Handlebar stem for a bicycle, and system comprising a bicycle handlebar and a handlebar stem

Abstract

The invention relates to a handlebar stem (100) for a bicycle, having at least one steerer tube connecting portion (130) which is designed to be fastened to or in a steerer tube of a front wheel fork of a bicycle, having at least one handlebar mount (160) which is designed to fasten a handlebar (200), and having a portion (150) which preferably extends in an arcuately curved manner relative to the steerer tube connecting portion (130) and which is composed of a plurality of individual segments (140) which are designed to be complementary to one another and which are braced against one another in a releasable and exchangeable manner in such a way that the angle of inclination of the handlebar stem (100) with respect to the steerer tube can be changed by exchanging individual segments (140). The invention further relates to a system comprising a handlebar (200) having a handle bar having at least one central portion (210), which is designed for clamping fastening in a handlebar stem clamping means of the bicycle, and having at least two handlebar arm portions (220), which are connected to the central portion (210), and having a handlebar stem (100) of the type described above.

Description

[0001] Stem for a bicycle, as well as a system comprising a bicycle handlebar and a stem.

[0002] The invention relates to a stem for a bicycle, comprising at least one fork stem connecting section designed for attachment to or in a fork stem of a front fork of a bicycle, and at least one handlebar mount designed for attaching a handlebar.

[0003] The invention further relates to a system comprising a bicycle handlebar with a handlebar bracket having at least one central section designed for clamping in a stem clamp of the bicycle, and with at least two handlebar arm sections connected to the central section, wherein the system further comprises a stem of the aforementioned type.

[0004] The stem of a bicycle typically connects the handlebars to the top of the fork steerer tube. The handlebars are attached to the stem by a clamp. The stem itself can be clamped into the steerer tube using either a compression or conical seat. Newer stem designs, also known as ahead stems, feature a clamp that grips the outside of the fork steerer tube. Some modern stems are designed as part of an integrated cockpit, meaning the stem and handlebars are a single unit with a contour that is optimized for both aesthetics and aerodynamics. This latter design is particularly common on performance-oriented bicycles.

[0005] For bicycles intended for everyday use or for users who are not sport-oriented, it is generally desirable to be able to adjust the inclination of the stem relative to a horizontal plane to the seating position and / or anatomy of the user.

[0006] For example, German patent DE 10 2019 111 562 Al discloses a stem for a bicycle that allows the handlebars to be rotated relative to the front fork. To enable different handlebar height positions, DE 10 2019 111 562 Al proposes designing the stem with an angled stem and shaping it so that it can be attached to the fork steerer tube in two different installation positions.

[0007] In principle, angle-adjustable stems that allow more than two different stem angles are known in the state of the art.

[0008] Furthermore, attachments are known in the prior art that include integrated vibration damping or suspension.

[0009] For example, US Patent 2017 / 0043838 discloses a spring-loaded stem that includes an integrated pivot joint between a fixed part and a spring-loaded part and is designed to dampen shocks transmitted from the front fork to the handlebars, thereby providing the user with increased riding comfort. In principle, it is desirable to provide a stem that can be adjusted in angle using relatively simple means, and which, in particular, allows for an integrated design adapted to the geometry of the bicycle handlebars.

[0010] The invention is based on the objective of providing an improved, tilt-adjustable stem that also has the advantages of modern integrated handlebar-stem units.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention, a stem for a bicycle handlebar with the features of claim 1 is provided. The stem comprises at least one fork stem connecting section designed for attachment to or in a fork steerer tube of a bicycle's front fork, at least one handlebar mount designed for attaching a handlebar or handlebar clamp, and a section extending, preferably in an arc-shaped manner, relative to the fork stem connecting section, which is composed of several individual, mutually complementary segments that are detachably and interchangeably clamped to one another, such that the angle of inclination of the stem with respect to the fork steerer tube can be changed by exchanging individual segments.

[0012] This stem has the design advantage of not including any joints that would interfere with an internal cable routing design. The term "cable routing" in this context encompasses electrical cables, data cables, hydraulic lines, and Bowden cables, reflecting the fact that modern bicycles very rarely include components operated by Bowden cables.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, a system is provided according to dependent claim 14.

[0014] The system comprises a bicycle handlebar with a handlebar arm having at least one central section designed for clamping in a stem clamp of the bicycle, and with at least two handlebar arm sections connected to the central section, as well as a stem with the features described above.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, a bicycle handlebar and a stem are provided as separate components that are coordinated in such a way that the bicycle handlebar and the stem have a seamless and visually appealing surface transition, without the stem and the handlebar being formed as a single piece.

[0016] One aspect of the invention relates to the provision of such a system which has the optical appearance of a so-called integrated bicycle cockpit, but can be adapted to the user's anatomy and riding position to a large extent.

[0017] Advantageous embodiments of the front section and the system result from the dependent claims.

[0018] The stem can be designed as a so-called Ahead stem with a fork steerer tube connecting section that has a fork steerer tube mount designed for clamping the fork steerer tube.

[0019] Alternatively, the stem can also be designed as a so-called quill stem with an internal clamp, for example in the form of an angled cone.

[0020] The segments can be designed as interchangeable clamping wedges. These can be designed as wedge discs. The terms clamping wedge and wedge disc are used synonymously in this context. A wedge disc, as described below, is understood to be a disc-shaped element that has end faces inclined relative to each other, similar to a wedge.

[0021] The angle of inclination of the end faces relative to each other defines the degree of inclination of the stem with respect to a horizontal plane. It is assumed that a horizontal plane is defined by a level surface for a bicycle in its normal operating position.

[0022] The stem can be inclined relative to such a horizontal plane. The stem's inclination essentially defines the rider's seating position when holding the handlebars. The segments are aligned in their installed position such that thinner sections, when joined, point in the direction of travel, while thicker sections are located on the side facing the rider, forming a knee-shaped, forward-leaning section of the stem. Each segment may have openings to allow, for example, the routing of cables or Bowden cables.

[0023] The segments can interlock in their installed position in a form-fitting manner, preferably in the area of ​​their end faces, such that these cannot shift against each other when the front section is subjected to a load transverse to its longitudinal extent.

[0024] From one perspective, means can be provided to brace the segments against each other and between the handlebar mount and the fork stem connection section.

[0025] From an advantageous point of view, it may be provided that the means for bracing the segments are at least partially integrated into the extension in such a way that they are arranged at least partially concealed from view or blend into the visible contour of the extension.

[0026] The clamping mechanism can include a yoke clamp. The yoke clamp can comprise two yoke arms which, in the installed position, can exert compressive stress between the handlebar clamp and the steerer tube junction by means of at least two clamping bolts. A yoke arm can, for example, be designed as a round pin with transverse bores for receiving clamping bolts. The clamping bolts can be threaded bolts with a tool engagement, for example in the form of an internal hexagon, which allows clamping with a hex key. The yoke arms can each extend through channels running transversely to the direction of extension of the stem, which, for example, penetrate the stem in the area of ​​the steerer tube junction and in the area of ​​the handlebar clamp.

[0027] From an advantageous point of view, it can be provided that the tensioning bolts extend in concealed passages in the extension.

[0028] It can be advantageous if the individual segments are designed differently. The end faces of at least one first segment and the end faces of at least one second segment can have different angles of inclination to each other, so that the segments define different arc segments of a preferably curved or inclined section of the stem in the direction of travel of the bicycle.

[0029] In principle, all segments can have end faces of the same size with the same cross-sectional area and / or the same contour, so that the front section has a lateral surface that is essentially continuous and without offsets.

[0030] The stem's handlebar clamp can be formed by a first and second stem body, which can combine to create a clamping mechanism for the middle section of a handlebar. The first stem body can form the upper side of the stem, facing the rider when the bicycle is in use, while the second stem body can be a separate component forming the lower side. The first and second stem bodies can be clamped together with bolts to secure the handlebars.

[0031] Advantageously, feedthroughs can be provided for the concealed installation of cables, lines or Bowden cables.

[0032] The fork steerer connection area conveniently includes a fork steerer connection clamp.

[0033] The steerer tube connection area can include at least one sleeve that conceals the steerer tube connection clamp and preferably forms an annular space around the steerer tube connection clamp for accommodating cables, hoses, or Bowden cables. The sleeve can be made of multiple parts.

