Specific Actuator Element Structure Patents (Class 188/24.22)
  • Patent number: 8469156
    Abstract: A sequential brake control device for a cycle has a sliding connector and a front delaying and anti-lock spring set to serve to sequentially actuate a brake. A left lever cable and a right lever cable are commonly connected to the sliding connector. A front brake cable passes through the sliding connector and the front delaying and anti-lock spring set and is mounted in a front brake cable block abutting against the front delaying and anti-lock spring set. A rear brake cable may alternatively pass through the sliding connector and a rear suspension spring and is mounted in a rear brake cable block abutting against the rear suspension spring. When one or both brake levers are squeezed, a rear wheel is stopped before the front wheel does. The front and rear wheels are slowed down in speed first when a brake is applied and fully stopped at a lower speed of the cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventors: Frank Lu, I-Wei Lu, Yi-Hsin Lu
  • Patent number: 8464845
    Abstract: A master cylinder for a bicycle hydraulic disc brake configured to be disposed on either a right or left portion of a bicycle handlebar without effecting operation of the master cylinder by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Wayne R. Lumpkin
  • Patent number: 8464844
    Abstract: A control assembly is mountable to a handlebar. The control assembly features a housing mountable to the handlebar and a brake actuation mechanism including a brake lever pivotally connected to a housing. The brake lever defines a fluid cavity inside the brake lever such that the fluid cavity pivots with the lever relative to the housing. A piston is provided in the fluid cavity and also pivots with the lever relative to the housing. Actuation of the lever causes the piston to move in the fluid cavity to provide compressive force to a fluid. The fluid cavity is in fluid communication with a hydraulic line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Brian Jordan
  • Publication number: 20130146400
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake device includes a carrier body. The carrier body is integrally molded. The carrier body has at least one assembling portion disposed thereon for assembling purpose. The carrier body has at least one connecting portion respectively extending from the at least one assembling portion. At least one hydraulic brake assembly movably is mounted on the at least one connecting portion of the carrier body. The carrier body with the at least one brake assembly are adapted to assemble with a bicycle for providing a stable assembling effect, a high structural strength, and lightweight effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventor: Wayne-Ian Moore
  • Patent number: 8463506
    Abstract: Provided is a rear wheel toe angle control system that can prevent the impairment of the tracking performance of the electric actuator and enable the rear wheel toe angle control system to ensure the stability of the vehicle even when the electric actuator for steering the rear wheel according to the operating condition of the vehicle is subjected to an axial force. An ECU (12) serving as a rear wheel toe angle control unit for variably controlling the rear wheel toe angle (?r) of the motor vehicle (V) by using an electric actuator (11) is provided with a duty ratio correcting unit (25) that corrects the target duty ratio (Dtgt) for achieving the target rear wheel toe angle (?rtgt) according to the load condition of the electric actuator (11) that depends on the lateral acceleration (Gy) of the motor vehicle (V).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Yanagi, Akiyoshi Kobayashi, Shogo Nishizawa, Yutaka Horiuchi, Kohei Maruyama
  • Patent number: 8459416
    Abstract: An apparatus for a bicycle brake comprises a housing with a first piston bore, a first piston disposed in the first piston bore, and a first piston rod fixedly attached to the first piston and extending from the first piston toward the outside of the housing. The first piston rod includes a first brake arm coupling portion for coupling to a first brake arm, and an adjustment mechanism adjusts a distance of the first brake arm coupling portion relative to the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshio Tetsuka, Kenji Nakahara
  • Patent number: 8454034
    Abstract: There is provided a brake pad assembly for a walker apparatus. The walker apparatus has a frame and a wheel pivotally connected to the frame. The assembly includes a brake pad mechanism having a brake pad. The brake pad mechanism is spring-biased to position the brake pad spaced-apart from and adjacent to the wheel. The brake pad mechanism is configured to cause the brake pad to abut the wheel when the brake pad mechanism is actuated. The assembly includes an arch-shaped brake housing. The brake pad mechanism pivotally mounts to the arch-shaped brake housing. The arch-shaped brake housing extends completely over the brake pad mechanism for fully protecting the brake pad mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Evolution Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Julian Liu
  • Patent number: 8448752
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake device includes a carrier body. The carrier body is integrally molded. The carrier body has at least one assembling portion disposed thereon for assembling purpose. The carrier body has at least one connecting portion respectively extending from the at least one assembling portion. At least one hydraulic brake assembly movably is mounted on the at least one connecting portion of the carrier body. The carrier body with the at least one brake assembly are adapted to assemble with a bicycle for providing a stable assembling effect, a high structural strength, and lightweight effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Ashima Ltd.
