Transmission Controlled By Flexible Cable Patents (Class 74/473.14)
  • Patent number: 7322457
    Abstract: A shifting device (1) for the mechanical coupling-free transmission of shift commands to an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle (shift-by-wire shifting), with at least one housing and/or one frame and one selector lever for the manual selection of shift commands for the vehicle transmission in at least one shift gate. The selector lever can be moved manually into at least four positions (P, R, N, D), pivotable about at least one shift axis. A transmission device(s) transmits the shift commands without mechanical coupling with the vehicle transmission (shift by wire). A mechanical coupling (16) is provided between the selector lever (2) and the transmission of the vehicle. This mechanical coupling (16) activates the parking brake exclusively and automatically when the selector lever (2) is engaged in the P position and is automatically uncoupled from the selector lever when the selector lever (2) is pivoted out beyond the adjacent position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder MetallWaren AG
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Jörg Meyer
  • Patent number: 7150205
    Abstract: A bicycle shift control device comprises a base member; an operating member structured to be mounted around a handlebar so as to rotate in first and second directions around the handlebar; a transmission control member coupled to the operating member and rotatably mounted relative to the base member for pulling and releasing a transmission control element; a first position setting member; a second position setting member structured to rotate with the operating member and to move axially, wherein the second position setting member moves between an engagement position in which the second position setting member engages the first position setting member and a disengagement position in which the second position setting member is disengaged from the first position setting member; a first coupling member that moves in response to rotation of the operating member; a second coupling member coupled to the second position setting member for engaging the first coupling member so that rotation of the operating member cau
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Takeshi Takachi
  • Patent number: 7124873
    Abstract: A bicycle control device is configured with an operating member, a hydraulic braking unit and a shifting unit. The operating member is configured in the preferred embodiment to operate both the hydraulic braking unit and the shifting unit. The shifting unit is movably disposed around a center cylinder axis of a hydraulic brake cylinder to provide a compact structure. Also the operating member is configured to perform braking and speed change operations such that the braking operation is carried out without movement of the parts of the shifting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Tsumiyama
  • Patent number: 7090602
    Abstract: A power saving apparatus is provided for an assisting apparatus that uses power from a rotating member to assist the operation of a bicycle transmission. The power saving apparatus comprises a rotating member engaging member that moves between a rotating member engaging position and a rotating member disengaging position, a setting mechanism that sets the rotating member engaging member toward the rotating member engaging position, and a power saving unit. The power saving unit saves power communicated between the setting mechanism and the rotating member engaging member when the setting mechanism attempts to move the rotating member engaging member into the rotating member engaging position and the rotating member engaging member encounters a force that resists the rotating member engaging member being in the rotating member engaging position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshio Tetsuka, Tetsuya Hino
  • Patent number: 6988973
    Abstract: A multi-speed gear hub that includes a hub shaft, a hub sleeve mounted about the hub shaft and at least one planetary gear mechanism for providing a plurality of transmission paths. A bearing is mounted about the hub shaft such that an annular gap is created between the bearing and the hub shaft. A transmission sleeve is disposed in an annular gap for introducing a rotational shift movement into the interior of the gear hub. The configuration of the transmission element does not limit the rotation of the transmission and thus the shifting travel or the shifting angle for each gear ratio is not limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Steuer
  • Patent number: 6877393
    Abstract: A bicycle shift control device comprises a base member; an operating member structured to be mounted around a handlebar so as to rotate in first and second directions around the handlebar; a transmission control member coupled to the operating member and rotatably mounted relative to the base member for pulling and releasing a transmission control element; a first position setting member; a second position setting member structured to rotate with the operating member and to move axially, wherein the second position setting member moves between an engagement position in which the second position setting member engages the first position setting member and a disengagement position in which the second position setting member is disengaged from the first position setting member; a first coupling member that moves in response to rotation of the operating member; a second coupling member coupled to the second position setting member for engaging the first coupling member so that rotation of the operating member cau
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Takeshi Takachi
