Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Hand operated
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-28
2001-12-04
Hannon, Thomas R. (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Hand operated
C403S309000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06324938
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to cable connecting devices and, more particularly, to a locking bicycle cable connecting apparatus.
In their simplest forms, connectors are used to connect one cable to another. In more complicated cable assemblies such as Bowden cable assemblies where an inner wire slides within an outer casing, it is sometimes necessary to connect the entire cable assembly to another cable assembly or to connect the outer casing to another tubular member while the inner wire is connected to some other structure. An example of the latter is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,833,937. That patent discloses a connector having a first portion for terminating the outer casing of a Bowden cable and a threaded second portion that screws into another structure. While such a connector reliably connects the outer casing to the other structure, the connector must be unscrewed several turns before the cable assembly can be disconnected from the other structure. The same is true when the outer casing is to be connected to the other structure. Thus, there is a need for a cable connector that allows the outer casing of a Bowden cable assembly to be quickly connected to and disconnected from another structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a cable connecting apparatus which allows the outer casing of a Bowden cable assembly to be quickly connected to and disconnected from another structure. In one embodiment of the present invention, a first connecting member includes an outer casing support portion having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a casing support opening for supporting the outer casing of the control cable. A wire guiding projection extends from the second end of the outer casing support portion along a first connecting member axis. The wire guiding projection includes a first side wall extending in the direction of the first connecting member axis, a second side wall extending in the direction of the first connecting member axis and opposite the first side wall, a third side wall extending in a direction of the first connecting member axis, a fourth side wall extending in a direction of the first connecting member axis and opposite the third side wall, and an inner wire passage for receiving the inner wire therethrough. A distance between the first side wall and the second side wall is less than a distance between the third side wall and the fourth side wall. At least one of the outer casing support portion and the wire guiding projection is continuous in a circumferential direction. A first abutment is formed at a junction of the second end of the outer casing support portion and wire guiding projection and faces at least in part in a direction of the first connecting member axis away from the first end, and a retaining structure different from the first side wall and the second side wall is immovably disposed at the first abutment. The retaining structure rotates with the first connecting member and forms a second abutment facing at least in part in a circumferential direction.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a connecting member includes an outer casing support portion having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a casing support opening for supporting the outer casing of the control cable. A wire guiding projection extends from the second end of the outer casing support portion along a first connecting member axis, wherein the wire guiding projection includes an inner wire passage for receiving the inner wire therethrough. The wire guiding projection includes a radially extending locking member outside the inner wire passage, wherein the locking member forms a first abutment facing at least in part in a direction of the first connecting member axis toward the first end. A second abutment is formed at a junction of the second end of the outer casing support and wire guiding projection and faces at least in part in a direction of the first connecting member axis away from the first end. A retaining structure is immovably disposed on one of the second end of the outer casing support and the wire guiding projection. The retaining structure rotates with the first connecting member, forms a third abutment facing at least in part in a circumferential direction, and is spaced apart in the direction of the first connecting member axis from one of the first abutment and the second abutment.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, a connecting member includes an outer casing support portion having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a casing support opening for supporting the outer casing of the control cable. A wire guiding projection extends from the second end of the outer casing support portion along a first connecting member axis. The wire guiding projection includes an unthreaded outer peripheral surface along its entire length in the direction of the first connecting member axis and an inner wire passage for receiving the inner wire therethrough. In this embodiment at least one of the outer casing support portion and the wire guiding projection is continuous in a circumferential direction. A first abutment is formed at a junction of the second end of the outer casing support and wire guiding projection and faces at least in part in a direction of the first connecting member axis away from the first end. A retaining structure is immovably disposed at the first abutment, wherein the retaining structure rotates with the first connecting member and forms a second abutment facing at least in part in a circumferential direction.
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Deland James A.
Hannon Thomas R.
Kim Chong H.
Shimano Inc.
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