BICYCLE, HANDLEBAR AND ADAPTER SYSTEM

Abstract: Novel handlebars for a bicycle are disclosed. The handlebars include a crosspiece (122) connected to a bicycle steering post (34) with sideways portions extending therefrom. The handlebars of the invention have hand grip portions (70) that are located relatively close together to encourage the rider to adopt a riding position in which the frontal area of the rider's silhouette is minimized, and in which the rider's elbows are located ahead of the rider's lungs. Turned handlebar portions (124) extend from the sideways portions and extend generally forwardly and inwardly to define a pair of forward handle portions (70) spaced apart a distance less than the width of the crosspiece. A front loop portion (72) intercon­ nects the forward handle portions so that all of the portions define a continuous loop forward of the steering post.

Description: This invention relates to bicycles and handlebars therefor which are adapted to improve the performance and stamina of the rider. The design of racing bicycles, or other special-purpose bicycles, is especially complex. Structural changes which may at first seem minor to the unskilled can provide significant improvement in bicycle performance. This improved performance can provide recognizable advantage to the bicycle rider. To perform well in bicycle race competition--especially a competition of extended duration or length--a minimized frontal area and shape should be presented by the combination of the bicycle and the bicycle rider. Frontal area minimization is not enough, however; the position of the bicycle rider must be comfortable so that the rider can produce requisite high levels of effort and performance for long periods of time. Frontal areas and rider positions are greatly affected by the position, shape, and arrangement of the bicycle handlebars. Simply as an example, a bicycle having handlebar grips located in a relatively raised position will encourage a rider to assume a relatively upright riding position. While this position may be comfortable, a large frontal area is presented, and the relatively large ensuing wind resistance minimizes top speed even though the rider may be producing a large amount of pedaling effort. Conversely, a bicycle having relatively low-set handlebars encourages the rider to assume a position in which the frontal area is minimized. Small frontal area results in higher top speed with less rider effort. But in prior racing bicycles, the rider is fatigued over time due to the crouched position and is not able to sustain endurance through a long race. In order to encourage a bicycle rider to assume an efficient, yet comfortable riding position which can be sustained over long periods of time, EP-A-0274442 (which is part of the state of the art within the meaning of Article 54, paragraph 3) discloses a bicycle handlebar for a steering post located forwardly of a bicycle seat, comprising: a crosspiece having a central portion connectable with said steering post, sideways portions extending therefrom, and a respective bar portion extending forwardly from each of said sideways portions to define a pair of handgrip portions which are spaced apart a distance which is less than the width of the crosspiece. AU-B-0569239 discloses the use of an accessory adapted to be fitted to a racing handlebar to form therewith a handlebar as defined above. The handlebars disclosed in the above-mentioned documents have an open ended forward pointing configuration which is objectionable for mass-start bicycle events. FR-A-857 732 drawn to my attention by the EPO during the prosecution of the application discloses a bicycle handlebar for a steering post located forwardly of a bicycle seat, comprising: a crosspiece having a central portion connectable with said steering post, sideways portions extending therefrom, and a respective bar portion extending forwardly from each of said sideways portions to define a pair of handgrip portions, said forwardly extending bar portions being interconnected by a front loop portion to define therewith a continuous front loop extending forwardly from the crosspiece. The present invention provides a bicycle handlebar for a steering post located forwardly of a bicycle seat, comprising: a crosspiece having a central portion connectable with said steering post, sideways portions extending therefrom, and a respective bar portion extending forwardly from each of said sideways portions to define a pair of handgrip portions, said forwardly extending bar portions being interconnected by a front loop portion to define therewith a continuous front loop extending forwardly from the crosspiece, characterised in that the front loop portion is forwardly of the pair of handgrip portions and in that the handgrip portions are spaced apart a distance which is less than