Improvements in and relating to Handle-bars for. Velocipedes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Mar., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Handle-bars for. Velocipedes.
I, JOHN FRANCIS O'BRIEN of 61 Montpelier Road, Brighton, in the County
of Sussex, Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:--
This invention relates to improvements in and relating to handle-bars for
velocipedes, and my invention consists in a handle-bar constructed substantially
as hereinafter described.
In carrying my invention into practice I make a handle-bar in such a manner
as to be more or less elastic and capable, if desired, of being bent. By means
of an elastic handle-bar the vibration of the velocipede is not communicated at
least to such an extent, as is the case with rigidly constructed handle-bars.
My improved handle-bar may be made of one or more strips of spring steel or
other spring metal or material or a combination of such metals or materials.
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to any particular construc-
tion or shape of my improved handle-bar, nor to any material or materials of which
it may be made.
Dated this 18th day of March 1896.
JOHN FRANCIS O'BRIEN,
By his Agents, Horn, Son & Co.,
151 Strand, next Somerset House, London.
ATION.
Improvements in and relating to Handle-bars for Velocipedes.
I, JOHN FRANCIS O'BRIEN of 61 Montpelier Road Brighton in the County
of Sussex, Inventor, 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 improvements in and relating to handle bars for
velocipedes, and my invention consists in a handle bar constructed substantially as
hereinafter described.
In order that my invention may be readily understood reference is made to the,
accompanying drawings wherein like letters of reference indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several figures and in which :-
Fig. 1. shows my improved handle-bar in perspective view the handle or gripping
part being removed to enable the parts of the handle bar being seen.
Figs. 2 and 3. show a portion of my improved handle-bar when pressed down and
pulled upward respectively as hereinafter referred to.
Fig. 4. shows the end portions of my improved handle-bar having a handle applied
thereto.
In carrying my invention into practice I employ a piece of sufficiently elastic
material A such as wood which I bend or form into a handle-bar of suitable

page_text: shape say about as shown. I next slit or cut said handle-bar as shown at a a¹, b b1,
said slits extending from within a suitable distance of the middle portion A' to
within a short distance of each end. A of said handle-bar. I. next cut out
portions B and C whereby a sufficient amount of sliding movement will be per-
mitted between the top and bottom portions as a respectively and the centre
portion a when my improved handle-bar is bent either upward or downward. By
reason of said slits a ab b', my improved handle-bar is rendered more elastic than
if it were left solid, consequently the vibration which is communicated to the handle-
bar is prevented from being transmitted to the arms of the person riding, said
vibration being taken up by the elasticity of the handle-bar.
I prefer to cut out comparatively large portions..B, on-the-underside of my
improved handle-bar so that said handle-bar may be bent to almost any desired
extent in a downward. direction.as shown. in Fig. 2. As it is necessary, say in riding
uphill, to "pull against "the handle-bar and as the extent to which the handle-bar
should be capable of being bent in any upward direction should be limited,
I prefer to cut out only, comparatively small portions C on the upper side of
my improved handle-bar so that in pulling upward the free. end of the part a
alinost immediately comes in contact with the solid end portion A' of my improved
handle-bar which, said end portions act as stops, and prevent, any further sliding
motion of the parts a' or, the parts a' thereby rendering the two parts and a
together almost as rigid. as, if they were solid. I prefer to, make the portion a³ of
my improved handle-bar much stronger and stiffer or made preferably thicker. so as
to be stiffer than the portion a as the greater amount of elasticity is required in
a downward direction, and I provide the ends of my improved handle-bar with
suitable handles such as E said handle surrounding and keeping the parts a³ a
centrally with the end parts A about as shown in Fig. 4.
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to any particular. shape
sectional or otherwise of my improved handle-bar and that said handle-bar may be
fixed or held in position by means of a clip or equivalent D or any other well
known means may be employed; and, the material of which my improved handle-bar
is made may be any which is found in practice to be most suitable.
Instead of making my improved, handle-bar of one piece slit in the manner
described, I may make my improved handle-bar of two or more strips which strips
are superposed and are clamped or otherwise fastened together at their centres.
In the event of two strips being employed the lower strip is formed or provided
at each end with a stop against which the ends of the upper strip engage when
the handle-bar is pulled upward. If desired a third strip may be employed,
said strip, being placed under the two, strips,above referred to, the end-of-said-third
strip being, if desired also adapted to engage with stops on the centre strip.
I prefer, also to render.my improved handle-bar waterproof, either by immersing
said bar in heated oil to which a little solid paraffin has been added, but any
other suitable. waterproofing material or method of treatment may be employed.
A further advantage resulting from the waterproofing is that the wood of which
my, improved, handle-bar, is preferably made,will not creak when bent.
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. A handle-bar for velocipedes consisting of a suitably bent har having a solid
middle portion A and solid end, portions A the parts between said middle and end
portions being slit as atia al biball for the purposes and substantially as described
and, illustrated.
2. A handle-bar for velocipedes consisting of a suitably. bent bar having a solid
middle portion A and solid end portions; A³ the parts between said middle and end
portions being slit as at a a' b b, comparatively large portions B and comparatively
anall portions C. being respectively cut from the lower and upper parts of said.
handle-bar, all for the purposes substantially as described and illustrated.

page_text: 3. A handle-bar for velocipedes consisting of two or more strips clamped at their
centres the upper strip being shorter thau, and its ends adapted to engage with stops
on, the strip immediately under said upper strip all for the purposes and substan-
tially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 2nd day of Jul. 1906
JOHN FRANCIS O'BRIEN,
By his Agents, Horu, Son & Co.,
151 Strand, next to Somerset House, London.