And Including Belt-shifter Mechanism Patents (Class 474/80)
  • Patent number: 11919594
    Abstract: An electrically powered bicycle equipment has an attachment/detachment seat for an electric power supply unit, and a latch assembly for holding the electric power supply unit in the seated state includes a slider having a head and a back. Either the electric power supply unit or the equipment has a sliding seat for the slider, the other one has a retaining seat for the head. The sliding seat accommodates the back of the slider, which has a peripheral groove and a ring gasket housed in the peripheral groove. The groove has two aligned sections and a deeper intermediate section between them. When the slider is in the fully advanced position, a gasket portion bridges the intermediate section between the two aligned sections, and when the slider moves back, the gasket portion can curve towards the bottom of the intermediate section of the peripheral groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: CAMPAGNOLO S.R.L.
    Inventor: Luca De Poli
  • Patent number: 11897571
    Abstract: A system including: a seat post; a user interface operatively connected with the seat post, the user interface configured for receiving instructions associated with a height of the seat post and for communicating received instructions to at least one controller coupled with a motive source of the seat post; and a valve assembly in communication with the motive source, the valve assembly regulating fluid flow within a variable finite positioning seat post height mode in response to a translation of the received instructions by the motive source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Sante Pelot, David M. Haugen, Wes Allinger, Mario Galasso, Andrew Laird
  • Patent number: 11852471
    Abstract: A derailleur hanger alignment pre-checking device, for use on a bicycle having a cassette comprising multiple sprockets and a rear derailleur having a derailleur cage, includes an elongated body having a longitudinal axis and an elongated planar surface disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and including a handle portion and a hanger portion. The hanger portion includes a slot cavity having an arcuate rear wall, the slot cavity being configured to receive a portion of a sprocket of the cassette. The slot cavity and planar surface are configured so that when a sprocket is received in the slot cavity the planar surface will be positioned facing a planar surface of the derailleur cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: ABBEY BIKE TOOLS
    Inventors: Jason C. Quade, Jeff Crombie
  • Patent number: 11834131
    Abstract: A rear derailleur is provided, including: a base, configured to be mounted to a bicycle; a linkage assembly, connected to the base; a movable member, rotatably connected to the linkage assembly; a chain guide, rotatably connected to the movable member by an axle assembly; a biasing member, located between the movable member and the chain guide, positioned to the movable member and the chain guide; a resistance mechanism, connected to the movable member; and a cap member, covering the resistance mechanism and driving the resistance mechanism, rotatably positionable in either of a first position and a second position, wherein when the cap member is positioned in the first position, the resistance mechanism provides a first resistance, and when the cap member is positioned in the second position, the resistance mechanism provides a second resistance which is different from the first resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: AD-II ENGINEERING INC.
    Inventors: Chien-Hao Su, Yu-Hsuan Cheng, Kai-Hung Hu
  • Patent number: 11820462
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur is configured to be mounted on a wheel shaft on a bicycle frame. The bicycle rear derailleur includes a base component, a movable component, a linkage assembly, a chain guide, and a mount assembly. The base component is configured to be mounted on the bicycle frame. Two opposite ends of the linkage assembly are pivotally disposed on the base component and the movable component respectively. The chain guide is pivotally disposed on the movable component. The mount assembly includes an adapter, a bushing, and a fastener. The adapter is configured to be fixed on the bicycle frame. The base component is stacked on the adapter. The bushing is configured to be disposed through the bicycle frame, the adapter and the base component and is configured for an insertion of the wheel shaft. The fastener is fastened on the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: TEKTRO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bo-Yi Liao, Pei-Hsuan Hung
  • Patent number: 11767081
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a bicycle front derailleur including a fixed component, a chain guide, a first link, a second link, and a driving assembly. Two opposite ends of the first link are respectively disposed on the fixed component and the chain guide. The two opposite ends of the second link are respectively disposed on the fixed component and the chain guide. The driving assembly includes a driving shaft, a push component, an output gear and a power source. The push component and the output gear are fixed on the driving shaft, the power source is disposed on the fixed component and connected to the output gear, the push component is in contact with the first link, and the power source is configured to drive the push component to pivot the first link with respect to the fixed component via the output gear and the driving shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: TEKTRO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tzung Ye Wu, Bo-Yi Liao
