WO2008114213A1

WO2008114213A1 - Angularly adjustable clamp assembly for attachment of a bicycle saddle or a handlebar to a bicycle frame

Info

Publication number: WO2008114213A1
Application number: PCT/IB2008/051021
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefano Segato
Original assignee: Selle Royal S.P.A.
Priority date: 2007-03-19
Filing date: 2008-03-18
Publication date: 2008-09-25
Also published as: EP2137055A1; ITVI20070078A1; TW200848302A

Abstract

Attachment assembly of a bicycle saddle or a handlebar to a bicycle frame comprises an upper member (2) attached to a saddle on a handlebar, a lower member (3) attached to a bicycle frame and an intermediate member (4) interposed between upper and lower members. The intermediate member (4) is pivotally coupled to the upper member (2) about axis (X) and pivotally coupled to the lower member (3) about axis (Y). The assembly comprises locking means (12) which are movable between a first operating position (D1 > D2) for preventing the upper member (2) from pivoting about axis (X) while allowing the lower member (3) to pivot about axis (Y), a second operating position (D2 > D1) for preventing the lower member (3) from pivoting about axis (Y) while allowing the upper member (2) to pivot about axis (X), and a third operating position for preventing both members (2, 3) from pivoting (D1 = D2).

Description

ANGULARLY ADJUSTABLE CLAMP ASSEMBLY FOR ATTACHMENT OF A BICYCLE SADDLE OR A HANDLEBAR TO A BICYCLE FRAME

Field of invention

The present invention is applicable to the field of sport and leisure accessories and particularly relates to an adjustable clamp assembly for attachment of a bicycle saddle or handlebar to a post.

Background Art

Connection of a bicycle saddle or handlebar to a bicycle frame is known to require an interface member having a first upper clamp, designed for connection to the frame post and a second lower clamp, designed for connection to the saddle. Each clamp has a key for locking it to the member with which it is associated.

The height and angular position of the saddle are adjusted by tightening and loosening operation on these locking keys.

One drawback of this solution is that height and/or position adjustment of the saddle is particularly tedious and difficult. Also, the clamps and the locking keys are prone to oxidation with time, which is likely to cause malfunctioning and mechanical collapses. If these drawbacks occur while riding, they may cause considerable injury to the cyclist.

Summary of the invention

The object of this invention is to overcome the above drawbacks, by providing a connector assembly that is highly efficient and relatively cost-effective.

A particular object is to provide an assembly that allows ready and simple saddle position adjustment. A further object is to provide an assembly that allows safe and secure saddle position adjustment.

These and other objects, as better explained hereinafter, are fulfilled by an assembly for attachment of a bicycle saddle to a bicycle frame as defined in claim 1, which comprises an upper member designed to be attached to the saddle, a lower member designed to be attached to the frame and an intermediate member having a first end portion pivotally coupled to said upper member about a first axis and a second end portion pivotally coupled to said lower member about a second axis substantially parallel and staggered with respect to the former, characterized by comprising locking means susceptible of selectively interacting with said upper member and said lower member to lock their pivotal motion about their respective axes into their respective angular position relative to said intermediate member, said locking means being movable between a first operating position in which the upper member is prevented from pivoting about said first axis while allowing the lower member to pivot about said second axis and a second operating position in which the lower member is prevented from pivoting about said second axis while the upper member is unlocked and allowed to pivot about said first axis.

Thanks to this particular configuration, the assembly of the invention affords simple and convenient adjustment of the saddle position relative to the post.

By moving the locking means into the first position, the upper member is prevented from pivoting, and the lower member is allowed to pivot relative to the intermediate member. Conversely, the second position will prevent the pivotal motion of the lower member and allow the pivotal motion of the upper member relative to the intermediate member. Thus, by simply operating the locking means from the first to the second position, the position of the saddle will be quickly and easily adjusted.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention will be defined in accordance with the dependent claims. Advantageously, the assembly may include a toggle element that is externally operable by an operator to move the locking means between the first and the second locking positions.

