FR3140857A1 - “PASSIVE BELL TYPE DEVICE, IMPLEMENTATION METHOD AND ASSOCIATED DEVICE” - Google Patents

Abstract

“PASSIVE BELL TYPE DEVICE, IMPLEMENTATION METHOD AND ASSOCIATED DEVICE” The invention relates to a passive bell type device, as well as to a method of activating and deactivating such a device, the device comprising a body (1), a bell (7) fixed to said body and extending along a first axis (x), a hammer (8) intended to perform a pendulum movement inside the bell so as to produce a ringing sound when it comes into contact with the interior wall of the bell, means (9) for retaining said hammer inside the bell, said means being partly housed in a cavity (15) of the body which extends along the first axis, the device further comprising means forming a pusher (4) partly housed in the cavity, opening at a first end (41) outside the body and capable of sliding in the cavity so as to come into contact with the hammer in order to immobilize said hammer. Figure for the abstract: Fig.1

Description

“PASSIVE BELL TYPE DEVICE, IMPLEMENTATION METHOD AND ASSOCIATED DEVICE”

The invention relates to a passive bell type device, as well as a method for activating and deactivating such a device. The invention finds more particular application in the field of two-wheeled vehicles such as bicycles or scooters.

State of the art

Bells, like doorbells, are well-known audible warning devices generally used to locate animals, individuals and vehicles or to warn of their presence.

In particular, mechanisms forming a bell are known, which consist of a bell-shaped metal housing with a leaf or a free-oscillating internal striker.

Thus, shocks, vibrations or simply the natural movement of the wearer induce continuous ringing.

These mechanisms are found in particular among cyclists, and in particular among mountain bikers to warn pedestrians, wildlife or other cyclists of their presence.

However, these mechanisms do not have an on/off switch to interrupt these continuous ringing sounds.

It is easy to understand that these ringing sounds can constitute noise pollution over time, when it is not necessary for the user to report.

It is also easily understood that it is not practical for the user to disassemble the mechanism to store it in such a way as to interrupt the ringing, since this involves immobilizing the wearer of the mechanism, carrying out disassembly actions and storage (opening a bag or other).

Consequently, there is a need for passive bell type devices to be able to be made silent or damped by the user, the latter having to be able to activate and deactivate these devices in complete safety when moving.

This is why the invention proposes a passive bell type device comprising a switch that the user can easily operate with a finger when the user is moving.

Presentation of the invention

More precisely, the subject of the invention is a device of the passive bell type comprising a body, a bell fixed to said body and extending along a first axis (x), a hammer intended to perform a pendulum movement inside the bell around the first axis, so as to produce a ringing sound when it comes into contact with the interior wall of the bell, means for retaining said hammer inside the bell, said means being partly housed in a cavity of the body which extends along the first axis (x), the device further comprising means forming a pusher partly housed in the cavity of the body, opening at a first end outside the body and capable of sliding in the cavity so as to enter in contact at a second end with the hammer in order to immobilize said hammer.

Various embodiments of the invention are planned, integrating according to all of their possible combinations the different optional characteristics exposed here.

Advantageously, the device comprises means for attaching to a bicycle handlebar, said means preferably comprising a jaw pivotally mounted at one of its ends on the body as well as a screw-nut assembly for fixing the other of its extremities on the body.

Also advantageously, the means for retaining the hammer inside the bell are a cable fixed at one of its ends inside the body and at the other of its ends to the hammer.

Preferably, the cable is fixed at one of its ends inside the body by means of a locking element fitted removably into the body, a cover covering the locking element to close the body by clipping.

According to a first embodiment, the pusher means form an elbow which opens out of the body through an opening made in the cover and along an axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis (x).

Preferably, the opening made in the cover comprises at least a first gadroon which induces an additional force to slide the means forming a pusher.

According to a second embodiment, the push button means form a push button equipped with a spring, and opening out of the body along the first axis (x), said push button admitting a first stable position outside the body and a second stable position embedded in the body and in contact with the hammer.

Advantageously, the bell and the hammer are made of metallic materials and preferably are made of brass or steel.

Just as advantageously, the second end of the pusher means is provided with a vibration damper, so as to muffle the sound that could be emitted by the hammer subjected to vibrations.

