Patent ID: 6042133
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: B62M,Y10T

Abstract:
An index shifter for a bicycle transmission, said index shifter comprising:a housing to be disposed on a handlebar of a bicycle, said housing comprising a recess disposed therein;said recess comprising a first sidewall and a second sidewall;a ring element rotationally mounted within said housing to actuate a control cable of a bicycle transmission;said ring element comprising a plurality of notches disposed therein;a detent spring disposed within said recess of said housing and disposed between said first sidewall and said second sidewall;said first sidewall and said second sidewall being disposed a distance from one another, said distance being sufficient to permit movement of said detent spring within said recess to provide shift play;said detent spring comprising:a projecting lug disposed to alternately engage ones of said plurality of notches; anda first end and a second end disposed opposite one another;a projection disposed within said recess of said housing, said projection being disposed between said first end of said detent spring and said second end of said detent spring;said projection being disposed as a limit stop for said first end of said detent spring;said projection and said first side wall being configured to form a depression between them;said first end of said detent spring being disposed in said depression between said projection and said first side wall;said depression between said first side wall and said projection having a width extending between said projection and said first side wall;said first end of said detent spring having a width extending between said projection and said first side wall;the width of said depression being greater than the width of said first end of said detent spring; andsaid projection, said first sidewall and said detent spring together being configured and disposed to limit movement of said first end of said detent spring in said depression to maintain a substantially constant play of said first end of said detent spring within said depression to provide a substantially constant shift play of said detent spring within said recess.