NL2003582C2

NL2003582C2 - Cable guide system for guiding at least one cable for a bicycle accessory along parts of a bicycle.

Info

Publication number: NL2003582C2
Application number: NL2003582A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Angelo Jacobus Jansen; Willem Jorrit Schoonhoven
Original assignee: Mibike B V
Priority date: 2009-10-01
Filing date: 2009-10-01
Publication date: 2011-04-04

Description

P89425NL00

Titel: Cable guide system for guiding at least one cable for a bicycle accessory along parts of a bicycle.

The invention relates to a cable guide system for guiding at least one cable for a bicycle accessory along parts of a bicycle.

Nowadays, in the bicycle trade there is a trend that end users desire to purchase highly personalized bicycles having personalized shapes 5 and appearances, as well as being equipped with personalized sets of accessories. Individual users desire unique bicycles, which requires bicycle suppliers to deliver bicycles for which, more or less, no two bicycles are the same.

In view of this, bicycle suppliers nowadays for example provide 10 internet sites by means of which users may compose their own bicycles. The design choices for users are very wide. Users may choose for example from different kinds of brake systems, gear systems, automatic drive systems, lighting, bicycle computers, luggage carriers, bicycle bags, baskets, and so forth. Also, users may choose between an endless variation of colors, prints 15 and other graphics to give certain bicycle parts a unique appearance. Such graphics may for example even be photographs, drawings, or the like, produced by the users themselves and supplied by these users to the bicycle supplier.

Eventually, all these different graphics have to be actually applied 20 to the bicycle parts and the different chosen parts and the like have to be assembled to obtain a bicycle that is ready for use. All this evidently adds to the selling prices of the assembled bicycles. Therefore, in order to reduce the selling prices, some bicycle suppliers offer the possibility for the users to let a purchased bicycle be shipped to the user in separate parts. In such cases 25 the end users (or if desired the bicycle shops) may assemble the separate parts by themselves in order to obtain their bicycles.

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To facilitate the final assembly of the different parts by the user, bicycle suppliers and manufacturers aim at designing these different parts in such way that minimal knowledge, effort and tools are required for the users to assemble the different parts together. For example, it is known to 5 even provide the bicycle frame in separate frame parts which can be shipped in separate boxes and which can be fitted easily together by the users themselves. The separate frame parts sometimes are in the form of relatively complete functional units in the sense that a frame part may already be provided with accessories such as brakes, gear units, control 10 switches, control levers, or the like. Also, it is advantageous when cables for such accessories are already preconnected to their corresponding accessories when the users receive their shipments, since the connecting of cables to accessories in many cases is a difficult and time consuming task for end users.

15 To illustrate a user friendly example of this, a user would for example receive one box with a rear frame part in it with the rear wheel, its brake and its gearing already preconnected to it. Another box might for example contain the front frame part with the front wheel, its brake, or the like, already preconnected to it. One end of a first cable may for example be 20 preconnected to the rear wheel brake, while the other end of that first cable may be preconnected to a control lever element for the rear wheel brake, which control element is preconnected to a steering rod yet unfitted to the front frame part. Similarly, one end of a second cable may for example be preconnected to the rear wheel gearing, while the other end of that second 25 cable may be preconnected to a control switch element for the rear wheel gearing which control switch is also preconnected to the yet unfitted steering rod. In such a case, the user may simply interconnect the rear frame part and the front frame part and connect the steering rod to the front frame part. After performing these relatively easy connection tasks, 30 the user has obtained a bicycle with control elements on the steering rod 3 being fully functionally connected by means of the first and second cables to the rear wheel brake and the rear wheel gearing.

In such cases as mentioned above, one drawback is that it is practically impossible for a user to eventually obtain a ready-to-use bicycle 5 having cables guided through the interiors of the major frame tubes of the bicycle. The reason is that such internally guided cables would require the user to thread the cables through the interiors of the frame tubes, which is a very difficult job for end users. And in those particular cases in which, as mentioned above, both opposite ends of a cable have already been 10 preconnected to certain accessories, threading the cables through the interiors of the frame tubes would be absolutely impossible. Thus, in such cases, the ready-to-use bicycles will have exposed cables.

