Pillar stem for aerobar assembly

Abstract

An aerobar assembly is arranged to be mounted on a pillar stem, rather than on the handlebars, of a bicycle. The pillar stem in turn supports the handlebars. By mounting the aerobar on the stem, the range of adjustability of the aerobar is greatly increased, and the handlebar is subject to less torsional forces. The aerobar assembly includes a pillar stem having one end secured to the stem and a support structure at a second end for mounting an aerobar bracket, an arm rest support, and handlebar clamps. The aerobar bracket is arranged to permit axial adjustment of aerobar position, while the arm rest support is arranged to enable lateral, horizontal pivoting, vertical swivelling, and fore-aft adjustment of arm rest position independent of aerobar position. The handlebar mount preferably uses C-clamps that can easily be substituted to accommodate different handlebar configurations.

1 . A pillar stem structure suitable for removably and adjustably mounting handlebars and aerobars to a bicycle fork or steering column, comprising: 
 at a first end, a stem-securing structure for securing the pillar stem to a generally vertical fork of a bicycle and, at a second end, an integral support structure;    first threaded openings in the support structure for receiving first fasteners arranged to secure a first sub-assembly to the support structure;    second threaded openings in the support structure for receiving second fasteners arranged to secure a second sub-assembly to the support structure; and    third threaded openings in the support structure for receiving third fasteners arranged to secure handlebar clamps to the support structure.    
   
   
       2 . A pillar stem structure as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising knee bumpers arranged to fit over and to be secured to said stem securing structure.  
   
   
       3 . A pillar stem structure as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said knee bumpers include projections arranged to extend into openings in fasteners for the stem securing structure.  
   
   
       4 . A pillar stem structure as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said knee bumpers are made of a thermal plastic elastomer.  
   
   
       5 . A pillar stem structure as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said bumpers are arranged to snap onto the stem securing structure.  
   
   
       6 . A pillar stem structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first fasteners, second fasteners, and said third fasteners are titanium bolts treated with a physical vapor deposition (PVD) coating.  
   
   
       7 . A pillar stem structure as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said PVD coating is a color spectrum coated finish.  
   
   
       8 . A pillar stem structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said second threaded openings are situated in a top surface of said pillar stem structure, and further comprising a moisture outlet in communication with a respective said first threaded opening for draining moisture from said first threaded opening.  
   
   
       9 . A pillar stem structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first threaded openings are situated in a bottom of said pillar stem structure, and further comprising a gasket arranged to seal said second threaded openings when not being used to secure the second sub-assembly.  
   
   
       10 . A pillar stem structure as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said gasket include projections arranged to fit into and secure said gasket to said second threaded openings.  
   
   
       11 . A pillar stem structure as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said gasket is made from a thermal plastic elastomer.  
   
   
       12 . A pillar stem structure as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one eccentric collar member arranged to fit over the fork or steering column and to provide a variably angled surface to which the stem securing structure is clamped in order to vary an angle of the pillar stem relative to the fork or steering column.  
   
   
       13 . A pillar stem structure as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said collar includes a rim and a cylindrical body extending at a predetermined angle relative to the rim, whereby rotation of the collar relative to a vertical axis changes an orientation of the cylindrical body relative to the vertical axis.  
   
   
       14 . A pillar stem structure as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said collar includes a gap that enables it to be fitted over the fork or steering column and that serves as a marker for orienting the collar.  
   
   
       15 . A pillar stem structure as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said collar includes an upper member and a lower member.  
   
   
       16 . A pillar stem structure as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said collar is a one-piece collar.  
   
   
       17 . A pillar stem structure as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said first sub-assembly is an aerobar bracket sub-assembly including a bracket, aerobars and aerobars adjustably secured in the bracket.  
   
   
       18 . A pillar stem structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said second sub-assembly is an arm rest sub-assembly including an arm rest support removably secured to the support structure of the pillar stem, arm rest plates, and arm rest plate fasteners for adjustably securing the arm rest plates to the support.  
   
   
       19 . An eccentric collar member arranged to fit over a fork or steering column and to provide a variably angled surface to which a stem securing structure is clamped in order to vary an angle of a pillar stem relative to the fork or steering column.  
   
   
       20 . A pillar stem structure as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said collar includes a rim and a cylindrical body extending at a predetermined angle relative to the rim, whereby rotation of the collar relative to a vertical axis changes an orientation of the cylindrical body relative to the vertical axis.  
   
   
       21 . A pillar stem structure as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said collar includes a gap that enables it to be fitted over the fork or steering column and that serves as a marker for orienting the collar.  
   
   
       22 . A pillar stem structure as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said collar includes an upper member and a lower member.  
   
   
       23 . A pillar stem structure as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said collar is a one-piece collar.