  • Patent number: 11731732
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides an electromechanical rear derailleur for a bicycle including a base member that is configured to be coupled to a frame member of a bicycle. The derailleur includes a movable member and a link mechanism that movably couples the movable member to the base member. A motor is positioned at the movable member to move the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
  • Patent number: 11713096
    Abstract: A rear gearshift mechanism for installation on a bicycle frame coaxial with a rear-wheel axis has a base element, a pivot mechanism, a movable element and a chain guide. The base element includes an attachment end for installation on the bicycle frame. A first arm and a second arm of the attachment end are arranged spaced apart from one another in an axial direction and, by an associated adapter which has a thread, are configured for the installation of the gearshift mechanism on an associated bracket portion, in particular a dropout or frame hanger. The first arm is arranged on an inner side of the bracket portion, and the second arm is arranged on an outer side of the bracket portion. The base element is designed with a setting device by which the base element can be pivoted in a chain tensioning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM DEUTSCHLAND GmbH
    Inventor: Henrik Braedt
  • Patent number: 11697473
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur comprises a base member, a linkage structure, a movable member, a first pulley assembly, and a second pulley assembly. The first pulley assembly includes a first pulley support and a first toothed pulley. The first pulley support is pivotally coupled to the movable member about a first pivot axis. The first toothed pulley is rotatably coupled to the first pulley support about a first pulley axis spaced apart from the first pivot axis. The second pulley assembly includes a second pulley support, a second toothed pulley, and a third toothed pulley. The second pulley support is pivotally coupled to the movable member about a second pivot axis. The second toothed pulley is rotatably coupled to the second pulley support about a second pulley axis. The third toothed pulley is rotatably coupled to the second pulley support about a third pulley axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Nobukatsu Hara
  • Patent number: 11560201
    Abstract: A bicycle drivetrain having a rear derailleur, a chain tensioner, and a chain guiding element which can be an idler pulley. The chain tensioner is separate from the rear derailleur and can be placed near the pedal crank. The bicycle to which the drivetrain is mounted has a drive chain, and the position of the lower portion of the drive chain (i.e. the portion of the drive chain that is not tensioned from pedaling forces) is elevated relative to that of bicycles with drivetrains having conventional rear derailleurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Inventor: Cedric Eveleigh
  • Patent number: 11535338
    Abstract: An electronic rear derailleur of the disclosure includes a movable portion including a main drive gear meshing with a first driven gear and a second driven gear, a support frame disposed on the movable portion and for the main drive gear, the first driven gear, and the second driven gear to perform positioning, a drive unit configured to drive, by using a transmission assembly, the main drive gear to rotate, and a positioning system including: a main board, a processing unit and a position sensor disposed on the main board, and a positioning shaft including a magnetic field generation unit facing the position sensor, and receiving, by using the processing unit, positioning information sent by the position sensor. The position sensor is configured to detect a change in an angular position to correct a parameter, thereby restoring a speed change function for normal speed change positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: TIEN HSIN INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Alfredo Sala
  • Patent number: 11498643
    Abstract: A bicycle electric rear derailleur 26 comprises a base member 41, a movable member 43, and a linkage structure 45. The linkage structure 45 is configured to operatively couple the base member 41 to the movable member 43. The linkage structure 45 includes at least one of a wireless communication unit receiving space S11, a charging-portion receiving space S12, a control-board receiving space S13, an operating-member receiving space S14, a display-unit receiving space S15, a connector receiving space S16 and a data-reader receiving space S17.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yuta Mizutani, Takeshi Ueda, Yuma Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11414158
    Abstract: A stabilizer includes a receiving device, a guide plate element for connection with a chain, and a clutch device. The guide plate element is movably mounted on the receiving device and performing a rotation state through an elastic element. The clutch device is mounted on the receiving device and connected with the guide plate element and used for providing one-way resistance. When a vehicle body jounces, the guide plate element rotates upwardly under force, the chain is tensioned, and the clutch device is in a free rotation state. When the guide plate element moves towards an opposite direction under force, the clutch device provides one-way resistance, so that the guide plate element can maintain a tensioning state of the chain for a longer time, and the effect of stabilizing the chain is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: RUSH COMPONENTS LLC
