Brakes – Vehicle – Velocipede
Patent
1991-08-02
1993-02-23
Oberleitner, Robert J.
Brakes
Vehicle
Velocipede
188 2419, 267173, B62L 100, B62L 112
Patent
active
051882000
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The object of the present invention is a bicycle caliper brake fulcrumed onto the bicycle frame by means of a pivot bolt, incorporating a device for generating synchronous actuation of the two calipers.
In the caliper brakes for bicycles, which, as well-known, comprise a pair of brake pad carrier calipers, pivotally fastened onto the frame, which close onto the wheel rim when the brake is actuated, and, under the action of elastic means, are returned back to their resting position when the braking action ends, attempts aiming at obtaining the operating symmetry of the two calipers were always carried out, but good results were never obtained.
In fact, there are many factors which tend to generate a dissymmetry in calipers operation, such as lever ratios, frictions, geometries imposed by the frame and by the structure of the bicycle, different tensions of the two reaction ends of the brake-spring, various elasticity factors between the brake cable and its respective external sheath, and between the two brake calipers, imperfect assemblages, and so on.
Most systems adopted until now in order to try to obtain such an operating synchronism proved to be unsatisfactory, since all of them are affected by the dissimmetry factors listed above.
Other systems know from the prior art, aiming at achieving the intended purpose, require the brake to be fixedly mounted on its supporting bolt, with said brake being hence prevented from swinging on the wheel rim, said swinging being however necessary in order to compensate small geometrical differences, or low-entity twistings, without endangering the braking efficiency.
Other systems are extremely sophisticated and expensive and require special adjustments of the elastic means which act on the calipers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,064,972 discloses complex means for maintaining equally the free gaps between the left and right brake shoes and the rim in a bicycle caliper brake.
GB-A-2 029 531 describes a center adjusting device for a caliper brake apparatus for adjusting the distance between the brake shoes and the rim.
The purpose of the present invention is to supply a bicycle brake with a cheap device, which secures the perfect synchronism of actuation of the two calipers of the brake, independently from the variety of forces which can act on each caliper, still permitting the brake to swing on the wheel rim.
The device according to the present invention, as defined in the characterizing portion of the appended claim 1, substantially comprises a rocking lever fulcrumed onto a support integral with the pivot bolt on which both brake calipers are pivotally mounted, with said rocker lever being subjected to the action of elastic means and being subjected, at two opposite points with respect to the fulcrum axis, to respective force points of the two brake calipers.
The symmetry of actuation of the calipers derives from the positioning of the rocker lever, which obliges the respective force points of the calipers to rotate always by same angles, opposite with respect to the fulcrum axis of the rocker lever, thus generating symmetrical movements of the calipers.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the elastic means acting on the rocker lever also serve to return the calipers back to their rest position and are preferably constituted by a spring wound around the rocker lever fulcrum pivot, an end of which spring urges the free end of said rocker lever towards the corresponding caliper, while the other end thereof acts against the brake pivot bolt. According to a further embodiment of the invention said spring could be wound as well around the brake pivot bolt, and could be fixed to said brake pivot bolt at one of its ends, while its other end still acts against the farther end of said rocker lever, pressing said farther end against the force points of the corresponding caliper.
Preferably, the device according to the present invention, and, in particular, the rocker lever, is positioned on the rear side of the brake, so as to be hidden by one of the two brake calipers, wi
REFERENCES:
patent: 3314504 (1967-04-01), Altenburger
patent: 4064972 (1977-12-01), Ohtani et al.
patent: 4290507 (1981-09-01), Brown
patent: 4625835 (1986-12-01), Coue 188 24.11
Modolo Technologie Avanzate S.R.L.
Oberleitner Robert J.
Poon Peter M.
LandOfFree
Device for obtaining the operating symmetry of a bicycle brake does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Device for obtaining the operating symmetry of a bicycle brake, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Device for obtaining the operating symmetry of a bicycle brake will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2198848