Patent Publication Number: US-2015068355-A1

Title: Shifting structure for a bicycle

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a controlling device, and more particularly to a shifting structure for a bicycle to adjust a height of a rotary shift set and to tighten or loosen a steel rope. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional locking device for a bicycle handlebar is disclosed in TW Utility Model No. 096216981 and contains a holder having an abutting portion surrounding the bicycle handlebar. The abutting portion has a curve contacting face and a biasing face for contacting with the curve contacting face. The locking device also contains a grip pivoted on the holder, a clamping unit having a first surrounding piece and a second surrounding piece which are mounted on two sides of the grip, and an adjusting member inserted into the holder, the first surrounding member, and the second surrounding member, wherein the first surrounding piece and the second surround piece contact with the biasing face and the grip, and the first surrounding piece pivoted with the second surrounding piece, wherein among the first surrounding piece, the second surround piece, and the abutting portion is defined a fixing orifice to insert the handlebar. 
     TW Utility Model No. 101215332 discloses a shifting device of a shock absorbers for a bicycle containing an inner rope; a shifting post connected with one end of the inner rope and including a body with a groove and a central axis, wherein the groove has a fastening portion; a rod rotating along the central axis of the body, and the body being used to position the inner rope; a shaft pivoted with the rod and having a pivoting point spaced from the central axis, wherein between the shaft and the rod generating a repulsive force; a column coupled with the shaft, moving in the groove, and guided into a guiding-in position of the fastening portion and guided out of a guiding-out position of the fastening portion; a guide seat coupled with the inner rope and having a rotating member connected with the inner rope and rotating around a central axis, and a resilient element fitted on the inner rope, wherein one end of the resilient element is fixed on the rotating member, and the resilient element is pushed after the column is moved to the guide-out position so as to push the rotating member to move back to an original position. 
     TW Utility Model No. 098220956 discloses a controlling device contains a positioning seat one piece formed and having a groove for inserting a handle, wherein the positioning seat having a connecting portion and a through hole; an operating stem having a pivoting portion, a rotation portion on two sides of the pivoting portion, and a coupling portion, wherein the operating stem is in connection with a joining element by using the pivoting portion so as to rotatably connect with the connecting portion of the positioning seat, such that the coupling portion of the operating stem rotates in the connecting portion, and the coupling portion has an orifice; a control assembly including a rope inserted into the through hole and a core inserted into the orifice. 
     However, such conventional prior arts cannot adjust a height of a shift set and tighten or loosen the rope simultaneously. In addition, they have complicated structure. 
     The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary object of the present invention is to provide a shifting structure for a bicycle which adjusts a height of a rotary shift set relative to a bicycle device based on using requirement. 
     Secondary object of the present invention is to provide a shifting structure for a bicycle which is simplified and is lightweight. 
     Furthermore object of the present invention is to provide a shifting structure for a bicycle which is operated easily and quickly. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a shifting structure for a bicycle which tighten or loosen a steel rope on basis of using requirement. 
     To obtain the above objectives, a shifting structure for a bicycle is fixed on a handlebar of a bicycle to control a bicycle device and contains: a clamping assembly, a rotary shift set, a height adjusting assembly, and a tightness adjusting set. 
     The clamping assembly includes a first retainer, a second retainer corresponding to the first retainer, two hollow engaging portions defined on the first retainer and the second retainer and used to engage the handlebar, and a positioning bolt for screwing the first retainer and the second retainer together. 
     The rotary shift set includes a rotating seat and a rotation member pivoted on a first end of the rotating seat and rotated by a rider to rotate on the rotating seat. 
     The height adjusting assembly is fixed between the clamping assembly and the rotary shift set and includes two retaining portions, each having a central axis line for matching with a central axis line of each engaging portion so that an angle θ is defined between the central axis line of each retaining portion and the central axis line of each engaging portion. The rotating seat has an abutting post one piece formed on a second end thereof and retained and moving in the two retaining portions of the height adjusting assembly, and by unscrewing and screwing the positioning bolt, the height adjusting assembly is moved and fixed. 
