US 5,571,056 AGranted

Derailleur cable collet

OwnerRaymond D. Gilbertinventor

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Abstract

The derailleur cable-collet system is an automatic pedal-rate to wheel-rate adjusting system. Pedal pressure is sensed at the crankshaft hub and electronically compared to pedal-pressure threshold values entered by the rider into an electronic circuit. Pedal velocity is sensed at the front sprocket and electronically compared to velocity threshold values. Shifting decision logic is relayed to feed battery current into solenoid-driven collets that move derailleur cables. An arc-jaw collet moves derailleur cable in one direction, and employs spring-forms for structure and bias. A distribution circuit senses travel limits of derailleur arms and redirects cable travel to another derailleur chain-guiding apparatus. A pedal-position sensor contributes to a pedal shifting time circuit that minimizes chain force during sprocket-shifting actions.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A cable collet comprising:

a pedal-driven vehicle with frame, wheels, pedals, chain, sprockets and derailleur apparatus further comprising cable-arm, cable-core and chain-guides;
and
a stored energy means,
a cable moving means,
a chain-shifting instruction means, and,
a chain-shifting communication means;
wherein the stored energy means, the cable moving means and the chain shifting instruction means are connected to the chain-shifting communication means, and all are attached to the vehicle;
and,
wherein the chain shifting instruction means further comprises a downshifting switch;
and
wherein the communicating means further comprises a relay;
and
wherein the stored energy means further comprises a battery;
wherein the cable moving means includes a cable-driving pedal-force collet, connected to a driving solenoid and oriented to move a derailleur cable in a first-direction;
whereby the switch, when triggered, closes the relay to connect the battery to the cable-driving collet;
and the collet advances the cable core to guide a moving chain onto a larger sprocket in a coaxial rear sprocket set.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.