JP3061550B2 - Dustproof cover system for bicycle cable - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bicycle cable dustproof cover system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a dustproof cover system for a bicycle cable for preventing deterioration of the cable due to foreign matter such as muddy water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A front brake, a rear brake, a front derailleur, and a rear derailleur of a bicycle are operated via a cable from a shift lever unit or a brake lever disposed on a steering wheel. The cable includes an outer casing, an inner cable, and the like. The inner cable is made by twisting a plurality of steel wires.

[0003] A normal outer casing includes a cable liner made of a synthetic resin that slides on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cable, a strip steel sheet spirally wound around the outer periphery of the cable liner, and an outer circumference of the strip steel sheet. It is configured to be covered with a synthetic resin jacket. At the middle position of the cable connected to the rear derailleur or the front derailleur from the shifting lever unit or the brake lever, there is no outer casing and the inner cable is exposed.

[0004] The inner cable is exposed for the following reason. A play (gap) is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the inner cable and the inner peripheral surface of the inner hole of the cable liner so that the inner cable can slide easily. However,
When the cable becomes long, the frictional force between the inner cable and the cable liner increases, and the operation of the lever or the brake lever of the shift lever unit becomes heavy, so that the outer casing is interrupted.

[0005] Foreign matter such as muddy water intrudes from the end of the cable into the gap, which is a play, and increases the sliding resistance between the inner cable and the cable liner.
The operability of the transmission and the like is deteriorated. In addition, foreign substances such as muddy sand and clay serve as an abrasive, and promote wear of the cable liner and the inner cable. Therefore,
It is desirable that foreign matter such as muddy water does not enter the play (gap) as much as possible.

[0006] In particular, since mountain bikes are used in mountainous areas, foreign substances such as muddy water easily enter the play (gap), so it is better to prevent them as much as possible. The present applicant has proposed an end cap of an outer cable to be attached to an outer casing to prevent foreign substances from entering the cable (Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 63-173512). If the end cap of the outer cable is frequently used, there is a problem that the sliding resistance increases when the inner cable is driven. In addition, there is also a problem that the inner cable is deteriorated because it is exposed.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been invented with the above technical background and achieves the following objects.

An object of the present invention is to provide a dustproof cover system for a bicycle cable which prevents foreign substances from entering the cable.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dustproof cover system for a bicycle cable for preventing cable deterioration.

[0010]

The present invention employs the following means to achieve the above object.

[0011] A dustproof cover system for a bicycle cable according to the present invention is provided with an inner cable inserted into the cable to transmit a force, and a gap disposed around the outer periphery of the inner cable to slide the inner cable. Outer case with cable liner for free movement guidance
Dustproof cover system for bicycle cable with single
The end of the outer casing is inserted.
A large-diameter portion provided with an inner hole, and the inner hole of the large-diameter portion.
A small-diameter portion provided on the opposite side and having an outer diameter smaller than the large-diameter portion
Wherein the small diameter portion is engaged with a cable engaging portion of a bicycle.
And protrudes to the opposite side to the inside of the small diameter part.
A nose cap through which the inner cable passes; and a dustproof cover having one end fixed to the inner cable and the other end fixed to the small-diameter portion of the nose cap.

Also, the dust cover of the bicycle cable described above.
In the system, the dustproof cover is
Have a telescopic part that follows the movement of the cable
Is preferred.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dustproof cover system for a bicycle cable, wherein the inner cable is inserted into the cable to transmit a force, and the inner cable is arranged with a gap around an outer periphery of the inner cable. Having a cable liner for slidably guiding the cable
Dustproof cover for bicycle cable with casing
System, wherein an end of the outer casing is inserted.
A large-diameter portion provided with an inner hole to be inserted,
Provided on the opposite side of the inner hole and smaller in outer diameter than the large diameter portion
A small diameter portion, wherein the small diameter portion is a bicycle cable engaging portion.
Of the small diameter portion protrudes to the opposite side to the engagement side of
The inner cable through which the inner cable passes
Cap and the outer at an intermediate position of the cable.
The inner cable is located at the outer peripheral position where the casing is interrupted.
At least one end of the nose carriage.
A protective liner connected to the
Fixed to the cable, the other end covers the protective liner
And a dustproof cover .

[0014] The dust cover may be a dust cover having one end fixed to the inner cable and the other end fixed to the protective liner, and having a stretchable portion.

Further, the dust cover may be a dust cover having one end fixed to the inner cable and the other end covering the outer periphery of the protective liner. In addition,
Means for Solving the Problems and Configurations in Claims
Correspondence between elements and member names in the embodiment of the invention
The cable engaging part is the cap in the embodiment of the invention.
For 8, 23, 37, 91 or adjustment bolt 43
The protective liner is a liner according to the embodiment of the invention.
20 and 38.

[0016]

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a foreign object from entering a bicycle cable for operating a brake, a transmission and the like from a remote position.
A nose cap is fixedly arranged on the frame at an intermediate position of the cable and at an outer peripheral position where the outer casing is interrupted. A liner is connected to the nose cap to cover the inner cable. If one end of the dustproof cover is fixed to one end of the inner cable, and the other end is a liner, or if there is no liner, the cable end is fixed or slidably engaged with the nose cap to cover the cable end. Prevents foreign substances such as dust from entering the gaps inside. The dustproof cover may be configured to be able to expand and contract in a bellows shape.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an arrangement of cables for operating a brake and a transmission of a bicycle. A rear shift lever unit (gearshift operating device) 2 and a front shift lever unit (gearshift operating device) are arranged on the handle 1 (not shown). A rear derailleur 3 is connected to the rear shift lever unit 2 via a rear derailleur wire 4. The rear derailleur 3 shifts the chain 5 to select a rear sprocket 6 having an optimum number of teeth from among a plurality of rear sprockets 6 and changes the meshing to change the speed. The rear derailleur 3 has a known structure and function. Description is omitted.

FIG. 3 shows a dustproof system to which the bicycle cable cover of the first embodiment is applied. In the first embodiment, the rear derailleur wire 4 and the front derailleur wire 31 are turned from the bottom of the frame, that is, connected to the rear derailleur 3 and the front derailleur 30, respectively, in a down-rotation specification. The outer casing 18 is interrupted at an intermediate portion of the rear derailleur wire 4 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cap receiver 8 integrally fixed to the oblique frame 7.

The cap receiver 8 is for fixing and supporting the nose cap 10. The cap receiver 8 has a cylindrical inner hole 11 formed therein, and the inner hole 11 has a bottom surface 12. A slit 13 is formed in the inner hole 11 in the axial direction. The slit 13 is used for assembling the rear derailleur wire 4 to a bicycle, and is for passing only the inner cable 17.

The nose cap 10 has a small diameter portion 14 and a large diameter portion 15 having a larger diameter. The end surface 16 of the large diameter portion 15 is arranged in contact with the bottom surface 12 of the inner hole 11. An inner hole 19 of the large diameter portion 15 is formed, and one end of the outer casing 18 of the rear derailleur wire 4 is inserted into the inner hole 19. A small-diameter insertion hole 9 is formed from the bottom surface 12 in the center line direction of the inner hole 11 of the cap receiver 8. The small diameter insertion hole 9 is a hole for inserting and supporting the small diameter portion 14 of the nose cap 10. Small diameter insertion hole 9 and slit 1
3 is communicated.

A liner 20 is arranged and fixed on the outer periphery of the inner cable 17 of the rear derailleur wire 4. The liner 20 is made of a synthetic resin, rubber, a metal tube or the like. One end of the liner 20 is inserted into the small diameter portion 14 of the nose cap 10. For this reason, since the inner cable 17 is covered with the liner 20, foreign matter such as mud does not enter the gap (play) between the small diameter portion 14 and the inner cable 17. At the lower part of the lower horizontal frame 22, a cap receiver 23 having the same structure as the above-described cap receiver 8 is arranged and fixed in a facing direction (see FIG. 3).

The cap receiver 23 is provided with the cap receiver 8 described above.
A nose cap 24 having the same structure as that of FIG.
The liner 20 is guided by a cable guide 21 fixed to the bottom of the frame, and further extends to a nose cap 24 of a cap receiver 23 of the lower horizontal frame 22. The other end of the liner 20 is inserted into the small diameter portion 25 of the nose cap 24. The liner 20 and the cable guide 21
Does not slide relatively, but the inner cable 17 and the liner 20 slide. For this reason, when a lubricant is mixed into the liner 20 made of synthetic resin, the sliding resistance is reduced.