    Inventor: Wayne-Ian Moore
  • Publication number: 20130112510
    Abstract: A hydraulically actuated rim brake with a pair of brake arms. Both brake arms may rotate about a common axis, which is the axis of a single bolt that mounts the assembly to the bicycle. The system has one piston slidably disposed in a piston cylinder. The piston's cylinder may be formed in one of the two brake arms. Actuation of the piston in the cylinder causes movement of both brake arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Jordan, Christopher Shipman, Neil Swanson
  • Patent number: 8413768
    Abstract: An anti-lock brake structure includes a brake base having a curved guiding portion formed thereon and a slidable holder. The slidable holder has a curved guiding groove defined therein for receiving the brake base. Two anti-lock inclined surfaces are positioned between the curved guiding portion and the curved guiding groove. Each anti-lock surface has a shallow section and a deeper section. Two wheel sets are disposed between the curved guiding portion and the curved guiding groove. A seat member connected to the slidable holder and receives an elastomer. A brake shoe is connected to the slidable holder. Each wheel set rolls and reciprocates between the shallow section and the deeper section of the corresponding anti-lock inclined surface, such that the brake shoe is tightly or loosely rubbed against a wheel rim of the vehicle to provide an anti-lock brake effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Tan-Cheng Huang
  • Patent number: 8413769
    Abstract: A bicycle brake system includes a first arm unit having a first arm and an engaging slot. A second arm unit is located in the engaging slot and has a second arm. The first and second arms each have a brake pad and the two brake pads face the two sides of the wheel rim. A cam unit has a contact piece connected to the second arm unit and a cam member pivotably connected to the first arm unit. The cam member includes a cam portion having a curved surface which is in contact with the contact piece. An operation unit is connected to the second arm unit and includes a cable which is fixed to the guide portion of the cam member. The cam member indirectly contacts the second arm unit so that the second arm unit does not wear out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: The Hive Global Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Wallace Thrash
  • Patent number: 8393449
    Abstract: A brake actuation assembly for a hydraulic brake system of a handlebar-steered vehicle, the brake actuation assembly including a housing mountable to a handlebar of the vehicle and having a chamber formed therein. A piston assembly is received and axially guided within the chamber. A linkage is pivotally attached to the housing and the piston assembly and a lever blade is connected to the linkage to effect movement of the linkage, wherein movement of the linkage produces a variable rate of travel of the piston assembly relative to the travel of the lever blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Charles E. Dunlap
  • Patent number: 8381884
    Abstract: A bicycle braking system is basically provided with a bicycle braking device, a supplementary brake operating device and a brake maintaining arrangement. The bicycle braking device is movably between a non-brake applying position and a brake applying position for applying a braking force. The supplementary brake operating device is operatively coupled to operate the bicycle braking device. The supplementary brake operating device includes a rider operating arrangement that is operable by a rider between a non-braking position and at least one predetermined braking position. The brake maintaining arrangement is configured and arranged to hold the bicycle braking device in the brake applying position in response to movement of the rider operating arrangement to the predetermined braking position such that the braking force of the bicycle braking device is continually and consistently applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Etsuyoshi Watarai
  • Publication number: 20130025980
    Abstract: A dual-pivot brake includes first and second caliper arms linked together and disposed symmetrically with respect to each other. The dual-pivot brake further includes an exoskeleton bridge including two-piece bridge members consisting of first and second bridge members. The first and second bridge members are interconnected together by first and second axles, respectively. The first and second caliper arms are pivotally mounted on the first and second axles respectively and selectively move towards or away from each other in the operation of the dual-pivot brake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Kristopher Wehage
  • Publication number: 20130020152
    Abstract: A bicycle brake arm basically has a first branch and a second branch. The first branch includes a cable attachment structure. The second branch extends from the first branch. The second branch includes a brake shoe attachment structure. At least one of the first and second branches includes an interior cavity. The at least one of the first and second branches has a transverse cross-section in which the interior cavity is completely and continuously surrounded by an exterior surface of the bicycle brake arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Takefumi TERADA, Shinya HIROTOMI, Tatsuya MATSUSHITA, Kazuhito MINAMI, Tetsuya KAKIMOTO
  • Patent number: 8342305
    Abstract: An oil guiding device for hydraulic brake lever assembly having a brake lever includes a seat connected to the brake lever. The seat has an oil reservoir disposed thereon. The oil reservoir has an oil chamber defined therein. An oil guiding base is disposed in the oil chamber. The oil guiding base has an oil inlet and an oil outlet defined therein. An oil guiding unit engages with the oil guiding base. The oil guiding unit has a pipe disposed thereon and an oil hole defined therein. The pipe and the oil hole are communicated with the oil outlet and the oil inlet respectively. A cover panel engages with the oil reservoir. The pipe sucks up the hydraulic oil gathered in the oil chamber and supplies the hydraulic oil through the oil outlet; the returned hydraulic oil flows into the oil chamber through the oil inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Ashima Ltd.
    Inventor: Wayne-Ian Moore
  • Patent number: 8336680
    Abstract: A bicycle brake device includes first and second brake arms. The first brake arm includes a first brake arm mounting portion for mounting the first brake arm to a bicycle frame member, a first brake pad mounting portion, and a first control interface portion. Similarly, the second brake arm includes a second brake arm mounting portion for mounting the second brake arm to the bicycle frame member, a second brake pad mounting portion, and a second control interface portion. A biasing member is operatively coupled to the first brake arm so that the first brake pad mounting portion is biased in a selected direction. A bias communicating member is operatively coupled between the first brake arm and the second brake arm to communicate biasing force from the biasing member to the second brake arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Daisuke Nago
  • Publication number: 20120312641
    Abstract: A bicycle brake device is provided with a torsion spring on each of two brake arms, and the torsion spring has one end fixed to the fork tube of the bicycle and another end abutted against the brake arms to restrict a pivoting angle of the brake arm. The bicycle brake device is easy to assembly and capable of adjusting the position of the brake shoes as desired. In the case that the steel cord is broken, the bicycle brake device is further capable of preventing the brake arms from pivoting too far and getting stuck in the wheel, so as to improve riding safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventor: Jr-Yuan JANG
  • Patent number: 8307954
    Abstract: There is provided a caliper brake attachment tool which comprises: a supporting rod; a fixed part provided to one end side of the supporting rod capable of fixing an existing caliper brake; an applying part provided to the other end side of the supporting rod and applicable to a seat tube of the bicycle; and an engaging recess provided between the fixed part and the applying part in the supporting rod engageable with a bridge to connect a right-and-left pair of seat stays of the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Kimori Limited
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Kimori
  • Publication number: 20120279811
    Abstract: A braking system includes a brake pad that is coupled to a slider assembly that moves linearly within a guide. The slider assembly and guide are coupled to a first brake. A second brake actuator is coupled to the slider assembly, the guide and a second brake. When the first brake is actuated, the slider assembly is pressed against a rotating braking surface and the friction of the brake pad against the rotating braking surface can cause the slider assembly to move within the guide which actuates the second brake actuator. The second brake actuator then actuates the second brake. When the first brake is released, the slider assembly is removed from the rotating braking surface and the second brake actuator is released which releases the second brake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: Conceptualized Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian Michael Riley, Andrew Ouellet, Peter Reimer
  • Publication number: 20120234633
    Abstract: A sequential brake control device for a cycle has a sliding connector and a front delaying and anti-lock spring set to serve to sequentially actuate brake. A left lever cable and a right lever cable are commonly connected to the sliding connector. A front brake cable passes through the sliding connector and the front delaying and anti-lock spring set and is mounted in a front brake cable block abutting against the front delaying and anti-lock spring set. A rear brake cable may alternatively pass through the sliding connector and a rear suspension spring and is mounted in a rear brake cable block abutting against the rear suspension spring. When one or both brake levers are squeezed, a rear wheel is stopped before the front wheel does. The front and rear wheels are slowed down in speed first when a brake is applied and fully stopped at a lower speed of the cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Frank LU, I-Wei LU, Yi-Hsin LU
  • Patent number: 8267412
    Abstract: There is provided a walker apparatus having a frame, a wheel pivotally connected to the frame, and a brake pad assembly. The assembly has a brake housing configured to partially cover the wheel. The assembly has a brake pad mechanism including a brake pad lever pivotally mounted to the housing. The brake pad lever is actuated via a first end and has a second end spaced-apart therefrom. The brake pad mechanism has a brake pad connected to the brake pad lever adjacent to the second end of the brake pad lever. The brake pad lever is spring-biased to position the brake pad spaced-apart from and adjacent to the wheel. The brake pad lever is configured to cause the brake pad to abut the wheel when the lever is actuated. The brake housing extends about the brake pad mechanism for fully protecting the brake pad mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Evolution Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Julian Liu
