BICYCLE AND HANDLEBAR ATTACHMENT MEANS

Abstract: A cycle comprising a frame (4) with a steering tube (5), a fork stem (6) received rotatably in the steering tube (5), a handlebar stem (8) received in the fork stem (6), a handlebar (3) connected to the handlebar stem (8) and clamping means (9) arranged between the handlebar (3) and the fork stem (6) for clamping the handlebar stem (8) in the fork stem (6), said clamping means (9) being mounted on a rod (10) running through the handlebar stem (8) and the handlebar (3), wherein means (11) for coupling the handlebar stem (8) to the fork stem (6) are arranged between the clamping means (9) and the handlebar stem (8) such that the handlebar (3) can be rotated relative to the front wheel (1) without forcing.

Description: BICYCLE AND HANDLEBAR ATTACHMENT MEANS The present invention relates to a cycle comprising a frame with a steering tube, a fork stem received rotatably in the steering tube, a handlebar stem received in the fork stem, a handlebar connected to the handlebar stem and clamping means arranged between the handlebar and the fork stem for clamping the handlebar stem in the fork stem, said clamping means being mounted on a rod running through the handlebar stem and the handlebar. Such a cycle is generally known. The fork stem forms a part of the front fork to which the front wheel of the cycle is fixed. Because the handlebar stem is clamped in the fork stem and the fork stem is received rotatably in the steering tube of the frame, the front wheel can be rotated together with turning of the handlebar relative to the frame. It is not however possible, at least not without forcing components of the cycle, to rotate the handlebar relative to the frame and the front wheel. When a cycle is parked in public cycle sheds at stations, shopping centres, schools and so on or in a narrow hallway of a house, the handlebar lying at right angles to the frame often represents a problem. The handlebar sticks out and gets in the way during placing of the cycle between two other cycles in a cycle stand or when walking past the cycle placed in the narrow hallway. In addition, the protruding handlebar also forms a problem when a cycle is placed against a wall: a handgrip of the handlebar supported by the wall can be damaged and the cycle has a tendency to slide off. The object of the present invention is to provide a cycle wherein the above stated drawbacks are obviated. For this purpose the cycle according to the invention has the feature that means for coupling the handlebar stem to the fork stem are arranged between the clamping means and the handlebar stem. It is hereby possible to rotate the handlebar relative to the fork stem, and therefore the front wheel, while the handlebar still remains connected to the fork stem due to the clamping means. To enable simple operation of the coupling means from outside, the coupling means can be operated by operating means arranged on the end of the rod remote from the clamping means. These operating means can for instance be formed by a lever or a rotary knob. When the coupling means are operated using a lever, less force need be applied than when a rotary knob is used. On the other hand, a rotary knob has the advantage that it does not get in the way during cycling and that the coupling means cannot be operated accidentally by the rider coming up against them with his knee during cycling, as can be the case with a lever. In order to protect the coupling means against outside influences they are preferably arranged in the fork stem. In one embodiment the coupling means are formed by two coupling members, wherein the one member is provided with at least one recess and the other member is provided with at least one complementary protrusion. It is hereby possible to fix the handlebar in a rotated position on the cycle. Four recesses and four complementary protrusions are preferably arranged spread over the periphery of the members. The coupling means can hereby be arranged in different ways between the clamping means and the handlebar stem, wherein the handlebar can in any case be rotated a quarter-turn to the left and right and fixed. The or each recess and the or each protrusion is preferably provided with oblique sides so that they can come into contact with each other easily. In order to facilitate disconnection of each protrusion from each recess so as to rotate the handlebar, a spring is arranged between the coupling members . In a preferred embodiment the rod is provided with screw thread and the clamping means are formed by a first clamping member with an oblique upper end arranged on the lower end of the rod, a second clamping member with an oblique lower end and a screw member co-acting with the rod for screwing the two clamping