Electrical control device for motor driven derailleur for bicycle
AssigneeCampagnolo S.r.l.
InventorValentino Campagnolo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrical control device for a motor-driven derailleur for bicycles. The control device has a supporting body adapted for attachment to the handlebars of the bicycle. A brake lever is mounted on the supporting body so that it can oscillate. A pair of switches, for controlling gear change, are carried by the supporting body. The switches are preferably mounted on a supporting plate that is located on the supporting body. Preferably, the switches are pre-assembled on the support plate before the plate is positioned on the supporting body.
Claims17
A control system for a bicycle having a handlebar, comprising:
- a mount adapted for positioning on the handlebar and for supporting a brake lever;
- first and second electrical switches located in the mount;
- a gear change mechanism in communication with the first and second electrical switches and being operatively associated with at least one of a front derailleur and a rear derailleur, wherein the gear change mechanism increases a gear ratio of the bicycle when one of the first and second electrical switches is activated and decreases the gear ratio when another one of the first and second electrical switches is activated;
- a first button disposed on the mount for activating the first electrical switch;
- and
- a second button disposed on the mount for activating the second electrical switch;
- wherein the first and second electrical switches are located on a plate disposed in the mount;
- wherein the first and second electrical switches are located on opposite sides of the plate, the plate being oriented such that the opposite sides are generally perpendicular to a portion of the mount that is configured to engage the handlebar.
A motor driven derailleur control device mountable on a bicycle handlebar, the control device comprising:
- a support body having a portion thereof configured for mounting on the bicycle handlebar, an interior cavity, and exterior walls;
- a brake lever mounted to the support body for movement toward and away from the support body;
- a support plate located within the interior cavity of the support body;
- at least first and second electrical switches mounted on the support plate, each switch being operatively connected to a motor driven derailleur;
- a gear change selector mounted behind and in selective contact with the brake lever and in communication with a selected one of the first and second electrical switches, wherein the gear change selector engages the selected one of the first and second electrical switches to activate a first gear ratio change;
- and
- a gear change switch located on the exterior walls of the support body and in communication with another one of the first and second electrical switches, wherein the gear change switch engages the another one of the first and second electrical switches to activate a second gear ratio change;
- wherein the first and second electrical switches are located on apposite sides of the support plate.
A method of providing a motor driven derailleur control for a bicycle, the method comprising the following steps:
- providing a support body having an interior cavity and a portion configured for mounting on a handlebar of the bicycle;
- installing at least first and second switches on a support plate;
- positioning the support plate in the interior cavity;
- pivotally interconnecting a gear change selector with the motor driven derailleur control and establishing communication between the gear change selector and one of the first and second switches, wherein when the gear change selector activates the one of the first and second switches a first gear ratio change occurs;
- and
- attaching a gear change switch to the motor driven derailleur control and establishing communication between the gear change switch and the other one of the first and second switches, wherein when the gear change switch activates the other one of the first and second switches a second sear ratio change occurs;
- wherein the step of installing the first and second switches comprises positioning the first and second switches on opposite sides of the support plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.