Audio operating device

• US 6,225,584 B1
• Filed: 12/03/1999
• Issued: 05/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Shimamura, Koichi, Ase, Yukimi, Kanaoka, Yoji
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedhofer, Michael
• Application Number:
  US09/453,222
• Time in Patent Office: 515 Days
• Field of Search: 200/17 R, 200/18, 200/5 R, 200/61.27, 200/61.3, 200/61.54, 200/61.57, 200/52 R, 200/61.85, 200/61.87, 200/61.88, 200/61.28, 200/293, 200/293.1 , 200/294, 200/296
• US Class Current: 200/61.54
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/10 Arrangement of audio equipment; Supports therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 11/14 Handlebar constructions, or arrangements of controls thereon, specially adapted thereto hand controls per se B62K23/02
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/84 characterised by ergonomic functions, e.g. for miniature keyboards; characterised by operational sensory functions, e.g. sound feedback legends H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/068 with switches mounted on a handlebar, e.g. for motorcycles, fork lift trucks, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/028 on planes with different or alterable inclination, e.g. convex plane

Abstract

An audio operating device provided on a handlebar of a motorcycle. The device includes a first operating plane which is tilted outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, which contains audio switches which are generally operated most frequently. The switches on the first operating plane are accessible by a rider'"'"'s left hand while holding the left handle grip. The left side of the device includes a talk knob and a power switch. The second operating plane, and a right side of the device, include switches which are less frequently used, and are accessible by the rider'"'"'s right hand.

Claims

1. An audio operating device for mounting on a handlebar of a vehicle, the handlebar extending generally outward from a body of the vehicle and having a handle grip at an end of the handlebar, the device comprising:

a body, the comprising;

a first operating plane;

a second operating plane, the second operating plane being disposed proximate to the first operating plane;

an upper surface extending above the first and second operating planes;

a lower surface extending below the first and second operating planes;

a right side surface; and

a left side surface, the two operating planes being disposed at an angle to one another so that when the body is mounted to the handlebar, the first operating plane is tilted away from a center portion of the handlebar with respect to the second operating plane, and the first operating plane is disposed between the handle grip and the second operating plane;

a first plurality of switches disposed in the first operating plane; and

a second plurality of switches disposed in the second operating plane.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of switches includes at least two of a volume switch, a squelch selecting switch, a CB channel selection switch, and a tuning switch.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of switches includes at least two of a sound volume mode selecting switch, a sound quality selecting switch, an audio signal destination selecting switch, and a receiving band presetting switch.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the right side of the device includes at least one of a display switch, and a channel presetting switch.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the right side surface is generally perpendicular to the second operating plane.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the left side surface of the device includes at least one of a power supply switch, and a talk knob to enable transmission on a CB radio.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the left side surface is generally perpendicular to the first operating plane.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a projection extending downwardly from the lower surface of the body, the projection having a first aperture for receiving a portion of the handlebar, and a second aperture for receiving a securing member for securing the projection to the handlebar.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the first aperture is substantially cylindrical and has an axis, the axis being substantially aligned with the second operating plane.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the projection is connected to the body to support the body a distance above the handlebar such that the second operating plane is closer to the center portion of the handlebar than is the first operating plane.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein when the body is mounted on the handlebar, a rider can operate the first plurality of switches with a left thumb while maintaining a grip on the handle grip with a left hand.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein when the body is mounted on the handlebar, a rider can operate a switch on the left side surface with a left index finger while maintaining a grip on the handle grip with the left hand.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the body is comprised of first and second substantially parallelepipedal sections, the first operating plane being a front surface of the first section, and the second operating plane being a front surface of the second section.