FR3055126A1 - TIGHTENING CLUTCH SYSTEM FOR WHEEL OR BICYCLE SEAT ROD - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a disengageable clamping system particularly designed to properly tighten and / or make the wheels and saddles anti-theft. It comprises a maneuverable actuating means, a means for pulling the clamping force and a reaction means constituting a fixed point characterized in that a connecting means (9) makes it possible to secure the actuating means with the means pulling the clamping force. The disengageable clamping system for a wheel or bicycle seat post according to the invention is particularly intended to protect the wheels and saddles of bicycles.

Description

© Publication no .: 3,055,126 (to be used only for reproduction orders)

©) National registration number: 16 01247 ® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

COURBEVOIE © Int Cl ⁸ : B 62 K 25/02 (2017.01), B 62 J 1/08

A1 PATENT APPLICATION

©) Date of filing: 08.22.16. (© Priority: © Applicant (s): SAVARD FRANCK JEAN— FR. @ Inventor (s): SAVARD FRANCK JEAN. ©) Date of public availability of the request: 23.02.18 Bulletin 18/08. ©) List of documents cited in the preliminary search report: See the end of this booklet (© References to other related national documents: ® Holder (s): SAVARD FRANCK JEAN. ©) Extension request (s): © Agent (s): SAVARD FRANCK.

CLUTCH CLUTCH SYSTEM FOR A WHEEL OR A SADDLE FOR A BIKE.

FR 3 055 126 - A1 _ The invention relates to a disengageable clamping system particularly intended for correctly clamping and / or making the wheels and saddles anti-theft.

It comprises a maneuverable actuating means, a means of pulling the clamping force and a reaction means constituting a fixed point characterized in that a connecting means (9) makes it possible to secure the actuating means with the means of the clamping force.

The disengageable clamping system for bicycle wheel or seatpost according to the invention is particularly intended for protecting bicycle wheels and saddles.

The present invention relates to a bicycle, a disengageable clamping system for a wheel or seatpost.

Traditionally, the clamping systems for wheel or seatpost use a single element which includes both an actuation means and a traction means which allow the tightening of the targeted components; the reaction to this traction being provided by an element integral with the frame or the fork and which constitutes a fixed point, which optionally makes it possible to approximately adjust the traction force. These clamping systems are either:

- nuts acting on each end of the front or rear wheel axle. Disadvantage, the tightening torque is difficult to respect.

These nuts are sometimes anti-theft by specific reliefs in hollow and / or in reliefs which constitute a kind of code requiring a special tool to tighten or loosen the said nuts. Disadvantage, the tightening torque is difficult to respect, a special key must always accompany the user at the risk of not being able to remove the wheel for repair, transport storage ...

These nuts are sometimes anti-theft by a pin acting under the gravitational force and which blocks the said nut when the bicycle is in normal situation and free to be able to be unscrewed when the bicycle is turned upside down. Disadvantage, the tightening torque is difficult to respect; and when a thief exerts on the nut (blocked by the so-called pin) an excessive effort that causes either the release of the anti-theft system which becomes ineffective or deteriorates the mechanism of the anti-theft system which causes a breakdown during the next disassembly with the need to change the clamping system for the wheel or seatpost.

- a screw, especially for seat tube clamps; the observations and drawbacks are substantially identical to those mentioned above.

-, a clamping lever, more elaborate because faster; this said lever is provided with an eccentric (or a cam) which cooperates with a support pad, which makes it possible to pull on a means of transfer of the clamping force consisting of a rod, which is threaded at the less at its free end to receive a nut that can be actuated directly by the user's hand. This nut which ensures the reaction to the eccentric lever, also makes it possible to modify the tightening torque necessary to exert on the said eccentric lever. Disadvantage, the good tightening torque is difficult to respect. Too weak the wheel can "float", too strong the clamping system can break at any time with all the risks involved ...

