EP2576329A1

EP2576329A1 - Bicycle frame of a height-adjustable saddle pillar

Info

Publication number: EP2576329A1
Application number: EP11722451.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andreas Felsl; Jörg POPPE; Dirk LÜDE
Original assignee: B-Labs AG
Current assignee: B-Labs AG
Priority date: 2010-06-05
Filing date: 2011-05-31
Publication date: 2013-04-10
Also published as: US20130187359A1; WO2011151336A1; US8950771B2

Abstract

A bicycle frame (1) is disclosed, with a seat tube (4) in which a saddle pillar (2) for a saddle is at least partially held, wherein the saddle pillar (2) or the main tube (12) thereof is movable in a translational manner and is height-adjustable in relation to the bicycle frame (1). In this case, a means of securing against rotation and a latching device - in particular seat device - are fastened to the seat tube (4). Both securing means act in a form-fitting manner between the seat tube (4) and the main tube (12). In this case, the means of securing against rotation engages permanently in the main tube and the latching device can engage in, and can be disengaged from, the main tube.

Description

Bicycle frame with height-adjustable seat post

description

The invention relates to a bicycle frame with height-adjustable seat post according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and a method for its assembly.

In bicycle frame with height-adjustable seat post various approaches are known.

In simple solutions, a seat tube is clamped with a saddle mounted thereon in a seat tube of a bicycle frame. To adjust the clamping is released, the saddle with the seat tube in height adjusted and the clamping actuated again.

Furthermore, solutions are known in which an adjustable in their position seat post is clamped in the seat tube of the bicycle frame.

A suitable adjustable seat post is for example from the

DE 20 2007 014 515 U1 or WO 2006/039195 A2. These documents disclose seatposts in which the saddle is mounted on a telescoping tube assembly having a frame-side outer tube and a saddle-side inner tube guided in the outer tube. The inner tube is in operative connection with a separating piston arrangement, via which two pressure chambers are separated from one another. In the known solutions, these two pressure chambers are filled with an incompressible medium, for example oil. To adjust the length of the seat post, a valve arranged in the separating piston valve can be adjusted from the saddle ago by means of a control lever to open a pressure fluid connection between the two aforementioned pressure chambers. Due to the pressure in one of the pressure chambers - called positive space - the separating piston assembly and thus the inner tube in the extension direction and by the pressure in the other pressure chamber - called negative space - the inner tube is acted in Absenkrichtung. The active surfaces of the separating piston arrangement are designed such that the upwardly effective force component in the extension direction is greater than the force component acting in the retraction direction, so that the inner tube is prestressed in the extension direction.

When the pressure fluid connection is open, the inner tube can then be pushed into the outer tube to change the saddle height, for example when driving downhill, by the weight of the driver, wherein pressure medium from the decreasing pressure chamber is displaced over the opened pressure medium connection in the increasing pressure chamber. The determination of the seat post in a predetermined relative position is carried out by closing the pressure medium connection, so that the pressure medium exchange between the two filled with an incompressible medium pressure chambers is prevented. In the known solutions, the pressure chambers still associated with a type of air spring, which is formed by formed in the inner tube and / or in the outer tube air volumes.

A disadvantage of these known solutions with two pressure media (air, oil) is on the one hand the very complicated structure, since a large number of pressure chambers must be formed and according to the axial length and the diameter of the seat post must be selected. In addition, a significant sealing effort is required to separate the two pressure medium from each other.

Another length-adjustable seat post is in the document

DE 10 2009 010 170 A1. It has an outer tube and an inner tube displaceable therein, wherein a separating piston is arranged between the outer and inner tube, which delimits a positive space and a negative space. A pressure medium connection between the positive space and the negative space can be closed by means of a closing element. This closure member may be an elastomeric ring and may be configured to be in the closed position, i. with shut off fluid connection, inner tube and outer tube non-positively or positively connects with each other.

A disadvantage of such bicycle frame with adjustable seat post is that in addition to the seat tube of the frame, a recorded therein outer tube of the seat post and in turn received therein inner tube of the seat post are needed. This means a considerable weight and a small adjustment range of

Frame with adjustable seat post.

