Stem for a bicycle

Abstract

Stem for a bicycle, configured to be coupled between a fork (201) and a handlebar (202) of the bicycle (200), comprising a first housing (1) configured to accommodate the fork (201) of the bicycle (200), and a second housing (2) configured to accommodate the handlebar (202) of the bicycle (200), wherein the second housing (2) comprises at least one longitudinal support surface (2.0) configured to support the handlebar (202), characterized in that the first housing (1) comprises a virtual central axis (1.1) passing through the second housing (2).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to stems for bicycles, and in particular for mountain bikes, especially downhill bicycles. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Stems for bicycles are used to connect the handlebars to the front fork of the bicycle and to determine the distance between the handlebars and the saddle. The stem is attached to the bicycle fork, and the handlebars are connected to the stem, thus linking the handlebars to the bicycle frame.

[0003] There are two types of stems: long stems and short stems. To determine whether a stem is long or short, the distance between the center of the head tube diameter and the center of the handlebar diameter is measured. Generally, a stem is considered long if this distance is greater than 70 mm, and short if the distance is between 30 mm and 70 mm.

[0004] A long stem is used for greater comfort, while a short stem is used for greater control and maneuverability on the bike. For this reason, short stems are most commonly used on downhill bikes, for example.

[0005] GB2469290A discloses a bicycle stem consisting of two interconnected links. The handlebars are secured between the two links. Each link has a through-hole, and the two holes face each other. The fork is inserted into these holes and thus connected to the stem. REVELATION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention relates to the provision of a stem for a bicycle, as defined in the claims.

[0007] The proposed stem is configured to be coupled between the bicycle's fork and handlebars, and comprises a first housing configured to accommodate the bicycle fork and a second housing configured to support part of the bicycle handlebars. The second housing includes a longitudinal support surface on which the handlebars rest.

[0008] The first housing incorporates a virtual central axis that runs through the second housing. This allows for a shorter distance between the handlebars and the fork compared to previous designs. This results in a stem that is shorter than any known short stem, offering the cyclist greater control and maneuverability, and enabling faster and more effortless directional movements.

[0009] Additionally, this configuration means the handlebars are positioned above the fork, rather than on one side as is typical, increasing the handlebar height compared to conventional stems. In terms of riding, this means the bike is easier to control during jumps or in tricky situations, as the increased height allows for a more bent arm position and thus greater elbow flexion.

[0010] These and other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the figures and the detailed description of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the front section according to the invention. Fig. 2 shows the extension Fig. 1 without any of the auxiliary parts. Fig. Figure 3 is a side view of the extension made of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 shows a bicycle with a stem, as in Fig. 1 shown. Fig. Figure 5 is a bottom view of the extension made of Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 6 shows another embodiment of the front section according to the invention. DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the proposed stem 100 for a bicycle 200, and the said stem 100 is configured to be coupled between a fork 201 and a handlebar 202 of the bicycle 200, as shown in Fig. 4 shown. The 100 stem is preferably designed for 200mm mountain bikes and is particularly advantageous for 200mm downhill bikes.

[0012] The stem 100 comprises a first housing 1 configured to accommodate the fork 201 of the bicycle 200 (a part of the fork 201), wherein said first housing 1 includes a virtual central axis 1.1 (which would correspond to the central axis of the aforementioned head tube). Preferably, the first housing 1 defines a cylindrical cavity which is Fig. As shown in Figure 5, part of the fork 201 is inserted into the aforementioned cavity, thereby coupling it to the stem 100. To ensure a secure coupling, the cavity is defined as a clamp, the tightening force of which can be adjusted or fixed, for example, by means of screws 7. The aforementioned cylindrical cavity comprises a central axis, wherein the aforementioned central axis is the virtual central axis 1.1 of the first housing 1.

[0013] The stem 100 further comprises a second housing 2 configured to accommodate the handlebar 202 of the bicycle 200 (or part of the handlebar 202). The second housing 2 comprises at least one support surface 2.0 configured to support the handlebar 202, and having a semi-cylindrical shape with a defined longitudinal axis 2.3 (the longitudinal axis 2.3 being the center of the virtual cylinder to which said support surface 2.0 would belong).

[0014] The virtual central axis 1.1 of the first housing 1 passes through the second housing 2, thereby reducing the distance between the handlebar 202 and the fork 201. Preferably, the virtual central axis 1.1 of the first housing 1 passes through the second housing 2 such that a horizontal distance D (see Fig. 3) between the longitudinal axis 2.3 of the second housing 2 and the virtual central axis 1.1 of the first housing 1 is less than 10 mm, preferably 5 mm.

[0015] Preferably, the virtual central axis 1.1 of the first housing 1 and the longitudinal axis 2.3 of the second housing 2 are perpendicular to each other. Preferably, the longitudinal axis 2.3 is horizontal (when the stem 100 is coupled to the bicycle 200), and preferably the virtual central axis 1.1 comprises a vertical component and a horizontal component (when the stem 100 is coupled to the bicycle 200), wherein the vertical component has a larger dimension than the horizontal component.

[0016] The extension 100 comprises a main body 3, which includes the first housing 1 and the support surface 2.0 of the second housing 2, and at least one auxiliary element 4.1 (see Fig. 6), which faces the support surface 2.0 of the second housing 2 and is connected to the main body 3 when coupled to the bicycle 200 in use. The stem 100 comprises a space 5 between said support surface 2.0 and the auxiliary element 4.1, and said space 5 forms part of the second housing 2. The auxiliary element 4.1 can be attached to the main body 3 by means of at least one screw 6 or other desired fastening means, although it is preferably attached by means of two screws 6 (or two fastening means), as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown.

