Improvements in or relating to Handle Bars for Cycles, Motor Vehicles, and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 30th June, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 30th Mar., 1899—Accepted, 6th May, 1899
PROVIDIUNAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Handle Bars for Cycles, Motor
Vehicles, and the like.
We, HENRY BELCHER, General Manager, and FREDERICK EASOM, Works Manager
of Messrs. Humber & Company, Limited, Beeston, in the County of Notting-
ham, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to handle bars and the like particularly those applied to
cycles and motor vehicles where the rider's hands with handle bars of ordinary
construction are subjected to objectional vibration. One of the objects of this
invention is to remove this vibration.
7
In carrying out the invention which we will now describe as applied to a
bicycle, we use substantially the ordinary stem and horizontal handle bar,
hand grips etc. but we arrange the horizontal bar so that it may rotate in the top of
the pillar. To maintain the handles normally in a certain position we provide any
suitable spring device, the arrangement being such that by pressing upon the
handles the rider turns the bar in its socket against the tendency of the spring and
thus breaks the rigid connection between the two parts and thereby reduces the
vibration which reaches the hands of the rider.
In one form we form a slot in the socket through which the handle bar passes
and in that slot we place a screw or projection which prevents the bar from
drawing out of the socket but allows it to rotate to a limited extent therein; the
spring which may be helical and either in compression or tension will be con-
nected to or operate upon the projection in any desired manner. With this and
similar arrangements we prefer to form inside the handle bar two blocks or
equivalent, into one of which the screw is screwed and against the other of which
it presses so that by screwing it in more or less the rotating tube may be swelled
whereby it can at any time should it work loose be restored to a proper fit in
the socket.
Other modifications of this device may be made, such as are described in the
Patent Specification No. 29715/96.
The socket may be divided and clamped, or otherwise arranged so as to make
it adjustable upon the bar for the purpose of obtaining a proper bearing between
the two. Ball bearings may be employed if desired.
Where the helical spring requires to pass over the top of the bar in order to
connect with the projection the spring may be shortened and a flat band or
equivalent may be used as an extension for this purpose.
In any of the applications of this invention the handle bar may be arranged
so that it can be fixed in any desired position should the spring arrangement not
be desired or for any reason fail.
Although we have spoken of a horizontal handle bar we wish it to be understood
that we do not in any way bind ourselves to that particular construction, and
may apply this invention to any handle bars as the circumstances of the applica-
tion may require.

page_text: We may apply this invention in places where the handles are entirely separate
from each other or are not even connected to a single bar.
Dated thi 20th dow of Tum 1900
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicants.
Improvements in or relating to Handle Bars for Cycles, Motor
Vehicles, and the like.
We, HENRY BELCHER, General Manager, and FREDERICK EASOM, Works Manager,
both of Messrs. Humber & Company, Limited; Beeston, in the County of Notting-
ham, 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 handle bars and the like particularly those applied to
cycles and motor vehicles where the rider's hands with handle bars of ordinary
construction are subjected to objectionable vibration. One of the objects of this
invention is to remove this vibration.
In carrying out the invention which we will now describe as applied to a
bicycle, we use substantially the ordinary stem and horizontal handle bar,
hand grips etc. but we arrange the horizontal bar so that it may rotate in the top of
the pillar. To maintain the handles normally in a certain position we provide any
suitable spring device, the arrangement being such that by pressing upon the
handles the rider turns the bar in its socket against the tendency of the spring and
thus breaks the rigid connection between the two parts and thereby reduces the
vibration which reaches the hands of the rider.
In one form we form a slot in the socket through which the handle bar passes
and in that slot we place a screw or projection which prevents the bar from
drawing out of the socket but allows it to rotate to a limited extent therein; the
spring which may be helical and either in compression or tension will be con-
nected to or operate upon the projection in any desired manner. With this and
similar arrangements we prefer to form inside the handle bar two blocks or
equivalent, into one of which the screw is screwed and against the other of which
it presses so that by screwing it in more or less the rotating tube may be swelled
whereby it can at any time should it work loose be restored to a proper fit in
the socket.
In any of the applications of this invention the handle bar may be arranged
so that it can be fixed in any desired position should the spring arrangement not
be desired or for any reason fail.
