ITFI20090271A1 - RECORDING DEVICE FOR BICYCLE STEERING SERIES - Google Patents

Description

REGISTRATION DEVICE FOR BICYCLE STEERING SERIES

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to the bicycle sector and in particular it concerns a device which facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the components of the front part of a bicycle.

As is known, the connection between the frame and the fork of a bicycle is achieved through the so-called "headset". This component substantially consists of a joint comprising ball bearings mounted on the fork steerer which have the purpose of allowing reciprocal rotation between the fork itself and the frame.

The headset must be adjusted, ie its sensitivity must be correctly adjusted with respect to the stresses transmitted from the road surface to the handlebar, as well as to the control actuation by the user.

The adjustment of the headset consists in practice in operating the correct axial tightening on the system comprising, in addition to the bearings, the closing caps (or studs) and a group of washers and gaskets housed internally, which prevent the infiltration of humidity and dirt.

In particular, the right compromise must be found between a too weak axial tightening, with consequent excessive play between the components, or on the contrary a too tight tightening of the constituent elements of the series, so that the headset opposes a resistance to rotation suitable for ensure optimal maneuverability of the vehicle. It is very important that these parts are adjusted with precision, not only for the needs of control and safety of the guide, but also because the stresses suffered by the headset are considerable, and the presence of a play in the tightening, or a tightening excessive, would amplify the stresses coming from the road surface causing damage to the bearings or the bicycle frame.

The registration methods depend on the type of headset used. There are basically two types of headsets on the market, traditional or aheadset (or headless).

Traditional headsets consist of two cups that are pressed into the steering tube. Tightening is done by screwing the upper cap onto a special thread on the fork tube. The tightening is then further guaranteed by a lock nut screwed onto the upper cap.

The headsets of the aheadset type are the most modern and most used in current practice. The system is designed for forks with threadless steerer. The traction on the fork is entrusted to a tie rod (also called "spider") inserted inside the steerer. On the tie rod there is a threaded hole in which a tension screw is inserted which has the purpose of compacting the rotation mechanism by acting with a traction force directly on the fork.

The screw insists on the upper closing cap which rests on the component called "handlebar stem". The tightening, on the steerer, of a clamp arranged at one end of the stem, in addition to allowing the locking of the handlebar, allows to stabilize the adjustment of the headset.

The stem makes, as mentioned, the connection between the handlebar and the fork. In greater detail, the stem is commonly made up of a metal stem (usually in aluminum alloys or carbon fiber) ending with two ends (almost always made in aluminum alloy) which connect respectively to the fork steerer. and to the handlebar in its central part. The ends have clamps that tighten the attachment to the fork steerer and handlebar. These clamps can be completely opened and this facilitates easy assembly and disassembly of the stem. The handlebar connection clamp comprises a front portion usually consisting of a removable plate fixed to the rest of the stem end by means of Allen screws.

To mount the handlebar, without having to remove the gearshift and brake controls, simply unscrew the screws and remove the front end plate, then make the necessary adjustments and, finally, fix the system again by tightening the screws. Allen key. On the opposite end, the engagement on the fork steerer takes place in the same way, through a clamp adjusted by Allen screws. By tightening these screws, it is possible to adjust the orientation between the stem, then the handlebar, and the headset. Furthermore, as already seen, this tightening guarantees the adjustment of the headset ensuring the appropriate degree of axial compression on the system.

However, whenever it is necessary to remove the handlebar and reassemble it later, the laborious adjustment operations described above must be repeated, both for what concerns the correct calibration of the headset and for the correct alignment between handlebar and wheel (stem alignment - fork). In particular, to optimally calibrate the system, it is necessary to intervene on the screw inserted in the hole made on the spider with appropriate tools such as, for example, an Allen key.

The user is also forced to find the correct wheel-handlebar alignment, and arbitrarily establish if there is alignment between the handlebar and the fork, often by repeatedly rotating the stem on the stem until an orientation is obtained that appears exact. Subsequently, the alignment thus obtained is fixed by tightening the Allen screws of the stem clamp: however, due to the stresses suffered during motion, this tightening could loosen and cause relative rotation between the stem handlebar and fork steerer, resulting in a loss of alignment between handlebar and wheel.

