Patent US3890847A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3890847A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Front derailler for bicycles
Assignee: Beatrice Companies Inc
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Filing: 1974-04-12
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Granted: 1975-06-24
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Expires: 1994-04-12
Abstract
Abstract A front derailler for bicycles in which the displaceable fork for engaging the bicycle chain so as to move it between two sprocket plates is controlled by slidable linkage that moves the displaceable fork upwardly away from the bicycle, and wherein the linkage to control the fork is provided with a flexible connection such that if the bicycle is not moving, the control cable can be moved to vary the shift position without injuring the cable or the mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Dian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:56
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62M; B62M9/00; B62M9/04; B62M9/06; B62M9/10; B62M9/12; B62M9/131; B62M9/134; B62M9/1344; B62M9/1348; B62M9/137
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A front derailler mechanism for a bicycle having at least two sprocket plates for moving the drive chain comprising, a displaceable fork engageable with said chain to change it from one to another of said sprocket plates, a control cable mounted on the bicycle and movable to at least two positions, a control unit mounted on the bicycle and connected to said control cable and to said displaceable fork and including means for moving said fork between said sprocket plates under control of said control cable wherein under conditions when said fork is blocked from moving the fork will not move when said control cable is moved but will be subjected to a spring bias so that it moves to the commanded position when blocking has terminated and such that the cable is not subjected to excessive tension forces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A front derailler mechanism for a bicycle having at least two sprocket plates for moving the drive chain comprising, a displaceable fork engageable with said chain to change it from one to another of said sprocket plates, a control cable mounted on the bicycle and movable to at least two positions, a control unit mounted on the bicycle and connected to said control cable and to said displaceable fork and including means for moving said fork between said sprocket plates under control of said control cable wherein under conditions when said fork is blocked from moving the fork will not move when said control cable is moved but will be subjected to a spring bias so that it moves to the commanded position when blocking has terminated and such that the cable is not subjected to excessive tension forces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
108 words
A front derailler for a bicycle according to claim 1 wherein said control unit includes a first member to which said control cable is connected to vary its position, a second member supporting said fork and movable to at least two positions, and flexible coupling means between said first and second members which normally allows said first member to move said second member when said first member is moved but which allows said second member to remain stationary when said first member moves if said fork is blocked and which places said second member under a spring bias so as to move it when said fork becomes unblocked.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A front derailler for a bicycle according to claim 2 wherein said second member is slidably mounted to said control unit and has one end attached to said fork.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A front derailler for a bicycle according to claim 3 wherein said second member moves said fork upwardly and outwardly from said bicycle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A front derailler for a bicycle according to claim 3 wherein said first member is L-shaped and is pivotally attached to said control unit and has a first end attached to said control cable and a second end attached to said flexible coupling means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A front derailler for a bicycle according to claim 5 wherein said flexible coupling means is a first spring with one end attached to said second member and the other end attached to the second end of said first member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A front derailler for a bicycle according to claim 6 including a second spring mounted between said first member and said control unit housing to bias said first member relative to said housing and said control cable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A front derailler for a bicycle according to claim 5 including a pair of limit means engageable with said L-shaped first member to provide angular limits.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3813955A
Cited
US3798986A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-23 | 1978-12-23 | 1979-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-23 | 1982-12-23 | 1983-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-23 | 1986-12-23 | 1987-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |