Patent ID: 7264256

Claim:
A bracket apparatus for mounting a separate self-contained control device for a bicycle transmission to a bicycle frame, wherein the frame has a bottom bracket shell, a seat tube extending upwardly relative to the bottom bracket shell, a first chain stay extending rearwardly relative to the seat tube and a first seat stay extending rearwardly relative to the seat tube above the first chain stay, wherein the apparatus comprises: a bracket base dimensioned for supporting the control device at least partially above the first chain stay and at least partially below the first seat stay such that the control device can be removed as a unit from the bracket base; wherein the bracket base has a substantially horizontal upper surface for substantially its entire length, wherein the upper surface is structured to receive a vertically downwardly directed force component from a portion of the control device mounted above it; a first bracket support for coupling the bracket base to at least one of the first chain stay and the first seat stay; and a second bracket support for coupling the bracket base to at least one of the first chain stay, the seat tube, and the bottom bracket shell.