NL1023807C1 - Saddle coupling. - Google Patents

Description

SEAT COUPLING

The present invention relates to a coupling for adjustable coupling of a saddle to a bicycle and more particularly to a saddle tube.

According to the known art, saddles are fixed to saddle tubes with, for example, a bolt / nut combination fixing. Such a known coupling, such as is known, for example, from French patent application 2,413,996, has the disadvantage that for adjusting a saddle on a bicycle with the known coupling between the saddle and the frame a tool is required, such as a spanner . Cyclists usually have hardly 15 tools with them, at most to stick a tire. Such a known coupling is therefore not user-friendly, in particular when it concerns an adjustment of the saddle. "

The present invention has for its object to obviate or at least considerably reduce the disadvantages of the known art, for which purpose a coupling according to the main claim, an assembly of a saddle tube, a saddle and such a coupling, and a bicycle with such an assembly are provided .

According to the present invention, the actuating mechanism is positioned at the side of the mounting, that is, in addition to the longitudinal orientation of the saddle tube to which the saddle with the coupling is to be fitted. The actuating mechanism can be operated with a lever 30, which extends from the side where the actuating mechanism is positioned, along the mountings, thus along the seat tube. In the assembly or on the bicycle according to the invention, this has the advantage that the controls 1 * 9 to 7 *

2 I

training lever for the clamp provides considerable ease of use

vert because, with a single movement of the lever, the saddle I

can be released or adjusted for adjustment

fixed. In addition, the orientation of the handle and the I

5 positioning of the excitation mechanism as a result of which I

the lever can be made relatively long and yet can be I

overhangs through the saddle cover so that the lever does not protrude I

part that a user could apply to I

for example in the case of an accident. The advantage I

10 of a relatively large length of the handle is obvious

recognizing that the I. required for energizing the clamp

force can remain low, since with a long arm a high I

moment can be generated with low force. I

The invention has various preferred embodiments

Men. Thus, the actuation mechanism of a coupling I

according to the invention have a dead point through which the I

lever must be moved. The excitation mechanism I

in such an embodiment, the saddle I will not easily

release for adjustment or movement thereof, which I

20 while riding a bicycle would also be very undesirable I

to be. I

Furthermore, the excitation mechanism can be one with the I

handle associated eccentric construction. An I

eccentric construction is a per se in the art of driving I

25 wheels common solution as an alternative to bolts and I

nuts to avoid using tools. I

However, according to the present invention, the handle is set to I

in a very specific way relative to the excitation I

positioning mechanism (eccentric configuration) and 'I

30 oriented, so that the ease of operation and the clamping strength I

of the coupling in use are largely promoted. I

The clamp can also be a sling that is arranged I

to clamp a bushing that grips the saddle. This is an I

1,023,807

3 advantageous embodiment, since releasing the sling leads to releasing a rotating freedom of movement of the bush, so that usually the angular position of the saddle can be directly adjusted. In an embodiment with an eccentric construction and a sling, the lever can act upon operation thereof on substantially one of the sling halves, while the actuating mechanism fixes the other sling half relative to the mounting. The strap is herein closed on one side, while the other side is fixed, which leads to particularly simple energizing mechanisms.

In an embodiment with an eccentric structure, a sling and an actuating mechanism that acts on one sling half and fixes the other, the eccentric structure may comprise a pull rod connected to the other sling half, and the handle may be pivotally connected to the one of the strap halves at a pivot point that is centered with respect to a curved outer surface of the handle, which is located in a cup-shaped recess in a body to which the drawbar is also connected. Such an embodiment is advantageous because, in addition to the sling, the body can simply be placed against the outer surface of the sling, and is ready for use when the drawbar is connected to the sling. This provides very simple mounting options.

Furthermore, the handle can be connected to the actuating mechanism in such a way that, in the actuating state of the structure, it extends from the engaging means substantially away from the attachment in an assembled state under the saddle. When the handle comes to lie as close as possible to the saddle, under the saddle cover, in such a way that it is prevented with even more certainty that the handle is a dangerously protruding part of the handle.

I 4 I

I configuration. The handle is thereby secured under I

I the saddle. I

In an embodiment with a bus, which for example I

I is stabbed in a sling, the bus can be arranged to an I

I 5 seize the saddle bridge of the saddle. In embodiments I

I of saddles that have a saddle bridge, this can of course be done

May be a very favorable embodiment because the saddle I

I bridge is ideally suited and intended to be seized

I become through a link. However, if the saddle bridge from an I

If the tubular frame is formed, it is advantageous for the bush to be shaped

I selectively change this along the length of the tube

I to be bound. This can be achieved, for example, I

When the bus comprises two complementary bus parts, which in I

I the clamp can be assembled in an energized state thereof

I clamped with the saddle bridge in between to fix the saddle. I

In such an embodiment, the bus is not only eligible

I stig to determine the angular position of the saddle, but also to determine the I

I distance, taken along the length of the tube from the saddle I

I bridge can be set in relation to the steering wheel. I

The handle can also be at least I when mounted

I on the side remote from a saddle cover bowl-shaped or spoon-shaped I

I are. Thus a very well-grasped grip I becomes

I provided for using the handle and operating I

I the excitation mechanism. I

The handle can further be substantially U-shaped and the I

I legs thereof can be located on either side of the mounting I

I - and therefore extend from the seat tube to the power supply

Iteration mechanism. Such a substantially U-shaped I

I lever is also good in the hand and has an aesthetic appeal

I view is also the most attractive for potential buyers

I and / or users. The construction is in fact solid and robust

I buüst, and therefore it radiates. I

I 1 023807, I

5

The present invention will be further elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment thereof, which is shown in the accompanying drawings of such an embodiment, to which, however, the invention may by no means be regarded as limited, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows, partly in section, a view of a saddle tube, a saddle and a coupling according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 schematically shows possibilities of use of a coupling according to the present invention, such as that shown in fig. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a detail of the coupling shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 shows a perspective exploded view of the coupling from the previous figures.

In the drawings use is made of the same or similar reference numbers for identical or similar components of the coupling, the assembly and / or the bicycle according to the present invention.

Fig. 1 shows an assembly 4 according to the present invention, consisting of a saddle 1 and a saddle tube 2 with a coupling 3 according to the present invention in between.

The coupling 3 comprises an actuating mechanism 5, 25 which, as will be explained in more detail below, comprises an eccentric construction. The actuating mechanism 5 can be operated with a handle 6, and the actuating mechanism 5 embraces a sling 7, which can close around a two-part bush 8, which consists of two bush parts 9 and 10, between which a tube-shaped saddle bridge 11 is enclosed.

When the actuating mechanism 5 is actuated by actuating the handle 6, the strap 7 becomes every 1023807-

6 I

bush 8 closed, whereby the two bush parts 9 and 10 the saddle I

also clamp bridge 11. I

In FIG. 1, the energized state of the I

mechanism 5. The coupling 3 is there

5 when closed and the saddle 1 shows no freedom of movement. I

In contrast, in Fig. 2 the released state is I

shown, with the handle 6 clearly being moved downwards I

to reach this state. The exact operation of the clamp I

mechanism 5 will be further described below. I

With double arrow A it is clearly indicated that the I

position of the saddle 1 in the released condition of the head I

line 3 can be set by a user. With double I

arrow B shows that the saddle 1 can be adjusted with I

with regard to the distance between the saddle 1 and one (not I

15) handlebars of a bicycle on which the present invention is shown

also relates. I

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of I

the coupling with the bus 8 therein, but without the others from I

the components shown in, for example, Figures 1 and 2

20 showed. Thus, the saddle 1 with the saddle tube 11 is no longer I

is shown, but still the bus 8, which in itself forms part I

of the saddle, but it can also be said that I

that bus 8 forms part of the coupling 3. I

Now the saddle bridge 11 in contrast to figures 1 and I

2 can no longer be seen, it appears that between the bus parts 9 and I

10 there is a separation, and that there is a space between them I

provided for receiving therein the saddle bridge 11, which holds

defines a passage 12 between the bus parts 9 and 10. I

The coupling 3 further comprises, as also in Figs

30 and 2, an attachment 13 with which the coupling I

3 can be mounted on the saddle tube 2. It is noted, I

that this confirmation 13 has a resilient effect and if I

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7 is such a kind of shock absorber in the assembly of saddle tube 2, saddle 1 and coupling 3.

It can be clearly seen in Fig. 3 that the handle 6 has a ü-shape and is connected (around the extension of) the seat tube 2 to the actuating mechanism 5, which is situated substantially on the side opposite the handle 6. relative to (the extension of) the seat tube 2.

The coupling 3 is shown in Fig. 3 in an unencumbered state, as is also shown in Fig. 2.

By engaging the lever 6 in Fig. 3 and pulling it upwards, the clutch 3 can be brought into the energized state.

Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of the coupling 3, wherein neither the bush 8 is shown as part of the saddle 1, but not in a position projecting into the sling 7, but above it. FIG. 4 serves primarily to clarify the excitation mechanism 5.

The actuating mechanism 5 comprises, in addition to strap 7, a body 14, which must rest against the outside of the strap 7 in an assembled state, while Fig. 4 shows the disassembled state. Furthermore, the actuating mechanism 5 comprises a pull rod 15 with a threaded end at its end, onto which a nut 16 can be screwed. The draw bolt 15 extends through the sling part 17 and the other sling part 18 extends along either side of the draw bar 15 along it.

