Bicycle tensioner apparatus and bicycle tensioner

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10486770-B2
Application number	US-201615199830-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 30, 2016
Priority date	Jun 30, 2016
Publication date	Nov 26, 2019
Grant date	Nov 26, 2019

Abstract

A bicycle tensioner apparatus comprises a first base member, a second base member, and a tensioner. The second base member is movably coupled to the first base member. The tensioner is configured to contact a driving-force transmitting member to apply tension to the driving-force transmitting member. The tensioner is coupled to both the first base member and the second base member. The tensioner is movable relative to at least one of the first base member and the second base member in response to a relative movement between the first base member and the second base member.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bicycle tensioner apparatus comprising:
a first base member;
a second base member movably coupled to the first base member,
a tensioner configured to contact a driving-force transmitting member to apply tension to the driving-force transmitting member, the tensioner being coupled to both the first base member and the second base member, the tensioner being movable relative to at least one of the first base member and the second base member in response to a relative movement between the first base member and the second base member.

2. The bicycle tensioner apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
one of the first base member and the second base member includes one of a guide surface and a guide follower,
the tensioner includes the other of the guide surface and the guide follower, and
the guide follower is disposed on the guide surface to move the tensioner relative to the one of the first base member and the second base member in response to the relative movement between the first base member and the second base member.

3. The bicycle tensioner apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein
the tensioner includes
a support member pivotally coupled to the second base member about a support pivot axis, and
a first guide member mounted to the support member to guide the driving-force transmitting member.

4. The bicycle tensioner apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein
the tensioner includes a second guide member mounted to the support member to guide the driving-force transmitting member.

5. The bicycle tensioner apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein
the first guide member includes a first pulley rotatably coupled to the support member about a first rotational axis.

6. The bicycle tensioner apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein
the tensioner includes a second guide member mounted to the support member to guide the driving-force transmitting member, and
the second guide member includes a second pulley rotatably coupled to the support member about a second rotational axis.

7. The bicycle tensioner apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein
the support pivot axis coincides with the second rotational axis.

8. The bicycle tensioner apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein
the tensioner includes a coupling member coupling the first pulley and the guide follower to the support member together.

9. The bicycle tensioner apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein
one of the guide surface and the guide follower is provided at the support member.

10. The bicycle tensioner apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein
the tensioner includes a biasing member to apply a biasing force to the support member to pivot the support member about the support pivot axis.

11. The bicycle tensioner apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein
the guide follower is disposed on the support member and spaced apart from the support pivot axis.

12. The bicycle tensioner apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein
the guide follower is in contact with the guide surface.

13. The bicycle tensioner apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein
the one of the first base member and the second base member includes a guide groove,
the guide surface at least partly define the guide groove, and
the guide follower is disposed in the guide groove.

14. The bicycle tensioner apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein
the guide surface includes a curved surface.

15. The bicycle tensioner apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the second base member is movable relative to the first base member between a first base position and a second base position,
the tensioner is pivotable relative to the second base member about the support pivot axis between a first pivot position and a second pivot position, and
the guide follower is disposed on the guide surface to move the tensioner from the first pivot position to the second pivot position in response to a movement of the second base member from the first base position to the second base position.

16. The bicycle tensioner apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein
the guide surface includes a first guide part and a second guide part,
the tensioner is positioned at the first pivot position in a state where the guide follower is disposed on the first guide part, and
the tensioner is positioned at the second pivot position in a state where the guide follower is disposed on the second guide part.

17. The bicycle tensioner apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein
the second base member is pivotally coupled to the first base member about a base pivot axis, and
a first distance defined between the base pivot axis and the first guide part is different from a second distance defined between the base pivot axis and the second guide part.

18. The bicycle tensioner apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the second base member is pivotally coupled to the first base member about a base pivot axis.

19. The bicycle tensioner apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the first base member includes a base frame to support a crank axle, and
the second base member includes a swing arm movably coupled to the base frame.

20. A bicycle tensioner comprising:
a first coupling portion configured to be movably coupled to one of a first base member and a second base member, the first base member and the second base member being members of a bicycle frame;
a second coupling portion configured to be coupled to the other of the first base member and the second base member; and
a first guide member configured to contact a driving-force transmitting member,
the bicycle tensioner being movable relative to at least one of the first base member and the second base member in response to a relative movement between the first base member and the second base member.

21. The bicycle tensioner according to claim 20 , wherein
the second coupling portion is pivotably coupled to the second base member about a support pivot axis.

22. The bicycle tensioner according to claim 21 , wherein
the second coupling portion includes a pivot axle, and
the first coupling portion includes one of a projection and a recess.

23. The bicycle tensioner according to claim 21 , further comprising
a support member to support the first coupling portion, the second coupling portion, and the first guide member.

24. The bicycle tensioner according to claim 23 , further comprising
a second guide member mounted to the support member to guide the driving-force transmitting member.

25. The bicycle tensioner according to claim 23 , wherein
the first guide member includes a first pulley rotatably coupled to the support member about a first rotational axis.

26. The bicycle tensioner according to claim 25 , wherein
the second guide member includes a second pulley rotatably coupled to the support member about a second rotational axis.

27. The bicycle tensioner according to claim 26 , further comprising
a coupling member, wherein
the first coupling portion includes a projection, and
the coupling member couples the first pulley and the projection to the support member together.

28. The bicycle tensioner according to claim 27 , wherein
the projection includes a roller rotatable relative to the support member about a rotational axis defined along the first rotational axis.

29. The bicycle tensioner according to clai

Assignees

• Shimano Kk

Inventors

• Emura Atsuhiro
• Oishi Toshinari
• Nishimoto Yusuke
• Yamaguchi Sota
• Obuchi Kohei
• Mitsuyasu Kento

Classifications

• B62M2009/007

  Guides to prevent chain from slipping off the sprocket · CPC title

• F16H2007/0865

  Pulleys · CPC title

• F16H2007/0893

  Circular path · CPC title

• F16H7/20

  Mountings for rollers or pulleys · CPC title

• F16H7/1281

  where the axis of the pulley moves along a substantially circular path · CPC title