Brakes – Vehicle – Velocipede
Reissue Patent
1997-06-05
2001-03-20
Schwartz, Chris (Department: 3613)
Brakes
Vehicle
Velocipede
C074S3880PS
Reissue Patent
active
RE037099
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a brake apparatus for a bicycle including a main brake body having a braking device and a brake controller, in which the brake controller is operable to switch the braking device between a braking position and a release position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
As shown in
FIG. 14
, a conventional brake apparatus for a bicycle includes a brake ring
13
engaged with an outer periphery at one end of a hub
2
, so that the brake ring
13
forms a part of the hub
2
. Brake shoes
6
acting as a braking device and other components of a main brake body
100
are assembled to the hub
2
in a separate process from assembly of the brake ring
13
.
FIG. 15
shows another conventional brake apparatus in which a brake ring
13
is formed integral with a hub
2
. With a main brake body
100
assembled to the hub
2
, the brake apparatus, brake ring and hub may be carried together as a unit.
With the former, it is necessary to assemble the brake ring
13
and main brake body
100
to the hub
2
in separate steps. This assembly operation tends to be of poor efficiency with displacements of the respective components occurring at a time of adjustment.
In the latter case, the three components of the bicycle are handled as a unit which is heavy. Another disadvantage of this construction is that the end of the hub where the brake apparatus and brake ring are attached is bulky, and particularly large in diameter. It is difficult to handle the bulky construction packed for transportation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a brake apparatus easy to assemble and adjust, and easy to transport and handle.
In order to fulfill the above object, the present invention is characterized by the following three features:
1) A braking device forming the brake ring is provided as a separate component from the bicycle hub.
2) A coupling device is provided to connect the brake ring to the hub to be rotatable together.
3) A restrictor is provided to interconnect the brake ring and the main brake body into an integral unit to be inseparable from each other.
The feature 1) allows the hub to be packed and transported separately from the brake ting. The coupling device of feature 2) is provided to facilitate connection of the brake ring to the hub. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the coupling device includes outer splines formed on the brake ring and inner splines formed in the hub. In the preferred embodiment, the restrictor of feature 3) includes an annular shoe presser spring fitted circumferentially of the brake shoes, and grooves formed in an inner peripheral wall of the brake ring for receiving the presser spring. The brake apparatus has the brake ring and main brake body connected together through engagement between the presser spring and one of the grooves. This construction reduces the possibility of adjustment errors such as a displacement between each brake component and brake ring occurring when the brake apparatus is assembled to the hub, and realizes improved assembling efficiency.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1512362 (1924-10-01), Phelps
patent: 2517847 (1950-08-01), Crossland
patent: 2569718 (1951-10-01), Hooykaas
patent: 2892521 (1959-06-01), Spencer
patent: 4109762 (1978-08-01), Wood
patent: 4313507 (1982-02-01), Hays
patent: 4428179 (1984-01-01), Jordan et al.
patent: 4632254 (1986-12-01), Scopatz
patent: 4815679 (1989-03-01), Perry
patent: 4836310 (1989-06-01), Yamano
patent: 5074436 (1991-12-01), Inoue
patent: 5201236 (1993-04-01), Nagano
patent: 5270495 (1993-12-01), Mosher et al.
patent: 5319160 (1994-06-01), Nambu
patent: 5719355 (1998-02-01), Nishimura
patent: 5760342 (1988-06-01), Takeda et al.
patent: 2817359 (1978-10-01), None
patent: 2819471 (1978-11-01), None
patent: 0065820 (1982-12-01), None
patent: 482559 (1992-04-01), None
patent: 334512 (1903-12-01), None
patent: 2 116 732 (1983-09-01), None
patent: WO 8302002 (1983-06-01), None
Deland James A.
Schwartz Chris
Shimano Inc.
LandOfFree
Brake apparatus for a bicycle does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Brake apparatus for a bicycle, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Brake apparatus for a bicycle will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2541562