[0034] The front section can be made entirely or partially of a lightweight metal. This could be, for example, aluminum or titanium, either as an aluminum die-cast part or as a 3D-printed component. The segments can also be made of lightweight metal, or alternatively, they can be made of plastic.

[0035] At least one of the segments can be designed as an elastomer body to provide damping.

[0036] The system according to the second point comprises a bicycle handlebar with a handlebar arm having at least one central section designed for clamping in a stem clamp of the bicycle, and with at least two handlebar arm sections connected to the central section, as well as a stem with one or more of the features described above.

[0037] The bicycle handlebar can have a handlebar grip that consists at least predominantly of a thermoplastic material, with a top surface facing the user when installed on the bicycle and a bottom surface facing away from the user when installed on the bicycle, wherein the handlebar grip includes at least one central section designed for clamping in the stem's handlebar clamp. The central section can have a standard circular diameter (for example, 31.8 mm).

[0038] The handlebar of the bicycle comprises at least two handlebar arm sections integrally connected to the central section, and at least two grip sections integrally connected to the handlebar arm sections, which preferably have a cylindrical cross-section, at least in some areas. The handlebar can be designed as a one-piece, injection-molded plastic component, wherein, in particular, the central section, the handlebar arm sections, and the grip sections are integrally connected to one another.

[0039] It may be provided that the handlebar is made at least predominantly of a filled and / or fiber-reinforced thermoplastic. The plastic may be filled with long and / or short fibers. The handlebar may be made of a thermoplastic selected from a group of thermoplastics including PA, PP, PPA, PS, PE, ABS, PC, POM, PEK, PEEK, PA610, HPPA, PARA, and PBT. Alternatively, it may be provided that the handlebar has fiber reinforcement with continuous, tensile fibers over at least a portion of its length and / or circumference. The continuous fibers may be selected from a group of fibers including glass fibers, basalt fibers, and carbon fibers.

[0040] The central section of the handlebar can have a reduced cross-section with respect to the handlebar arm sections, which is adapted to a clamping diameter of the handlebar mount of the stem, and the cross-sections of at least the transition areas of the handlebar arm sections immediately adjoining the central section are designed in such a way that they form essentially continuous transitions with the stem.

[0041] The handlebar can have at least partially integrated cable guides that are aligned with the cable entries of the stem when installed.

[0042] The invention is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings of an exemplary embodiment.

[0043] They show:

[0044] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective representation of the porch.

[0045] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective bottom view of the stem shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is another schematic perspective view of the stem with an exploded view of the two-part sleeve surrounding the steerer tube connection section.

[0046] Figure 4 shows a representation of the front section shown in Figure 3, in which the cuff is in the installed position.

[0047] Figure 5 shows a side view of the stem without the sleeve surrounding the steerer tube connection section.

[0048] Figure 6 shows an exploded view of the first, upper extension body and one segment.

[0049] Figure 7 shows an arrangement corresponding to Figure 6 as a side view.

[0050] Figure 8 shows a representation of the system according to the invention as an exploded view from above,

[0051] Figure 9 shows an exploded view of the system from below.

[0052] Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the system in a partially assembled configuration and

[0053] Figure 11 shows a view corresponding to Figure 10 with the cuff encompassing the fork stem connection section of the stem.

[0054] The stem 100 according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 comprises a first upper stem body 110, a second lower stem body 120, a fork steerer tube connection section 130, and a plurality of segments 140 designed as clamping discs, which form a forward-inclined stem section 150. The first upper stem body 110 and the second lower stem body 120 combine to form a handlebar mount 160 designed as a clamping device for clamping a handlebar 200 (see Figures 8 to 11).

[0055] Figure 1 further shows a yoke clamp 300 for clamping the segments 140 against each other and between the first upper stem body 110 and the fork steerer tube connecting section 130. The yoke clamp 300 is shown in its uninstalled position in Figures 1 and 2. It comprises two yoke brackets 310 which, in the installed position, exert a compressive force between the handlebar mount 160 and the fork steerer tube connecting section 130 by means of two clamping bolts 320 when the clamping bolts 320, designed as threaded bolts, are tightened.

