Patent · US Expired

Hybrid spring for bicycle derailleurs

US6093122A · kind A · utility

16Cited by
5References
36Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 9, 1998
Grant dateJul 25, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 9, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB62M9/1242
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A parallelogram link mechanism of a bicycle derailleur has a coil spring tensioned from a first axis of the parallelogram to another axis thereof that is diametrically opposed to the first axis. The coil spring exerts a primary spring force against the rider-supplied derailleur actuation force throughout the actuation range of the derailleur. A secondary member exerts a secondary force throughout a portion of the actuation range of the derailleur, producing a substantially constant resultant actuation force experienced by the rider. The secondary member can take various forms, including an abutment member which selectively abuts the coil spring at an angle to the spring axis; a second spring internal to the first; a member which is attached to spaced-apart coils of the coil spring to limit their linear expansion; and an internal member which limits constriction of a segment of the coil spring inwardly toward the spring axis.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.