Folding Handle-bars for Bicycles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Folding Handle-bars for Bicycles.
ARTHUR MERRICK, 242 Ordsall Lane, Salford, Manchester, Watchmaker & Jeweller
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The handle bar consists of a joint at each side with slide lock so as to make the
handle bar fold in two parts and allow the bar to close when not in use and also allow
the machine to go through door way or narrower space and can be opened
immediately and is quite as secure as if in one bar handle and perfectly safe for the
rider either male or female.
Dated this 10th day of Santamben 100e
ARTHUR MERRICK, 242, Ordsall Lane, Salford, Manchester, Watchmaker & Jeweller,
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 said invention relates to a folding handle-bar for bicycles, and is constructed so
as to enable the handle-bar to be folded into smaller compass when not in use, or for
convenience of transit.
In order that my said invention may be more clearly understood I will describe the
same with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows so much of a bicycle
handle-bar as is necessary to describe my said invention.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation partly in section of a folding handle-bar to be hereinafter
described.
Fig. 2 is a plan of same.
According to my said invention I construct the handle-bar a with hinged joints c
one at each side of the centre of the handle-bar a. The said joints are formed of two
parts A and A¹ taking into each other and hinged together at b'. The two parts A
and A¹ forming the hinged joint are inserted and firmly secured in the tube a of
the handle-bar.
A sliding tube or collar B having a L shaped slot e formed therein engages with a
pin c which is secured on the part A¹ of the joint. Secured to the handle-bar a is a
ring D having a groove or recess d into which engages the end of the sliding tube
or collar B. When however it is desired to lock or secure the handle-bar in position
the tube or collar B is slid thereon until the L shaped slot e engages with the pin c
when it is slightly rotated and assumes the position shown in elevation at the left of
Fig. 1. The interior of the sliding tube or collar B is lined with vulcanized rubber f
or other similar material in order to make a close joint to prevent vibration and also
to prevent the sliding tube or collar B damaging [the plating on the handle-bar.
The said tube or collar B has one of its edges g raised which may if desired be milled
or corrugated to facilitate an easy grip when rotating or sliding same.
Although the drawing shows the handle-bar constructed of the usual metal tubing
the invention may be applied to wooden handle bars. In such a case the two
parts A A¹ forming the joint may be formed in the woodwork itself as will be well
understood.

page_text: The advantages of a handle-bar constructed in accordance with my said invention
are-it can be folded into very small compass when not in use or for convenience of
transit, and enable the bicycle to be taken through narrow doorways with the wheels
perfectly straight.
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 folding handle-bar for bicycles substantially as and for the purpose set forth
and shown.
b
2. A folding handle-bar for bicycles consisting of hinged joints 6 locking tubes or
collars B having L shaped slots e formed therein engaging with pins c and grooved
or recessed rings D to receive the ends of the locking tubes or collars B substantially
as and for the purpose set forth and shown.