[0056] In the installed position, the yoke brackets 310 extend through two through-holes 330 designed as plug-in receptacles, one of which is provided in the handlebar mount 160, while the second through-hole 330 extends through the fork steerer tube connecting section 130. The through-holes 330 each extend transversely to the longitudinal extent of the stem 100. The clamping bolts 320 extend parallel to each other and are concealed within the stem 100 through channels 340 provided for this purpose, which are formed by openings 141 in the segments 140 (Figure 6). The fork steerer tube connecting section 130 is designed as a fork steerer tube clamp 131, which grips a bicycle fork steerer tube (not shown) in the installed position and can be clamped to the fork steerer tube by means of clamping screws (not shown). For this purpose, 130 unspecified openings for threaded bolts are provided in the fork stem connection section.

[0057] As can be readily seen from Figures 1 to 3, the cross-section of the stem in the area of ​​the handlebar clamp 160 and in the area of ​​the interconnected segments 140 is larger than the cross-section of the steerer tube clamp 131. In its installed position, the steerer tube clamp 131 is enclosed by a two-part sleeve 132, which forms an annular space 133 between the steerer tube clamp 131 for routing cables, hoses, Bowden cables, or the like. The term "annular space" does not imply that the resulting space must be geometrically ring-shaped. In fact, due to the design of the stem 100, this is not the case, as can be seen in the figures.

[0058] The cuff 132 also conceals the clamping bolt 320 extending in the passage 330.

[0059] The illustration in Figure 4 shows the cuff 132 in its installed configuration. The gap 133 is particularly visible in the illustration in Figure 11. Figure 11 shows the system comprising the handlebar 200 with the mounted stem 100. As can be seen particularly in the illustrations in Figures 6 and 7, the segments 140 each are designed as clamping discs or wedge discs. These each comprise an upper and a lower end face 142, 143, as well as a tapered front section 144 of thinness and a rear section 145 of greater thickness. The end faces 142, 143 are inclined towards each other in the direction of travel with respect to the installation position of the stem 100 on the bicycle, such that at least one segment 140 forms the curved or inclined stem section 150.

[0060] The first extension body 110 and each of the segments 140 are each provided on their lower end faces 143 with a forked and projecting locking element 146 with a groove channel 147, which is designed to receive a locking web 149 extending within an opening 148 of the segment 140. The groove channel 147 extends transversely to the longitudinal extent of the extension body 100, as does the locking web 149, which is designed to complement it. In the installed position of the segments 140, the groove channel 147 and the locking web 149 interlock positively and thus prevent the segments 140 from shifting relative to each other transversely to the longitudinal extent of the extension body, i.e., within the dividing plane formed between the segments 140.

[0061] The curved stem section 150, as shown in Figure 5, comprises four segments 140 that interlock positively and are clamped between the handlebar mount 160 and the fork steerer tube connecting section 130, as well as against each other. By omitting or removing one of the segments 140, the radius of curvature of the curved stem section 150 increases, thereby reducing the angle of the stem 100. It is readily apparent to the discerning reader that with a correspondingly reduced number of segments 140, for example, the configuration shown in Figures 6 and 7 with only a single segment, the stem 100 can exhibit a different angle of inclination.

[0062] Figure 8 shows a top view of the system as an exploded view comprising the handlebar 200 and the stem 100, which is designed as described above. The handlebar 200 includes a handlebar arm with a central section 210, which is designed for clamping in the handlebar mount 160 of the stem 100. The handlebar 200 further comprises two handlebar arm sections 220, which are integrally connected to the central section 210. The handlebar 200 is, for example, designed as an injection-molded component made of a thermoplastic material reinforced with tensile long fibers and / or short fibers.

[0063] The central section 210 has a substantially circular cross-section with a standard diameter (e.g., 31.8 mm), which, in its installed position, is clamped between the first upper stem body 110 and the second lower stem body 120. The central section 210 of the handlebar or handlebar 200 has a reduced cross-section compared to the handlebar arm sections 220, which is matched to the clamping diameter of the handlebar clamp 160 of the stem 100. The cross-sections of the transition areas of the handlebar arm sections 220 adjoining the central section 210 are adapted to the cross-section such that the transitions between the handlebar arm sections 220 and the upper and lower stem bodies 110, 120 are continuous without protrusions, so that the system visually resembles an integrated bicycle cockpit.