Exposed cables suffer from a number of disadvantages. For example, the cables are less protected, more vulnerable to damage, there is 15 a risk that in use external objects may accidentally catch the cables, the exposed cables occupy space which would otherwise be available for accommodating other accessories, the external appearance of the bicycle is deteriorated, and so forth.

Another issue still to be addressed is that the production of for 20 example frame parts with unique custom designed graphics, or the like, still remains a cost increasing factor in the manufacturing and delivery process of the bicycles.

It is an object of the invention to provide a solution according to which cables of bicycle accessories can easily and quickly be installed in a 25 nonexposed way, while at the same time considerably reducing the costs for giving the bicycle frame an appearance based upon any user desired graphics.

For that purpose, the invention provides a cable guide system for guiding at least one cable for a bicycle accessory along parts of a bicycle, 30 said system comprising: 4 - at least one frame tube of a bicycle frame; - at least one elongated covering element arranged for releasable and parallel mounting against the at least one frame tube of the bicycle frame such that in mounted condition of the covering element theré exists 5 an elongated cable receiving space, lying inbetween the covering element and the frame tube and extending in longitudinal direction of the frame tube, for receiving the at least one cable therein and for guiding the at least one cable in longitudinal direction of the frame tube; and - at least one coupling piece, wherein at least one single specimen 10 of the at least one coupling piece comprises frame fastening means, covering element fastening means and cable holding means, wherein, for realizing said mounted condition, the frame fastening means is arranged for fastening said specimen to the frame tube, the covering element fastening means is arranged for fastening the covering element to said specimen, and 15 the cable holding means is arranged for holding, by said specimen, the at least one cable in the cable receiving space.

With such a cable guide system according to the invention, a user may perform the following steps: fastening one or more of the coupling pieces to one or more frame tubes of the bicycle, placing one or more cables 20 in the cable holding means of the coupling piece(s) and fastening one or more covering elements to the coupling piece(s). These steps can be performed quickly and easily. The result is that each cable has been installed in a nonexposed way, since the elongated cable receiving space is shielded by a covering element and by a frame tube. Since the covering 25 elements are produced separately from the frame tubes, they may be provided separately from the frame tubes with any unique custom designed graphics chosen by an end user, without the frame tubes having to undergo such graphics treatments. The appearance of the elongated covering elements have a strong influence on the appearance of the total bicycle 30 frame. Also, it is advantageous that a user may order different sets of 5 covering elements for his of her bicycle having different appearances relative to one another, so that the user is able to change the appearance of his or her bicycle from time to time during the life cycle of the bicycle.

In a preferable embodiment, the cable holding means comprises at 5 least one cable passageway which extends, as seen in said mounted condition, in said longitudinal direction of the frame tube, and which passageway is accessible for mounting the at least one cable in the cable passageway and removal therefrom in transverse direction relative to said longitudinal direction of the frame tube, as seen in said mounted condition. 10 This further promotes an easy and quick installation of the at least one cable.

In another preferable embodiment, said fastening of the covering element to said specimen of the coupling piece is realized in that the covering element fastening means and/or the covering element comprise(s) 15 resilient material for snap connection of the covering element to the covering element fastening means. This further promotes an easy and quick mounting of the covering element.

The invention may also be embodied in a bicycle frame provided with a cable guide system according to the invention, the cable guide system 20 being arranged for co-operation with the bicycle frame. Furthermore, the invention may be embodied in a bicycle comprising such a bicycle frame provided with such a cable guide system according to the invention.

Further details, aspects and embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the schematic figures in 25 the enclosed drawing.

Fig. 1 shows, in perspective view, an example of an embodiment of a coupling piece of a cable guide system according to the invention.

Fig. 2 shows, in perspective view, an example of another embodiment of a coupling piece of a cable guide system according to the 30 invention.

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Fig. 3 shows, in an exploded perspective view, an example of a bicycle frame with a corresponding example of an embodiment of a set of three co-operating covering elements of a cable guide system according to the invention.

5 Fig. 4 shows the example of Fig. 3 again, however, with the three covering elements in their mounted conditions.

Fig. 5 shows a cross-section through a frame tube of the bicycle frame of Fig. 4 at a place where the coupling piece of Fig. 1 is interconnecting that frame tube with one of the covering elements.

