Adjustable Handle Bars for Bicycles and similar Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Apr., '1897--Accepted, 19th June, 1897.
Adjustable Handle Bars for Bicycles and similar Machines.
We, JOHN GEORGE MORGAN, LYMAN BENJAMIN HAYNES BROWN, both of
1630 Stout Street, and АMOS VINCENT GREEN, of 219 Symes Block, all in the City
of Denver, State of Colorado United States of America, Gentlemen, 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 adjustable handle bars for bicycles and
similar machines, and consists of the features hereinafter described and claimed, all of
which will be fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawing in which is
illustrated an embodiment thereof.
In this drawing
-
Fig. 1 is a top or plan view of my improved handle bar.
Fig. 2 is a fragmentary rear view of the same.
Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line x-x, Figs. 1 and 5.
Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line y-y, Figs. 2 and 3.
Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line z-z, Figs. 2 and 3.
Fig. 6 is a detail view of the spring engaging the movable rack.
Fig. 7 illustrates a modified form of construction.
Similar reference characters indicating corresponding parts in these views, let the
numeral 5 designate each of two distinct handle bars, whose extremities, remote from
the handles, are journaled in a casing 6. Located within the casing and made fast' to
each handle bar extremity, is a small gear or pinion 7. 'These pinions mesh with each
other and are adapted to engage a movable cogged rack 8 also located within the
casing: This rack has the shape of the figure 8 with a break in the center to allow
the pinions 7 to mesh; it is interiorly cogged to engage the exterior cogs of the
meshing pinions, and therefore, forms a housing for the pinions. This housing rack
fits snugly within the casing 6, which has the general shape of the rack and maintains
the latter in operative position with reference to the pinions 7. This rack is normally
held in engagement with the pinions by a spring 9. When in this position, the rack
locks the handle bars against movement. This spring bears against the casing 6 on
one side and forces the rack into mesh with the pinions.
When it is desired to adjust or change the position of the handle bars, the rack is
moved within the casing sufficiently to release the pinions, after which the handle
bars may be turned at will either up or down, and to any extent desired. When the
two bars are properly adjusted, the rack is released and returns to engagement with
the pinions and locks the bars securely in the changed position. The rack may be
actuated to release the pinions by the employment of any suitable mechanism. As
shown in the drawing, an arm 10 is rigidly secured to the rack at a central point and
protrudes from the casing 6 through an aperture therein, sufficiently to permit its
connection with one arm of a lever 7, which is fulcrumed on the casing as shown
at 13. By pressing the rearwardly projecting arm of this lever, it is evident the
rack will be withdrawn from engagement with the pinions, when it will occupy
the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 5. When the rack is in this position, the
handle bars may be raised or lowered at will to any extent desired. Hence, they may
be folded closely together in either direction, that is, so that they shall project either
up or down. Of course, any other suitable means for adjusting or moving the housing
rack back and forth in the casing may be employed.

page_text: The casing 6 is secured to the upper extremity of a depending stem 15, which is
clamped to the post of the front fork (not shown) in the ordinary or any suitable
manner. One side 6 of the casing is detachable and held in place by suitable
fastening devices as screws 20.
Another means for adjusting the rack is shown in Fig. 7. In this case, a thumb
screw 14, engaging a threaded aperture in the casing, is employed. The wing
extremity of this screw, is located outside the casing, while its opposite or inner
extremity is swivelled in the rack at a central point. It is evident that by turning
this screw the rack 8 may be moved in either direction at will, according as it is
nécessary to release the handle bars or lock them against movement.
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 :-.
"
1. The combination with a suitable casing attached to a depending stem adapted-
to be connected with the post of a bicycle fork, of the two distinct handle bars
journaled in said casing, the said bars being provided with meshing pinions, a movable
locking rack located within the casing and forming a housing for the pinions, said rack
being interiorly cogged to engage the cogs on the peripheries of the meshing pinions,
and suitable means for actuating said rack.
2. The combination with a suitable casing, of two distinct handle bars journaled
therein, and provided with meshing pinions, a spring held movable locking rack
located in said casing and forming a housing for the pinions, said rack being interiorly
cogged to fit the peripheries of the pinions which are normally engaged by the rack,
and suitable means for shifting the rack sufficiently to unlock the pinions.
3. The combination with a suitable casing, of two distinct handle bars journaled in
said casing and carrying meshing pinions, a movable spring held locking rack forming
a housing for the pinions and interiorly cogged to fit their peripheries, which are
normally engaged by the rack, and a lever fulcrumed on the casing and connected with
the rack for shifting the latter.
4. The combination with a suitable casing, of two distinct handle bars journaled
in said casing and carrying meshing pinions, a movable rack located in said casing
and shaped like the figure eight, said rack forming a housing for the pinions and
being interiorly cogged, whereby it is adapted to fit the cogged peripheries of the
two meshing pinions, and suitable means for actuating said rack.
Dated this Thistoonth day
1 1007
AMOS VINCENT GREEN.
JOHN GEORGE MORGAN.
LYMAN BENJAMAN HAYNES BROWN.