KR20210028561A - Device for adjusting a saddle angle of a bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a saddle angle adjustment apparatus for a bicycle, capable of adjusting the angle of a saddle with respect to a saddle supporter. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the saddle angle adjustment apparatus for a bicycle includes: an angle adjustment means combined to be separable, with respect to the saddle, and also, combined to be axially rotatable with respect to the saddle supporter, and having a plurality of coupling grooves corresponding to an inclination angle of the saddle which is adjustable; and an angle fixing means inserted into one of the plurality of coupling grooves to stop the axial rotation of the angle adjustment means. At least one of the plurality of coupling grooves has a stepped shape having a plurality of base sides of different depths.

Description

Bicycle saddle angle adjustment device{DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING A SADDLE ANGLE OF A BICYCLE}

The present invention relates to a saddle angle adjustment device for adjusting the inclination angle of a bicycle saddle.

In order to solve the disadvantage that the saddle angle cannot be adjusted while a normal bicycle is running, the applicant of the present application is disclosed in Korean Patent No. 1635719 (Patent Document 1) and Korean Patent Publication No. 2018-0108347 (Patent Document 2). , A saddle angle adjustment device that can adjust the saddle angle even while the bicycle is running was proposed. According to these patent documents, the saddle angle adjusting device includes an angle adjusting means (latch) in which a plurality of engaging grooves (latch grooves) corresponding to the inclination angle of the saddle that can be set are formed, and in any one of the plurality of engaging grooves. It has an angle fixing means (stopper) that can be inserted. And, the driver who wants to adjust the angle of the saddle can move the angle fixing means away from the coupling groove by operating it by hand or by applying electric power, and then rotate the angle adjustment means relative to the saddle support to fix the angle in the other coupling groove. Allow the means to be inserted.

Such a saddle angle adjustment device is particularly suitable for various conditions during the operation of the bicycle, such as when climbing or descending an inclined road, or when a saddle pain occurs due to long-time driving, so that the driver can adjust the saddle angle to suit each situation while driving. It has the advantage of being able to adjust it.

However, in such a conventional saddle angle adjusting device, the rotation of the angle adjusting means is controlled by the force of the driver seated on the saddle pressing the saddle with the buttocks, so a driver unfamiliar with this is accurately changed to the desired inclination angle of the saddle by applying an appropriate force. There is a problem that is difficult to do. If the driver applies too much or too little force, the angle adjustment means rotates too much or less, and the angle fixing means is inserted into the coupling groove at a position other than the desired position among the plurality of coupling grooves. It is set to a different inclination angle than the desired saddle inclination angle.

On the other hand, in the saddle angle adjusting device of Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, the distance between adjacent coupling grooves, that is, the width of the protrusions, is greater than or equal to a predetermined size. This is to support the force applied to the front side wall or the rear side wall of the coupling groove by the angle fixing means inserted into the coupling groove. If the width of the protrusion is not sufficiently large, a problem in which the protrusion is damaged or deformed by the pressure applied by the angle fixing means by the driver, that is, a durability issue, may occur.

However, when the width of the protrusion is large, since the difference between the saddle angles set by each of the two adjacent coupling grooves is also proportionally large, it is difficult to set the saddle angle in detail. For example, according to the conventional saddle angle adjustment device, the difference in the provocation angle with respect to the horizontal angle (the angle at which the saddle is slightly bent forward to relieve the saddle pain when traveling in a slight uphill slope or traveling for a long time at a horizontal angle) Is too large, which is a bit inconvenient for those who enjoy dynamic bicycle riding in uphill sections with small slopes or on flat ground.

Korean Patent Registration No. 1635719 Korean Patent Publication No. 2018-0108347

One problem to be solved by the present invention is as follows.

1. Reduce the spacing between adjacent engagement grooves (eg, horizontal angle and taunt angle) and allow the angle fixing means to be automatically moved forward without additional manipulation.

2. The inclination angle of the saddle can be adjusted and fixed without changing the position of the coupling groove into which the angle fixing means are inserted.

3. Even if the driver who wants to change the inclination angle of the saddle inserts the angle fixing means into the coupling groove at a position other than the desired position, the angle fixing means to the coupling groove at the desired position without additional manipulation to move the angle fixing means. So that it can be inserted automatically.

An embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-described problem is a saddle angle adjusting device of a bicycle capable of adjusting the inclination angle of the saddle with respect to the saddle support, with respect to the saddle, detachably coupled to the saddle support, and with respect to the saddle support An angle adjustment means that is coupled to be axially rotatable and has a plurality of coupling grooves corresponding to the inclination angle of a settable saddle, and is inserted into any one of the plurality of coupling grooves to stop the axial rotation of the angle adjustment means. And an angle fixing means for, wherein at least one of the plurality of coupling grooves has a step shape having a plurality of base surfaces having different depths.

According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, by implementing the base surface in a stepwise manner so that two angles (eg, horizontal angle and provocation angle) can be set in one defect groove (eg, central defect groove), the conventional angle adjustment means It solves the problem that the protrusion is worn or damaged in, and the gap between the most frequently used angles (e.g., the horizontal angle and the provocation angle) can be reduced, so that the saddle angle can be adjusted more easily and semi-automatically. , Since the saddle angle corresponding to the provocation angle can be easily utilized, the driver can enjoy dynamic bicycle riding by alleviating the pain of the saddle pain.

And according to an embodiment of the present invention, a driver who wants to change the saddle to a horizontal state, even if the front of the saddle is lifted due to inexperience in operation, etc., without performing an additional operation to move the angle fixing means to the unlocked position. , An elastic means that allows the angle fixing means inserted in the rear coupling groove (for example, down angle) to bend the angle adjusting means forward by releasing or mitigating the force that the driver presses on the back of the saddle with his or her own weight. It can be inserted into a defect groove (eg, horizontal angle) adjacent thereto by moving along the inclined portion by the force of. As a result, the angle of inclination of the saddle with the front lifted can be reduced or leveled without additional manipulation. That is, the adjustment of the inclination angle of the saddle can be made semi-automatically.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the central portion of the horizontal plate of the angle adjustment means is entirely open and the lower surface of the lower saddle fixing member is formed to be convex downward, so that the lower saddle fixing member is coupled to the horizontal plate. Since the angle of inclination at which the saddle fixing means is coupled to the angle adjustment means varies according to the angle, the inclination angle of the saddle with respect to the saddle support can be fixed to a desired inclination angle even at the installation stage of the saddle angle adjustment device to the bicycle. As a result, a process for implementing the technology of the angle adjusting device can be simplified.

1A is a perspective view of an apparatus for adjusting a saddle angle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 1b is a side view of the saddle angle adjustment device of Figure 1a.
2A is a plan view of the angle fixing means.
2B is a perspective view and a side view of an angle adjusting means according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
3A is a plan view and a bottom view of an upper saddle fixing member constituting the saddle fixing means.
3B is a plan view and a side view of a lower saddle fixing member constituting the saddle fixing means.
4 is a perspective view and a side view of an angle adjusting means according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
5A and 5B are side views each showing a modified example of the angle adjusting means according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments and examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the following embodiments and examples are merely illustrative of preferred configurations of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these configurations. And in the following description, the hardware configuration and software configuration of the device, processing flow, manufacturing conditions, size, material, shape, etc. are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to this, unless specifically stated otherwise. . In addition, when it is said that the first component is mounted, arranged or formed on the second component, it is not only the case where the first component is mounted, arranged or formed directly on the second component, Unless there is a description that explicitly excludes this, it should be construed to include all of the upper and other third components interposed between the first component and the second component.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for adjusting a saddle angle of a bicycle for allowing a driver to semi-automatically adjust the inclination angle of a bicycle saddle while seated on the bicycle saddle (eg, a bicycle running).

More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention, even if the inclination angle of the saddle is adjusted to a different angle from the angle desired by the driver during the operation of the bicycle, the inclination angle of the saddle can be adjusted to a desired angle without additional manipulation. It relates to a control device. For example, a driver who is running a bicycle in a state where the front of the saddle is bowed (dancing angle) on an uphill road tries to change the saddle to a horizontal state (horizontal angle) when it reaches a level surface. At this time, the driver can change the saddle horizontally by pressing the rear part of the saddle with the buttocks while the angle fixing member is separated from the coupling groove of the angle adjusting member by operating the saddle angle adjusting device. However, if the force that the driver presses the rear part of the saddle is slightly stronger in the state where the angle fixing member is separated from the coupling groove, the saddle may not be in a horizontal state, but rather the front may be lifted. In this case, when the saddle angle adjustment device according to the first embodiment of the present invention to be described later is used, the force applied to the rear portion of the saddle by the driver, that is, the force that the rear portion of the saddle is pressed by the weight of the driver in a seated state. By temporarily removing or mitigating the saddle, the forward-lifted saddle may have a smaller slope or change to a horizontal state. That is, the inclination angle of the saddle with the front lifted may be reduced or changed to a horizontal state without performing an additional operation for disengaging the angle fixing member to the coupling groove of the angle adjusting member.

And another embodiment of the present invention, for example, compared to the saddle angle adjustment device of Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, such as reducing the difference in size of the provocative angle with respect to the horizontal angle, by reducing the difference between two adjacent saddle angles, angle It relates to a saddle angle adjusting device capable of adjusting the saddle angle more precisely and easily without deteriorating the durability of the adjusting device. For example, a driver who travels a slight uphill section or wants to momentarily apply a large force to a pedal for a quick start, wants to tilt the saddle forward. Alternatively, a driver who has traveled for a long distance on a flat land, such as a riverside, wants to tilt the saddle forward in order to disengage the pressing part that causes saddle pain from the saddle. At this time, if the angle difference between the horizontal angle and the provocation angle adjacent thereto in the saddle angle adjusting device is large, the saddle angle may be too lean forward and the driver may feel uncomfortable or may not be able to properly apply force to the pedal. However, when the saddle angle adjustment device according to the second embodiment of the present invention to be described later is used, the angle difference between the horizontal angle and the provocation angle is set to be smaller, and the coupling groove region corresponding to the horizontal angle and the defect corresponding to the provocation angle. There is no protrusion between the groove areas as in the prior art, so that the saddle angle can be adjusted more precisely and easily.

The saddle angle adjusting device according to the embodiment of the present invention, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, as disclosed in Patent Document 2 described above, as well as a device having a configuration in which the user operates by hand without using a separate power source. The same can be applied to the same electric device. Therefore, the matters disclosed in each of Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 in relation to the movement of the angle fixing member are incorporated into the present specification by reference, and matters not explicitly described in the present specification are Patent Literature 1 or Matters disclosed in Patent Document 2 can be applied equally.

1A is a perspective view of a saddle angle adjusting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the saddle angle adjusting device of FIG. 1A, showing the saddle A together for a clear understanding of the front and rear directions. . 2A is a plan view of the angle fixing means, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view and a side view of the angle adjusting means. And FIG. 3A is a plan view and a bottom view of an upper saddle fixing member constituting the saddle fixing means, and FIG. 3B is a plan view and a side view of the lower saddle fixing member constituting the saddle fixing means.

1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B, the saddle angle adjusting device 100 includes at least an angle fixing means 110 and an angle adjusting means 120. And the saddle angle adjusting device 100 may further include a saddle fixing means 130 for fixedly coupled to the lower portion of the saddle A so that the saddle A is fixedly coupled to the angle adjusting means 120 .

