GB2445742A

GB2445742A - Bicycle with folding handlebar stem

Info

Publication number: GB2445742A
Application number: GB0701165A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Tak-Wei Hon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-01-22
Filing date: 2007-01-22
Publication date: 2008-07-23
Anticipated expiration: 2027-01-22
Also published as: GB0701165D0; GB2445742B

Abstract

The bicycle comprises a head and a frame wherein the head includes a handlebar 11, a handlebar stem 12, a folding joint 13 and a front fork having two fork blades 141, each of which is inwardly recessed 142, provided by a bent shape or a cutaway. When the handlebar 11 is folded downwards with the handlebar stem 12, the handlebar can be folded further and placed in the recess 142 of one fork blade 141 without interfering with the fork blade. Thus, the folding bicycle can be folded further resulting in a smaller folded volume. The recess 142 can be covered by a protection pad of elastic material. The handlebar 11 is retained when folded by a fastener and hook arrangement on the stem 12 and frame.

Description

I

Folding Bicycle The present invention relates to a folding bicyde, particularly to a front fork of a folding bicycle.

It is desirable for a folding bicycle to be folded into a more compact size. In order to reduce the folded volume of a folding bicycle, a folding joint is usually disposed under the handlebar stem of the folding bicycle. The handlebar can be folded downwards with the handlebar stem, and after being folded the handlebar rests on one of the forks (fork blade) of the front fork. However, the fork blade of the front fork is a straight-tube as viewed from the front. When the handlebar comes into contact with the fork blade, it is supported and therefore the bicycle can not be folded further. The space taken up by the folded bicycle is therefore still rather large.

It is desirable to provide a folding bicycle in which the handlebar does not interfere with the fork blade when being folded so that the space taken up by the folded bicycle reduced.

A folding bicycle of the present invention comprises a head and a frame, wherein the head includes a handlebar, a handlebar stem, a folding joint and a front fork, characterised in that the said front fork has two fork blades at least one of which has a recess in which the handlebar is located in the folded state.

Since the fork blade of the front fork of the folding bicycle is Inwardly recessed, when the handlebar is folded downwards with the handlebar stem, the handlebar can be placed in the recess of the fork blade without interfering with the fork blade. Thus, the folding bicycle can be folded further with a smaller folded volume.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of the folding bicycle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of the folding bicycle of Figure 1 in a folded state.

Figure 3 is a schematic view of the front fork of the folding bicycle of Figure 1.

Figure 4 Is a schematic view of the folding bicycle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a folding bicycle comprises a head 1 and a frame 2. The head 1 Includes a handlebar 11, a handlebar stem 12, a folding joint 13 and a front fork 14 comprising two fork blades 141, each of which is bent inwardly to form a recess.

As shown In Figure 2, when the handlebar stem 12 is in a folded state, the handlebar 11 can be folded further and placed in the inward recess 142, created by the Inwardly curved fork blade 141, without interfering with the fork blade 141. Thus, the folding bicycle can be folded further with a smaller folded volume compared to the prior art.

Instead of a bent fork blade forming the recess, the recess could be formed in a cutaway portion of the fork blade.

Having the handlebar 11 located in the inward recess 142 could cause surface dents or scratches to the handlebar 11 and/or the fork blade 141 due to collision and friction between the handlebar 11 and the inward recess 142. As shown in Figure 3 In order to avoid surface damage a protection pad 143 made of an elastic material such as plastic, rubber or rubber plastics compound covers the inward recess 142 of the fork blade of the front fork of the folding bicycle. When the handlebar Ills folded downwards with the handlebar stem 12, the handlebar 11 will not come into direct contact with the inward recess of the fork blade 141 and therefore the surface of the handlebar 11 and the surface of the fork blade are well protected.

As shown in Figure 4, according to another embodiment, a folding bicycle further includes a fastener 3 on the frame 2 and a hook 4 on the handlebar stem 12, wherein the hook 4 can be engaged with the fastener 3 when the handlebar 11 is folded downwards. When the handlebar stem 12 Is folded downwards, the hook 4 is tightly engaged with the fastener 3 and, thus the handlebar stem 12 and the handlebar 11 are firmly fixed preventing the handlebar stem 12 and the handlebar 11 from moving relative to each other after being folded. The hook could, alternatively, be located on the frame and a co-operating fastener on the handlebar stem, or handlebar.

Claims

Claims 1. A folding bicycle, comprising a head and a frame, wherein the

head includes a handlebar, a handlebar stem, a folding joint and a front fork having at least one fork blade, characterised In that at least one of the fork blades of the front fork has a recess for receiving the handlebar when the bicycle is in a folded configuration
2. A folding bicycle according to claim, wherein the at least one of the fork blades of the front fork is curved inwardly creating the recess.
3. A folding bicycle according to claim I or 2, wherein the at least one of the fork blades of the front fork has a cut out portion creating a recess.
4. A folding bicycle according to any of claims 1-3, further comprising a fastener for fastening the handlebar or handlebar stem to the frame when the bicycle is in the folded configuration.
5. A folding bicycle according to any preceding claim wherein the bicycle further comprises a protection pad made of an elastic material which covers the recess of the fork blade.
6. A method of folding a folding bicycle comprising the step of folding a handlebar and handlebar stem downwards so that the handlebar becomes located in a :. recess created by the geometry of a fork blade of a front fork. * *..

*
7. A folding bicycle and/or a method of folding a folding bicycle being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. ** *
S... * S. as a. * * 5* a 5.

6. A method of folding a folding bicycle comprising the step of folding a handlebar and handlebar stem downwards so that the handlebar becomes located in a recess created by the geometry of a fork blade of a front fork.

7. A folding bicycle and/or a method of folding a folding bicycle being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: Claims 1. A folding bicycle, comprising a head and a frame, wherein the head includes a handlebar, a handlebar stem, a folding joint and a front fork having two fork blades, characterised in that at least one of the fork blades of the front fork has a recess for receiving the handlebar when the bicycle is in a folded configuration.

2. A folding bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of the fork blades of the front fork is curved inwardly creating the recess.

3. A folding bicycle according to claim I or 2, wherein the at least one of the fork blades of the front fork has a cut out portion creating a recess.

4. A folding bicycle according to any of claims 1-3, further comprising a fastener for fastening the handlebar or handlebar stem to the frame when the bicycle is in the folded configuration.

5. A folding bicycle according to any preceding claim wherein the bicycle further comprises a protection pad made of an elastic material which covers the recess of the fork blade.