Bicycle control device

• US 5,400,675 A
• Filed: 02/22/1994
• Issued: 03/28/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Original Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Inventors: Nagano, Masashi
• Primary Examiner(s): LUONG, VINH
• Application Number:
  US08/200,864
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• Field of Search: 74/489, 74/502.2, 74/471, 74/686, 74/689
• US Class Current: 74/502.2
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 23/06 Levers
• CPC Class Codes: B62L 3/02 for control by a hand lever hand levers for control of cycles in general B62K23/06
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 25/04 hand actuated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20201 Control moves in two planes
• 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 control device attachable to the handlebar of a bicycle for controlling a brake mechanism and speed mechanism. The control device comprises a bracket fixed to the handlebar and a brake lever pivotable crosswise relative to the bracket. The brake mechanism is controlled by fore and aft pivotal movement of the brake lever, while the speed change mechanism is controlled by sideways pivotal movement of the brake lever.

Claims

1. A control device for mounting on a bicycle handlebar, said control device comprising:

(A) brake lever means including;

(a) a support member adapted to be fixed to the handlebar and having a lateral side face defining a grip portion,

(b) a first pivot axis located at an upper end region of said support member, and

(c) a brake lever having a base portion pivotably connected to said support member through said first pivot axis, a curved intermediate portion extending from said base portion, and a control grip portion extending from said intermediate portion, said lever also having a brake lever face for opposing the handlebar; and

(B) speed change lever means mounted in proximity to said brake lever means, said speed change lever means including;

(a) a second pivot axis extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said first pivot axis, and

(b) a speed change control lever pivotably connected to said second pivot axis and having at least first and second speed change control positions, said speed change control lever having a speed change lever body extending along said face of said brake lever, said speed change lever body having a first face for opposing the handlebar and a second face opposite to said first face, and wherein said speed change lever body includes a control portion; and

wherein said second face of said speed change lever body is overlapped by said brake lever face.

2. A control device as in claim 1, wherein said control portion of said speed change lever body is located at an extreme end region of said speed change lever body, and wherein said control portion of said speed change lever body has a face extending toward the handlebar.

3. A control device as in claim 1, wherein said second pivot axis is located at said upper end region of said support member.

4. A control device as in claim 1, wherein said second pivot axis is mounted on said brake lever.

5. A control device as in claim 1, wherein said control device includes a second speed change control lever.

6. A control device as in claim 5, wherein said brake lever includes said second speed change control lever.