One end of the outer casing 18 of the rear derailleur wire 4 is inserted into the nose cap 24. A nose cap 39 is inserted into the other end of the rear derailleur wire 4.

FIG. 4 is an external view showing the connection between the rear derailleur and the rear derailleur wire. FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a section of the cable adjustment barrel unit. The rear derailleur wire 4 is connected to a cable adjustment barrel unit 40 provided on a bracket 41 of the rear derailleur 3. Further, the distal end of the inner cable 17 of the rear derailleur wire 4 is fixed by a cable fixing bolt unit 42.

The screw portion 44 of the adjustment bolt 43 of the cable adjustment barrel unit 40 is formed in the bracket 41 and is screwed and fixed in a screw 45. A through hole 46 is formed at the center of the adjustment bolt 43. A spline shaft 47 is formed on the outer periphery of the head of the adjustment bolt 43, and the spline shaft 47 is attached to the cylindrical adjustment knob 4.
8 and is engaged movably in the axial direction. When the outer circumference of the adjustment knob 48 is pinched and turned with a finger, the adjustment bolt 43 is
9. The spline shaft 47 is rotationally driven through the connection.

The rotation of the adjustment knob 45 causes the adjustment bolt 43 to be screwed into the female screw 45 of the bracket 41 and thus moves in the axial direction, causing relative movement between the inner cable 17 and the outer casing 18. That is, to drive the link Lee emissions toner cable 17 cable fixing bolt unit 42 of the rear derailleur 3 is provided.

A coil spring 52 is interposed between the end surface 50 of the adjustment bolt 43 and the bottom surface 51 of the spline hole 49. The coil spring 52 is provided with an adjusting knob 48.
To the bracket 41 of the rear derailleur 3. The small diameter portion 53 of the nose cap 39 passes through a through hole 46 at the center of the adjustment bolt 43.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the bellows tube 55. The connection fixing portion 56 at one end of the bellows tube 55 is inserted and connected to the small diameter portion 53. The inner hole 57 of the connection fixing portion 56 is
Although it is made smaller in diameter than the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 53, it is made of a flexible material and can be inserted and fixed in the small diameter portion 53. The bellows tube 55 is made of synthetic rubber, synthetic resin elastomer, or the like. The connection fixing portion 58 at the other end of the bellows tube 55 is fixed to the inner cable 17. The thin portion 60 of the bellows tube 55 expands and contracts and follows the movement of the inner cable 17.

Although the inner hole 59 of the connecting and fixing portion 58 is made smaller in diameter than the outer diameter of the inner cable 17, it can be inserted and fixed to the inner cable 17 because it is made of a flexible material. Since the connecting and fixing portions 56 and 58 of the bellows tube 55 extend and tighten the outer periphery of the small-diameter portion 53 and the inner cable 17, there is no gap between the connecting and fixing portions 56 and 58.
No foreign matter or the like enters from the inner cable 8 and the frictional resistance to the movement of the inner cable 17 is small.

As is apparent from the above description, foreign matter cannot enter from any position of the rear derailleur wire 4. Since the end of the rear derailleur wire 4 on the side of the rear shift lever unit 2 is disposed on the handle 1, there is a low possibility of foreign matter entering, so a normal outer casing may be used. However, in order to prevent foreign matter from entering at this position, it is preferable to use a shield outer casing proposed by the present applicant (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-173512).

A front derailleur 30 is connected to a front shift lever unit (not shown) via a front derailleur wire 31 (see FIG. 4). The front derailleur 30 shifts the chain 5 to engage with a required front sprocket 32 from among a plurality of front sprockets 32 to change the speed. The front derailleur 30 has a known structure and function, and a description thereof will be omitted.
The end of the front derailleur wire 31 connected to the front derailleur 30 is connected to the outer casing 3.
No four.

A nose cap 35 is inserted into one end of the outer casing 34. The nose cap 35 has a small diameter portion 36. A cap receiver 37 is disposed integrally with the inclined frame 7. The structure of the cap receiver 37,
The function is the same as that of the cap receiver 8 described above, and the description thereof will be omitted.

One end of the liner 38 is inserted into the small-diameter portion 36, guided by the cable guide 21, and
It extends upward along zero. The inner cable 33 inside the liner 38 is connected to the front derailleur 30. At the other end of the liner 38, one end of a bellows tube 71
Are connected by being inserted. The bellows tube 71 is made of rubber, synthetic resin elastomer, or the like, and is elastic.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the bellows tube 71. The connection fixing portion 73 at one end of the bellows tube 71 is inserted and fixed to the liner 38 . An inner peripheral projection 74 is formed on the peripheral surface of the inner hole of the connection fixing portion 73. The inner peripheral projection 74 is the liner 38
Is inserted and fixed in an outer peripheral groove 75 formed on the outer periphery of the rim.
At the other end of the bellows tube 71, a connection fixing portion 76 is formed. The inner hole 77 of the connection fixing portion 76 is
Is inserted and connected to the outer periphery.

The inner diameters of the inner holes of the connection fixing portions 73 and 76 of the bellows tube 71 are smaller than the outer diameters of the liner 38 and the inner cable 33.
Since the outer periphery is tightened, no foreign matter or the like enters from the connecting portion. Even when the inner cable 33 is driven, the thin portion 78 of the bellows tube 71 expands and contracts following this, so that the resistance is small.
Foreign matter from the connection part of the front derailleur wire 31
Do not invade. Front derailleur wire 3
A well-known shield cap 79 is inserted into an end of the outer casing 34 on the shift lever unit side.

As is clear from the above description, foreign matter cannot enter from any position of the front derailleur wire 31. Although a similar system is provided for the brake cable, the description is omitted because it is substantially the same as the above system.

Second Embodiment FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of a bicycle cable dustproof cover. The bellows tube 71 of the first embodiment
Was such that the thin portion 78 was stretchable. The bicycle cable dustproof cover 80 of the second embodiment has a cylindrical shape as a whole, and is made of synthetic rubber or synthetic resin elastomer. Inside this, a cylindrical hole 81 is formed.

There is a gap between the cylindrical hole 81 and the outer periphery of the liner 38, and the bicycle cable dustproof cover 80 and the liner 38 can move relative to each other. It is to be noted that this gap may not be provided, and only sliding may be performed. One end of the bicycle cable dustproof cover 80 is formed with a connection fixing portion 82 having a small diameter. The inner hole 83 of the connection fixing portion 82 is
3 and fixed.

The inner hole 83 is used for manufacturing the inner cable 33.
Smaller than the outer diameter of
Is made of an elastic material and can be inserted and fixed by press-fitting.

Third Embodiment FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a third embodiment of a bicycle cable dustproof cover. The bicycle cable dust-proof cover system 90 of the third embodiment has a cylindrical shape as a whole, and is made of synthetic rubber or synthetic resin elastomer. The cap receiver 91 fixed to the frame fixedly supports the nose cap 92. Nose cap 92
An O-shaped shield ring 94 is inserted into the inner hole 93 of the hole. The shield ring 94 comes into contact with the outer periphery of the inner cable 17 to prevent foreign matter from entering. A ring-shaped bottom plate 95 is inserted into the inner hole 93 in order to fix the shield ring 94 and support the distal end of the outer casing 18.

One end of a cylindrical rubber boot 97 is inserted into the small diameter portion 96 of the nose cap 92. The inner hole 98 of the rubber boot 97 has a smaller diameter than the small diameter portion 96 , and the airtightness can be maintained by inserting the inner hole 98 of the rubber boot 97 into the small diameter portion 96. On the other end of the rubber boot 97, a small diameter portion 99 is formed. Rubber boots 97
The inner hole 100 of the small diameter portion 99 has two inner peripheral projections 101 formed on the inner peripheral surface.

The inner cable 1 is formed by the inner peripheral projection 101.
7 is kept airtight. Since the rubber boot 97 of the third embodiment is made of rubber, it can be easily inserted into the small-diameter portion 96 of the nose cap 92, and the entire rubber boot 97 can be integrally molded, so that the inner cable 17 is easy to manufacture.
Inner boot 1 that the rubber boot 97 can follow the curvature of
01 has characteristics such as being easy to follow the movement of the inner cable 17 and having excellent durability.