    Inventors: Deng-Gang Hu, Yun-Sheng Chen
  • Patent number: 11401006
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur mechanism is provided which accommodates larger radial spacing and/or smaller radial spacing having a non-uniform value over the respective winding region. The derailleur mechanism cable pull transmission device may provide over its rotational angular range about the rotational axis, which is effective during operation, a variable transmission ratio as a function of the rotational position of the cable pull transmission device relative to the base component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Henrik Braedt
  • Patent number: 11345440
    Abstract: A wireless control system for a bicycle may include a base part attachable to a bicycle and a movable part. The control system may also include an electric motor disposed on the electromechanical component and a control unit disposed on the electromechanical component for operating the electric motor to operate the electromechanical component, the control unit including a wireless receiver. The control system includes a wake sensor connected to the control unit, the wake sensor configured to communicate a wake signal to the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Jordan, Todd Squires
  • Patent number: 11230349
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a derailleur assembly including a base member, a movable member, a driving module and a power module he driving module includes a casing and a motor, wherein the casing is pivotably disposed on the base member via a first pivot shaft, the casing is pivotably disposed on the movable member via a second pivot shaft, and the motor is disposed in the casing. The power module includes a base body and a battery assembly, wherein the base body is pivotably disposed on the base member via a third pivot shaft, the base body is pivotably disposed on the movable member via a fourth pivot shaft, and the battery assembly is disposed on the base body and is electrically connected to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: TEKTRO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bo-Yi Liao, Yu-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 11230350
    Abstract: A bracket element configured for installation on an axial inner side of an associated bracket portion of a bicycle frame for the purposes of installing a rear gearshift mechanism of a derailleur system on the bicycle frame is provided. The bracket element may include a first portion, which has an opening or aperture assigned to the axle and which, in the installed state, is subjected to a clamping force which acts between the rear bracket portion. The bracket element may also include a second portion having an installation opening which is radially offset in relation to the opening or aperture in the installed state with respect to the axis and to which an attachment end of a base element of the rear gearshift mechanism is fixable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Henrik Braedt
  • Patent number: 11199240
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur has a base member mountable to a bicycle frame, a movable member movably coupled to the base member, a chain guide assembly rotatably connected to the movable member for rotation about a rotational axis, a biasing element configured and arranged to bias the chain guide assembly for rotation in a first rotational direction with respect to the movable member, and a fluid damper having a fluid cavity containing a volume of fluid. The fluid damper is operatively disposed between the chain guide assembly and the movable member to apply a damping force to the chain guide assembly when the chain guide assembly rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction. The fluid damper has a guide wheel configured to route a chain and rotatable about the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Brown, Brian Jordan, Christopher Shipman
  • Patent number: 11167819
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur comprises a base member, a movable member, a chain guide, and a resistance applying structure. The chain guide is rotatably coupled to the movable member about a pivot axis. The resistance applying structure includes a rotational one-way clutch and an elastic portion. The rotational one-way clutch includes a first engagement member and a second engagement member. The first engagement member has a first axially facing surface and a first engagement profile provided to the first axially facing surface. The second engagement member has a second axially facing surface and a second engagement profile provided to the second axially facing surface. The elastic portion is provided to at least one of the first axially facing surface of the first engagement member and the second axially facing surface of the second engagement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: SHIMANO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: Yun Ma
  • Patent number: 11161569
    Abstract: A bicycle front derailleur is provided that can be easily coupled to a bicycle frame. The bicycle front derailleur includes a base member, a chain guide and a link mechanism. The base member is configured to be coupled to a bottom bracket hanger of the bicycle frame. The chain guide is configured to guide a chain. The link mechanism connects the chain guide to the base member to move the chain guide between a retracted position and an extended position. The base member includes a recess configured to accommodate a part of the chain guide in a state where the chain guide is located at the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kenkichi Inoue, Kohei Obuchi, Mineho Masuda
