Abstract:
An integrated control device for a bicycle with curved handlebars is particularly ergonomic and which easily permits simultaneous braking and gear shifting operations, in particular towards lower gear ratios. In the integrated control device, the gearshift control levers are provided with actuating portions that the cyclist&#39;s fingers can reach one from one side of the support and the other from the other side of the support, and are placed in positions out of the reach of the brake lever.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a control device used for driving a bicycle derailleur, and more particularly to an integrated control device, for driving a derailleur and a brake of a bicycle with a curved handlebars, such as a racing bicycle.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     A bicycle is normally provided with a rear derailleur associated to the sprocket set, which consists of a set of coaxial toothed wheels (sprockets), of different diameters and teeth numbers, integral with the hub of the rear wheel.  
         [0003]     A bicycle is typically provided also with a front derailleur associated with the crankset, which has a set of toothed wheels (toothed crowns) of different diameters and teeth numbers, associated with a bottom bracket axle driven into rotation by a pair of pedals.  
         [0004]     In both cases, the derailleur engages a closed loop transmission chain between the sprocket set and the crankset, and moves the chain on toothed wheels of a different diameter and number of teeth, so as to obtain different gear ratios.  
         [0005]     In particular, a downward gearshift shifts the chain from a larger diameter toothed wheel to a smaller diameter toothed wheel, and an upward gearshift shifts the chain from a smaller diameter wheel to a larger diameter wheel. It is to be noted in this regard that in a front gearshift group, the downward gearshift corresponds to the passage to a lower gear ratio and the upward gearshift corresponds to the passage to a higher gear ratio, and vice versa in a rear gearshift group, the downward gearshift corresponds to the passage to a higher gear ratio and the upward gearshift corresponds to the passage to a lower gear ratio.  
         [0006]     The movement of a derailleur in the two directions is obtained through a control device assembled in such a way that it is easily handled by the cyclist. To that end, the control device is located on the handlebars, near the handgrips thereof; in proximity to the brake lever, that controls the front or rear wheel&#39;s brake. Control devices which permit the driving both of a derailleur in the two directions and of a brake are normally called integrated controllers.  
         [0007]     Customarily, near the left handgrip of the handlebars, there are the control device of the front derailleur and the brake lever of the front wheel, and near the right handgrip, there are the control device of the rear derailleur and the brake lever of the rear wheel.  
         [0008]     More particularly, in a mechanical gearshift, each derailleur is moved between the toothed wheels, in a first direction by a traction action exerted by a normally sheathed inextensible cable (normally called Bowden cable), in a second opposed direction by releasing the traction action of the cable and/or by the elastic return action of a spring provided in the same derailleur.  
         [0009]     Normally, the direction in which the movement is caused by the release of the traction action of the cable and/or by the return spring is that of a downward gearshift; vice versa, the traction action of the control cable occurs in the direction of an upward gearshift, in which the chain moves from a smaller diameter wheel to a larger diameter wheel.  
         [0010]     In the control device, the control cable is traction or release actuated by winding and unwinding on a rotor element, commonly called cable-winding bush, which rotation is controlled by the cyclist with a pair of proper control levers.  
         [0011]     In an electric or electronic gearshift, each derailleur is moved between the toothed wheels through a reversible motor, for example associated with a small actuating piston of an articulated parallelogram, and the control device comprises a pair of electric switches for controlling the movement of the motor in both directions. The two electric switches are typically actuated by a pair of levers of the control device.  
         [0012]     A first integrated control device for a mechanical gearshift of a bicycle with curved handlebars of a known type has two different ratchet levers which control the rotation, in the two directions, of the cable-winding bush.  
         [0013]     Such a control device has a support body fixed to the handlebars of the bicycle, external to the curved portion of the handgrips of the handlebars (i.e. in front of the handlebars). The support body houses a cable-winding bush for the actuating cable of a derailleur. The following articulate on the support body: (1) a brake lever for the traction of the brake cable, (2) an upward gearshift lever gearshift arranged at the rear of the brake lever, adjacent and along the latter, for the upward gearshift operation and (3) a downward gearshift lever, protruding from the inner side of the support body, for the downward gearshift operation.  
         [0014]     The brake lever is then rotatable about a first axis, substantially perpendicular to the direction of advancing of the bicycle, to control the traction of a brake cable when the lever is pulled by the cyclist towards the handlebars. The cable-winding bush is arranged with its axis substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the brake lever.  
         [0015]     The upward gearshift lever is articulated on a second axis, substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the cable-winding bush and of the advancing axis of the bicycle and thus substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the brake lever. The actuation of the upward gearshift lever about the second axis permits, through proper ratchets, the rotation of the cable-winding bush in a first direction to wind the cable and to obtain the upward gearshift.  
         [0016]     The downward gearshift lever is articulated on a third axis substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the cable-winding bush. The actuation of the downward gearshift lever about the third axis permits, through proper ratchets, the rotation of the cable-winding bush in a second direction, opposed the first direction of rotation of the lever of the upward gearshift lever, to unwind the cable and obtain the downward gearshift.  
         [0017]     The upward gearshift lever is also articulated on a fourth axis, substantially parallel to the first axis, which permits the upward gearshift lever to follow the movement of the brake lever during the braking.  
         [0018]     Such a control device presents a first drawback that during the braking both, the brake lever and the upward gearshift lever are pulled and it is very uncomfortable if not impossible to carry out an upward gearshift by driving the upward gearshift lever into rotation.  
         [0019]     Another drawback is in the constructive complexity of such a control device, in particular in the double articulation of the upward gearshift lever.  
         [0020]     The technical problem at the basis of the present invention is to create an integrated control device for a bicycle with curved handlebars which is particularly ergonomic and which easily allows simultaneous actions of braking and gear shifting, in particular towards lower gear ratios. The possibility of upward gear shifting with the rear derailleur, or downward gear shifting with the front derailleur, while braking is particularly advantageous because it permits maintaining the rhythm of pedaling during deceleration and it also permits the setting of the transmission to a low gear ratio, suitable for the next acceleration or possibly restarting from a still position.  
         [0021]     Given the above problem and drawbacks, it is an object of the present invention to create a control device to overcome the same.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0022]     Such a problem is solved, according to the invention, by the fact that the gearshift control levers are provided with actuating portions which the cyclist&#39;s fingers can reach one from one side of the support and the other from the other side of the support, and positioned out of the reach of the brake lever.  
         [0023]     More particularly, the invention refers to an integrated control device for driving a derailleur and a brake of a bicycle with curved handlebars, comprising a support body having a rear side for fixing in front of a curved handgrip portion of the handlebars, a front side bearing a brake lever pivoted about a first axis, an inner side surface, an outer side surface and a top transverse surface, and a first and a second gearshift levers pivoted about a second and a third axis, said first and second gearshift levers having a respective actuating portion, wherein the actuating portions can be reached by the cyclist&#39;s fingers from opposite sides of the support, wherein said actuating portions are both placed in positions out of the reach of the brake lever.  
         [0024]     Preferably, the second and the third axis are substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to said first axis. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)  
       [0025]     Further features and advantages of the present invention will better result from the following detailed description of some preferred embodiments, made with reference to the annexed drawings, merely by way of a not limiting example. In the drawings:  
         [0026]      FIG. 1  shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of a right integrated control device according to the invention, assembled on curved handlebars of a bicycle;  
         [0027]      FIGS. 2 and 3  show two front views of the control of  FIG. 1  handled by the cyclist in two different operative conditions;  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of the control of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 5  shows a cross sectional view along the transverse plane V-V of the control of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 6  shows a cross sectional view along the transverse plane VI-VI of the control of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 7  shows a cross sectional view along the transverse plane V-V of a first embodiment of the inner mechanism of the control device of the invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 8  shows a cross sectional view along the transverse plane VI-VI of the first embodiment of the inner mechanism of the control device of the invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 9  shows a cross sectional view along the transverse plane IX-IX of the first embodiment of the inner mechanism of the control device of the invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 10  shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of a right integrated control device according to the invention, assembled on curved handlebars of a bicycle;  
         [0035]      FIGS. 11 and 12  show two front views of the control of  FIG. 10  handled by the cyclist in two different operative conditions;  
         [0036]      FIG. 13  shows a side view of the control of  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0037]      FIG. 14  shows an isometric view of a third embodiment of a right integrated control device according to the invention, assembled on curved handlebars of a bicycle;  
         [0038]      FIG. 15  shows a front view of the control of  FIG. 14  handled by the cyclist, with the brake lever partially removed;  
         [0039]      FIG. 16  shows a cross sectional view along the transverse plane XVI-XVI of the control of  FIG. 14 ; and  
         [0040]      FIG. 17  shows a partially sectioned isometric view of a fourth embodiment of a right integrated control device according to the invention, assembled on curved handlebars of a bicycle. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)  
       [0041]     Introduction  
         [0042]     In the present description and in the appended claims, spatial terms, in particular the terms front, rear, side, top, bottom, vertical and horizontal, are used with reference to the assembled condition of the integrated control device, and with reference to the handlebars in a neutral position, the terms inner and outer indicate respectively towards the center of the handlebars and the opposite side to the center of the handlebars.  
