Patent Abstract:
A control device is configured to be attached to the handlebar of a bicycle for controlling a brake mechanism and change speed mechanism. The control device comprises a bracket fixed to the handlebar, a brake lever pivotally coupled crosswise relative to the bracket and a release lever. The brake mechanism is controlled by fore and aft pivotal movement of the brake lever, while the change speed mechanism is controlled by sideways pivotal movement of the brake lever and the release lever. The brake lever and the release lever are further configured relative to the bracket for smooth easy operation by the rider.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention generally relates to a bicycle control device for shifting gears to change the speed of the bicycle. More specifically, the present invention in a preferred embodiment relates to a bicycle control device that includes both braking and/or speed changing functions.  
           [0003]    2. Background Information  
           [0004]    Bicycling is becoming an increasingly more popular form of recreation as well as a means of transportation. Moreover, bicycling has become a very popular competitive sport for both amateurs and professionals. Whether the bicycle is used for recreation, transportation or competition, the bicycle industry is constantly improving the various components of the bicycle as well as the frame of the bicycle. Control devices for braking and/or shifting have been extensively redesigned in recent years.  
           [0005]    In the past, brake levers and shifting devices were separate devices that were attached to the handlebar and/or frame of the bicycle. More recently, control devices have been developed the combine both the braking and shifting functions into a single unit. Examples of such control devices of this type are disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,241,878; 5,257,683; 5,400,675; and 6,073,730. For effecting braking and speed change, some of these known control devices have a brake lever that also acts as a shift lever that winds a takeup element and a release lever located behind a brake/shift lever. While other known control devices have a shift lever that winds a takeup element located behind a brake lever and a release lever that is located laterally of the brake lever. Thus, the rider can carry out braking and speed change operations without the rider changing from one lever to another and without the possibility of rider injuring a finger. In particular, these control devices have a support member with a mounting portion configured to be coupled to the handlebar of the bicycle and a control lever that is pivotally coupled to the support member to move between a rest position and a shifting position about a shift pivot axis.  
           [0006]    However, the control devices illustrated in these patents have a large angle between the shift pivot axis and the operating portion of the shift lever used to wind the shift cable. This arrangement results in the rider having to push the shift lever along a path that can be difficult for some riders. Likewise, the release levers of the control devices illustrated in these patents are not arranged in the most advantageous position for the rider to operate. Thus, the release lever of the control devices illustrated in these patents can be difficult for some riders to operate.  
           [0007]    In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved control device. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    One object of the present invention is to provide a control device that is easy to shift.  
           [0009]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact and inexpensive bicycle control device that allows the rider to carry out braking and speed change operations without difficulty.  
           [0010]    The foregoing objects can basically be attained by providing a bicycle control device comprising a support member, a cable winding mechanism, and a control lever. The support member has a mounting portion configured and arranged to be coupled to a bicycle handlebar and a distal end longitudinally spaced from the mounting portion. The cable winding mechanism is coupled to the support member, and has a cable attachment point. The control lever is operatively coupled to the cable winding mechanism. The control lever includes an attachment end portion and a shift operating portion extending outwardly from the distal end of the support member. The attachment end portion of the control lever is pivotally coupled to the support member to move between a rest position and a shifting position about a shift pivot axis that extends longitudinally between the mounting portion and the distal end. The shift operating portion of the control lever is configured and arranged to be disposed along a line that is angled relative to the shift pivot axis by approximately an angle between forty-five degrees and fifty-five degrees at the rest position and that passes through the attachment end portion at the shift pivot axis.  
           [0011]    The foregoing objects can basically be attained by providing a bicycle control device comprising a support member, a cable winding mechanism, and a brake/shift lever. The support member has a mounting portion configured and arranged to be coupled to a bicycle handlebar. The cable winding mechanism is coupled to the support member, and has a cable attachment point. The brake/shift lever is operatively coupled to the cable winding mechanism. The brake/shift lever includes an attachment end portion and a brake/shift operating portion extending outwardly from the support member. The attachment end portion of the brake/shift lever is pivotally coupled to the support member about a shift pivot axis to move between a rest position and a shifting position. The attachment end portion of the brake/shift lever further is pivotally coupled relative to the support member about a brake pivot axis that is angled relative to the shift pivot axis. The shift operating portion of the brake/shift lever is configured and arranged to be disposed along a line that is angled relative to the shift pivot axis by approximately an angle between forty-five degrees and fifty-five degrees at the rest position and that passes through the attachment end portion at the shift pivot axis.  
