JP2018103663A - Bicycle frame and bicycle having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bicycle frame, which enables a seat pillar to be reliably fixed to a seat tube despite a simple structure, and a bicycle having the bicycle frame.SOLUTION: A bicycle frame 100 has a seat tube 1 into which a seat pillar 8 is inserted. At the upper end of the seat tube 1, there are a sleeve 9 with or from which the seat piller 8 can be engaged or disengaged, and a cap 10 whose inner circumference is fitted in the outer circumference of the top of the sleeve 9. At least one of the outer circumference of the top of the sleeve 1 and the inner circumference of the cap 10 is tapered. A fastening member 11 that fastens the cap 10 is attachable or detachable to or from the upper end of the seat tube 1 from at least one of an upper part and lower part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a bicycle frame (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “frame”) and a bicycle equipped with the same, and more specifically, for a bicycle that has a simple structure and can securely fix a seat post to a seat tube. The present invention relates to a frame and a bicycle including the frame.

  The seat post on which the bicycle saddle is mounted is fixed so as to be adjustable in height by the seat post fixing structure of the seat tube. The conventional seat post fixing structure is a structure in which a slit is provided along the longitudinal direction at the upper end of the seat tube, the seat tube is tightened with a tightening bolt to reduce the diameter, and the seat pillar is fixed at a desired height position. . For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 may be cited as such improved techniques for the seat post fixing structure.

  According to Patent Document 1, the seat post can be fixed with a simple tightening operation so that a necessary and sufficient tightening force can be obtained to fix the seat post, and there are few protrusions, and the saddle height can be easily adjusted. A structure has been proposed. Specifically, the seat post can be freely moved on the inner peripheral surface of the seat tube with a mounting cylinder portion having a plurality of slits arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction and male screw portions formed on the outer peripheral surface. Installing. The mounting cylinder part and the fastening member are fastened by using a cylindrical fastening member that has a female thread part screwed into the male thread part on the inner peripheral surface and through which the seat post can pass. At this time, at least one of them is a taper screw. Patent Document 2 proposes a structure in which a fastening block having a tapered shape is arranged in front of the seat tube and a seat post is fixed by fastening the fastening block with a bolt.

JP 2006-199137 A China Utility Model No. 20144548 Specification

  However, in the seat post fixing structure proposed in Patent Document 1, one of the contact surfaces of the frame body and the seat post has a tapered shape. In order to perform threading on this tapered surface, accuracy is required for threading, which is technically and costly. In addition, the seat post fixing method proposed in Patent Document 2 has a large number of parts, so that the structure is complicated, and there are many small parts, and there is a problem in workability.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle frame and a bicycle equipped with the same that can securely fix a seat post to a seat tube while having a simple structure.

  As a result of intensive studies to solve the above problems, the present inventor has found that the above problems can be solved by adopting the following configuration, and has completed the present invention.

That is, the bicycle frame of the present invention is a bicycle frame including a seat tube that supports a seat post.
A sleeve capable of fitting and removing the seat post at an upper end of the seat tube, a cap having an inner periphery engaged with an outer periphery of the sleeve, and a fastening member for fastening the cap to the upper end of the seat tube; And at least one of the outer periphery of the sleeve and the inner periphery of the cap has a tapered shape, and the cap is detachable from an upper end portion of the seat tube.

  In the bicycle frame of the present invention, the fastening member can be fastened from at least one of the upper side and the lower side. In the bicycle frame of the present invention, the seat tube preferably has a streamline cross-sectional shape. Furthermore, in the bicycle frame of the present invention, the sleeve may be formed separately from the frame. Furthermore, in the bicycle frame of the present invention, the structure of the sleeve may be a structure in which at least one slit extending from the upper end portion toward the seat post insertion direction is provided. It is good also as a structure which can be divided | segmented into plurality in. In the bicycle frame according to the present invention, the fastening position of the cap by the fastening member may be at least one.

  The bicycle of the present invention comprises the bicycle frame of the present invention.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, although it is a simple structure, the bicycle frame which can fix a seat post to a seat tube reliably and a bicycle provided with the same can be provided. Further, the bicycle frame of the present invention can contribute to weight reduction of the bicycle because the number of parts of the seat post fixing structure is small, and the appearance is simple, so the degree of freedom in design is also increased. .

