Abstract: A two-piece handle for use in positioning a vehicle lifting jack beneath a vehicle and rotating a spindle of that jack. The two-piece jack handle includes a jack handle rod having one end for engaging the jack spindle and a sleeve secured to an opposite end. The sleeve has a cavity configured to receive in driving engagement one end of the jack handle rod extension. A clip slidably mounted on the first end of the jack handle rod extension is slidable over the coupling and releasably connectable to the jack handle rod to releasably secure the jack handle rod and jack handle rod extension in coaxial alignment.

Abstract: A two-piece handle for use in positioning a vehicle lifting jack beneath a vehicle and for rotating a spindle of that jack, which handle comprises a jack handle rod, a jack handle rod extension, and a jack handle coupling for releasably interconnecting the jack handle rod and the jack handle rod extension in co-axial alignment. The jack handle coupling comprises a sleeve mounted over and fixedly secured to a knuckle joint of the jack handle rod and adapted to receive a knuckle joint of the jack handle rod extension. A spring wire engageable with the knuckle joint of the jack handle rod extension secures the two pieces of the rod in coupled engagement. Preferably, the knuckle joints of both sections of the jack handle are formed by bending the ends of the rods 180.degree. into a J-shaped configuration shaped to be permanently secured to the knuckle joint of one of the rods and to slidably receive the knuckle joint of the other rod.

Abstract: A front hub assembly of a bicycle wheel having an improved cone nut locking mechanism includes a hub body having a bore therethrough and an axle extending through the bore having threaded ends. The axle includes first and second resistance portions formed adjacent respective threaded end to offer resistance to a cone nut being threaded onto the threaded end. The magnitude of the resistance of the first resistance portion is greater than the magnitude of resistance of the second resistance portion such that a first cone nut can be threaded onto the resistance portion a first predetermined distance and located and a second cone nut may subsequently be threaded onto the second resistance portion a second predetermined distance and locked without rotating the axle and further threading the first cone nut onto the first resistance portion.

Abstract: A basket assembly which provides for quick and easy attachment and detachment of a wire basket from a handle bar of a bicycle while supporting the bottom surface of the bicycle basket. The bottom of the basket is supported by a bracket which interlocks with the webs of the bicycle basket and underlies a bottom surface of the basket. The bracket includes hooks for mounting the basket on the horizontal or branch portions of the handle bar. The support bracket can easily be attached and detached without the requirement of added support structure, hardware, or tools. A top frame of the bicycle basket is secured to the vertical or high rise portions of the handle bar by a pair of hook-shaped clamps.

Abstract: A stem assembly for securing the handlebars of a bicycle to the frame of the bicycle, which stem comprises a barrel and a head, the head being formed from a sheet metal stamping comprising a neck section and a handlebar clamping section. The neck section of the head is of generally annular cross-sectional configuration and is characterized by a longitudinal seam extending for the length of the neck. The seam of the neck section of the head is welded along the seam so as to impart to the stem resistance to torsional failure of the neck.

Abstract: A bicycle handlebar stem assembly for securing a handlebar of a bicycle to a bicycle frame. The stem comprises a top plate, a bottom plate, a barrel and threaded nuts and bolts for securing the bottom plate to the underside of the top plate. The plates have opposed transverse arcuate grooves formed thereon for the reception of a handlebar therebetween. The top plate has a gusset punched upwardly from the underside to define a hole for the reception of the upper end of the barrel. The upper end of the barrel is welded to the top plate by a weld which extends between the side of the gusset, the barrel, and the top side of the top plate. Another weld surrounds the barrel and secures it to the underside of the top plate.

Abstract: A basket assembly which provides for quick and easy detachment of a basket from a basket supporting bracket mounted to a bicycle includes locking elements selectively interconnecting the handle of the basket to the basket supporting bracket for releasably locking the basket to the basket supporting bracket. The locking elements include a slotted locking bracket which is mounted to the basket supporting bracket, and an elongated leg formed at each end of the basket handle. The handle is movable between an upright position in which the elongated leg is aligned with and insertable into the slot of the locking bracket, and a horizontal position in which the elongated leg is moved perpendicular to the slot. The basket is easily removed from the basket supporting bracket with the handle in an upright, unlocked position, and locked securely to the basket supporting bracket with the handle in a horizontal, locked position.

Abstract: A front fork for a bicycle includes a cylindrical fork tube adapted to mount to the bicycle frame and support the handlebars, and a pair of spaced fork legs connected to the fork tube which straddle the front bicycle wheel and mount to its axle. Each fork leg comprises an upper section of substantially circular cross section welded at one end to the fork tube and integrally connected at the other end to the upper end of an elongated lower section. The elongated lower section of each fork leg is formed with a longitudinally extending crease formed by bending a portion of the outer wall of the fork leg radially inwardly in a U-shape toward its hollow center. The depth of the crease increases from the upper end to the lower end of the elongated lower section so that the fork legs taper inwardly from top to bottom for mounting to the front wheel axle.