Abstract: The braking device of the present invention is equipped with a resistance element which acts so that, when the brake device is operated by pulling a brake lever to a set operating position where the wheel braking force produced by brake shoes reaches a certain set value, a discretely increased force resists operation of the brake lever so that further operation of said brake lever is inhibited until a pulling force which is greater than the resistance force is thereafter applied to the brake lever.

Abstract: A bicycle brake assembly is disclosed for coupling a bicycle brake device onto either front or rear forks of a bicycle by a brake fixing mechanism. The brake fixing mechanism has a fixing member or plate fixedly coupled to either the front or rear forks and a bracing member or plate coupled to the fixing member such that the bicycle brake device is pivotally coupled between the fixing member and the bracing member. Preferably, the brake device is a cantilever brake with its pivot pins interconnecting the fixing member and the bracing member.

Abstract: A brake link for a cantilever device includes a basal end structured for rotatably supporting the brake link on a bicycle, an intermediate section structured for supporting a brake shoe, and a distal end. An anchor member is structured for attaching a cable thereto, and the distal end of the brake link is structured for detachably and nonrotatably engaging the anchor member.

Abstract: A bicycle brake assembly is disclosed for coupling a bicycle brake device onto either front or rear forks of a bicycle by a brake fixing mechanism. The brake fixing mechanism has a fixing member or plate fixedly coupled to either the front or rear forks and a bracing member or plate coupled to the fixing member such that the bicycle brake device is pivotally coupled between the fixing member and the bracing member. The fixing member and the bracing member are rigidly coupled together at their upper ends by a connecting member. In the most preferred embodiment, the fixing member and the bracing member are integrally formed as a one-piece, unitary member from a sheet material. Preferably, the brake device is a cantilever brake with its pivot pins interconnecting the lower ends of the fixing member and the bracing member.

Abstract: A protective cap for a bicycle control cable of the type having an inner cable which moves within a cable housing includes a first section sized to fit over the cable housing, and a second section sized for sealingly fitting over the inner cable. The second section is formed from a flexible material so that the second section can sealingly follow any bend in the inner cable.

Abstract: A cantilever brake arm apparatus includes a brake link having a basal end structured for rotatably supporting the brake link on a bicycle, an intermediate section structured for supporting a brake shoe, and a distal end. A coil spring has a first end retained to the basal end of the brake link, and the second end of the coil spring is retained in a spring position adjusting member that is rotatably supported relative to the basal end of the brake link. The second end of the coil spring extends beyond the spring position adjusting member so that the second end of the coil spring may be inserted into a selected opening in the mounting pedestal.

Abstract: A cable operated control device includes a movable control member, a frame coupled to the movable control member, and a cable guide member mounted to the frame for rotation around a guide member axis. The cable guide member includes a curved outer peripheral cable guide surface disposed radially outwardly from the guide member axis for guiding the cable. A bearing having a cable guide surface is disposed radially outwardly from the outer peripheral cable guide surface. When the cable guide member has a small radius of curvature, the cable may contact the bearing and thus avoid the excessive friction encountered in the prior art.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding a cable includes a frame and a cable guide member mounted to the frame for rotation around a guide member axis. The cable guide member includes a curved outer peripheral cable guide surface disposed radially outwardly from the guide member axis for guiding the cable. A bearing having a cable guide surface is disposed radially outwardly from the outer peripheral cable guide surface. When the cable guide member has a small radius of curvature, the cable may contact the bearing and thus avoid the excessive friction encountered in the prior art.

Abstract: An attachment assembly for a bicycle handle bar provides an extension bar as well as a brake operating device therefor. The extension bar, together with the handle bar, provides a pair of gripping portions, while the brake operating device provides a pair of hand portions for operating a brake. The brake operating device is coupled to the free end of the extension bar and provides a pair of hand portions such that the rider can grasp the first hand portion from the extension bar and the second hand portion from the grip portion formed on the primary handle bar. In a first embodiment, the brake operating device is integrally formed as a one-piece, unitary member with a part of the extension bar, while in another embodiment, the brake operating device is formed as a separate unit which is releasably coupled to the extension bar.