the width of the crosspiece. The invention also includes an adapter for a bicycle having a handlebar with bar portions extending forwardly from a crosspiece and terminating in a pair of spaced, forwardly pointing handgrips, the adapter comprising: a handlebar member including a body with a pair of connector means, each connector means being detachably connectable with the associated one of the pair of forwardly pointing handgrips for interconnecting the pair of handgrips forwardly thereof through the body of the handlebar member to form a front loop portion of a continuous front loop extending forwardly from the crosspiece defined by the forwardly extending bar portions and the body. The invention also includes an adapter kit for a bicycle having an original handlebar connected to a steering post, the kit comprising: a generally U-shaped extension loop having at the ends of the loop a pair of clamps for engaging the original handlebar on opposite sides of the steering post such that the extension loop projects forwardly and away from the rider, the extension loop comprising a respective bar portion extending forwardly from each clamp to define a pair of handgrip portions, said forwardly extending bar portions being interconnected forwardly of the handgrip portion by a front loop portion of the extension loop. In order that the invention may be well understood, some embodiments thereof, which are given by way of example only, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a bicycle including handlebar; FIG. 2 is a plan fragmentary view taken from a position above and forward of the bicycle shown in FIG. 1 with a rider in riding position; FIG. 3 is a perspective fragmentary view illustrating another handlebar including an integral front loop portion; FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the handlebar of FIG. 1, including a detachable front loop portion; FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the handlebar front loop portion of Fig. 5; FIG. 7 is an exploded plan view of the front loop portion of FIG. 5 shown relative to the end portion of forwardly extending handlebars; FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the front loop portion of FIG. 5; FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a portion of the fastening structure along lines 9-9 of FIG. 7; FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the front loop portion along lines 10-10 of FIG. 7; FIG. 11 illustrates an adapter attached to an original conventional bicycle handlebar; and FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view of the adapter of FIG. 11 showing the manner of fastening to the original handlebar. Referring to the FIGURES generally, and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a bicycle 10 which includes a triangular-shaped frame 12 comprised of a top tube 14, a down tube 16 and a seat tube 18. Seatstays 20 and chainstays 22 join to rigidly secure a rear wheel 24 and its axle 26. Extending from seat tube 18 is seat post 28. Mounted atop seat post 28 is a saddle 30. Seat post 28 may be raised or lowered into the seat tube to accommodate riders of differing heights. Top tube 14 and down tube 16 extend forwardly to a fork or head tube 32. Journaled within fork tube 32 is a stem 34 leading to front forks 36. Pedals 38 mounted to cranks 40 operate a drive sprocket 42 and a chain drive 44 in a known manner to propel the bicycle. A handlebar 46 is attached to stem 34. Handlebar 46 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 2, 4 and 7. FIG. 2 shows a rider R in riding position on bicycle 10, shown in fragmentary view and illustrating handlebar 46. FIG. 4 illustrates handlebar 46 in perspective view with only stem 34 of bicycle 10 being illustrated. Handlebar 46 includes a crosspiece section 48 to which stem 34 is connected to a central portion of crosspiece section 48 by a stem clamp 50. Stem 34 may be raised or lowered relative to the head tube 32 by adjusting a stem bolt (not shown). Extending from opposite ends of crosspiece section 48 are turned bar portions 52 that extend generally forwardly and inwardly to define a pair of forward handle, or handgrip, portions 54 located and adapted to be grasped by a rider. A front loop portion 58 forwardly of the pair of handle portions 54 interconnects handle portions 54 so that handlebar 46 defines a continuous loop forward of the steering post. Front loop portion may be a separate removable section 56 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and in detail in FIG. 4 or the front loop portion may form an integral part of the handlebar as illustrated in FIG. 3, where front loop portion 58 of handlebar 60 is an integral front loop portion. The other portions of handlebar 60 are the same as handlebar 46 illustrated in FIG. 4. Front loops 56 and 58 also provide a location where rider R can grip, as illustrated in FIG. 2, for example. Padding or other material, such as plastic, rubber or tape, for example, can be attached over front loop portion 58 and even over forward handle portions 54, if desired, to provide a desired shape to facilitate gripping by a rider. A pair of brake-operating levers 62 extend from brake hoods 64 located upon turned portions 52. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, each of turned portions 52 include downwardly inclined bends 66 that extend below crosspiece section 48 followed by upwardly inclined bends 68 which extend into the pair of forward handle portions 54. Forward handle portions 54 of handlebar 46, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 are relatively closely spaced and are spaced apart less than the width of crosspiece section 48. The center-to-center distance D between forward handle portions 54 is preferably about four inches (102mm). Also, forward handle portions 54 preferably extend upwardly to facilitate grasping by the rider. If desired, other portions of handlebar 46 can be grasped by the rider, such as crosspiece section 48 or turned portions 52. A small-frontal-area yet comfortable riding position is encouraged by providing forward handle portions 54 and 70 and front loop portions 56 and 72 which extend forwardly of the other portions of the handlebar, as illustrated particularly in FIGS. 1-4 and 11. Forward handle portions 54 are located so that, as illustrated in FIG. 2, when they are grasped by a bicycle rider R, the rider's forearms F are located to be supported by the handlebar 46 at positions over the crosspiece section 48. To this end, handlebar crosspieces can be provided with tapered padding material 74 or other forearm rests, if desired. Together, then, handlebar 46 and the position of saddle 30 and distance from handlebar 46 define a riding position in which the frontal area of the rider's silhouette is minimized, as especially suggested in FIG. 2. Furthermore, when the saddle and stem positions are properly adjusted so that the rider's back will be substantially straight and horizontal when grasping forward handle portions 54, wind resistance is further reduced and rider comfort is enhanced. In addition, in this position, it is believed that the weight distribution on the bicycle changes from rear bias to an approximately even weight distribution on the front and back tires. It is believed that such weight distribution provides decreased rolling resistance. Moreover, the width W of the rider's silhouette is minimized by positioning the rider's forearms or elbows so as to be relatively close together, as is especially suggested in FIG. 2. To this end, the forearm rests 74 are each located rather closely adjacent the stem clamp 50. In this way, the maximum width W of the silhouette is simply that of the rider's shoulder width while in an extended position. The rider's arms and elbows do not extend outside this profile. In this position, the rider's arms and elbows do not contribute to increased frontal area and consequently wind drag is reduced. To further reduce wind resistance, forward handle portions 54 are located relatively close to one another. It has been found useful to locate these handles approximately four inches (102mm) or less apart (center-to-center distance). The width W' of handlebars 46 can, of course, be greater or less than that shown in FIG. 2. The chord length or straight line distance from crosspiece section 48 to end 76 of handlebar 46 is preferably on the order of twelve inches (305mm). Under these circumstances, as particularly illustrated in FIG. 2, the rider naturally assumes the position in which his forearms and upper arms are located directly ahead of his torso. Because the rider's arms are located head of his lungs, breathing constrictions are minimized or eliminated. There is no pinching of the chest, breathing is unobstructed because the elbows are ahead of the shoulder and the rider's weight can be on the handlebars, allowing the upper body to relax. The rider may also wish to position his hands over forearm rests 74, adjacent to stem clamp 50, as is common during climbing. To this end, forearm rests 74 are preferably cylindrical and have an outside diameter only slightly greater than that of crosspiece portion 48. If desired, brake levers 62 could be located more closely adjacent forward handle portions 54. Of course, additional brake handle or actuating mechanisms could also be installed adjacent forward handle portions 54. The rider may also wish to position his hands along other portions of handlebars 46, 60 and 124. For example, the rider may position his hands: (1) at location 52' of turned portions 52; (2) at bottom location 52'' of turned portions 52; (3) in position to grasp brake operating levers 62; (4) just forward of brake hoods 64 (forearms on or off forearm rests 74); and (5) any position forward of position (4) with forearms on forearm rests 74. Handlebars 46, 60 and 124 can be constructed of a single piece of tubing formed of aluminum or other suitable material. The ends of the tubing can terminate at the ends of forward handle portions 54 for handlebar 46 and at about midpoint 77 of crosspiece portion 48' for handlebar 60. The preferred tubing is 6061-T6 aluminium tubing having an outside diameter of 24.0 millimeters and an inside diameter of 20.5 millimeters. The illustrated handlebars can be readily constructed by bending the tubing into the desired shape. Suitable methods and techniques of bending tubing into a desired shape are well known to those skilled in the art and therefore a description of how to bend tubing to form the various desired handlebar shapes is not provided herein. Referring to FIG. 5 there is illustrated in sectional view along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4 front loop portion 56, shown in assembled position on handlebar 46, which is partially illustrated. Front loop portion 56 is detachably connected to the ends of forward handle portions 54 or handlebar 46 by means suitable fasteners cooperating with suitable securing structure as more completely illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 11. Front loop portion 56 is molded of a plastic material into a solid unitary member. Of course, front loop portion 56 could be made of other materials known in the art and could be hollow, for example. Front loop portion 56 can be also used, for example, as an adapter for a bicycle having a handlebar with forwardly extending portions terminating in a pair of handgrips such as disclosed in EP-A-0 274 442. While the front loop portion can be attached to forward handle portions 54 by any structure or means known in the art, and can also be an integral part of the handlebar, as illustrated in FIG. 3, in the embodiment of FIG. 5, each of the ends of front loop portion 56 terminate with male connector portions 78 that are insertable into the end of forward handle portions 54, which are constructed from hollow tubing. Male connector portions are dimensional to be snugly fit into the ends of forward handle portions 54 and also include a shoulder 80 that extends circumferentially around front loop portion 56 where connector 78 is joined to the remainder of front loop portion 56, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Each connector 78 is configured to provide an inclined surface 82 at an angle less than 90° and preferably about 45° to interior wall 84 of forward handle portions 54 that is adjacent connector 78 when in position within forward handle portion 54, so that the length of connector 78 is greatest along the inner side 86 of forward handle portions 54 (indicated by "L") and least or essentially Zero at the outer side 88 of forward handle portions 54 to allow connector 78 to be easily inserted into forward handle portions 54 even though forward handle portions 54 are inwardly extending as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7. Connectors 78 are secured within forward handle portions 54 with connector extensions 90, which can be constructed of the same material used for front loop portion 56. Each connector extension 90 is dimensioned to fit snugly within forward handle portions 54 and are utilized to extend the length of male connector portions 78 longitudinally of each handle portion 54 in which connector extension 90 preferably has a surface 92 that is complementary to inclined surface 82 of male connector portion 78, to provide a secure fit. Each end of front loop portion 56 and each connector extension 90 has a bore 94 therethrough. As illustrated in FIG. 10, bore 94 extends through connector portion 78 of front loop portion 72. Bore 94 preferably includes a countersunk portion 96 to receive head 98 of threaded bolt 100. Bore 94 includes an enlarged portion 102 that is slightly larger than the diameter of threaded bolt 100. As illustrated in FIG. 9, a bore 104 extends through connector extension 90 and is coaxially aligned with bore 94 so that connector 78 and connector extension 90 are concentric to forward handle portions 54 when received therein. Preferably, the longitudinal axis of bores 94 and 104 are at an angle of about 15° from the longitudinal axis of forward handle portions 54. Bore 104 also includes an enlarged opening 106 that is complementary to threaded nut 108 allowing nut 108 to be press-fit therein. The forward portion 109 of connector extension 90 is truncated slightly to permit some movement of connector extension 90 relative to connector portion 78 during fastening as hereinafter described. To assemble handlebar 46, a connector extension 90 with nut 108 press fitted therein is inserted into each forward