Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Multiple controlled elements
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-27
2001-10-23
Bucci, David A. (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Multiple controlled elements
C074S473130, C074S488000, C474S101000, C474S082000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305237
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to control devices for bicycle transmissions and, more particularly, to a bicycle shift control device for controlling a gas actuated shifting device.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,066,057 entitled “Gas Actuated Transmission for a Bicycle” discloses various embodiments of a gas actuated shifting device for bicycles wherein air controlled shift valves in the form of toggle switches are used to selectively upshift and downshift a gas actuated transmission. Such shift valves can be placed in various positions on the bicycle. However, if the shift valves are formed as separate units, then it may be difficult to position the shift valves in an ergonomic manner.
Some shift control devices use two levers in close proximity to each other for respectively upshifting and downshifting the bicycle transmission. Such a device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,310, for example. The shifting device disclosed in that patent includes two levers that operate in opposite directions to respectively upshift and downshift a bicycle transmission. Such a shifting device is very convenient, but such convenience so far has not been realized in a shift control device for controlling a gas actuated bicycle transmission.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a bicycle shift control device for controlling a gas actuated shifting device which is constructed to maximize ease of use by the rider. In one embodiment of the present invention, a bicycle shift control device for controlling a gas actuated shifting device includes a housing; a first gas valve actuating member; a second gas valve actuating member; a first shift member coupled to the housing for movement in a first direction, wherein the first shift member is operatively coupled to the first gas valve actuating member; and a second shift member coupled to the housing for movement in a second direction, wherein the second shift member is operatively coupled to the second gas valve actuating member.
In a more specific embodiment, the first shift member comprises a first shift lever coupled to the housing for rotating in the first direction around a first axis, and the second shift member comprises a second shift lever coupled to the housing for rotating in the second direction around a second axis. The first direction may be the same as the second direction, or the first direction may be opposite the second direction. A first biasing mechanism may be provided for biasing the first shift lever to a first home position, and a second biasing mechanism may be provided for biasing the second shift lever to a second home position. That way the first and second shift levers may automatically return to their respective home positions after the shifting operation is completed.
A base member also may be provided for mounting the housing to a handlebar. In this case the base member may include one or more slots for adjustably fastening the housing to the base member. To further facilitate ergonomic positioning of the shift levers, the housing may comprise a first housing section coupled to the first shift lever and a separate second housing section coupled to the second shift lever. The first and second housing sections may be fastened together to position the shift levers on a desired orientation relative to each other.
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Bucci David A.
Charles Marcus
Deland James A.
Shimano Inc.
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