Patent Publication Number: US-2003226420-A1

Title: Bicycle handlebar

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] This invention generally relates to a bicycle handlebar. More specifically, the present invention relates a bicycle handlebar that is configured to facilitate mounting of components and/or accessories, such as hand grips, shifters, brake levers, mirrors, displays, etc.  
       [0003] 2. Background Information  
       [0004] Bicycling is becoming an increasingly more popular form of recreation as well as a means of transportation. Moreover, bicycling has become a very popular competitive sport for both amateurs and professionals. Whether the bicycle is used for recreation, transportation or competition, the bicycle industry is constantly improving the various components of the bicycle.  
       [0005] Bicycles are constantly being made to be more user friendly and more convenient for the rider to operate. Accordingly, bicycles now have many more additional accessories to assist the rider than in the past. For example, cycle computers, electronic shifters, mirrors, horns are now available for bicycles. These bicycle accessories and other bicycle components such as brake lever are often mounted on the handlebar of the bicycle. Generally, the handlebar for a bicycle is made from a metallic pipe and integrally comprises a central portion that is mounted to a handlebar stem and a pair of gripping portions located at the free ends. The handlebar typically has a round cross section with the bicycle accessories and components mounted thereon through pipe or band clamps. Since the handlebar typically has a round cross section, the bicycle accessories and/or components sometime rotate relative to the handlebar. This rotational movement of the bicycle accessory and/or component relative to the handlebar can be very inconvenient for the rider.  
       [0006] In view of the above, there exists a need for an improved bicycle handlebar that is configured to facilitate mounting of bicycle accessories and bicycle components. This invention addresses this need in the prior art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007] One object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle handlebar that is configured to facilitate mounting of bicycle accessories and bicycle components.  
       [0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved bicycle handlebar that is relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture.  
       [0009] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a bicycle handlebar is provided that comprises a center portion, a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is located on a first lateral side of the center portion. The second end portion is located on a second lateral side of the center portion. The center portion, the first end portion and the second end portion are formed together as a one-piece, unitary tubular member. At least one the center portion, the first end portion and the second end portion includes a first tubular attachment portion having an exterior surface with at least one flat alignment surface.  
       [0010] These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0011] Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:  
     [0012]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a bicycle with a straight type handlebar mounted thereon in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0013]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the bicycle illustrated in FIG. 1 with the handlebar of the present invention;  
     [0014]FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a portion of the handlebar stem and the center portion of the handlebar in accordance with the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;  
     [0015]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the handlebar as illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 3  as seen along section line  4 - 4  of FIG. 3;  
     [0016]FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the handlebar as illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 4  as seen along section line  5 - 5  with the handlebar stem removed;  
     [0017]FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of a portion of the handlebar illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 5  with a cycle computer coupled thereto in accordance with the present invention;  
     [0018]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the handlebar illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 6  with a portion of the mirror coupled thereto in accordance with the present invention;  
     [0019]FIG. 8 is a partial elevational view of a portion of the handlebar shown in FIGS.  1 - 7  with a grip and a brake lever coupled thereto in accordance with the present invention;  
     [0020]FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the handlebar illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 8  with an electronic shifter coupled thereto in accordance with the present invention;  
     [0021]FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of another bicycle with a drop type handlebar mounted thereon in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0022]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the handlebar shown in FIG. 10 with all accessories removed for purposes of illustration;  
     [0023]FIG. 12 is a partial side elevational view of a portion of the handlebar illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 with the brake/shifter component coupled thereto; and  
     [0024]FIG. 13 is a partial cross sectional view of the handlebar and brake/shifter component in accordance with the present invention as seen along section line  13 - 13  of FIG. 12. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0025] Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.  
     [0026] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a bicycle  10  is illustrated with a handlebar  12  in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The handlebar  12  in this embodiment is an up type handlebar which is also sometimes called a flat or straight type. The handlebar  12  is configured to facilitate the mounting of bicycle components, bicycle accessories, hand grips, shifters, brake levers, etc. For example, the handlebar  12  has a pair of grips  14 , a pair of brake levers  16 , a pair of shifters  18 , a cycle computer  20  and a mirror  21  mounted thereto in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. While only one mirror is mounted to the handlebar  12 , it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that another mirror can be mounted on the right side of the handlebar  12 .  
     [0027] In describing the handlebar  12  of the present invention, various directional terms may be used. As used herein, the following directional terms “forward, rearward, above, downward, vertical, horizontal, below, lateral and transverse” as well as any other similar directional terms refer to those directions of the bicycle  10  equipped with the handlebar  12  of the present invention. Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describe the present invention should be interpreted relative to a bicycle equipped with the present invention.  
     [0028] The bicycle  10  and its various components are well known in the prior art, except for the handlebar  12  and the mounting of the items thereto. Thus, the bicycle  10  and its various components will not be discussed or illustrated in detail herein, except for the components or accessories that relate to the handlebar  12  of the present invention.  
     [0029] As seen in FIG. 2, the handlebar  12  is basically a hollow tubular member that forms a somewhat straight bar body. The handlebar  12  extends outwardly in both directions from a handlebar stem  22  of the bicycle  10 . In other words, each half of the handlebar  12  extends in a substantially horizontal direction from the center longitudinal axis of the frame of the bicycle  10 . The handlebar  12  basically comprises a center portion  30 , a first end portion  31  and a second end portion  32 . The center portion  30  and the first and second end portions  31  and  32  are integrally formed together as a one-piece, unitary tubular member. In other words, the handlebar  12  is preferably constructed from a single tube that is bent or otherwise deformed to the desired shape in accordance with the present invention. The handlebar  12  is preferably formed from a steel or light alloy pipe. Of course, other suitable materials can be used to construct the handlebar  12  in accordance with the present invention.  
     [0030] The center portion  30  is a substantially straight section of the handle bar  12 . The center portion  30  has a mounting section  33  that is secured to the handlebar stem  22  of the bicycle  10 . Specifically, the handlebar stem  22  has a pair of clamping portions or members  34   a  and  34   b  that are coupled together by a pair of fasteners or bolts  34   c  (only one shown). Each of the clamping members  34   a  and  34   b  has a groove that corresponds to slightly less than half the mounting section  33  of the handlebar  12 . When the first and second clamping members  34   a  and  34   b  are coupled together they form a bore for receiving the mounting section  33  of the handlebar  12  therein. Each of the grooves of the clamping members  34   a  and  34   b  has a pair of curved surfaces  35  located on opposite sides of a flat alignment surface  36 .  
     [0031] Referring now to FIGS.  3 - 5 , the flat surfaces  36  of the handlebar stem  22  contact the mounting section  33  of the handlebar  12  to hold the handlebar  12  in a predetermined position relative to the handlebar stem  22 . More specifically, the mounting section  33  of the handlebar  12  has an exterior surface formed by a pair of curved surfaces  37  with a pair of flat alignment surfaces  38  extending between the curved surfaces  37 . The alignments surfaces  38  are preferably parallel surfaces. Of course, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that a single flat alignment surface could be utilized instead of a pair of flat alignment surfaces  38  to carry out the present invention. Moreover, it will apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure, that the mounting section  33  of the handlebar  12  can be circular if it is desirable to have the handlebar  12  adjustable relative to the handlebar stem  22 . Also it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the orientation of the alignment surfaces  38  can be formed at different locations than those shown if needed and/or desired.  
     [0032] The center portion  30  further includes a first pair of accessory mounting arrangements  41  and  42  located on opposite sides of the mounting section  33  of the handlebar  12 . The cycle computer  20  is preferably mounted to the center portion  30  of the handlebar  12  by one of the mounting arrangements  41  and  42 . As seen in FIGS. 3 and 6, the mounting arrangement  41  preferably has an exterior surface formed of a pair of opposed curved surfaces  45  and a pair of parallel flat alignment surfaces  46 . The alignment surfaces  46  are designed for mounting a bicycle accessory or bicycle component thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, the cycle computer  20  is mounted to the mounting arrangement  41 .  
     [0033] As seen in FIG. 6, the cycle computer  20  preferably has a mounting portion formed by a pair of clamping portions or members  50   a  and  50   b  that are coupled together by a pair of fasteners or bolts (not shown). The clamping members  50   a  and  50   b  are substantially identical in construction to the clamping members  34   a  and  34   b  of the handlebar stem  22 . Each of the clamping members  50   a  and  50   b  has a groove that corresponds to slightly less than half the exterior surface of the mounting arrangement  41 . When the first and second clamping members  50   a  and  50   b  are coupled together they form a bore for receiving the mounting arrangement  41  of the handlebar  12  therein. Each of the grooves of the clamping members  50   a  and  50   b  has a pair of curved surfaces  51  located on opposite sides of a flat alignment surface  52 . In other words, the bore formed by the curved surfaces  51  and the flat alignment surface  52  has a cross section corresponding to the exterior surface of the mounting arrangement  41  of the handlebar  12 . Thus, the relative angular position of the cycle computer  20  is fixed relative to the handlebar  12  when the cycle computer  20  is mounted on the mounting arrangement  41 .  
     [0034] Preferably, as in the illustrated embodiment, as seen in FIG. 3, the exterior surfaces of the mounting arrangements  41  and  42  have the same cross sections as the mounting section  33  as seen in FIG. 5. Since the exterior surface of the mounting arrangement  42  is identical to the mounting arrangement  41 , the mounting arrangement  42  will not be illustrated in detail herein. Of course, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that a single flat alignment surface could be utilized instead of a pair of flat alignment surfaces for the accessory mounting arrangements  41  and  42  to carry out the present invention. Moreover, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the orientation of the alignment surfaces of the accessory mounting arrangements  41  and  42  can be formed at different locations than those shown if needed and/or desired.  
     [0035] As seen in FIG. 2, the first end portion  31  is located on a first lateral side of the center portion  30 , while the second end portion  32  is located on a second lateral side of the center portion  30 . Preferably, the first end portion  31  and the second end portion  32  are mirror images of each other relative to the center portion  30 . Of course, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the first and second end portions  31  and  32  do not need to be mirror images of each other.  
     [0036] The first end portion  31  preferably has an inner section  31   a  and an outer gripping section  31   b . In this embodiment, the inner section  31   a  is bent so that the outer gripping section  31   b  has its center axis offset from the center axis of the center portion  30 . Likewise, the second end portion  32  preferably has an inner section  32   a  and an outer gripping section  32   b . The mirror  21  is mounted to the inner section  31   a  of the first end portion  31 . Preferably, another mirror is mounted to the inner section  32   a  of the second end portion  32 . In particular, the inner sections  31   a  and  32   a  are configured to form a second pair of accessory mounting arrangements  43  and  44 , respectively.  
     [0037] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 7, the mounting arrangements  43  and  44  have an exterior surfaces formed of a single curved surface  53  and a single flat alignment surface  54 . The accessory mounting arrangement  43  has the mirror  21  coupled thereto. The alignment surface  53  insures that the mirror  21  is maintained in the predetermined position relative to the handlebar  12 . In particular, the mirror  21  has a mounting portion  55  in the form of a tubular clamping member. The mounting portion  55  of the mirror  21  is preferable made of a material such as a plastic material that allows the bore of the mounting portion  55  to be expanded over the handlebar  12 . In particular, the mounting portion  55  of the mirror  21  is a slit ring with a bore that is adjustable in diameter by a fastener or bolt  56 . The interior surface of the bore of the mounting portion  55  corresponds to the exterior surface of the accessory mounting arrangement  42 . Thus, the bore of the mounting portion  55  has a single curved surface  57  and a single flat alignment surface  58  that forms the interior surface of the bore of the mounting portion  55 .  
