Shifter Mechanism Including Parallelogram Linkage Patents (Class 474/82)
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Patent number: 9676446Abstract: The present invention relates to a bicycle derailleur gear, particularly a front derailleur gear, with improved reliability that comprises a kinematic mechanism in the form of a four-bar linkage with a base body and a mobile body connected together through a pair of connecting rods hinged to the base body and to the mobile body at four pin elements, the mobile body carrying a chain guide, the four-bar linkage-kinematic mechanism being associated with derailleur gear actuation means suitable for deforming the four-bar linkage-kinematic mechanism so as to determine a displacement of the mobile body with respect to the base body and consequently a displacement of the chain guide, the derailleur gear actuation means being of the motorized type and comprising a motor casing and an outlet shaft that projects directly from said motor casing and characterized in that the actuation means command a translation in the axial direction of the outlet shaft with respect to the motor casing and are mounted between distinct cType: GrantFiled: February 27, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.Inventors: Paolo Pasqua, Alberto Bortoli
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Patent number: 9669900Abstract: A chain tensioning device includes a main body, a chain guide and a rotary fluid damper unit. The chain guide is pivotally coupled to the main body to rotate around a rotational axis with respect to the main body. The rotary fluid damper unit is operatively connected between the main body and the chain guide to provide rotational resistance to the chain guide around the rotational axis. The rotary fluid damper unit includes at least one primary flow limiting valve and at least one support member. The primary flexible valve portion of the at least one primary flow limiting valve is configured to flex and contact the at least one support member to form a primary flow path between a free end of the primary flexible valve portion of the at least one primary flow limiting valve and the other of the first and second members.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2015Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Toyoto Shirai
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Patent number: 9573652Abstract: A bicycle derailleur includes a fixing member, a selected chain guide unit and a motor unit. The fixing member is configured to be fixed to a bicycle frame. The selected chain guide unit has a chain guide for guiding a bicycle chain and a support mechanism moveably supporting the chain guide relative to the fixing member. The selected chain guide unit is one of a plurality of different configurations of chain guide units. The motor unit is configured to be selectively attached to the selected chain guide unit to move the chain guide. The motor unit is configured to be mounted to each of the plurality of configurations of chain guide units.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Kazuya Kuwayama, Etsuyoshi Watarai, Atsuhiro Emura
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Patent number: 9394030Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides an electromechanical rear derailleur for a bicycle including a base member that is configured to be coupled to a frame member of a bicycle. The derailleur includes a movable member and a link mechanism that movably couples the movable member to the base member. A motor is positioned at the movable member to move the movable member.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
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Patent number: 9303763Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur includes a base member, a movable member, a linkage and a motor unit. The base member is configured to be mounted to a bicycle. The movable member is movably coupled to the base member. The linkage includes an outer link pivotally connected to the base member about a first pivot axis and pivotally connected to the movable member about a second pivot axis, and an inner link pivotally connected the base member and the movable member. The motor unit includes an output shaft having a rotational axis being parallel to one of the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis. The output shaft of the motor unit drives the outer link to move the movable member with respect to the base member. The inner link moves in response to movement of the outer link.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2012Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Shimano, IncInventors: Sota Yamaguchi, Satoshi Shahana
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Patent number: 9272750Abstract: A drive arrangement for a bicycle including a chainring having a chainring axis, a plurality of different rear sprockets, the plurality of rear sprockets sharing a sprocket axis, a drive chain that runs around the rear sprockets and the chainring and in meshing engagement with a selected active sprocket of the plurality of rear sprockets and the chainring, and a rear derailleur. The rear derailleur is configured to shift the chain over a plurality of sprockets having a difference in tooth count of over 25 teeth ranging from a smallest to a largest sprocket.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: SRAM DEUTSCHLAND GMBHInventor: Robert Böhm
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Patent number: 9248885Abstract: A derailleur comprises a base member, a chain guide, a link member, and a shaft member. The base member is configured to be attached to a bicycle frame. The chain guide comprises a first member and a second member. The first member includes a first connecting portion. The second member includes a second connecting portion to overlap the first connecting portion. The link member is configured to movably couple the chain guide to the base member. The shaft member is configured to couple the first connecting portion to the second connecting portion and configured to rotatably couple the chain guide to the link member.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2013Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Kenkichi Inoue, Yoshikazu Sugiyama
