Hub Or Disk Patents (Class 188/26)
  • Patent number: 6527089
    Abstract: A caliper drive for a bicycle ball bearing mechanical disc brake caliper includes a first cam fixed against axial movement relative to an advancement axis during caliper actuation and a second cam moveably axially of the advancement axis relative to the fixed cam during caliper actuation. A plurality of ramped grooves reside between the first cam and the second cam and each ramped groove receives a ball bearing. The ramped grooves are configured to cause axial movement of the second cam relative to the first cam upon relative rotation of the cams about the advancement axis. Each ramped groove has a side wall defining a radially stable path for the ball bearing substantially preventing relative radial movement between the fixed and drive cams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Avid, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Wayne R. Lumpkin, Michael T. Mayberry
  • Patent number: 6520297
    Abstract: A cable actuated mechanical disc brake caliper includes a caliper housing and a cable guide rigidly fixed to the housing having a cable receiving bore extending along the guide axis for axially receiving a cable. A lever arm is pivotably attached to the caliper housing for pivoting about a pivot axis. The lever arm is operatively associated with the brake pad to move the brake pad between a retracted and an extended position as the lever arm is pivoted in the first direction from a non-actuated position to a fully actuated position. The lever arm has a cable clamp radially spaced from the pivotal attachment for fixedly attaching the cable to the lever arm in a select orientation relative to the lever arm and the attachment point. A guide surface is curved about the pivot axis and has a first portion attached to the lever arm with the attachment point essentially coincident therewith and a second portion circumferentially spaced from the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Avid, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Wayne R. Lumpkin, Michael T. Mayberry
  • Patent number: 6510926
    Abstract: A disc brake includes a caliper housing, a pair of friction members, and a piston. The caliper housing includes a support portion and a cylinder portion coupled to the support portion. The cylinder portion has a piston chamber with a fluid inlet opening. The cylinder portion is an independent component from the support portion. Preferably, the caliper housing includes parts constructed of deformed sheet material such as press formed sheet metal. The parts are preferably fixedly coupled together by welding, brazing and bolts. The friction members are coupled to the caliper housing to form a rotor slot. The piston is mounted in the piston chamber to move one friction member between a release position and a braking position. In one embodiment, an integrated mounting member and a flanged cylinder is provided. In another embodiment, a pair of flanged cylinders with a pair of movable pistons is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yasushi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6491137
    Abstract: A bicycle disc brake caliper includes a lever arm rotatable about a pivot axis and a rotary to linear linkage between the lever arm and a brake pad translating rotation of the lever arm in an advancement and a return direction to linear advancement or return, respectively, of the brake pad. A return spring is coiled about a spring axis as a first end is fixed against rotation relative to the lever arm and a second end is rotatable with the lever arm about the spring axis. A screw is selectively rotatable about a screw axis and is operatively associated with an end of the spring to selectively rotate the end of the spring relative to the other end of the spring about the spring axis by rotation of the screw independent of movement of the lever arm to adjust the return force applied by the spring to the lever arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Avid LLC
    Inventors: Wayne R. Lumpkin, Michael T. Mayberry
  • Patent number: 6467589
    Abstract: A disk-braking device comprises a disk-braking piece, a brake, and a pair of friction pads installed in the brake and having a predetermined area. The two friction pads can clamp or release the disk-braking piece for rubbing the disk-braking piece to reduce the rotary speed or stop the rotation of the disk-braking piece. The disk-braking piece are piece-like bodies. The portion of the disk-braking piece passing through the two friction pads is formed with a plurality of openings having a predetermined shape and spaced with a predetermined distance. The arrangement of the openings is periodic. Openings at the same period have different areas. The area of each opening is smaller than that of the two friction pads. As the car brakes, a periodic variation of the friction torque generates to prevent the wheels from sliding. Therefore, a preferred braking effect is presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventor: Robert J. Seymour
  • Publication number: 20020134625
    Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling a drive member rotatably supported on a bicycle includes a mounting member for mounting the apparatus to the bicycle, a braking mechanism coupled to the mounting member for applying a braking force to the drive member; and a coupling mechanism adapted to couple the braking mechanism to a shift control mechanism so that the braking mechanism applies the braking force to the drive member upon actuation of the shift control mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventor: Akihiko Shoge
  • Patent number: 6454461
