Vehicle steering head

Abstract

Vehicle steering head including a connecting element adapted to engage a handlebar. A support tube rotatably supports the connecting element. A latch element is disposed within the support tube. A slide is moveable with respect to the support tube. The slide is moveable from at least one position wherein linkage element prevents the connecting member from rotating with respect to the support tube to at least another position wherein the linkage element allows the connecting member to rotate with respect to the support tube in at least two directions.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A vehicle steering head comprising: 
 a support tube adapted to be fixed to a frame;    a fork member adapted to connect a wheel fork to a handlebar;    the fork member being rotatable with respect to the support tube;    a latch element movably disposed within the support tube; and    a linkage element being movable and comprising at least one stop surface,    wherein the at least one stop surface limits the rotation of the fork member with respect to the support tube.    
     
     
         2 . The steering head of  claim 1 , wherein the latch element is connected to a slide, the slide being disposed within the support tube.  
     
     
         3 . The steering head of  claim 2 , wherein the slide is moveable substantially parallel to the axis of the fork member.  
     
     
         4 . The steering head of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking element connected to one of a slide and the linkage element.  
     
     
         5 . The steering head of  claim 1 , wherein the latch element rotates with the fork member.  
     
     
         6 . The steering head of  claim 1 , wherein the latch element moves in a direction parallel to an axis of the fork member.  
     
     
         7 . The steering head of  claim 1 , wherein the linkage element rotates with the fork member.  
     
     
         8 . The steering head of  claim 1 , wherein the linkage element moves in a direction parallel to an axis of the fork member.  
     
     
         9 . The steering head of  claim 1 , wherein the fork member is cylindrical.  
     
     
         10 . The steering head of  claim 1 , further comprising a handlebar connected to one end of the fork member and a wheel fork connected to another end of the fork member.  
     
     
         11 . A vehicle steering head comprising: 
 a support tube adapted to be fixed to a frame;    a cylindrical member adapted to connect a wheel fork to a handlebar;    the cylindrical member being rotatable with respect to the support tube;    a latch element movably disposed within the support tube; and    a linkage element being movable and comprising at least two stop surfaces,    wherein one of the at least two stop surfaces limits the rotation of the cylindrical member in one direction, and    wherein another of the at least two stop surfaces limits the rotation of the cylindrical member in another direction.    
     
     
         12 . The steering head of  claim 11 , wherein the latch element is connected to a slide, the slide being disposed within the support tube.  
     
     
         13 . The steering head of  claim 12 , wherein the slide is moveable substantially parallel to the axis of the cylindrical member.  
     
     
         14 . The steering head of  claim 11 , further comprising a locking element connected to one of a slide and the linkage element.  
     
     
         15 . The steering head of  claim 11 , wherein the latch element rotates with the cylindrical member.  
     
     
         16 . The steering head of  claim 11 , wherein the latch element moves in a direction parallel to an axis of the cylindrical member.  
     
     
         17 . The steering head of  claim 11 , wherein the linkage element rotates with the cylindrical member.  
     
     
         18 . The steering head of  claim 11 , wherein the linkage element moves in a direction parallel to an axis of the cylindrical member.  
     
     
         19 . A vehicle steering head comprising: 
 a support tube adapted to be fixed to a frame;    a connecting element adapted to connect a wheel fork to a handlebar;    the connecting element being rotatable with respect to the support tube;    a latch element movably disposed within the support tube;    a linkage element being movable and comprising at least two stop surfaces;    one of the at least two stop surfaces limiting the rotation of the connecting element in one direction;    another of the at least two stop surfaces limiting the rotation of the connecting element in another direction; and    a latch element that is movable between at least a first position and at least a second position,    wherein, when the latch element is in the first position, the connecting member is rotatable, and wherein, when the latch element is in the second position, the connecting member is prevented from rotating.