  • Patent number: 8261887
    Abstract: A safe braking apparatus using in a two-wheel vehicle includes a left brake unit that drives the real brake unit and the front brake unit simultaneously, a right brake unit that drives the real brake unit and the front brake unit simultaneously, a front brake unit that actuates a front-wheel brake of said two-wheel vehicles, and a real brake unit that actuates a real-wheel brake of said two-wheel vehicles. Wherein, the front brake unit always works less than the real brake unit in movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventor: Wen-Chih Tseng
  • Patent number: 8261888
    Abstract: A brake apparatus for a racing bicycle includes a housing mounted on either handlebar and comprising an internal recess; a brake lever pivotably secured to the housing and having one end pivotably disposed in the recess; a spring depressible detent rod slidably disposed in the brake lever and comprising a head on an outer surface of the brake lever, an annular flange, and an annular groove between the flange and the head; a brake cable having one end attached to the brake lever and the other end attached to a brake; and a locking member having one end urged against the flange. Pushing the head to cause one end of the locking member to fall into the groove and cause one end of the brake lever to fall into the recess will loosen the brake cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Tektro Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Szu-Fang Tsai
  • Publication number: 20120222922
    Abstract: A bicycle brake apparatus comprises a first brake arm, a second brake arm and a piston assembly. A first control interface portion of the first brake arm is coupled to an output shaft of a piston, and a second control interface portion of the second brake arm is coupled to a housing of the piston assembly between first and second axial ends of the housing. An adjusting member may be disposed at the output shaft for adjusting a position of the output shaft relative to at least one of the housing or the first control interface portion of the first brake arm. The housing includes a first wall defining a piston chamber and a second wall defining an accumulator chamber. A radial distance from a movement axis to the second wall is greater than a radial distance from the movement axis to the first wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventor: Daisuke Nago
  • Publication number: 20120222923
    Abstract: A bicycle brake apparatus comprises a pair of brake arms and a biasing member having a first portion and a second portion. Each brake arm includes a brake arm mounting portion for mounting the brake arm to a bicycle frame member to pivot around a pivot axis of a corresponding pivot axle, a brake pad mounting portion, and a control interface portion. The first portion of the biasing member is operatively coupled to one of the brake arms so that the brake pad mounting portion of that brake arm is biased in a selected direction, and the second portion of the biasing member is coupled to the pivot axle of the other brake arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventor: Daisuke Nago
  • Publication number: 20120222920
    Abstract: A first brake arm includes a first brake arm mounting portion for pivoting around a first pivot axis, a first brake pad mounting portion, and a first control interface portion with a first control element attachment location. A second brake arm includes a second brake arm mounting portion for pivoting around a second pivot axis, a second brake pad mounting portion, and a second control interface portion with a second control element attachment location. A passage is dimensioned to receive the first brake arm through the second brake arm when the first brake arm and the second brake arm are mounted to a bicycle frame member. The first brake arm intersects the second brake arm so that the first control element attachment location and the second control element attachment location are located on opposite sides of the intersection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventor: Daisuke Nago
  • Publication number: 20120222924
    Abstract: An interface member is provided for a bicycle brake having a brake arm and another brake arm, wherein the brake arm pivots around a pivot axis, and wherein the other brake arm pivots around another pivot axis. The interface member comprises a mounting portion, a first operating portion and a second operating portion. The mounting portion is structured to be mounted in close proximity to the pivot axis. The first operating portion extends from the mounting portion for interfacing with the brake arm, and the second operating portion extends from the mounting portion and is structured to extend towards the other brake arm. The second operating portion is axially thick.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventor: Daisuke Nago
