US4995280A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bicycle speed change lever assembly
Assignee: Maeda Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1990-04-25
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Granted: 1991-02-26
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Expires: 2010-04-25
Abstract
Abstract A bicycle speed change lever assembly according to the present invention comprises a first lever, a second lever and a reversal connecting mechanism. The first lever is pivotally supported by a first pivot shaft and connected to one end of a control cable. The second lever is pivotally supported by a second pivot shaft which is displaced from the first pivot shaft but extends in parallel thereto. The reversal connecting mechanism connects the first lever to the second lever in such a way that when one of the levers is progressively pivoted in one direction, the other lever is progressivley pivoted in the opposite direction.
Inventors
- 👤 Koichi Tagawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 12:34
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62M; B62M25/00; B62M25/02; B62M25/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20012; Y10T74/20018; Y10T74/20037; Y10T74/20207; Y10T74/20213; Y10T74/20396; Y10T74/20402; Y10T74/2042; Y10T74/20438
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A bicycle speed change lever assembly comprising: a first lever pivotally supported by a first pivot shaft, said first lever being connected to one end of a control cable; a second lever pivotally supported by a second pivot shaft which is displaced from said first pivot shaft but extends in parallel thereto; and a reversal connecting mechanism for connecting said first lever to said second lever in such a way that when one of said levers is progressively pivoted in one direction, the other lever is progressively pivoted in the opposite direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A bicycle speed change lever assembly comprising: a first lever pivotally supported by a first pivot shaft, said first lever being connected to one end of a control cable; a second lever pivotally supported by a second pivot shaft which is displaced from said first pivot shaft but extends in parallel thereto; and a reversal connecting mechanism for connecting said first lever to said second lever in such a way that when one of said levers is progressively pivoted in one direction, the other lever is progressively pivoted in the opposite direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
The lever assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second levers has a presser portion at one end thereof, the other end of said first lever is pivotally supported by said first pivot shaft, said second lever being pivotally supported at an intermediate portion thereof by said second pivot shaft, said reversal connecting mechanism connecting the other end of said second lever to an intermediate portion of said first lever.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The lever assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein the distance between the presser portion of said second lever and said second pivot shaft is set smaller than that between the presser portion of said first lever and said first pivot shaft, whereby the presser portions of the respective levers move along two mutually close pivotal paths.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The lever assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said reversal connecting mechanism comprises an elongated guide opening formed at said intermediate portion of said first lever, and a guided element provided at said other end of said second lever and movably received in said elongated guide opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The lever assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein said guided element is a roller rotatably carried at said other end of said second lever.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The lever assembly as defined in claim 5, wherein said second lever is urged in a returning pivotal direction by means of a spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The lever assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said reversal connecting mechanism comprises a sliding element slidably fitting on said intermediate portion of said first lever, said sliding element being pivotally carried by said other end of said second lever.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The lever assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said reversal connecting mechanism comprises a link arm pivotally connected at one end to said intermediate portion of said first lever, the other end of said link arm being pivotally connected to said other end of said second lever.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The lever assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said first lever is urged by a spring in a pivotal direction to counteract a tension applied to said control cable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The lever assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said first lever is provided with a winding member which is co-pivotable with said first lever for winding up and paying out said control cable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The lever assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said first lever is interposed between a friction washer and a spring washer, whereby said first lever is imparted a frictional resistance which is sufficient to overcome a tension applied to said control cable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The lever assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said first lever is provided with a click mechanism which produces a clicking feel at each of predetermined pivotal positions of said first lever.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The lever assembly as defined in claim 12, wherein said click mechanism comprises a click plate rendered co-pivotable with said first lever and formed with at least one clicking hole, and a rolling element which is elastically supported at a fixed position for engagement with said clicking hole.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-02-25 | 1994-08-27 | 1995-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-02-25 | 1998-08-27 | 1999-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-02-25 | 2002-08-27 | 2003-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |