Collapsible control lever

Abstract

A collapsible control lever suitable for use on a motorcycle includes a handlebar mount, an intermediate section and a lever section. The intermediate section and lever section are capable of rotation with respect to the handlebar mount between a relaxed position and an actuated position in order to provide control lever functions, such as disengaging a manual clutch. The lever section is capable of rotation with respect to the intermediate section between a normal position and a fully deflected position in order to avoid damage in the event of the motorcycle overturning. The lever section may be biased to its normal position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A manual lever assembly for mounting on a handlebar having a handgrip, said assembly comprising: 
 a handlebar mount defining a gripping surface for contacting a handlebar, said surface defining a handlebar axis, said mount defining a first axis of rotation;    an intermediate section connected to said mount so as to be rotatable about said first axis between a relaxed position and an actuated position, said intermediate section defining a second axis of rotation and an actuator retaining portion; and    a lever section defining a finger grip portion having a distal end, a pivot portion connected to said intermediate section so as to be rotatable about said second axis of rotation having a normal position and a fully deflected position at least approximately 120° from said normal position, said distal end of said finger grip portion of said lever section defining a first perpendicular distance from said handlebar axis when said intermediate section is in a relaxed position and said distal end of said finger grip portion of said mount defining a second perpendicular distance from said mount when said intermediate section is in said actuated position, said first distance being longer than said second distance.    
     
     
         2 . The manual lever assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said lever section extends at least to an inner end of said handgrip.  
     
     
         3 . The manual lever assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first axis is located proximate an inner end of said handgrip.  
     
     
         4 . The manual lever assembly of  claim 1 , wherein one of said lever section and said intermediate section define a housing portion above and below the other and a biasing member is located external of said housing portions.  
     
     
         5 . The manual lever assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator retaining portion retains a control cable.  
     
     
         6 . The manual lever assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said finger grip portion is between 1 inch and 3½ inches long.  
     
     
         7 . The manual lever assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said lever section extends no more than ¾ inches beyond an end surface of said handgrip.  
     
     
         8 . The manual lever assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a linear distance between an inner edge of said finger grip portion and said first axis is approximately 2½ inches.  
     
     
         9 . A manual lever assembly for mounting on a handlebar having a handgrip, said assembly comprising: 
 a handlebar mount defining a gripping surface for contacting a handlebar, said surface defining a handlebar axis, said mount defining a first axis of rotation;    an intermediate section connected to said mount so as to be rotatable about said first axis between a relaxed position and an actuated position, said intermediate section defining a second axis of rotation and an actuator retaining portion; and    a lever section defining a finger grip portion having a distal end, a pivot portion connected to said intermediate section so as to be rotatable about said second axis of rotation having a normal position and a fully deflected position at least 80°-90° from said normal position, said distal end of said finger grip portion of said lever section defining a first perpendicular distance from said handlebar axis when said intermediate section is in a relaxed position and said distal end of said finger grip portion of said mount defining a second perpendicular distance from said mount when said intermediate section is in said actuated position, said first distance being longer than said second distance;    wherein said intermediate section and said lever section are prevented moving vertically relative said mount.    
     
     
         10 . The manual lever assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the distance from said first axis to an inner edge of said finger grip portion is no more than 3 inches.  
     
     
         11 . The manual lever assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said finger grip portion is between 1 inch and 3½ inches long.  
     
     
         12 . The manual lever assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said lever section extends no more than ¾ inches beyond an end surface of said handgrip.  
     
     
         13 . The manual lever assembly of  claim 9 , wherein a linear distance between an inner edge of said finger grip portion and said first axis is approximately 2½ inches.