In contrast, the invention is based on the object to provide a bicycle frame with adjustable seat while driving seat post, in which a rotation of the seat post is prevented and its weight is reduced.

This object is achieved by a bicycle frame with adjustable seat post having the features of patent claim 1 and by a method for mounting such a bicycle frame with the features of claim 17.

The bicycle frame according to the invention has a seat tube into which a main tube of a seat post is at least partially insertable, wherein the main tube relative to the seat tube is translationally movable and adjustable in height. In this case, an anti-rotation device and a locking device - in particular support device - are attached to the seat tube. Both fuses act positively between the seat tube and the main pipe. The anti-rotation has a permanent and the locking device a switchable engagement in the main pipe. For a bicycle frame is created with adjustable seatpost while driving, with a rotation of the seat post is prevented even during the height adjustment. The number of tubes is reduced compared to the prior art and thus reduces the weight of the bicycle frame with seat post.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

For holding or for supporting the seatpost in at least two different adjustment positions (eg uphill and downhill position), it is preferred if the locking device has a fixing pin substantially movably arranged transversely to an adjustment direction, and if the main pipe at least two spaced along its longitudinal axis has radial recesses into which the fixing pin can engage. It can also be provided significantly more than two radial recesses on the main pipe. This increases the fine gradation and / or the adjustment range of the height adjustment.

Radial passages are preferred as radial recesses on the main pipe.

Preferably, the fixing pin of a latching force of an elastic locking element - in particular a compression spring - be acted upon in the direction of the respective radial recess, and be moved by a remote control of a handlebar of the bicycle frame against this force.

The fixing pin is preferably movable out of the respective radial recess via a rotating device and / or via a pulling device and via a Bowden cable from an operating element of the link. This allows a cyclist to solve the detent quickly and easily and make the height adjustment.

The rotation can have a radially inwardly directed recess or groove in the main pipe, in the radially from the outside at least one frame-mounted sliding block is used. The recess or groove may be formed in the hydroforming process and should have a length which corresponds at least to the adjustment height.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the anti-rotation device and the latching device are combined in a structural unit as a fixing device.

It is preferred if the fixing pin is held in the fixing device, and if the remote control has the arranged on the fixing pin outside the seat tube arranged rotary device for the fixing pin, which is movable via the Bowden cable from the control element of the handlebar. In addition, the fixing pin is rotated and moved on the basis of a helical groove substantially transversely to the adjustment. A clamping of the fixing pin in the radial recess so we avoid. It is particularly space-saving if the fixing device is essentially received in the seat post, in particular in a main tube of the seat post. As a result, the fixing device is also mechanically protected against external influences.

In a preferred embodiment, the anti-rotation has a feather, which is inserted into a slot of the seat post - especially in a slot of its main pipe. In this case, a length of the slot should correspond to at least a length of the adjustment.

In a preferred embodiment of the frame according to the invention with seat post this has a saddle-fixed tube, which is slidably inserted and thus adjustable in height in the upper end portion of the main tube and can be attached thereto by clamping. This makes it possible to adjust the basic setting or the adjustment of the height of different sized sitting on the saddle persons, so that different sized people can equally use the adjustment between the at least two radial recesses.

In order to enable an adjustment of the seat post also upwards quickly and easily, it is preferred if an elastic element is supported or secured to the anti-rotation device or to the fixing device and acts on the seat post or its main tube with a lifting force. This can be reduced by loosening the fixing device and by loading the seat post or its main pipe saddle height. This is important e.g. when going downhill or in less sporty drivers before descending. By loosening the fixing device and by relieving the seat post or its main pipe saddle height can be increased. This is important e.g. when driving uphill or in less sporty drivers after the upgrade and after achieving a stable straight ahead.

A preferred development of the elastic element is a tension spring or a rubber band, which is or inside the seat post - especially in the interior of its main tube - is arranged. It is preferred if the tension spring or the rubber band between the fixing device or the rotation and the seat post - in particular its main pipe - is clamped and hung.

In this case, the elastic element may extend from the fixing device or the anti-rotation device to a lower end portion of the main pipe. Or the elastic element extends upward, at its upper end portion a pliable pulling means is attached, which is guided over a deflection - in particular a deflection roller - and is fixed below the deflection on the main pipe.

Another preferred embodiment of the elastic element is a

Air spring, which is arranged inside the seat post - in particular in the interior of its main tube. The air spring has an outer tube and an inner tube which partially overlap and together define a pressure space, the inner tube being fixed to the fixing device, while the outer tube is directly or indirectly fixed to the seat post.

When the air spring has a shut-off valve (e.g., car tire valve) for changing the pressure in the pressure space, the lifting force can be adjusted to the weight of various people sitting on the saddle.

A mounted on an upper end portion of the seat tube annular sealing cap, which has a on the seat post - in particular on its main pipe - fitting seal and / or fitting sliding bearing, manufacturing tolerances of the frame can be compensated.

As a lower sliding guide, it is preferred if at least one sliding bearing is mounted between the fixing device and the main pipe, in particular on the fixing device.

In a preferred arrangement of the components according to the invention in a direction of travel of the bicycle frame at the front of the fixing device, the rotating device the remote control, the feather key and the slot are arranged. In the direction of travel behind the fixing pin of the fixing device and the at least two radial recesses of the main pipe are arranged. Thus, the crosspoint for the Bowden cable is arranged on the turning device handlebar side and easily accessible.

The method according to the invention for mounting a bicycle frame has the steps:

- Inserting a fixing in a main tube of a seat post;

- Make a recess on the seat tube of the bicycle frame

- Inserting the main pipe in the seat tube;

- Attach - in particular welding - a base plate from the outside or in the recess on the seat tube; and

- Screwing the base plate and or with the fixing device.

Thus, the frame according to the invention can be made with seat post with little effort from a standard bicycle frame, or the seat post can be easily retrofitted at a standard bicycle frame.

In the following, an embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Show it:

Figure 1 shows the embodiment of the bicycle frame according to the invention with height-adjustable seat post in a lateral schematic view;

Figure 2 shows the seat post of the embodiment in a side sectional view;

Figure 3 shows three sections of the seat post of the embodiment in a side sectional view; and

Figure 4 shows a rotating device and a housing of the embodiment in an exploded view. Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a bicycle frame 1 according to the invention with a height-adjustable seat post 2. Integral with the bicycle frame 1, a seat tube 4 is formed, which forms part of the bicycle frame 1. In the seat tube 4, the seat post 2 can be used. In the direction of travel of the seat tube 4 in front a recess is introduced, which is covered by a base plate 6. At this point, a fixing device 10 of the seat post 2 is fixed on the base plate 6 from the inside in the seat tube 4, which is explained in more detail with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Furthermore, at the same location of the seat tube 4 from the outside a housing 8 is mounted with a rotating device 30, which will be explained with reference to Figure 4. The rotary device 30 and the housing 8 are connected via a Bowden cable with a handlebar of the bicycle frame 1 attached actuating lever (not shown).

Figure 2 shows the seat post 2 of the first embodiment in a side sectional view. In this case, the seat post 2 is shown mirrored relative to the representation in FIG. The seat post 2 has the fixing device 10, which is arranged substantially in the interior of a main tube 12 of the seat post 2. The fixing device 10 is fastened to the base plate 6 of the seat tube 4 via two outer hollow screws 14 and via two screws 16 inserted into the hollow screws 14 (see FIG.

In the direction of travel to the rear protrudes from the fixing device 10, a fixing pin 18. The fixing pins 18 are assigned three holes 20a, 20b, 20c of the main tube 12, via which the main tube 12 can be held in three different height positions relative to the frame-fixed fixing device 10. In this case, the lowest position of the main pipe 12 and thus the entire seat post 2 is shown in FIG. The fixing pin 18 can be retracted to adjust the height of the seat post 2 via the Bowden cable and the operating lever.

