| JP05042889 | ASSEMBLY METHOD FOR BICYCLE GENERATOR |
| JP2001260966 | BLINKING LIGHT TIRE FOR BICYCLE |
| JP2004268609 | BICYCLE WITH TRAVELING COVER BODY |
GRANDI, Elisa (Via Tirana 48, Padova, I-35138, IT)
GRANDI, Elisa (Via Tirana 48, Padova, I-35138, IT)
| CLAIMS 1. An articulated joint for connection between a twin-head dynamo (11) or the like and the frame (12) of a cycle, characterized in that it comprises - a bracket (13) for fixing to the frame (12) of a cycle, - a body of the joint (14), which is supported by said bracket (13), and - a connector (15) for connecting the body of the joint (14) to the casing (16) of a twin-head dynamo (11), said body of the joint (14) and said bracket (13) being shaped so as to form a first working axis (A), for the rotation of said body of the joint (14) from an active angle to an inactive angle of the dynamo (11), in contrast with first elastic means (17), said body of the joint (14) being further coupled to said bracket (13) so that it can slide along said first working axis (A) to pass reversibly from a position for free rotation about said first working axis (A) to a locking position in which the rotation of said body of the joint (14) with respect to said bracket (13) is locked by first locking means (18) which have been provided, said connector (15) and said body of the joint (14) being further shaped so as to form a second working axis (B), for mutual rotation for tilting the dynamo (11), along which said connector (15) can further slide reversibly, in contrast with second elastic means (19), from a fixed coupling position, the rotation of said connector (15) with respect to said body of the joint (14) being prevented, in said fixed coupling position, by second locking means (20). 2. The articulated joint according to claim 1, characterized in that said bracket (13) comprises a pivot (21) for the pivoting of said body of the joint (14) to said bracket (13), at least one coupling hole (22a, 22b) for said pivot (21) being provided on said body of the joint (14), the common axis of said pivot (21) being coupled in said at least one hole (22a, 22b), forming said first working axis, fronts (23a, 23b) for abutment against locators (24a, 24b) provided on said body of the joint (14) being provided on said pivot (21) and defining a limited arc of rotation of said body of the joint (14) with respect to said bracket (13). 3. The articulated joint according to claim 2, characterized in that said pivot (21) has a substantially C-shaped transverse cross-section, said body of the joint (14) comprising two facing walls (25a, 25b), which have two contoured holes (22a, 22b), of said at least one hole (22a, 22b), said first locking means (18) comprising at least one tooth (26) that protrudes radially from said pivot (21), at least one recessed seat (27) being provided which is radial with respect to at least one first hole (22a) of said holes (22a, 22b), so as to receive by insertion said at least one tooth (26) by sliding of said pivot (21) along said first working axis (A) to said locking position when it is at said inactive angle. 4. The articulated joint according to claim 3, characterized in that said first elastic means (17) comprise a helical spring, which is wound around said pivot (21) and has a first end (28) connected to a first wall (25a) of said walls (25a, 25b) and its second end (29) connected to said pivot (21), - to work by torsion to contrast the rotation from said working angle, provided by said body of the joint (14) with respect to said pivot (21), and - to work by compression to contrast the sliding of said body of the joint (14) along said pivot (21) from said locking position, in which said at least one tooth (26) is inserted in said at least one recessed seat (27). 5. The articulated joint according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said connector (15) comprises a base (31), which is integrally connected to the casing (16) of the dynamo (11), and a stem (32), which protrudes from it and is inserted rotatably in a contoured opening (33) of said body of the joint (14), their common axis defining said second working axis (B), said second elastic means (19) comprising a spring, which is comprised between a head (34) of said stem (32), internal to said body of the joint (14), and an internal face (35) of said body of the joint (14), to contrast the extraction of said stem (32) from said body of the joint (14). 6. The articulated joint according to claim 5, characterized in that said second locking means (20) comprise at least one key (36), which protrudes from said base (31) substantially in parallel to said stem (32), where in two regions (37, 38) of said body of the joint (14) which are opposite to said opening (33) there is at least one engagement seat (39 a, 39b) for said at least one key (36). 7. The articulated joint according to claim 6, characterized in that said base (31) supports, during use, a twin-head dynamo (11), whose functional axis (D) is substantially perpendicular to said second working axis (B) and is offset with respect to it with an eccentricity (E) that corresponds substantially to the difference of the radii of the two opposite head rollers (40, 41) of said dynamo (11). 8. The articulated joint according to one or more of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that said body of the joint (14) has blocks (42a, 42b) for limiting the arc of mutual rotation of said connector (15) with respect to said body of the joint (14). 9. The articulated joint according to claim 8, characterized in that said body of the joint (14) comprises - a fork (44), which has said two walls (25a, 25b) and a bottom (45), which connects them, provided with said opening (33), and - a housing (47) for covering said fork (44), which during use is fitted thereon and open at said bottom (45) and has thereat said blocks (42a, 42b) for rotational stroke limiting for said at least one key (36). |
Technical field
The present invention relates to an articulated joint for connection between a twin-head dynamo, or the like, and the frame of a cycle.
Background Art
The dynamos known today for cycles are generally constituted by a casing that accommodates the alternator which is supported by the frame of the cycle by means of a joint.
From the casing a head roller protrudes that is integral with the rotor of the alternator, and suitable for contact with the wheel to be pulled thereby in rotation during use, so as to actuate the alternator.
The joint defines two relative positions of the dynamo with respect to the wheel, an active position in which the head roller of the dynamo is placed against the wheel in order to actuate the alternator, and an inactive position in which the dynamo is kept apart from the wheel so that the head roller is not actuated thereby.
Such dynamos are designed, according to European standards, to produce a minimum required electrical power of 3 watts, at 6 volts, at 20 km/h, which can be used to power the lighting devices with which the cycles are equipped.
To produce this amount of electricity, an appreciable physical effort is required of the cyclist, and to avoid this generally the dynamo is placed in the inactive position whenever the use thereof is not helpful.
Nowadays, from Italian patent no. 262884 in the name of these same applicants, a twin-head dynamo is also known, which has two head rollers that protrude from the casing for opposite alternator positions.
These head rollers are both integral with the rotor and have different diameters.
An articulated joint supports the dynamo on the frame of the cycle so as to form for it the two positions described, inactive and active, furthermore enabling actuation of the rotation for tilting the dynamo so that a first or the second one of the head rollers face the wheel alternatively.
In particular, the first head roller has a smaller diameter than the second one, so as to define with the wheel, which during use actuates it in rotation, a first transmission ratio, adapted to enable the production of the above-mentioned minimum required electric power.
However the second head roller, when it is coupled with the wheel, has a second transmission ratio therewith, which is smaller than the first, and is such as to determine a lower braking force and a corresponding lower electric power produced by the alternator.
This power enables a production of electricity that can be accumulated by means of batteries and/or can be used to power electric accessories that consume less power than the usual lighting devices, such as for example LEDs for signalling the position of the cycle or an acoustic signalling device or even an onboard computer or the like.
The articulated joint known today comprises a bracket for being fixed to the frame and a flexing spring that is interconnected between the bracket and an articulation of the dynamo, which defines a rotation axis for it that is substantially parallel to the plane of the wheel.
The dynamo can be reversibly rotated about this rotation axis so as to be inverted, and it is made to tilt, about this rotation axis, from the inactive position to the active position by a spring, when it is brought to use.
More specifically, the articulation comprises a pivot the axis of which defines the rotation axis and which is coupled so that it can rotate and so that it can slide, about the rotation axis, with a complementary part that is integral with the casing of the dynamo.
The pivot further has an appendage that, in a predefined configuration thereof relative to the complementary part, therein engages a seat so as to contrast their mutual rotation about the rotation axis. A helical spring is wound on the pivot and contrasts the sliding of the complementary part on the pivot, which would be adapted to disengage the appendage from the seat to allow the rotation of the complementary part on the pivot, which can be used for tilting the dynamo so as to exchange the head roller facing the wheel.
