Handle Bars Patents (Class 74/551.1)
  • Patent number: 7490843
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a front end of a vehicle to provide lateral flex for absorption of lateral forces. The suspension assembly comprises a steering shaft including two ends: an end coupling to an upper triple clamp and the other end coupling to a lower triple clamp. A spring unit is coupled to one of the two ends of the steering shaft and absorbs forces that are transferred from a road surface up through a front wheel and the pair of forks retained by the upper and lower triple clamps. A pivot mechanism is coupled to the other one of the two ends of the steering shaft to create a pivoting axis. The suspension assembly permits the front end to pivot about the pivoting axis and the spring unit to flex in response to bumps in the road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: MotoCzysz LLC
    Inventor: Michael Czysz
  • Patent number: 7487694
    Abstract: A handlebar is disclosed that includes a handlebar main body, a pair of support walls, a first slit, and a brake lever. The handlebar main body is hollow and is mounted to the handlebar stem. The hollow interior of the handlebar main body is formed with the support walls that extend along at least a portion of the length of the interior of the handlebar main body. The brake lever has a lever body and a brake cable attachment portion. The lever body is pivotally supported by the support walls proximate the first slit. The lever body includes a brake operating portion that extends away from the handlebar main body and a pivot support portion that is pivotally mounted to the support walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Seiji Fukui
  • Publication number: 20090028637
    Abstract: A captured shim head set for a bicycle has a bearing set for mounting on the head tube of a bicycle; a member for axially loading the bearing set and radially affixing the bearing set to a steerer tube of a bicycle front fork; a top cap for covering the bearing set and with which an axial load is applied to the member; and at least one washer-shaped shim for adjusting the spacing between the top cap and member. A lost motion mechanism is formed between the member and top cap and at least one washer-shaped shim is selectively capturable in the lost motion mechanism for limiting the degree of movement between the member and top cap in a manner limiting the distance that the top cap is movable towards the member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: CANE CREEK CYCLING COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Joshua COAPLEN
  • Publication number: 20090013819
    Abstract: An aero supporting device for a bicycle, including two elongated aero supports that extend in a front direction of a bicycle when used in accordance with the intended purpose and which can be gripped by a user, as well as two arm rests on which a user can rest his forearms or elbows, for e.g. attaining a reduced drag, wherein a covering device is provided which jointly surrounds at least the two aero supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Morgan Nicol
  • Publication number: 20090000419
    Abstract: A handlebar assembly for a motorcycle includes a riser and a cap coupled to the riser. The cap and riser define a clamp having a cavity. The handlebar assembly also includes a handlebar having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The second end portion is configured to support a hand grip. The first end portion defines an axis and is at least partially received within the cavity. At least one of the clamp and the first end portion includes an axial locking feature to inhibit movement of the handlebar relative to the clamp in a direction along the axis. The axial locking feature permits rotation of the handlebar assembly about the axis to adjust the position of the second end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Steven E. Wind, James A. Wollmer, John Erwin Stelling
  • Publication number: 20080307923
    Abstract: A handlebar assembly for a bicycle includes a handlebar tube, a sleeve, a clamping member and an end cap. Thus, the clamping plate of the end cap is clamped between any two of the clamping member, an end portion of the sleeve and an outer wall of the handlebar tube without obstructing the contact space between the clamping member and the outer wall of the handlebar tube so that the clamping member can directly clamp the handlebar tube completely or indirectly clamp the handlebar tube locally through the clamping plate of the end cap, thereby enhancing the clamping effect of the handlebar assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Ching-Chuan Lai
  • Patent number: 7426976
