Patent ID: 6454288
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: B62M

Abstract:
A bicycle having a transmission capable of automatic shifting, said bicycle comprising a frame assembly, a front wheel rotatably connected to said frame assembly, a rear wheel rotatably connected to said frame assembly, a crank connected to said frame assembly, said transmission connecting said cranks and said rear wheel, said transmission comprising a number of sprockets that define a set of gears, a speed sensor being connected to at least one of said front wheel and said rear wheel, a control unit electrically connected to said speed sensor, a shift switch electrically connected to said control unit, a shift actuator operably connected to said control unit and to said transmission, said shift actuator being adapted to initiate shifting of said transmission among said set of gears, said control unit electrically connected to a memory, a shift table being stored in said memory, said shift table comprising a first subset of gears selected from said set of gears, a second subset of gears selected from said set of gears, a third subset of gears selected from said set of gears and shifting speeds corresponding to each of said first subset of gears, said second subset of gears and said third subset of gears such that said transmission can be automatically shifted within a selected subset of gears at said corresponding shift speed, said first subset of gears comprising a number of gears that are included in said second subset of gears and said second subset of gears comprising a number of gears that are included in said third subset of gears, and said selected subset being capable of selection by signals from said shift switch.