System for amplifying manual operating force transmitted to a functional device of a bicycle

In a bicycle having a brake device operable by an operating force output from a brake lever device, said brake device including a brake drum extending from a wheel hub and a roller brake mechanism disposed coaxially with an axle, said roller brake mechanism including:

• a) a cam rotatable about an axis of said axle,
• b) a plurality of rollers displaceable with rotation of said cam,
• c) a roller case for displaceably retaining said rollers, and
• d) a brake shoe disposed between said rollers and said brake drum for contacting said brake drum upon displacement of said rollers,
• a system for amplifying the operating force from the brake lever device for transmission to the brake device, said system comprising:
• a wire for transmitting an operating force of said brake lever device;
• and
• a clamping ring having a first end thereof operatively connected to said wire for receiving the operating force of said brake lever device, and a second end operatively connected to said cam, and an intermediate portion wound at least partially around a peripheral surface of said brake drum for taking out power from said brake drum upon engagement of said intermediate portion with said drum caused by tension in said clamping ring produced by said wire in response to the operating force of said brake lever device.

In a bicycle having a derailleur operable by an operating force of a change speed lever device, a system for amplifying the operating force from the change speed lever device for transmission to said derailleur, said system comprising:

• a first change speed wire for transmitting the operating force output from said change speed lever device;
• power takeout means for taking the power from a crank shaft of said bicycle based on the operating force transmitted through said first change speed wire;
• and
• a second change speed wire for transmitting the power taken out by said power takeout means to said derailleur.

In a bicycle having a brake device operable by an operating force output from a brake lever device, a system for amplifying the operating force for transmission to the brake device, said system comprising:

• a first transmission member for transmitting an operating force output from said brake lever device;
• means for taking out the power from a wheel hub of the bicycle based on the force transmitted through said first transmission member;
• and
• a second transmission member for transmitting the power taken out from said power takeout means to said brake device.

In a bicycle including functional means operable by an operating force of a manual control means, a system for amplifying the operating force for transmission to said functional means, said system comprising:

• a first transmission member for transmitting the operating force output from the manual control means;
• an input section for receiving the force transmitted through said first transmission member;
• a rotary member driven upon operation of the bicycle;
• power takeout means for taking out the power from said rotary member based on the force received by said input section, said power takeout means being wound around at least part of said rotary member, said takeout means being engageable with said rotary member to take out the power as a result of an increase in tension of said power takeout means;
• and
• an output section for transmitting the power taken out from said power takeout means to said functional means.