Title: Bicycle handlebar assembly, bicycle handlebar and bicycle.

The invention relates to a bicycle handlebar assembly according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a bicycle handlebar comprising such a handlebar assembly. The invention further relates to a bicycle provided with such a bicycle handlebar. In practice, bicycle handlebars are equipped with several accessories provided with cables. Examples of such accessories are not only hand-driven elements for, for instance, brakes, gears, automatic drive, bicycle lighting and the like, but also other (electronic) provisions such as, for instance, bicycle computers. A handlebar assembly according to the preamble of claim 1 is designed for internal cabling, wherein the cables extend through the handlebar halves and the coupling piece linking up with each other. Such a handlebar assembly is known from US patent application US 2006/0145446 Al. With this known handlebar assembly, centrally in the rear of the handlebar, a handlebar passage opening is situated. A coupling piece passage opening of the coupling piece of this known handlebar assembly links up with the handlebar passage opening. In the interior of the left half of the handlebar extend a cable of a front brake and a cable of the front derailleur, while in the interior of the right half of the handlebar extends a cable of a rear brake and a cable of a rear derailleur. All four cables also extend in the interior of the coupling piece cavity, where the front brake and the front derailleur cable are thus bundled with the rear brake cable and the rear derailleur cable. AU four cables extend through the handlebar passage opening and coupling piece opening Unking up with each other. To the handlebar assembly known from US 2006/0145446, a number of drawbacks are attached. In a surrounding area of the handlebar passage opening and coupling piece passage opening linking up with each other, the cables make a large curve while abutting/pressing against each other sideways

at that location. At that location, the cables can bend, become mutually entwined or otherwise entangled or even become damaged. Such circumstances may lead to the cable control functioning less well. Further, providing and removing such cables is not always simple as the cables are in contact with each other at the location where they bend sharply. When assembling and disassembling the cables, a relatively large resistance can be experienced. For instance, when a cable, upon introduction or removal, is moved in its longitudinal direction, one or more other provided cables can be inadvertently moved along. This increases the risk of the cables bending sharply, buckling, entangling, become damaged or the like, and therefore increases the risk of insufficient functioning of the cable control. Conversely, once cables that are provided are sharply bent, buckled, entangled or damaged or the like, introducing and removing them is further hindered.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a solution according to which, with such a handlebar assembly with such internal cabling, the cable control functions more reliably and the cables can be assembled and disassembled more easily.

To this end, according to the invention, a handlebar assembly according to the preamble of claim 1 is characterized by a branch guiding structure for such cables included in the handlebar cavity and in the coupling piece cavity, wherein the branch guiding structure comprises:

- a first exit opening in the first handlebar half;

- a second exit opening in the second handlebar half;

- a boundary wall for such cables, situated at least partly between respective areas of the first and the second exit openings; and

- a bundle exit opening; and wherein at least one first and at least one second such cable operatively extend, in a mutually branched-off manner, through the first and the second exit openings, respectively, and a bundle of the at least one first and the at least one second cable extend through the bundle exit opening, and outside the

branch guiding structure the at least one first and the at least one second cable are partly included in the handlebar cavity in the first and the second handlebar half, respectively, and said bundle is partly included in an internal part of the steering stem. Owing to such a branch guiding structure, a controlled guiding of the cables is obtained in a critical location, i.e. in an area where the cables pass from the handlebar cavity to the coupling piece cavity, wherein also the at least one first and the at least one second cable are screened off from each other by the boundary wall at a suitable location. Thus, not only the assembly and disassembly of cables becomes simpler, but also the risk of the cables bending too much, buckling, becoming entangled or damaged or the liked is reduced.

Specific embodiments of the invention are laid down in the dependent claims. In a first embodiment of a bicycle handlebar assembly according to the invention, the branch guiding structure is a branch guiding element operatively extending through the first handlebar passage opening such that the first and the second exit openings extend in the handlebar cavity in the first and the second handlebar half, respectively. Such a branch guiding elements offers the advantage that this can be applied in a simple manner with coupling pieces that have a coupling piece cavity with a conventional or relatively small cross section. Through the use of such a branch guiding element, it is achieved in a simple manner that the branch guiding structure extends partly in the handlebar cavity without thereto drastic modifications to the handlebar or coupling piece being required. As the branch guiding structure extends partly in the handlebar cavity, the at least one first and the at least one second cable are already screened off from each other by the boundary wall in the handlebar cavity. This has further favourable influence on the controlled guiding of the cables and on the reduction of the risk that the cables bend too sharply, buckle, become entangled or damaged or the like.

In a second embodiment of a bicycle handlebar assembly according to the invention, the handlebar also comprises a second handlebar passage opening, similar to the first handlebar passage opening, the first and the second handlebar passage openings form part of the first and the second handlebar half, respectively, the first and the second exit openings of the branch guiding structure are formed by the first and the second handlebar passage openings, respectively, and the boundary wall is formed by a part of the circumferential wall of the central longitudinal segment of the handlebar situated between the first and the second handlebar passage openings. Such first and second handlebar passage openings can be provided in the handlebar in a simple manner. By providing theses openings, no additional features are required for realizing the boundary wall. Nor are any additional features required for realizing the first and the second exit openings of the branch guiding structure as these are simply formed by the first and the second handlebar passage openings, respectively, which form, in principle, part of the first and the second handlebar half, respectively.

In a third embodiment of a bicycle handlebar assembly according to the invention, which third embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the second embodiment, the first coupling piece passage opening is formed and situated in the coupling piece such that both the at least one first cable and the at least one second cable operatively extend through the first coupling piece passage opening. This offers the advantage that a simply type of coupling piece can be used, i.e., a coupling piece having only one single coupling piece passage opening to the coupling piece cavity. In a fourth embodiment of a bicycle handlebar assembly according to the invention, which fourth embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the second embodiment, the coupling piece comprises a second coupling piece passage opening, similar to the first coupling piece passage opening, wherein the first and the second coupling piece passage openings are formed and are situated in the coupling piece such that the at least one first cable operatively

extends through the first coupling piece passage opening and the at least one second cable extends through the second coupling piece passage opening. Owing to such a configuration, the total area of the coupling piece passage openings is relatively small and material of the coupling piece is present around these openings. This presence of the material of the coupling piece is beneficial to the strength of the coupling piece and results in a relatively large contact surface between the coupling piece and the handlebar, which produces a good clamping action and force transmission between coupling piece and handlebar. In a fifth embodiment of a bicycle handlebar assembly according to the invention, which fifth embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the fourth embodiment, the coupling piece cavity comprises two mutually branched coupling piece cavity parts, of which a first coupling piece cavity part terminates in the first coupling piece passage opening and the second coupling piece cavity part terminates in the second coupling piece passage opening.

Through the use of such two mutually branched coupling piece cavity parts, it is achieved that the branch guiding structure extends partly in the interior of the coupling piece so that the at least one first and the at least one second cable are already screened off from each other by the walls of the coupling piece cavity parts in the interior of the coupling piece. This further has a favourable influence on the control guiding of the cables and on the reduction of the risk of the cables bending too sharply, buckling, becoming entangled, damaged, or the like.

In a six embodiment of a bicycle handlebar assembly according to the invention, which sixth embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the fifth embodiment, the outer walls of the coupling piece follow the branched form of the coupling piece cavity so that the outer walls also exhibit such a branched form. As thus, between the branches of the coupling piece, there is no material of the coupling piece, this results in a gain of time and weight for the coupling piece.

In a seventh embodiment of a bicycle handlebar assembly according to the invention, which seventh embodiment can furthermore be a preferred embodiment of all above-mentioned embodiments, the handlebar has an engaging longitudinal element on which the coupling piece operatively engages, and the handlebar, in its longitudinal parts immediately adjacent to this engaging longitudinal segment on both sides of this engaging longitudinal segment, proceeds in its handlebar longitudinal direction in a curved manner such that over at least a part of these curved longitudinal parts the angle the local handlebar longitudinal direction makes with a semi-infinite straight geometric plane through the center section of the handlebar, which plane is located, relative to the handlebar at the side of the steering stem attachment part, is greater than ninety degrees, preferably greater than one hundred and ten degrees, and more preferred greater than one hundred and twenty five degrees. This offers the advantage that the cables pass with as little bend as possible from the handlebar cavity to the coupling piece cavity. As a result, the cables will assume a more natural spatial form, while natural spatial form is understood to mean a form the cables would assume if the cables were free outside the bicycle handlebar assembly. The accordingly better approximation of such a natural spatial form further has a favourable influence on the reliability of the cable control and on the simplicity of assembly and disassembly of the cables.

