Improvements in Handle Bars for Cycles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in Handle Bars for Cycles.
I, JAMES M. BLASHFIELD, of No. 1621, East Main Street, Jackson, Michigan,
United States of America, Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:
This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in handle bars
for cycles; the object of the invention being to provide means whereby the bars
may be folded down to enable the cycle to be stored in narrow passages and like
places without causing much obstruction. A further object is to enable the handle
bars to be adjusted to any height desired by the rider, in an expeditious manner,
without interfering with the adjustment of the stem in the head of the cycle.
By this invention, the T-piece at the upper part of the stem is fitted with a
short solid or tubular length of metal which projects to both sides of the T-piece
and is hinged to similar short pieces of tube. These pieces of tube are adapted
to slide in the interior of the handle-bars, to a limited extent, in either direction.
A suitable spring-catch on each handle-bar serves to retain the bars in either
one of two positions on the inserted part.
When the handle-bars are slid inwardly over the hinges, they are held hori-
zontal and extended; but when they are drawn outwardly the hinges permit of
their being folded down.
In an alternative form, the ends of the handle-bars are hinged to the projecting
extremities of the tubular length of metal fitted in the T-piece. The hinges
have notches in their jaws and the part pivoted between them, and a sliding bolt,
fitted in the interior of each bar is adapted to engage any one of the notches to
hold the bars at any desired height.
...
f Ontah 1000
Improvements in Handle Bars for Cycles.
I, JAMES M. BLASHFIELD, of No. 1621, East Main Street, Jackson, Michigan,
United States of America, Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement: ---
This invention relates to improvements in cycle handles; and it consists,
essentially of a device of this character comprising opposite adjustable members,
[Price 8d1

page_text: including grips, and having inner transverse end tubes inclosing in part apertured
locking cylinders to be engaged by spring bolts mounted in said members, the
said end tubes being clasped by opposite circular ears on the ends of an inter-
mediate connection and held intact therewith by angular cross bolts.
The invention further consists of the construction and arrangement of the
several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.
The object of the invention is to replace the ordinary stationary or fixed handle-
bar and enable the rider to comfortably occupy different desired positions by a
quick adjustment without dismounting; the parts being simple and effective in
construction and operation, strong and durable, easily applied, and comparatively
inexpensive in manufacture and sale.
In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a handle-bar
for a cycle embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of one side
thereof. Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the same part of the handle. Fig. 4
is a detail perspective view of one of the apertured locking cylinders. Fig. 5 is
a perspective view of a handle-bar wherein is applied a modification in the con-
struction of the joint and lock mechanism. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section through
the joint or swivel case of one handle section of the bar in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a
vertical longitudinal section of same. Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but
shewing a further modification in the construction of the joint and lock
mechanism.
Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals of reference are employed to
indicate corresponding parts in the several views, the numeral indicates a
central connection which is fitted to the steering post of a cycle and has pairs
of circular ears 2 at the opposite ends of the horizontal member thereof which are
formed with central square or angular apertures 3. These ears are spaced apart
from each other and form sockets to adjustably receive the inner ends of opposite
members 4 which include suitable grips 5. On the inner ends of the said opposite
members 4 are transverse tubes 6, open at both front and rear, and, as clearly
shewn in Figs. 2 and 3 spring actuated sliding bolts 7 are also movably mounted
in the inner ends of the said members and also slidingly bear in cross webs 8
outward from the inner ends at a suitable distance. In pockets formed by separa-
tion or distant position of the webs from the closures of the said inner ends of
the members 4, springs 9 are located and surround the bolts 7, and near the outer
ends of the latter pins 10 are secured and project outward through slots 11 in
the parts 4 in a transverse direction and have outer heads 12 thereon for sliding
the bolts and disengaging them from a locking position against the resistance of
the springs 9. The closures and webs at the inner ends of the members 4 may
be placed in proper position by any well known means, and within the tubes
locking cylinders 13 are located and have closed heads 14 with central square or
angular apertures 15 which align with the similar apertures 3 in the ears 2. The
outer portions of each of the cylinders 13 are formed with circumferentially-
aligned apertures 16; extending partially around same and are adapted to be
engaged by the inner end of the bolts 7 to lock the said members 4 of the handle-
bar at various angles.
The cylinders 13 are prevented from rotating by angular bolts' 17, passing
through the cars 2 and the opposite heads of said cylinders. These bolts 17 also
serve to hold the parts in connection, and in operation the tubes 6 rotate on the
said cylinders between the said ears.
In Figs. 5, 6, and 7 the handle-bar 1 is divided to form three sections-a
central section 2" fitted in the sleeve of the T-shaped head tube 3" and two handle
sections 4 The said central section is provided with a vertically arranged cup
or case section 6" the annular flange 6b of which projects outwardly and lies within
the line of the inner sides of said central sections and this flange is provided with
a series of circumferential openings 16". Each handle section 4 is also provided
at its inner end with a similar vertically arranged cup or case section 13" having
its annular flange 13 facing outwardly and adapted to receive the flange of said

page_text: section G" and these two sections are united by a pivot bolt 17" as shewn. The
two sections 6, 13" thus constructed and united form, together, a swivel cup or
case on which each handle section 4 is adapted to turn in a vertical plane. The
method of adjusting the handle-bars 4 to any required angle is the same as
described with reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4.
In Fig. 8 I have shewn the flange of the case section 6" formed with sockets 16b
in lieu of the openings 16". In these sockets are seated a series of bearing balls 18
on which the case section 13" is adapted to turn. The outer end of the bolt 7 in
this instance is countersunk to partially encompass either one of the balls and
hold it immovable, thereby locking the case section 13" against movement.
In adjusting the opposite members 4 the bolts 7 are drawn outward to disengage
them from the cylinders 13 or case section 13" or bearing balls 18, and afterwards
released, the springs 9 forcing them inwardly. The proper or desired angle above
or below the horizontal having been obtained, the bolts 7 lock the parts 4, and
the adjustment is firmly sustained. One part of the handle-bar may be arranged
at a different angle from the other in view of the independent nature of each, and
any variation from a regular position is attainable to accommodate the require-
ments and comfort of the rider. The parts of the device are of a durable nature
and will resist strain incident to pressure exerted on the handlebar as an entirety.
One of the greatest advantages of the improvement is that the position of the
hands of the rider is not changed on the grips by the adjustment of opposite parts
of the handle-bar.
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Further, the improvement can be easily applied to cycles now in use at a small
expense and without making material changes or necessitating a marked departure
from the primary construction.
The preferred form of the device has been disclosed, but it is obviously apparent
that changes in the proportions, dimensions and minor details of construction
could be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacri-
ficing any of the advantages thereof.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
(1) In an adjustable handle-bar for a cycle, the combination of a T connection
provided with opposite pairs of ears having angular apertures therein, opposite
members of the handle-bar having transverse tubes at their inner ends and spring
actuated bolts projecting thereinto, and locking cylinders in said tubes and having
closed heads with central angular apertures and circumferentially-aligned apertures
to engage the inner ends of said bolts, and angular cross-bolts connecting the
several parts.
(2) In an adjustable handle-bar for cycles, the combination of opposite members
having cross tubes at the inner ends and spring actuated bolts normally projecting
into said tubes, an intermediate connection having opposite end sockets to receive
said tubes, cylinders mounted in said tubes and having openings therein for
engagement with the inner bolt ends and angular cross-bolts connecting the
several parts.
(3) In an adjustable handle-bar for cycles, the combination of opposite members
having inner end cross-tubes and spring-actuated bolts projecting into the latter,
cylinders enclosed by and around which said tubes are rotatable and having
circumferential apertures to receive the bolt ends, an intermediate connection
having end sockets to receive the tubes carrying the cylinders, and angular cross-
bolts to hold the parts between said sockets and prevent the cylinders from
rotating.
(4) An adjustable handle-bar for cycles, consisting of a central section fixed to
the head tube post and provided at each end with a vertical joint cup or case
section, two independent handle sections each provided at its inner end with a
vertical joint cup or case section adapted to receive the flange of the case section

page_text: on the contiguous end of the central section, a bolt uniting said case sections,.
and a sliding bolt in each handle section having an exterior thumb-piece and
adapted to engage and hold the said joint case sections locked, substantially as.
described.
(5) An adjustable handle-bar for cycles comprising the central section, fitted
in the sleeve of the T-shaped head tube and provided at each end with a vertical
joint cup or case section, having its flange projecting inwardly and formed with
openings, in combination with the handle sections each provided at its inner end
with a vertical joint cup or case section adapted to receive the flange of the adjoin-
ing case section, pivot bolts uniting said case sections, the locking bolts sliding
in the handle-bar sections and adapted to engage the openings, and the thumb-
pieces connected with each bolt and sliding in openings in the handle-bar sections,
substantially as described with reference to Figs. 5 to 8 of the drawings.
P. R. J. WILLIS,
Agent for Applicant.