The problems described above are particularly felt in the case of rental or folding bicycles. In the sector of rental bicycles, for example, it may be necessary to remove the handlebars to mount attacks of different lengths, such as to adapt to people of different sizes. In this case, the operator of the sector will have to remove the handlebar from the stem and then the stem from the fork steerer. After replacing the stem with one of the correct size to adapt to the customerâ € ™ s height, he will reassemble everything according to the procedure described above, correctly adjusting both the headset and the orientation of the handlebar. This operation obviously involves a considerable waste of time and energy on the part of the operator.

Similarly, for folding bicycles it is necessary to disassemble the handlebar frequently, with the drawbacks seen previously.

The present invention aims to provide a device capable of solving the problems highlighted above, making the operations of correct assembly / disassembly of the handlebar and fork significantly easier and quicker and thus simplifying the adjustment operations of the headset.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device of the aforementioned type which, moreover, prevents accidental rotation between the end of the handlebar stem and the fork steerer.

These objects are achieved with the adjusting device for bicycle headset according to the invention, the essential characteristics of which are defined in the first of the annexed claims.

The characteristics and advantages of the adjustment device for bicycle headset according to the invention will become clearer from the following description of its embodiments, made by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

<-> figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of the device assembled on the fork steerer of a bicycle <;>

- figure 2 shows in isolation and in detail a top view of a ring of the device of figure 1;

figure 3 shows a front view of the ring of figure 2;

- figure 4 shows a side view of the handlebar attachment of the device of figure 1;

- figure 5 shows in isolation and in detail a top view of a variant embodiment of the ring of the device of figure 1, adopting a different radial clamping system;

- figure 6 shows a front view of the ring of figure 5;

- figure 7 shows in isolation and in detail a front view of a second embodiment variant of the ring of the device according to the invention;

- figure 8 shows a top view of the ring of figure 7;

- figure 9 is a top view of the handlebar stem of the device according to the invention in the second embodiment variant, such as to adapt to the ring of figures 7 and 8;

- figure 10 shows a top view of the device comprising the ring shown in figure 7 and figure 8 and the handlebar stem of figure 9;

- figure 11 shows a side view of the device of figure 10, without the tightening screw;

- figure 12 shows a bottom view of the device of figures 10 and 11, without the tightening screw;

- Figures 13 and 14 show, respectively in an assembled and exploded configuration, and always in side view with the steering tube shown in section, the device in a second embodiment of the invention;

- figure 15 is a representation of the second embodiment, similar to that of figure 13, following the disassembly of the fork and the handlebar stem; - figures 16 and 17 show respectively a top and front view of an adapter ring to be associated with the fork in the second embodiment of the device; And

Figures 18 and 19 show respectively a front view and a sectional view of a jacket used in the second embodiment of the device.

With reference to figures 1 to 12, the device according to the present invention, in a first embodiment comprises a registration ring 1 and a corresponding handlebar attachment 5. In the preferred configuration described in figures 1 to 4, the ring 1 comprises two faces 1c, 1d respectively upper and lower, which develop on planes orthogonal to the axis, an internal circumferential edge 1b and an external circumferential edge 1a. The inner edge 1b defines a circumference of dimensions suitable to allow the insertion of the ring on the external diameter of the steerer C of the fork of a headset S (figure 1). Once the ring has been inserted on the sleeve, it can be fixed in the correct position by means of locking pins 3 which are screwed into special threaded holes 2 made through and with radial development on the ring 1 (figures 2 and 3). Preferably the pins are three in number equidistant along the outer circumference 1 of the ring (Figure 2).

On the upper face 1c, in correspondence with the outer edge 1a of the ring 1, there is a reference 4 which specifically consists of an axially projecting tooth having, for example, a semicircular profile (Figures 2 and 3).

A handlebar attachment 5 (Figures 1 and 4) comprises, according to the known art, a clamp 7, at a first end, for connection to the handlebar, and a clamp 6, at a second end, for connection to the tube C. On the edge 6a of the clamp 6, according to the invention, a slot 8 is formed which is suitable for coupling with the tooth 4 of the ring 1.

During use, the user will insert the ring 1 on the steerer C of the fork without locking it, not tightening the fixing screws 3. Then he will position the handlebar stem so that the reference tooth 4 is inserted into the Inside the groove 8, and also in this case it will not block the stem to the fork steerer, simply tightening the opposite clamp to the handlebar.

Once the device has been assembled, the user will have to adjust the position of the ring and consequently of the stem-handlebar assembly which is made integral to the rotation with the ring, around the steering axis , due to the engagement between tooth 4 and groove 8. Having not tightened the fixing screws 3, the handlebar stem and the ring 1 are free to rotate with respect to the fork steerer on which it is inserted. In this way, the user can vary the orientation of the stem and ring assembly 1 until the desired alignment between the wheel and the handlebar is reached.

Once the correct alignment has been reached, it is possible to adjust the axial compression acting on the headset, either manually, by exerting pressure on the handlebar stem and ring assembly, or with the help of a spider with relative tension screw, acting in a similar way to the spiders of the known type configurations, resting on the assembly so as to compress the headset. Having thus found the correct axial play between the parts, first tighten the Allen screws of the handlebar stem, then the screws of the ring 1, obtaining the adjustment of the headset.

At this point, the ring will remain integral with the tubular. If the user later needs to remove the handlebar, he will disassemble the stem, as in traditional applications. But in doing so, according to the invention, the adjustment of the headset is not lost since the compression and the axial locking are maintained by the ring 1 which always remains "in pack", ie fully tightened, on the headset. itself, thus allowing you to mount / dismount the handlebar without having to adjust the headset every time.

This result can therefore be achieved even in the absence of tooth 4 (or equivalent reference systems). However, advantageously, thanks to the presence of the tooth 4 and contrary to current practice, by reassembling the handlebar it will also be possible to have a reference which will allow to immediately identify the correct orientation between the handlebar itself and the wheel. To assemble the handlebar exactly, it will be sufficient that the reference on the stem is aligned with the reference on the ring without the need for further adjustments.

All this makes it possible to significantly reduce the time required for assembly and disassembly of the handlebar. The adjustment of the headset must be performed only once as well as the adjustment of the alignment between the handlebar and the wheel after which the ring can be left inserted and fixed on the fork steerer and will constitute the locking of the adjustment of the headset and the reference for all subsequent assembly / disassembly operations of the handlebar on the same bicycle.

In this way, there is a considerable facility for all those operators who have to perform the operation of adjusting the headset and replacing the handlebar or stem frequently, such as bicycle renters.

Another advantage is that the mutual engagement between the references on the ring and on the clamp allows a more stable fixing of the attachment on the fork steerer: since there are actually two clamps, one represented by the ring, the Other than the stem, the possibility of having an accidental loosening of the clamping is reduced.

As shown in figures 5 and 6, the ring 1 can be tightened to the sleeve C through alternative solutions with respect to the pins 3. In this case, in particular, the tightening of the ring on the sleeve is achieved through a ring with a discontinuous structure, with a threaded seat 102 formed tangentially on a radial projection 1f. The seat 102 develops over a radial interruption 1g which distances two halves of the projection 1f. A screw 103 engages in the threaded hole 102 so as to make the two halves of the projection 1f approach or move away, in response to screwing, so as to adjust the tightening action of the ring on the sleeve C.

Furthermore, various alternatives may be provided for the realization of the reference 4. For example, a solution may be inverted with respect to what has been described, that is with a slot made in correspondence with the outer edge 1a of the ring 1 and a tooth provided on the clamp of the 'attack.

Again, the reference can be made through a particular profile of the outer edge of the ring or parts of it. In this case, consider the variant embodiment shown in Figures 7 to 12. The ring 101 has an axial tubular extension 101f made on the upper face 101c, having an external profile 101g such as to be inserted inside a corresponding tubular profile 106a (figure 9) made on the clamp 106 of the handlebar stem 105 intended to be connected to the fork, so that the coupling between the profile 101g and the corresponding profile 106a determines an impediment to the reciprocal rotation between the ring 101 and the handlebar stem 105. For example, as shown in Figures 7 to 12, the profile 101g and the profile 106a advantageously have a polygonal shape.

The device just described can be marketed in its entirety, for example as a ring kit and handlebar stem intended for coupling with the ring. However, the ring can also be simply supplied individually, leaving it to the user to adapt a pre-existing attachment already in the user's possession for coupling. This last operation will be particularly easy with the device in the first embodiment variant, according to which the adaptation will simply require making the slot 8 on the clamp 6.

With reference now also to figures 13 to 20, a second embodiment of the invention is described below which, in relation to the functionality of the ring 1 and of the relative handlebar stem 5, corresponding to those of the first embodiment (in particular in the two variants of Figures 1 to 6), adds additional elements intended to obtain a further functionality.

For this purpose, it is appropriate to dwell in greater detail on the headset S which comprises, according to the known art, a steering tube S1, which houses the other components of the headset itself. The tube S1 is connected, usually by means of welding seams, to the horizontal tubular T1 and oblique T2 of the T frame of a bicycle (figures 13 and 14).

The tube S1 comprises a cylindrical central body S2 (figure 14) and two upper end portions S3a and lower S3b designed to accommodate the bearings indicated in the figure with S4 (the upper and lower terms indicate respectively the tubular portion facing towards the handlebar and the portion facing the fork). The S4 bearings allow the fork steerer to rotate with respect to the S1 tube and therefore to the frame, as will be seen shortly.

In particular, the outer ring of the bearings is locked in the housing defined by the end portions S3a, S3b and is therefore integral with the frame. Externally to the S4 bearings there are S5a, S5b closing studs, operating in contact with the bearings themselves and also having the function of protecting the headset from infiltration of humidity and dirt.

Finally, an open conical washer S6 can be provided, in plastic material (as already used in common headset on the market) with an external diameter such as to be housed in a seat, in turn conical, made on the upper boss S5a. The insertion of the washer, and the possibility of adaptation / adjustment provided by it, ensures a precise and clearance-free assembly between the fork steerer and the headset assembly.

According to the present embodiment of the invention, the coupling between the steering seat and the fork steerer, instead of being made directly, takes place with the interposition of a cylindrical jacket indicated with 10 in figures 14 and 15, having axis X which coincides with the steering axis between frame and fork.

The jacket 10 has a base 11 which represents the lower end intended to face the fork, and axially defines a passage 10a (figure 19) of diameter suitable for allowing the insertion of a tube C1 of a fork. The liner 10 has a length substantially equal to that of the tube S1 of the headset S, plus the thickness of the ring 1 (figure 13) which, as anticipated, is provided similarly to the first embodiment, albeit in an assembly configuration different as it will become clearer in the following.

On the liner 10 there are externally made seats for the upper and lower bearings 12a, 12b respectively (figures 18 and 19), having an increased diameter such as to allow the housing and locking of the inner ring of the bearings S4, respectively upper and lower , of the S headset. The axial extension of the seats 12a, 12b is therefore comparable to the internal thickness of the S4 bearings.

The seats 12a, 12b identify a central portion 13 of the jacket 10 comprised between said seats and an upper end portion indicated in the figure with 14 in an axially superior position with respect to the seat 12a. This terminal portion 14 has an axial extension such as to affect both the thickness of the upper boss S5a with the washer S6 associated with it, and that of the ring 1, which is tightened radially precisely on the terminal portion 14.

At the bottom, in a position between the bearing seat 12b and the base 11, a conical profile 15 is made, designed to engage with a corresponding internal conical profile of the lower boss S5b. The lower stop of the boss is made on an upper face 11a of the protruding base 11, which has an external diameter substantially corresponding to the external diameter of the bearing S4 and which therefore acts as a lower axial clamping element of the headset.

The base 11 also has a lower face 11b on which the passage 10a opens, substantially at the lower end of the seat 12b, with an end 10b (figure 19) having a frusto-conical profile (substantially parallel to the external profile of the seat 15). conical end 10b is adapted to receive a second lower ring 20, precisely having an external profile 20a corresponding to the conical profile of the end 10b (figures 16 and 17).

