Mechanical linkages for controls on bicycles

A control device for a machine having a first part and a second part mounted for swiveling movement about an axis relative to the first part, said control device comprising:

• a first mechanical linkage acting between a first linkage controlling mechanism fixed relative to a first part of a machine and a first linkage controlled mechanism fixed relative to a second part of the machine, said first mechanical linkage comprising a first linkage bearing having at least two parts relatively rotatable about an axis and connected respectively to said first linkage controlling and first linkage controlled mechanisms;
• and
• a second mechanical linkage acting between a second linkage controlling mechanism fixed relative to said first part of said machine and a second linkage controlled mechanism fixed relative to said second part of said machine, said second mechanical linkage comprising a second linkage bearing located radially outward of said first linkage bearing and having at least two parts relatively rotatable about said axis and connected respectively to said second linkage controlling and controlled mechanisms;
• wherein said first linkage bearing and said second linkage bearing being arranged, one within another, so that said first linkage and second linkage bearings do not occupy an excessive dimension in an axial direction.

A bicycle control device comprising:

• an upper bearing assembly attachable to at least three linkages, and a lower bearing assembly attachable to at least three linkages;
• at least four cylindrical guides of progressively increasing diameter, at least a first and second of said cylindrical guides being fixed relative to said upper bearing assembly, and at least a third and fourth of said cylindrical guides being fixed relative to said lower bearing assembly, said cylindrical guides defining therebetween each a channel, said channels each having an annular cross-section for guiding an axial annular bearing;
• and
• a bearing guidable by each of said channels defined by said cylindrical guides, said bearings each comprising:
• an upper ring having an outer surface formed with a recess fitted with an upper ring ball race;
• a lower ring having an inner surface formed with a recess fitted with a lower ring ball race;
• a plurality of balls held between said upper and lower ring ball races;
• at least one upper roll pin receivable in a bore defined through said upper ring and said upper ring ball race for locking said upper ring and said upper ring ball race together, said upper roll pin projecting from a surface of said upper ring into a respective slot in at least one of said first and second cylindrical guides;
• and
• at least one lower roll pin receivable in a bore defined through said lower ring and said lower ring ball race for locking said lower ring and said lower ring ball race together, said lower roll pin projecting from a surface of said lower ring into a respective slot in at least one of said third and fourth cylindrical guides;
• wherein said bearings each having a diameter different from the remaining said bearings.