Patent US3730012A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3730012A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Speed-change mechanism for a bicycle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-06-07
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Granted: 1973-05-01
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Expires: 1991-06-07
Abstract
Abstract A speed change mechanism for a bicycle comprises a displaceable fork connected by a parallelogram linkage to a casing which can be fixed to the frame of the bicycle. The linkage includes a pair of levers, the first of which is connected to a control cable while the second is engagable with a pair of stops to limit the movement of the fork in opposite directions. The casing is a onepiece plastic body with a groove to receive the major portion of the second lever, the latter having a flattened end which selectively engages one of two screws projecting into the groove and serving as the stops.
Inventors
- 👤 L Juy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:16
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62M; B62M9/00; B62M9/04; B62M9/06; B62M9/10; B62M9/12; B62M9/131; B62M9/134; B62M9/1344; B62M9/1342; B62M9/1348; B62M9/137
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
In a speed-change mechanism for the crank gears of a bicycle or similar vehicle in which a fork is displaceable to effect transverse displacement of a chain in a speed-change operation; and a deformable linkage means supports the fork for movement in opposite directions between two adjustable stops, an improvement comprising a protective casing adapted for attachment to a frame of the vehicle proximate the crank gears, said linkage including a pair of levers, and hinge pins joining the levers to said casing, said hinge pins being received in said casing and being substantially completely enclosed thereby, said casing being provided with a groove pivotably receiving one of said levers and the two stops, said one lever having a major portion in said groove and including non-circular end portions in said groove for engaging said stops.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
In a speed-change mechanism for the crank gears of a bicycle or similar vehicle in which a fork is displaceable to effect transverse displacement of a chain in a speed-change operation; and a deformable linkage means supports the fork for movement in opposite directions between two adjustable stops, an improvement comprising a protective casing adapted for attachment to a frame of the vehicle proximate the crank gears, said linkage including a pair of levers, and hinge pins joining the levers to said casing, said hinge pins being received in said casing and being substantially completely enclosed thereby, said casing being provided with a groove pivotably receiving one of said levers and the two stops, said one lever having a major portion in said groove and including non-circular end portions in said groove for engaging said stops.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
An improvement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said non-circular portion is flattened.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An improvement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said groove has an open bottom and one lateral side.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An improvement as claimed in claim 3 wherein said stops are constituted by respective members threaded into said casing at the top of said groove.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
An improvement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said casing has a second groove through which the second said lever pivotably extends, said second lever having a free end, and means at said free end for securing a control cable thereat.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
An improvement as claimed in claim 5 wherein said casing includes a curved portion adapted for partially embracing a tubular frame of the vehicle, a hinged bracket on said casing and fixable thereto to fully embrace the tubular frame and secure the casing thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
An improvement as claimed in claim 6 comprising a hinge pin assembly connecting the bracket to the casing and including a first hollow portion for guided passage of the control cable to the second lever.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
An improvement as claimed in claim 7 wherein said hinge pin assembly comprises a sleeve portion for receiving a sheath for the cable and serving as an abutment for such sheath.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
An improvement as claimed in claim 7 comprising means for fixing the bracket to said casing including a threaded member rotatably carried by said bracket at the free end thereof and a nut secured in said casing for non-rotation therein, said threaded member being engageable in said nut.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
An improvement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said casing is constituted on a one-piece molded plastic body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
73 words
An improvement as claimed in claim 5 wherein said linkage further comprises hinge pins connecting the levers to the fork, and a spring having coils mounted on the hinge pin connecting the second lever to the fork, said spring having one free end restiNg on the hinge pin which joins the first lever to the fork and a second free end engaged with the hinge pin joining said second lever to said casing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB920185A
Cited
US3181383A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-30 | 1976-10-30 | 1977-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-30 | 1980-10-30 | 1981-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-30 | 1984-10-30 | 1985-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |