Method to conceal bicycle control cables within the handlebars, stem and frame

• US 20060145446A1
• Filed: 12/12/2005
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Suzhou Leisger Vehicle Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Bionx Canada, Inc.
• Inventors: Schmider, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,891,687 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/281.100
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 11/13 specially adapted for mechanical cables
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 19/30 Frame parts shaped to receive other cycle parts or accessories axle suspensions B62K25/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 21/12 Handlebars; Handlebar stems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2078 Handle bars

Abstract

A bicycle is provided including a tubular frame having interconnected tubes defining hollow passageways. A curvilinear hollow handlebar is operatively coupled to the frame. The handlebar includes at least one aperture and an opening providing access to the passageways in the frame. A control lever is operatively mounted to the handlebar for controlling a component of the bicycle. A control cable has a first end fixedly secured to the control lever and a second end adapted to be secured to the component of the bicycle for actuation thereof. The control cable extends through the aperture into the handlebar and through the opening of the handlebar into the passageways of the frame between the first and second ends to conceal the control cable within the frame and the handlebar.

Claims

1. A bicycle comprising:

a tubular frame having interconnected tubes defining hollow passageways therethrough;

a curvilinear hollow handlebar operatively coupled to said frame, said handlebar having at least one aperture and an opening therein for providing access to said passageways in said frame;

a control lever operatively mounted to said handlebar for controlling a component of said bicycle; and

a control cable having a first end fixedly secured to said control lever and a second end adapted to be secured to the component of said bicycle for actuation thereof, said control cable extending through said aperture into said handlebar and through said opening into said passageways in said frame between said first and second ends to conceal said control cable within said frame and said handlebar.

2. A bicycle as set forth in claim 1 including a fork having a fork steerer tube rotatably coupled to said frame.

3. A bicycle as set forth in claim 2 wherein said fork steerer tube includes a front slot, a rear slot, and a flat rear face.

4. A bicycle as set forth in claim 3 including a stem having an axial bore, said stem extending between a first end fixedly secured to said handlebar and a second end fixedly secured to said fork.

5. A bicycle as set forth in claim 4 wherein said tubular frame includes a seat tube, head tube, top tube, down tube, and a pair of chain stays defining passageways in said frame for concealing said control cable and including at least one opening allowing said control cable to exit adjacent the component of said bicycle.

6. A bicycle as set forth in claim 5 wherein said control cable extends through said aperture into said handlebar, through said opening in said handlebar into said stem, through said axial bore in said stem into said fork, and through said fork steerer tube of said fork into said passageways in said frame between said first and second ends to conceal said control cable within said handlebar, stem, fork and frame.

7. A bicycle as set forth in claim 6 including a plurality of control cables.

8. A bicycle as set forth in claim 7 wherein said plurality of control cables include a front brake cable, a front derailleur cable, a rear brake cable, and a rear derailleur cable.

9. A bicycle as set forth in claim 8 wherein said front brake cable extends through said passageways in said handlebar, stem, and fork steerer tube to a front brake.

10. A bicycle as set forth in claim 8 wherein said rear brake cable extends through said passageways in said handlebar, stem, fork steerer tube, head tube and down tube to a rear brake.

11. A bicycle as set forth in claim 8 wherein said front derailleur cable extends through said passageways in said handlebar, stem, fork steerer tube, head tube, down tube and seat tube to a front derailleur.

12. A bicycle as set forth in claim 8 wherein said rear derailleur cable extends through said passageways in said handlebar, stem, fork steerer tube, head tube, down tube and one of said chain stays to a rear derailleur.

13. A method of concealing a control cable within a handlebar, stem, fork and frame of a bicycle, the method comprising the step of routing the cable into the handlebar and through the handlebar, stem, fork and frame, to conceal the cable within an envelope of the primary structural components of the bicycle.

14. A bicycle comprising:

a tubular frame having interconnected tubes defining hollow passageways therethrough;

a fork having a fork steerer tube rotatably coupled to said frame;

a curvilinear hollow handlebar operatively coupled to said frame, said handlebar having at least one aperture and an opening therein;

a stem having an axial bore for providing access between said opening in said handlebar and said fork steerer tube, said stem extending between a first end fixedly secured to said handlebar and a second end fixedly secured to said fork; and

a control cable extending through said aperture into said handlebar, through said opening in said handlebar into said stem, through said axial bore in said stem into said fork, and through said fork steerer tube of said fork into said passageways in said frame to conceal said control cable within said handlebar, stem, fork and frame.

15. A bicycle as set forth in claim 14 wherein said control cable extends between a first end fixedly secured to a control lever and a second end adapted to be secured to a component of said bicycle for actuation thereof.