Bicycle head cap unit

A bicycle head cap unit is configured and arranged to mount an electrical device or part in a steerer tube of a bicycle fork. The bicycle head cap unit basically has a cap portion and a housing portion. The cap portion is dimension to close a top opening of a steerer tube of a bicycle fork. The housing portion is coupled to the cap portion. The housing portion is configured to form an electrical part receiving space that is located within the steerer tube when the cap portion closes the top opening of the steerer tube of the bicycle fork.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to a bicycle head cap unit that is coupled to a steerer tube of a front bicycle fork. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bicycle head cap unit configured with an electrical device.

2. Background Information

Bicycling is becoming an increasingly more popular form of recreation as well as a means of transportation. Moreover, bicycling has become a very popular competitive sport for both amateurs and professionals. Whether the bicycle is used for recreation, transportation or competition, the bicycle industry is constantly improving the various components of the bicycle as well as the frame of the bicycle.

Recently, bicycles have been equipped with electrical components to make riding easier and more enjoyable for the rider. Some bicycles are equipped with computer controlled suspensions that are automatically adjusted according to the riding conditions by a cycle computer or control unit. An example of a computer controlled suspension is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,799, which is assigned to Shimano, Inc. Moreover, many new bicycles have automatic shifting units that are automatically adjusted according to the riding conditions by a cycle computer or control unit.

Accordingly, these bicycles with electrical components need to be equipped with control devices for controlling the various electrical components and one or more batteries for supplying electrical power to the various electrical components. Unfortunately, there is a limited amount of space on a bicycle frame to mount all of these electronic components. Moreover, these electronic components are preferably mounted in particular areas of the bicycle, which further limits the mounting areas for the electronic components. Also it is desirable to mount the electronic components in such a manner as to be attractive and easy to use. Another consideration in the mounting areas of the electronic components, it the need to provide a waterproof design so that the electronic components are not damages by the environment.

Moreover, in order to drive all of these electronic components, some bicycles have been equipped with a hub dynamo for generating and supplying electrical power to the various electrical components such as cycle computers, electronic suspensions, electronic shifting units, lamps, etc. Two examples of hub dynamos are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,409,197 and 6,559,564, which are assigned to Shimano, Inc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle head cap unit that can be used to mount an electrical device or part in a steerer tube of a bicycle fork.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle head cap unit that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

The foregoing objects can basically be attained by providing a bicycle head cap unit that basically comprises a cap portion and a housing portion. The cap portion is dimension to close a top opening of a steerer tube of a bicycle fork. The housing portion is coupled to the cap portion. The housing portion is configured to form an electrical part receiving space that is located within the steerer tube when the cap portion closes the top opening of the steerer tube of the bicycle fork.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially toFIG. 1, a bicycle10is illustrated that is equipped with various electronic components in such a manner as to carryout a first embodiment of the present invention as discussed below. Bicycles and their various components are well known in the art, and thus, bicycle10and its various components will not be discussed and/or illustrated in detail herein, except for the components that relate to the present invention. Also as used herein, the following directional terms “forward, rearward, above, downward, vertical, horizontal, below and transverse” as well as any other similar directional terms refer to those directions of a bicycle equipped with the present invention. Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describe the present invention should be interpreted relative to a bicycle equipped with the present invention.

As seen inFIG. 1, the bicycle10basically includes a main frame12, a rear chain stay13, a front wheel14and a rear wheel15. The main frame12is also equipped with a seat16, a handlebar17and a front suspension fork18that rotatably supports the front wheel14via a front dynamo hub19of the front wheel14. The main frame12basically includes a top tube12a, a seat tube12b, a down tube12cand a head tube12d.

As seen inFIGS. 1 and 2, an upper end of the front suspension fork18is movably coupled to the head tube12dof the main frame12, while the lower end of the front suspension fork18is coupled to the front dynamo hub19. Thus, the front wheel14is rotatably mounted to the front suspension fork18by the front dynamo hub19in conventional manner. The handlebar17is fixed to the front suspension fork12in a conventional manner for turning the front suspension fork12and the front wheel14relative to the main frame12.

As seen inFIG. 3, the front suspension fork18is preferably an electronically controlled suspension that includes an electric device18athat changes the dampening characteristics of the front suspension fork18. Since the precise structure of the electric device18ais not important to the present invention, the precise structure of the electric device18awill not be discussed or illustrated in detail herein. In fact, the structure of the electric device18ahas been illustrated in a simplified manner inFIG. 3for the sake of simplicity and for easy of illustration. An example of an electronically controlled front suspension is the front suspension of the Nexave C-910 components that are sold by Shimano Inc.

Referring back toFIG. 1, the rear chain stay13is pivotally coupled to the main frame12by a bottom bracket (not shown). A rear suspension unit20is operatively coupled between the main frame12and the rear chain stay13to absorb shocks transmitted to the rear wheel15. The rear suspension unit20is an electronically controlled suspension that includes an electric device20athat changes the dampening characteristics of the rear suspension unit20. Since the precise structure of the electric device20ais not important to the present invention, the precise structure of the electric device20awill not be discussed or illustrated in detail herein. In fact, the structure of the electric device20ahas been illustrated in a simplified manner inFIG. 1for the sake of simplicity and for easy of illustration. An example of an electronically controlled rear suspension is the rear suspension of the Nexave C-910 components that are sold by Shimano Inc.

A drive train21is also operatively coupled between the main frame12and the rear chain stay13in a conventional manner. The drive train21basically includes a plurality of front chain rings or sprockets22mounted on a bottom bracket (not shown), a pair of crank arms23with a pair of pedals24, a front derailleur25mounted on the bottom bracket (not shown), a drive chain26, a plurality of rear sprockets27coupled to a rear hub28of the rear wheel15in a conventional manner, and a rear derailleur29mounted to the rear chain stay13. Since these parts of bicycle10are well known in the art, these parts will not be discussed or illustrated in detail herein, except as they are modified to be used in conjunction with the present invention. Moreover, various conventional bicycle parts such as brakes, etc., which are not illustrated and/or discussed herein, are also used in conjunction with the present invention as needed and/or desired.

Moreover, as seen inFIG. 2, the bicycle10is equipped with various electronic control components mounted in the handlebar17. In particular, the bicycle10is equipped with a bicycle head cap unit30, a cycle computer31, a front shifting unit32and a rear shifting unit33. The bicycle head cap unit30is electrically coupled to the cycle computer31, the front shifting unit32and the rear shifting unit33by an electrical cord34that splits into several feed wires or cord portions34a,34band34cthat each includes a plurality of electrical conductors. As seen inFIGS. 1 and 2, an electrical cord35is coupled to the bottom of the bicycle head cap unit30for electrically coupling to the front dynamo hub19the electric device18aof the front suspension fork18, the electric device20aof the rear suspension unit20, the front derailleur25and the rear derailleur29thereto. Preferably, the electrical cord35splits into several feed wires or cord portions that includes an electrical cord portion35aelectrically coupled to the front dynamo hub19, an electrical cord portion35belectrically coupled to the electric device18aof the front suspension fork18, and an electrical cord portion35celectrically coupled to the electric device18aof the front suspension fork18, the front derailleur25and the rear derailleur29by an electrical cord35. Accordingly, each of these cord portions35a–35cincludes a plurality of conductors. Examples of various electronic control components that can be used with the present invention are the Nexave C-910 components that are sold by Shimano Inc.

Since the precise structure of the electrical cords34and35as well as their various electrical connections are not important to the present invention, the precise structure of the electrical cords34and35as well as their various electrical connections will not be discussed or illustrated in detail herein. In fact, the structure of the electrical cords34and35as well as their various electrical connections have been illustrated in a simplified manner for the sake of simplicity and for easy of illustration. Moreover, the construction of the electrical cords34and35as well as their various electrical connections will depend upon the number and type of electrical components that are connected to the bicycle head cap unit30.

The bicycle head cap unit30is coupled to the front suspension fork18in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. As explained below in more detail below, the bicycle head cap unit30is configured and arranged to supply electrical power and/or control signals to the various electronic components of the bicycle10and to acts as a control unit as needed and/or desired.

