Improvements in Handles or Grips for Cycles and like Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Nov., 1897--Accepted, 15th Jan., 1898
Improvements in Handles or Grips for Cycles and like Vehicles.
A communication by LOUIS MATTHEWS MILLER, of No. 2414, Turner Street, City
and County of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, Salesman, and JAMES
HOWARD LUMIS, of West Chester, in the County of Chester, and State of
Pennsylvania, Merchant, both in the United States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in
the County of Lancaster, 118, New Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
and 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil 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:
The object of this invention is to provide a pneumatic handle or grip, of simple
and efficient construction, for bicycles and analogous vehicles, whereby the usual
jarring action upon the hands of the rider is materially reduced; and to this end the
invention, as briefly described, comprises an elastic tubular member laving formed
therein a series of longitudinal radial cells, the inner ends of which are closed while
the outer ends terminate in a common passage, an air-valve on the outer extremity
of said member having communication with said common passage, and a hood or
shield embracing and protecting said extremity, whereby when air is injected into
said common passage, by way of the valve, the outer portion of said member is
expanded and the inner portion thereof is clamped upon the handle bar to which the
pneumatic handle or grip is applied.
The invention embraces novel features of construction which will be hereinafter
particularly set forth and claimed.
In the annexed drawings,
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved handle or grip as applied to the
handle bar of a cycle.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section thereof.
Figure 3 is a transverse section, as on the line x-x of Figure 2.
A represents the handle or grip, and B the handle-bar to which it is applied. The
handle or grip comprises an india-rubber tubular member which is snugly slipped
upon the end of the handle-bar. Within the wall of this member is formed a circular
series of longitudinal cells, a, the inner ends of which are closed, as at a¹, while their
outer ends terminate in a common passage a² at the extremity of the handle-bar.
The external portion of this cellular member extends outwardly beyond the handle-
bar, as at a³, and is equipped with an air valve of any approved pattern. In the
present instance, the valve comprises a screw-threaded shell c provided on its inner
end with a flange c¹ which engages the inner side of an internal flange a' in the
extension a³, and is securely clamped there against by means of a co-acting washer c
and screw-nut on the shell. In this shell is fitted the valve c which normally
seals the air-inlet port. Screwed on the outer end of the shell is a cap c' on which

page_text: is formed or secured a hood c6 that embraces and encloses the outer end extension of
the tubular member and affords a shield therefor.
To inflate the handle or grip, the cap, with its hood, is removed, and the nipple of
an air-pump of usual construction is applied to the valve shell. Air is forced through
the valve into the common passage thence to the series of cells, thus inflating the
outer portion of the handle, and, at the same time; clamping the inner portion
thereof tightly against the centrally-disposed handle-bar. This being done, the
pump is detached from the valve, and the cap and hood are re-applied to the handle
or grip.
The exterior of the handle or grip is preferably, though not essentially, swelled
and longitudinally fluted or corrugated, so as to afford a firm and convenient grasp
for the hand.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as cominunicated to me by my
foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A pneumatic handle or grip for cycles, etcetera, the same comprising an elastic
tubular member having forined therein a series of longitudinal radial cells, the inner
ends of which are closed while the outer ends terminate in a common passage, an
air-valve on the outer extremity of said member having communication with said
common passage, and a hood or shield embracing and protecting said extremity,
whereby when air is injected into said commou passage, by way of the valve, the
outer portion of said member is expanded and the inner portion thereof is clamped
upon the handle bar to which the pneumatic handle or grip is applied, substantially
as described.
2. In a handle or grip for cycles, etcetera, the combination, with an inflatable:
tubular member, of an air-valve on the outer extremity thereof, and a cap on said
valve provided with a hood or shield that embraces and protects the end of such
tubular member, substantially as described,