Bicycle shift controller

Abstract

A bicycle shift controller is provided with two independently operable levers that are operatively coupled to a cable take up member disposed in a base member configured to be mounted to a handlebar. The cable take up member rotates about a rotational axis for winding and releasing a control cable in response to pivotal movement of the levers. A first one of the levers has a first operating portion with a first operating surface and a second operating portion with a second operating surface. The second operating surface is angularly offset from the first operating surface about a first lever pivot axis of the first lever. The first and second levers pivot from a rest position to a shift position for rotating the cable take up member in opposite directions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 1 is a simplified top plan view of a bicycle shift controller according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with the shift controller being attached to a handlebar for normal usage;

FIG. 2 is an outside elevational view of the shift controller illustrated FIG. 1 in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a simplified top plan view of a bicycle shift controller according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with the shift controller being attached to a handlebar for normal usage

FIG. 4 is an outside elevational view of the shift controller illustrated FIG. 3 in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a simplified top plan view of a bicycle shift controller according to a third embodiment of the present invention, with the shift controller being attached to a handlebar for normal usage

FIG. 6 is an outside elevational view of the shift controller illustrated FIG. 5 in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is an outside elevational view of a bicycle shift controller according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bicycle shift controller comprising: a base member configured to be mounted to a handlebar;a cable take up member rotatably coupled to the base member to rotate about a rotational axis for winding and releasing a control cable;a first lever including a first operating portion with a first operating surface and a second operating portion with a second operating surface, with the second operating surface being angularly offset from the first operating surface about a first lever pivot axis of the first lever, and the first lever being pivotally coupled to the base member to pivot about the first lever pivot axis from a rest position to a shift position by exerting pressure on one of the first and second operating surfaces for rotating the cable take up member in a first direction; anda second lever pivotally coupled to the base member for rotating the cable take up member in a second direction opposite to the first direction, with the second lever being independently movable relative to the first lever.

2. The bicycle shift controller according to claim 1, wherein the first lever is a cable-cable release lever that is operatively coupled to the cable take up member for rotating the cable take up member in a cable-release direction, andthe second lever is a cable-winding lever that is operatively coupled to the cable take up member for rotating the cable take up member in a cable-winding direction.

3. The bicycle shift controller according to claim 1, wherein the second operating surface is extending from the first operating surface.

4. The bicycle shift controller according to claim 1, wherein the first operating surface and the second operating surface both face at least either backward relative to the handlebar or downward relative to the handlebar when the bicycle shift controller is attached to the handlebar for normal usage.

5. The bicycle shift controller according to claim 1, wherein the second operating surface is located in a forward position with respect to the first operating surface when the bicycle shift controller is attached to the handlebar for normal usage.

6. The bicycle shift controller according to claim 1, wherein the second operating surface is located in a forward position with respect to a central handlebar axis when the bicycle shift controller is attached to the handlebar for normal usage.

7. The bicycle shift controller according to claim 1, wherein the shift position is located in a forward position with respect to the rest position when the bicycle shift controller is attached to the handlebar for normal usage.

8. The bicycle shift controller according to claim 1, wherein the first lever further includes a third operating portion with a third operating surface that is located in a forward position with respect to the second operating surface when the bicycle shift controller is attached to the handlebar for normal usage, andthe second operating surface is located in a forward position with respect to the first operating surface, when the bicycle shift controller is attached to the handlebar for normal usage.

9. The bicycle shift controller according to claim 1, wherein the first operating portion and the second operating portion are integrally formed together as a non-separable member.

10. The bicycle shift controller according to claim 1, wherein the second operating portion is an extension member that is attached to the first operating portion.

11. The bicycle shift controller according to claim 1, wherein the second operating surface has a concave shape.

12. The bicycle shift controller according to claim 1, wherein the first lever includes a Y-shaped portion with the first operating portion being formed by a first branch of the Y-shaped portion and a second branch of the Y-shaped portion such that the first and second operating surfaces face in generally opposite directions.

13. The bicycle shift controller according to claim 1, wherein the rotational axis of the cable take up member is offset and non-parallel to the rotational axis of the first lever.

14. The bicycle shift controller according to claim 13, wherein the first operating surface and the second operating surface both face at least either backward relative to the handlebar or downward relative to the handlebar when the bicycle shift controller is attached to the handlebar for normal usage.

15. The bicycle shift controller according to claim 13, wherein the second operating surface is located in a forward position with respect to the first operating surface when the bicycle shift controller is attached to the handlebar for normal usage.

16. The bicycle shift controller according to claim 13, wherein the second operating surface is located in a forward position with respect to a central handlebar axis when the bicycle shift controller is attached to the handlebar for normal usage.

17. A bicycle shift lever extension comprising: an attachment portion configured and arranged to be attached to a free end of a shift lever; andan operating portion having an operating surface that is configured and arranged relative to the attachment portion to allow for a shifting action by a backside of a rider's index-finger from a handlebar.

18. The bicycle shift lever extension according to claim 12, wherein the attachment portion includes at least one lever fixing screw.

19. The bicycle shift lever extension according to claim 12, wherein the attachment portion includes two set screws and one clamping screw.