The invention is also embodied in a bicycle handlebar according to claim 9 and in a bicycle according to claim 10.

In the following, the invention is further elucidated with reference to the schematic figures in the appended drawing.

Fig. 1 shows for the embodiments mentioned of a handlebar assembly according to the invention, an example of a vertical cross section (partly in transparent view) through a part of the coupling piece, viewed in cross section through the handlebar.

Fig. 2 shows a view in transverse direction to an example of a part of a handlebar for use in said first embodiment of a bicycle handlebar assembly according to the invention.

Fig. 3 shows a view in transverse direction to an example of a part of a handlebar for use in said second embodiment of a bicycle handlebar assembly according to the invention.

Fig. 4A shows a part of an example of said first embodiment of a bicycle handlebar assembly according to the invention, in a cross-section through the bicycle handlebar assembly, which cross section is a longitudinal cross section for the handlebar as well as for the coupling piece.

Fig. 4B shows, in a view similar to that of Fig. 2, a surface of the coupling part of Fig. 4A, which surface is a contact surface for the surface viewed in Fig. 2 of the handlebar of Fig. 4.

Fig. 5A shows, in perspective view, the example shown in Figs. 4A and 4B of said first embodiment of a bicycle handlebar assembly according to the invention, wherein the bicycle handlebar assembly is attached to a steering stem.

Fig. 5B shows, in perspective view, an example of a branch guiding element utilized in the bicycle handlebar assembly shown in Fig. 4A and Fig. 5A.

Fig. 6A shows a part of an example of said third embodiment of a bicycle handlebar assembly according to the invention, in a cross section through the bicycle handlebar assembly, which cross section is a longitudinal cross section for the handlebar as well as for the coupling piece. Fig. 6B shows, in a view similar to that of Fig. 3, a surface of the coupling piece of Fig. 6A, which surface is contact surface for the surface viewed in Fig. 3 of the handlebar of Fig. 6A.

Fig. 7A shows a part of an example of said fourth embodiment of a bicycle handlebar assembly according to the invention, in a cross section

through the bicycle handlebar assembly, which cross section is a longitudinal cross section for the handlebar as well as for the coupling piece.

Fig. 7B shows, in a view similar to that of Fig. 3, a surface of the coupling piece of Fig. 7A, which surface is a contact surface for the surface viewed in Fig. 3 of the handlebar of Fig. 7A.

Fig. 8A shows a part of an example of said sixth embodiment of a bicycle handlebar assembly according to the invention, in a cross section through the bicycle handlebar assembly, which cross section is a longitudinal cross section for the handlebar as well as for the coupling piece. Fig. 8B shows, in a view similar to that of Fig. 3, a surface of the coupling piece of Fig. 8A, which surface is a contact surface for the surface viewed in Fig. 3 of the handlebar of Fig. 8A.

Fig. 9 shows in perspective view the example shown in Figs. 8A and 8B of said sixth embodiment of a bicycle handlebar assembly according to the invention, wherein the bicycle handlebar assembly is attached to a steering stem.

