Improvements in or relating to the Handle Bars of Velocipedes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd June, 1890
Complete Specification Left. 31st July, 1890-Accepted, 6th Sept., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to the Handle Bars of Velocipedes.
I, WILLIAM BAILEY 6 Clifton Terrace Spring Grove Isleworth (Coachman) do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows
It consists essentially in the application and employment of a method or plan for
disconnecting or rotating without disconnecting the handle bar of cycles. The handle
bar admits of the fork being inserted within it. A cap upon the top controlled by a
thumbscrew locks the two together. Another thumbscrew at the back of the handle
bar and connected with an arin and shackle from the fork enables the handle bar to be
rotated after unlocking the upper screw and cap and disconnecting the break lever by
a slight pressure upon a spring. If, in addition the screw is unwound so as to
release the pin which is held by it the handle bar may be disconnected entirely.
The whole operation either of rotating, removal, or readjustment can be performed
within a few seconds of time.
Dated this 3rd day of June 1890.
WILLIAM BAILEY.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
Improvements in or relating to the Handle Bars of Velocipedes.
I, WILLIAM BAILEY of No. 6 Clifton Terrace, Spring Grove near Isleworth in
the County of Middlesex, Coachman 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 consists essentially in the application and employment of a method
or plan for disconnecting the handle bars of cycles of every description having front
steerage, especially those of the latest patterns and most modern construction.
The centre of the handle bar over the fork is pierced so as to admit of the head of
the fork being inserted within it until the upper surface of each is flush with the
other. The head of the fork is fitted with a cap over it which in turn is rotated by a
small thumbscrew or round milled headscrew. When the cap is inclined horizontally
to the right the head of the fork is securely locked by the lip of the cap to the upper
surface of the handle bar. A projection in the head of the fork working in a slot
provided in the front of the orifice, in the handle bar prevents the handle bar from
rotating except when required.
At the rear of the centre of the handle bar so constructed, an arm is secured to the
fork by a sliding ring or shackle supported ordinarily by a boss or collar upon the
fork. The arm is attached at its upper end to the rear of the handle bar by a pin
controlled by a small thumbscrew or round milled headed screw.
The head, of the vertical brake lever in front of the upper end of the fork may be
disconnected from the horizontal brake lever at the point of their junction.
By unlocking the thumbscrew. and cap upon the head of the fork; disconnecting
from front to rear over the
the brake apparatus; raising the handle bar; turning
head of the fork and lowering it at the rear until the shackle has returned to its place
DO11

page_text: upon the collar of the fork the handle bar is transferred to the rear of the fork and
may be then rotated horizontally either a circle to be parallel with the line of
direction of the wheels, or any other distance or angle that may be desired, without
removing it from the machine.
If the hindmost thumbscrew is also unlocked and the pin thereby released the
handle bar may be detached from the machine entirely.
The whole operation, either of rotation, removal, or readjustment can be easily
performed by a lady, gentleman or youth within the space of a few seconds of
time.
And in order that my invention may be thoroughly understood and readily carried
into practical. effect, I have hereunto attached the accompanying sheets of drawings
marked with figures and letters of reference, the same letters referring to the saine
parts of the machine and my invention in the various views and figures.
Fig. 1 is a plan view of the head of the fork and the centre of the handle bar of a
cycle which has been constructed in accordance with my invention or which may have
been subsequently fitted with it. In this view the handle bar, fork, and brake are
represented as being "locked" or, in other words as they would appear when in use
upon the road or path. The dotied figures illustrate their alternative positions.
A represents the cap upon the head of the fork which by means of the thumbscrew B
locks the head of the fork to the handle bar. C is the arm, and D the shackle, which
together rests upon E or sliding up and down the head of the fork and locked to the
rear of the handle bar by a pin and thumbscrew F maintains a connection between
the handle bar and the fork whilst the former is being turned over and moved round
the latter. G is the brake-rod, I is the brake-lever, H is a short connecting rod one
extremity of which is hinged or jointed to the said brake rod and the other extremity
of which is connected to the brake-lever by means of an eye IP and spring 12 so as to
be readily removable therefrom.
Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same looking at them from the back of the machine.
The dotted lines shew the movements of the brake levers H and I.
Fig. 3 is a side view and shews more particularly the transposition of the centre
of the handle bar J, when it is desired to rotate it. The handle bar, together with
the arm C and shackle D and horizontal brake lever I is first raised until it reaches
the position J. It is then turned over with I following along dotted lines of
are "I until it has been turned upside down in position J". It being then
lowered to J the handle bar may be rotated as required.
If the thumbscrew and pin are unscrewed the arm will be released and by
unlocking the cap A by the thumbscrew B and disconnecting the brake apparatus G, H
at I the handle bar J may be raised to position J¹ which is clear of and above the
head of the fork thereby disconnecting it entirely from the fork.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the--nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to-be-utilised-and-performed, I declare
that what I claim is:-
The following are some of the advantages afforded by my invention viz.
1st. The convenience and great saving of space in housing, storing, resting or
conveying any machine (especially a bicycle) which has been constructed in accordance
with my invention or which may have been subsequently fitted with it.
2nd. The handle bar may be placed in any position horizontally without removal
from the machine thus obviating the possibility of contact with the wheels in mounting
or dismounting which is such a serious and objectionable feature in cycling especially
to ladies in wet.or-muddy- weather
3rd. When the machine (a bicycle for instance) is not in use, it may be placed in
a hall or elsewhere close to the wall and with the handle parallel to it, without the
loss of space which is consequent upon the projection of the fixed handle bar as at
present. Householders and others will much appreciate this convenience and saving
of space.
4th. In addition to the facility for altering the horizontal position of the bandle bar,

page_text: my invention includes a method or plan whereby the handle bar may be entirely
disconnected from the machine.
5th. The cyclist when on tour or at home may remove the handle bar of his
machine to a place of safety thus preventing its loss by stealth and its damage or
injury by trifling with it by inexperienced or malicious persons. The absence of the
handle bar would also lead to the detection of any one who might be in wrongful
possession of the machine.
6th. The handle bar can be readjusted as easily by an amateur as by a professional
and more experienced rider within the space of a few seconds.
7th. Economy of space in the transit of bicycles by rail, road, or water.
8th. The absolute security of the handle bar when locked for riding, there being
an absence of oscillation in action and the rigidity of the machine is not interfered
with.
9th. Ladies especially will fully appreciate the value and usefulness of this
invention, the simplicity of it enabling them to effect the change when mounting
or dismounting as easily and as rapidly as gentlemen.
10th. The comparatively trifling cost of fitting my improvements to new or
existing machines particularly those of the most recently approved patterns such
as the "Rover," "Swift," "Ormonde" &c., and to ladies cycles.
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
First. The combination with the handle-bar of a velocipede of means for connecting the
said handle-bar to the steering-wheel in such a manner that it can without disconnecting or
detaching it from the celocipede be turned or adjusted so as to bring it in line with or
parallel to the steering wheel or into any desired angle relatively thereto and can be readily
disconnected and removed substantially as, and for the purposes above specified.
Second. The combination with the stem or spindle having the key or feather of the
turning cap or thumb-screw provided with the projection or extension and the pin or stop
in the upper end of the said stem or spindle, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Third. The combination with the handle-bar having the lateral projections or lugs of
the link or connecting rod coupled thereto by the thumb-screw substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
Fourth. The improved means for disconnecting the brake lever from the brake rod
comprising the short connecting rod provided with an eye and spring catch and adapted to
fit on and engage with a reduced portion upon one extremity of the said brake lever substan-
tially as described.
Fifth. The improved apparatus constructed substantially as described with reference to
the accompanying drawing and operating as and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 31st day of July 1890.
WILLIAM BAILEY.