[DESCRIPTION]

[invention Title]

CONVERTIBLE BICYCLE HANDLE [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a bicycle handle, and more particularly, to a convertible bicycle handle which is rotatably installed on the handle frame of a front wheel in a manner such that the position of the convertible bicycle handle can be changed.

[Background Art]

As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional bicycle comprises front and rear wheels 11 and 12 for providing traction on a road, a handle frame 20 connected to the front wheel 11 to allow the front wheel 11 to be adjusted in its moving direction, and a body frame 30 for supporting the handle frame 20, the rear wheel 12, a seat 40, a pedal 50, and so on. When a rider sitting on the seat 40 steps on the pedal 50, power is transmitted to the rear wheel 12, and the bicycle moves forward. As the rider grasps and applies force to the handle 21 of the handle frame 20 in one or the other direction, the moving direction of the front wheel 11 is changed to effect steering of the bicycle.

Bicycles are divided into various kinds depending upon the riding posture of a bicycle rider. Typically, bicycles are divided into a classic bicycle,, a racing

KR2005/003374

bicycle used for racing in a velodrome or on a road, and a mountain bicycle (MTB) .

In the case of the classic bicycle which is most popular, due to the fact that a handle frame is bent in the shape of a bow and both handles of the handle frame are directed toward a rider, the rider takes a posture

(hereinafter, referred to as a "normal posture") in which the spinal column of the rider is kept upright. Although this normal posture is most suitable for movement which is the basic purpose of a bicycle, it is not suitable for absorbing shock on a rugged road or a non-paved road.

In the case of the MTB, a handle frame is formed to extend straight. An example of the MTB is shown in FIG. 1. When a rider sits on the seat of the MTB and grasps the handles of the straight extending handle frame, the elbow of the rider is bent outward and the spinal column of the rider is bent about half. This state in which the spinal column is bent about half represents the posture (hereinafter, referred to as an "MTB posture") which can best absorb shock. In the case of the racing bicycle for a speedup use, both ends of a handle frame are bent downward to form curved handles. As a rider grasps the curved handles, the spinal column of the rider is fully bent. This state in which the spinal column is fully bent represents the posture (hereinafter, referred to as a "racing posture") which can minimize wind resistance.

While enjoying bicycle riding, there may be frequent occasions when it becomes necessary to ride a bicycle in the normal posture as in the classic bicycle, to extraordinarily increase the speed of the same bicycle, or to climb a non- paved upward slope. However, because the positions of handles are fixed, it is difficult for the rider to take necessary postures as the occasions demand. That is to say, since bicycles are usually designed to have handles which only allow their respective fixed riding postures such as the "normal posture", the "MTB posture" and the "racing posture", they cannot be suited for other riding postures which are different from their respective fixed riding postures. Meanwhile, it is impractical to purchase several kinds of bicycles each capable of providing a different riding posture.

In order to cope with this problem, Korean Patent No. 503140 discloses a multi-purpose bicycle handle as shown in FIG. 2. In this multi-purpose bicycle handle, a ball 3 is disposed in spherical case halves 1 and 2 which are provided to each end of a handle frame, in a manner such that the ball 3 can be slidingly rotated in the spherical case halves 1 and 2. A handle grip 4 is secured to the ball 3 to allow a rider to change the position of the handle grip 4 at his or her desire. In this way, the multi-purpose bicycle handle provides a structure for changing the position of the handle grip 4. Speaking in detail, as the rider pushes a

button 9, a leaf spring 10 is pressed by a push rod 8, and protuberances 11 which are secured to the leaf spring 10 are disengaged from engagement holes 14a, 14b and 14c which are defined through the case halves 1 and 2. In this state, the rider can freely change the position of the handle grip 4 along a guide slot 13 which is defined between the spherical case halves 1 and 2. Then, as the protuberances 11 of the leaf spring 10 are elastically engaged again into the engagement holes 14a, 14b and 14c, the changed position of the handle grip 4 is fixed.

However, the multi-purpose bicycle handle constructed as mentioned above suffers from defects in that, since the ball 3 must be precisely sized to be positioned in the spherical case halves 1 and 2 with no substantial play, the small protuberances 11 must be formed on the leaf spring 10 having a rounded configuration with a high precision, and the push rod 8 for operatively connecting the button 9 with the leaf spring 10 must be arranged in the handle grip 4, the entire structure for changing the position of the handle grip 4 is complicated and is difficult to manufacture. In other words, while it is possible to render the function of changing the position of the handle grip 4, because it is difficult to manufacture the multi-purpose bicycle handle and the number of parts increases, maintenance and assembly of the multi-purpose bicycle handle cannot be easily implemented. Further, since the handle grip 4 can be fixed

at a desired position with the protuberances 11 engaged into the engagement holes 14a, 14b and 14c, the handle grip 4 is likely to be fluctuated to some extent due to the presence of a play, whereby the rider's riding posture on the bicycle may become unstable.