           [0012]    The foregoing objects can basically be attained by providing a bicycle control device comprising a support member, a cable winding mechanism, and a control lever. The support member has a mounting portion configured and arranged to be coupled to a bicycle handlebar and a distal end longitudinally spaced from the mounting portion. The cable winding mechanism is coupled to the support member, and having a cable attachment point. The control lever is operatively coupled to the cable winding mechanism. The control lever includes an attachment end portion and a shift operating portion extending outwardly from the distal end of the support member. The attachment end portion of the control lever is pivotally coupled to the support member to move between a rest position and a shifting position about a shift pivot axis that extends longitudinally between the mounting portion and the distal end. The mounting portion has a clamping plane extending perpendicularly from the bicycle handlebar to intersect with the shift pivot axis at an intersection point to form an acute angle as measured upwardly from the clamping plane and on a forward side of the shift pivot axis that away from the mounting portion.  
           [0013]    The above objects are preferably achieved, according to the present invention, by a control device for a bicycle having a brake mechanism and a change speed change mechanism, comprising a brake lever assembly mounted on a handlebar for controlling the brake mechanism, wherein the speed change mechanism is controllable by movement of at least a portion of the brake lever assembly.  
           [0014]    These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a bicycle equipped with a pair of control devices (only one shown) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the handlebar and the right hand side control device illustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the right hand side control device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the right hand side control device illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 3  in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of the right hand side control device illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 4  in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevational of the right hand side control device illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 5  with a portion shown in cross section;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 is a partial cross sectional view of a portion of the right hand side control device illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 6 ;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 8 is a partial cross sectional view of a portion of the right hand side control device illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 6 ; and  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the portion of the right hand side control device illustrated in FIG. 7 with portions broken away for purposes of illustration 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]    Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.  
         [0026]    Referring initially to FIG. 1, a bicycle  10  is illustrated with a pair of control devices  12  (only one shown in FIG. 1) mounted in a bicycle handlebar  13  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The right hand side control device  12  is operatively coupled to a rear derailleur  14  via a shift cable  14   a  and a rear braking device  15  via a brake cable  15   a , while the left hand side control device  12  is operatively coupled to a front derailleur  17  via a shift cable  17   a  and a front braking device  18  via a brake cable  18   a . The right and left hand side control devices  12  are essentially identical in construction and operation, except that that are mirror images and the number of shift positions are different. Thus, only one of the control devices  12  will be discussed and illustrated herein. Each control device  12  is also preferably provided with an electronic shifting unit  18  with a pair of shift buttons that are operatively coupled to a cycle computer, preferably in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,730 (assigned to Shimano, Inc.) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,078 (assigned to Shimano, Inc.).  
         [0027]    As used herein to describe the control device  12 , the following directional terms “forward, rearward, above, downward, vertical, horizontal, below and transverse” as well as any other similar directional terms refer to those directions of a bicycle equipped with the present invention. Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describe the present invention should be interpreted relative to a bicycle equipped with the control device  12  of the present invention.  
         [0028]    Since these most of the parts of the bicycle  10  are well known in the art, the parts of the bicycle  10  will not be discussed or illustrated in detail herein, except for the parts relating to the control devices  12  of the present invention. Moreover, various conventional bicycle parts such as brakes, derailleurs, additional sprocket, etc., which are not illustrated and/or discussed in detail herein, can be used in conjunction with the present invention.  
