BICYCLE OPERATION DEVICE

• US 20190308687A1
• Filed: 06/19/2019
• Published: 10/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2016
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Original Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Inventors: KOMATSU, Atsushi, NAKAJIMA, Takehiko, NISHINO, Takafumi
• Application Number:
  US16/445,317
• Publication Number:
  US 20190308687A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/10 Disposition of hand control
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 21/12 Handlebars; Handlebar stems
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 23/06 Levers
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 25/08 with electrical or fluid transmitting systems
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 11/00 Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with two or more controlling members co-operating with one single controlled member
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup

Abstract

A bicycle operation device includes a clamp, an operation unit and a wireless communicator. The clamp is attachable to a handlebar of a bicycle. The operation unit includes a housing having an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion. The upper housing portion is located above the lower housing portion in a state in which the bicycle operation device is attached to the handlebar. The wireless communicator is configured to communicate with a bicycle component. The wireless communicator is provided on the upper housing portion.

Claims

1. A bicycle operation device comprising:

a clamp that is attachable to a handlebar of a bicycle;

an operation unit including a housing having an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion, the upper housing portion being located above the lower housing portion in a state in which the bicycle operation device is attached to the handlebar; and

a wireless communicator configured to communicate with a bicycle component, the wireless communicator being provided on the upper housing portion.

2. The bicycle operation device according to claim 1, wherein

the clamp is connected to the housing.

3. The bicycle operation device according to claim 1, wherein

the housing includes a front housing portion and a rear housing portion, the front housing portion being located forward of the rear housing portion in a state in which the bicycle operation device is attached to the handlebar;

and

the wireless communicator is provided on at least one of the front housing portion and the rear housing portion.

4. The bicycle operation device according to claim 1, further comprising

a bolt, the clamp having an insertion hole for receiving the bolt such that the operation unit is attachable to the clamp by the bolt.

5. The bicycle operation device according to claim 4, wherein

the operation unit includes a projection that is fixed to the housing, the projection having a fastening hole for fastening the operation unit to the bolt.

6. The bicycle operation device according to claim 5, wherein

the wireless communicator is disposed adjacent to the projection.

7. The bicycle operation device according to claim 1, wherein

the operation unit further includes an electric switch configured to transmit a signal to the wireless communicator.

8. The bicycle operation device according to claim 1, further comprising

the clamp including a first end and a second end,

the first end includes a first insertion hole that receives a bolt,

the second end including a second insertion hole that receives the bolt, and

the operation unit being attached to the clamp by the bolt.

9. The bicycle operation device according to claim 8, wherein

the wireless communicator is disposed adjacent to a fastening hole provided to the operation unit such that the bolt is coupled to the fastening hole.

10. The bicycle operation device according to claim 1, wherein

the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion are separately formed and joined to form the housing.

11. The bicycle operation device according to claim 1, wherein

the clamp is separate from a brake clamp that attaches a brake operation unit of the bicycle to the handlebar.

12. The bicycle operation device according to claim 7, wherein

the electric switch includes a first switch and a second switch.

13. The bicycle operation device according to claim 7, wherein

the electric switch includes a first switch, a second switch and a third switch.

14. The bicycle operation device according to claim 7, wherein

the electric switch includes only a first switch.

15. The bicycle operation device according to claim 12, wherein

the operation unit further includes a first operation member that operates the first switch and a second operation member that operates the second switch.

16. The bicycle operation device according to claim 15, wherein

the first operation member includes a first lever that is pivotal about a first axis, and

the second operation member includes a second lever that is pivotal about a second axis.

17. The bicycle operation device according to claim 1, wherein

the housing includes a resin material.