  • Patent number: 8235182
    Abstract: A brake mechanism for brake system includes a pad connector and a pad support to which the brake pad is connected, two link units are pivotably connected between the pad connector and the pad support. A buffering device is connected to two respective first ends of the pad connector and the pad support. When the brake pad touches the spinning wheel, the brake pad together with the pad support are movable relative to the pad connector such that the wheel is not sudden stopped completely and the pressure that the brake pad applies to the wheel can also be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: Jin-Kuan Chen
  • Patent number: 8210322
    Abstract: A brake-action synchronizing device for a two-wheeled vehicle includes a force imparting unit which is disposed in a housing and which includes a first block secured to and moved with a front brake cable, a stage extending transversely from the first block, and a second block which is disposed in the housing and which is secured to a rear brake cable. When the front brake cable is pulled by virtue of a front braking action, the first block is caused to move toward a ceiling wall of the housing and lift the second block so as to pull the rear brake cable, thereby delivering braking forces to both rear and front wheels of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventor: Cherng-Jye Guh
  • Patent number: 8201670
    Abstract: A bicycle hydraulic brake actuation device includes a hydraulic master cylinder housing having a bore, a lever, a master piston and an adjuster. The lever is pivotally coupled to the hydraulic master cylinder housing for movement between an at rest position and a brake engagement position. The master piston is disposed within the bore and having an adjustment end. The adjuster is operably disposed between the adjustment end of the master piston and a portion of the lever. The adjuster is movable between a plurality of adjustment positions relative to the adjustment end such that with the lever in the at rest position, movement of the adjuster between the plurality of adjustment positions moves the master piston between a corresponding plurality of adjustment positions along an axial length of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Toshio Tetsuka, Kenji Nakahara
  • Patent number: 8151945
    Abstract: A brake apparatus for a bicycle includes a finger member; a first am comprising a cable adjuster with a brake cable securely passing through, and a first brake pad; a first pivot for pivotably securing the first arm and one end of the finger member to a frame of the bicycle; a pivot member pivotably secured to the other end of the finger member and comprising a second brake pad and a bifurcation; a second arm having an extension proximate to one end and the other end secured to one end of the brake cable; a second pivot for pivotably securing the bifurcation and one end of the second arm and together; a spring depressible cam lever pivotably mounted in the bifurcation, the cam lever being pressed by the extending end of the second arm and comprising an actuation projection; and a fastener adjacent the cam lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Tektro Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Szu-Fang Tsai
  • Patent number: 8146716
    Abstract: Described herein is a hydraulic brake lever assembly that includes a clamp member that includes a handle bar opening, a housing extending outwardly from the clamp member, and a lever pivotally connected to the clamp member. The housing includes a cylinder defined therein that includes a master piston. The clamp member and the housing cooperate to define a reservoir having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is substantially located in the housing and extends substantially parallel to the cylinder and the second portion is substantially located in the clamp member between the handle bar opening and the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Keen Hoong Siew, Chan Jin Lim
  • Publication number: 20120067675
    Abstract: A bicycle brake system includes a first arm unit having a first arm and an engaging slot. A second arm unit is located in the engaging slot and has a second arm. The first and second arms each have a brake pad and the two brake pads face the two sides of the wheel rim. A cam unit has a contact piece connected to the second arm unit and a cam member pivotably connected to the first arm unit. The cam member includes a cam portion having a curved surface which is in contact with the contact piece. An operation unit is connected to the second arm unit and includes a cable which is fixed to the guide portion of the cam member. The cam member indirectly contacts the second arm unit so that the second arm unit does not wear out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: THE HIVE GLOBAL INC.
