Adjusting structure for seatpost of bicycle

An adjusting structure for a seatpost of a bicycle includes a telescopic post and at least one adjusting module. The telescopic post includes at least one switch disposed on one end of the telescopic post, wherein the switch is for lengthening or shortening the telescopic post. The adjusting module is disposed on the telescopic post corresponding to the switch and for pushing the switch.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to Taiwan Application Serial Number 102206728, filed Apr. 12, 2013 and Taiwan Application Serial Number 102206729, filed Apr. 12, 2013, which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a seatpost of a bicycle. More particularly, the present invention relates to an adjusting structure for a seatpost of a bicycle.

2. Description of Related Art

For bicycle rider, the proper height of the seatpost of bicycle is important, that is, the proper height of the seatpost can enhance the riding efficiency, and the injuried of leg can be prevented. In general, the seatpost is departed with the body of the bicycle on the demand of riders with different height, so that the siders can inset the seatpost to the body of the bicycle in different depth according the height of themselves.

However, is inconvenient to adjust the height of the seatpost that must stop the ride. Especially, for the riders who regularly ride on the uphill and downhill, and have to adjust the height of the seatpost according to different kinds of the riding road.

Hence, there is a seatpost of bicycle which can be adjusted the height thereof during riding. The adjusting device is a lever which disposed around the seatpost (called inner wired type). However, it is also inconvenient and danger for rider to operate the adjusting device around the seatpost which is far from the handle of the bicycle.

Another device for adjusting the height of the seatpost of the bicycle is a wired device (called outer wired type), wherein the rider can adjust the height of the seatpost via the wired device which provides an operating end disposed around the handle of the bicycle. However, if the wire of the wired device is too long and near the wheel of bicycle, it is danger that the wire is easier to be rolled up by the wheel.

Recently, the inner wired type becomes the mainstream for adjusting the height of the seatpost. However, it is hard to apply on different type of bicycle, and the inner space of the body of the bicycle is too small for containing the adjusting device for the seatpost, and could not provide a convenient way for rider to switching the adjusting device. Further, there is a fluid pressure type which for replacing the wired type of the adjusting device. However, the cost of the fluid pressure type is higher, and the structure is more complicated.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an adjusting structure for a seatpost of a bicycle includes a telescopic post and at least one adjusting module. The telescopic post includes at least one switch disposed on one end of the telescopic post, wherein the switch is for lengthening or shortening the telescopic post. The adjusting module is disposed on the telescopic post corresponding to the switch and for pushing the switch.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, an adjusting structure for a seatpost of a bicycle includes a telescopic post, a length adjusting module and a first adjusting module. The length adjusting module is contained in the telescopic post, two ends of the length adjusting module leant against two ends of the telescopic post respectively, wherein the length adjusting module includes at least one switch located on one of the ends of the length adjusting module. The first adjusting module is disposed on one end of the telescopic post and for pushing the switch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1shows a three dimensional view of an adjusting structure for a seatpost of a bicycle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. InFIG. 1, the adjusting structure for the seatpost of the bicycle includes a telescopic post100and at least one adjusting module (such as the first adjusting module400shown inFIG. 1). The telescopic post100includes at least one switch (such as the first switch210shown inFIG. 1) disposed on one end (such as first end101shown inFIG. 1) of the telescopic post100, wherein the first switch210is for lengthening or shortening the telescopic post100. The first adjusting module400is disposed on the telescopic post100corresponding to the first switch210and for pushing the first switch210.

In detail, the first adjusting module400inFIG. 1includes a pushed lever (such as the first pushed lever420shown inFIG. 1) and a linking lever (such as the first linking lever410shown inFIG. 1). One end of the first pushed lever420corresponds to the first switch210and can be pivotally connected to the first end101of the telescopic post100. The first linking lever410corresponds to the first pushed lever420and is pivotally connected to the first end101of the telescopic post100, wherein one end of the first linking lever410is driven to swing the other end of the first linking lever410, and the other end of the first linking lever410is linked up with the other end of the first pushed lever420, thus the other end of the first pushed lever420pushes the first switch210. Moreover, the first adjusting module400can also be a lever, a connecting rod, a cam wheel, a roller or a motor, do that the first switch210can be pushed for lengthening or shortening the telescopic post100.

For another example (not be shown) of the embodiment, the first pushed lever420of the first adjusting module400can be directly connected to the first linking lever410, that is, the first pushed lever420is not pivotally connected to the telescopic post100. Therefore, the first pushed lever420is directly linked up with the first linking lever410, or the first adjusting module400can further includes an assisting rod pivotally connected to the telescopic post100and for linked up with the first pushed lever420to push the first switch210, so that the moving track of the first pushed lever420can be controlled.

