Bicycle rear derailleur

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to a bicycle rear derailleur. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bicycle rear derailleur having a movable chain guard member.

2. Background Information

Bicycling is becoming an increasingly more popular form of recreation as well as a means of transportation. Moreover, bicycling has become a very popular competitive sport for both amateurs and professionals. Whether the bicycle is used for recreation, transportation or competition, the bicycle industry is constantly improving the various components of the bicycle. One component that has been extensively redesigned is the bicycle rear derailleur.

Typically, a rear derailleur has a base member and a movable member with a chain guide movably coupled to the base member via a linkage assembly. The base member is attached to the frame of the bicycle. The chain guide is configured to move the chain laterally over a plurality of rear sprockets. A spring biases the chain guide to an innermost or outermost position relative to the rear sprockets. A bowden-type control cable is typically coupled to the rear derailleur and to a conventional shift control device in order to control movement of the chain guide. The chain guide can be moved laterally by moving the linkage assembly via the inner wire of the control cable. Pulling the inner wire moves the chain guide against the biasing force of the spring, while releasing the inner wire causes the chain guide to move due to the biasing force of the spring.

Usually, the base member of a typical rear derailleur is mounted in a stationary position during normal use. However, the base member can typically be rotated against the biasing force of an internal spring and/or against the force of,chain tension in order to move the derailleur out of the way for removal of the rear wheel. While this base member arrangement works relatively well, an individual (rider, mechanic, etc.) must hold the rear derailleur out of the way during removal of the rear wheel. This can be difficult, cumbersome and/or inconvenient depending on the individual and the bicycle.

The most common chain guide includes a pair of pulleys mounted between a pair of parallel plates so that the pulleys are movable about a common pivot axis in response to changes in chain tension. However, in recent years, rear derailleurs have been provided in which the chain cage that supports the tension pulley may interfere with the guide pulley and/or the chain cage that supports the guide pulley in certain gear orientations. Also, interference between parts of the chain guide and the chain may occur in certain gear orientations. Furthermore, the chain cage that supports the guide pulley may interfere with the rear sprockets during removal of the rear wheel.

In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved bicycle rear derailleur. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle rear derailleur that moves a chain guide between a plurality of lateral shift positions in a smooth and reliable manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle rear derailleur, which utilizes a movable chain guard member that normally guards the chain from obstructions and that does not interfere with the rear sprockets when removing the rear wheel.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle rear derailleur, which utilizes a movable chain guard member that does not interfere with the chain, pulleys or other parts of the chain guide when the pulley(s) move due to an increase/decrease in chain tension.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle rear derailleur, which is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

The foregoing objects can basically be attained by providing a bicycle rear derailleur, which includes a base member, a movable member, a chain cage, a first pulley, a second pulley and a chain guard member. The base member is configured to be mounted to a bicycle. The movable member is movably coupled to the base member. The chain cage is pivotally coupled to the movable member to pivot relative to the movable member about a pivot axis between at least a first orientation and a second orientation. The first pulley is rotatably mounted relative to the movable member about a first rotation axis. The second pulley is rotatably mounted to the chain cage about a second rotation axis to move with the chain cage relative to the movable member. The chain guard member is movably coupled relative to the movable member to move between a first position and a second position. The chain cage includes an engagement portion configured and arranged to move the chain guard member from the first position to the second position when the chain cage is moved from the first orientation to the second orientation.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a bicycle equipped with a bicycle rear derailleur in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partial outside elevational view of the drive train of the bicycle illustrated in FIG. 1, with the bicycle rear derailleur in the retracted (top) position and the bicycle front derailleur in the retracted (low) position to guide the chain onto the smallest rear and front sprockets, respectively;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partial outside elevational view of the drive train of the bicycle illustrated in FIG. 1, with the bicycle rear derailleur in the extended (low) position and the bicycle front derailleur in the extended (top) position to guide the chain onto the largest rear and front sprockets, respectively;

FIG. 4 is a further enlarged side elevational view of the rear derailleur, rear sprockets and frame portion illustrated in FIG. 2, with the bicycle rear derailleur in the retracted (top) position to guide the chain (not shown) onto the smallest rear sprocket;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the rear derailleur, rear sprockets and frame portion illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the rear derailleur illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, with the linkage in an extended position, but with the chain guide in an intermediate position in order to illustrate movement of the chaing guard member by the chain cage.

