JP2006199266A - Rear derailleur for bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rear bicycle derailleur capable of changing mode between a high normal type and a low normal type without having to remove/replace the rear derailleur. <P>SOLUTION: The rear bicycle derailleur is provided with a base member 10, a linkage mechanism 11, a movable member 12, a chain guide 13, a spring member 14 and a spring lock part 15. The base member is a member possible to be installed in a rear part of a frame. The link mechanism is a mechanism turnably connected to the base member. The movable member is a member connected to the linkage mechanism to move in a direction separating from the frame with turn of the link mechanism. The chain guide is connected to the movable member freely to swing. The spring member is a member for energizing the movable member. The spring lock part can selectively lock the spring member between the first energizing condition wherein the spring member energizes the movable member in a direction separating from the frame and the second energizing condition wherein the spring member energizes the movable member in a direction coming close to the frame. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a derailleur, and more particularly to a bicycle rear derailleur that guides a chain to any one of a plurality of sprockets arranged in the hub axial direction at the rear of a bicycle frame.

  Bicycles, particularly sport-type road racers and mountain bikes, are equipped with a rear derailleur that constitutes an exterior transmission. The rear derailleur is a base member (an example of a fixed member) that can be attached to the rear part of the frame, a link mechanism having one end attached to the base member, and a movable member that is attached to the other end of the link mechanism and can move relative to the base member. A member, a chain guide swingably mounted on the movable member, and a biasing member that biases the movable member. The urging member is a coil spring, for example, and is mounted inside the link mechanism. There are known urging members that urge the movable member away from the frame (for example, see Patent Document 1) and those that urge the movable member in a direction approaching the frame (for example, see Patent Document 2). It has been.

  The rear sprocket group with which the chain guided by the rear derailleur meshes is arranged side by side in the axial direction of the hub shaft so as to decrease in diameter as it goes outward in the axial direction away from the frame. Therefore, in the former rear derailleur, when the inner cable of the speed change cable is released, the movable member moves away from the frame by the urging force of the urging member, and the chain is stepwise guided by the sprocket on the small diameter side and the upshift is performed. Done. On the other hand, when the derailleur link mechanism is pulled by the inner cable, the movable member moves in the direction approaching the frame against the urging force of the urging member, and the chain is stepwise guided by the large-diameter sprocket. Is done. Such a rear derailleur is called a top normal type rear derailleur. In the top normal type rear derailleur, the state in which the chain is disposed on the top sprocket having the smallest diameter is the initial position when the inner cable is not most strained.

In the latter rear derailleur, when the inner cable of the speed change cable is released contrary to the top normal, the movable member moves in the direction approaching the frame by the urging force of the urging member, and the chain is gradually guided to the sprocket on the large-diameter side. Downshift is performed. On the other hand, when the derailleur link mechanism is pulled by the inner cable, the movable member moves away from the frame against the urging force of the urging member, and the chain is stepwise guided by the small-diameter sprocket to cause upshifting. Done. This type of rear derailleur is called a low normal type rear derailleur. In the low normal type rear derailleur, the state in which the chain is arranged on the sprocket with the largest diameter is the initial position in the state where the inner cable is least strained.
JP-A-11-263283 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-18878

  The top normal type rear derailleur needs to be downshifted by pulling with the inner cable, so that a large operating force is required for downshifting compared to the low normal type. In addition, the front derailleur and the rear derailleur use the opposite fingers for upshifting and downshifting when operating with the shift lever with two levers. Specifically, with the front derailleur, upshift with the thumb and downshift with the index finger. In the rear derailleur, on the contrary, downshift with the thumb and upshift with the index finger. For this reason, it is difficult for beginner riders to learn shifting operation. However, since the speed is changed by pulling the inner cable during the downshift, the chain can be guided to the desired sprocket by overshifting (guide the chain slightly larger than the desired sprocket position toward the large-diameter sprocket). . For these reasons, a top normal type rear derailleur has been conventionally used.

  On the other hand, the low normal type rear derailleur performs the downshift by the urging force of the urging member, so that the downshift operation force is light and the downshift operation is fast. However, since the operation with the speed change lever is the reverse of the conventional top normal type, it is necessary for the skilled rider to become familiar with the speed change operation. In addition, recent rear sprockets are provided with special concave parts to assist downshifting, but this special shape is worn by long-term use, or mud is clogged into a special shape by running on a muddy road. In the case of the low normal type, the downshift is performed only by the urging force of the urging member, and there is a possibility that the speed change operation may not be performed smoothly.