  • Patent number: 11148755
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur comprises a base member, a movable member, and a chain guide. The chain guide comprises an inner guide plate, an outer guide plate, at least one pulley axle, and at least one pulley. The chain guide is configured to be movable between a plurality of shifting positions. The at least one pulley is configured to be movable between the inner guide plate and the outer guide plate within a maximum pulley movable amount in a pulley axial direction with respect to a rotational center axis of the at least one pulley. A single shifting distance is defined between adjacent shifting positions of the plurality of shifting positions. A ratio of the maximum pulley movable amount to the single shifting distance ranges from 0.21 to 0.35.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Kenji Kamada
  • Patent number: 11148754
    Abstract: A rear derailleur with rotation resistance application function includes a base member, a link assembly, a movable member, and a chain guide, wherein the base member is mounted on a frame; the link assembly is flexibly connected between the base member and the movable member; and the chain guide is connected to the movable member via a rotation-with-resistance structure. The rotation-with-resistance structure includes a rotary shaft, a one-way bearing and a resistance application spring, wherein the rotary shaft is disposed on the movable member or the chain guide; the one-way bearing matched with the rotary shaft is correspondingly disposed on the chain guide or the movable member; and the rotary shaft forms an interference fit with an inner hole of the one-way bearing. The rear derailleur can effectively prevent a chain from coming off during bumping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventor: Ruizan Qin
  • Patent number: 11110993
    Abstract: A damping device includes an annular chamber rotatably coupled with the gear selection assembly; a rotating element rotatably coupled with the chamber and fixedly coupled with a gear guide pulley of the gear selection device; and a damping grease volume, the damping grease volume contained under pressure between the chamber and the rotating element and adapted to transfer force between the chamber and to the rotating element. The damping device may be adapted for integration within a gear selection device and for coupling with a linear actuator of the gear selection device. The damping device may be coupled with both a chain pulley of the gear selection device and the linear actuator, wherein the damping device positions the chain pulley within the gear selection device as driven by the linear actuator. The gear selection device may be attached to or comprised within a wheeled vehicle, such as a bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Inventors: Brandon Rodgers, Jasper Lewin
  • Patent number: 11098787
    Abstract: A rear derailleur assembly for mounting to a bicycle, wherein the bicycle includes a frame, includes an upper body for operationally engaging the rear derailleur assembly to the frame. The rear derailleur assembly also include a chain cage for engaging a chain of the bicycle; a controller pivotally connected to the upper body; and a lower body operationally connected to the chain cage, pivotally connected to the controller, and pivotally connected to the chain cage. The lower body includes a damper assembly for providing rotational resistance as the chain cage rotates in a first direction about the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: The Cycle Group
    Inventors: Jonathan Ziegler, Casey Weiss, Ethan Fiamingo
  • Patent number: 11077916
    Abstract: A bicycle chain guide includes a base and a chain guide. The base is configured to be mounted to a bicycle that includes a solitary sprocket having a rotational center axis. The chain guide is disposed above the solitary bicycle sprocket in a mounted state where the base is mounted to the bicycle. The chain guide includes a first guide plate, a second guide plate, and a bridge. The first guide plate has a first guiding surface. The second guide plate is closer to the base than the first guide plate and has a second guiding surface facing the first guiding surface to define a chain guiding slot between the first guiding surface and the second guiding surface. The bridge connects the first guide plate and the second guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Naoki Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 11059542
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur includes a lower link member including a position-limiting structure, an external chain-guiding member, a damping shaft, a connection member and a C-shape spring. The external chain-guiding member, connected pivotally with the lower link member, controls a tension of a chain. The connection member is connected with the lower link member. The damping shaft, mounted at one side of the lower link member, is connected pivotally with the external chain-guiding member. The C-shape spring, sleeving the damping shaft, includes a C-clip portion and a first plate portion disposed between the connection member and the position-limiting structure. The first plate portion is extended outward from one end of the C-clip portion in a direction leaving the damping shaft. A friction force upon the external chain-guiding member in the direction to relax the chain is greater than that in the direction to relax the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: SUN RACE STURMEY-ARCHER INC.