First, reference is made to Fig. 1, wherein a number of parts of a bicycle handlebar assembly according to the invention is indicated with general reference numerals. For instance, in Fig. 1, with reference numeral 1, the bicycle handlebar assembly according to the invention is indicated, with reference numeral 2 a handlebar of the bicycle handlebar assembly 1, with numeral 4 a handlebar cavity in the interior of the handlebar 2, with numeral 3 a coupling piece of the bicycle handlebar assembly 1 for attaching the handlebar 2 to a steering stem, with numeral 7 a coupling piece cavity in the interior of the coupling piece 3, with numeral 5 a handlebar attachment part of the coupling piece 3 for attaching the coupling piece to a central longitudinal segment of the handlebar 2, with numeral 31 a first handlebar passage opening of the handlebar 2 extending through a circumferential wall of the central longitudinal segment, which opening allows passage from the outside of the handlebar 2 into the handlebar cavity 4, and with numeral 41 a

first coupling piece passage opening of the coupling piece 3 situated near the handlebar attachment part 5, which opening allows passage from the outside of the coupling piece 3 into the coupling piece cavity 7.

It is noted that in Figs. 2 - 9, for the first, second, third, fourth and six embodiments of the invention, parts that are similar to parts in Fig. 1 are sometimes indicated with the same reference numeral, but are mostly indicated with reference numerals which, with regard to the reference numerals in Fig. 1, for the first embodiment (see Figs. 2, 4, 5) are increased by one hundred, for the second embodiment (see Fig. 3) are increased by two hundred, for the third embodiment (see Fig. 6) are increased by four hundred and for the sixth embodiment (see Figs. 8 and θ) are increased by six hundred.

Meanwhile, it is further noted that in Figures 6 — 9, for the third, fourth and sixth embodiments of the invention, parts that are similar to parts in Figs. 4 and 5 of the first embodiment of the invention are sometimes indicated with the same reference numerals, but mostly with reference numerals which, with regard to the reference numeral in Figs. 4 and 5, for the third embodiment (see Fig. 6) are increased by two hundred, for the fourth embodiment (see Fig. 7) by three hundred, and for the sixth embodiment (see Figs. 8 and 9) by five hundred. Fig.l further shows a screw bolt 74 that cooperates with a bore provided with internal screw thread in the handlebar attachment part 5. The screw bolt 74 serves for clamping the handlebar attachment part 5 in the conventional manner as a noose around the handlebar 2. In general, such an attachment construction can comprise one or several of such screw bolts. In the examples of Figs. 4A, 6A, 7A and 8A shown, each time, two such screw bolts 74 are used. In the example of Figs. 4 and 5, the screw bolts 74 are placed such that they extend more or less parallel to the longitudinal direction of the coupling piece cavity 107, while in the examples of the Figs. 6 - 9, the screw bolts 74 extend in another transverse direction to the local handlebar longitudinal direction. It is noted that instead thereof or in addition to such

screw bolt constructions, also, other types of attachment constructions can be utilized.

It is further noted that the vertical cross section shown in Fig. 1 through a part of the coupling piece 3 is taken at the location of the cross section through the handlebar 2 which is located in the center of the handlebar longitudinal direction. In this longitudinal cross section shown, sometimes, for the example of the Figs. 4A, 6A, 7A and 8A, certain parts of the bicycle handlebar assembly 1 are shown in transparent view, such as the screw bolt 74 mentioned, the handlebar passage opening 31, the coupling piece passage opening 41 and the handlebar attachment part 5.

Reference is now made to Fig. 2, wherein a view in transverse direction to an example of a part of a handlebar 102 for use in said first embodiment (see Figs. 4 and 5) of a bicycle handlebar assembly according to the invention is shown. The example shows the central longitudinal section, which is indicated with reference numeral 115 and is usually a locally thickened portion of the handlebar 102. This central section in the center of the handlebar longitudinal direction of the handlebar 102 is indicated in Fig. 2 with reference numeral 114. In Fig. 2, on both sides of the central section 114, a first handlebar half 111 and a second handlebar half 112 of the handlebar 102 are shown. Fig. 2 further shows the first handlebar passage opening 131 extending through a circumferential wall of the central longitudinal segment 115, which allows a passage from the outside of the handlebar 102 into the handlebar cavity 104. In the example shown, this first handlebar passage opening 131 extends, inter alia, at the location of the central section 114.

