US20070040423A1

US20070040423A1 - Indicating device of a bicycle standing tube

Info

Publication number: US20070040423A1
Application number: US11/204,244
Authority: US
Inventors: Douglas Chiang
Original assignee: Tien Hsin Industries Co Ltd
Current assignee: Tien Hsin Industries Co Ltd
Priority date: 2005-08-16
Filing date: 2005-08-16
Publication date: 2007-02-22

Abstract

An indicating device of a bicycle standing tube comprises a supporting seat having buckling teeth; the supporting seat having an indication portion; the indication portion having indications; a clamping device having engaging teeth engageable to the buckling teeth of the supporting seat; each of two sides of an tooth at a center portion of the engaging teeth having a rib; arrangement of the engaging teeth being corresponding to the indications of the indication portion so that the indications of the indication portion can indicate the orientation of the engaging teeth and the ribs being used as a reference point in adjusting the orientation of the clamping sheet. The supporting seat has an indication portion and the clamping device has an arrow so that the orientation of the cushion can be indicated by the indication portion and the arrow. The user can adjust the orientation accurately by the assistance of the indication portion. Furthermore, ribs are formed on the clamping device for preventing the movement of the teeth of the supporting seat and the clamping device.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bicycles, and particularly to an indicating device of a bicycle standing tube, wherein the supporting seat has an indication portion and the clamping device has an arrow so that the orientation of the cushion can be indicated by the indication portion and the arrow. The user can adjust the orientation accurately by the assistance of the indication portion. Furthermore, ribs are formed on the clamping device for preventing the movement of the teeth of the supporting seat and the clamping device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, riding bicycles have becomes a popular exercise. More and more people ride bicycles as an exercise or as a leisure activity. However in the current trend, the bicycles are made with many more adjusting components so as to match the requirement in use.
In the prior art, the cushion of a bicycle is only adjusted in elevation by adjusting a standing tube. However under the trend of ergonomics, it is not only required that the elevation of the cushion of a bicycle is adjusted, but also the orientation of the cushion is also adjustable. Thereby the user can ride the bicycle more comfortable.
In one prior art, about the adjustment of the cushion of the bicycle, the adjustment structure includes an upper supporting seat, a lower supporting seat, an upper clamping sheet and a lower clamping sheet. The lower clamping sheet has a cambered concave portion and two ends thereof have ears which have through holes for receiving adjusting studs. Two ends of the upper supporting seat have rings for receiving rotary bodies with threaded holes. The lower clamping sheet is a cambered sheet. Two ends of the lower clamping sheet have recesses for receiving the supporting rods of the cushion. The lower supporting seat is combined to a standing tube so as to form the adjusting structure of the cushion. The feature of the prior art is that the concave portion of the lower supporting seat has threaded holes and the lower clamping sheet has slots. The locking studs pass through the threaded holes of the lower supporting seat and the slots of the lower clamping sheet so as to combine the lower supporting seat to the lower clamping sheet. The above mentioned structure has the effect of preventing the cushion from sliding due to the external force impacting the sliding-stop sheets of the standing tube and the buckling teeth of the supporting seats. The components of the adjusting structure are firmly secured by studs, however in the adjustment of the orientation of the cushion, the studs for fixing the supporting seats must be released, and then the cushion is detached. Then the studs for fixing the lower clamping sheet are released for adjusting the orientation of the lower clamping sheet. In tightening the studs, the studs are installed in the concave portion of the lower clamping sheet, the space for operation is very small. Thus, the operations of releasing the studs and tightening the studs are inconvenient even the lower clamping sheet moves in the operations so that the operations must be repeated again and again. Furthermore, it is often that the studs cannot be tightly engaged so as to induce some accidents in riding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide an indicating device of a bicycle standing tube, wherein the supporting seat has an indication portion and the clamping device has an arrow so that the orientation of the cushion can be indicated by the indication portion and the arrow. The user can adjust the orientation accurately by the assistance of the indication portion. Furthermore, ribs are formed on the clamping device for preventing the movement of the teeth of the supporting seat and the clamping device.
To achieve above objects, the present invention provides an indicating device of a bicycle standing tube which comprises a supporting seat having buckling teeth; the supporting seat having an indication portion; the indication portion having indications; a clamping device having engaging teeth engageable to the buckling teeth of the supporting seat; each of two sides of an tooth at a center portion of the engaging teeth having a rib; arrangement of the engaging teeth being corresponding to the indications of the indication portion so that the indications of the indication portion can indicate the orientation of the engaging teeth and the ribs being used as a reference point in adjusting the orientation of the clamping sheet.
The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the indicating device of a bicycle standing tube of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an assembled view of the indicating device of a bicycle standing tube of the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of the indicating device of a bicycle standing tube of the present invention.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show the adjustment of the indicating device of a bicycle standing tube of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order that those skilled in the art can further understand the present invention, a description will be described in the following in details. However, these descriptions and the appended drawings are only used to cause those skilled in the art to understand the objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention, but not to be used to confine the scope and spirit of the present invention defined in the appended claims.
Referring to FIG. 1, the indicating device of a bicycle standing tube of the present invention is illustrated. The indicating device has the following elements.
An upper supporting seat 20 is an upward protruded cambered sheet. Each of two opposite sides of the upper supporting seat 20 has a penetrating portion 22 which is penetrated by a threaded hole 23. The two penetrating portions 22 are symmetrical. Each upper surface of the two opposite sides has a respective slot 24 at a center portion of the side. A lower side of the upper supporting seat 20 has a plurality of buckling teeth 46. A lateral side of the upper supporting seat 20 is formed as an indication portion 28 adjacent to the buckling teeth 46 for indicating angle.
A lower supporting seat 30 is installed at a top of a standing tube 10. The lower supporting seat 30 is a downward cambered sheet. Each of the two sides of the lower supporting seat 30 are installed with a convex portion 32 corresponding to the slot 24 of the upper supporting seat 20. Each convex portion 32 has a via hole 34. Each of the via hole 34 and a corresponding one of the threaded holes 23 of the penetrating portions 22 of the upper supporting seat 20 is passed by an adjusting stud 36. Thus, the upper supporting seat 20 and the lower supporting seat 30 are combined as a supporting device.
An upper clamping sheet 40 has an upward cambered upper portion. Two side of the upper clamping sheet 40 are formed with two sheet-like structures. The arc of the upward cambered upper portion of the upper clamping sheet 40 is similar to the arc of the lower side of the upper supporting seat 20. The upward cambered upper portion of the upper clamping sheet 40 has engaging teeth 46. Each of two ends of the uppermost tooth of the engaging teeth 46 has a rib 48. The engaging teeth 46 is engageable to the buckling teeth 26 of the upper supporting seat 20. Each of two sides of each sheet at the two sides of the upper clamping sheet 40 is formed with an ear 42. A lower side of each ear 42 is formed with a recess 44 which is formed as a first clamping portion 44.
A lower clamping sheet 50 has a downward cambered groove 56 at a center portion thereof Each of two side of the lower clamping sheet 50 is formed with a sheet which is corresponding to the sheet of the upper clamping sheet 40. By the combinations of the sheets of the upper clamping sheet 40 and lower clamping sheet 50, the upper clamping sheet 40 and lower clamping sheet 50 are combined as a clamping structure.
A lower side of the lower clamping sheet 50 corresponding to the cambered groove 46 is a downward cambered structure which is matched to the downward cambered structure of the lower supporting seat 30 so that the lower clamping sheet 50 can resist against the lower supporting seat 30 without sliding out. Each of two ends of each sheet at two sides of the lower clamping sheet 50 has an ear 52. The two ears 52 of the same sheet of the lower clamping sheet 50 are symmetrical. An upper side of each ear of the lower clamping sheet 50 is formed as a trench which is as a second clamping portion 54.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the assembly views of the present invention are illustrated. In assembly, the first clamping portion 44 and the second clamping portion 54 at the same side are coupled as a receiving space. A rod 60 passes through the receiving space. Thus, totally, there are two rods 60 passing through the receiving spaces at two sides of the present invention. The upper clamping sheet 40 and lower clamping sheet 50 are coupled and then they are received in a space between the upper supporting seat 20 and the lower supporting seat 30. The upper supporting seat 20 and lower supporting seat 30 are engaged by passing the adjusting studs 36 through the via holes 34 of the lower supporting seat 30 and threaded holes 23 of the penetrating portion 22 of the upper supporting seat 20. After assembly, the assembly view is illustrated in FIG. 2.
In the indicating device of a bicycle standing tube of the present invention, the cambered arranged engaging teeth 46 at the upper side of the upper clamping sheet 40 is engaged to the buckling teeth 26 at the lower side of the upper supporting seat 20, as shown in FIG. 3. The engagement of the engaging teeth 46 and the buckling teeth 26 is formed with an engaging angle 62 as shown in FIG. 3.
The spacing of two ribs 48 at the uppermost teeth of the engaging teeth 46 serves to receive the upper supporting seat 20. When the upper supporting seat 20 is screwed to the lower supporting seat 30 by adjusting studs 36, the ribs 48 have the function of stopping for preventing the change of the engaging angle 62 so that the upper supporting seat 20 is firmly secured to the upper clamping sheet 40. A further function of the ribs is to be as an indicator as the orientation of the cushion of a bicycle is adjusted. When the orientation of the upper supporting seat 20 is adjusted with respect to the upper clamping sheet 40, the ribs 48 are helpful to the identification of the orientation.
A middle side of the indication portion 28 has an indication of 0. Indications of 15 degrees and 30 degrees are indicated at two sides of the indication portion 28. One lateral side of the engaging teeth 46 is indicated with an arrow 47. When the orientation of the cushion is adjusted, by the indication of the arrow 47, users can know the orientation of the cushion. Thereby the user can identify the effect of adjustment.
When the user desires to adjust the orientation, the adjusting studs 36 passing through the upper supporting seat 20 and lower supporting seat 30 are released firstly so that a larger space is formed therebetween. When the upper clamping sheet 40 and lower clamping sheet 50 are shifted to a desired orientation by the assistance of the indication portion 28 and the arrow 47. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, when the desired orientation is acquired, the adjusting studs 36 are screwed to combine the upper supporting seat 20 and lower supporting seat 30 so as to complete the adjusting work.
In the indicating device of a bicycle standing tube of the present invention, when the user adjusts the orientation, by the indication from the indication portion 28 of the upper supporting seat 20 and the arrow 47 of the upper clamping sheet 40, the engaging teeth 46 can be engaged to the buckling teeth 26 rapidly. Then the adjusting studs 36 combine the upper supporting seat 20 and lower supporting seat 30 rapidly. Thus, the operation is convenient and rapid.
The present invention is thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An indicating device of a bicycle standing tube comprising:

a supporting seat having buckling teeth; the supporting seat having an indication portion; the indication portion having indications;

a clamping device having engaging teeth engageable to the buckling teeth of the supporting seat; each of two sides of an tooth at a center portion of the engaging teeth having a rib; arrangement of the engaging teeth being corresponding to the indications of the indication portion so that the indications of the indication portion can indicate the orientation of the engaging teeth and the ribs being used as a reference point in adjusting the orientation of the clamping sheet.

2. The indicating device of a bicycle standing tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein a middle side of the indication portion has an indication of 0; indications of 15 degrees and 30 degrees are indicated at two sides of the indication portion.

3. The indicating device of a bicycle standing tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein one lateral side of the engaging teeth is indicated with an arrow, the arrow points to the indications of the indication portion so as to indicate the orientation of the clamping device.

4. The indicating device of a bicycle standing tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spacing of two ribs is at the uppermost teeth of the engaging teeth for receiving the supporting seat; the ribs have the function of stopping for preventing the change of the engaging angle so that the supporting seat is firmly secured to the clamping device.

5. The indicating device of a bicycle standing tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting seat comprises:

an upper supporting seat having at least one penetrating portion which is penetrated by a threaded hole; a lower side of the upper supporting seat has the buckling teeth;

a lower supporting seat installed at a top of a standing tube; the lower supporting seat 30 having at least one via hole; each of the via hole and a corresponding one of the threaded hole of the penetrating portions of the upper supporting seat is passed by an adjusting stud; and thus, the upper supporting seat and the lower supporting seat being combined as a supporting device.

6. The indicating device of a bicycle standing tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clamping device comprising:

an upper clamping sheet;

a lower clamping sheet being combinable to the upper clamping sheet so as to form the clamping device; and in assembly, the clamping device is received within the supporting device.

wherein after combing the upper clamping sheet and lower clamping sheet; two sides of the clamping device are formed with a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion for clamping the supporting rods of a cushion.

7. The indicating device of a bicycle standing tube as claimed in claim 5, wherein the clamping device comprising:

an upper clamping sheet;

a lower clamping sheet being combinable to the upper clamping sheet so as to form the clamping device; and in assembly, the clamping device is received within a space formed by the upper supporting seat and the lower supporting seat;

8. The indicating device of a bicycle standing tube as claimed in claim 7, wherein the buckling teeth is formed at a lower side of the upper supporting seat and the engaging teeth is formed at an upper side of the upper clamping sheet so that the buckling teeth is engaged to the upper clamping sheet.

9. The indicating device of a bicycle standing tube as claimed in claim 8, wherein two sides of the upper clamping sheet are formed with two sheets; each of two sides of each sheet at the two sides of the upper clamping sheet is formed with an ear; and lower side of each ear is formed with a recess which is formed as a first clamping portion;

a lower clamping sheet having a downward cambered groove at a center portion thereof; each of two sides of the lower clamping sheet is formed with a sheet which is corresponding to the sheet of the upper clamping sheet; each of two ends of each sheet at two sides of the lower clamping sheet has an ear; an upper side of each ear of the lower clamping sheet is formed as a trench which is as a second clamping portion;

wherein in assembly, the recesses and the trenches are combined as two hollow spaces for receiving the supporting rods.