         [0043]     In the present description and in the appended claims, the term “reach of the brake lever” indicates the space swept by the brake lever between its resting state and its operating state.  
         [0044]     The control device described herein allows a cyclist to freely actuate one of the gearshift levers or the brake lever, without totally leaving the grip on the support body or on the handlebars. Moreover, the cyclist is able to simultaneously actuate the brake lever and one of the two gearshift levers, in particular the lever for shifting towards lower gear ratios (the upward gear shifting lever in the case of the rear derailleur and respectively the downward gear shifting lever in the case of the front derailleur), because the actuation of the brake lever does not move either of the gearshift levers, leaving them in the best position to be reached by the cyclist&#39;s fingers.  
         [0045]     Typically, the first gearshift lever is intended to be actuated with the cyclist&#39;s thumb and to this end, it protrudes from the inner side surface of the support body, substantially perpendicular to the brake lever, the respective actuating portion being substantially horizontal.  
         [0046]     Typically, in the case of a mechanical gearshift, the first gearshift lever then controls an upward gearshift, because a stronger actuating force on the lever is necessary.  
         [0047]     Moreover, typically, the second gearshift lever is intended to be actuated with one or more fingers other than the thumb, typically the middle finger or the ring finger, and to this end it protrudes substantially vertically below the support body.  
         [0048]     Typically, in the case of a mechanical gearshift, the second gearshift lever then controls a downward gearshift, because a lower actuating force on the lever is necessary.  
         [0049]     In some embodiments, at least a gearshift lever is pivoted in proximity, preferably in close proximity, of the rear side of the support body.  
         [0050]     Preferably, in such embodiments, both gearshift levers are pivoted in proximity, preferably in close proximity, of the rear side of the support body.  
         [0051]     In such a way, the support body is easily hand-gripped with the palm on its top transverse surface and all five fingers that can close under the support body, in front of the gearshift levers. The cyclist can actuate one of the gearshift levers or the brake lever, without totally leaving the grip on the support body. The cyclist is also able to simultaneously actuate the brake lever and one of the two gearshift levers, typically that for shifting towards lower gear ratios.  
         [0052]     In some embodiments, one of the gearshift levers is pivoted in proximity, preferably in close proximity, of the rear side of the support body and the other of the gearshift levers is pivoted in proximity, preferably in close proximity, of the brake lever.  
         [0053]     In such a way, the support body is easily hand-gripped with the palm on its top transverse surface and all five fingers that can close under the support body, between the two gearshift levers. Also in this case, the cyclist is free to actuate one of the gearshift levers or the brake lever, without totally leaving the grip on the support body, and is able to simultaneously actuate the brake lever and one of the two gearshift levers.  
         [0054]     In the case of both the above configurations, the second gearshift lever can protrude substantially vertically below the support body, in offset position towards its outer side face.  
         [0055]     In a preferred variant, because it allows the cyclist to freely engage also the bicycle handlebars at the respective curved portion, without interfering with the second gearshift lever, the second gearshift lever protrudes below the support body, in an offset position towards its inner side face.  
         [0056]     To allow in this case to bring the second gearshift lever in a suitable position for actuation with the fingers, advantageously without modifying the mechanics of the gearshift control device, the second gearshift lever can have two bends, the intermediate portion between the bends being extended adjacent below the support body.  
         [0057]     When the integrated control is intended for use in a mechanical gearshift, typically the first gearshift lever and the second gearshift lever control the rotation in respective opposite directions of a cable-winding bush for a traction cable of a gearshift group, the cable-winding bush being housed in a cavity of the support body.  
         [0058]     In a first type of control mechanism, one of the gearshift levers actively controls the rotation of the cable-winding bush in a direction winding the traction cable, while the other of the gearshift levers leaves the cable-winding bush free of rotating in the direction unwinding the traction cable, under the traction of the traction cable itself.  
         [0059]     In a second type of control mechanism, each of the gearshift levers actively controls the rotation of the cable-winding bush in a respective direction.  