     The tightness adjusting set is mounted on the height adjusting assembly and includes a screwing element inserted into and screwed with the abutting post, a rotatable button fitted on the screwing element and fixed on an end portion of the abutting post, a fitting member and a steel rope which are inserted into the screwing element and the abutting post and are positioned on the rotation member, a first end of the steel rope connecting with the bicycle device. The rotation member pulls the steel rope when the rotating seat rotates so that the screwing element and the rotatable button rotate simultaneously to change a distance between the abutting post and the screwing element, hence a length of a part of the steel rope outside the fitting member is adjusted to pull the steel rope tightly or loosely. 
     Preferably, a central axis line of each retaining portion and the abutting post is not parallel to a central axis line of the handlebar and each engaging portion, and an angle θ between the central axis line of each retaining portion and the abutting post and the central line of the handlebar and each engaging portion is within 1 to 60 degrees. 
     Preferably, the rotary shift set also includes a connecting member having a first coupling element inserted through the rotation member and a second coupling element inserted through the rotating seat and screwing with the first coupling element, such that the rotating seat and the rotation member are connected together by ways of the first coupling element and the second coupling element. 
     Preferably, each retaining portions has a concaved face formed thereon, and the abutting post is conical to retain with the two retaining portions of the height adjusting assembly. 
     Preferably, each retaining portion has an obliquely quadrilateral trench formed thereon, and the abutting post is formed in a quadrilateral column shape so as to contact with the two retaining portions. 
     Preferably, each retaining portion has a beveled trench formed in a wave shape, and the abutting post is formed in a waved column shape so as to contact with the two retaining portions. 
     Preferably, the rotation member has a stepped notch for inserting the steel rope, and the steel rope has a fixing tab disposed on one end thereof. 
     Preferably, the screwing element has a threaded end screwed with the abutting post, a head end exposing outside the abutting post and fitted into the rotatable button, and a receiving groove formed in an inner wall thereof so as to fit the fitting member; the tightness adjusting set also includes a resilient element mounted between the rotatable button and the screwing element so as to push the rotatable button toward the abutting post. 
     Preferably, the rotatable button has at least one recess defined therein and retaining with at least one rib on an outer wall of the head end of the screwing element. 
     Preferably, the bicycle device is any one of a front fork damper, a braking device and a seat adjustment device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the assembly of a shifting structure for a bicycle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the exploded components of the shifting structure for the bicycle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view showing the assembly of the shifting structure for the bicycle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view showing the assembly of the shifting structure for the bicycle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is another cross sectional view showing the assembly of the shifting structure for the bicycle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view showing the operation of the shifting structure for the bicycle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view showing the operation of the shifting structure for the bicycle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is another cross sectional view showing the operation of the shifting structure for the bicycle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view showing the application of the shifting structure for the bicycle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing the exploded components of a shifting structure for a bicycle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view showing the assembly of the shifting structure for the bicycle according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing the exploded components of a shifting structure for a bicycle according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a cross sectional view showing the assembly of the shifting structure for the bicycle according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring further to  FIGS. 1-8 , a shifting structure for a bicycle according to a first embodiment of the present invention is fixed on a handlebar  60  of a bicycle to control a bicycle device  50  and comprises: a clamping assembly  10 , a rotary shift set  20 , a height adjusting assembly  30 , and a tightness adjusting set  40 . 
     The clamping assembly  10  includes a first retainer  11 , a second retainer  12  corresponding to the first retainer  11 , two hollow engaging portions  13  defined on the first retainer  11  and the second retainer  12  and used to engage the handlebar  60 , and a positioning bolt  14  for screwing the first retainer  11  and the second retainer  12  together. 