The cycle computer31includes a plurality of push buttons for operating the automatic shifting control and the automatic suspension control. In the illustrated embodiment, as seen inFIG. 2, the cycle computer31is electrically coupled to the bicycle head cap unit30by the electrical cord portion34aof the electrical cord34. The cycle computer31is preferably configured and arranged to output the rider input commands to the bicycle head cap unit30, which has control programs stored for controlling the automatic suspension and the automatic shifting based on the rider input commands. Alternatively, the cycle computer31and the bicycle head cap unit30are configured and arranged such that the cycle computer31has a control unit that preferably includes a microcomputer with a control program that controls the automatic shifting control and the automatic suspension control. The cycle computer31can also include other conventional components such as an input interface circuit, an output interface circuit, and storage devices such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) device and a RAM (Random Access Memory) device. The microcomputer of the cycle computer31is programmed to display various information such as the status of the various components as well as programmed to control automatic shifting control and the automatic suspension control. The memory circuit stores processing results and control programs that are run by the processor circuit.

The front shifting unit32includes a plurality of shifting push buttons for manually shifting the front derailleur25when the cycle computer31has been set by the rider to a manual mode. In the illustrated embodiment, as seen inFIG. 2, the front shifting unit32is electrically coupled to the bicycle head cap unit30by the electrical cord portion34bof the electrical cord34. In the preferred embodiment, the front shifting unit32inputs electrical commands to the bicycle head cap unit30which in turn outputs electrical commands to the cycle computer31. Alternatively, the front shifting unit32is electrically coupled directly to the cycle computer31.

The rear shifting unit33includes a plurality of shifting push buttons for manually shifting the rear derailleur29when the cycle computer31has been programmed or set by the rider to a manual mode. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear shifting unit33is electrically coupled to the bicycle head cap unit30by the electrical cord portion34cof the electrical cord34. In the preferred embodiment, the rear shifting unit33inputs electrical commands to the bicycle head cap unit30which in turn outputs electrical commands to the cycle computer31. Alternatively, the rear shifting unit33is electrically coupled directly to the cycle computer31.

As seen inFIG. 3, the front suspension fork18basically includes a pair of telescoping struts41and42that are interconnected by an upper crown43which is coupled to a steerer tube46. The steerer tube46is coupled to the main bicycle frame12in a conventional manner by top and bottom bearing sets47and48that rotatably support the steerer tube46within the head tube12dof the main frame12. The steerer tube46has the handlebar17coupled to its upper end in a conventional manner.

As explained below, the basic constructions of the struts41and42are identical, except that the strut41is configured and arranged to act as a shock absorber and the strut42is configured and arranged to act as a protective conduit for protecting a cord portion35aof the electrical cord35that is electrically coupled to the front dynamo hub19.

As seen inFIG. 3, the strut41includes an inner (upper) telescoping member or tube41aand an outer (lower) telescoping member or tube41btelescopically coupled to the inner telescoping tube41a. The inner and outer telescoping tubes41aand41bare constructed of hard rigid materials that are conventionally used for struts. The inner and outer telescoping tubes41aand41bof the strut41are configured and arranged to form a variable volume chamber having a dampening unit located therein. The dampening unit is configured and arranged to absorb impacts on the front suspension fork12due to engagement with a rock, a hole, a bump or a like. The dampening unit is preferably an electronically controlled unit that can be automatically adjusted as well as manually adjusted. The dampening unit preferably includes as one or more compression springs in combination with the electric device18athat changes the dampening characteristics of the front suspension fork18. Automatic dampening unit are known in the art. Accordingly, the dampening unit used in the present invention will not be discussed or illustrated in detail herein.

Preferably, the strut42does not include a dampening unit, but rather has the electrical cord portion35aof the electrical cord35running therethrough. Of course, if needed and/or desired, a second dampening unit can be installed in the strut42that does not interfere with the electrical cord portion35a. The strut42basically includes an inner (upper) telescoping member or tube42aand an outer (lower) telescoping member or tube42btelescopically coupled to the inner telescoping tube42a. The inner and outer telescoping tubes42aand42bare constructed of hard rigid materials that are conventionally used for struts. The inner and outer telescoping tubes42aand42bof the strut42are configured and arranged to form a variable volume chamber having a majority of the electrical cord portion35alocated therein.

Turning now toFIGS. 3–5, the bicycle head cap unit30is coupled to the steerer tube46of the front suspension fork18in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. The head cap unit30basically includes a cap portion61, a housing portion62, a fixing portion63and an electrical part64. In this embodiment, the cap portion61and the housing portion62are constructed as two separate individual members that are rigidly and fixedly coupled together to form a single unit with an electrical part receiving space formed therebetween for accommodating the electrical part64therein.

The fixing portion63secures the cap portion61and the housing portion62to the steerer tube46of the front suspension fork18. The head cap unit30is inserted into the top opening of the steerer tube46such that the cap portion61is partially located outside of the steerer tube46and the housing portion62is located fully within the steerer tube46with the fixing portion63engaging the inside surface of the steerer tube46to fasten the head cap unit30thereto. Preferably, the head cap unit30is arranged such that the cap portion61contacts the mounting portion17aof the handlebar17to apply a downward force on the mounting portion17aof the handlebar17. This downward force on the mounting portion17aof the handlebar17applies a downward force on the top bearing set47that rotatably supports the steerer tube46within the head tube12dof the main frame12.

As best seen inFIG. 6, the cap portion61is preferably constructed as a one-piece, unitary member from a hard rigid material. Preferably, the cap portion61is formed of a nonconductive material such as a hard rigid plastic material. Basically, the cap portion61has a step-shaped configuration that defines a first or upper section61aand a second or lower section61bwith an annular abutment surface61cformed therebetween. Also, a central bolt opening or bore61dextends axially through the center of the first and second sections61aand61bfor receiving a part of the fixing portion63as explained below. Preferably, the bolt opening or bore61dalso has a step-shaped configuration that forms an abutment61ethat faces in an opposite axial direction to abutment61c. Preferably, the outer peripheral surface of the first section61aof the cap portion61is cylindrical. Likewise, the outer peripheral surface of the second section61bof the cap portion61is also preferably cylindrical and concentric with the cylindrical outer surface of the first section61aof the cap portion61.

Preferably, the cap portion61has a plurality of electrical conductors61f(only two shown for the sake of simplicity and illustration) embedded within the cap portion61. A cord receiving recess61gis formed within the first section61aof the cap portion61around the electrical conductors61fsuch that portions of the electrical connectors61fare exposed within the cord receiving recess61g. The cord receiving recess61gand the electrical conductors61fform a first electrical connection of the head cap unit30. Also, the opposite or inner ends of the electrical conductors61fare exposed within the head cap unit30since they extend outwardly from the second section61binto the housing portion62. The inner ends of the electrical conductors61fare electrically connected to the electrical part64that is retained in the housing portion62.

The housing portion62is preferably constructed as a one-piece, unitary member from a hard rigid material. More preferably, the housing portion62is constructed of a nonconductive material such as a hard rigid plastic material. The housing portion62is fixedly coupled to the cap portion61using conventional fastening techniques such as an adhesive. Of course, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the housing portion62can be fixedly coupled to the cap portion61using other fastening methods such as a screw connection, a bayonet connection or the like. The housing portion62together with the cap portion61forms the electrical part receiving space that contains the electrical part64.

The housing portion62preferably has an outer diameter that is equal to or smaller than the inner diameter of the steerer tube46such that the housing portion62easily fits within the interior of the steerer tube46. The diameter of the first section61aof the cap portion61is preferably sized to be substantially equal to the outer diameter of the mounting portion17aof the handlebar17to prevent the cap portion61from being inserted in to the interior of the steerer tube46.

The housing portion62basically includes a tubular side wall62ahaving a first open end62band a substantially closed end62c. Preferably, the tubular side wall62ahas a substantially cylindrical inner surface and a substantially cylindrical outer surface. The first open end62bof the housing portion62preferably has an inner diameter that is equal to or slightly larger than the second section61bof the cap portion61such that the housing portion62easily fits within the interior of the steerer tube46such that the housing portion62can be adhesively coupled to the cap portion61. Of course, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that other types of connections can be formed between the cap portion61and the housing portion62to fixedly couple the two portions together.

