Patent ID: 7258042

Claim:
An automatic cycle pedal with multiple engagement surfaces, comprising: a pedal axle ( 3 ) adapted to be connected to a pedal crank; a pedal body ( 2 ) rotatably mounted on the pedal axle so as to be rotatable about a pedal axis, the pedal body comprising a pair of fixed arches ( 7 , 8 ), each of the fixed arches being mounted fixedly on said pedal body ( 2 ) at both ends of said fixed arch, the fixed arches extending radially on opposite sides of said pedal body; a pair of pivoting arches ( 9 , 10 ) disposed so that both ends of each of the pivoting arches are mounted pivotally on said pedal body ( 2 ), the pivoting arches being arranged opposite one another on the pedal body so that each of the pivoting arches lies between said fixed arches ( 7 , 8 ); a return member arranged ( 12 , 13 ; 32 ; 33 ; 37 ; 44 ) so as to urge either of the pivoting arches toward an initial position when either of the pivoting arches is pivotably displaced from that arch's initial position, so as to enable retaining an engagement member fixed to a bicycle shoe; wherein each said pivoting arch ( 9 , 10 ) is mounted on the pedal body so that displacement of the pivoting arch from the initial position is about a pivotal axis that is eccentric relative to the pedal axis (A-A); wherein each pivoting arch ( 9 , 10 ) carries an actuating member ( 11 , 11 ′; 11 ″) acting on said return member ( 12 , 13 ; 32 ; 33 ; 37 ; 44 ) so as to permit relative angular spacing apart of a said pivoting arch ( 9 , 10 ) relative to a said fixed arch ( 7 , 8 ); wherein said return member comprises a resilient split ring ( 12 , 13 ) extending about said pedal axle ( 3 ) and bearing on said actuating member ( 11 , 11 ′) so as to coact directly with said actuating member; wherein said actuating member has a shape of a first hollow cylindrical section ( 11 ) connected at one of the ends of each pivoting arch ( 9 , 10 ) and extending axially within the arch and having on its external surface a bearing surface ( 15 ) against which rests said resilient ring ( 12 ).