         [0029]    As best seen in FIG. 5, the bicycle control device  12  basically comprises a support member or bracket  21  and a braking/shifting mechanism  22 . The support member  21  is configured and arranged to be fixedly coupled to the bicycle handlebar  13 . The braking/shifting mechanism  22  is movably mounted to the support member  21 . The braking/shifting mechanism  22  basically operates in the same manner as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,078 (assigned to Shimano, Inc.). Thus, the details of the construction and operation of the braking/shifting mechanism  22  will be omitted. However, the support member  21  and the braking/shifting mechanism  22  have been configured and arranged in the present invention to improve shifting. Accordingly, the braking/shifting mechanism  22  will only be discussed and illustrated in sufficient detail to make and use the present invention.  
         [0030]    The support member  21  is configured as a box-shaped bracket that facilitates gripping. The support member  21  includes a mounting end portion  21   a  configured and arranged to be coupled to the bicycle handlebar  13  and a distal end portion  21   b  longitudinally spaced from the mounting end portion  21   a . A cover  21   c  is disposed over the support member  21 . The mounting end portion  21   a  has a band element or clamp  23  secured to the bicycle handlebar  13 . The distal end portion  21   b  of the support member  21  has a pivot pin bore  21   d  that pivotally supports the braking/shifting mechanism  22  to the support member  21 .  
         [0031]    The braking/shifting mechanism  22  basically comprises a base member or adapter  31 , a cable winding mechanism  32 , a control (brake/shift) lever  33  and a release (shift) lever  34 . The control (brake/shift) lever  33  is operatively coupled to the cable winding mechanism  32  to wind or pull the wire  14   b  to shift the rear derailleur  14 , while the release (shift) lever  34  is operatively coupled to the cable winding mechanism  32  to unwind or release the wire  14   b  to shift the rear derailleur  14 . The braking/shifting mechanism  22  is pivotally connected to the support member  21  by a pivot pin  36  about a brake pivot axis P, which is a non-shift pivot axis. A torsion spring or biasing element  35  is mounted on the pivot pin  36  with one end of the torsion spring  35  engaging the base member  31  and the other end of the torsion spring  35  engaging the support member  21  to urge the braking/shifting mechanism  22  from a braking position to a normal rest position. In particular, the braking/shifting mechanism  22  is basically pivoted by the rider pulling or squeezing the control (brake/shift) lever  33  toward the handlebar  13 . Thus, the control (brake/shift) lever  33  pivots relative to the support member  21  between the braking position and the normal rest position.  
         [0032]    Shifting, on the other hand, is basically performed by pivoting the control (brake/shift) lever  33  about a main shift pivot axis M, or pivoting the release (shifting) lever  34  about a secondary shift pivot axis S. The main shift pivot axis M extends longitudinally between the mounting end portion  21   a  and the distal end portion  21   b  of the support member  21 . In the illustrated embodiment, the main shift pivot axis M and the secondary shift pivot axis S are parallel.  
         [0033]    The control (brake/shift) lever  33  has an attachment end portion  33   a , a shift operating portion  33   b  and an extreme free end portion  33   c . The attachment end portion  33   a  of the control (brake/shift) lever  33  is pivotally coupled to the support member  21  to move between a normal rest position and a shifting position about the main shift pivot axis M. The shift operating portion  33   b  extends outwardly from the distal end portion  21   b  of the support member  21 . As seen in FIG. 2, the shift operating portion  33   b  of the control (brake/shift) lever  33  is configured and arranged to be disposed along a line L 1  that passes through the attachment end portion  33   a  at the main shift pivot axis M. The line L 1  of the shift operating portion  33   b  of the control (brake/shift) lever  33  represents the center longitudinal axis of the shift operating portion  33   b . This line L 1  of the shift operating portion  33   b  of the control (brake/shift) lever  33  is angled relative to the main shift pivot axis M by approximately an angle A 1  that is between forty-five degrees and fifty-five degrees at the rest position. This arrangement allows for the rider to easily operate the control (brake/shift) lever  33 .  
