Shifter Mechanism Including Parallelogram Linkage Patents (Class 474/82)
  • Patent number: 7189173
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bicycle front derailleur mountable to a seat tube of a bicycle frame for fitting a chain around a selected sprocket of a multiple chainwheel by pushing the chain laterally at a portion thereof advancing into engagement with the chainwheel, the front derailleur comprising: a fixed section fixed to a bicycle frame, a chain guide for contacting a chain to shift the chain, and an actuating arm and a linkage rod disposed between and pivotally connected to the fixed section and the chain guide. In the above construction, the present invention has achieved the intended object of providing an improved bicycle front derailleur capable of reliably effecting a change speed operation with the aid of a sufficient restoring force of the return spring and achieving minimized in operation forces required for various change speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: SunRace Sturmey-Archer Inc.
    Inventors: Ming-Chih Tsai, Yan-Long Sheng
  • Patent number: 7166048
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur comprises a bracket adapted to be mounted to the frame; a base member supported by the bracket; a chain guide; and a coupling mechanism coupled between the base member and the chain guide so that the chain guide moves relative to the base member. The base member is supported at first and second lateral locations, wherein the bracket supports at least one of the first and second lateral locations of the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Masayuki Arakawa, Nobukatsu Hara, Shinya Oseto
  • Patent number: 7137314
    Abstract: A hydraulic gear shift mechanism for a bicycle having a positioning mechanism for controlling the motion of the piston of a master cylinder assembly is disclosed, wherein the master cylinder assembly is in communication with a slave cylinder for operation of a derailleur. The positioning mechanism preferably includes a pivot shaft spaced apart from the handlebar, a rotating member rotatable about the pivot shaft, a push mechanism for rotating the rotating member in a first direction and a return mechanism for rotating the rotating member in a second direction. In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, an adjuster piston is threadingly engaged with the master cylinder assembly for adjusting the initial position of the slave cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano Inc
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Akira Tsumiyama
  • Patent number: 7125354
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur comprises a base member structured to be mounted to a bicycle frame; a link mechanism having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the link mechanism is coupled to the base member, and wherein the second portion of the link mechanism is disposed above the first portion of the link mechanism; and a chain guide coupled to the second portion of the link mechanism so that the chain guide moves relative to the base member to move a chain among a plurality of sprockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Satoshi Shahana
  • Patent number: 7104908
    Abstract: A rear bicycle derailleur includes a base member, a movable member, a guide arm and a tension arm. The base member is adapted to be mounted to a bicycle frame. The movable member is movably coupled to the base member, preferably via a linkage, to move between a retracted position and an extended position. The guide arm is pivotally coupled to the movable member around a first axis and has a guide sprocket. The tension arm is pivotally coupled to the movable member around a second axis and has a tension sprocket. Preferably, the guide arm is freely pivotal about the first axis without being rotationally biased, while the tension arm is rotationally biased by a biasing member about the second axis. Preferably, the guide arm and the tension arm are configured and arranged to move independently of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Masashi Nagano
  • Patent number: 7081058
    Abstract: A front derailleur has a base member adapted to be coupled to a bicycle frame, a chain guide, first and second pivotal links coupled between the base member and the chain guide, and a biasing member normally biasing the chain guide toward a first position. The biasing member is disposed on a pivot axis pivotally coupling the first link to the chain guide to be at least partially located in front of the part of the first link coupled to the base member. The first link is preferably an inner link located closer to the frame than the second link. Preferably, portions of the first link are at least partially offset due to a transitional portion arranged between them. Preferably, the second link includes a cable attachment portion and a pair of axially spaced mounting elements pivotally coupled to ends of an attachment element of the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Nankou
  • Patent number: 7059983
    Abstract: Chain guides for the front sprockets of bicycles are disclosed. More particularly, the chain guides are adapted or configured for bicycles that have multiple (usually 2 or 3) sprockets/chain rings mounted to the crank assembly. The setup is provided to freely allow shifting between the gears. All of the chain guide variations presented are provided with an outer flange attached to a roller section so that these portions roll together with the chain they restrain. Additional optional features include aspects to do with roller positioning, bracket mounting, roller configuration and supplemental chain restrain means (including a stop/post member and inner roller flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventor: Jon Heim
  • Patent number: 7044874
    Abstract: A derailleur includes a base member for attachment to a bicycle frame and a movable member supporting a chain guide such that the chain guide moves laterally to shift a chain among a plurality of gears. The base member has a laterally inner surface and a laterally outer surface, and it includes a projection extending from one of the laterally inner surface and the laterally outer surface for engaging a corresponding recess in the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Shinya Oseto, Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 7025698
    Abstract: A front derailleur including an annular chain guide for engagement and disengagement of a bicycle chain with multiple chain rings of a crankset. The annular chain guide may be positioned by linear guide rods. The annular chain guide may have an inner lifting surface and an outer pulling surface for engaging diametrically opposed corners of a chain when viewed in cross-section. The annular chain guide may have an opening defined by a polygon having at least five sides. The motion of the annular chain guide during a up-shift, i.e., displacement of the chain from a smaller chain ring to a next larger chain ring includes an upward, outward and rearward linear motion relative to a bicycle frame including upward force exerted by the annular chain guide against the chain. The motion of the annular chain guide during a down-shift is exactly opposite whereby the annular chain guide exerts a pulling down force against the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Inventor: Christopher Alan Wickliffe
  • Patent number: 7014584
    Abstract: A top pull type front derailleur is designed to move or shift a chain between two or more sprockets for changing gears. The front derailleur basically has a bicycle frame clamping band, a linkage assembly and a chain guide. The linkage assembly includes a cable connection point and is arranged between the bicycle frame clamping band and the chain guide to move the chain guide laterally towards and away from the clamping band. The clamping band has a top pull cable guide surface that is configured and arranged relative to the clamping band to guide a cable from vertically above the clamping band to the cable connection point when the front bicycle derailleur is operatively mounted to a bicycle frame. Preferably, the top pull cable guide surface is formed on a peripheral surface of a roller that is rotatably mounted on the clamping band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Nanko, Kanji Kirimoto
  • Patent number: 7011590
    Abstract: An assisting apparatus for using power from a moving member to assist the operation of a bicycle transmission comprises a power transfer mechanism, a drive coupling mechanism, and a position maintaining mechanism. The power transfer mechanism moves in one of a first direction and a second direction to upshift the bicycle transmission, and the power transfer mechanism moves in the other one of the first direction and the second direction to downshift the bicycle transmission. The drive coupling mechanism couples the power transfer mechanism to the moving member to move the power transfer mechanism in one of the first direction and the second direction, and the position maintaining mechanism prevents the power transfer mechanism from moving in the other one of the first direction and the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 7004862
    Abstract: A sensor retainer for a bicycle sprocket assembly includes an annular member for mounting and rotating coaxially with the bicycle sprocket assembly and a sensor element fixed to the annular member. Alternatively, the sensor retainer may include a fixing member for mounting a derailleur or other transmission to a bicycle frame and a sensor element mounted to the fixing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventor: Masahiko Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7001294
    Abstract: A method for shifting a bicycle transmission that includes a derailleur for shifting a chain among a plurality of sprockets. The transmission includes at least a first sprocket and a second sprocket, wherein at least one of the first sprocket and the second sprocket includes a shift facilitating structure to facilitate shifting the chain between the first sprocket and the second sprocket. The method comprises the steps of rotating a sensor element together with the plurality of sprockets, and activating the derailleur to shift the chain between the first sprocket and the second sprocket when the sensor element is located at a predetermined position relative to the derailleur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiko Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6997835
    Abstract: A rear derailleur for a bicycle includes a base member for attaching the rear derailleur to the bicycle, a movable member for supporting a chain guide, and a linkage mechanism coupling the base member to the movable member so that the movable member is capable of movement relative to the base member. An electrically operated actuating member is operatively coupled to the linkage mechanism, wherein moving the actuating member in a first direction causes the movable member to move laterally toward a rear wheel of the bicycle, and moving the actuating member in a second direction causes the movable member to move laterally away from the rear wheel of the bicycle. A power storing mechanism is disposed in a power transmission path between the actuating member and the movable member for storing relative forces applied between the actuating member and the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiko Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6988970
    Abstract: Rocker arm assembly for the rear derailleur of a bicycle, comprising an outer plate (12) carrying a pivot pin (32), an inner plate (10) and a pair of idle transmission wheels (14) arranged between the outer plate (12) and the inner plate (10). The inner plate is made of metallic material and the outer plate is made of a structural fiber fabric incorporated in a thermoplastic material matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Dal Pra'
  • Patent number: 6986723
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur having a derailleur fork. The inner plate of the fork according is made of light alloy, while the outer plate is made of fibre-reinforced synthetic resin. A rear bridge having interlocking portions connects the inner and outer plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Maurizio Valle
  • Patent number: 6962544
    Abstract: A front derailleur includes a fixed member, a chain guide and a linkage assembly. The fixed member has a mounting portion and a pair of mounting flanges axially spaced from each other. The linkage assembly is coupled between the chain guide and the fixed member to transversely move the chain guide. The linkage assembly includes first, second and third links. The first link is pivotally coupled to the fixed member for rotation about a first axis. The second link is pivotally coupled to the mounting flanges for rotation about a second axis. The third link is coupled to the chain guide and movably coupled to the first and second links to form a four-bar linkage together with the fixed member. The mounting flanges preferably have different axial widths. The second link preferably has a longitudinal dimension of least about 45.0 millimeters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Nanko
  • Patent number: 6949040
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a link mechanism, outer and inner plate members, a guide pulley and a tension pulley. At least one of the outer and inner plate members includes a bent portion integrally formed with the at least one of the outer and inner plate members to prevent a chain from disengaging from at least one of the tension pulley and the guide pulley. The bent portion is formed by bending an inner section of the at least one of outer and inner plate members in a direction towards the other of the at least one of the outer and inner plate members. The inner section is spaced inwardly from an external peripheral edge of the at least one of the outer and inner plate members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Ando
  • Patent number: 6945888
    Abstract: A derailleur position processing apparatus includes a derailleur moving member that moves with the derailleur; an analog signal providing mechanism operatively coupled to the derailleur moving member, wherein the analog signal providing mechanism provides an analog position signal in response to movement of the derailleur moving member; and a digital signal providing mechanism operatively coupled to the derailleur moving member, wherein the digital signal providing mechanism provides a digital position signal in response to movement of the derailleur moving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Masahiko Fukuda, Haruyuki Takebayashi
  • Patent number: 6923740
    Abstract: A front derailleur includes a fixed member, a chain guide and a linkage assembly. The fixed member has a mounting portion and a pair of mounting flanges axially spaced from each other. The linkage assembly is coupled between the chain guide and the fixed member to transversely move the chain guide. The linkage assembly includes first, second and third links. The first link is pivotally coupled to the fixed member for rotation about a first axis. The second link is pivotally coupled to the mounting flanges for rotation about a second axis. The third link is coupled to the chain guide and movably coupled to the first and second links to form a four-bar linkage together with the fixed member. The mounting flanges preferably have different axial widths. The second link preferably has a longitudinal dimension of least about 45.0 millimeters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Nanko
  • Patent number: 6837815
    Abstract: A rear derailleur for bicycle gear changes, comprising a top body or hanger bracket (12) and a bottom body or pulley-cage bracket (14) connected together by means of an articulated-parallelogram mechanism (16) which comprises a pair of links (26, 28) articulated to the hanger bracket (12) and to the pulley-cage bracket (14) by means of pins (30, 32) defining the axes of articulation of the articulated-parallelogram mechanism. Each of the aforesaid pins (30, 32) engages aligned holes (48, 50) of one of the brackets (12, 14) and one of the links (26, 28) and is constrained against sliding out in the direction of its own axis. The axial constraint of each pin (30, 32) is obtained by means of at least one washer (34) having snap-action engagement portions (40) which co-operate with an annular groove (36) of the pin (30, 32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Mario Meggiolan
  • Publication number: 20040254038
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur guard assembly for use with a bicycle having a derailleur mounted to a frame of the bicycle by a derailleur mounting bolt. The derailleur guard assembly preferably includes a body supportable by an axle assembly of the bicycle. The body is configured to extend from an axis of the axle assembly to a space adjacent the mounting bolt of the derailleur and defines an inner surface facing the frame when the guard assembly is mounted to the bicycle. A support is configured to support the derailleur when the guard assembly is mounted to the bicycle and, in at least one arrangement, the body is positioned outwardly of the derailleur mounting bolt within the space adjacent the mounting bolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Jason L. Chamberlain, Brandon Dale Sloan
  • Publication number: 20040185975
    Abstract: A chain-poking device for derailleurs is comprised of a poking member and a holder. The holder is closely clamped onto a bicycle's frame and the poking member has a stud and a protuberance. The stud is arranged penetrating a slot of the holder and locked with a nut. When the nut is loosened, the relative position of the poking member to the holder could be adjusted for further regulating the chain's position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventor: Po-Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 6793598
    Abstract: A rear dérailleur device is provided, in particular for a bicycle equipped with a front dérailleur and a chain connecting a set of pinions with a set of disks. The rear dérailleur device includes a rotatable base provided with a return spring forcing the base in the anti-clockwise direction, guiding/dérailleur means fixedly connected with the base, and a movable tension plate fixedly connected with the guiding/dérailleur means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Franck Savard
  • Publication number: 20040171446
    Abstract: A bicycle front derailleur has a fixed member, a movable member, linkage assembly and cable attachment assembly. The cable attachment assembly has a cable fixing bolt, cable fixing washer and a first resilient member. The first resilient member is arranged to retain the cable fixing washer on the shaft portion of the cable fixing bolt is located. The fixed member includes a derailleur fixing bolt, a derailleur fixing washer, and a second resilient member. The second resilient member is arranged to retain the derailleur fixing washer on the shaft portion of the derailleur fixing bolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Nanko
  • Publication number: 20040166973
    Abstract: A front derailleur includes a fixed member, a chain guide and a linkage assembly. The fixed member has a mounting portion and a pair of mounting flanges axially spaced from each other. The linkage assembly is coupled between the chain guide and the fixed member to transversely move the chain guide. The linkage assembly includes first, second and third links. The first link is pivotally coupled to the fixed member for rotation about a first axis. The second link is pivotally coupled to the mounting flanges for rotation about a second axis. The third link is coupled to the chain guide and movably coupled to the first and second links to form a four-bar linkage together with the fixed member. The mounting flanges preferably have different axial widths. The second link preferably has a longitudinal dimension of least about 45.0 millimeters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Nanko
  • Publication number: 20040138017
    Abstract: A rotation direction detection apparatus is configured to detect the direction of rotation of a pulley that is rotatably mounted to a chain guide, and includes a rotation sensor, a detection element and a shielding mechanism. The rotation sensor is fixed to the chain guide. The detection element is mounted to the pulley such that it can be detected by the rotation sensor. The shielding mechanism has a shielding arm that is mounted to move between a shielding position where the rotation sensor cannot detect the detection element and a detection position where the rotation sensor can detect the detection element. The shielding mechanism has a linking member that moves the shielding arm in tandem with the rotation of the pulley in first or second rotational directions. The shielding mechanism has a positioning protrusion that positions the shielding arm at either the shielding position or the detection position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Satoshi Kitamura
  • Publication number: 20040127315
    Abstract: An adjusting mechanism is provided for a bicycle derailleur, which can adjust a position of a chain guide in an axial direction. The derailleur basically has a base member, a movable member with the chain guide and a linkage assembly. The adjustment mechanism is preferably operatively coupled between the movable member and the chain guide, or between the base member and the frame. The adjusting mechanism includes a first tubular portion, a second tubular portion, a biasing member and an adjustment member. The second tubular portion is arranged around the first tubular portion to move axially relative to the first tubular portion via the adjustment member. The biasing member is arranged to apply an urging force on the tubular portions. One of the tubular portions has a rigid non-compressible support projection arranged to selectively contact the other tubular portion when the tubular portions move relative to each.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiko Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20040116221
