FR2952031A1

FR2952031A1 - Device for rapidly changing height of saddle of all-terrain bicycle, has movable tube supporting saddle of bicycle by support, ring rigidly fixed inside fixed tube, and pins assembled in holes to assure upper and lower limitation of course

Info

Publication number: FR2952031A1
Application number: FR0905198A
Authority: FR
Inventors: Michel Georges Isnard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-10-29
Filing date: 2009-10-29
Publication date: 2011-05-06
Anticipated expiration: 2029-10-29
Also published as: FR2952031B1

Abstract

The device has a movable tube (1) supporting a saddle of a bicycle by a support (2). The movable tube slides inside a fixed tube (3) fixed to a frame of the bicycle, while being indexed angularly by pins (4) that are rigidly connected to the movable tube. The movable tube slides a fixed ring in oblong holes (51), where the ring is rigidly fixed inside the fixed tube. The pins are assembled in the holes to assure upper and lower limitation of the course. The movable tube has a coaxial smooth housing between its ends.

Description

-1- La présente invention concerne une tige de selle télescopique pour les bicyclettes et particulièrement les vélos tout terrain, permettant un changement rapide de hauteur de selle commandé du guidon. Traditionnellement, le vététiste qui aborde une pente raide doit s'arrêter et mettre pied à terre pour desserrer un collier et descendre la selle, la mettre en ligne et resserrer le collier. Le dispositif selon l'invention permet au cycliste, tout au long de son parcours et des changements de terrain, de changer la hauteur de sa selle à des positions prédéfinies, sans descendre de vélo, sans lâcher le guidon, la selle demeurant toujours bien alignée avec l'axe de la bicyclette. Pour changer de position, l'utilisateur doit soulager la selle du poids qu'il exerce et pousser d'un doigt un petit levier fixé au guidon : cela déverrouille la translation verticale de la selle. Le système comporte un tube cylindrique, que nous appellerons tube fixe, destiné à être fixé rigidement sur le cadre du vélo, dans le logement habituel du tube de selle. Ce tube fixe contient un autre tube cylindrique supportant la selle, tube que nous appelons tube mobile, car il peut se déplacer de haut en bas à l'intérieur du premier. Ce déplacement est une translation pure, sans possibilité de rotation angulaire, car le tube mobile comporte, vissés sur son diamètre extérieur, des pions ajustés qui coulissent dans des lumières oblongues d'une bague fixe, rigidement liée au tube fixe. Ces lumières et ces pions assurent par ailleurs la limitation haute et basse de la course. La bague fixe comporte en outre des empreintes hémisphériques réalisées dans son diamètre intérieur, à différentes hauteurs correspondant aux réglages de selle possibles. Le tube mobile comporte entre ses extrémités un logement intérieur cylindrique contenant 25 un verrou pouvant y coulisser axialement; il comporte également, à environ mi-hauteur de ce logement, des trous radiaux débouchant, où sont logées des billes. Le verrou a une forme cylindrique possédant entre ses deux extrémités une gorge radiale de diamètre inférieur, la transition entre les deux diamètres se faisant par une zone conique. 2952031 -2- Le verrou est maintenu vers le haut, plaqué contre un épaulement du logement du tube mobile, par un ressort de compression. Dans cette position haute du verrou, les billes sont écartées radialement par le grand diamètre de celui-ci et sortent partiellement des trous radiaux pour se plaquer dans les 5 empreintes hémisphériques de la bague fixe, bloquant toute translation relative des tubes. Lors de la commande de la part du pilote, le verrou se déplace vers le bas contre l'action du ressort, jusqu'à une position où la gorge du verrou se retrouve face aux billes et leur permet de se rétracter radialement hors des empreintes de la bague fixe : cela libère le mouvement axial du tube mobile supportant la selle. 