Bicycle reflector for handlebar attachment

An expandable plug for insertion into a bicycle handlebar end with a first arm member projecting from the plug. A second arm member is pivotally coupled to the first arm member. The second arm member may be segmented with a helical spring thereon so as to yieldably support a reflector at the end of the second arm member. The reflector is fully adjustable about multiple axes to provide optimum reflection regardless of handlebar relationship to path of bicycle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention pertains generally to bicycle accessories and 
particularly to a reflector for attachment to a bicycle handlebar in an 
adjustable manner for optimum reflection. 
Important to a vehicle reflector in addition to being highly positionable 
is the mounting of the reflector to indicate the lateral limits of the 
vehicle. Further, it is important that reflected light be directed toward 
traffic traveling in the same general direction as the bicycle. Toward 
this end some reflectors have been mounted on elongate supports projecting 
from one or both sides of a bicycle frame. Such reflectors and their 
support structure are subject to accidental contact with the bicycle rider 
as well as subject to damage in the event of ground impact. Further, some 
bicyclists may not wish to detract from the apperance of the vehicle by 
reasons of attaching widely spaced apart reflectors to the bicycle frame. 
Frame attachment of the reflector mounting means can also result in 
marring of the bicycle frame finish. 
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
The present invention is embodied within an adjustable assembly for 
attachment to the end of a handlebar for the support of a reflector or the 
like. 
An expandable mounting plug of the present attachment is adapted for 
installation into a handlebar with expansion of the plug effecting secure 
attachment. Arm means supported by the expandable mounting means 
adjustably carries a reflector located in outward spaced relationship to 
the handlebar end. The reflector or mirror is positionable to reflect 
light along the bicycle path of travel regardless of the angular 
relationship of the handlebar to the path of bicycle travel i.e., 
perpendicular, parallel or inclined to said path of travel. Accordingly, 
the present reflector assembly is usable on any handlebar equipped vehicle 
including motorcycles, scooters, ATV's regardless of handlebar 
configuration to provide reflection along the path of vehicle travel. A 
flexible member of the reflector assembly permits vibratory movement of 
the reflector, induced by road shock, to further attract the attention of 
the motorist. 
Pivot means joining first and second arm members of the reflector assembly 
provide an axis about which a reflector may be adjusted. The embodiment of 
the above noted flexible member in a helical spring permits adjusted 
rotation of the reflector about still another axis. Still further, the 
present reflector assembly may be attached to the handlebar end in a 
specific, rotated relationship about a third axis for the purpose of 
providing desired light reflection from the reflector. A reflector base is 
recessed to securely mount fore and aft reflectors to warn oncoming 
motorists as well as overtaking motorists. 
The reflector assembly includes arm means having a first arm member along 
which a nut element may be advanced to expand an elastomeric plug for 
frictional engagement with the internal periphery of a handlebar end 
segment. 
Important objectives include the provision of a reflector assembly for 
attachment at the outer extremities of a vehicle envelope to indicate to 
motorists the lateral extremities of the bicycle or other vehicle; the 
provision of a reflector assembly for attachment to a vehicle handlebar 
which avoids bracket attachment to a bicycle frame resulting in possible 
marring of the frame finish and conflict with the rider while dismounting 
and mounting the bicycle; the provision of a reflector assembly which may 
be adjusted to provide optimum light reflection toward oncoming and 
overtaking vehicles regardless of the angular relationship of a handlebar 
end segment to the bicycle path of travel; the provision of a reflector 
assembly of low cost, sturdy construction and capable of withstanding 
impacts from accidental ground contact; the provision of a reflector 
assembly with pivotalling joined arm members which may be locked in 
angular relationship from one another with one of said arm members 
including a flexible member permitting a reflector carried by the arm 
member to oscillate in an eye-catching manner; and the provision of a 
reflector assembly that is attachable to a bicycle handlebar with light 
reflection being intermittent to a viewer by reason of handlebar steering 
motion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
With continuing attention to the drawings wherein applied reference 
numerals indicate parts similarly hereinafter identified, the reference 
numeral 1 indicates a portion of a vehicle tubular handlebar having an end 
segment 1A on which may be a handgrip 2. 
Installed within the handlebar end segment is an elastomeric plug 3 
constituting part of the following described expandable mounting means. 
Plug 3 is confined intermediate a handlebar abutting disc 4 and a washer 
5, the latter disposed internally within the handlebar end segment. 
Adjustable means includes a nut element at 6 which may be adjusted toward 
a nut 7 to impart expansion to plug 3 causing frictional engagement of the 
exterior of same with the internal wall of the handlebar end segment. 
A first arm member 10 of the arm means indicated generally at 11 and 
extends through an opening in plug 3 and includes a threaded segment l0A 
with which nut element 6 is engaged. From the foregoing it will be seen 
that rotation of nut element 6 will cause washer 5 to be biased against 
plug 3 to expand same into handlebar contact. Alternatively, arm 10 may be 
provided with flats at F to permit tool application to arm 10 for rotation 
of same during installation with nut element 6 serving as a lock nut. 
The arm member 10 is rotationally adjustable about its major axis at A. 
With attention again to arm member 10, a companion or second arm member is 
indicated at 12. Flattened end portions of the first and second arm 
members as at l0B and 12B are each apertured to receive a fastener 
assembly 13 having an axis B and including a serrated lock washer 14 to 
provide arm members of an articulated nature. 
The second arm member 12, in a preferred form, is segmented with a segment 
at 12A with the arm segments 12 and 12A coupled to one another by a 
helical spring 15. The opposed arm segment ends are spaced from one 
another to yieldably support arm segment 12A to permit same to move in 
response to loads resulting from road shocks imparted to the vehicle 
handlebar during vehicle travel along a roadway. Helical spring 15 is 
preferably of non-uniform coil spacing with wider spaced coils at its 
mid-portion to contribute to oscillation of the later described reflector. 
A reflector indicated generally at 16 is carried by the second arm member 
and includes a base 17 having a raised perimeter 18 and 19 within which 
are inserted forwardly and rearwardly facing, cup shaped reflectors 20 and 
21. Reflectors 20 and 21 are preferably of the four faceted type intended 
for use on bicycles and accordingly constructed from impact resistant, 
reflective material. One such reflector suitable for present purposes is 
that sold under the trademark Sate-Lite and having a reflective, four 
faceted inner surface. Such reflectors include reflective surfaces as at 
20A and 21A. A suitable adhesive applied to the inner perimeter of each 
reflector assures permanent securement to the recessed surfaces 17A and 
17B of reflector base 17. Arm segment 12A is rotatably engageable with 
spring 15 and hence may be positioned about arm axis C for desired 
reflection. 
With attention to FIGS. 4 and 5 showing top plan views of the present 
invention in place on different handlebars, the path or course of the 
handlebar equipped vehicle is indicated at P while a lateral extremity of 
the vehicle is indicated at E. Typically the lateral extremities of a 
handlebar equipped vehicle will be denoted by the handlebar ends. 
Handlebar end segments are indicated at 1A' and 1A" with the arm means 
indicated generally at 11' and 11" and reflectors generally at 16' and 
16". It will be seen that regardless of the handlebar end segments angular 
relationships to the vehicle path P the reflector 16 may be adjusted about 
multiple axes at A, B and C to reflect in the manner desired. While the 
term reflector is used, it is to be understood that the term encompasses a 
mirror for viewing other vehicular traffic. 
It is apparent that the present reflector could be formed and used without 
the flexible spring member 15 and with arm 12 being continuous. The 
provision of the present reflector assembly permitting adjustment of the 
reflector 16 about axes A, B and C additionally permits optimum reflector 
positioning regardless of the handlebar end segment being in other than a 
horizontal plane. By utilizing the handlebar end as an attachment point, 
the present reflector assembly advantageously increases the transverse 
section of the vehicle thereby providing an increased safety factor for 
the rider without relying on unattractive reflector supporting 
arrangements. 
While I have shown but a few embodiments of the invention, it will be 
apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied 
still otherwise without departing from the spirit and scope of the 
invention.