Improvements in or relating to Handle Bars for Bicycles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Nov., 1898-Accepted, 21st Jan., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Handle Bars for Bicycles.
I, LEONARD BUDD GAYLOR, of 120, West 5th Street, Erie, Erie County, State of
Pennsylvania, 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:-
My invention relates to improvements in bicycles, and it consists in means
whereby the stem of the handle-bar may be rigidly clamped in any desired position
relative to the steering tube, by internal clamping devices. By that I mean
devices which are enclosed within the stem of the handle-bar and act upon the
inside of the steering tube, so that exterior clamps of all kinds are avoided.
Various attempts have heretofore been made to accomplish the desired end by
expanding the stem of the handle bar against the interior of the steering tube,
but so far as I am informed, they have not proved successful. Under my invention
a series of clamping jaws is employed, which is separate and distinct from either of
the parts named, and is supported upon the stem of the handle-bar and acts directly
upon the interior of the steering tube.
My apparatus is simple, inexpensive, and, as I have demonstrated by actual
test, clamps the handle-bar to the steering tube with absolute rigidity, so that they
are in effect an integral structure; and yet the construction and operation of the
parts is such that the clamp may be loosened and the parts adjusted quickly and
easily.
Referring to the drawings hereof:
Figure 1 is a vertical, sectional view showing the invention and adjacent parts.
Figure 2 is a perspective of the stem of the handle-bar.
Figure 3 is a view from above, of the clamp proper which is shown in Fig. 4.
Figure 4 is an elevation of the clamp proper.
Figure 5 is a view, from below, of the clamp proper, which is shown in Fig. 4.
Figure 6 is a view, taken on the line X-X of Fig. 1, looking from below up-
wardly.
A is the handle-bar, B the stem of the handle-bar; C is a sleeve, having a
tubular projection C whereby the handle-bar is attached to the stem B. Dis the
steering tube connecting with the crown forging, E, of the fork.
The handle-bar stem B is recessed at its lower end, as shown at F, Fig. 2, leaving
projecting prongs G, G, &c. between the recesses.
At
H is the clamp; its several parts are the continuous, ring-like structure I at the
upper end, from which project downwardly four spring prongs J—J—J—J.
the lower ends they are formed into clamping jaws, K-K, the outer surfaces of
which are knurled. The prongs JJ are made sufficiently thin to have slight
elasticity when subjected to the requisite pressure. This clamp is attached to the
lower end of the stem of the handle-bar by rivets, L-L (see Fig. 1) in such manner
that the jaws K-K rest within the recesses F-F of the stem. M is a spindle,
threaded at its lower end into an expander N, which is conical in form, as shown,
the small end of which passes upwardly between the inner surface of the jaws K-K,

page_text: as shown, which are preferably beveled at about the same incline as that of the
conical expander, so that there are suitable engaging surfaces between the two.
The upper end of the spindle M is likewise threaded, as at O, and P is an interiorally
threaded tubular nut which has a square, or at least angular head Q, projecting
upwardly through the washer R, which may be set in a recess within the sleeve C.
The clamping jaws K are of such width that they fit quite accurately, although
with sufficient freedom of movement, within the recesses F in the lower end of the
stem B, so that no lost motion exists between the jaws and the stem.
The operation of the apparatus is simple. Upon unscrewing the tubular
nut P-Q, the expander will move downwardly by reason of the pressure of the
clamping jaws upon its conical surface; or, if preferred, in order to ensure this
action, the washer R may be dove-tailed within the sleeve C and caused to engage
with the tubular nut in any preferred manner, so that the spindle and expander
will be positively forced downward when the nut is unscrewed. As the expander
moves downwardly, the elasticity of the clamping jaws causes them to move
inwardly, away from the walls of the steering tube 1), so that the clamping action
is broken. When this takes place, the handle-bar and its stem may be adjusted
vertically in any desired position; when the desired adjustment is attained, the
clamping jaws may be again forced outwardly into engagement with the walls
of the steering tube by simply screwing up the tubular nut; and in the extensive
tests that I have given the apparatus I have been astonished at the rigidity with
which the parts are clamped together by the exercise of very little pressure upon
the nut. The surfaces of the clamping jaws K-K being knurled, grip the inner
walls of the steering tube with great firmness, and I prefer to give to those grip-
ping surfaces considerable area, as shown, so that they may have large contact
with the interior walls of the tube, both for the purpose of increasing their hold
upon it, and also for the purpose of preventing any tendency to bulge the tube.
It is obvious that various modifications may be made in the details of construc-
tion, without departing from the essentials of the invention: as, for instance,
instead of having the tubular nut, a head may be made upon the end of the
spindle M which will screw into and out of the expander N, but I prefer the con-
struction shown because it is better mechanically, less expensive, and there is no
possibility of disconnection between the expander and the spindle, which might
otherwise occur; also there is more certainty of its action. Also, although I prefer
to make the clamping jaws all in one piece, as an integral structure with the con-
tinuous ring at their upper ends, it is evident that they may be separate pieces
fastened in any suitable manner to a band or sleeve, or the band may be omitted
altogether and the jaws consist of a plurality of separate pieces riveted direct to the
handle-bar stem. Also, equivalent devices for the conical expander may be used.
In short, various modifications may be made without departing from the essential
features of the invention; I therefore do not limit myself to details, excepting as
they may be specifically claimed herein.
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. The combination, in a bicycle, of a handle-bar stem provided with slots, a
steering tule, a series of clamping jaws located within and supported by the stem,
but separate from it, and which engage through said slots directly against the inner
wall of the tube, and an expanding device for the jaws, for the purposes set forth.
2. The combination, in a bicycle, of a handle-bar stem provided with slots, a
steering tube, a series of elastic clamping jaws located within and supported by the
stem, but separate from it, and which engage through said slots directly against
the inner wall of the steering tube, and an expanding device for the jaws located
within them, for the purposes set forth.
3. The combination, in a bicycle, of a handle-bar stem, a steering tube, a series
of clamping jaws supported upon a ring which is located and held within the stem,

page_text: recesses in the stem through which the jaws may move into direct contact with
the inner wall of the steering tube, and an expanding device for the jaws, for the
purposes set forth.
4. In a bicycle, a handle-bar and handle-bar stem connected by a sleeve which
embraces the handle-bar, separate clamping jaws connected with the stem and sup-
ported by it, and which engage directly with the steering tube, said steering tube
itself, an expanding device for the jaws mounted upon a threaded rod or bolt and
located within the stem, and a cup-shaped or tubular nut, located at the exterior of
the handle-bar, which actuates said rod and expander, for the purposes set forth.
5. In a bicycle, a handle-bar stem, the lower end whereof has a series of recesses.
a series of elastic clamping jaws located within and supported by the stem and
which work through said recesses against the inner wall of the steering tube, said
steering tube itself, and a conical expander likewise located within the said jaws
and operated from the exterior of the apparatus, for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 29th day of November 1898.
REGINALD W. BARKER,
Applicant's Agent, 56, Ludgate Hill, London, E.C.,