Improvements relating to Handles for Velocipedes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Πονομιου, εν
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Handles for Velocipedes.
"We, JAMES MANDEVILLE HORTON, of No. 459, Monroe Street, Chicago,
Illinois, United States of America, and MICHAEL MOSES LEVISON, of
No. 659, West Harrison Street, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America,
Merchants, 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 :-
The object of our invention is to so construct a bicycle-handle as to relieve the
hand and arm of the rider from the constant and tiresome jar incident to the use of
the ordinary rigid handle. To this end, our invention consists in the combination
of elements hereinafter more particularly described.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure is a front view of a cross-bar and handles of a bicycle, showing our
improved handles applied thereto.
Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view, partly in section, showing one of said
handles.
Figure 3, is a transverse sectional view taken upon the line a, a Figure 2.
Figure 4, is a like view taken upon the line y, y Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view in detail of one of said handles showing
a modification of said invention.
Figure 6 is a like view showing a still further modification and
Figure 7, shows a modified form of said invention as applied to what are commonly
known as "spade-handles."
Like letters of reference in the different figures indicate corresponding parts.
a represents the steering-post of a bicycle; the cross-bar attached thereto in the
usual manner; and c, c, the usual handles made of hard-rubber or other suitable
material. Above the handle c, and normally separated or removed somewhat
therefrom, we place an oblong shield d, of sheet-metal or other suitable material,
which is made of the same or substantially the same shape as said handle and
adapted to fit thereover. Preferably extending from the shield d, over the bar b,
to such a length as may be desired, is a spring portion e, the end of which is
attached rigidly to said bar by means of a screw, or other analogous device.
Curved flanges e Figures and 4, which partially encircle the bar b, may be
employed when the screw acts as a set-screw to tighten them. The spring
portion e, may or may not be integral with the shield d, but we prefer it should be.
In Figure 2 we have shown it as a separate spring riveted to said plate or shield.
It is obvious that as the hand of the user rests upon the shield d, the resilient action
of the spring serves to relieve the hand from being jarred and shaken, as it would
were the handle rigid but as some riders are liable to press
:
with greater force upon
the handles than others, it is often desirable to adjust the tension of the spring.
This may be accomplished by means of an adjusting-screw g. In Figure 5, we
have shown the screw alone for adjusting said tension; and in Figure 6, we have
shown a spiral-spring, interposed between the shield and cross-bar and surrounding

page_text: the screw J.
In Figure 5, a still further modification is represented in which the
shield and the part by which it is attached to the bar are in separate pieces and
hinged to each other at j. In such a construction, we prefer to place the spiral or
other spring, beneath the middle of the shield, as clearly shown in said figure.
If desired, a soft rubber stop k Figure 2, may be employed to prevent the shield,
when pressed too heavily, from striking against the handle.
In Figure 7, in addition to the spring h, we have shown a long flat spring h¹
arranged beneath the shield and bent, as shown, to form an attachment with the
outer end of the bar b.
It is thus obvious that the construction of said shield and the manner of attaching
the same to the handle may be varied indefinitely without departing from the
essential features of our invention, and that it may be applied to the handle of
any form of velocipede. We do not therefore confine ourselves to the exact
construction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
First. The combination with a velocipede-handle, of a shield shaped to conform
thereto, and a spring for connecting the same with said handle, substantially as
shown and described.
Second. The combination with a velocipede-handle, of a hand-shield, a spring for
connecting the same with said handle, and means, as a set-screw, for regulating the
tension of said spring, substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 28th day of April 1890.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicants.