US20140191493A1 - Bicycle on-board device and related support and mounting method - Google Patents

Bicycle on-board device and related support and mounting method Download PDF

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Publication number
US20140191493A1
US20140191493A1 US14/125,234 US201214125234A US2014191493A1 US 20140191493 A1 US20140191493 A1 US 20140191493A1 US 201214125234 A US201214125234 A US 201214125234A US 2014191493 A1 US2014191493 A1 US 2014191493A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
bicycle
board device
seat
fastening
frame
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
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US14/125,234
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English (en)
Inventor
Massimo Dal Pozzo
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Campagnolo SRL
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Campagnolo SRL
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Assigned to CAMPAGNOLO, S.R.L reassignment CAMPAGNOLO, S.R.L ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: Dal Pozzo, Massimo
Publication of US20140191493A1 publication Critical patent/US20140191493A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
    • B62J11/00—Supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening specific devices to cycles, e.g. supports for attaching maps
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
    • B62K19/00—Cycle frames
    • B62K19/30—Frame parts shaped to receive other cycle parts or accessories
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
    • B62J11/00—Supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening specific devices to cycles, e.g. supports for attaching maps
    • B62J11/04—Supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening specific devices to cycles, e.g. supports for attaching maps for bottles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
    • B62J50/00—Arrangements specially adapted for use on cycles not provided for in main groups B62J1/00 - B62J45/00
    • B62J50/20—Information-providing devices
    • B62J50/21—Information-providing devices intended to provide information to rider or passenger
    • B62J50/225—Mounting arrangements therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
    • B62K19/00—Cycle frames
    • B62K19/30—Frame parts shaped to receive other cycle parts or accessories
    • B62K19/40—Frame parts shaped to receive other cycle parts or accessories for attaching accessories, e.g. article carriers, lamps
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
    • B62J50/00—Arrangements specially adapted for use on cycles not provided for in main groups B62J1/00 - B62J45/00
    • B62J50/20—Information-providing devices
    • B62J50/21—Information-providing devices intended to provide information to rider or passenger
    • B62J50/22—Information-providing devices intended to provide information to rider or passenger electronic, e.g. displays

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns a bicycle on-board device, as well as a method and a support for mounting it.
  • Such a bicycle device can be of the stand-alone type or it can be part of an on-board electronic system comprising other cable connected or wireless electrical, electronic and/or electromechanical devices.
  • Bicycle on-board electronic systems are known and are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
  • the on-board device or the system that it is part of can for example be intended for controlling and/or managing the gearshift and/or for acquiring, processing and/or storing parameters and/or data relative to the cyclist and/or to the bicycle and/or to the trip.
  • the on-board device or the system that it is part of can also be intended for mobile telephone communication, for multimediality and/or for anti-theft surveillance of the bicycle.
  • US 2005/0280244 A1 describes a bicycle control apparatus that can be mounted in a seat post and more specifically in a seat post that is detachably mounted in the seat tube.
  • the seat post at its lower end opposite the saddle, comprises a circuit mounting structure like for example an internal threading.
  • the control apparatus comprises a tubular housing, that can be inserted in the seat post, as well as a cover at the lower end of the tubular housing.
  • the tubular housing houses a control unit in the form of a microprocessor, and it has an internal threading at the lower end.
  • the cover is shaped like a stepped bolt comprising: a head, equipped with a tool engaging structure and having an outer diameter that is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the seat post; a first male threaded portion having a diameter that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the head; and a second male threaded portion having a diameter that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the first male threaded portion.
  • the second male threaded portion is screwed into the internal threading of the tubular housing; then the first male threaded portion is screwed into the internal threading of the seat post.
  • the housing is mounted in the seat post in a different manner.
  • the first male threaded portion of the cover is replaced by a mounting structure comprising a plurality of movable projections in the form of retaining balls slidingly retained in a corresponding plurality of retaining holes and biased radially outwardly by a corresponding plurality of springs.
  • the mounting structure also includes a plurality of stationary projections in the form of rectangular male splines.
  • the circuit mounting structure comprises, instead of the female threading, a plurality of recesses in the form of hemispherical grooves and a plurality of recesses in the form of female splines.
  • Holes are provided in the tubular housing and in the cover, for the passage of cables for data and energy transport, equipped with respective connectors. Holes are similarly provided in the seat post, for the passage of cables, equipped with respective connectors. There can also be a groove in the inner peripheral surface of the seat post or in the outer peripheral surface of the housing, to house the cables that come out from the cover and lead them upwards, for example towards the top tube of the frame.
  • the technical problem at the basis of the invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and allow an on-board device to be attached to a bicycle in a versatile manner, not restricted to a specific model of bicycle or frame.
  • the invention concerns a support for removably fastening a bicycle on-board device having an oblong shape along a bicycle oblong element, characterised in that the support has at least a first opening configured to receive a shank of a first device for fastening to the oblong element, and a second opening configured to receive a shank of a second device for fastening to the oblong element, the first opening and the second opening being spaced apart a first direction, which in use is a longitudinal direction of the oblong element, the first opening being configured to receive the shank of the first device for fastening alternatively in at least two first positions spaced apart in said first opening, the two first positions being spaced along a second direction, substantially transversal to the first direction, which in use is a direction transversal to the oblong element.
  • the first direction is the longitudinal direction of a seat defined in the support for the on-board device and the second direction is a transversal direction of the seat defined in the support for the on-board device.
  • the support can be fixed, through the first and the second device for fastening, to a bicycle oblong element that is not rectilinear—as is typically the case of a horizontal tube of the rear stay that has a bend—adapting to different amounts of divergence from the rectilinear profile, typically dependent on the model of bicycle frame, extending as much as possible along such a frame element.
  • said at least one second opening is configured to receive the shank of the second fastening device alternatively in at least two second positions spaced apart in said second opening, the two second positions being preferably spaced along the first direction.
  • said at least one first opening comprises a plurality of first openings spaced apart along the first direction.
  • said at least one second opening comprises a plurality of second openings spaced apart along the first direction.
  • each opening is independently selected from the group consisting of a slot defining numberless positions and a multi-hole opening, namely an opening having a shape corresponding to plural aligned circular holes preferably having a distance between centres that is smaller than the diameter, the multi-hole opening being preferred despite it being less simple since, in the case of loosening of the fastening element, it limits the vibrations.
  • the support defines a seat for the on-board device configured to house the on-board device in at least two positions spaced apart in said seat, the two positions being spaced along a longitudinal axis of the on-board device.
  • the on-board device can be made to slide along the bicycle oblong element in the support up to a suitable position.
  • the support defines an oblong seat for the on-board device having means projecting thereinto for fastening to the on-board device.
  • the projecting means is preferably a pair of perforated projecting seats that are sized, at least in the transversal direction of the device, similarly to a pair of inserts of the bicycle frame intended for fastening a bottle cage.
  • the oblong seat is configured like the inside of a seat tube of a bicycle frame at a bottle cage and it can be used with an on-board device that is advantageously configured to be fastened to the frame alternatively through the support or inside the seat tube, fastened through the fastening means of the bottle cage.
  • an on-board device that is advantageously configured to be fastened to the frame alternatively through the support or inside the seat tube, fastened through the fastening means of the bottle cage.
  • the projecting means comprises at least one projecting rib for coupling with a groove of the on-board device.
  • the oblong seat for the device is defined by a first wall having said at least one first and at least one second opening, a second wall at which there are said projecting means, and at least one joining wall between the first and the second wall, so that the support has the shape of at least part of the side or “shell” surface of a hollow solid.
  • wall should be broadly understood, to encompass substantially two-dimensional but not necessarily flat portion that does not necessarily end at edges and/or corners, like for example a portion of a cylindrical wall.
  • the first and second walls are opposite one another and offset in the longitudinal direction of the support, so that the support has the shape of at least part of the shell surface of a hollow solid with oblique base and top with respect to the longitudinal axis.
  • the support has the shape of at least part of the shell surface of a hollow solid with oblique base and top with respect to the longitudinal axis.
  • a mounting tool for said first, respectively second fastening element while still offering, in the longitudinal direction, a length suitable for containing and supporting the device.
  • Such an embodiment is in particular useful in the case of fastening to the frame at the bottom, since it allows the support to be fixed to the frame easily despite the presence of pedal cranks and toothed wheels, while still then housing the device in close proximity to the bottom bracket assembly.
  • the oblong seat for the device is open at both longitudinal ends. In the case in which fastening means like a screw is not used between the support and the on-board device, the latter can therefore slide along the bicycle oblong element.
  • the oblong seat for the device is open at a longitudinal end and closed by an end wall at the opposite longitudinal end.
  • said end wall has a seat for a removable connector of a cable, more preferably of a power supply and/or recharging cable of the on-board device.
  • the support can be provided with one or more openings for gaining access to said at least one first opening and/or said at least one second opening and/or for lightening purposes.
  • the support comprises at least two straps, the first opening and the second opening being formed in distinct straps.
  • each strap has means for adjusting the clamping force around the on-board device, by loosening which it is possible to make the on-board device slide along the bicycle oblong element or remove it from the support.
  • the support has at least one rubber insert on the surface of the seat intended for contact with the on-board device, having an anti-vibration function.
  • the invention concerns an assembly of a support as stated above and bicycle on-board device configured for fastening in a seat of the support.
  • the invention concerns a bicycle on-board device having an oblong shape and comprising a cavity, preferably containing a battery power supply unit and/or at least one circuit board inside it, the device being sized for insertion in a bicycle oblong element, characterised in that it has two seats for fastening devices, the seats being spaced apart along a longitudinal direction of the on-board device.
  • the on-board device can be mounted inside the bicycle oblong element, in particular inserted in the oblong element, suspended in the oblong element or suspended from a tubular element able to be inserted in the oblong element, or else on the outside along the bicycle oblong element through two fastening devices, for example screws, passing transversally through the bicycle oblong element, or even through a support able to be fixed to the bicycle oblong element.
  • said seats comprise two threaded holes.
  • the on-board device further comprises a seat for a removable connector of a cable.
  • the invention concerns an assembly of a bicycle on-board device as stated above and a support therefor.
  • Such an assembly offers the possibility of mounting the on-board device outside the bicycle directly or through the support and, without the support, in at least one position inside the bicycle, among inserted in a bicycle oblong element, suspended in a bicycle oblong element and suspended from a tubular element able to be inserted in a bicycle oblong element.
  • the invention concerns a bicycle frame or seat post or handlebars with an on-board device mounted on an oblong element thereof, in particular a horizontal tube of the rear stay or the down tube of the frame, characterised in that the on-board device is housed in a support and it can be positioned with respect to the oblong element in at least two different positions along the longitudinal direction of the oblong element.
  • the invention concerns a bicycle frame or seat post or handlebars with an on-board device mounted on an oblong element thereof, in particular a horizontal tube of the rear stay or the down tube of the frame, characterised in that the on-board device is housed in a support that can be positioned, with respect to the oblong element, with at least two different inclinations with respect to the longitudinal direction of the oblong element.
  • the invention concerns a support for a bicycle on-board device having a seat for a removable connector of a cable, more preferably of a recharging cable of the on-board device.
  • the invention concerns a bicycle frame or a seat post or handlebars with a seat for mounting a removable connector of a cable, more preferably of a recharging cable of an on-board device able to be inserted in the frame or seat post or handlebars.
  • the invention concerns a bicycle frame or a seat post or handlebars with an on-board device inserted in an oblong element thereof and a hole for gaining access to a removable connector of a cable of the on-board device, more preferably of a recharging cable.
  • the invention concerns a bicycle on-board device having an oblong shape and comprising a cavity containing a battery power supply unit and at least one circuit board inside it, the device being sized for insertion into a seat tube of a bicycle frame, characterised by having at least one fastening means matching a bottle cage fastening means.
  • bicycle frames have an arrangement for fastening the bottle cage along the seat tube.
  • the capability of insertion of the device inside the seat tube allows the connection cables to the other electrical, electronic and/or electromechanical devices of the on-board system not to be disconnected when the saddle is removed from the bicycle.
  • the bicycle on-board device is also suitable for bicycle frames with integrated seat post.
  • special fastening means in the seat post, ensuring immediate possibility of application essentially to all bicycle frames and seat posts of the countless manufacturers, even made of a composite material and/or with a non-circular cross section.
  • the weight of the device is also arranged close to the lowermost point of the bicycle frame, with advantages in terms of stability.
  • said at least one fastening means comprises one and preferably two holes having an internal threading matching the external threading of a respective screw for fastening the bottle cage.
  • the threaded hole(s) is (are) arranged, in the mounted position of the on-board device, coaxial to a respective insert of the frame.
  • bicycle frames comprise a pair of internally threaded inserts that, in order to allow suitable screwing length for fastening screws, project towards the inside of the frame.
  • the internal threading of at least one of the holes is the same as the internal threading of the corresponding insert and it is preferably made in a component having at least one degree of freedom of movement with respect to the rest of the body of the device, so as to facilitate the engagement with the bottle cage fastening screw already screwed into the insert of the frame.
  • said component having said internal threading is a bush, housed in a smooth hole of the on-board device and longitudinally biased by a preloaded spring.
  • the threaded inserts of the frame can be replaced by inserts equipped with smooth holes for the passage of bottle cage fastening screws screwed in the on-board device only.
  • the internal threading of the on-board device and the associated fastening screw can have a diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the inserts of the frame, so that the bottle cage fastening screws are only screwed in the on-board device, after passing without engagement in the threaded inserts of the frame.
  • the on-board device is preferably effectively fixed to the frame at the same time as the bottle cage.
  • the bottle cage is to be fixed later or removed, it is suitable to unscrew a single screw, screw it also in the bottle cage or free it from the bottle cage, respectively, screw it back in the on-board device, and only thereafter similarly operate on the second screw.
  • an externally and internally threaded element is screwed through its external threading into the insert of the frame and into the on-board device, the internal threading being available for fastening the bottle cage through a respective fastening screw.
  • a stud bolt is screwed into the insert of the frame and into the on-board device, the bottle cage being fixed through a nut to the stud bolt.
  • said at least one fastening means comprises a material in which the threading is created by a self-threading screw, and capable of holding it.
  • the on-board device comprises a groove extending along its main longitudinal direction and sized to receive a portion of said at least one insert of the bicycle frame intended for fastening the bottle cage, said at least one fastening means being provided on the bottom of said groove.
  • the groove advantageously provides a constraint against rotation around, and inclination with respect to, a main longitudinal direction of the seat tube of the frame, therefore avoiding stresses and noise. Furthermore, by providing such a groove it is possible to maximize the size of the on-board device, and therefore the available internal space. Indeed, the on-board device can have elsewhere a transversal size essentially corresponding to the internal size of the seat tube of the frame, and in the longitudinal direction it can extend from the housing box of the bottom bracket assembly or slightly above, up to the depth of maximum insertion of the seat post.
  • said groove extends from an end of the device that, in the mounted position of the device, is the lowermost, but it has an abutment surface at the upper longitudinal end of the groove.
  • the on-board device hooks at the upper insert of the frame remaining suspended, ensuring that there is no interference with the shaft of the bottom bracket assembly.
  • the device at at least one longitudinal end, has alternative means for being fastened suspended at a seat post or at the seat tube.
  • the on-board device can be alternatively fixed hanging from the seat post, inserted in the seat post, hanging in the seat tube or inserted in the seat tube and fixed at the bottle cage as stated above.
  • the alternative fastening means can comprise an expander for fastening by radial pressure against the inner wall of the seat post or of the seat tube.
  • the expander can be made in a component that can be removably attached to the rest of the device through a joint, like for example a dovetail, bayonet, snap joint, etc. This embodiment allows an adjustment screw of the expander to be more easily reached.
  • the device comprises an oblong hollow body made of a plastic material.
  • the groove and any fastening means and/or alternative fastening means can be made in a metal plate capable of being removably associated with the oblong hollow body, for example made of a plastic material. In this way, it is possible to increase the strength and/or make a single oblong hollow body and a series of plates, each adapted to different sizes and/or distances between centres of bottle cage fastening inserts.
  • the on-board device can also be equipped with a seat for temporarily fastening a mounting aid means.
  • said seat is a through hole extending substantially perpendicularly to the main longitudinal direction of the on-board device, even more preferably coinciding with the hole equipped with internal threading corresponding to the lower insert of the frame.
  • a first end of a semi-rigid cable like a steel cable, is threaded into the hole of the lower insert of the frame, brought out from the upper end of the seat tube, passed into the through hole, re-threaded into the seat tube and brought out from the housing box of the bottom bracket assembly.
  • said seat is made in the upper longitudinal end face and consists of a seat, for example a bayonet seat or an internally threaded hole, for temporarily fastening a rigid rod of length such as to still partially protrude from the seat tube when the on-board device is correctly positioned.
  • the oblong hollow body defines a tight cavity.
  • said at least one circuit board comprises a power supply circuit, a microprocessor and a memory.
  • said battery power supply unit is cylindrical in shape.
  • said at least one circuit board at least partially surrounds said battery power supply unit.
  • the microprocessor is programmed for the management of at least one derailleur.
  • the on-board device comprises a plurality of power supply, signal and/or data cables, more preferably equipped with respective end connectors for connection with at least one other on-board device in an on-board electronic system.
  • each cable protrudes from a longitudinal end face of the on-board device.
  • the oblong hollow body of the on-board device can comprise at least one second groove extending substantially along its main longitudinal direction, for the passage of at least one cable between the on-board device and the bicycle frame.
  • a groove for housing the inserts of the frame provides a series of advantages.
  • the Applicant has also recognized that such a groove can suffice to limit the movement of the on-board device within the seat tube, even in the absence of the screws or other means for fixing the bottle cage, possibly by providing for a slightly forced insertion of one or both of the inserts in the groove, and/or an expanded material around the on-board device.
  • the invention therefore concerns a bicycle on-board device having an oblong shape and comprising a cavity preferably containing a battery power supply unit and at least one circuit board, the device being sized for insertion into a bicycle oblong element, preferably a seat tube of a bicycle frame, characterised by having a groove extending along its main longitudinal direction and sized to receive at least one protrusion projecting inside said oblong bicycle element, preferably a portion of at least one insert of a bicycle frame intended for fastening the bottle cage.
  • the on-board device further comprises a seat for a removable connector of a cable.
  • the groove extends from one end of the device and has an abutment surface at the opposite end of the groove.
  • the on-board device further comprises two seats for fastening devices, said two seats being spaced apart along a longitudinal direction of the on-board device.
  • the two seats comprise two threaded holes.
  • the two seats are made on the bottom of said groove.