10 Ce déverrouillage est obtenu par l'intermédiaire d'une tige vissée au verrou et dont l'extrémité supérieure, débouchant hors du support de selle, reçoit le câble gainé de commande actionné par le levier fixé au guidon. Le bas du tube fixe est étanche, obturé par un bouchon; dans le bas du tube mobile est vissé un piston avec son joint assurant l'étanchéité radiale avec le tube fixe. L'ensemble 15 forme un ressort pneumatique exerçant le rappel du tube mobile vers le haut, et ce avec un niveau de pression d'air ajustable grâce à une valve placée au bas du bouchon et compatible avec les pompes à vélo standard. L'ensemble des deux tubes est totalement étanche vis-à-vis de l'extérieur par des joints racleurs qui protègent le mécanisme des poussières et de l'eau : un joint est logé au 20 sommet du tube fixe pour l'étanchéité avec le tube mobile, un autre est logé dans le support de selle pour l'étanchéité avec la tige de commande. Les dessins annexés illustrent l'invention : La figure 1 représente en coupe le système en position verrouillée haute. La figure 2 en est le détail, à échelle grossie, au niveau du système de verrouillage. The present invention relates to a telescopic seat post for bicycles and particularly mountain bikes, allowing a quick change of seat height controlled handlebar. Traditionally, a mountain biker facing a steep slope must stop and dismount to loosen a collar and lower the saddle, put it in line and tighten the collar. The device according to the invention allows the cyclist, throughout his course and changes of terrain, to change the height of his saddle to predefined positions, without getting off the bike, without releasing the handlebars, the saddle always remains well aligned with the axis of the bicycle. To change position, the user must relieve the saddle of the weight he exerts and push with a finger a small lever attached to the handlebar: this unlocks the vertical translation of the saddle. The system comprises a cylindrical tube, which we will call fixed tube, intended to be rigidly attached to the frame of the bicycle, in the usual seat of the seat tube. This fixed tube contains another cylindrical tube supporting the saddle, tube that we call mobile tube, because it can move up and down inside the first. This displacement is a pure translation, without possibility of angular rotation, because the movable tube comprises, screwed on its outer diameter, fitted pins which slide in oblong slots of a fixed ring, rigidly connected to the fixed tube. These lights and these pawns also ensure the high and low limitation of the race. The fixed ring further comprises hemispherical impressions made in its inner diameter, at different heights corresponding to the possible saddle settings. The movable tube has between its ends a cylindrical inner housing containing a bolt axially slidable therein; it also comprises, at about mid-height of this housing, radial holes opening, where are housed balls. The lock has a cylindrical shape having between its two ends a radial groove of smaller diameter, the transition between the two diameters being made by a conical zone. The lock is held upwards, pressed against a shoulder of the housing of the movable tube, by a compression spring. In this high position of the bolt, the balls are spaced radially by the large diameter thereof and partially out of the radial holes to be pressed into the hemispherical impressions of the fixed ring, blocking any relative translation of the tubes. When commanded by the pilot, the lock moves downward against the action of the spring, to a position where the groove of the lock is facing the balls and allows them to retract radially out of the fingerprints. the fixed ring: this frees the axial movement of the mobile tube supporting the saddle. This unlocking is obtained by means of a rod screwed to the lock and whose upper end, opening out of the seat support, receives the sheathed control cable operated by the lever attached to the handlebar. The bottom of the fixed tube is sealed, closed by a plug; in the bottom of the movable tube is screwed a piston with its seal providing radial sealing with the fixed tube. The assembly 15 forms a pneumatic spring exerting the return of the mobile tube upwards, and with an adjustable air pressure level through a valve placed at the bottom of the cap and compatible with standard bicycle pumps. The assembly of the two tubes is completely impervious to the outside by scraper seals which protect the mechanism from dust and water: a seal is housed at the top of the fixed tube for sealing with the mobile tube, another is housed in the saddle support for sealing with the control rod. The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention: FIG. 1 represents in section the system in the locked up position. Figure 2 is the detail, on a larger scale, at the level of the locking system.

