DE102022104404A1 - Stem for a bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a stem for a bicycle, the stem being designed to connect the handlebars to the steerer tube. The stem includes at least one front passage for a cable and a rear passage for the cable, which is adjacent to a clamp for the steerer tube. The handlebar stem can be attached to the steerer tube in a first installation position and in an installation position rotated by 180° with respect to the first installation position.

Description

field of invention

The invention relates to a stem for a bicycle. The invention further relates to a spacer for a stem and a bicycle equipped with the stem and/or the spacer.

Background of the Invention

The stem of a bicycle, which within the meaning of the invention also includes those with an electric support drive, means the components that connect the handlebars to the steerer tube.

In particular, such a stem can comprise a connecting piece which has a clamp for the handlebars at one end and a clamp for the steerer tube at the other end.

The stem is not only used for the connection, but can also be used to adapt the bike to the ergonomic needs of the user. For example, there are stems whose inclination is adjustable. There are also spacers that can be used to adjust the height of the stem above the head tube.

Efforts are also being made to lay cables, for example for lights or electronic components of an electric support drive as well as trains and hydraulic lines, as internally as possible. This is more attractive and protects the corresponding components from damage.

While it is quite easy to route such cables internally through the frame of the bicycle, it is more problematic to route a cable internally in the stem area. This applies in particular with regard to the fact that the dismantling of a stem should be as simple as possible, since it has to be removed, for example, to insert spacers between the stem and the head tube.

The patent specification EP 3 301 005 B1 provides for the cable to be routed through the handlebars and then routed in sections along the outside of the head tube. A two-part spacer, which can be joined together, enables the spacer to be replaced without the cable having to be removed on at least one side in order to be able to be pulled through the spacer.

However, this type of installation only makes sense with specially shaped handlebars, such as those used for racing bikes.

object of the invention

In contrast, the invention is based on the object of providing a stem in which the internal laying of a cable is possible in a simple manner.

Summary of the Invention

The invention relates to a stem for the bicycle, which is designed to connect the handlebars to the steerer tube.

The stem comprises in particular a connecting piece which has a clamp for the handlebars on one side and a clamp for the steerer tube on the other side.

The stem includes a front passage for a cable and a rear passage for a cable. "Front" and "rear" are understood in the sense of the direction of travel when installed as intended.

Insofar as a cable is mentioned within the meaning of the invention, this also includes, for example, cables for a circuit or hydraulic lines.

The rear passage is adjacent to the clamp for the steerer tube. This allows the cable to be pulled through the stem connector and inserted into the steerer tube from above. This enables a particularly simple laying of the cable. Furthermore, the cable is well protected inside the steerer tube and no cladding is required on the steerer tube and/or the head tube through which the cable is routed.

Furthermore, the stem can be attached in a first installation position and in an installation position rotated by 180° with respect to the first installation position.

In this way, a stem with integrated cable routing can be provided, which at the same time enables improved adaptation to the ergonomic needs of the driver by rotating it by 180°.

For this purpose, the stem can include a step or, as is provided in a preferred embodiment, the connecting piece can be arranged at an angle on the clamp for the steerer tube.

By rotating the stem by 180°, the height of the handlebars can be changed in two stages.

The bushing for the cable can be designed, for example, as a through hole, which is arranged next to the clamp. Furthermore, the clamp can be designed as a groove which extends to the steerer tube.

In the latter embodiment, the cable then runs upwards in the groove adjacent to the steerer tube and is guided into the steerer tube from above.

The stem preferably has a contact surface which extends around the clamp for the steerer tube and has an identical contour on both sides, at least on the outside. The contact surface is the upper and lower surface on the steerer tube clamp.

In particular, the contact surfaces are identical on both sides.

The contact surfaces are preferably flat. However, curved contact surfaces are also possible.

In the installed state, a spacer or a cover, for example, which is placed on the clamp for the steerer tube, rests against the contact surface.

In order to guide the cable into the steerer tube in a concealed manner, the stem can include a cap which has a channel for the cable.

