Pivotal connection of a bicycle derailleur

• US 8,109,848 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2006
• Issued: 02/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sram Deutschland GmbH (SRAM International Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sram Deutschland GmbH (SRAM International Corp.)
• Inventors: Benz, Andreas, Böhm, Robert, Hamisch, Thorsten
• Primary Examiner(s): Siconolfi, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): AUNG, SAN M
• Application Number:
  US11/458,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20070021247A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,029 Days
• Field of Search: 474/78, 474/80, 474/82, 403/146, 403/410, 280/436
• US Class Current: 474/82
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 9/1242 characterised by the linkage mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32606 Pivoted
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32827 Interposed spring means coaxial with pivot
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32893 including distinct pin retainer

Abstract

A stable and play-free pivot connection of a bicycle derailleur between a parallelogram link and either a base member or a chain cage. The pivot points are formed with first and second bushings that are arranged as far from one another as possible. The parts are connected by pivot pins having a anti-rotation contour for preventing rotation of the pin within an inner pivot part. The axial displacement of the pivot pin is prevented by a securing element or by a deforming element engaging a holding contour on the pivot pin. One of the first and second bushings is protected and arranged in a blind hole and the other of the first and second bushings is covered on the outside by a pin head of the pivot pin.

Claims

1. A pivotal connection between an inner pivot part and an outer pivot part of a bicycle derailleur, the pivotal connection comprising:

a pivot pin;

a blind hole disposed in the outer pivot part of the bicycle derailleur; and

a through hole disposed in the outer pivot part of the bicycle derailleur,

the pivot pin received in the through hole and the blind hole, the pivot pin having a head covering the through hole, the pivot pin having an anti-rotation contour nonrotatably connected to the inner pivot part, the pivot pin rotatably connected to the outer pivot part of the bicycle derailleur,

wherein the pivot pin includes first and second ends, the first end having the head and the second end having a chamfer, the anti-rotation contour disposed between the first and second ends, the pivot pin having a holding contour for preventing axial movement of the pivot pin, and

wherein the pivot pin is axially fixed by a securing element engaging the holding contour of the pivot pin, the securing element disposed between two sections of the inner pivot part, the distance between the securing element and the pin head determines the two distances between the pivotable outer pivot part and the inner pivot part.

2. The pivotal connection according to claim 1, further comprising first and second bushings disposed near the first and second ends of the pivot pin, respectively, to provide a maximum mounting distance, the first and second bushings rotatably connecting the pivot pin to the outer pivot part.

3. The pivotal connection according to claim 2, wherein the anti-rotation contour is disposed between the pin head and the holding contour, the anti-rotation contour and the holding contour connect the pivot pin and the inner pivot part.

4. The pivotal connection according to claim 2, wherein one of the first and second bushings is inserted into the blind hole and the other of the first and second bushings is pressed into the through hole.

5. The pivotal connection according to claim 4, wherein the one of the first and second bushings is covered by an end of the blind hole and the other one of the first and second bushings is covered by the pin head.

6. The pivotal connection according to claim 1, wherein the securing element is accessible through the inner pivot part during installation and, subsequently, covered when the bicycle derailleur is mounted to a bicycle.

7. A pivotal connection between an inner pivot part and an outer pivot part of a bicycle derailleur, the pivotal connection comprising:

a pivot pin;

a blind hole disposed in the outer pivot part of the bicycle derailleur; and

a through hole disposed in the outer pivot part of the bicycle derailleur,

the pivot pin received in the through hole and the blind hole, the pivot pin having a head covering the through hole, the pivot pin having an anti-rotation contour nonrotatably connected to the inner pivot part, the pivot pin rotatably connected to the outer pivot part of the bicycle derailleur,

wherein the pivot pin includes first and second ends, the first end having the head and the second end having a chamfer, the anti-rotation contour disposed between the first and second ends, the pivot pin having a holding contour for preventing axial movement of the pivot pin; and

further comprising an elastic clip element to prevent axial movement of the pivot pin, the elastic clip element connected to the inner pivot part and engaged in the holding contour disposed between the chamfer and the anti-rotation contour of the pivot pin.

8. The pivotal connection according to claim 7, wherein the elastic clip element is integrated with the inner pivot part.

9. The pivotal connection according to claim 7, wherein the elastic clip element and the inner pivot part form one piece.