La figure 3 représente en coupe le système en position transitoire déverrouillée. La figure 4 en est le détail, à l'échelle grossie au niveau du système de verrouillage. La figure 5 représente l'ensemble complet équipé de son dispositif de commande. 2952031 -3- En référence à ces dessins, le système comporte un tube fixe(3), destiné à être fixé sur le cadre d'un vélo. A l'intérieur de ce tube fixe(3) peut coulisser de haut en bas un tube mobile(1), sur l'extrémité supérieur duquel est fixé rigidement le support de selle(2). Ce déplacement est une translation pure, sans possibilité de rotation angulaire, car le tube 5 mobile(1) comporte, vissés sur son diamètre extérieur, des pions(4) ajustés qui coulissent dans des lumières oblongue(51) d'une bague(5) fixe, rigidement liée au tube fixe(3). Ces lumières(51) et ces pions(4) assurent par ailleurs la limitation haute et basse de la course. La bague fixe(5) comporte, en outre, des empreintes hémisphériques(52) réalisées dans son 10 diamètre intérieur, à différentes hauteurs correspondant aux réglages de selle possibles. Le tube mobile(1) comporte entre ses extrémités un logement intérieur(11) cylindrique contenant un verrou(7) pouvant y coulisser axialement ; il comporte également, à environ mi-hauteur de ce logement(11), des trous radiaux(12) débouchant, où sont logées des billes(6).Figure 3 shows in section the system in unlocked transient position. Figure 4 is the detail, scale magnified at the locking system. Figure 5 shows the complete assembly equipped with its control device. Referring to these drawings, the system comprises a fixed tube (3) for attachment to the frame of a bicycle. Inside this fixed tube (3) can slide up and down a movable tube (1), on the upper end of which is fixed rigidly the seat support (2). This displacement is a pure translation, without the possibility of angular rotation, since the movable tube (1) comprises, screwed on its outside diameter, fitted pins (4) which slide in oblong slots (51) of a ring (5). ) fixed, rigidly connected to the fixed tube (3). These lights (51) and these pins (4) also ensure the high and low limitation of the race. The fixed ring (5) further comprises hemispherical impressions (52) made in its inner diameter, at different heights corresponding to the possible saddle settings. The movable tube (1) comprises between its ends a cylindrical inner housing (11) containing a latch (7) axially slidable therein; it also comprises, at approximately mid-height of this housing (11), radial holes (12) opening, where are housed balls (6).

15 Le verrou(7) a une forme cylindrique possédant entre ses deux extrémités une gorge radiale(71) de diamètre inférieur, la transition entre les deux diamètres se faisant par une zone conique(72) Le verrou(7) est maintenu vers le haut, plaqué contre un épaulement(13) du logement(11) du tube mobile(1), par un ressort de compression(40).The latch (7) has a cylindrical shape having between its two ends a radial groove (71) of smaller diameter, the transition between the two diameters being made by a conical zone (72) The latch (7) is held upwards , pressed against a shoulder (13) of the housing (11) of the movable tube (1), by a compression spring (40).

20 Dans cette position haute du verrou(7), les billes(6) sont écartées radialement par le grand diamètre de celui-ci et sortent partiellement des trous radiaux(12) pour se plaquer dans les empreintes hémisphériques(52) de la bague fixe(5), bloquant toute translation relative des tubes(3) et(1). Lors de commande de la part du pilote, le verrou(7) se déplace vers le bas contre l'action 25 du ressort(40), jusqu'à une position où la gorge(71) du verrou(7) se retrouve face aux billes(6) et leur permet de se rétracter radialement hors des empreintes(52) de la bague fixe(5) : cela libère le mouvement axial du tube mobile(1) supportant la selle. Ce déverrouillage est obtenu par l'intermédiaire d'une tige(9) vissée au verrou(7) et dont l'extrémité supérieure, débouchant hors du support(2) de selle, reçoit le câble gainé(23) 30 et(24) de commande actionné par le levier(20) fixé au guidon. 2952031 _4_ Le bas du tube fixe(3) est étanche, obturé par un bouchon(32), dans le bas du tube mobile(1) est vissé un piston(30) avec son joint(31) assurant l'étanchéité radiale avec le tube fixe(3). L'ensemble forme un ressort pneumatique exerçant le rappel du tube mobile(1) vers le haut et ce avec un niveau de pression d'air ajustable grâce à une 5 valve(33) placée au bas du bouchon(32) et compatible avec les pompes à vélo standard. Une bague(50) est visée au sommet du tube fixe(3) ; d'une part elle maintient axialement logé dans le tube fixe(3), un palier(8) de guidage du tube mobile(1), d'autre part elle contient un joint racleur(53) dont la lèvre assure l'étanchéité avec le tube mobile(l). Un autre joint racleur(54) est logé dans le support(2) de selle, et assure l'étanchéité avec la tige 10 de commande(9). L'ensemble du mécanisme est ainsi à l'abri des poussières et de l'eau. In this high position of the latch (7), the balls (6) are radially spaced apart by the large diameter thereof and partially emerge from the radial holes (12) for pressing into the hemispherical cavities (52) of the fixed ring. (5), blocking any relative translation of the tubes (3) and (1). When commanded by the pilot, the lock (7) moves downwards against the action of the spring (40), to a position where the groove (71) of the lock (7) is facing the ball (6) and allows them to retract radially out of the indentations (52) of the fixed ring (5): this releases the axial movement of the movable tube (1) supporting the saddle. This unlocking is obtained by means of a rod (9) screwed to the latch (7) and whose upper end, opening out of the support (2) saddle, receives the sheathed cable (23) 30 and (24) control lever actuated by the lever (20) attached to the handlebar. 2952031 _4_ The bottom of the fixed tube (3) is sealed, closed by a plug (32), in the bottom of the movable tube (1) is screwed a piston (30) with its seal (31) ensuring the radial seal with the fixed tube (3). The assembly forms a pneumatic spring exerting the return of the movable tube (1) upwards and this with an adjustable air pressure level thanks to a valve (33) placed at the bottom of the plug (32) and compatible with the standard bicycle pumps. A ring (50) is aimed at the top of the fixed tube (3); on the one hand it keeps axially housed in the fixed tube (3), a bearing (8) for guiding the movable tube (1), on the other hand it contains a wiper seal (53) whose lip seals with the moving tube (1). Another wiper seal (54) is housed in the saddle support (2) and seals with the control rod (9). The entire mechanism is thus protected from dust and water.

Claims

CLAIMS1) Device for quickly changing the seat height of a bicycle, controlled handlebar, characterized in that the tube (1), supporting the saddle through the support (2), can slide inside of a fixed tube (3) fixed to the frame of the bicycle, while remaining indexed angularly by pins (4) rigidly connected to the tube (1) and sliding in oblong slots (51) of a fixed ring (5) rigidly connected to the interior of the fixed tube (3), the set of pins (4) in the lights also ensuring the high and low limitation of the stroke.

2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that this tube (1) comprises between its ends a coaxial smooth housing (11), where slides a latch (7), and also containing balls (6) housed in radial holes opening (12) located about halfway up this housing (11).

3) Device according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the lock (7) has a cylindrical shape having between its ends a radial groove (71) of smaller diameter, the transition between the two diameters being made by a conical zone (72). ).

4) Device according to claims 1, 2, and 3 characterized in that, in the absence of control from the pilot, the latch is held axially upwards against the shoulder (13) of the smooth housing (11) , by a return spring (40) bearing on the top of the piston (30) screwed to the bottom of the movable tube (1).

5) Device according to claims 1, 2, 3, and 4 characterized in that the fixed ring (5) comprises in addition to its lights (51), hemispherical impressions (52) made in its inner diameter, at different heights corresponding to the settings saddle possible.

6) Device according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 characterized in that in this upper position of the latch (7), the balls (6) radially spaced apart by the large diameter thereof, partially leave their respective holes (12) and are pressed into the hemispherical cavities (52) of the fixed ring (5), blocking any relative translation of the tube (1) relative to the fixed tube (3) at a given adjustment position.

7) Device according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 characterized in that during the control from the pilot, the latch (7) is caused to move downwards against the action spring (40) to an unlocking position, wherein its groove (71) is at the height of the balls (6) and allows them to retract radially out of the hemispherical impressions of the ring (5), releasing the axial movement of the tube (1) in the fixed tube (3).

8) Device according to claims 1 to 7 characterized in that, this unlocking position is obtained by means of the rod (9) rigidly connected at its lower end to the latch (7) and whose upper end protruding from the support (2), is controlled by a cable assembly (23) and sheath (24) actuated by a lever (20) located on the handlebars of the bicycle.

9) Device according to claims 1 to 8 characterized in that, the bottom of the fixed tube (3) is sealed sealed by the plug (32), the piston (30) has a seal (31) ensuring the radial seal with the fixed tube (3), the assembly forming a pneumatic spring for the return of the tube (1) upwards, and with an adjustable air pressure level 2952031 -6- thanks to the valve (33) fixed to the bottom of the plug (32) and compatible with standard bicycle pumps.

10) Device according to claims 1 to 9 characterized in that, the entire mechanism is sealed, protected from dust and water, firstly by a seal (53) 5 mounted on the ring (50) screwed at the top of the fixed tube (3) for sealing with the movable tube (1) and secondly thanks to a seal (54) mounted on the saddle support (2) covering the movable tube (1), for sealing with the control rod (9).