On the types of clamping system having a force transfer rod (passing through the wheel hub or the seat tube clamp), there are, as for the nuts and screws described above, anti-theft models which aim to ) 055126 have no outlet for actuating the clamping means, or simply block it so that it cannot be pivoted and therefore operated. Disadvantage, the tightening torque is difficult to respect, a special key must always accompany the user at the risk of not being able to remove the wheel for repair or transport storage .; or when a thief exerts on the eccentric lever (blocked by the said pin) an excessive effort that causes either the release of the anti-theft system which becomes ineffective or deteriorates the mechanism of the anti-theft system which causes a breakdown during the next disassembly with the need to change the wheel or seatpost clamping system.

The disengageable clamping system for wheel or seatpost according to the invention overcomes these drawbacks, for this the invention mainly provides for clearly and distinctly separating the actuating means and the traction means, a disengageable connecting means being interposed between said actuating means and said traction means.

It therefore mainly comprises, in effect, a maneuverable actuation means, a traction means which exerts the clamping force, a connecting means which makes it possible to fasten and dissociate at will ie actuation means with the pulling force of the tightening, and a reaction means constituting a fixed point.

This system which therefore dissociates at will the actuation means with the means of traction of the clamping force, makes it possible to protect from an overload all the components subjected to the clamping force and more particularly the actuation means (especially if this is a lever for quick action) or the user of any badly applied effort (too strong or too weak), since the connection means behaves:

- either as a dynamometric means releasing said actuation means if the force is too great, and alerts the user of a lack of tightening if the actuation means is not released.

- either as a dynamometric means and / or an anti-theft device which puts the crazy actuation means (inactive) when the bicycle is in the normal position and active when the bicycle is turned upside down.

According to a first embodiment, the actuating means is preferably a lever (possibly a nut or a screw) in which is housed the connecting means which is a key, one active face of which has a sharp edge which cooperates with a sharp edge of the traction means to allow a hyperstatic connection, which certainly ensures the loosening of the system according to the invention, and the opposite face has a rounded edge (or sloping) in order to allow by tangential effect with the traction means with which it cooperates, that it can come out of its connection housing with said traction means, which causes the release of the actuating means (lever or nut or screw) when the torque recommended on the actuating means (the tightening lever or nut or screw) is reached. Said key can act only by gravity or in another embodiment only pushed by a spring more or less preloaded with an adjusting screw.

In the context where the key is subject to the only law of gravity, therefore of anti-theft use, the (es) support (s) of the clamping system with the frame or the fork has (have) a positioning means adjustable precise (in order to position the said actuating means in a required recommended orientation) usable only when the clamping system according to the invention is in its position of maximum relaxation (wheel or seatpost removable from the frame or the fork) .

According to a second embodiment intended mainly for the wheel hub with a solid axle, the actuating means is an anti-theft nut which can preferably be screwed normally when the bicycle is in any orientation or position, but which turns mad when we want to unscrew it while the bike is in a normal operating position. For this, the system according to the invention introduces at least one pawl between the external part (drive means) of said nut, distinct and separated from its internal part (traction means) carrying the thread. The pawl (s) pushed (preferably) by a light spring allow) to link the two parts (external for the tool and internal for the threading) in the only direction of screwing. In this case, the said connecting means is preferably at least one pin actuated by gravity and which links the said two parts of the nut only and only when the bicycle is turned upside down. In this case also, the support (s) of the clamping system with the frame or the fork will have (have) a precise adjustable positioning means when the clamping system according to the invention is in its position of maximum relaxation. (wheel removable from the frame or fork).

According to a third embodiment intended mainly for tightening the seat tube clamps, the actuating means is an anti-theft screw and its nut which cannot be screwed and unscrewed when the bicycle is in the normal riding position. Only the position of the bicycle turned upside down allows the connecting means to pull on the traction means which in this case is the part of the seat clamp which receives the said nut. For this said nut is free to rotate around a smooth bearing with very low adhesion housed in the seat clamp. The friction force of the screw opposite its nut is always greater than the friction force between said nut and the seat clamp.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:

Figure 1 shows the invention in its quick-release lever configuration usable in all orientations, and potentially anti-theft (spring 10 removed), active in substantially vertical orientation.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 show the object of Figure 1 according to the three conventional plan views, with an indication of a section plane A-A in Figure 3.

