Improvements in Joints for Bicycle Handle-bars and other Structures.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Nov., 1898-Accepted, 7th Jan.,
1899
Improvements in Joints for Bicycle Handle-bars and other
Structures.
I, FREDERICK SCHRADER, of Mill Hill Avenue, Bridgeport, Connecticut, United
States of America, Manufacturer, 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 handle-bars for bicycles, and its object is to provide
an adjustable two-piece handle-bar whose ends are pivoted together and to the
steering post by means of a joint which is adapted for quick and easy and secure
adjustment, and is inexpensive to manufacture.
The invention consists of the features and combination of features hereinafter
described.
In the drawings representing one embodiment of the invention, and forming
part of this specification,
Fig. 1 is a plan view of the handle-bar.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the central portion and showing the joint.
Fig. 3 is a central vertical section of a handle bar and steering post embodying
the invention.
Figs. 4 and 5 are plan views of plates preferably employed in constructing the
heads of the handle-bar portions and steering post, and
Fig. 6 is a plan view of the head of one of the handle bar portions, detached.
A and B are the two portions of the handle-bar, and C is the steering post. The
heads A, B and C respectively of these three pieces comprise a series of over-
lapping plates which dovetail into each other and are secured together by the
pivot bolt D having the nut d. These heads are constructed alike and only one of
them need therefore be particularly described. In constructing each of these
heads, the head A¹ for example, a series of plates a are cut from sheet metal,
with shanks a¹, circular portions a², and holes a³ for the pivot bolt D. A series
of spacing pieces b are also cut corresponding to the shape and size of the shanks a¹.
The plates a and pieces bare then assembled, with pieces between plates a
and also on the outer side of the end plates a. The pieces band plates a are then
firmly secured together by suitable means, as by brazing or riveting. The shank
of the head thus formed is trimmed or turned so as to fit into a socket, which may
be the bore of the tubular handle-bar portion A, or which may be a socket formed
in socket pieces E and F fitted on and secured to the handle bar portions made
of tubing, or solid material such as wood, as shown in Fig. 3. The head is
secured in the socket generally by a pin c, which passes through the handle-bar
and holes at and 6' in the plates a and pieces 6 respectively.
When the heads A, B and C¹ are fitted together, the bolt D is passed through
the holes in the plates and the nut d screwed on the bolt. The handle may now
be adjusted to any position desired and held firmly in such position by screwing
the nut d up tight.
Heretofore two piece handle-bars have had their heads made of solid forgings.
These forgings are expensive and not infrequently crack and break. By my

page_text: invention it will be seen that I am enabled to dispense with such forgings, as I
preferably do, and employ heads stamped from sheet metal. These sheet metal
heads are less expensive to make than forgings and are much stronger. I prefer-
ably make the plates of the heads without teeth or corrugations or other special
interlocking means, depending entirely upon the friction of the plates when they
are squeezed tightly together by the bolt D and nut d. This friction is sufficient
to lock the parts firmly and rigidly together. In this arrangement the friction
plates of the three heads are so disposed as to bring the plates of the head C
between the plates of the heads A¹ and B', so that the pieces A and B cannot
turn together with respect to the piece C.
Although the joint formed by the heads A', B¹ and C¹ is of special advantage
in handle bars for bicycles, I may employ two or more of these heads constructed
of sheet metal plates and a bolt to form a joint adapted for use in various mechanical
structures.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. The combination of a steering post and two adjustable handle-bar portions
having heads constructed of a plurality of friction plates in parallel arrange-
ment and overlapping each other, and a pivot bolt passing through the friction
plates of said heads, whereby the handle-bar portions may be adjusted and held
in secure frictional engagement by the pivot bolt.
2. The combination of a steering ost and two adjustable handle-bar portions
having heads constructed of a plurality of friction plates in parallel arrange-
ment and overlapping each other, and a pivot bolt passing through the friction
plates of said heads whereby the handle-bar portions may be adjusted and held
in secure frictional engagement by the pivot bolt, the friction plates of the handle-
bar portions, or some of them, being separated at the pivot bolt by friction plates
of the steering post.
3. The combination of a steering post and two adjustable handle-bar portions
having heads constructed of a plurality of sheet metal friction plates in parallel
arrangement and overlapping each other, and a pivot bolt passing through the
friction plates of said heads, whereby the handle-bar portions may be adjusted
and held in secure frictional engagement by the pivot bolt.
4. The combination of a steering post and two adjustable handle-bar portions
having heads constructed of a plurality of sheet metal plates in parallel
arrangement and overlapping each other, and a pivot bolt passing through the
friction plates of said heads, whereby the handle-bar portions may be adjusted
and held in secure frictional engagement by the pivot bolt, the friction plates
of the handle-bar portions, or some of them, being separated at the pivot bolt by
the friction plates of the steering post.
5. The combination of a socketed steering post and two socketed adjustable
handle-bar portions having heads constructed of a plurality of separate sheet
metal plates secured rigidly together in the socketed handle-bar portions and
steering post in parallel arrangement and overlapping each other, and a pivot
bolt passing through the plates of said heads, whereby the handle-bar portions
may be adjusted and held in secure engagement by the pivot bolt.
6. The combination of a socketed steering post and two socketed adjustable
handle-bar portions having heads constructed of a plurality of separate sheet
metal friction plates secured rigidly together in the socketed handle-bar portions and
steering post in parallel arrangement and overlapping each other, and a pivot
bolt passing through the friction plates of said heads, whereby the handle-bar
portions may be adjusted and held in secure frictional engagement by the pivot bolt.
7. The combination of a socketed steering post and two socketed adjustable
handle-bar portions having heads constructed of a plurality of separate sheet
metal friction plates and spacing pieces secured together in said socketed parts,

page_text: the plates of said heads overlapping each other, and a pivot bolt passing through
said plates and arranged and operating to secure said heads in secure frictional
engagement.
8. The combination of a steering post and two adjustable handle-bar portions
having heads constructed of a plurality of sheet metal plates in parallel arrangement
and overlapping each other, and a pivot bolt passing through the plates of said
heads, whereby the handle-bar portions may be adjusted and held in secure
engagement by the pivot bolt.
9. The combination of a steering post and two adjustable handle-bar portions
having heads constructed of a plurality of sheet metal plates in parallel arrange-
ment and overlapping each other, and a pivot bolt passing through the plates of
said heads, whereby the handle-bar portions may be adjusted and held in secure
engagement by the pivot bolt, the plates of the handle-bar portions of some of
them, being separated at the pivot bolt by the plates of the steering post.
10. In a joint, the combination of two or more heads constructed of a plurality
of sheet metal plates in parallel arrangement and overlapping each other, and
a bolt passing through the plates of said head, whereby the heads may be held
rigidly together.
11. In a break joint, the combination of two or more heads constructed of a
plurality of sheet metal friction plates in parallel arrangement and overlapping
each other, and a pivot bolt passing through the plates of said head, whereby the
heads may be adjusted and held rigidly together by friction by loosening and
tightening the pivot bolt.
This 14th day of November 1898