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Patent number: 9243692Abstract: The invention includes a multi-speed transmission for an electric motor propelled bicycle with multiple gear combinations for driving the bicycle that constitute the full gear range of the transmission. A portion of the full gear range is operated to shift automatically and a portion is shifted manually. Additionally, the control of the electric motor and control of the shifting operations may be integrated to allow the output power of the motor to be decreased during a shifting operation.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2013Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventor: Kevin Wesling
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Patent number: 9234573Abstract: A spiral bicycle sprocket includes a first sprocket portion to rotate about a center axis and having a first number of teeth, a second sprocket portion to rotate about the center axis and having a second number of teeth, and a third sprocket portion positioned between the first and second sprocket portions and having a third number of teeth, wherein the third number of teeth form a conical and spiral thread that joins the first sprocket portion and the second sprocket portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2013Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: World Bicycle Sports, Inc.Inventor: Darcy Saccucci
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Patent number: 9187149Abstract: A bicycle derailleur comprises a base member adapted to be mounted to a bicycle, a movable member movably coupled to the base member, a chain guide coupled to the movable member for rotation around a rotational axis, a resistance applying element that applies resistance to rotational movement of the chain guide, and a resistance control element. The resistance control element applies a force to the resistance applying element in a direction that is non-parallel with the rotational axis, without any manual operations, to prevent a reduction in the resistance to rotational movement of the chain guide applied by the resistance applying element.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2012Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: SHIMANO, INC.Inventor: Sota Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 9156524Abstract: A derailleur comprises a base member, a movable member, a link member, and a biasing mechanism. The movable member is configured to be movable with respect to the base member between a retracted position and an extended position. The link member is configured to movably couple the movable member to the base member. The biasing mechanism is configured to bias the link member such that the movable member is disposed at one of the retracted position and the extended position. The biasing mechanism comprises a biasing member and an intermediate member. The biasing member has a first end portion. The intermediate member is separately provided from the movable member and the link member so as to transmit biasing force of the biasing member from the first end portion to one of the movable member and the link member through the intermediate member.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2013Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Kenkichi Inoue, Tomomi Sugimoto
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Patent number: 9156525Abstract: A front derailleur is attachable to a bicycle with a frame in which a fixing bore is provided. The front derailleur basically includes a base member, a chain guide and a link mechanism. The base member has an attaching bore for attaching the base member to a fixing bore of a frame by a fastening member. The chain guide configured to guide a chain. The link mechanism movably couples the chain guide to the base member. The base member is disposed with respect to the chain guide such that at least a part of the attaching bore is disposed in front of the chain guide and above the chain guide while the front derailleur is in a state in which the base member is attached to the frame.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2014Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Kazuya Kuwayama, Kenkichi Inoue
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Patent number: 9150281Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a cable operated structure, a movable member and a biasing member. The movable member is movably supported to the base member by the cable operated structure to move between a plurality of shift stage positions with respect to the base member. The biasing member is interposed between the first and second link members such that the movable member is biased towards one of a top shift stage position and a low shift stage position. The cable operated structure and the biasing member configured balance an operation energy used for shifting between each of the shift stage positions.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2011Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Sota Yamaguchi, Shinya Oseto, Takeshi Murasaka
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Patent number: 9132885Abstract: A derailleur is configured to be mounted to a bicycle frame. The derailleur includes a clamp mountable to the bicycle frame. The clamp includes a first end having a threaded portion receiving a clamp fastener for tightening of the clamp about the bicycle frame. A base member is connected to the clamp and includes a bore receiving the clamp fastener. A chain guide receives and laterally displaces a chain. First and second link members pivotably connect the base member and the chain guide. One of the link members includes an opening aligned with the bore such that the clamp fastener passes through the opening and into the bore of the base member.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2009Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventor: Marcus Auer