  • Patent number: 6843741
    Abstract: A bell crank for a bicycle hub transmission includes a wire connecting bell crank member for connecting to a control wire, an actuator moving bell crank member for moving an actuating member, and an adjusting mechanism for adjusting a position of the wire connecting bell crank member relative to the actuator moving bell crank member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Publication number: 20040177713
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur comprises a base member, a link mechanism coupled to the base member, and a chain guide coupled to the link mechanism so that the chain guide moves relative to the base member to move a chain among a plurality of sprockets. The base member comprises a first portion structured to mount to a bicycle frame and a second portion structured to mount to the link mechanism, wherein the first portion and the second portion are structured to move relative to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventor: Satoshi Shahana
  • Patent number: 6729203
    Abstract: A shifting device including first and second shift control members, a takeup element, a holding member, and a release member. The takeup element configured for winding and unwinding a tensioned control cable. The first control member is rotatable about a handlebar and configured to rotate the takeup to at least pull or wind the control cable onto the takeup. The second control member is a return-to-neutral member for rotating the takeup to release the. The holding member is rotatable with the takeup and retains the takeup in select angular positions. The release member is operable for disengaging the holding member in response to the actuation or return stroke of the second control member for allowing the takeup to unwind the cable a sufficient amount to enable a single gear shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: SRAM Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin F. Wesling, Christopher A. Shipman, John D. Cheever, James P. Orrico, Danny R. Smith, Jr., Georg K. Blaschke
  • Patent number: 6718844
    Abstract: A bicycle shift control device comprises a base member for attachment to the bicycle, a operating member rotatably supported relative to the base member for rotating in first and second directions, a transmission control member rotatably mounted relative to the base member for controlling the pulling and releasing of a transmission control element, a bracket for supporting a transmission control element diverting surface, and an intermediate member coupled for rotation with the transmission control member. The intermediate member rotates around a first axis, and the intermediate member can move in the direction of the first axis between an engagement position, in which the intermediate member engages the bracket, and a disengagement position, in which the intermediate member is disengaged from the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiro Hanatani
  • Patent number: 6631655
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shifter for actuating at least one gear mechanism of a bicycle including a housing, a gripping element for actuating the shifter, and a movable element for exerting tension on and/or for releasing a gear transfer means. The movable element has a pawl which engages in a set of latching teeth in the housing. The gripping element has a lifter which disengages the pawl from the latching teeth during a shifting operation in the release direction. A driver on the gripping part preloads a spring on the movable element during a shifting operation in the release direction which urges the movable element in the release direction. The advantage of a shifter for bicycle gear mechanisms according to the present invention is to be found in that, by simple means, it becomes possible to shift gears, especially in the release direction, quickly and independently of the preload being exerted on the movable element by the gear mechanism via the transfer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Blaschke, Marcus Auer
  • Patent number: 6612197
    Abstract: An axle shift device for transmitting control movements from a remote control to a multi-speed hub in a cycle includes a housing and a pivoted lever arranged in the housing. The axle shift device is arranged on a hub axle of the multi-speed hub. This pivoted lever is in form-locking effective connection with a force transmission element which has a head and is preferably actuated in tension against a return spring. A slide arranged in the housing can move the pivoted lever out of form-locking engagement with the head of the force transmission element, thereby allowing the axle shift device to be removed from the hub axle in a simple manner without the aid of tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Steuer, Georg Blaschke
  • Patent number: 6607457
    Abstract: An assisting apparatus for using power from a rotating member to assist the operation of a bicycle transmission includes a mounting unit and an input transmission member coupled to the mounting unit, wherein the input transmission member moves to at least a first input position, a second input position and a third input position. An output transmission member is coupled to the mounting unit, wherein the output transmission member moves to at least a first output position, a second output position, and a third output position corresponding to the first input position, the second input position and the third input position of the input transmission member, respectively. A rotating member engaging member moves between a rotating member engaging position and a rotating member disengaging position, and a motion transmitting mechanism is provided for transmitting motion from the rotating member engaging member to the output transmission member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Kawakami