FIG. 6 is therefore an enlarged sectional view of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 represent the invention in its configuration with quick-release lever and active anti-theft device in substantially horizontal orientation, according to the three conventional plan views, with an indication of a cutting plane D-D in FIG. 6.

Figure 9 is an enlarged transparent view of the object of Figures 6, 7 and 8 in the main part of the invention.

Figure 10 is therefore an enlarged sectional view of Figure 6, with the lever disengaged (crazy).

Figure 11 is therefore an enlarged sectional view of Figure 6, with the lever secured (active).

FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 show the invention in its anti-theft wheel nut configuration for a solid axle hub according to the three conventional plan views, with an indication of a cutting plane B-B in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is therefore an enlarged sectional view of FIG. 13.

Figure 16 is a view of the object of Figures 12 to 15 in detail with two hidden external elements to better understand the roles of the pawls and the connecting means.

Figures 17, 18 and 19 show the invention in its configuration anti-theft seat tube clamp according to the three conventional plan views, with an indication of a section plane C-C in Figure 17.

FIG. 20 is therefore an enlarged sectional view of FIG. 17.

NB: On each view where the movement of the connecting means main object of the invention is particularly visible, the said movement is indicated by an arrow with opposite two directions and referenced by an (x).

With reference to these drawings,

According to a first embodiment, subject of views 1 to 5, the invention relates to the tightening of the wheels (front and / or rear) with hollow axles and the seat clamps whatever the method of attachment with the seat tube ( removable, welded, glued ...). The invention in this configuration includes:

an actuating means (1) which in this case is a lever (1) provided at its close free end, with a housing (1a) which allows the precise positioning of a dynamometric measuring tool in order to fix, then check the tolerance of the recommended torque applied to said lever (1). This lever (1) pivots around the barrel (3).

- a connecting means (9), in this case a key (9), which slides in a housing (1b) produced in the arm of the lever (1). The profile of this key (9) will preferably be with a sharp edge (9a) and an opposite rounded (or sloping) edge.

- a traction means (2), in this case it is an eccentric (or cam) (2), which rotates on the barrel (3) coaxially with the lever (1); the said eccentric (2) acts in eccentricity reaction on a support shoe (4) which is preferably kept in rotation opposite the cup (5). Said eccentric (2) has an ad hoc connection housing (2b) which allows the key (9) to be housed. In clamping action, that is to say when the lever (1) is pressed in the housing area (1a), the key (9) by gravity or pushed by a spring (10) more or less pre- loaded with an adjusting screw (11) enters the said housing (2b) made in the eccentric (2), and therefore secures the lever (1) with the eccentric (2), the rounded stop (9b) cooperates with a rounded edge (2b) produced in the eccentric (2), the combined profiles of the edges (9b) and (2b) retain the pin (9). This pivoting action of the lever (1) pulls on the rod (7) which is anchored in the barrel (3); rod (7) which cooperates at its free end with a nut (8) which bears on the other side of the fork or frame. When the torque exerted on the lever (1) reaches its recommended value, the said key (9) thanks to its rounded stop (9b) is ejected by tangential effect from the housing (2b) by going deeper into the lever (1).

To loosen the wheel or the seat clamp, simply position (thanks to a visual or sensitive mark), if not already done, the lever (1) to re-engage the key (9) in the eccentric (2 ), in the direction of loosening the sharp edge (9a) then cooperating with the sharp edge (9a) of the eccentric (2), which perfectly secures (hyperstatic) the lever (1) and eccentric (2 ) to guarantee the pivoting of said lever (1) and therefore ensure the loosening of the rod (7) necessary to loosen the nut (8) in order to remove the wheel or saddle.

The support pad (4) preferably made of sliding material is housed in a cup (5).

. When this embodiment is in the quick-release lever configuration for wheel or seat clamp without anti-theft action, the spring (10) and the stop / adjustment screw (11) are essential for actuating the key (9), in this case the lever (1) can be actuated and left locked in any orientation.