  These top normals and low normals are left to the rider's proper choice, and once they are selected, the rear derailleur needs to be replaced if they want to change to a different format. In addition, it is not possible to change the format depending on uses such as traveling on a muddy road or traveling on a paved road.

  An object of the present invention is to enable a top normal type and a low normal type to be changed in a bicycle rear derailleur without exchanging the rear derailleur.

  A bicycle rear derailleur according to the present invention is a derailleur that guides a chain to any of a plurality of sprockets arranged side by side in the hub axial direction at the rear part of a bicycle frame, and includes a fixed member, a link mechanism, a movable member, A chain guide, an urging member, and an urging member locking portion are provided. The fixing member is a member that can be attached to the rear portion of the frame. The link mechanism is a mechanism that is rotatably connected to the fixing member. The movable member is a member that is connected to the link mechanism and is movable in a direction in which the link mechanism is brought into and out of contact with the frame. The chain guide is swingably connected to the movable member. The biasing member is a member that biases the movable member. The biasing member locking portion includes a first biasing state in which the biasing member biases the movable member in a direction away from the frame, and a second bias in which the biasing member biases the movable member in a direction approaching the frame. The biasing member can be selectively locked in any of the biased states.

  In this rear derailleur, when the urging member is locked to the urging member locking portion so as to be in the first urging state, the movable member is urged away from the frame, and the rear derailleur is in the top normal state. Conversely, when the urging member is locked so as to be in the second urging state, the movable member is urged in the direction approaching the frame, and the rear derailleur is in the low normal state. Here, since the urging member locking portion that can be switched between the first urging state and the second urging state is provided, the urging member is set to one of the urging states. It is possible to change the top normal type and the low normal type without changing the derailleur by simply locking to the biasing member locking portion.

  A bicycle rear derailleur according to a second aspect of the present invention is the derailleur according to the first aspect, wherein the link mechanism includes an inner link member that rotatably connects the fixed member and the movable member at both ends, and a fixed member that is disposed outside the inner link member. And an outer link member that rotatably connects the movable member at both ends. In this case, since the movable member and the fixed member are connected by the inner and outer link members, the configuration of the derailleur is simplified, and the movable member is brought into contact with and separated from the frame by adjusting the rotation angle of the link. It is possible to move in the radial direction as well.

  A bicycle rear derailleur according to a third aspect is the derailleur according to the first or second aspect, wherein the urging member is disposed outside the link mechanism. In this case, since the biasing member is provided outside the link mechanism, the biasing member is exposed to the outside of the link mechanism. For this reason, it is easy to change the locking position of the urging member.

  A bicycle rear derailleur according to a fourth aspect is the derailleur according to the first or second aspect, wherein the urging member is disposed inside the link mechanism. In this case, since the urging member is provided inside the link mechanism, the urging member is not exposed to the outside. For this reason, although the change of the urging position becomes troublesome, the urging member is not exposed to the outside, so that aesthetics can be improved, and the urging member is not caught on the outside or mud does not adhere to the urging member.

  A bicycle rear derailleur according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the derailleur according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein the urging member includes a first end, a second end, and a coil portion disposed between both ends. The biasing member locking portion is a spring and is provided on the fixed member, and is provided on the movable member and the first locking portion capable of locking the first end, and is separated from the frame from the first position and the first position. A second locking portion capable of locking the second end at any one of the second positions, and the urging member is locked between the first locking portion and the first position of the second locking portion. Then, it will be in the 1st energizing state, and will be in the 2nd energizing state if an energizing member is latched in the 2nd position of the 1st locking part and the 2nd locking part. In this case, the second end of the biasing member whose first end is locked to one first locking portion disposed on the fixed member is connected to one of the second locking portions provided on the movable member. By locking in the position, it is possible to switch to the two urging states simply by replacing only the second end of the locking member, and it is possible to easily switch to the first and second urging states.

  A bicycle rear derailleur according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the derailleur according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein the urging member has a first end, a second end, and a coil portion disposed between both ends. The biasing member locking portion is a spring and is provided on the movable member, and is provided on the fixed member and the first locking portion capable of locking the first end, and is separated from the frame from the first position and the first position. A second locking portion capable of locking the second end at any one of the second positions, and the urging member is locked between the first locking portion and the first position of the second locking portion. Then, it will be in the 2nd energized state, and will be in the 1st energized state if an energizing member is latched in the 2nd position of the 1st locking part and the 2nd locking part. In this case, the second end of the biasing member whose first end is locked to one first locking portion arranged on the movable member is connected to any one of the second locking portions provided on the fixed member. By locking in the position, it is possible to switch to the two urging states simply by replacing only the second end of the locking member, and it is possible to easily switch to the first and second urging states.

  A bicycle rear derailleur according to a seventh aspect is the derailleur according to the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the second locking portion is a swinging member having a base end swingably provided between the first position and the second position. The swinging member can lock the second end, and can move between the first position and the second position. In this case, the first and second biasing members can be simply swung to the first position or the second position with the biasing member locked to the swinging member or with the biasing member removed. You can easily switch to the state.

  The bicycle rear derailleur according to an eighth aspect is the derailleur according to the seventh aspect, wherein the second locking portion is provided on the movable member so as to position the swing position of the swing member between the first position and the second position. And a stopper member. In this case, the two positions of the first position and the second position can be easily performed by the stopper member.

  A bicycle rear derailleur according to a ninth aspect is the derailleur according to any one of the fifth to eighth aspects, wherein the first locking portion is disposed between the connecting positions of both link members. In this case, since the 1st latching | locking part is arrange | positioned between the connection positions of both link members, the urging | biasing force in two urging | biasing states can be equalized.

  A bicycle rear derailleur according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the derailleur according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein the urging member includes a first end, a second end, and a coil portion disposed between both ends. A first latching portion that is a spring and is provided on the fixed member and capable of latching the first end at either the third position or the fourth position separated from the frame from the third position. And a second locking portion provided on the movable member and capable of locking the second end at either the first position or the second position separated from the frame from the first position. When the biasing member is locked at the first position, the first biasing state is established, and the second biasing state is established at which the biasing member is locked at the third position and the second position. In this case, the urging force of the urging member can be made constant regardless of the state by replacing both ends of the urging member. Further, when the urging member is disposed inside the link mechanism, a connecting pin that connects both the link members to the fixed member and the movable member can be used as the first and second locking portions.

  A bicycle rear derailleur according to an eleventh aspect is the derailleur according to the tenth aspect, wherein the third position is disposed at a coupling position on the fixing member side of the inner link member, and the fourth position is disposed at a coupling position on the fixing member side of the outer link member. The first position is arranged at the connecting position of the inner link member on the movable member side, and the second position is arranged at the connecting position of the outer link member on the movable member side. In this case, the intermediate part or the end part of the connecting pin that connects both link members can be used as the first and second locking parts.

  The bicycle rear derailleur according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the derailleur according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, wherein at least one of the first locking portion and the second locking portion is the third position and the fourth position or the first position and the second position. Between the first position and the second position, and the third position and the fourth position or the first position. And a second position. In this case, in this case, the swinging member is in the first position, the second position, the third position, or the fourth position with the biasing member locked to the swinging member or with the biasing member removed. It is possible to easily switch to the first and second urging states simply by swinging to.

  A bicycle rear derailleur according to a thirteenth aspect is the derailleur according to the twelfth aspect, wherein at least one of the first locking portion and the second locking portion sets the swing position of the swing member to the third position, the fourth position, or the second position. It further has a stopper member provided on the fixed member or the movable member so as to be positioned at the first position and the second position. In this case, the stopper member can easily position at least one of the first position, the second position, the third position, and the fourth position.

  A bicycle rear derailleur according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the derailleur according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein the urging member includes a first end, a second end, and a coil portion disposed between both ends. The biasing member locking portion is a spring, and is provided on the fixing member, the first locking portion capable of locking the first end, the first position provided on the inner link member, and the outer link member. A second locking portion capable of locking the second end at any one of the second positions, and the urging member is locked between the first locking portion and the first position of the second locking portion. Then, it will be in the 1st energizing state, and will be in the 2nd energizing state if an energizing member is latched in the 2nd position of the 1st locking part and the 2nd locking part. In this case, the second end of the second locking portion provided on the inner link member is provided with the second end of the urging member whose first end is locked to one first locking portion disposed on the fixing member. By locking at any one of the position and the second position provided on the outer link member, it is possible to switch between the two biased states by simply replacing the second end of the locking member. It can be easily switched to the 2 bias state.

