Patent Application
20060207382
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a handlebar stem of a bicycle, and more particularly to a handlebar stem assembly capable of adjusting the mounting angle of the handlebar of a bicycle.
2. Description of the Prior Arts
Normally, mounting angle of a handlebar of a bicycle is fixed and unchangeable despite the height of the steering post is adjustable. Therefore, how to make a structure capable of adjusting the mounting angle of the handlebar to meet the user's needs has become an important subject for all the manufacturers.
Referring to
First, the handlebar stem 10 cannot be adjusted anymore once it is horizontally fixed to the steering post, consequently, the handlebar 12 is also horizontally fixed, this might make it uneasy for the user to control the bicycle.
Second, the handlebar 12 is only adjustable in height but not in mounting angle relative to the frame, the thing is that the user has to change his/her riding posture to fit the handle bar 12, but not the handlebar 12 is adjustable to fit the user. As a result, long period of riding might cause uncomfortableness or sports injury.
Third, a professional cyclist must use different bicycles according to road conditions, mounting angle of the handlebar is one of the structural factors of a bicycle, therefore, it is inconvenience for a professional cyclist to carry several types of handlebars and handlebar stems.
Referring to
First, the mounting angle a of the handlebar stem 13 is unchangeable after it is fixed, the user still has to adjust his/her riding posture to fit the handlebar 15, and long period of riding might cause uncomfortableness or sports injury.
Second, the single mounting angle a is not enough, so the professional cyclist still has to choose different bicycles according to road conditions.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages.
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a handlebar stem assembly for a bicycle capable of adjusting the mounting angle of the handlebar of a bicycle, so as to fit different user's needs.
A handlebar stem assembly for a bicycle provided in accordance with the present invention comprises:
a front stem, an end which formed with a locking portion locked on a frame of a bicycle, another end of the front stem formed with a coupling portion, a longitudinal axis of the coupling portion being slanted to form an angle with respect to a horizontal axis of a base of the front stem;
a rear stem, at an end of its base being formed a locking hole for insertion of a handlebar of a bicycle, another end of the base of the rear stem formed with a coupling portion for coaxially receiving the coupling portion of the front stem, a center of the locking hole being offset at a deflection angle from the longitudinal axis of the coupling portion of the front stem.
The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which show, for purpose of illustrations only, the preferred embodiments in accordance with the present invention.
Referring to
A front stem 20, an end of its base 23 is a locking portion 21 locked on the frame of a bicycle, another end of the base 23 is a coupling portion 22. A longitudinal axis of the coupling portion 22 is slanted to form an angle b with respect to the horizontal axis A of the base 23, and the coupling portion 22 is rod-shaped.
A rear stem 30, at an end of its base 33 is formed a locking hole 31 for insertion of the handlebar of a bicycle, another end of the base 33 of the rear stem 30 is a coupling portion 32 which is in the shape of a recess for coaxially receiving the coupling portion 22 of the front stem 20. The center of the locking hole 31 is offset from the longitudinal axis of the coupling portion 22 of the front stem 20 to form a deflection angle X.
For better understanding the present invention, its operations and functions, references should be made particularly to
If the mounting angle of the handlebar stem assembly is Y (the angle between the longitudinal axis of the rear stem 30 and the horizontal axis of A of the base 23 of the front stem 20),
Angle b=13.5 degrees
Angle X=3.5 degrees
then the mounting angle Y=13.5+3.5=17 degrees.
With reference to
If the mounting angle of the handlebar stem assembly is Y (the angle between the longitudinal axis of the rear stem 30 and the horizontal axis of A of the base 23 of the front stem 20),
Angle b=13.5 degrees
Angle X=3.5 degrees
then the mounting angle Y=13.5−3.5=10 degrees.
Therefore, the mounting angle Y of the handlebar stem assembly of the present invention can be adjusted easily and quickly to fit different users.
On the other hand, as shown in
Referring further to
While we have shown and described various embodiments in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