Reference is now made to Figs. 4 and 5, wherein an example of said first embodiment of a bicycle handlebar assembly 101 according to the invention is shown. In Fig. 5, with reference numeral 100, a bicycle handlebar is indicated, which bicycle handlebar comprises the bicycle handlebar assembly 101. This bicycle handlebar assembly 101 comprises the

handlebar 102 shown in Fig .2, and a coupling piece 103. The coupling piece 103 comprises a steering stem attachment part 106 (see Fig. 4A) for attaching the coupling piece to a steering stem 8. In the example shown, the steering stem attachment part 106 is similar to the steering stem attachment part 105 of the coupling piece 103, which is illustrated by means of the screw bolt 75 shown which is utilized in the same manner as the screw bolt 74. For the steering stem attachment construction too it holds that instead of or in addition to such a screw bolt construction, other types of attachment constructions can be utilized. The handlebar assembly 101 is designed for operatively including in the handlebar cavity and in the coupling piece cavity at least one cable 71, 72, 73 such that the at least one cable extends from the handlebar cavity 104 via the first handlebar passage opening 131 and via the first coupling piece passage opening 141 into the coupling piece cavity 107. The handlebar assembly 101 further comprises a branch guiding structure for such cables 71, 72, 73 included in the handlebar cavity 104 and in the coupling piece cavity 107, wherein the branch guiding structure comprises: a first exit opening 121 in the first handlebar half 111; a second exit opening 122 in the second handlebar half 112; a boundary wall 124 for such cables situated at least partly between respective areas of the first and the second exit openings; and a bundle exit opening 123, wherein at least one first 71 and one second 72, 73 such cable operatively extend in a mutually branched-off manner through the first and the second exit openings 121 and 122, respectively, and a bundle of the at least one first and the at least one second cable extends through the bundle exit opening 123, and outside the branch guiding structure, the at least one first 71 and the at least one second cable 72, 73 are at least partly included in the handlebar cavity 104 in the first 111 and the second 112 handlebar half, respectively, and the bundle is partly included in an internal portion of the steering stem 8.

More particularly, for the first embodiment shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the branch guiding structure is a branch guiding element 125 which operatively extends through the first handlebar passage opening 131 such that the first 121 and the second 122 exit openings extend in the handlebar cavity 104 in the first 111 and the second handlebar half 112, respectively. The branch guiding element 125 is shown in the Figs. 4A and 5B and can be manufactured from, for instance, plastic. However, other materials can be used too. The boundary wall 124 is formed by a wall of the branch guiding element 125. Reference is now made to Fig. 3, wherein a view is shown in cross direction to an example of a part of a handlebar 202 for use in said second embodiment of a bicycle handlebar assembly according to the invention. The example shows the central longitudinal section, which is indicated with reference numeral 215 and usually is a locally thickened portion of the handlebar 202. In Fig. 3, this central section in the middle of the handlebar longitudinal direction of the handlebar 202 is indicated with reference numeral 214. In Fig. 3, on both sides of the central section 214, a first handlebar half 211 and a second handlebar half 212 of the handlebar 202 are shown. Fig. 3 further shows the first handlebar passage opening 231, extending through a circumferential wall of the central longitudinal segment 215, which allows passage from the outside of the handlebar 202 into the handlebar cavity of the handlebar 202. With this second embodiment, the handlebar 202 also comprises a second handlebar passage opening 232, similar to the first handlebar passage opening 231, the first and the second handlebar passage openings form part of the first 211 and the second 212 handlebar half, respectively, the first 221 and the second 222 exit openings of the branch guiding structure are formed by the first 231 and the second 232 handlebar passage openings, respectively, and the boundary wall 224 is formed by a part of the circumferential wall of the central longitudinal segment 215 of the

handlebar 202 situated between the first and the second handlebar passage openings.

A few examples of the second embodiment are shown in Figs. 6 - 9. Reference is now made to Fig. 6, wherein an example of the third embodiment of a bicycle handlebar assembly 301 according to the invention is shown. As mentioned earlier, this third embodiment is also an example of the second embodiment. More particularly, with this third embodiment, the first coupling piece passage opening 341 is formed and situated in the coupling piece 303 such that both the at least one first cable 71 and the at least one second cable 72, 73 operatively extending through the first coupling piece passage opening 341.