  A bicycle rear derailleur according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the derailleur according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein the urging member includes a first end, a second end, and a coil portion disposed between both ends. The spring is a spring, and the biasing member locking portion is provided in the movable member, and is provided in the first locking portion capable of locking the first end, the first position provided in the inner link member, and the outer link member. A second locking portion capable of locking the second end at any one of the second positions, and the urging member is locked between the first locking portion and the first position of the second locking portion. Then, it will be in the 2nd energized state, and will be in the 1st energized state if an energizing member is latched in the 2nd position of the 1st locking part and the 2nd locking part. In this case, the second end of the biasing member whose first end is locked to one first locking portion arranged on the movable member is the second of the second locking portion provided on the inner link member. By locking at any one of the position and the second position provided on the outer link member, it is possible to switch between the two biased states by simply replacing the second end of the locking member. It can be easily switched to the 2 bias state.

  A bicycle rear derailleur according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the derailleur according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, further comprising an inner locking portion that is provided in the link mechanism and locks the inner cable for shifting. The first inner locking position for use in the first biasing state and the second inner locking position for use in the second biasing state. In this case, since the inner locking portion has two inner locking positions according to the biased state, the inner cable is locked at a position suitable for each of the top normal type and the low normal type. can do.

  A bicycle rear derailleur according to a seventeenth aspect is the derailleur according to the sixteenth aspect, wherein the inner locking portion is detachably attached to the link mechanism. In this case, since the inner locking portion is detachable, one inner locking portion can be mounted at one of the two locking positions according to the biased state.

  The bicycle rear derailleur according to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention is the derailleur according to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, wherein the inner locking portion is attached to the outer link member when in the first urging state, and is attached to the inner link member when in the second urging state. In this case, the inner cable can be locked at an appropriate position regardless of the biased state by changing the link member on which the inner locking portion is mounted according to the biased state.

  A bicycle rear derailleur according to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention is the derailleur according to any one of the first to eighteenth aspects, further comprising an outer locking portion that is provided on the fixing member and locks the outer casing for shifting that houses the inner cable. The outer locking portion has a first outer locking position for use in the first biasing state and a second outer locking position for use in the second biasing state. In this case, even if the locking position of the inner cable is changed according to the biased state, the locking position of the outer casing can be changed accordingly, so the inner cable from the outer locking position to the inner locking position The inner cable can be moved smoothly.

  A bicycle rear derailleur according to a twentieth aspect of the present invention is the derailleur according to the nineteenth aspect, wherein the outer locking portion is detachably attached to the fixing member. In this case, since the outer locking portion is detachable, one outer locking portion can be mounted at one of the two locking positions according to the biased state.

  The bicycle rear derailleur according to a twenty-first aspect is the derailleur according to any one of the second to twentieth aspects, wherein the inner link member and the outer link member are a first connecting pin for connecting to the fixed member and a first connecting pin for connecting to the movable member. Each of the first connection pin and the second connection pin is attached to the inner link member and the outer link member so as to be disassembled by a removable retaining member. In this case, since one of the first and second connecting pins is detachable, the switching operation of the urging member is facilitated particularly when the urging member is disposed inside the link mechanism.

  According to the present invention, since the biasing member locking portion that can be switched between the first biasing state and the second biasing state is provided, the biasing member is set to one of the biasing states. In this way, the top normal type and the low normal type can be changed without replacing the derailleur by simply engaging the biasing member engaging portion.

<First Embodiment>
In FIG. 1, a bicycle 101 employing the first embodiment of the present invention is a bicycle that can run on rough terrain, called a mountain bike, and is fixed to the diamond-shaped frame 102 having a front fork 98 and the front fork 98. Attached to the rear of the front handle 98 and the frame 102, the handle portion 104, the crank 96 to which the chain 95 and the pedal PD are attached, the front and rear derailleur 97f, 97r, the front and rear sprocket groups 99f, 99r, etc. The front and rear wheels 106f and 106r, the front and rear brake devices 107f and 107r, and the speed change operation units 110f and 110r for shifting the front and rear derailleurs 97f and 97r are provided.