    Abstract: The present invention provides a control adapter for use with an existing dual lever lawn tractor that allows an operator to use a single hand in operating tile dual lever lawn tractor. Existing dual lever lawn tractors require an operator to use one hand on each lever to operate the lawn tractor. The control adapter of the present invention is operatively connected to the first control lever and to the second control lever of the dual lever lawn tractor which allows the operator to use a single hand in operating the dual lever lawn tractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Edlin's Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Everett Hugh Edlin
  • Patent number: 7407176
    Abstract: A bicycle stem includes a handlebar clamping portion and handlebar clamping member having respective first and second clamp surfaces defining interlocking joints. Each interlocking joint may include a recess and a projection therein to resist relative sliding motion in a direction generally parallel to an axis of a handlebar-receiving passageway to thereby resist torsional loading. A plurality of fasteners may secure the handlebar clamp member to the handlebar clamping portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: L.H. Thomson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark P. McJunkin, Robert J. DeRose, Brian H. Thomson, Loronzo H. Thomson
  • Publication number: 20080168857
    Abstract: A bicycle handle device comprises a combining portion having a round cylindrical shape; each of two ends of the combining portion being extended with an inclined wing; one end of the wing far away from the combining portion being installed with a handle; each connection of the combining portion and the wing being extended with an auxiliary handle; each auxiliary handle being approximately vertical to the combining portion; a front end of each auxiliary handle far away from the combining portion being bent upwards; a length of the combining portion being approximately equal to that of each wing; a stand tube of a bicycle can be movably installed to the combining portion; the lengths of two auxiliary handles being approximately equal; and a connection of the combining portion and the auxiliary handle being installed with a seat for supporting a cambered supporting plate which has a sheet like structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventor: Douglas Chiang
  • Publication number: 20080127770
    Abstract: A bicycle saddle and handlebar height adjustment device comprising a tubular element (5) provided with means (2) for its connection to said saddle (3) and presenting a portion (4) to cooperate with a support element (6, 7) for said tubular element, said support element being associated with locking means (8) for said first tubular element which maintain the tubular element (5) in a determined position relative to the support element (6, 7), in which alignment means (16) are present between said support element (6, 7) and said tubular element (5) to maintain a determined angular position between the tubular element (5) and the support element (6, 7), said locking means (8) comprising a threaded (132A) ring (132) rotatably fixed to one from among the support element (6, 7) and the tubular element (5), the other from among the support element (6, 7) and the tubular element (5) presenting a thread (5A) cooperating with the thread (132A) of said ring (132).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: Angelo Morelli
  • Publication number: 20080087131
    Abstract: A bicycle handlebar assembly is provided with a handlebar, a first gearshift operating part and a second gearshift operating part. The handlebar includes a central portion, a first end portion on a first lateral side of the central portion and a second end portion on a second lateral side of the central portion. The first gearshift operating part is attached to the first end portion of the handlebar with the first gearshift operating part being arranged to electrically control a front derailleur to selectively perform a first gearshift operation. The second gearshift operating part is attached to the first end portion of the handlebar with the second gearshift operating part being arranged to electrically control a rear derailleur to selectively perform a second gearshift operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Toshio Tetsuka
  • Patent number: 7350437
    Abstract: A handlebar (11,111,211) for cycles and motorcycles, in particular for cross-country use, which is light but at the same time resistant to high intensity shocks and stresses and having an optimized elasticity. The handlebar has a median section (13,113) which presents a central portion (23) having a diameter d23 and a thickness s23 for fixing the handlebar; two end sections (15,17), each of them presenting a central portion (27) having a diameter d27 and a thickness s27 for holding the handlebar; and two intermediate sections (19,21), each of them presenting a central portion (25) having a diameter d25 and a thickness s25 linking to the median section (13) in an inner bending zone (24) and to a corresponding one of the end sections (15,17) in an external bending zone (26) having a thickness s26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Hi-Line S.R.L.
