Improvements in Handle-bars for Velocipedes.
Year: 1898

page_text: "Date of Application, 1st Nov., 1898-Accepted, 10th 'Dec:,
1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Handle-bars for Velocipedes.
I, RALPH, ROBERT SCOTT, of Byland, House, Cleveland Walk, Bath, Surgeon, 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 improvements in handle-bars for velocipedes, the object
being to arrange or construct them in such a manner as to allow of them being
reduced in width when required for the purpose of enabling a bicycle to be readily
passed through a narrow passage, doorway, or the like, while it further facilitates
the storage or packing of machines for transit.
This invention consists essentially in dividing the handle-bars upon each side at
suitable points, while the mechanism of the joint is such that while it allows of
the handle-bars being readily folded down, equal to or less than the width of the
machine from pedal to pedal, yet when required for use the handle-bars can be
quickly extended and rigidly secured in that position by a simple operation.
In order that my invention may be fully understood, I will now proceed to
describe same with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a
plan of a handle-bar constructed according to this invention.
Fig. 2 being a plan of the same handle-bar with the ends turned down.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through one of the joints drawn approximately
full size, and
Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the same joint with the screw collar removed and the
extremity of the handle-bar drawn out ready for turning down into the position
indicated in dotted lines.
1}
According to this invention the extremities a of the handle bars b are divided
at each side at a convenient point, the divided portions being furnished at one side
with a V-shaped projecting part c (Figs. 2 & 3 and upon the other side with a
correspondingly shaped recess c¹ in such a manner as to make, when brought
together, a locking joint which will prevent the extremities a of the handle bar b
from turning.
b
Each extremity a is connected to the central part 6 by means of a sleeve formed
in two parts and pivotally connected together as at g. The part d is brazed or
permanently secured in any suitable manner to the extremity a, while the part d'
slides within the handle-bar b, its play being limited by the slot h and stop pin h¹,
while in order to secure the parts firmly together and to prevent the extremities a
from being withdrawn from the part b, thus breaking the locking joint formed by
the parts cc, an outer cap f is provided the back edge f¹ (Fig. 2) of which comes
against the collar or ring while the forward end which is internally screw
threaded engages with the screw threaded collar or ring q¹.
In order to allow of the handle-bars being turned down into the position shown
in Fig. 2, it is only necessary to screw back the cap f as shown Fig. 4 thereby
exposing the joint, when the sliding sleeve d¹ can be drawn out as shown thereby
breaking the joint formed by the parts cc', when the end a can be turned down as
indicated in dotted lines, while in order to replace the extremities a it is only

page_text: necessary to raise each extremity into the position shown in Fig. 4, when the sliding
sleeve d¹ is pushed into the handle bar 6, the parts being by this means brought
into the position shown at Fig. 3, the cap f being then screwed over the joint
bringing the parts tightly and closely together.
It will be seen that any downward strain upon the extremities of the handle
bars is born or supported by the sleeve formed by the parts dd', any tendency to
twisting or turning of the extremities being prevented by the locking joint formed
by the parts cc, while the cap f merely serves to hold all the parts tightly and
closely together.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what
I claim is:
:-
1. The improvements in handle-bars for velocipedes consisting essentially in
dividing the extremities a from the part b, and connecting them thereto by an
internal sleeve formed in two parts dd pivotally connected together as at 9, the one
part d being rigidly secured to the extremity a, and the part d' sliding within the
handle-bar b, the play being limited by slots h and a suitable stop pin h¹; in
combination with a lock joint such as cel and a sliding cap such
as f internally screw threaded at one extremity and taking over a
collar such as q and on to and engaging with a screw threaded
collar such as q', the whole combined, arranged and operated, substantially as herein
described and shown, and for the purposes specified.
2/. In combination with a handle-bar having extremities designed to turn or fold
down, the employment of an internal sleeve formed in two parts pivotally connected
together, the one part being rigidly connected to the extremity of the handle bar,
and the second part thereof sliding within the handle-bar, play of said sliding part
being limited in any convenient manner, substantially as herein described and
shown with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 29th day of October 1898.
F. G. CASSELL,
(Of Cassell & Co.),
22, Glasshouse Street, Regent Street, London, W.,
Agent for the Applicant.