At a glance
| Patent number | CN205819384U (application CN201620716527) |
| Type | China utility model (实用新型) - protects product shape and structure |
| Original title | Torsion spring bicycle bell (扭簧车铃) |
| Patent owner | Ningbo Hua Chiche Industry Co., Ltd. |
| Filing date | 2016-07-08 |
| Grant date | 2016-12-21 |
| Status (China) | Lapsed - terminated for non-payment of annual fees (recorded 2025-07-04) |
| Patent family | Only this Chinese patent - no US, European, Japanese, PCT or other filings listed |
| Cited by | 6 later documents, including one European application for a handlebar bell |
| Source | Google Patents (search for CN205819384U) |
What the claims cover, in plain language
Claim 1 - a bicycle bell with a striking mechanism and a mounting mechanism on the bell dome:
- a lever with a striker at one end and a thumb tab at the other, pivoting on the side of a center bracket;
- a mount made of a strap whose ends connect to a locking slider;
- a rubber cushion block on the bracket, and a screw through the dome joining dome, bracket and slider;
- characterized by a torsion spring on the lever’s pivot, with one end hooked on a locating catch on the bracket and the other end under the thumb tab.
Claims 2-6 add: a rubber washer under the screw head so the dome is held only between rubber parts; the catch holding the striker clear of the dome at rest; the rubber block’s top cap touching the dome and a central slide rail for the slider; a curved base on the rubber block that sits on the handlebar; and a curved thumb tab.
This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.
What this means for production
This patent was filed only in China, and it lapsed in 2025 because annual fees were not paid. It no longer restricts anyone - in China or elsewhere.
Before production, keep in mind:
- Other patents may exist. Bicycle bells are a long-established product with many designs; a later European application for a handlebar bell cites this patent. Give your bell its own look and have a freedom-to-operate (FTO) search done by a US patent attorney before volume production.
Customization and manufacturing
What can be customized
| Area | Options |
|---|---|
| Dome material | Brass (richest tone), aluminum (light) or steel |
| Finish | Polished, brushed, anodized colors, matte black, powder coat, chrome |
| Size | Mini dome for road bikes, standard size for city bikes - size to be confirmed by tone testing |
| Lever | Metal or plastic lever; thumb-tab shape and color |
| Strap | Lengths for 22.2 mm, 25.4 mm and 31.8 mm bars; strollers and scooters |
| Branding | Logo laser-engraved or printed on the dome; custom lever color |
| Packaging | Blister card, kraft box, bulk OEM packing for bike makers |
Things to plan for (US market)
- Bicycle requirements - US federal rules for new bicycles focus on reflectors and safety parts; bells are an accessory, but bike-share fleets and some cities expect one.
- Children’s products - bells sold for kids’ bikes should meet US children’s-product rules for lead and coatings, with the required tracking labels and testing.
- Durability - test the spring and strap for repeated use, vibration and outdoor weather.
How a project runs
- Inquiry - target market, material, finish, sizes and quantity.
- Design - dome size and alloy for the desired tone, lever and strap details.
- Samples - tone, ring time and strap fit tested on common handlebars.
- Pilot run - small batch with finish and packaging checks.
- Production - volume production and shipping.
Quantities & timeline
The bell uses a small number of stamped, turned and molded parts plus a standard spring. Send us your target quantity, finish and price point and we will reply with options.
Patent drawings
Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.
