WO2008122120A1

WO2008122120A1 - Single handed bicycle breaking system

Info

Publication number: WO2008122120A1
Application number: PCT/CA2008/000642
Authority: WO
Inventors: John R. Runciman; Micha Wallace; Kathie Bell; Andrew Morris; Anina Sakaguchi
Original assignee: University of Guelph
Current assignee: University of Guelph
Priority date: 2007-04-05
Filing date: 2008-04-04
Publication date: 2008-10-16
Anticipated expiration: 2009-10-05

Abstract

The present invention relates to a single-handed operation device that simultaneously allows operation or biasing between two independent control systems of a machine with the use of a single hand. In one aspect of the invention, the single-handed operation device comprises a nested dual lever assembly that allows controlling operation of a first control system alone or in combination with a second independent control system with the use of a single hand. The nested dual lever assembly of the invention comprises a base adapted for mounting to a machine, a first lever means pivotally mounted to the base for operating a first control system and a second lever means pivotally mounted to, and nested at least in part within, the first lever means, wherein the second lever means operates the first control system and the second control system substantially simultaneously.

Description

SINGLE HANDED BICYCLE BREAKING SYSTEM

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a nested lever assembly and more particularly to a nested lever assembly that simultaneously allows operation or biasing between two independent control systems with the use of a single hand.

Background

Current hand levers require a single hand to operate a single control system. In the example of a bicycle, brake levers are mounted on both handlebars, the brake levers are each operated by an individual hand and in turn operate a single braking system. In the case of a bicycle, both brakes are often required for safe use of the bicycle. For optimal braking, the rider must modulate or bias the level of braking applied to each bicycle wheel. Different road and manoeuvring conditions precludes the existence of an optimal predetermined brake bias.

Many situations arise where both hands are not available. These may include driver disabilities where only one hand is available for use or in situations where the rider is signalling with one of their hands while braking the bike with the other. Occupational cyclists, such as police officers or bicycle couriers, may require the use of one hand to perform functions such as holding a mobile communication device thereby leaving only one hand to operate only one of the two brake levers. In these situations, braking efficiency and safety are severely compromised.

U.S. Patent No. 5,540,304 discloses a transmission unit for bicycle brakes that allows an individual to control both the front and rear brakes with one hand. The transmission unit is an additional component that must be installed onto the bike. It operates by a varied ratio modulating cam lever, which controls the back and front brakes simultaneously as a single lever is actuated.

U.S. Patent No. 4,267,746 discloses a single hand-operated actuator for effecting operation of the front and rear brakes of a bicycle. However, actuation of the single hand-operated actuator results in the actuation of both the front and rear brakes simultaneously. The two most popular types of brake systems currently in the bicycle market are the side- pull brakes and the V-brakes.

Side-pull brakes are typically used on less expensive bicycles, and consist of two curved arms that cross at a single pivot, centered over the wheel of the bicycle. Side-pull brakes are not considered to be overly effective, and tuning the brakes can be difficult. The brake pads must be directly centered over the rim. In addition, some cheaper versions of the side-pull brakes tend to rotate sideways and hold this position permanently, thus wearing out the brake pads unevenly.

V-brakes, also known as linear-pull brakes, were initially introduced by Shimano™, and are currently replacing side-pull brakes on most new bicycles. V-brakes feature much longer cantilever arms than traditional side-pull brakes. The increased arm length results in a much higher leverage ratio. V-brakes required specific brake levers, as their high mechanical advantage results in more cable pull with less force applied by the hand lever.

There is still a need in the art for a single handed actuation system that overcomes the limitations of the prior art. In particular, there is a need for a single handed actuation device system that allows biasing control of two independent systems and which is simple and easy to use and install in machines including vehicles where double hand brake systems are currently used such as bicycles, motorbikes, multi terrain vehicles, walkers, scooters, snow mobiles, personal water crafts and the like, while minimizing the cost of manufacturing. The system must also be easy to adapt to any type of brake system, including the side-pull brakes and the V-brake systems. The system must also be able to maximize the user's safety and stability while riding by decreasing the vehicle's braking stopping distance.

Summary of the Invention

One object of the present invention is to provide a single-handed operation device for controlling operation of a first control system and a second control system of a machine wherein the single-handed operation device is capable of operating the first control system alone or in combination with the second control system with the use of a single hand. In one aspect of the invention, the single-handed operation device comprises a lever assembly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide single-handed operation device wherein the single-handed operation device allows biasing between a first control system and a second control system in a machine with the use of a single hand.

In one aspect, the single-handed operation device of the invention comprises a lever assembly comprising a base adapted to be mounted to the machine, a first lever means pivotally mounted to the base and a second lever pivotally mounted to the first lever means, wherein said first lever means is capable of operating the first control system and the second lever is capable of operating the first control system and the second control system substantially simultaneously.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the second lever means is nested within the first lever means.

In one aspect, the single-handed operation device of the invention further comprises a means for reducing a force necessary for operating the first control system or the second control system.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the single-handed operation device of the invention further comprises a means for reducing a force necessary for operating the second control system, said means for reducing the force including: a front link having an end adapted for securing connecting means for operating the second control system, and another end pivotally connected to the base, and an intermediate link having one end connected to the front link at a point between the first end and the second end of the front link and another end connected to the second lever means, wherein upon operation of the second lever means the intermediate link pulls the front link to pivotally move relative to the base toward the second lever means thereby effecting operation of the second control system.

In another aspect of the present invention, said front link and the intermediate link are housed within the first lever means. In yet another aspect of the present invention, the front link and the first lever means are pivotal Iy connected to a same pivot point on the base.

In one aspect of the present invention, the first control system and the second control system are independent systems that have different functional uses. In another aspect, the first control system and the second control system are independent systems that have substantially the same functional use. In yet another aspect of the present invention, the first and the second control systems comprise independent braking systems of a vehicle.

In another aspect of the invention the machine is selected from the group consisting of any type of machine where double hand brake systems are currently used. In one aspect of the invention, the machine is selected from the group comprising of: a bicycle, a tricycle, a motorbike, a scooter, a walker, a personal water craft, an all terrain vehicle, a snowmobile and a snow remover.

Advantages of the present invention include: operation of a control systems alone or in combination with another independent control system with the use of only one hand, a device that includes no pinch points and that can be easy to integrate into any type of machines in the market where double hand brake systems are currently used as well as in new vehicles. The device of the invention is capable of operating braking systems providing equal to or better braking response in comparison with other braking systems in the market.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described in relation to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a cross section of one aspect of the brake actuator of the invention.

Figure 2 is a cross section of one aspect of the brake actuator of the invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the brake actuator of the invention.

Figure 4 is a side view of one aspect of the brake actuator of the invention. Figure 5 is a plot comparison for side-pull brakes, V-brakes and the brake actuator of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In one aspect, the present invention is a single-handed operation device for controlling operation of a first control system and a second control system of a machine, wherein the single-handed operation device is capable of operating the first control system alone or in combination with the second control system with the use of a single hand.

In another aspect, the single-handed operation device 10 of the invention comprises a lever assembly that allows biasing between two independent control systems of a machine with a single hand.

There is shown in Figure 1 , one aspect of a single-handed operation device 10 of the invention. In this aspect, the single-handed operation device comprises a lever assembly wherein said lever assembly includes a base 20 mountable to a machine, a first lever means 30 pivotally mounted to the base 20 capable of operating a first control system of the machine, an second lever means 40 pivotally mounted to the first lever means 30 capable of operating the first control system and a second control system of the machine substantially simultaneously. In one aspect, the base 20 can be mounted at a location on the machine enabling manipulation of the single-handed operation device by a user/driver/rider/walker ("operator") of the machine.

The term "machine'' refers to any type of machinery having two independent control systems that can be operated with the single-handed operation means of the invention. Without limitation, the term "machine" includes any vehicle where double-hand brake systems are used. For example, and without limitation, vehicles include: bicycles, tricycles, motorbikes, scooters, walkers, personal water crafts, all terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, and snow removers. The term "machine" also includes the type of machinery, industrial equipment etc having compound independent hydraulic actuators. In one aspect of the invention, the base 20 has two entries 55, 65 which support the connecting means 50, 60. The first connecting means 50 is operatively associated to the first lever means 30 and the second connecting means 60 is operatively associated to the second lever means 40, so that movement of the levers 30, 40 causes movement of the connecting means 50, 60 thereby operating or actuating the brake mechanisms of the vehicle.

In one aspect of the invention, the first lever means 30 comprises a head portion 33 and a means portion 37.

The head portion 33 of the first lever means 30 is pivotally mounted to the base 20 for movement about a pivot point 130 by means of a pin or a bolt or the like for pivotal movement relative to the base 20.

The second lever means 40 is pivotally mounted to the handle portion 37 of the first lever means 30 for movement about a pivot point 140 by means of a pin or a bolt or the like for pivotal movement relative to the first lever means 30.

In one aspect of the invention, the second lever means 40 comprises a head portion 43 and a handle portion 47.

With reference to Figure 3 in one aspect of the invention the second lever means 40 is in- part nested within the first lever means 30. In this aspect of the present invention, the handle portion 37 of the first lever means 30 defines a channel, said channel comprising a bottom wall and two side walls. The head portion 43 of the second lever means 40 rests on this channel and is pivotally mounted to the channel while the handle portion 47 of the second lever means 40 hangs free as it extends away from the channel.

In one aspect of the invention, the operation of the single-handed operation device of the invention is very intuitive. The first and second lever means 30, 40 curve smoothly to fit the natural curve of the machine operator^'s hand. The handle portion 37 may include a finger engaging portion or hollow 120 in which the operator may rest the index finger. The first lever means 30 may be operated by the index and middle fingers of the operator at the index finger hollow 120 and pivots much like a regular bicycle lever. The second lever 40, operating the second control system, may be depressed with the middle, ring and little fingers of the operator, as the middle finger can slide between the two levers.

In one aspect of the invention, in order to reduce the number of pinch points between the articulating pieces of single-handed operation device of the invention, a portion of the head portion 43 of the second lever means 40 extends beyond the channel over the head portion 33 of the first lever means 30 so that the index finger is lifted with the depression of the second lever means 40. This arrangement also allows the index finger to help control actuation of the second brake lever by counterbalancing the rotation of the second lever 40.

With reference to figures 1 and 4 (A), in operation, when operator of a machine depresses with one hand the handle portion 37, the first lever means 30 moves from a released position to a depressed position, the head portion 33 of the first lever means 30 is caused to pivot relative to the base 20, the first connecting means 50 is pulled towards the base 20, which results in the operation or actuation or application of the first control system. With reference to figure 4 (c) when the operator releases the handle portion of the first lever means 30, then the first connecting means 50 relaxes thereby disengaging the first control system of the machine.

With reference to figures 1 and 4 (B), when the operator depresses the second lever 40 two things happen: (1) the first lever means 30 is pushed to move from the released position to the depressed position thereby operating the first control system of the machine as described in the previous paragraph, and (2) the second lever means 40 moves from a released position to a depressed position: the second lever means 40 pivots relative to the handle portion 37 and the second connecting means 60 is pulled towards the base 20, which results in the operation, actuation or application of the second control system of the machine. With reference to figure 4 (c), when the second lever means 40 is released, then the first lever means 30 moves back to its released position, both the first and second connecting means 50, 60 relax thereby disengaging first and second control systems of the machine. Modulation or biasing between the two control systems is achieved by changing the location of the applied force to the levers means 30, 40. At one extreme, force applied in the index finger region only activates the first lever means 30 and corresponding first control system. Moving force application towards the small finger on the hand increasingly applies force through the second lever means 40, thereby engaging the second control system but simultaneously increasing in the operating force in the first control system. In one non limiting aspect of the invention, the first and second control systems of the invention comprise the rear and front brake systems of a vehicle. In a panic situation, an operator of the vehicle would intuitively apply hand force to the extreme end of the second lever means 40, which results in maximum braking effort in both the front and rear braking systems substantially simultaneously.

The single handed operation device 10 of the invention may be easily installed in an appropriate vehicle. In one aspect of the invention, the single handed operation device 10 of the invention may be installed in a bicycle and operate as a single handed brake actuator of the bicycle. In this aspect of the invention, a person only has to disconnect the front and rear connecting means from the old brake actuator of the bicycle and reconnect the front and rear control means to the single-handed operation device of the invention. The single-handed operation device 10 of the invention may be mounted on the right or left side of means bars of vehicles, suiting to the special needs of the operators.

In one aspect of the invention, the single-handed operation device 10 of the invention has the ability to operate or actuate the rear brake mechanism of a vehicle independently, or in combination with the front brake mechanism of the vehicle. In this aspect of the invention, the first lever means 30 controls operation of the rear brake system of the vehicle and the second lever means 40 controls operation of both the rear and front brake systems of the vehicle. To operate the back brake alone, the user will squeeze the first lever means 30 toward the handle bar of the vehicle and move it from a released position to a depressed position thereby effecting a braking force and causing the rear brake of the vehicle to activate. To activate both brakes of the vehicle, the second lever means 40 will be squeezed toward the handle bar of the vehicle and moved to its depressed position thereby effecting a braking force and causing the rear brake and the front brake of the vehicle to activate substantially simultaneously. Although the aspect of the method described in this section relates to V-brakes, it should be expressly understood that the present invention is applicable, and may be adapted to other type of brake mechanisms, such as side-pull brakes, as would be recognized and understood by a person of skill in the art.

