Flexible Control Element Patents (Class 74/489)
  • Patent number: 7762157
    Abstract: A shift operating device for a bicycle comprises a mounting member structured to be mounted to the bicycle, a cable coupling member coupled to the mounting member for moving a cable in a cable pulling direction and a cable releasing direction, a positioning unit that selectively maintains the cable coupling member in a plurality of operating positions, and an input member that moves in a first direction and in a second direction different from the first direction, and an action member rotatably coupled to the mounting member and separate from the input member. The action member rotates to transmit movement of the first operating member to the positioning unit such that the cable coupling member moves from an origin operating position toward a destination operating position when the first operating member moves in either of both the first direction and the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Kawakami
  • Publication number: 20100139442
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device is provided with a first operating unit, a second operating unit and a connecting member. The first operating unit includes a clamp portion for attaching the bicycle operating device to a bicycle and a first operating member. The second operating unit includes a housing and a second operating member. The connecting member includes a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, with the first attachment portion being detachably attached to an outwardly facing surface of the clamp portion of the first operating unit by an adjustable connection for changing a relative position of the connecting member with respect to the clamp portion. The second attachment portion is detachably attached to the second operating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Akira TSUMIYAMA
  • Patent number: 7721621
    Abstract: A bicycle shift control mechanism that has an operating member, a wire take up member, a positioning ratchet and a position maintaining pawl. The operating member is movable between a rest position, a shift wind position and a shift releasing position. The positioning ratchet includes a plurality of winding teeth, a plurality of positioning teeth and a plurality of movement restricting teeth. The positioning teeth and the movement restricting teeth are non-concentrically arranged to form stair shaped arrangements. The position maintaining pawl selectively holds and releases the positioning ratchet upon movement of the operating member from the rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Kawakami
  • Publication number: 20100083786
    Abstract: A bicycle component body assembly comprises a body member, a first interchangeable sub-part, a second interchangeable sub-part, and a sub-part retaining structure. The body member includes a sub-part mounting area. The first interchangeable sub-part is interchangeably coupled to the sub-part mounting area of the body member to form a first body configuration. The second interchangeable sub-part is interchangeably coupled to the sub-part mounting area of the body member to form a second body configuration that is different from the first body configuration. The sub-part retaining structure alternately retains, one at a time, the first and second interchangeable sub-parts to the sub-part mounting area of the body member to selectively attain the first body configuration when the first interchangeable sub-part is coupled to the sub-part mounting area of the body member and attain the second body configuration when the second interchangeable sub-part is coupled to the sub-part mounting area of the body member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu MIKI, Takefumi TERADA
  • Patent number: 7681472
    Abstract: A shifter for a bicycle transmission that includes a spring element that functions as a preloaded spring for cable-release operations and a detent pawl. The shifter also includes a housing having a detent contour, a cable spool for winding and unwinding a control cable thereon, and an actuator. The actuator includes a release element, a spring seat and a driver. The spring element includes a detent pawl, a base and a spool driver. The detent pawl is engageable with the detent contour to maintain the shifter in a current detent position. The base is supported by the spring seat and the spool driver is operatively engages and rotates the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Martin Weiss
  • Patent number: 7665384
    Abstract: A bicycle control device is basically provided with a base member, a shift control unit, a control member and a first shift operating lever. The shift control unit is mounted to the base member. The control member includes a first portion operatively coupled to the shift control unit and a second portion spaced from the first portion. The first shift operating lever is movably coupled relative to the base member to move along a first shift operating path and movably coupled relative to the base member to move along a non-shift operating path that is non-coincident with the first shift operating path. The first shift operating lever is slidably engaged with the second portion of the control member such that the second portion of the control member is moved when the first shift operating lever is moved along the non-shift operating path with sliding contact therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Hisayuki Sato, Daisuke Nago, Yoshimitsu Miki
  • Patent number: 7665382