members against each other with the oblique ends. Such a clamping connection between handlebar stem and fork stem is durable. Using the screw member the clamping action of the connection can be temporarily released to adjust the height of the handlebar and/or align it relative to the frame. A spacer sleeve is preferably arranged between the screw member and the clamping members, so that these latter can be tightened and loosened in simple manner from outside without the fork stem herein getting in the way. In a preferred embodiment the second clamping member is formed by one of the two coupling members. The coupling means can hereby be arranged as deeply as possible in the fork stem and the handlebar stem can be placed as deeply as possible into the stem, which enhances the stability of the handlebar. If the cycle comprises a handlebar stem, wherein the lower end thereof is oblique, the coupling member other than the above stated comprises an oblique upper end for co-action with the oblique lower end of the handlebar stem. In this case no changes have to be made to the handlebar stem to enable rotation of the handlebar. The invention further relates to an assembly for connecting a handlebar to a fork stem in order to obtain a cycle as claimed in any of the foregoing claims. The invention will be further elucidated with reference to the annexed drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows three cycles known from the prior art parked in a first cycle rack; Fig. 2 shows three cycles known from the prior art parked in a second cycle rack; Fig. 3 shows three cycles according to the present invention in a third cycle rack; Fig. 4 shows a detail view of a cycle according to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 shows an assembly with a part of the handlebar with handlebar stem, which assembly serves to connect a handlebar to a fork stem in order to obtain the cycle of fig. 4 and which is partly exploded in axial direction; Fig. 6 shows the assembly of fig. 5 in mounted position; and Fig. 7 shows an assembly with a part of the handlebar with handlebar stem, which assembly serves to connect a handlebar to a fork stem in order to obtain a cycle according to a second embodiment. Fig. 1 shows three cycles known from the prior art, wherein the two outer cycles are arranged with their front wheel 1 in a bracket 2. Brackets 2 are located at such a mutual distance a and the cycles have such a wide handlebar 3 that it is not possible to park a third cycle between the two other cycles. Fig. 2 shows a second cycle stand wherein it is possible to park three cycles adjacently of each other. However, in order to make this possible the distance b between brackets 2 has been increased relative to the distance a in the first cycle rack. The distance b corresponds with the maximum width of the cycle, i.e. the width of handlebar 3. Fig. 3 shows a third cycle stand wherein three cycles according to the present invention can be parked adjacently of each other (in contrast to the situation of fig. 1) . The cycles are adapted according to the invention so that it is possible to rotate handlebar 3 relative to front wheel 1. Because each handlebar is placed parallel to the frame 4 of the cycle, the maximum width of the cycle is reduced. It is even possible hereby, as shown in fig. 3, to reduce the distance c relative to the distance a of fig. 1. It is thus possible according to the invention to park more cycles on the same surface area when compared to the situations shown in fig. 1 and 2. Fig. 4 shows a detail view of a cycle according to a first embodiment of the invention. The cycle comprises a frame 4 with a steering tube 5 and a fork stem 6 which is received rotatably in steering tube 5 and forms a part of a front fork 7. Front wheel 1 is mounted on front fork 7. A handlebar stem 8 is received in the fork stem 6 and handlebar 3 is connected to handlebar stem 8. Clamping means 9 are arranged between handlebar 3 and fork stem 6 for clamping handlebar stem 8 in fork stem 6, which clamping means 9 are fixed to a rod 10 running through handlebar stem 8 and handlebar 3. Means 11 for coupling handlebar stem 8 to fork stem 6 are arranged between clamping means 9 and handlebar stem 8. Coupling means 11 can be operated from outside by a rotary knob 12 arranged on the end of rod 10 remote from clamping means 9. In addition, coupling means 11 are situated in fork stem 6. Fig. 5 shows an assembly with a part of handlebar 3 and handlebar stem 8. The assembly serves to connect handlebar 3 to fork stem 6 (not shown in fig. 5) in order to obtain the cycle of fig. 4. The assembly is partly exploded in axial direction. Coupling means 11 are formed in this first embodiment by two coupling members 13,14, wherein the one member 13 is provided with four recesses 15 and the other member 14 is provided with two complementary protrusions 16. Recesses 15 and protrusions 16 are arranged spread over the periphery of members 13,14. Recesses 15 and protrusions 16 are further provided with oblique sides. A spring 17 is arranged between coupling members 13,14. The upper coupling member 14 comprises an oblique upper end which co-acts with an oblique lower end of handlebar stem 8. In this embodiment the rod 10 is provided with screw thread. Clamping means 9 are formed by a first clamping member 18 with oblique upper end arranged on the lower end of rod 10, a second clamping member 19 with an oblique lower end and a screw member 20 co-acting with rod 10 for screwing the two clamping members 18 , 19 against each other with the oblique ends. As shown in fig. 5, the second clamping member 19 is formed by the lower coupling member 13. Finally, a spacer sleeve 21 is arranged between screw member 20 and clamping members 18,19. The spacer sleeve engages with its end remote from screw member 20 on a recess 22 arranged in second clamping member 19. In order to connect handlebar 3 to fork stem 6 to obtain a cycle according to the present invention, the assembly is arranged in fork stem 6 and clamped therein by tightening screw member 20. As screw member 20 is tightened the spacer sleeve 21 is carried downward. Spacer sleeve 21 then presses second clamping member 19 against first clamping member 18. Owing to the oblique edges thereof, the two clamping members 18,19 will slide laterally relative to each other during tightening, so that clamping members 18,19 clamp themselves into fork stem 6. Handlebar 3 with handlebar stem 8 is then arranged over rod 10 such that the rod protrudes with its top end out of the handlebar 3. With interposing of a filling piece 23 the rotary knob 12 is then screwed loosely onto the end of rod 10 protruding from handlebar 3. The oblique lower end of handlebar stem 8 will hereby come into contact with the oblique upper end of upper coupling member 14. When now the rotary knob is tightened further, coupling members 13,14 are carried toward each other counter to the force of spring 17. Handlebar 3 is then rotated with the exertion of a light pressure on the top of the handlebar 3 until a protrusion 16 of upper coupling member 14 comes into contact with a recess 15 in lower coupling member 13. Finally, rotary knob 12 is turned slightly further so that spring 17 can no longer press coupling member 14 off coupling member 13. Fig. 6 shows the thereby obtained position of the assembly. The connection between handlebar 3 and fork stem 6 by the assembly is shown in fig. 4. For placing of handlebar 3 in a different position relative to front wheel l the rotary knob 12 is loosened slightly. Space is hereby created between clamping means 9 and handlebar stem 8 so that the biased spring 17 can press coupling member 14 upward. Handlebar stem 8 is hereby also carried upward and the coupling between handlebar stem 8 and clamping means 9 is released, so that handlebar 3 can be rotated. Handlebar 3 can be re-coupled in a different position by pressing lightly on the handlebar during the rotation, so that protrusions 16 once again come into contact with the (other) recesses 15, and by tightening rotary knob 12. It is possible to embody the upper coupling member 14 integrally with handlebar stem 8, whereby spring 17 can be omitted. In fig. 7 is shown a second embodiment of the assembly according to the present invention. In this embodiment the coupling means 11 are not arranged in fork stem 6. The handlebar stem is divided into two parts, wherein the upper part 8a forms the actual handlebar stem and the lower part 8b forms part of clamping means 9. The upper handlebar stem part 8a is connected to handlebar 3. Mounted on upper handlebar stem part 8a is a first coupling member 24 which encloses the ends of the upper and lower handlebar stem part 8a respectively 8b. In lower handlebar stem part 8b is arranged a second coupling member 25 which extends through the first coupling member 24 into the upper handlebar stem part 8a. The second coupling member 25 is preferably mounted on the lower handlebar stem part 8b so that it cannot rotate relative to the lower handlebar stem part 8b. Coupling members 24, 25 are once again provided respectively with recesses 15 and protrusions 16. A wedge-shaped clamping member 26 is arranged on the bottom end of rod 10. Clamping means 9 are formed in this embodiment by the wedge-shaped clamping member 26, lower handlebar stem part 8b, second coupling member 25 and screw member 20 which engages on the top of second coupling member 25. When screw member 20 is tightened the lower handlebar stem part 8b is pressed over the wedge-shaped clamping member 26 via the second coupling member 25. The clamping connection between handlebar stem 8a and fork stem 6 is hereby obtained. Coupling means 11 are operated in the same way as described above. The advantage of the assembly according to the invention is that it can be fitted to existing cycles as well as to new cycles. The assembly fits on almost any cycle. Because the cycle is not permanently changed, the assembly could even be removed again. Rotation of the handlebar can be realized in easy and rapid manner without external tools having to be used. Because of the recesses and protrusions the rotary knob 12 need only be tightened with manual force to bring about the coupling between handlebar stem and fork stem. Another advantage of the recesses and protrusions is that the coupling is self-aligning: the handlebar will always be coupled in the aligned position. Instead of the rotary knob 12 shown in the embodiments a lever or a wing nut can for instance also be used to operate the coupling means. The operating means can be given a design appropriate to the model of the relevant cycle. The operating means can optionally be provided with a lock or the like to prevent an unauthorized person removing the assembly from the cycle. It is possible according to the invention to rotate the handlebar relative to the front wheel without forcing. By rotating the handlebar through a quarter- turn, so that the handlebar comes to lie parallel to the frame of the cycle, cycles can be parked more easily in cycle sheds and in narrow spaces, such as a hallway in a house. It is also simpler to place several cycles on a rack on the back of a car, to carry cycles through the house to the back garden or to take cycles along in a caravan or in a train. *****

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Cycle comprising a frame with a steering tube, a fork stem received rotatably in the steering tube, a handlebar stem received in the fork stem, a handlebar connected to the handlebar stem and clamping means arranged between the handlebar and the fork stem for clamping the handlebar stem in the fork stem, said clamping means being mounted on a rod running through the handlebar stem and the handlebar, characterized in that means for coupling the handlebar stem to the fork stem are arranged between the clamping means and the handlebar stem. 2. Cycle as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the coupling means can be operated by operating means arranged on the end of the rod remote from the clamping means. 3. Cycle as claimed in claim 2 , characterized in that the operating means are formed by a rotary knob. 4. Cycle as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the coupling means are arranged in the fork stem. 5. Cycle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling means are formed by two coupling members, wherein the one member is provided with at least one recess and the other member is provided with at least one complementary protrusion. 6. Cycle as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that four recesses and four complementary protrusions are arranged spread over the periphery of the members. 7. Cycle as claimed in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the or each recess and the or each protrusion is provided with oblique sides. 8. Cycle as claimed in any of the claims 5-7, characterized in that a spring is arranged between the coupling members. 9. Cycle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rod is provided with screw thread and the clamping means are formed by a first clamping member with an oblique upper end arranged on the lower end of the rod, a second clamping member with an oblique lower end and a screw member co-acting with the rod for screwing the two clamping members against each other with the oblique ends. 10. Cycle as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that a spacer sleeve is arranged between the screw member and the clamping members. 11. Cycle as claimed in any of the claims 5-8 and claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the second clamping member is formed by one of the two coupling members . 12. Cycle as claimed in claim 11, wherein the lower end of the handlebar stem is oblique, characterized in that the other coupling member comprises an oblique upper end for co-action with the oblique lower end of the handlebar stem. 13. Assembly for connecting a handlebar to a fork stem in order to obtain a cycle as claimed in any of the preceding claims. *****

Inventors: MEUWESE LUCAS LEONARDUS PAULUS, MEUWESE, LUCAS, LEONARDUS, PAULUS, MARIA
Applicants: MEUWESE LUCAS LEONARDUS PAULUS, MEUWESE, LUCAS, LEONARDUS, PAULUS, MARIA
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B62K21
IPC codes: B62K21