Improvements in Handle Bars for Bicycles and similar Vehicles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Oct., 1896-Accepted, 16th Jan., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
"1
Improvements in Handle Bars for Bicycles and similar Vehicles.
I, FREDERICK C. ROCKWELL, of 24 Mechanic Street, Hartford, in the County
of Hartford and State of Connecticut, U.S.A., 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:-
The object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive handle bar
for bicycles and similar vehicles, which is light, strong and durable and which is
attractive in appearance and comfortable and convenient in use.
The invention is embodied in a continuous bar having ordinary grips at the outer
ends and supplementary grips of the same or a similar character located between
so that the hands of the rider may. be moved from the ordinary grips to the
supplementary grips at will when riding to rest the muscles by a change of
position. To permit of the location of these various grips, the bar is formed in
sections and part may be made of wood and part made of metal, whereby the
resulting bar will have the benefit of the strength and rigidity of the metal at the
curved portions and the lightness and elasticity of wood along the portions where
there is less strain than at the curves.
Referring to the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 is a plan of a handle bar embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a side
elevation of the same, and
Fig. 3 is a central section of one side of the bar illustrating the construction.
The body of the bar shown is formed in three sections, the straight middle
section and the curved outer sections.
The middle section 1 is formed of a piece of such material as hickory or a similar
strong and elastic wood. This section may be formed in one or two parts, as
desired, and it is preferably circular in cross section. The shank 2 by means of
which the bar is attached to the steering head of the machine is connected with
the middle of this section.
The outer sections 3 are formed of metallic tubes and are preferably curved
downward and rearward to give to the bar the artistic shape that is much
desired. These outer sections are connected with the middle section by any
ordinary means.
The outer ends of the curved tubular sections of the bar are usually straight for
a short distance and on these straight ends that project almost directly rearward
are placed the ordinary grips 4. These grips may be formed of broken particles
of cork and shellac moulded and pressed to shape under heat and provided with
the usual tips and ferrules. On the straight section each side of the middle are
placed the supplementary grips 5. These supplementary grips may be formed of
broken particles of cork and shellac moulded and pressed to shape under heat and
they are provided with the usual ferrules, similar to the end grips.
The wooden section of the bar is easily formed to shape and cut to the desired
length so as to be light in weight and have some elasticity. The metal sections
are rigid and firm and are not quite as yielding as the wood, but the completed bar
is more elastic than an all metal bar and yet does not spring as much as an all
wood bar of the same size. This bar formed in this manner, however, is lighter
than an all metal bar and is strong, for the curved sections are of metal, which
does not have the tendency to check, split, crack or warp out of shape when
n
17

page_text: subjected to weather and wear as do the steamed and bent pieces of wood of an all
wood bar.
This construction permits the ready application of the supplementary grips, for
such can easily be formed to final shape and located in place on the straight
wooden section before the curved metallic sections are united thereto. This also
enables the width of the handle bar or distance between the ordinary grips to be
easily regulated for varying sizes of riders according to their tastes, for the
straight wooden sections can be made longer than necessary and quickly cut off to
the right length for the proper connection of the curved metallic sections. In this
manner the bars may be provided with the ordinary grips any distance apart and
also with the supplementary grips between at any desired point. The supplementary
grips protect the wood of the middle section which, while straight and therefore
not liable to check, is more or less exposed to accidental blows if supplemental
grips like these are not used.
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 within described continuous handle bar for bicycles having grips
formed for the hands of the rider applied to the extremities of the bar, and
grips formed for the hands of the rider applied near the middle of the bar, as
specified.
2. The within described handle bar for bicycles composed of sections of wood
and metal provided with grips, as specified.
Hartford Connectiout ILS A October Second 1806
FREDERICK C. ROCKWELL.
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicant.