Twist-grip shifter for bicycles and a bicycle having a twist-grip shifter

• US 5,799,541 A
• Filed: 03/04/1996
• Issued: 09/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sram Deutschland GmbH (SRAM International Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
• Inventors: Arbeiter, Markus
• Primary Examiner(s): Marmor, Charles A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GRABOW, TROY E
• Application Number:
  US08/610,657
• Time in Patent Office: 911 Days
• Field of Search: 74/475, 74/489, 74/502.2, 74/527
• US Class Current: 74/489
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 23/04 Twist grips
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 25/04 hand actuated
• 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]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20636 Detents

Abstract

A twist-grip shifter for bicycles having a twist grip or grip part which is actuated by the rider'"'"'s hand to change the gears of the bicycle, and a cable winding mechanism or coil wind-up mechanism. The twist grip and the cable winding mechanism of the twist-grip shifter are connected to one another, and debris and other contaminants can be prevented from entering the interior of the twist-grip shifter near this connection by providing a contactless seal or a friction seal. The contactless seal includes a projecting collar on the cable winding mechanism which extends into a groove formed in the twist grip. The collar of the cable winding mechanism essentially does not contact the groove of the twist grip. The friction seal includes a lip or flange formed from the rubber material of the twist grip, which lip then contacts a portion of the collar of the cable winding mechanism.

Claims

1. A bicycle, said bicycle comprising:

a frame;

at least two wheels, said at least two wheels comprising at least a front wheel and a rear wheel;

said at least two wheels being disposed on said frame;

a device to propel at least one of said front wheel and said rear wheel;

said device to propel comprising;

a chain;

at least two sprockets to engage said chain;

at least two pedals, said at least two pedals being connected to one of said at least two sprockets;

a seat, said seat being disposed on said frame;

a handlebar for steering said bicycle;

a bicycle gearing system, said bicycle gearing system comprising;

a device to shift gearing associated with at least one of;

said front wheel and said rear wheel of said bicycle;

a shift actuator mounted on said handlebar, generally coaxially with said handlebar;

at least one control cable having a first end and a second end;

said first end of said at least one control cable being operatively associated with said shift actuator;

said second end of said at least one control cable being operatively associated with said device to shift gearing;

said shift actuator comprising;

an interior portion and an exterior portion;

a first part being rotatable in a first direction and a second direction;

said first part being operatively connected to said device to shift gearing;

said first part comprising a rotatable grip part, said rotatable grip part having an axis of rotation;

a second part, said second part comprising a device to actuate said first end of said at least one control cable;

a device to connect said first part and said second part to one another and to rotate said first part and said second part along with one another;

a housing, said housing defining at least a portion of said interior portion of said shift actuator;

at least a portion of said second part being disposed within said housing;

a device to seal said interior portion of said shift actuator, said device to seal being disposed between said housing and said first part;

said device to seal comprising;

a groove, said groove being circular and extending about the axis of rotation;

a tongue, said tongue being circular and extending about the axis of rotation; and

said tongue being disposed to extend a substantial distance into said groove;

said groove having a depth defined along the axis of rotation;

said tongue having a length defined along the axis of rotation, said length of said tongue extending a substantial distance into said depth of said groove;

said first part comprising said groove and said housing comprising said tongue;

said tongue extending into said groove with a clearance to form a frictionless seal between said first part and said housing;

said tongue comprising a first side and a second side extending substantially along the axis of rotation and a third side adjoining said first side and said second side;

said groove comprising a first side and a second side extending substantially along the axis of rotation and a third side adjoining said first side of said groove and said second side of said groove;

said first side of said tongue and said first side of said groove being disposed adjacent one another and defining a clearance therebetween;

said second side of said tongue and said second side of said groove being disposed adjacent one another and defining a clearance therebetween;

said third side of said tongue and said third side of said groove being disposed adjacent one another and defining a clearance therebetween;

said housing comprising a first tubular extension disposed about said handlebar and immediately adjacent said handlebar;

said first part and said second part both being rotatable with respect to said first tubular extension and said housing;

said second part comprising a cable-winding mechanism, said cable-winding mechanism comprising;

a second tubular extension rotatably disposed about said first tubular extension, said second tubular extension having a first end disposed adjacent said first part and a second end disposed a substantial distance from said first end of said second tubular extension;

a disc-shaped member extending from said second end of said second tubular extension and extending generally radially with respect to the axis of rotation;