    Abstract: A bearing assembly of a hub of a bicycle includes a receiving ring formed with an tapered inclined face and a catch flange; a roller bearing mounted in the receiving ring and including a plurality of rollers arranged in a tapered manner; a cover ring including a rigid plate formed with a locking flange rested on the catch flange, and a rubber layer coated on the rigid plate; and a positioning bolt head including a lower tapered urging portion, and an upper positioning portion. The lower tapered urging portion is urged on the rollers of the roller bearing to push the rollers to press the inclined face, such that the receiving ring, the roller bearing, and the positioning bolt head are combined with each other in a press-fit manner without detachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Inventor: Chin-Kuo Lin
  • Patent number: 6450301
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a rear wheel supported by a swing arm, and a damper extends between the swing arm and the body. A swing arm extension portion extends in the rearward direction from a rear wheel shaft supporting portion of the swing arm. The damper is connected to a rear end connecting portion of the swing arm extension portion. A brake device includes a parking brake caliper and a rear brake caliper. The parking brake caliper and the rear brake caliper are arranged above and below the swing arm extension portion. The rear brake caliper and the parking brake caliper can be mounted without shifting the swing arm toward the outside in the body in the width direction more than necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chikashi Iizuka, Yoshinobu Honda
  • Patent number: 6431657
    Abstract: A bicycle brake disc hub is provided for use with tangential bicycle spokes. The bicycle hub basically has a hub axle and a hub body with a brake rotor attachment portion integral formed therewith as a one-piece, unitary member. The hub axle has a center axis extending between a first end and a second end. The hub body has an interior passageway with the hub axle being rotatably supported therein. The hub body also has a set of first spoke openings circumferentially arranged around the hub body. The brake rotor attachment portion is located at a first end section of the center tubular portion. The first spoke openings are located adjacent the brake rotor attachment portion. The first spoke openings extend through the first end section of the center tubular portion of the hub body. The brake rotor attachment portion having a plurality of through bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Koshi Tabe
  • Patent number: 6431327
    Abstract: An attachment structure for a caliper of a disc brake assembly consisting of a caliper and a rotor. The caliper is attached to a wheel supporting portion of a cycle frame which supports a wheel with the rotor fixedly attached to the wheel and the rotor lying in a fixed plane relative to the supporting portion of the frame. The supporting portion of the frame has a pair of attachment bores oriented to attach the caliper with the rotor received between a pair of brake pads advanced into and out of contact with the rotor by the caliper along a select axis. The attachment structure allows for infinite variation of the angle of incidence between the select axis and the plane of the rotor within a defined range. Attachment bolts secure the caliper to the frame with a select angle of incidence between the select axis and the plane of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Avid LLC
    Inventor: Wayne R. Lumpkin
  • Patent number: 6425464
    Abstract: A caliper of a disc brake assembly includes a housing with a cavity configured to receive a disc brake of a disc brake assembly. The cavity includes opposing recesses configured to nest first and second friction pad and plate assemblies on opposite sides of the disc. A drive within the caliper housing advances the first friction pad assembly into contact with the disc along an advancement axis. A retaining structure for the first friction pad and plate assembly includes a pad retention clip attached to the housing within the cavity, the pad retention clip defining an elongate track extending along the advancement axis. A retention tab on a plate of the first friction pad and plate assembly is configured to snap fit with the pad retention clip and to move along the advancement axis within the elongate track as the first friction pad and plate assembly is advanced along the advancement axis by the caliper drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Avid LLC
    Inventors: Wayne R. Lumpkin, Michael T. Mayberry
  • Patent number: 6386328
    Abstract: A disk brake assembly includes a brake disk connected a wheel hub and a wheel shaft extends through a hole in the brake disk. A connection member is mounted to the wheel shaft and positions the brake disk is located between the connection member and the wheel hub. The connection member has two connection ports and a clamp device is connected to the two connection ports. A bicycle frame such as a front fork or a chain stay has a slot in which the wheel shaft is engaged. The connection member is securely positioned between the brake disk and the bicycle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Tse-Min Chen
  • Patent number: 6382365
    Abstract: A single-actuation, synchronous dual closure disc brake device includes a mounting plate installed onto a fork leg, a U-shaped movable caliper base movably attached to the mounting plate and having an anti-rotation check opening, and a brake cable capable of being pulled and released to actuate a bidirectional, thrust cylinder driver. The thrust cylinder driver is ensleeved within the anti-rotation check hole in the center section of the mounting plate and reciprocally moves an inner motion guide sleeve and an outer motion guide sleeve. Such movement brings inner and outer brake pads into the inner and outer motion guide sleeves double-sided and opposing clamping of a brake disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Jun-Ru Chen
  • Patent number: 6371252
    Abstract: A bicycle disc brake hub is provided with a brake rotor attachment portion having an external surface with an external spline section and an annular internal surface with internal threads, and a locking ring having a center tubular section with external threads and an abutment flange extending outwardly from the center tubular section to form an axially facing retaining surface. The external threads of the center tubular section mates with the internal threads of the brake rotor attachment portion to secure a rotor mounting boss and a brake rotor thereto. In one embodiment, the brake rotor is held between the locking ring and the rotor mounting boss, while in a another embodiment, the brake rotor is riveted to the rotor mounting boss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Takanori Kanehisa
  • Patent number: 6352314
    Abstract: A bicycle brake disc hub is provided for use with tangential bicycle spokes. The bicycle hub basically has a hub axle and a hub body with a brake rotor attachment portion integral formed therewith as a one-piece, unitary member. The hub axle has a center axis extending between a first end and a second end. The hub body has an interior passageway with the hub axle being rotatably supported therein. The hub body also has a set of first spoke openings circumferentially arranged around the hub body. The brake rotor attachment portion is located at a first end section of the center tubular portion. The first spoke openings are located adjacent the brake rotor attachment portion. The first spoke openings extend through the first end section of the center tubular portion of the hub body. The brake rotor attachment portion having a plurality of through bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Koshi Tabe
  • Patent number: 6349800
    Abstract: A bicycle disc brake assembly is provided with a double disc brake rotor with a pair of floating discs and a bicycle disc brake caliper with four friction members. The center or intermediate friction members are floating friction pads. The bicycle disc brake caliper also has a caliper housing with a single piston unit. The housing has a frame mounting member sized to be coupled to a portion of a bicycle frame. 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 double disc brake rotor has a support member with first and second disc brake members movably coupled thereto. More specifically, the support member has an outer attachment portion and an inner attachment portion. The inner attachment portion is configured to be coupled to rotate with a hub about a center rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yasushi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6343675
    Abstract: Adjustable disc brake bracket especially applicable to rally bicycle. The disc brake bracket includes an upper bracket, a lower bracket, an adjustment section, an insertion section, a retaining seat and a stop section. The adjustment section is positioned between the upper and lower brackets for adjusting the angle contained thereby. The insertion section is a notch formed on lower end of the lower bracket and fitted on the end of the wheel shaft. The retaining seat is mounted on the upper bracket for fixedly connecting with the disc brake apparatus of the bicycle. The stop section is disposed on the upper bracket for abutting against the frame body of the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: Robert J. Seymour
  • Patent number: 6340074
    Abstract: A disc brake caliper includes a housing containing a pair of opposing brake pad assemblies configured to reside on opposite sides of a disc operatively associated therewith. At least one of the brake pad assemblies is advanced and retracted relative to the disc by a drive mechanism along an advancement axis to effect braking. A pad wear compensation apparatus is operatively associated with at least one of the brake pad assemblies to advance the brake pad assembly along the advancement axis as it wears. The pad wear compensation apparatus includes an adjustment knob attached to the housing for rotation about a rotation axis and fixed against axial movement. A rotary to linear linkage between the at least one brake pad assembly and the knob provides axial advancement of the brake pad assembly relative to the housing upon axial rotation of the knob in a select direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Avid LLC
    Inventors: Wayne R. Lumpkin, Michael T. Mayberry
  • Patent number: 6336526
    Abstract: A bicycle disk brake comprises a frame, a braking clamp set, and a connection member for connecting the braking clamp set with the frame which is mounted on the front fork or rear fork of a bicycle. The connection member is formed of two bolts, two first protruded collars, two second protruded collars, and two recessed collars, which enable the braking clamp set to be adjusted in position and angle relative to the frame such that the two brake shoes of the braking clamp set are located at an optimal position to clamp a braking disk to slow down or stop the bicycle in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventor: Tzu-Chieh Chou
  • Patent number: 6336531
    Abstract: A braking disc assembly is mounted on a bicycle hub to work along with a disc brake of the bicycle and is formed of a fastening seat, a disc body, and a plurality of connection sets. The fastening seat is provided with a plurality of clamping portions, with each clamping portion having two clamping pieces. The clamping pieces are provided with a through hole. The disc body is provided with a hollow portion and a plurality of insertion portions, with each inserting portion having a locating hole. The connection sets comprise a locking member, a fastening bolt, and a spring. The fastening seat is fastened in the hollow portion of the disc body by the locking member which is engaged with the fastening bolt via the through hole of the fastening seat and the locating hole of the disc body. The spring is fitted over the locking member such that the spring urges at one end thereof the fastening seat, and at other end thereof the disc body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventor: Tzu-Chieh Chou
  • Publication number: 20010047911
    Abstract: A cable feed for a cable actuated bicycle includes a housing and an actuator residing within the housing operatively associated with the cable. The cable feed consists of a mount attached to the housing having a mount orifice along a guide axis. A cylindrical ferrule having an axial bore extending between first and second ferrule ends includes a barb at the first end and a stop near the second end. The ferrule is axially inserted within the first end leading into the mount orifice with the stop halting axial insertion of the ferrule into the mount orifice. A minor elastic boot having a first end with an inwardly extending angular flange mates with the attachment barb and has an outer diameter at the first end large enough to prevent axial withdraw of the ferrule from the mount orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2000
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Wayne R. Lumpkin, Michael T. Mayberry
  • Publication number: 20010037917
    Abstract: A bicycle disc brake caliper includes a lever arm rotatable about a pivot axis and a rotary to linear linkage between the lever arm and a brake pad translating rotation of the lever arm in an advancement and a return direction to linear advancement or return, respectively, of the brake pad. A return spring is coiled about a spring axis as a first end is fixed against rotation relative to the lever arm and a second end is rotatable with the lever arm about the spring axis. A screw is selectively roatatable about a screw axis and is operatively associated with an end of the spring to selectively rotate the end of the spring relative to the other end of the spring about the spring axis by rotation of the screw independent of movement of the lever arm to adjust the return force applied by the spring to the lever arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Wayne R. Lumpkin, Michael T. Mayberry
  • Publication number: 20010025747
    Abstract: An attachment structure for a caliper of a disc brake assembly consisting of a caliper and a rotor. The caliper is attached to a wheel supporting portion of a cycle frame which supports a wheel with the rotor fixedly attached to the wheel and the rotor lying in a fixed a plane relative to the supporting portion of the frame. The supporting portion of the frame has a pair of attachment bores oriented to attach the caliper with the rotor received between a pair of brake pads advanced into and out of contact with the rotor by the caliper along a select axis. The attachment structure allows for infinite variation of the angle of incidence between the select axis and the plane of the rotor within a defined range. Attachment bolts secure the caliper to the frame with a select angle of incidence between the select axis and the plane of the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventor: Wayne R. Lumpkin
  • Patent number: 6290028
    Abstract: A bike brake has two stages of braking, including a brake drum, a drum cap, plural brake bands and a stopping structure in the brake drum and the drum cap. The stopping structure has a separator, an interactive device, plural springs, plural stopping devices able to be pushed upward and outward by the springs. In case the stopping structure is rotated to alter its angle, the stopping devices are moved upward and outward by the springs to move the stopping devices outward push the brake bands to contact and rub against the inner wall of the brake drum to perform a first stage of baking. If the stopping structure continues to alter the angle larger and larger, the springs shrink and the stopping devices also move down to rest on the stop plates to perform a second stage of strong braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Jen-Chih Liu
  • Publication number: 20010009213
    Abstract: A bicycle disc brake caliper is provided with a cooling system that transfers heat away from the actuating fluid. Basically, the bicycle disc brake caliper has a housing and a piston unit, with a coolant member of the cooling system attached to the housing. The housing has a frame mounting member sized to be coupled to a portion of a bicycle frame. The piston unit is movably coupled to the housing between a release position, in which the piston unit is spaced from a brake disc mounted to a wheel of a bicycle, and a braking position, in which the piston unit engages the brake disc of the bicycle wheel. The coolant member has a coolant area for receiving coolant to create a coolant heat sink that transfers heat from the housing. The housing has an actuating passage in fluid communication with the piston unit to move the piston unit via an actuating fluid. In one embodiment, the cooling system includes a pump and a reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventor: Yasushi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6260869