         [0060]     When the integrated control of the invention is intended for use in an electric or electronic gearshift, on the other hand, each of the first gearshift lever and the second gearshift lever controls the pushing of a respective electric switch for driving an electric or electronic gearshift mechanism.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0061]     The description of the integrated control device is made below with reference to a right control device, i.e. associated with the right curved end of the handlebars, but the inventive concept would be similarly applied to the left control device assembled on the left curved end of the handlebars, the integrated control device being substantially the mirror image about a vertical plane in assembled state.  
         [0062]     The right control device  1  of the invention comprises a support body  2  to be fixed, at its rear side  3 , in front of a curved handgrip portion of handlebars M through known connection means (not illustrated), for instance through a clip, and protruding in front of the handlebars M to be hand-gripped by the cyclist. The support body  2  is defined by an outer side surface  4  and an inner side surface  5  substantially parallel to each other, joined by a top transverse surface  6  and typically by a bottom transverse surface  7 , that could however be absent submitting the function of resting for the fingers and protection from dirt to the external sheath typically provided on control devices.  
         [0063]     In the case of a mechanical gearshift, the outer and inner side surfaces  4  and  5  and the bottom and top transverse surfaces  6  and  7  define an inner cavity where a control mechanism of the rear derailleur is placed.  
         [0064]     At the front end of the support body  2 , a brake lever  8  is pivoted, about a pin  9  oriented according to an axis Y substantially perpendicular to the advancing direction X of the bicycle. At the top end of the brake lever  8  the head of a traction cable is connected, in a known way, for actuating the brake when the brake lever  8  is pulled by the cyclist towards the handlebars M. The actuation of the brake lever  8  typically occurs with the forefinger and/or the middle finger, of the hand of the cyclist, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 .  
         [0065]     From the inner side surface  5  of the support body  2  a first gearshift lever  10  protrudes, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the inner side surface  5  itself and to the brake lever  8 , comprising an actuating arm  11  provided at its end with an enlarged actuating portion  12 , suitable to receive in abutment the thumb of the cyclist ( FIG. 2 ).  
         [0066]     From the inner transverse surface  7  of the support body  2  a second gearshift lever  13  protrudes downwards, in a direction substantially parallel to the outer side surface  4  of the support body  2 , comprising an actuating arm  14  provided at its end with an enlarged actuating portion  15  suitable to receive in abutment a finger of the right hand other than the thumb, preferably the middle finger or the ring finger ( FIG. 3 ).  
         [0067]     As can be observed in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , when the cyclist handgrips the control device  1  with the right hand he/she can easily actuate any of the brake lever  8 , the first gearshift lever  10 , or the second gearshift lever  13  without moving the hand gripped on the support body  2 . In particular, the actuating portion  12  of the first gearshift lever  10  is easily reachable from the inner side of the support body  2  with the thumb, while the actuating portion  15  of the second gearshift lever  13  is easily reachable from the outer side of the support body  2  with another finger, such as the middle finger as shown.  
         [0068]     More in detail and as can be observed in  FIG. 4 , the first gearshift lever  10  is placed in (close) proximity to the rear side  3  of the support body  2  and the second gearshift lever  13  is placed in (close) proximity to the first gearshift lever  10 . In assembled states, both the gearshift levers  10 ,  13  then are in proximity to the handlebars M. As an alternative, the position of the two gearshift levers  10 ,  13  could be inverted.  
         [0069]     Such an arrangement of the first and second gearshift lever  10 ,  13  with respect to the support body  2  permits to leave a sufficiently large space on the support body  2  in such a way as not to hinder the hand of the cyclist when he/she grips the support body  2  wrapping it with his/her fingers, which can easily close around the support body in front of the two gearshift levers  10 ,  13 .  
         [0070]     With reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a first type of control mechanism  40  of the rear gearshift group is now described, usable in the control device  1  of FIGS.  1  to  4  and which is partially known in U.S. Pat. No. 6,792,826 assigned to Campagnolo S. r. l., to which reference should be made for further details, and which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.  
         [0071]     The control mechanism  40  is of the release type, wherein the first gearshift lever  10  actively controls the winding of a traction cable  21  of the rear derailleur (upward gearshift), while the second gearshift lever  13  allows the release unwinding of the cable (downward gearshift) using the elastic return force of the traction of the same cable and of a return spring provided in the rear derailleur itself.  
         [0072]     The release control mechanism  40  comprises:  
         [0073]     a cable-winding bush  20  pivotally supported in the support body  2 , about which the control cable  21  winds and unwinds and provided with a first toothed sector  22  ( FIG. 5 ) at a first transverse plane V-V transverse to the rotation axis of the bush and of a toothed crown  23  at a second transverse plane VI-VI transverse to the rotation axis of the bush;  
         [0074]     a first ratchet  24  ( FIG. 5 ) associated with the first gearshift lever  10  and which cooperates with the first toothed sector  22 ; and  
         [0075]     a second ratchet  25  ( FIG. 6 ) associated with the second gearshift lever  13  and which cooperates with the toothed crown  23 .  
         [0076]     In resting conditions, the control mechanism  40  is in the state illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 .  
         [0077]     With specific reference to  FIG. 5 , the first ratchet  24  is comprised of a plate  26  rotatably assembled on the cable-winding bush  20  and kept pressed in the shown resting position by a return spring (not shown). The first gearshift lever  10  is pivoted on the plate  26  at the relative pin  27 , having an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis  9  of the brake lever  8 , and has an engagement tooth  28  for the first toothed sector  22 .  
         [0078]     With specific reference to  FIG. 6 , the second ratchet  25  comprises a rocker arm  29  articulated to the support body  2  through a pin  30 . The rocker arm  29  comprises, at one end, a first engaging element  31  which cooperates with the teeth  32  of the toothed crown  23  and, at the opposed end, a second engaging element  33  which also cooperates with the teeth  32  of the toothed crown  23 . The rocker arm  29  is made in such a way that when the first engaging element  31  engages the teeth  32 , the second engaging element  33  is disengaged from the teeth  32  and, on the contrary, when the second engaging element  33  engages the teeth  32  the first engaging element  31  is disengaged from the teeth  32 .  
         [0079]     In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the toothed crown  23  is shown as having two toothed sectors  23 , but it could have as an alternative a single teething.  
         [0080]     The rocker arm  29  has an appendage  34  which cooperates in an abutment relation with a corresponding appendage  35  of the second gearshift lever  13 , so that an oscillation of the second gearshift lever  13  about the relative pin  36 , having an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis  9  of the brake lever  8 , in a clockwise direction in  FIG. 6 , produces an oscillation in the opposite direction (in counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 6 ) of the rocker arm  29  about the pin  30 . The rocker arm  29  and the second gearshift lever  13  cooperate with respective elastic elements  37 ,  38 , comprised for example of small compression coil springs interposed between the support body  2  and respective seats formed in the rocker arm  29  and in the second gearshift lever  13 . The spring  37  associated with the rocker arm  29  tends to keep the rocker arm  29  in a position wherein the first engaging element  31  engages the teeth  32 , swinging it in clockwise direction in  FIG. 6 . The spring  38  associated with the second gearshift lever  13  tends to make the second gearshift lever  13  rotate in a direction corresponding to a relative separation of the appendages  35  and  34  (in counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 6 ). The spring  38  pushes the second gearshift lever  13  towards an end stop defined by a portion of the support body  2 .  
         [0081]     The teeth  32  and the first engaging element  31  of the second ratchet  25  are shaped in such a way that when the first engaging element  31  is in an engaged state with the teeth  32  of the toothed crown  23 , the cable-winding bush  20  is free of rotating, as controlled by the first gearshift lever  10  through the first ratchet  24 , in the direction of further winding of the derailleur control cable winding on the cable-winding bush  20  (counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 6 ), while the engaging element  31  prevents the rotation of the cable-winding bush  20  in the opposed direction releasing the cable  21  (clockwise direction in  FIG. 6 ).  
         [0082]     Also the second engaging element  33  is shaped in such a way that, when it is in an engaged state with the teeth  32  of the toothed crown  23 , it prevents the rotation of the cable-winding bush  20  in the direction releasing the cable  21  (clockwise direction in  FIG. 6 ).  
         [0083]     In resting conditions, the control cable  21  of the derailleur applies to the cable-winding bush  20  a torque that tends to make it rotate in the cable unwinding direction (in clockwise direction in  FIGS. 5, 6 ). The mechanism comprised of the first engaging element  31  and of the teeth of the toothed crown  23  of the second ratchet  25  prevents, as said, the rotation of the cable-winding bush  20  in such a direction.  