The saddle angle adjusting device 100 is a device configured to set the angle of the saddle A with respect to the saddle support 140 to any one of a plurality of set angles. Here, the saddle support 140 is a rod-shaped member for supporting the saddle (A). In addition, the saddle (A) may be provided with a backrest capable of supporting the driver's back at the rear portion, or may be a normal saddle without a backrest as shown in FIG. 1A or 1B. 1A and 1B, the right side of the saddle angle adjustment device 100 corresponds to the front of the saddle A, and in FIG. 2B, the right side of the angle adjustment unit 120 corresponds to the front of the saddle A.

The angle fixing means 110 is a means for fixing the angle of the saddle (A). The angle fixing means 110, more specifically, the coupling part 112 corresponding to the upper end of the angle fixing means 110 (refer to FIG. 2A), a plurality of coupling grooves 122 formed in the angle adjusting means 120 It is inserted into any one of the coupling groove 122, by stopping the axial rotation of the angle adjustment means 120, to fix the angle of the saddle (A). To this end, the angle fixing means 110 may be formed of a metal plate or the like having a thickness sufficient to withstand the pressure applied to the saddle A while being inserted into the coupling groove 122.

The angle fixing means 110 moves between a position corresponding to the coupling groove 122 (see FIG. 2B) of the angle adjusting means 120 (angle fixing position) and a position separated from the coupling groove 122 (fixed release position) It is installed so as to be possible, and there is no special limitation on the installation location. For example, the angle fixing means 110 may be installed on the saddle support 140 to move up and down in the longitudinal direction of the saddle support 140. To this end, a guide groove 142 for guiding the movement of the angle fixing means 110 may be formed in the saddle support 140 in a direction parallel to the saddle support 140. And the angle fixing means 110, for example, so as to be inserted into the coupling groove 122 of the angle adjustment means 120 installed on both upper sides of the saddle support 140, both ends in the transverse direction of the angle fixing means 110 saddle support ( 140) may have a shape protruding from the guide groove 142.

As shown in FIG. 2A, an elastic means 114 (fixing force applying means) may be installed in the upper central portion of the angle fixing means 110. In this case, the other end of the elastic means 114 may be connected to the upper direction, for example, the saddle support 140. When the angle fixing means 110 moves downward from the angle fixing position to the releasing position, the elastic means 114 increases, and the elastic restoring force acts in the direction of pulling the angle fixing means 110 to the angle fixing position. . In this case, the moving force applying means 160 provides a force (releasing force) to move the angle fixing means 110 from the angle fixing position to the releasing position, and fixing the angle fixing means 110 from the releasing position. The force (fixing force) to move to the position is provided by the elastic means (114). That is, when the force (release force) for maintaining the angle fixing means 110 in the fixed release position does not act, the angle fixing means 110 moves to the angle fixing position by the elastic restoring force of the elastic means 114. do. In this embodiment, the elastic means 114 is a spring, but is not limited thereto.

In contrast, one end of the elastic means 114 is installed at the lower end of the angle fixing means 110, and the other end of the elastic means 114 may be configured to be connected in the lower direction thereof. According to this, the elastic means 114 has a force acting to move the angle fixing means 110 to the angle fixing position (ie, upward) by the elastic restoring force, and the force (release) by the moving force applying means 160 When the force) is provided, it moves to the angle release position (ie, downwards) by the angle fixing means 110.

The angle adjustment means 120 is fixedly coupled detachably with respect to the saddle (A). That the angle adjustment means 120 is'coupled' with respect to the saddle (A) means that it is directly coupled with the angle adjustment means 120 and the saddle (A), as well as other means, such as the saddle fixing means 130, This includes cases where they are combined with each other. This angle adjustment means 120 is'fixed' with respect to the saddle (A), which allows the driver to move/rotate the saddle (A) and the angle adjustment means (120) relatively while seated on the saddle (A). It just indicates that they are combined so that they cannot. Therefore, when the angle adjustment means 120 axially rotates with respect to the saddle support 140, the saddle A is also rotated forward or backward in response thereto, so that the inclination angle with respect to the saddle support 140 is changed. And the angle adjustment means 120 is detachably coupled to the saddle (A). That is, as described later, the saddle (A) and the angle adjustment means 120 / the saddle fixing means 130 may be separated from each other by loosening the coupling of the coupling member (eg, bolt and nut) for coupling them. have.

And the angle adjustment means 120 is coupled to be axially rotatable with respect to the saddle support 140. In this case, the'axis' refers to an axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the bicycle (a side view of FIG. 1B) and intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the saddle support 140. Thereby, as the angle adjustment means 120 fixedly coupled to the saddle (A) rotates in the forward or rearward direction of the saddle (A) with respect to the saddle support 140, the saddle support 140 The angle of the saddle (A) can be adjusted.

The angle adjustment means 120 has a plurality of coupling grooves 122 corresponding to the inclination angle of the saddle (A) that can be set. In each of the plurality of coupling grooves 122, the angle fixing means 110, more specifically, the coupling part 112 of the angle fixing means 110 is inserted, so that the angle adjusting means 120 is fixed so that it cannot rotate the axis. , Make sure that the saddle (A) is fixed at a predetermined angle of inclination. In this embodiment, the angle adjustment means 120 is shown to have four coupling grooves 122, but the number of coupling grooves 122 may be appropriately changed according to the angle adjustment range of the saddle (A). For example, the plurality of coupling grooves 122 are at least three, that is, a central coupling groove (122b, 122c) corresponding to a state in which the angle of the saddle is in a horizontal state (horizontal angle) and/or a slightly inclined forward (provocation angle), front It is preferable to include a front-side coupling groove (122d) corresponding to the inclined state (dancing angle) and a rear-side coupling groove (122a) corresponding to the rear inclined state (down angle).

