Bicycle Control Apparatus

Abstract

A bicycle control apparatus configured to allow a rider to effect a release gear shift without releasing his grip from the handlebar. The bicycle control apparatus includes a brake lever and a shift lever wherein the shift lever is moveable in a first direction to perform a release shift operation and movable in a second direction toward the handlebar independently of the brake lever.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/906,730 filed on Mar. 3, 2005 entitled Bicycle Shifter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a bicycle control apparatus, and more particularly, to a bicycle control apparatus having a brake lever and a shift lever wherein the shift lever is movable in a first direction to perform a shift operation and movable in a second direction toward the handlebar independently of the brake lever.

[0003] Some bicycle road shifters position a release shift lever behind the brake lever, the shift lever being actuable inboard toward the bicycle frame to effect a cable unwinding or release operation. A disadvantage found in some such designs is that although the release shift lever is configured to pivot rearwardly toward the handlebar with the brake lever, the shift lever is not configured to pivot rearwardly independently of the brake lever. This prevents riders from positioning the release shift lever closer to the handlebar for gear shifts when not braking. Accordingly, to effect a release shift, riders must at least partially release their grips from the handlebar and reach forward with at least one finger to displace the release shift lever inboard. Other bicycle road shifters are designed to include a release shift lever on the inboard side of the shifter hood, also requiring riders to release their grips on the handlebar at least partially to push the lever down with their thumbs. Therefore, there is a need for a bicycle road shifter that allows the rider to maintain a grip on the bar while operating a gear shift lever to effect a release shift.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides a bicycle control apparatus that allows a rider to perform a release gear shift operation, typically a cable unwinding, without releasing his grip from the handlebar. Accordingly, the bicycle control apparatus includes a housing mountable to a bicycle handlebar, a brake lever assembly and a shift lever assembly. The brake lever assembly includes a brake lever movable toward the handlebar. The shift lever assembly includes at least one shift lever movable in a first direction to perform a release gear shift operation and movable in a second direction, toward the handlebar, independently of the brake lever. In one embodiment, the shift lever assembly may include a single shift lever configured to be movable in the first direction to perform both cable-winding and cable-unwinding gear shift operations. In other embodiments, the shift lever assembly may include discrete shift levers for cable winding and unwinding operations. The shift lever according to this invention is configured to move with the brake lever toward the handlebar during brake lever actuation. The shift lever is rotatable about a first axis in the first direction to perform the release shift operation and rotatable about a second axis in the second direction toward the handlebar. The second axis may lie in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first axis. In other embodiments of the present invention, the second axis need not lie in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first axis. Typically the brake lever is rotatable about a brake lever axis substantially parallel to the second axis of the shift lever.

[0005] In one embodiment of the present invention, the shift lever includes first and second portions. Both portions of the shift lever are movable in the first direction to perform a gear shift operation, the second portion of the shift lever is movable in the second direction toward the handlebar. This configuration allows the rider to position the shift lever closer to the handlebar to perform a release shift operation without releasing his grip on the handlebar. The first and second portions of the shift lever are rotatable about the first axis in the first direction and the second portion is rotatable about the second axis in the second direction toward the handlebar. The second axis may lie in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first axis. In other embodiments, the second axis need not lie in a plane perpendicular to the first axis.

[0006] These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description of various embodiments of the invention, taken together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] In the drawings:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bicycle control apparatus mounted to a drop-style handlebar according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a bicycle control apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the bicycle control apparatus of FIG. 2;

[0011] FIGS. 4a-4f are cross-sectional views of a holding mechanism and a drive mechanism at different stages of a cable-release operation;

[0012] FIGS. 5a-5h are cross-sectional views of the holding mechanism and the drive mechanism of FIGS. 4a-4f at different stages of a cable-pull operation;

[0013] FIG. 6a is a perspective view of a rider's hand gripping the drop of the handlebar, the rider's index finger released from its grip on the handlebar and in contact with the shift lever positioned behind the brake lever according to a first mode of shift lever operation;