    Abstract: A motorcycle uses a unique suspension system to reduce front end dive during braking. Anti-dive characteristics through full suspension travel provides a smoother ride by reducing the compression damping used in the suspension. The suspension system incorporates a rigid fork, a compression fork and a rocker arm. The front wheel is mounted to the rocker arm such that an axis of the wheel is located along the rocker arm between the rigid fork and the compression fork. A brake is coupled to the axis of the front wheel with a first support member and is connected to the rigid fork with a second support member. A brake linkage which includes a portion of the rigid fork, the rocker arm, and the first and second support members forms an irregular quadrilateral during vertical movement of the front wheel, such that a centerline of the second support member and a centerline of the rocker arm intersect behind the front wheel axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Excelsior-Henderson Motorcyle Co.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Hanlon, David P. Hanlon, James A. Holroyd
  • Patent number: 6230849
    Abstract: An attachment structure for a caliper of a disc brake assembly consisting of a caliper and a rotor. The caliper is attached to a wheel supporting portion of a cycle frame which supports a wheel with the rotor fixedly attached to the wheel and the rotor lying in a fixed plane relative to the supporting portion of the frame. The supporting portion of the frame has a pair of attachment bores oriented to attach the caliper with the rotor received between a pair of brake pads advanced into and out of contact with the rotor by the caliper along a select axis. The attachment structure allows for infinite variation of the angle of incidence between the select axis and the plane of the rotor within a defined range. Attachment bolts secure the caliper to the frame with a select angle of incidence between the select axis and the plane of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Avid, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Wayne R. Lumpkin
  • Patent number: 6206144
    Abstract: A bicycle brake system includes a disc mounted floatingly on a hub and a brake unit mounted floatingly on a fork. A mechanically actuated cam mechanism causes actuation of a first lining which presses against the disc compressing it, due to the above floating assembly, against a second line which remains fixed, thus causing the braking action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Rivolta S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fabrizio Di Bella
  • Patent number: 6199669
    Abstract: A brake caliper installed in the disk brake of a bicycle and worked with the brake disk of the disk brake, the brake caliper including a base having two receiving chambers and two cam shafts in the receiving chamber, two brake linings respectively mounted in the receiving chambers at two opposite sides of the brake disk and coupled to the cam shafts, and two spring members respectively fastened to the brake linings and secured to a respective locating rod at the cam shafts, wherein the brake linings each have a first positioning hole and a second positioning hole respectively disposed at two opposite ends of a groove thereof for the positioning of the spring members, a finger rod and a locating rod raised from the periphery and aligned with the groove in a line, and a cam shaft mounting hole for the positioning of the locating rod of the corresponding cam shaft; the spring members each have a substantially U-shaped head and a forked tail respectively inserted through the first positioning hole and second posi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventor: Bill Huang
  • Patent number: 6152267
    Abstract: To arrange a mounting portion of a disk brake in such a manner as to not be offset from a bearing portion of a caliper bracket. A large diameter disk flange is formed on one side surface of a hub of a front wheel. An inner peripheral end portion of a disk brake is mounted on the disk flange. A small diameter boss is formed inside the disk flange on the hub. An inner end of a bracket boss formed integrally with a caliper bracket is fitted in an inner surface of the projecting end of the boss. The bracket boss is supported by inner and outer bearings on the axle. A center of the disk brake passes through a portion between the inner and outer bearings side. Accordingly, the mounting portion for mounting the disk brake on the disk flange is not offset from the bearing portion composed of the outer bearing and the inner bearing of the bracket boss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Iwai, Shinji Ito
  • Patent number: 6148964
    Abstract: A front disk brake, which includes a brake disk fixedly mounted on a hub at the front fork of a bicycle, and a brake caliper mounted on lugs at the front fork of the bicycle by a mounting frame and pulled by a brake line to stop the brake disk, wherein the brake caliper includes a body mounted on the mounting frame, the body having a narrow slot, which receives the brake disk, two inside annular grooves at two opposite sides of the slot, and two sets of steel balls moved in the slot, two cam shafts mounted in the body, the cam shafts each having a head and ball grooves equiangularly spaced at the head, the ball grooves receiving the steel balls and each having a depth gradually deeper from one end toward the other end, and a pull bar driven by the brake line to turn the cam shafts, enabling the cam shafts to be respectively forced outwards by the steel balls toward two opposite side walls of the brake disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Bill Huang
