Handlebar cable control with biased return feature

• US 5,370,017 A
• Filed: 07/07/1993
• Issued: 12/06/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alwin Krauer
• Original Assignee: Alwin Krauer
• Inventors: Krauer, Alwin
• Primary Examiner(s): LUONG, VINH
• Application Number:
  US08/088,129
• Time in Patent Office: 517 Days
• Field of Search: 74/502.2, 74/488, 74/489, 474/80, 474/81, 188/24.11, 188/24.14
• US Class Current: 74/502.2
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 23/04 Twist grips
• CPC Class Codes: B62L 3/026 actuation by a turning handle or handlebar
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2028 Handle bar type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20287 Flexible control element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20438 Single rotatable lever [e.g., for bicycle brake or derailleur]

Abstract

A handlebar mounted brake control mechanism for a Bowden brake cable or the like includes a handlebar having at least one end, a tubular handle member having first and second ends configured to telescopically slide over one end of the handlebar and being coaxially rotatable thereabout between a relaxed position and a braking position. A handle member biasing mechanism is located on the handlebar for biasing the handle member into the relaxed position, and a handle member guide is used to axially displace the handle member reciprocally between the relaxed position and the braking position. The handle member biasing mechanism is configured such that when the overriding force applied by the user to rotate the handle member into the braking position is released, the handle member biasing mechanism returns the handle member to the relaxed position from the braking position. Additionally, the handle member has an attachment for releasably accommodating an end of the brake cable.

Claims

1. A handlebar mounted brake control mechanism for a Bowden brake cable comprising:

a handlebar having at least one end;

a tubular handle member having first and second ends configured to telescopically slide over said at least one end of said handlebar and being coaxially rotatable thereabout between a first position and a second position;

handle member biasing means disposed on said handlebar for biasing said handle member into said first position; and

handle member guiding means for axially displacing said handle member reciprocally between said first position and said second position;

a handle member cap being engaged at said second end of said handle member and having a cable restraining end configured for releasably accommodating an end of the cable, said axial displacement of said handle member exerting an axial pulling action on the brake cable; and

said handle member biasing means being configured for returning said handle member to said first position from said second position upon the release of overriding force applied by the user.

2. The brake control mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said first position of said handle member is a relaxed position and said second position of said handle member is a braking position wherein axial tension is applied to the brake cable.

3. The brake control mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said handle member guiding means further comprises:

a diagonal slot in said handle member; and

a guiding stud affixed to said handlebar and protruding therefrom to slidingly engage said diagonal slot when said handle member is coaxially rotated between said first position and said second position to axially displace said handle member relative to said handlebar.

4. The brake control mechanism as defined in claim 3 wherein said slot is defined by a first endpoint and a second endpoint such that coaxial rotation of said handle member relative to said guiding stud causes said handle member to be displaced axially relative to said handlebar a fixed distance substantially equal to the axial distance defined by said endpoints.

5. The brake control mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said handle member biasing means further comprises:

a tubular spring enclosure having first open end and a second open end and configured to telescopically slide over said handlebar;

said tubular spring enclosure configured to provide a first spring retaining means at said first open end;

said second open end of said spring enclosure is configured to engage said first end of said handle member.

6. The brake control mechanism as defined in claim 5 wherein said handle biasing means further includes:

a second spring retaining means affixed to said handlebar and protruding therefrom at a point between said first spring retaining means on said tubular spring enclosure and said guiding stud affixed to said handlebar; and

a coiled spring configured to slide over said handlebar and configured to be slidingly accommodated within said spring enclosure so that upon attachment of said tubular spring enclosure to said handle member, said spring is retained between said first spring retaining means of said tubular spring enclosure and said second spring retaining means.

7. The brake control mechanism as defined in claim 6 wherein said second open end of said tubular spring enclosure is attached to said first end of said handle member such that said spring is biased between said first spring retaining means and said second retaining means, and said biasing means biases said handle member into said first position.

8. The brake control mechanism as defined in claim 6 wherein said second spring retaining means further comprises:

a pin penetrating the diameter of said handlebar and protruding therefrom on at least one side of said handlebar; and

a stop collar configured to telescopically slide over said handlebar and abut against said pin;

wherein said spring is accommodated between said first spring retaining means of said tubular spring enclosure and said stop collar.

9. The brake control mechanism as defined in claim 1 further including cable means on said cap for releasably and securely accommodating an end of the brake cable thereto.

10. The brake control mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said tubular handle member is surrounded with a resilient grip material.

11. The brake control mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said handle member guiding means further comprises:

a generally `V`-shaped slot in said handle member having a first slot path and a second slot path meeting at a vertex;

a guiding stud affixed to said handlebar and protruding therefrom to slidingly engage said generally `V` shaped slot when said handle member is coaxially rotated between said first position and said second position to axially displace said handle member relative to said handlebar;

wherein coaxial rotation of said handle member in a forward direction will slidingly engage said first slot path when said handle member is coaxially rotated between said first position and said second position to axially displace said handle member relative to said handlebar; and

wherein coaxial rotation of said handle member in a backwards direction will slidingly engage said second slot path when said handle member is coaxially rotated between said first position and said second position to axially displace said handle member relative to said handlebar.

12. A handlebar mounted brake control mechanism for use with a Bowden brake cable comprising:

a handlebar having at least one end;

a tubular handle member having first and second ends configured to telescopically slide over said at least one end of said handlebar and being coaxially rotatable thereabout between a first position and a second position;

handle member biasing means disposed on said handlebar for biasing said handle member into said first position, said handle member biasing means including a compressible spring retained at one end at a fixed point on said handlebar and retained on an opposite end by said handle member and being compressible in relation the axial displacement of said handle member into said second position;

handle member guiding means for axially displacing said handle member reciprocally between said first position and said second position;

a handle member cap being engaged at said second end of said handle member and having a cable restraining end configured for releasably accommodating an end of the cable, said axial displacement of said handle member exerting an axial pulling action on the brake cable; and

said handle member biasing means being configured for returning said handle member to said first position from said second position upon the release of overriding force applied by the user.

13. The brake control mechanism as defined in claim 12 wherein said compressible spring retained on one end at a fixed point further includes:

a pin penetrating the diameter of said handlebar and protruding therefrom on both sides of said handlebar; and

a stop collar configured to telescopically slide over said handlebar and abut against said pin.

14. A brake control mechanism as defined in claim 12 wherein said fixed point for retaining an end of said spring is located between said spring and said second end of said handle member.

15. A handlebar mounted brake control mechanism for a Bowden brake cable or the like comprising:

a handlebar having at least one end;

a handle member cap having a cable restraining end;

a tubular handle member having first and second ends configured to telescopically slide over said at least one end of said handlebar and being coaxially rotatable thereabout between a first position and a second position;

handle member biasing means disposed on said handlebar for biasing said handle member into said first position; and

handle member guiding means for axially displacing said handle member reciprocally between said first position and said second position; and

said handle member biasing means being configured such that when overriding force applied by the user to rotate said handle member into said second position is released, said handle member biasing means returns said handle member to said first position from said second position;

said handle member cap being accommodated within said second end of said handle member and protruding therefrom forming a substantially flush surface with said second end of said handle member; and

said cable restraining end of said cap configured to releasably accommodate an end of the brake cable such that when said handle member is axially displaced, said cable restraining end of said cap exerts an axial pulling action on the brake cable.