Improvements in and connected with Handle Bars of Bicycles and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Sept., 1897-Accepted, 20th May, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Handle Bars of Bicycles and
the like.
I, EDMUND SIDNEY CLARK, of North Terrace, Adelaide, in the Province of South
Australia, Electrical Engineer, 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:―
My invention relates to certain improvements in and connected with handle
bars for bicycles and the like, the special object of the invention being to provide
means whereby the vibration of the handle bar may be reduced when travelling
over rough and uneven tracks.
In order to achieve the object of my invention I construct and fit my handle bar
in such a manner as to allow it to partially revolve within a suitable socket, an
adjustable spring gear and intermediate attachments being provided to assist in
maintaining the handle bar in a convenient position.
I will now proceed to describe my invention in detail, having reference to the
accompanying illustrative drawings in which similar letters of reference are used
to denote similar or equivalent parts wherever they occur.
Fig. 1 is a side view of the appliance in section.
Fig. 2 is a plan of same with upper portion of socket or cover removed, the
underside of cover being shown in Fig. 24.
Fig. 3 back elevation of the appliance.
Figs. 4 and 5 sectional side view and back elevation showing further details
of construction on larger scale.
A is a handle bar of any convenient shape to which a segment plate or lug B
is attached, the segment plate is slotted at B¹. C is the socket for supporting
the handle bar, the upper part or cover C₁ of the socket being detachable. The
cover C may be held in place either by bolts and studs B at front and back as
in Figs. 4 and 5 or it may be hinged in front at B' as indicated in Figs. 1, 2, and 2^.
Within the cover a recess B3 as indicated in Fig. 2^, is formed, the recess being
of such size as will enable the segment plate or lug B above mentioned to freely
turn therein. D is the handle bar stem to which the base of the socket is securely
brazed or otherwise attached, a small hole or passage E being formed through the
socket C immediately above the vertical centre line of the stem, F is a pin or
rivet which passes through the slotted portion of the segment plate B and secures
one end of a flexible wire or bell chain G within the slot B¹.
The opposite end of the wire or chain G is passed through the passage E and
it attached to the upper end of a coil spring H.
To the lower end of the coil spring an adjustable screw J is attached, the free
end of the screw passes through a plug K, a tension nut L being provided for
purposes of adjustment. With a handle bar arranged in the manner indicated
I prefer to use an ordinary press brake, the head of which is indicated at M in
Fig. 1 as will be well understood on reference to the drawing. If so desired my
handle bar may be held rigid whilst the rider is mounting the machine.
In order to achieve this object I construct a pivotally mounted trigger N as

page_text: illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings. This trigger is provided with a
thumb press N¹ whereby the bevelled end N° of the trigger N may be thrown in
or out of gear with the back of the lug or segment plate B of the handle bar at
the will of the operator. The trigger is controlled by a spring N³ arranged in
any well known way.
It will readily be seen that by the peculiar construction and arrangement of
the several parts hereinbefore described, the elasticity of the spring will afford
an ample means for minimising the vibration of the handle bar.
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 improvements in and connected with handle bars of bicycles and the like,
a revolubly mounted handle bar such as A having a lug or slotted segment plate B
thereon, a flexible wire or bell chain G, a tension spring H and an adjustment
screw and nut J and L all substantially as described and illustrated as and for
the purposes set forth.
2. In improvements in and connected with handle bars of bicycles and the like,
a trigger such as N provided with a thumb press N¹ and controlling spring Na con-
structed and arranged substantially as described and as illustrated in Figs. 4
and 5 of the drawings in combination with the parts above claimed.
3. In improvements in and connected with handle bars of bicycles and the
like, a socket such as C secured to the handle bar stem and the detachable cover C¹
thereon together with means whereby the two are held together.
4. The herein specified improvements in and connected with handle bars of
bicycles and the like substantially as described and as illustrated as and for the
purposes set forth as a combination of parts.
Dated this 6th day of Santamban
1007
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.