GB2263259A

GB2263259A - Windscreen connection device in a two-wheel vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2263259A
Application number: GB9211468A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Giuseppe Calderani
Original assignee: Piaggio Veicoli Europei SpA
Current assignee: Piaggio Veicoli Europei SpA
Priority date: 1992-01-13
Filing date: 1992-05-29
Publication date: 1993-07-21
Also published as: GB9211468D0

Abstract

The windscreen is supported by two rods 15 each of which passes through a sleeve 21 and is secured by a nut 31 engaging a threaded end 14. The sleeve 21 is fixed to a tubular connection element 20 which passes through a cover 11 for the handlebar 12 and is secured to a further tubular element 17 fixed to the handlebar 12. The element 17 is internally threaded at 18 to engage with a fixing screw stud 19 on which the connection element 20 is fastened by nut 28. <IMAGE>

Description

WINDSCREEN CONNECTION DEVICE IN A TWO-WHEEL VEHICLE This invention relates to a windscreen connection device in a twowheel vehicle.

In two-wheel vehicles such as motor-scooters, motor-cycles etc.

the windscreen is positioned on a suitable element which is itself fixed to the handlebar.

This element, known as the intermediate connection element, projects from a handlebar cover element to receive a rod carrying the windscreen. When the windscreen and its carrying rod are removed, this intermediate connection element between the handlebar and windscreen rod remains visible beyond the cover element, so creating a possible danger and detracting from overall appearance.

If it is desired to remove this projection, which is in the form of a sleeve or of holed projecting pieces for receiving portions of the handlebar rod in both cases, the handlebar cover element must also be removed.

This represents an overall drawback on the one hand in terms of danger and appearance, and on the other hand in terms of the need for disassembly and reassemble operations which are not always simp]e or of low cost.

The object of the present invention is to overcome this drawback by providing a windscreen connection device which does not possess parts projecting outwards from the handlebar cover, with the result that the aesthetic line of the two-wheel vehicle remains unaltered when the windscreen has been removed.

This object is achieved according to the present invention by a windscreen connection device in a two-wheel vehicle, in which rods associated securely with a windscreen can be inserted into respective sleeve elements freely fixable to a handlebar contained within a cover element, characterised by comprising between said handlebar and each of said sleeve elements an intermediate tubular connection element positionable in a freely removable manner relative to a further tubular element fixed to said handlebar and contained within said cover element, said sleeve element being fixed to said intermediate tubular element and being fixable to said further tubular element by respective screw elements.

The structural and operational characteristics and the advantages of a device according to the present invention will be more apparent from the description given hereinafter by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a two-wheel vehicle handlebar cover provided with a windscreen and a windscreen connection device according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged detail of Figure 1 showing, in section, a first embodiment of the connection device according to the invention; Figure 3 is a section through a partly modified portion of the device of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a section through a further embodiment of the device according to the invention.

With reference to Figure 1, this shows a front overall view of a portion of a two-wheel vehicle comprising a cover element 11, for example of plastics, for a handlebar 12, partly shown in Figure 2, to which a windscreen 13 of transparent material or the like is fixed by the device according to the present invention.

Specifically, the device is able to receive and fix a threaded end portion 14 of a rod 15 to which a portion of the windscreen 13 is fixed, for example by riveted elements or similar secure fixing elements 16.

Figure 2 shows in greater detail a first embodiment of the invention in which the connection device can be seen between the handlebar 12 and the threaded end 14 of the rod 15 of the windscreen 13.

The device comprises essentially a first tubular element 17 fixed to the handlebar 12 by welding and internally threaded at 18, to which a second tubular element 20 can be connected in a freely removable manner by a fixing screw stud 19, this second tubular element being knows as the intermediate connection element and to it there bein welded a sleeve element 21 arranged to removably receive and support said threaded end 14 of the windscreen rod.

The sleeve element 21 receives the threaded end 14 of the rod 15, this end being provided with an ablltment flange 32, which is locked in that position by a round-headed nut 31 or the like and an elastic washer 27.

It should be noted that said removable connection is made without removing the cover element 11, in which there is merely a hole 22 for passage of the second tubular element or intermediate connection element 20.

In Figure 2 it can be seen that in a first embodiment of the invention the intermediate connection element 20 is of tubular type and has internally frusto-conical ends 23 and 24. The first frusto-conical end 23 embraces and rests against a complementary frusto-conical end 25 of the first tubular element 17, while the second frusto-conical end 24 receives a centrally holed elastic frusto-conical element 26 to be mounted on the screw stud 19 and retained in engagement therewith by an elastic washer 27 and a relative nut 28.