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Patent number: 9127766Abstract: A bicycle derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a movable member and a connecting structure. The base member includes a bicycle mounting portion. The movable member is movable with respect to the base member between a first position and a second position that is farther than the first position from the base member. The connecting structure movably connects the movable member to the base member. The connecting structure moves the movable member with an actuation ratio that descends and then ascends as the movable member moves from the first position towards the second position.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2012Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Kazuya Kuwayama, Atsuhiro Emura, Kenkichi Inoue
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Patent number: 9120530Abstract: A bicycle derailleur comprises a base member adapted to be mounted to a bicycle, a movable member, a linkage mechanism coupled between the base member and the movable member so that the movable member moves relative to the base member, and a chain guide coupled to the movable member for movement relative to the movable member. A position-fixing member selectively fixes a position of the movable member relative to the chain guide.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2012Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventor: Sota Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 9061730Abstract: A bicycle front derailleur that includes a main body and a chain guide operatively coupled to the main body. The chain guide includes a first plate, a second plate, and a contact member affixed to the first plate. The contact member includes a flexible portion that is adapted to flex when contacted by a chain running through the chain guide.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2011Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Kenkichi Inoue, Atsuhiro Emura, Kazuya Kuwayama
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Patent number: 9039551Abstract: A derailleur device, particularly a rear derailleur, includes at least one locking device for locking a chain guide at least in one locking position that is different from the starting position in relation to a movable element, and it is provided therein that the locking device includes a locking element displaceable between a passive position, in which the chain guide is released in relation to the movable element, and at least one active position, in which the chain guide is held in the at least one locking position.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2012Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbHInventors: Robert Böhm, Tobias Harcke, Andreas Benz, Oliver Rodegro
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Patent number: 9033833Abstract: A transmission system for vehicles, including bicycles, is disclosed. The system aligns a chain or other drive means to a center of each of a plurality of provided sprockets, allows for a smaller, lighter and more durable shifter/controller, and reduces various complications associated with cable slack and shifting. A derailleur is provided with linear actuated features to directly translate drive means from one position to another along a desired path.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: PAHA DESIGNS, LLCInventors: Lee Johnson, Benjamin Meager
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Publication number: 20150126314Abstract: A motor actuated derailleur for a bicycle gearshift that has a support body adapted for mounting on a bicycle frame. A chain guide moves a bicycle chain between different engaged positions on respective gear wheels. A pair of connecting rods connects said chain guide to said support body with a first connecting rod of said pair of connecting rods being rotatable about a first rotation axis (X) at a first end thereof. A motor housed in said support body has an output shaft able to rotate about a second rotation axis. A transmission between said motor and said first connecting rod is housed in an inner chamber of said support body that comprises at least one adjustable end stop element that prevents the rotation of the output shaft beyond a predetermined rotation angle, in at least one of the two directions of rotation of the output shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2014Publication date: May 7, 2015Applicant: CAMPAGNOLO S.R.L.Inventor: Paolo Pasqua
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Publication number: 20150111675Abstract: An electromechanical rear derailleur is provided for a bicycle, including a base member for attachment to the bicycle bicycle along a mounting axis. A movable member has a cage assembly attached thereto. A linkage is provided including pivot axes oriented substantially perpendicular to the mounting axis, the linkage coupling the movable member to the base member and operative to enable movement of the movable member relative to the base member in a direction substantially parallel to the mounting axis. A power source powers an electric motor connected thereto and a transmission is coupled to and actuated by the motor to move the movable member.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
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Patent number: 9005059Abstract: A rear derailleur includes a base member, a movable member, a linkage and an electric motor unit. The base member includes a bicycle mounting portion for attaching to a bicycle. The movable member includes a chain guide having a first pulley that rotates around a first pulley axis in a center pulley plane that bisects the first pulley. The linkage movably supports the movable member relative to the base member. The electric motor unit is stationary with respect to at least a part of the base member and operatively coupled to the linkage to move the movable member relative to the base member between an outermost lateral position and an innermost lateral position. The electric motor unit is at least partially disposed inward of the center pulley plane while the movable member is disposed in the outermost lateral position.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Shota Suyama, Sota Yamaguchi, Satoshi Shahana