. When this embodiment is in the quick-release lever configuration for wheel or seat clamp with anti-theft action, the key (9) is movable under the sole effect of gravity (gravity), in this case the lever ( 1) cannot be actuated and left locked in any position, the said lever must occupy a vertical position or almost. For this this embodiment provides that the shoe (4) is housed in a cup (5) having male notches (5a) at its lower base. These male notches (5a) cooperate with female notches (6a) produced in the support washer (6) which is concentric with the cup (5). This washer (6) has a relief (6b) which is housed in the opening of the fork or of the frame, which makes it possible, in association with the multitude of male (5a) and female (6a) notches, to position at most near the verticality said lever (1).

Similarly, at the other end of the rod (7), therefore on the other side of the frame or the fork, a washer identical to the washer (6) cooperates with a nut (8) provided with notches ( 8a) to prohibit the loosening of said nut (8) when the lever (1) is crazy (pivots without loosening action) and the wheel or saddle is perfectly tight. This nut (8) and this washer (6) constitute the fixed reaction point facing the fork or the frame.

According to a variant (FIGS. 6 to 11) of this first embodiment, so that the lever (1) operates in the anti-theft mode, but with the possibility that said lever (1) is no longer active vertically but horizontally, the key (9) is replaced by at least one pin (9) which is housed in the side of the lever (1) and / or in the side of the eccentric (2), by gravity this (these) pin (s) (9 ) can (wind) re-enter (s) in the housing (s) ad hoc made (s) in the (s) other (s) side (s) of said lever (1) and said eccentric ( 2).

Figure 10 shows the invention when the bicycle is in the normal operating position, the pin (s), e (s) (9) by gravity is (are) entirely in its (their) respective housing (s)) of rest , which makes the lever (1) crazy.

Figure 11 shows the invention when the bicycle is in the inverted position (upside down), the pin (s) (9) by gravity is (are) both in its (their) respective housing (s) ) and partly engaged in the ad hoc housing (s) of the eccentric (2) and / or of the lever (1), which makes the lever (1) integral with the eccentric ( 2), making it possible to loosen the nut (8) and therefore release the wheel or saddle.

To facilitate identification (FIGS. 8 and 9) where the pins (9) can enter or exit their respective housings, an indexing stick (12) pushed by a spring (10) is housed sliding in the lever (1), a precise positioning notch is made in the eccentric (2). This also makes it possible to hold the lever (1) relatively lightly immobile, which while being inactive (idle) is maintained in a privileged position.

According to a second embodiment, the invention relates to the tightening of the wheels (front and / or rear) with solid axes. The invention in this configuration is mainly a nut which is split into two distinct and independent parts and which comprises:

- A first part (1) which is the one which allows the action of a tool (pipe wrench, flat wrench ...) and which is the drive means (1) of, ’invention. This nut (1) is pierced along a radius by a hole which allows the passage of the connecting pin (9).

- a second part (2) which is the threaded part of the nut, and which is screwed at least at one end of the axis of the wheel to tighten said wheel in an anti-theft manner at least on one of the two nuts of the wheel axle. This second part is the traction means (2) of the invention. This threaded part (2) comprises at least one recess (2b) intended to receive a part of the pin (9).

- A connecting means (9), in this case a cylindrical pin (9), which when the said nut is crazy (free to rotate), is located entirely in a housing produced in the support bell (45) , the said housing is necessarily positioned as low as possible. By cons to make said nut (1) active in tightening as in loosening, said pin (9) slides by gravity from said housing in the bell (45) to come out completely from this bell (45) and continue its movement so to cross said nut (1) through the radiating hole (1d), to finally come to be housed partly in a hollow (2b) ad 'hoc made in the traction means (2).

- a reaction means (6) which constitutes a fixed point and which in this case is a washer (6) having female notches (6a) and a relief (6b) which is housed in the opening of the fork or the framework as already described above.

This embodiment in disengaged nut intended for the solid wheel axle is advantageously improved by the addition of at least one pawl (14) active by gravity (or under the pressure of a light spring, not shown) and which is housed between the nut (1) and the threaded part (2). This (s) ratchet (s) makes it possible to tighten the nut (1) in any position or orientation, while preventing loosening other than by turning the bike upside down.

