Improvements in or connected with the Handle Bars of Cycles or similar Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with the Handle Bars of Cycles or
similar Machines.
I, FREDERICK WILLIAM STROUDLEY 'Red Lion Hotel, 'Withington Manchester in
the County of Lancashire Engineer 'do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
An improved method or manner of constructing the handle bars of cycles whereby
any required adjustment in the height of handles may be easily made. To enable me
to do this I make the handle bar in two pieces on the inner ends of which I form or
construct toothed gear which by engaging together cause the two portions of handle
bar to work in unison one with the other.
On that portion of the machine where the handle bar is usually attached I form a
casing of suitable material and size in which said casing the before described toothed
ends are secured in position and may rotate to any required angle.
Set screws, pins or any similar device may be used to lock the two portions
constituting the handle bar in any desired position.
Dated this-19th day of December 1896.
Improvements in or connected with the Handle Bars of Cycles or
similar Machines.
I, FREDERICK WILLIAM STROUDLEY, of The Red Lion Hotel, Withington near
Manchester, in the County of Lancashire, Engineer 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 :-
An improved method or manner of constructing the handle bars of cycles, whereby
any required adjustment in the height of handles may be more readily made, either
when in motion, or in a state of rest.
The accompanying two sheets of drawings; in the various figures of which same
letters of reference indicate similar parts or details; will fully illustrate how I purpose
carrying out the principle of my invention, but I do not bind or confine myself to the
configuration of the parts or details shewn thereon.
I am aware that the handle bars of cycles and similar machines have been made or
constructed in halves, but my invention relates to the junction box and mechanism
requisite for the coupling of the said halves and securing the same in position.
By comparing the drawings with this specification it will be seen that the
Figures 1 2 & 3 illustrate my improved handle bar complete, in plan, elevation and
end view respectively.
Figure 4 shews two views of the metallic casing or coupling box...

page_text: Figure 5 consists of side and end view of the small toothed pinions.
Figure 6 is an illustration of a thumb screw, having an internal pin to secure the
handles in position and
Figure 7 shews the said internal pin separate and detached.
Figures 8, 9 & 10 are modifications of the method I adopt in applying my improve-
ment, and in which the before mentioned internal pin is not required.
In carrying out my invention I make the handle bar A în halves, making the
handles BB, with their proportion of handle bar separate and detachable and providing
on the inner ends of the halves of said handle bar, suitable pinions or small wheels CC
having on their periphery small teeth with comparatively wide faces, the pitch line of
tooth or teeth being parallel with the axis of the end of tube constituting or forming
the halves of handle bar.
The said pinions may be brazed on the end of the tube, or may be secured in position
on the same by any approved mechanical means.
The ends of the handle bar tube to which the said pinions are attached and practically
form part, are bent at, or about right angles to that part of the handle bar immediately
following, so that when the halves of handle bar A are placed in their proper relation
to each other, the axis of the pinions CC, run parallel and the teeth gear into
each other.
When placed in this position the pinions are inserted in a metallic casing D,
which said casing or coupling box is secured to the head of the machine, and in
which said casing the pinions may rotate, allowing the halves of handlebar to be
raised or lowered in a vertical direction in unison one with the other.
To secure the handles B B in any desired vertical position, I preferably use a
thumb screw or its equivalent E, screwed through and into the upper portion of
the casing D referred to, at or about the centre of the same, and immediately
over the junction of the pinions CC.
This thumb screw E is provided with and has an internal pin F, the lower
portion of which G projects beyond the end of the screw, and being by preference
made rectangular in section, but of two sizes the smaller part H, being arranged to
pass through and work in an annular recess or groove K formed and provided around
the periphery of the before described pinions CC, and near the centre of the same.
The larger portion of the rectangular part of the internal pin does not enter the
annular recess or groove K, but passes through the metallic casing D sufficiently
far to engage with one or more of the teeth on each of the pinions CC, described.
That part or portion H of the internal pin F which passes through the annular
groove K, formed on pinions. C C, and entering the lower portion of the metallio
casing D prevents the pinions, halves of handle bar and handles being withdrawn
from the casing unintentionally at the same time allowing any required vertical
movement of internal pin, when pinions are rotated by any adjustment in the height
of handles B B.
The release is effected by simply turning the before mentioned thumbscrew E in
the desired direction, thus partially withdrawing the internal pin F, and unlocking the
pinions.
When it is desired to remove the handle bar for any purpose from the machine.
the thumb screw E, with its internal pin F merely requires removing and the handlo
bar with pinions complete can be withdrawn from casing D secured to the head of
machine.
In adopting the modification illustrated by Figure 8, the internal pin F, before
mentioned is dispensed with, the pinions CC on the ends of the halves of handlo
bar A, being held rigidly in the required position by means of a thumb screw or
stud L, which screws into the lower portion of casing D. This stud L, when tightened
down compresses the centre part of casing D, thus giving the requisite amount of
friction between the inside circumference of the casing and the tops of teeth formed
on the periphery of the pinions CC, causing the teeth of said pinions to jam or
lock. The body of stud L, passing through the annular recess or groove K, retains
the halves of handle bar A A, and pinions CC, in their proper place in casing D.

page_text: In applying the modified arrangement shewn by Figures 9 and 10, I form the
casing having a sawgate or division M, midway between the line of pinions CC,
and extending from the upper side of casing D, to the said pinion chambers. On
the top of the casing D, at right angles to the axis of pinions, I provide lugs or
projections N, through which I pass a suitable bolt P, having half its diameter (on
that part passing through pinion chambers) engaging with and working in the
groove K, around pinions, to hold the pinions CC, and halves of handlebar A A,
in position. By screwing the thumb nut O, on the bolt P, the requisite pressure
or friction on the said pinions is obtained.
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;
1st. Handle bars of cycles and similar machines constructed in halves and provided
at their inner ends with pinions or their equivalent CC, working in a metallic casing
or chamber D, attached to the head of the machine, for the purpose of enabling the
halves of said cycle handle bar to be adjusted to any height or angle in unison with
each other and having suitable appliance, preferably a set screw E, having an internal
pin F, for securing the said halves of handle bar in any desired position, substantially
as and for the purpose or purposes herein described and illustrated by Figures 1 to 7
inclusive, on accompanying sheets of drawings.
2nd. Handle bars of cycles and similar machines constructed in halves and attached
to the head of machine by metallic chamber or casing D, and provided with pinions CC,
and secured in position required by means of set screw or stud L, as shewn by Figure 8,
or by a further modification of the said attachment as illustrated by Figures 9 and 10,
on accompanying sheet of drawing and described herein.
Dated this 81st day of March 1807
FRED. W. STROUDLEY.