The spring further, acting in torsion, contrasts the movement of the head roller during use away from the wheel, thus enabling an effective coupling thereof for actuation.
Although appreciated, this articulated joint leaves room for improvement.
Indeed, the flexing spring during use not only supports the dynamic stresses of the weight of the dynamo but also exerts the elastic thrust force of the dynamo toward the wheel, to the detriment of its durability.
Disclosure of the Invention
The aim of the present invention is to provide an articulated joint for a twin-head dynamo that makes it possible to keep the dynamo that it supports in the inactive position or in the active position more stably and effectively.
Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide an articulated joint that makes it possible to prevent the twisting of the electric wire connected to the alternator of the dynamo.
Another object of the invention is to provide an articulated joint that makes it possible to easily invert the twin-head dynamo thus exchanging the head roller thereof facing the wheel so as to be actuated thereby.
A further object of the invention is to provide an articulated joint that is more solid and durable than the joint known today for supporting a twin- head dynamo.
Another object of the invention is to provide an articulated joint that is structurally simple and easy to use, and can be made at low cost.
This aim and these objects, as well as others which will become more evident hereinafter, are achieved by an articulated joint for connection between a twin-head dynamo, or the like, and the frame of a cycle, characterized in that it comprises
- a bracket for being fixed to the frame of a cycle,
- a body of the joint, which is supported by said bracket, and
- a connector for connecting the body of the joint to the casing of a twin-head dynamo,
said body of the joint and said bracket being shaped so as to form a first working axis, for the rotation of said body of the joint from an active angle to an inactive angle of the dynamo, in contrast with first elastic means, said body of the joint being further coupled to said bracket so that it can slide along said first working axis to pass reversibly from a position for free rotation about said first working axis to a locking position in which the rotation of said body of the joint with respect to said bracket is locked by first locking means which have been provided,
said connector and said body of the joint being further shaped so as to form a second working axis, for mutual rotation for tilting the dynamo, along which said connector can further slide reversibly, in contrast with second elastic means, from a fixed coupling position, wherein the rotation of said connector with respect to said body of the joint is prevented by second locking means.
Brief description of the drawings
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description that follows of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the articulated joint according to the invention, which is illustrated for the purposes of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an articulated joint according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an articulated joint according to the invention, in a configuration corresponding to the locking position; Figure 3 is a sectional view of an articulated joint according to the invention, along the line III-III in Figure 2, in a configuration corresponding to the inactive angle;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an articulated joint according to the invention, in a configuration corresponding to the position for free rotation;
Figure 5 is a sectional view of an articulated joint according to the invention, along the line V-V in Figure 4, in a configuration corresponding to the active angle;
Figure 6 is a sectional view of an articulated joint according to the invention, in a configuration corresponding to the fixed coupling position;
Figures 7a and 7b are views of a twin-head dynamo in two alternative active configurations.
Ways of carrying out the Invention
With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 10 generally designates an articulated joint for connection between a twin-head dynamo 11, or the like, and a frame 12 of a cycle, that has a distinctive characteristic in that it comprises
- a bracket 13 for being fixed to the frame 12 of a cycle,
- a body of a joint 14, which is supported by the bracket 13, and
- a connector 15 for connecting the body of the joint 14 to a casing 16 of a twin-head dynamo 11.
According to the invention, the body of the joint 14 and the bracket 13 are shaped so as to form a first working axis A, for the rotation of the body of the joint 14 from an active angle to an inactive angle of the dynamo 11, in contrast with first elastic means 17, the body of the joint 14 being further coupled to the bracket 13 so that it can slide along the first working axis A to pass reversibly from a position for free rotation about the first working axis A to a locking position in which the rotation of the body of the joint 14 with respect to the bracket 13 is locked by first locking means 18 which have been provided.
According to the invention, the connector 15 and the body of the joint 14 are further shaped so as to form a second working axis B, for mutual rotation for tilting the dynamo 11 , along which the connector 15 can further slide reversibly, in contrast with second elastic means 19, from a fixed coupling position in which the rotation of the connector 15 with respect to the body of the joint 14 is prevented by second locking means 20.
Advantageously, the bracket 13 comprises a pivot 21 for the pivoting of the body of the joint 14 to the bracket 13, there being provided, on the body of the joint 14, in general at least one coupling hole for the pivot 21 , and specifically two holes 22a and 22b.
The common axis of the pivot 21 coupled in the holes 22a and 22b defines the first working axis.
Furthermore, on the pivot 21 fronts for abutment 23a and 23b against locators 24a and 24b are conveniently provided which locators are provided on the body of the joint 14 and define a limited arc of rotation of the body of the joint 14 with respect to the bracket 13.
The pivot 21 conveniently has a cross-section that is substantially C- shaped, the body of the joint 14 comprising two facing walls 25a and 25b which have two contoured holes 22a and 22b.
The first locking means 18 conveniently comprise in general at least one tooth that protrudes radially from the pivot 21 , at least one recessed seat being provided, which is radial with respect to at least one first hole 22a of the holes 22a and 22b, so as to receive in insertion the at least one tooth by sliding of the pivot 21 along the first working axis A to reach the locking position, when it is at the inactive angle.
In particular, the first locking means 18 preferably comprise a tooth 26 that protrudes radially from the pivot 21, there being provided a recessed seat 27, radial to the first hole 22a of the holes 22a and 22b, so as to receive in insertion the tooth 26 by sliding of the pin 21 along the first working axis A to reach the locking position, when it is at the inactive angle, such as for example shown for the purposes of non-limiting example in Figures 2 and 3.
Advantageously, the first elastic means 17 are implemented by a helical spring wound around the pivot 21 and having a first end 28 thereof connected to a first wall 25a of the walls 25a and 25b, and the second end 29 thereof connected to the pivot 21 , conveniently at a provided fastening pit 30,
- in order to work by torsion to contrast the rotation, from the active angle, of the body of the joint 14 with respect to the pivot 21, shown for the purposes of non-limiting example in Figure 5, and
- in order to work by compression to contrast the sliding of the body of the joint 14 along the pivot 21 from the locking position in which the tooth 26 is inserted in the recessed seat 27, such as shown for the purposes of non-limiting example in Figure 2.
Conveniently, the connector 15 comprises a base 31 that is integral with the casing 16 of the dynamo 11 and a stem 32 protruding from it and inserted so that it can rotate in a contoured opening 33 of the body of the joint 14, the common axis of them thus defining the second working axis B.
The second elastic means 19 are preferably implemented by a helical spring wound around the stem 32 and comprised between a head 34 of the stem 32, which is within the body of the joint 14, and an inner face 35 of the body of the joint 14, to contrast the extraction of the stem 32 from the body of the joint 14.
Advantageously, the second locking means 20 comprise in general at least one key, which protrudes from the base 31, substantially in parallel with the stem 32, where at least one engagement seat for the at least one key is provided in two regions of the body of the joint 14, which are opposite to the opening 33.
Specifically, in the embodiment described herein, the second locking means 20 conveniently comprise a key 36, which protrudes from the base 31, substantially in parallel with the stem 32, where corresponding engagement seats 39a and 39b for the key 36 are provided in two regions 37 and 38 of the body of the joint 14, which are opposite to the opening 33.
The base 31 conveniently supports, during use, a twin-head dynamo 40, whose functional axis D is substantially perpendicular to the second working axis B and is offset with respect to it with an eccentricity E that corresponds substantially to the difference of the radii of the two opposite head rollers 40 and 41 of the dynamo 11.
In this way, upon the engagement of the wheel 48 by part of the head roller of greater diameter 41, the first elastic means 17 are unwound more than when the wheel 48 is engaged by the head roller of smaller diameter 40, thus attaining a lower braking force thereof exerted by the head roller of greater diameter 41 on the wheel 48, which also depend on the thrust of the first elastic means 17.
More specifically, the body of the joint 14 conveniently has blocks
42a and 42b for limiting the arc of mutual rotation of the connector 15 with respect to the body of the joint 14.
Furthermore, the body of the joint 14 preferably comprises
- a fork 44, which has the two walls 25a and 25b and a bottom 45, which connects them, provided with the opening 33, and
- a housing 47 for covering the fork 44, which during use is fitted thereon and open at the bottom 45 and has thereat the blocks 42a, 42b for rotational stroke limiting for the key 36.
Conveniently, the pivot 32 is hollow to allow the passage of the electric wires connected with the alternator of the dynamo 11.
The use of an articulated joint 10, according to the invention, is as follows.
When the dynamo 11 is in an inactive position it is moved away from the wheel 48 which during use it is adapted to engage.
In the inactive position, the body of the joint 14 is at the inactive angle, the tooth 26 being inserted in the recessed seat 27, such as for example shown in Figures 1 , 2 and 3.
In this position the action of the first elastic means 17, which tends to rotate the body of the joint 14 about the first working axis A according to a first rotation F so as to bring the dynamo 11 into contact with the wheel 48, is contrasted by the placing of the tooth 26 against the inner walls of the recessed seat 27.
To allow the first rotation F, the operator acts on the body of the joint, thus giving it a first movement G, in contrast with the first elastic means 17 which resist by compression.
This first movement G brings the body of the joint in abutment on a locator 49 of the bracket 13, at the base of the fulcrum 21, and, in particular, the body of the joint 14 passes from the locking position to the position for free rotation, for example shown in Figure 4, in which the tooth 26 is extracted from the recessed seat 27.
In the position for free rotation, the action of the first elastic means 17 imposes the first rotation F on the body of the joint 14 so as to bring the dynamo 11 to an active position in which one of its head rollers 40 and 41 is pushed against the wheel 48 to be actuated thereby in rotation.
In order to tilt the dynamo 11 , by means of rotation I about the second working axis B, the operator brings it to an inactive position by rotating the body of the joint 14 with respect to the bracket 13 about the first rotation axis A of a second rotation H that is opposite to the first rotation, so as to bring the body of the joint beyond the inactive angle of the dynamo 11, so as to move it away from the wheel 48 sufficiently to enable an easy tilting thereof.
Then the operator, in contrast with the second elastic means 19, disengages the key 36 from a first seat 39a of the engagement seats 39a and 39b in which it is inserted, pulling, according to a third movement M along the second working axis B, the connector 15 so as to partially extract the stem 32 from the body of the joint 14.
When the key 36 is free from the first engagement seat 39a, the operator tilts the dynamo 11 by aligning the key 36 with the second engagement seat 39b.
Then, on releasing the dynamo 11, it, together with the connector 31 that it carries, is pulled by the second elastic means 19 toward the body of the joint 14 by return action into the fixed coupling position.
Subsequently the operator brings the dynamo 11 to the active position thus allowing the first rotation F as described previously.
In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the set aim and objects by providing an articulated joint for a twin-head dynamo that makes it possible to keep the dynamo that it supports in the inactive position or in the active position in a more stable and effective manner.
An articulated joint according to the invention makes it possible to prevent the twisting of the electric wire connected to the alternator of the dynamo, by limiting the rotation of the dynamo with respect to the body of the joint to a predetermined angle.
Also, an articulated joint according to the invention makes it possible to easily invert the twin-head dynamo thus exchanging the head roller thereof facing the wheel so as to be actuated thereby.
What is more, an articulated joint according to the invention is more solid and durable than the joint known today for supporting a twin-head dynamo.
The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.
In particular, the accompanying figures illustrate an articulated joint according to the invention that is contoured to be installed preferably on the left-hand side of a cycle, with respect to its front end, however the technician skilled in the art will understand the adaptations necessary to enable a preferential connection on the right-hand side of a cycle.
In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.
The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. PD2010A000199 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.
Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, such reference signs have been inserted for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.