[Other Embodiments] In the first, second and third embodiments, the rear derailleur wire 4 and the front derailleur wire 31 are turned from the bottom of the frame, that is, the rear derailleur 3 and the front derailleur are respectively lowered. 30. However, the present invention can be applied to a structure in which the rear derailleur wire 4 and the front derailleur wire 31 are connected to the rear derailleur 3 and the front derailleur 30 from a horizontal frame 85 (see FIG. 1), that is, a so-called over-rotation type.

One end of the bellows tube 55 of the first embodiment is inserted and fixed in the small diameter portion 53 of the nose cap 39. One end of the bellows tube 71 is inserted and fixed to one end of the liner 38. However, when the nose cap 39 or the liner 38 is not used, it may be directly attached to the outer casing.

[0045]

As described above in detail, the bicycle cable dust cover system of the present invention can effectively prevent foreign substances such as muddy water from entering the cable, and as a result, prevent deterioration of the cable. In addition, smooth sliding of the inner cable can be maintained for a long time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a front derailleur wire and a rear derailleur wire of a bicycle.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a cap receiver integrally fixed to an oblique frame.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of a bicycle cable in a case of a lowering specification of the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an external view showing a connection between a rear derailleur wire and a rear derailleur.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a section of a cable adjustment barrel unit.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a dustproof cover of a bicycle cable of a rear derailleur.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a dustproof cover of a bicycle cable of the front derailleur.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of a dustproof cover of a bicycle cable of a front derailleur.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a third embodiment of a bicycle cable dustproof cover.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 handle 2 rear shift lever unit 3 rear derailleur 4 rear derailleur wire 30 front derailleur 31 front derailleur wire 39 nose cap 39 55, 71 bellow tube 80 dustproof cover

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An inner cable inserted into a cable to transmit a force, the inner cable being disposed with a gap around an outer periphery of the inner cable,
Cable for guiding the inner cable slidably
A dustproof cover system for a bicycle cable including an outer casing having a bull liner , wherein an inner hole into which an end of the outer casing is inserted is provided.
Provided on the opposite side of the large diameter portion and the inner hole of the large diameter portion
And a small diameter portion having an outer diameter smaller than the large diameter portion.
The small diameter part is opposite to the engagement side of the cable engagement part of the bicycle.
The inside of the small-diameter portion is
A dustproof cover for a bicycle cable, comprising: a nose cap through which a cable passes; and a dustproof cover having one end fixed to the inner cable and the other end fixed to the small-diameter portion of the nose cap. system. 2. The bicycle dust cover system according to claim 1, wherein the dust cover has a telescopic portion that follows the movement of the inner cable. 3. An inner cable inserted into the cable for transmitting a force, the inner cable being disposed with a gap around an outer periphery of the inner cable,
Cable for guiding the inner cable slidably
A dust cover system for a cable for a bicycle having an outer casing having a bull liner , wherein an inner hole into which an end of the outer casing is inserted is provided.
Provided on the opposite side of the large diameter portion and the inner hole of the large diameter portion
And a small diameter portion having an outer diameter smaller than the large diameter portion.
The small diameter part is opposite to the engagement side of the cable engagement part of the bicycle.
The inside of the small-diameter portion is
A nose cap through which the cable penetrates, a protective liner arranged along the inner cable at an outer peripheral position where the outer casing is interrupted at an intermediate position of the cable, and at least one end is connected to the nose cap, one end fixed to the inner cable, the other end the coercive
Mamoru dust cover system of a bicycle cable, comprising a dust cover that covers the liner. 4. The bicycle according to claim 3, wherein the dustproof cover is a dustproof cover having one end fixed to the inner cable and the other end fixed to the protective liner, and having a telescopic portion. Dustproof cover system for cables. 5. The dustproof cover system for a bicycle cable according to claim 3, wherein one end of the dustproof cover is fixed to the inner cable, and the other end is a dustproof cover covering the outer periphery of the protective liner. .