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Patent number: 8998756Abstract: A bicycle transmission control apparatus comprises a control unit that provides a first signal to operate a first derailleur a gear shift distance from a first origin sprocket to a first destination sprocket. The control unit receives a condition signal that indicates a condition resulting from at least one of the first derailleur and a second derailleur; and an adjustment controller moves the first derailleur an adjustment distance less than the gear shift distance in response to the condition signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2005Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Kazuhiro Fujii, Ryuichiro Takamoto, Haruyuki Takebayashi
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Patent number: 8979683Abstract: A bicycle electric actuator unit basically has a housing, an electric drive part and a cable holding member. The electric drive part is disposed in the housing and electrically connected to an electrical cable. The cable holding member is provided at an outer surface of the housing to hold a portion of the electrical cable. The bicycle electric actuator unit can be for example part of an electric bicycle component such as an electric front derailleur or an electric rear derailleur.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Takafumi Katsura, Kazutaka Niki
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Patent number: 8974331Abstract: A bicycle derailleur includes a base member, a movable member, a motor unit, a linkage and a saver mechanism. The linkage includes a first link that includes a first linking member and a second linking member. The first linking member is pivotally connected to the movable member. The second linking member is pivotally connected to the base member, and is attached to the first linking member. The saver mechanism includes an output member movably operated by the motor unit, a drive link movably mounted on the first link between a drive transmitting position that connects a drive force of the motor to the first link and a non-drive transmitting position that disconnect the drive force of the motor from the first link, and a biasing element biasing the drive link into engagement with the output member to maintain the drive link in the drive transmitting position.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Sota Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 8932162Abstract: A front derailleur that includes a fixing member that is configured to be fixed to a bicycle frame, a chain guide movable between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the fixing member, a linkage mechanism coupling the chain guide to the fixing member, and a biasing member that biases the chain guide toward one of the retracted position and the extended position. The linkage mechanism includes a first link member that is pivotable with respect to the fixing member about a first axis and is pivotable with respect to the chain guide about a second axis that is positioned above the first axis when the fixing member is fixed to the bicycle frame. The biasing member is coaxially arranged around the second axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2013Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Yoshikazu Sugiyama
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Publication number: 20140378252Abstract: Bicycle single-acted gear-shifting device (12), comprising one front or rear derailleur (10, 20) coupling a ratchet indexing mechanism (13) acted by only one single-acting slave-connector (110, 120) attached to said ratchet indexing mechanism (13), operated by a unidirectional operator mechanism (15) with optional multiple unidirectional handle operator units (30). Said ratchet indexing mechanism (13) removably defines and holds a plurality of predetermined working stable positions of the derailleur's cage-plate (102,202) for each gearshift, and it comprises a ratchet-gear (1) with a pawls' system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2013Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Pablo Carrasco Vergara, David Martinez Garcia, Carlos Miguel Carton Cordero, Eleazar Florido Cobos
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Patent number: 8900078Abstract: A bicycle derailleur basically includes a base member, a movable member, a chain guide, a friction element and a motor. The base member is configured to be mounted to a bicycle. The movable member is movably coupled to the base member. The chain guide is coupled to the movable member to rotate around a rotational axis with respect to the movable member. The friction element is operatively arranged between the movable member and the chain guide to frictionally provide rotational resistance in a first rotational direction of the chain guide. The motor is operatively coupled to the movable member to move the movable member with respect to the base member.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2012Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Sota Yamaguchi, Atsuhiro Emura
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Publication number: 20140349794Abstract: A front derailleur that includes a fixing member that is configured to be fixed to a bicycle frame, a chain guide movable between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the fixing member, a linkage mechanism coupling the chain guide to the fixing member, and a biasing member that biases the chain guide toward one of the retracted position and the extended position. The linkage mechanism includes a first link member that is pivotable with respect to the fixing member about a first axis and is pivotable with respect to the chain guide about a second axis that is positioned above the first axis when the fixing member is fixed to the bicycle frame. The biasing member is coaxially arranged around the second axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2013Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Yoshikazu Sugiyama
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Patent number: 8888620Abstract: A front derailleur unit basically includes a fixed member and a movable member. The fixed member is configured to be releasably attached to a plurality of different type mounting units. The different type mounting units is detachably attached to a bicycle frame. The movable member is movably supported to the fixed member to move with respect to the fixed member.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Kazuya Kuwayama, Kenkichi Inoue
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Patent number: 8882618Abstract: A rear derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a movable member, a chain guide, a friction element, a one-way clutch and an electric actuator. The base member is configured to be mounted to a bicycle. The movable member is movably coupled to the base member. The chain guide is coupled to the movable member to rotate around a rotational axis with respect to the movable member. The friction element is operatively arranged between the movable member and the chain guide to frictionally provide rotational resistance in a first rotational direction of the chain guide. The one-way clutch is operatively disposed between movable member and the chain guide to engage the friction element as the chain guide rotates in the first rotational direction. The electric actuator is operatively coupled to the one-way clutch to control the one-way clutch between a clutch-on mode and a clutch-off mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2013Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Sota Yamaguchi, Atsuhiro Emura, Tsuyoshi Miyake, Ryuichiro Takamoto, Yoshiyuki Kasai, Mao Kuroda
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Patent number: 8870693Abstract: A bicycle derailleur comprises a base member, a movable member movably coupled to the base member, and a chain guide coupled to the movable member for rotation around a rotational axis. A resistance-applying element applies resistance to rotational movement of the chain guide, and a resistance control element moves between at least different first and second positions. The resistance control element is operatively coupled to the resistance-applying element so that the resistance-applying element applies different first and second resistances to rotational movement of the chain guide when the resistance control element is disposed in the respective first and second positions. A jolt element is disposed within the movable member and is operatively associated with the resistance control element to provide a tactile jolt to a user as the user moves the resistance control element from the first position to the second position.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2012Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Shingo Funai
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Patent number: 8864611Abstract: A front derailleur basically includes a fixed member, a main body, a movable member and a support member. The fixing member is configured to be fixed to a bicycle frame. The main body is attached to the fixing member. The movable member is movably supported to the main body with respect to the fixing member. The support member is movably attached to one of the fixing member and the main body. The support member including an operated portion selectively operated by an operating element and positioned between the fixing member and the main body.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2012Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Kazuya Kuwayama, Atsuhiro Emura, Kenkichi Inoue
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Patent number: 8845467Abstract: A multiple sprocket assembly includes a number of sprockets attached to a hub of a bicycle frame, and a rear chain transfer device having a sliding member slidably attached to a guiding device, and a carrier attached to the sliding member and movable relative to the sprockets for engaging with a chain and for carrying and moving the chain onto the teeth of the sprockets, the rear chain transfer device includes a support attached to the bicycle frame, and the guiding device is secured to the support, the guiding device includes one or more tracks or channels for slidably engaging with and for guiding the sliding member to move relative to the guiding device.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventor: Chang Hui Lin
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Publication number: 20140243129Abstract: The present invention refers to a bicycle gearshift with improved precision control, which comprises a kinematic mechanism in the form of a four-bar linkage with a base body and a mobile body connected together through a pair of connecting rods articulated to the base body and to the mobile body at four pin elements, each pair of opposite pin elements of the four pin elements defining a diagonal of the four-bar linkage-kinematic mechanism, the base body comprising a first attachment group to a bicycle frame and the mobile body being connected to a chain guide at a second attachment group, the four-bar linkage-kinematic mechanism being associated with gearshift actuation means suitable for deforming the four-bar linkage-kinematic mechanism so as to determine a displacement of the mobile body with respect to said base body and consequently a primary displacement of the chain guide in the axial direction with respect to the axis (A) of a cogset, at least one from the first attachment group and the second attachmType: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: Campagnolo S.r.l.Inventors: Paolo PASQUA, Leopoldo LAZZARIN