    Abstract: A bicycle shift control device is provided with a shift winding member, a winding pawl, a winding member return element, a gear shifting mechanism and a winding pawl biasing element. The winding member is movably arranged between a rest position and a shifting position. The winding pawl moves in response to movement of the winding member. The winding member return element biases the winding member to the rest position and to bias the winding pawl to a pawl engagement position when the winding member is moved from the rest position towards the shifting position. The gear shifting mechanism includes winding teeth that are engaged with the winding pawl. The winding pawl biasing element applies a biasing force to the winding pawl that urges the winding pawl to the pawl engagement position when the winding member is in the rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Kawakami
  • Patent number: 7654171
    Abstract: A brake handle having a supporting frame, a handle and a push unit; wherein: the supporting frame has a receiving space; a piston is installed in the receiving space; the handle has a first sliding groove; the push unit has a second sliding groove; the second sliding groove is installed with an adjusting unit; the handle and push unit are pivoted to the supporting frame; the handle and push unit are pivoted to the supporting frame; the push unit resists against the piston; the adjusting unit passes through the first sliding groove and second sliding groove so as to pivotally install the handle and the push unit; and a screw rod is screwed to the adjusting unit. The screwing operation of the screw rod with respect to the adjusting unit will adjust an elevation of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventor: Chester Wen
  • Patent number: 7650960
    Abstract: A speed limit assembly for a vehicle includes a cam member having varying thickness, a frictional member, and a handle. The frictional member maintains sufficient frictional forces to resist movement of the cam member during ordinary operation of the vehicle. The handle may be manipulated by an operator of the vehicle to overcome the friction created by the frictional member and move the cam member into a desired position. A portion of a speed control handle on the vehicle abuts against the cam member to define an end of the range of motion of the speed control handle. A desired permitted range of motion may be set by moving the a portion of the cam member having a corresponding thickness into the path of the portion of the speed control handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventor: Timothy J. Bock
  • Publication number: 20100000368
    Abstract: An aerobar assembly for a bicycle that generally includes an aerobar, an adaptor and a control cable guide. The aerobar includes proximal and distal portions and proximal and distal ends. The aerobar has a generally hollow interior. The adaptor mounts an actuator assembly to the aerobar. The adaptor includes an interiorly-disposed portion and an exteriorly-disposed portion. The interiorly-disposed portion is disposed in the hollow interior of the aerobar and is bonded to the distal portion of the aerobar. The exteriorly-disposed portion is configured to receive the actuator assembly. The control cable guide is configured to slidably receive a control cable therethrough. The control cable guide is coupled to the adaptor such that the control cable enters the distal end, extends through the interior of the aerobar, and exits the proximal end of the aerobar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: Compositech, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Poertner, Lance Johnson, Andrew Ording, David Ripley
  • Publication number: 20090320636
    Abstract: A bicycle component operating device is basically provided with a base member, an operating member and an insert element. The base member includes a body member having a recess with an inner wire opening. The operating member is movably coupled with respect to the base member to operatively pull and release an inner wire. The insert element has a first channel portion and a second channel portion disposed in the recess of the body member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu MIKI, Kazutaka FUKAO
  • Publication number: 20090314117
    Abstract: A bicycle component positioning device is provided with a support member, a positioning element, a position maintaining member, a winding element, a release member and a spring member. The winding element is movably between a winding position and a disengaging position. The release member is movably between a neutral position and a position releasing position. The spring member is arranged with respect to the support member to move the winding element from the winding position to the disengaging position in response to movement of the release member from the neutral position to the position releasing position and to return the release member to the neutral position after movement of the release member from the neutral position to the position releasing position. The spring member applies a biasing force to the release member without the biasing force being transmitted through the position maintaining member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Tatsuya KAWAKAMI
  • Publication number: 20090301252
    Abstract: A bicycle brake lever has a body, a lever and an adjusting device. The body has a mounting bracket and a pivot segment. The pivot segment has two pivot panels and multiple detents. The lever is connected to the body and has a pivot end and a lever arm. The pivot end is mounted pivotally on the pivot segment using a pivot pin and has a protruding rib. The adjusting device is connected to the body, engages the lever and has a switch, a positioning element and an engaging block. The switch is mounted on the pivot segment. The positioning element is mounted in the switch and engages the detents of the pivot panels. The engaging block is connected to and moved by the switch and engages the rib of the lever to allow adjustment of the lever relative to a handlebar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventor: Chia-Wei Hsu
