U.S. patent application number 09/992346 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-28 for switch style bicycle shift control device.
Invention is credited to Ose, Kenji.
Application Number | 20020035885 09/992346 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24066417 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020035885 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ose, Kenji |
March 28, 2002 |
Switch style bicycle shift control device
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. A second finger contact member has a second finger
contact surface disposed on the first side of the plane, wherein
the second finger contact member moves away from the plane when the
takeup element moves in the pulling direction. Conversely, the
second finger contact member moves toward the plane when the takeup
element moves in the releasing direction. A first straight phantom
line perpendicular to the first finger contact surface intersects a
second straight phantom line perpendicular to the second finger
contact surface.
Inventors: |
Ose, Kenji; (Sakai-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DELAND LAW OFFICE
P.O. Box 69
Klamath River
CA
96050-0069
US
|
Family ID: |
24066417 |
Appl. No.: |
09/992346 |
Filed: |
November 14, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09992346 |
Nov 14, 2001 |
|
|
|
09519014 |
Mar 3, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
74/502.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 74/2042 20150115;
Y10T 74/20438 20150115; B62K 23/02 20130101; B62M 25/04 20130101;
Y10T 74/20043 20150115; H01H 2009/068 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
74/502.2 |
International
Class: |
F16C 001/10 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A bicycle shift control device comprising: a takeup element for
pulling and releasing a shift control element; a first finger
contact member having 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, and wherein the first finger contact member moves away
from the plane when the takeup element moves in a releasing
direction; a second finger contact member having a second finger
contact surface disposed on the first side of the plane, wherein
the second finger contact member moves away from the plane when the
takeup element moves in the pulling direction, and wherein the
second finger contact member moves toward the plane when the takeup
element moves in the releasing direction; an interconnecting member
that rotates around a rotational axis, wherein the interconnecting
member interconnects the first finger contact member and the second
finger contact member so that the first finger contact member and
the second finger contact member move in a same direction relative
to the rotational axis; and wherein a first straight phantom line
perpendicular to the first finger contact surface intersects a
second straight phantom line perpendicular to the second finger
contact surface.
2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the first finger contact
member is one piece with the second finger contact member.
3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the first finger contact
surface has a first flat portion, wherein the second finger contact
surface has a second flat portion, and wherein the first flat
portion is inclined relative to the second flat portion.
4. The device according to claim 1 wherein the first straight
phantom line extends away from the plane, and wherein the second
straight phantom line extends away from the plane.
5. The device according to claim 1 wherein the first finger contact
member and the second finger contact member pivot around the
rotational axis.
6. The device according to claim 5 wherein the first finger contact
surface is disposed on a first side of the rotational axis, and
wherein the second finger contact surface is disposed on an
opposite second side of the rotational axis.
7. The device according to claim 1 wherein the takeup element is
integrally formed with the first finger contact member and the
second finger contact member.
8. The device according to claim 7 wherein the takeup element, the
first finger contact member and the second finger contact member
are one piece.
9. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a detent
mechanism for maintaining the takeup element in one of a cable
pulled position and a cable released position.
10. The device according to claim 1 wherein the first finger
contact surface and the second finger contact surface face away
from the plane.
11. The device according to claim 1 wherein the takeup element
includes a cable winding surface.
12. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a lever
extending away from the plane at a location between the first
finger contact surface and the second finger contact surface.
13. The device according to claim 1 wherein a lever ratio of the
shift control device is less than 2.0.
14. A bicycle shift control device comprising: a takeup element for
pulling and releasing a shift control element; a first finger
contact member having 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, and wherein the first finger contact member moves away
from the plane when the takeup element moves in a releasing
direction; a second finger contact member having a second finger
contact surface disposed on the first side of the plane, wherein
the second finger contact member moves away from the plane when the
takeup element moves in the pulling direction, and wherein the
second finger contact member moves toward the plane when the takeup
element moves in the releasing direction; wherein a first straight
phantom line perpendicular to the first finger contact surface is
substantially parallel to a second straight phantom line
perpendicular to the second finger contact surface; wherein the
first finger contact member moves along the first phantom line; and
wherein the second finger contact member moves along the second
phantom line.
15. The device according to claim 14 further comprising an
interconnecting member coupled between the first finger contact
member and the second finger contact member.
16. The device according to claim 15 wherein the interconnecting
member comprises an interconnecting lever having a first end
coupled to the first finger contact member and a second end coupled
to the second finger contact member.
17. The device according to claim 16 wherein the interconnecting
lever pivots around a pivot axis disposed between the first end and
the second end.
18. The device according to claim 17 wherein the pivot axis is
located closer to one of the first end and the second end than the
other one of the first end and the second end.
19. The device according to claim 14 further comprising a gear rack
retained to one of the first finger contact member and the second
finger contact member, and wherein the takeup element includes a
plurality of gear teeth meshing with the gear rack.
20. The device according to claim 19 wherein the takeup element
rotates in response to movement of the first finger contact member
and the second finger contact member.