The channel extends from the passage for the cable to an insertion area above the handlebar stem.

The cable is thus guided upwards in the cap in order to dip into the handlebar stem at the edge of the handlebar stem and run further down.

In particular, the cap can sit under a tensioning element for the headset of the handlebar stem.

The tensioning element can be designed, for example, as a cover of a headset, in particular a headset with an expander that can be expanded via the screw or with an ahead claw that is driven into the steerer tube.

The lid rests on the cap. The play of the bearing set can be adjusted by means of the screw passed through the cover.

In principle, however, the invention is suitable for almost all types of tax rates.

In a further development of the invention, the stem comprises at least one spacer with a passage for the cable.

The lead-through can in particular be designed as a through hole or as a recess adjoining the handlebar shaft.

This embodiment of the invention allows a spacer to be inserted from above onto the clamp for the steerer tube.

The cable can be routed from the connector through the spacer to the cap and change direction there to dive back down into the steerer tube.

The spacer is preferably designed in such a way that it is also possible to install it under the clamp for the steerer tube.

The height of the handlebars can be fine-tuned by positioning spacers in different ways.

The spacer preferably includes a contact surface which is designed to be complementary to the contact surface of the stem, ie the connecting piece.

Spacers and/or caps and the contact surface of the clamp, ie the connecting piece, can form an anti-twist device when installed.

In particular, a form-fitting anti-twist device and/or positioning aid can be formed, for example in the form of a projection which engages in a complementary depression in the other component.

The projection can in particular be rounded, for example designed in the shape of a dome. According to one embodiment, two projections are provided.

The connecting piece of the stem can in particular assume an angle α of 3 to 45° with respect to the clamp for the steerer tube.

The connecting piece preferably has a flat upper and/or lower side, at least in sections.

In particular, the connecting piece can have a substantially rectangular, in particular square, cross-section.

As stated above, the cable is routed forward through the connector.

At the front, the stem has at least one, preferably two, passages for the cable.

At this point, the cable can be fed out again to be connected to an accessory.

The accessory can be designed in particular as a lamp, an electronic device, for example for controlling an electric auxiliary drive, or as an actuating element for a gearshift or a brake.

The front bushings for the cable can in particular each be designed as a groove which ends in the rear clamping shell of the front clamp.

The invention also relates to a spacer which is designed in particular for the front end described above.

The spacer can be divided, in particular in two parts. This means that the spacer can be opened at at least one point, in particular at exactly one point, in order to insert it.

In particular, the spacer can comprise hooks which interlock in the connected state.

The spacer can be opened to install the spacer under the clamp for the steerer tube. The spacer can be pushed under the clamp even when the cable is mounted and can be brought together there.

The spacer can in particular be opened like a hinge.

The spacers can preferably be stacked on top of one another. Furthermore, the spacers preferably have contact surfaces designed to complement the connecting piece and/or cover.

Spacers can be installed below and above the clamp for the steerer tube.

In the installation position under the clamp for the steerer tube, the passage for the cable is not required.

However, since the contact surface of the adjacent connecting piece is identical in both installation positions of the stem, the components still fit together exactly.

character list

• 1 zeigt ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Vorbaus, eingebaut in ein schematisch dargestelltes Fahrrad.
• 2 ist eine perspektivische Ansicht des Vorbaus nebst Kabel.
• 3 ist eine längsaufgeschnittene Ansicht der 2.
• 4 bis 6 sind Ansichten des Vorbaus bzw. des Verbindungsstücks des Vorbaus.
• 7 ist eine perspektivische Ansicht des Vorbaus nebst Abstandshalter und herausgeführtem Kabel.
• 8 ist eine perspektivische Ansicht der Kappe des Vorbaus.
• 9 und 10 sind perspektivische Ansichten des Spacers.
• 11 ist eine perspektivische Ansicht einer alternativen Ausführungsform eines Vorbaus.

The subject of the invention shall be explained in the following with reference to the drawings 1 until 11 be explained in more detail.