  • the invention concerns an assembly of a bicycle on-board device as stated above and a support therefor.
  • the invention concerns a method for mounting a device on-board of a bicycle, comprising the steps of inserting said device in a seat tube of a bicycle frame, and fastening said device to the frame through at least one fastening means matching a bottle cage fastening means.
  • the method comprises the steps of positioning the device at at least one perforated insert of the bicycle frame intended for fastening the bottle cage, and fixing it through at least one bottle cage fastening screw extending through said at least one perforated insert.
  • said step of positioning the device comprises the steps of: providing a through hole in the on-board device, extending substantially perpendicular to a main longitudinal direction of the on-board device, threading a first end of a semi-rigid cable in the hole of a lower insert of the bicycle frame, bringing said first end out from the upper end of the seat tube, passing said first end into the through hole, re-threading said first end in the seat tube, bringing said first end out from the housing box of the bottom bracket assembly, and pulling the two ends of the cable away from the frame.
  • said step of positioning the device comprises the step of temporarily fastening a rigid rod to an upper end of the on-board device, of a length such as to still partially protrude from the seat tube when the on-board device is correctly positioned.
  • FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a bicycle having an on-board device according to some embodiments of the invention mounted thereto;
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an embodiment of an on-board device according to the invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the on-board device of FIG. 2 ;
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view, partially in longitudinal section, of the on-board device of FIG. 2 ;
  • FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the on-board device of FIG. 2 in the mounted condition, taken along the section plane V-V of FIG. 7 ;
  • FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the on-board device of FIG. 2 , taken along the section plane VI-VI of FIG. 3 ;
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the on-board device of FIG. 2 , in the mounted condition, wherein the seat tube of the bicycle is shown in section;
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the on-board device of FIG. 2 , in a mounting step, wherein the bicycle frame is shown partially in section;
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the on-board device of FIG. 2 , in an alternative mounting condition, wherein the seat post of the bicycle is shown in longitudinal section;
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view partially in section of a detail of FIG. 9 ;
  • FIG. 11 is a perspective view partially in section of a detail of FIG. 9 , in a mounting step;
  • FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an on-board device according to the invention.
  • FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an on-board device according to the invention.
  • FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an on-board device according to the invention.
  • FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an on-board device according to the invention.
  • FIG. 16 is a perspective and partially exploded view of the on-board device of FIG. 15 , in the installed condition, wherein the seat tube of the bicycle is shown in section and in a mounted condition of a connector;
  • FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the on-board device of FIG. 15 , in the mounted condition, wherein the seat tube of the bicycle is shown in section and in another mounted condition of a connector;
  • FIGS. 18 and 19 show two different perspective views of a first embodiment of a support for mounting a bicycle on-board device externally on the frame;
  • FIG. 20 shows the support of FIGS. 18-19 mounted on a horizontal tube of the rear stay
  • FIG. 21 shows the support of FIGS. 18-19 mounted on a horizontal tube of the rear stay, with the on-board device inserted;
  • FIG. 22 shows the support of FIGS. 18-19 mounted on the down tube
  • FIGS. 23 and 24 show two different perspective views of a second embodiment of a support for mounting a bicycle on-board device externally on the frame;
  • FIG. 25 shows the support of FIGS. 23-24 mounted on a horizontal tube of the rear stay
  • FIG. 26 shows a third embodiment of a support for mounting a bicycle on-board device externally on the frame
  • FIG. 27 shows the support of FIG. 26 mounted on a horizontal tube of the rear stay
  • FIG. 28 shows the support of FIG. 26 mounted on a horizontal tube of the rear stay, with the on-board device inserted
  • FIG. 29 shows the support of FIG. 26 mounted on the down tube
  • FIG. 30 shows the on-board device of FIG. 15 mounted directly externally on the frame.
  • FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example bicycle 100 , having an on-board device 10 according to some embodiments of the invention mounted thereto.
  • the bicycle 100 comprises a frame 110 , a seat post 130 at least partially inserted in the upper end of a seat tube 112 of the frame 110 and equipped with a saddle 132 at its upper end, handlebars 134 , a fork 136 rotatably mounted in a head tube 126 , a front wheel 138 rotatably supported at the lower end of the fork 136 , a rear wheel 140 rotatably supported at the rear part of the frame 110 , a propulsion mechanism 142 and at least one of a front brake 144 and a rear brake 146 .
  • the frame 110 in the embodiment shown is of the diamond type, comprising the aforementioned seat tube 112 , the aforementioned head tube 126 , a top tube 114 , a down tube 116 , and four more tubes of the rear stays 118 , 120 , 122 , 124 as well as a housing box of the bottom bracket assembly 128 ( FIG. 8 ).
  • the rear stays 116 , 118 , 120 , 122 , 124 more specifically comprise the down tube 116 , a pair of seat tubes 118 , 120 that extend obliquely downwards and backwards from the point in which the seat tube 112 and the top tube 114 meet and the seat post 130 is mounted, and a pair of tubes 122 , 124 that extend substantially horizontally backwards from the point at which the seat post 112 and the down tube 116 meet and there is the housing box of the bottom bracket assembly 128 , one of which 122 is also called sheath in the field.
  • the frame 110 can however have other shapes, and in particular it can have an integrated seat post, so that the seat post 130 is absent.
  • the propulsion mechanism 142 comprises a pair of crank arms 148 , 149 equipped with pedals 150 , 151 to drive a shaft of the bottom bracket assembly (not shown) into rotation, rotatably supported in the housing box of the bottom bracket assembly 128 and on which at least one front sprocket 154 is fitted; at least one rear toothed wheel 156 at the rear wheel 140 and a chain 158 extending each time between a front toothed wheel 154 and a rear toothed wheel 156 .
  • a propulsion mechanism 142 with variable transmission ratio there is also a front derailleur 160 to move the chain 158 among the front toothed wheels 154 and/or a rear derailleur 162 to move the chain 158 among the rear toothed wheels 156 .
  • Devices 164 for controlling the brakes 144 , 146 and/or the derailleurs 160 , 162 are typically arranged at the ends of the handlebars 134 as shown, or they are fixed in a convenient position on the frame 110 .
  • Such devices can comprise levers and/or buttons to generate electrical actuation commands of the brakes 144 , 146 and/or of the derailleurs 160 , 162 , or to actuate them mechanically, like for example through a Bowden cable.
  • An on-board electronic system mounted on the bicycle 100 comprises one or more of the following devices or components (many of which are not shown): the aforementioned control devices 164 , an electric motor for moving each derailleur 160 , 162 , a position sensor of each derailleur 160 , 162 , a speed sensor, a pedalling cadence sensor, an inclinometer, a speedometer, a heart rate monitor or other sensors, a display unit, an audio unit, as well as at least one battery power supply unit preferably of the rechargeable type, one or more processors, and memory means for the operation of such devices and/or for collecting and storing data.
  • multimedia content such as music, video, images, including geographical map files, a digital camera, a video camera, a voice recording unit, a mobile telephone unit and/or other applications.
  • the various components described above are cable and/or wireless connected to each other, and they can be placed in various places of the bicycle.
  • FIG. 1 An embodiment of an on-board device 10 according to the invention, which can constitute or be a component of such an on-board electronic system, is shown schematically in FIG. 1 in its condition mounted into the seat tube 112 , and in detail in FIGS. 2 to 8 .
  • the on-board device 10 comprises an oblong hollow body 12 , defining an internal cavity 13 in which a battery power supply unit 14 and at least one circuit board 16 are housed.
  • the circuit board 16 is a so-called power board, namely containing the electronics for controlling the derailleurs 160 , 162 and for detecting the position thereof.
  • the on-board device 10 is connected with the derailleurs 160 , 162 and with the manual control devices 164 , for example through cables 24 .
  • the circuit board 16 can comprise a power supply circuit that receives power from the battery power supply unit 14 and outputs it to other components of the on-board device 10 and/or of the on-board system, a recharging circuit that receives electrical power from an external source such as the mains or a dynamo and outputs it to the battery power supply unit 14 , a circuit for managing the deraille 160 , 162 , and a circuit for managing the various sensors.
  • Electronics for managing the transmission ratios in a automatic mode or based on manual controls entered for example through the manual control devices 164 or in a semi-automatic mode, also based on signals coming from the possible sensors, is housed in the on-board device 10 and/or in the manual control devices 164 .
  • the oblong hollow body 12 is made, for example, of a plastic material and is configured and sized for being housed inside the seat tube 112 .
  • the oblong hollow body 12 has a base 18 and a cover 19 that define a side surface, an upper longitudinal end 20 and a lower longitudinal end 22 , the adjectives upper and lower being used, in order to make the invention easier to understand, with reference to the mounted condition of the device 10 shown in FIG. 7 . In other mounting conditions, the device 10 could be mounted upside down or essentially horizontal.
  • a plurality of power supply, signal and/or data cables 24 extend from the circuit board 16 and come out from the oblong hollow body 12 at its lower longitudinal end face 22 as shown and/or at its upper longitudinal end face 20 .
  • the cables 24 are preferably equipped with respective removable connectors (cfr. the removable connector 86 of FIG. 15 ) for connection with other devices of the electronic system and/or with a power supply source for recharging the battery power supply unit 14 .
  • the oblong hollow body 12 is advantageously tightly closed.
  • the cover 19 is ultrasound welded, glued or screwed with interposition of a gasket to the base 18 .
  • Insulating material can also be provided at the exit of the cables 24 through suitable holes 25 ( FIG. 5 ).
  • the oblong hollow body 12 has a groove 28 extending parallel to its main longitudinal direction X, hereinafter called axis X for the sake of brevity.
  • the groove 28 extends from the lower end 22 .
  • the groove 28 is preferably flared and/or tapered towards the lower end 22 .
  • the groove is made in part in the cover 19 and in part in the base 18 of the oblong hollow body 12 , and thus it has a short interruption 29 .
  • the groove 28 does not extend up to the upper end 20 , rather on the contrary it has an abutment surface 30 extending substantially transversal to axis X.
  • the groove 28 is sized to receive a portion of two inserts 166 , 168 ( FIG. 5 , 7 , 8 ) that are arranged, in a substantially standardized manner, in the seat tube 112 for fastening a bottle cage and that project towards the inside of the seat tube 112 .
  • the groove 28 could receive the upper insert 168 only.
  • the transversal size of the oblong hollow body 12 can correspond elsewhere—and in particular in its upper portion—essentially to the internal transversal size, in particular to the internal diameter, of the seat tube 112 and/or the longitudinal size of the device 10 can be maximized.
  • the oblong hollow body 12 slid in the seat tube 112 with the groove 28 in the suitable angular position (about the axis X), thus “hooks” onto the inserts 166 , 168 , remaining possibly suspended slightly above the housing box of the bottom bracket assembly 128 .
  • the seating of the inserts 166 , 168 in the groove 28 prevents the rotation of the device 10 about the axis X and also oscillating inclination movements with respect to the axis X.
  • the internal threading of the holes 32 , 34 is the same as that of the inserts 166 , 168 .
  • the internally threaded hole 32 on the side of the lower end 22 is made in a bush 36 that is housed with clearance in a smooth hole 40 of the oblong hollow body 12 , as can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 4 , 5 .
  • the bush 36 is longitudinally biased, for example by a coil spring 44 acting on a flange 37 of the bush 36 , and bush 36 and spring 44 are longitudinally held by abutment surfaces 48 , 50 .
  • Bush 36 and spring 44 are inserted in the smooth hole 40 through an opening 38 of the oblong body 12 .
  • the internally threaded hole 34 on the upper end side 20 could be made similarly, but in the embodiment shown it is instead made in a conventional nut 35 .
  • the face of the upper longitudinal end 20 of the device 10 there can be an internally threaded hole 60 or a bayonet seat or another seat for temporarily fastening a rigid rod 62 , of a length such as to still partially protrude from the seat tube 112 when the on-board device 10 is correctly positioned at the bottle cage, so as to allow the on-board device 10 to be manoeuvred to position it correctly.
  • the rod 62 is removed from the seat 60 and withdrawn from the seat tube 112 .
  • the hole 32 if it is a through hole as shown, can act as a seat for the temporary passage of a semi-rigid cable 64 as a mounting aid.
  • the alternative fastening means shown comprises an expander 70 , per se known, for locking by radial pressure against the inner wall of the seat post 130 (as shown) or of the seat tube 112 .
  • the expander 70 is a substantially cylindrical body having an adjustment bolt 72 extending in the axial direction and a plurality of elements 74 , the radial extension of which is adjustable through the adjustment bolt 72 .