[0014] FIG. 6b is a perspective view of a rider's hand gripping the drop of the handlebar, the rider's index finger deflecting the shift lever inboard to effect a gear shift according to a first mode of shift lever operation;

[0015] FIG. 7a is a perspective view of the rider's hand gripping the drop of the handlebar, the rider's index finger released from its grip on the handlebar and in contact with the shift lever positioned behind the brake lever according to a second mode of shift lever operation;

[0016] FIG. 7b is a perspective view of the rider's hand gripping the drop of the handlebar, the rider's index finger drawing the shift lever toward the handlebar according to a second mode of shift lever operation;

[0017] FIG. 7c is a perspective view of the rider's hand gripping the drop of the handlebar, the shift lever within the rider's grasp as he twists his hand to effect a release shift operation according to a second mode of shift lever operation;

[0018] FIG. 7d is a perspective view of the rider's hand gripping the drop of the handlebar, the rider's index finger releasing the shift lever toward its rest position behind the brake lever according to a second mode of shift lever operation; and

[0019] FIG. 8 is a top view of a bicycle control apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention with a different axis orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] FIGS. 1-7 illustrate a bicycle control apparatus 10 mountable to a handlebar 12 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The bicycle control apparatus 10 generally includes a housing 18, a shift lever assembly 21 and a brake lever assembly 23. The housing 18 is mountable to a handlebar 12, typically a drop-style handler found on a road bike. Looking to FIGS. 1 and 2, the handlebar 12 includes an upper portion 13 extending across the bicycle frame (not shown), a curved portion 15 extending downward from the upper portion, and a lower portion 17 extending rearward toward the rider. The curved portion 15 and the lower portion 17 are commonly referred to as the "drops." The housing 18 is typically mounted to the curved portion 15 of the handlebar 12 by a clamp 14 and a bolt 16.

[0021] The shift lever assembly 21 pulls or releases a control cable 11 connected to gear change mechanism (not shown) to shift between various gear positions. The gear change mechanism may be a derailleur or other external or internal gear change devices. In this embodiment, the shift lever assembly 21 generally includes the housing 18, a shift lever 20, a takeup member 22, a holding mechanism 24 and a drive mechanism 26. In this embodiment, the shift lever assembly 21 is integrated with the brake lever assembly 23. The brake lever assembly 23 includes a brake lever 28 pivotable about a shaft 30 or brake lever axis 31. The brake lever 28 is displaceable or movable toward the handlebar 12 to pull a brake cable (not shown) to slow the bicycle. Alternatively, the brake lever assembly may be separate from the shift lever assembly.

[0022] Looking to FIGS. 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the housing 18 is mounted to the handlebar 12, a mounting shaft 32 or a first axis 33 extending through the housing 18. The shift lever 20 is biased toward a rest position, preferably tucked behind the brake lever 28, by a preloaded shift lever return spring 38. A first leg 40 of the shift lever return spring 38 is coupled with the housing 18 while a second leg 44 of the shift lever return spring 38 is coupled with the shift lever 20. The shift lever 20 includes a first portion 34 rotatably mounted to the shaft 32, and a second portion 36 preferably paddle-shaped for easy reach by the rider's fingers. The second portion 36 of shift lever 20 is configured to rotate about shaft 32 along with first portion 34, and to rotate about a lever shaft 48 or second axis 49 mounted to the first portion 34 of the shift lever 20. The second axis 49 may lie in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first axis 33. Alternatively, the second axis 49 need not lie in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first axis 33, for example, it may be parallel to the brake axis 31 (see FIG. 8). The second portion 36 of the shift lever 20 is biased by a preloaded return spring 50 mounted coaxially with the lever shaft 48. A first leg of the return spring 50 is coupled with the second portion 36 of the shift lever 20 while a second leg of the return spring 50 is supported by the first portion 34 of the shift lever 20. In this embodiment, the second portion 36 of the shift lever 20 moves with the brake lever 28 when the brake lever 28 is actuated toward the handlebar. Further, the second portion 36 of the shift lever 20 is displaceable toward the handlebar independently of the brake lever 28.