said disc-shaped member comprising said device to actuate said first end of said at least one control cable, said device to actuate comprising a guide member disposed on said disc-shaped member for guiding said at least one control cable along a portion of said disc-shaped member;

said device to connect comprising a plurality of claws disposed circumferentially about said first end of said second tubular extension, said plurality of claws extending generally radially with respect to the axis of rotation;

one of said plurality of claws having a different configuration than the other ones of said plurality of claws;

said first part comprising;

a substantially cylindrical part and a frusto-conical part disposed immediately adjacent one another and being integral with one another;

said cylindrical part having a hole disposed therethrough, said hole being disposed substantially concentrically about the axis of rotation, a portion of said handlebar being disposed immediately adjacent and within said hole;

said device to connect further comprising a plurality of recesses disposed in said frusto-conical part and extending in a direction generally radially with respect to the axis of rotation;

one of said plurality of recesses having a different configuration than the other ones of said plurality of recesses, said different one of said plurality of recesses being adapted to receive said different one of said plurality of claws;

said different one of said claws being engaged with said different one of said recesses, the remaining ones of said plurality of claws being engaged in corresponding ones of said plurality of recesses; and

said frusto-conical part comprising said groove.

2. A bicycle, said bicycle comprising:

a frame;

at least two wheels, said at least two wheels comprising at least a front wheel and a rear wheel;

said at least two wheels being disposed on said frame;

a device to propel at least one of said front wheel and said rear wheel;

said device to propel comprising;

a chain;

at least two sprockets to engage said chain;

at least two pedals, said at least two pedals being connected to one of said at least two sprockets;

a seat, said seat being disposed on said frame;

a handlebar for steering said bicycle;

a bicycle gearing system, said bicycle gearing system comprising;

a device to shift gearing associated with at least one of;

said front wheel and said rear wheel of said bicycle;

a shift actuator mounted on said handlebar, generally coaxially with said handlebar;

at least one control cable having a first end and a second end;

said first end of said at least one control cable being operatively associated with said shift actuator;

said second end of said at least one control cable being operatively associated with said device to shift gearing;

said shift actuator comprising;

an interior portion and an exterior portion;

a first part being rotatable in a first direction and a second direction;

said first part being operatively connected to said device to shift gearing;

said first part comprising a rotatable grip part, said rotatable grip part having an axis of rotation;

a second part, said second part comprising a device to actuate said first end of said at least one control cable;

a device to connect said first part and said second part to one another and to rotate said first part and said second part along with one another;

a housing, said housing defining at least a portion of said interior portion of said shift actuator;

at least a portion of said second part being disposed within said housing;

a device to seal said interior portion of said shift actuator, said device to seal being disposed between said housing and said first part;

said device to seal comprising;

a groove, said groove being circular and extending about the axis of rotation;

a tongue, said tongue being circular and extending about the axis of rotation; and

said tongue being disposed to extend a substantial distance into said groove;

said groove having a depth defined along the axis of rotation;

said tongue having a length defined along the axis of rotation, said length of said tongue extending a substantial distance into said depth of said groove;

said first part comprising said groove and said housing comprising said tongue;

said tongue contacting a portion of said first part to form a friction seal between said housing and said first part;

said friction seal comprising a lip seal;

said housing comprising a first tubular extension disposed about said handlebar and immediately adjacent said handlebar;

said first part and said second part both being rotatable with respect to said first tubular extension and said housing;

said second part comprising a cable-winding mechanism, said cable-winding mechanism comprising;

a second tubular extension rotatably disposed about said first tubular extension, said second tubular extension having a first end disposed adjacent said first part and a second end disposed a substantial distance from said first end of said second tubular extension;

a disc-shaped member extending from said second end of said second tubular extension and extending generally radially with respect to the axis of rotation;

said disc-shaped member comprising said device to actuate said first end of said at least one control cable, said device to actuate comprising a guide member disposed on said disc-shaped member for guiding said at least one control cable along a portion of said disc-shaped member;

said device to connect comprising a plurality of claws disposed circumferentially about said first end of said second tubular extension, said plurality of claws extending generally radially with respect to the axis of rotation;

one of said plurality of claws having a different configuration than the other ones of said plurality of claws;

said first part comprising;

a substantially cylindrical part and a frusto-conical part disposed immediately adjacent one another and being integral with one another;

said frusto-conical part having an end portion disposed immediately adjacent said housing, said end portion comprising said groove;

said end portion of said frusto-conical part having a circumference encircling the axis of rotation;

said cylindrical part having a hole disposed therethrough, said hole being disposed substantially concentrically about the axis of rotation, a portion of said handlebar being disposed immediately adjacent and within said hole;

said device to connect further comprising a plurality of recesses disposed in said frusto-conical part and extending in a direction generally radially with respect to the axis of rotation;

one of said plurality of recesses having a different configuration than the other ones of said plurality of recesses, said different one of said plurality of recesses having a configuration adapted to receive said different one of said plurality of claws;

said different one of said claws being engaged with said different one of said recesses, the remaining ones of said plurality of claws being engaged in corresponding ones of said plurality of recesses;

said first part comprising an inner portion and an outer portion, said inner portion being disposed within said outer portion and being non-rotatably attached to said outer portion;

said outer portion of said first part comprising said portion of said first part contacting said tongue;

said portion of said first part contacting said tongue extending generally in a radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation and extending over a portion of said groove a sufficient amount such that said portion of said first part contacts said tongue to form said friction seal; and

said portion of said first part contacting said tongue extending the entire extent of said circumference of said end portion of said frusto-conical part to seal said interior portion of said shift actuator.

3. A handlebar mountable bicycle gear shifter, said gear shifter comprising:

a shift actuator mounted on a handlebar, generally coaxially with the handlebar;

at least one control cable having a first end and a second end;

said first end of said at least one control cable being operatively associated with said shift actuator;

said second end of said at least one control cable for being operatively associated with gearing;

said shift actuator comprising;

an interior portion and an exterior portion;

a first part being rotatable in a first direction and a second direction;

said first part for being operatively connected to gearing;

said first part comprising a rotatable grip part, said rotatable grip part having an axis of rotation;

a second part, said second part comprising a device to actuate said first end of said at least one control cable;

a device to connect said first part and said second part to one another and to rotate said first part and said second part along with one another;

a housing, said housing defining at least a portion of said interior portion of said shift actuator;

at least a portion of said second part being disposed within said housing;

a device to seal said interior portion of said shift actuator, said device to seal being disposed between said housing and said first part;

said device to seal comprising;

a groove, said groove being circular and extending about the axis of rotation;

a tongue, said tongue being circular and extending about the axis of rotation; and

said tongue being disposed to extend a substantial distance into said groove;

said first part comprising said groove and said housing comprising said tongue;

said groove having a depth defined along the axis of rotation;

said tongue having a length defined along the axis of rotation, said length of said tongue extending a substantial distance into said depth of said groove;

said tongue extending into said groove with a clearance to form a frictionless seal between said first part and said housing;

said tongue comprising a first side and a second side extending substantially along the axis of rotation and a third side adjoining said first side and said second side;

said groove comprising a first side and a second side extending substantially along the axis of rotation and a third side adjoining said first side of said groove and said second side of said groove;

said first side of said tongue and said first side of said groove being disposed adjacent one another and defining a clearance therebetween;

said second side of said tongue and said second side of said groove being disposed adjacent one another and defining a clearance therebetween;

said third side of said tongue and said third side of said groove being disposed adjacent one another and defining a clearance therebetween;

said housing comprising a first tubular extension for being disposed about a handlebar and for being disposed immediately adjacent a handlebar;

said first part and said second part both being rotatable with respect to said first tubular extension and said housing;

said second part comprising a cable-winding mechanism, said cable-winding mechanism comprising;

a second tubular extension rotatably disposed about said first tubular extension, said second tubular extension having a first end disposed adjacent said first part and a second end disposed a substantial distance from said first end of said second tubular extension;

a disc-shaped member extending from said second end of said second tubular extension and extending generally radially with respect to the axis of rotation;

said disc-shaped member comprising said device to actuate said first end of said at least one control cable, said device to actuate comprising a guide member disposed on said disc-shaped member for guiding said at at least one control cable along a portion of said disc-shaped member;

said device to connect comprising a plurality of claws disposed circumferentially about said first end of said second tubular extension, said plurality of claws extending generally radially with respect to the axis of rotation;

one of said plurality of claws having a different configuration than the other ones of said plurality of claws;

said first part comprising;

a substantially cylindrical part and a frusto-conical part disposed immediately adjacent one another and being integral with one another;

said cylindrical part having a hole disposed therethrough, said hole being disposed substantially concentrically about the axis of rotation;

said device to connect further comprising a plurality of recesses disposed in said frusto-conical part and extending in a direction generally radially with respect to the axis of rotation;

one of said plurality of recesses having a different configuration than the other ones of said plurality of recesses, said different one of said plurality of recesses being adapted to receive said different one of said plurality of claws;

said different one of said claws being engaged with said different one of said recesses, the remaining ones of said plurality of claws being engaged in corresponding ones of said plurality of recesses; and

said frusto-conical part comprising said groove.