     [0038] Preferably, as in the illustrated embodiment, the exterior surfaces of the mounting arrangements  43  and  44  have the same cross section as seen in FIG. 7. Since the exterior surfaces of the mounting arrangement  44  is identical to the mounting arrangement  43 , the mounting arrangement  44  will not be illustrated in detail herein. Of course, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that a pair of flat alignment surfaces could be utilized for the mounting arrangements  43  and  44  to carry out the present invention. Moreover, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the orientation of the alignment surfaces for the mounting arrangements  43  and  44  can be formed at different locations than those shown if needed and/or desired.  
     [0039] Referring now to FIGS. 2, 8 and  9 , each of the outer gripping sections  31   b  and  32   b  also preferably has three accessory mounting arrangements  61 ,  62  and  63  for mounting one of the grips  14 , one of the brake levers  16  and one of the shifters  18  thereon, respectively. The mounting arrangements  61 - 63  have exterior surfaces with the same cross sections as the mounting section  33  as seen in FIG. 5. Thus, the exterior surfaces of the accessory mounting arrangements  61 - 63  will not be discussed or illustrated in detail herein. These accessory mounting arrangements  61 - 63  are configured for maintaining the grips  14 , the brake levers  16  and the shifters  18  in the predetermined orientation on the handlebar  12 .  
     [0040] Referring to FIG. 8, the mounting arrangements  61  and  62  are illustrated. The mounting arrangement  61  has an exterior surface formed of a pair of opposed curved surfaces  67  (only one shown) and a pair of parallel flat alignment surfaces  68 . The alignment surfaces  68  are designed for mounting one of the grips  14  thereto. In particular, the grips  14  have bores with interior surface that correspond to the interior surfaces of the outer gripping sections  31   b  and  32   b . Thus, the interior surfaces of the grips  14  have portions that correspond the exterior surfaces formed by the curved surfaces  67  and the flat alignment surfaces  68 . Since the grips  14  are constructed of a resilient rubber material or the like, the grips  14  can be temporarily deformed to be inserted onto the outer gripping sections  31   b  and  32   b  of the handlebar  12 . Thus, the grip  14  is prevented from rotating or sliding off the handlebar  12 .  
     [0041] Still referring to FIG. 8, the mounting arrangement  62  has an exterior surface formed of a pair of opposed curved surfaces  69  (only one shown) and a pair of parallel flat alignment surfaces  70 . The alignment surfaces  70  are designed for mounting one of the brake levers  16  thereto. The brake lever  16  has a pair of clamping portions or members  71   a  and  71   b  that are coupled together by a pair of fasteners or bolts  71   c  (only one shown in FIG. 2). Each of the clamping members  71   a  and  71   b  has a groove that corresponds to slightly less than half the accessory mounting arrangement  62  of the handlebar  12 . When the first and second clamping members  71   a  and  71   b  are coupled together they form a bore for receiving the accessory mounting arrangement  62  of the handlebar  12  therein. The first and second clamping members  71   a  and  71   b  are similar in theirs constructions to the clamping members  34   a  and  34   b , and thus, they will not be discussed in detail herein.  
     [0042] Referring to FIG. 9, the accessory mounting arrangement  63  is illustrated for mounting one of the shifters  18  to the handlebar  12  in the predetermined orientation. The mounting arrangement  63  has an exterior surface formed of a pair of opposed curved surfaces  72  and a pair of parallel flat alignment surfaces  73 . The alignment surfaces  73  are designed for mounting one of the shifters  18  thereto. The shifter  18  has a pair of clamping portions or members  74   a  and  74   b  that are coupled together by a pair of fasteners or bolts  74   c  (only one shown in FIG. 9). Each of the clamping members  74   a  and  74   b  has a groove that corresponds to slightly less than half the mounting arrangement  63  of the handlebar  12 . When the first and second clamping members  74   a  and  74   b  are coupled together they form a bore for receiving the mounting arrangement  63  of the handlebar  12  therein. The first and second clamping members  74   a  and  74   b  are similar in theirs constructions to the clamping members  34   a  and  34   b , and thus, they will not be discussed in detail herein.  