[0023] The takeup member 22, in this embodiment a spool, is rotatably mounted to the shaft 32. The takeup member 22 includes a groove 52 along its periphery for receiving the control cable 11. The takeup member 22 is biased in the cable-release direction by tension in the control cable 11 and, preferably, by a takeup member return spring 54. The takeup member return spring 54 is biased between the takeup member 22 and the housing 18. The return spring 54 includes a first leg 56 received in an opening 58 in the takeup member 22, and a second leg 60 received in an opening 62 in the housing 18.

[0024] Looking to FIGS. 2-5h, the shift lever assembly 21 includes a ratchet wheel 64 having a plurality of teeth 66 about its periphery, while the holding mechanism 24 includes a holding pawl 68 engageable with the teeth 66 to prevent unwinding of the takeup member 22. The ratchet wheel 64 is rotatably mounted to the shaft 32 and rotates with the takeup member 22. The ratchet wheel teeth 66 correspond to gear positions of the gear change mechanism. Alternatively, the ratchet wheel 64 and the takeup member 22 may be formed as one piece. The holding pawl 68 is rotatable about a holding pawl pivot 70 fixed to the housing 18, and is axially positioned by a retaining ring 72. The holding pawl 68 includes a body 74 and a nose 76 extending from the body 74. The holding pawl nose 76 is biased to engage the ratchet wheel teeth 66 by a preloaded holding pawl spring 78 coaxially mounted to the holding pawl pivot 70. A first leg 80 of the holding pawl spring 78 is received in an opening in the housing 18, and a second leg 86 is supported by the holding pawl 68.

[0025] The drive mechanism 26 includes a drive pawl 84 rotatably mounted about a drive pawl pivot 90 fixed to the shift lever 20. The drive pawl 84 is axially positioned by a retaining ring 92. The drive pawl 84 includes a body 94, a nose 96 extending from the body 94, and a tail 98. A drive pawl spring 100 biases the drive pawl nose 96 toward the ratchet wheel teeth 66. The tail 98 of the drive pawl 84 rests against a declutching element 88, in this embodiment, a declutching wall 88 of the housing 18, when the shift lever 20 is in its rest position.

[0026] The shift lever 20 has two modes of operation. Prior to the first mode of operation, the shift lever 20 is biased toward a rest position, the second portion 36 of the shift lever preferably positioned behind the brake lever 28 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6. To perform a cable release shift, both the first and second portions 34, 36 of the shift lever 20 are rotated about the shaft 32 in a first direction A for a first shift movement toward the bicycle frame. In the shifter embodiment shown, the shift lever 20 may also be pivoted in the same direction for a second shift movement to pull the control cable 11, the second shift movement being greater than the first shift movement. In alternative embodiments, the shift lever assembly 21 may be configured to perform only cable release gear changes. To shift gears in the first mode of operation, the rider partially releases his grip on the handlebar and uses a finger to push the paddle 36 inboard in direction A (see FIGS. 6a, 6b). During the second mode of operation, before performing a shift operation, the rider draws the second portion of the shift lever 20 toward the handlebar 12 independently of the brake lever 28 (FIGS. 7a, 7b). Then with the paddle 36 in his grasp, the rider twists his hand to perform a release shift, the shift operation performed by rotating both first and second portions 34, 36 about the shaft 32 to release the control cable 11 (FIG. 7c). In the second mode of operation the rider need not remove his hand from the drops of the handlebar to perform a release shift, he simply twists his wrist to move the shift lever in the first direction. After the release shift, the rider may release the shift lever 20 to its rest position behind the brake lever 23 (FIG. 7d) or alternatively may continue to grasp the shift lever in preparation for a subsequent release shift.

[0027] Looking to FIGS. 4a-4f, a cable-release operation is described. Before the shift lever 20 is actuated, the tail 98 of the drive pawl 84 rests against the declutching wall 88 positioning the shift lever 20 in its rest position (FIG. 4a). Further, the takeup member 22 and the ratchet wheel 64 are retained in a selected gear position by the holding pawl 68, shown engaging a corresponding first tooth 102.

[0028] Looking to FIG. 4b, as the shift lever 20 is actuated by the rider, the lever 20 rotates about the shaft 32, moving the drive pawl 84 away from the declutching wall 88 and pivoting the drive pawl nose 96 toward the ratchet wheel teeth 66. Looking to FIG. 4c, as the lever 20 is further rotated, the drive pawl nose 96 engages the holding pawl nose 76 causing the holding pawl 68 to release the first tooth 102 of the ratchet wheel 64. Once released, the ratchet wheel 64 rotates about the shaft 32 in the cable-release direction until the first tooth 102 engages the drive pawl nose 96. This action provides both audible and tactile feedback to the rider signaling the rider to release the shift lever 20 to complete the cable-release operation.

[0029] Looking to FIG. 4d, as the shift lever 20 is released toward its rest position, the ratchet wheel 64 rotates in the cable-release direction. Further, the holding pawl nose 76 moves toward engagement with a recess 104 associated with an adjoining second tooth 106 of the ratchet wheel 64, and the drive pawl tail 98 moves toward engagement with the declutching wall 88. As the shift lever 20 rotates further toward its rest position, the drive pawl nose 96 pivots further away from the ratchet wheel teeth 66 biased by the drive pawl as the drive pawl tail 98 bears against the declutching wall 88 (FIG. 4e). When the drive pawl 84 disengages from the ratchet wheel teeth 66, the ratchet wheel 64 rotates in the cable-release direction under the force of the control cable 11 and the takeup member return spring 54, until the holding pawl nose 76 engages the second adjoining ratchet wheel tooth 106, resulting in a single increment gear shift in the cable release direction. At the end of the cable-release operation, the drive pawl 84 moves back to its rest position against the declutching wall 88 (FIG. 4f), positioning the shift lever 20 in its rest position.

[0030] Looking to FIGS. 5a-5h, a cable-pull operation is described. Before the shift lever 20 is actuated, the drive pawl tail 98 rests against the declutching wall 88, positioning the shift lever 20 is in its rest position (FIG. 5a). So positioned, the ratchet wheel 64 is retained in a selected gear position with the holding pawl 68 engaging the first ratchet wheel tooth 102. As the shift lever 20 is actuated by the rider in the shift direction, the drive pawl 84 moves away from the declutching wall 88, positioning the drive pawl nose 96 toward the ratchet wheel teeth 66 (FIG. 5b).

[0031] Looking to FIG. 5c, as the shift lever 20 is further rotated, the drive pawl nose 96 engages the holding pawl nose 76, driving the holding pawl nose 76 out of engagement with the first ratchet wheel tooth 102. Once released, the ratchet wheel 64 rotates in the cable-release direction until the first tooth 102 engages the drive pawl nose 96. As the shift lever 20 is further rotated in the shift direction, the drive pawl 84 drives the ratchet wheel 64 in cable-pull direction, as the holding pawl 68 free-clutches, the holding pawl nose 76 freely sliding along the ratchet wheel teeth 66 (FIG. 5d).

[0032] Looking to FIG. 5e, as the shift lever 20 is further rotated, the drive pawl 84 further rotates the ratchet wheel 64 in the cable-pull direction until the holding pawl 68 engages a next third tooth 110 on the ratchet wheel 64, resulting in a single gear shift in the cable-pull direction. The rider is, of course, not limited to single gear shift increments in the cable-pull direction. The rider may readily shift multiple gear increments in the cable-pull direction by simply continuing to move the shift lever in the shift direction until the desired gear position is reached. Audible and tactile feedback is provided to the rider as each gear shift increment is passed.

[0033] Looking to FIG. 5f, after the desired gear position is reached, the rider releases the shift lever 20 causing the shift lever 20 and the drive pawl 84 to rotate toward their rest positions under the force of the shift lever return spring 38. As the shift lever 20 further rotates toward its rest position, the drive pawl tail 98 bears against the declutching wall 88 rotatably biasing the drive pawl 84 away from the ratchet wheel teeth 66 (FIG. 5g). Looking to FIG. 5h, the drive pawl 84 is in its rest position against the declutching wall 88, with the drive pawl nose 96 disengaged from the ratchet wheel 64.