Just as advantageously, the second end of the pusher means is provided to cover the hammer, said second end being provided with damping properties.

The invention also relates to a two-wheeled machine of the bicycle or scooter type, characterized in that it comprises a device of the passive bell type conforming to one embodiment of the invention, said device comprising hooking means to a bicycle handlebar, said means comprising a jaw pivotally mounted at one of its ends on the body and a screw-nut assembly for securing the other end to the body.

The invention also relates to a method for activating or deactivating a passive bell type device mounted on a two-wheeled machine of the bicycle or scooter type, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, characterized in that the user presses the first end of the pusher means, so that the second end of the pusher means comes into contact with the hammer to immobilize it, and respectively so that the second end of the pusher means moves away from the hammer to free it.

Other particularities and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description of a mode of implementation in no way limiting, and from the appended drawings in which:

: there represents an exploded perspective view of a passive bell type device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

: there represents a longitudinal sectional view of a passive bell type device according to the first embodiment of the invention and in the activated state;

: there represents a longitudinal sectional view of a passive bell type device according to the first embodiment of the invention and in the deactivated state;

: there represents an exploded perspective view of a passive bell type device according to a second embodiment of the invention;

: there represents a longitudinal sectional view of a passive bell type device according to the second embodiment of the invention and in the deactivated state;

: there represents an exploded perspective view of a passive bell type device according to a third embodiment of the invention;

: there represents a longitudinal sectional view of a passive bell type device according to the third embodiment of the invention and in the deactivated state;

There represents a passive bell type device, according to a first embodiment, and which comprises a body 1 as well as a bell 7 which is fixed to said body and which extends along a first axis x. The bell contains a hammer 8 designed to perform a pendulum movement inside the bell around the x axis, so as to produce a ringing sound when it comes into contact with the interior wall of the bell.

The hammer is retained inside the bell by means 9 which are partly housed in a cavity 15 of the body 1 which extends along the first axis x.

The device further comprises means forming a pusher 4 which are partly housed in the cavity 15 of the body 1, and which open at a first end 41 outside the body 1.

These means are capable of sliding in the cavity so as to come into contact at a second end 42 with the hammer 8 in order to immobilize said hammer.

This passive bell type device can be attached for example to a bicycle handlebar, an electric scooter, or to any mobile object or subject, by means of a jaw 3 pivotally mounted 12, 13 at one of its ends on the body 1 as well as a screw-nut assembly 11, 14 to fix the other of its ends on the body 1.

Other configurations are possible such as those using an elastic cooperating with a jaw.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3 which describe the first embodiment, the fixing assembly is therefore composed of the fixing jaw 3 and the body 1, these two parts being articulated by the pin 13 while the nut 14 is inserted into the body 1 into which the screw 11 will be screwed, passing through holes passing through the body and the jaw. The initial mounting diameter is 35mm, but this can be reduced to 31.8mm, 25.4mm or 22mm via shims not shown.

Of course, it is entirely possible to consider other fixing assemblies, depending on whether the passive bell type device is intended to be fixed on an animal, an individual or a particular object other than a mountain bike.

The retaining means 9 of the hammer 8 inside the bell 7 can be a cable fixed at one of its ends inside the body 1 and at the other of its ends to the hammer.

The cable can then be fixed at one of its ends inside the body 1 by means of a blocking element 5 fitted removably into the body 1, a cover 2 covering the blocking element to close the body.

According to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the pusher means 4 form an elbow which opens out of the body through an opening 20 made in the cover 2 and along an axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis x. This through elbow can be compared to a lever.

Advantageously, the opening 20 made in the cover 2 comprises at least a first gadroon 21 which induces an additional force to slide the means forming a pusher 4.

Just as advantageously, the opening 20 made in the cover 2 comprises at least a second gadroon 22 which also induces an additional force to slide the means forming a pusher 4.

Thus, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the bell 7 is blocked linearly by the body 1 and remains in rotation relative to the cover 2.

The cover 2 covers the blocking element 5 of the cable 9, and is clipped onto the body 1. The blocking element 5 accommodates an upper lead of the crimped cable 9, this cable passing through the means forming a pusher 4.

A cover 6 surrounds the pusher means 4, so as to block the opening 20 when the pusher means slide towards the hammer. A lower lead of the crimped cable 9 is in contact with an O-ring 10 located in the countersink of the hammer 8. This O-ring compensates for the tolerances of the assembly and also helps dampen vibrations. The pin 12 secures the mechanism by blocking the locking element 5 and the body 1 together.

Of course, the retaining means can take a form other than a cable and their attachment in the body 1 can be achieved otherwise than with the blocking element 5.

According to a second embodiment shown on the and 5, the push button means 4 form a push button equipped with a spring 46, and opening out of the body 1 along the first axis x, said push button admitting a first stable position outside the body and a second stable position pressed into the body and in contact with the hammer.

This push button opens out of body 1 along the first axis (x) in a first stable position called “high”.

It is equipped with a spring 46 so that when the user presses its first end, it slides in the body to sink into the latter in a second stable position called "low". From then on, the second end of the push button comes into contact with the hammer and immobilizes it.

When the user presses the first end of the push button again, the latter, under the action of the spring, returns to its first stable position called "high" and the hammer is no longer in contact with the second end of the button -push.

In this embodiment, the bell 7 is fixed to the body 1 by means of a bell support 70. The hammer 8 is for its part fixed to the cable 9 by means of a cable support 80. The means forming the button pusher 4 has a button, a stop wedge 43 fitted on the one hand on the button and on the other hand on a press 44. The press is extended by a blocker intended to exert pressure on the hammer during the translation of the assembly forming the push button.

According to a third embodiment shown on the and 7, the pusher means 4 are a lever designed to cooperate with the cover 2 of the body in a bayonet type assembly. Thus, according to a rotational movement, then translation along the axis (x), then rotation, the body 40 of the lever translates inside the body 1.

In this third embodiment, the bell 7 is fixed to the body 1 by means of a bell support 70 and the cable 9 is fixed on the one hand to the hammer and on the other hand to the cover 2 by means of plumbs.

Advantageously and for all the embodiments, the bell and the hammer are made of metallic materials and preferably are made of brass or steel. These materials allow, when the hammer hits the internal wall of the bell, to ensure sufficient ringing.

Also advantageously and for all the embodiments, the end of the means forming a pusher 4 which is in contact with the hammer, is provided with a vibration damper which contributes to canceling any sound emission from the hammer when the latter is immobilized by the means forming a pusher 4.

As an alternative or complement and for all the embodiments, the end of the means forming a pusher 4 which is in contact with the hammer, is intended to cover the hammer.

To activate the passive bell type device with the first embodiment, the user performs at least one press (depending on whether there are one or two gadroons) on the first end 41 of the means forming a pusher 4 in a direction opposite the hammer, so that the second end 42 of the pusher means 4 moves away from the hammer 8 to release it.

Thus, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, when the means forming a pusher 4 of the “lever” type are in the upper position, their lower end is not in contact with the hammer 8.

Hammer 8 is therefore “free”. The vibrations transmitted into the machine (mountain bike, electric scooter) by the roughness of the road or paths are therefore transmitted through the device into the cable and then the hammer 8.

The latter will therefore leave its state of equilibrium and the hammer 8 will therefore move by bending the cable 9 until it hits the bell, thus generating a ringing sound.

The upper position is secured by the first gadroon 21 of the cover 2 which retains the means 4 to prevent them from blocking the hammer 8.

To deactivate the passive bell type device with the first embodiment, the user presses at least once (depending on whether there are one or two gadroons) on the first end 41 of the means forming a pusher 4 in the direction of the hammer, so that the second end 42 of the pusher means 4 comes into contact with the hammer 8 to immobilize it.

Thus, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, when the pusher means 4 are in the lower position, their lower end is in contact with the hammer 8.

Hammer 8 is therefore “blocked”. The vibrations transmitted into the bicycle by the roughness of the road and paths are therefore transmitted through the device into the cable and then the hammer 8. The latter will therefore seek to leave its state of equilibrium. However, the support of the means forming a pusher 4 on the hammer 8 will generate a tension in the cable 9 which will stiffen the latter and prevent its bending. Thus, the device no longer produces a ringing sound.

Now concerning the transition phases between the locking and unlocking positions with the first embodiment, they are identical and operate with the same principle. During the locking phase which consists of passing the means forming a pusher 4 from the upper position to the lower position, the means 4 each time force the passage through the first gadroon 21 through the opening 20 thus making a first clicking noise. When the device includes a second gadroon 22, the user continues the movement up to the second gadroon to force the passage of the means 4 through the latter. This movement generates a second click which corresponds to the locking of hammer 8.

The unlocking phase is identical in the opposite direction to the locking phase.

Concerning the method of activating and deactivating the second mode, it is similar to that of the first mode in the sense that pressing the push button allows, when the button is in the upper position, to bring the pusher means into translation. 4 in contact with the hammer 8. When another pressure on the push button follows, the spring 46 returns the push button to the upper position and thus releases the hammer.

The method of activating and deactivating the third mode is also similar to the previous ones, in the sense that the rotation/translation/rotation of the lever according to the bayonet assembly makes it possible to execute the translation of said lever so as to establish contact or cancel the contact between the hammer and the lever.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

Nomenclature

1. Body
2. Lid
3. Bit
4. Pusher-forming means
5. Blocking element
6. Caching
7. Bell
8. Hammer
9. Means of restraint
10. O-ring
11. Screw
12. Pin
13. Body piercing
14. Nut
15. Cavity
20. Opening
21. First gadroon
22. Second gadroon
40. Lever body
41. First end of the pusher means
42. Second end of the pusher means
43. Thrust wedge
44. Press
45. Blocker
46. spring
70. Bell stand
80. Hammer support

Claims (12)

Passive bell type device comprising a body (1), a bell (7) fixed to said body and extending along a first axis (x), a hammer (8) intended to perform a pendulum movement inside the bell so as to produce a ringing sound when it comes into contact with the interior wall of the bell, means (9) for retaining said hammer inside the bell, said means being partly housed in a cavity (15) of the body (1) which extends along the first axis (x), the device further comprising means forming a pusher (4) partly housed in the cavity of the body, opening at a first end (41) outside the body (1 ) and capable of sliding in the cavity so as to come into contact at a second end (42) with the hammer (8) in order to immobilize said hammer. Passive bell type device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means for attaching to a bicycle handlebar, said means preferably comprising a jaw (3) pivotally mounted (12, 13) in one of its ends on the body (1) as well as a screw-nut assembly (11, 14) to fix the other of its ends on the body (1). Passive bell type device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining means (9) of the hammer (8) inside the bell (7) are a cable fixed in one of its ends inside the body (1) and at the other of its ends with a hammer. Passive bell type device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the cable is fixed at one of its ends inside the body (1) by means of a blocking element (5) inserted removably in the body (1), a cover (2) covering the locking element to close the body by clipping. Passive bell type device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the pusher means (4) form an elbow which opens out of the body through an opening (20) made in the cover (2) and along an axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis (x). Passive bell type device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the opening (20) made in the cover (2) comprises at least a first gadroon (21) which induces an additional force to slide the means forming a pusher (4 ). Passive bell type device according to claim 3, characterized in that the pusher means (4) form a push button provided with a spring (46), and opening out of the body (1) along the first axis (x), said push button admitting a first stable position outside the body and a second stable position inserted into the body and in contact with the hammer. Passive bell type device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bell and the hammer are made of metallic materials and preferably are made of brass or steel. Passive bell type device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second end (42) of the pusher means (4) is provided with a vibration damper. Passive bell type device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second end (42) of the pusher means (4) is provided to cover the hammer. Two-wheeled machine of the bicycle or scooter type, characterized in that it comprises a passive bell type device according to any one of the preceding claims, said device comprising means for attaching to a bicycle handlebar, said means comprising preferably a jaw (3) pivotally mounted (12, 13) at one of its ends on the body (1) and a screw-nut assembly (11, 14) to secure the other end to the body (1) . Method for activating and respectively deactivating a passive bell type device mounted on a two-wheeled bicycle or scooter type device in accordance with the preceding claim, characterized in that the user performs at least one press on the first end (41) pusher means (4), so that the second end (42) of the pusher means (4) comes into contact with the hammer (8) to immobilize it, and respectively so that the second end (42) of the pusher means (4) moves away from the hammer (8) to release it.