Sram Corporation

Michael W Larson

John D Cheever

Sam H Patterson

Tymme A Laun

Andrew J Caron

Tyler D Duston

David J Zimberoff

Brian T Jordan

Patrick J Brady

William M Yaney

Scott A McLaughlin

Brian L Lump

Frederick W Day

Frederick K Day

Alex Wassmann

A brake operating device ( ) is configured such that actuation of the brake lever ( ) around the lever pivot ( ) displaces the cable ( ) in a direction transverse to the cable length toward the lever pivot ( ), as the user is actuating the brake lever ( ). This provides at least a 33% increase in mechanical advantage over the actuation range of the brake lever ( ).

Brake actuating system

A bulbous rotatable gripping surface for a derailleur-type bicycle gear shifting system is formed of a resilient material with axially extending and angularly alternating ridges and base regions. The bulbous shape extending along the handlebar axis provides an increased diameter that naturally conforms to the longer middle finger of a rider's hand relative to the shorter adjoining index and ring fingers, to aid in the transmission of torque. The ridges and base regions are angularly spaced such that they fit naturally into the crooks of the rider's hand. The ridges, likewise, provide a larger diameter to aid in the transmission of torque and to protrude above any mud which may have collected thereon. To further enhance the torque transmission capabilities of the grip, the gripping surface is provided with a pattern of nubs.

Bulbous grip for rotatable bicycle gear shifter

Nubbed grips for hand-rotatable bicycle gear shifters have longitudinally elongated groups of nubs (50) that are angularly spaced apart by valley regions (44). Preferably, the elastomeric nubs are formed both on a cylindrical portion and an adjacent flanged portion of the grip.

Nubbed grip for rotatable bicycle gear shifter

Bicycle handle shifter grip

A cable preload system and device for providing an axial force to the control cable and sealing the control cable against contamination. The pre-load apparatus includes a braze-on, a cable connector, a resilient tubular member and a frame connector. The cable connector attaches one end of the tubular member to the control cable to form a static seal about the control cable. The frame connector attaches the other end of the tubular member to the frame. The tubular member is adapted to stretch between a first configuration and a second configuration to pre-load the control cable.

Control cable preload and sealing apparatus and system

A detent spring for use in a rotatable grip actuating system for a Bowden tube motion translation system used to actuate a derailleur gear shifting system on a bicycle. The detent spring, which is formed of spring type metal has a U-shape, with one leg positioned in an elongated arcuate slot in a first member which rotates within a second member having notches on an inner surface which are engaged by a detent formed on the second leg of the spring.

Detent spring for rotatable grip actuating system

A cable pre-load system and device attachable between a moveable control cable and a rigid frame for regulating tension in the control cable and sealing the control cable against contamination. The tensioning device includes a cable connector, a resilient tubular member with two ends and a frame connector. The cable connector attaches one end of the tubular member to the control cable to form a static seal about the control cable. The frame connector attaches the other end of the tubular member to the frame. The tubular member stretches between a first configuration and a second configuration in response to movement of the control cable to regulate tension in the control cable.

Bicycle derailleur cable preload and sealing system

A bicycle derailleur gear shifting system having a rotatable handgrip actuator coupled with a derailleur shifting mechanism through a control cable system so as to control the derailleur. The derailleur (50) includes an arcuate cable entraining surface (78) which substantially reduces the variation and magnitude of the actuation ratio between control cable linear displacement and movement of the derailleur p-knuckle (88). A b-knuckle flange (160) militates against the derailment of the drive chain from the upper guide wheel while permitting maximum lateral flexing of the drive chain (48) during shifting between sprockets (46) on the freewheel. A rigid arcuate surface (174) may be provided as an extension of the b-knuckle (170) in replacement of a segment of a Bowden cable housing (38) to obviate the accumulation of water and foreign matter.

Bicycle derailleur and actuating system

A rotatable gripping surface for a derailleur-type bicycle gear shifting system is formed of a resilient material with axially extending alternating ribs and grooves. The ribs and grooves are spaced such that they fit naturally into the crooks of the rider's thumb and finger or fingers and the portion of the palm therebetween. The ribs provide an increased diameter to aid in the transmission of torque and to protrude above any mud which may have collected thereon. To further enhance the torque transmitting capabilities of the grip and the ability to remain effective in the presence of mud and other debris, the surfaces of the ribs are provided with a pattern of nubs. The hubs are engaged and deflected slightly by an operator's thumb and finger and the portion of the palm therebetween to transmit torque to the rotational grip. The deflection of the hubs as in the case of the ribs will provide for the transmission of torque in the presence of any debris such as mud which may be deposited on or between the nubs and the ribs and grooves.

Rotatable grip for derailleur type bicycle gear shifting system

Nubbed grips for hand-rotatable bicycle gear shifters have longitudinally elongated groups of nubs (50, 96, 142) that are angularly spaced apart by valley regions (44, 98, 156). Preferably, the elastomeric nubs are formed both on a cylindrical portion and an adjacent flanged portion of the grip. In an alternative embodiment, shark tooth nubs (142) offer leading faces (158) against which a hand of a rider may abut in either rotational direction for maximum torque transmission.

A rear derailleur (50) is provided with an arcuate cable entraining surface (78) which substantially reduces the variation and magnitude of the actuation ratio between control cable linear displacement and movement of the derailleur p-knuckle (88). A b-knuckle flange (160) militates against the derailment of the drive chain from the upper guide wheel while permitting maximum lateral flexing of the drive chain (48) during shifting between sprockets (46) on the freewheel. A rigid arcuate surface (174) may be provided as an extension of the b-knuckle (170) in replacement of a segment of a Bowden cable housing (38) to obviate the accumulation of water and foreign matter.

Bicycle derailleur

A twist grip cable system having a mandrel received over the handlebar of a bicycle and a pulling spool providing increased mechanical advantage which may be used for the full range of rotation or In the case of a variable mechanical advantage system, that is one with a variable radius spool, for only part of the range. To provide even greater mechanical advantage, with the spool complete dropped away, a groove or slot is provided in the mandrel into which the cable may fall.

Growing community of inventors

Chicago, IL, United States of America

Michael W Larson