The angle adjusting means 120 includes at least a plate-shaped member in which a plurality of coupling grooves 122 are formed, that is, a vertical plate 120a. In this case, the plurality of coupling grooves 122 may be formed at the lower free end of the vertical plate 120a, which is only exemplary.

These vertical plates 120a are configured as a pair, and are disposed to face each other with the saddle support 140 interposed therebetween, so that the axial rotation may be possible with respect to the saddle support 140. More specifically, a coupling hole 124 is formed in the central portion of the vertical plate 120a (that is, the upper side of the coupling groove 122), and the coupling means 150 in the shape of a round rod such as a hinge bolt or rivet By penetrating the saddle support 140 through a pair of coupling holes 124, a pair of vertical plates 120a can be coupled to the saddle support 140 at positions opposite to each other with respect to the saddle support 140, respectively. have. In this case, the vertical plate 120a does not necessarily have to be rotated 360 degrees with the coupling means 150 as an axis, and even if it is configured to be rotated within a predetermined angular range in consideration of the angle of the saddle to be adjusted. do.

According to this embodiment, the angle adjustment means 120 may further include a horizontal plate 120b connected to the upper end of each of the pair of vertical plates 120a. The horizontal plate 120b may be integrally formed with the pair of vertical plates 120a (see FIG. 2B) or may be coupled to the upper ends of each of the pair of vertical plates 120a using a predetermined coupling member.

One or more coupling holes 128 may be formed in the horizontal plate 120b so that the saddle fixing means 130 to be described later can be coupled using a coupling means such as bolts and nuts. For example, the coupling hole 128 may be formed in each of the front side portion and the rear side portion based on the saddle (A) in the horizontal plate (120b), this is only exemplary.

In the horizontal plate 120b, one end of a torsion spring (first elastic means, not shown) to be described later is inserted, so that the horizontal plate 120b and the saddle A coupled thereto are bent forward. Insertion holes 126 for applying may be formed. According to this, the body portion of the torsion spring is fitted so as to surround the round rod-shaped coupling means 150, and the end of the torsion spring is connected to the horizontal plate 120b through the insertion hole 126, so that the torsion spring is connected to the horizontal plate 120b. The combined saddle fixing means 130 and the saddle (A) coupled thereto are subjected to a force to continuously bend forward.

According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the horizontal plate 120b is a section in which the central portion (that is, a portion corresponding between the front side portion and the rear side portion with respect to the saddle A in the horizontal plate 120b) is empty. It may include an association 129. According to this, according to the angle at which the lower saddle fixing member 134 convex downward is installed on the horizontal plate 120b, that is, the downwardly convex portion of the lower saddle fixing member 134 is disposed at the cutout 129, The inclination angle at which the saddle fixing means 130 is fixedly coupled to the angle adjustment means 120, that is, the angle at which the saddle A is coupled to the saddle support 140 may be adjusted.

The saddle fixing means 130 fixedly coupled to the angle adjusting means 120 using screws or the like is configured to be capable of fixing and coupling the saddle (A). For example, the saddle fixing means 130 may be configured to fix the lower rail A-1 of the saddle A.

To this end, the saddle fixing means 130 is a pair of saddle fixing members, that is, the upper saddle fixing member 132 and the lower saddle, which can be coupled or fixed with screws with the lower rail (A-1) of the saddle (A) interposed therebetween. It includes a fixing member (134). Further, saddle fixing grooves 132a and 134a for accommodating the lower rail A-1 of the saddle A are formed on the lower surface of the upper saddle fixing member 132 and the upper surface of the lower saddle fixing member 134, respectively. . This embodiment is not limited thereto, and the horizontal plate 120b of the angle adjusting means 120 may be configured to function as the lower saddle fixing member 134.

According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the upper saddle fixing member 132 may be formed with a coupling hole (132a) into which a screw (bolt) can be inserted. The position of the coupling hole (132a) may correspond to the position of the coupling hole (128) formed in the horizontal plate (120b) of the angle adjustment means (120). In addition, both sides of the lower saddle fixing member 134, more specifically the lower saddle fixing member 134 at a position corresponding to the position of the coupling holes 132a and 128, are recessed grooves into which screws (bolts) can be inserted. (134a) may have been formed. According to this, the upper saddle fixing member 132 in which the lower rail (A-1) of the saddle (A) is fitted in the saddle fixing grooves (132a, 134a) using a coupling member such as a pair of screws (bolts and nuts). ) And the lower saddle fixing member 134 may be fixedly coupled to the angle adjusting means 120.

In addition, the lower saddle fixing member 134 may have a downwardly convex shape, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 3B. According to this, the convex portion of the lower saddle fixing member 134 is inserted into the horizontal plate 120b of the angle adjusting means 120 having the cutout 129 so that the angle of inclination to which the convex portion is coupled can be changed. For example, the lower saddle fixing member 134 may be coupled to the horizontal plate 120b so that the front and rear sides are parallel or inclined to the front or rear side. In this way, when the inclination angle at which the lower saddle fixing member 134 is coupled to the horizontal plate 120b is changed, the inclination angle at which the saddle A coupled to the saddle fixing means 130 is coupled to the horizontal plate 120b is changed. Can be.

Next, referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B, the angle of the saddle A is adjusted by the saddle angle adjusting device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Explain the principle.