The closed end62cof the housing portion62is preferably provided with an end wall62dthat has a centrally located bolt opening or bore62ethat receives a portion of the fixing portion63as explained below. In this embodiment, preferably, a tubular part62fextends axially within the electrical part receiving space of the housing portion62. The tubular part62fis arranged such that it interconnects the bolt bore61dof the cap portion61with the bolt bore62eof the housing portion62. Preferably, the free end of the tubular part62fcontacts the second section61bof the cap portion61and is adhesively joined thereto in order to isolate the interior of the tubular part62ffrom the electrical part receiving space formed between the cap portion61and the housing portion62. In an alternative embodiment, the housing portion62is modified to eliminate the tubular part62fand the fixing portion is provided with sealing members or O-rings.

Preferably, the end wall62dof the housing portion62has a plurality of electrical conductors62g(only two shown for the sake of simplicity and illustration) embedded within the housing portion62. A cord receiving recess62his formed within the end wall62dof the housing portion62around the electrical conductors62gsuch that portions of the electrical connectors62gare exposed within the cord receiving recess62h. The cord receiving recess62hand the electrical conductors62gform a second electrical connection of the head cap unit30. Also, the opposite or inner ends of the electrical conductors62gare exposed within the head cap unit30since they extend outwardly from the end wall62dinto the electrical part receiving space of the housing portion62. The inner ends of the electrical conductors62gare electrically connected to the electrical part64that is retained in the housing portion62.

As seen inFIG. 5, the fixing portion63preferably includes a fixing bolt66and a fixing nut67for securing the head cap unit30within the steerer tube46. The fixing bolt66is preferably constructed of a hard rigid material such as a metallic material. The fixing bolt66has a head portion66aand a threaded shaft portion66bextending axially from the head portion66a. Preferably the head portion66ahas a tool receiving recess66cfor receiving a tool to rotate the fixing bolt66. The tool receiving recess66cis preferably a noncircular recess such as a hexagon or other non-circular recess.

The fixing nut67is preferably a so-called star nut that has a threaded sleeve67awith a pair of axially spaced retaining washers67bfixedly coupled to opposite ends of the threaded sleeve67a. The threaded sleeve67ahas internal threads67cthat correspond to the external threads of the threaded shaft66bsuch that the fixing nut67is threaded onto the threaded shaft66bof the fixing bolt66. The retaining washers67bare preferably concave washers with a limited degree of resiliency or flexibility such that the retaining washers67bcan be inserted into the steerer tube46with a relatively small amount of force and can not be easily removed. Thus, the outer widths or diameters of the retaining washers67bare sized to be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the steerer tube46. In other words, to install the fixing nut67into the steerer tube46, the fixing nut67is press fitted into the into the steerer tube46to slightly bend the retaining washers67bin a radial and axial direction. Preferably, the retaining washers67bare formed of five projecting tab elements to form a generally star shaped configuration. Also, preferably, two of the tab elements of each of the retaining washers67bare separated farther apart than the others to form a cord receiving space such that the electrical cord35can pass between the fixing nut67and the inner surface of the steerer tube46.

As seen inFIGS. 6 and 7, the electrical part64is diagrammatically illustrated and preferably includes a printed circuit board64awith an electrical circuit64bprinted thereon. The electrical circuit board64aalso preferably includes a battery or capacitor64cfor storing electrical energy. The size of the electrical battery or capacitor64cwill depend upon the electrical devices that are being operated by the head cap unit30. Preferably, the printed circuit board64awith the printed circuit64bforms a control unit for controlling the electrical suspensions24and26as well as the front and rear derailleurs25and29. Thus, the printed circuit board64apreferably includes a microcomputer with a control program that controls the automatic shifting control and the automatic suspension control. The printed circuit board64acan also include other conventional components such as an input interface circuit, an output interface circuit, and storage devices such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) device and a RAM (Random Access Memory) device. The memory circuit stores processing results and control programs that are run by the processor circuit.

Second Embodiment

Referring now toFIG. 8, a head cap unit230in accordance with a second embodiment will now be explained. Basically, the head cap unit230of this second embodiment is identical the head cap unit30of the first embodiment, except that an indicator display265has been added. In view of the similarity between the first and second embodiments, the parts of the second embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of the first embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the second embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity.