Therefore, there exists a need for a convertible bicycle handle which has a novel construction capable of solving the above-described problems .

[Disclosure]

[Technical Problem]

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a convertible bicycle handle which can be adjusted in its position in conformity with a desired bicycle riding posture, can be reliably maintained at a changed position, and has a simple construction so that maintenance and assembly of the convertible bicycle handle can be easily implemented. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be explained below and will be appreciated through an embodiment of the present invention. Also, the objects and advantages of the present invention will be realized by the means and combinations thereof given in claims .

[Technical Solution]

The present invention provides a convertible bicycle handle comprising an inner race fitted and fixed around a handle frame and having a fitting hole through which the handle frame is fitted and which is deviated from an axis of the inner race to define a predetermined angle with respect to a rotational axis of an outer race and a guide groove which is defined on an outer surface of the inner race over a predetermined portion of a circumference of the inner race; the outer race rotatably fitted around the outer surface of the inner race; a handle grip integrally coupled to the outer race; and fixing means for fixing a relative position of the outer race with respect to the inner race; wherein the fixing means is positioned in the handle grip and has a distal end which is positioned in the guide groove of the inner race and which can be engaged with engagement shoulders at both ends of the guide groove to limit a rotation range of the handle grip, and wherein the inner race defines a toe-in shape when it is fitted around the handle frame.

[Advantageous Effects]

The convertible bicycle handle according to the present invention, having the above-described features, provides following advantages .

First, since the position of the bicycle handle can be freely adjusted by rotating the bicycle handle on the handle frame, a rider can fully enjoy bicycle riding by selecting a riding posture as he or she desires . Second, because the bicycle handle can be firmly held at a changed position through application of tightening force by a threaded rod, it is possible to prevent the bicycle handle from fluctuating while riding a bicycle.

Third, the bicycle handle has a simple construction which uses the relative rotation between the inner race and the outer race, so the maintenance and assembly of the component parts of the convertible bicycle handle can be easily implemented.

Fourth, due to the fact that a main brake bar and an auxiliary brake bar can be respectively installed on the handle frame and the handle grip, braking force can be easily produced at any posture.

[Description of Drawings] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating the outer appearance of a conventional bicycle;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a multi-purpose bicycle handle according to the conventional art;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a convertible bicycle handle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGs. 4 and 5 are views illustrating the position changing procedure of the convertible bicycle handle shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a convertible bicycle handle in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the assembled state of inner and outer races in the convertible bicycle handle shown in FIG. 6; FIGs. 8 through 10 are views sequentially illustrating the assembling procedure of the convertible bicycle handle shown in FIG. 6;

FIGs. 11 and 12 are views illustrating the position changing procedure of the convertible bicycle handle shown in FIG. 6;

FIGs . 13 through 15 are views illustrating the convertible bicycle handle after brakes are mounted thereto; and

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating a three-armed support employed in the brake mechanism shown in FIG. 13.

[Best Mode]

The above object of the present invention is achieved by embodiments having the following constructions. According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a convertible bicycle handle according to the

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present invention is characterized in that it comprises an inner race fitted and fixed around a handle frame and having a fitting hole through which the handle frame is fitted and which is deviated from an axis of the inner race to define a predetermined angle with respect to a rotational axis of an outer race and a guide groove which is defined on an outer surface of the inner race over a predetermined portion of a circumference of the inner race; the outer race rotatably fitted around the outer surface of the inner race; a handle grip integrally coupled to the outer race; and fixing means for fixing a relative position of the outer race with respect to the inner race; wherein the fixing means is positioned in the handle grip and has a distal end which is positioned in the guide groove of the inner race and which can be engaged with engagement shoulders at both ends of the guide groove to limit a rotation range of the handle grip, and wherein the inner race defines a toe-in shape when it is fitted around the handle frame.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, a convertible bicycle handle according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the first embodiment, the handle grip comprises a hollow cylindrical member.

