GB2487584A - Quick release and turn handlebar system - Google Patents

Abstract

A system which allows the user to quickly release the handlebars of a bicycle and rotate 90 degrees to reduce storage space either for single or multiple bicycles, by using interlocking frustum square pyramidal sections (g). In use the pyramidal sections (g) are released, turned and re-secured to move between a rideable and a storage position.

Description

Page 1 Descri Qtion: The Quick Release & Turn Handlebar Stem' is a new design of handlebar stem used to secure handlebars to the front forks of a bicycle.

Current common design on commercially available bicycles, have the necessity to secure the handle bars to the front forks and align the optimum height for the rider and perpendicularity to the front wheel. This is done by means of a bolt, which runs through the centre of the handlebar post, which when tightened secures the post to the front fork in the set position; movement of this position is now prohibited.

This is required to allow for accurate and stable steering when in use.

The setup is done, either when the bicycle is purchased i.e. by the selling agent or when being assembled at home and requires a degree of technical skill and the correct tools, to ensure the alignment is correct and is secure.

When complete, the setup generally remains in place until the bike is dis-assembled. If and when the bike is re-assembled, the same degree of technical skill and tooling is required to ensure correct alignment of the handlebars to front wheel.

The Quick Release & Turn Handlebar Stem' enables the bicycle owner to quickly and easily loosen the handlebars by means of a simple quick-release mechanism when they need to park or store the cycle.

The central technical concept for this application is the frustum square pyramidal' shape of the main upper and lower parts of the assembly circled in figure 5 drawing. The initial prototype has been manufactured using the finger (or knurled) nut for the securing and quick-release of the mechanism, however ongoing development of a lever style quick-release system is in progress as displayed in figures 6 and 7.

The system detailed below, and shown in the attached drawings allows the handlebars to be lifted and then turned in either direction, and then locked in a position of 90 degrees from the normal riding position by quick'y re-tightening the same nut I lever. When ready to resume riding the handlebars can be turned back and will automatically return to exactly the same riding position as before thus eliminating the need for the tools and skill levels previously mentioned to re-align the handlebar correctly with the front wheel.

Therefore main advantage of the system is the speed and ease of disassembly and then reassembly and the reduction in the skill level and tooling required to affect the same. This will allow the user to reduce the storage space required to place bikes on a rack (i.e. on a car rack), or to store in a garage, garden shed, inside the home or anywhere else that storage may be required.

It also allows for the easier storage of multiple bicycles by reducing the overlapping of handlebars and the subsequent interference caused by the traditional 900 positioning of the handlebars to the wheels.

Description of attached drawings (please note drawings are not to scale): Figure 1 shows one typical example of an existing handlebar setup: It shows the long bolt (a) that is inserted through the stem-post and screws into (f) the angled stem tightening nut. The main parts of the handlebar stem are welded together (b). The handlebars are normally inserted into the opening (d) and tightened in place by (c) nut & bolt. The stem-post itself (e) is normally inserted into front forks.

Figure 2 shows an alternative example of an existing handlebar setup: This setup has the same components as Figure 1 above, the difference however being (g) the method of securing the handlebar-stem to the stem-post by nuts & bolts rather than being welded into one single component as before.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the proposed new knurled-nut type handlebar stem design, components are as follows: Opening for the handlebars (a) and nut & bolt for securing handlebars (b). Long threaded bolt (c) welded to the upper part of the assembly, (d) showing components welded into one piece, (e), (f) & (k) stem-post, securing nut & bolt. A plain washer (h), a spring washer for security (i) and a finger-nut (knurled nut) (j).

Figure 4 shows the same proposed new knurled-nut type handlebar stem design with same components as Figure 3 above but this time fully assembled.

Figure 5 shows 2 possible alterations to the new knurled-nut type assembly.

These angled lower parts of the assembly can easily be used to raise or lower the handlebars more than normally possible to suit the rider's preference. The upper parts of the assembly would be similar to that as described in previous drawings Figures 3 & 4 above.

Figure 6 shows an exploded view of an example of a proposed new lever-type quick-release mechanism.

This has the same basic components as described in previous drawings, the difference however being the lever lock instead of the threaded nut & bolt. The upper part of the assembly (a) has slotted holes cut out instead of a threaded bolt welded to it, to allow the mechanism to be lifted and turned when the lock is released. The lever lock (b) is inserted through the hole in the lower part (c) and through the upper part (a).

Figure 7 shows the same example of the proposed new lever-type quick-release mechanism as Figure 6 above but this time as it would look assembled. geS

Claims (8)

1. Claims: 1. Innovative system of bicycle handlebars which enables the user to easily release and store the handlebars at 900 from original riding position, thus reducing the required storage space.
2. 2. Subsequent to Claim 1, the system allows for the handlebars to be easily returned to the original riding position without affecting the alignment of the handlebars to the front forks I wheel.
3. 3. According to claim 1, the system is based on the frustum square pyramidal' assembly and is secured by either a finger nut or lever-style locking mechanism.
4. 4. Subsequent to Claim 1, the system will allow the user to reduce the storage space required for a bicycle and will also reduce the interference of handlebars, brake cables etc when storing multiple bicycles on a rack, wall hook or confined area.
5. 5. Enables users of public transport to reduce space required when taking bicycle onto trains, buses etc.
6. 6. Could be easily designed & adapted to suit most manufacturer's style of handlebars.
7. 7. Can be incorporated into manufacturing process to allow quick assembly at point of sale.
8. 8. Can also be retro-fitted onto existing bicycle handlebars.