Bicycle adjustable seat post assembly

{
  "publication_number": "US9688331B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Bicycle adjustable seat post assembly",
  "abstract": "A bicycle seat post assembly includes first and second tubes, which are telescopically arranged, a fluid chamber, which includes a compressible fluid to generate a force to expand the first and second tubes relative to each other, and a positioning structure. The positioning structure includes a support member on one of the first tube and the second tube, a positioning member that pivots about an axis between a first position and a second position, a control unit, which is connected to the positioning member to move the positioning member between the first position and the second position, and a position maintaining member, which is provided on the other of the first tube and the second tube. The position maintaining member includes an engaging portion that engages with the positioning member to maintain a positional relationship between the first and second tubes.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A bicycle seat post assembly comprising: a first tube; a second tube configured to telescopically move within the first tube in a longitudinal direction; a fluid chamber including a compressible fluid to generate a biasing force to expand the first tube and second tube relative to each other; and a positioning structure including: a support member provided on one of the first tube and the second tube; a positioning member configured to move relative to the support member between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the positioning member is radially outward of the second position with respect to a longitudinal center axis of the first and second tubes, the positioning member comprising: a first positioning member pivotable about a first pivot axis, and a second positioning member pivotable about a second pivot axis which is different from the first pivot axis; a control unit connected to the positioning member to move the positioning member between the first position and the second position; and a position maintaining member provided on the other of the first tube and the second tube and, wherein the position maintaining member includes an engaging portion that engages with the positioning member in a state where the positioning member is moved to the first position to maintain a positional relationship between the first tube and the second tube.",
    "2. The bicycle seat post assembly according claim 1, wherein the positioning member is located in an internal space of the other of the first tube and second tube.",
    "3. The bicycle seat post assembly according claim 1, further comprising a biasing member configured to bias the positioning member toward the first position.",
    "4. The bicycle seat post assembly according claim 3, wherein the biasing member is located between the support member and the control unit to bias the control unit toward a distal end of the other of the first tube and the second tube.",
    "5. The bicycle seat post assembly according claim 3, wherein the biasing member is located about the first pivot axis.",
    "6. The bicycle seat post assembly according claim 3, wherein the biasing member is located about the longitudinal center axis.",
    "7. The bicycle seat post assembly according claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to move relative to the one of the first tube and the second tube in the longitudinal direction.",
    "8. The bicycle seat post assembly according claim 1, wherein the first and second positioning members include a rolling element configured to rotate relative to a part of the respective positioning member.",
    "9. The bicycle seat post assembly according claim 8, wherein the engaging portion includes a curved recess configured to receive the rolling elements of the positioning member.",
    "10. The bicycle seat post assembly according claim 9, wherein a ramp is formed in the position maintaining member to intersect the curved recess, wherein the ramp facilitates escape of the rolling elements from the curved recess.",
    "11. The bicycle seat post assembly according claim 1, wherein the position maintaining member is a separate member from the other of the first tube and the second tube.",
    "12. The bicycle seat post assembly according claim 11, wherein the position maintaining member is detachably mounted to an inner peripheral surface of the other of the first tube and the second tube.",
    "13. The bicycle seat post assembly according claim 12, wherein the position maintaining member is a first position maintaining member, and a second position maintaining member is located opposite to the first position maintaining member.",
    "14. The bicycle seat post assembly according claim 1, wherein the second positioning member is symmetrical with the first positioning member about the longitudinal center axis of the bicycle seat post assembly.",
    "15. The bicycle seat post assembly according claim 1, wherein the fluid chamber is within the other of the first tube and the second tube.",
    "16. The bicycle seat post assembly according claim 15, wherein an internal section of the one of the first tube and the second tube is configured to communicate with an exterior of the one of the first tube and the second tube.",
    "17. The bicycle seat post assembly according claim 16, wherein the fluid chamber is located inside one of the first tube and the second tube, and the diameter of the one of the first tube and the second tube is smaller than the diameter of the other of the first tube and the second tube."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The invention generally relates to bicycle seat posts, and more particularly, to seat posts that are adjustable to vary the height of the seat.\n\nAn adjustable seat post allows a cyclist to selectively raise or lower the seat while riding the bicycle. The height of the seat may affect a cyclist's efficiency. For example, it may be advantageous to lower the seat when going downhill. Further, it may be advantageous to raise the seat when climbing a hill. Adjustable seat post assemblies are known in the prior art. However, such seat post assemblies are often difficult to operate.\n\nIn accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a bicycle seat post assembly includes: a first tube; a second tube configured to telescopically move within the first tube in a longitudinal direction; a fluid chamber including a compressible fluid to generate a biasing force to expand the first tube and second tube relative to each other; and a positioning structure. The positioning structure includes: a support member provided on one of the first tube and the second tube; a positioning member configured to pivot about a pivot axis relative to the support member between a first position and a second position; a control unit connected to the positioning member to move the positioning member between the first position and the second position; and a position maintaining member provided on the other of the first tube and the second tube.",
  "cpc": [
    "B62J 1/08",
    "B62J 2001/085",
    "B62K 19/36"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B62J 1/08"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Shimano Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Toyoto SHIRAI"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2016-01-29",
  "publication_date": "2017-06-27",
  "grant_date": "2017-06-27",
  "priority_date": "2016-01-29",
  "application_number": "US-201615009823-A",
  "family_id": "59070122",
  "cited_by_count": 38,
  "citations": [
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  ]
}