The conical element 26 is elastic in that it comprises a radial lateral cut 29, the nut 28 being screwed onto one of the two threaded end portions of the screw stud 19. The central outer portion of the screw stud i9 is provided with faceting 30 to enable it to be screwed into and/or unscrewed from the first tubular element 17.

This description is also valid for the other side of the handlebar 12 as the windscreen 13 is generally provided witch a pair of rods 15 for stable positioning on the two-wheel vehicle.

Figure 3 shows a modified embodiment of the device of Figures 1 and 2, identical parts carrying equal reference numerals.

In this figure the conical element 26 comprises, in addition to a central through hole 38, an outwardly facing cylindrical extension 33 provided with a second hole 34 coaxial to and of greater diameter than the first hole 38. The head 35 of a hexagonal socket-head screw 36, which replaces the stud 19, is abuttingly inserted into the second hole 34, via an elastic split safety washer 27.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment which is more economical than the preceding and is easier to construct. The intermediate connection element 120 is cylindrically tubular over its entire length and has no frusto-conical end portions, the sleeve element 21 again being fixed to it by welding. The stud 19 or hexagonal sockethead screw 36 is replaced by a more simple hexagonal-head screw 37 with a relative elastic washer 27, its threaded end screwing into the corresponding inner thread 18 of the first tubular element 17 rigid with the handlebar 12.

It should be noted that in the case of the initially described embodiment (Figures 1 and 2) it is very simple to mount and remove the device, with considerable reliability of stable and correct positioning. The windscreen 13 is mounted on the vehicle in the following manner.

The handlebar 12 lying within the cover element 11 is provided only with the first tubular element 17 which acts as the base of the windscreen connection device according to the present invention.

The screw stud 19 is screwed tightly into the threaded part 18 of this first element via the faceting 30. When fixed in this manner, the intermediate connection element or second tubular element 20 is screwed onto the screw stud 19 until its frustoconical end 23 abuts against the complementary frusto-coiiical end 25 of the first tubular element 17. On the second threaded free end of the screw stud 19 are then mounted the conical element 26, the washer 27 and the nut 28. When this latter is screwed down it forces the conical element 26 into abutting contact within the second internal frusto-conical end 24, so producing stable positioning of the intermediate connection element 20 and relative sleeve element 21.

The procedure is repeated for the second connection device, and when both are securely mounted the windscreen is positioned. This is done by inserting the two rods 15 into the sleeve elements 21 until the flanges 32 abut, the threaded ends then being locked with nuts 31 and relative elastic washers 27. To remove the windscreen 13, the opposite procedure is carried out, after which only the first tubular element 17 remains on the handlebar 12, properly contained within the cover element 11 and in no way visible. This is achieved without in any way disturbing the cover element 11, which remains stably and constantly in position.

It is more simple to mount the devices of the other embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 4, it being necessary only to align the second tubular element with the first tubular element 17. The hexagonal socket-head screw 36 or hexagonal head screw 37 with relative elastic washers 27 is then inserted and rotated until the device is securely locked.

Again in these cases, after removing the device, without removing the cover element 11, only the first tubular element 17 remains, it being properly contained and hidden from view within the cover element 11.

Claims

1. A windscreen connection device in a two-wheel vehicle, in which rods associated securely with a windscreen can be inserted into respective sleeve elements freely fixable to a handlebar contained within a cover element, characterised by comprising between said handlebar and each of said sleeve elements an intermediate tubular connection element positionable in a freely removable manner relative to a further tubular element fixed to said handlebar and contained within said cover element, said sleeve element being fixed to said intermediate tubular element, and being connectable to said further tubular element by respective screw elements.

2. A connection device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said intermediate connection element has a frusto-conical end facing an outer end of said screw elements to receive a centrally holed, conical locking element interposed between said intermediate connection element and said outer end of said screw elements.

3. A connection device as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said conical element is of elastic type and comprises a radial lateral cut

4. A connection device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said further tubular element fixed to said handlebar has a frusto-conical free end which abuts against a complementary frusto-conical end of said intermediate tubular connection element.

A A connection device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said screw elements are a screw stud passing into said tubular connection element and into said further tubular element fixed to said handlebar.

6. A connection device as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that said screw stud is provided in a central outer portion with faceting which allows it to be screwed into and/or unscrewed from said further tubular element fixed to said handlebar.

7. A connection device as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said conical locking element for said intermediate connection element comprises an outwardly facing cylindrical extension provided centrally with a hole coaxial to and of greater diameter than a first hole in said conical element, the head of a hexagonal socket-head screw forming said screw elements being abuttingly inserted into said second hole.

8. A windscreen connection device in a two-wheel vehicle, as heretofore described and substantially as illustrated on the accompanying drawings.