  • Patent number: 7628095
    Abstract: A bicycle shifting mechanism is provided with a wire takeup member and a positioning mechanism. The wire takeup member rotates about a rotational axis to wind and release an inner wire of a shift cable. The positioning mechanism selectively maintains the takeup member in one of a plurality of predetermined shift positions. The positioning mechanism has a first movable positioning member, a second movable positioning member separately movable relative to the first positioning member, a first toothed segment that moves with the takeup member, a second toothed segment that moves with the takeup member. The first and second movable positioning members alternately engage and disengage one of the first and second toothed segments, respectively, as the first and second movable positioning members are moved to perform a shifting operation between sequential shift positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Shingo Funai
  • Patent number: 7581464
    Abstract: An improved vehicle throttle control mechanism in which a member captures the movement of an operators thumb beneath the underside of the said vehicle's handlebar. The operator is able to actuate the throttle without removing his thumb or the palm of his hand from contact with the handle bar. Other elements of the control system reduce operator fatigue and improve vehicle control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Inventor: David Munz
  • Publication number: 20090183587
    Abstract: A machine for easily and quickly selecting between a thumb throttle and a twist throttle on a vehicle using a selector switch handle lock out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventor: John Weslie Amce
  • Patent number: 7540216
    Abstract: An electrical control device for a motor-driven derailleur for bicycles. The control device has a supporting body adapted for attachment to the handlebars of the bicycle. A brake lever is mounted on the supporting body so that it can oscillate. A pair of switches, for controlling gear change, are carried by the supporting body. The switches are preferably mounted on a supporting plate that is located on the supporting body. Preferably, the switches are pre-assembled on the support plate before the plate is positioned on the supporting body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Valentino Campagnolo
  • Publication number: 20090114051
    Abstract: A bicycle control device is basically provided with a base member, a control unit, an attachment member, a first operating lever and a second operating lever. The base member includes a handlebar mounting structure. The control unit is mounted to the base member. The attachment member is movably coupled to the base member. The first operating lever is operatively coupled to the control unit. The first operating lever is coupled to the attachment member to move with the attachment member when the attachment member is moved relative to the base member. The first operating lever is pivotally coupled to the attachment member to pivot relative to the attachment member about a first pivot axis to operate the control unit. The second operating lever is operatively coupled to the control unit and pivotally coupled to the attachment member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Yoshimitsu MIKI
  • Patent number: 7527137
    Abstract: A combination shift and brake lever arrangement for a bicycle, includes a single lever for performing a braking operation and a shifting operation in both directions. A braking arrangement mounts the single lever for movement in a first front to back pivoting direction to perform a braking operation, while a shifting arrangement mounts the single lever for movement in a second side to side pivoting direction different from the first pivoting direction. A shift control mechanism controls shifting of gears of the bicycle in a first shifting direction upon movement of the single lever in the second pivoting direction, while a reverse control changes over the shift control mechanism to control shifting of the gears of the bicycle in a second opposite shifting direction upon movement of the single lever in the same second pivoting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Inventor: John L. Calendrille, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090090209
    Abstract: A cable operating mechanism basically has a fixed member, a wire take-up member, an operating lever and a movement transmission arrangement. The wire takeup member is rotatably mounted with respect to the fixed member in first and second rotational directions with the second rotational direction being opposite the first rotational direction. The operating lever is pivotally mounted in the first rotational direction with respect to the fixed member. The movement transmission arrangement is operatively coupling the operating lever to the wire takeup member to transmit pivotal movement of the operating lever to rotational movement the wire takeup member such that the wire takeup member has a greater amount of angular displacement than an angular displacement of the operating lever in response to pivotal movement of the operating lever in the first rotational direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Nobukatsu HARA, Katsuyuki IKEBATA, Takeshi TAKACHI
  • Publication number: 20090064813