         [0034]    Still referring to FIG. 2, the bicycle control device  12  is secured to the handlebar  13  by the clamp  23  such that the tip of the extreme free end portion  33   c  of the control (brake/shift) lever  33  is aligned with the free end of the handlebar  13  as seen in FIG. 2. Also, when the bicycle control device  12  is mounted in this position, the main shift pivot axis M forms a forty-seven degree angle with a ground level plane GL that represents ground level. The clamp  23  has a center clamping plane B that bisects the clamp  23  and is arranged perpendicular to the center axis C of the portion of the handlebar  13  where the clamp  23  is attached as seen in FIG. 2. Thus, the center clamping plane B extends perpendicularly from the bicycle handlebar  13  to intersect with the main shift pivot axis M at an intersection point to form an acute angle A 3  as measured upwardly from the clamping plane B and on a forward side of the main shift pivot axis M that away from the mounting end portion  21   a . Preferably, the acute angle A 3  measures approximately 4.5 degrees. This arrangement further allows for the rider to easily operate the control (brake/shift) lever  33  and the release lever  34 .  
         [0035]    The release lever  34  is pivotally mounted on the control (brake/shift) lever  33  between the attachment end portion  33   a  of the control (brake/shift) lever  33  and the shift operating portion  33   b  of the control (brake/shift) lever  33 . The release lever  34  is operatively coupled to the cable winding mechanism  32  to release the wire  14   b  of the shift cable  14   a  as discussed below. The release lever  34  has an attachment end portion  34   a  and a shift operating portion  34   b . The attachment end portion  34   a  of the release lever  34  is pivotally coupled to the control (brake/shift) lever  33  to move between a normal rest position and a shifting position about the secondary shift pivot axis S. The shift operating portion  34   b  extends along the rearward side of the shift operating portion  33   b  of the control (brake/shift) lever  33 . The shift operating portion  34   b  of the release lever  34  is configured and arranged to be disposed along a line L 2  that passes through the attachment end portion  33   a  at the main shift pivot axis M. The line L 2  of the shift operating portion  34   b  of the release lever  34  represents the center longitudinal axis of the shift operating portion  34   b . This line L 2  of the shift operating portion  34   b  of the release lever  34  is angled relative to the main shift pivot axis M by approximately an angle A 2  that is between forty-five degrees and fifty-five degrees at the rest position. This arrangement allows for the rider to easily operate the release lever  34 .  
         [0036]    The base member  31  is pivotally supported on the support member  21  by the pivot pin  36 . Thus, the base member  31  can not rotate about the main shift pivot axis M. More particularly, the base member  31  is a U-shaped member that has a fixing portion or plate  31   a  and a pair of brake cable attachment portions or plates  31   b  extending from the fixing portion or plate  31   a . The fixing portion or plate  31   a  has a fixing hole  31   c  that is used to secure the cable winding mechanism  32  thereto. The brake cable attachment portions or plates  31   b  have axially aligned pivot holes  31   d  that support the pivot pin  36  and axially aligned recesses  31   e  that define a wire hook or brake attachment point in which the end of the brake wire  15   b  of the brake cable  15  is attached.  
         [0037]    The cable winding mechanism  32  is pivotally coupled to the support member  21  by the base member  31 . The cable winding mechanism  32  has a main support member or shaft  37  that defines the main shift pivot axis M and that rotatably supports the attachment end portion  33   a  of the control (brake/shift) lever  33  via a bearing assembly  38 . The bearing assembly  38  and the attachment end portion  33   a  of the control (brake/shift) lever  33  are removably attached to the support shaft  37  by a fixing screw  39 . The control (brake/shift) lever  33  pivots about the main shift pivot axis M that extends perpendicular to the brake pivot axis P. Thus, the control (brake/shift) lever  33  is operatively coupled to the cable winding mechanism  32  to pivot about the main shift pivot axis M. In other words, the control (brake/shift) lever  33  is swingable, for effecting speed change, in a direction perpendicular to the braking movement of the control (brake/shift) lever  33 .  
         [0038]    A torsion return spring or biasing element  40  is mounted on the fixing screw  39  with one end of the return spring  40  engaging the attachment end portion  33   a  of the control (brake/shift) lever  33  and the other end of the return spring  40  engaging an outer cap unit  41  that is non-rotatably secured to the support shaft  37  by the fixing screw  39 . The return spring  40  applies an urging force to the control (brake/shift) lever  33  in a first rotational direction for biasing the control (brake/shift) lever  33  from a shifting position to a normal rest position.  