Abstract: A cap is provided for fitting to a bicycle control cable of the type having an inner cable sliding disposed within an outer casing, where the outer casing terminates for exposing a portion of the inner cable. The cap has a first section defining a first section opening for fitting the outer casing therein. A protective cover extends along the exposed portion of the inner cable and has a first end disposed over the cap.

Abstract: A brake mechanism includes a brake arm having a lower portion for being pivotally mounted to the bicycle and a link member having an upper portion and a lower portion. A shoe attachment member for attaching a brake shoe is coupled to an upper portion of the brake arm and to an upper portion of the link member. The lower portion of the brake arm and the lower portion of the link member are adapted to be pivotally mounted to the bicycle so that the shoe attachment member maintains a generally horizontal attitude when the brake arm pivots relative to the bicycle.

Abstract: Each brake mechanism for a bicycle includes a brake arm having an upper portion and a lower portion, a link member having an upper portion and a lower portion, and a shoe attachment member for attaching a brake shoe thereto. The shoe attachment member is pivotally coupled to the upper portion of the brake arm and to the upper portion of the link member. The lower portion of the brake arm and the lower portion of the link member are adapted to be pivotally mounted to the bicycle so that the lower portion of the brake arm and the lower portion of the link member pivot when a braking force is applied by the cantilever brake apparatus to cause the brake shoe to move toward a wheel rim. The lower portion of the brake arm and the lower portion of the link member are spaced apart from each other for forming a four-bar link mechanism with the shoe attachment member.

Abstract: A bicycle brake lever mechanism having a bracket mountable to a bicycle handlebar, a lever mounted for pivotal movement to the bracket and a brake cable connector connected to the lever. The cable connector is connected to the lever via an adjusting mechanism for so that the return position of the brake lever relative to a lever bracket may be adjusted to accommodate various sized hands. Further, the adjusting mechanism allows for adjustment of a lever ratio A which is defined mathematically by the distance between the pivot point of the lever and the pivot point of the cable connector on the lever divided by the distance from a set point on the brake lever to the pivot point of the lever.

Abstract: A brake unit for a bicycle pivotably attached to brake brackets each having a support shaft (12a) projecting sideways and a radial seat surface formed in a proximal region of the support shaft. The brake unit comprises brake calipers (4) each including a boss (4a) having a boss bore for receiving the support shaft, a first end surface (4b) extending radially, and a second end surface (4c) disposed axially opposite from the first end surface. Each brake caliper is secured to the support shaft by a stud bolt (14) having a contact surface (15a) extending radially. A bush (13) is mounted between an inner peripheral surface of the boss bore and an outer peripheral surface of the support shaft. The first end surface of the brake caliper and the radial seat surface inhibit the brake caliper from moving in one axial direction. The contact surface of the stud bolt and the second end surface inhibit the brake caliper from moving in the other axial direction.

Abstract: A brake caliper support structure has a stationary member fixed to a bicycle frame, a support shaft fixed to the stationary member, a brake caliper pivotably supported by the support shaft, a spring having one end thereof engaged with the brake caliper, and an elasticity adjusting device disposed between the brake caliper and spring for adjusting elasticity of the spring. The elasticity adjusting device includes an engaging member and an adjusting screw. The engaging member is rotatable about the support shaft. This support structure further includes a shoulder and a groove formed on the support shaft for restricting displacement of the engaging member on the support shaft.

Abstract: A laser--punch composite processing machine has a vibration-proofing frame mounted on the main frame with a preload to enhance this vibration property and a laser beam generator mounted on the vibration-proof frame, an optical beam pathway between the laser beam generator and a processing head having first, second and third tubes mounted without physical contact therebetween.