CA3137182C - Handlebar alignment tool - Google Patents

Abstract

A handlebar alignment tool having movable jaws and a rigid member with an attachment point for an alignment gauge. The handlebar alignment tool is mounted to a fork by engaging the movable jaws with the fork. An alignment gauge, which can be a derailleur alignment gauge, is mounted to the handlebar alignment tool. The handlebar alignment tool positions the alignment gauge for rotation in a plane that is perpendicular to the plane of the front wheel. The handlebar is aligned to the front wheel by gauging the opposite sides of the handlebar with the alignment gauge.

Description

HANDLEBAR ALIGNMENT TOOL
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The invention relates generally to bicycle tools, and more specifically, to bicycle alignment tools.
BACKGROUND

[002] A common technique for aligning bicycle handlebars involves visually aligning the stem with the front wheel. However, this method is inaccurate, it requires a concentrated effort, and it can result in uncertainty about whether a handlebar is aligned.
A compact and easy-to-use tool that enables accurate handlebar alignment would be useful for people who adjust bicycles.
SUMMARY

[003] The present invention provides a handlebar alignment tool particularly suitable for bicycles. The handlebar alignment tool is designed to be mounted to a fork of a bicycle with a front wheel. An alignment gauge is attached to the handlebar alignment tool, and this alignment gauge has a rotation axis about which an elongated part of the alignment gauge rotates. The handlebar alignment tool comprises:
1. a rigid member with an attachment point for the alignment gauge, and 2. one or more movable jaws, 3. wherein the movable jaws engage with the fork to fix the rigid member to the fork such that the rotation axis of the alignment gauge is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the front wheel.

Date recue / Date received 2021-11-01 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[004] In the drawings:

[005] FIG. 1 is an enlarged isometric view of the handlebar alignment tool mounted to a bicycle in accordance with a first embodiment;

[006] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the handlebar alignment tool in accordance with the first embodiment; and

[007] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the handlebar alignment tool in accordance with the first embodiment.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
___ handlebar alignment tool 24 __ second movable jaw 11 ___ bicycle 25 __ rigid member 12 ___ stem 26 __ T-slot extrusion 13 ___ handlebar 27 __ extension 14 ___ front wheel 28 __ threaded hole ___ fork 29 __ center plane 16 ___ steering axis 30 __ actuation screw 17 ___ steerer tube 31 __ movable jaw mounting surface 18 ___ first fork leg 32 __ rigid member mounting surface 19 ___ second fork leg 33 __ bushing ___ alignment gauge 34 __ actuation screw mount 21 __ alignment gauge axis 35 __ hand wheel 22 ___ actuation mechanism 36 __ end cap 23 ___ first movable jaw 37 __ loop Date recue / Date received 2021-11-01 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[008] In the figures, an embodiment of a handlebar alignment tool of the present disclosure is referred to in general as 10.

[009] FIG. 1 illustrates a bicycle 11 to which is mounted the handlebar alignment tool 10 in accordance with the exemplary embodiment. The rear part of the bicycle 11 is not shown. While the bicycle 11 is illustrated as a mountain bike, the handlebar alignment tool 10 can be used with road bikes or any other type of bicycle. The bicycle 11 can have a different configuration of components than that shown in the figures.

[010] The bicycle is equipped with a stem 12, a handlebar 13, a front wheel 14, and a fork 15 with a steering axis 16. The front wheel 14 needn't be present for the handlebar alignment tool 10 to be used. The handlebar 13 can be equipped with brake levers, gear shifters, grips, etc. The fork 15 can be either a suspension fork or a rigid fork. Irrespective of its shape or configuration, the fork 15 of the present disclosure has a steerer tube 17, a first fork leg 18, and a second fork leg 19. The first and second fork legs 18, 19 are located on opposite sides of the front wheel 14 and are attached at their most forward end to the front wheel 14 which rotates about a front wheel axis. In the illustrated embodiment, the fork 15 is a suspension fork and the handlebar alignment tool 10 is attached to the stanchion (or cylindrical sliding member) of each of the fork legs 18, 19.

[011] The stem 12 forms a rigid connection between the steerer tube 17 and the handlebar 13. The stem 12 and steerer tube 17 are configured such that the stem 12 can be fixed relative to the fork 15 in various rotational positions around a steering axis 16.
The stem 12 and handlebar 13 are rotated together about the steerer tube 17 to align the handlebar 13 in a known manner with the front wheel 14.

[012] Referring to FIG. 1, the handlebar alignment tool 10 is mounted to the fork 15, and an alignment gauge 20 is mounted to the handlebar alignment tool 10. The alignment gauge 20 is shown as a derailleur alignment gauge (or a derailleur hanger alignment tool) but other types of alignment gauges can be used. The alignment gauge 20 has an Date recue / Date received 202 1-1 1-01 alignment gauge axis 21 about which an elongated part of the alignment gauge 20 rotates.
The alignment gauge 20 can have an adjustable touch-off point that is adjustable in a direction parallel to the alignment gauge axis 21.

[013] Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is an isometric view of the handlebar alignment tool 10, and to FIG. 3, which is a cross-sectional view of the handlebar alignment tool 10. The handlebar alignment tool 10 has an actuation mechanism 22, movable jaws 23, 24, and a rigid member 25 with an attachment point for the alignment gauge 20, all of which are described in greater detail below.

[014] In the exemplary embodiment, the rigid member 25 consists of a T-slot extrusion 26 and an extension 27. The extension 27 is in threading engagement with the T-slot extrusion 26 so that it is fixed to the T-slot extrusion 26. The extension 27 has a threaded hole 28 into which a part of the alignment gauge 20 is fastened. The axis of this threaded hole 28 is perpendicular to the axis of the front wheel 14 when the handlebar alignment tool 10 is mounted. The T-slot extrusion 26 and the extension 27 are made of aluminum alloy or any other suitable material for rigidly connecting the alignment gauge 20 to the fork 15.

[015] For the purpose of describing the handlebar alignment tool 10, a center plane 29 is defined as intersecting the attachment point for the alignment gauge 20 while being perpendicular to the axis of the front wheel 14 when the handlebar alignment tool 10 is mounted as shown in FIG. 1. The center plane 29 is indicated by line 29 in FIG. 3 and is orthogonal with respect to the plane of the drawing of FIG. 3.

[016] In the exemplary embodiment, the actuation mechanism 22 includes an actuation screw 30 with opposing threads on opposite sides of the center plane 29. In other words, there is a right-hand thread on one side and a left-hand thread on the other side. Both of these threads share a common axis. The actuation screw 30 is in threading engagement with a first movable jaw 23 and a second movable jaw 24. Rotation of the actuation screw 30 in a first direction causes the movable jaws 23, 24 to move outward from the center plane 29 along the axis of the actuation screw 30, and rotation of the actuation screw 30 in a second direction causes the movable jaws 23, 24 to move inward toward the Date recue / Date received 202 1-1 1-01 center plane 29 along the axis of the actuation screw 30.

[017] In the example shown, the movable jaws 23, 24 have movable jaw mounting surfaces 31 that are angled relative to the center plane 29, and the rigid member 25 has rigid member mounting surfaces 32 that are perpendicular to the center plane 29. When the handlebar alignment tool 10 is mounted to the fork 15, the first and second fork legs 18, 19 are wedged between the movable jaws 23, 24 and the rigid member 25. This fixes the handlebar alignment tool 10 to the fork 15.

[018] The movable jaws 23, 24 have a T-shaped feature that slides in the T-slot of the T-slot extrusion 26. As a result, the torsional forces from the fork 15 on the movable jaws 23, 24 are transferred to the T-slot extrusion 26 and not to the actuation screw 30.
The forces applied by the actuation screw 30 on the movable jaws 23, 24 are primarily along the axis of the actuation screw 30. In other embodiments, the T-slot of the rigid member 25 could instead be a dovetail slot or any other type of slot for guiding the movable jaws 23, 24.

