Bicycle handlebars

• US 5,555,775 A
• Filed: 09/08/1994
• Issued: 09/17/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cannondale Bicycle Corporation (Dorel Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cannondale Bicycle Corporation (Dorel Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: D'Aluisio, Christopher, Patterson, Thomas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marmor, Charles A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GREEN, MARY ANN
• Application Number:
  US08/302,545
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 74/551.3, 74/551.4, 74/551.5, 74/551.7
• US Class Current: 74/551.5
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 21/16 having adjustable parts therein
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20792 Folding or adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20804 Simultaneously movable

Abstract

Adjustable bicycle handlebars comprise a mounting member adapted to be attached to a bicycle frame and right and left handlebars that are mounted on the mounting member to swing between standard positions in which they extend generally downwardly and laterally outwardly in opposite directions from the mounting member and aero positions in which they extend generally forwardly from the mounting member in closely adjacent relation. The handlebars are interconnected for coordinated swinging movement between the standard and aero positions so that when either of them is moved between the positions the other moves with it. Each handlebar has an armrest portion adapted to support a portion of the forearm of a rider when the handlebar is in the aero position. Also, each handlebar has an elongated body portion adjacent the mounting member and a handgrip portion remote from the mounting member that extends generally vertically when the handlebar is in the aero position. A brake lever is mounted on each handlebar immediately adjacent the handgrip portion so that it is immediately accessible to the rider in both the standard and aero positions of the handlebars.

Claims

1. Adjustable bicycle handlebars comprising a mounting member adapted to be attached to a bicycle, a right handlebar having a handgrip portion, a left handlebar having a handgrip portion, means mounting the right handlebar on the mounting member for swinging movement in its entirety relative to the mounting member solely about a single pivot axis extending laterally to the right and obliquely forwardly and upwardly with respect to a longitudinal center plane of the bicycle for movement between a standard position and an aero position, means mounting the left handlebar on the mounting member for swinging movement in its entirety relative to the mounting member solely about a single pivot axis extending substantially laterally to the left and obliquely forwardly and upwardly with respect to the longitudinal center plane of the bicycle for movement between a standard position and an aero position, the handgrip portions of the handlebars when in the standard positions being below and laterally and forwardly of the mounting member and when in the standard positions being more widely spaced apart, lower and more rearwardly than when in the aero positions and the handgrip portions of the handlebars being swung upwardly, forwardly and inwardly when moved from the standard positions to the aero positions, and means coupling the right and the left handlebars for coordinated swinging movement between the standard and the aero positions so that when either one of the handlebars is moved between the standard and the aero positions the other handlebar moves with it.

2. Adjustable bicycle handlebars according to claim 1 wherein the coupling means includes a universal joint associated with each of the handlebars.

3. Adjustable bicycle handlebars according to claim 1 wherein the coupling means includes a connecting shaft rotatably mounted in the mounting member and a universal joint coupling each of the handlebars to the connecting shaft.

4. Adjustable bicycle handlebars according to claim 1 wherein each handlebar has an armrest portion adapted to support a portion of the forearm of a rider when the handlebar is in the aero position.

5. Adjustable bicycle handlebars according to claim 1 and further comprising a brake lever mounted on each of the handlebars.

6. Adjustable bicycle handlebars according to claim 1 and further comprising means for locking at least one of the handlebars in each of the standard and aero positions.

7. Adjustable bicycle handlebars according to claim 6 wherein the locking means is releasible by releasing means located proximate to the handgrip portion of one of the handlebars.

8. Adjustable bicycle handlebars according to claim 1 wherein each of the handlebars includes a support member and a joystick mounted for pivotal movement generally from side to side on the support member, wherein the mounting member is adapted to be affixed to a frame of a bicycle, and wherein the joystick is adapted to be coupled to a steerable wheel of the bicycle.

9. Adjustable bicycle handlebars according to claim 8 and further comprising a brake lever mounted on each of the handlebars.

10. Adjustable bicycle handlebars according to claim 9 wherein each of the brake levers is mounted on the joystick and pivots with the joystick relative to the support member.

11. Adjustable bicycle handlebars according to claim 9 wherein each of the joysticks is mounted on the support member such that it extends generally vertically when the handlebar is in the aero position and generally forwardly when the handlebar is in the standard position.

12. Adjustable bicycle handlebars according to claim 1 wherein each of the handlebars has an elongated body portion adjacent the mounting member, the handgrip portion of each of the handlebars is remote from the mounting member, and the handgrip portion of each of the handlebars extends generally vertically when the handlebar is in the aero position and extends generally forwardly when the handlebar is in the standard position.

13. Adjustable bicycle handlebars according to claim 12 and further comprising a brake lever mounted on each of the handlebars adjacent the handgrip portion.

14. Adjustable bicycle handlebars according to claim 12 wherein the body portion of each of the handlebars has an armrest portion that extends substantially along the entirety of the body portion and has a laterally concave surface that faces generally upwardly when the handlebar is in the aero position.