US 5,476,020 A · Workpiece and handlebar adjustment apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus adapted for adjusting the position of articles held together by tensioned fasteners such as bolts having a head, a threaded shaft and a nut into which the shaft is threaded includes first and second washer members that are receivable in a stacked array on the bolt shaft between the bolt head and an adjacent surface of one of the articles. Each of the washer members has a diametrically extending semi-cylindrical groove in the surface thereof which faces the other washer member. A cam lever has opposed cam pins of arcuate non-circular cross-section receivable between the washer members within the grooves. Movement of the cam lever to first or second positions thereof will cam the washer members away from or towards each other respectively, thereby applying tension to or releasing tension from the bolt so as to clamp the articles together or release them for movement relative to each other. The apparatus may be applied, for example, to bicycle handlebars to permit the handlebars to be rotated through 90.degree. for storage purposes.

Claims11

Dependent claims

Apparatus adapted for use in fastening articles together by way of a tension fastener having a head portion and a threaded shaft portion, said apparatus comprising:

first and second washer members adapted to be received in a stacked array on the shaft portion between the fastener head portion and an adjacent surface of one of the articles, each of the washer members having a diametrically extending semi-cylindrical groove in the surface thereof which faces the other washer member;
and a cam lever having opposed arcuate, non-circular cam pins adapted to be received between the washer members within said grooves;
whereby with said washer members assembled to said fastener shaft portion and said cam pins positioned between said washer members and within said grooves movement of said cam lever to first or second positions thereof will cam said washer members away from or towards each other respectively, thereby raising or lowering said fastener head portion relative to the adjacent article so as to apply tension to or release tension from said fastener, said articles being movable relative to each other when the tension in said fastener is released.

Apparatus adapted for use in adjusting the position of handlebars, a sleeve portion thereof being connected to a frame by way of a stem bolt passing through the sleeve portion and being received in a tubular portion of the frame, the stem bolt including a head portion, a shaft portion and a wedge portion receivable within the tubular portion for locking the handlebars relative to the frame, said apparatus comprising:

first and second washer members adapted to be received in a stacked array on the shaft portion between the stem bolt head portion and an adjacent upper edge of the sleeve portion, each of the washer members having a diametrically extending semi-cylindrical groove in the surface thereof which faces the other washer member;
and a cam lever having opposed arcuate non-circular cam pins adapted to be received receivable between the washer members within said grooves;
whereby with said washer members assembled to said shaft portion and said cam pins positioned between said washer members and within said grooves movement of said cam lever to first or second positions thereof will cam said washer members away from or towards each other respectively, thereby raising or lowering said stem bolt so as to move said locking wedge into a locked or a relaxed condition, said handlebars being movable relative to said frame when said locking wedge is in its relaxed condition.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Workpiece and handlebar adjustment apparatus

Life of this patent

Workpiece and handlebar adjustment apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11