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur comprises a first base member structured to be detachably mounted to a bicycle frame, wherein the first base member has a first abutment; a second base member structured to be mounted to the first base member, wherein the second base member has a second abutment that faces the first abutment of the first base member and the first and second base members define a housing space between them; a drive mechanism at least partially disposed in the housing space; a link mechanism that moves in response to movement of the drive mechanism; a chain guide coupled to the link mechanism for moving a chain among a plurality of sprockets; and a misalignment inhibiting structure disposed between the first base member and the second base member to inhibit misalignment of the drive mechanism as a result of an external force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventor: Masahiko Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20040116222
    Abstract: A derailleur comprises a base member including an engagement member for nonrotatably engaging the bicycle frame; a threaded member coupled to the base member for engaging a threaded shaft; a chain guide; and a coupling mechanism coupled between the base member and the chain guide so that the chain guide moves relative to the base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Nobukatsu Hara
  • Publication number: 20040110588
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur comprises a base member structured to be mounted to a bicycle frame; a link mechanism having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the link mechanism is coupled to the base member, and wherein the second portion of the link mechanism is disposed above the first portion of the link mechanism; and a chain guide coupled to the second portion of the link mechanism so that the chain guide moves relative to the base member to move a chain among a plurality of sprockets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventor: Satoshi Shahana
  • Publication number: 20040110587
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur comprises a mounting member adapted to be mounted to a bicycle frame, a base member pivotably mounted relative to the mounting member, a biasing mechanism that biases the base member clockwise relative to the mounting member when viewed laterally outwardly from the base member, a chain guide and a coupling mechanism coupled between the base member and the chain guide so that the chain guide moves relative to the base member. A rotation restricting mechanism is disposed in a force communicating path between the mounting member and the base member to restrict counterclockwise rotation of the base member relative to the mounting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Masayuki Arakawa, Nobukatsu Hara
  • Publication number: 20040106482
    Abstract: It is the problem to provide a rear derailleur having structure in which even when the chain has been looped over a chain wheel of major diameter, the tension sprocket wheel does not come so closer to the ground to thereby reduce accidents of a violent fall or trouble. Further, it is the problem to facilitate detachment and attachment of the wheel, and to provide a rear derailleur having a wide application range to wheel size. To solve these problems, the guide arm and the tension arm are capable of rocking around the guide arm rocking axis and the tension arm rocking axis which are different from each other, and these arms are rocked independently of each other, and the distance between the guide sprocket wheel and the tension sprocket wheel varies with the speed variation state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventor: Masashi Nagano
  • Publication number: 20040102269
    Abstract: A derailleur position processing apparatus includes a derailleur moving member that moves with the derailleur; an analog signal providing mechanism operatively coupled to the derailleur moving member, wherein the analog signal providing mechanism provides an analog position signal in response to movement of the derailleur moving member; and a digital signal providing mechanism operatively coupled to the derailleur moving member, wherein the digital signal providing mechanism provides a digital position signal in response to movement of the derailleur moving member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Masahiko Fukuda, Haruyuki Takebayashi
  • Publication number: 20040102270
    Abstract: A rear derailleur for a bicycle includes a base member for attaching the rear derailleur to the bicycle, a movable member for supporting a chain guide, and a linkage mechanism coupling the base member to the movable member so that the movable member is capable of movement relative to the base member. An electrically operated actuating member is operatively coupled to the linkage mechanism, wherein moving the actuating member in a first direction causes the movable member to move laterally toward a rear wheel of the bicycle, and moving the actuating member in a second direction causes the movable member to move laterally away from the rear wheel of the bicycle. A power storing mechanism is disposed in a power transmission path between the actuating member and the movable member for storing relative forces applied between the actuating member and the movable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiko Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20040087397
    Abstract: A process for controlling the transmission of a cycle having one or more gear sprockets is provided. The gear sprockets include one or more angular positions in which shifting of the gears is facilitated. A sensor is provided to detect the one or more angular positions of the gear sprocket in which gear shifting is facilitated. The sensor is selectively activated according to a command request to initiate a shift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Campagnolo Srl
    Inventors: Valentino Campagnolo, Gianfranco Guderzo
  • Publication number: 20040063528
    Abstract: A motorized bicycle gear shift device comprising a derailleur and an electric motor, associated directly with the derailleur, for controlling the derailleur and an electric transducer of absolute type, also associated with the derailleur for producing an electric signal indicative of the absolute position of the movable body of the derailleur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Valentino Campagnolo
  • Patent number: 6695729
    Abstract: A chain shifting assembly for bicycles includes a fixed member fixed to the bicycle frame and an operation member is pivotally connected to the fixed member. The operation member includes first, second and third arms wherein one end of a shifting member is connected to the first arm and a derailleur cable is fixed to the second arm or the third arm. The arms radially extend outwardly from the junction pivotally connecting the operation member and the fixed member. A shift frame is connected to the other end of the shifting member. An angle limitation member is pivotally connected to the fixed member and the shifting member respectively. A spring is connected between the fixed member and the angle limitation member. The operation member is rotated about a center thereof and the track of the shift frame is a parabola so as to smoothly shift the chain among the sprockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Nobuo Ozaki
  • Patent number: 6692389
    Abstract: An automatic derailleur device comprises an arm, a sprocket roller meshed with one of a set of different-sized sprocket wheels on, a control member, a tension wheel meshed with a sprocket chain and secured to the arm, a cylinder including a shaft secured to the arm, an intermediate collar on the shaft, an elastic member on the shaft and biased between the collar and the cylinder, and a hollow cylindrical block with the shaft passed through, and a pump in the cylinder and including a piston rod rotatably coupled to the sprocket roller, a plurality of blades extended from the piston rod, and a cylindrical passage formed between the cylinder and the block. The sprocket chain is shiftable from a meshing with a largest sprocket wheel to a smallest sprocket wheel automatically as the bicycle is accelerating from a stop or low speed to a high speed and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Hwa-Yung Yin
  • Patent number: 6685586
    Abstract: Rocker arm assembly for the rear derailleur of a bicycle, comprising an outer plate (12) carrying a pivot pin (32), an inner plate (10) and a pair of idle transmission wheels (14) arranged between the outer plate (12) and the inner plate (10). The inner plate is made of metallic material and the outer plate is made of a structural fibre fabric incorporated in a thermoplastic material matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Dal Pra′
  • Publication number: 20040014541
    Abstract: A bicycle gear-shift actuator (10, 100) having an articulated quadrilateral support (11) with four connecting rods (21, 22, 23, 24) hinged together by four pin elements (41, 42, 43, 44), and a motor member (12), having a variable length output shaft that travels along a drive axis (13) between two opposite pin elements (41, 42) to move them for deforming the articulated quadrilateral (11). Preferably, the drive axis (13) perfectly intersects the pin axis (32) of at least one (42) of the two pin elements (41, 42).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: Campagnolo Srl
    Inventor: Guiseppe Dal Pra
  • Patent number: 6676549
    Abstract: A sensor retainer for a bicycle sprocket assembly includes an annular member for mounting and rotating coaxially with the bicycle sprocket assembly and a sensor element fixed to the annular member. Alternatively, the sensor retainer may include a fixing member for mounting a derailleur or other transmission to a bicycle frame and a sensor element mounted to the fixing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiko Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20040005951
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bicycle front derailleur mountable to a seat tube of a bicycle frame for fitting a chain around a selected sprocket of a multiple chainwheel by pushing the chain laterally at a portion thereof advancing into engagement with the chainwheel, the front derailleur comprising: a fixed section fixed to a bicycle frame, a chain guide for contacting a chain to shift the chain, and an actuating arm and a linkage rod disposed between and pivotally connected to the fixed section and the chain guide. In the above construction, the present invention has achieved the intended object of providing an improved bicycle front derailleur capable of reliably effecting a change speed operation with the aid of a sufficient restoring force of the return spring and achieving minimized in operation forces required for various change speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: SunRace Sturmey-Archer Inc.
    Inventors: Ming-Chih Tsai, Yan-Long Sheng
  • Publication number: 20030236142
    Abstract: A protective device adapted to be attached to a bicycle for protecting a rear derailleur includes a mounting member structured for attachment to the bicycle in close proximity to the rear derailleur. A shock absorbing member extends from the mounting member and is dimensioned so as to be positioned between the bicycle frame and the rear derailleur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC., a JAPANESE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomohisa Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20030228947
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur having a derailleur fork. The inner plate of the fork according is made of light alloy, while the outer plate is made of fibre-reinforced synthetic resin. A rear bridge having interlocking portions connects the inner and outer plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: CAMPAGNOLO, Srl
    Inventor: Maurizio Valle
  • Publication number: 20030220163
    Abstract: An automatic derailleur device comprises an arm, a sprocket roller meshed with one of a set of different-sized sprocket wheels on, a control member, a tension wheel meshed with a sprocket chain and secured to the arm, a cylinder including a shaft secured to the arm, an intermediate collar on the shaft, an elastic member on the shaft and biased between the collar and the cylinder, and a hollow cylindrical block with the shaft passed through, and a pump in the cylinder and including a piston rod rotatably coupled to the sprocket roller, a plurality of blades extended from the piston rod, and a cylindrical passage formed between the cylinder and the block. The sprocket chain is shiftable from a meshing with a largest sprocket wheel to a smallest sprocket wheel automatically as the bicycle is accelerating from a stop or low speed to a high speed and vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: Hwa-Yung Yin
  • Publication number: 20030207732
    Abstract: An apparatus for moving an electrically controlled bicycle derailleur from a first sprocket to a second sprocket comprises a derailleur position input for receiving a signal indicating a position of the derailleur; a memory storing a first reference derailleur position for the second sprocket; and a motion control circuit that provides a plurality of signals to move the derailleur from the first sprocket to the second sprocket. The plurality of signals comprises a first signal generated when the derailleur initially moves away from the first sprocket and a second signal generated when the derailleur is in close proximity to the second sprocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiko Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6641495
    Abstract: Fork (4) of a bicycle front derailleur comprising an outer plate (6) and an inner plate (5), which are two separate elements made of different materials, the inner plate (5) being stiffer and made of a harder material and the outer plate (6) being made of a lighter material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Campagnolo Srl
    Inventor: Maurizio Valle
  • Patent number: 6638190
    Abstract: A derailleur utilizes a 4-bar linkage, including a housing which acts as one bar of the 4-bar linkage. A hydraulic assembly located within the housing moves the housing relative to the mounting shaft in response to hydraulic pressure to define a chain guide operating path. The derailleur device may include a detent mechanism formed on one of the three other bars. In one embodiment, the 4-bar linkage includes an input shaft rotatably attached to the housing at a one end, and an output shaft rotatably attached to the housing at the other end, and the housing rotates around the first shaft in response to the actuation force. The hydraulic assembly may include a piston which moves within a cylindrical bore, with one of the three other bars of the 4-bar linkage being attached to the piston. The resulting hydraulic derailleur design is comparable to mechanical (cable-pull type) derailleurs in size and weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventors: Richard A. Patterson, Roy M. Patterson
  • Patent number: 6634253
    Abstract: A device and method of mechanically synchronizing the displacement requirements of a bicycle derailleur with the displacement created by an indexing gear shifter lever. The device includes a linkage element that is mounted to a bicycle between a gear shifter lever and a derailleur. The linkage element is mounted to the bicycle with a pivot hinge, wherein the linkage element is free to rotate about the pivot hinge. A cable from the gear shifter lever is attached to the linkage element at a first distance from the pivot hinge. A cable from the derailleur is attached to the linkage element at a second different distance from the pivot hinge. As the cable from the gear shifter is moved, the linkage element is rotated and that movement is transferred to the cable for the derailleur in a compensated manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: David M Gioia