    Inventors: Chang-Yao Yang, Chien-Chih Chang
  • Patent number: 10882587
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur includes a movable member and a chain guide assembly rotatably connected to the movable member. The bicycle rear derailleur also includes a pivot member non-rotatably coupled to the chain guide assembly and having an outer annular surface, a biasing device configured to bias the chain guide assembly in a first rotational direction relative to the movable member, and a damper device disposed between the chain guide assembly and the movable member. The damper device is operable to apply a damping force to the chain guide assembly when the chain guide assembly rotates in a second rotational direction relative to the movable member. The damper device includes a friction device that is radially inner relative to the biasing device. The friction device includes a friction member having at least one friction surface biased against and in frictional engagement with the pivot member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Jih-Hung Chang
  • Patent number: 10870464
    Abstract: A bicycle gearshift mechanism has a base element, a pivot mechanism, a movable element, and a chain guide arrangement. The pivot mechanism connects the base element to the movable element. The chain guide arrangement is connected, rotatably about a rotary axle, to the movable element. The base element comprises a first attachment end, which is coaxial with respect to the rear-wheel axle or axis, and a second attachment end for coupling to the pivot mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM DEUTSCHLAND, GMBH
    Inventor: Henrik Braedt
  • Patent number: 10822051
    Abstract: A derailleur comprising a chain guide, a fixed body adapted for being fixedly associated with a part of frame of the bicycle, and an actuation arm hinged to the fixed body. A cable-clamping washer constrained to the actuation arm locks a control cable on the actuation arm. A first fastening station and a second fastening station are defined on said actuation arm and configured to fasten the control cable in different positions on the actuation arm. An anti-rotation appendage projecting from the chain-clamping washer is adapted for being inserted in a holding seat of the actuation arm and holding the control cable in at least one of the first and the second fastening stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Marco Minto
  • Patent number: 10814934
    Abstract: A rear derailleur of a bicycle is disclosed. The rear derailleur includes a four-bar linkage. A fixing pin is received in a blind inner cavity of a base body and a fixing screw is constrained to a frame. A spring loading insert is arranged in the blind inner cavity. The base body is rotatable with respect to the spring loading insert. Connection members are inserted in seats formed on the fixing screw and on the spring loading insert to axially constrain the fixing screw and the spring loading insert. A toothed sector is mounted coaxially to the spring loading insert and is active on a sprocket which is active on the base body. A torsion spring is active between the spring loading insert and the toothed sector and is configured to constrain the spring loading insert and the toothed sector in rotation during controlled movements of the chain guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: CAMPAGNOLO S.r.l.
    Inventor: Paolo Pasqua
  • Patent number: 10780947
    Abstract: In an automatic return structure of a bicycle, a stopper block is mainly disposed on the other end of a crank different from a pedal, and a guide block is disposed on an inner surface of a middle portion of the crank. The stopper block may be formed with a groove on the other end of the crank. The guide block has an arced guide surface. Upon chain detachment, the stopper block blocks the chain, and then the pedal being pedaled makes the guide block lift up the chain to a location above the sprocket, so that the chain slides downward to teeth of the sprocket along the arced guide surface to perform automatic upshifting. The danger of chasing caused by the sudden slowdown or stop upon chain detachment can be avoided, the rider needs not to get off to perform manual upshifting, and riding convenience can be significantly enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Hao Meng Bicycle (Shanghai) Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Yu-Sheng Kao
  • Patent number: 10759494
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur includes a base member mountable to a bicycle frame. A movable member is movably coupled to the base member. A chain guide assembly is rotatably connected to the movable member for rotation about a rotation axis. A biasing element is configured to bias the chain guide assembly for rotation in a first rotational direction with respect to the movable member. A damper assembly is operatively disposed between the chain guide assembly and the movable member to apply a damping force to the chain guide assembly when the chain guide assembly rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
  • Patent number: 10745079
    Abstract: A bicycle component control device includes a bracket, a hydraulic brake unit and either a mechanical shifting unit or electric control unit. The bracket has a gripping portion. The hydraulic brake unit is operatively mounted on the bracket and configured to operate a hydraulic brake device. The mechanical shifting unit or the electric control unit is operatively mounted on the bracket and configured to operate a bicycle device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Miki, Kazutaka Fukao, Kentaro Kosaka
  • Patent number: 10745081
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur comprises a base member, a chain guide, an actuator, and a controller. The chain guide is movably coupled to the base member. The actuator is operatively coupled to the chain guide to move the chain guide relative to the base member. The controller is electrically connected to the actuator to move the chain guide relative to the base member from a current stop position to a target-stop position which is adjacent to the current stop position without another stop position between the current stop position and the target-stop position. The controller is configured to change, based on a front shift position of a front derailleur, at least one of the target-stop position and a temporary position in which the chain guide temporarily is in a shifting operation in which the chain guide moves from the current stop position to the target-stop position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Takeshi Ueda