The other end (such as the second end102shown inFIG. 1) of the telescopic post100can further include a switch (such as the second switch220shown inFIG. 1) disposed thereon. The first adjusting module400can be detachably disposed on the telescopic post100, so that the first adjusting module400not only can correspond to and control the first switch210, but also can be disposed on the second end102of the telescopic post100which corresponds to the second switch220. Therefore, the second switch210can be pushed by the first adjusting module400for adjusting the length of the telescopic post100.

Furthermore, when the first adjusting module400is disposed on the first end101of the telescopic post100, the adjusting structure for the seatpost of the bicycle can further include a second adjusting module500, wherein the second adjusting module500corresponds to the second switch220and is disposed on the second end102of the telescopic post100which is for pushing the second switch220. InFIG. 1, the second adjusting module500is a lever. Also, the second adjusting module500can also be a connecting rod, a cam wheel, a roller or a motor.

FIG. 2shows a schematic view of an operating state of the fink adjusting module400ofFIG. 1.FIG. 3shows a schematic view of another operating state of the first adjusting module400ofFIG. 1. The adjusting structure can further include a wire rope600, wherein one end of the ire rope600is detachably connected to the first linking lever410of the first adjusting module400for pulling the first linking lever410. InFIG. 2, when the wire rope600is not pulled and the first switch210of the telescopic post100is not be pushed, the length of the telescopic post100cannot be adjusted inFIG. 3, when the wire rope600is pulled, one end of the first linking lever410can be pulled for pushing the first pushed lever420, and the first pushed lever420can push the first switch210of the telescopic post100. Thus, the telescopic post100can be lengthened or shortened for adjusting the length (or height) of the seatpost of the bicycle.

The pull of the wire rope600can be transformed into the push against the first switch210via the first linking lever410and the first pushed lever420. The wire rope600can be contained in a cover610, so that the wire rope600can be protected from the effect of the environment. Further, the wire rope600can be pulled for linking up with the first linking lever410in the cover610, there is no need to move the cover in the operating state. Therefore, in the operating state, the adjusting structure would not be rubbed against the bicycle, and the external resistance would not be provided, so that the user can operate in an effort-saving situation.

Moreover, the wire rope600is detachably connected to the first adjusting module400. Therefore, the wire rope600cam also be connected to the second adjusting module400on demand, so that the second adjusting module400can be actuated and pushes the second switch220for adjusting the length of the telescopic post100.

FIG. 4shows a schematic view of a second adjusting module500of the adjusting structure for the seatpost of the bicycle ofFIG. 1. InFIG. 4, the second adjusting module500includes a second linking lever510and a second pushed lever520. The second linking lever510can be pivotally connected to the second end102of the telescopic post100, one end of the second linking lever510is driven to swing the other end of the second linking lever510. One end of the second pushed lever520corresponds to second linking lever510and is pivotally connected to the second end102of the telescopic post100, the other end of the second pushed lever520can be linked up with the second linking lever510for pushing the second switch220disposed on the second end102of the telescopic post100. The operating way of the second linking lever510and the second pushed lever520of the second adjusting module500and the first linking lever410and the first pushed lever420of the first adjusting module400are the same, and will not be described herein again. The second pushed lever520also can be directly connected to the second linking lever510(not shown). Therefore, the second pushed lever520is directly linked up with the second linking lever510, or the second adjusting module500can further includes an assisting rod pivotally connected to the telescopic post100and for linked up with the second pushed lever520to push the second switch220, so that the moving track of the second pushed lever520can be controlled.

InFIGS. 1 to 4, the adjusting structure can further include a controlling module (not shown) detachably connected to the other end of the wire rope600and for linking up with the wire rope600to control the adjusting module (such as the first adjusting module400or the second adjusting module500). The controlling module can be a lever or a connecting rod, so that the wire rope600can be operated easily for adjusting the height of the seatpost of the bicycle.

FIG. 5shows a schematic view of an adjusting structure for a seatpost of a bicycle according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 6shows a partial exploded view of the adjusting structure ofFIG. 5.FIG. 7shows a partial sectional view of the adjusting structure ofFIG. 5. The adjusting structure for the seatpost of the bicycle includes a telescopic post100, a length adjusting module300and an adjusting module (such as the first adjusting module400inFIG. 5). The telescopic post100has a first end101, the length adjusting module300is contained in the telescopic post100, and two ends of the length adjusting module300is leant against two end101,102of the telescopic post100, respectively. The length adjusting module300includes at least one switch320for lengthening or shortening the length adjusting module300. In the embodiment ofFIG. 5, the switch320of the length adjusting module300corresponds to the first end101of the telescopic post100and is controlled by the first adjusting module400. The first adjusting module400can be a lever, a connecting rod, a cam wheel, a roller or a motor.

InFIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the first adjusting module400includes a first linking lever410and a first pushed lever420, wherein the first linking lever410is pivotally connected to the first end101of the telescopic post100. One end of the first linking lever410is driven to swing the other end of the first linking lever410, and one end of the first pushed lever420is pivotally connected to the first end101of the telescopic post100and corresponds to the first linking lever410. The other end of the first pushed lever420is linked up with the other end of the first linking lever410for pushing the switch320of the length adjusting module300. Therefore, the length adjusting module300can be lengthened or shortened for adjusting the height of the seatpost of the bicycle.

In detail, the telescopic post100includes two assembling bases110located on the first end101and the second end102thereof, respectively. The length adjusting module300includes two assembling units310located on the two ends of the length adjusting module300which are leant against the first end101and the second end102of the telescopic post100, wherein the assembling units310are exchangeably connected to the assembling bases110of the telescopic post100, respectively. The switch320of the length adjusting module300is controlled for lengthening or shortening the length adjusting module300. Each of the assembling bases110includes two assembling holes111and two assembling pins112, wherein each of the assembling pins112is located through each of the assembling holes111and fastened to each of the assembling units310of the length adjusting module300. In the assembling units310and the assembling pins112, one can be a concave-shaped, the other one can be a convex-shaped, and vice versa. Each assembling pin112and each assembling unit310are meshed to each other, so that the two end of the length adjusting module300can be connected to the telescopic post100. When the switch320of the length adjusting module300is pushed and the length of the length adjusting module300is adjusted, the length of the telescopic post100can also be adjusted.

Further, the adjusting structure can further include a wire rope600, a controlling module700and a fine adjusting module800. The wire rope600is detachably connected to the first linking lever410of the first adjusting module400, the controlling module700can pull the wire rope600for linking up with the first linking lever410, wherein the controlling module700can be a lever or a connecting rod. The fine adjusting module800is assembled on the middle section of the wire rope600for adjusting the tension of the wire rope600.

InFIG. 7, the controlling module700is a lever which can be assembled around the handle of the bicycle. When the controlling module700is pulled, the wire rope600can be pulled for linking up the first linking lever410of the first adjusting module400, so that one end of the first linking lever410is driven to swing the other end of the first linking lever410, and the other end of the first linking lever410is linked up with the other end of the first pushed lever420, thus the other end of the first pushed lever420pushes the switch320. It is easily for pushing the switch320of the length adjusting module300by the first linking lever410and the first pushed lever420providing the transformation from the pull of the wire rope600to the push against the switch320. Also, it is convenient for pulling the wire rope via the controlling module700. Hence, the adjusting structure for the seatpost of the bicycle in the present disclosure is called inner wired type, that is, the switch320is pushed via the controlling module700from the bottom of the seatpost. The wire rope600can be covered by the cover, and there is no need to move the cover during operation, so that the external resistance would not be provided, so that the user can operate in an effort-saving situation.

Furthermore, the adjusting structure can include two adjusting module, one is the first adjusting module400, the other one is the second adjusting module500(shown asFIG. 5) disposed on the second end of the telescopic post100. When the switch320of the length adjusting module300corresponds to the second end102of the telescopic post100or the length adjusting module300includes another switch320corresponds to the second end102of the telescopic post100, the second adjusting module500can push the switch for lengthening or shortening the length adjusting module300.

The switch320of the length adjusting module300exchangeably corresponds to the first end101or the second end102of the telescopic post100. The assembling pins112care be detached from the assembling bases110, then the first end101of the telescopic post100can be detached therefrom, so that the position of two end of the length adjusting module300can be exchanged, and the switch320of the length adjusting module300can correspond to the other end of the telescopic post100.

For exchanging assembling of the length adjusting module300, one of the two assembling bases110detachable from one end of the telescopic post100is available. For an example, the assembling base110on the first end101of the telescopic post100is integrated with the telescopic post100, and the assembling base110on the second end102of the telescopic post100is detachable therefrom, so that the length adjusting module300also can be detached and changed the direction.

FIG. 8shows a schematic view of another operating state of the adjusting structure for the seatpost of the bicycle ofFIG. 5.FIG. 9shows a partial exploded view of the adjusting structure ofFIG. 8.FIG. 10shows a partial sectional view of the adjusting structure ofFIG. 8.

InFIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the switch320of the length adjusting module300corresponds to the second end102of the telescopic post100and is adjacent to the second adjusting module500. The wire rope600is detachably connected to the second adjusting module500. Therefore, the switch320of the length adjusting module300can be controlled by the second adjusting module500. When the controlling module700is pulled for pulling the wire rope600, the second adjusting module500can be linked up with the wire rope600for pushing the switch320of the length adjusting module300, thus the length of the length adjusting module300can be adjusted. The second adjusting module500can be a lever for precisely and effort-saving pushing the switch320. Also, the second adjusting module500can be a connecting rod, a cam wheel or a roller.