    Inventors: Antonio Mangano, Giuseppe Mangano
  • Patent number: 7343831
    Abstract: A clamp kit for motorcycles permitting a wide range of handlebar positions to fit the size of the rider, the comfort of the rider, or to change the riding style of the motorcycle. The clamp has two split rings, one for attaching to the fork tube of the motorcycle and one for accepting a handlebar. The clamp is rotatable to various positions on the fork tube to position the handlebar in a position, which is comfortable for the rider and does not interfere with the frame or component parts of the motorcycle. The height of the handlebars and the angle of the handlebars are easily adjustable by use of the second split ring on the clamp. The handlebars are spread apart and can rotate in case of an accident to improve motorcycle safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventor: Timothy A. Tamcsin
  • Publication number: 20080016980
    Abstract: A device comprising a handlebar attached to a support frame by drive actuation means comprising a shaft or ratchet mechanism operationally connected to a vehicle drive wheel and by steering actuation means comprising a shaft connected to a vehicle wheel. Reciprocating rotational movement of handle bar about a drive pivot axis actuates the shaft or ratchet mechanism. Reciprocating rotational movement of the handlebar about a steering axis actuates the shaft. The drive pivot axis and the steering axis are substantially perpendicular to each other. In a preferred embodiment the drive actuation means includes a three ratchet type device cassette, one ratchet type device inside one in the opposite direction and two in the parallel direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventor: Tomas Raul GUTIERREZ
  • Patent number: 7243573
    Abstract: A split cylindrical clamp encloses inner ends of grip bars of a folding handlebar to hold the grip bars in a firm, stationary, and strong riding position. A single user gesture flips a clamp lever to loosen the split cylindrical clamp allows the grip bars to be slid outward and folded to a folded position. The split cylindrical clamp is then tightened with another single gesture, flipping the clamp lever in an opposite direction, locking the grip bars in the folded position. While locked in the folded position, the grip bars are entirely immobilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventors: Steedman Liddell Bass, Mark A. Sanders
  • Patent number: 7213485
    Abstract: A bicycle assistive handlebar structure installed at the anterior extent of a front fork stem, stem clamp mount that serves as a means of conjoinment. The stem clamp mount consists of a concave section and a threaded hole that provides for the fastening of bolts inserted via four through-holes. Furthermore, a vertical coupling passage is disposed through the installation crown, thereby providing for the horizontal arrangement of a handlebar in a connective mounting shank. The two sides of a transverse rod provides for the fitting into position of insertion sleeves, and an elongated hole provides for the stationary seating into the connective mounting shank elongated hole. Radial splines are respectively fabricated along the outer sides of the joint mount and the inner sides of an assistive handlebar. As such, the present invention provides the rider variable adjustment operation over upper and lower height, forward and backward distance, and rotative direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Inventor: Yuan-Hsin Huang
  • Patent number: 7207237
    Abstract: A dual clamp bicycle stem face plate assembly for use in combination with a bicycle steering system includes a dual clamp face plate member attachable to the outside end of the extension arm of a bicycle steering assembly and which further includes an auxiliary or second clamp for retaining and gripping a second handle bar or pair of handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: XYZ Aero, Inc.
    Inventor: Lance E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7163224
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for providing a riser tube and a riser cap, which when operatively coupled, involve all fasteners providing the coupling to be only visible from an underside of the riser tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Polaris Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Song, David A. Swan
  • Patent number: 7131350
    Abstract: A bicycle stem and front loading handlebar clamp having a pair of C-shaped cradles provided with handlebar contacting surfaces which have an edge to edge maximum extent in the direction of the handlebar greater than the inside diameter of the cradles and wherein the cradles are characterized by the absence of straight lines and sharp corners.. Handlebar clamping stress concentrations are reduced by the configuration of the contact surfaces and further by a configuration of a moveable one of the cradles somewhat in the form of a laterally elongated cross with smooth curves at the ends and at the corners of the cross.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Jas. D. Easton, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael McColligan
  • Patent number: 7127965
    Abstract: A grip/mirror combination includes an auxiliary grip and a mirror device. The auxiliary grip can be mounted on a bicycle handle so that a rider can hold the auxiliary grips while riding the bicycle. While riding the bicycle, the rider can extend the mirror device from the auxiliary grip in order to provide a clear view of vehicles beside and behind him. When the bicycle is parked, the mirror device can be concealed in the auxiliary grip, thus protecting the mirror device from being hit by any vehicle passing by it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventor: Louis Chuang
  • Patent number: 7127966
    Abstract: An aerobar assembly is arranged to be mounted on the handlebar stem, rather than on the handlebars, of a bicycle. The aerobar assembly in turn supports the handlebars. By mounting the aerobar on the stem, the range of adjustability of the aerobar is greatly increased, and the handlebar is subject to less torsional forces. The aerobar assembly includes a pillar stem having one end secured to the stem and a support structure at a second end for mounting an aerobar bracket, an arm rest support, and handlebar clamps. The aerobar bracket is arranged to permit axial adjustment of aerobar position, while the arm rest support is arranged to enable lateral, horizontal pivoting, vertical swivelling, and fore-aft adjustment of arm rest position independent of aerobar position. The handlebar mount preferably uses C-clamps that can easily be substituted to accommodate different handlebar configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventor: Horizon Garrison Peter Meng
  • Patent number: 7121568
    Abstract: Handlebars for a motorcycle and a system for mounting the handlebars on the front fork tubes of the motorcycle. When mounted on the motorcycle, the handlebars extend the line of the fork tubes to terminate laterally in handgrips. The handlebars provide the illusion that the front fork tubes continue upwardly through the upper triple tree to form the handlebars. The handlebars and mounting system comprise a pair of handlebars attached to a base plate that anchors flush into a recess in the upper triple tree. The handlebars and mounting system provide means for concealing wiring, bolts, nuts, stem and fork tube plugs from sight while retaining the functionality of the handlebars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Inventor: Johnny Law
  • Patent number: 7069812
    Abstract: A height adjustment assembly for a handlebar stem secured to a steer tube of a bicycle is provided. The assembly includes a pair of spacers securable to the steer tube on opposite sides of the handlebar stem that each include a pair of rings engageable with one another to form the spacers. Each ring includes a number of tabs having locking members thereon that are engageable with the locking members on the tabs of the opposed ring of each spacer. By rotating the rings of each spacer with regard to one another, the height of each spacer and the gap between the spacers can be moved upwardly or downwardly along the steer tube to enable the stem to be positioned between the spacers on the steer tube at the desired height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Trek Bicycle Corporation
    Inventor: Dirk J. Rettig
  • Patent number: 7070198
    Abstract: A cart has a folding support for handlebars, which includes a lower rod secured on a front part of a frame, a pivotal rod pivoted to an upper end of the lower rod, and an upper tube positioned in a linearly displaceable manner around the pivotal rod from a lower end; the pivotal rod has a lengthways extending slot; the upper tube has two opposing holes; handlebars of the cart are connected to an upper end of the upper tube; a connecting element is passed through the opposing holes and the slot such that the upper tube will prevent the pivotal rod from moving relative to the lower rod when it is around the pivotal rod and the lower rod, and such that the support can be folded with the pivotal rod pivoting on the lower rod when the upper tube is apart from the lower rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Sunpex Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Samuel Lin
  • Patent number: 7017929
    Abstract: An expandable bicycle headset structure is provided to aid in the mounting of a steerer tube of a front fork to a head tube of a bicycle frame. The headset structure has a first tubular member and a second tubular member that are mounted on the steerer tube. The first and second tubular members have bores that are sized to receive the steerer tube therethrough. The first and second mating adjustment structures are adjustably coupled together to change an effective overall axial length of the expandable bicycle headset structure. Thus, the first and second mating adjustment structures apply an axial force to a headset that rotatably mounts the steerer tube of the front fork to the head tube of the bicycle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Noriyuki Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 7000936
    Abstract: An internally supported cable system control for a bicycle that does not interfere with the steering mechanism and does not require the structural integrity of the bicycle frame to be compromised. In the disclosed internal cable system, the control cables are routed through a passageway in the gooseneck and the bicycle frame to the mechanism or device that they are designed to control. The gooseneck design is unique in that it allows for an unobstructed passageway for the cables to travel into the steering tube and frame, while allowing for both sliding forward and rearward as well as raising and lowering, as desired by the bicycle rider. For aesthetic reasons, a casing may be added to cover the cabling between the control levers and the gooseneck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventor: John Schmider
  • Patent number: 6973853
    Abstract: An infinitely variable angle adjusting device for a handlebar of a motorized vehicle includes a fixing seat, a handlebar stem, a pull handle, an adjusting base, a cover, two sockets, two slides, a compression spring, two urging ball units, a shaft, two press members, and a pull wire. Thus, the adjusting base is movable on the shaft freely, so that the handlebar stem is pivoted relative to the fixing seat, so as to adjust the included angle between the handlebar stem and the fixing seat arbitrarily, so that the inclined angle of the handlebar on the handlebar stem can be adjusted easily and arbitrarily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Chienti Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Feng-Chu Chang