21. The device according to claim 14 wherein the first finger
contact surface and the second finger contact surface face away
from the plane.
22. The device according to claim 14 wherein the takeup element
includes a cable winding surface.
23. A bicycle shift control device comprising: a takeup element for
pulling and releasing a shift control element; only one finger
contact lever for moving the takeup element; and a detent mechanism
for maintaining the takeup element in only two positions, a first
of the two positions being a cable pulled position and a second of
the two positions being a cable released position.
24. The device according to claim 23 wherein the finger contact
lever rotates around a rotational axis.
25. The device according to claim 24 wherein the finger contact
lever extends outwardly from a wire pulling drum that extends
around the rotational axis.
26. The device according to claim 24 wherein the finger contact
lever and the wire pulling drum is one piece.
27. The device according to claim 23 wherein the finger contact
lever is rotatably mounted to a mounting member, and wherein the
detent mechanism comprises a first detent projection projecting
from the takeup element and a second detent projection projecting
from the mounting member.
28. A bicycle shift control device comprising: a base member having
a base member axis; a rotatable member coupled to the base member
coaxially with the base member axis; wherein the rotatable member
rotates relative to the base member around the base member axis; a
cam surface disposed on at least one of the base member and the
rotatable member so that the rotatable member moves in a direction
of the base member axis when the rotatable member rotates relative
to the base member; a finger contact projection extending from the
rotatable member in a direction radially outwardly from the base
member axis; and a shift element coupler disposed with the
rotatable member so that the shift element coupler moves in the
direction of the base member axis when the rotatable member rotates
relative to the base member.
29. The device according to claim 28 wherein the cam surface
comprises a base member cam surface disposed on the base member
that slides relative to a rotatable member cam surface disposed on
the rotatable member.
30. The device according to claim 28 wherein the cam surface
comprises a base member cam surface disposed on the base member,
wherein the finger contact projection slides relative to the base
member cam surface.
31. The device according to claim 28 wherein at least one of the
base member and the rotatable member includes a coupling projection
that extends along the base member axis into an opening in the
other one of the base member and the rotatable member.
32. The device according to claim 28 wherein the rotatable member
has a cylindrical shape.
33. The device according to claim 32 wherein the shift element
coupler is disposed on an end surface of the rotatable member.
34. A bicycle shift control device comprising: a base member; a
rotatable dial coupled to the base member for rotation around a
rotational axis; a finger contact projection extending from the
rotatable dial in a direction of the rotational axis; and a shift
element coupler disposed with the rotatable dial.
35. The device according to claim 34 wherein the finger contact
projection extends at least partially in a direction perpendicular
to the rotational axis.
36. The device according to claim 34 wherein at least one of the
dial and the base member includes a coupling projection for
coupling the dial to the base member.
37. The device according to claim 36 wherein the coupling
projection is disposed on the dial and extends into an opening in
the base member.
38. A bicycle shift control device comprising: a takeup element for
pulling and releasing a shift control element; a first finger
contact member having 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, and wherein the first finger contact member moves away
from the plane when the takeup element moves in a releasing
direction; a second finger contact member having a second finger
contact surface disposed on the first side of the plane, wherein
the second finger contact member moves away from the plane when the
takeup element moves in the pulling direction, and wherein the
second finger contact member moves toward the plane when the takeup
element moves in the releasing direction; an interconnecting member
that rotates around a rotational axis, wherein the interconnecting
member interconnects the first finger contact member and the second
finger contact member so that the first finger contact member and
the second finger contact member move in a same direction relative
to the rotational axis; wherein the first finger contact surface is
disposed on a first side of the rotational axis and the second
finger contact surface is disposed on a second side of the
rotational axis; and wherein the takeup element is unbiased when
the takeup element is disconnected from the shift control
element.
39. A bicycle shift control device comprising: a takeup element for
pulling and releasing a shift control element; a first finger
contact member having 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, and wherein the first finger contact member moves away
from the plane when the takeup element moves in a releasing
direction; a second finger contact member having a second finger
contact surface disposed on the first side of the plane, wherein
the second finger contact member moves away from the plane when the
takeup element moves in the pulling direction, and wherein the
second finger contact member moves toward the plane when the takeup
element moves in the releasing direction; an interconnecting member
that rotates around a rotational axis, wherein the interconnecting
member interconnects the first finger contact member and the second
finger contact member so that the first finger contact member and
the second finger contact member move in a same direction relative
to the rotational axis; wherein the first finger contact surface is
disposed on a first side of the rotational axis and the second
finger contact surface is disposed on a second side of the
rotational axis; and a detent mechanism for maintaining the takeup
element in only two positions, a first of the two positions being a
cable pulled position and a second of the two positions being a
cable released position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to control devices for
bicycle transmissions and, more particularly, to a shift control
device that operates in the nature of a switch.