    Abstract: A bicycle component actuating device is provided with a base member, a first user operating member and a locking member. The base member includes a tube mounting structure having a tube receiving bore with a center mounting axis. The first user operating member is rotatably mounted relative to the base member for rotation between a first operating position and a second operating position about a rotational axis that is parallel to and offset from the center mounting axis of the tube mounting structure. The locking member is movably mounted relative to the base member for selective movement between a locking position to lock the first user operating member in the second operating position and a releasing position to release the first operating member from the second operating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Nobukatsu HARA, Tatsuya KAWAKAMI
  • Patent number: 7481131
    Abstract: A control cable adjustment device for adjusting a control cable extending between a control mechanism and an operating mechanism. The adjustment device includes an adjuster rotatably connected to a housing of the control mechanism and a spring element having at least one retention segment. The retention segment engages a detent contour of the adjuster to retain the adjuster in its current position. Another segment of the spring element may have a second function as a return spring for a gear shifter or a brake lever. However, if the spring element does not serve a dual purpose, the spring element has a support segment that is braced against an existing control cable insertion opening in the housing of the control mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Martin Weiss
  • Publication number: 20080282830
    Abstract: A bicycle component actuating device is provided with a base member, a first user operating member, a locking member and a second user operating member. The first user operating member rotates between first and second operating positions about a rotational axis in a first operating plane that intersects with the rotational axis. The locking member is moves between a locking position to lock the first user operating member in the second operating position and a releasing position to release the first operating member from the second operating position. The second user operating member moves from a non-releasing position to a releasing position for releasing the first user operating member. One of the locking member and the second user operating member is movably along an operating path that intersects with the first operating plane of the first user operating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Nobukatsu HARA
  • Publication number: 20080257093
    Abstract: A conduit guide clip is provided which includes a receiver and a single arm extending therefrom is provided for mounting to a tubular support such as the handlebar of a walk-behind lawn mower. The guide clip further includes a mounting post, which is inserted into a hole in the tubular support. The arm is curved to wrap around and clamp an arcuate inner surface of the receiver against the tubular support after installation. The mounting post is positioned to extend from the arcuate inner surface, and the arm includes a rearwardly swept remote edge and located whereby no portion of the arm is positioned to intersect the longitudinal axis of the mounting post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: Wescon Products Company
    Inventors: Marvin Cox, Anthony F. Beugelsdyk
  • Publication number: 20080196532
    Abstract: A throttle control assembly includes a throttle screw for retaining a hand grip throttle control in a desired position, and a thumb grip extension device removably attached to the head of the throttle screw to facilitate turning the screw. The thumb grip extension device includes a disc-shaped base, a plurality of detent structures extending above an upper surface of the base, and a handle protruding radially outwardly from one of the detent structures. The detent structures each have a convex outer surface with a curvature that generally corresponds to the outer periphery of the base, a convex inner surface, and a detention ridge protruding from and extending across the convex inner surface at a location spaced from the upper surface of the base. The detent structures are resiliently movable outwardly relative to each other to allow the device to be installed and retained on the head of the throttle screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: William K. Fowler
  • Publication number: 20080190234
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tatsuya KAWAKAMI, Atsushi Ilzuka
  • Publication number: 20080184839
    Abstract: A throttle control for a motorcycle comprises an electromagnet mounted adjacent to a throttle tube on a handle bar of the motorcycle. The throttle tube includes a radial flange on one end that is configured to define at least one slot. An armature plate is positioned between the electromagnet and the radial flange and is configured to define at least one tab that registers with the slot in the radial flange of the throttle tube. The armature plate is moveable between a first position in contact with the electromagnet and a second position spaced from the electromagnet while the tab remains within the slot. When the electromagnet is energized, the armature plate frictionally contacts the electromagnet and fixes the radial position of the throttle tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Mario Negri, Todd Sigfrid
  • Publication number: 20080076640
    Abstract: A damping adjusting mechanism for exercise machines comprise's a mount to be connected to an exercise machine, a locking unit mounted on top of the mount having a vertical slot, an adjusting unit inserted into a longitudinal through hole within the locking unit, and a press-on member partly embedded within the vertical slot, wherein it is pivotally attached. The press-on member further includes a plurality of uniformly distributed tooth sections for the engagement with the mount. Thereby, a user can presses the press-on member to drive a pull string that adjusts the spacing between a damping wheel and a magnet belt, achieving damping of various magnitudes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventor: Chien-Yu Lin