Several different methods of carrying out this invention are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a central vertical section through a handle bar and stem constructed
according to one method;
Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same;
Figure 3 is a horizontal section through a slightly modified handle bar arranged
according to the same method;
Figure 4 is a central vertical section through a handle bar and stem constructed
according to a second method;
Figure 5 is a front elevation of a handle bar and stem arranged according to the
same method;
Figure 6 is a horizontal section through the handle bar shown in Figure 5;

page_text: Figure 7 is a central vertical section of a third arrangement of handle bar and
stem;
Figure 8 is a front elevation of the same; and
Figure 9 is a horizontal section through the handle bar illustrated in Figure 8.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the accompanying drawings.
Referring to the first arrangement of handle bar the bar A is mounted free
within the top of the stem B, but is prevented from endwise displacement within
the same by a pin C screwed into the bar A, and projected through a slot B₁
provided in the top of the stem B. Within the stem B is arranged a spiral spring 1)
secured by one end to the bottom of the stem B by a hook D'. The hook D engages
with one end of the spring D and is itself secured to the bottom of the stem B
by a plate D2 and nut 13; the upper end of the spring D engages with a lever D
which passes through the stem B. One end of the lever is curved or hooked
and is engaged by a slot 12 in the stem B, whilst the opposite or free end of the
lever D is allowed to project through a slot B3 in the stem B, and is connected
by a link D5 to the pin C. The slot 1 in the stem 13 is of sufficient length to allow
the end of the lever D, which projects through it, to rise and fall, acting upon its
hooked end as a pivot.
In order that any wear may be taken up between the bar A and the top of the
stem B, within which it fits, the barA has secured within it two blocks E E¹, respec-
tively. The pin C is screwed through the bar A into the block E, and on the opposite
side of the bar A to that on which the pin C is mounted, is arranged an adjusting
screw E which is screwed through the bar A and block E until brought into
contact with the block E3. The portion of the stem B, through which the adjust-
ing screw E passes, is provided with a slot B. If preferred the blocks E E may
be secured within a separate liner E3, Figure 3, placed within the bar A. Either
the handle bar or liner may be split or provided with a slot such as E+.
The operation of this handle bar is as follows:-
The spring D is in tension between the hook D and the lever D, and this
tension may be increased or diminished by rotating the nut 13 so that more or
less of the hook D is drawn through the same. Under normal conditions this
tension of the spring 1) holds the lever D down in the position shown in the
drawings, and by means of the link D the lever D holds the pin C down at
the lower end of the slot 1 in the stem B. When the pin C is at the lower end
of the slot B the handles, which are on the opposite side of the bar A
to that on which the pin C is, are raised; but if abnormal pressure is put
upon the handles, such as when the rider passes over any uneven part of the road,
the handles are immediately depressed and the pin C consequently rises and further
extends the spring D) by means of the link D and lever D. By this means the
vibration which otherwise would be imparted to the arms of the rider is absorbed
by the spring D. It will of course be understood that the spring D is of sufficient
strength to maintain the handles in the raised position when under normal pressure
such as that usually put upon handle bars of bicycles or like vehicles whilst in use.
In order that dust may be excluded from entering the stem B by the slot B³
the lever I may be passed through a sleeve B placed within the stem B. The
aperture by which the lever D) passes through the sleeve B5 on the side facing the
slot B in the stem B is made a close fit to the lever D, but a slot is provided on
the opposite side of the sleeve B where the lever I passes through it. By this
means the sleeve B is made to travel up and down with the lever D4 and is of such
ength that it always covers the slot B3 whether in its highest or lowest position.
To give greater bearing surface to the bar A at that point where it passes through
he stem B, the usual socket is furnished with a sleeve 136, which if desired may
be extended as shown in Figure 3 to carry the bracket for the brake, so that the
notion of the handle bar A may not interfere with any ordinary brake mechanism
hat may be used.
Figures 4, 5 and 6 show another method by which the desired movement may
be allowed to the bar A within the stem B. In this case the spring D is dispensed

page_text: with and a flat spring D is secured in any convenient manner by one end to the
outside of the stem B, and is pivotted by the other end to the adjusting screw E³.
In order that the adjusting screw E may be rotated without displacing the
spring D, it is provided with an extension E upon which is clamped a split
lug E, secured in the well known manner by means of a screw E. The lower
end of the lug Es is provided with a pin E, which projects on either side of
the lug E6 and receives the end of the spring De. The pin Es may be secured in
the lug E by a screw E.