• 1 shows an embodiment of a stem according to the invention, installed in a bicycle shown schematically.
• 2 Figure 12 is a perspective view of the stem and cables.
• 3 is a longitudinal section view of the 2 .
• 4 until 6 are views of the stem and stem connector, respectively.
• 7 is a perspective view of the stem with the spacer and the cable coming out.
• 8th Figure 12 is a perspective view of the cap of the stem.
• 9 and 10 are perspective views of the spacer.
• 11 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a stem.

Detailed description of the drawings

1 shows a perspective illustration of stem 1 attached to a bicycle.

A rear clamp 3, which can be tightened with two screws (not shown), for example, clamps the connecting piece on the steerer tube 4.

The front clamp 2 comprises a clamp shell attached to the connecting piece 100 and the clamp shell 20 which forms the front end of the stem 1 .

Thus, the connecting piece 100 can be firmly connected to both the handlebar 5 and the steerer tube 4, and the steering can be actuated.

A cap 10 is placed on the clamp 3 for the steerer tube 4 .

A cable 7 runs from the front clamp 2 for the handlebar through the connector 100 and goes up in front of the rear clamp 3 out to then dive into the steerer tube 4.

A cap 10 covering the cable 7 is placed on the clamp 3 for the steerer tube.

In this exemplary embodiment, the stem 1 also includes the washer 6 for the clamping screw of an expander, with which the play of the bearings of the headset can be adjusted. In principle, however, the invention is also suitable for other embodiments of a stem, for example a stem with an external nut for adjusting the play of the headset.

2 is a perspective view of stem 1.

Shown in this view is the front clamp shell 20 of the handlebar clamp, which is connected to the clamp shell 102 of the connecting piece 100 . For this purpose, the clamping shell 20 has four bushings 22 for screws.

In this exemplary embodiment, the clamping shell 20 includes a connecting means, for example designed as a mounting opening 21 for attaching an accessory (not shown).

The rear clamp 3 also includes bushings 101 for screws with which the clamp 3 is tightened.

In this illustration, a spacer 30 is located under the cover 10. Another spacer 30 is located under the clamp 3. The height of the stem 1 can be finely adjusted via this spacer 30. For this purpose, a different number of spacers 30 can be placed under and over the clamp 3 .

For example, the top spacer 30 can be offset from top to bottom.

3 Fig. 14 is a longitudinally cut perspective view.

It is shown here that the connecting piece 100 has a front passage 103 in the region of the front clamping shell 102 of the connecting piece 100 both at the top and at the bottom.

The cable 7 can be routed to the outside through the passage 103 and connected there to an accessory, such as a bicycle light, a display, an electronic control element, etc.

Furthermore, the connecting piece has a rear passage 104 at the top and bottom in the area of the rear clamp 3.

In this exemplary embodiment, the rear passage 104 is designed as a through hole, in particular as a transversely extending slot.

If the connecting piece 100 is mounted rotated by 180° with respect to the position shown here, the cable 7 runs through the bushing 104, which is at the bottom in this mounting position and therefore has no function.

4 Figure 12 is a side view of connector 100.

The connecting piece 100 designed as an arm is aligned at an angle to the transverse axis of the clamp 3, in particular at an angle α of 3 to 45°.

Thus, the height of the handlebars relative to the stem can be changed by rotating the connector 100.

When reassembling, the cable can be pulled through the slot in clamp 3.

5 12 is a perspective view of connector 100.

Shown is the front bushing 103, which terminates in each case as an elongated hole at the end.

The abutment surface 105 of the rear clamp is not round but has a shape that is complementary to the abutment surface of the cap and/or the spacer.

An anti-twist device and/or positioning aid is preferably arranged between the spacer and the connecting piece 100 or between the cap and the connecting piece 100 .

In this embodiment, connector 100 includes depressions 106 adjacent passage 104.

The indentations 106 can, for example, be conical, in particular in the form of a dome.

As in the perspective view on the opposite page in 6 shown, the contact surface 105 on the other side of the connecting piece 100 is of identical design and also comprises two indentations 106 and a passage 104 arranged between them.

