Land vehicles – Wheeled – Occupant propelled type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-19
2001-05-01
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Occupant propelled type
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224079
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a rotor system that rotatably carries the fork of a bicycle so that the fork can rotate 360°, and that transmits actuations of a brake cable in a manner that prevents winding of the brake cable when the fork is rotated 360°.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A known rotor system of this kind is used in a BMX freestyle bicycle (bicycle moto cross) for purposes of preventing the brake cables from winding in the case of steering motions and front wheel turns of more than 180°. To this end, the handlebar stem mounts above the frame-mounted steering head tube with the steering head sets for supporting the fork, two annular transmission elements, which are axially held together and capable of rotating relative to each other. A clearance between the handlebar stem and the transmission elements permits the latter to be rotated likewise relative to the handlebar stem. From the brake lever on the handlebar and from the brake on the rear wheel, one brake cable line each extends to one of the transmission elements and is attached thereto. To prevent canting, each brake cable line is present in duplicate and attached in places of the transmission elements that are opposite to one another in the circumferential direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the invention to improve a rotor system of the initially described kind. This object is accomplished by an improved rotor system having bearings that are carried by the frame of a bicycle. The bearings are carried by the frame so that a stem of a fork of the bicycle extends through the bearings and the fork is capable of being rotated relative to the frame about an axis that is generally coaxial with the stem. The improved rotor system further includes upper and lower transmission elements that extend around the stem and are movable along the stem. The upper transmission element is rotatable about the axis relative to the lower transmission element. The upper transmission element is connected to a first brake cable line and is operative for moving along the stem in response to actuations of the first brake cable line. The lower transmission element is mounted for moving with the upper transmission element along the stem. The lower transmission element is connected to a second brake cable line so that actuation of the first brake cable line results in actuation of the second brake cable line. The improved rotor system further includes a casing that extends radially around the axis and the upper and lower transmission elements.
As a result of surrounding the transmission elements, to which the brake cable lines are attached with their cores, with a casing at least in the radial direction, a protection against negative influences from the outside, for example damage, is provided on the one hand for the transmission elements themselves and the mounting points for the brake cable lines. On the other hand, the user is also protected against injuries by the transmission elements that are often sharp-edged, and by the ends of the brake cable lines, from which sharp wires may project.
It is advantageous when the casing is frame-mounted. In an embodiment that is simple to realize and simultaneously cost-favorable, the casing is formed by the steering head tube already present on the frame, which receives the fork for purposes of supporting it. Preferably, the transmission elements are arranged in the axial direction between the steering head sets for supporting the fork, so that they are also protected in the axial direction. To have space available for the transmission elements, the steering head tube and the steering head sets have larger diameters, if need be, than the commonly used parts, or adapter pieces are provided.
In a preferred embodiment, the transmission elements are part of a rotor unit, which is movable as a whole relative to the fork, thereby facilitating assembly. Preferably, all transmission elements are arranged peripherally on the outside of the stem of the fork. Preferably, the rotor unit is axially displaceable on the stem of the fork, so that it is reliably guided by this handlebar stem. The axial length of the rotor unit is preferably greater than its diameter to prevent canting. In contrast to the initially described, known rotor system, only one brake cable line each is required in the place of two symmetrically arranged brake cable lines per transmission element. This makes it possible to use commercially available, inexpensive brake cable lines.
When a transmission element is rotated relative the other parts of the rotor unit, frictional heat occurs at fast movements. To protect against this frictional heat, it is preferred to provide a heat-resistant intermediate ring as a plain bearing between at least one transmission element and another part of the rotor unit.
For a simpler assembly of the rotor system, the casing for the transmission elements is provided in a preferred embodiment with at least one opening, which provides access from the outside to the place in which at least one brake cable line is mounted to a transmission element, for example, by means of a screw.
A bicycle that is designed and constructed in particular as a BMX freestyle bicycle, comprises a rotor system of the present invention to prevent the brake cable lines from twisting, and to be able to actuate the rear wheel brake at any time. The front wheel of such a bicycle can rotate 360°. To be able to keep even outside of the casing a brake cable line as close to the handlebar of the bicycle as possible without much freedom of movement, the projection, which is located on the fork for receiving the handlebar, preferably comprises a bore for the passage of the brake cable line.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4616523 (1986-10-01), Jones
patent: 4653768 (1987-03-01), Keys et al.
patent: 4753448 (1988-06-01), Nagashima
patent: 4770435 (1988-09-01), Cristie
patent: 5615585 (1997-04-01), Chi
patent: 5992869 (1999-11-01), Yi-Chen
patent: 571408 (1924-05-01), None
patent: 885144 (1943-09-01), None
Brian Scura; SST ORYG™ Cable Installation & Adjustment, 1996, 2 pages.
Odyssey®GYR◯2 Installation Instructions, 1 page.
Alston & Bird LLP
Johnson Brian L.
Luby Matthew
Wolfgang Goring
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