         [0084]     After a first small rotation of the first gearshift lever  10  about the pin  27 , in the counterclockwise direction of  FIG. 5 , the engagement tooth  28  engages between two teeth of the first sector  22  and the further rotation of the first gearshift lever  10 , again in the counterclockwise direction of  FIG. 5 , causes the rotation (in the counterclockwise direction of  FIG. 5 ) of the cable-winding bush  20  and winding of the control cable  21  for the desired quantity. The rotation is permitted, as said, by the resting position of the second ratchet  25 . The first gearshift lever  10 , once released, returns to its initial resting position through the action of the spring associated with the plate  26 . The new angular position of the cable-winding bush  20  is maintained by the second ratchet  25 , associated with the second gearshift lever  13 .  
         [0085]     A small rotation of the second gearshift lever  13  about the pin  36  against the action of the spring  38  (in the clockwise direction of  FIG. 6 ) causes, through the abutment relation of the appendages  34  and  35 , the rotation of the rocker arm  29  in the opposite direction, against the action of the spring  37  (counterclockwise direction of  FIG. 6 ). As soon as the first engaging element  31  of the second ratchet  25  releases the teeth  32  of the toothed crown  23 , the cable-winding bush  20  is free of rotating in the direction unwinding cable  21  (clockwise in  FIG. 6 ), under the action of the torque determined by the cable  21  itself and by the return spring of the derailleur. The cable-winding bush  20  then rotates in this direction until one of the teeth  32  of the toothed crown  23  engages the second engaging element  33  of the second ratchet  25 . The rotation quantity permitted in this step corresponds to about half of the rotation required to make a downward gearshift. When the cyclist releases the second gearshift lever  13 , the latter and the rocker arm  29  return in the respective resting conditions under the action of the springs  37  and  38 . So the second engaging element  33  disengages from the teeth  32 , leaving the cable-winding bush  20  still free of rotating in the direction unwinding cable  21  (clockwise in  FIG. 6 ) under the action of the torque determined by the cable  21  and by the derailleur return spring. The swinging of the rocker arm  29  and the rotation of the cable-winding bush  20  end when one of the teeth  32  of the toothed crown  23  engages the first engaging element  31 . The downwards gearshift is then completed.  
         [0086]     Advantageously, in the control device  1  of the invention, with the first gearshift lever  10  associated with the thumb the upward gearshift is carried out, which requires more force to overcome the return force of the return spring of the rear derailleur, while the release operation that requires less actuating force is carried out with another finger of the hand, and with the second gearshift lever  13 .  
         [0087]     In an embodiment, however, it is possible to provide for inverting the functions carried out by the first and the second gearshift levers  10 ,  13  so that the second gearshift lever could be actuated to carry out the upward gearshift by pushing into rotation of the cable-winding bush, while the first gearshift lever could be actuated to carry out the release of the cable-winding bush.  
         [0088]     Referring to  FIGS. 7, 8  and  9 , a second type of control mechanism  50  of the rear gearshift group is now described, usable in the control device  1  of FIGS.  1  to  4  and known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,195 assigned to Campagnolo S. r. l., which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.  
         [0089]     The control mechanism  50  is of the type with an active mechanic action in both directions, i.e. a mechanism wherein the winding and unwinding of the control cable are controlled for all the step of rotating the cable-winding bush by the force applied by the cyclist on the first and the second gearshift levers  10 ,  13 . In a not operative condition, i.e. with the derailleur in a fixed position, the cable-winding bush is kept still through a proper indexing mechanism and the actuating levers are placed in a resting position mechanically free from the bush.  
         [0090]     More in detail, the active control mechanism  50  comprises:  
         [0091]     a cable-winding bush (not shown in  FIGS. 7-9 ), about which a control cable winds and unwinds, provided with a first toothed sector  52  ( FIG. 7 ) and a second toothed sector  53  ( FIG. 8 ) integral in rotation with it about a central shaft  70 ;  
         [0092]     an indexing mechanism  54  ( FIG. 9 ) associated with the cable-winding bush;  
         [0093]     a first ratchet  55  ( FIG. 7 ) associated with the first gearshift lever  10  and cooperating with the first toothed sector  52 ;  
         [0094]     a second ratchet  56  ( FIG. 8 ) associated with the first gearshift lever  13  and cooperating with the second toothed sector  53 .  
         [0095]     The first ratchet  55  ( FIG. 7 ) comprises a plate  57  rotatably assembled about the central shaft  70  and kept pressed in the resting position by a return spring (not shown). The first gearshift lever  10  is pivoted with the relative pin  71 , having an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis  9  of the brake lever  8 , on the first plate  57  and has at its end an engagement tooth  58  that, in resting conditions, is disengaged from the first toothed sector  52 .  
         [0096]     The second ratchet  56  ( FIG. 8 ) associated with the second gearshift lever  13  provides an engaging element  64  that, in resting conditions, is disengaged from the second toothed sector  53  of the cable-winding bush because it abuts on a reference block  65 .  
         [0097]     The indexing mechanism  54  ( FIG. 9 ) comprises a toothed wheel  59  integral in rotation with the cable-winding bush. The toothed wheel  59  cooperates with its teeth through two springs  60 ,  61  placed diametrically opposite one another and inserted in a circumferential cavity  62  of the support body  2 , external to the toothed wheel  59 . Each spring  60 ,  61  has an end  60   a,    61   a  fixed to the support body  2  and the other free end  60   b,    61   b  pushed and inserted between the gaps of the teeth of the toothed wheel  59 . The springs  60 ,  61  engage in the gaps and maintain the angular position of the toothed wheel  59  and therefore of the cable-winding bush fixed.  
         [0098]     After a first small rotation (in counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 7 ) of the first gearshift lever  10 , the gear tooth  58  is engaged in a gap between two teeth of the first sector  52  and a further rotation in the same direction of the first gearshift lever  10  about the central shaft  70  causes the pushed rotation of the first toothed sector  52  and of the cable-winding bush and the winding of the control cable for the desired angle, permitted by the indexing mechanism  54  as described below. The first gearshift lever  10 , once released, returns in its resting position through the return spring of the plate  57 . The new angular position of the cable-winding bush is maintained by the indexing mechanism  54 .  
         [0099]     When the second gearshift lever  13  is rotated about the central shaft  70 , having an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis  9  of the brake lever  8 , in opposed direction to the first lever  10  direction (clockwise direction in  FIG. 8 ), the engaging element  64  is pushed in engagement in the gaps of the second toothed sector  53  through a thrusting spring  66 . The second toothed sector  53  and the cable-winding bush are pushed in rotation unwinding the control cable, as permitted by the indexing mechanism  54  in the way described below. The second gearshift lever  13 , once released, returns to its resting position through the return spring, not shown, while the new angular position of the cable-winding bush is maintained by the indexing mechanism  54 .  
         [0100]     When an upward gearshift or a downward gearshift is carried out with the first or with the second gearshift levers  10 ,  13 , the rotation caused by the cable-winding bush on the toothed wheel  59  of the indexing mechanism  54  pushes the ends of the springs  60   b,    61   b  out of the gaps and the springs are compressed until the next expansion, when they will engage the next gap in the new angular position.  
         [0101]     Advantageously, as with the release mechanism  40 , with the first gearshift lever  10  associated with the thumb the upward gearshift is carried out, which requires more force in order to overcome the return force of the return spring of the derailleur, while the operation of downward gearshift is carried out with another finger of the hand and with the second gearshift lever  13 , because it requires less actuating force. In fact also in this case, the downward gearshift operation is aided by the torque which tends to unwind the cable and by the return spring of the derailleur, even if it also has to overcome the resistance of the indexing mechanism  54 .  
         [0102]     However, in an embodiment it is possible to provide for inverting the functions carried out by the first and the second gearshift lever  10 ,  13 .  
         [0103]     In FIGS.  10  to  13  a second embodiment of the integrated control device according to the invention is shown, again of the right type by way of an example. The components similar to those of the embodiment of FIGS.  1  to  4  bear similar reference numbers, increased by 100. With respect to what is not described in the following, the integrated control device  101  is similar to the integrated control device  1  and in particular it can have either of the control mechanisms  40  and  50  previously described.  
         [0104]     The integrated control device  101  differs from the integrated control device  1  for the different location of the first gearshift lever  110  along the inner side surface  105  of the support body  102 .  
         [0105]     More in particular, the second gearshift lever  113  is placed in (close) proximity to the rear side  103  of the support body  102  and, in assembled conditions and as it is better shown in  FIG. 13 , is in proximity to the handlebars M. The first gearshift lever  110  is instead placed in (close) proximity to the front end of the support body  102 .  
         [0106]     Such arrangement of the first and second gearshift levers  110 ,  113  relative to the support body  102  permits to leave a large enough space on the support body  102  so that it does not hinder the cyclists&#39; hand from grasping the support body  102  and wrapping and holding it with the fingers, that the cyclist can easily close around the support body between the two gearshift levers  110 ,  113 .  
         [0107]     In FIGS.  14  to  16  a third embodiment of the integrated control device according to the invention is shown, again of the right type by way of an example. The components similar to those of the embodiment of FIGS.  1  to  4  bear similar reference numbers, increased by 200. Even if not described in the following, the integrated control device  201  is identical with the integrated control device  1  and in particular it can have either of the control mechanisms  40  and  50  associated.  
         [0108]     The integrated control device  201  differs from the integrated control device  1  for the different arrangement of the second gearshift lever  213 .  
         [0109]     More in particular, the first gearshift lever  210  is still placed in (close) proximity to the rear side  203  of the support body  202 , i.e. in (close) proximity to the handlebars M in an assembled condition, and the second gearshift lever  213  is again placed in (close) proximity to the first gearshift lever  210 . In this case also, as an alternative, the position of the two gearshift levers  10 ,  13  could be inverted.  
         [0110]     However, the second gearshift lever  213  is placed in such a way that its actuating portion  215  is extended below the support body  202 , in an offset position towards its inner side face  205 .  
         [0111]     When the cyclist grips the control device  201  with the right hand, he/she can still easily and without distinction actuate the brake lever  208 , the first gearshift lever  210  or the second gearshift lever  213  without moving the hand gripping the support body  202 . In particular, the actuating portion  212  of the first gearshift lever  210  is easily reachable from the inner side of the support body  202  with the thumb, while the actuating portion  215  of the second gearshift lever  213  is easily reachable from the outer side of the support body  202  with another finger.  
         [0112]     Moreover, as it is shown in  FIG. 15 , when the cyclist directly grips the curved portion of the handlebars M, none of the two gearshift levers  210 , 213  interferes with the position of the fingers. Also from this gripping, the actuating portion  212  of the first gearshift lever  210  is easily reachable from the inner side of the support body  202  with the thumb, while the actuating portion  215  of the second gearshift lever  213  is easily reachable from the outer side of the support body  202  with another finger.  
         [0113]     As better shown in  FIG. 16 , the second gearshift lever  213  has a double bend  216 , the intermediate portion  217  among the bends being extended adjacent below to the support body  202 .  
         [0114]     This simple provision permits to avoid modifying or to modify to a minimum extent a control mechanism provided for the first embodiment. As an example,  FIG. 16  is a view corresponding to the view of  FIG. 6  of the second ratchet  25  of the control releasing mechanism  40  and differs from that only for the different position of the return spring  238  of  FIG. 16  relative to the return spring  38  of  FIG. 6 , which is placed at the intermediate portion  217  of the second gearshift lever  213 .  
         [0115]     It will be immediately understood that in the case of the use of the active control mechanism of  FIGS. 7-9 , it is not necessary any change of the mechanism itself.  
         [0116]     It will also be understood that making just a few changes to the control mechanism, it will be possible to use a second gearshift lever  213  without the double bend  216 , or with a single bend, and protruding below the support body, substantially from its inner side face  205 .  
         [0117]     In  FIG. 17 a  fourth embodiment of the integrated control device according to the invention is shown, again of the right type by way of an example. The components similar to those of the embodiment of FIGS.  1  to  4  bear similar reference numbers, increased by 300.  
         [0118]     The first gearshift lever  310  is pivoted to the support body  302  about a pin  327  having an axis perpendicular to the axis  309  of the brake lever  308 , and acts on a first switch  318 , placed in the interior of the support body  302  itself, when it is driven into rotation, typically with the thumb of the cyclist.  
         [0119]     The second gearshift lever  313  is also pivoted to the support body  302  about a pin  336  having an axis perpendicular to the axis  309  of the brake lever  308 , and acts on a second switch  319 , placed in the interior of the support body  302  itself, when it is driven into rotation, typically with another finger of the hand of the cyclist as the middle or the ring finger.  
         [0120]     The first and the second switches  318 ,  319  are, respectively, the upward gearshift and downward gearshift control switches of an electric or electronic gearshift system for a bicycle.  
         [0121]     In  FIG. 17 , the arrangement of the first gearshift lever  310  and of the second gearshift lever  313  substantially corresponds to that of the levers of the second embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 . More in particular, the first gearshift lever  310  is pivoted in (close) proximity to the brake lever  308  and the second gearshift lever  313  is pivoted in (close) proximity to the rear side  303  of the support body  302 . The second lever  313  is pivoted directly on the inner side surface  305  of the support body  302 , but is still made protruding below the support body  302 .  
         [0122]     It will be however understood that in case of an electric or electronic gearshift also the configurations of the other described embodiments can be used.