     The rotary shift set  20  includes a rotating seat  21 , a rotation member  22  pivoted on a first end of the rotating seat  21  and rotated by a rider, a connecting member  23  having a first coupling element  231  inserted through the rotation member  22  and a second coupling element  232  inserted through the rotating seat  21  and screwing with the first coupling element  231 , such that the rotating seat  21  and the rotation member  22  are connected together by ways of the first coupling element  231  and the second coupling element  232 . 
     The height adjusting assembly  30  is fixed between the clamping assembly  10  and the rotary shift set  20  and includes two retaining portions  31 , each having a concaved face, wherein each retaining portion  31  has a central axis line for matching with a central axis line of each engaging portion  13  so that an angle θ is defined between the central axis line of each retaining portion  31  and the central axis line of each engaging portion  13 . The rotating seat  21  has a conical abutting post  32  arranged on a second end thereof and retained and moving in the two retaining portions  31  of the height adjusting assembly  30 , wherein a moving direction of the abutting post  32  is parallel to the central axis line of each retaining portion  31 , and after unscrewing the positioning bolt  14 , heights of the rotation member  22 , the rotating seat  21 , the abutting post  32 , relative to the bicycle device  50  are adjusted, thereafter the positioning bolt  14  is screwed tightly to force the first retainer  11  and the second retainer  12  to contact with each other, thus positioning the handlebar  60  and the abutting post  32 . 
     The tightness adjusting set  40  is mounted on the height adjusting assembly  30  and includes a screwing element  41  inserted into and screwed with the abutting post  32 , a rotatable button  42  fitted on the screwing element  41  and fixed on an end portion of the abutting post  32 , a fitting member  43  and a steel rope  44  which are inserted into the screwing element  41  and the abutting post  32  and are positioned on the rotation member  22 , wherein a first end of the steel rope  44  connects with the bicycle device  50 , the rotation member  22  has a stepped notch  221  for inserting the steel rope  44 , and the steel rope  44  has a fixing tab  441  disposed on the second end thereof; the rotatable button  42  has four recesses  421  defined therein and retaining with four ribs  411  on an outer wall of a head end of the screwing element  41 , such that the screwing element  41  engages and moves with the rotatable button  42 , and a distance between the screwing element  41  and the abutting post  32  is change to adjust a length of a part of the steel rope  44  outside the fitting member  43 , the rotation member  22  pulls the steel rope  44  as the rotating seat  21  rotates. The screwing element  41  has a threaded end screwed with the abutting post  32 , the head end of the screwing element  41  exposes outside the abutting post  32  and is fitted into the rotatable button  42 , and a receiving groove  412  formed in an inner wall thereof so as to fit the fitting member  43 . The tightness adjusting set  40  also includes a resilient element  45  mounted between the rotatable button  42  and the screwing element  41  so as to push the rotatable button  42  toward the abutting post  32 . 
     The positioning bolt  14  is unscrewed to move the rotary shift set  20  so that a height of the rotary shift set  20  relative to the handlebar  60  is adjusted, and then the positioning bolt  14  is screwed to position the rotary shift set  20  so that the height of the rotary shift set  20  relative to the handlebar  60  is fixed, thus adjusting the height of the rotary shift set  20  easily. In addition, related components of the height adjusting assembly  30  are one piece fixed between the clamping assembly  10  and the rotary shift set  20 , thereby having simplified structure and easy assembly. 
     It is to be noted that a central axis line of each retaining portion  31  and the abutting post  32  is not parallel to a central axis line of the handlebar  60  and each engaging portion  13 , and an angle θ between the central axis line of each retaining portion  31  and the abutting post  32  and the central line of the handlebar  60  and each engaging portion  13  is within 1 to 60 degrees. 
     Before assembling the height adjusting assembly  30 , the abutting post  32  is one piece formed on the rotating seat  21 , the two retaining portions  31  are one piece formed on the first retainer  11  and the second retainer  12 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 to 6 , in assembly, the rotation member  22  is connected with the rotating seat  21  by screwing the first coupling element  231  and the second coupling element  232  together, and then the fitting member  43  is fitted into the receiving groove  412  of the screwing element  41 , the resilient element  45  is fitted onto the screwing element  41 . The fitting member  43 , the screwing element  41 , and the resilient element  45  are inserted into the rotatable button  42 , such that the four ribs  411  retain with the four recesses  421 , and the screwing element  41  and the fitting member  43  move linearly in the rotatable button  42 . Thereafter, the steel rope  44  is inserted from the stepped notch  221  into the abutting post  32 , the rotatable button  42 , the resilient element  45 , the screwing element  41 , and the fitting member  43  so as to connect with the bicycle device  50 . 
     After the rotary shift set  20 , the height adjusting assembly  30 , and the tightness adjusting set  40  are coupled together, the abutting post  32  is clamped by the two retaining portions  31  of the first retainer  11  and the second retainer  12 , and the two hollow engaging portions  13  of the first retainer  11  and the second retainer  12  are engaged with the handlebar  60 , then the positioning bolt  14  is screwed with the first retainer  11  and the second retainer  12  so as to lock the handlebar  60  and the abutting post  32 , hence the rotary shift set  20 , the height adjusting assembly  30 , and the tightness adjusting set  40  are mounted on the handlebar  60 , and the rotary shift set  20  and the abutting post  32  are fixed by the two retaining portions  31  of the first retainer  11  and the second retainer  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-5 , as desiring to adjust a position or a height of any one of the clamping assembly  10 , the rotary shift set  20 , the height adjusting assembly  30 , and the tightness adjusting set  40 , the positioning bolt  14  is unscrewed but not moved away from the first retainer  11  and the second retainer  12  so that the two hollow engaging portions  13  of the first retainer  11  and the second retainer  12  disengage from the handlebar  60 , the abutting post  32  is unclamped by the two retaining portions  31  of the first retainer  11  and the second retainer  12 , hence the handlebar  60  and the abutting post  32  are moved relative to the two hollow engaging portions  13  and the two retaining portions  31  so that the clamping assembly  10 , the rotary shift set  20 , the height adjusting assembly  30 , and the tightness adjusting set  40  are moved linearly along a central axis direction of the handlebar  60 , and the rotary shift set  20  and the height adjusting assembly  30  move along a central axis direction of the abutting post  32 , such that the rotary shift set  20  and the height adjusting assembly  30  slants at a predetermined angle θ relative to the handlebar  60 . 
     After the positioning bolt  14  is screwed, the first retainer  11  and the second retainer  12  are engaged together so as to retain the handlebar  60  and the abutting post  32 , hence the two hollow engaging portions  13  of the first retainer  11  and the second retainer  12  engage with the handlebar  60 , and the abutting post  32  is clamped by the two retaining portions  31  of the first retainer  11  and the second retainer  12 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , as desiring to drive the bicycle device  50 , the rotation member  22  is shifted so that the second end of the steel rope  44  is pulled to become curved, and a part of the steel rope  44  inserted into the abutting post  32 , the screwing element  41  and the fitting member  43  is pulled to move toward the rotation member  22 , thus driving the bicycle device  50 . 
     After releasing a shift of the rotation member  22 , the part of the steel rope  44  inserted into the abutting post  32 , the screwing element  41 , and the fitting member  43  is pulled to move away from the rotation member  22  so that the second end of the steel rope  44  is pulled to return back to an original position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , after rotating the rotatable button  42  to adjust a position of the screwing element  41  relative to the abutting post  32 , the longer the length of the screwing element  41  exposes outside the abutting post  32 , the longer a length of the steel rope  44  exposes outside the fitting member  43 , so the steel rope  44  is pulled tightly to rotate the rotation member  22 , thus driving the bicycle device  50  finely. On the contrary, the shorter the length of the screwing element  41  exposes outside the abutting post  32 , the shorter the length of the steel rope  44  exposes outside the fitting member  43 , so the steel rope  44  is pulled loosely to rotate the rotation member  22 , thus driving the bicycle device  50  insensitively. 
     The height adjusting assembly  30  is provided to adjust the height of the rotary shift set  20  based on using requirement. 
     The height adjusting assembly  30  is one piece formed on the clamping assembly  10  and the rotary shift set  20 , thus simplifying structure and lowering weight. 
     By unscrewing the positioning bolt  14 , the position of any one of the clamping assembly  10 , the rotary shift set  20 , the height adjusting assembly  30 , and the tightness adjusting set  40  are adjusted relative to the handlebar  60 , and the height of any one of the clamping assembly  10 , the rotary shift set  20 , the height adjusting assembly  30 , and the tightness adjusting set  40  relative to the handlebar  60  are adjusted according to using requirement, thus adjusting positions and heights of the clamping assembly  10 , the rotary shift set  20 , the height adjusting assembly  30 , and the tightness adjusting set  40  relative to the handlebar  60  easily. 
     The rotating the rotatable button  42  is rotated to adjust the position of the screwing element  41  relative to the abutting post  32 , wherein the longer the length of the screwing element  41  exposes outside the abutting post  32 , the longer the length of the steel rope  44  exposes outside the fitting member  43 , so the steel rope  44  is pulled tightly to rotate the rotation member  22 , thus driving the bicycle device  50  finely. On the contrary, the shorter the length of the screwing element  41  exposes outside the abutting post  32 , the shorter the length of the steel rope  44  exposes outside the fitting member  43 , so the steel rope  44  is pulled loosely to rotate the rotation member  22 , thus driving the bicycle device  50  insensitively. In other words, the user can adjust the tightness of the steel rope  44  on basis of using requirement. 
       FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view showing the application of the shifting structure for the bicycle according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the bicycle device  50  is a front fork damper, a braking device, or a seat adjustment device, and wherein the first end of the steel rope  44  is connected with the bicycle device  50  so as to control an operation of the front fork damper, the braking device, or the seat adjustment device. Likewise, the shifting structure can be also fixed on any one of a top tube, a down tube, a seat stay, a chain stay, and a front fork tube of a bicycle frame. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a difference of a shifting structure for a bicycle of a second embodiment from that of the first embodiment comprises: two retaining portions  31 , each having an obliquely quadrilateral trench formed thereon; an abutting post  32  formed in a quadrilateral column shape so as to contact with the two retaining portions  31 , such that the rotary shift set  20  and the height adjusting assembly  30  move linearly without rotating radially, so the rotation member  22  will not offset to rotate the handlebar  60  counterclockwise or clockwise, thus obtaining stable adjustment. 
     Referring further to  FIG. 12-13 , a difference of a shifting structure for a bicycle of a third embodiment from that of the first embodiment comprises: two retaining portions  31 , each including a beveled trench formed in a wave shape and having a predetermined tilted angle θ; an abutting post  32  formed in a waved column shape so as to contact with the two retaining portions  31 , such that the rotary shift set  20  and the tightness adjusting set  40  move linearly without rotation, and the rotation member  22  moves along the central axis of the abutting post  32  so as to achieve multi-section shifting adjustment, i.e., the rotation member  22  rotates toward the handlebar  60  counterclockwise or clockwise, thus obtaining stable adjustment. 
     Thereby, the shifting structure of the present invention is fixed on any one of the top tube, the down tube, the seat stay, the chain stay, and the front fork tube of the bicycle frame and is applied to adjust the position and the height of the rotary shift set and the height adjusting assembly simultaneously. The shifting structure is simplified and produced easily. Also, the shifting structure is lightweight and operated quickly, and the height adjusting assembly includes the tightness adjusting set mounted thereon so as to pull the steel rope tightly or loosely based on using requirement. 
     While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.