  The handle portion 104 includes a handle stem 111 and a handle bar 112 fitted and fixed at the upper end of the handle stem 111. The handle stem 111 is fitted and fixed to the upper portion of the front fork 98. The handle bar 112 is of a bar handle type and includes a pair of left and right brake levers 113f and 113r. The brake levers 113f and 113r are provided with speed change operation portions 110f and 110r. The shift operation units 110f and 110r are connected to the front and rear derailleurs 97f and 97r via Bowden-type shift cables 115f and 115r.

  As described above, the drive unit 105 includes the chain 95, the front and rear derailleurs 97f and 97r for performing the replacement of the chain 95, and the front and rear sprocket groups 99f and 99r. The front derailleur 97f is provided on the seat tube 102a of the frame 102 and is positioned at two shift positions by the shift operation unit 110f to guide the chain 95. The rear derailleur 97r is provided in the rear claw portion 102b of the rear portion of the frame 102, and is positioned at ten shift positions by the shift operation portion 110r to guide the chain 95.

  The front sprocket group 99f has, for example, three sprockets F1, F, and F3 with different numbers of teeth arranged side by side in the axial direction of the crankshaft. As shown in FIG. 2, the rear sprocket group 99r has, for example, nine sprockets R1 to R9 having different numbers of teeth arranged in the axial direction along the hub axle 106a of the rear wheel. Here, in the front sprocket group 99f, the number of teeth increases in order from the lowest sprocket F1 located on the innermost side in the axial direction, and the top sprocket F3 located on the outermost side in the axial direction has the largest number of teeth. Further, in the rear sprocket group 99r, the number of teeth decreases sequentially from the lowest sprocket R1 located on the innermost side in the axial direction, and the top sprocket R9 located on the outermost side in the axial direction has the smallest number of teeth. The front and rear derailleur 97f, 97r moves the chain 95 to one of a plurality of sprockets F1 to F3, R1 to R9 to perform a speed change operation. As shown in FIG. 1, this speed change operation is performed by speed change operation portions 110f and 110r using brake levers 113f and 113r.

[Configuration of rear derailleur]
2 to 6, the rear derailleur 97r is attached to the rear claw portion 102b provided at the rear portion of the bicycle frame, and guides the chain 95 to one of the plurality of sprockets R1 to R9 of the rear sprocket group 99r. Hang over. The rear derailleur 97r is connected to the base member (an example of a fixing member) 10 that can be screwed into the rear claw portion 102b, the link mechanism 11 that is rotatably connected to the base member 10, and the link mechanism 11. The movable member 12 is movable in a direction in which the frame 102 is brought into contact with and separated from the frame 102, the chain guide 13 is swingably attached to the movable member 12, and the spring member that biases the movable member 12 (the biasing member of the biasing member). (Example) 14 (FIG. 4) and a spring locking portion capable of selectively locking the spring member 14 in any one of a first biasing state corresponding to the top normal and a second biasing state corresponding to the low normal. (An example of an urging member locking portion) 15 (FIG. 4). The rear derailleur 97r includes an inner locking portion 18 that locks the inner cable 115a of the transmission cable 115r, and an outer locking portion 19 that locks the outer casing 115b.

  The base member 10 includes a cylindrical boss portion 10a that can be screwed into the rear claw portion 102b of the frame 102, and an arm portion 10b that extends from the boss portion 10a in the radial direction. A pair of link support portions 10c and 10d for mounting the link mechanism 11 are formed at the tip and midway of the arm portion 10b. The link support portion 10c is disposed at a position farther from the frame 102 than the link support portion 10d. Further, an outer locking portion 19 that locks the outer casing 115b of the transmission cable 115r is provided at the tip of the arm portion 10b.

  The link mechanism 11 is a four-point link mechanism that connects the movable member 12 to the base member 10 so that the movable member 12 moves relatively in parallel with the base member 10. The link mechanism 11 is an outer link member 16 having one end pivotably mounted at the lower end of the base member 10 via link support portions 10c and 10d, and an inner link disposed at a position closer to the frame 102 than the outer link member 16. A member 17 is provided. The other ends of the link members 16 and 17 are rotatably mounted on link support portions 12a and 12b of the movable member 12 described later. Both link members 16 and 17 are rotatably connected to the base member 10 and the movable member 12 by two connecting pins 16a, 16b, 17a and 17b, respectively. In addition, since the connection pins 16a and 16b are pins that connect the outer link member 16, the connection pins 16a and 16b are arranged in directions away from the frame 102 as compared to the connection pins 17a and 17b. The connecting pins 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b are fixed by caulking to the outer link member 16 and the inner link member 17, respectively. Locking portion mounting portions 21 a and 21 b for detachably mounting the inner locking portion 18 are formed on the outer surfaces 16 c and 17 c of the outer link member 16 and the inner link member 17. The locking portion mounting portions 21a and 21b are formed through the outer surface 16c of the outer link member 16 that is separated from the frame 102 and the inner surface 16d that is close to the frame 102, and the outer surface 17c and the inner surface of the inner link member 17, respectively. There are through holes 21d penetrating the side surfaces 17d.

  The movable member 12 connects the chain guide 13 so as to be swingable about an axis substantially parallel to the hub shaft 106a of the rear wheel 106r. The movable member 12 has link support portions 12a and 12b to which both link members 16 and 17 of the link mechanism 11 are rotatably mounted. The chain guide 13 has a guide mounting portion 12c on which the chain guide 13 is swingably mounted. A torsion coil spring (not shown) is mounted inside the guide mounting portion 12c, and the chain guide 13 is biased clockwise as viewed from the outside by the torsion coil spring. As a result, tension is applied to the chain 95 and the chain 95 is unlikely to fall off the sprockets R1 to R9.

  The chain guide 13 moves the chain 95 in order to bridge the chain 95 to one of the sprockets R1 to R9. The chain guide 13 includes an outer plate member 40 that is swingably attached to the movable member 12, an inner plate member 41 that is disposed to face the outer plate member 40, and both ends of the plate members 40, 41 at one end side. A guide pulley 42 that is rotatably mounted between the plate members 40 and 41 and can mesh with the chain. The guide pulley 42 can mesh with the chain 95 and can be engaged with the chain 95 between the plate members 40 and 41 on the other end side of the plate members 40 and 41. And a tension pulley 43 that is rotatably mounted on the belt.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the spring member 14 is disposed outside the link mechanism 11. In FIG. 4, the spring member 14 is arranged outside (on the upper side) close to the frame 102 of the link mechanism 11, but outside on the outside (lower side) away from the frame 102. You may arrange. The spring member 14 is a coil spring having a first end 14a, a second end 14b, and a coil portion 14c disposed between both ends 14a and 14b. For example, the spring member 14 is a tension spring having a free length in a close contact state. . At the first and second ends 14a and 14b, curved hook portions 14d that are locked to the spring locking portions 15 are formed. The spring member 14 is selectively biased to either the first biasing state corresponding to the top normal or the second biasing state corresponding to the low normal depending on the locking posture to the spring locking portion 15. Switch.

  As described above, the spring locking portion 15 can selectively lock the spring member 14 in either the first biasing state corresponding to the top normal or the second biasing state corresponding to the low normal. is there. The spring locking portion 15 includes a first locking portion 22 provided on the base member 10 and capable of locking the first end 14a, and a second locking portion provided on the movable member 12 and capable of locking the second end 14b. 23.

  The first locking portion 22 has, for example, a locking pin 24 erected on a link support portion 10d that is arranged close to the frame 102 of the base member 10. The locking pin 24 is a shaft member having an annular spring locking groove 24a, and is fixed to the link support portion 10d by appropriate fixing means such as caulking and bonding.