  • Patent number: 6126242
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel rim includes a rim body and a braking plate. The rim body includes annular first and second tire retaining walls adapted for retaining a bicycle tire therebetween, and a spoke mounting portion. Each of the tire retaining walls has a radial inner edge proximate to an axis of the wheel rim, a radial outer edge adapted for retaining the bicycle tire therebetween, and a lateral outer surface opposite to the other one of the tire retaining walls. The rim body further includes an annular spoke mounting portion which interconnects the radial inner edges of the tire retaining walls and which is adapted for mounting spokes thereon. The braking plate projects integrally from the lateral outer surface of the first tire retaining wall, and has two opposite brake pad contacting surfaces adapted to be contacted by brake pads of a brake device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Alex Machine Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chao-Ying Chen
  • Patent number: 6119818
    Abstract: In order to provide a disk brake for vehicles, comprising a brake disk securely connectable to a hub, a brake caliper engaging over the brake disk on oppositely located sides, at least one first brake lining movable in the direction of the brake disk in relation to the brake caliper and at least one second brake lining arranged on the brake caliper so as to be non-displaceable, with which the brake linings do not touch the brake disk in the non-actuated state, it is suggested that the brake caliper be arranged so as to be fixed in a defined geometrical correlation to the hub, that the brake caliper be positioned in relation to the brake disk when the disk brake is not actuated such that a gap exists between the brake linings and the brake disk, and that when the disk brake is actuated the first brake lining act on the brake disk in such a manner that an outer ring of the brake disk acted upon by the first brake lining moves in the direction of the second brake lining under elastic deformation of the brake dis
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Gustav Magenwirth GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Markus Krumbeck, Stefan Ruckh
  • Patent number: 6112862
    Abstract: A screw action disc brake comprises a disc centered on the wheel hub so that torque steer forces are not generated under braking; and a brake pad mounted on a collar which can be moved toward the disc to apply the brake, and away from the disc to release the brake; the collar in the form of a disc with a central circular hole, for clearing the axle mounting section of the hub, and an internally screw-threaded perpendicular perimeter lip. A circular cradle is fixed onto the axle by splines of screw-threads at its center, in such a manner that it cannot rotate about the axle, the cradle having a perimeter flange which is externally screw-threaded to mesh with the screw threads on the inside of the collar lip. The screw-threads are arranged so that when the collar is rotated on the cradle, by pulling a brake cable, in the opposite direction to that of the forward turning hub, the collar moves towards the brake disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Lester John Erlston
  • Patent number: 6056307
    Abstract: A bicycle braking system comprising a bicycle frame having a rear wheel suspension mechanism connected thereto. Rotatably connected to the rear wheel suspension mechanism is the rear wheel axle of the bicycle rear wheel which includes a braking surface. Connected to the rear wheel suspension mechanism is a braking assembly which is selectively engageable to the braking surface of the rear wheel. The braking assembly is configured such that the engagement thereof to the braking surface facilitates the transfer of braking force to and the actuation of the rear wheel suspension mechanism in a manner countering the unweighting thereof normally resulting from the braking of the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventors: James S. Busby, Michael Webb
  • Patent number: 6003639
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake system for a two wheel bike having handlebars, a master cylinder assembly mounted on the handlebar, the assembly including a housing, a tubular body mounted in the housing, a piston mounted in the tubular body, an overrating lever pivotally mounted on the housing, a push rod operatively connecting the operating lever to the piston, a spring mounted in the cartridge body to bias the piston to an inoperative position in the cartridge body, a resilient bladder filled with a hydraulic fluid enclosing the cartridge body, a port timing hole in the cartridge body connecting the cartridge body to the bladder to maintain fluid pressure in the cartridge body, a brake assembly mounted on the housing, and a brake line operatively connecting the cartridge body to the brake assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Hayes Brake, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Buckley, George H. Hinkens, Korey Johnson
  • Patent number: 5988325
