Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Multiple controlled elements
Patent
1994-10-07
1996-11-26
Marmor, Charles A.
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Multiple controlled elements
74489, 745022, B62M 2504
Patent
active
055774130
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a bicycle speed change operation assembly, and more specifically to a bicycle speed change operation assembly wherein a speed change operation can be performed during a braking operation without deteriorating control stability.
BACKGROUND ART
A bicycle speed change assembly for sports type bicycles such as a racing bicycle is often mounted on a bicycle frame member such as the down tube or the top tube.
Therefore, the rider must unhand the handlebar to perform a speed change operation. As a result, it is impossible to immediately perform a braking operation during the speed change operation. In addition, the rider has to assume a single hand steering, which leads to unstable handlebar operation and poor safety.
The speed change operation is required mainly when road conditions change, for example, from a flat road to a slope, or vice versa. In such occasions the bicycle becomes unstable and the brake operation is often needed.
In an attempt to solve this problem the Japanese Utility Model Laid-open 58-46693, for example, discloses a speed change operation assembly, wherein a cylindrical operation member is fitted around each of the left and right grip portions of the handlebar, and these cylindrical operation members are rotated to pull or pay out respective speed control cables. This type of speed change operation assembly is commonly called a grip rotating type speed change operation assembly.
In this grip rotating type speed change operation assembly, it becomes possible to perform a speed change operation without unhanding the handlebar grip portion, resulting in remarkable improvement in riding safety.
In off-road riding on a mountain bike for example, it is sometimes necessary to perform a speed change operation at the same time with a braking operation.
In such a case, however, with the conventional grip rotating type speed change operation assembly, the cylindrical operation member must be rotated to a rotational position corresponding to a speed step. In particular, when the speed change operation is required through a plurality of speed steps, the amount of rotation required of the cylindrical operation member becomes large, and therefore, the hand and fingers must be re-positioned on the cylindrical operation member. Thus, it is very difficult to perform a speed change operation while operating the brake lever in the conventional handlebar rotating type speed change operation assembly.
In addition the speed change operation is performed in various ways in response to the changing running situation; sometimes the speed change operation is made all the way through several speed steps as mentioned earlier, or some other times the speed change operation is made in a stepped manner. It is too demanding to perform such different types of speed change operation smoothly using a cylindrical operation member disclosed in the above gazette.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bicycle speed change operation assembly wherein the speed change operation can be performed during a braking operation.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle speed change operation assembly wherein control stability is not disturbed during a speed change operation.
Further object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle speed change operation assembly wherein an optimum speed change operation can be made in response to different riding conditions. The present invention provides a bicycle speed change operation assembly comprising: a speed change operation member supported for rotation about an axis of a handlebar between a handlebar grip portion and a fixing member fitted around the handlebar; a cable winding member supported in the fixing member for rotation about the handlebar axis to wind or pay out a speed control cable; a retaining mechanism provided within the fixing member for holding the cable winding member at predetermined rotational positions; and a transmission mechanism
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Nakatani Akira
Tagawa Koichi
Yamazaki Toshimasa
Bednarek Michael D.
Fenstermacher David
Marmor Charles A.
Mory Suntour Inc.
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