[0017] This configuration of the stem 100 allows it to be easily coupled to the bicycle 200, as described below. First, the part of the fork 201 can be inserted into the first housing 1. The support surface 2.0 is accessible, and the handlebar 202 can be easily supported on it. Finally, the auxiliary element 4.1 is attached to the main body 3, thereby securing the handlebar 202 in position and coupling the stem 100 between the aforementioned handlebar 202 and the fork 201 of the bicycle 200.

[0018] Preferably, the auxiliary element 4.1 and the main body 3 are made of the same material, so that they behave the same, for example, when exposed to temperature changes, which also facilitates their connection.

[0019] Preferably, the second housing 2 comprises a first segment 2.1 and a second segment 2.2, which are separated from each other along the longitudinal axis 2.3, each of said segments 2.1 and 2.2 comprising a respective support surface 2.0. This results in a material saving in the main body 3 and thus in the extension 100. This makes the extension more economical and lighter.

[0020] In the embodiment of the Fig. 6 is the auxiliary element 4.1 connected to both segments 2.1 and 2.2.

[0021] In other embodiments (see Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig.3) The stem 100 comprises a first auxiliary element 4.1 facing the support surface 2.0 of the first segment 2.1, and a second auxiliary element 4.2 facing the support surface 2.0 of the second segment 2.2 of the second housing 2, both auxiliary elements 4.1 and 4.2 being attached to the main body 3 when the stem 100 is coupled to the bicycle 200. The stem 100 comprises a first space 5 between the support surface 2.0 of the first segment 2.1 and the first auxiliary element 4.1, and a second space 5 between the support surface 2.0 of the second segment 2.2 and the second auxiliary element 4.2, said spaces 5 forming part of the second housing 2. In these embodiments, an additional material saving in the stem 100 (and a weight saving) is thus achieved, since a sufficient support length for secure attachment is given to the handlebar 202 between the two auxiliary elements 4.1 and 4.2, with both auxiliary elements 4.1 and 4.2 can be spaced apart from each other by a certain longitudinal distance E, in which no material is present. Preferably, the first auxiliary element 4.1 and the second auxiliary element 4.2 are identical, wherein the support surface 2.0 of the first segment 2.1 and the support surface 2.0 of the second segment 2.2 are identical (same cylindrical shape with the same radius and the same length), and they are made of the same material. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] GB 2469290A

[0005]

Claims

[1] Stem for a bicycle, configured to be coupled between a fork (201) and a handlebar (202) of the bicycle (200), comprising a first housing (1) configured to accommodate the fork (201) of the bicycle (200) and a second housing (2) configured to accommodate the handlebar (202) of the bicycle (200), wherein the second housing (2) comprises at least one longitudinal support surface (2.0) configured to support the handlebar (202), characterized by , that the first housing (1) includes a virtual central axis (1.1) that passes through the second housing (2). [2] Extension according to claim 1, wherein the first housing (1) defines a cylindrical cavity, wherein the virtual central axis (1.1) is the axis of the cavity. [3] Extension according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support surface (2.0) of the second housing (2) comprises a semi-cylindrical shape with a defined longitudinal axis (2.3). [4] Extension according to claim 3, wherein a horizontal distance (D) between the longitudinal axis (2.3) of the second housing (2) and the virtual central axis (1.1) of the first housing (1) is less than 10 mm, preferably 5 mm. [5] Extension according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the virtual central axis (1.1) of the first housing (1) and the longitudinal axis (2.3) of the second housing (2) are perpendicular to each other. [6] Stem according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the longitudinal axis (2.3) of the second housing (2) is horizontal when the stem (100) is coupled to the bicycle (200). [7] Stem according to one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the virtual central axis (1.1) of the first housing (1) comprises a vertical component and a horizontal component when the stem (100) is coupled to the bicycle (200). [8] Stem according to claim 7, wherein the vertical component of the virtual central axis (1.1) of the first housing (1) has a larger dimension than its horizontal component when the stem (100) is coupled to the bicycle (200). [9] Extension according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a main body (3) comprising the first housing (1) and the support surface (2.0) of the second housing (2), and at least one auxiliary element (4.1) facing the support surface (2.0) of the second housing (2) and attached to the main body (3), wherein the extension (100) comprises a space (5) between the support surface (2.0) and the auxiliary element (4.1) which forms part of the second housing (2). [10] Extension according to claim 9, wherein the auxiliary element (4.1) and the main body (3) are made of the same material. [11] Extension according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second housing (2) comprises a first segment (2.1) and a second segment (2.2) which are separated from each other, wherein each of the segments (2.1, 2.2) comprises a respective support surface (2.0). [12] Extension according to claim 11, comprising a main body (3) comprising the first housing (1) and the support surfaces (2.0) of the second housing (2), and a first auxiliary element (4.1) facing the support surface (2.0) of the first segment (2.1) of the second housing (2), and a second auxiliary element (4.2) facing the support surface (2.0) of the second segment (2.2) of the second housing (2), wherein both auxiliary elements (4.1, 4.2) are attached to the main body (3), wherein the extension (100) comprises a first space (5) between the support surface (2.0) of the first segment (2.1) of the second housing (2) and the first auxiliary element (4.1) and a second space (5) between the support surface (2.0) of the second segment (2.2) of the second housing (2) and the second auxiliary element (4.2), and wherein the spaces (5) form part of the second housing (2). [13] Extension according to claim 12, wherein the first auxiliary element (4.1) and the second auxiliary element (4.2) are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined longitudinal distance (E). [14] Extension according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the two auxiliary elements (4,1, 4.2) and the main body (3) are made of the same material. [15] Extension according to one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the support surface (2.0) of the first segment (2.1) and the support surface (2.0) of the second segment (2.2) are the same, and the first auxiliary element (4.1) and the second auxiliary element (4.2) are the same.

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