On an upper end side of the seat tube 4 (see FIG. 1), a guide sleeve or sealing cap 22 is fastened, against which the seat post 2 or its main tube 12 is displaceable in the height adjustment. FIG. 3 shows three essential sections of the seat post 2 according to FIG. 1 in a side sectional view. In a central region of the frame-tight sealing cap 22 is arranged, which has a voltage applied to the main pipe 12 seal 24 and also fitting the main pipe 12 sliding bearing 26.

In the lower area of the seat post 2 shown enlarged, it can be seen that the fixing pin 18 is supported on the fixing device 10 via a compression spring 28. Thus, the fixing pin 18 is biased (in Figure 3) to the right against the direction of travel in a latching direction. From there, the fixing pin 18 can be rotated via the rotating device 30 shown in FIG. 4, via a suspension device 31 coupled thereto and via the Bowden cable along a pin axis 32. In this case, the rotary device 30 has a restoring spring 33 and the housing 8, which is fastened to the seat tube 4 of the frame via a cover plate 35 (see FIG.

About a helical groove of the fixing pin 18, in which a small ball 34 engages, which is held by a grub screw 36 in the fixing device 10 is pulled out by the rotational movement of the fixing pin 18 against the force of the compression spring 28 from the hole 20a. For an adjustment of the seat post in higher positions is possible, wherein the main tube 12 is mounted on two slide bearings 37a, 37b relative to the fixing device 10.

It can also be a device-purely simpler purely translational movement of the fixing pin 18 are provided via the Bowden cable directly without rotating device.

When height adjustment acts against rotation. This is formed from a in the direction of travel of the fixing device 10 extending radial projection 38 and a slot 40 of the main tube 12. The projection 38 has a width approximately equal to that of the slot 40, the slot 40 having a length which corresponds at least to the spacing of the holes 20a and 20c maximally removed from each other (see FIG. In a height adjustment of the seat post 2 down the displacement of the main pipe 12 in particular on the weight of a cyclist, while a displacement of the seat post 2 is carried upward by the force of an air spring. This has an outer tube 42 and an inner tube 44, which largely overlap in the lower position of the main tube 12 shown in Figures 2 and 3. The inner tube 44 is fastened with its lower end portion to the fixing device 10 and thus frame-fixed. The outer tube 42 is supported via its upper end portion indirectly from the upper end portion of the main pipe 12 and acts on this with a lifting force. For this purpose, the two tubes 42, 44 of the air spring form a filled with air pressure chamber 46, the pressure of which in an upper lid of the

Outer tube 42 arranged valve 48 can be changed by the cyclist. This serves to adapt the lifting force of the air spring to a weight of the cyclist.

In an interior of the upper end portion of the main tube 12, a saddle-fixed tube 54 is inserted and clamped there via a clamping ring 50 and a screw 52. With this optional device, a standard length of the seat post 2 according to the invention or an adjustment range of its height to different body sizes - especially leg lengths - be adapted by cyclists.

At the upper end portion of the saddle-fixed tube 54, an assembly 56 is arranged, via which a saddle (not shown) can be fixed to the saddle-fixed tube 54.

Notwithstanding the embodiment shown, two or more than three holes 20a, 20b, 20c and thus detent positions for the main tube 12 of the seat post 2 may be provided.

Notwithstanding the first embodiment shown in Figure 3, the saddle-fixed tube 54 can also be omitted. Then, the assembly 56 is attached directly to the upper end portion of the main pipe 12. Disclosed is a bicycle frame with a seat tube in which a seat post for a saddle is at least partially added, the seat post or its main tube relative to the bicycle frame is translationally movable and adjustable in height. In this case, an anti-rotation device and a locking device - in particular support device - are attached to the seat tube. Both fuses act positively between the seat tube and the main pipe. The anti-rotation has a permanent and the locking device a switchable engagement in the main pipe.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 bicycle frame

2 seatpost

4; 104 seat tube

6 base plate

8 housing

10 fixing device

12; 1 12 main pipe

14 hollow screw

16 screw

18; 1 18 fixing pins

20a, 20b, 20c; 120a, 120b hole

22 sealing cap

24 seal

26 plain bearings

28; 128 compression spring

30 turning device

31 suspension device

32 pin axis

33 return spring

34 ball

35 cover plate

36 grub screw

37a, 37b sliding bearing

38; 138 advantage

40; 140 slot

42 outside raw r

44 inner tube

46 pressure chamber

48 valve

50 clamping ring 52 screw

54 saddle-resistant tube

56 assembly

Claims

claims

1 . Bicycle frame (1) with a seat tube (4) into which a main tube (12) of a

Seat post (2) is at least partially usable, wherein the main tube (12) relative to the seat tube (4) is translationally movable and adjustable in height, characterized by a on the seat tube (4) fixed positive rotation and a fixed to the seat tube switchable locking device for the main tube (12 ).

2. A bicycle frame according to claim 1, wherein the latching device has a substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the main tube (12) movably arranged fixing pin (18), and wherein the main tube (12) has at least two radial recesses (20a, 20b, 20c), in which the fixing pin (18) can be latched.

3. Bicycle frame according to claim 2, wherein the fixing pin (18) by a latching force of an elastic latching element (28) in the direction of the at least two radial recesses (20a, 20b, 20c) is acted upon, and wherein the fixing pin (18) via a remote control is movable by a handlebar against the latching force.

4. bicycle frame according to claim 3, wherein the fixing pin (18) via a rotating device (30) and / or via a pulling device and a Bowden cable from a control element of the handlebar is movable.

5. Bicycle frame according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the Ver dehsicherung has a radially inwardly directed recess in the main tube, in the radially from the outside at least one frame-fixed sliding block is used.

6. bicycle frame according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rotation and the locking device at least partially in one

Fixing device (10) are summarized.

7. bicycle frame according to claim 6, wherein the fixing device (10) in

Essentially in the main tube (12) is added.

8. bicycle frame according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the anti-rotation device on the fixing device (10) formed projection (38) which is inserted into a slot (40) of the seat post (2).

9. Bicycle frame according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat post (2) has a saddle-fixed tube (54) which is translationally movable and height-adjustable relative to the main tube (12) and which is inserted into an upper end portion of the main tube (12). and it is clamped.

10. Bicycle frame according to one of the preceding claims with a

elastic member which is coupled to a projection of the rotation and the main pipe is subjected to a lifting force.

1 1. Bicycle frame according to one of claims 6 to 9 with an elastic

Element (42, 44, 46) which is supported on the fixing device (10) and acts on the main tube (12) with a lifting force.

12. A bicycle frame according to claim 1 1, wherein the elastic member is an air spring (42, 44, 46) which is arranged in the interior of the main tube (12) and an outer tube (42) and an inner tube (44), which partially cover and together define a pressure chamber (46), wherein the inner tube (44) is fixed to the fixing device (10), while the outer tube (42) is attached directly or indirectly to the main tube (12).

13. bicycle frame according to claim 12, wherein the air spring (42, 44, 46) a

Valve (48) for changing the pressure in the pressure chamber (46) has.

14. Bicycle frame according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at an upper end portion of the seat tube (4) has an annular sealing cap (22) is attached, which has a voltage applied to the main pipe (12) seal and / or on the main pipe (12) fitting slide bearing (26).

15. Bicycle frame at least according to claims 6 and 14, wherein between the fixing device (10) and the main tube (12) at least one sliding bearing (37a, 37b) is arranged.

16. Bicycle frame at least according to claims 2, 4 and 8, wherein in a direction of travel at the front, the rotating device (30), the projection (38) and the slot (40) are arranged, and wherein in the rear direction of the fixing pin (18) and the at least two radial recesses (20a, 20b, 20c) are arranged.

17. A method for assembling a bicycle frame (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 16, comprising the steps of:

- Inserting the fixing device (10) in the main tube (12) of the seat post (2);

- Making a recess on the seat tube (4) of the bicycle frame (1);

- Inserting the main tube (12) in the seat tube (4);

- Fixing a base plate (6) from the outside on or in the recess; and

- Screwing the base plate (6) and the fixing device (10).