Patent ID: 6058800
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: B62K,Y10T

Abstract:
A bicycle handlebar stem capable of attachment to a generally horizontal central portion of a handlebar and to a generally vertical steering tube of a steering fork on a bicycle, said bicycle handlebar stem comprising:a stem body, said stem body having a tubular central portion, a first end, and a second end;on said first end, a first clamping means for attaching the stem to the generally vertical steering tube of the steering fork;on said second end, a second clamping means for attaching the stem to the generally horizontal central portion of the handlebar;said first clamping means being comprised of a continuous wall section extending from a first portion of the tubular central portion circumferentially around the generally vertical steering tube to a second portion of the tubular central portion of the stem body, said continuous wall section defining a substantially cylindrical opening having a diameter corresponding generally to the outer circumference of the vertical steering tube;said first clamping means further comprising a slot extending from the cylindrical opening inwardly into the tubular central portion of the stem body thereby providing a space between the first portion and second portion of the tubular central portion of the stem body;said slot separating the first portion and second portion of the tubular central portion of the stem body, said slot having a substantially uniform thickness starting from the cylindrical opening and extending inwardly a distance into the tubular central portion of the stem body, with the slot terminating at a substantially circular relief opening, said relief opening having a diameter greater than said uniform thickness; and,a threaded fastener extending perpendicularly across said slot from the first portion to the second portion of the tubular central portion of the stem body;wherein tightening of said threaded fastener causes the first portion to become compressed toward the second portion thereby causing the continuous wall section to become reduced in diameter and compressed around the generally vertical steering tube.