[019] The actuation screw 30 is supported so that it can rotate with respect to the stationary rigid member 25. In the exemplary embodiment, there is one bushing 33 (or plain bearing) pressed onto each side of the actuation screw 30 on opposite sides of the center plane 29. The bushings 33 rotate inside cylindrical bores in actuation screw mounts 34. The actuation screw 30 could instead be in direct rotational contact with the actuation screw mounts 34. Each actuation screw mount 34 is fixed to the T-slot extrusion 26 by two flat-head bolts that pass through holes in the T-slot extrusion 26 and thread into the actuation screw mount 34. Axial motion of the actuation screw 30 relative to the actuation screw mounts 34 is prevented by contact between the actuation screw mounts 34 and a shoulder on each side of the actuation screw 30. Furthermore, the actuation screw 30 includes a knurled hand wheel 35 to aid the process of installing the handlebar alignment tool 10 onto the fork 15 by hand.

[020] The actuation mechanism 22 can be considered a self-centering mechanism because it centers the handlebar alignment tool 10 and the alignment gauge axis 21 between the fork legs 18, 19 (in other words, it makes the center plane 29 and the plane of the front Date recue / Date received 202 1-1 1-01 wheel 14 co-planar). It's not necessary for the alignment gauge 20 to be centered between the fork legs 18, 19; however, this can simplify the handlebar alignment operation. If the alignment gauge 20 is centered, this avoids the need for adjusting the alignment gauge 20 when rotating its elongated part for gauging the second side of the handlebar 13. If the alignment gauge 20 isn't centered, this adjustment of the alignment gauge 20 can be needed to compensate for a difference between the distance from the alignment gauge axis 21 to the point on the first side of the handlebar that is gauged and the distance from the alignment gauge axis 21 to the point on the second side of the handlebar that is gauged.

[021] The handlebar alignment tool 10 has an end cap 36 at each end of the T-slot extrusion 26. The end caps 36 are made of plastic or any other soft material, and they prevent the hard edges at the end of the T-slot extrusion 26 from damaging the fork 15 during mounting of the handlebar alignment tool 10. Furthermore, there is a loop 37 integrated into one of the two end caps 36; this loop 37 enables the handlebar alignment tool 10 to be hung on hooks in workshops.

[022] The movable jaws 23, 24, the actuation screw 30, and the actuation screw mounts 34 are made of plastic or any other suitable material. The bushings 33 are made of metal or any other suitable material. In the example shown in the figures, the rigid member mounting surfaces 32 are adhesive-backed rubber pads (or tape) applied to the T-slot extrusion 26 for preventing damage to the fork 15. If the movable jaws

23, 24 were made of metal or another abrasive material instead of non-abrasive plastic, the movable jaws 23, 24 could also have rubber pads for preventing damage to the fork 15.
Operation of the handlebar alignment tool [023] The operation of the handlebar alignment tool 10 consists of mounting the handlebar alignment tool 10 to the fork 15, mounting the alignment gauge 20 to the handlebar alignment tool 10, determining the alignment of the handlebar 13 and adjusting the alignment if needed, then detaching the alignment gauge 20 and dismounting the handlebar alignment tool 10.

Date recue / Date received 202 1-1 1-01

[024] For the exemplary embodiment, the handlebar alignment tool 10 is mounted to the fork 15 with the following procedure. The actuation screw 30 is rotated so that the movable jaws 23, 24 are sufficiently inward for fitting between the fork legs 18, 19. Then, the rigid member 25 is placed against the fork 15, and the actuation screw 30 is rotated to actuate the movable jaws 23, 24 outward until the fork legs 18, 19 are clamped between the movable jaws 23, 24 and the rigid member 25.

[025] In the illustrated embodiment, the alignment gauge 20 is a derailleur alignment gauge, and it's fastened into the threaded hole 28 of the rigid member 25 (or more specifically, of the extension 27). With the handlebar alignment tool 10 mounted to the fork 15 and the alignment gauge 20 mounted to the handlebar alignment tool 10, handlebar alignment can proceed.

