Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Elements
Patent
1995-09-29
1997-10-21
Marmor, Charles A.
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Elements
745512, B62K 2108, B62K 2122
Patent
active
056784570
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a handlebar stem for a bicycle or similar vehicle, i.e. the connecting member which provides fastening to the bicycle frame and which clamps the handlebars themselves. Particularly the invention concerns a handlebar stem which is adjustable, and even more particularly an adjustable handlebar stem with a built-in option for cushioning or shock absorbing.
Modern bicycles, particularly bicycles of the "mountain bike" type, "offroad bike", "terrain bike", are often equipped with cushioning or shock absorbing structures. For example, cushioning front forks of the telescopic type can be found on the marked, and springy rear forks and seat stems are also used.
The present invention concerns shock absorbers especially for the hands, arms and back of a bicyclist by equipping the bicycle handlebar stem with a cushioning system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A more detailed description of the invention now will be made, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side view of an example of a handlebar stem in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view thereof;
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of parts which together constitute a locking/cushioning means inside an embodiment of the handlebar stem in accordance with the invention; and
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an embodiment where the cushioning function can be eliminated when desirable.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An important feature of the handlebar stem shown in FIG. 1 is that its angular position is adjustable by means of a (not shown) lever provided on the bicycle handlebars (not shown). The handlebars are clamped in forward handlebar clamp 1, and can be displaced by moving members 1, 2, and 6 about bearings B and D on top part 3 of stem post 7, which is fixed in a conventional manner down in a (not shown) forward tube of a bicycle frame. Members 2 and 6 are designated as respectively upper and lower profile arms. It should be noted that the lower profile arm 6 has a longitudinal opening in its underside, which opening is not shown in the drawing.
It is possible to use a parallelogram-type bearing configuration as well as a non-parallelogram-type configuration for members 1, 2, 3 and 6. Using a parallelogram handlebar guidance, i.e. with distance AC equal to distance BD and also will AC parallel to BD, it is achieved that the angular position of the handlebars themselves will remain unchanged when the handlebar stem angle is changed, while the angular position of the handlebars will be rotated somewhat when the stem is lowered/hoisted in a non-parallelogram embodiment. It is not important for the present invention which type is selected.
The lever on the handlebars influences the handlebar stem via cable 19, which cable ends in a pipe socket 5 adapted for locking the handlebar stem angular position in one particular of a number of fixed positions, that is, positions that are fixed while disregarding the cushioning/shock absorbing function. The operation of the locking pipe socket 5 as well as the operation of toothed nut 12 which protrudes somewhat appear more clearly in FIG. 2, to which reference now will be made.
In FIG. 2, inner parts of the present embodiment of the handlebar stem appear more clearly. An adjustment device which mainly extends between bearings A and D, comprises details (most of which are shown separately in FIG. 3) which provide both locking and cushioning operation. An inner pipe 8 (which actually can be rather massively constructed, i.e. the pipe may be replaced by a substantially massive cylinder) is fastened to the upper forward axis A by means of a mounting hole 22, and in a rearward direction it is positioned telescopically inside an outer pipe 11 which has its rear end fastened to the lower rearward bearing D.
Outside the forward end of the outer pipe 11, there is a specially designed sleeve 9, which is constructed integrally with the above mentioned locking pipe socket 5. This part is designated as an integra
REFERENCES:
patent: 5186074 (1993-02-01), Arnold
patent: 5220851 (1993-06-01), Flechel
patent: 5241881 (1993-09-01), Chen
patent: 5327798 (1994-07-01), Lerch, Jr.
Battista Mary Ann
Hals Biomechanics AS
Marmor Charles A.
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