  • Patent number: 10501147
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a movable member, a link structure and a cable interactive structure. The link structure is configured to movably connect the movable member relative to the base member. The cable interactive structure is provided on the link structure. The cable interactive structure includes a chain barrier portion. The chain barrier portion is configured to prevent a chain from contacting the link structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shouta Suyama, Atsuhiro Emura, Kenta Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10494055
    Abstract: A system is provided for shifting gears in a cycle. The shifter system includes a motor that delivers a torque to propel the cycle. A variable ratio transmission is coupled with the motor. A cable transmits movement to shift the variable ratio transmission. A cable pulley is connected with the cable and is rotated to move the cable. A lever is coupled with the cable pulley and imparts rotation to the cable pulley. A sensor is positioned to detect an initial input on the lever that does not rotate the cable pulley. A controller interrupts the torque from the motor in response to the initial input and prior to a shift in response to the transmission of movement by the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Martin Juhas, Andje U. Lewkowicz-Lalonde
  • Patent number: 10384744
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device is basically provided with a base member, a first operating member and an attachment. The base member has an interior space that is configured to receive an operating unit. The first operating member is configured to move along a first operating path from a rest position to an operated position to operate the operating unit when the operating unit is disposed in the interior space. The attachment blocks the first operating path to prevent movement of the first operating member from reaching the operated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Miki, Shun Kakehashi, Naoki Fujimoto, Shohei Yonehama, Tsuyoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10308317
    Abstract: A rear derailleur protector for a bicycle comprising a shield to protect the derailleur and mounting means on the shield for mounting the shield on the bicycle, the mounting means being adapted to engage the bicycle and a stand attachable to the derailleur protector to support a bicycle fitted with the derailleur protector in an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: BOPWORX LIMITED
    Inventors: Paul Gerard McGriskin, Ciara Anne McGriskin, Cian Desmond O'Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10259531
    Abstract: A bicycle front derailleur basically includes a base member, a chain guide, a linkage assembly and a support structure. The base member is configured to be mounted to a bicycle frame. The linkage assembly movably couples the chain guide to the base member to move relative to the base member between a retracted position and an extended position. The support structure includes a support member and a contact member. The support member is configured to be mounted to the base member and to advance toward the bicycle frame in a first direction. The contact member includes a contact part and a coupling part extending from the contact part. The contact part is configured to contact the support member and the bicycle frame. The coupling part is configured to be movably coupled to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: SHIMANO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: Shir Ting Keong
  • Patent number: 10196109
    Abstract: A bicycle gearshift comprising first and second moveable bodies, a rocker arm rotatably connected to the second body on a rotation axis, an elastic element that rotates the rocker arm about the rotation axis, and a unidirectional damping device operatively arranged between the rocker arm and the second body. The unidirectional damping device comprises a first ring nut arranged coaxially to the rotation axis and rotatable with the rocker arm and a second coaxially arranged positioned axially adjacent to the first ring nut. The first and second ring nuts have matching saw-toothings. An actuator for the unidirectional damping device acts on one of said ring nuts to axially push that ring nut towards the other ring nut so as to mutually engage the saw-toothings when the rocker arm is moved about the rotation axis in a second direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Davide Bernardele
  • Patent number: 10131404
    Abstract: A bicycle front derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a chain guide, a link mechanism, and a biasing member. The base member is configured to be fixedly coupled to the bicycle. The chain guide is configured to guide a chain. The link mechanism couples the chain guide to the base member between retracted and extended positions in response to movement of an operation cable. The link mechanism includes a first link pivotally connected to the chain guide about a first pivot axis. The first link is configured such that the first pivot axis moves in a forward-rearward direction, while the chain guide moves between the retracted position and the extended position in a mounted state where the base member is mounted to a bicycle frame. The biasing member is operatively disposed between the base member and the chain guide to bias the chain guide towards the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Nobukatsu Hara
  • Patent number: 10124857
    Abstract: A clutch unit of a bicycle derailleur includes a main body, a cover for the main body, a positioning assembly, and a pressure-applying assembly. Both assemblies are received in a space between the main body and the cover. The main body has a top side with a receiving groove and is pivotally connected with a rotating shaft, which extends out of a bottom portion of the receiving groove. The positioning assembly includes a ratchet, a pawl, and an elastic member. The ratchet is pivotally connected in the receiving groove, can rotate with the rotating shaft, and has ratchet teeth annularly arranged at an equal spacing. The pawl is adjacent to and can move toward and away from the ratchet, has a meshing tooth for meshing with the corresponding ratchet tooth, and is elastically biased toward the ratchet by the elastic member. The pressure-applying assembly applies resistance to the ratchet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: AD-II ENGINEERING INC.