The pull rod 15 has an eye 19 through which a pivot axis 20 can be inserted. The other strap part 18 comprises two eyes 21, into which pivot axes 22 and 23 can be inserted. The pivot shafts 20, 22 and 23 moreover each project into an associated passage 24 in the body 14. Thus, the first strap part 17 is fixed relative to the body 14 and therefore relative to the mounting 13 by means of 1023807 Η

I 8 I

Part of the tie rod 15 with the nut 16 and the coupling I on top

I of the eye 19 with the body 14 by means of the axis 20. I

In contrast, the end of the handle 6 lies with the through-I

I corridors 24 for the axis of rotation 22 in a cup-shaped recess

I ring in the body 14 and the passages 24 are eccentric

I positioned relative to that cup shape. Upward turn I

The setting of the handle 6 then results in the strap part I

18 is pressed against the sling part 17 and thus the sling becomes I

I energized with an adequate clamping force for clamping I

I 10 off the bus 8. I

Now in detail a potential embodiment of the I

The present invention is shown in the accompanying drawings

I and and described in the foregoing description, I

I force many alternatives and additional embodiments I

To the person skilled in the art in the relevant technical field. All these I

However, alternatives and additional embodiments serve I

I to be interpreted in the sense that they are situated I

I within the scope of the protection as it is I

I defined in the appended claims, unless such a

I alternative alternative embodiment of these definitions and / or I

I deviate from the spirit of the invention. That is possible, I

That within the scope of the present invention use I

I is made of a different terminal than the one that is possible

I liner described, as long as there is actually I

I 25 is of an energizable clamp. Such a clamp does not have to be I

I cannot work on the saddle via a bus, but can directly I

I grip a part of the saddle. The confirmation is also I

I of any kind, and can be releasable or adjustable I

I, in particular for a height adjustment of the saddle I

I 30. Instead of the above I

The actuation mechanism described in I can be of any I

I other mechanics are used to make a random I

I clamp. The positioning of the excitation I

I 1023807 I

The adjusting mechanism and the orientation of the handle relative thereto are decisive. It is noted that the curvature at the end of the handle in the vicinity of the cup-shaped recess in the body 14, which must be placed against the strap 5, can have such a shape with respect to the cup shape that the handle over a dead end point must be brought. The handle will then not easily be able to move back to its non-energizing position shown in Figures 2 and 3, without again moving over that dead center 10 of the actuating mechanism, which cannot be achieved with light touches, but only with a relatively low force , which is still high enough to prevent unintentional disconnection of the coupling.

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Claims (14)

CLAIMS 1. Coupling for adjustable coupling of a saddle and a saddle tube, comprising: at least one energizable clamp for engaging the saddle; and an attachment for connection of the coupling and the seat tube; and an I actuating mechanism for the clamp, which is positioned at the side of the mounting and can be operated with a handle, which handle extends from the actuating mechanism I along the mounting in a substantially transverse direction to the orientation of I at least the connection or the seat tube facing away. I 2. Coupling as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuating mechanism has a dead center, through which the handle has to be moved. I 3. Coupling according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises an I-eccentric construction associated with the handle. I 4. Coupling as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the clamp is a sling which is adapted to clamp a bushing that engages the saddle. I 5. Coupling as claimed in claims 3 and 4, wherein the handle acts upon substantially one of the sling halves by operation thereof, while the actuating mechanism fixes the other sling half relative to the attachment. I 6. Coupling according to claims 3 and 5, wherein the eccentric construction comprises a pull rod connected to the other sling half and the handle is pivotally connected to the one of the sling halves in a pivot point that is out of center with respect to of a curved outer surface of the handle, which is located in a cup-shaped recess in a body to which the drawbar is also connected. 7. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the handle is connected to the actuating mechanism such that, in the energized state of the construction, the handle extends substantially away from the engagement means from the engagement means, in mounted condition under the saddle . 8. Device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the bushing is adapted to engage a saddle bridge of the saddle. 9. Device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the saddle bridge comprises a tubular frame with at least one tube extending in the longitudinal direction of the saddle and to be connected to the bushing in the vicinity of the bushing, the bushing being designed to extend along the length of the tube to be selectively connected thereto. 10. Device as claimed in any of the claims 8 and 9, wherein the bush comprises two complementary bush parts, which are clamped together in the clamped state thereof with the saddle bridge between them to fix the saddle 10 I CONCLUSIONS I Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the handle in mounted condition is cup-shaped or spoon-shaped at least on the side remote from a saddle cover. 12. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the handle is substantially U-shaped and the legs thereof extend to either side of the attachment to the actuating mechanism. 13. Assembly for a bicycle of a saddle and a saddle tube with a coupling according to at least one of the preceding claims. A bicycle with an assembly according to the preceding claim. 1 023807 · *