Cycle Headsets

{
  "publication_number": "US2016039490A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Cycle Headsets",
  "abstract": "Discloses methods and apparatus for headset transmissions mounted to a steerer tube rotationally mounted relative to a head-tube and headset of a cycle frame. A first transmission member mounts about a rotational axis of the steerer tube. The first transmission member rotates with the steerer tube about the rotational axis, and can also translate relative to the steerer tube to transmit a first displacement force to or from a handle bar mounted device. The first displacement force is transmitted to the first transmission member from an interior of the steerer tube. A second transmission member mounts about the rotational axis of the steerer tube. The second transmission member is rotationally isolated to rotate relative to the first transmission member, and can translate with the first transmission member. The second transmission member allows transmission of a second displacement force, from the first displacement force, to a cycle frame mounted device.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A frame for a cycle with, at least one aperture in a head-tube of said frame, said head-tube adapted to mount a steerer tube having a rotational axis, said at least one aperture adapted to allow an internal portion of a headset transmission to extend therethrough, and which internal portion can bear on said aperture, or part thereof, in a sliding engagement, and said internal portion then drives a flexible tensile member engaged or engageable between said headset transmission and a frame mounted lever or device. 2. A frame as claimed in claim 1 wherein said headset transmission can transmit a first displacement force to or from a handle bar mounted lever or device, via a first said flexible tensile member, as a second displacement force at least proportional to said first displacement force, from or to said frame mounted lever or device, via a second said flexible tensile member. 3. A frame as claimed in claim 2 wherein said second flexible tensile member lies externally to said head-tube. 4. A frame as claimed in claim 1 wherein said frame receives and guides at least in part internally said flexible tensile member. 5. A frame as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sliding engagement is substantially along, or parallel to, said rotational axis. 6. A frame as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sliding engagement provides rotational isolation of part of said headset transmission. 7. A frame as claimed in claim 1 wherein said handle bar mounted lever or device is selected from the group consisting of: a brake lever; a gear lever or equivalent; a suspension adjustment lever; and a seat post adjustment lever; or wherein said frame mounted lever or device is selected from the group consisting of: a brake; a gear changer, derailleur or equivalent; a suspension component; and a seat post. 8. A frame as claimed in claim 1 wherein between said internal portion and said at least one aperture there is a friction reducing interface or interfaces. 9. A frame as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one aperture is internal or external to said frame. 10. A frame as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one aperture is on a side of said head-tube. 11. A frame as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second flexible tensile member lies internally of said frame, at least initially where it is engaged to and departs from said headset transmission. 12. A frame as claimed in claim 11 wherein said second flexible tensile member is guided internally at least in part by a rigid mount which may be any one or more of, but not limited to: i. a rigid at least in part casing external to said second flexible tensile member; or ii. a pulley or similar. 13. A frame as claimed in claim 1 wherein a rigid mount is mounted near said at least one aperture of said head-tube. 14. A fork for a cycle with, at least one aperture in a steerer tube of said fork, said steerer tube having a rotational axis, said at least one aperture adapted to allow an internal portion of a headset transmission internal to said steerer tube to extend therethrough, and which internal portion can translate along said at least one aperture, and said internal portion then drives a flexible tensile member engaged or engageable between said headset transmission and a frame mounted lever or device. 15. A fork as claimed in claim 14 wherein said headset transmission can transmit a first displacement force to or from a handle bar mounted lever or device, via a first said flexible tensile member, as a second displacement force at least proportional to said first displacement force, from or to said frame mounted lever or device, via a second said flexible tensile member. 16. A fork as claimed in claim 14 wherein said at least one aperture engages with said internal portion and causes part of said headset transmission to rotate with said steerer tube. 17. A fork as claimed in claim 14 wherein said at least one aperture is elongate with a major axis aligned substantially parallel to said rotational axis wherein said internal portion is a connecting member that extends at least in part through said steerer tube via said at least one aperture to allow said translation and engage said part of said headset transmission, said connecting member to drive or be driven by said first flexible tensile member. 18. A fork as claimed in claim 17 wherein said connecting member lies on any one or more of: a. a plane that lies substantially orthogonal to said rotational axis, at any angle on said plane; or b. a vertical plane that passes through said rotational axis and said vertical plane is substantially parallel to a straight-ahead steering position of a fork attached to said steerer tube and said at least one aperture allows said translation via said sliding engagement with said connecting member, and said at least one aperture has a mating inside guide surface for said connecting member to run against. 19. A fork as claimed in claim 17 wherein there are two said apertures diagonally opposed to each other. 20. A fork as claimed in claim 19 wherein said connecting member extends through said two apertures. 21. A fork as claimed in claim 14 wherein said headset transmission sits substantially externally of said steerer tube. 22. A fork as claimed in claim 14 wherein said first flexible tensile member is guided internally of said steerer tube at least in part by said internal portion. 23. A fork as claimed in claim 14 wherein between said steerer tube and part of said headset transmission there is a friction reducing interface or interfaces."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to cycle headsets. In particular, though not solely, the present invention is directed to a cycle headset transmission to allow cable actuated devices that do not interfere with rotation of the handle bar and forks of the cycle.\n\nCycles of a two wheeled or more nature normally have a steerer mechanism, typically of a fork that retains a wheel, normally the front wheel. The fork has a steerer tube that rotates within a head-tube of the cycle, via a headset. The headset is normally two circular arrays of ball bearings at the top and bottom of the head-tube which the steerer tube of the fork runs in so it can rotate to steer the front wheel.\n\nConnected to the top of the steerer tube is a handle bar, normally held to the steerer tube via a stem. The handle bar is gripped by a user and is used to steer the cycle and also has controls, for example brakes or gear controls, mounted on it.\n\nSuch controls may be transmitted to corresponding devices on the fork or frame of the cycle.\n\nTypically with the normal range or rotation of the handle bar and stem there is no issue with tangling of controls from the handle bar to the fork or frame of the cycle.\n\nWhen however there is a desire to spin the handle bars through more than 100 degrees then such controls can become tangled, for example when they control via cables, for example cables within sheaths typical for cycle controls.",
  "cpc": [
    "B62K 19/32",
    "B62J 11/13",
    "B62J 2099/0046",
    "B62K 21/12",
    "B62K 21/18"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B62K 19/32",
    "B62K 21/12",
    "B62K 21/18"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "SAVVY DESIGN HOLDINGS Ltd"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Savy Man"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2015-10-08",
  "publication_date": "2016-02-11",
  "priority_date": "2010-07-09",
  "application_number": "US-201514878162-A",
  "family_id": "45441696",
  "cited_by_count": 2,
  "citations": [
    "US4616523A",
    "US4653768A",
    "US5605076A",
    "US6408714B1",
    "US7757820B1",
    "US7810614B1"
  ]
}