    Inventor: GREGORY WALLACE THRASH
  • Patent number: 8136638
    Abstract: A safety braking system mounted to a bike, motorcycle or any other two-wheel linear type of vehicle adapted with a right and a left brake lever to respectively control applying a brake to a front wheel and a rear wheel of the vehicle to control a rear wheel brake to brake a rear wheel first before applying a brake to a front wheel when either brake lever is pulled on any side or simultaneously on both sides of the vehicle to prevent it from easily turning over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Ton-Rong Tseng
  • Patent number: 8118141
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a clamp jaw includes a face having an annular groove therein and a linear groove therein tangent to the annular groove. In another embodiment, an assembly includes an overhand loop in a cord compressed between two faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: IO Dupont LLC
    Inventor: Anthony James DuPont
  • Publication number: 20120024639
    Abstract: An electronic brake device for use with a wheel of a bicycle provides, among other features, wireless, remote disengagement of a wheel brake. A brake coupled to a housing is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The housing includes a receiver configured to receive a command signal, and a processor operative to identify the received command signal. If the command signal is identified as a first command signal, the processor outputs a first control signal. An electric motor is operatively coupled to the brake to selectively move the brake from the engaged position in which the wheel of the bicycle is being braked to the disengaged position in which the wheel of the bicycle is free of any brake contact in response to the first control signal. Measured movement of the brakes between fully braked or fully disengaged positions are possible in the disclosed arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Ursi Castro
  • Publication number: 20120018258
    Abstract: A rim brake of the side-pull caliper type having two arms pivotally mounted about a common pivoting axis which is laterally offset from the wheel reference plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: NEVIO DESIGN INC.
    Inventors: Erick AUGER, Martin PORTELANCE, Martin BLAIS
  • Patent number: 8074774
    Abstract: A master cylinder for a bicycle hydraulic disc brake comprises a housing defining a cylinder, the cylinder having a first and a second end along its axis. A hydraulic fluid reservoir has a port between the hydraulic fluid reservoir and the cylinder, the port having an opening between the first and second cylinder ends. A piston having a seal resides in the cylinder with the seal between the piston and the cylinder. The seal has a leading seal edge with the leading seal edge being movable solely between the first cylinder and the port opening to vary the dead band distance between the leading seal edge and the port opening with the piston in a starting position. A lever is pivotably associated with the housing and operatively associated with the piston for moving the piston within the cylinder between the starting and a pressurized position as the lever is actuated between a rest position and an actuated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: SRAM LLC
    Inventor: Wayne R Lumpkin
  • Publication number: 20110290595
    Abstract: A bicycle hydraulic caliper brake apparatus includes a first brake arm with a first bearing surface, a second brake arm with a second bearing surface, and a hydraulic control device that includes a housing and a piston unit. The first bearing surface non-lockingly engages the piston unit, and the second bearing surface non-lockingly engages the housing. At least one of the piston unit or the housing engages a corresponding first or second bearing surface so that the piston unit or the housing rotates at least in part around an axis that is substantially parallel to at least one of the rotational axes of the brake arms. The housing is carried by the first brake arm and the second brake arm so that the housing moves together with the first brake arm and the second brake arm relative to a bicycle frame member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventor: DAISUKE NAGO
  • Publication number: 20110290594
    Abstract: A brake apparatus for a bicycle includes a finger member; a first am comprising a cable adjuster with a brake cable securely passing through, and a first brake pad; a first pivot for pivotably securing the first arm and one end of the finger member to a frame of the bicycle; a pivot member pivotably secured to the other end of the finger member and comprising a second brake pad and a bifurcation; a second arm having an extension proximate to one end and the other end secured to one end of the brake cable; a second pivot for pivotably securing the bifurcation and one end of the second arm and together; a spring depressible cam lever pivotably mounted in the bifurcation, the cam lever being pressed by the extending end of the second arm and comprising an actuation projection; and a fastener adjacent the cam lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventor: Szu-Fang Tsai
  • Patent number: 8066104
    Abstract: Various bicycle brake assemblies are described. In some embodiments, a bicycle brake assembly comprises a multi-lever linkage assembly comprising an input link and an output link coupled with a brake pad, wherein the multi-lever linkage assembly is configured to provide a greater mechanical advantage when the brake assembly is in a second activated position in which the brake pad is contacting a wheel than when the brake assembly is in a first unactivated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher P. D'Aluisio
  • Patent number: 8061487