    Abstract: A bicycle brake includes a fixed member (e.g., a hub axle) having a fixed member axis, a hub drum rotatably supported around the fixed member, and a fixed case nonrotatably fixed relative to the fixed member. The braking mechanism includes a brake member, a brake operating element disposed radially inwardly of the brake member for pushing the brake member radially outwardly, and a cam member disposed radially inwardly of the brake operating element and coupled to the fixed case. The cam member is shaped so that the brake operating element moves radially outwardly in response to relative rotation between the cam member and the brake operating element, and the cam member defines a cam member space radially inwardly of the cam member. A rotating case is coupled to the hub drum for rotating integrally with the hub drum. The rotating case has a contact surface disposed radially outwardly of the brake member for contacting the brake member when the brake member moves radially outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Keiji Matsueda
  • Patent number: 5979609
    Abstract: A disk brake device for use with a bicycle has a driven plate extending out from one of a pair of yokes receiving the driven plate therein. The driven plate defines therethrough a channel, such that an adjusting bolt is able to be inserted therethrough. A driving plate added between a driven plate and a brake shoe has a stud extending into the channel of the driven plate to be in contact with the adjusting bolt, such that movement of the adjusting bolt will result in the movement of the driving plate. Accordingly, the movement of the driving plate will cause the brake shoe to move closer to the disk securely positioned between two brake shoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: Ming-Ta Tsai
  • Patent number: 5960914
    Abstract: A mechanical disc brake including an inner caliper, an outer caliper and a brake lever is disclosed. The inner and outer calipers are associated with each other by bolts and fixed on a bicycle by a U-shaped bracket. The inner caliper is formed with circular hole and two lateral faces of the circular hole are expanded to form circular dents. One of the circular dents is formed with recessed spiral threads and a transmission piston thread rod formed with projecting spiral threads is fitted in the circular dent. The transmission piston thread rod is sequentially connected with an adjustment thread rod and a lining assembly. The outer caliper is correspondingly disposed with a lining assembly. A restoring spring is disposed in the other of the circular dents and connected with a brake lever. When the brake lever is pulled, the transmission piston thread rod, adjustment thread rod and lining assemblies are pushed forward, whereby the lining assemblies cooperatively tightly clamp the brake disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Goshen Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Tun-Hsien Isai
  • Patent number: 5957244
    Abstract: A mounting mechanism for mounting a disk brake to a bicycle. The mounting mechanism includes an elongated mounting bracket that is mounted adjacent the bicycle wheel assembly. Preferably, a first end of the bracket is coupled to the wheel dropout of the frame and a second end of the bracket is coupled to a portion of the bicycle frame, such as the seat stay. A mounting band or other similar coupling element may be used to couple the second end to the frame such that the integrity of the frame is not compromised. The disk brake component to be mounted adjacent the wheel is coupled to the mounting bracket preferably between the ends of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Rockshox, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul H. Turner
  • Patent number: 5950772
    Abstract: A bicycle brake system includes a flexible brake disk, a fixed mount single acting caliper, fixed and moveable brake pads and a brake actuator. The caliper is mounted on the bicycle frame in a position to straddle the brake disk. The fixed brake pad is mounted on one side of the caliper, and the moveable brake pad is mounted on the other side of the caliper. The brake actuator is on the moveable brake pad side of the brake disk and is aligned with the flexible brake disk. Upon actuation of the brake actuator, the flexible brake disk is flexed into engagement with the fixed brake pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Hayes Brake, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Buckley, George H. Hinkens, Korey Johnson
  • Patent number: 5901974
    Abstract: A bicycle braking system comprising a bicycle frame having a rear wheel suspension mechanism connected thereto. Rotatably connected to the rear wheel suspension mechanism is the rear wheel axle of the bicycle rear wheel which includes a braking surface. Connected to the rear wheel suspension mechanism is a braking assembly which is selectively engageable to the braking surface of the rear wheel. The braking assembly is configured such that the engagement thereof to the braking surface facilitates the transfer of braking force to and the actuation of the rear wheel suspension mechanism in a manner countering the unweighting thereof normally resulting from the braking of the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: GT Bicycles, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Busby, Michael Webb
  • Patent number: 5845746
    Abstract: An automatic braking system for wheelchairs which prevents rearward, downhill motion of wheelchairs while having no effect on horizontal or uphill motion. The braking system is made up of circular ratcheted plates which are attached to the axles of the driving wheels of the wheelchair and L-shaped members slightly in front of and beneath the ratcheted. The L-shaped members are rotatable about axles located in their angles. The long leg of an L-shaped member is directed downwardly by gravity and maintains the short leg in a substantially horizontal position. The short leg forms a pawl which engages the ratchets of the plate when the wheels start to roll backwards when the wheelchair is directed upwardly, thus automatically stopping the wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventors: Sarah E. Henrickson, Benjamin G. Conaway, Rakhi Goel
  • Patent number: 5690191
    Abstract: A new wheelbarrow braking system for facilitating braking of a conventional wheelbarrow while transporting heavy loads thereby retaining the desired position of the wheelbarrow on uneven surfaces and reducing velocity when transporting down hill. The inventive device includes at least one brake disc secured to the inside surface of a support member of a conventional wheel barrow near the tire rim, and an ergonomic handle support member of a conventional wheel barrow near the tire rim, and an ergonomic handle connected to a brake cable secured to the opposite end of the support member and mechanically connected to the brake disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Inventor: Daniel P. Burbank
  • Patent number: 5673773
    Abstract: A drum brake for bicycles including a cylindrical hub having a flange at both sides and a circular recess at an end thereof, a screw rod extending through the hub and supported by a bearing arranged within the hub, brake means including a rotor and three brake blocks fitted on the screw rod and installed with the circular recess, a positioning plate provided with three guide rods adapted to be slidably engaged with respective hole of the brake blocks, an arm having a square opening receiving the square portion, a torsion spring bearing against the arm, and a cover fixedly mounted on the positioning plate, whereby the bicycle can be effectively reduced in speed or stopped in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Valisum Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: I-Tai Lai
  • Patent number: 5632362
    Abstract: A disc braking assembly provides a compact, lightweight braking arrangement which utilizes hydraulic fluid to provide greater braking power. Durability and reliability are achieved by use of a compensating chamber and piston having a compensating piston biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: RockShox, Inc.
    Inventor: Horst Leitner
  • Patent number: 5607031
    Abstract: A wheel hub and disc braking system for a bicycle which provides a bicycle with greater braking power than traditional braking systems without increasing the weight or complexity of the vehicle. The invention utilizes a wheel hub mounted to the axle of a bicycle, a rotor attached to the wheel hub, and a caliper mounted to the fork and axle of a bicycle. Because of the increased hub diameter and flange width, the entire wheel is much more rigid than traditional designs. Also, as an option to add rigidity to the system, a ring is attached to the wheel hub. The attachment of the caliper to the fork and axle of a bicycle provides the system with greater strength and rigidity. In addition, this arrangement permits the pads of the caliper to contact the rotor's inner surface, making the caliper's operation and mounting in-line with the rotor's plane, something not possible with existing systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Inventor: Anthony S. Hollars
  • Patent number: 5570760
    Abstract: A hub brake for bicycles including a cylindrical hub in which is fitted a screw rod extending therethrough, a driving device including a driving screw, a bearing, an adjusting nut, a bearing and an arm, a recovering device including a torsion spring, a helical spring and a nut, and a braking device including a brake block and a positioning plate, and a cover fixedly mounted on the positioning plate, whereby the hub brake for bicycles can effectively reduce speed or stopping motion of a bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Valisum Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: I-Tai Lai
  • Patent number: 5535855
    Abstract: A bicycle hub brake wherein a rotating member rotates with a bicycle wheel, and a brake actuating mechanism causes a brake member to apply a braking force to a braking surface. An intermediate member is disposed between the brake actuating mechanism and the rotating member for moving relative to one of the brake actuating mechanism and the rotating member when a braking force less than a selected value is applied to the braking surface and for moving relative to the other one of the brake actuating mechanism and rotating member when a braking force greater than the selected value is applied to the braking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Mitsugu Hanada
  • Patent number: 5533599
    Abstract: A hydraulic bicycle brake is kept free of leakage thanks to the fact that a hollow body is utilized, consisting of an elastic encasement (7) connected on one side with the brake piston (17) and on the other side with the inlet flange (18), having a connection to a master cylinder by means of a fluid line; whereat due to this connection of piston (17), encasement (7) and inlet flange (18) there isn't any loss of fluid and the loads due to pressure and strain exerted onto the elastic part of the hollow body respectively in the transition zone: piston bottom--encasement and solid piston bottom, have less effects than observed for common pot-like shaped diaphragm seals, because of shear-, compression- and tensile forces as well as bending moments being by their distribution on the different materials respectively their connection of less influence, thanks to this make, comprising two different materials and thus foreseeing greater security, better durability and longer service life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Inventor: Sandor Sule