1 is a perspective view of a bicycle frame according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a side view of the vicinity of an upper end portion of a seat tube of a bicycle frame according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is side surface sectional drawing of the seat-tube upper end part vicinity of the frame for bicycles concerning one suitable embodiment of this invention. 1 is a perspective view of the vicinity of an upper end portion of a seat tube of a bicycle frame according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is a section perspective view near the seat tube upper end part of the bicycle frame concerning one suitable embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view near the seat tube upper end part of the frame for bicycles concerning other suitable embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the upper end of a seat tube of a bicycle frame according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the cylindrical member concerning other suitable embodiments of the present invention. It is a side view of an example of the sleeve of the frame concerning the frame for bicycles of the present invention. It is a perspective view of an example of the sleeve of the frame concerning the frame for bicycles of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bicycle frame according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated frame 100 includes a seat tube 1 that supports a saddle, and a head tube 2 that supports a handle. In the illustrated example, the upper portion of the seat tube 1 and the upper portion of the head tube 2 are connected via the top tube 3, and the bottom bracket shell 4 is disposed at the lower portion of the seat tube 1. The lower tube and a down tube 5 extending from the lower portion of the head tube 2 are connected via a bottom bracket shell 4. Further, in the illustrated example, the chain stay 6 extends from the bottom bracket shell 4 and the seat stay 7 extends from the substantially central portion of the seat tube 1 toward the mounting position of the bicycle rear wheel.

  FIG. 2 is a side view of the vicinity of the upper end portion of the seat tube of the bicycle frame according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a seat of the bicycle frame according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the vicinity of the upper end portion of the tube, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the upper end portion of the seat tube of the bicycle frame according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a cross-sectional perspective view of the vicinity of the upper end portion of the seat tube of the bicycle frame according to the embodiment.

  In the illustrated example, a frame 100 according to the present invention includes a sleeve 9 on the upper end portion of the seat tube 1 in which a seat post 8 can be fitted and removed, and a cap 10 having an inner periphery that engages with the outer periphery of the upper end of the sleeve 9. It is equipped with. The sleeve 9 has an inner diameter that is the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the seat post 8. In the illustrated example, in the frame 100 of the present invention, at least one of the outer periphery of the upper end of the sleeve 9 and the inner periphery of the cap 10 has a tapered shape.

  Specifically, in the illustrated example, the sleeve 9 and the cap 10 have a tapered shape in which the diameter gradually decreases as it approaches the saddle. Furthermore, the cap 10 is provided with a hole 10a into which at least one of the upper and lower sides, the fastening member 11 from the upper side in the illustrated example, and the bolt 11 in the illustrated example can be inserted. Is provided with a hole 1 a at a position corresponding to the hole 10 a of the cap 10. A nut corresponding to the bolt 11 is embedded in the hole 1 a or a screw groove corresponding to the bolt 11 is formed in the hole 1 a, and the cap 10 is fastened to the upper end of the seat tube 1 by fastening the bolt 11. It is comprised so that attachment or detachment is possible. When the cap 10 is fastened to the upper end portion of the seat tube 1 from below with the bolt 11, a hole portion into which the bolt 11 can be inserted is provided at the upper end portion of the seat tube 1, and the upper end of the seat tube 1 of the cap 10 is further provided. A hole portion is provided at a position corresponding to the hole portion, and a nut corresponding to the bolt 11 is embedded in the hole portion, or a screw groove corresponding to the bolt 11 is formed in the hole portion, and the cap 10 is a bolt What is necessary is just to comprise so that attachment or detachment to the upper end part of the seat tube 1 is possible by 11 fastening.

  Since the frame 100 of the present invention has such a structure, the sleeve 9 is reduced in diameter as the cap 10 is tightened with the fastening member 11, whereby the seat post 8 is firmly pressed against the seat tube 1 and securely fixed. Will be. Further, in the frame 100 of the present invention, since the upper portion of the seat tube 1 and the cap 10 are fastened by the fastening member 11, there is no need to thread the tapered surface as in the prior art. Therefore, the frame 100 of the present invention is excellent in terms of part processing. Furthermore, in the frame 100 of the present invention, since the cap 10 is shaped to cover the sleeve 9, the same force is applied to the entire circumference of the sleeve 9 when the cap 10 is fastened by the fastening member 11. Therefore, the force is not concentrated on a part of the seat post 8 and the damage to the seat post 8 can be prevented. Furthermore, since the number of parts is small, the workability is excellent and the weight of the bicycle is reduced.

  Moreover, since the structure of the sleeve 9 and the cap 10 according to the frame 100 of the present invention is simple, the appearance of the frame 100 is also simple, and the degree of freedom in design is increased. Furthermore, in the conventional method of fixing a seat post in which a thread groove is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the seat tube and fixed with a fastening member as in the prior art, the sectional shape of the seat post must be circular. Therefore, when the cross-sectional shape of the seat tube is non-circular, the cross-sectional shape of the portion where the screw groove is provided must be circular, which causes an unnecessary weight increase and restricts the design. However, in the frame 100 of the present invention, since the sleeve and the cap may be formed in accordance with the shape of the seat tube, the sectional shape of the seat tube or the like is not limited to a circle. Therefore, even if the cross-sectional shape of the seat tube 1 is a streamline excellent in rectifying effects such as air resistance of the vehicle body, it can be suitably applied.

  FIG. 6 is a side view of the vicinity of the upper end of a seat tube of a bicycle frame according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a bicycle according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tubular member according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated example, a cylindrical member holding portion 1 b into which the cylindrical member 12 can be inserted from the left and right direction is provided at the upper end portion of the seat tube 1. The upper portion of the tubular member holding portion 1b and the tubular member 12 are provided with a hole portion 1a and a hole portion 12a at positions corresponding to the hole portion 10a of the cap 10, and a bolt 11 is provided inside the hole portion 12a. Or a screw groove corresponding to the bolt 11 is formed in the hole 12a, and the cap 10 is configured to be detachable from the upper end of the seat tube 1 by fastening the bolt 11. . In the illustrated example, the cylindrical member holding portions 1b are provided at two positions on the front and rear sides of the seat post 8 of the seat tube 1, but either one may be used.

  By adopting such a configuration, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the above effects. That is, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, since the threaded hole is not processed in the seat tube 1 itself, the yield can be improved, and the man-hours can be reduced and the accuracy can be improved. In the illustrated example, the cylindrical member 12 has a columnar shape, but the shape of the cylindrical member 12 is not limited thereto. For example, a quadrangular prism or a pentagonal prism may be used. If it is a quadrangular column or a pentagonal column, positioning of the hole 10a of the cap 10 and the hole 12a of the cylindrical member 12 becomes easy.

  In the frame 100 of the present invention, the sleeve 9 may be formed integrally with the frame 100 or may be formed as a separate body. FIG. 9 is a side view of an example of a sleeve of a frame according to the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an example of a sleeve of a frame according to the present invention. The sleeve 9 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is formed as a separate body from the frame 100. If the lower part 9a of the sleeve 9 is fitted to the seat tube 1 and fixed by welding, screws, adhesion, or the like, the sleeve 9 is used. Good.

  In addition, the structure of the sleeve 9 according to the frame 100 of the present invention may be a structure in which at least one slit 9b extending from the upper end portion toward the insertion direction of the seat post 8 is provided. It is good also as a structure which can be divided | segmented into plurality. The slit 9b can have a width of about 1 mm to 4 mm, for example. When the slits 9b are provided in the sleeve 9, there is no particular limitation on the number of the slits 9b, but if the number of the slits 9b is increased, the workability of the sleeve 9 is deteriorated. Therefore, it is preferable to provide the sleeve 9 with four slits 9b. In the case where the sleeve 9 is divided into a plurality of parts in the insertion direction, the sleeve 9 is preferably divided into four parts in consideration of workability. In consideration of workability and workability, it is preferable to provide the slit 9b in the sleeve 9 along the insertion direction of the seat post 8.

  In the frame 100 of the present invention, the fastening position by the fastening member 11 may be at least one. For example, as shown in the figure, the seat post 8 is sandwiched between the front and rear of the cap 10 in the front-rear direction, and although not shown, the seat post 8 is sandwiched between the cap 10 in the bicycle traveling direction. On the other hand, it is preferable to provide fastening positions at two places on the left and right. With such a structure, the fastening member 11 can be tightened in a balanced manner, so that it becomes easy to press the entire circumference of the sleeve 9 evenly by the cap 10, and damage to the seat post 8 can be prevented. it can. Further, variation due to molding of the cap 10 can be suppressed.

  The fastening position of the cap 10 may be two places on the left and right with respect to the bicycle traveling direction with the seat post 8 interposed therebetween. However, if the fastening position is provided at two places on the left and right of the cap 10 with the seat post 8 interposed therebetween. Since the shape of the cap 10 spreads to the left and right with respect to the traveling direction of the bicycle, the air resistance increases when the bicycle travels, which is not preferable. Preferably, there are two front and rear positions with respect to the traveling direction of the bicycle with the seat post 8 interposed therebetween as shown in the figure. Although not shown, the front in the direction of travel of the bicycle may be a hook, for example, and only the rear may be fastened with a fastening member. That is, the fastening position may be one place. Such a structure is advantageous in terms of cost because the number of fastening members can be reduced.

  In the bicycle frame 100 of the present invention, as described above, at least one of the outer periphery of the upper end of the sleeve 9 and the inner periphery of the cap 10 may be tapered, and only the outer periphery of the sleeve 9 may be tapered. Only the inner periphery of the cap 10 may be tapered. Preferably, the outer periphery of the sleeve 9 and the inner periphery of the cap 10 are both tapered. In this case, it does not matter whether the taper angle of the outer periphery of the sleeve 9 or the taper angle of the inner periphery of the cap 10 is large, but each taper angle is preferably 30 ° or less.

  In the bicycle frame 100 of the present invention, it is only important that the sleeve 9 and the cap 10 satisfy the above requirements, and there are no particular restrictions on the other configurations. As the material of the sleeve 9 and the cap 10, for example, a metal such as carbon or aluminum can be used. However, considering the lightness of the bicycle, the sleeve 9 and the cap 10 are preferably made of carbon.

  Moreover, as a material of the frame 100, for example, it can be made of metal such as carbon or aluminum. Since the frame 100 of the present invention can be suitably applied to a streamlined frame, it is suitable for competition bicycles such as time trial races, road races, and triathlons.

Next, the bicycle of the present invention will be described.
The bicycle of the present invention is provided with the bicycle frame 100 of the present invention, and there are no particular restrictions on the other structures. For example, the seat tube 1 supports the saddle through the seat post 8 and the head tube 1 supports the handle. The seat stay 6 and the chain stay 6 extend toward the mounting position of the bicycle rear wheel, and fix the rear wheel axle. What is necessary is just to connect with a rear-wheel axle via the rear end which carries out. A front fork extending obliquely downward from the head tube 2 may be provided, and a front wheel may be rotatably mounted on the lower end of the front fork.

  In the frame 100 of the present invention, when adjusting the height of the saddle, if the fastening member 11 is loosened and the cap 10 is removed, the sleeve 9 returns to its original state due to elasticity, and the pressing force to the seat post 8 is weakened. 8 can be moved up and down. Then, after adjusting the height position of the saddle, the seat post 8 can be fixed as described above by tightening the cap 10 with the fastening member 11.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Seat tube 1a Hole 1b Cylindrical member holding part 2 Head tube 3 Top tube 4 Bottom bracket shell 5 Down tube 6 Chain stay 7 Seat stay 8 Seat post 9 Sleeve 9a Lower part 9b Slit 10 Cap 10a Hole 11 Fastening member (bolt)
12 cylindrical member 12a hole 100 frame

Claims (8)

In a bicycle frame with a seat tube that supports the seat post,
A sleeve capable of fitting and removing the seat post at an upper end of the seat tube, a cap having an inner periphery engaged with an outer periphery of the sleeve, and a fastening member for fastening the cap to the upper end of the seat tube; The bicycle frame is characterized in that at least one of the outer periphery of the sleeve and the inner periphery of the cap has a tapered shape, and the cap is detachable from an upper end portion of the seat tube.   The bicycle frame according to claim 1, wherein the fastening member can be fastened from at least one of an upper side and a lower side.   The bicycle frame according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the seat tube is streamlined.   The bicycle frame according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sleeve is separate from the frame.   The bicycle frame according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sleeve is provided with at least one slit extending from an upper end portion toward an insertion direction of the seat post.   The bicycle frame according to claim 4, wherein the sleeve can be divided into a plurality of parts in an insertion direction of the seat post.   The bicycle frame according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the fastening position of the cap by the fastening member is at least one.   A bicycle comprising the bicycle frame according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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