  The second locking portion 23 is formed so as to protrude from the second link support portion 12 b of the movable member 12 in the direction approaching the frame 102 (upward). The 2nd latching | locking part 23 can latch the 2nd end 14b in either the 1st position 23a shown in FIG. 4 and the 2nd position 23b separated from the flame | frame 102 from the 1st position 23a. When the spring member 14 is locked to the first locking portion 22 and the first position 23 a of the second locking portion 23, the first biased state is established, and the first locking portion 22 and the second locking portion 23 are When the spring member 14 is locked to the second position 23b, the second biased state is established. That is, in the first urging state, the spring member 14 urges the movable member 12 in the direction in which the movable member 12 moves away from the frame 102, and a top normal type rear derailleur can be realized. In the top normal type rear derailleur, as described above, the state where the chain 95 is disposed on the sprocket R9 having the smallest diameter is the initial position. Further, in the second urging state, the spring member 14 urges the movable member 12 in the direction in which the movable member 12 approaches the frame 102, and a low normal type rear derailleur can be realized. In the low normal type rear derailleur, as described above, the state where the chain 95 is arranged on the sprocket R1 having the maximum diameter is the initial position. The second locking portion 23 extends the connecting pins 16b and 17b, which are spaced apart in the direction in which they come into contact with and away from the frame 102, from the connecting portion in the direction approaching the frame 102 (upward), and has an annular shape at the tip thereof. The spring locking grooves 17e and 16e are formed to be the first position 23a and the second position 23b. However, the two locking members are provided on the second link support portion 12b with a distance in the direction (upward) in contact with and away from the frame 102, and the first position 23a and the second position 23b are configured by the two locking members. May be.

  The inner locking portion 18 is attached to the outer surface 16c of the outer link member 16 when in the first biasing state (when the top is normal), and is connected when the inner biasing state is in the second biasing state (when the normal state is low). It is attached to the outer side surface 17 c of the link member 17. As shown in FIG. 6, the inner locking portion 18 is detachably attached to the cable locking portion 18 a for locking the inner cable 115 a and the cable locking portion 18 a to the outer link member 16 and the inner link member 17. And an engaging portion main body 18b to be mounted on. The cable locking portion 18a has an inner fixing bolt 18c made of a hexagon socket head cap screw, and a cable pressing metal fitting 18d disposed between the inner fixing bolt 18c and the locking portion main body 18b. The inner cable 115a is fixed to the inner locking portion 18 by clamping the inner fixing bolt 18c with the tip of the inner cable 115a sandwiched between the cable pressing metal 18d and the locking portion main body 18b.

  The locking part main body 18b is fixed to both ends of the base part 18e, an oval plate-like base part 18e disposed on either of the locking part mounting parts 21a, 21b, an inner fixing part 18f protruding from the base part 18e. And a pair of mounting shafts 18g and 18g. The plate-like base portion 18e is disposed in any one of the locking portion mounting portions 21a and 21b. The inner fixing portion 18f extends toward the link member on the opposite side to the attached link member. The inner fixing bolt 18c is screwed into the extended tip. The pair of mounting shafts 18g and 18g are fixed to both ends of the base portion 18e by caulking, for example, and have a length capable of traversing through the through holes 21c and 21d formed in the link members 16 and 17. ing. The tips of the pair of mounting shafts 18g, 18g are tapered, and annular grooves 18h, 18h are formed at the root of the tapered portion. A retaining member 51 such as an E-type retaining ring or a C-type retaining ring is attached to the annular grooves 18h, 18h. As a result, the inner locking portion 18 is prevented from being detached from either of the link members 16 and 17, and the inner locking portion 18 is detachably fixed to either of the link members 16 and 17. The retaining member is not limited to a retaining ring, and may be any structure as long as it can retain the mounting shaft 18g such as a split pin.

  Moreover, in FIG. 6, the state before mounting | wearing of the inner latching | locking part 18 is illustrated with the dashed-two dotted line. As described above, the inner locking portion 18 is mounted from the outer side surfaces 16c and 17c of the link members 16 and 17 in accordance with the biased state. Thereby, the bending of the inner cable 115a from the outer locking position to the inner locking position can be suppressed, and the movement of the inner cable 115a becomes smooth.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the outer locking portion 19 is provided on the lower surface of the arm portion 10 b of the base member 10. A first outer locking portion 19a capable of locking the outer casing 115b at a first locking position corresponding to the top normal and a second locking position corresponding to the low normal, which is farther from the frame 102 than the first locking position. And a second outer locking portion 19b that can lock the outer casing 115b. The first and second outer locking portions 19a and 19b have screw holes 19c and 19d into which the outer adjustment member 50 to which the outer casing 115b is mounted is screwed and through holes 19e and 19f through which the inner cable 115a can pass. ing. By rotating the outer adjustment member 50, the cable direction position of the outer casing 115b changes, and the tension of the inner cable 115a can be adjusted to adjust the position of the chain guide of the rear derailleur 97f.