FIG. 7 is a partial, end elevational view of the chain guide of the the rear derailleur illustrated in FIG. 6, as viewed along arrow 7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a further enlarged side elevational view of the rear derailleur, rear sprockets and frame portion illustrated in FIG. 3, with the bicycle rear derailleur in the extended (low) position to guide the chain (not shown) onto the largest rear sprocket;

FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the rear derailleur, rear sprockets and frame portion illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a slightly enlarged side elevational view of the rear derailleur, rear sprockets and frame portion illustrated in FIG. 2, with the base member of the bicycle rear derailleur in a (first) normal operating position;

FIG. 11 is a slightly enlarged side elevational view of the rear derailleur, rear sprockets and frame portion illustrated in FIG. 2, but with the base member of the bicycle rear derailleur in a (second) rear wheel release position;

FIG. 12 is a further enlarged, outside elevational view of the base member of FIG. 10 (in the first position prior to moving to the second position), with the angular range of the first position illustrated and with the moving direction illustrated;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the base member illustrated in FIG. 12, as seen along section line 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a further enlarged, outside elevational view of the base member of FIG. 11 (locked in the second position after moving from the first position), with the first position illustrated in broken lines and with the moved direction illustrated;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the base member illustrated in FIG. 14, as seen along section line 15-15 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a further enlarged, outside elevational view of the base member of FIG. 11 (unlocked in the second position prior to moving back to the first position), with the first position illustrated in broken lines and with the moving direction back to the first position illustrated;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the base member illustrated in FIG. 16, as seen along section line 17-17 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a further enlarged, outside elevational view of the base member of FIG. 10 (in the first position after moving back from the second position), with the second position illustrated in broken lines and with the moved direction illustrated;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the base member illustrated in FIG. 18, as seen along section line 19-19 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is an exploded, elevational view of the locking device of the base member illustrated in FIGS. 12-19;

FIG. 21 is a upper/inside perspective view of the linkage assembly (moving mechanism) of the rear derailleur illustrated in FIGS. 1-11; and

FIG. 22 is a lower/outside perspective view of the linkage assembly (moving mechanism) of the rear derailleur illustrated in FIGS. 1-11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A selected embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiment of the present invention are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, a bicycle 10 is illustrated, which is equipped with a bicycle rear derailleur 12 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The rear derailleur 12 is designed to facilitate rear wheel removal as well as smooth shifting without interference between parts of the rear derailleur/chain with each other or other parts of the bicycle 10. The bicycle 10 is conventional, except for the rear derailleur 12. Thus, the bicycle 10 will not be discussed and/or illustrated in detail herein, except as related to the rear derailleur 12.

The bicycle 10 basically includes the frame 11 with front and rear wheels 14 and 16 coupled to the frame 11 in a conventional manner. The right side of the rear triangle of the frame 11 has the rear derailleur 12 directly attached thereto. However, the frame 11 can alternatively be provided with a removable type derailleur hanger (not shown) in a conventional manner without departing from the present invention. The bicycle 10 further includes a conventional rear shift control device 18 mounted on the handlebar to control the rear derailleur 12 via a shift control cable 13. The shift control cable 13 includes an inner wire 13a and an outer casing 13b in a conventional manner. The shift control device 18 is utilized by the rider to selectively pull/release the inner wire 13a to move a chain C laterally over a plurality of rear sprockets RS that are coupled to the rear wheel 16 using the rear derailleur 12. While a mechanical (i.e., cable actuated) derailleur 12 is illustrated, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the present invention can be employed in other types of derailleurs such as pneumatic derailleurs, motorized/electrical derailleurs or electromechanical derailleurs.