  • both of the ends 72 A, 72 B of the adjustment bolt 72 are accessible and manoeuvrable.
  • the expander 70 For mounting suspended outside of the seat post 130 , the expander 70 is initially inserted in the seat post 130 ( FIG. 11 ) and the bolt 72 is actuated from the end 72 A to lock the expander 70 on the inner surface of the seat post 130 ; thereafter, the oblong hollow body 12 is fastened to the expander 70 through the dovetail means 76 , 78 , and preferably fixed by inserting the pin 80 in coaxial holes 81 A and 81 B, extending transversally in the expander 70 and in the oblong hollow body 12 , respectively.
  • the oblong hollow body 12 is firstly fastened to the expander 70 through the dovetail means 76 , 78 and preferably through the pin coupling; thereafter, the assembly of the two is inserted in the seat tube 112 or in the seat post 130 and the bolt 72 is actuated from the end 72 B to lock the expander 70 on the inner surface of the seat tube 112 or of the seat post 130 .
  • FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of the device 10 a that differs from the one illustrated and described above in that the groove 28 a extends for the entire length of the oblong body 12 , with the abutment surface 30 being absent.
  • FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of the device 10 b that differs from the ones illustrated and described above in that the groove 28 is absent.
  • the part on the side of the upper end 20 , “upstream” of the hole 34 could have a greater transversal size than the part on the side of the lower end 22 , containing the holes 32 , 34 .
  • the oblong hollow body 12 could be “stepped”.
  • FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of the device 10 c that differs from the one illustrated in FIG. 13 in that it has a groove 26 sized for housing one or more cables 24 , which extends substantially in the main longitudinal direction of the oblong hollow body 12 to allow the possible passage of the cables 24 between the oblong hollow body 12 and the seat tube 112 (or the seat post 130 ).
  • the cables 24 are also shown, as an example, exiting the upper end 20 of the oblong body 12 .
  • the cables 24 can also exit from the side surface of the oblong hollow body 12 , on the bottom of the groove 26 for housing the cables where provided for.
  • the device 10 d comprises a groove 82 extending in a direction transversal to axis X, in which an anti-vibration insert 83 is seated, preferably in a removable manner.
  • the groove 82 is shown substantially at the upper end 20 of the device 10 d, but it could be elsewhere, just as there could be other grooves with anti-vibration insert.
  • the anti-vibration insert 83 is one or a pair of O-rings made of rubber, silicone or other elastomeric materials and it has the function, indeed, of absorbing the vibrations particularly when the device 10 d is inserted in the seat tube 112 of the bicycle.
  • the device 10 d further comprises a seat 84 for a removable connector 86 fixed to one of the cables 24 , leading to the inner battery the device 10 d or to a recharging circuit thereof.
  • a removable connector 86 fixed to one of the cables 24 , leading to the inner battery the device 10 d or to a recharging circuit thereof.
  • the seat 84 is preferably made in a flange 85 projecting at the lower end 22 of the device 10 d.
  • the flange 85 preferably lies in a plane that is slightly inclined with respect to the axis X (angle ⁇ ) so that it and the connector 86 do not interfere with the inserts 166 , 168 during insertion of the device 10 d into the seat tube 112 .
  • the seat 84 is preferably a smooth hole.
  • the removable connector 86 is equipped with a peripheral flange 87 and an external threading 88 to receive a nut 89 .
  • the flange 85 of the seat 84 is clamped between the peripheral flange 87 and the nut 89 when the nut 89 is screwed onto the external threading 88 .
  • the removable connector 86 can be differently coupled with the seat 84 , for example screwed into an internal threading of the seat 84 or forced into the seat 84 .
  • the removable connector 86 is preferably equipped with a cap 90 to protect its terminals when it is not coupled with the matching removable connector 174 .
  • FIG. 16 also shows different means for fastening the bottle cage (cfr. the bottle cage 194 of FIG. 17 ) and the device 10 d with respect to the screws 170 , 172 shown in FIG. 7 .
  • Such fastening means comprises two stud bolts 171 , 173 to be screwed into the inserts 166 , 168 of the frame 112 and into the holes 32 , 34 of the on-board device 10 d, the bottle cage being fixed through nuts 180 , 182 to the stud bolts 171 , 173 .
  • the stud bolts 171 , 173 preferably comprise a flange 184 , 186 suitable for abutting outside of the frame 110 , and a recessed hexagonal seat 188 , 190 or another seat so shaped as to be manoeuvrable by a tool to clamp them.
  • the flange 184 is shown square and the flange 186 is shown round, but both of the flanges 184 and 186 can be round or square or have another shape that allows them to be manoeuvred through a clamping tool as an alternative to the use of the recessed hexagonal seat 188 , 190 .
  • a seat 192 is made for housing the removable connector 86 , to be used in an analogous way and as an alternative to the seat 84 of the device 10 d.
  • FIG. 17 also shows a bottle cage 194 .
  • the recharging of the inner battery of the device 10 d can take place without dismounting it from the frame 110 .
  • the device 10 d further comprises, on the bottom of the groove 28 and between the holes 32 and 34 intended for fastening the device 10 d at the bottle cage, a seat 92 for fixing a shim (not shown) to be applied in the case in which the inserts 166 , 168 of the seat tube 112 project too little inside the seat tube 112 .
  • the seat 92 comprises two threaded holes 94 , 96 , but it is possible to use any other means for fixing such a shim.
  • the device 10 d there could be just one of the groove 82 with anti-vibration device 83 , the seat 84 for a removable connector 86 , and the seat 92 for a shim.
  • FIGS. 18 and 19 show a first embodiment of a support 200 for mounting an on-board device of a bicycle externally on the frame 110 , in particular an on-board device 10 , 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d as described above.
  • the support 200 is oblong shaped, having substantially the shape of the side surface or of the shell of a hollow solid.
  • the support 200 has a first wall 202 , a second wall 204 opposite thereto and two joining walls 206 , 207 between them. There are no end walls.
  • the walls 202 , 204 , 206 , 207 are so shaped as to form, on the outside, a support 200 that is sufficiently aerodynamic and, internally, an oblong seat 208 for housing the on-board device 10 , 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, open at both longitudinal ends.
  • the first wall 202 has first openings 210 , one of which is intended to receive a shank of a first fastening device 214 to the frame 110 , such as a screw, and second openings 212 , one of which is intended to receive a shank of a second fastening device 216 .