[0002] Bicycle transmission shift control devices have many
different forms. A simple transmission shift control device
includes a rotatable lever extending from a wire winding drum such
that rotation of the lever rotates the wire winding drum to pull
and release a shift control wire. Sometimes a detent mechanism is
incorporated into the shift control device so that the lever may be
set in a plurality of predetermined positions to set the position
of the shift control wire accordingly. More complicated lever-type
shift control devices include multiple levers and ratchet
mechanisms disposed between the levers and the wire winding drum
such that rotation of one lever causes the wire to wind around the
wire winding drum, and rotation of another lever causes the wire to
unwind from the wire winding drum. Another type of shift control
device includes an annular ring or sleeve that rotates around the
bicycle handlebar. The ring or sleeve is directly or indirectly
coupled to the shift control wire such that rotation of the ring or
sleeve pulls and releases the shift control wire.
[0003] In all of the above types of shift control devices, either
the shift control device has a complicated structure, thus
increasing the manufacturing cost and risk of malfunction of the
device, or else the user must grab the lever or ring with at least
the thumb and forefinger, sometimes accompanied with substantial
movement of the hand, thus increasing the effort to operate the
shift control device. Thus, there is a need for a shift control
device that has a simple structure and can be operated with minimal
effort.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention is directed to a bicycle transmission
shift control device that has a simple structure and can be
operated with minimal effort. In one embodiment of the present
invention, 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. A second finger contact member has a second finger
contact surface disposed on the first side of the plane, wherein
the second finger contact member moves away from the plane when the
takeup element moves in the pulling direction. Conversely, the
second finger contact member moves toward the plane when the takeup
element moves in the releasing direction. A first straight phantom
line perpendicular to the first finger contact surface intersects a
second straight phantom line perpendicular to the second finger
contact surface.
[0005] In another embodiment of the present invention, a bicycle
shift control device includes a takeup element for pulling and
releasing a shift control element, a first finger contact member
and a second finger contact member. As with the first embodiment,
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. The second finger contact member has a second
finger contact surface disposed on the first side of the plane,
wherein the second finger contact member moves away from the plane
when the takeup element moves in the pulling direction. Conversely,
the second finger contact member moves toward the plane when the
takeup element moves in the releasing direction. A first straight
phantom line perpendicular to the first finger contact surface is
substantially parallel to a second straight phantom line
perpendicular to the second finger contact surface, wherein the
first finger contact member moves along the first phantom line and
the second finger contact member moves along the second phantom
line.
[0006] In another embodiment of the present invention, 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. As with the above embodiments,
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. The second finger contact member has a second
finger contact surface disposed on the first side of the plane,
wherein the second finger contact member moves away from the plane
when the takeup element moves in the pulling direction. Conversely,
the second finger contact member moves toward the plane when the
takeup element moves in the releasing direction. In this case, the
first finger contact surface is disposed on a first side of the
rotational axis, the second finger contact surface is disposed on a
second side of the rotational axis, and the takeup element is
unbiased when the takeup element is disconnected from the shift
control element.
[0007] In another embodiment of the present invention, 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. As with the above embodiments,
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. The second finger contact member has a second
finger contact surface disposed on the first side of the plane,
wherein the second finger contact member moves away from the plane
when the takeup element moves in the pulling direction. Conversely,
the second finger contact member moves toward the plane when the
takeup element moves in the releasing direction. In this case, the
first finger contact surface is disposed on a first side of the
rotational axis, the second finger contact surface is disposed on a
second side of the rotational axis, and a detent mechanism is
maintains the takeup element in only two positions. A first of the
two positions is a cable pulled position, and a second of the two
positions is a cable released position
[0008] In still another embodiment of the present invention, a
bicycle shift control device includes a takeup element for pulling
and releasing a shift control element, only one finger contact
lever for moving the takeup element, and a detent mechanism for
maintaining the takeup element in only two positions. A first of
the two positions is a cable pulled position, and a second of the
two positions is a cable released position.
[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, a bicycle
shift control device includes a base member, a rotatable dial
coupled to the base member for rotation around a rotational axis, a
finger contact projection extending from the rotatable dial in a
direction of the rotational axis, and a shift element coupler
disposed with the rotatable dial.