The lower ring 20 defines a hole 20c having a diameter equal to the external diameter of the quill C1 on which it is inserted. The aforementioned external profile 20a ends at the bottom (at the extremity of maximum diameter), with a lip 20b projecting radially up to a diameter substantially corresponding to that of the base 11 of the liner 10. At the axial extremity opposite to that of the lip 20b the profile external 20a stops on an annular face 20d. Indentations 24 projecting axially, for example semicircular (in the embodiment three equidistant circumferentially) are formed on the lip 20b. The indentations 24 are suitable for inserting into suitable semicircular recesses 16 made on the base 11 of the liner 10, constituting second reference means, where the first reference means are the upper ones determined by the tooth 4 and the slot 8 on the handlebar stem, to prevent rotation of the sleeve with respect to the liner 10. Obviously, also in this case, a similar functionality can be determined by a specular configuration, ie with indentations on the base 11 and recesses on the lower ring 20.

As said, the ring 20 is threaded and locked (preferably by gluing or equivalent solutions) on the fork tube C1, at the point where the latter branches off.

In the present embodiment, the ring 1 is therefore positioned and tightened radially on the end portion 14 of the liner 10 which protrudes from the headset (and no longer, as previously described, on the steerer C) by means of suitable tightening means (for example the screws 3), according to the methods and with the purposes described above.

The assembly thus made, comprising the headset S assembled on the sleeve 10 and registered by the tightening of the ring 1, constitutes the functional group, stably configured on the frame T (figure 15), which allows the reciprocal rotation between the same frame and the fork. The steerer C1 of the fork is positioned in such a way that the reference indentations 24 of the ring 20 are inserted inside the semicircular grooves 16 of the base 11.

This engagement prevents relative rotation between the jacket 10 and the fork, whereby the steering drive is transmitted from the handlebar to the wheels of the bicycle by effect of the rotation between the jacket 10 and the steering tube S1. The indentations 24 also constitute a reference which makes it possible to avoid, subject to the correct orientation of the ring 20 when fastening it to the fork, the operations for adjusting the orientation between the frame and the fork already described.

The handlebar stem is tightened to the portion of the steerer C1 that protrudes as previously seen for the first embodiment (figure 13).

The result is therefore a functional decoupling between the fork and the headset. To remove the handlebar and fork at the same time, it will be sufficient to remove only the stem 5, so that nothing more prevents the tube C1 from slipping out from inside the liner 10, the latter remaining mounted within the tube S1 with the headset retaining recorded by effect of the ring 1 which tightens on the terminal portion 14 of the shirt.

With this second embodiment, albeit at the cost of some constructive complication, there is therefore the additional advantage, in addition to those of the previous embodiment, of being able to assemble / disassemble the bicycle almost entirely without having to intervene on the headset and its adjustment. Considering, for example, that by removing only one component (the stem) it is possible to remove both the handlebar and the fork at the same time, it follows that the assembly / disassembly operations of the bicycle are advantageously facilitated and the time dedicated to them is considerably reduced, all this again without having to carry out the adjustment operations of the headset every time the bicycle is assembled / disassembled.

From a commercial point of view, the configuration of the device in the second embodiment will provide for the use of oversized headsets, in order to also be able to accommodate the liner 10 without weakening the standard thicknesses of the fork steerer. In particular, it will be possible to use an oversized headset, from an inch and a half both in the lower and in the upper part, or differentiated by an inch and a half below and by an inch and an eighth above, always with a view to adapting to the measures. standard of the forks currently on the market.

The materials used for the realization of the device will be those commonly used for this kind of components, for example steel, aluminum alloys, carbon fiber, etc.

The invention has been described up to now with reference to preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that other embodiments may exist which refer to the same inventive core, as defined by the scope of protection of the claims reported below.

Claims (15)

CLAIMS 1. An accessory device for a headset (S) of a bicycle frame (T), said headset being rotatably coupled to a steerer (C) of a fork, coaxially to a steering axis (X), said steerer ( C) being engageable with a handlebar stem (5) above said headset (S), the device being characterized in that it comprises axial adjustment means (2) of the headset, adapted to be axially interposed between said headset (S) and said stem (5) and to be constrained with respect to said stem (C) to maintain an axial compression on said headset (S), and consequently its adjustment, also following the disengagement between said stem (5) and said sleeve (C). The device according to claim 1, wherein said adjustment means comprise an upper ring (1) associated with means (3, 103) for radial clamping on said steerer (C), adapted to exert an axial compression on said headset (S). The device according to claim 2, wherein said tightening means comprise fixing pins (3) which can be inserted into threaded seats (2) obtained radially on said ring (1). The device according to claim 3, wherein said fixing pins (3) are three in number, equidistant along the circumference of said ring (1). 5. The device according to claim 2, wherein said tightening means comprise a threaded seat (102) formed tangentially on said ring (1), straddling a radial interruption (1g) thereof, and a screw (103) which commits itself to said ring road (102). The device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising first reference means (4) formed on said ring (1) designed to prevent, by engagement with complementary reference means of said handlebar stem (5), the rotation of the latter with respect to the ring (1) and consequently, with the ring tightened on said sleeve (C), with respect to the sleeve (C). 7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said handlebar stem (5) has a first end (7) adapted to be connected to a handlebar of said bicycle and a second end (6) adapted to be connected to said tube (C ), said reference means comprising at least one tooth (4), projecting axially from an upper face (1c) of said ring (1), and a corresponding at least one groove (8) having a profile corresponding to that of said tooth (4) , made on a lower edge (6a) of said second end (6) of said attachment (5). The device according to claim 7, wherein said tooth (4) and said groove (8) have a semicircular profile. The device according to claim 6, wherein said reference means comprise an axial tubular extension (101f) made on an upper face (101c) of said ring, said extension having an external profile (101g), for example polygonal, suitable to couple with a corresponding profile (106a) defined by said second end (106) of said handlebar stem (5) so that the coupling determines an impediment to reciprocal rotation. The device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising a tubular jacket (10) interposed radially between said headset (S) and said steerer (C1), so as to be rotatable around said steering axis (X) with respect to said frame (T) by means of the headset, housing said tube (C1) in an axially removable way, said sleeve (10) having an upper end portion (14) protruding from said steering seat (S), on which said ring (1) is tightened radially instead of directly on said tube (C1), and a radially projecting base (11) able to exert an axial pressure, at the lower end, on said headset (S), the device further comprising second reference means (24,16) adapted to prevent the rotation of said sleeve (C1) with respect to said sleeve, whereby by removing the clamping between said handlebar stem (5) and said sleeve (C1) it is possible to remove the fork (F) from the s steering wheel (S), maintaining the adjustment of the headset due to the effect of said sleeve (10) and said ring (1). 11. The device according to claim 10, wherein said second reference means (24,16) comprise a second ring (20) integral with said sleeve (C1) and having at least one axial indentation (24) able to engage with a corresponding cavity (16) obtained on said base (11) of said jacket (10). The device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said tubular liner (10) defines a pair of axially spaced seats (12a, 12b) for engagement with the inner rings of respective bearings (S4) of said series (S ), said upper end portion (14) being able to protrude from said headset (S) for an axial extension substantially corresponding to that of said upper ring (1). 13. The device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said jacket (10) defines a passage (10a) for the insertion of said sleeve (C1), having a conical lower end (10b) for engagement with a corresponding external profile (20a) of said second ring (20). 14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said second ring defines a hole with a diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the tube (C1) on which it is inserted, said outer profile (20a) ending at the bottom, at the end of maximum diameter, with a lip (20b) projecting radially up to a diameter substantially corresponding to that of said base (11) of said jacket (10), said at least one indentation (24) being formed on said lip (20b). The device according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein said headset (S) has larger dimensions than the standard headset normally intended to be coupled to the steerer (C1), in order to also accommodate said jacket (10) without weaken the thickness of the steerer itself.