Improvements in or pertaining to the Handle Bars of Velocipedes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Dec., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Oct., 1892-Accepted, 26th Nov., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or pertaining to the Handle Bars of Velocipedes.
I ARTHUR SYDNEY BOWLEY of The Grove Works Balham in the County
of Surrey Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of my invention is so to construct and fit the handle bars of
velocipedes and especially those of safety bicycles that the same can be so adjusted
that the handles thereof can be brought into such positions as the rider may desire
very easily and quickly and without necessitating the stopping or alighting of the
rider.
To carry out this object say in a safety bicycle the handle bar is straight with
cranked ends whereon the handles are so mounted that they can properly be clasped
by the hands of the rider whatever may be the position of the handle bar. On or
with the central part of the handle bar are made or fitted two lugs projecting at
right angles or thereabouts thereto which lugs can pass on both sides of the upper
end of the down tube or tang that passes inside of the steering post which is duly
formed therefor and these lugs are properly pivoted thereon.
According to one form of construction on the periphery of this end of the down
tube or tang are formed a series of ratchet or other teeth whereinto can gear or
engage the teeth of a pinion mounted in or on the handle bar or it may be a pawl
or catch or other similar appliance also mounted in or on the handle bar.
According to another form of construction the ratchet or other teeth are formed
on the peripheries of the two lugs and the pinion or the pawl or other catch on the
down tube or tang to act in the same manner.
I may also form only one lug on the handle bar and insert it between two horns
on the end of the down tube or tang fitting and actuating these parts in the same
manner.
In the same manner also I should fit other velocipedes.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or pertaining to the Handle Bars of Velocipedes.
I ARTHUR SYDNEY BOWLEY of The Grove Works Balham in the County of
Surrey 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 :-
My invention relates to what is now perhaps quite generally known as
66 The
Bowley Universal Handle Bar" and the object of the same is so to construct and
fit the handle bars of velocipedes of all descriptions and more especially of dwarf
or safety bicycles that the same can be so adjusted that the handles thereon can be
brought into and secured in such positions in respect of the rider as such rider may
at any time and from time to time desire very easily and quickly and without
necessitating the stoppage of the velocipede or the alightment of the rider.
In order the more clearly to explain this my invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed I refer to the accompanying drawing wherein
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the handle bar of a velocipede as constructed and
fitted after and in accordance with my invention.

page_text: Figure 2 is a side elevation on an enlarged scale of the upper end of the down
tube or tang of the velocipede with the handle bar in section thereon and
Figure 3 is a front elevation of the same.
The handle bar A is made in any usual or other manner and the central part
thereof is preferably straight but both ends are cranked and the handles B on these
cranked ends are such and are constructed and fitted in such an ordinary or other
manner it may be as is shewn in Figure 1 that they can comfortably be used
whatever may be the position of the handle bar A. On the central part of the
handle bar A is preferably secured a short sleeve provided and fitted with two
parallel lugs C projecting at right angles or thereabouts from the handle bar A. or
these two lugs C may similarly be fitted and secured directly to the handle bar A.
or be formed therewith and the upper end D of the down tube or tang E that
passes in the ordinary or other manner inside the steering post is so constructed and
formed as properly to enter and fit between these two lugs C and these lugs C are
centrally pivoted on this upper end D of the down tube or tang E by the pin F.
The handle bar can be revolved or turned on the pivot pin to bring the handles
into the desired positions in respect of the rider as is shewn by dotted lines in
Figure 2 and such revolution can proceed so far or be carried to such an extent
as is allowed by the form and style of construction of the lugs and of the upper
end of the down tube or tang and to secure the handle bar in such position on
the end of the down tube or tang as may be desired many and various devices
and appliances may be fitted and used.
I shew in the drawing one very suitable and convenient arrangement. On and
in the edge or periphery of the upper end D of the down tube or tang E are made
a series of holes or recesses G and a screwed bolt H which passes diametrically
through the handle bar A and the sleeve if any therearound can be screwed down
by the wheel or handle K to enter and engage one of these holes or recesses G
when the handle bar A is secured in position as is desired.
Although I consider this arrangement herein before described to be very suitable
and convenient I do in no wise limit myself thereto. For example a series of
ratchet or other teeth may be formed on or in the edge or periphery of the upper
end of the down tube or tang whereinto could engage a tooth on the end of a
rocking lever or a pawl or a catch or other similar appliance mounted in the proper
position on the handle bar or on the sleeve if any therearound or it may be where-
into could gear a pinion also mounted in the proper position on the handle
bar or on the sleeve if any therearound. Again the holes or the teeth may be
formed in or on the edge or periphery of one of the lugs or it may be in or on the
edges or peripheries of both of the lugs in which case the complementary bolt or
the rocking lever or pawl or catch or other appliance or the pinion would be
mounted in the proper corresponding position on the side of the down tube or tang
whereby the same effect would be produced.
Only one lug also may be fitted and secured in manner as hereinbefore described
on the handle bar or on the sleeve if any therearound which lug would preferably
enter and fit between two horns properly constructed and formed therefor on the
end of the down tube or tang and this lug would be centrally pivoted on and
between these two horns in the same manner and all these parts could be fitted and
operated in manner as hereinbefore described.
All these devices and appliances hereinbefore described may be actuated and
operated by any suitable handles or other apparatus and can be retained and
maintained in what positions they are placed and left by any suitable pawls or stops
or catches or otherwise.
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
1. The combination with the cranked handle bar of a velocipede fitted with
one or more lugs of a down tube or tang on the upper end whereof the lug or

page_text: lugs is or are pivoted means being provided whereby the handle bar may be
secured in any position on the upper end of the down tube or tang substantially
as and for the purpose herein before described and declared.
2. The improvements in or pertaining to the handle bars of velocipedes sub-
stantially as hereinbefore described and shewn in the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 20th day of October 1892.
HART & Co.