[0034] While this invention has been described by reference to one or more preferred embodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes could be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but that it have the full scope permitted by the language of the following claims.

Claims

1. A bicycle control apparatus comprising: a housing mountable to a bicycle handlebar; a brake lever assembly having a brake lever movable toward the handlebar; and a shift lever assembly having a shift lever movable in a first direction to perform a cable-release operation and movable in a second direction toward the handlebar independently of the brake lever, the shift lever configured to move with the brake lever toward the handlebar during brake lever actuation.

2. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shift lever is movable in the first direction toward a bicycle frame.

3. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 2 wherein the shift lever is rotatable about a first axis in the first direction to perform the shift operation, the shifter lever rotatable about a second axis in the second direction toward the handlebar independently of the brake lever.

4. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 3 wherein the second axis lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

5. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 3 wherein the second axis is not lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

6. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 3 wherein the brake lever is rotatable about a brake lever axis substantially parallel to the second axis of the shift lever.

7. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 2 wherein the shift lever includes first and second portions, the first and second portions movable in the first direction to perform the shift operation, the second portion movable in the second direction toward the handlebar.

8. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first and second portions are rotatable about a first axis in the first direction, the second portion rotatable about a second axis in the second direction toward the handlebar.

9. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 8 wherein the second axis lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

10. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 8 wherein the second axis is not lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

11. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 8 wherein the brake lever is rotatable about a brake lever axis substantially parallel to the second axis.

12. A bicycle control apparatus comprising: a housing mountable to a bicycle handlebar; a brake lever assembly having a brake lever movable toward the handlebar; and a shift lever assembly including at least one shift lever movable in a first direction to perform a cable-release operation and movable in a second direction toward the handlebar independently of the brake lever, the shift lever configured to move with the brake lever toward the handlebar during brake lever actuation, the shift lever assembly operable in the same direction by a rider to perform a cable-pull operation and the cable-release operation.

13. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 12 wherein the shift lever is rotatable about a first axis in the first direction to perform the shift operation, the shifter lever rotatable about a second axis in the second direction toward the handlebar independently of the brake lever.

14. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 13 wherein the second axis lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

15. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 13 wherein the second axis is not lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

16. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 13 wherein the brake lever is rotatable about a brake lever axis substantially parallel to the second axis of the shift lever.

17. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 12 wherein the shift lever includes first and second portions, the first and second portions movable in the first direction to perform the shift operation, the second portion movable in the second direction toward the handlebar.

18. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 17 wherein the first and second portions are rotatable about a first axis in the first direction, the second portion rotatable about a second axis in the second direction toward the handlebar.

19. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 18 wherein the second axis lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

20. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 18 wherein the second axis is not lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

21. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 18 wherein the brake lever is rotatable about a brake lever axis substantially parallel to the second axis.

22. A bicycle control apparatus comprising: a housing mountable to a bicycle handlebar; brake lever assembly means having brake lever means movable toward the handlebar; and shift lever assembly means having shift lever means movable in a first direction to perform a cable-release operation and movable in a second direction toward the handlebar independently of the brake lever means, the shift lever means configured to move with the brake lever means toward the handlebar during brake lever actuation.

23. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 22 wherein the shift lever means is rotatable about a first axis in the first direction to perform the shift operation, the shifter lever means rotatable about a second axis in the second direction toward the handlebar independently of the brake lever means.

24. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 23 wherein the second axis lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

25. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 23 wherein the second axis is not lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

26. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 23 wherein the brake lever means is rotatable about a brake lever axis substantially parallel to the second axis of the shift lever means.

27. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 22 wherein the shift lever means includes first and second portions, the first and second portions movable in the first direction to perform the shift operation, the second portion movable in the second direction toward the handlebar.

28. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 27 wherein the first and second portions are rotatable about a first axis in the first direction, the second portion rotatable about a second axis in the second direction toward the handlebar.

29. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 28 wherein the second axis lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

30. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 28 wherein the second axis is not lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

31. The bicycle control apparatus of claim 28 wherein the brake lever means is rotatable a brake lever axis substantially parallel to the second axis of the shift lever means.