FIG. 11shows a partial sectional view of the controlling module700of the adjusting structure ofFIG. 5. InFIG. 11, the controlling module700includes a pulling shaft710and a fixing element720, wherein the pulling shaft710is for pulling and linking up with the wire rope600, and the fixing part720detachably connects the wire rope600and the controlling module700. The pulling shaft710can be a lever or a connecting rod for linking up with the wire rope600. The fixing part720can be (but not limited to) screw thread which can cooperate with a screw for connecting the wire rope600with the controlling module700. The fine adjusting module800is for adjusting the tension of the wire rope600, so that the operating efficiency of the adjusting structure can be enhanced when the first adjusting module400or the second adjusting module500is driven by the controlling module700via the wire rope600.

The wire rope600can be contained in the cover610and can be protected from the effect of the environment. The wire rope600can be pulled for linking up with the first adjusting module400or the second adjusting module500for pushing the switch320in the cover610, there is no need to move the cover in the operating state.

FIG. 12shows a schematic view of a length adjusting module300according to another example ofFIG. 5. InFIG. 12, the assembling units310of the length adjusting module300can be screw thread, and the assembling bases110which correspond to the screw thread of the assembling units310can be screws (not shown). The length adjusting module300can be exchanged the direction easily by the screwing cooperation of the assembling units310and the assembling bases110.

FIG. 13shows a schematic view of the length adjusting module300according to yet another example ofFIG. 5. InFIG. 13, the assembling units310of the length adjusting module300concave-shaped, and each of the assembling bases (as shown inFIG. 6and will not be shown inFIG. 13again) includes an assembling clip113disposed in an opening of the assembling bases. The assembling clip113can be meshed and fastened with the assembling unit310, so that the two ends of the length adjusting module300can be detachably connected to the first end101and the second end102of the telescopic post100. The assembling units310and the assembling bases110are not limited to the foregoing forms, that is, one of the assembling unit310and the assembling base110can be concave-shaped, and another one can be convex-shaped, or other forms which can let the assembling units310and the assembling bases110detachably connected to each other.

FIG. 14shows a schematic view of the length adjusting module300and the first adjusting module400of another example ofFIG. 13. InFIG. 14, the first adjusting module400is a cam wheel430, and the wire rope600is connected to the cam wheel430. When the cam wheel430is pulled via the wire rope600, the cam wheel430can be rotated and then push the switch of the length adjusting module300. Similarly, the second adjusting module500can also be a cam wheel.

FIG. 15shows schematic view of the length adjusting module300and the first adjusting module400of still another example ofFIG. 13. InFIG. 15, the first adjusting module400is a roller440, and one end620of the wire rope600is fixed to the assembling base110located on the first end101of the telescopic post100, the other end of the wire rope600is coiled around the roller440. When the wire rope600is pulled and slide along the roller440, the switch320of the length adjusting module300can be pushed, and the length of the length adjusting module300can be adjusted. Similarly, the second adjusting module500can also be a roller.

FIG. 16shows a schematic view of a first adjusting module400of another example ofFIG. 1. InFIG. 16, the first adjusting module400is a motor for pushing the first switch210and the length of the telescopic post100can be adjusted. The motor450can be controlled by a wired electrical device or a wireless electrical device. Furthermore, the adjusting structure inFIGS. 5 to 10, the first adjusting module400can also be a motor450for pushing the switch320of the length adjusting module300, and adjusting the length adjusting module300.

FIG. 17shows a schematic view of a second adjusting module500of another example ofFIG. 1. InFIG. 17, the second adjusting module500includes a motor530and a linking shaft540, wherein the linking shaft540is pivotally connected to the second end102of the telescopic post100, and the motor530is for pushing one end of the linking shaft540, and the other end of the linking shaft540can push the second switch220. The motor530can be controlled by a wired electrical device or a wireless electrical device. Furthermore, the motor530and the linking shaft540of the second adjusting module500can be applied to the adjusting structure ofFIGS. 5 to 10. When the motor530pushes the linking shaft540, and the linking shaft540pushes the switch320, the length adjusting module300can be lengthened or shortened.

According to the foregoing embodiments and examples, the adjusting structure for the seatpost of the bicycle of the present disclosure has the following advantages.

1. Compatibility: The adjusting structure of the present disclosure can applied on different design of the bicycle, and will not have the problem of noncompatibility.

2. Effort-saving: The adjusting module transforms the pull of the wire rope to the push against the switch, and the cover of the wire rope would not be moved during operation. Therefore, the external resistance would not be provided, and the user can operate in an effort-saving situation.

3. Modularization: The way for pushing the switch is modularized by the cooperation of the adjusting module and the wire rope, so that the war for pushing the switch is easier.

4. Easier operation: By changing direction of the length adjusting module for exchanging the position of the switch, or the detachable wire rope, the way for controlling the switch is easier to change.