Reference is now made to Fig. 7, wherein an example of the fourth embodiment of a bicycle handlebar assembly 401 according to the invention is shown. As mentioned earlier, this fourth embodiment is also an example of the second embodiment. More particularly, the coupling piece in this fourth embodiment comprises a second coupling piece passage opening 442, similar to the first coupling piece passage opening 441, wherein the first and the second coupling piece passage openings are formed and situated in the coupling piece 403 such that in operative condition, the at least one first cable 71 extends through the first coupling piece passage opening 441 and the at least one second cable 72,73 extends through the second coupling piece passage opening 442.

Reference is made now to Figs. 8 and 9, wherein an example of the fifth embodiment of a bicycle handlebar assembly 601 according to the invention is shown. As mentioned earlier, this fifth embodiment is also an example of the fourth embodiment. More particularly, the coupling piece cavity 607 in this fifth embodiment comprises two mutually branched coupling piece cavity parts 607A and 706B, of which a first coupling piece cavity part 607A terminates in the first coupling piece passage opening 641 and a second coupling piece cavity part 607B terminates in the second coupling piece

passage opening 642. In Fig. 9, with reference numeral 600, a bicycle handlebar is indicated, which bicycle handlebar comprises the bicycle handlebar assembly 601.

Still more particularly, the example of Figs. 8 and 9 is also an example of the sixth embodiment of a bicycle handlebar assembly 601 according to the invention. The fact is that in the example of Figs. 8 and 9, outer walls 603A and 603B of the coupling piece 603 follow the branched form 607 A, 607B of the coupling piece cavity 607 such that the outer walls 603A and 603B also exhibit such a branched-off form. However, it is noted that the fifth embodiment is not necessarily designed according to the sixth embodiment. In fact, instead thereof, the outer walls of the coupling piece may not, or not completely follow the branched-off form of the coupling piece cavity in that areas located between mutually branched-off coupling piece cavity parts can be completely or partly filled with the material of the coupling piece. In the latter case, the internal branch structure in the coupling piece can therefore be not or not completely visually observable from the outside of the coupling piece.

Still more particularly, the example of the Figs. 8 and 9 is also an example of the seventh embodiment of a bicycle handlebar assembly 601 according to the invention. This is to say, the assembly 601 is characterized by the following special features. The handlebar 202 of the assembly 601 has an engaging longitudinal segment on which the coupling piece 603 operatively engages. The handlebar, in its longitudinal parts immediately adjacent to this engaging longitudinal segment on both sides of this engaging longitudinal segment, proceeds in its handlebar longitudinal direction in a curved manner such that over at least a part of these curved longitudinal parts, the angle the local handlebar longitudinal direction makes with a semi-infinite straight geometric plane through the center section 214 (see Fig. 8A) of the handlebar, which plane is located relative to the handlebar at the side of the steering stem attachment part 606, is greater than ninety degrees, preferably greater than

one hundred and ten degrees, and more preferred greater than one hundred and twenty five degrees. As already mentioned in the introductory portion, these special features of the seventh embodiment can also be advantageously utilized in all above-mentioned other embodiments. These special features can, for instance, also be utilized with all embodiments shown in Figs. 1 - 7.

It is noted that the above-mentioned examples of embodiments do not delimit the invention and that within the range of the accompanying claims, various alternatives are possible. For instance, instead of the types of coupling pieces shown, various other sorts of coupling pieces can be utilized, among which also the known types that are adjustable in various manners relative to handlebar and/or steering stem. When using such coupling pieces which are adjustable relative to the handlebar, the forms of the handlebar passage openings and/or the coupling piece passage openings can have larger sizes in the adjustment directions with respect to the example shown, so that with different adjustment positions the handlebar passage openings and the coupling passage openings each time link up with each other such that then, the passage of cables is possible in a reliable manner. Further, various branch guiding structures can be utilized. Branch guiding structures with more than two branch channels branched-off from one bundle channel can for instance be utilized. But also, branch guiding structures are possible where branch channels are branched off from already branched-off branch channels. However, other variants or modification are possible too. These and similar alternatives are understood to fall within the framework of the invention as defined in the appended claims.