The rear sprockets RS are coupled to the rear wheel 16 via a free wheel (not shown) to selectively rotate the rear wheel 16 via the chain C in order to propel the bicycle 10 in a conventional manner. Specifically, a front crank FC with a plurality of front sprockets FS coupled thereto is mounted to the bottom bracket of the frame 11 to cycle the chain C in response to pedaling by the rider, and thus, to propel the bicycle 10 using the rear sprockets RS in a conventional manner. Preferably, a front derailleur FD with a front shift control cable (not shown) coupled thereto is mounted to the frame 11 in order to shift the chain C laterally over the front sprockets FS in a conventional manner. A conventional front shift control mechanism (not shown) is also preferably coupled to the handlebar to control the front derailleur FD to shift the chain C laterally over the front sprockets FS in a conventional manner.

Since the various parts of the bicycle 10 are conventional, except for the rear derailleur 12, the parts of the bicycle 10 will not be discussed or illustrated in detail herein, except as they relate to the rear derailleur 12. Moreover, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various modifications can be made to the various components or parts of the bicycle 10 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 2-11, the rear derailleur 12 basically includes a base member or mounting structure 20, a movable member 22, a linkage assembly 24, a chain guide 26 and a biasing member 28 in accordance with the present invention. Generally, the mounting structure (base member) 20 is configured to be mounted to the bicycle 10, while the linkage assembly is coupled between the mounting structure 20 and the movable member 22 to move the chain guide 26 between a retracted position and an extended position. The biasing member 28 normally biases the chain guide 26 toward one of the retracted and extended positions. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the mounting structure (base member) 20 is fixedly coupled to frame 11 for limited rotational movement, while the biasing member or spring 28 normally biases the movable member and chain guide 26 to the outer most (smallest) of the rear sprockets RS.

The mounting structure (base member) 20 is configured and arranged such that the main derailleur body of the rear derailleur 12 can be moved from a normal operating position to a rear wheel release position, and can be selectively and releasably retained (locked) in the rear wheel release position in order to facilitate removal of the rear wheel 16, in accordance with the present invention. The chain guide 26 is configured and arranged with a movable part that normally guides/guards the chain, but is movable during certain shifting operations such that parts of the chain guide and the chain do not interfere with each other or other parts of the bicycle 10, in accordance with the present invention. The chain guide 26 is also designed to facilitate removal of the rear wheel 16 due to the configuration of the movable part, in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-20, the base member (mounting structure) 20 in accordance with the present invention will now be explained. The mounting structure 20 basically includes a (frame) attachment element 30, a (linkage) support element 32, an adjustment device 34 and a locking device 36. The (frame) attachment element 30 is configured and arranged to be attached to the bicycle 10. Specifically, the attachment element 30 is fixedly attached to the rear triangle of the frame 11 using an attachment bolt 38 for limited rotational movement. The (linkage) support element 32 is pivotally coupled to the attachment element 30 to move between a (first) normal operating position and a (second) rear wheel release position angularly spaced from the (first) normal operating position. The adjustment device 34 is disposed between the attachment element 30 and the support element 32 to angularly adjust the first position of the support element 32 relative to the attachment element 30. The locking device 36 is coupled between the attachment element 30 and the support element 32 in order to selectively and releasably retain the support element 32 in the (second) rear wheel release position.

Referring now to FIGS. 10-20, the attachment element 30 basically includes a (first) attachment end 40 with a frame contact projection 42, a (second) support end 44 with an adjustment projection 46 and a stepped through bore 48, and a connecting portion extending between the first and second ends 40 and 44. The stepped through bore 48 receives part of the locking device 36, as explained below. The attachment end 40 of the attachment element 30 is attached to the frame for limited rotational movement, while the support end 44 of the attachment element 30 pivotally supports the support element 32. Preferably, the attachment element 30 is constructed as a one-piece, unitary member from a lightweight, rigid material such as a metallic material that is well known in the bicycle art using conventional manufacturing techniques such as casting and/or machining.

