# US 5,701,786 A · Shifting device for a bicycle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,701,786 A - Document ID: US5701786A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/618,668 - Filed: 1996-03-19 - Granted: 1997-12-30 - Earliest claimed: 1993-06-17 - Assignees: Shimano Inc. - Inventors: Tatsuya Kawakami - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5701786A ## CPC - B62K 23/06: Levers - B62M 25/04: hand actuated - B62M 25/045: {having single actuating means operating both front and rear derailleur} - B62M 2025/003: {with gear indicating means, e.g. a display} - Y10T 74/20287: Flexible control element - Y10T 74/20438: Single rotatable lever [e.g., for bicycle brake or derailleur] - B62K: CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDECARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE - B62M: RIDER PROPULSION OF WHEELED VEHICLES OR SLEDGES; POWERED PROPULSION OF SLEDGES OR {SINGLE-TRACK} CYCLES; TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SUCH VEHICLES (arrangements or mounting of transmissions in vehicles in general B60K; transmission elements per se F16) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A shifting apparatus for a bicycle includes a takeup element for winding a control cable, a shift lever for engaging and rotating the takeup element, a power takeoff (PTO) mechanism operable with rotation of the takeup element, and a shifter case for rotatably supping the takeup element. The shifter case includes a mounting portion for connecting the shifter case to a handlebar of the bicycle, a coupling section, and a speed indicator mounted on the coupling section. The speed indicator has a movable member operatively connected to the PTO mechanism for indicating a selected speed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A shifting apparatus comprising a takeup element; a shift lever for engaging and rotating said takeup element; power takeoff means operable with rotation of said takeup element; a speed indicator including: a speed indicator case; a support; and indicating means disposed between said support and said indicator case and supported to said support to rotate about a first axis, said indicating means being connected to said power takeoff means for moving relative to said support in response to a rotation of said takeup element; a shifter case for rotatably supporting said takeup element, said shifter case having a coupling section for externally mounting said speed indicator thereon; a fastener for fastening said indicator case to said shifter case; wherein said speed indicator includes fixing means for fixing said support to said indicator case so that said support remains fixed to said indicator case when said speed indicator is uncoupled from said shifter case; wherein said takeup element rotates about a second axis; and wherein said first and second axes are parallel to each other. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A shifting apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said indicating means includes: a pointer for indicating a selected speed; and a power takeoff element for coupling said pointer to said power takeoff means. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A shifting apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said coupling section is disposed in an upper portion of said shifter case. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A shifting apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said shift lever is oriented to be mounted below a bicycle handlebar, and wherein said speed indicator includes a scale panel oriented to extend substantially along said handlebar in close proximity thereto. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A shifting apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said speed indicator includes: a scale panel; and a pointer moveable along said scale panel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A shifting apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first axis and said second axis coincide. ### Claim 7 A shifting apparatus comprising a takeup element; a shift lever for engaging and rotating said takeup element; power takeoff means operable with rotation of said takeup element; a speed indicator including: a speed indicator case; a support; and indicating means disposed between said support and said indicator case and supported to said support to rotate about a first axis, said indicating means being connected to said power takeoff means for moving relative to said support in response to a rotation of said takeup element; a shifter case for rotatably supporting said takeup element, said shifter case having a coupling section for externally mounting said speed indicator thereon; a fastener for fastening said indicator case to said shifter case; wherein said speed indicator includes fixing means for fixing said support to said indicator case so that said support remains fixed to said indicator case when said speed indicator is uncoupled from said shifter case; and wherein said indicating means has a rod-shaped projection projecting toward said shifter case and engaging with said power takeoff means. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A shifting apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said takeup element defines a connecting hole for engaging with said rod-shaped projection of said indicating means. ### Claim 9 A shifting apparatus comprising a takeup element; a shift lever for engaging and rotating said takeup element; power takeoff means operable with rotation of said takeup element; a speed indicator including: a speed indicator case; a support; and indicating means disposed between said support and said indicator case and supported to said support to rotate about a first axis, said indicating means being connected to said power takeoff means for moving relative to said support in response to a rotation of said takeup element; a shifter case for rotatably supporting said takeup element, said shifter case having a coupling section for externally mounting said speed indicator thereon; a fastener for fastening said indicator case to said shifter case; wherein said takeup element rotates about a second axis; and wherein said first and second axes are parallel to each other. ### Claim 10 A shifting apparatus comprising a takeup element; a shift lever for engaging and rotating said takeup element; power takeoff means operable with rotation of said takeup element; a speed indicator including: a speed indicator case; a support; and indicating means disposed between said support and said indicator case and supported to said support to rotate about a first axis, said indicating means being connected to said power takeoff means for moving relative to said support in response to a rotation of said takeup element; a shifter case for rotatably supporting said takeup element, said shifter case having a coupling section for externally mounting said speed indicator thereon; a fastener for fastening said indicator case to said shifter case; and wherein said indicating means has a rod-shaped projection projecting toward said shifter case and engaging with said power takeoff means.