APPARATUS FOR THE CONTROL OF BRAKES IN BICYCLES AND THE LIKE

Abstract

An apparatus for the control of brakes in bicycles and the like, to be used, in particular, for disc brakes mounted on bicycles and including a pump able to push fluid into a hydraulic circuit connected to the brake, characterized in that the pump is held inside the handlebar or a part associated therewith.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/764,886 filed Jan. 26, 2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to an apparatus for the control of brakes, in bicycles and the like, to be used, in particular, for disc brakes mounted on bicycles

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known that the action exerted upon the brake's lever is transmitted to a calliper acting on the disc through a hydraulic connection associated with a pump to urge the same calliper acting on the disc.

A drawback of the brake-controlling devices is due the fact that the brake pump, with relevant accessories, is applied to the handlebar, thereby constituting a separate element. This characteristic may result unsuitable owing to the fact that the handlebar has larger dimensions, the brake pump can be damaged by possible strokes, and may hurt the user in case of falls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to overcome the above drawbacks.

This result has been achieved, according to the invention, by adopting the idea of making an apparatus for the control of brakes in bicycles and the like, to be used, in particular, for disc brakes mounted on bicycles and comprising a pump able to push fluid into a hydraulic circuit connected to the brake. The pump being held inside the handlebar or a part associated therewith.

In particular the bicycle has a bicycle frame with a steering sleeve. A steering stem rotatably is mounted in said steering sleeve, and a handlebar is connected to the steering stem. A brake is mounted on the bicycle frame and applies friction to a wheel of the bicycle. The brake is connected to one end of and hydraulic circuit. A pump is arranged inside the handlebar and connected to another end of the hydraulic circuit for forcing fluid through the hydraulic circuit, into the brake, and applying friction to the wheel. A brake lever device mounted on said handlebar operates the pump.

Further characteristics are set forth in the dependent claims.

The advantages of the present invention are that the apparatus has extremely limited overall dimensions and, therefore, gives the handlebar a greater compactness; that the presence of a hydraulic brake makes it possible to use the levers originally present on the bicycle, that is, those for brakes operated only by a cable; that there are no protruding parts likely to be damaged or providing a danger for the cyclist; that a more attractive appearance is conferred to the handlebar; that the braking maintains optimal performance; that the apparatus keeps its characteristics unchanged also after a prolonged use.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a side view, with parts taken away, of a possible exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for braking control according to the present invention;

FIGS. 1A and 1B are respectively, a top view with parts in section (FIG. 1A) and a side view (FIG. 1B), with parts in section, of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a top view, with parts taken away, of a further possible exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for braking control according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view, with parts taken away, of a further possible exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for braking control according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings in particular, the basic characteristic of an apparatus for the control of brakes according to the invention, is that the apparatus is held within a portion of the handlebar, or a part associated therewith such as, for example, a connecting lug or other similar elements.

Referring in particular to FIG. 1, an apparatus 1 for the control of brakes according to the present invention, is fitted within the lug 3 which defines the connection between the handlebar 2 and the sleeve and stem (not shown).

In particular, the lug 3 has first clamping means 30, 31 which allow fixing the apparatus 1 to the body of the handlebar 2, and second clamping means 32, 33 to be fixed to the steering stem 99 to be inserted into the sleeve. The clamping means consists of clamps 30 and 32 made up of two bodies joined by respective screws 31 and 33 in a manner known per se.

Provided inside the body of the lug 3 is a reservoir 8 for the oil of the hydraulic circuit operating the brake. In particular, the reservoir 8 is covered by a membrane 80 which is, in turn, covered by a lid 82 fixed by a relevant frame 81 to the body of the lug 3. The reservoir 8, via a conduit 88, is connected to the a chamber wherein there is a piston 6 for which a stop element 76 is provided. The sealing of the piston 6 is also ensured by O-ring gaskets having, respectively, oil-sealing 71, oil-stuffing 72, and counteracting 73 functions, the latter gasket being in contact with a spring 66.

The operation of the; apparatus 1 is accomplished by actuating a lever 44 (shown schematically only) provided on the handlebar and connected to the apparatus by a sheath 4 which houses the relevant cable 5. One end of the cable 5 is attached to the lever 44, while the other end is fixed to the apparatus 1 in correspondence of two screw elements 50 being accessible via the passage 55, as more clearly shown in FIG. 1B.

As the cable is fixed in correspondence of the apparatus 1, the actuation of the lever 44 causes the displacement of the sheath 4 in the direction of arrow F; in this way, the bush 40, formed in the end of the sheath on the side of the apparatus 1, goes into abutment against the piston 6 causing the latter to be displaced in the same direction in order to push the oil through the outlet 9 connected to the hydraulic tube which leads to the brake's calliper. The presence of the spring 66, which is loaded by the action of the piston 6, allows the latter to return to the original position, that is, in the stand-by condition in which the brake's calliper is inoperative.