The single-handed operation device of the present invention can be adapted to work with any type of brake control systems. In one aspect of the invention the machine is a bicycle and the brake control system is a bicycle V-brake, also known as linear-pull brake introduced by Shimano ™. The braking system is operatively connected to the lever means 30, 40 via a first connecting means 50 and a second connecting means 60 that extend from the each brake system to the first lever means 30 and the second lever means 40. In one aspect of the present invention, the connecting means include the brake cables found in bicycles, motorbikes or the like.

With reference to Figures 2 and 4, in one aspect of the invention, the single-handed operation device 10 of the invention includes means for reducing a force necessary for operation between the first control system and the second control system. The force reducing means includes a series of two linkages, a front link 70 and an intermediate link 80, that operatively associate to the front connecting means 60 with the second lever means 40 to achieve a mechanical advantage. In one aspect of the invention, the two linkages are housed within the head portion 33 of the first lever means 30.

In one aspect of the present invention, the front connecting means 60 attaches to the front link 70, through a hole 65 in the base 20, to one end of the front link 70.

The front link 70 is attached to the front connecting means 60 at one end and is pivotally mounted to the base 20 at the other end. The intermediate attachment 80 is mounted to the front link 70 at one end and at its other end is mounted to the second lever means 40.

In use, when the second lever means 40 is moved to the depressed position, the second lever means 40 pulls the intermediate link 80 which in turn pulls the front link 70 about pivot point 130 towards the second lever means 40 such that the connecting means 60 is pulled thereby operating the second control system of the machine. In one aspect of the invention, the front link or attachment linkage 70 shares the pivot point 130 with the first lever means 30 to reduce the number of pins required and to take full advantage of the limited amount of space allowed by hand span.

The force reducing means, being a new concept, required some mechanical design calculations.

With reference to Figure 2, the ratio of the "a^* and "b' pivots distances on the front actuator means linkages to the associated cable (connecting means ) and link movements, xc and xl respectively, was determined by Equation 1. In one aspect of the invention, the force reducing means is housed within the first lever means 30. Therefore, the length of the front link 70 and the intermediate link 80 was limited as it must fit first the first lever means 30, leaving the 'a' distance to be somewhat variable, limited by material clearances required by the pivot holes.

^X ₁ = -x, [1 ] a

The intermediate link 80 movement was related to the lever angle, θ, through its relationship to the circumference, C, of the pivot path, as seen in equations 2 and 3. The radius of the pivot path is limited above and below by the requirement of the operator's hands to reach over the lever and the need for her to access the grip-shift on the handlebar. This allowed the angle to be somewhat variable as well.

* C 3 ^β60 P]

360.Y, θ = [3] 2πR

The angle θ was restricted by the clearance of the bar required when the brake actuation assembly is activated fully. The angle also had to be relatively small in order to eliminate brake activation delay. In one aspect of the present invention, the angle θ should be at least less than 20°. In another aspect, θ is kept close to about 15°. In one aspect of the invention, the attachment point 186 on the second lever 40 is placed ahead of the vertical from the second lever 40 pivot point 140. The attachment point 186 moves towards and through this point 140 during activation. This ensures the link 80 will stay tangential to the rotation about the second lever pivot point 140. This ensures preventing the linkage system from binding during the required activation angle.

The mechanical operation of the single-handed operation device 10 of the present invention is very intuitive, depressing like a regular bike brake. The index finger hollow 120 acts as a reference position for the hand, allowing the operator to know where his/her hand is situated on the device. This permits operation of the desired lever means 30, 40 using proprioception, rather than having to look down at the lever means 30, 40. In addition, in the case of a vehicle, during panic situations, riders have a natural tendency to pull the outer edge of a regular lever to activate the brake system. On the single-handed operation device of the present invention, this activates both brake systems, applying maximum but balanced braking force. The shape of the lever 10 mimics the appearance of a normal brake lever so as not to draw unwanted attention from on-lookers. The traditional brake lever shape and operation also allows individuals who are unfamiliar with the modified braking system to operate the bike safely.

The following non-limiting examples are illustrative of the present invention.

Examples

1. Bicycle Testing

Braking distance tests were performed on an original bike having side-pull levers, the same bicycle but provided with V-brakes (high performance bike), and the same bicycle having V-brakes but completed with the single-handed operation device of the invention.

A speedometer was mounted to the bicycle, in order to measure the test speed. Three test speeds were chosen to simulate typical speeds at which the bicycle will be ridden: 5, 10 and 15 km/hr. The bike was ridden at the specified speeds and the brakes were applied at a particular starting point using maximum possible braking force. The distance required to stop was measured with a measuring tape and recorded. The same rider was used for all of the trials.