Thanks to the latter configuration, the assembly of the invention affords simple, quick and safe adjustment of the saddle position. Simple operation of the toggle element from the first to the second operating positions and vice versa, allows convenient saddle position adjustment.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent upon reading the detailed description of a preferred, non-exclusive embodiment of a connector assembly of the invention, which is described as a non-limiting example with the help of the annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a saddle and a post which are connected by a first embodiment of the assembly of the invention, in which the saddle and the post are in a first predetermined position;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the saddle and the post of FIG. 1 which are connected by the first embodiment of the invention, in which the saddle and the post have reached a second predetermined position;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a saddle and a post which are connected by a second embodiment of the assembly of the invention, in which the saddle and the post are in a first predetermined position; FIG. 4 is a side view of the saddle and the post of FIG. 3 which are connected by the second embodiment of the invention, in which the saddle and the post have reached a second predetermined position;

FIG. 5 is an exploded axonometric view of the first embodiment of the assembly of the invention; FIG. 6 is an exploded axonometric view of the second embodiment of the assembly of the invention; FIG. 7 is an axonometric view of the assembly of the invention in the assembled state, in which a wall of the intermediate element 4 is partially hidden;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are lateral and cross sectional views respectively of the assembly of the invention in the first operating position; FIGS. 10 and 11 are lateral and cross sectional views respectively of the assembly of the invention in the third operating position;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are lateral and cross sectional views respectively of the assembly of the invention in the second operating position.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

Referring to the above figures, the assembly of the invention, generally designated by numeral 1, is particularly suitable for connection of a saddle S to a bicycle frame F via the post P, as shown in Figures 1 to 4.

Nonetheless, it shall be understood that the assembly 1 may allow connection of any part of any vehicle to the frame thereof. For example, the assembly 1 may be used to connect the handlebar of a cycle or motor cycle to the frame thereof.

The assembly 1 basically comprises an upper member 2 designed to be attached to the saddle S, a lower member 3 designed to be attached to the frame F and an intermediate member 4. It shall be understood that, while the lower member is shown to be coupled with the post P, it can also be integral therewith or with the frame F.

The intermediate member 4 has a first end portion 5 pivotally coupled to the upper member 2 to pivot about a first transverse axis X in the direction of arrows Fi and F₂, by a first angle α. The intermediate member 4 further has a second end portion 6 pivotally coupled to the lower member 3 to pivot about a second axis Y substantially parallel and staggered with respect to the axis X, in the direction of arrows F₃ and F₄, by a second angle β. The axes X and Y are clearly shown in Figures 1 to 4, where they appear to be substantially perpendicular to the plane of the figures.

The upper member 2 has a lower portion 7 designed to be coupled to the end 5 of the intermediate member 4, which is integral with an elongate upper portion 8 designed for connection to the saddle S.

In a first embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figures 1 , 2 and 5, the upper portion 8 is defined by an elongate element having two ends 9 and 9' for engagement in corresponding receptacles formed, for instance, on the peripheral edge of the saddle S.

In a second embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 6, the upper portion 8 is defined by two connectable clamps 10 and 10' with two guides 11 , 11" formed therein for connection with the rails of the saddle S.

According to the invention, locking means are provided, generally designated by numeral 12, which are designed to selectively interact with the upper member 2 in a first operating position, as shown in Figure 7 and with the lower member 3 in a second operating position, as shown in Figure 8, to prevent pivotal motion thereof relative to the intermediate member 4 while unlocking the pivotal motion of the other member still relative to the intermediate member 4.

The locking means 12 include upper and lower movable walls 13, 14, which are pivotally coupled to the intermediate member 4 to pivot about respective substantially parallel axes Wi, W₂ and about the axes X and Y, thereby locking the upper member 2 and the lower member 3 respectively.

To this end, the upper movable wall 13 has first projections 15 formed on its topside 16 for engagement, in the first operating position, with corresponding first recesses 17 formed at the lower end 18 of the upper member 2. Likewise, the upper movable wall 14 has second projections 19 formed on its lower face 20 for engagement, in the second operating position, with corresponding second recesses 21 formed at the upper end 22 of the lower member 3.

For the purpose of driving the upper and lower movable walls 13, 14, the assembly 1 has a toggle element 23 that is externally operable by an operator via an outwardly extending elongate tailpiece. The toggle element 23 is pivotally coupled to the intermediate member 4 to pivot about an axis Z interposed between the axis X and the axis Y, and parallel thereto. In a preferred, non exclusive embodiment, the axis Z may be substantially equally spaced from the axes X and Y.

Thus, by actuating the tailpiece 24, a user may cause the toggle element 23 to pivot about the axis Z to move it from the first operating position to the second operating position, allowing interaction between the movable wall 13 and the upper member 2 in the first position and between the movable wall 14 and the lower member 3 in the second position, and thence locking the angular position of the upper member 2 relative to the intermediate member 4 in the first position and of the lower member 3 relative to the intermediate member 4 in the second position.

To this end, the toggle element 23 includes a pair of opposed enlarged ends 32, 32' arranged concentrically with the axis Z. These projections 32, 32' are thick enough to allow engagement of the first projections 15 with the first recesses 17 in the first position and the second projections 19 with the second recesses 21 in the second position.

Particularly, in the first operating position, as shown in Figure 9, the upper projection 32 interacts with the underside 26 of the upper movable wall 13 to pivot it about the axis Wi and move the first projections 15 to engagement with the first recesses 17, thereby preventing the upper member 2 from pivoting relative to the member 4 and simultaneously allowing the lower member 3 to pivot β about the axis Y. In this first operating position, the distance Di between the axis Z and the underside 26 of the upper movable wall 13 is longer than the distance D₂ between the same axis Z and the topside 28 of the lower movable wall 14.

On the other hand, in the second operating position, as shown in Figure 13, the lower projection 32' interacts with the topside 28 of the lower movable wall 14 to pivot it about the axis W₂ and move the second projections 19 to engagement with the second recesses 21 , thereby preventing the lower member 3 from pivoting relative to the member 4 and simultaneously allowing the upper member 2 to pivot α about the axis X. In this second operating position, the distance D₂ between the axis Z and the topside 28 of the lower movable wall 14 is longer than the distance Di between the same axis Z and the underside 26 of the upper movable wall 13.

The projections 32, 32' actually operate like cams, and turn the circular motion of the toggle element 23 about the axis Z into a linear motion in the direction d of the movable walls 13 and 14 (which are in turn hinged to pivot about the axes Wi and W₂).

As particularly shown in Figure 8, the intermediate member 4 has locking grooves 29, 29', 29" formed therein for selective engagement of a projection 30 of the toggle element 23 to prevent any pivotal motion thereof in the first operating position, in the second operating position and in a third operating position interposed between the two, in which both angular positions of the upper and lower members 2, 3 are locked relative to the intermediate member 4. The third operating position is particularly shown in Figures 10 and 11.

In such third position, the opposed enlarged ends 32, 32' simultaneously prevent mutual disengagement of the first projections 15 from the first recesses 17 and the second projections 19 from the second recesses 21 , to prevent the upper and lower members 2, 3 from pivoting relative to the intermediate member 4. In this third operating position, the distance Di between the axis Z and the underside 26 of the upper movable wall 13 is substantially equal to the distance D₂ between the same axis Z and the topside 28 of the lower movable wall 14.

Safety means, generally designated by numeral 33, are provided to define and limit the angular rotation of the upper and lower members 2 and 3 relative to the intermediate member 4, which means comprise a first and a second locking pins

34, 35, secured to the intermediate member 4 and defining respective axes W₃,

W₄ substantially parallel to each other and to the axes X and Y, sliding in respective curvilinear slots 36, 37 formed in the upper and lower members 2 and 3 respectively, and defining respective rotation angles α, β. It shall be understood that the rotation angles α, β are determined by the sizes of the curvilinear slots 36,

37.

In operation, the assembly 1 operates as shown in Figures 8 to 13.

In the first operating position, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the projection 30 of the toggle element 23 is engaged in the groove 29. In this position, the topside 25 of the toggle element 23 interacts with the underside 26 of the movable wall 13 to cause it to pivot about the axis W₁ and move the projections 15 on its topside 16 to engagement with the corresponding recesses 17 on the underside 18 of the upper member 2. Thanks to the mutual engagement of the projections 15 and the recesses 17, the upper member 2 is prevented from pivoting about the axis X, wherefore the position of the upper member 2 relative to the intermediate member 4 is locked.

It shall be noted that, in this first position, as clearly shown in Figures 8 and 9, the underside 27 of the toggle element 23 does not interact with the topside 28 of the movable wall 14, wherefore the projections 19 on its underside 20 are disengaged from the recesses 21 on the topside 22 of the lower member 3. Accordingly, the lower member 3 is free to pivot about the axis Y through an angle β. In short, in this first operating position the angular position of the upper member 2 relative to the intermediate member 4 is locked, whereas the angular position of the lower member 3 relative to the intermediate member 4 may be changed.

By actuating the tailpiece 24 in the direction of arrow F₅, a user may cause the toggle element 23 to pivot about the axis Z until such toggle element 23 reaches the third operating position, intermediate between the first and the second positions, as shown in Figures 10 and 11. In this position, the projection 30 of the toggle element 23 is engaged in the groove 29'.

As the toggle element 23 pivots about the axis Z, the topside 25 thereof is no longer in contact with the underside 26 of the upper movable wall 13. Nonetheless, the latter keeps its position substantially unchanged, due to the interaction of the enlarged end 32 with the underside 26 of the upper movable wall 13. At the same time, the opposite enlarged end 32' interacts with the topside 28 of the lower movable wall 14 to cause the latter to pivot about the axis W₂ and move the projections 19 on its underside 20 to engagement with the recesses 21 on the topside 22 of the lower member 3.

As a result, in this third intermediate position the upper member 2 is prevented from pivoting relative to the intermediate member 4 about the axis X and the lower member 4 is also prevented from pivoting relative to the intermediate member 4, wherefore the angular positions of the upper and lower members 2, 3 relative to the intermediate member 4 are locked.

By further actuating the tailpiece 24 in the direction of arrow F₆, a user may cause the toggle element 23 to pivot about the axis Z until such toggle element 23 reaches the second operating position, as shown in Figures 12 and 13. In this position, the projection 30 of the toggle element 23 is engaged in the groove 29".

In this second position, as the toggle element 23 pivots about the axis Z, its upper enlarged end 32 will no longer interact with the underside 26 of the upper movable wall 13, and the lower enlarged end 32' of the toggle element 23 will also not interact with the topside 28 of the lower movable wall 14.

Thus, the upper movable wall 13 is free to pivot about the axis W₁ to disengage the projections 15 on its topside 16 from the corresponding recesses 17 on the underside 18 of the upper member 2, whereas the movable wall 14 keeps its position substantially unchanged due to the interaction of the underside 27 of the toggle element 23 with the topside 28 of the lower movable wall 14.

As a result, the upper member 2 is free to pivot about the axis X through an angle α, whereas the pivotal motion of the lower member 3 about the axis Y relative to the intermediate member 4 is prevented.

Therefore, in such second operating position the angular position of the upper member 2 relative to the intermediate member 4 may be changed as desired, whereas the angular position of the lower member 3 relative to the intermediate member 4 is locked.

Adjustment of the position of the saddle S relative to the frame F or to the post P only requires the toggle element 23 to be actuated to alternately move from the first to the second operating positions and the upper member 2 and the lower member 3 to be pivoted from time to time relative to the intermediate member 4, thereby adjusting as desired their angular positions.

For instance, for the saddle S to be moved from the position of Figure 1 to the position of Figure 2, the following procedure may be carried out:

First, the toggle element 23 may be moved into the second operating position as shown in Figures 12 and 13 to unlock the upper member 2 allowing it to pivot about the axis X while preventing the lower member 3 from pivoting about the axis Y, thereby adjusting the angular position of the upper member 2 relative to the intermediate member 4 by operation in the direction of arrows Fi and F₂. Then, the toggle element 23 may be moved into the first operating position as shown in Figures 8 and 9 to lock the upper member 2, preventing it from pivoting about the axis X while unlocking the lower member 3 to allow it to pivot about the axis Y, thereby adjusting the angular position of the lower member 3 relative to the intermediate member 4 by operation in the direction of arrows F₃ and F₄.

Thus, by possibly repeating the above steps, the position of the saddle S relative to the bicycle frame F may be readily and easily adjusted. In practice, the vertical and/or horizontal and/or angular motion of the saddle S relative to a point of interest (such as the frame F) is given by the sum of the two pivotal motions of the upper and lower members 2, 3 about the axes X and Y respectively. Likewise, the vertical and/or horizontal and/or angular motion of the saddle S relative to a point of interest (such as the frame F) is given by the sum of the angular positions of the upper and lower members 2, 3 relative to the intermediate element 4.

It shall be understood that, once the saddle S has reached the desired position, the toggle element 23 will be moved into the third operating position, to firmly secure the vertical and/or horizontal and/or angular position of the saddle S.

The above disclosure clearly shows that the assembly of the invention fulfills the intended objects and particularly meets the requirement of providing a an assembly that allows simple, ready and safe adjustment of the saddle position.