Shown more clearly in FIG. 1A are two piston pumps 6 disposed on the handlebar on the right and left side thereof, and actable by two levers in a traditional manner, for operating the two brakes, respectively.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the apparatus 1 is applied to a handlebar 2 of a type provided with a coupling 20 for the sleeve, and is inserted within the body of the handlebar 2, in particular within the portion 21 which connects the coupling for the sleeve 20. In this example, the apparatus 1 of the invention has been shown only for one of the two brakes, being understood that the invention is applicable, also in this case, to both the brakes. The parts have been indicated by reference numerals corresponding to those of similar parts in the preceding figures.

In FIG. 2, also the sheath 4 associated with the relevant lever 44 is shown only partially and it is not joined with the lever; besides, the cable 5 protrudes from the body of the handlebar to allow fixing the same cable more easily. Obviously, an open seat can be provided, that is, a seat accessible from the outside, in order to ensure the cable with screws, for example, so that the same cable will not project from the handlebar.

Again in this embodiment, the actuation of the lever 44 causes the displacement F of the sheath 4 and the consequent movement of the piston 6 connected with the bush 40 of the sheath 4, a snap ring 74 for the piston 6 being provided in correspondence of said bush. The piston 6, likewise in the previous example, pushes the oil of the braking circuit, via a conduit not shown, towards the brake's calliper. The spring 66 brings the apparatus back to the initial position when stopping the action exerted on the lever 44.

In the example of FIG. 3, the apparatus 1 is integral with a handlebar of a type for sprint races, that is, with curved arms. The characteristic of this solution is that the piston 6 is connected to the levers 44 for actuating the brakes without using cables; a connecting rod 64 being provided for this purpose rearwardly of the piston and coaxial thereto. The rod 64 is pivoted to an appendix 46 of the lever 44 for operating the brake. The actuation of the lever 44, in the direction R in FIG. 3, causes the displacement F of the connecting rod 64 and of piston 6 driven by the same rod. As for the rest, the operation is analogous to the preceding cases.

Also in this example, the oil reservoir (which will likewise be integrated in the handlebar) and the connecting conduit with the calliper have not been shown; besides, the drawing relates to one of the two brakes only, but is applicable to both.

Practically, all the construction details may vary in any equivalent way as far as the shape, dimensions, elements disposition, nature of the used materials are concerned, without nevertheless departing from the scope of the adopted solution idea and, thereby, remaining within the limits of the protection granted to the present patent.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

Claims

1. A brake arrangement for a bicycle, the arrangement comprising:

a bicycle frame including a steering sleeve;

a brake mounted on said bicycle frame and applying friction to a wheel of the bicycle;

an hydraulic circuit having one end connected to said brake;

a steering stem rotatably mounted in said steering sleeve;

a handlebar connected to said steering stem;

a pump arranged inside said handlebar and connected to another end of said hydraulic circuit for forcing fluid through said hydraulic circuit, into said brake, and applying friction to the wheel;

a brake lever device mounted on said handlebar and spaced from said pump, said brake lever device being operatively connected to said pump;

a cable connecting said brake lever device to said pump, said cable transferring motion of said brake lever device to said pump to force the fluid through said hydraulic circuit.

2. An arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein an integral portion of said handlebar defines a connection of said handle bar to said steering stem.

3. An arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said pump includes a piston;

a sheath surrounds said cable, said cable is fixed to a body of said handlebar or to an integral portion associated with said handlebar, and said piston is pushed by said sheath.

4. A brake arrangement for a bicycle, the arrangement comprising:

a bicycle frame including a steering sleeve;

a brake mounted on said bicycle frame and applying friction to a wheel of the bicycle;

an hydraulic circuit having one end connected to said brake;

a steering stem rotatably mounted in said steering sleeve;

a handlebar connected to said steering stem, said handlebar being of a sprint race-type with two curved arms;

a pump arranged inside said handlebar and connected to another end of said hydraulic circuit for forcing fluid through said hydraulic circuit, into said brake, and applying friction to t wheel;

a brake lever device mounted on an outside of said handlebar, said brake lever device being operatively connected to said pump.

5. An arrangement in accordance with claim 4, wherein:

said pump is arranged inside a curved section of said handlebar;

said brake lever is mounted on an outside of said curved section of said handlebar.

6. An arrangement in accordance with claim 5, wherein:

said curved section of said handlebar curves substantially 180°.

7. An arrangement in accordance with claim 4, wherein:

said handlebar has a substantially circular cross-section with a substantially circular outside surface.

8. An arrangement in accordance with claim 4, wherein said handlebar is of sprint race-type with two curved arms, and wherein said pump is inside one of said two arms of said handlebar.

9. An arrangement in accordance with claim 6, wherein:

said handlebar has a substantially circular cross-section with a substantially circular outside surface.

10. An arrangement in accordance with claim 9, wherein said handlebar is of sprint race-type with two said curved sections each forming arms, and wherein said pump is inside one of said two arms of said handlebar.

11. An arrangement in accordance with claim 4, wherein said pump comprises a piston connected to said brake lever through an appendix of said brake lever.

12. An arrangement in accordance with claim 4, wherein said pump comprises a piston connected to said brake lever through a connecting rod.

13. An arrangement in accordance with claim 4, wherein:

said handlebar is a single monolithic unit.