Saddle (A) is, by inserting the engaging portion 112 of the angle fixing means 110 into the coupling groove 122 of the angle adjusting means 120 (that is, by moving the angle fixing means 110 to the angle fixing position ), it is fixed at an angle determined by the position of the coupling groove 122 (angle fixed state). When the coupling part 112 of the angle fixing means 110 is pulled out from the coupling groove 122 downward and separated (that is, when the angle fixing means 110 moves to the releasing position), the angle adjusting means 120 is It becomes a state that can freely rotate the shaft (a state where the angle can be adjusted). When the saddle angle adjustment device 100 is in an angle-adjustable state (that is, when the angle fixing means 110 is in the releasing position), the saddle A fixed by the saddle fixing means 130 is, It is possible to rotate and move together with the angle adjustment means 120 and/or the saddle fixing means 130 fixedly coupled thereto so as to be axially rotatable with respect to the support 140.

That is, in a state in which the saddle angle adjustment device 100 is in an angle-adjustable state (that is, a state in which the angle fixing means 110 is in the releasing position), the angle adjusting means 120 is rotated to a desired angular position. Then, by inserting the coupling part 112 of the angle fixing means 110 into the coupling groove 122 corresponding to the angular position, the angle of the saddle (A) is determined by the position of the coupling groove 122 Can be fixed with. Through this, the driver can adjust the angle of the bicycle saddle (A) to the desired angle.

When the angle fixing means 110 is inserted into any one of the plurality of coupling grooves 122 near the center, that is, the central coupling grooves 122b and 122c, for example, in the case of the second coupling groove 122b from the left The saddle (A) is in a horizontal state (horizontal angle), and in the third coupling groove (122c), the saddle (A) is slightly bent forward (provocation angle). And when the angle fixing means 110 is inserted into the coupling groove located on the front side (bicycle handle side) than the central coupling groove (122b, 122c), that is, the front coupling groove (122d), the saddle (A) is more It bends a lot (dancing angle). As a result, it is possible to support the drag force of the driver's pedaling force of the bicycle on a relatively severe uphill slope. On the other hand, when the angle fixing means 110 is coupled to the rear side (bicycle rear wheel side) than the central coupling groove (122b, 122c), that is, the rear coupling groove (122a), the front of the saddle (A) is lifted. So that stable driving is possible on a downhill road.

It is possible to adjust the angle range in which the saddle (A) is bent forward and the angle range in which the front side of the saddle (A) is lifted according to the position of the combination groove that makes the saddle (A) horizontal. In addition, by varying the distance between the respective coupling grooves 122, the difference in inclination angle (or maximum/minimum inclination angle) of the saddle may be different from each other. For example, by shortening the distance between the coupling grooves near the center and increasing the distance between the coupling grooves at both ends, the difference between the provocation angle with respect to the horizontal angle is relatively small, and the difference in the dancing angle with respect to the provocation angle or the down with respect to the horizontal angle. The angle difference can be made relatively large.

As shown in Figure 2a, the upper central portion (or lower central portion) of the angle fixing means 110, an elastic means 114 (fixing force application means) is installed, and the other end of the elastic means 114 is upper (or lower) It is connected to a fixing member, such as a saddle support 140. When the angle fixing means 110 moves downward from the angle fixing position to the releasing position, the elastic means 114 stretches (or contracts), and the elastic restoring force pulls the angle fixing means 110 to the angle fixing position. It works in the direction of raising (or pushing it up). In this case, the moving force applying means 160 provides a force (releasing force) to move the angle fixing means 110 from the angle fixing position to the releasing position, and fixing the angle fixing means 110 from the releasing position. The force (fixing force) to move to the position is provided by the elastic means (114).

When the saddle angle adjustment device 100 is in an angle-adjustable state, a force to rotate and move the angle adjustment means 120 may be provided by a torsion spring (elastic means) and/or a driver. To this end, the saddle angle adjustment device 100 includes a torsion spring (elastic means) installed on the horizontal plate 120b and the coupling means 150 as described above, so that the saddle A is bent in the direction of the bicycle handlebar. The force can be made to act on the saddle (A) continuously (see Patent Document 1). For example, the torsion spring (elastic means) may be a means for applying a force to the saddle A so that it always bends forward, regardless of the angle of the saddle A or when at least the front of the saddle A is raised.

And in this case, in the state where the angle fixing means 110 is separated from the coupling groove 122, in order to tilt the saddle (A) backward, the driver uses the buttocks, etc. to the rear portion of the saddle (A). Just apply force. Conversely, when the force applied to the rear portion of the saddle A is released or relaxed, the saddle A is automatically inclined forward by the torsion spring (elastic means) described above (that is, The front part is bent). In contrast, when the angle fixing means 110 is inserted into the coupling groove 122, that is, when the saddle angle adjusting device 100 is in the angle fixing state, even if the driver applies a force to the rear portion of the saddle (A) Saddle A does not tilt backwards, and even if it releases or relieves the force applied to the rear portion of the saddle A, the saddle A does not tilt forward.

The coupling portion 112 of the angle fixing means 110 and the coupling groove 122 of the angle adjustment means 120 should not be released even if the driver's weight is applied to the rear of the saddle in the angle fixing state, and at the same time, the manual type It is preferable to have a shape capable of releasing the fixation only by a force applied by a user through the operation device or a force that may be applied by a solenoid or electric motor of the electric operation device.

Specifically, the coupling portion 112 of the angle fixing means 110 may have a shape in which the side and the cross section are orthogonal to each other, that is, a shape having a constant thickness. According to this, even when the height of the rear side wall of the coupling groove 122 is low, since the coupling portion 112 as a whole abuts the rear side wall, the coupling can be prevented from being undesirably released.

Meanwhile, a protruding grip portion 116a and/or a concave grip portion 116b may be formed on both sides of the angle fixing means 110. The protruding grip portion 116a or the concave grip portion 116b is a component for allowing a driver to hold and move it by hand when necessary.

And the front side wall of each of the central coupling groove (122b, 122c) and the front coupling groove (122d) of the plurality of coupling grooves 122 of the angle adjusting means 120, the coupling portion 112 of the angle fixing means (110) ) Has a shape substantially parallel to the insertion direction (X) of the angle fixing means 110 to correspond to the shape of. Depending on the embodiment, only a part of the front side wall may have a shape in which the insertion direction X of the angle fixing means 110 is parallel. By having such a shape, even if a user's weight or more is applied to the back of the saddle (A), the handle-side main surface (vertical surface) of the coupling part 112 and the front-side side wall of the coupling grooves (122b, 122c, 122d) Since the (vertical wall) abuts, it is possible to prevent the coupling from being undesirably released.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rear coupling groove 122a corresponding to the inclination angle (down angle) at which the front of the saddle A is lifted among the plurality of coupling grooves 122 is, the above-described central coupling groove 122b , 122c) and the front-side coupling groove (122d) has a different shape. This is when the angle fixing means 110 is inserted into the rear coupling groove 122a, when the driver releases or relieves the force applied to the rear portion of the saddle A, the force by the torsion spring (elastic means) It is intended to allow the saddle (A) to be tilted forward, so that the inclination can be reduced or become a horizontal state.

To this end, in the embodiment of the present invention, the front side wall 122aa of the rear coupling groove 122a has an inclined portion S inclined forward with respect to the insertion direction X of the angle fixing means 110 It is configured to have. According to this, a force is applied to the rear of the saddle A by the driver's buttocks, so that the front of the saddle A is lifted (that is, the angle fixing means 110 is inserted into the rear coupling groove 122a). When the force applied to the rear of the saddle (A) by the driver is released or relieved, it is inserted into the rear coupling groove (122a) by the force acting to tilt the saddle (A) forward by the torsion string. The angle fixing means 110 is inserted by moving to an adjacent coupling groove, for example, a coupling groove 122b corresponding to a horizontal angle, which is one of the central coupling grooves, along the front side wall 122aa having the inclined portion S. . Therefore, the saddle A with the front lifted may have a small inclination angle or may be in a horizontal state.

According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the front side wall 122aa of the rear coupling groove 122a may have an inclined shape of two or more stages. That is, the front side wall 122aa of the rear coupling groove 122a may have a plurality of inclined portions S1 and S2 having different inclination angles with respect to the insertion direction X of the angle fixing means 110. Accordingly, the driver has a speed at which the angle fixing means 110 moves along the front side wall 122aa at the portion where the inclination of the front side wall 122aa changes, that is, at the boundary between the plurality of inclined portions S1 and S2. Since the change can be detected, it is possible to more carefully control the voluntary change of the inclination angle of the saddle (A). For example, when a change in the moving speed of the angle fixing means 110 is detected (that is, when a change in the angle of the saddle A is detected), the driver continues to allow the voluntary change of the inclination angle of the saddle A or the saddle ( It can be determined whether to stop voluntarily changing the inclination angle by applying force to the rear part of A).

In the plurality of inclined portions S1 and S2 of the front side wall 122aa, the inclination angle of the first inclined portion S1 with respect to the insertion direction of the angle fixing means 110 is higher than that of the first inclined portion S1 ( 122ac) is preferably smaller than the angle of inclination of the second inclined portion S2 formed at a position far from it. Here, the first inclined portion S1 is not limited to the inclined portion starting from the base surface 122ac, and the first inclined portion S1 and the second inclined portion S2 do not necessarily need to be adjacent to each other. According to this, the angle fixing means 110 offsets the decrease in the force applied by the torsion spring when moving the second inclined portion S2 than when moving the first inclined portion S1, and thus, the angle fixing means 110 ) Is smoothly moved from the base portion 122ac of the rear coupling groove 122a to the end of the front side wall 122aa, so that it can be successfully inserted into the adjacent fixing groove 122b. In addition, the plurality of inclined portions may have an angular shape as the inclination angle varies, and may have a rounding shape in order to facilitate the movement of the angle fixing means 110 between the inclined portions.

In addition, the base surface 122ac of the rear coupling groove 122a may have a concave round shape. That is, the inner edge of the rear coupling groove (122a) may have a round shape. According to this, the angle fixing means 110 inserted into the base surface 122ac of the rear coupling groove 122a smoothly moves to the front side wall 122aa along the inner corner of the round shape, and then the inclined portion S It can be smoothly separated from the rear coupling groove (122a) along the ).

In addition, the rear side wall 122ab of the rear coupling groove 122a may have a shape substantially parallel to the insertion direction of the angle fixing means 110. According to this, when driving the bicycle while the driver lifts the front of the saddle (A) on a downhill slope, even when a considerable force is applied to the angle fixing means 110 by the driver's weight, the angle fixing means 110 ) Is located adjacent to the rear side wall 122ab without leaving the rear coupling groove 122a, so that the driver's weight can be strongly supported without damage such as damage.

The rear coupling groove 122a having this shape may be more usefully applied when the saddle is a coupling groove adjacent to the central coupling groove 122b corresponding to an inclination angle that makes the saddle horizontal. Because, in the saddle angle adjustment apparatus 100 according to the present invention described above, in the case of changing the saddle A to a horizontal state while the front side of the saddle A is inclined, the driver's mistake or carelessness This is because, by applying a relatively large force to the rear portion of the saddle (A), the front side of the saddle (A) may be lifted frequently.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2b, the outer side of the coupling grooves (122a, 122d) at both ends of the angle adjustment means 120, longer than the protrusion (first protrusion, P1) formed between the other coupling grooves in the middle A protrusion (second protrusion, P2) having a length is formed. The second protrusion P2 prevents the angle fixing means 110 from deviating from the angle adjusting means 120 by being formed longer than the distance between the angle fixing means 110 reciprocating between the angle fixing position and the releasing position. Through this, as will be described later, even when the driver incorrectly manipulates the manual or electric operation device for moving the angle fixing means 110, it is possible to prevent the angle of the saddle from inclining beyond a given range.

