US5572907A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Actuator assembly in handle-bar
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1993-03-22
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Granted: 1996-11-12
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Expires: 2013-03-22
Abstract
Abstract An actuator assembly to produce mechanical power for a function in a bicycle or any other handlebar-steered device, which actuator assembly comprises a twisting part on the handlebar tube, a part to transmit the twisting motion into the tube from its open end, and equipment fitted into the handlebar tube to convert the twisting motion into linear motion. Equipment to convert the twisting motion of twisting part into linear motion of the power transmission device is fitted inside the handlebar tube and the twisting motion is transmitted by means of part which is fitted through the open end of said tube.
Inventors
- 👤 Pekka Kaakinen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:59
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62K; B62K23/00; B62K23/02; B62K23/04; F; F16; F16H; F16H25/00; F16H25/18; F16H25/20; F16H25/22; F16H25/2204; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19642; Y10T74/19698; Y10T74/19702; Y10T74/19744; Y10T74/19781; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20207; Y10T74/20256; Y10T74/20268; Y10T74/2028; Y10T74/20287
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
An actuator for producing mechanical power for performing a function in a handlebar-steered device, said handlebar-steered device having a handlebar tube with an open outer end, said actuator comprising: a tubular twisting grip mounted on an open outer end of a handlebar tube; a screw element having a spiral ball groove, said screw element being fixedly attached to said twisting grip for rotation therewith, said screw element extending axially within said twisting grip and extending axially within said open outer end of said handle bar tube; means for converting twisting rotation of the twisting grip into linear motion comprising: a tubular sleeve element surrounding said screw element, said sleeve element being mounted on said screw element for axial motion within the handlebar tube relative to said screw element; means preventing rotation of said screw element within said handlebar tube; and balls positioned in holes in said tubular sleeve element, said balls being in rolling contact with the inner surface of the handlebar tube and with the spiral groove of said screw element, said balls centering said screw element in said handlebar tube, whereby twisting said twisting grip causes rotation of said screw element which causes axial motion of said sleeve element in said handlebar tube, said axial motion of said sleeve element providing said mechanical power.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
An actuator for producing mechanical power for performing a function in a handlebar-steered device, said handlebar-steered device having a handlebar tube with an open outer end, said actuator comprising: a tubular twisting grip mounted on an open outer end of a handlebar tube; a screw element having a spiral ball groove, said screw element being fixedly attached to said twisting grip for rotation therewith, said screw element extending axially within said twisting grip and extending axially within said open outer end of said handle bar tube; means for converting twisting rotation of the twisting grip into linear motion comprising: a tubular sleeve element surrounding said screw element, said sleeve element being mounted on said screw element for axial motion within the handlebar tube relative to said screw element; means preventing rotation of said screw element within said handlebar tube; and balls positioned in holes in said tubular sleeve element, said balls being in rolling contact with the inner surface of the handlebar tube and with the spiral groove of said screw element, said balls centering said screw element in said handlebar tube, whereby twisting said twisting grip causes rotation of said screw element which causes axial motion of said sleeve element in said handlebar tube, said axial motion of said sleeve element providing said mechanical power.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An actuator according to claim 1, wherein the screw element, sleeve element and balls are constructed and arranged such that they can be pushed into position within said handlebar tube as a unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An actuator according to claim 1, wherein said screw element has a right-handed spiral ball groove and left-handed spiral ball groove.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An actuator according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the spiral of said spiral ball groove is at least one half of the inside diameter of said handlebar tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
223 words
An actuator for producing mechanical power for performing a function in a handlebar-steered device, said handlebar-steered device having a handlebar tube with an open outer end, said actuator comprising: a tubular twisting grip mounted on an open outer end of a handlebar tube; a sleeve element fixedly attached to said twisting grip for rotation therewith, said sleeve element extending axially within said twisting grip and extending axially within said open outer end of said handlebar tube; and means for converting rotational movement of the twisting grip into linear motion comprising: a screw element having a spiral ball groove, said screw element being mounted for axial motion within said sleeve element, said screw element extending axially within said sleeve element, within said twisting grip, and within the open outer end of said handlebar tube; means preventing rotation of said screw element relative to said sleeve element; and balls positioned in holes in said sleeve element, said balls being in rolling contact with the inner surface of the handlebar tube and with the spiral ball groove of said screw element, said balls centering said screw element in said handlebar tube, whereby rotation of said twisting grip causes rotation of said sleeve element which causes axial motion of said screw element in said handlebar tube, said axial motion of said screw element providing said mechanical power.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
223 words
An actuator for producing mechanical power for performing a function in a handlebar-steered device, said handlebar-steered device having a handlebar tube with an open outer end, said actuator comprising: a tubular twisting grip mounted on an open outer end of a handlebar tube; a sleeve element fixedly attached to said twisting grip for rotation therewith, said sleeve element extending axially within said twisting grip and extending axially within said open outer end of said handlebar tube; and means for converting rotational movement of the twisting grip into linear motion comprising: a screw element having a spiral ball groove, said screw element being mounted for axial motion within said sleeve element, said screw element extending axially within said sleeve element, within said twisting grip, and within the open outer end of said handlebar tube; means preventing rotation of said screw element relative to said sleeve element; and balls positioned in holes in said sleeve element, said balls being in rolling contact with the inner surface of the handlebar tube and with the spiral ball groove of said screw element, said balls centering said screw element in said handlebar tube, whereby rotation of said twisting grip causes rotation of said sleeve element which causes axial motion of said screw element in said handlebar tube, said axial motion of said screw element providing said mechanical power.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
An actuator according to claim 5, wherein the screw element, sleeve element and balls are constructed and arranged such that they can be pushed into position within said handlebar tube as a unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
An actuator according to claim 5, wherein said screw element has a right-handed spiral ball groove and left-handed spiral ball groove.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
An actuator according to claim 5, wherein the diameter of the spiral of said spiral ball groove is at least one half of the inside diameter of said handlebar tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR412705A
Cited
FR545902A
Cited
DE811918C
Cited
US2788676A
Cited
FR68798E
Cited
US3213702A
Cited
US3404581A
Cited
GB1235925A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-11-12 | 2000-05-13 | 2000-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-12 | 2004-05-13 | 2004-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-12 | 2008-05-13 | 2008-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |