Abstract:
A bicycle computer includes a base member structured to mount to a structural member of a bicycle. A cover having an inner surface is swingably coupled to the base so that the inner surface may be moved from a closed position where the inner surface faces the base member to an open position where the inner surface may be viewed or accessed by a user.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/896,306, filed Jun. 28, 1997 entitled Foldable Bicycle Computer U.S. Pat. No. 6,069,788. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to bicycle computers and, more particularly, to a bicycle computer with a foldable display. 
     Bicycle computers often are used to display various operating parameters such as speed, cadence, distance traveled, heart rate, etc. The typical bicycle computer includes a base member mounted to the bicycle handlebar. A keypad for entering data and a display for displaying the desired parameters are usually mounted on the base member in an upward-facing direction so that the keypad may be easily manipulated and the display may be easily viewed during riding. A wheel rotation sensor and/or a crank arm rotation sensor are mounted on one of the wheels and on one of the crank arms, respectively, for providing rotation data to a central processing unit (CPU) located in the base member. The wheel and crank arm sensors communicate with the CPU either through a wire or through a wireless transmission means. 
     Although the keypad and display are positioned for ease of use by the rider, the configuration exposes the keypad and display to hot sun, rain, dust, mud, wind, etc. Since the computer is electrically operated, there is a great risk that the electronic components may be damaged from heat, moisture, flying objects or some other element. While some steps can be made to make the computer more resistant to the elements, such as sealing the openings to make the computer more water resistant, such measures are not always effective since the bicycle and computer often are traveling through the wind and rain at a high speed, and the wind pressure often causes the water to penetrate the computer anyway. Furthermore, such measures do not protect the computer from impact damage caused by flying objects. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a foldable bicycle computer which allows the display and/or data input devices to be protected from the elements while allowing ease of use by the rider. In one embodiment of the present invention, a bicycle computer includes a base member structured to mount to a structural member of a bicycle. A cover having a first surface is swingably coupled to the base member so that the first surface may be moved from a closed position where the first surface faces the base member to an open position where the first surface may be viewed by the rider. In a more specific embodiment, a data input unit and a display may be operatively associated with at least one of the base member and the cover for inputting data into the bicycle computer and viewing operational parameters of the bicycle or user. The cover protects the data input unit and/or the display from the elements when the cover is closed. 
     Data input units and displays may be distributed between the base member and the cover in many different ways as desired. If a display is located on the base member, then the cover may include a transparent section for viewing the display when the cover is in the closed position. To facilitate use by the rider, the data input unit may include one or more data entry members disposed on the base member and one or more data entry members disposed on the cover. In an even more specific embodiment, the cover includes a second surface opposite the first surface. In this embodiment, an inner display may form a portion of the first surface, and an outer display may form a portion of the second surface. Thus, the inner display may be viewed when the cover is in the opened position, and the outer display may be viewed when the cover is in the closed position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a particular embodiment of a foldable bicycle computer according to the present invention with the cover in the closed position; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bicycle computer shown in FIG. 1 with the cover in the open position; 
     FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a foldable bicycle computer according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the bicycle computer shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a foldable bicycle computer according to the present invention with the cover in the open position; 
     FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the bicycle computer shown in FIG. 5 with the cover in the closed position; 
     FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a foldable bicycle computer according to the present invention with the cover in the open position; 
     FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the bicycle computer shown in FIG. 5 with the cover in the closed position; 
     FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a foldable bicycle computer according to the present invention with the cover in the open position; 
     FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the bicycle computer shown in FIG. 9 with the cover in the closed position; and 
     FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of representative electronic components included in the various embodiments of a bicycle computer according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a particular embodiment of a foldable bicycle computer  10  according to the present invention. Computer  10  includes a base member  14  and a cover  18  swingably mounted to base member  14  through a hinge  17 . Base member  14  includes a mounting portion  15  having a substantially cylindrical mounting hole  16  for mounting computer  10  to a handlebar  19 . In this embodiment, a brake lever  22  is pivotably mounted to base member  14  through a pivot shaft (not shown) for controlling a brake cable  30 , and a twist-grip  34  for controlling a transmission cable  38  through a shift control device mounted within base member  14  extends from a side of base member  14 . The shift control device may be constructed in accordance with the teachings of copending U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,139, filed May 12, 1997 entitled “Bicycle Shift Control Device” by Takuro Yamane and assigned to Shimano, Inc. That application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     In this embodiment, a plurality of data input elements  41  forming a keypad  42  are disposed in a surface  46  of base member  14  for entering data into the bicycle computer. Keypad  42  may comprise a plurality of push buttons, membrane switches, or some other computer input elements. 
     Cover  18  is formed as a generally plate-shaped member, and it includes an inner surface  50  and an outer surface  54 . Inner surface  50  faces surface  46  on base member  14  when cover  18  is in the closed position shown in FIG. 1 so that surface  54  may be viewed or accessed by the rider. Inner surface  50  may be viewed or accessed by the rider when cover  18  is in the open position shown in FIG.  2 . An inner display  58  such as a conventional LCD display for displaying computer generated data such as speed, distance traveled, time, gear, cadence, elapsed time, etc. forms a part of inner surface  50 . An outer display  62  such as a conventional LCD display for displaying computer generated data such as the current gear forms a part of outer surface  54 . Additionally, data input elements  66  forming a keypad  67  are disposed on outer surface  54  for entering data into the bicycle computer. Thus, in this embodiment, the rider may observe cycling information from outer display  62  and enter data into the bicycle computer when cover  18  is in the closed position. If desired, one of the data input elements  66  in keypad  67  may instead be a latch control device for controlling a latch  70  that keeps cover  18  secured to base member  14 . 
     It should be apparent that cover  18  protects inner display  58  and keypad  42  from adverse conditions when cover  18  is in the closed position. Furthermore, since outer display  62  and keypad  67  face the rear of the bicycle when cover  18  is in the closed position, display  62  and keypad  67  are significantly protected from moisture impinging upon the computer from the front when the bicycle is being ridden in rainy weather. 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 are rear and front perspective views, respectively, of an alternative embodiment of a bicycle computer  100  according to the present invention. Electronically, computer  100  is substantially the same as computer  10  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 except there is no outer display or corresponding data input elements in this embodiment. The primary difference between the two embodiments is in the construction of base member  104 . In this embodiment, there are no control elements such as brake levers or shifting devices associated with base member  104 . Instead, base member  104  is structured to substantially surround a middle portion of a handlebar  110  as well as a forwardly extending portion of a handlebar stem  114 . Because of this centrally located position, base member  104  may include a headlight  132  that faces in the forward direction. A plurality of data input elements forming a keypad  120  are disposed on a vertically facing surface  124  of base member  104 , and a display  130  forms part of an inner surface  134  of a cover  138  that is swingably connected to base member  104  through a hinge (not shown). Inner surface  134  of cover  138  faces surface  124  of base member  104  when cover  138  is in the closed position, whereas display  130  may be viewed by the rider when cover  138  is in the open position. If desired, data input elements and/or latch control switches  140  may be formed on a lateral surface of base member  104  as long as the elements and/or switches are not harmed by such positioning. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of another embodiment of a foldable bicycle computer  200  according to the present invention. Computer  200  may be formed as part of a brake and/or shifting device like computer  10  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or computer  200  may be formed separately like computer  100  shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. 
     Computer  200  includes a base member  214  and a cover  218  swingably mounted to base member  214  through a hinge  217 . Base member  214  includes a mounting portion  215  having a substantially cylindrical mounting hole  216  for mounting computer  200  to a handlebar  219 . In this embodiment, a plurality of data input elements  241  forming a keypad  242  are disposed in a surface  246  of base member  214  for entering data into the bicycle computer. Additionally, a display  258  for displaying computer generated data forms a part of surface  246 . 
     Cover  218  is formed as a generally plate-shaped member, and it includes an inner surface  250 , an outer surface  254 , and a transparent portion  265  in the form of an opening or transparent window. Inner surface  250  faces surface  246  on base member  214  when cover  218  is in the closed position shown in FIG. 6 so that display  258  may be viewed through transparent portion  265  when cover  218  is in the closed position. If desired, data input elements  261  forming a keypad  266  may be disposed on outer surface  254  for entering data into the bicycle computer. Thus, in this embodiment, the rider may observe cycling information through cover  218  and enter data into the bicycle computer when cover  218  is in the closed position. If desired, one of the data input elements  261  in keypad  266  may instead be a latch control device for controlling a latch  270  that keeps cover  218  secured to base member  214 . 
     FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views of another embodiment of a foldable bicycle computer  300  according to the present invention. Computer  300  may be formed as part of a brake and/or shifting device like computer  10  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or computer  300  may be formed separately like computer  100  shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. 
     Computer  300  includes a base member  314  and a cover  318  swingably mounted to base member  314  through a hinge  317 . Base member  314  includes a mounting portion  315  having a substantially cylindrical mounting hole  316  for mounting computer  300  to a handlebar  319 . In this embodiment, a plurality of data input elements  341  forming a keypad  342  are disposed in a surface  346  of base member  314  for entering data into the bicycle computer. Additionally, a display  358  for displaying computer generated data forms a part of surface  346 . 
     Cover  318  is formed as a generally plate-shaped member, and it includes an inner surface  350  and an outer surface  354 . Inner surface  350  faces surface  346  on base member  314  when cover  318  is in the closed position shown in FIG. 8 so that surface  354  may be viewed or accessed by the rider. In this embodiment, a plurality of data input elements  351  forming a keypad  352  are disposed in surface  350  of cover  318  for entering data into the bicycle computer. Keypad  352  may be accessed by the rider when cover  318  is in the open position shown in FIG.  7 . If desired, an outer display  362  may form a part of outer surface  354 . Additionally, a plurality of data input elements  365  forming a keypad  366  may be disposed on outer surface  354  for entering data into the bicycle computer. If desired, one of the data input elements  365  in keypad  366  may instead be a latch control device for controlling a latch  370  that keeps cover  318  secured to base member  314 . 
     FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views of another embodiment of a foldable bicycle computer  400  according to the present invention. Computer  400  may be formed as part of a brake and/or shifting device like computer  10  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or computer  400  may be formed separately like computer  100  shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. 
     Computer  400  includes a base member  414  and a cover  418  swingably mounted to base member  414  through a hinge  417 . Base member  414  includes a mounting portion  415  having a substantially cylindrical mounting hole  416  for mounting computer  400  to a handlebar  419 . In this embodiment, a plurality of data input elements  441  forming a keypad  442  are disposed in a surface  446  of base member  414  for entering data into the bicycle computer. Additionally, a display  458  for displaying computer generated data forms a part of surface  446 . 
     Cover  418  is formed as a generally plate-shaped member, and it includes an inner surface  450  and an outer surface  454 . Inner surface  450  faces surface  446  on base member  414  when cover  418  is in the closed position shown in FIG. 10 so that surface  454  may be viewed or accessed by the rider. In this embodiment, a display  468  for displaying computer generated data forms a part of surface  450  of cover  418 . Display  468  may be viewed by the rider when cover  418  is in the open position shown in FIG.  9 . If desired, an outer display  462  may form a part of outer surface  454 . Additionally, a plurality of data input elements  465  forming a keypad  466  may be disposed on outer surface  454  for entering data into the bicycle computer. If desired, one of the data input elements  465  in keypad  466  may instead be a latch control device for controlling a latch  470  that keeps cover  418  secured to base member  414 . 
     FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of representative electronic components included in the various embodiments of a bicycle computer such as computers  10 ,  100 ,  200 ,  300  and  400  according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, a central processing unit (CPU)  500  disposed in base member  14 ,  104 ,  214 ,  314  or  414  receives input data from an input control unit  504  through a communication path  508  and provides output data to an output control unit  512  through a communication path  516 . Input control unit  504  receives input data from a wheel sensor  520 , a crank sensor  524 , keypads  42 ,  120 ,  140 ,  242 ,  342 ,  442  and keypads  67 ,  266 ,  352 ,  366 ,  466  through communication paths  528 ,  532 ,  536  and  538 , respectively, and together these components form the main data input unit for the computer. Output control unit  512  communicates output data to displays  58 ,  130 ,  468 , displays  62 ,  362 ,  462 , and displays  258 ,  358 ,  458  through communication paths  542 ,  546  and  548 , respectively. The components and their programming are well known. 
     While the above is a description of various embodiments of the present invention, further modifications may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the data input elements and displays may be distributed between the base member and the cover in any desired manner. Of course, data shown by the displays are not limited to that described for that display, and other types of data, such as heart rate, may be shown as well. CPU  200 , input control unit  204  and output control unit  212  may be located in cover  18 , or the components may be distributed between base member  14  and cover  18 . Communication paths  228  and  232  in FIG. 11 (and any other communication path) may be formed with wires or through wireless transmission elements. Thus, the scope of the invention should not be limited by the specific structures disclosed. Instead, the true scope of the invention should be determined by the following claims.