Adjustable universal operating lever extension

• US 7,000,498 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2003
• Issued: 02/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Coleman Company Incorporated (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Stearns, Inc. (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Hancock, Dennis, Hancock, Jeffrey D
• Primary Examiner(s): LUONG, VINH
• Application Number:
  US10/379,501
• Publication Number:
  US 20040173045A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,084 Days
• Field of Search: 744/544, 744/543, 744/551.3, 744/551.8, 164/21, 403/373, 403/374.2, 403/374.3
• US Class Current: 74/544
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 23/06 Levers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2028 Handle bar type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20287 Flexible control element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20738 Extension
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20822 Attachments and accessories
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20828 Handholds and grips
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2087 Rim grips and covers

Abstract

An adjustable extension lever to be attached to a control lever of a vehicle such as an all-terrain vehicle, snowmobile, motorcycle or personal watercraft to extend the lever surface available to be contacted during control of the vehicle and including a bendable lever extension that will bend under a bending force greater than the operating force required to operate the vehicle control lever to insure a comfortably located thumb and/or palm engagement surface on an extender connected to and pivot able with the control lever.

Claims

1. An adjustable extension lever for connection to a control lever of a vehicle having a handlebar comprising

an extender portion;

a first attachment plate connected to said extender portion;

a second attachment plate;

a strap interconnecting said first and second attachment plates with said extender portion projecting from said first attachment plate, wherein said extender portion is bent in response to a first force application to said extender portion said first force being greater than application of force to said extender application required to operate the control of the vehicle;

a pair of parallel, spaced apart hinges extending across said strap; and

means interconnecting said first and second attachment plates for clamping said plates toward one another.

2. An extension lever as in claim 1, wherein

the extender portion has a metal core.

3. An extension lever as in claim 2, wherein

at least part of the core of the extender portion extends into and is covered with a rubber material.

4. An extension lever as in claim 3, wherein

the extender has a non-skid engagement surface portion.