[0010] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a
bicycle shift control device includes a base member having a base
member axis and a rotatable member coupled to the base member
coaxial with the base member axis, wherein the rotatable member
rotates relative to the base member around the base member axis. A
cam surface is disposed on at least one of the base member and the
rotatable member so that the rotatable member moves in a direction
of the base member axis when the rotatable member rotates relative
to the base member. A finger contact projection extends from the
rotatable member in a direction radially outwardly from the base
member axis, and a shift element coupler is disposed with the
rotatable member so that the shift element coupler moves in the
direction of the base member axis when the rotatable member rotates
relative to the base member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a first embodiment of a shift
control device according to the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a cut away view showing how a control cable is
connected to the shift control device;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cut away view showing a detent mechanism for the
shift control device;
[0014] FIG. 4 is an oblique view of a second embodiment of a shift
control device according to the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 is an oblique view of a third embodiment of a shift
control device according to the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 is an oblique view of a fourth embodiment of a shift
control device according to the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the shift control device shown
in FIG. 6;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a cut away view of the shift control device shown
in FIG. 6;
[0019] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a fifth embodiment of a shift
control device according to the present invention;
[0020] FIGS. 10-12 are top views illustrating the operation of the
shift control device shown in FIG. 9;
[0021] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a sixth embodiment of a shift
control device according to the present invention;
[0022] FIGS. 14 and 15 are top views illustrating the operation of
the shift control device shown in FIG. 13;
[0023] FIG. 16 is an oblique view of a seventh embodiment of a
shift control device according
[0024] to the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 17 is a detailed side view of the shift control device
shown in FIG. 16;
[0026] FIG. 18 is a front view of the shift control device shown in
FIG. 16 illustrating the different operating positions of the shift
control lever;
[0027] FIG. 19 is an oblique view of an eighth embodiment of a
shift control device according
[0028] to the present invention; and
[0029] FIGS. 20-22 are side views illustrating the operation of the
shift control device shown in FIG. 19.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0030] FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a first embodiment of a shift
control device 10 according to the present invention mounted to a
bicycle handlebar 12; FIG. 2 is a cut away view showing how an
inner wire 14 of a Bowden-type control cable 46 is connected to
shift control device 10, and FIG. 3 is a cut away view showing a
detent mechanism 18 for shift control device 10. As shown in FIGS.
1-3, shift control device 10 is mounted adjacent to a brake control
device 22 having a brake control lever 26 pivotably connected to a
brake control device housing 30 for operating a Bowden-type brake
control cable 32 in a well known manner. Brake control device
housing 30 includes an attachment band 34 that substantially
encircles handlebar 12 for mounting brake control device 22 to
handlebar 12 inward of a grip portion 36 of handlebar 12. More
specifically, a mounting bolt 38 extends through an opening (not
shown) in a mounting ear 42 and screws into a threaded opening (not
shown) in an opposed mounting ear 46 for drawing mounting ears 42
and 44 toward each other to tighten attachment band 34 around
handlebar 12. Attachment band 34 extends along a handlebar axis H,
wherein handlebar axis H is centered within attachment band 34.
[0031] In this embodiment, shift control device 10 is used to
operate a Bowden-type control cable 46 wherein a shift control
element such as inner wire 14 slides within an outer casing 48.
Shift control device 10 includes a generally rectangular housing 50
that is attached to handlebar 12 though an attachment band 54 that
has the same structure as attachment band 34 (i.e., two mounting
ears tightened by a mounting bolt, not shown). A conventional cable
adjusting barrel 58 screws into the side of housing 50 and
terminates outer casing 48 of control cable 46 in a well known
manner. A takeup element 62 (FIG. 2) having a cable coupling bore
64 and a winding surface 66 is disposed in housing 50. Cable
coupling bore 64 engages a conventional cable end bead 65 of inner
wire 14 for pulling and releasing inner wire 14. Inner wire 14
slightly winds and unwinds around winding surface 66 during the
pulling and releasing operations. A first finger contact member 70
having a first finger contact surface 74 is disposed above and
faces away from a plane P which, in this embodiment, contains an
upper surface 75 of housing 50. A second finger contact member 78
having a second finger contact surface 82 also is disposed above
and faces away from plane P. Of course, the plane P need not
contain the upper surface 75 of housing 50, and first finger
contact surface 74 and second finger contact surface 82 need not
face away from plane P.
[0032] An interconnecting member 86 is pivotably connected to
housing 50 through a pivot shaft 90 so that interconnecting member
86 rotates around a rotational axis R that extends in a direction
substantially perpendicular to attachment band 54 and handlebar
axis H. As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, interconnecting member 86
interconnects first finger contact member 70, second finger
contacting member 78 and takeup element 62 so that first finger
contact member 70 and second finger contact member 78 are located
on opposite sides of rotational axis R and move (i.e, pivot) in a
same direction relative to rotational axis R. As a result, first
finger contact member 70 moves toward plane P (from the position
indicated in solid lines in FIG. 2 to the position shown in broken
lines in FIG. 2) when takeup element 62 moves in a wire pulling
direction, and first finger contact member 70 moves away from plane
P when takeup element 62 moves in a wire releasing direction.
Similarly, second finger contact member 78 moves away from plane P
when takeup element 62 moves in the wire pulling direction, and
second finger contact member 82 moves toward plane P when takeup
element 62 moves in the wire releasing direction. To facilitate
this operation, first finger contact member 70, second finger
contact member 78, takeup element 62 and interconnecting member 65
in this embodiment are formed as one piece or at least integrally
coupled together.
[0033] In this embodiment, first finger contact surface 74 is
inclined relative to second finger contact surface 82 such that a
first straight phantom line L1 extending upwardly and
perpendicularly away first finger contact surface 74 intersects a
second straight phantom line L2 extending upwardly and
perpendicularly away from second finger contact surface 82,
regardless of the position in which shift control device 10 is
viewed. The resulting structure operates like a rocker switch.
While such a phantom line is readily determined from the flat
finger contact surfaces 74 and 82 in this embodiment, such phantom
lines also can be determined easily from embodiments with no flat
finger contact surfaces by drawing the phantom line perpendicular
to a line that is tangent to the finger contact surface at the
point of contact between the phantom line and the finger contact
surface. Also, in other embodiments the intersection of the phantom
lines could be located downwardly away from the finger contact
surfaces.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a cut away view showing detent mechanism 18 for
shift control device 10. In this embodiment, detent mechanism 18
maintains takeup element 62 in only two positions: the cable pulled
position shown by broken lines in FIG. 2 and the cable released
position shown by solid lines in FIG. 2. Detent mechanism 18
includes a first recess 92, a second recess 94 and a detent
projection 98 formed on interconnecting member 86. A spring 102 is
disposed in a recess 104 in housing 50 for pressing a detent member
108 against interconnecting member 86. Thus, takeup element 62 will
be maintained in the cable pulled position when detent member 108
is disposed in first recess 92, and takeup element 62 will be
maintained in the cable released position when detent member 108 is
disposed in second recess 94. Unlike many prior art shift control
devices, no biasing mechanism is provided to bias takeup element
62, first finger contact member 70 or second finger contact member
78 toward any particular position. Thus, when shift control device
10 is not connected to inner wire 14, takeup element 62, first
finger contact member 70 and second finger contact member 78 are
free to float in the range determined by the circumferential width
of first recess 92 and second recess 94.
[0035] As another feature of the present invention, we define a
lever ratio LR=A/B, wherein A is the distance between the
rotational axis R and a reference line RL perpendicular to first
finger contact surface 74, the distance being measured
perpendicular to reference line RL, and B is the distance between
the rotational axis R and the inner wire 14. The location of RL is
determined by adding 5 millimeters to the radius of curvature R1
(in millimeters) of the edge of first finger contact member 70. In
this embodiment, R1 is one millimeter, so RL is located 6
millimeters from the edge of first finger contact member 70.
Preferably, 0.8<LR<2.
[0036] FIG. 4 is an oblique view of a shift control device 10'
which represents a second embodiment of the present invention. This
embodiment is constructed the same as shift control device 10 shown
in FIGS. 1-3 except where shown or noted. Accordingly, the same
components are numbered the same.
[0037] This shift control device 10' differs from shift control
device 10 in that housing 50 extends radially outward from
attachment band 54 and handlebar axis H, and rotational axis R is
substantially parallel to handlebar axis H. Also, housing 50
includes a wire guide portion 120 with a cable guide surface 124
for changing the direction of inner wire 14 so that control cable
46 can extend substantially parallel to handlebar 12 in a well
known manner.
[0038] FIG. 5 is an oblique view of a shift, control device 10"
which represents a third embodiment of the present invention. This
embodiment is constructed the same as shift control device 10 shown
in FIGS. 1-3 except where shown or noted. Accordingly, the same
components are numbered the same.
[0039] This shift control device 10" differs from shift control
device 10 in that a lever 140 that is integrally formed as one
piece with interconnecting member 86, first finger contact member
70 and second finger contact member 74 extends outwardly from plane
P between first finger contact surface 78 and second finger contact
surface 82. Thus, shift control device 10" can operate like a
rocker switch by pressing first finger contact surface 78 or second
finger contact surface 82. Alternatively, shift control device 10"
can operate like a toggle switch by moving lever 140.
[0040] FIG. 6 is an oblique view of a shift control device 200
which represent a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG.
7 is an exploded view of shift control device 200, and FIG. 8 is a
cut away view of shift control device 200. As shown in FIGS. 6-8.
shift control device 200 includes a base member or housing 204, a
housing cover 208, a takeup element 212 for pulling and releasing a
shift control element such as inner wire 14 of control cable 46, a
first finger contact member 216 having a first finger contact
surface 220 disposed on a first side of a plane P and facing away
from plane P (which may include an upper surface 222 of housing
204), a second finger contact member 224 having a second finger
contact surface 228 disposed on the first side of plane P and
facing away from plane P, a first spring 232 disposed between a
bottom floor 236 (FIG. 8) of housing 204 and first finger contact
member 216 for biasing first finger contact member 216 upwardly, a
second spring 240 disposed between bottom floor 236 and second
finger contact member 224 for biasing second finger contact member
224 upwardly, an interconnecting member in the form of an
interconnecting lever 244 having a first end 245 and a second end
246 connected between first finger contact member 216 and second
finger contact member 224, and a pawl 252 which functions as a
detent mechanism interconnected between first finger contact member
216 and second finger contact member 224. Interconnecting lever 244
rotates around a pivot axis A defined by a pivot shaft 248 inserted
in an opening 250 located between first end 245 and second end 246
and for communicating forces applied to one of first finger contact
member 216 and second finger contact member 224 to the other one of
the first finger contact member 216 and second finger contact
member 224.
[0041] Housing 204 includes a circular opening 260 for receiving
handlebar 12 therethrough, a takeup element mounting boss 264, a
first guide projection 265 and a second guide projection 266.
Takeup element mounting boss 264 includes a takeup element mounting
shaft 268 having a threaded opening 272 for rotatably mounting
takeup element 212 thereto using a screw 276 and washer 280. Takeup
element mounting boss 264 also includes a threaded opening 284 for
threadingly engaging cable adjusting barrel 58 which terminates
outer casing 48 of control cable 46. First guide projection 265
slidingly mates with a guide slot 267 in first finger contact
member 216 for stably guiding first finger contact member 216 when
first finger contact member 216 moves relative to housing 204 as
described more fully below. Similarly, second guide projection 266
slidingly mates with a guide slot 269 in second finger contact
member 224 for stably guiding second finger contact member 224 when
second finger contact member 224 moves relative to housing 204.
Housing cover 208 is mounted to housing 204 using screws 270. The
entire assembly is attached to handlebar 12 by an annular clamping
ring 288 having mounting ears 292 and 296 and a screw 300 similar
to the above embodiments. Clamping ring 298 is attached to housing
204 by a mounting screw 304.
[0042] Takeup element 212 includes a wire winding drum 310 and a
drive gear 312 coaxially mounted with wire winding drum 310. Wire
winding drum 310 includes a wire winding surface 316 and a cable
coupling projection 320 with a cable coupling bore 324 for
receiving cable end bead 65 therein.
[0043] First finger contact member 216 includes a pawl mounting
recess 330 for receiving a head 334 of pawl 252 therein and a pawl
mounting projection 338 for engaging a complementary groove 342 in
head 334 of pawl 252. First finger contact member 216 also includes
a lever coupling abutment 346 for contacting first end 245 of
interconnecting lever 244. Second finger contact member 224
includes a pawl receiving recess 350 having a detent projection 354
for engaging a second end 358 of pawl 252, a lever coupling
abutment 362 (FIG. 8) for contacting second end 246 of
interconnecting lever 244, and a gear rack 366 for engaging gear
312 of takeup element 212.
[0044] As a result of the see-saw movement of interconnecting lever
244, first finger contact member 216 moves toward plane P when
takeup element 212 moves in a pulling direction, and first finger
contact member 216 moves away from plane P when takeup element 212
moves in a releasing direction. Conversely, second finger contact
member 224 moves away from plane P when takeup element 212 moves in
the pulling direction, and second finger contact member 224 moves
toward plane P when takeup element 212 moves in the releasing
direction. A first straight phantom line L1 perpendicular to first
finger contact surface 220 is substantially parallel to a second
straight phantom line L2 perpendicular to second finger contact
surface 228, wherein first finger contact member 216 moves along
first phantom line L1 and second finger contact member 224 moves
along second phantom line L2. As with the above embodiments, such
phantom lines also can be determined easily from embodiments with
no flat finger contact surfaces by drawing the phantom line
perpendicular to a line that is tangent to the finger contact
surface at the point of contact between the phantom line and the
finger contact surface. To vary the mechanical advantage of first
finger contact member 216 and second finger contact member 224 in
this embodiment, pivot axis A is located closer to first end 245 of
interconnecting lever 244 than second end 246 of interconnecting
lever 244. Of course, pivot axis A could be located closer to
second end 246 of interconnecting lever 244 than first end 245 of
interconnecting lever 244, or pivot axis A could be located in the
center of interconnecting lever 244, depending upon the
requirements for a particular application.
[0045] As with the above embodiments, shift control device 200 sets
takeup element 212 in one of two positions, a cable pulled position
(shown in solid lines in FIG. 8) wherein first finger contact
surface 220 is located close to plane P, second finger contact
surface 228 is located remote from plane P, and second end 358 of
pawl 252 is located in the portion of recess 350 below detent
projection 354; and a cable released position (shown in broken
lines in FIG. 8) wherein second finger contact surface 228 is
located close to plane P, first finger contact surface 220 is
located remote from plane P, and second end of pawl 252 is located
in the portion of recess 350 above detent projection 354.
[0046] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a shift control device 400
representing a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS.
10-12 are top views illustrating the operation of shift control
device 400. As shown in FIGS. 9-12, shift control device 400
includes a base member 404, an attachment band 408 and a shift
lever 412. Base member 404 includes a pivot shaft 416 extending
upwardly from a floor 422 and having a central opening 420, a cable
guide 424 having a cable guide opening 428 for receiving a cable 14
therethrough, a relatively resilient detent wall 432 having a
generally triangular detent projection 436 extending radially
inwardly toward pivot shaft 416, and limit stops 437 and 438 for
limiting the range of motion of shift lever 412.
[0047] Attachment band 408 extends from base member 404 and has a
substantially cylindrical shape. A mounting hole 450 aligns with a
mounting hole 454 in a mounting ear 460 for receiving a mounting
screw 464 therethrough. Attachment band 408 is tightened around
handlebar 12 (not shown) using screw 464 and a nut 468.
[0048] Shift lever 412 includes a takeup element in the form of a
wire pulling drum 472 and a lever portion 476 extending radially
outwardly as one piece from wire pulling drum 472. 25. Wire pulling
drum 472 includes a central mounting opening 478 for receiving
pivot shaft 416 therethrough. Thus, shift lever 412 is supported
for rotation around an axis A defined by pivot shaft 416. Wire
pulling drum 472 also includes a wire receiving groove 480 for
receiving wire 14 therein during rotation of wire pulling drum 472,
a cable coupling bore 484 for receiving cable end bead 65 of wire
14 therein, a generally triangular detent projection 488 extending
radially outwardly from a side wall 492, and a motion stop 494
extending radially outwardly from side wall 492. Shift lever 412 is
fastened to base member 404 by a fastener 496 extending into
central opening 420 in pivot shaft 416.
[0049] As with the above embodiments, shift control device 400 sets
wire pulling drum in one of two positions: a cable pulled position
shown in FIG. 10 and a cable released position shown in FIG. 12.
FIGS. 10-12 show the operation of shift control device 400 as shift
lever 412 moves from the cable pulled position shown in FIG. 10,
wherein detent projection 488 on cable pulling drum 472 is located
above detent projection 436 on detent wall 432 and clockwise
rotation of shift lever 412 is limited by contact between motion
stop 494 on cable pulling drum 472 and limit stop 437 on base
member 404, to the cable released position shown in FIG. 12,
wherein detent projection 488 on cable pulling drum 472 is located
below detent projection 436 on detent wall 432 and counterclockwise
rotation of shift lever 412 is limited by contact between motion
stop 494 on cable pulling drum 472 and limit stop 438 on base
member 404. When detent projection 488 initially contacts detent
projection 436 during counterclockwise rotation of shift lever 412,
the angled side walls of each detent projection causes the
relatively resilient detent wall 432 to move radially outwardly to
allow detent projection 488 to move past detent projection 436 and
assume the position shown in FIG. 12. The same occurs when shift
lever portion 412 moves clockwise from the position shown in FIG.
12 to the position shown in FIG. 10.
[0050] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a shift control device 500
representing a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS.
14-15 are top views illustrating the operation of shift control
device 500. Shift control device 500 includes a base member 504, an
attachment band 508 and a shift dial 512. Base member 504 includes
a pivot opening 516, a cable guide 524 having a cable guide opening
528 for receiving cable 14 therethrough, and a motion stop 537 for
limiting the range of motion of shift dial 512.
[0051] Attachment band 508 extends from base member 504 and has a
substantially cylindrical shape. A mounting hole 550 aligns with a
mounting hole 554 in a mounting ear 560 for receiving a mounting
screw 564 therethrough. Attachment band 508 is tightened around
handlebar 12 (not shown) using screw 564 and a nut 568.
[0052] Shift dial 512 includes a substantially circular dial
portion 570, a pivot shaft 576 for rotation around an axis A
defined by pivot shaft 576, a shift element coupler 580, a motion
limiting groove 581 extending in a circumferential direction and
defining limit stops 582 and 583 (FIGS. 14-15) for receiving motion
stop 537 therein, and a finger contact projection 584 extending
from dial portion 570 in a direction of axis A away from base
member 504. In this embodiment, finger contact projection extends
diametrically across dial portion 570 in a direction generally
perpendicular to rotational axis A. Pivot shaft 576 includes a slot
588 and a locking abutment 590 so that pivot shaft 576 may be
compressed to allow locking abutment 590 to pass through pivot
opening 516 in base member 504 so that locking abutment will abut
against the lower surface 594 of base member 504 and thereby
rotatably lock shift dial 512 to base member 504. Shift element
coupler 580 is fitted within a coupler bore 595 in dial portion 570
and includes a cable end bead receiving opening 596 for seating
cable end bead 65 of wire 14 so that wire 14 is coupled to dial
portion 570.
[0053] As with the above embodiments, shift control device 500 sets
shift dial 512 in one of two positions: a cable released position
shown in FIG. 14, wherein counterclockwise rotation of shift dial
512 is limited by contact between motion stop 537 and limit stop
583, and a cable pulled position shown in FIG. 15, wherein
clockwise rotation of shift dial 512 is limited by contact between
motion stop 537 and limit stop 582. This embodiment does not have a
detent mechanism, but if desired a detent mechanism similar to the
one used in shift control device 400 or any other embodiment may be
provided.
[0054] FIG. 16 is an oblique view of a shift control device 600
representing a seventh embodiment of the present invention, and
FIG. 17 is a detailed side view of shift control device 600. In
this embodiment, shift control device 600 includes an attachment
band 604 for mounting shift control device 600 to handlebar 12, a
generally cylindrical base member 608 having a base member axis B,
a cap screw 610 for covering an end of base member 608, and a
rotatable member in the form of a finger contact lever 612 coupled
to base member 608 so that finger contact lever 612 rotates
relative to base member 608 around base member axis B.
[0055] As with the above embodiments, attachment band 604 extends
from base member 608 and has a substantially cylindrical shape. A
mounting hole 624 (FIG. 18) aligns with a mounting hole 628 in a
mounting ear 632 for receiving a mounting screw 636 therein.