    Abstract: A bicycle caliper brake includes a cable housing at an upper end of a first arm; a pivotal second arm comprising a coupling member at one end and a stepped groove on a bottom edge of the coupling member; a brake cable loosening and tightening device comprising a first unit, a second unit for pivotably securing the device to the coupling member, and a hole; a cable fastener secured to the first unit; a brake cable passing the cable housing to be fastened at the cable fastener; and a spring depressible trigger pin comprising a C-ring at one end, the trigger pin being driven through the groove and the hole to releasably secure the C-ring to the hole. Pressing the trigger pin will unfasten the C-ring and pivoting the device about the second unit will loosen the brake cable and increase a distance between brake pads at arms' ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventor: Szu-Fang Tsai
  • Patent number: 8056682
    Abstract: A bicycle brake device includes a holder arm having a pivot shaft for attaching to a rear fork, two brake caliper having middle portions pivotally attached to the end portions of the holder arm, and having brake shoes attached to the lower portions, and a brake cable for selectively forcing the lower portions of the brake calipers and the brake shoes toward each other, the brake calipers may be balanced for effectively forcing the brake shoes to solidly clamp the wheel rim, and a spring biasing device may bias the brake shoes away from each other when the brake cable is released. A coupling device may couple the middle portions of the brake calipers together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventor: Chang Hui Lin
  • Patent number: 8006810
    Abstract: A quick-release device of a bicycle brake cable includes a main frame mounted to a handlebar of the bicycle, a lever pivotally mounted to the main frame and a push device mounted in the main frame to normally push the lever for selective changing the position between the lever and the push device and the tension of the brake cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Tektro Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Szu-Fang Tsai
  • Patent number: 7997389
    Abstract: A bicycle includes front and rear disk brake units. The rear disk brake unit includes a rear brake lever unit, a rear brake disk, a rear caliper device, and a rear brake oil tube interconnecting the rear brake lever unit and the rear caliper device and having a first inner diameter. The front disk brake unit includes a front brake lever unit, a front brake disk, a front caliper device, and a front brake oil tube interconnecting the front brake lever unit and the front caliper device and having a second inner diameter greater than the first inner diameter so as to allow for approximate simultaneous clamping of the front and rear caliper devices on the front and rear brake disks, respectively, when the front and rear brake lever units are operated simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Giant Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: I-De Chen
  • Patent number: 7975810
    Abstract: A wheel brake for a bicycle or other vehicle has a pair of pivoting arms. Each arm is configured to support a brake pad. A first arm pivotally supports a cam. A second arm defines a cam surface and a cable guide. The cam has a first end for mounting of a cable and a second end having a roller which rests on the cam surface. When the cable is actuated, the cable pulls the first end of the cam, causing the cam to pivot and causing the second end of the cam to roll along the cam surface. Force applied by the cam compresses the arms, causing associated brake pads to move inwardly into engagement with the wheel. The brake is compact and efficient in design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventors: Robert Z. Liu, Robert L. Barnett
  • Publication number: 20110147137
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake device includes a carrier body. The carrier body is integrally molded. The carrier body has at least one assembling portion disposed thereon for assembling purpose. The carrier body has at least one connecting portion respectively extending from the at least one assembling portion. At least one hydraulic brake assembly movably is mounted on the at least one connecting portion of the carrier body. The carrier body with the at least one brake assembly are adapted to assemble with a bicycle for providing a stable assembling effect, a high structural strength, and lightweight effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: ASHIMA LTD.
    Inventor: Wayne-Ian Moore
  • Patent number: 7946395
    Abstract: A front brake of a racing bicycle includes a first half part threadedly secured to a fork and comprising an upper first bifurcated member adapted to lockingly secure to a brake cable, an intermediate first through hole, a first brake pad mount releasably secured to the first through hole, and a first brake pad secured to the first brake pad mount; and a second half part threadedly secured to the fork and comprising an upper second bifurcated member adapted to lockingly secure to the brake cable, an intermediate second through hole, a second brake pad mount releasably secured to the second through hole, and a second brake pad secured to the second brake pad mount. The front brake is disposed behind the fork with no projecting lateral portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Tektro Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Szu-Fang Tsai
  • Patent number: 7938234
    Abstract: A hydraulic assembly for a hydraulic disc brake system that includes a housing defining a cylinder, a piston received in and moveable within the cylinder, a first lever operatively associated with one of the piston or the cylinder, and a second lever operatively associated with the other of the piston or the cylinder. Moving the first lever pushes one of the piston or the cylinder in a first direction, and moving the second lever pulls the other of the cylinder or the piston in a second direction. In a preferred embodiment, the piston has a non-actuated position and a fully actuated position, and the piston is biased towards the non-actuated position, and wherein the cylinder has a non-actuated and a fully-actuated position, and the cylinder is biased towards the non-actuated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Masahiko Jinbo, Takeshi Takachi, Satoshi Shahana, Yoshitsugu Yamada