  • the first openings 210 and the second openings 212 are spaced along a longitudinal direction Y of the support 200 .
  • first openings 210 are shown, but there could be less first openings 210 , even just one, or more than three.
  • Each first opening 210 is a multi-hole opening, namely an opening having a shape corresponding to plural aligned circular holes having a distance between centres that is preferably smaller than the diameter as shown.
  • the multiple holes are aligned along a direction Z transversal to the support 200 .
  • each opening 210 corresponds to two aligned holes, but these could be more than two.
  • Each first opening 210 is in this way configured to receive a shank of the first fastening device 214 alternatively in one of the two aligned holes—or in each of the aligned holes if there are more than two—in other words alternatively in positions spaced apart in the first opening 210 along the transversal direction Z.
  • the shank of the fastening device 214 if suitably sized, cannot slide in the opening 210 and therefore its position along the transversal direction Z, once the hole to be used has been set, is fixed.
  • each first opening 210 could be configured like a slot (cfr. the second openings 212 ), having a major axis extending along the transversal direction Z of the support 200 .
  • Each slot-type opening 210 is configured to receive the shank of the first fastening device 214 in numberless positions spaced apart in the first opening 210 along the transversal direction Z, but the shank of the fastening device 214 can slide in the opening 210 and therefore vibrate if not properly clamped on the frame 110 .
  • first wall 202 of the support 200 three second openings 212 are shown, but there could be less second openings 212 , even just one, or more than three.
  • Each second opening 212 is a slot having a major axis extending along the longitudinal direction Y of the support 200 .
  • the slot shape is hardly recognisable in FIGS. 18 and 19 since the major axis is not much longer than the minor axis, but in other embodiments the slot could be more elongated.
  • just some of the second openings could be slot shaped, or with multiple holes similarly to the first openings 210 shown, but with the holes aligned along the longitudinal direction Y of the support 200 .
  • Each second opening 212 is in this way configured to receive a shank of the second fastening device 216 to the frame 110 , in two or more positions spaced apart in the second opening 212 along the longitudinal direction Y.
  • one or more of the second openings 212 could be simple holes, configured to receive the shank of the second fastening device 216 in a single position.
  • first openings 210 are shown equally spaced and grouped together, and the second openings 212 are shown equally spaced and grouped together, the first openings 210 could be alternated with the second openings 212 or the first and the second openings could be differently distributed along the longitudinal direction Y.
  • the distances between the various openings 210 , 212 can also be whatever, not necessarily constant.
  • the second wall 204 of the support 200 has two perforated projecting seats 218 , 219 for two devices 220 , 221 for fastening to the on-board device, like for example screws.
  • the perforated projecting seats 218 , 219 can be equipped with a simple circular hole, forcing the position of the on-board device 10 , 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d in the seat 208 of the support 200 when the fastening devices 218 , 219 are inserted.
  • the projecting seats 218 , 219 are sized, along the transversal direction Z, similarly to the inserts 166 , 168 of the frame 110 intended for fastening the bottle cage 194 , so that the seat 208 is specifically configured for the on-board device 10 , 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d described above, being configured like the inside of the seat tube 112 at the bottle cage.
  • the first wall 202 and the second wall 204 are opposite one another and offset in the longitudinal direction Y of the support 200 , so that the support 200 has the shape of the shell surface of a hollow solid having oblique base and top with respect to the longitudinal axis Y.
  • a tool for manoeuvring the first fastening element 214 such as a screwdriver
  • the longitudinal direction Y a length suitable for containing and supporting the on-board device 10 , 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d.
  • the second wall 204 preferably has one or more openings such as the openings 222 , 223 shown, which also have the function of making it lighter.
  • Openings 224 , 225 for weight reduction and/or for gaining access to the fastening devices can also be made in the joining walls 206 , 207 as shown.
  • the position of the first openings 210 and of the second openings 212 in the first wall 202 could be inverted, making the second openings 212 accessible to manoeuvre the second fastening element 216 directly and the first openings 210 to manoeuvre the first fastening element 214 through the openings 222 , 223 .
  • the support 200 is fixed to the frame 110 by bringing the first wall 202 up to an element of the frame 110 , inserting the fastening device 214 in a suitable position among all those offered by the first openings 210 , and inserting the fastening device 216 in a suitable position among all those offered by the second openings 212 , and tightening them.
  • the on-board device 10 , 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d is then inserted in the seat 208 from one of its open longitudinal ends and made to slide along the longitudinal direction, until the openings of the seats 218 , 219 are aligned with the holes 32 , 34 .
  • the on-board device 10 , 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d is finally fastened to the support 200 and therefore to the frame 110 .
  • FIGS. 20 and 21 the support 200 is shown mounted on a horizontal tube 124 of the rear stay, respectively without and with the on-board device inserted, and in FIG. 22 the support 200 is shown mounted on the down tube 116 , with the on-board device inserted.
  • the on-board device shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 is in particular the on-board device 10 d of FIG. 15 .
  • the horizontal tube 124 of the rear stay has a bend and in general has a size and a profile that depend on the frame manufacturer and on the model, just as other oblong frame elements, the presence of many positions for the fastening device 214 spaced apart along the transversal direction Z is exploited to fix the support 200 to the frame element so that the support 200 , and the on-board device contained in it, extend as far as possible along such a frame element, with advantages in terms of appearance, aerodynamics and safety since the device can be so mounted as to project as little as possible transversally from the frame element 110 .
  • the end wall 226 has a seat 228 , such as a circular hole, for the removable connector 86 of the power supply and/or recharging cable 24 of the on-board device or for another connector, to be used in an analogous manner and as an alternative to the seat 84 of the device 10 d described with reference to FIG. 15 .
  • a seat 228 such as a circular hole
  • first and the second fastening device 214 , 216 it is possible to change the distance between the first and the second fastening device 214 , 216 to adapt it to the oblong bicycle element 110 and/or to the on-board device 10 , 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, by simply changing the distance between the straps 230 , 232 .
  • a single first opening 210 and a single second opening 212 are therefore sufficient, as shown. Nevertheless, there could be more first openings 210 and/or more second openings 212 .
  • each strap 230 , 232 has means for adjusting the clamping force around the on-board device 10 , 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, by loosening which it is possible to make the on-board device 10 , 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d slide along the frame element 110 or remove it from the support 200 b.
  • Such means for adjusting the clamping force comprises, in the embodiment shown just as an example, a split 234 of the strap 230 , 232 and a screw 236 extending in a hole 238 passing through an end of the strap 230 , 232 near to the split 234 and in a blind hole (not visible) in the opposite end of the strap, again close to the split 234 .
  • FIG. 27 it can be seen that the first and the second fastening device 214 , 216 are inserted in positions not corresponding in the first and second strap 230 , 232 so that the on-board device 10 d extends as far as possible along the horizontal tube 124 of the rear stay, as can be seen in FIG. 28 .
  • the on-board device 10 d of FIG. 15 is shown mounted directly externally on an oblong element of the frame 110 or able to be associated with the frame, such as the seat post 130 or the handlebars 134 , generically indicated as oblong bicycle element 242 .
  • the on-board device 10 d is fastened through fastening elements 244 , 246 , such as screws, extending transversally through the oblong bicycle element 242 , in two pairs of aligned through holes 247 , 248 and 249 , 250 of the oblong bicycle element 242 .
  • the fastening elements 244 , 246 screw into the threaded holes 32 , 34 of the on-board device 10 d.
  • the above has therefore described an innovative assembly of an on-board device 10 , 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d and support 200 , 200 a, 200 b therefor that offers the possibility of mounting the on-board device 10 , 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d in one or more positions between outside the frame 110 , directly or through the support and, without the support 200 , 200 a, 200 b, inserted in a bicycle oblong element or suspended in a bicycle oblong element, in particular inserted in the seat tube 112 at the bottle cage 194 , or suspended in the seat tube 112 or suspended from the seat post 130 .
  • an innovative support 200 , 200 a, 200 b for a bicycle on-board device 10 , 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d having a seat for a removable connector 86 of a cable 74 , more preferably of a recharging cable of the on-board device 10 , 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d.
  • an innovative bicycle frame 110 with a seat 192 for mounting a removable connector 86 of a cable 74 , more preferably of a recharging cable of the on-board device 10 , 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d able to be inserted in the frame 110 .
  • the seat can be provided in a seat post 130 or handlebars 134 .
  • an innovative bicycle frame 110 with an on-board device 10 , 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d inserted in the seat tube 112 and a hole 178 for gaining access to a removable connector 86 of a cable 74 , more preferably of a recharging cable of the on-board device 10 , 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d.
  • the access hole can be provided in a seat post 130 or handlebars 134 in which the on-board device 10 , 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d is inserted.
  • the supports 200 , 200 a, 200 b are suitable for any of the on-board devices 10 , 10 a, 10 b, 10 c shown above and their described variants, and they can easily be adapted to generic on-board devices, not having the described means for fixing inside the seat tube 112 or the seat post 130 .
  • the groove 28 , 28 a, with the means 32 , 34 for fastening the screws of the bottle cage where provided for, and/or the alternative fastening means such as the expander 70 can be made in a metallic plate that can be removably associated with the oblong hollow body 12 , for example made of a plastic material. In this way, it is possible to increase the strength and/or make a single oblong hollow body and a series of plates, each adapted to different sizes and/or distances between centres of inserts 166 , 168 for fastening the bottle cage.
  • on-board device is also suitable for seat tubes or oblong frame elements, handlebars and seat posts with non-circular cross section and/or for frames with integrated seat post.
  • the on-board device described above can be inserted inside or mounted outside of another bicycle oblong element, for example in the down tube 116 or in the head tube 126 or anywhere else there are inserts analogous to those provided for fastening the bottle cage.
  • the reference to an oblong element of the frame 110 or in particular to the seat tube 112 should therefore be taken more in general as a reference to a bicycle oblong element, including the seat post 130 and the handlebars 134 .
  • the on-board device described above can be applied at inserts or reinforcements of the bicycle in one piece therewith not corresponding to the standards of the bottle cage in terms of distance between centres, dimensions and/or threadings, by simply adapting its holes 32 , 34 and/or the groove 28 , 28 a.
  • the support 200 , 200 a, 200 b described above can have fastening means to the on-board device that does not correspond to the standard inserts of the bottle cage.
  • the on-board device 10 , 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d can contain just one of the battery power supply unit 14 and the circuit board 16 .
  • the circuit board 16 if provided for, can contain devices and circuits different from those described above.
  • the holes 32 , 34 can be smooth holes, intended for example for coupling with expansion devices, or different seats for fastening elements for fastening the on-board device 10 , 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d to the bicycle or to the support 200 , 200 a, 200 b.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Motorcycle And Bicycle Frame (AREA)
  • Automatic Cycles, And Cycles In General (AREA)
  • Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)
US14/125,234 2011-06-10 2012-06-08 Bicycle on-board device and related support and mounting method Abandoned US20140191493A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP11425156.4 2011-06-10
EP11425156.4A EP2532571B1 (en) 2011-06-10 2011-06-10 Bicycle on-board device and related mounting method
EP12425094.5 2012-05-18
EP12425094A EP2532572A1 (en) 2011-06-10 2012-05-18 Bicycle on-board device and related support and mounting method
PCT/IT2012/000174 WO2013011529A1 (en) 2011-06-10 2012-06-08 Bicycle on-board device and related support and mounting method

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US14/125,231 Expired - Fee Related US9550539B2 (en) 2011-06-10 2012-06-08 Bicycle on-board device and related support and mounting method
US14/125,234 Abandoned US20140191493A1 (en) 2011-06-10 2012-06-08 Bicycle on-board device and related support and mounting method
US13/493,485 Expired - Fee Related US8979111B2 (en) 2011-06-10 2012-06-11 Bicycle on-board device and related mounting method

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US13/493,485 Expired - Fee Related US8979111B2 (en) 2011-06-10 2012-06-11 Bicycle on-board device and related mounting method

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EP (3) EP2532571B1 (zh)
JP (3) JP5977089B2 (zh)
CN (3) CN103764489B (zh)
ES (1) ES2652020T3 (zh)
PL (1) PL2532573T3 (zh)
TW (1) TWI576264B (zh)
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WO2013011529A1 (en) 2013-01-24
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US20120313344A1 (en) 2012-12-13
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US9550539B2 (en) 2017-01-24
JP5977089B2 (ja) 2016-08-24

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