         [0039]    The base member  31  is secured to the support shaft  37  of the cable winding mechanism  32  by a nut  42  that is threaded on to the end of the support shaft  37 . In other words, the end of the support shaft  37  extends through the fixing hole  31   c  of the fixing plate  31   a  to secure the cable winding mechanism  32  thereto.  
         [0040]    As seen in FIG. 7, a stationary plate  46  with a recess  46   a  is mounted adjacent the distal end of the support member  21  to be non-rotatable relative thereto. The attachment end portion  33   a  includes, adjacent its proximal end, a ball  47  for engaging the recess  46   a  and a lever positioning spring  48  for urging the ball  47  into the recess  46   a . This construction acts to maintain the control (brake/shift) lever  33  in a neutral position opposed to the foremost end of the curved portion of the handlebar  13 , and to prevent the control (brake/shift) lever  33  from swinging with the release lever  34  when the latter is operated.  
         [0041]    Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9, the cable winding mechanism  32  further includes a shift wire takeup element  50 , a position maintaining mechanism  51  formed by the release lever  34  and a control or release plate  51   a , a transmission element  52  coupled to the control (brake/shift) lever  33 , and a shift position sensor  53  disposed between the attachment end portion  33   a  and the takeup element  50 . The shift position sensor  53  is used for detecting the current gear position that is engaged. The shift position sensor  53  can be a potentiometer as illustrated.  
         [0042]    The takeup element  50  of the cable winding mechanism  32  has an approximately cylindrical shape with a shift cable attachment point  50   a  in which the end of the shift wire  14   b  of the shift cable  14   a  is attached. The takeup element  50  is normal urged in a wire-unwinding direction by a return spring or biasing element  54 . In other words, the return spring or biasing element  54  is configured and arranged to apply a biasing force in a first rotational direction to urge the takeup element  50  to rotate in the wire-unwinding direction. The wire takeup element  50  also has a plurality of teeth or driven portions  55  located on the outer peripheral surface and a plurality of teeth or engaging portions  56  on an inside peripheral wall thereof.  
         [0043]    As seen in FIG. 9, the transmission element  52  includes an engaging projection  52   a  at a distal end thereof. The transmission element  52  is biased against the teeth or driven portions  55  of the takeup element  50  by a spring  52   b  located in a recess of the control (brake/shift) lever  33 . Thus, pivotal movement of the control (brake/shift) lever  33  about the main shift pivot axis M causes the takeup element  50  rotate against the force of the return spring  54 .  
         [0044]    The support shaft  37  further non-rotatably supports a pawl support body  57  that swingably supports a return pawl or engaging member  58  (FIG. 9) and a positioning pawl  59  (FIG. 7). A spring  60  is provided for urging the return pawl  58  toward the engaging portions  56 , while a spring (not shown) is provided for urging the positioning pawl  59  away from control recesses  61  that are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the takeup element  50 .  
         [0045]    The release lever  34  is pivotally connected to the attachment end portion  33   a  by a pivot pin  69  that defines the secondary pivot axis S. The pivot pin  69  extends parallel to the support shaft  37 . The release lever  34  includes a control projection  34   c  projecting from the proximal end thereof in a direction opposite to the attachment end portion  34   a  thereof. The control projection  34   c  engages the control plate  51   a  that is supported on the support shaft  37 . Movement of the release lever  34  rotates the control plate  51   a  to release the takeup element  50  which is then rotated in the wire-unwinding direction by the return spring  54 .  
         [0046]    The control plate  51   a  includes engaging projections for engaging the return pawl  58  and the positioning pawl  59 , respectively, to move the return pawl  58  out of engagement and the positioning pawl  59  toward its engaging position when the release lever  34  is swung sideways. The control plate  51   a  further includes a first cam surface for contacting the engaging projection  52   a  of the transmission element  52 , and a second cam surface for engaging the control projection  34   c . The control plate  51   a , the return pawl  58  and the positioning pawl  59  operate in the same manner the corresponding elements of the fourth embodiment that is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,241,878 (assigned to Shimano, Inc.). This allows change speed to be effected with the swinging movement in the direction perpendicular to the direction of pivotal movement of the control (brake/shift) lever  33 .  