In this second embodiment, the head cap unit230is coupled to the steerer tube46of the front suspension fork18in the same manner as the first embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the head cap unit230basically includes a modified cap portion261that is used with the housing portion62, the fixing portion63and the electrical part64of the first embodiment. Thus, the electrical part64of the head cap unit230is electrically coupled to the electrical cords34and35.

The modified cap portion261is identical in construction to the cap portion61, as discussed above, excepted for addition of the indicator display265. The indicator display265is embedded in the cap portion261and arranged such that the rider can easily view the indicator when riding the bicycle10. The indicator display265is a relatively conventional component, and thus will not be discussed or illustrated in detail herein. The indicator display265can be merely an LCD display or can include other parts of a cycle computer as needed and/or desired. The indicator display265is electrically coupled to the electrical part64via an electrical wire265athat plugs into a mating electrical connector formed on the electrical circuit board64aof the electrical part64.

In the second embodiment, the indicator display265is preferably configured and arranged to at least display the speed or velocity of the bicycle10. Of course, the indicator display265is alternatively riding conditions of the bicycle10. The speed or velocity of the bicycle10is preferably calculated based on the dynamo pulses that are produced by the front dynamo hub19in a conventional manner. Basically, the front dynamo hub19includes several pawls that generate alternating current (AC). In other words, the front dynamo hub19generates plus and minus pulses that are transmitted to the electrical part64via the electrical cord35awhich in turn outputs the speed or velocity of the vehicle10from the electrical part64to the indicator display265via the electrical wire265a. Accordingly, the plus and minus pulses of the front dynamo hub19are preferably utilized to calculate the speed or velocity of the bicycle10without the need of utilizing a separate velocity sensing arrangement.

Third Embodiment

Referring now toFIG. 9, a head cap unit330in accordance with a third embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similarity between the first and third embodiments, the parts of the third embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of the first embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the third embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity.

In another alternative embodiment, the head cap unit330is provided with a cap portion361and a housing portion362that are molded together about the electrical part64. In other words, the cap portion361and the housing portion362are molded as a one-piece, unitary member about the electrical part64. Thus, the electrical part receiving space in this embodiment is defined by the electrical part64. Stated differently, the electrical part receiving space is completely filled by the electrical part64when the cap portion361and the housing portion362are formed as a one-piece, unitary member that is molded onto the electrical part64. Of course, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the electrical part receiving space in the molded embodiment does not have to be completely filled by the electrical part64. Rather, various spaces can be provided for weight reduction or as needed and/or desired.

In this third embodiment, the head cap unit330is coupled to the steerer tube46of the front suspension fork18in the same manner as the first embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the head cap unit330uses the fixing portion63of the first embodiment. Moreover, the electrical part64of the head cap unit330is electrically coupled to the electrical cords34and35.

Fourth Embodiment

Referring now toFIG. 10, a head cap unit430in accordance with a fourth embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similarity between the first and fourth embodiments, the parts of the fourth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of the first embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the fourth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity.

In this fourth embodiment, the head cap unit430is coupled to the steerer tube46of the front suspension fork18in basically the same manner as in the first embodiment of the present invention. The head cap unit430basically includes a modified cap portion461that is coupled to a modified housing portion462by a modified fixing portion463. The electrical part64of the first embodiment is molded with the housing portion462, similar to the third embodiment. Thus, the electrical part64of the head cap unit430is electrically coupled to the various electrical components of the bicycle10via the electrical cords34and35.

In this fourth embodiment, the modified fixing portion463includes a modified fixing bolt466and a fixing nut467that is identical to the fixing nut67of the prior embodiments, except for the portion of the fixing nut467that is embedded in the housing portion462is smaller in width than in the prior embodiments. The fixing nut467, in this fourth embodiment, is disposed between the cap portion461and the housing portion462. Preferably, the fixing nut467is embedded in the housing portion462. More specifically, the housing portion462is molded as a one-piece, unitary member about the electrical part64and the lower one of the retaining washers.