4. A handlebar mountable bicycle gear shifter, said gear shifter comprising:

a shift actuator mounted on a handlebar, generally coaxially with the handlebar;

at least one control cable having a first end and a second end;

said first end of said at least one control cable being operatively associated with said shift actuator;

said second end of said at least one control cable for being operatively associated with gearing;

said shift actuator comprising;

an interior portion and an exterior portion;

a first part being rotatable in a first direction and a second direction;

said first part for being operatively connected to gearing;

said first part comprising a rotatable grip part, said rotatable grip part having an axis of rotation;

a second part, said second part comprising a device to actuate said first end of said at least one control cable;

a device to connect said-first part and said second part to one another and to rotate said first part and said second part along with one another;

a housing, said housing defining at least a portion of said interior portion of said shift actuator;

at least a portion of said second part being disposed within said housing;

a device to seal said interior portion of said shift actuator, said device to seal being disposed between said housing and said first part;

said device to seal comprising;

a groove, said groove being circular and extending about the axis of rotation;

a tongue, said tongue being circular and extending about the axis of rotation; and

said tongue being disposed to extend a substantial distance into said groove;

said first part comprising said groove and said housing comprising said tongue;

said groove having a depth defined along the axis of rotation;

said tongue having a length defined along the axis of rotation, said length of said tongue extending a substantial distance into said depth of said groove;

said tongue contacting a portion of said first part to form a friction seal between said housing and said first part;

said friction seal comprising a lip seal;

said housing comprising a first tubular extension for being disposed about a handlebar and for being disposed immediately adjacent a handlebar;

said first part and said second part both being rotatable with respect to said first tubular extension and said housing;

said second part comprising a cable-winding mechanism, said cable-winding mechanism comprising;

a second tubular extension rotatably disposed about said first tubular extension, said second tubular extension having a first end disposed adjacent said first part and a second end disposed a substantial distance from said first end of said second tubular extension;

a disc-shaped member extending from said second end of said second tubular extension and extending generally radially with respect to the axis of rotation;

said disc-shaped member comprising said device to actuate said first end of said at least one control cable, said device to actuate comprising a guide member disposed on said disc-shaped member for guiding said at least one control cable along a portion of said disc-shaped member;

said device to connect comprising a plurality of claws disposed circumferentially about said first end of said second tubular extension, said plurality of claws extending generally radially with respect to the axis of rotation;

one of said plurality of claws having a different configuration than the other ones of said plurality of claws;

said first part comprising;

a substantially cylindrical part and a frusto-conical part disposed immediately adjacent one another and being integral with one another;

said frusto-conical part having an end portion disposed immediately adjacent said housing and comprising said groove;

said end portion of said frusto-conical part having a circumference extending about the axis of rotation;

said cylindrical part having a hole disposed therethrough, said hole being disposed substantially concentrically about the axis of rotation;

said device to connect further comprising a plurality of recesses disposed in said frusto-conical part and extending in a direction generally radially with respect to the axis of rotation;

one of said plurality of recesses having a different configuration than the other ones of said plurality of recesses, said different one of said plurality of recesses having a configuration adapted to receive said different one of said plurality of claws;

said different one of said claws being engaged with said different one of said recesses, the remaining ones of said plurality of claws being engaged in corresponding ones of said plurality of recesses;

said frusto-conical part comprising said groove;

said first part comprising an inner portion and an outer portion, said inner portion being disposed within said outer portion and being non-rotatably attached to said outer portion;

said outer portion of said first part comprising said portion of said first part contacting said tongue;

said portion of said first part contacting said tongue extending generally in a radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation and extending over a portion of said groove a sufficient amount such that said portion of said first part contacts said tongue to form said friction seal; and

said portion of said first part contacting said tongue extending the entire extent of said circumference of said end portion of said frusto-conical part to seal said interior portion of said shift actuator.