To hold all of the elements of this anti-theft detent nut, a clip (16) surrounds the threaded part (2), and is capped by the washer (6).

To guarantee the tightness of this anti-theft declutching nut, O-rings (15) are housed at each end of the bell (45).

To allow precise identification of the nut (1) facing the bell (45), a guy (12) pushed by a spring (10), indexed maintenance of said nut (1) by a recess made in said nut (1). A plug (13) keeps the spring (10) under pressure.

According to a third embodiment (Figures 17 to 20), the invention relates to the tightening of the seat tube clamps. The invention in this configuration is a screw (1) and its nut (2) which constitute the drive means. The traction means is the part of the collar (17) where the nut (2) and the connecting means (9) are housed. Said connecting means (9) is in this case a cylindrical pin (9), its housing in the collar (17) is a blind hole, which receives a plug (13) in its open end.

In the normal position for using the bicycle, the pin (9) is under the effect of ia gravity fully retracted into the said housing which is in the collar (17), thus recessed the pin (9) allows the screw ( 1) and its nut (2) to turn crazy, helped in this by a possible smooth bearing (18) with a very low coefficient of adhesion (“Igus®” bearing for example), which partially rubs said nut (2 ) opposite the collar (17).

To operate in screwing, the bicycle is turned upside down, which allows the said pin (9) by gravity, to partially leave its housing in the collar (17) to come and penetrate one of the recesses (2b) ad hoc made in the nut (2), the nut (2) thus immobilized allows the screw (1) to be unscrewed from the nut (2), thereby releasing the tightening of the collar (17) which allows removal or the adjustment of the seatpost and therefore of the saddle.

In all circumstances, the screw (1) opposite its nut (2) will be held in relative adhesion by a stronger force than the said nut (2) opposite the collar part (17) where the said nut is housed. (2). Only the action of the pin (9) must be able to immobilize the said nut (2) opposite the collar (17) to allow the loosening of the said screw (1) and therefore to release the seatpost to allow adjustment or removal of the saddle with its rod.

The disengageable clamping system according to the invention is particularly intended for correctly clamping and / or making the wheels and saddles anti-theft.

Claims (10)