         [0047]    The release lever  34  is disposed in a recess defined in a back face of the attachment end portion  33   a . The attachment end portion  34   a  of the release lever  34  is disposed close to the control (brake/shift) lever  33 , projecting toward the handlebar  13  relative to the attachment end portion  33   a  for facilitating operation. The release lever  34  has a starting position in which one lateral face of the release lever  34  contacts a side surface of the recess of the attachment end portion  33   a.    
         [0048]    In this illustrated embodiment, the control (brake/shift) lever  33  is pivotable to the braking position with a hand holding the curved portion of the handlebar  13  or the support member  21 . The control (brake/shift) lever  33  makes a pivotal movement on the brake pivot axis P. This pivotal movement of the control (brake/shift) lever  33  pulls the brake wire  15   b  thereby to brake the bicycle  10 . The control (brake/shift) lever  33  can be swung sideways from the starting or rest position to provide a selected low speed, and returns to the starting or rest position under the force of the return spring  40  upon release. The release lever  34  can be swung sideways from its starting or rest position to provide a selected high speed, and returns to the starting or rest position under the forces of the spring urging the return pawl  58  and of the spring urging the positioning pawl  59  upon release.  
         [0049]    When the control (brake/shift) lever  33  is swung in a sideways direction with the transmission element  52  engaging one of the driven portions  55 , the transmission element  52  drives the takeup element  50 , and the return pawl  58  moves away from the engaging portions  56 . As a result, the shift wire  14   b  is pulled to provide a selected low speed. When the control (brake/shift) lever  33  is released, the control (brake/shift) lever  33  returns to the starting or rest position under the force of the return spring  40 .  
         [0050]    When the release lever  34  is pushed in a sideways direction, the control plate  51   a  is driven through the control projection  34   c . Then, the engaging projection of the control plate  51   a  presses the positioning pawl  59  toward the control recesses  61 , whereby the tip end of the positioning pawl  59  advances into one of the control recesses  61 . The engaging projection of the control plate  51   a  also moves the return pawl  58  out of engagement with an engaging portion  56 . As a result, the takeup element  50  returns by an amount corresponding to the gap between the positioning pawl  59  and the control recess  61 , i.e. within one pitch of the engaging portions  56 . When the release lever  34  is released to return, the control plate  51   a  rotates to release the positioning pawl  59  out of engagement with the control recess  61  and to move the return pawl  58  into engagement with an adjacent engaging portion.  
         [0051]    The release lever  34  is pivoted to the attachment end portion  33   a  of the control (brake/shift) lever  33  so that, when the control (brake/shift) lever  33  is swung forward to effect speed change, the release lever  34  is swung with the control (brake/shift) lever  33  instead of moving relative to the latter. This allows the control (brake/shift) lever  33  to be swung without being obstructed by the release lever  34 .  
         [0052]    In the illustrated embodiment so far described, the control (brake/shift) lever  33  is swingable in the direction perpendicular to the direction of pivotal movement of the control (brake/shift) lever  33 , i.e. axially of the brake pivot axis P. Instead, the control (brake/shift) lever  33  can be swingable in an inclined direction relative to the brake pivot axis P. It will serve the purpose if the control (brake/shift) lever  33  is swingable in a direction different from the direction of pivotal movement of the control (brake/shift) lever  33  within a range that does not result in a change speed at times of braking.  
         [0053]    When braking the bicycle with a hand holding the lower extreme position of the curved portion of the dropped handlebar  13 , the cyclist can extend the index and middle fingers, for example, of the hand holding the curved portion, hook the control (brake/shift) lever  33  and draw the control (brake/shift) lever  33  toward the braking position, i.e. toward the curved portion. This lever operation causes the cable winding mechanism  32  to pivot on the brake pivot axis P with the base member  31 . This pivotal movement of the control (brake/shift) lever  33  pulls the brake wire  15   b  thereby to brake the bicycle  10 .  
         [0054]    The terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. These terms should be construed as including a deviation of at least ±5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies.  
         [0055]    While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8