     SECOND EMBODIMENT  
     [0043] Referring now to FIGS.  10 - 13 , a bicycle  110  with a handlebar  112  in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention will now be explained. The handlebar  112  in this embodiment is a drop type handlebar. The handlebar  112  is configured to facilitate the mounting of bicycle components, bicycle accessories, hand grips, shifters, brake levers, etc. For example, the handlebar  112  has a pair of dual control levers  113  mounted thereto in accordance with the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that additional accessories or components can be mounted on the handlebar  112  in accordance with the present invention.  
     [0044] In view of the similarity between the first and second embodiments, the descriptions of the parts of the second embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity.  
     [0045] The handlebar  112  is basically a hollow tubular member that has an overall shape of a conventional drop type handlebar. The handlebar  112  extends outwardly in both directions from a handlebar stem  122  of the bicycle  110  and then extends in a forward direction before curving downwardly and rearwardly. In other words, handlebar  112  basically comprises a straight center portion  130 , a first curved end portion  131  and a second curved end portion  132 . The center portion  130  and the first and second curved end portions  131  and  132  are integrally formed together as a one-piece, unitary tubular member. In other words, the handlebar  112  is preferably constructed from a single tube that is bent or otherwise deformed to the desired shape in accordance with the present invention. The handlebar  112  is preferably formed from a steel or light alloy pipe. Of course, other suitable materials can be used to construct the handlebar  112  in accordance with the present invention.  
     [0046] The center portion  130  has a mounting section  133  that is secured to the handlebar stem  122  of the bicycle  110 . Specifically, the handlebar stem  122  has a pair of clamping portions or members  134   a  and  134   b  that are coupled together by a pair of fasteners or bolts  134   c . Each of the clamping members  134   a  and  134   b  has a groove that corresponds to slightly less than half the mounting section  133  of the handlebar  112 . When the first and second clamping members  134   a  and  134   b  are coupled together they form a bore for receiving the mounting section  133  of the handlebar  112  therein. The mounting section  133  has the same cross section as the mounting section  33  of the first embodiment as seen in FIG. 5. The first and second clamping members  134   a  and  134   b  are similar in theirs constructions to the clamping members  34   a  and  34   b  of the first embodiment, and thus, they will not be discussed in detail herein.  
     [0047] The center portion  130  also has a first pair of mounting arrangements  141  and  142  to facilitate the mounting of bicycle components or accessories thereto. The mounting arrangements  141  and  142  have the same cross sections as the mounting section  33  of the first embodiment as seen in FIG. 5. Thus, the mounting arrangements  141  and  142  will not be discussed in detail herein.  
     [0048] As seen in FIG. 11, the first end portion  131  is located on a first lateral side of the center portion  130 , while the second end portion  132  is located on a second lateral side of the center portion  130 . Preferably, the first end portion  131  and the second end portion  132  are mirror images of each other relative to the center portion  130 .  
     [0049] The first end portion  131  preferably has a gripping section  131   a . Likewise, the second end portion  132  has a gripping section  132   a . The dual control levers  113  are mounted to the gripping sections  131   a  and  132   a  of the first and second end portions  131  and  132 . In particular, the gripping sections  131   a  and  132   a  are configured to form a second pair of mounting arrangements  141  and  142 . Preferably, as in the illustrated embodiment, the exterior surfaces of the mounting arrangements  141  and  142  have the same cross sections. Since the exterior surface of the mounting arrangement  142  is identical to the mounting arrangement  141 , the mounting arrangement  142  will not be illustrated in detail herein. As seen in FIG. 13, the exterior surface of the mounting arrangement  142  is formed of a single curved surface  153  and a single flat alignment surface  154 .  
     [0050] As seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, the dual control levers  113  are mounted to the first and second curved end portions  131  and  132  by a metal band clamp  134  with a fastener or bolt  135 . In particular, the metal band clamp  134  is fixedly coupled to the brake bracket  113   a  by the bolt  135 . The brake bracket  113   a  and the metal band clamp  134  both contact the flat alignment surface  154  to prevent relative movement between the dual control lever  113  and the handlebar  112 .  
     [0051] The terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. These terms should be construed as including a deviation of at least ±5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies.  
     [0052] While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.