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Publication number: 20140243130Abstract: The present invention refers to a bicycle gearshift with improved precision control, comprising a kinematic mechanism in the form of a four-bar linkage with a base body and a mobile body connected together through a pair of connecting rods articulated to the base body and to the mobile body at four pin elements, each pair of opposite pin elements of the four pin elements defining a diagonal of the four-bar linkage kinematic mechanism, and a first attachment group of the base body to a bicycle frame, the mobile body being connected to a chain guide at a second attachment group, the four-bar linkage kinematic mechanism being associated with gearshift actuation means suitable for deforming the four-bar linkage kinematic mechanism so as to determine a displacement of the mobile body with respect to the base body and consequently a primary displacement of the chain guide in the axial direction with respect to the axis (A) of a cogset, and it is characterised in that the first attachment group comprises a kinematicType: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: Campagnolo S.r.l.Inventors: Paolo PASQUA, Giuseppe DAL PRÅ
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Patent number: 8808123Abstract: A bicycle front derailleur that includes a chain guide configured to engage a bicycle chain and a mounting member operatively coupled to the chain guide. The mounting member includes a frame support structure that includes a contact member that is configured to contact the frame of the bicycle, and a support member mounted to the mounting member. The contact member is supported by the support member.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2011Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Kenkichi Inoue, Atsuhiro Emura, Kazuya Kuwayama
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Patent number: 8777788Abstract: A bicycle component positioning device includes a fixed member, an operating member and a positioning mechanism. The operating member has an input portion and an output portion. The positioning mechanism is operatively disposed between the operating member and the fixed member. The positioning mechanism includes a positioning member that is movable between a first position in which the positioning member is engaged with the fixed member and a second position in which the positioning member is disengaged from the fixed member. The positioning member is held in engagement with the fixed member in the first position by the input portion when the input portion is in an operating position. The positioning member is movable from the first position to the second position upon movement of the input portion from at least one of the operating positions.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2007Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Tatsuya Kawakami, Atsushi Iizuka
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Publication number: 20140171242Abstract: A front derailleur for use on devices such as bicycles is movable about a yaw axis while it moves laterally. The front derailleur may include a linkage in between a mount and a cage, with the linkage pivoting about two non-parallel axes. The front derailleur may include a linkage in between the mount and the cage that has links of different effective lengths. The front derailleur may include a single link and a cam.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2014Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventor: Brian Jordan
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Publication number: 20140148287Abstract: A front derailleur basically includes a fixed member, a movable member, a driven link and a first link. The fixing member is configured to be fixed to a bicycle frame. The movable member is movably supported with respect to the fixed member. The driven link is operatively coupled to the movable member. The first link movably connects the movable member to the fixed member, and is adjustably coupled to the driven link in a fixed position by a fixing structure to establish a fixed rest position of the movable member with respect to the fixed member.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2014Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Hiroshi TACHIBANA, Yuuta MIZUTANI, Keijiro NISHI, Kazuya KUWAYAMA, Atsuhiro EMURA, Kenkichi INOUE
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Publication number: 20140128189Abstract: A bicycle derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a movable member and a connecting structure. The base member includes a bicycle mounting portion. The movable member is movable with respect to the base member between a first position and a second position that is farther than the first position from the base member. The connecting structure movably connects the movable member to the base member. The connecting structure moves the movable member with an actuation ratio that descends and then ascends as the movable member moves from the first position towards the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Kazuya KUWAYAMA, Atsuhiro EMURA, Kenkichi INOUE
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Publication number: 20140128191Abstract: A drive arrangement for a bicycle including a chainring having a chainring axis, a plurality of different rear sprockets, the plurality of rear sprockets sharing a sprocket axis, a drive chain that runs around the rear sprockets and the chainring and in meshing engagement with a selected active sprocket of the plurality of rear sprockets and the chainring, and a rear derailleur. The rear derailleur is configured to shift the chain over a plurality of sprockets having a difference in tooth count of over 25 teeth ranging from a smallest to a largest sprocket.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2013Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: SRAM Deutschland GmbHInventor: Robert Böhm
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Publication number: 20140128190Abstract: An electric front derailleur includes a base member, a chain guide, a first link member, a second link member and an electric driving unit. The base member includes a mounting portion to be operatively mounted to a bicycle frame. The chain guide is movable with respect to the base member. The first link member movably connects the chain guide to the base member. The first link member is at least partially aligned with the chain guide in a lateral direction with the electric front derailleur in an installed position. The second link member movably connects the chain guide to the base member. The second link member is at least partially aligned with the chain guide in the lateral direction with the electric front derailleur in the installed position. The electric driving unit is operatively coupled to the chain guide to move the chain guide with respect to the base member.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Atsuhiro EMURA, Kazuya KUWAYAMA