According to a third embodiment of the present invention, a convertible bicycle handle according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the second

embodiment, the fixing means comprises a cap member 432 having a locking bar 432a, a spring 440 fitted around the locking bar of the cap member to elastically bias the cap member away from the outer race, and a cam 451 for applying and removing pressure to and from an upper surface of the cap member by manipulating a manipulation pin which is connected to the cam through a slot defined in the handle grip.

According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a convertible bicycle handle according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the third embodiment, a plurality of locking grooves 411a are defined on a bottom of the guide groove of the inner race, and a distal end of the locking bar 432a of the cap member 432 is engaged into or disengaged from one of the locking grooves 411a through the outer race to determine a position of the handle grip.

According to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, a convertible bicycle handle according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the second embodiment, the fixing means comprises a cap member 132 to which a manipulation pin 153 is connected through a slot defined in the hollow cylindrical member, a threaded rod 140 locked to the outer race through the hollow cylindrical member and having a distal end which projects into the outer race and is positioned in the guide groove of the inner race,

and a locking bar 151 biased by a spring 152 which is received in a receiving groove defined in the cap member, the locking bar being pressed through manipulation of the manipulation pin to be engaged into or disengaged from one of locking grooves defined in the inner race to thereby determine a position of the handle grip.

According to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, a convertible bicycle handle according to the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first through fifth embodiments, a brake bar is installed on each handle grip.

According to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, a convertible bicycle handle according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the sixth embodiment, the brake bar of the handle grip serves as an auxiliary brake bar of a main brake bar installed on the handle frame .

Hereafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to describing the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is to be noted that the words or terms used in this best mode or the claims must not be limitedly construed as having a meaning only written in a dictionary. Therefore, considering that the inventor wants to appropriately define the meanings of the terms or words to best describe his or her invention, the words or

terms must be interpreted to have meanings or concepts which best conform to the technical idea of the present invention.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the constructions described in this best mode and illustrated in the drawings are nothing but the most preferable embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all technical concepts of the present invention, and therefore, various equivalents and variations capable of substituting the constructions may exist at the time of filing of the present application.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a convertible bicycle handle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the drawing, a convertible bicycle handle 400 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes an inner race 410 which is fitted around and fixed to a handle frame 200, an outer race 420 which is relatively rotatably fitted around the outer surface of the inner race 410, and a handle grip 430 which has an end integrally welded to the outer race 420. Therefore, in the present invention, due to the fact that, as in the case of a bearing, the outer race 420 to which the handle frame 430 is fastened is relatively rotatably coupled to the inner race 410 which is fixed to the handle frame 200, it is possible to rotate the handle grip 430 and adjust the position of the handle grip 430 as desired. Of course, it is to be readily

understood that balls are not intervened between the inner and outer races 410 and 420 as are in a conventional ball bearing, and instead, smooth outer and inner circumferential surfaces of the inner and outer races 410 and 420 are slidably brought into contact with each other to be able to rotated relative to each other.

First describing the structure of the inner race 410, a fitting hole 410a into which the handle frame 200 is fitted is defined through the inner race 410, and a guide groove 411 is defined on the outer surface of the inner race 410 to extend over a predetermined portion of the circumference of the inner race 410. A pair of through- holes 201' is defined through the inner race 410 adjacent to one end of the inner race 410 such that they are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the inner race 410. By locking threads 201 through the through-holes 201', the inner race 410 is fastened to the handle frame 200. Also, engagement shoulders 411b are formed at both ends of the guide groove 411 such that the distal end of a locking bar 432a of a cap member 432 which will be described later in detail can be engaged with the engagement shoulders 411b while being moved in the guide groove 411, to prevent the release of the outer race 420 from the inner race 410 and limit the rotation of the outer race 420 to a certain range. A plurality of locking grooves 411a is defined on the bottom of the guide groove 411. The

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locking grooves 411a function to limit the rotation range of the outer race 420. By the positions of the locking grooves 411a into which the locking bar 432a is engaged, the rotated positions (for example, corresponding to the normal posture, the MTB posture and the racing posture) of the handle grip are fixed. The fitting hole 410a is not defined coaxially with the inner race 410, and is slightly deviated from the axis of the inner race 410 so that, when the inner race 410 is viewed from the top after being fitted around the handle frame 200, the inner race 410 defines a toe-in shape as shown in FIG. 7. In other words, when assuming that the rotational axis of the outer race is A and the axis of the fitting hole 410a is B, B is deviated from A by an angle of θ. The deviation of the axis of the fitting hole 410a is made to improve convenience when adjusting the position of the handle grip 430 by rotating the outer race 420. Therefore, if the bicycle handles 400 are rotated forward of the handle frame 200, the distance between left and right handle grips 430 is decreased, and, if the bicycle handles 400 are rotated rearward of the handle frame 200, the distance between left and right handle grips 430 is increased as in a classic bicycle used for a daily life. As described above, the reference numeral 411a designates the plurality of locking grooves into and from which the locking bar 432a of fixing means as will be described later in detail is engaged and disengaged. The number of the locking