1) For bicycle, disengageable clamping system for wheel or seat tube comprising a maneuverable actuating means, a means of pulling the clamping force and a reaction means constituting a fixed point characterized in that a connecting means (9) enables the actuating means to be secured to the clamping force traction means. 2) disengageable clamping system according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises an actuating means (1) which is a lever (1) or a nut or a screw and in which is housed the connecting means (9) which is a key, one active face of which has a sharp edge (9a) in order to allow a hyperstatic connection of the actuating means (1) with the traction means (2) which guarantees the loosening of the system; and the opposite face of the key (9) has a rounded edge (9b) (or sloping) so as to allow, by tangential effect with the traction means (2) with which it cooperates thanks to a housing (2b), to exit said housing (2b) for securing made in said traction means (2), which causes the release of the actuating means (1) (lever or nut or screw) when the recommended torque (on the lever (1) or the tightening nut or screw) is reached; said key (9) being able to act only by gravity when the disengageable tightening system chooses an embodiment where the lever (1) is vertical and with anti-theft vocation; another possible embodiment, said key (9) can act pushed by a spring (10) more or less preloaded by means of an adjusting screw (11) when the disengageable tightening system chooses an embodiment in which the lever ( 1) can have any orientation and dynamometric vocation. 3) disengageable clamping system according to claim 2 characterized in that the lever (1) is provided at its close free end with a housing (1a) which allows the precise positioning of a dynamometric measuring tool in order to fix, then to check the tolerance of the recommended torque applied to said lever (1). 4) disengageable clamping system according to claim 1 characterized in that the lever (1) is active horizontally, the connecting means is at least one pin (9) which is housed in the side of the lever (1) and / or in the flank of the eccentric (2), by gravity this (these) pin (s) (9) can (wind) enter the housing (s) ad 'hoc made (s) in (es) other side (s) of said lever (1) and / or of said eccentric (2). 5) disengageable clamping system according to claim 1 or 3 or 4 characterized in that when the key or pin (9) is subject to the only law of gravity, therefore for anti-theft use, the supports ((5) / ( 6)) and (6) with nut (8) of the clamping system with the frame or the fork have a precise adjustable positioning means thanks to notches (5a) / (6a) which disengage and have a relief (6b) which is indexed in the fork or frame when you say the clamping system is in its position of maximum relaxation (wheel or seatpost removable from the frame or fork). 6) disengageable clamping system according to your claims 1 or 2 or 4 or 5 characterized in that the 1st actuating means (1) is an anti-theft nut (1) which is screwed normally when the bicycle is in any orientation or position, but which turns crazy when you want to unscrew it while the bike occupies a normal operating position, for this the clamping system has at least one pawl (14) between the outer part (drive means) (1 ) of said nut distinct and separate from the internal part (traction means) (2) carrying the thread; the pawl (s) (14) preferably pushed by a light spring allow) to link your two parts (external for the tool (1) and internal (2) for the 1st thread) in the 1st direction of the screwing ; in this case the said connecting means (9) is preferably at least one pin actuated by gravity and which links your said two parts (1) and (2) of the nut only and only when the bicycle is turned upside down . 7) disengageable clamping system according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the 1st actuating means (1) is a screw (1) and its nut (2) which cannot be screwed and unscrewed when the 1st bicycle is in the normal position rolling; only the position of the bicycle turned upside down allows the connecting means (9) which is a pin to make active the 1st traction means which in this case is the part of the saddle collar (17) which receives the said nut (2) ; for this, the said nut (2) is free to rotate around a smooth bearing (18) with very low adhesion housed in the seat clamp (17); the friction force of the screw (1) opposite its nut (2) being always greater than the friction force between the said nut (2) and the seat clamp (17). 8) disengageable clamping system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating means (1) has an indexing device which indicates and materializes the position and maintains you in which the first connecting means (9) can penetrate the traction means; this device housed in the actuating means (1) comprises an indexing figure (12) pressurized by a spring (10), the said figure (12) penetrating slightly into the traction means. 9) disengageable clamping system according to claim 6 characterized in that it comprises: - A first part (1) which is that which allows the action of a tool (pipe wrench, flat wrench ...) and which is the drive means (1) of the invention; this nut (1) is pierced along a radius by a hole which allows the passage of the pin (9). - a second part (2) which is the threaded part of the nut, and which is screwed at least at one end of the axis of the wheel to tighten said wheel in an anti-theft manner at least on one of the two nuts of the 'wheel axle; this second part is the traction means (2); this threaded part (2) comprises at least one recess (2b) intended to receive a part of the pin (9). - A connecting means (9) which is a pin (9) cylindrical, which when the said nut is crazy (free in rotation), is located entirely in a housing made in the support bell (45); on the other hand to make said nut (1) active in tightening as in loosening, said pin (9) slides by gravity from its housing to come completely out of the bell (45) to then cross said nut (1) through the radiating hole, to finally come to be housed partly in a hollow (2b) ad hoc designed in the traction means (2). - A reaction means (6) which constitutes a fixed point and which in this case is a washer (6) having female notches (6a) and a relief (6b) which is housed in the opening of the fork or frame. - To hold all of the elements of this detachable anti-theft nut, a clip (16) surrounds the threaded part (2), and is capped by the washer (6); to guarantee the tightness of this detachable anti-theft nut, O-rings (15) are housed at each end of the bell (45). 10) disengageable clamping system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the connecting means (9) acts only by gravity, the nut (8) reacting to the action of the traction means has a shape which does not allow it to be unscrewed when the traction means has tightened the wheel or the seat clamp. 76.3 (** 6.2. lllllllflllllilillni ΙΙΙΙΙΙΙΙΙΙΙΙΙΙΙΙΙίΙΙΙΙί S! J CUT D-D ττλ CUT D-D A 1 5 CUT B-B A 6-. 16 Λ - - ” y- § Fî <r.l7 f G. 13