handle portion 54. Thereafter, a connector 78 is inserted into each forward handle portion 54 and fastened to connector extension 90 with bolt 100. As bolt 100 is tightened, enlarged portion 102 of bore 94 allows connector 78 to be slightly deformed and connector extension 90 is urged forward and against inner wall 110 of forward handle portion 54, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The shape of front loop portion 72 is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 5-8. Front loop portion 72 includes a pair of concave depressions 111 along the top and rear portions of front loop portion 72 which will facilitate grasping and provide resting areas for the rider's thumbs, as shown in FIG. 2. A central ridge 112 is located between depressions 111. It is to be understood that the previously described structure for mounting front loop portion 72 to forward handle portions 54 can be modified in many ways. For example, the male connector portion 78 could be part of forward handle portions 54 and front loop portion 72 could be in the form of a hollow tube. Other types of connectors could also be used. Fig. 11 shows a handlebar 118 which comprises an original racing handlebar 120 to which an adapter kit is fitted to provide the advantages mentioned above. As shown in FIG. 11, stem 34 is connected to the original racing handlebar 120 at their crosspiece 122 by a stem clamp 51. Also connected to the crosspiece is the adapter kit which extends in a substantially horizontal plane away from the stem, i.e. away from the bicycle rider. The adapter kit comprises a generally U-shaped extension loop 124 having at the ends of the loop a pair of clamp elements 128 for engaging original handlebars 120 on opposite sides of stem 34. Bar portions 129 of the extension loop 124 project forwardly from each clamp 128 and away from the rider and define a pair of handgrip portions 70 near center neck or front loop portion 72 of U-shaped loop 124 to define a rider position in which the rider's elbows are located near original handlebar 120 with the rider's arms extending forwardly toward handgrip portions 70. Material (not shown) may be attached to front loop portion 72 and/or handgrip portions 70 as described with respect to handlebar 60. Clamp element 128, as shown in more detail in FIG. 12, may consist of an upper portion 134 and a lower portion 136 which can be separated from upper portion 134. Upper portion 134 is threaded in at least two places on either side of a semi-spherical opening 138 in order to receive bolts 140. Located between bolts 140 in the lower portion 136 is a second semi-spherical opening 142 which aligns with semi-spherical opening 138. The spherical opening formed by adjoining the two semi-spherical openings is adapted to securely grip crosspiece 122 when bolts 140 are tightened. Clamp 128, such as that shown in FIG. 12, is preferable to, for example, a standard stem clamp since it allows the loop 124 to be secured to the existing handlebars 120 without removing brake hoods 64. While the bar portions 129 of the loop 124 could extend outwardly from the crosspiece 122 at an angle exactly equal to 90°, it has been found more advantageous from both aerodynamic and comfort viewpoints to angle the bars inward toward one another such that the angle ϑ in FIG. 11 is equal to about 75°. In addition, it is preferable that handgrip portions 70 extend upwardly, most preferably at an angle of about 45° from horizontal on a radial bend of about three inches (76mm). With such a 45° upward turn, the length of the bar portions 129 from the center of the existing handlebars to the handgrip portions (70) (dimension C in FIG. 11) should be in the range of nine to fourteen inches (229 to 356mm), and eleven inches (279mm) for short model add-on-bars and twelve inches (305mm) for long model add-on-bars in preferred. It is also desirable to space the clamps 128 so that the distance from the inside edge of one clamp to the inside edge of the second clamp (distance S in FIG. 11) is 4.75 inches (121mm). Such a spacing will provide a center-to-center forwardly extending handgrip width (distance T in FIG. 11) of about 3.25 inches (83mm). Such a tip width distance provides reduced wind resistance yet allows the rider to have effective steering control. To increase rider comfort, forearm pads 144 are affixed to the crosspiece 122 on the outside of the clamps 128. As with the forearm rest 74 described above, the forearm rest 144 can be grasped by the rider so that he can steer the bicycle while in a climbing position, i.e. while having his hands on the crosspiece of the conventional handlebars. Forearm rest 144 is preferably comprised of a cylindrically-shaped foam piece which has been split (not shown) so that it can be placed upon crosspiece 122 without requiring removal of the brake hoods 64.

Claims: A bicycle handlebar (46, 60, 118, 146) for a steering post (34) located forwardly of a bicycle seat (30), comprising: a crosspiece (48, 48', 122, 148) having a central portion connectable with said steering post, sideways portions extending therefrom, and a respective bar portion (52, 129, 150) extending forwardly from each of said sideways portions to define a pair of handgrip portions (54, 70, 154), said forwardly extending bar portions being interconnected by a front loop portion (56, 58, 72) to define therewith a continuous front loop extending forwardly from the crosspiece, characterised in that the front loop portion (56, 58, 72) is forwardly of the pair of handgrip portions (54, 70, 154) and the handgrip portions (54, 70, 154) are spaced apart a distance which is less than the width of the crosspiece (48, 48', 122, 148). A bicycle handlebar as claimed in claim 1 wherein the handgrip portions (54, 70, 154) are near the front loop portion (56, 58, 72) and turn upwardly above the crosspiece to define a rider position in which the rider's elbows are located near the crosspiece and the rider's arms extend forwardly with the rider's hands inclined upwardly when grasping the handgrip portions. A bicycle handlebar as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the forwardly extending bar portions (52) extend in a range from nine inches to fourteen inches (229 to 356mm) from the center of the crosspiece to the handgrip portions (54). A bicycle handlebar as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the handgrip portions (54) have a center-to-center distance therebetween of approximately four inches (102mm). A bicycle handlebar as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including a pair of tapered pads (74) secured to the sideways portion of the crosspiece (48, 122) for supporting the rider's forearms and having a taper to urge inwardly the forearms when resting on the pads with the rider's hands extending forwardly to grip the handgrip portions (54, 70). A bicycle handlebar as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the front loop portion is detachable and comprises a body (56) having at the ends thereof a pair of male connectors (78) and the forwardly extending bar portions comprise hollow tubes into which the male connectors are insertable to thereby attach the body and form the continuous front loop. A bicycle handlebar as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sideways portions of the crosspiece (48, 48') extend into said bar portions (52) each of which comprises a downwardly inclined bend (66) which extends below the crosspiece (48, 48') followed by an upwardly inclined bend (68) which extends into a said handgrip portion (54). A bicycle handlebar as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said bar portions (52) comprise turned portions extending from said sideways portions and generally forwardly and inwardly A bicycle handlebar as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the continuous front loop includes at the rear of the forwardly extending bar portions a pair of clamps (128) detachably engaged with the crosspiece (122) whereby the continuous front loop forms an add-on extension to an original handlebar (120) which includes the crosspiece (122). An adapter for a bicycle having a handlebar with bar portions (52) extending forwardly from a crosspiece (48) and terminating in a pair of spaced, forwardly pointing handgrips (54), the adapter comprising: a handlebar member including a body (56) with a pair of connector means (78), each connector means being detachably connectable with the associated one of the pair of forwardly pointing handgrips (54) for interconnecting the pair of handgrips forwardly thereof through the body of the handlebar member to form a front loop portion of a continuous front loop extending forwardly from the crosspiece defined by the forwardly extending bar portions (54) and the body (56). An adapter as claimed in claim 10, wherein said handgrips are hollow, and said pair of connector means comprise a reduced diameter connector protrusion (78) at each end of said body, each protrusion being snugly insertable into one of the hollow handgrips, and detachable means (100) for detachably securing each connector protrusion (78) within the hollow handgrip. An adapter kit for a bicycle having an original handlebar (120) connected to a steering post (34), the kit comprising: a generally U-shaped extension loop (124) having at the ends of the loop a pair of clamps (128) for engaging the original handlebar (120) on opposite sides of the steering post (34) such that the extension loop (124) projects forwardly and away from the rider, the extension loop (124) comprising a respective bar portion extending forwardly from each clamp (128) to define a pair of handgrip portions (70), said forwardly extending bar portions being interconnected forwardly of the handgrip portions by a front loop portion (72) of the extension loop (124).

Inventors: LENNON, DAN COCHRAN
Applicants: LENNON, DAN COCHRAN
Application year: 1989
Main classification: B62K21
IPC codes: B62K21