grooves 411a corresponds to the number of the positions to which the bicycle handle 400 can be adjusted. Namely, as the locking bar 432a is engaged into the each of the locking grooves 411a, the position of the handle grip 430 is fixed to allow the bicycle handle 400 to provide a posture corresponding to that position.

Next, as described above, the outer race 420 is relatively rotatably coupled to the inner race 410. The outer race 420 is defined with a passage hole 450 through which the locking bar 432a passes. A spring 440 is fitted around the locking bar 432a. The passage hole 450 functions to allow the locking bar 432a to pass through it to thereby be engaged into the locking grooves 411a.

The handle grip 430 comprises a cylindrical member 431 which is hollow like a pipe, and the cap member 432 which is coupled to an end of the cylindrical member 431. Due to the fact that the locking bar 432a is biased away from the outer race 420 by the force of the spring 440, unless force is externally applied to the locking bar 432a, the locking bar 432a is released from the inner race 410 with its distal end inserted into the passage hole 450. Of course, if the distal end of the locking bar 432a is pressed toward the inner race 410, it is engaged into one of the locking grooves 411a. A cam 451 is arranged on the upper end of the cap member 432. The cam 451 is defined with a cam groove 453a into which a manipulation pin 453 is fitted

and a pivot groove 460a into which a fastening pin 460 is fixedly fitted. The pivot groove 460a is deviated downward from the center of the cam 451. The cylindrical member 431 is defined with a slot 431a through which the manipulation pin 453 is inserted to be manipulated leftwards and rightwards and a through-hole 460b through which the fastening pin 460 is inserted to be fitted into the pivot groove 460a of the cam 451. Therefore, the manipulation pin 453 and the fastening pin 460 can be coupled to the cam 451. Accordingly, by grasping the manipulation pin 453 and moving the manipulation pin 453 within the range of the slot 431a, the cam 451 is pivoted about the pivot groove to lock and unlock the locking bar 432a with respect to the outer race 420. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a convertible bicycle handle in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the drawing, a convertible bicycle handle 100 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention includes an inner race 110 which is fitted around and fixed to a handle frame 200, an outer race 120 which is relatively rotatably fitted around the outer surface of the inner race 110, and a handle grip 130 which is threadedly coupled to the outer race 120 by a threaded rod 140. Therefore, in the present invention, due to the fact that, as in the case of a bearing, the outer race 120

to which the handle frame 130 is fastened is relatively rotatably coupled to the inner race 110 which is fixed to the handle frame 200, it is possible to rotate the handle grip 130 and adjust the position of the handle grip 130 as desired. Of course, it is to be readily understood that balls are not intervened between the inner and outer races 110 and 120 as are in a conventional ball bearing, and instead, smooth outer and inner circumferential surfaces of the inner and outer races 110 and 120 are slidably brought into contact with each other to be able to rotated relative to each other.

First describing the structure of the inner race 110, a fitting hole 110a into which the handle frame 200 is fitted is defined through the inner race 110, and a guide groove 111 is defined on the outer surface of the inner race 110. The guide groove 111 is defined to extend over a predetermined portion of the circumference of the inner race 110 such that the distal end of the threaded rod can be guided in the guide groove 111 and can be stopped at both ends of the guide groove 111 to limit the rotation range of the outer race 120. A pair of through-holes (not shown) is defined at a predetermined position in the guide groove 111 such that the through-holes are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the inner race 110. By ^■ locking threads 201 through the through-holes of the inner race 110 after fitting an end of the handle frame 200 into

the fitting hole 110a of the inner race 110, the inner race 110 is fastened to the handle frame 200. The fitting hole 110a is not defined coaxially with the inner race 110, and is slightly deviated from the axis of the inner race 110 so that, when the inner race 110 is viewed from the top after being fitted around the handle frame 200, the inner race 110 defines a toe-in shape as shown in FIG. 7. In other words, when assuming that the rotational axis of the outer race is A and the axis of the fitting hole 110a is B, B is deviated from A by an angle of θ. The deviation of the axis of the fitting hole 110a is made to improve convenience when adjusting the position of the handle grip 130 by rotating the outer race 120. Therefore, if the bicycle handles 100 are rotated forward of the handle frame 200, the distance between left and right handle grips 130 is decreased, and, if the bicycle handles 100 are rotated rearward of the handle frame 200, the distance between left and right handle grips 130 is increased as in a classic bicycle used for a daily life. The reference numerals 113a through 113d designate locking grooves into and from which a locking bar 151 of fixing means as will be described later in detail is engaged and disengaged. The number of the locking grooves 113a through 113d corresponds to the number of the positions to which the bicycle handle 100 can be adjusted. Namely, as the locking bar 151 is engaged into the each of the locking grooves 113a through 113d, the position of the handle grip