  • Patent number: 7302874
    Abstract: A handlebar gear shifter for a bicycle includes a tabular handlebar having a support plate extending from an end of the handlebar at the top of the peripheral thereof. A sleeve is rotatably mounted to the handlebar. A fan-shaped mediate member has an end pivotally connected onto the support plate. A first cable has one end thereof engaged with a recess in the sleeve and the other end of the first cable is engaged with the mediate member. A second cable connects between the mediate member and a derailleur mechanism. A C-shaped member having notches is connected to the handlebar. A spring member is engaged with the sleeve. An index member is biased by the spring member and removably engaged with one of the notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Inventor: Po-Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 7204169
    Abstract: An apparatus and accompanying method are disclosed for a handgrip based gear-shifting mechanism used to manipulate the front and rear derailleur cables on a vehicle having a multi-sprocket gear system. The gear-shifter comprises a substantially hollow handgrip member that has first and second cam guide paths in the bore of its substantially cylindrical surface. First and second cam followers, preferably located inside the bore of the handgrip member, engage the first and second cam guide paths respectively. The first and second cam followers are coupled to the front and rear derailleur cables, such that a single rotation of the handgrip simultaneously adjusts the positions of the first and second cam followers and the front and rear derailleur cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Inventor: Ross Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7201080
    Abstract: A hand-operated jointed control lever assembly that allows normal operation when moved in a first direction by an operator's grip, but disjoints without breaking when moved in other directions. The control lever naturally returns to its normal mode of operation when the abnormal stressing forces of an accident or fall are removed from the lever. The lever assembly has a lever body and a lever arm with respective mating fulcrum surfaces and a tensioning cable passing through the fulcrum surfaces, with a tensioning spring exerting force on the tensioning cable to draw the fulcrum surfaces together. The lever body has a rearwardly-extending lip in engagement with a forward edge of the lever arm, allowing side-to-side disjointed movement and outward disjointed movement opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Appalachian Cast Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen H. Canonico
  • Patent number: 7182179
    Abstract: A walker including a main frame with a main part with a telescopic frame member being slidably adjustable in relation to main part, a handle bar with a brake handle bar for activating a brake via a brake pull wire, a brake wire connected to a brake wire fastener and brake, and a brake tensioner plate arranged in frame member. The brake tensioner plate includes upper, lower and brake tensioner sheaves, one of the brake tensioner sheaves being laterally displaceable and arranged for adjusting the running length of the brake wire, so that the brake wire may be tensioned and the brake activated, for displacement along the brake wire and for telescopic displacement of the frame member, so that tensioning of the brake wire may occur independently from the vertical position of the brake tensioner plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Access AS
    Inventor: Ulf Tolfsen
  • Patent number: 7168543
    Abstract: A clutch-lever manipulation assisting device includes an input member coupled to a side of a clutch lever, an output member connected to the input member via a connection device and coupled to an operated member of a clutch, and a biasing device that assists a manipulating force by the clutch lever. The connection device is constructed such that a ratio of a moved amount of the output member to a moved amount of the input member varies during a clutch operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akifumi Oishi, Yousuke Ishida
  • Patent number: 7150341
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus of an all-terrain vehicle includes: a non-stage transmission disposed in a power transmission path from an engine to drive wheels; a forward and backward movement switching device capable of switching to a forward movement position, a neutral position, or a backward movement position, the forward and backward movement switching device being disposed in the power transmission path at a position near said engine; and a shift operation device for switching forward and backward movement disposed on a handle bar at a position adjacent to a handle grip, the shift operation device and the forward and backward movement switching device being interlocked with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Maeda, Koji Watanabe
  • 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: 7100751
    Abstract: A master cylinder which has an unusual ability to limit space requirements, to be fitted in vehicles controllable by handlebars, comprises a cylinder body provided with a seat for housing a portion of the handlebar. A chamber for slidably housing a piston extends along an axis inside the cylinder body. A manual control lever which acts on the piston is mounted on the cylinder body for pivoting about its fulcrum in a plane. The axis along which the chamber for slidably housing the piston extends intersects the plane of pivoting of the control lever at a point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Freni Brembo S.P.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Lavezzi
  • Patent number: 7062989
    Abstract: A bicycle control device has a lightweight, ergonomic control lever for controlling both a braking device and a shifting device. The lever has an attachment section, an intermediate section and an actuating section. Preferably, at least one of the intermediate and actuating sections has a hollow zone. The lever preferably moves along first and second substantially perpendicular planes to control the braking device and the shifting device, respectively. Preferably, the actuating section has first and second actuation surfaces. The first surface extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first plane to move the lever along the first plane. The second actuation surface is inclined relative to the planes and the first surface to move the lever along the second plane. The second surface has a transverse dimension that is preferably at least one-half of the transverse dimension of the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Tsumiyama
  • Patent number: 7017716
    Abstract: A handbrake operating device is provided. The handbrake operating device contains a positioning seat and an operating lever. The positioning seat has a tubular portion on one end for fitting a curved handlebar. The positioning seat has a connection slot on the other end allowing the brake wire to pass through. The handbrake operating device is designed such that the brake wire goes nearly straight between the handbrake operating device and the brake device of the vehicle. As the brake wire is not bended with any abrupt angle and remains in a tensed condition, the brake device of the vehicle would quickly and sensitively respond to the handbrake operating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Tektro Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Szu-Fang Tsai
  • Patent number: 7000496
    Abstract: A bicycle shifter having a housing mountable to a handlebar, a takeup mechanism for pulling a shift cable and a release mechanism for releasing the shift cable. The takeup mechanism includes a takeup tooth segment, a takeup pawl and an actuation element. The release mechanism includes retaining and locking tooth segments, retaining and locking pawls and a release element. The takeup, retaining and locking tooth segments are arranged on one disk element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Wessel, Martin Weiss
  • Patent number: 7000498
    Abstract: An adjustable extension lever to be attached to a control lever of a vehicle such as an all-terrain vehicle, snowmobile, motorcycle or personal watercraft to extend the lever surface available to be contacted during control of the vehicle and including a bendable lever extension that will bend under a bending force greater than the operating force required to operate the vehicle control lever to insure a comfortably located thumb and/or palm engagement surface on an extender connected to and pivot able with the control lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Stearns Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Hancock, Jeffrey D Hancock
  • Patent number: 6994179
    Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle. The ride-on vehicle includes a frame adapted to support a child, and a drive assembly with a battery-powered motor assembly. The ride-on vehicle further includes one or more steerable wheels and one or more driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on resembles a full-size motorcycle. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a free-floating wheel, which is unbiased and travels within a defined range of positions with respect to the ride-on vehicle's frame as external forces are imparted to the wheel. In some embodiments, the ride-on includes a high-speed switch positioned for momentary high-speed travel of the ride-on vehicle and a user-manipulable portion may be provided to enable a child to select such a high-speed configuration. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a simulated shock absorber and/or a passenger sidecar. Finally, in some embodiments, the ride-on may include wheel assemblies that simulate inflatable wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt J. Huntsberger, John L. Jones, Jr., William R. Howell, Karl D. Lerch, Brian L. Bienz
  • Patent number: 6993995
    Abstract: A bicycle shift positioning device includes a base member adapted to be mounted to a bicycle; a first rotating body rotatably mounted relative to the base member; a second rotating body rotatably mounted relative to the first rotating body; a positioning member coupled to the base member and having a plurality of positioning elements; a pawl coupled for movement with the first rotating body, wherein the pawl moves between a positioning member engaging position and a positioning member disengaging position; a pawl control member coupled for movement with the second rotating body; and a pawl biasing mechanism for biasing the pawl toward the positioning member engaging position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 6978694
    Abstract: A handlebar throttle controller includes a cylindrical housing adapted to be rotatably mounted to an end of a handlebar, and a rotary shaft supported within the housing for relative rotation about a longitudinal axis. A first spring angularly biases the shaft toward a first angular position, while at least one of a cam and follower arrangement and a friction element and reaction element arrangement generates a first torque characteristic resisting relative rotation of the shaft when the shaft is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and a second torque characteristic resisting relative rotation of the shaft within the housing when the shaft is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. A sensor on the housing generates an electrical output representative of an instantaneous angular position of the shaft relative to the housing, for use, for example, in an electronic throttle control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli Powertrain U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Peppard