The operation of this device is obvious from the description of the arrangement
already referred to and illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3.
The handles, which project on the same side of the bar A as the adjusting
screw E³, are maintained in the raised position by the flat spring De, whilst under
normal pressure, but when depressed whilst passing over any uneven road surface,
as described above, the spring D is compressed and takes up vibration as in the
case of the spring D.
Figures 7, 8 and 9 show a third method of carrying out this invention. A
casing F, comprising two tubes F braced together by cross-pieces F³, is secured
by any convenient means to the stem B. Within the tubes F" are spiral springs F³,
and the upper ends of the tubes are furnished on either side with slots Ft. A
pin F is passed through the slots F in the tubes F and rests upon the tops of
the springs F. The pin F5 is prevented from end displacement by an enlarged
portion arranged between the tubes F', and the casing F is so placed that this
portion bears against the adjusting screw E².
When in the normal position indicated in the drawings the springs F³ are in
slight compression, so that the handles which are on the same side of the bar A
as the adjusting screw E², are maintained in the raised position by the pin F³.
which is forced against the adjusting screw E2 by the springs F3. If abnormal
pressure is put upon the handles they are depressed and the adiusting screw E³
is deflected, so that the pin F5 is forced down upon the springs F³ which absorb
the vibration as already described with reference to the spring Do illustrated in
Figures 4, 5 and 6.
In this last method of carrying out this invention and in that previously described
where no pin C is used, it is obvious that the adjusting screw E³ also serves to
prevent end displacement of the bar A in the top of the member B.
It will of course be understood that the different parts of each of the above
modifications may be varied in form or method of attachment to one another;
also various devices can be used for expanding the bar A within the stem B, such
as are described in the Patent Specification No. 29715/96. Or that part of the
stem B which receives the har A may be pivotted and clamped or otherwise
arranged so as to make it adjustable relatively to the bar A for the purpose of
obtaining a proper bearing between the two. This bearing may be provided with
balls if necessary to give greater ease to the movements of the bar A within
the stem B.
If preferred the arrangement described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3,
might be modified by dispensing with the link D and pin C. and substituting a
metal strap attached at one end to the lever D, the other end being carried over
the top of the stem' B and secured to the adjusting screw E.
Any of the devices described may be used without the expansion device, or any
of the devices described may be provided with the extension of the sleeve B6 for
carrying the brake mechanism as described with reference to Figure 3. The
expansion device, however, is of considerable importance, as in case of the
spring which absorbs the vibration failing, the adjusting screw E³ may be screwed
up until the bar A is so expanded that it becomes rigidly secured within the
stem B, and can thus be used as an ordinary solid handle bar and stem until the
necessary repairs can be made.
Although we have described a horizontal handle bar we wish it to be understood
that we do not in any way bind ourselves to that particular construction, and may

page_text: apply this invention to any handle bars as the circumstances of the application
may require.
We may apply this invention in places where the handles are entirely separate
from each other or are not even connected to a single bar.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
:-
1. A handle-bar rotatable under spring control in the top of its stem about a
horizontal axis for the purpose described.
2. The combination with a handle-bar rotatable in the top of its stem of a
spring whereby the rotation of the handle-bar is controlled and of a device for
expanding the portion of the handle-bar passing through the top of the stem
for the purpose described.
3. The combination with a handle-bar rotatable in the top of its stem of a spring
such as D operatively connected to the handle-bar by a lever and link such as D
and 15 respectively substantially as and for the purpose described.
4. The combination with a handle-bar rotatable in the top of its stem of a liner
expansible within the handle-bar for the purpose of taking up wear, or locking
the handle-bar in its stem.
5. The combination with a handle-bar rotatable in the top of its stem of a
spring such as I having one end fixed to the stem and the other end pivotted
to the handle bar substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated
in Figures 4, 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.
6. The combination with a handle bar rotatable in the top of its stem of a
box or casing such as F attached to the stem and containing one or more springs
substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated in Figures 7, 8 and 9
of the accompanying drawings.
7. The complete handle-ba- and stem substantially as described or illustrated
in Figures 1, 2 and 3 or Figures 4, 5 and 6 or Figures 7, 8 and 9 of the accom-
panying drawings.