Abstract:
A bicycle stem and bicycle component system adapted to more firmly grip the handlebars to which the stem is attached. The bicycle stem may have locking features, such as splines, adapted to mate into a matching interface on the handlebars. A bicycle stem and bicycle component system adapted to lock the stem into a fixed relationship with the forks of the bicycle. The bicycle stem may have locking features, such as splines, adapted to mate into a matching interface on the forks.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/025,159 to Wilkerson, filed Jan. 31, 2008, and also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/025,100 to Wilkerson, filed Jan. 31, 2008, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to bicycles, and more specifically to a bicycle stem and a bicycle stem system with interlocking components. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Bicycles are widely used for transportation and recreation. A typical bicycle includes a rear wheel carried by a frame and affront wheel carried by a fork that is rotatably connected to a forward portion of the frame. A steering tube is connected at its lower end to the fork and extends through a corresponding passageway in the forward portion of the frame. An upper portion of the steering tube is connected to a bicycle stem. 
         [0006]    The bicycle stem attaches to the upper end of the steering tube at a first end, and attaches to the handlebar at a second end. Typically, the middle of the handlebar is attached to the stem with a clamping portion. The rider is thus able to steer the front wheel by turning the handlebar, and also obtain leverage over the bicycle by pushing or pulling on the handlebar. 
         [0007]    The stem is important for proper orientation of the rider relative to the bicycle. Although true to some extent in all types of riding, certain types of high performance riding demand more out of the stem and the fork/stem/handlebar system. For example, BMX riding wherein the rider may perform jumping maneuvers wherein the bicycle and its handlebars receive much higher loads. 
         [0008]    What is called for is a high strength bicycle stem which is able to maintain alignment of the stem with the steering tube under high loads, and which allows for positional selection of the angle between the handlebar and the stem, while also being able to maintain alignment of the stem with the handlebar under high loads. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    A bicycle stem and bicycle component system adapted to more firmly grip the handlebars to which the stem is attached. The bicycle stem may have locking features, such as splines, adapted to mate into a matching interface on the handlebars. A bicycle stem and bicycle component system adapted to lock the stem into a fixed relationship with the forks of the bicycle. The bicycle stem may have locking features, such as splines, adapted to mate into a matching interface on the forks. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a bottom view of a handlebar. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a handlebar. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a fork and steering tube assembly. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a fork and steering tube assembly. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a bicycle frame. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a sketch of a bicycle. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the first end of a bicycle stem according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is side view of the first end of a bicycle stem according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a view of a detail of a portion of a bicycle stem according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a bicycle stem according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a front view of a handlebar clamping portion of a bicycle stem according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is a side view of a handlebar clamping portion of a bicycle stem according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a view of a detail of a portion of a handlebar clamping portion of a bicycle stem according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a handlebar clamping portion of a bicycle stem according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  is a front view of a handlebar according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  is a bottom view of a handlebar according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 17  is a detail of a handlebar according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 18  is a top view of a bicycle stem according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a bicycle stem according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 20  is a front view of a fork and steering tube assembly according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of a steering tube according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0031]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a typical handlebar  10  with a first side  11  and a second side  12  splaying out to the side to present handgrip areas for the rider. The center middle section is an interface portion  13  adapted to reside within the bicycle stem, which in turn links the handlebar  10  to the steering tube of the fork assembly. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate a fork assembly  14  which is used to attach the front tire to the bicycle frame while allowing for rotation of the steering tube  16  around its long axis to allow for the turning of the front wheel. The fork  15  is attached to the steering tube  16 . The front tire may be attached at attach points  17 .  FIG. 5  illustrates bike frame  18  which is adapted to serve as the basis of a bicycle. A front tube  19  is adapted to receive the steering tube of the fork assembly, and typically includes a bearing set within it to rotatably support the steering tube. The crank interface  20  is adapted to support the crank and pedals, which are typically supported by a bearing set. The seat tube interface  22  is adapted to receive a seat post for a seat. The rear bracket  21  is adapted to receive the rear wheel. 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  illustrates a bicycle with a frame  18  and a fork assembly  14  inserted through the front tube  19  of the frame  18 . A stem  30  is attached to the steering tube on a first end and to a handlebar  10  on a second end. In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in  FIGS. 7-10 , a bicycle stem  31  is seen with a body  32  having a first end  33  and a second end  34 . The first end  33  is adapted to interface with a steering tube, and the second end  34  is adapted to interface with a handlebar. The second end  34  is seen with a handlebar clamping portion  36 , which is a partial interior cylinder defining a passageway  35  adapted for receiving the interface portion of a handlebar in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the handlebar clamping portion has mechanical features adapted to lock to the mated handlebar. In some embodiments, the mechanical features are a series of angular grooves  37 . 
         [0034]    In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in  FIGS. 11-14 , a handlebar clamping member  38  is seen. The handlebar clamping member  38  is adapted to be fastened to the body  32  of the stem  31  with threaded fasteners. The member  38  has an interior surface which defines another portion of the passageway  35  adapted for receiving the interface portion of a handlebar in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the handlebar clamping member has mechanical features adapted to lock to the mated handlebar. In some embodiments, the mechanical features are a series of angular grooves  39 . 
         [0035]    With the mechanical features facing the handlebar passageway, the handlebars may be locked into a position when the handlebars are contained therein in a much more secure fashion. With the plurality of mating grooves, a multitude of positions may be selected by the user, and the handlebars may be “locked” into the selected position. 
         [0036]    In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in  FIGS. 15-17 , a handlebar  40  is seen and is adapted to be used as part of a system with a stem as described above. The handlebar  40  has an interface portion  41  with mechanical features adapted to interlock with mating features on the interior passageway of the stem. In some embodiments, the mechanical features of the handlebar interface portion  41  are a series of grooves  42 . 
         [0037]    In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in  FIGS. 18-19 , the stem  31  is seen with a passageway  44  adapted for mating to the steering tube of a fork assembly at the first end  33  of the body  32 . In some embodiments, the passageway  44  may be substantially cylindrical along its interior and may include integral keys  45 ,  46 ,  47  adapted to prevent rotation of the stem  31  relative to the steering tube along the main axis of the steering tube. 
         [0038]    In some embodiments of the present invention, as fork assembly  50  is seen with a steering tube  51  thereon. The steering tube is adapted to mate with a stem as described above. The steering tube  51  may include grooves  52 ,  53 ,  54  adapted to mate with the keys of the stem. When connecting the steering tube to the stem, a pair of clamps with a threaded fastener may be inserted into the side holes of the stem in the area of the steering tube interface. 
         [0039]    In some embodiments, the stem  31  is made from 6061 Al alloy. In some embodiments, the stem is machined from a single piece. Among the advantages of the stem, and the stem with handlebars system, and stem with forks system, and the stem with forks and handlebars system, are the compact and strong nature of the system. In addition to the locking aspect of the handlebar positions, there are a number of handlebar positions that can be locked in available to the user. In addition, as a complete system, the size and weight of the system is low, and is coupled with significant enhancement of the positional holding of the system components relative to one another. 
         [0040]    As evident from the above description, a wide variety of embodiments may be configured from the description given herein and additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is, therefore, not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures from such details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant&#39;s general invention.