The attachment bolt 38 extends through a through bore (not shown) formed in the first attachment end 40. The attachment bolt 38 is threadedly attached to a threaded hole (not shown) in the frame 11. The frame contact projection 42 controls movement of the attachment element 30 relative to the frame 11. Specifically, the frame contact projection 42 selectively contacts a frame projection 11a due to torque applied to the attachment element 30 by tension from the chain C. During normal operation of the rear derailleur 12, the frame contact projection 42 will normally continuously contact the frame projection 11a. The support end 44 of the attachment element 30 has a through hole (not shown) that receives an additional attachment member (combination nut and bolt) 39 in order to pivotally attach the support element 32 thereto.

The adjustment projection 46 forms part of the adjustment device 34. In particular, the adjustment projection 46 selectively contacts an adjustable part of the adjustment device 34 due to torque applied to the support element 32 from chain tension. During normal operation of the rear derailleur 12, the adjustment projection 46 will normally continuously contact the adjustable part of the adjustment device 34, as explained below in more detail.

Referring again to FIGS. 2-20, the support element 32 will now be explained in more detail. The support element 32 basically includes a (first) attachment end 50 with a tubular cable guide portion 52, a (second) support end 54, an adjustment support portion 56, a blind bore 58 and a connecting portion extending between the first and second ends 50 and 54. Preferably, the support element 32 is constructed as a one-piece, unitary member from a lightweight, rigid material such as a metallic material that is well known in the bicycle art using conventional manufacturing techniques such as casting and/or machining.

The attachment end 50 of the support element 32 has a through bore (not shown) formed therein, which receives the additional attachment member (combination nut and bolt) 39 in order to pivotally attach the attachment end 50 of the support element 32 to the support end 44 of the attachment element 30. The support element 32 is not rotationally biased relative to the attachment element 30 by a biasing member disposed therebetween. In other words, the support element 32 is freely rotatable relative to attachment element 30. However, the support element normally remains stationary in the (first) normal operating position illustrated in FIGS. 10, 12 and 18 during normal use due to chain tension. The exact location of the (first) normal operating position of the support element 32 is adjustably set using the adjustment device 34, as explained in more detail below.

The tubular guide portion 52 of the support element 32 receives the outer casing 13b of the shift control cable 13 so that the inner wire 13a extends therethrough for attachment to the linkage assembly 24. The adjustment support portion 56 adjustably supports part of the adjustment device 34, as explained below. The blind bore 58 receives part of the locking device 36, as also explained below. The support end 54 of the support element pivotally supports the linkage assembly 24. Specifically, the support end 54 of the support element 32 includes a pair of parallel pivot holes (not shown), which receive pivot pins 60, and a cutout for receiving one end of the biasing member 28. The linkage assembly 24 is pivotally supported by the pivot pins 60, as explained below. High and low adjustment screws 62 and 64 are threadedly coupled to the support end 54 of the support element 32 to selectively contact parts of the linkage assembly 24 in order to adjust the top and low position of the chain guide 26.

The adjustment device 34 includes the adjustment projection 46 of the attachment element 30 and an (angular position) adjustment screw 66 that is threadedly received in a threaded bore of the adjustment support portion 56 of the support element 32. The adjustment screw 66 is arranged to contact the adjustment projection 46 when the support element 32 is in the normal operating position. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment screw 66 is threadedly coupled to the support element 32 so that the axial position of the adjustment screw 66 is adjustable by rotation of the adjustment screw 66. Accordingly, the normal operating position of the support element 32 relative to the attachment element 30 can be angularly adjusted about a predetermined angular range θ by rotating the adjustment screw 66, as best understood from FIG. 12. The predetermined angular range θ is preferably about thirty degrees or less. Also, the entire predetermined angular range θ of the (first) normal operating position of the support element 32 is preferably angularly spaced from the (second) rear wheel release position of the support element 32. Of course, it will be apparent to those skilled in the bicycle art from this disclosure that the arrangement of the adjustment screw 66 and the adjustment projection 46 could be reversed if needed and/or desired without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-9, 21 and 22, the linkage assembly (moving mechanism) 24 will now be explained in more detail. The linkage assembly 24 basically includes a pair of parallel links 70 and 72 as well as a portion of the support element 32 and a portion of the movable member 22 to form a four bar linkage. The link 70 is an upper/outer link, while the link 72 is a lower/inner link. The high adjustment screw 62 selectively contacts a protrusion 72a of the lower/inner link 72 to adjust the top position of the chain guide 26, as best understood from FIGS. 21 and 22. On the other hand, the low adjustment screw 64 selectively contacts a protrusion 70a of the upper/outer link 70 to adjust the low position of the chain guide 26, as best understood from FIG. 22.

The links 70 and 72 are pivotally coupled to the support element 32 and the movable member 22 using four of the pivot pins 60, as best seen in FIGS. 21 and 22. The biasing member 28 has its ends mounted on diagonally opposed pivot pins 60 to bias the movable member 22 and the chain guide 26 toward the top (outer most, smallest) sprocket of the rear sprocket assembly RS, as best understood from FIGS. 4-6, 21 and 22. The upper/outer link 70 includes a cable attachment device 74 that extends from one end thereof. The cable attachment device 74 includes a cable attachment plate 76 and a cable attachment bolt 78 in order to fixedly attach the inner wire 13a to the upper/outer link 70.

The inner wire 13a is fixedly attached to the cable attachment device 74 of the upper/outer link 70 such that pulling the inner wire 13a by the rear shift control device 18 moves the linkage assembly 24 to move the movable member 22 and the chain guide 26 laterally inwardly against the biasing force of the spring 28, and releasing the inner wire 13a causes the linkage assembly 24 to move the movable member 22 and the chain guide 26 laterally outwardly due to the biasing force of the spring 28. Of course, it will be apparent to those skilled in the bicycle art from this disclosure that this arrangement could be reversed if needed and/or desired.

In the rear derailleur 12 of the present invention, the cable attachment device 74 is not located between the support element 32 and the movable member 22. Rather, the cable attachment device is located outside of an imaginary parallelogram formed by connecting the pivot pins of the linkage assembly 24, and is disposed at one longitudinal end of such a parallelogram. Also, in the rear derailleur 12 of the present invention the linkage assembly 24 is designed with relatively shallowly inclined pivot pins 60 as best understood from FIGS. 4-9. Specifically, the (four) pivot pins 60 of the linkage assembly 24 are preferably angled between about thirty degrees and about forty-five degrees relative to a horizontal plane containing a center axis of the attachment bolt 38, as viewed along a longitudinal direction of the bicycle 10. More preferably, the pivot pins of the linkage assembly 24 are preferably angled between thirty-five degrees and forty degrees relative to the horizontal plane containing a center axis of the attachment bolt 38, as viewed along a longitudinal direction of the bicycle 10, such as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 9.

Referring now to FIGS. 10-20, the locking device 36 will now be explained in more detail. The locking device 36 basically includes a stopper pin 80, a biasing element or spring 82 and a user operating portion 84 as well as parts of the attachment element 30 and the support element 32. The stopper pin 80 and the biasing element 82 are disposed in the blind bore 58 of the support element 30, while the user operating portion 84 is disposed in the stepped through bore 48 of the attachment element.

The stopper pin 80 is normally biased toward the attachment element 30 by the biasing element (spring) 82 such that the stopper pin 80 is partially received in the stepped through bore 48 of the attachment element when the blind bore 58 is aligned with the stepped through bore 48. The user operating portion 84 is freely slidably mounted in the stepped through bore 48 so as to allow the stopper pin 84 to move partially into the stepped through bore 48, but to be hand movable/operable by a rider/mechanic to move the stopper pin 80 completely out of engagement with the stepped through bore 48 back into the blind bore 58. A free end of the stopper pin 80 forms a protrusion 80a, while the enlarged section of the stepped through bore 48 forms a recess 48a.

In other words, the locking device 36 includes a protrusion and recess arrangement with the protrusion 80a being movably coupled to the support element 32, and the recess 48a being disposed in the attachment element 30, and the protrusion 80a is movable between a release position disengaged from the recess 48a and an engagement position at least partially within the recess 48a when the support element 32 is located in the second (rear wheel release) position to retain the support element 32 in the second position when the protrusion 80a is in the engagement position. The release position of the protrusion 80a is illustrated in FIGS. 12, 13 and 16-19, while the engagement position is illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15. The protrusion 80a is normally biased toward the engagement position from the release position by the biasing element (compression spring) 82, which is coupled between the stopper pin 80 (protrusion 80a) and the support element 32.

The attachment element 30 having the recess 48a preferably has a planar/flat control surface 30a disposed adjacent to the recess 48a that holds the protrusion 80a in the release position when the support element 32 is in the first (normal operating) position. More specifically, whenever the support element 32 is not located in the second (rear wheel release) position, the protrusion 80a will be offset from (not aligned with) the recess 48a such that the protrusion 80a will be held in the release position by the control surface 30a, as best understood from FIGS. 12, 13, 18 and 19. However, when the protrusion 80a is moved into alignment with the recess 48a (i.e. whenever the support element is moved into the second position from the first position) the protrusion 80a will move into the recess 48a due to the biasing force of the biasing element 82. Once the protrusion 80a is disposed in the recess 48a, the support element 32 will be retained in this second position. However, the locking device 36 is selectively releasable using the user operating portion 84.

Specifically, the user operating portion 84 is configured and arranged to move the protrusion 80a from the engagement position to the release position in response to a pushing action by the rider/mechanic such that the support element 32 is movable from the second position back to the first position, as best understood from FIGS. 16 and 17. More specifically, the user operating portion 84 includes an internal contact section 84a disposed within the recess 48a (the larger section of the stepped through bore 48) and a user movable section 84b disposed externally of the recess 48a (primarily in the reduced section of the stepped through bore 48 or completely externally of the through bore 48) with the contact section 84a being configured and arranged to move the protrusion 80a from the engagement position to the release position in response to movement of the user movable section 84b when the support element 32 is located in the second position, as best understood from FIGS. 14-17.

Referring again to FIGS. 2-9, 21 and 22, the movable member 22 and the chain guide 26 will now be explained in more detail. The movable member 22 movably coupled to the base member (mounting structure) 30 via the linkage assembly (moving mechanism) 24. Specifically, the movable member 22 is pivotally coupled to the links 70 and 72 of the linkage assembly 24 using two of the pivot pins 60. The chain guide 26 is partially movably coupled relative to the movable member 22. However, the chain guide 26 normally moves laterally together with the movable member 22.

The movable member 22 basically includes a movable housing 86 and a pivot axle or shaft 88 coupled to the movable housing 86 to support the chain guide 26. The pivot axle 88 is preferably a threaded bolt that is fixedly attached to the movable housing 86. The chain guide 26 basically includes a first chain cage 90, a first pulley 92, a second chain cage 94, a second pulley 96 and a chain guard member 98. The first pulley 92 is freely rotatably supported by the first chain cage 90 about a first rotation axis P₁, while the second pulley 96 is freely rotatably supported by the second chain cage 94 about a second rotation axis P₂. The chain guard member 98 is movably coupled to the first chain cage 90. The first and second chain cages 90 and 94 are supported by the movable housing 86 and the pivot shaft 88.

Specifically, the first chain cage 90 is fixedly, non-movably attached to the movable housing 86 using the pivot axle 88 and an additional attachment bolt 100, as best seen in FIGS. 6, 7 and 21. Thus, the first rotation axis P₁is non-movable (stationary) relative to the movable member 22. On the other hand, the second chain cage 94 is pivotally mounted relative to the movable housing 86 for limited rotation about the pivot axle 88. A center axis X of the pivot axle 88 forms the pivot axis of the second chain cage 94. A biasing member (torsion spring) 102 is coupled between the second chain cage 94 and the movable housing 86 to normally bias the second chain cage 94 in a clockwise direction about the center axis X as viewed in FIGS. 2-4, 6 and 8. The first rotation axis P₁is offset from the center axis X. The second rotation axis P₂is located further from the center axis X than the first rotation axis P₁, preferably at least twice as far from the center axis X.

