Endless belt power transmission systems or components – Control for variable input to output speed-ratio – Including belt shiftable axially from one to another surface...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-28
2001-05-22
Fenstermacher, David (Department: 3682)
Endless belt power transmission systems or components
Control for variable input to output speed-ratio
Including belt shiftable axially from one to another surface...
C474S082000, C411S199000, C188S024110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234926
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a cable fixing bolt retaining tool or clip for holding a cable fixing bolt of a bicycle part. More specifically, the present invention relates a cable fixing bolt retaining tool or clip for aiding in the assembly of a bicycle component by maintaining the cable fixing bolt in a loose condition during shipping and/or storage.
2. Background Information
Bicycling is becoming an increasingly more popular form of recreation, as well as a means of transportation. Moreover, bicycling has become a very popular competitive sport for both amateurs and professionals. Whether the bicycle is used for recreation, transportation or competition, the bicycle industry is constantly improving the various components of the bicycle. Accordingly, bicycle owners are constantly upgrading the various bicycle components with the latest improvements and bicycle shops must carry the latest improvements in bicycle components.
Bicycle components, such as derailleurs and brakes, are typically operated by levers or operating devices coupled thereto via control cables. These control cables are typically coupled to the bicycle components by cable fixing bolts. In the past, when the bicycle component manufacturer would ship a derailleur or brake to the manufacturer or a bicycle store, the cable fixing bolt would have to be firmly tightened to prevent the cable fixing bolt from falling out. If the cable fixing bolt is too loose, the vibration during shipping can result in the cable fixing bolt falling out of the brake or derailleur and then becoming lost.
Upon receiving a brake or derailleur, the bicycle manufacturer or the individual bicycle dealer will have to loosen the cable fixing bolts in order to couple the control cable thereto. Depending upon the torque applied to the cable fixing bolt, the installer may have some difficulty in loosening the cable fixing bolt. If the cable fixing bolt is hard to loosen, then this will result in a more time consuming installation of the bicycle components, as well as possible frustration on the part of the installer.
In a low normal type rear derailleur, the tension pulley of the derailleur is normally biased to hold the chain on the low or large gear of the rear set of gears of the bicycle. In other words, the spring of the derailleur normally holds the rear derailleur in an extended position. Thus, low normal type rear derailleurs typically require large boxes for shipping. In order to reduce the size of a low normal type derailleur for shipping, a tool has been developed to hold the low normal type of derailleur in its retracted position. In other words, the tool is designed to hold the rear derailleur in a more compact position or shipping and storage. Specifically, this tool is located in the linkage assembly of the rear derailleur so as to hold the spring of the linkage assembly in a compressed or retracted position. More specifically, the tool holds the rear derailleur in a top gear position so as to be more compact. By using such a tool, a low normal type derailleur can be shipped in a smaller package. However, this tool does not prevent the cable fixing bolt from falling out of the derailleur.
In view of the above, there exists a need for a cable fixing bolt retaining tool or clip for holding a cable fixing bolt, which overcomes the above mentioned problems in the prior art. This invention addresses this need in the prior art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention is to provide a cable fixing bolt retaining tool or clip that holds a cable fixing bolt of a bicycle component in a loose condition during shipping and/or storage.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a cable fixing bolt retaining tool or clip for a cable fixing bolt that holds the rear derailleur in a compact position for shipping and/or storage.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cable fixing bolt retaining tool or clip for a cable fixing bolt that is inexpensive to manufacture.
The foregoing objects can basically be attained by providing a cable fixing bolt retaining tool or clip for holding a cable fixing bolt of a bicycle component in a loose condition. The tool allows the cable fixing bolt to be shipped and stored in loose condition, while preventing the cable fixing bolt from falling out of a bicycle component. The tool can be used with the cable fixing bolt of either a derailleur or a brake device. The tool basically has three portions. The first portion engages a head portion of the cable fixing bolt. The second portion is spaced from the first portion and is located adjacent a shaft portion of the cable fixing bolt. The third portion is spaced from the second portion and engages at least one of the shaft portion and a part of the bicycle component (e.g., a nut, a link or a brake arm). In each embodiment, the first, second and third portions are arranged relative one another to hold the cable fixing bolt in a loose condition, while preventing the cable fixing bolt from being disengaged from the part of the bicycle component. In selected embodiments where the tool is used with a rear derailleur, the third portion holds the rear derailleur in a retracted position.
The foregoing objects can basically be attained by providing a bicycle component assembly, comprising a bicycle component with a cable fixing bolt and a tool coupled to the bicycle component and/or the cable fixing bolt to hold the cable fixing bolt in a loose condition, while preventing the cable fixing bolt from being disengaged from the first bicycle part. The bicycle component has a first bicycle part with a threaded bolt receiving opening. The cable fixing bolt has a head portion and a shaft portion extending from the head portion to a free end. The shaft portion has threads formed thereon that are engaged with the threaded bolt receiving opening. The tool is removably coupled to the cable fixing bolt, and includes a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. The first portion engages the head portion of the cable fixing bolt. The second portion is located adjacent a portion of the shaft portion of the cable fixing bolt. The third portion engages at least one of the shaft portion and the first bicycle part. The first, second and third portions are arranged relative one another to hold the cable fixing bolt in a loose condition, while preventing the cable fixing bolt from being disengaged from the first bicycle part.
The foregoing objects can also basically be attained by providing a cable fixing bolt retaining tool or clip for holding a cable fixing bolt of a bicycle component. The tool or clip comprises a first portion, a second portion spaced from the first portion and a third portion spaced from the second portion. The first portion is adapted to engage to a head portion of the cable fixing bolt. The second portion is adapted to be located adjacent a shaft portion of the cable fixing bolt. The third portion is adapted to engage a part of the bicycle component. The first, second and third portions are arranged relative one another to hold the cable fixing bolt in a loose condition, while preventing the cable fixing bolt from being disengaged from the part of the bicycle component.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for holding a cable fixing bolt of a bicycle component in a loose condition. The method comprises the steps of providing a cable fixing bolt retaining tool or clip having a first portion, a second portion spaced from the first portion and a third portion spaced from the second portion; positioning the first portion of the tool to engage a head portion of the cable fixing bolt; positioning the second portion of the tool adjacent to a shaft portion of the cable fixing bolt; positioning the third portion of the tool to engage at least one of a first bicycle part of the bicycle component and a free end of the shaft
Soon Yeo Yong
Wada Kazuo
Charles Marcus
Fenstermacher David
Shimano Inc.
Shinjyu Global IP Conselors, LLP
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