    Inventor: Kuei-Jung Chan
  • Patent number: 10086904
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur has a mounting base, a moveable base, and a friction assembly. The moveable base has an axle. The friction assembly is mounted in the moveable base and has a driving disk, a driven disk, multiple rotating members, and a friction member. The driving disk is connected with the axle in a non-rotatable manner. The driven disk is rotatably and axially moveably mounted in the moveable base. Each disk has multiple curved rotating member guiding recesses. Each rotating member guiding recess of the driving disk has a depth decreased along a first rotating direction. Each rotating member guiding recess of the driven disk has a depth decreased along a second rotating direction. The rotating members are mounted respectively in the rotating member guiding recesses. The friction member is mounted in the moveable base in a non-rotatable manner and abuts the driven disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignees: LEE CHI ENTERPRISES CO., LTD., THE CYCLE GROUP INC.
    Inventors: Yen-Chi Lin, Shan-Lin Wu, Yu-Hung Pan
  • Patent number: 10040511
    Abstract: An electronic rear derailleur for a bicycle, includes a base member for attachment to a frame member of the bicycle, and a movable member having a cage assembly attached thereto. The electronic rear derailleur may also include a linkage coupling the movable member to the base member and configured to permit movement of the movable member relative to the base member, and a motor positioned at the movable member, the motor configured to operate the linkage to move the movable member relative to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
  • Patent number: 10029754
    Abstract: A bicycle electrical system is provided with a first electric component, a second electric component, a first wireless communication unit, a first power source, and a second wireless communication unit. The first wireless communication unit and the first power source are electrically connected to at least the first electric component. The second wireless communication unit is electrically connected to at least the second electric component. The first electric component can communicate with the first wireless communication unit. The second electric component can communicate with the second wireless communication unit. At least the first wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit are attached to the bicycle without interposing the first electric component and the second electric component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Takashi Toyoshima, Tadaharu Kurotobi
  • Patent number: 10005519
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur includes movable member, chain guide member and resistance applying member. The movable member is connected to linkage assembly. The chain guide member is pivoted to the movable member. The resistance applying member is connected between the movable member and the chain guide member. The resistance applying member includes pivot base, first engagement member and second engagement member. The pivot base includes pivot part and pressing part. The pressing part extends radially outwardly from the pivot part. The first engagement member is pivoted to the pivot part and pressed by the pressing part. The second engagement member is engageable with the first engagement member so that the first engagement member is only rotatable with respect to the second engagement member in a rotatable direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: TEKTRO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: John Calendrille, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9944351
    Abstract: A shifting assembly for shifting a roller chain between a plurality of front chain wheels for a bicycle that includes a smaller chain wheel, a larger chain wheel and a chain derailleur having a channel on an inner guide plate. The channel has an elevation that comes into contact with a chain rise rivet on the larger chain wheel in the state of starting to shift the roller chain from the smaller chain wheel to the adjacent larger chain wheel, viewed in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the chain wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Braun, Marcus Auer, Markus Engel
  • Patent number: 9926039
    Abstract: A front derailleur includes a base member, a chain guide, a link mechanism and a cable guiding structure. The base member is fixedly coupled to a bicycle. The chain guide is configured to guide a chain. The link mechanism movably couples the chain guide to the base member between a retracted position and an extended position in response to movement of an operation cable. The cable guiding structure has one of bore, recess and groove formed on the link mechanism to guide the operation cable. The operation cable exits forwardly from the cable guiding structure within a sector having an angle of 150 degrees around the crank axis from an upper radius lying in a first plane that is perpendicular to a second plane containing a crank axis and a rear wheel axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Kenkichi Inoue, Tomohiro Niimi
  • Patent number: 9919765
    Abstract: Embodiments of a front derailleur gear shifting system including various unique chain guides attached to and operating from a single pivot point. This derailleur system provides a simple, yet, elegant and robust improvement in shifting technique over conventional, lateral motion front derailleurs. Embodiments of open and closed annulus chain guides having specially shaped lifting and pulling surfaces for acting upon a bicycle chain during shifting are also disclosed. Additionally, as an optional enhancement, a dual-sided chain catcher that prevents unintended over-shifts in either direction is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Wick Werks, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher A. Wickliffe, Eldon L. Goates
  • Patent number: 9908587
    Abstract: A bicycle detection device is basically provided with a single sensor that is configured to output a first detection signal of a first state in response to a movement of a first operating member. The sensor is configured to output a second detection signal of a second state, which is different from the first state, in response to a movement of a second operating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yusuke Nishikawa, Yasuhiro Tsuchizawa, Makoto Usui, Satoshi Shahana