[0064] The handlebar arm sections 220 are provided on their underside, i.e., on the side facing away from the user in the installed position, with integrated cable guides 230, which interact with corresponding cable guides 121 of the first upper and the second lower stem bodies 110, 120 in such a way that a continuous cable routing is formed through the handlebar 200, the stem 100 and the annular space 133, as can be seen in particular from the illustration in Figure 10. (Reference numeral list stem)

[0065] first extension body

[0066] second extension body

[0067] Cable routing

[0068] Fork steerer tube connection section, fork steerer tube connection clamp, sleeve

[0069] space

[0070] Segments

[0071] Breakthroughs

[0072] upper front surface

[0073] lower front surface

[0074] front area

[0075] rear area

[0076] Latching body

[0077] Grooved channel

[0078] Breakthrough

[0079] Resting place

[0080] curved extension section

[0081] Handlebar mount 200 handlebar

[0082] 210 Center section 220 Handlebar arm sections 230 Cable routing

[0083] 300 yoke clamp

[0084] 310 yoke brackets

[0085] 320 tension bolts

[0086] 330 executions

[0087] 340 channels

Claims

Claims 1. Stem (100) for a bicycle, comprising at least one fork stem connecting section (130) designed for attachment to or in a fork stem of a front fork of a bicycle, comprising at least one handlebar mount (160) designed for attaching a handlebar (200), and comprising a section (150) extending in a preferably arc-shaped curve relative to the fork stem connecting section (130), which is composed of several individual, mutually complementary segments (140) which are detachably and interchangeably clamped against each other, such that the angle of inclination of the stem (100) with respect to the fork stem can be changed by exchanging individual segments (140).

2. Extension according to claim 1, characterized in that the segments ( 140) each are designed as wedge discs, each having end faces ( 141, 142) inclined relative to each other.

3. Extension according to claim 2, characterized in that the segments ( 140) interlock in a form-fitting manner in their installed position.

4. Stem according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that means for clamping the segments (140) against each other and between the handlebar mount (160) and the fork steerer tube connecting section (130) are provided.

5. Stem according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the means for clamping the segments (140) are at least partially integrated such that they are arranged at least partially concealed from view or blend into the visible contour of the stem (100).

6. Front end according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the means for tensioning comprise a yoke clamp ( 300 ).

7. Stem according to claim 6, characterized in that the yoke clamp (300) comprises two yoke brackets (310) which, in the installed position, exert a compressive stress between the handlebar mount (160) and the fork stem connecting section (130) by means of two clamping bolts (320).

8. Extension according to claim 7, characterized in that the clamping bolts (320) extend at least partially concealed in channels (340).

9. Front section according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the end faces ( 141, 142 ) of at least one first segment ( 140) and the end faces of at least one second segment have different angles of inclination of the end faces to each other.

10. Stem according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the handlebar mount ( 160) is formed by a first and second stem body ( 110, 120) which combine to form a clamping mount for a central part (210) of a handlebar.

11. Front section according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that cable guides are provided for concealed installation of cables, lines or Bowden cables.

12. Stem according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the fork steerer connection area ( 130) comprises a fork steerer connection clamp ( 131 ).

13. Stem according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the fork stem connection area ( 130) comprises at least one sleeve ( 132 ) which covers the fork stem connection clamp and which preferably forms a space ( 133 ) for receiving cables, lines or Bowden cables around the fork stem connection clamp ( 131 ).

14. System comprising a handlebar (200) with a handlebar arm having at least one central section (210) designed for clamping in a stem clamp of the bicycle, and with at least two handlebar arm sections (220) connected to the central section (210), and a stem (100) having the features of any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. System according to claim 14, characterized in that the central section (210) of the handlebar has a reduced cross-section with respect to the handlebar arm sections (220), which is adapted to a clamping diameter of the handlebar mount (160) of the stem (100), and that the cross-sectional areas of the transition regions of the handlebar arm sections (220) immediately adjoining the central section (210) are designed such that they form substantially continuous transitions with the stem (100).

16. System according to claim 15, characterized in that the handlebar has at least partially integrated cable guides which, in the installed position, are aligned with cable entries of the stem.

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