Improvements in Handle Bars for Bloycles.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Feb., 1883-Accepted, 20th May, 1898
Improvements in Handle Bars for Bloycles.
I, STEPHEN OLIN JOHNSON, of 810 Second Avenue, in the City of Detroit,
Wayne County and State of Michigan, 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 consists, first, in the peculiar construction of the handle bar
itself, and second in the peculiar construction of the devico wheroby it may be
adjusted to any desired height by the rider while on the road, and locked in its
adjusted position all as more fully hereinafter described.
In the drawings,
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of iny improved handle bar.
Fig. 2 is an end clevation showing a modified form of bar with my device applied
thereto.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section, centrally through the clamping device, shown in
Fig. 1.
Horetofore handle bars on bicycles have been made adjustable by means of set
screws etc., whereby the rider may set the handle at any desired angle to the
standard, but the adjusting devices have not been so constructed as to enable the
rider to change the angle either up or down while on the road, nor have the handle
bars heretofore used with adjusting devices been provided with the peculiarly
advantageous handles which I have devised.
A is the handle bar of a bicycle having the bends B extending about the third
of the length at each side of the center and having the sockets C extending parallel
with the main portion of the bar at each end.
In these sockets is journaled the shaft D of the swiveled handle E. The
handle bar is provided centrally with an enlargement or hub F, provided with a
central annular groove G.
I is the standard at the upper end of which is formed a split ring I, having the
lugs J extending from the rear edge thereof. This split ring is adapted to embrace
the hub F and is of slightly smaller diameter than the exterior diameter of said
hub.
K is a clamping bolt passing through the lugs J, and having a nut Lat its upper end
aud an eye M at its lower end. To this eye is pivoted the cam-shaped bead N,
having the handle O depending therefrom.
P is a screw passing through the clamping ring and engaging with its inner end
in the groove Ġ, preventing lateral displacement of the handle bar on the top of
the standard.
The parts being thus constructed, the rider being in his seat, if he meets a head
wind and desires to bond his body over the handle bar, he can simply raise the
lever O, which will release the clamping ring, enabling him to move the handle
bar to any desired position and secure it in its adjusted position by moving the handle
bar to a parallel position to the standard H, as shown in Fig. 3, in which position
the clamping ring is tightly clamped to the hub. No matter what adjustment is
given to the handle bar, it is evident that the swiveled handles will enable the
rider to turn them to give him a firm grip in any position.
It frequently happens that in carrying articles in front or back of the standard,
that the handle bars are inconvenient and in the way, and my construction
enables me to turn them vertically up or down without lessening the grip which the
rider will have upon the bar.

page_text: 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. In a bicycle, a bent handle bar adjustably pivoted to the steering head, and a
quick acting clamp for locking the same in its adjusted position, substantially as
described.
2. In a bicycle, the combination of the steering head, a transverse split sooket at
the upper end, a bent handle bar journaled therein and a cam lever on the rear of
the head for clamping the bar in its adjusted position, substantially as described.
3. In a bicycle, the combination of the steering head, a transverse split socket at
the upper end, a beut handle bar, a hub centrally thereon engaging in the socket,
a set screw on the socket, engaging a groove in the hub, and a cam lever for clamping
the socket upon the hub, substantially as described.
4. In a bicycle, the combination with the steering head, of a handle bar journaled.
therein having its ends bent rearwardly, transverse sockets in the ends of the handle
bar, handles having pins engaging in said sockets, and a quick adjusting device for
the handle bar, substantially as described.
Dad L: 10411-
1000
STEPHEN OLIN JOHNSON.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.