10 Fig. 6 shows a cross-section through another frame tube of the bicycle frame of Fig. 4 at a place where the coupling piece of Fig. 2 is interconnecting that other frame tube with one of the covering elements.

Fig. 1 shows a first coupling piece 10, which comprises first frame fastening means 11, first covering element fastening means 12 and first 15 cable holding means 14. Fig. 2 shows a second coupling piece 110, which comprises second frame fastening means 111, second covering element fastening means 112 and second cable holding means 114. The first and second coupling pieces may be made of various materials, such as various metallic materials or various plastic materials.

20 Figs. 3 and 4 show a bicycle frame 8 comprising a number of frame tubes, such as head tube 16, down tube 6, mid tube 5 and seat tube 7. Figs.

3 and 4 furthermore show a number of elongated covering elements in the form of a mid tube cover 4, a down tube cover 104 and a seat tube cover 204, respectively. These three elongated covers 4, 104 and 204 are arranged for 25 releasable and parallel mounting against the mid tube 5, the down tube 6 and the seat tube 7, respectively. When thus mounted (see Fig. 4), one longitudinal end of mid tube cover 4 is fitting onto a longitudinal end of down tube cover 104, while the opposite longitudinal end of mid tube cover 4 is fitting onto a longitudinal end of seat tube cover 204. The other, opposite 30 longitudinal end of seat tube cover 204 is provided with a ringshaped part 7 defining a through-hole 20 (see Fig. 3). Fig. 4 shows that, in mounted condition, seat tube 7 extends through this through-hole 20. The application of through-hole 20 thus provides an easy and reliable way of fastening cover 204 to seat tube 7.

5 It is remarked that it is not essential for the invention that the three covers 4, 104 and 204 are provided as separate parts. A set of more than one of such covers may alternatively be provided as one larger integrated piece.

Fig. 3 shows an arrow 17 which is pointing towards a position 10 along mid tube 5 where the first coupling piece 10 of Fig. 1 is fastened to mid tube 5, see Fig. 5. In the shown example this is realized in that the first frame fastening means of the first coupling piece 10 is in the form of a plug 11 arranged for snap connection with mide tube 5 which has a pre-drilled through-hole for receiving the plug 11. Such a snap connection is very easy 15 for users. Alternatively or additionally, however, the first frame fastening means may be arranged in various other ways, it may for example be arranged for screwing, using one or more screws.

Note, that in Fig. 5 the reference numeral 9 denotes the elongated cable receiving space lying inbetween the mid tube 5 and the mid tube cover 20 4. This elongated cable receiving space 9 is extending in longitudinal direction of the mid tube 5 and serves to receive at least one cable therein and to guide the at least one cable in longitudinal direction of the mid tube 5.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the first cable holding means 14 of the 25 first coupling piece 10 comprises two cable passageways 14, each of which extends, as seen in the mounted condition, in the longitudinal direction of mid tube 5. Each of both passageways 14 is accessible for mounting a cable therein (and removal therefrom) in transverse direction relative to said ! longitudinal direction. Fig. 5 shows two cables, indicated by reference 30 numerals 2 and 3, being thus mounted.

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Fig. 5 furthermore shows that mid tube cover 4 is fastened to the first coupling piece 10 by means of a snap connection. In the shown example this is realized in that mid tube cover 4 is made of resilient material and has longitudinal protruding edges 21 on both sides. The edges 21 are arranged 5 to fit around co-operating longitudinal edges 12 of the first coupling piece 10. The longitudinal edges 12 are forming the first covering element fastening means 12.

Fig. 3 furthermore shows arrow 18 and 19 which are pointing towards two positions along down tube 6. In each of these two positions the 10 second coupling piece 110 of Fig. 2 is fastened to down tube 6, see Fig. 6. In the shown example this is realized in that the second frame fastening means of the second coupling piece 110 is in the form of two recesses 111 (see Fig.

2) arranged for screwing screws therethrough and into down tube 6 (see Fig. 6) which has pre-drilled through-holes for receiving the screws.

15 Alternatively or additionally, however, the second frame fastening means may be arranged in various other ways, for example for snap connection with down tube 6.

Note, that in Fig. 6 the reference numeral 109 denotes the elongated cable receiving space lying inbetween the down tube 6 and the 20 down tube cover 104. This elongated cable receiving space 109 is extending in longitudinal direction of the down tube 6 and serves to receive at least one cable therein and to guide the at least one cable in longitudinal direction of the down tube 6.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 6, the first cable holding means 114 of the 25 second coupling piece 110 comprises two cable passageways 114, each of which extends, as seen in the mounted condition, in the longitudinal direction of down tube 6. Each of both passageways 114 is accessible for mounting a cable therein (and removal therefrom) in transverse direction relative to said longitudinal direction. Fig. 6 shows the two cables 2 and 3, 30 being thus mounted.

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Fig. 6 furthermore shows that down tube cover 104 is fastened to the second coupling piece 110 by means of a snap connection. In the shown example this is realized in that down tube cover 104 is made of resilient material and has longitudinal protruding edges 121 on-both sides. The edges 5 121 are arranged to fit around co-operating longitudinal edges 112 of the second coupling piece 110. The longitudinal edges 112 are forming the second covering element fastening means 112.

Note, that in Figs. 5 and 6 the reference numeral 1 denotes the cable guide system according to the invention, which cable guide system 1 10 comprises the first and second coupling pieces 10 and 110, as well as the mid tube cover 4 and the down tube cover 104. Although not shown in the Figures, the cable guide system 1 may furthermore comprise similar coupling pieces for use with similar frame tubes and with similar elongated covering elements, such as one or more similar coupling pieces for the seat 15 tube 7 and the seat tube cover 204. The use of the ringshaped part of seat tube cover 204 defining the through-hole 20 (see Fig. 3) is optional.

From Fig. 4 it can be seen that the appearance of the elongated covering elements 4, 104, 204 have a strong influence on the appearance of the total bicycle frame 8. The covers 4, 104, 204 may be provided separately 20 from the frame tubes 5, 6, 7 with any unique custom designed graphics chosen by an end user, without the frame tubes 5, 6, 7 having to undergo such graphics treatments.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific examples of embodiments of the invention. It will, 25 however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the broader scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

For example, the elongated covering elements may have various other shapes, amongst others depending on the shapes of their 30 corresponding frame tubes. Also, the cable guide system according to the 10 invention may be used in combination with bicycle frames having various other configurations and shapes. Furthermore, for realizing the mounted condition of an elongated covering element against a frame tube, there may be applied one, two, three, or any other number of elongated covering 5 elements.

However, other modifications, variations and alternatives are also possible. The specifications and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than in a restrictive sense.

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Claims

A cable guidance system for guiding at least one cable (2, 3) for a bicycle accessory along parts of a bicycle, said system (1) comprising: - at least one frame tube (5, 6, 7) of a bicycle frame (8) ; 5. at least one elongated cover cap (4, 104, 204) arranged for releasable and parallel placement against the at least one frame tube (5, 6, 7. of the bicycle frame (8) such that in the placed state of the cover cap an the cover cap and the frame tube are provided with elongated cable receiving space (9, 109) 10 extending in the longitudinal direction of the frame tube for receiving and guiding the at least one cable in the longitudinal direction of the frame tube, and - at least one coupling piece (10) , 110), wherein at least one single copy (10, 110) of the at least one coupling piece comprises frame mounting means (11, 111), cover cap mounting means (12, 15 112) and cable holding means (14, 114), wherein, for realizing said position, the frame fastening means are adapted to attach said copy to the frame tube, the cover fastening means are adapted to attach the cover to said copy The cable holding means and the cable holding means are adapted to hold the at least one cable in said cable receiving space.

Cable guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the cable retaining means comprise at least one cable passage (14, 114) which, viewed in said placed state, extends in said longitudinal direction of the frame tube (5, 6, 7), and which cable passage is accessible for, viewed in said placed state, placing in transverse direction on said longitudinal direction of the frame tube in the cable passage (14, 114) in 2003582 and removing the at least one cable (2, 3) therefrom.

Cable guiding system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said attachment of the cover cap (4, 104, 204) to said copy (10 110) of the coupling piece is realized in that the cover cap fastening means (12, 112) and / or the cover cap (4, 104, 204) include / include resilient material for snapping the cover cap to the cover attachment means.

A bicycle frame provided with a cable guide system (1) adapted for cooperation therewith according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

A bicycle comprising a bicycle frame (8) according to claim 4. 2003582