Next, an apparatus for adjusting a saddle angle according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

The saddle angle adjusting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the first embodiment of the present invention described above in terms of the number and shape of the coupling grooves formed on the vertical plate 120a' of the angle adjusting means 120'. There is a difference from the saddle angle adjusting device according to the example, and both are substantially the same in terms of a saddle support or a combination structure or operation method with the saddle.

Depending on the embodiment, in relation to the difference in the shape of the coupling groove, there may be a difference in the shape of the angle fixing means. For example, in the angle fixing means of the saddle angle adjusting device according to the second embodiment, the side of the coupling portion does not change in thickness while going to the upper end. Because, as will be described later, the central coupling groove of the angle adjusting means 120 ′ of this embodiment is a common coupling groove of a two-stage shape having a relatively large width, so that the height of the vertical wall is relatively low, so that the angle fixing means This is because by making the thickness of the coupling portion constant, the contact area between the vertical wall and the coupling portion can be maximized, so that the angle fixing means 130 ′ can be effectively prevented from being separated.

Hereinafter, a saddle angle adjusting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described, focusing on differences from the saddle angle adjusting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a perspective view and a side view of an angle adjusting means 120' constituting a saddle angle adjusting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

4, the angle adjusting means 120' includes a pair of vertical plates 120a' in which a plurality of coupling grooves 122a', 122b', 122d', hereinafter referred to as 122') are formed, It has a horizontal plate (120b') connected to the upper end of each of the pair of vertical plates (120a'). However, according to the present embodiment, at least one of the plurality of coupling grooves 122' formed in the vertical plate 120a', at least one coupling groove 122b' has a multi-stage shape with different depths (for example, a two-stage shape). In that it has a difference from the angle adjustment means 120 according to the first embodiment described above. Here, the multi-stage shape indicates that a plurality of base surfaces having different depths from the free end of the angle adjusting means 120' are in one coupling groove.

More specifically, the angle adjusting means 120' according to an example of the present embodiment has a plurality of, for example, three coupling grooves 122', of which the central coupling groove 122b' has a two-stage shape. However, this is exemplary, and the total number of the coupling grooves 122 ′ may be appropriately changed according to the angle adjustment range of the saddle A. In addition, a coupling groove other than the central coupling groove 122b' may have a two-stage shape, or in addition to the central coupling groove 122b', another coupling groove may also have a two-stage shape. In addition, the multi-stage shape is not necessarily limited to the two-stage shape, and may have a shape of three or more stages.

In the angle adjusting means 120 ′ shown in FIG. 4, one central coupling groove 122b ′ having a two-stage shape is formed from the angle adjusting means 120 of FIG. 2B with the protrusion P1 interposed therebetween. It corresponds to the two central coupling grooves (122b, 122c) that are spaced apart. In this case, the remaining coupling grooves, that is, the front coupling groove 122d and the rear coupling groove 122a of the angle adjusting means 120 according to the first embodiment, respectively, are angle adjusting means 120 according to the second embodiment. It may correspond to the front-side coupling groove (122d') and the rear-side coupling groove (122a') of'). However, the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and the shape of the rear coupling groove 122a' of the angle adjusting means 120' according to the second embodiment is different from that of the angle adjusting means 120 of the first embodiment. do.

The multi-stage coupling groove, for example, the two-stage central coupling groove 122b', has two base surfaces having different distances from the end of the free end of the vertical plate 120a', that is, the depths d1 and d2 of the grooves, That is, it has a first base surface 122b'1 and a second base surface 122b'2. And each base surface (122b'1, 122b'2) has at least a width in which the coupling part 112 of the angle fixing means 110 can be seated. The first base surface 122b'1 corresponds to the left (rear) engaging groove 122b among the central engaging grooves of the angle adjusting means 120 of FIG. 2B, and the angle fixing means 110 is the first base surface ( When seated on 122b'1), the saddle (A) is at a horizontal angle. And the second base surface (122b'2) is to correspond to the right (front side) coupling groove (122c) of the central coupling groove of the angle adjustment means 120 of Figure 2b, the angle fixing means 110 is the second base surface When seated on (122b'2), the saddle (A) is in a state of provocation.

As in the present embodiment, if the central coupling groove (122b') has a multi-stage shape having a plurality of base surfaces (122b'1, 122b'2), compared to that a separate coupling groove is formed for each base surface, the adjacent base surface (122b) The gap between '1, 122b'2) can be shortened. As described above, conventionally, due to the durability issue of the protrusion P1 between the central coupling grooves 122b and 122c, which supports the angle fixing member 110 inserted in the coupling groove 122c corresponding to the provocation angle, There was a limit to reducing the width of this protrusion P1.

However, in the case of a multi-stage shape as in the present embodiment, only the portion in which the first base surface 122b'1 having a relatively low height is formed (a protruding portion with respect to the second base surface 122b'2) can be used as the second base surface 122b'. 2) The angle fixing member 110 seated on can be sufficiently supported, and durability issues do not occur even when subjected to pressure for a long time. In addition, according to the present embodiment, since the size between the settable saddle angles can be reduced, the saddle angle can be further subdivided.

In particular, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, it is possible to reduce the angle difference between the horizontal angle and the provocation angle. According to this, the size of the provocation angle can be made relatively small, so that a driver who wants to start quickly by applying a large force to the pedal momentarily on an uphill slope or even on a flat slope can utilize the provocation angle more efficiently. In addition, the driver can more easily adjust the angle from the horizontal angle to the provocation angle or vice versa.

