Improvements in Cycle Handle Bars.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Sept., 1899
"Complete Specification Left, 14th-Nov., 1899-Accepted, 23rd Dec., 1899
Improvements in Cycle Handle Bars.
ANDREW KING, of Great Alfred Street, Nottingham, Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:--
This invention relates to improvements in cycle handle bars and has for its object
the construction of a spring handle bar which can be moved axially in the steering
head independently of the cycle frame but is rigidly connected to the front fork
for steering the machine.
1
At the
According to this invention the stem of the handle bar is fitted to slide in a
socket which is fixed in the front head by any of the ordinary means.
lower end of the stem there is a pin which projects through a hole in the bottom
of the socket and a spring is placed between the end of the stem and bottom of the
socket for absorbing the vibrations of the machine. Outside the socket the stem
pin it fitted with a second spring which acts as a counter spring to the socket
spring. At the upper end of the socket suitable guides are provided and the
handle bar is provided with pins, pegs or their equivalent which work in the
socket guides. Pins, keys, cotters or their equivalent may be used instead of the
guides or in addition thereto.
Dated this 15th day of September 1899.
W. H. POTTER, Wh.Sc.,
Brougham Chambers, Nottingham.
ANDREW KING, of Great Alfred Street, Nottingham, 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:
This invention relates to improvements in cycle handle bars and has for its object
the construction of a spring handle bar which can move axially in the steering
head independently of the cycle frame but is rigidly connected to the front fork
for steering the machine.
According to this invention the handle bar stem is fitted to slide in a socket
which is adjustably fixed to the steering head by any of the means usually
employed for fixing the ordinary handle bar stem. Inside the socket a plug is
fixed and above and below the plug there are springs for absorbing the vibrations
usually transmitted to the hands of the rider. At the upper end of the socket there
is a plate provided with basses which form guides for pins attached to the handle
bar and prevents the handle bar being turned independently of the socket and
front ferk.
In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a spring handle
bar constructed according to this invention.

page_text: Fig. 2 is a sectional plan on the line A, A, Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of a modification of this invention, and
Fig. 4 is a sectional plan on the line B, B, Fig. 3.
The handle bar a which may be of any of the usual shapes is fitted with a
plate 6 on which are bosses c, c for the guide pins d, d and a boss E for the stem f
which is fitted to slide inside a tube or socket y which is adjustable fitted to the
front ferk tube and fastened thereto by clips or lock nuts in the same manner as
the stem of an ordinary handle bar.
Inside the socket y there is a fixed plug h, and springs and which are held
at a suitable tension between the plug h and boss e, and collar m respectively by a
pin or tube n which passes through a hole in the plug h and is screwed into the
boss e; or the pin or tube may be fixed to the boss e and the collar m be screwed
upon the outside of the same. In the arrangements shown the upper end of the
tube may be provided with a square or screw driver nick and there may be a hole
through the top of the handle bar for the insertion of a key or screw driver.
At the upper of the socket g there is a plate or crosshead o provided with
bosses which form guides for the pins d to slide in, and by means of the
extended beverage thus obtained ensure the simultaneous and equal rotation of
the handle bar and the front fork throught the front ferk tube and socket g attached
thereto, or instead of pins and bosses a plate and bearing surfaces, or other
mechanical equivalent may be used.
In the modification shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the stem f is extended to near the
bottom of the socket y and is tapped for the adjusting nut r. In this arrangement
the plug which is fixed to the socket g is placed inside the stem f and is of
such a size that the stem can slide easily over it, while the sides of the stem are
slotted at s to permit of the stem sliding past the rivet or connection between the
plug h and the socket g.
The strength of the springs may be varied according to the requirements or
desire of the rider, both springs are of about the same strength and the tension
of these can be varied by the means shown. The handle bar is thus supported
between two springs by which the vibration of the machine in either direction is
absorbed, while each spring acts as a counter spring to the one in action and
prevents a too sudden return of the handle bar to its normal position.
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. A cycle handle bar with a stem fitted to slide in an adjustably fixed socket, a
plug fastened inside such socket, bearings for the stem and the springs above and
below the plug, a guide or guides on the handle bar, and bearings for such guide
or guides on the socket substantially as herein described with reference to the
accompanying drawings and for the purpose herein set forth.
2. A cycle handle bar constructed, arranged and operating substantially as
herein described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings and
for the purpose herein set forth.
3. A cycle handle bar constructed, arranged and operating substantially as
herein described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings
and for the purpose herein set forth.
Dated this 13th day of November 1800
W. H. POTTER,
Patent Agent, Brougham Chambers, Nottingham.