  • Patent number: 6568294
    Abstract: A shifter includes a base and a shift lever pivoted to the base for movement along a single planar shift path. The single planar shift path includes a first portion having P, R, N, and D (i.e. an automatic-shift mode) and a second portion with 4, 3, 2, and 1 (i.e. a manual shift mode). A switch on the shift lever operates a solenoid for changing between an automatic shift mode where the first portion is operable, and a manual shift mode where the second portion is operable. A shift lever position indicator indicates a position of the shift lever in all its positions. The shift lever position indicator includes first and second polarized screens and a first and second polarized light sources arranged to selectively illuminate the first and second indicia when the shift lever is in the automatic or manual shift mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Grand Haven Stamped Products, division of JSJ Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher J. Jezewski
  • Publication number: 20020139637
    Abstract: A bicycle control device is disclosed having a control lever that is operable in a first direction to operate the brake control mechanism, a second direction to operate the shift control mechanism in the pulling direction and a third direction to operate the shift control mechanism in the release direction. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, when viewed from the perspective of a rider on the bicycle, the first direction is the direction of movement of the lever toward the handlebar. The second direction is the direction of movement of the control lever downward and the third direction is the direction of movement of the control lever upward. In a more preferred embodiment, the second and third directions are perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Akira Tsumiyama, Nobukatsu Hara
  • Patent number: 6453766
    Abstract: A force transfer unit is provided for engaging a control cable connected to a hand operated shift control unit. The force transfer unit includes a handlebar attachment member and a cable diverting member for changing a direction of the control cable, wherein the force transfer unit is separate from the shift control unit. A gear indicator may be formed with the force transfer unit or instead of the force transfer unit so that the gear indicator may be located remotely from the shift control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Ose
  • Patent number: 6450059
    Abstract: A bicycle shift control device includes a takeup element for pulling and releasing a shift control element, a first finger contact member, a second finger contact member, and an interconnecting member that rotates around a rotational axis. The interconnecting member interconnects the first finger contact member and the second finger contacting member so that the first finger contact member and the second finger contact member move in a same direction relative to the rotational axis. The first finger contact member has a first finger contact surface disposed on a first side of a plane, wherein the first finger contact member moves toward the plane when the takeup element moves in a pulling direction. Conversely, the first finger contact member moves away from the plane when the takeup element moves in a releasing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Ose
  • Publication number: 20020104399
    Abstract: A shift control is provided that pulls a cable when the handle is moved rearward. The shift control can be used as an integrated shift control for shifting the gears of an automatic transmission and actuating a park locking system. In the preferred embodiment the shift control pulls the cable in tension when a park pawl locking system is disengaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Erik C. Wilson, Trevor W. Harrison
  • Patent number: 6415829
    Abstract: In a wood planing machine having rotatable screw rods and a cutter carriage with threaded members that engage the screw rods, a gear mounting seat is slidable along a drive shaft that is parallel to and that is rotatable with the screw rods. Upper and lower driven gears are mounted on the gear mounting seat and are capable of selective engagement with a drive gear on a drive axle of a motor-driven rotary cutter on the cutter carriage. The arrangement as such permits motor-driven height adjustment of the cutter carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Inventor: Pei-Lieh Chiang
  • Patent number: 6244415
    Abstract: A bicycle transmission shifting device includes a motor, a takeup member for pulling and releasing a transmission control element, and a one-way clutch shift control device disposed between the motor and the takeup member for maintaining the takeup member in a plurality of positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 6199446
    Abstract: An indicator is provided for engaging a first control cable connected to a first bicycle shift control device and for engaging a second control cable connected to a second bicycle shift control device. The indicator includes a housing; a handlebar attachment member for attaching the housing to a handlebar; a first intermediate member; a first coupling member coupled to the first intermediate member for coupling the first intermediate member for movement with the first control cable; and a separate first indicating member viewable from outside the housing, wherein the first indicating member engages the first intermediate member so that movement of the first intermediate member causes movement of the first indicating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Ose