5A and 5B are side views of angle adjustment means showing a modification of the present embodiment, respectively.

5A and 5B, the upper base surface of the coupling groove of the multi-stage structure, for example, the left (rear side) base surface 122b'1 of the central coupling groove 122b' in FIG. 4, is provided with the sliding prevention members SP1 and SP2. ) Is further equipped. The anti-sliding members SP1 and SP2 further have an end in the front side direction so as to suppress the angle fixing means 110 seated on the rear base surface 122b'1 from moving toward the front base surface 122b'2. As the shape of the rear base surface 122b'1 to have a high profile or a member additionally installed thereto, the angle fixing means 110 seated on the left base surface 122b'1 is the right base surface 122b without voluntary manipulation of the driver. It performs the function of preventing slipping with '1). According to this, even if a shock is temporarily applied to the saddle due to irregularities or protrusions during the operation of the bicycle, the inclination angle of the saddle is prevented from changing (e.g., change from the horizontal angle to the provocation angle) regardless of the intention of the driver. can do.

The sliding prevention members SP1 and SP2 may be implemented in various forms. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the left base surface 122b'1 may not have a horizontal profile, but may have a profile SP1 having an uphill slope toward the front side. In this case, due to the increase in frictional force due to the inclination, the angle fixing means 110 seated on the left base surface 122b'1 can be suppressed to some extent from sliding toward the front side.

As another example, as shown in FIG. 5B, a sliding prevention protrusion SP2 may be formed at a front end of the left base surface 122b'1. The sliding prevention jaw SP2 acts as an obstacle when the angle fixing means 110 seated on the left base surface 122b'1 slides forward, so that the sliding of the angle fixing means 110 can be suppressed. In this case, the rear side wall of the sliding prevention protrusion SP2 may have a vertical shape or a round shape. In the latter case, the driver can cross the sliding prevention jaw SP2 of the angle fixing means 110 by applying a slight force forward (e.g., slightly pressing the inside of the saddle), so the angle from the horizontal angle to the provocation angle Easy to adjust.

And in the portion where the rear side wall and the base surface of each of the one or more coupling grooves 122b'1, 122b'2, 122d' of the plurality of coupling grooves 122' meet, the angle fixing means 110 is prevented from being separated from each other. Separation prevention groove 123 is formed. The separation preventing groove 123 may be formed to have a predetermined depth, for example, a size of about 1 mm at a corner where the rear side wall and the base surface meet. According to this, when the portion is subjected to pressure for a long period of time by the coupling portion of the angle fixing means 110, the angle fixing means 110 is caught in the departure preventing groove 123, and is removed from the coupling groove against the intention of the driver. Can be prevented.

As described above, the above description is merely an example and should not be construed as being limited thereto. The technical idea of the present invention should be specified only by the invention described in the claims to be described later, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims (7)

In the saddle angle adjustment device of a bicycle capable of adjusting the inclination angle of the saddle relative to the saddle support,
An angle adjustment means having a plurality of coupling grooves corresponding to the inclination angle of the saddle, which is detachably coupled to the saddle and is coupled to be axially rotatable with respect to the saddle support; And
And an angle fixing means for stopping the axial rotation of the angle adjusting means by being inserted into any one of the plurality of coupling grooves,
At least one of the plurality of coupling grooves, saddle angle adjustment device, characterized in that the step shape having a plurality of base surfaces having different depths. The method of claim 1,
A saddle angle adjusting device, characterized in that a separation preventing groove for preventing separation of the angle fixing means is formed at a portion of the plurality of engagement grooves where the rear side wall and the base surface of each of the at least one engagement groove meet. The method of claim 1,
The step-shaped coupling groove includes a central coupling groove having a first base surface corresponding to a horizontal angle and a second base surface corresponding to a provocation angle,
A saddle angle adjusting device, characterized in that at an end portion of the first base surface in the direction of the second base surface, a sliding prevention jaw is formed to prevent the angle fixing means from moving toward the second base surface. The method of claim 1,
A saddle angle adjusting device, characterized in that the side and the cross section of the coupling portion of the angle fixing means inserted into the coupling groove have a shape that is orthogonal to each other. The method of claim 1,
Further comprising an elastic means for applying a force to bend the front of the saddle at least when the front of the saddle is raised,
Among the plurality of coupling grooves, the front side wall of the rear coupling groove corresponding to the inclination angle at which the front of the saddle is lifted, the angle fixing means into the front coupling groove of the rear coupling groove only by force by the elastic means. A saddle angle adjusting device, characterized in that it has an inclined portion that is inclined to the front side with respect to the insertion direction of the angle fixing means into the rear coupling groove so as to be movable. The method of claim 5,
The front side wall of the rear coupling groove has a plurality of inclined portions having different inclination angles with respect to the insertion direction of the angle fixing means to the rear coupling groove,
The plurality of inclined portions have a first inclined portion and a second inclined portion formed at a position farther from the base surface of the coupling groove than the first inclined portion,
A saddle angle adjusting device, wherein an inclination angle of the first inclined portion is smaller than an inclination angle of the second inclined portion with respect to the insertion direction of the angle fixing means into the rear-side defect groove. The method of claim 1,
Further comprising a saddle fixing means for separably fixing the saddle and the angle adjustment means,
The saddle fixing means includes an upper saddle fixing member that can be coupled with a lower rail of the saddle therebetween, and a lower saddle fixing member having a downwardly convex shape,
The angle adjustment means includes a pair of vertical plates in which the plurality of coupling grooves are formed at a lower end and a horizontal plate coupled with an upper end of each of the pair of vertical plates,
The horizontal plate, the saddle angle adjustment device, characterized in that it comprises a cutout portion of which the central portion is open so that the lower saddle fixing member is angle-adjusted to be seated and coupled.

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