Attachment band 604 is tightened around handlebar 12 using mounting
screw 636.
[0056] Base member 608 includes a slot 638 (FIG. 17) on a side
surface 639 thereof forming a cam surface 640. Cam surface 640
includes a first positioning surface 644 extending in a
circumferential direction substantially perpendicular to axis B, a
second positioning surface 648 extending in a circumferential
direction substantially perpendicular to axis B and displaced from
first positioning surface 644 in the direction of axis B, and a
generally straight transition surface 652 extending
circumferentially between first positioning surface 644 and second
positioning surface 648 and inclined relative to both surfaces.
Transition surface 652 may slightly overshoot first positioning
surface 644 as shown in FIG. 17 to provide a detenting function. A
casing terminating opening 655 is used to terminate outer casing 48
of control cable 46.
[0057] Finger contact lever 612 includes an annular cable coupler
portion 660, a cam follower portion 668 for contacting cam surface
640, and a finger contact portion 672. Cable coupler portion 660
rotates around axis B and includes an opening 664 for receiving
wire 14 therethrough. Cable end bead 50 of wire 14 abuts against
the left side of cable coupler portion 660 as shown in FIGS. 16 and
17. Both cam follower portion 668 and finger contact portion 672
extend radially outwardly from cable coupler portion 660 and axis B
so that finger contact portion 672 is disposed outside of base
member 608.
[0058] FIG. 18 is a front view of shift control device 600
illustrating the different operating positions of shift control
lever 612. As with the other embodiments, shift control device 600
moves between a cable pulled position, wherein cam follower portion
668 abuts against first positioning surface 644 as shown in FIG.
16, to a cable released position, wherein cam follower portion 668
abuts against second positioning surface 648. This is accomplished
by rotating finger contact lever 672 from the position shown in
solid lines in FIG. 18 to the position shown in broken lines in
FIG. 18. As finger contact lever 672 rotates, cam follower portion
668 moves within slot 638 and slides against transition surface 652
so that cable coupler portion 660 moves in the direction of axis B
to the cable released position.
[0059] FIG. 19 is an oblique view of a shift control device 700
representing an eighth embodiment of the present invention, and
FIGS. 20-22 are detailed side views illustrating the operation of
shift control device 700. In this embodiment, shift control device
700 includes a generally cylindrical base member 708 integrally
formed with brake control device housing 30 and a generally
cylindrical rotatable member 710. Base member 708 includes a
rotatable member coupling opening 712 defining a base member axis B
that is coaxial with wire 14 when wire 14 is coupled to shift
control device 700. Base member 708 also includes a cam surface 715
defining a pair of V-shaped first positioning surfaces or recesses
716 (FIGS. 20-22) disposed 180.degree. from each other (only one
such positioning recess 716 is shown in FIGS. 20-22) and a pair of
V-shaped second positioning surfaces or recesses 718 disposed
180.degree. from each other (again, only one such positioning
recess 718 is shown in FIGS. 20-22), wherein first positioning
recesses 716 are displaced from second positioning recesses 718 in
the direction of axis B.
[0060] Rotatable member 710 includes a cable end bead coupling
opening 724 (FIG. 22) for receiving cable end bead 50 therein, a
finger contact projection 728 extending radially outwardly from a
side wall 732, a cam surface 736 defining a pair of sawtooth-shaped
positioning surfaces or projections 740 disposed 180.degree. from
each other (only one such positioning projection 740 is shown in
FIGS. 20-22), and a tubular coupling projection 744 with a coupling
flange 748. Tubular coupling projection 744 has a slot 752 so that
tubular coupling projection 744 may be compressed radially to fit
through rotatable member coupling opening 712 in base member 708
until coupling flange 748 is disposed on the left side of base
member 708 as shown in FIGS. 20-22. This prevents rotatable member
710 from decoupling from base member 708.
[0061] Operation of shift control device 700 is shown in FIGS.
20-22. FIG. 20 shows shift control device 700 in the cable released
position where positioning projections 740 engage first positioning
recesses 716. To move shift control device 700 to the cable pulled
position, finger contract projection 728 is pressed downward as
shown in FIG. 21 to cause rotatable member 710 to rotate relative
to base member 708 and to cause cam surface 736 on rotatable member
710 to slide against cam surface 715 on base member 708. This
causes rotatable member 710 to move in the direction of axis B to
the left as shown in FIG. 21 until positioning projections 740
engage positioning recesses 718 as shown in FIG. 22 and shift
control device 700 is set in the cable pulled position.
[0062] While the above is a description of various embodiments of
the present invention, further modifications may be employed
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. For example, the size, shape, location or orientation of
the various components may be changed as desired. The functions of
one element may be performed by two, and vice versa. It is not
necessary for all advantages to be present in a particular
embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is unique from the
prior art, alone or in combination with other features, also should
be considered a separate description of further inventions by the
applicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts
embodied by such feature(s). Thus, the scope of the invention
should not be limited by the specific structures disclosed or the
apparent initial focus on a particular structure or feature.
* * * * *