Abstract: A control mechanism for use with first and second bicycle transmissions includes a transmission position communication path for communicating information indicating the operational positions of the first and second transmissions; a transmission command communication path for communicating information for controlling the operation of the first and second transmissions; a shift command communication path for receiving shift commands to select a speed stage of the bicycle; and a transmission control unit operatively coupled to the shift command communication path, to the transmission position communication path and to the transmission command communication path for receiving the shift commands and the information indicating the operational positions of the first and second transmissions and for generating the information for controlling the operation of the first and second transmissions.

Abstract: A hydraulic shift gear mechanism for a bicycle having a positioning mechanism for controlling the motion of the piston of a master cylinder assembly is disclosed, wherein the master cylinder assembly is in communication with a slave cylinder for operation of a derailleur. The positioning mechanism preferably includes a pivot shaft spaced apart from the handlebar, a rotating member rotatable about the pivot shaft, a push mechanism for rotating the rotating member in a first direction and a return mechanism for rotating the rotating member in a second direction. The push mechanism preferably includes a first latch segment which engages a corresponding push pawl to rotate the rotating member. The return mechanism preferably comprises a second latch segment and a return pawl, the return pawl having a first claw and a second claw which alternately engage the second latch segment.

Abstract: A bicycle disc brake is provided in which a support member movably couples the brake caliper to the frame of the bicycle. The bicycle disc brake caliper has a caliper housing with a single piston unit. The piston unit is movably coupled to the housing between a release position, in which the piston unit is spaced from a disc brake mounted to a wheel of a bicycle, and a braking position, in which the piston unit engages the disc brake of the bicycle wheel. The piston unit has a first friction member movably coupled between a release position and a braking position and a second friction member arranged substantially parallel to the first friction member to form a disc brake receiving space between the first and second friction members. In one embodiment, the caliper housing is movably coupled to the support member by a pivot pin. In another embodiment, the caliper housing is movably coupled to the support member by a linkage assembly.

Abstract: A bicycle shift control device for controlling a gas actuated shifting device includes a housing; a first gas valve actuating member; a second gas valve actuating member; a first shift member coupled to the housing for movement in a first direction, wherein the first shift member is operatively coupled to the first gas valve actuating member; and a second shift member coupled to the housing for movement in a second direction, wherein the second shift member is operatively coupled to the second gas valve actuating member.

Abstract: A quick-release bicycle derailleur includes a base member, a movable member supporting a chain guide, and a linkage mechanism coupling the base member to the movable member so that the movable member moves relative to the base member. A draw bar extends from the base member and has a cam follower at the base member. A rotary cam is supported by the base member and contacts the cam follower so that rotation of the rotary cam pulls the drawbar into the base member. A nut may be fitted to the other end of the draw bar so that the base member and the nut securely fix the derailleur to a pair of fork ends on the bicycle frame.

Abstract: An operating device is provided for operating a vehicle component assembly. More specifically, the operating device moves a movable member between at least two positions. The operating device especially relates to bicycle components that are actuated by a cable or other mechanical linkage. Basically, the vehicle component assembly has a base member, a movable member, a piston member and an actuating device. The movable member is movably coupled to the base member between at least a first position and a second position. The piston member is operatively coupled to the movable member and fluidly coupled to a supply of pressurized fluid to move the movable member from the first position to the second position. The actuating device has an operating component operatively coupled to a valve mechanism and a mechanical coupling assembly. The valve mechanism is arranged to release pressure in the piston member.

Abstract: Derailleurs are provided on bicycles to move or shift a chain between two or more sprockets for changing gears. Most multi-geared bicycles have front and rear derailleurs. The front and rear derailleurs are connected to shift operating devices via shift cables to shift gears. Each derailleurs has a fixed member adapted to be coupled to a portion of the bicycle, a chain guiding member for shifting the chain of the bicycle and a linkage assembly coupled between the fixed member and the chain guiding member. Link or pivot pins are used to couple the links of the linkage assembly to the fixed member and the chain guiding member. These link or pivot pins are removably and non-rotatably coupled to the fixed member and/or the chain guiding member. Preferably, the link or pivot pins have a head portion with an abutment surface and a shaft portion with a conically tapered free end and an annular groove for receiving a retaining clip.

Abstract: A bicycle derailleur assembly includes a base member, an intermediate member, and a movable member supporting a chain guide. The intermediate member is coupled to the base member for pivoting relative to the base member around a pivot area defining a pivot axis, and the movable member is coupled for movement relative to the intermediate member. A cable guide roller having a cable guide surface is provided to the derailleur assembly, wherein the cable guide surface intersects the pivot area when viewed in a direction of the pivot axis.

Abstract: A gas actuated derailleur for a bicycle includes a base member, a movable member supporting a chain guide, a coupling mechanism coupling the base member to the movable member so that the movable member moves relative to the base member, and an actuation mechanism responsive to compressed gas for causing the movable member to move relative to the base member.

Abstract: A gas actuated derailleur for a bicycle includes a base member, a movable member supporting a chain guide, a coupling mechanism coupling the base member to the movable member so that the movable member moves relative to the base member, and an actuation mechanism responsive to compressed gas for causing the movable member to move relative to the base member.

Abstract: A gas actuating device includes a housing having a gas applying chamber, an actuator chamber and a gas applying passage for communicating gas from the gas applying chamber to the actuator chamber. An actuating member having a first side and a second side is disposed in the actuator chamber, wherein the first side of the actuating member receives gas pressure from gas applied to the actuating chamber from the gas applying passage. The actuating member moves in a first direction in response to the gas pressure applied to the first side of the actuating member. A valve selectively communicates compressed gas from the gas applying chamber to the actuator chamber through the gas applying passage for moving the actuating member in the first direction, and a gas release passage communicates gas from the actuator chamber at the first side of the actuating member to an outside of the actuator chamber.

Abstract: A gas actuated derailleur for a bicycle includes a base member, a movable member supporting a chain guide, a coupling mechanism coupling the base member to the movable member so that the movable member moves relative to the base member, and an actuation mechanism responsive to compressed gas for causing the movable member to move relative to the base member.

Abstract: A bicycle derailleur for attachment to a bicycle frame includes a base member apparatus having a first projection and a coupling member for coupling the base member apparatus to the bicycle frame. A chain guide is coupled to the base member apparatus for movement relative to the base member apparatus and for guiding a chain among a plurality of sprockets. The first projection is adapted to rotate relative to a second projection formed on a second member facing the first projection when the base member apparatus is mounted to the bicycle, and a shock absorber is adapted to be disposed between the first projection and the second projection for absorbing shocks between the first projection and the second projection.

Abstract: A quick-release bicycle derailleur includes a base member, a movable member supporting a chain guide, and a linkage mechanism coupling the base member to the movable member so that the movable member moves relative to the base member. A draw bar extends from the base member and has a cam follower at the base member. A rotary cam is supported by the base member and contacts the cam follower so that rotation of the rotary cam pulls the drawbar into the base member. A nut may be fitted to the other end of the draw bar so that the base member and the nut securely fix the derailleur to a pair of fork ends on the bicycle frame.

Abstract: A bicycle derailleur includes a base member, a movable member supporting a chain guide, and a first link having first and second ends. The first end of the first link is movably mounted to the base member, and the second end of the first link is movably mounted to the movable member. A bias spring exerts a bias spring force on one side of a longitudinal axis of the first link and directed away from the movable member, and a control element is coupled to the first link for exerting a control element force on an opposite side of the longitudinal axis of the first link and directed away from the movable member. The spring and control element forces thus act primarily on the connection between the first link and the base member, thus relieving the forces from the connections between other derailleur components.