Pivotable Handlebar for Locking and Efficient Storage of a Bicycle

• US 20120125145A1
• Filed: 11/18/2010
• Published: 05/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Claude Vanderveen
• Original Assignee: Claude Vanderveen
• Inventors: VanderVeen, Claude
• Application Number:
  US12/949,101
• Publication Number:
  US 20120125145A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/551.8
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 5/04 acting on the handlebars or equivalent
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 21/16 having adjustable parts therein
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20822 Attachments and accessories

Abstract

The present invention is a pivotable handlebar stem apparatus comprised of a clamp body, a cam lock, and a positioning component. The clamp body fits around a handlebar stem or portion of the handlebars of a bicycle. When the cam lock is unlocked and the positioning component is disengaged, the handlebars may be rotated from a riding position to a parked position for convenient storage, transport and parking.

Claims

1. A pivotable handlebar stem apparatus comprised of:

a clamp body which fits around outer and inner sleeves of a handlebar stem;

a cam lock, said cam lock passes completely through said clamp body creating a clamping force; and

a positioning component, said positioning component passes through said clamp body and through said outer sleeve into said inner sleeve;

wherein when said cam lock is locked and said positioning component is engaged, handlebars are secured in one of two positions.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein when said cam lock is unlocked and said positioning component is disengaged, said handlebars may be rotated between a riding position and a parked position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said positioning component is selected from the group consisting of a retractable plunger, a push button, a straight-line action clamp, a detent pin, a lever assembly and combinations thereof.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 which further includes at least one rigid locking component.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said outer sleeve rotates outside said inner sleeve when said handlebars are rotated.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said handlebars are rotated counterclockwise.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 which further includes an anti-theft lock assembly.

8. A pivotable handlebar stem apparatus comprised of:

a clamp body which fits around outer and inner sleeves of a handlebar stem;

a cam lock, said cam lock passes completely through said clamp body creating a clamping force;

a positioning component, said positioning component passes through said clamp body and through said outer sleeve into said inner sleeve;

wherein when said cam lock is locked and said positioning component is engaged, handlebars are secured in one of two positions; and

an anti-theft lock component.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said anti-theft lock component is selected from the group consisting of a locking cylinder, a key, a locking arm, a slot and combinations thereof.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein when said cam lock is unlocked and said positioning component is disengaged, said handlebars may be rotated between a riding position and a parked position.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said positioning component is selected from the group consisting of a retractable plunger, a push button, a straight-line action clamp, a detent pin, a lever assembly and combinations thereof.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 which further includes at least one rigid locking component.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said outer sleeve rotates outside said inner sleeve when said handlebars are rotated.

14. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said handlebars are rotated counterclockwise.

15. A pivotable handlebar assembly apparatus comprised of:

a clamp body which fits around outer and inner sleeves of a handlebar stem;

a cam lock, said cam lock passes completely through said clamp body creating a clamping force;

a positioning component, said positioning component passes through said clamp body and through said outer sleeve into said inner sleeve;

wherein when said cam lock is locked and said positioning component is engaged, handlebars are secured in one of two positions;

a set of handlebars; and

a handlebar stem, which may be inserted into the head tube of a bicycle.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein when said cam lock is unlocked and said positioning component is disengaged, said handlebars may be rotated between a riding position and a parked position.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said positioning component is selected from the group consisting of a retractable plunger, a push button, a straight-line action clamp, a detent pin, a lever assembly and combinations thereof.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said outer sleeve rotates outside said inner sleeve when said handlebars are rotated.

19. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said handlebars are rotated counterclockwise.

20. The apparatus of claim 15 which further includes an anti-theft lock assembly.