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Patent number: 8715120Abstract: A chain guide for a front derailleur includes inner and outer guide plates. The outer guide plate includes an interior surface having a guide surface that protrudes toward the chain. During the shifting from a larger chainring to a smaller chainring, the chain grazes against the guide surface and is shifted to an adjoining chainring by the guide surface. Viewed in a chain travel direction, the guide surface has a width at least equal to a distance between consecutive outer chain links or a width at least equal to the distance between the link pins. So configured, the noise generated by the dipping of the chain guide into the space between the outer chain links and/or between any protruding link pins is minimized during the shifting process.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2006Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbHInventor: Raymond Florczyk
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Publication number: 20140087901Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides an electromechanical rear derailleur for a bicycle including a base member that is configured to be coupled to a frame member of a bicycle. The derailleur includes a movable member and a link mechanism that movably couples the movable member to the base member. A motor is positioned at the movable member to move the movable member.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2012Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
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Patent number: 8678962Abstract: A front derailleur for use on devices such as bicycles is movable about a yaw axis while it moves laterally. The front derailleur may include a linkage in between a mount and a cage, with the linkage pivoting about two non-parallel axes. The front derailleur may include a linkage in between the mount and the cage that has links of different effective lengths. The front derailleur may include a single link and a cam.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2010Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventor: Brian Jordan
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Patent number: 8678963Abstract: A bicycle front derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a movable member and a biasing arrangement. The biasing arrangement is operatively disposed between the base member and the movable member such that a biasing force of the biasing arrangement is smaller during an early range of a movement range of the movable member as the movable member moves from a first position to a second position. The biasing arrangement includes a first biasing member, a second biasing member and a pre-load body. The first and second biasing members selectively bias the movable member. The pre-load body maintains the second biasing member in a loaded state such that the second biasing member applies the second biasing force only after the movable member has partially moved from the first position towards the second position.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Kazuya Kuwayama, Kenkichi Inoue, Atsuhiro Emura
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Patent number: 8663043Abstract: A device for guiding and supporting the cable for actuating a front derailleur for bicycles. The device provides the cable guide parts with alternative cable routing paths, wherein the cable guide parts are securely connected to the connecting arm. The cable clamping screw for clamping the control cable is housed in a space saving manner in an opening in the cable guide part, wherein a direct transfer of the actuating forces to the connecting arm is possible with small frictional losses.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2011Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbHInventors: Marcus Auer, Thorsten Hamisch
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Publication number: 20140018199Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur comprises a first member, a second member and a locking structure. The second member is pivotally attached to the first member about a pivot axis. The locking structure fixes a relative position of the first and second members with respect to a rotational direction about the pivot axis. The locking structure is configured to release the relative position of the first and second members from a fixed state upon a predetermined load being provided to one of the first and second members in the rotational direction with respect to the pivot axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2012Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Satoshi SHAHANA, Shingo FUNAI
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Patent number: 8602929Abstract: A bicycle derailleur apparatus comprises a base member for coupling to a bicycle frame, a movable member coupled for movement relative to the base member, a chain guide coupled to the movable member for moving a chain from an origin sprocket to a destination sprocket in response to movement of the movable member, a biasing device that provides a biasing force to the chain guide for tensioning the chain, and a movement resisting device with a control element for the application of a signal that causes the movement resisting device to selectively apply and remove resistance to movement of the chain guide. The movement resisting device is operable to remove resistance to movement of the chain guide when the chain guide moves the chain from the origin sprocket to the destination sprocket.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2012Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventors: Noriyasu Ishikawa, Takeshi Takachi