  • Patent number: 6955371
    Abstract: A clamping stem is provided for concurrently securing a bicycle fork frame steering tube and a bicycle handlebar together. The clamping stem has a mounting bracket formed as a U-shaped structure with a pair of opposing mutually parallel legs with coaxial openings defined through the legs near the free ends thereof. A steering tube saddle block having a vertically oriented concave surface is disposed between the mounting bracket legs facing the steering tube openings therein. A handlebar saddle block having a horizontally oriented concave surface faces the concave surface of the mounting bracket yoke. A steering tube fits through the apertures in the mounting bracket legs while the handlebar fits through the space located between the mounting bracket yoke and the curved surface of the handlebar saddle block. The sides of the saddle blocks facing each other are formed with inclined surfaces that meet at apices centered between the lateral edges of the mounting bracket legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Bear Corporation
    Inventor: George French
  • Patent number: 6945135
    Abstract: A bicycle stem may include a body portion and a handlebar clamping portion connected thereto, and a handlebar clamping member cooperating with the handlebar clamping portion to clamp the bicycle handlebar. The handlebar clamping member and the handlebar clamping portion may each have a cavity in a respective medial portion thereof to accommodate an enlarged diameter portion of the handlebar. The handlebar clamping member may have a generally rectangular shape with a recess therein defining with the cavity a pair of spaced apart contact areas for contacting the handlebar. The handlebar clamping member may also be completely removable from the handlebar clamping portion in some embodiments, to facilitate installation of the handlebar. The handlebar clamping portion may also have a recess therein defining with the cavity a pair of spaced apart contact areas for contacting the handlebar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: L. H. Thomson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Loronzo H. Thomson, Brian Thomson, Mark P. McJunkin
  • Patent number: 6941835
    Abstract: An overturning and folding device for a handlebar includes a tube (2) extending vertically from the handlebar base (13), a connecting member (15) next to the base (13), an eccentric axle (1) and a lug bolt (12). A first hole (21) in the axial direction and a second hole (20) in the perpendicular direction relative to the first hole are formed at the handlebar base (13) of said tube (2), which communicate with each other. The connecting member (15) is engaged to the fork of the bicycle, which defines a space (14) through which the lug bolt (12) can rotate from an axial position to a perpendicular position. The lug bolt (12) is fixed within the first hole (21) and space (14) by a fastener (8). The eccentric axle (1) is fitted rotatable in the second hole (20) and a third hole (5) on the head of the lug bolt (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventor: Xiongxin Ying
  • Patent number: 6941834
    Abstract: An outer gripping portion of a bicycle handlebar includes a mounting section and a bracket section. The mounting section has a first cross-sectional shape. The bracket section has a second cross-sectional shape and is releasably coupled to the mounting section to form a first gripping section. The first and second cross-sectional shapes of the mounting section and the bracket section have flush longitudinal edges that mate together to form a first annular gripping surface of the first gripping section. Preferably, the bicycle handlebar includes a pair of outer gripping portions coupled to opposite ends of a transverse portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshinori Irie
  • Patent number: 6928897
    Abstract: A handlebar extension for a bicycle handlebar includes an armrest portion and an elongate forward portion which is integral with, and extends away from the armrest portion. The handlebar extension is configured such that the armrest portion may be attached to the handlebar of a bicycle with the elongate forward portion extending forwardly away from the handlebar, supported by the armrest portion. A bicycle having a handlebar and a pair of handlebar extensions mounted to the handlebar is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Inventor: Robert C. Duncan
  • Patent number: 6920806
    Abstract: A handlebar mounting apparatus and method for mounting a handlebar onto a vehicle. The handlebar is mounted to the vehicle such that the handlebar is selectively rotatable about a first axis to allow for adjustment of the axial orientation of the handlebar relative to the vehicle. Additionally, the mounts are connected to the vehicle for selective, eccentric rotation of the mounts about a second axis to allow for selective height and position adjustment of the handlebar in relation to the vehicle. One embodiment provides an apparatus for mounting a handlebar to a vehicle including two or more mounts. The use of multiple mounts or mounting assemblies in such embodiments allows the mounts to be separated or spaced from one another, and allows for universal fit of the handlebar mounting apparatus on a broad variety of vehicles and applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Cutsforth Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Rockford F. Cutsforth
  • Patent number: 6912928
    Abstract: A bicycle stem includes a steering tube clamp with a pair of cooperating clamp members defining an imaginary cylinder and a recess therein for the steering tube. Each clamp member may also have at least one fastener receiving passageway therein offset a predetermined distance from an axis defined by the imaginary cylinder. The stem may include a body portion having opposing first and second ends, a handlebar clamping portion connected to the first end of the body portion, and a steering tube clamping portion connected to the second end of the body portion. The steering tube clamping portion may have a tubular shape defining a steering tube receiving passageway therethrough, and a clamp receiving passageway transverse to the steering tube receiving passageway and in communication therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: L.H. Thomson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Loronzo H. Thomson, Brian Thomson, Mark P. McJunkin
  • Patent number: 6907952
    Abstract: A bicycle having a cruise control system and various components designed to prevent discomfort and fatigue are disclosed. The cruise control bicycle preferably includes a flexion handlebar, a parallel brake lever, a removable bicycle backrest, and an adjustable sun protector that attaches to the backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Inventor: Diane Drayden Jones
  • Patent number: 6896473
    Abstract: A changeable-length fourth axis of a delta robot has a first bar (82) and a second bar (83), which can be displaced parallel to one another in a slide bearing (84, 85). They are connected to articulation heads (80, 81) for leading in an incoming torque and for leading out an outgoing torque. The first and second bars (82, 83) are arranged here such that the incoming torque runs in a direction which is parallel to, but offset from, the direction of the outgoing torque. This fourth axis allows precise torque transmission, but is nevertheless of straightforward construction, has a high bending strength and relatively low weight and can easily be cleaned by being washed down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Andrea Schuler
  • Patent number: 6892604
    Abstract: A headset spacer unit and a steering assembly equipped therewith in which the headset spacer unit is formed of a plurality of annular spacers, each of which has a configuration at top and bottom sides thereof which is shaped to enable a bottom side of each of the plurality of spacer to make an interlocking engagement with a top side of another of said plurality of annular spacers in a manner preventing relative radial movement between the spacers. In the steering assembly, advantageously, a highest component of the headset and a bottom surface of the handle bar stem have a complementary configuration for engaging with the configuration of a respective side of the spacer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Cane Creek Cycling Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Wayne Tison, Thomas W. Reeder
  • Patent number: 6874385
    Abstract: A rear housing has a vertical bore for receipt of a bicycle fork tube and a horizontal bore for receipt of a movable piston slightly longer than the length of the horizontal bore. A front housing has a concave rear portion cooperating with a concave front portion of the rear housing to form a gripping enclosure for a bicycle handlebar. Threaded bores in the front housing are aligned axially with threaded bores in the rear housing so that tightening down on the front housing to the rear housing with threaded bolts causes the handlebar to be gripped tightly and the movable piston is urged backwardly to tightly hold the fork tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Profile Racing, Inc.
    Inventor: Corey J. Alley
  • Patent number: 6857235
    Abstract: A protective cover for a reinforcing bar including a collar structure defining a perimeter portion and having an open end for receiving the end of a rebar. A cap portion is connected to the collar structure oriented substantially perpendicularly to the collar structure and including a support portion formed integrally with the collar structure. The cap portion further includes a barrier plate supported on the support portion and defining an exposed upper surface of the cover. In one embodiment, a reinforcing plate is disposed beneath the barrier cover and defines an lower surface lower surface within an area defined by the perimeter portion of the collar structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Dayton Superior Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Niday, Edward B. Sorauf, Dale R. Haslem, Keith E. Keller, Harry B. Lancelot, III, Thomas E. Lannom
  • Patent number: 6855651
    Abstract: A cover tape for winding on a grip of a device comprising an elongated cloth layer and an elastic layer. The cloth layer has a first surface and a second surface. The elastic layer is made of silicone gel and bonded to the first surface of the cloth layer for enabling the second surface of the cloth layer to be exposed to the outside when spirally winding the cover tape round the grip with the elastic layer adhered to the periphery of the grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventor: Tsai-Yun Yu
  • Publication number: 20040244526
    Abstract: The bicycle handlebar is configured with a center bar and two side bars that are attached to the ends of the center bar. The center bar is attached to the middle of the side bar and parts of the side bars forward of the center bar are used for mounting a brake lever, shift lever or a combined brake and shift levers. A portion of the side bar behind the center bar is held by the rider and allows the rider to easily grasp the brake or shift lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Jeff Jones
  • Publication number: 20040231451
    Abstract: A handlebar structure includes a handlebar body having two end portions each provided with a first face having an arcuate convex shape and a second face formed with a recess. Thus, the arcuate convex configuration of the first face of the handlebar body satisfies the ergonomic design, so that when the user's hand holds the handlebar body, the first face of the handlebar body provides a comfortable sensation to the user's hand, thereby facilitating the user's hand holding the handlebar body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsun Chiang, David Michael Anthony
  • Patent number: 6817265
    Abstract: A steering damper device attenuating the oscillations of the handlebar of a motorcycle during operation, and more particularly, a device capable of varying a damping force variable. The steering damping device prevents the adverse effect of oscillations of the handlebar that would otherwise occur when the load on the front wheel of the motorcycle becomes light. The device includes a rotary steering damper provided in a coaxial manner on a steering shaft. Either a damping force or zero damping force is produced by a variable valve arranged in the bypass passage communicating with a right liquid chamber and a left liquid chamber. The variable valve is controlled by a control device and generates a damping force in the steering damper only when the acceleration of the motorcycle as detected by the acceleration sensor exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yosuke Hasegawa, Takeyasu Itabashi, Kanji Hayashi, Takeshi Wakabayashi, Osamu Bunya
  • Publication number: 20040187626
    Abstract: A bicycle stem and front loading handlebar clamp having a pair of C-shaped cradles provided with handlebar contacting surfaces which have an edge to edge maximum extent in the direction of the handlebar greater than the inside diameter of the cradles and wherein the cradles are characterized by the absence of straight lines and sharp corners.. Handlebar clamping stress concentrations are reduced by the configuration of the contact surfaces and further by a configuration of a moveable one of the cradles somewhat in the form of a laterally elongated cross with smooth curves at the ends and at the corners of the cross.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Michael McColligan
  • Patent number: 6796571
    Abstract: A hydraulic steering damper (9) is designed to be fitted inside a steering sleeve (3) between the steering sleeve (3) itself and a steering pin (2) that is coaxial with the sleeve (3) and having an axis of rotation (A). The damper (9) includes a cylindrical lining (11), that can be fixed to the steering sleeve (3), and a cylindrical wall (13), that can be fixed to the steering pin (2). The lining (11) and the wall (13) form between them a gap (16) designed to hold a hydraulic fluid (17) and divided into a first and a second chamber (28, 29), which are in fluid communication with each other through a conduit (30). The damper (9) further includes a blade (25) attached to the cylindrical wall (13) and designed to push the fluid (17) from one to the other of the chambers (28, 29) when the steering pin (2) is rotated relative to the steering sleeve (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianluigi Mengoli
  • Patent number: 6783141
    Abstract: With the invention is presented an anti-theft device for bicycles, which comprise a bicycle frame (2) and a steering column (14) mounted on the bicycle frame (2) for steering the bicycle, which steering column is provided for a rotationally fixed coupling of bicycle handlebars (6) with a fork (5) for a front wheel (4), having a separating means for nuetralising the rotationally fixed coupling, wherein a coupling piece (8) or a connecting element (60) is provided as separating means, which divides the steering column (14) into two parts (34) and produces the rotationally fixed coupling of these steering column parts (34) in a first state and neutralises it in a second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Christian Backhaus
  • Patent number: 6764246
    Abstract: A bicycle handlebar stem assembly includes a stem with two lugs extending from one of two ends of the stem. A first connection member has an aperture through which the stem extends, and two recesses are defined in an inside of the first connection member so as to receive the two lugs therein. A second connection member has a clamp part on one end thereof and an insertion extends from the other end of the second connection member. The insertion is inserted in the other end of the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Cheng-Hsun Chiang
  • Patent number: 6748821
    Abstract: An extension for the handle bars of a motorcycle includes an insert with a projection that fits within the handle bars. The handle bars and insert are keyed so as to prevent rotational movement thereof relative to each other. A parallel bar that is clamped to the handle bars retains all of the parts in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventor: John C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20040089095
    Abstract: A bicycle handlebar assembly includes two brake levers connected thereto and each brake lever has two brake cables extending therefrom. The handlebar includes a bar connected to the handlebar stem and has two recesses defined in an outer surface thereof. Each recess includes two entrances which extend at angle relative to an axial direction of the recess. Each of the entrances is a plain surface. The recesses and the entrances receive the brake cables so that the brake cables do not protrude from the outer periphery of the bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: Cheng-Hsun Chiang
  • Publication number: 20040074332
    Abstract: A handlebar assembly for bicycles includes a connection bar having a first end securely mounted to a steerer tube and a recess is defined in a second end of the connection bar. A positioning cap has a concavity defined in an underside thereof and is securely connected to the second end of the connection bar. A pad is connected to an inside of the concavity of the positioning cap and a handlebar is securely engaged with the concavity of the positioning cap and the recess of the connection bar. Bolts extend through the positioning cap, the pad and are threadedly engaged with threaded holes defined in the connection bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Cheng-Xun Jiang