US 2010/0194073 A1 · MECHANICAL LINKAGES BETWEEN MOVING MACHINE PARTS

Abstract

Conventional linkages between bicycle handlebar-mounted controls and rear brakes and gears are unable to accommodate unlimited rotation of the handlebars as is required on some so-called “freestyle” bicycles. A prior attempt to solve the problem employs a linkage comprising a bearing having two parts that are relatively rotatable about an axis. However this proposal is unable to handle situations where there are two or more mechanisms to be controlled e.g. a rear brake and a gear. Another problem is that dirt between the bearing surfaces may cause the bearing to jam. The invention provides pins (15C) that fit into slots (8A) for restricting rotation, relative to the handlebars, of a first bearing part (15A) and pins (15F) that fit in slots (9A) for restricting rotation, relative to the bicycle frame, of a second bearing part (15B). The aforementioned slots are formed in cylindrical guide walls not visible in FIG. 5. The use of the bearing (15) avoids any twisting of Bowden cables (7A, 7B) or the like such as are used on conventional linkages and, if any grit were to find its way between the two parts (15A, 15B) of the bearing, the latter are nevertheless forced to rotate relative to each other thus avoiding seizing of the bearing. The invention is not exclusively applicable to bicycles and can be used in linkages between parts of robotic machinery and other equipment.

Claims18

Dependent claims

1-9. (canceled)

A bicycle control device having first and second machine parts pivoted about an axis with respect to each other, said bicycle control device comprising:

a mechanical linkage designed to act between a controlling mechanism fixed relative to said first part and a controlled mechanism fixed relative to said second part, said linkage comprising a bearing having two parts relatively rotatable about said axis and connected respectively to said controlling and controlled mechanisms, wherein each bearing part has a projection;
a first guide fixed relative to said first machine part and having a slot which receives said projection of said first bearing part for restricting rotation thereof relative to said first guide;
a second guide fixed relative to said second machine part and having a slot which receives said projection of said second bearing part for restricting rotation thereof relative to said second guide;
and
at least one further bearing having two parts relatively rotatable about said axis and connected respectively to further controlling and controlled mechanisms;
means for restricting rotation relative to said first machine part of a first bearing part of said further bearing connected to said further controlling mechanism;
and
means for restricting rotation relative to said second machine part of a second bearing part of said further bearing connected to said second machine part;
wherein said bearing and said further bearing being located at different radial distances from said axis.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Mechanical linkages between moving machine parts

Life of this patent

Mechanical linkages between moving machine parts

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18