Bicycle actuation structure and bicycle seatpost assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9540063-B1
Application number	US-201514879126-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Oct 9, 2015
Priority date	Oct 9, 2015
Publication date	Jan 10, 2017
Grant date	Jan 10, 2017

Abstract

A bicycle actuation structure comprises an input member, a coupling member, and an output member. The input member is configured to receive a pulling force to move in a first direction. The coupling member is pivotally coupled to the input member about a first pivot axis. The output member is pivotally coupled to the coupling member about a second pivot axis to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction in response to a movement of the input member in the first direction, the second pivot axis being different from the first pivot axis.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bicycle actuation structure comprising:
an input member configured to receive a pulling force to move in a first direction which is a straight direction;
a coupling member pivotally coupled to the input member about a first pivot axis; and
an output member pivotally coupled to the coupling member about a second pivot axis to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction in response to a movement of the input member in the first direction, the second direction being a straight direction, the second pivot axis being different from the first pivot axis.

2. The bicycle actuation structure according to claim 1 , wherein
the output member includes a transmitting part to transmit a movement of the output member in the second direction to a receiving member.

3. The bicycle actuation structure according to claim 1 , wherein
the second direction is substantially parallel to the first direction.

4. The bicycle actuation structure according to claim 3 , wherein
the input member is movable on a reference axis in the first direction when viewed from a third direction parallel to the first pivot axis, and
the output member is movable on the reference axis in the second direction when viewed from the third direction.

5. The bicycle actuation structure according to claim 4 , wherein
the input member includes a cable attachment part configured to be coupled to a control cable,
the output member includes a transmitting part to transmit a movement of the output member in the second direction,
the cable attachment part is movable on the reference axis in the first direction when viewed from a third direction parallel to the first pivot axis,
the transmitting part is movable on the reference axis in the second direction when viewed from the third direction, and
the cable attachment part and the transmitting part overlap with each other when viewed from the first direction.

6. A bicycle actuation structure comprising:
an input member configured to receive a pulling force to move in a first direction;
a coupling member pivotally coupled to the input member about a first pivot axis;
an output member pivotally coupled to the coupling member about a second pivot axis to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction in response to a movement of the input member in the first direction, the second pivot axis being different from the first pivot axis; and
a supporting member,
the coupling member being pivotally coupled to the supporting member about a support pivot axis provided between the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis.

7. The bicycle actuation structure according to claim 6 , wherein
the supporting member includes a guiding part to guide at least one of the input member, the coupling member, and the output member.

8. The bicycle actuation structure according to claim 7 , wherein
the guiding part includes a first guiding portion and a second guiding portion spaced apart from the first guiding portion,
the at least one of the input member, the coupling member, and the output member is provided between the first guiding portion and the second guiding portion, and
the first guiding portion and the second guiding portion restrict a movement of the at least one of the input member, the coupling member, and the output member in a third direction parallel to the first pivot axis.

9. The bicycle actuation structure according to claim 6 , wherein
a first distance defined between the first pivot axis and the support pivot axis is longer than a second distance defined between the second pivot axis and the support pivot axis.

10. The bicycle actuation structure according to claim 6 , further comprising:
a support pivot pin pivotally coupling the coupling member to the supporting member about the support pivot axis, wherein
the output member includes a support elongated hole, and
the support pivot pin extends through the support elongated hole.

11. The bicycle actuation structure according to claim 10 , wherein
the support elongated hole extends in the second direction.

12. The bicycle actuation structure according to claim 10 , further comprising:
a first pivot pin pivotally coupling the coupling member to the input member about the first pivot axis, wherein
at least one of the input member and the coupling member includes a first elongated hole, and
the first pivot pin extends through the first elongated hole.

13. The bicycle actuation structure according to claim 12 , wherein
the first elongated hole extends in a fourth direction perpendicular to each of the first pivot axis and the first direction.

14. The bicycle actuation structure according to claim 12 , further comprising:
a second pivot pin pivotally coupling the output member to the coupling member about the second pivot axis, wherein
at least one of the coupling member and the output member includes a second elongated hole, and
the second pivot pin extends through the second elongated hole.

15. The bicycle actuation structure according to claim 14 , wherein
the second elongated hole extends a fifth direction perpendicular to each of the second pivot axis and the second direction.

16. A bicycle actuation structure comprising:
an input member configured to receive a pulling force to move in a first direction;
a coupling member pivotally coupled to the input member about a first pivot axis;
an output member pivotally coupled to the coupling member about a second pivot axis to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction in response to a movement of the input member in the first direction, the second pivot axis being different from the first pivot axis; and
an additional coupling member pivotally coupled to the input member about a third pivot axis,
the second direction being substantially parallel to the first direction,
the input member being movable on a reference axis in the first direction when viewed from a third direction parallel to the first pivot axis,
the output member being movable on the reference axis in the second direction when viewed from the third direction,
the output member is pivotally coupled to the additional coupling member about a fourth pivot axis to move in the second direction in response to the movement of the input member in the first direction, and
the coupling member and the additional coupling member are provided symmetrically with respect to the reference axis when viewed from the third direction.

17. A bicycle seatpost assembly comprising:
a first cylinder;
a second cylinder telescopically received in the first cylinder in a telescopic direction;
a positioning structure to change a state of the bicycle seatpost assembly between
a locked state where the second cylinder is positioned relative to the first cylinder in the telescopic direction, and
an adjustable state where a position of the second cylinder is adjustable relative to the first cylinder in the telescopic direction; and

a bicycle actuation structure comprising:
an input member configured to receive a pulling force to move in a first direction;
a coupling member pivotally coupled to the input member about a first pivot axis; and
an output member pivotally coupled to the coupling member about a second pivot axis to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction in response to a movement of the input member in the first direction, the second pivot axis being different from the first pivot axis, the output member being operatively coupled to the positioning structure to change the state of the bicy

Assignees

• Shimano Kk

Inventors

• Shirai Toyoto

Classifications

• B62J1/08 Primary

  Frames for saddles; Connections between saddle frames and seat pillars; Seat pillars (attaching seat pillars to cycle frames B62K19/36) · CPC title

• B62J2001/085

  Seat pillars having mechanisms to vary seat height, independently of the cycle frame · CPC title