  • Patent number: 6941834
    Abstract: An outer gripping portion of a bicycle handlebar includes a mounting section and a bracket section. The mounting section has a first cross-sectional shape. The bracket section has a second cross-sectional shape and is releasably coupled to the mounting section to form a first gripping section. The first and second cross-sectional shapes of the mounting section and the bracket section have flush longitudinal edges that mate together to form a first annular gripping surface of the first gripping section. Preferably, the bicycle handlebar includes a pair of outer gripping portions coupled to opposite ends of a transverse portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshinori Irie
  • 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: 6868752
    Abstract: An assisting apparatus for using power from a rotating member to assist the operation of a bicycle transmission includes a mounting unit; an input transmission member coupled to the mounting unit, wherein the input transmission member moves to at least a neutral position, to an upshift position and to a downshift position; and an output transmission member coupled to the mounting unit, wherein the output transmission member moves to at least a first output position and a second output position. A rotating member engaging member moves between a rotating member engaging position and a rotating member disengaging position, and a motion transmitting mechanism transmits motion from the rotating member engaging member to the output transmission member. A switching mechanism moves the rotating member engaging member to the rotating member engaging position when the input transmission member is in at least one of the upshift position and the downshift position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshio Tetsuka, Takanori Kanehisa, Koshi Tabe, Tetsuya Hino, Etsuyoshi Watarai, Satoshi Shahana
  • Patent number: 6862948
    Abstract: A shift lever for a bicycle having a derailleur, includes a housing including a clamp head for mounting the housing on a handlebar of the bicycle and a cavity therein; a gear connected with the cable, rotatably mounted in the cavity and having first and second sets of teeth; a major pawl element mounted to the housing and biased by a spring into engagement with the first set of teeth; a main lever rotatably mounted to the housing, having a thumb engaging end and a substantially common axis of movement with a person's thumb during a shifting operation, such that the main lever moves in a natural direction of movement of the thumb to tighten a grip of the person on the handlebar on which the shift lever is mounted; and a minor pawl element for engaging the second set of teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: John L. Calendrille, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6848336
    Abstract: A shift control device is provided for controlling a transmission control member coupled to a bicycle transmission. The device comprises an actuating component that is manually operated by a rider, wherein the actuating component moves to an actuating component neutral position, to an actuating component upshift position and to an actuating component downshift position. A first biasing component biases the actuating component toward one of the upshift position and the downshift position, and a neutral positioning component positions the actuating component in a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Satoshi Shahana
  • Patent number: 6848335
    Abstract: A bicycle shift operating device basically includes first operating member operatively coupled to a winding mechanism by a follower link and an operating link. A second operating member is also preferably operatively coupled to the winding mechanism. The cable winding mechanism is mounted on a first pivot axle and is configured to be selectively retained in a plurality of shift positions. In one shift operating device, the operating link is pivotally mounted on the first pivot axle. In an alternate shift operating device, the operating link is pivotally mounted on a second pivot axle that is spaced from the first pivot axle and parallel to the first pivot axle. The first operating member is preferably arranged to reciprocate in a first direction. The second operating member is preferably arranged to move in a second direction that is substantially parallel to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Kawakami
  • Patent number: RE39757
    Abstract: A brake lever arm is mounted to a base member, with the base member fixed to a bicycle handlebar. The lever arm is pivotal about a pivot point on the base. The lever arm includes an adjusting mechanism that adjusts the position of the lever arm when the lever arm is in a brake dis-engaged position. The adjusting mechanism is slideable in grooves in the lever arm such that the adjusting mechanisms may be moved to positions that are differing distances away from the pivot point. The adjusting mechanism includes a contact member that engages a brake cable connected to the lever arm when the lever arm is moved from the brake disengaged position toward a brake engagement position. The position of the contact member with respect to the pivot point determines the effect movement of the lever arm has on the cable. In this manner, the adjusting mechanism adjusts the length of the stroke or travel of the lever arm from the brake disengaged position to the brake engagement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhisa Yamashita