The second chain cage 94 includes an abutment stopper 104 configured and arranged to selectively contact the movable housing 86 to limit clockwise rotation thereof, and an engagement portion (pin) 106 that is configured and arranged to move the chain guard member 98 from (first) rest position illustrated in FIG. 4 to a (second) moved position illustrated in FIG. 8 when the second chain cage 94 is moved from a first orientation also illustrated in FIG. 4 to a second orientation also illustrated in FIG. 8. The second chain cage includes a single plate member along a majority of its length, and a pair of parallel plates only at it free end, as best understood from FIG. 7. Thus, the second pulley 96 can move around the first pulley 92 as illustrated herein without interference from the second chain cage 94. Moreover, because of this arrangement and because the chain guard member 98 is movable as discussed and illustrated herein, the chain cages 90 and 94, the pulleys 92 and 96, the chain guard member 98 are arranged as disclosed herein, interference between these parts as well as with the chain C, rear sprockets RS, etc. can be minimized or eliminated during shifting and/or removal of the rear wheel 16.

The chain guard member 98 is normally in the (first) rest position and the second chain cage 94 is normally in the first orientation when the rear derailleur is in the top shift position illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 ( with the first and second pulleys 92 and 96 aligned with the smallest of the rear sprockets RS). The chain guard member 98 is normally in the (second) moved position and the second chain cage 94 is normally in the second orientation when the rear derailleur is in the low shift position illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 ( with the first and second pulleys 92 and 96 aligned with the smallest of the rear sprockets RS). An intermediate position of the second chain cage 94 is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, where the engagement portion 106 just starts to move the chain guard member 98.

Referring mainly to FIGS. 4-9, the chain guard member 98 basically includes a first side element 110, a second side element 112 and a connecting side element 114 extending between the first and second side elements 110 and 112 to form a substantially U-shaped configuration with a pair of free ends. The free ends of the first and second side elements 110 and 112 are pivotally coupled to the first chain cage 90 on opposite sides of the first pulley 92 such that the first pulley 92 is disposed between the first and second side elements 110 and 112 with the connecting side element being 114 located radially outwardly of an outermost edge of the first pulley 92 relative to the first rotation axis P₁. Thus, the free ends of the first and second side elements 110 and 112 are pivotally coupled to the movable member 22 on opposite sides of the first pulley 92.

The first pulley 92 has a maximum radius and the connecting section 114 of the chain guard member 98 is radially located at least one and one-half times the maximum radius of the first pulley 92 from the first rotation axis P₁of the first pulley 92, as best seen in FIGS. 4, 6 and 8. The chain guard member 98 is normally biased toward the first position by a biasing element 116 with an adjustment device 118 configured and arranged to adjust the relative location of the first position relative to the movable member 22. In particular, the chain guard member 98 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes, which form the adjustment device 118 in combination with a free end of the (coiled torsion spring) biasing element 116, as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 7. In any case, the biasing element 116 preferably includes a coiled torsion spring with a first end engaged with the movable member 22 (via the first chain cage 90) and a second end engaged with chain guard member 98. The chain guard member 98 is pivotally coupled to the movable member 22 to pivot about the first rotation axis P₁independently of rotation of the first pulley 92. Additionally, the chain guard member 98 moves independently of movement of the first pulley 92 relative to the movable member 22, and moves at least partially independently of the second chain cage 94.

GENERAL INTERPRETATION OF TERMS

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term ”configured” as used herein to describe a component, section or part of a device includes hardware and/or software that is constructed and/or programmed to carry out the desired function. In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and their derivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or “element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts. As used herein to describe the present invention, the following directional terms “forward, rearward, above, downward, vertical, horizontal, below and transverse” as well as any other similar directional terms refer to those directions of a bicycle equipped with the present invention. Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describe the present invention should be interpreted relative to a bicycle equipped with the present invention as used in the normal riding position. Finally, terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Bicycle rear derailleur

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