Controlling bicycle component according to seat position

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9840294-B2
Application number	US-201514671888-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 27, 2015
Priority date	Mar 27, 2015
Publication date	Dec 12, 2017
Grant date	Dec 12, 2017

Abstract

A control device for controlling a bicycle component in accordance with a seat position of a bicycle seat is provided. The control device may comprise a transmitter configured to transmit a signal relating to the seat position of the bicycle seat, and a mounting structure configured to detachably mount the transmitter to at least one of a bicycle seat post, a bicycle frame, and the bicycle seat.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A control device for controlling a bicycle component in accordance with a seat position of a bicycle seat, the control device comprising:
a transmitter configured to transmit a signal relating to the seat position of the bicycle seat;
a mounting structure configured to detachably mount the transmitter to at least one of a bicycle seat post, a seat tube, and the bicycle seat;
an operating member that moves in accordance with a telescopic movement of the bicycle seat post; and
an operated member that is movable relative to the operating member, the operated member being operated by the operating member when the seat position is at a predetermined position to cause the transmitter to transmit the signal.

2. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein a relative position of the operated member and the operating member is adjustable so that the predetermined position is adjustable.

3. The control device according to claim 2 , wherein a position of the operated member is adjustable with respect to the transmitter in a direction of the telescopic movement of the bicycle seat post.

4. The control device according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of the operated members disposed at respective positions that are different from each other along a direction of the telescopic movement of the bicycle seat post.

5. The control device according to claim 4 , wherein at least one of the plurality of operated members is configured to be detachably attached to the control device.

6. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the operated member is a switch configured to be contacted by the operating member to cause the transmitter to transmit the signal.

7. The control device according to claim 6 , wherein the operating member is a rod extending along a direction of the telescopic movement of the bicycle seat post.

8. The control device according to claim 1 , further comprising an adjusting structure configured to adjust a relative position of the operated member and the operating member in a circumferential direction around the bicycle seat post.

9. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein
the operated member is a sensor configured to detect the seat position of the bicycle seat; and
the transmitter includes a controller configured to control the transmitter such that the transmitter transmits the signal in response to a seat position signal detected by the sensor.

10. A control device for controlling a bicycle component in accordance with a seat position of a bicycle seat, the control device comprising:
a transmitter configured to transmit a signal relating to the seat position of the bicycle seat; and
a mounting structure configured to detachably mount the transmitter to at least one of a bicycle seat post, a seat tube, and the bicycle seat,
wherein the mounting structure includes:
a first mounting part configured to be mounted to one of the seat tube and a first cylinder of the bicycle seat post; and
a second mounting part configured to be mounted to one of the bicycle seat and a second cylinder of the bicycle seat post, the second cylinder being configured to be attached to the bicycle seat.

11. The control device according to claim 10 , wherein the first mounting part comprises a first clamping member configured to be detachably clamped to the one of the seat tube and the first cylinder of the bicycle seat post.

12. The control device according to claim 10 , wherein the second mounting part comprises a second clamping member configured to be detachably clamped to the one of the bicycle seat and the second cylinder of the bicycle seat post.

13. A method of controlling a bicycle component in accordance with a seat position of a bicycle seat, the method comprising:
detachably mounting a transmitter to at least one of a bicycle seat post, a seat tube, and the bicycle seat;
transmitting, via the transmitter, a signal relating to the seat position of the bicycle seat; and
operating an operating member that moves in accordance with a telescopic movement of the bicycle seat post,
wherein an operated member that is movable relative to the operating member is operated by the operating member when the seat position is at a predetermined position to cause the transmitter to transmit the signal.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein a plurality of the operated members are disposed at respective positions that are different from each other along a direction of the telescopic movement of the bicycle seat post.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the operated member is a switch, the method further comprising contacting the switch by the operating member to transmit the signal.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the operating member is a rod extending along a direction of the telescopic movement of the bicycle seat post.

Assignees

• Shimano Kk

Inventors

• Hara Nobukatsu

Classifications

• B62K19/36

  for attaching saddle pillars, e.g. adjustable during ride · CPC title

• B62J1/10

  Internal adjustment of saddles · CPC title

• B62K2207/00

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic

• B62J1/28 Primary

  Other additional equipment, e.g. back-rests for children · CPC title

• B62J45/42 Primary

  characterised by mounting · CPC title