CONTROL DEVICE FOR A BICYCLE AND RELATED KIT OF PARTS

• US 20080098848A1
• Filed: 10/18/2007
• Published: 05/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Campagnolo S.R.L.
• Original Assignee: Campagnolo S.R.L.
• Inventors: De Perini, Bruno, Dal Pra', Giuseppe
• Application Number:
  US11/874,391
• Publication Number:
  US 20080098848A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/502.2
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 23/06 Levers
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 25/04 hand actuated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20438 Single rotatable lever [e.g., for bicycle brake or derailleur]

Abstract

A control device for bicycles has a main body for attachment to a bicycle handlebar and at least one actuation arm for controlling a brake and/or a derailleur of the bicycle. The at least one actuation arm has a first portion having a finger actuation area and a second portion for controlling the brake and/or the derailleur, said first portion and said second portion being distinct bodies fixable to each other. The first portion can therefore be replaced without disassembling the control device, with an identical one when it breaks, wears down or is damaged, or else with a different one in terms of the constituent material, color or similar, to satisfy the different preferences of the cyclist, or even different in shape and/or size, in particular in curvature and/or length, so that the control device is adaptable to cyclists with hands that depart from average size. To this purpose, a same first portion can also be fixable in at least two different positions with respect to the second portion.

Claims

1. Control device for bicycles comprising a main body for attachment to a bicycle handlebar and at least one actuation arm for controlling at least one equipment of the bicycle, said at least one actuation arm having a finger actuation area, wherein said at least one actuation arm comprises a first portion having said finger actuation area, and a second portion for controlling said at least one equipment, said two portions being distinct bodies fixable to each other.

2. Control device according to claim 1, wherein said first portion is fixable in at least two different positions with respect to said second portion.

3. Control device according to claim 2, wherein said at least two positions differ in an angle between the first portion and the second portion.

4. Control device according to claim 2, wherein said at least two positions of said first portion with respect to said second portion are translational with respect to each other.

5. Control device according to claim 2, wherein said first portion and said second portion have two facing coupling surfaces that are grooved.

6. Control device according to claim 5, wherein said coupling surfaces are substantially circular and provided with radial grooves.

7. Control device according to claim 5, wherein said coupling surfaces are provided with parallel grooves.

8. Control device according to claim 2, wherein said first portion and said second portion have two facing coupling surfaces that are substantially flat friction surfaces.

9. Control device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one actuation arm controls the displacement of a derailleur in one direction.

10. Control device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one actuation arm controls the displacement of a derailleur in both directions.

11. Control device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one actuation arm controls a brake.

12. Control device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one actuation arm controls the displacement of a derailleur in one direction, and a brake.

13. Control device according to claim 1, wherein said second portion directly or indirectly actuates a traction cable of a mechanical equipment.

14. Control device according to claim 1, wherein said second portion drives at least one switch of an electrical or electronic equipment open and closed.

15. Control device according to claim 1, wherein said second portion regulates the flow of a fluid of a hydraulic equipment.

16. Control device according to claim 1, wherein the main body is shaped for attachment to a straight handlebar.

17. Control device according to claim 1, wherein the main body is shaped for attachment to a curved handlebar.

18. Control device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one actuation arm is actuatable into rotation with respect to the main body.

19. Control device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one actuation arm is actuatable into translation with respect to the main body.

20. Control device according to claim 1, wherein said first portion and said second portion are made of different materials.

21. Control device for bicycles comprising a main body for attachment to a bicycle handlebar and at least one actuation arm for controlling at least one equipment of the bicycle, said at least one actuation arm having a finger actuation area, wherein said at least one actuation arm comprises a first portion having said finger actuation area, and a second portion for controlling said at least one equipment, said two portions being distinct bodies fixable to each other in at least two different positions, wherein said first portion and said second portion have two facing substantially circular coupling surfaces provided with radial grooves

22. Control device for bicycles comprising a main body for attachment to a bicycle handlebar and at least one actuation arm for controlling at least one equipment of the bicycle, said at least one actuation arm comprising two separate portions joined to each other, one of said portions having a finger actuation area.

23. Control device for bicycles comprising a main body for attachment to a bicycle handlebar and at least one actuation arm for controlling at least one equipment of the bicycle, said at least one actuation arm comprising two separate portions joined to each other and adjustably pivotable to one another, one of said portions having a finger actuation area.

24. Control device for bicycles comprising a main body for attachment to a bicycle handlebar and at least one actuation arm for controlling at least one equipment of the bicycle, said at least one actuation arm comprising two separate portions joined to each other and adjustably translatable to one another, one of said portions having a finger actuation area.