KR2005/003374

130 is fixed to allow the bicycle handle 100 to provide a posture corresponding to that position.

Next, as described above, the outer race 120 is relatively rotatably coupled to the inner race 110. The outer race 120 is defined with a locking hole 121 into which the threaded rod 140 is locked and a passage hole 122 through which the locking bar 151 passes. The threaded rod 140 is threadedly coupled into the locking hole 121 of the outer race 120 after passing through an end of the handle grip 130, and the distal end of the threaded rod 140 projects into the outer race and is positioned in the guide groove 111 of the inner race. Since the distal end of the threaded rod 140 is fitted into the guide groove 111, the outer ^" race is prevented from being released from the inner race. The passage hole 122 functions to allow the locking bar 151 to pass through it to thereby be engaged into the locking grooves 113a through 113d.

The handle grip 130 comprises a cylindrical member

131 which is hollow like a pipe, and the cap member 132 which is coupled to an end of the cylindrical member

131. The cap member 132 is defined with a receiving groove 132b into which the locking bar 151 and a spring 152 are received. Due to the fact that the locking bar 151 received in the receiving groove 132b is biased to project toward by the force of the spring 152, unless force is externally applied to the locking bar 151, the distal end of the

locking bar 151 passes through the passage hole 122 and is pressed against the inner race 110. Of course, if the distal end of the locking bar 151 is aligned with one of the locking grooves 113a through 113d, it is engaged into the locking groove 113a through 113d. The cylindrical member 131 and the cap member 132 are respectively defined with slots 131a and 132c which communicate with the receiving groove 132b, to allow a manipulation pin 153 to be coupled to the locking bar 151. Accordingly, by grasping the manipulation pin 153 and moving it within the range of the slots 131a and 132c, locking and unlocking operations of the locking bar 151 can be implemented.

The convertible bicycle handle 100 having the above construction is assembled as described below. First, as shown in FIG. 8, the inner race 110 is locked to the handle frame 200. At this time, due to the fact that the two threads 201 are locked to the handle frame 200 through the through-holes (not shown) , the inner race 110 is secured to the handle frame 200. The reference numeral 202 designates a hole through which a brake cable 300 used to brake the bicycle is installed. Concretely speaking, brake cables 300 for front and rear wheels are crossed with each other in the shape of X in front of the handle frame 200 and then pass through the holes 202 to be connected to brake bars 310 and 320 (see FIG. 13) which are respectively provided to the handle grip 130 of the bicycle

handle 100 and the handle frame 200. Of course, outside the handle frame 200, each cable 300 is covered by a covering material. Inside the handle frame 200, each cable 300 is exposed as it is. The outer appearance of the bicycle handle 100 after the brake mechanism is installed will be explained with reference to FIG. 13.

Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the outer race 120 is fitted around the inner race 110, and the handle grip 130 to which the cap member 132 and the cylindrical member 131 are coupled is fastened to the outer race 120 by welding, etc. At this time, the locking bar 151 received in the receiving grooves 132b is fitted into the passage hole 122 and in succession is engaged into desired one of the locking grooves 113a through 113d defined in the inner race 110. In this situation, since the distal end of the threaded rod 140 is positioned in the guide groove 111 of the inner race 110 as shown in FIG. 10, the handle grip 130 and the outer race 120 can be stably positioned with respect to the inner race 110. With the convertible bicycle handle 100 assembled as described above, if it is necessary to adjust the position of the handle grip 130, the manipulation pin 153 is pulled as shown in FIG. 11 so that the locking bar 151 is disengaged from the locking groove 113d. In this state, by grasping and pivoting the handle grip 130 forward or rearward of the handle frame 200, the outer race 120 is

slidingly pivoted on the outer surface of the inner race 110

(at this time, since the outer race is pivoted relative to the inner race with the distal end of the threaded rod 140 positioned in the guide groove, the release of outer race from inner race is prevented) . Thereafter, as the locking bar 151 reaches the position of another adjacent locking groove 113c, the locking bar 151 is engaged into the locking groove 113c by virtue of the returning force of the spring

152 to be locked in that position as shown in FIG. 12. Of course, if the manipulation pin 153 is continuously grasped by that time, the locking pin 151 must be freed at the position of the locking groove 113c to effect locking of the locking bar 151. If the manipulation pin 153 is already freed while rotating the handle grip 130, the locking bar 151 is automatically engaged into the locking groove 113c by the elastic force of the spring 152. If the position of the locking groove 113c does not correspond to a desired position, the same manipulation is repeatedly implemented. While the position is changed, the distal end of the threaded rod is engaged with the shoulders formed at both ends of the guide groove to be limited in its rotation range .

As described above, the locking grooves 113a through 113d have the number which corresponds to the number of positions to be changed. In this embodiment, four locking grooves 113a through 113d are illustrated. Accordingly, as

shown in FIG. 12, the handle grip 130 can be adjusted in its position among four positions. For example, the C position which is lowermost may correspond to the "normal posture", the A position "MTB posture", the D position "armrest posture", and the B position the "racing posture". Accordingly, it is possible to enjoy bicycle riding by adjusting the position of the handle grip as described above as desired.

In order to allow the locking bar 151 to be smoothly engaged into and disengaged from the locking grooves 113a through 113d, it is preferred that the locking grooves 113a through 113d be defined to be decreased in their diameter toward the lower ends thereof to have a V-shaped sectional shape . Since a position changing mechanism composed of the inner race 110, the outer race 120 and the handle grip 130 has been described so far, it is to be noted that the brake bars 310 and 320 and the cables 300 are actually installed on the bicycle. FIGs. 13 through 15 illustrate a state in which the brake mechanism is completely installed. As can be readily seen from the drawings, left and right pairs of brake bars 310 and 320 are installed on the handle frame 200 and the handle grip 130 of the convertible bicycle handle 100 such that the brake bars 310 and 320 can be rotated about respective rotation shafts 311 and 321 while being elastically biased by torsion springs 312 and 322. The

brake cables 300 are connected to one ends of the brake bars 310 and 320. Hence, if the other end of any one of two brake bars 310 and 320 is grasped, the cable 300 is pulled and a brake pad (not shown) provided to the front or rear wheel performs a braking function. Hereinafter, the brake bar provided to the handle frame 200 is referred to as a main brake bar 310, and the brake bar provided to the handle grip 130 is referred to as an auxiliary brake bar 320. The reference numeral 330 represents a three-armed support which is disposed in the inner race 110 to support the cable 300. One arm 331 of the three-armed support 330 is fitted between the inner race 110 and the outer race 120, another arm 332 of the three-armed support 330 is locked by the thread 201, and the remaining arm 333 of the three-armed support 330 is squeezed against the inner surface of the inner race 110 to be sustained thereon. The cable 300 which passes through the center hole 334 of the three-armed support 330 is connected to the main brake bar 310 and the auxiliary brake bar 320. As an engagement piece 301 which is installed on the distal end of the cable 300 is engaged with the brake bars 310 and 320, the cable 300 is prevented from being released toward the three-armed support 330. That is to say, since the three-armed support supports the cable 300 inside the main brake bar 310, the cable 300 is prevented from being released. FIG. 16 is an enlarged view independently illustrating the three-armed support 300.

As a consequence, by installing the brake mechanism, by actuating any one of the main brake bar 310 provided to the handle frame 200 and the auxiliary brake bar 320 provided to the handle grip 130, braking force is immediately produced. Also, when it is necessary to change the position of the convertible bicycle handle 100, as described above, the locking bar is unlocked, and the handle grip 130 and the outer race 120 are rotated with respect to the inner race 110. At this time, since the rotation angle of the handle grip 130 and the outer race 120 is limited to about 210°, the cable 300 is prevented from being twisted. Moreover, the end of the main brake bar 310 which is manipulated by the hand is directed inward rather than outward, even when the position of the bicycle handle 100 is changed, interference does not occur. Of course, to this end, it is preferred that the main brake bar 310 is installed out of the range of 210° within which the bicycle handle 100 is rotated.

Therefore, by installing the two brake bars 310 and 320 as described above, it is possible to stably conduct a braking operation at any postures. Even though the position of the bicycle handle is changed as occasion demands, braking operation can be stably and smoothly implemented.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various

modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claim.