As in 7 shown, a spacer 30 can be placed on the in 6 shown contact surface (105) are placed.

The spacer 30 has an identically designed contact surface 105, which also has indentations 106 on the upper side.

Consequently, for example, the cap or another spacer can be placed on the spacer 30 .

8th is a perspective view of the cap 10.

The cap 10 has a contact surface 11 designed to complement the contact surface of the connecting piece. The contact surface 11 comprises complementary form-fitting elements, in particular in the form of projections 12. The projections 12 can, for example, be conical, in particular dome-shaped and, depending on the mounting position, either engage in the indentations of the Connector or in the recess of the cap 10 arranged under the spacer.

9 and 10 are perspective views of the spacer 30.

On one side, the spacer 30 comprises a contact surface 105 which is designed to correspond to the contact surface of the connecting piece and which can therefore also comprise indentations 106, for example.

The spacer includes a circular coaxial passage 13 for the steerer tube.

The bushing 13 for the steerer tube merges into a bushing 32 which looks out to the side and through which a cable can be pulled.

The spacer is divided in two and has two hooks 31a, 31b opposite the bushing 32, which engage in one another in the assembled state.

By pulling up and down the separation point formed by the separation at the two hooks 31a, 31b, the hook connection can be released and then the two arms of the spacer can be pulled apart.

In this way, the spacer 30 can be assembled and disassembled without having to disassemble the cable.

on the inside 10 shown opposite side, the contact surface 11 is identical. The projections 12 are provided instead of indentations.

11 1 shows an alternative embodiment of a stem 1. In this embodiment, the passage 104 for the cable on the rear clamp 3 is not designed as a through hole, but as a groove which ends in the opening for the steerer tube.

Such a groove introduced from the side is easier to manufacture, but on the other hand can ensure less stability of the clamp 3 .

The invention made it possible to provide a stem with internal cable routing that is flexible and easy to assemble.

Reference List

1

stem

2

front clamp

3

rear clamp

4

steerer tube

5

handlebars

6

disc

7

channel

10

cap

11

contact surface

12

head Start

13

execution

14

channel

20

clamp shell

21

mounting hole

22

execution

30

spacers

31a, 31b

Hook

32

execution

100

connector

101

execution

102

clamp shell

103

front passage

104

rear passage

105

contact surface

106

depression

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• EP 3301005 B1 [0007]

Claims (10)

Stem for a bicycle, the stem being designed to connect the handlebars to the steerer tube, wherein the stem comprises at least one front passage for a cable and a rear passage for the cable, which adjoins a clamp for the steerer tube, and wherein the handlebar stem can be attached to the steerer tube in a first installation position and in an installation position rotated by 180° with respect to the first installation position. Stem according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the stem, adjacent to the clamp for the steerer tube, has on both sides a groove or a through hole terminating at the clamp. Stem according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a contact surface of the stem extending around the clamp for the steerer tube has an identical contour on both sides, at least on the outside. Stem according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a cap placed on the steerer tube, in particular under a tensioning element of the steerer tube, which cap comprises a channel for the cable which, starting from the passage for the cable, has a channel which extends to an insertion area via the steerer tube. Stem according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the spacer comprises a lead-through for the cable, which is designed in particular as a through hole or as a recess adjoining the steerer tube. Stem according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one spacer which adjoins the contact surface of the stem. Stem according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a connecting piece of the stem is inclined relative to a clamp for the steerer tube, in particular at an angle α of 3 to 45°, and/or that the connecting piece has an upper and/or Has underside, and / or that the connector in the area of the front clamp has bushings for the cable, in particular designed as tapering grooves, and / or that between the spacer and / or cap and contact surface an anti-twist device is arranged. Spacer, in particular for a stem according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacer is divisible and comprises at least one passage for a cable, which is arranged in the installed state in an axial top view outside of the steerer tube. Arrangement with at least two spacers according to the preceding claim, wherein the spacers are stacked on top of each other. A bicycle comprising a stem and/or a spacer according to any one of the preceding claims.

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