The assembly of this invention is susceptible of a number of changes and variants, within the inventive principle disclosed in the appended claims. All the details thereof may be replaced by other technically equivalent parts, and the materials may vary depending on different needs, without departure from the scope of the invention.

While the assembly has been described with particular reference to the accompanying figures, the numerals referred to in the disclosure and claims are only used for the sake of a better intelligibility of the invention and shall not be intended to limit the claimed scope in any manner.

Claims

1. An assembly for attachment of a bicycle saddle to the bicycle frame, comprising an upper member (2) designed to be attached to the saddle (S), a lower member (3) designed to be attached to the frame (F) and an intermediate member (4) having a first end portion (5) pivotally coupled to said upper member (2) about a first axis (X) and a second end portion (6) pivotally coupled to said lower member (3) about a second axis (Y) substantially parallel and staggered with respect to the former, characterized in that it comprises locking means (12) susceptible of selectively interacting with said upper member (2) and said lower member (3) to stop their pivotal motion about their respective axes (X, Y) and lock their respective angular position relative to said intermediate member (4), said locking means (12) being movable between a first operating position in which said upper member (2) is prevented from pivoting about said first axis (X) and said lower member (3) is allowed to pivot about said second axis (Y) and a second operating position in which said lower member (3) is prevented from pivoting about said second axis (Y) while said upper member (2) is unlocked and allowed to pivot about said first axis (X).

2. Assembly as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said locking means (12) comprise an upper movable wall (13) having first projections (15) adapted for engagement, in said first operating position, with corresponding first recesses (17) formed on said upper member (2).

3. Assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said first projections (15) are formed at the topside (16) of said upper movable wall (13), said first recesses (17) being formed at the lower end (18) of said upper member (2).

4. Assembly as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said locking means (12) comprise a lower movable wall (14) having second projections (19) adapted for engagement, in said second operating position, with corresponding second recesses (21) formed on said lower member (3).

5. Assembly as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said second projections (19) are formed at the underside (20) of said lower movable wall (14), said second recesses (21) being formed at the upper end (22) of said lower member (3).

6. Assembly as claimed in claims 2 and 4, characterized in that said upper (13) and lower (14) movable walls, which are pivotally coupled to said intermediate member (4) to pivot about respective substantially parallel axes (W₁, W₂) and about said first and second axes (X, Y).

7. Assembly as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes a toggle element (23) that is externally operable by an operator to move said locking means (12) between said first and said second operating positions.

8. Assembly as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said locking means (23) comprise an upper projection (32) susceptible of interacting, in said first position, with said upper movable wall (13) to move said first projections (15) to engagement with said first recesses (17).

9. Assembly as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said toggle element (23) comprises a lower projection (32') susceptible of interacting, in said second position, with said lower movable wall (14) to move said second projections (19) to engagement with said second recesses (21).

10. Assembly as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said toggle element (23) is pivotally coupled to said intermediate member (4) to pivot about a third axis

(Z) interposed between said first axis (X) and said second axis (Y) and substantially parallel thereto.

11. Assembly as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that said third axis (Z) is substantially equally distant from said first axis (X) and said second axis (Y).

12.

An assembly as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said toggle element (23) has an elongate tailpiece (24) extending outwards for operation by a user.

13. Assembly as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said locking means (12) can be set in a third operating position, interposed between said first operating position and said second operating position, in which they prevent both said upper member from pivoting about said first axis and said lower member from pivoting about said second axis.

14. Assembly as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that said locking means (12) further include a pair of enlarged ends (32, 32') of said toggle element (23), arranged concentrically with said third axis (Z) and adapted to interact with said upper (13) and lower (14) movable walls to prevent disengagement of said first projections (15) from said first recesses (17) and of said second projections (19) from said second recesses (21).

15. Assembly as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises locking means (29, 29', 29", 30) for preventing said toggle element (23) from pivoting about said third axis (Z) in said first operating position, said second operating position and said third operating position.

16. Assembly as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises safety means (33) adapted to define and angularly limit the pivotal motion of said lower (3) and upper (2) members relative to said intermediate member (4).

17. Assembly as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that said safety means (33) comprise first and second locking pins (34, 35), which are secured to said intermediate member (4) and define respective axes (W₃, W₄) substantially parallel to said first and second longitudinal axes (X, Y) respectively.

18. Assembly as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that said first and second locking pins (34, 35) slide in respective curvilinear slots (36, 37) formed in said upper and lower members (2) and (3), and defining respective rotation angles (α, β)-