Different braking configurations/combinations were tested and compared. The rear brake independently, as well as both rear and front brakes combined were tested multiple times at each specified speed. The results from these tests serve as a good base upon which to compare the single handed braking system of the invention to typical braking situations.

2. Technical Results

a) Side-pull Brakes versus V-Brakes

The V-brakes required less braking distance to stop than the side-pull brakes. This proves true for all speeds that the bicycle was tested at, and for all brake combinations.

b) The single handed braking system Test Results

Testing results from the single handed operation device of the invention indicate that the single-handed actuator device of the invention is much more effective at braking than the standard hand levers for V-brakes, and thus is also more effective than side-pull brakes.

Table 1 shows each braking system and the brake the operator would be able to actuate using only her/his right hand with that braking system. For the original bicycle and for the original bicycle with the V-brakes, the operator is only able to apply the back brake. With the single-handed actuator device of the invention, the operator can actuate both front and back brakes with her/his right hand.

Table 1: Braking systems

Figure 5 plots stopping distance at 15 km/hr for all three braking systems. Figure 5 shows that the single handed operation device of the invention decreases the braking distance required to stop a bicycle when compared to a bicycle having standard side-pull brakes and the bicycle equipped with standard V-brakes. Using the single handed operation device of the invention, the time it takes an operator to stop the bicycle has been improved over the original situation.

All publications, patents and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety. Where a term in the present application is found to be defined differently in a document incorporated herein by reference, the definition provided herein is to serve as the definition for the term.

Claims

1. A single-handed operation device for controlling operation of a first control system and a second control system of a machine characterized in that the single-handed operation device is capable of operating the first control system alone or in combination with the second control system with the use of a single hand.

2. The single-handed operation device of claim 1 characterized in that the single- handed operation device comprises a lever assembly.

3. The single-handed operation device of claim 2 characterized in that the lever assembly comprises a base adapted to be mounted to the machine, a first lever means pivotally mounted to the base and a second lever pivotally mounted to the first lever means, wherein said first lever means is capable of operating the first control system and the second lever is capable of operating the first control system and the second control system substantially simultaneously.

4. The single-handed operation device of claim 3 characterized in that the second lever means is nested within the first lever means.

5. The single-handed operation device of claim 3 characterized in that the second lever means is nested in-part within the first lever means.

6. The single-handed operation device of claim 3 characterized in that said first lever means includes a channel having a bottom surface and two side walls, said second lever means being nested in-part within the channel and pivotally mounted therein.

7. The single-handed operation device of claim 2 characterized in that the lever assembly comprises a finger engaging portion.

8. The single-handed operation device of claim 3 characterized in that the base is adapted to be mounted to a handle bar of the machine.

9. The single-handed operation device of claim 1 characterized in that the single- handed operation device further comprises a means for reducing a force necessary for operating the first control system or the second control system.

10. The single-handed operation device of claim 3 characterized in that the single- handed operation device further comprises a means for reducing a force necessary for operating the second control system, said means for reducing the force including:

(a) a front link having an end adapted for securing connecting means for operating the second control system, and another end pivotal Iy connected to the base; and

(b) an intermediate link having one end connected to the front link at a point between the first end and the second end of the front link and another end connected to the second lever means,

wherein upon operation of the second lever means the intermediate link pulls the front link to pivotally move relative to the base toward the second lever means thereby effecting operation of the second control system.

1 1. The single-handed operation device of claim 10 characterized in that said front link and the intermediate link are housed within the first lever means.

12. The single-handed operation device of claim 10 characterized in that the front link and the first lever means are pivotally connected to a same pivot point on the base.

13. The single-handed operation device of claim 1 characterized in that the first control system and the second control system have a different functional use.

14. The single-handed operation device of claim 1 characterized in that the first control system and the second control system have a substantially similar functional use.

15. The single handed operation device of claim 1 characterized in that the machine is a vehicle and the first control system and the second control system comprise a first brake system and a second brake system of the vehicle.

16. The single-handed operation device of claim 15 characterized in that the braking systems are selected from the group consisting of: a side-pull brake and a V-brake.

17. The single-handed operation device of claim 1 characterized in that the machine is selected from the group consisting of: a bicycle, a tricycle, a motorbike, a scooter, a walker, a personal water craft, an all terrain vehicle, a snowmobile, and a snow remover.

18. A single-handed operation device characterized in that the single-handed operation device allows biasing between a first control system and a second control system in a machine with the use of a single hand.