mounting said tubular member to the handgrip comprises an opening formed on an end of said tubular member to allow said tubular member to be fitted over the handgrip.

A A handhold structure as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the said projections are at least partly of hemispherical shape.

5. A handhold structure as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the projections are at least partly of semi- ellipsoidal shape.

6. A handhold structure as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the projections are at least partly of arched shape.

7. A handhold structure as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the projections are at least partly of rounded conical shape.

8. A handhold structure substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.