[026] Handlebar alignment is achieved as follows. The user first determines the distance between the handlebar 13 and a point on the alignment gauge 20 such as the touch-off point, and then the user rotates the alignment gauge 20 around the alignment gauge axis 21 to determine the distance between the opposite side of the handlebar 13 and the same point on the alignment gauge 20. When the handlebar 13 is positioned relative to the steerer tube 17 such that the two aforementioned distances are the same, the handlebar 13 is aligned.
Other exemplary embodiments

[027] (a) The handlebar alignment tool 10 could include one or more straps on each side of the center plane 29 for attaching the handlebar alignment tool 10 to the fork legs 18, 19. The straps could wrap around the fork legs 18, 19 and be adjustable to account for variation in the circumference of the fork legs 18, 19 of different forks 15. For the purpose of this disclosure, such straps can be considered a form of movable jaws.

[028] (b) The movable jaw mounting surfaces 31 can be perpendicular to the center plane 29, and the rigid member mounting surfaces 32 can be angled relative to the center plane 29 (the opposite is true in the first embodiment). Also, the movable jaw mounting Date recue / Date received 202 1-1 1-01 surfaces 31 and the rigid member mounting surfaces 32 can both be angled relative to the center plane 29.

[029] (c) In the exemplary embodiment, the movable jaws 23, 24 are actuated along the axis of the actuation screw 30 and perpendicular to the center plane 29.
However, the movable jaws could be actuated in any other direction, such as a direction parallel to the alignment gauge axis 21. In that particular example, the movable jaws would move toward the T-slot extrusion 26 rather than along the T-slot extrusion 26. Different forks can have a different distance between their fork legs. Therefore, the movable jaws could first move along to the axis of the front wheel 14 to account for variation in the distance between fork legs 18, 19, before then being moved in a different direction for fixing the handlebar alignment tool 10 to the fork 15. Indeed, many configurations of the movable jaws are possible.

[030] (d) In the exemplary embodiment, there are two movable jaws 23, 24, but there can instead be any other number of movable jaws. For example, there could be two movable jaws on each side of the center plane 29 for a total of four movable jaws. Also, there could be a single movable jaw, and this single movable jaw could be actuated along the alignment gauge axis 21.

[031] (e) The actuation screw 30 can be in the T-slot of the T-slot extrusion 26. With this configuration of the actuation screw 30, the hand wheel 35 can be at the end of the actuation screw 30 instead of being between the two opposing threads of the actuation screw 30.

[032] (f) Instead of or in addition to the hand wheel 35, the actuation screw 30 could be rotated with a manual tool, such as a wrench, or a power tool, such as a drill.

[033] (g) The actuation of the movable jaws 23, 24 could be reversed from that of the first embodiment so that they would move toward each other when mounting the handlebar alignment tool 10 to the fork 15. This configuration could enable the handlebar alignment tool 10 to be compatible with a wider range of distances between fork legs 18, 19.
However, this configuration might also make the handlebar alignment tool 10 less compact.

Date recue / Date received 202 1-1 1-01

[034] (h) Instead of the movable jaws 23, 24 sliding in a slot of the rigid member 25, the rigid member 25 can include one or more linear rails (or rods) on which the movable jaws 23, 24 slide. For example, the rigid member 25 could include two cylindrical linear rails, with the movable jaws 23, 24 each having two cylindrical holes that slide on the cylindrical linear rails.

[035] (i) Instead of or in addition to an actuation screw 30, the movable jaws 23, 24 can be actuated by a quick-release mechanism. This quick-release mechanism could include one or more levers operated by hand. If used in conjunction with a quick-release mechanism, the actuation screw 30 could serve as an adjustment mechanism to account for variation in the circumference and spacing of fork legs 18, 19, and the quick-release mechanism would produce the clamping force for fixing the handlebar alignment tool 10 to the fork 15.

[036] (j) In certain additional embodiments, the front wheel 14 is removed from the fork 15, and the handlebar alignment tool 10 is mounted to the fork 15 at the mounting point for the front wheel 14. The handlebar alignment tool 10 can be fixedly mounted to the fork 15, or it can be rotatably mounted to the fork 15 for rotation around the axis of the front wheel 14 (were the front wheel 14 to be mounted). If the handlebar alignment tool 10 is rotatably mounted to the fork 15, its angular position about the axis of the front wheel 14 should be the same when gauging on either side of the handlebar 13.
This can be achieved with a rest feature or a clamp feature in the handlebar alignment tool 10 for it to rest on the fork or clamp the fork to fix the angular position of the handlebar alignment tool 10. These additional embodiments can provide more adaptability for different forks, such as road bike forks. However, these additional embodiments may also make the handlebar alignment tool 10 less compact.

[037] (k) The movable jaws 23, 24 can be actuated by one or more spring (or biasing elements). The springs can produce an increasing amount of restoring force when the movable jaws 23, 24 are moved away from their position of engagement with the fork legs 18, 19.

Date recue / Date received 202 1-1 1-01 Scope

[038] In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term "comprising" and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open-ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings, such as the terms "including", "having", and their derivatives. Also, the terms "part", "section", "portion", "member", or "element" when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts unless otherwise stated.

[039] Also, it will be understood that although the terms "first" and "second"
may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. Thus, for example, a first component discussed above could be termed a second component and vice versa without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. The term "attached" or "attaching", as used herein, encompasses configurations in which: (I) an element is directly secured to another element by affixing the element directly to the other element; (2) configurations in which the element is indirectly secured to the other element by affixing the element to the intermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element; and (3) configurations in which one element is integral with another element, i.e. one element is essentially part of the other element. This definition also applies to words of similar meaning, for example, "joined", "connected", "coupled", "mounted", "bonded", "fixed", and their derivatives. Finally, terms of degree such as "substantially", "about", and "approximately" as used herein mean an amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed.

[040] While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, unless specifically stated otherwise, the size, shape, location, or orientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/or Date recue / Date received 2021-11-01 desired so long as the changes do not substantially affect their intended function. Unless specifically stated otherwise, components that are shown directly connected or contacting each other can have intermediate structures disposed between them so long as the changes do not substantially affect their intended function. The functions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa, unless specifically stated otherwise. The structures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in another embodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in a particular embodiment at the same time.
Every feature which is unique from the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, also should be considered a separate description of further inventions by the applicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodied by such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Date recue / Date received 2021-11-01

Claims (7)

What is claimed is:

1. A handlebar alignment tool, configured to be mounted to a fork of a bicycle with a front wheel, and to which an alignment gauge is attached, said alignment gauge having a rotation axis; said handlebar alignment tool comprising:
a) a rigid member with an attachment point for said alignment gauge; and b) one or more movable jaws;
c) wherein said movable jaws engage with a first fork leg and a second fork leg on either side of said front wheel to fix said rigid member to said fork such that the rotation axis of said alignment gauge is substantially perpendicular to the axis of said front wheel.

2. The handlebar alignrnent tool of claim 1, wherein said fork is a suspension fork with stanchions and said movable jaws engage with the stanchions of said fork.

3. The handlebar alignment tool of claim 1, wherein said alignment gauge is a derailleur alignment gauge.

4. The handlebar alignment tool of claim 1, further comprising an actuation mechanism for actuating said movable jaws.

5. The handlebar alignment tool of claim 4, further comprising a center plane, wherein at least one of said movable jaws is Cal each side of said center plane, and wherein said actuation mechanism actuates said movable jaws for movement in opposing directions that are perpendicular to said center plane.

6. The handlebar alignment tool of claim 5, wherein said actuation mechanism comprises an actuation screw with opposing threads on opposite sides of said center plane, and wherein said actuation screw is in threading engagement with said movable jaws.

7. A handlebar alignment tool, configured to be mounted to a fork of a bicycle with a front wheel, and to which an alignment gauge is attached, said alignment gauge having a rotation axis, said handlebar alignment tool cornprising a rigid member with an attachment point for said alignment gauge, wherein said rigid member is fixed to a first fork leg and a second fork leg on either side of said front wheel such that the rotation axis of said alignment gauge is substantially perpendicular to thc axis of said front wheeL