An Improved Adjustable Handle Bar for Cycles.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Oct., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 18th May, 1896-Accepted, 4th July, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Adjustable Handle Bar for Cycles.
We JAMES MERCER 64 Manchester Road, West, Little Hulton near Bolton,
Hairdresser, and WILLIAM LEWIS HEADEN, 90 Bolton Road, Walkden, near
Manchester, Hairdresser, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
Our improvement consists in constructing the handle bar, in four sections as
illustrated by drawings enclosed. Figure 1. 2. 3. Fig. 1 consisting of down
tube "A" made in sizes, on which is fixed a T lug "B" slotted all round on each
side at "C" in which a tube "D" is fixed in the centre and on which the side
tubes "E" slides on each end of the tube "D" which is also slotted to fit in
slots "C" and is brought into contact with slots at "C" on the T lug "B" by
means of spiral spring "G" which runs through "D" and fastened at each side
by pins "H."
"
Fig. "2" denotes front interior view of the connections for the handle adjust-
ment consisting of the tube "I" about four and a half inches long on which is
fixed the handle "J" against which is a shoulder "K and a loose ferrule "L"
which is slotted at one end, the tube "E" is also slotted at the end in the opposite
way to the ferrule "L" and when brought in contact with each other forms the
joint at "M" the connector "N" is a flat plate with a screw on one end and a
shoulder on each side of the other which works as an hinge on pin "O" the
nut "P" is fixed in the centre of the tube "I" which screws on the end of the
connector "N" when the handle "J" is placed in the position as shown in
Fig. 3." the connector "N" fits into the slot "Q" and can be adjusted by
unscrewing and screwing the handle "J."
We claim for our improved adjustable handle bar, the following advantageous
that it can be adjusted to any position whilst riding and will suit roadsters road
racers, and path racing cycles and which can be applied to any make of cycles.
Dated this Seventh day of October 1895.
JAMES MERCER
WILLIAM LEWIS HEADEN.
WILLIAM LEWIS HEADEN.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Adjustable Handle Bar for Cycles.
We, JAMES MERCER of 64, Manchester Road, West Little Hulton, Bolton,
and WILLIAM LEWIS HEADEN of 90 Bolton Road, Walkden both in the County
of Lancashire, 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 cycles, and
it has for its object enabling the position of the handles or grips to be varied in an
easy and ready manner to suit the individual tastes of the users.
In the accompanying drawing which illustrates our invention :-
Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a handle bar embodying our invention.
.

page_text: Figure 2 is a view in side elevation thereof showing the two handles in different
positions which they may be caused to assume.
Figure 3 is a broken view in front elevation-on an enlarged scale-showing the
method of connecting the divided parts of the transverse handle bar to the central
stem, and
Figure 4 is a view-on an enlarged scale-partly in section showing our
improved method of attaching the handles or grips to the ends of the
transverse bar.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
The transverse handle bar is formed in two parts A and A, and its ends which
carry the handles or grips E are more or less curved as desired. The vertical
stem B carries a sccket B at its upper end in which is fixed a short length of
tube C on the ends of which the parts A of the transverse handle bar are mounted,
being a good sliding it one over the other. In the abutting faces of the ends of
the socket B' and the two parts A, A of the handle bar or on collars a, a formed
or fixed thereon, are formed a series of serrations x adapted to engage and
interlock with each other thus enabling the two parts of the handle bar to be firmly
fixed to the socket B¹ carried by the vertical stem B, the pitch of the teeth
forming the serrations being such as will give the desired nicety of adjustment.
To keep the two parts A, A of the handle bar engaged with the socket B¹ a strong
spiral spring D lies within the tube C the ends of which are connected to the two
parts A, A of the handle bar by means of hooks d, d on its ends engaging with
transverse pins a¹, a¹ or their equivalents in the parts A, A. The spring D is
sufficiently strong to ensure the serrations on the ends of each of the parts A of
the bar being always firmly engaged with those on the ends of the socket B', but
at the same time its strength is such that if either of the parts A, A be pulled
longitudinally it can be disengaged from the socket B' thus allowing each part of
the handle bar to be raised or lowered, i.e. turned upon the tube C, until the
desired position is obtained, whereon by releasing the part it becomes again
engaged with and firmly fixed with respect to the socket B¹.
As the positions of the handles or grips E when they are rigidly mounted on
the ends of the handle bar are not always conveniently placed after the handle bar
is adjusted with respect to the stem B, we mount cach of the handles or grips E
on a short length of tube F which carries an internal nut G by which the handle
is screwed on to the threaded shank h of a link H, which is pivotted to the end of
the part A of the handle bar by a transverse pin J, thus allowing the handle or
grip to be fixed with respect to the bar either to form a continuation thereof as
shown by Figure 4, or at right angles or approximately right angles thereto as
shown by fine dotted lines in Figure 4. To allow the link H to be turned at right
angles to the part A a slot a² is cut or formed in its end and the eye of the link H
is made square at the point A to form a knuckle joint. To enable the end of the
tube Fcarrying the handle or grip E to fit the tube A in either position in which
it may be placed, a loose washer K is mounted on the inner end of the tube F, the
shape of the said washer being such as will enable it to take a seating either upon
the exterior of the part A as shown by fine dotted lines in Figure 4, or upon
the end of the part A which is shaped to receive it as shown by full lines in
Figure 4.
We are aware that prior to our invention handle bars have been constructed in
which the positions of the handles or grips could be varied and we do not therefore
claim such broadly, but
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 of parts hereinbefore described and illustrated by the
accompanying drawing forming our improved adjustable handle bar.
(2) In a cycle, the combination with a vertical handle bar stem. of a socket

page_text: mounted on the top thereof and having teeth or serrations at its ends, of a short
length of tube carried by the said socket, of a divided handle bar each part of
which is mounted on one end of the short length of tube carried by the socket on
the vertical stem and having teeth or serrations at their ends adapted to engage
with those at the ends of the socket carried by the vertical stem, and of a spring
located within the tube carried by the socket on the top of the vertical stem and
connected to each part of the handle bar so as to draw them together and keep
them firmly interlocked with the socket of the vertical stem, as and for the
purpose set forth.
(3) In a cycle, the combination with a handle bar as specified in the preceding
claim, of handles or grips each mounted on a length of tube carrying an internal
nut, of links pivotted to the ends of the handle bar and having threaded shanks
whereby the handles or grips can be attached to them, and of loose washers shaped
to enable the tubes carrying the handles or grips to take a firm bed or seat
on the ends of the bars either longitudinal therewith or at right angles or
approximately right angles thereto, as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 18th day of May 1890.
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., M.I. Mech. E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicants.