US3722930A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bicycle handlebar stem
Assignee: Wald Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1971-09-03
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1991-09-03
Abstract
Abstract The handlebar stem, constructed inexpensively of formed sheet metal parts, requires but a single bolt for simultaneously clamping the handlebar ferrule, fixing the stem head upon the stem, expanding the stem within the fork bearing tube, and effecting at the same time powerful friction bites between the head, the stem, and said ferrule, to fix said parts securely against relative displacement incident to tightening the stem bolt.
Inventors
- 👤 R Humlong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:26
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62K; B62K21/00; B62K21/12; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/71; Y10T403/7164; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20732; Y10T74/2078; Y10T74/20792; Y10T74/2081
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
236 words
A bicycle steering post for attachment to a steering-fork bearing tube, and comprising in combination: an elongate tubular stem having upper and lower ends; the upper end including an integral upstanding neck having a pair of wings turned toward one another and depressed inwardly toward the stem axis to form a substantially D cross-sectional transverse configuration; an elongate stem bolt having a headed end and a threaded end, said bolt being receptive lengthwise within the tubular stem, with the threaded end projecting from the lower end of the stem; a contractable head comprising upper and lower substantially parallel legs and a part-cylindrical loop portion connecting said legs, said legs having aligned apertures formed therein; the aperture of the lower leg being complementarily shaped to receive said D-shaped neck; said loop portion being snugly receptive of the cylindrical mounting ferrule of a bicycle handle bar; said bolt passing through the aligned apertures of the legs, and axially through said tubular stem, with the headed end of the bolt disposed atop said upper leg; means for limiting movement of the head along the stem in the direction of the lower end of the stem; and means under the control of said stem bolt, for adjustably fixing said stem relative to the steering fork bearing tube, and for contracting said head loop portion firmly about the handlebar ferrule, to secure said ferrule in said loop portion of the head.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
236 words
A bicycle steering post for attachment to a steering-fork bearing tube, and comprising in combination: an elongate tubular stem having upper and lower ends; the upper end including an integral upstanding neck having a pair of wings turned toward one another and depressed inwardly toward the stem axis to form a substantially D cross-sectional transverse configuration; an elongate stem bolt having a headed end and a threaded end, said bolt being receptive lengthwise within the tubular stem, with the threaded end projecting from the lower end of the stem; a contractable head comprising upper and lower substantially parallel legs and a part-cylindrical loop portion connecting said legs, said legs having aligned apertures formed therein; the aperture of the lower leg being complementarily shaped to receive said D-shaped neck; said loop portion being snugly receptive of the cylindrical mounting ferrule of a bicycle handle bar; said bolt passing through the aligned apertures of the legs, and axially through said tubular stem, with the headed end of the bolt disposed atop said upper leg; means for limiting movement of the head along the stem in the direction of the lower end of the stem; and means under the control of said stem bolt, for adjustably fixing said stem relative to the steering fork bearing tube, and for contracting said head loop portion firmly about the handlebar ferrule, to secure said ferrule in said loop portion of the head.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
The combination as specified by claim 1, wherein the wings aforesaid meet the neck each along a pressure hump which extends longitudinally of the stem axis, the apertures of the legs being so spaced from the axis of the head loop, that said humps have a direct bearing upon the inserted ferrule when the legs are drawn toward one another by the clamping action of the stem bolt against the upper leg of the head.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination as specified by claim 2, wherein said means for limiting movement of the head along the stem, comprises a shoulder at the base of the neck providing a seat to abut the lower leg marginally of the lower leg aperture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The combination as specified by claim 1, wherein is included a flange on each leg of the head, said flanges being turned toward one another, and each flange including a jaw to bite the ferrule of the handlebar during contraction of the loop portion of the head incident to tightening of the stem bolt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination as specified by claim 2, wherein is included a flange on each leg providing a pair of jaws, said jaws being gauged to bite the ferrule of the handlebar approximately simultaneously with imposition of force upon the ferrule by said pressure humps.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The combination as specified by claim 1, wherein is included: a pair of contact abutments on the stem, and a pair of jaws on a leg of the head, said abutments and said jaws being located and coordinated to bite the ferrule substantially simultaneously with tightening of the stem bolt and resultant fixing of said stem relative to the steering fork bearing tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination as specified by claim 6, wherein said contact abutments upon the stem are point-contacts which are spaced apart to bite the ferrule at opposite sides of a middle point of the ferrule, with resultant fixation of the stem against rotation relative to the ferrule.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination as specified by claim 1, wherein said wings are formed to provide each a contact abutment to engage the ferrule; and a pair of jaws on a leg of the head, said abutments and said jaws being located and coordinated to bite the ferrule substantially simultaneously with tightening of the stem bolt to fix the stem relative to the steering fork bearing tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination as specified by claim 8, wherein said means for limiting movement of the head along the stem, comprises a shoulder on the stem providing a seat to abut the lower leg marginally of the lower leg aperture.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination as specified by claim 8, wherein said means for limiting movement of the head along the stem, comprises a weld-like connection rigidly joining the stem to the lower leg of the head.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |