Actuator assembly in handle-bar

• US 5,572,907 A
• Filed: 09/20/1994
• Issued: 11/12/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pekka Kaakinen
• Original Assignee: Pekka Kaakinen
• Inventors: Kaakinen, Pekka
• Primary Examiner(s): Herrmann, Allan D.
• Application Number:
  US08/307,630
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 74/89.15, 74/99 A, 74/424.8 NA, 74/488, 74/489
• US Class Current: 74/489
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 23/04 Twist grips
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 25/2204 with balls
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19781 Non-recirculating rolling elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20287 Flexible control element

Abstract

An actuator assembly to produce mechanical power for a function in a bicycle or any other handlebar-steered device, which actuator assembly comprises a twisting part on the handlebar tube, a part to transmit the twisting motion into the tube from its open end, and equipment fitted into the handlebar tube to convert the twisting motion into linear motion. Equipment to convert the twisting motion of twisting part into linear motion of the power transmission device is fitted inside the handlebar tube and the twisting motion is transmitted by means of part which is fitted through the open end of said tube.

Claims

1. An actuator for producing mechanical power for performing a function in a handlebar-steered device, said handlebar-steered device having a handlebar tube with an open outer end, said actuator comprising:

a tubular twisting grip mounted on an open outer end of a handlebar tube;

a screw element having a spiral ball groove, said screw element being fixedly attached to said twisting grip for rotation therewith, said screw element extending axially within said twisting grip and extending axially within said open outer end of said handle bar tube;

means for converting twisting rotation of the twisting grip into linear motion comprising;

a tubular sleeve element surrounding said screw element, said sleeve element being mounted on said screw element for axial motion within the handlebar tube relative to said screw element;

means preventing rotation of said screw element within said handlebar tube; and

balls positioned in holes in said tubular sleeve element, said balls being in rolling contact with the inner surface of the handlebar tube and with the spiral groove of said screw element, said balls centering said screw element in said handlebar tube, whereby twisting said twisting grip causes rotation of said screw element which causes axial motion of said sleeve element in said handlebar tube, said axial motion of said sleeve element providing said mechanical power.

2. An actuator according to claim 1, wherein the screw element, sleeve element and balls are constructed and arranged such that they can be pushed into position within said handlebar tube as a unit.

3. An actuator according to claim 1, wherein said screw element has a right-handed spiral ball groove and left-handed spiral ball groove.

4. An actuator according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the spiral of said spiral ball groove is at least one half of the inside diameter of said handlebar tube.

5. An actuator for producing mechanical power for performing a function in a handlebar-steered device, said handlebar-steered device having a handlebar tube with an open outer end, said actuator comprising:

a tubular twisting grip mounted on an open outer end of a handlebar tube;

a sleeve element fixedly attached to said twisting grip for rotation therewith, said sleeve element extending axially within said twisting grip and extending axially within said open outer end of said handlebar tube; and

means for converting rotational movement of the twisting grip into linear motion comprising;

a screw element having a spiral ball groove, said screw element being mounted for axial motion within said sleeve element, said screw element extending axially within said sleeve element, within said twisting grip, and within the open outer end of said handlebar tube;

means preventing rotation of said screw element relative to said sleeve element; and

balls positioned in holes in said sleeve element, said balls being in rolling contact with the inner surface of the handlebar tube and with the spiral ball groove of said screw element, said balls centering said screw element in said handlebar tube, whereby rotation of said twisting grip causes rotation of said sleeve element which causes axial motion of said screw element in said handlebar tube, said axial motion of said screw element providing said mechanical power.

6. An actuator according to claim 5, wherein the screw element, sleeve element and balls are constructed and arranged such that they can be pushed into position within said handlebar tube as a unit.

7. An actuator according to claim 5, wherein said screw element has a right-handed spiral ball groove and left-handed spiral ball groove.

8. An actuator according to claim 5, wherein the diameter of the spiral of said spiral ball groove is at least one half of the inside diameter of said handlebar tube.