[Operation of rear derailleur]
In the rear derailleur 97r configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 4, both ends 14a and 14b of the spring member 14 are connected to the first locking portion 22 of the spring locking portion 15 and the first position 23a of the second locking portion 23. The spring member 14 urges the movable member 12 in a direction away from the frame 102 and operates as a top normal type rear derailleur. Therefore, when the inner cable 115a of the transmission cable 115r is pulled by the operation of the transmission operation unit 110r, the chain guide 13 is moved to the inner low side, that is, the sprocket R1 side by the action of the link mechanism 11, and is outer when it is loosened. It moves to the top side, that is, the sprocket R9 side.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, when both ends 14 a and 14 b of the spring member 14 are locked to the first locking portion 22 and the second position 23 b of the second locking portion 23, the spring member 14 is moved to the movable member 12. Is operated in the direction approaching the frame 102, and operates as a low normal type rear derailleur. Accordingly, when the inner cable 115a of the transmission cable 115r is pulled by the operation of the transmission operation unit 110r, the chain guide 13 is moved to the outer top side, that is, the sprocket R9 side by the action of the link mechanism 11, and the inner side when it is loosened. It moves to the low side, that is, the sprocket R1 side.

  In the top normal type rear derailleur, shifting is performed by pulling the inner cable during downshifting, so the operating force increases, but the chain can be overshifted to guide the chain. On the other hand, in the low normal type rear derailleur, since the tension of the inner cable 115a is released and the urging force of the spring member 14 is released during the downshift, the downshift operation force is lightened and the downshift operation is accelerated.

  As described above, the rear derailleur 97f of the present embodiment can be easily changed from the low normal type to the top normal type simply by replacing the spring member 14.

  As a modified example of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the first locking portion 22 of the spring locking portion 15 is provided on the movable member 12, and a second position having a first position 23 a and a second position 23 b. The locking portion 23 may be provided on the base member 10. Also in this case, when the spring member 14 is locked to the first locking portion 22 and the first position 23a, the spring member 14 is in the first biased state, and is locked to the first locking portion and the second position 23b. It will be in the 2nd energized state.

Second Embodiment
In the first embodiment, only one first locking portion 22 is provided. However, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, a first position 123 a and a second position 123 b are provided in the second locking portion 123. Similarly to the above, the third position 122a and the fourth position 122b may be provided in the first locking portion 122.

  In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the fourth position 122b is configured by the annular recess formed in the intermediate portion of the connecting pin 116a, and the third position is formed by the annular recess formed in the intermediate portion of the connecting pin 117a. 122a is configured. Further, the second position 123b is configured by an annular recess formed in the intermediate portion of the connecting pin 116b, and the first position 123a is configured by an annular recess formed in the intermediate portion of the connecting pin 117b. In such a configuration, the top normal type rear derailleur can be realized by engaging the both ends 14a and 14b of the spring member 14 at the fourth position 122b and the first position 123a to be in the first biased state. By engaging the both ends 14a and 14b of the spring member 14 at a third position 122a and a second position 123b indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 10, a low normal type rear derailleur can be realized in a second biased state.

  For example, rectangular openings 116e and 1117e are formed in a plane connecting both side surfaces of the outer link member 116 and the inner link member 117. By forming such openings 116e and 117e, when changing the locking position of the spring member 14 in order to change the urging state, the fingers can be inserted from the openings 116e and 117e, so that the replacement is easy.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, each of the connecting pins 116a, 116b, 117a, 117b has a tapered surface 151 that is tapered at the tip, and a large-diameter head 152 at the base end. An annular groove 153 is provided on the base side of the tapered surface 151. A retaining member 154 such as an E-type retaining ring or a C-type retaining ring is attached to the annular groove 153. Thereby, each connecting pin 116a, 116b, 117a, 117b is prevented from being detached from either of the link members 116, 117, and is fixed to the link members 116, 117 in a detachable manner. In this second embodiment, the connecting pins 116a, 116b, 117a, 117b are mounted from the outer surfaces 116c, 117c separated from the frame 102, but they may be mounted from the inner surface.

  In the second embodiment, the spring member 14 is disposed inside the link mechanism 111, specifically, between the outer link member 116 and the inner link member 117. However, the link mechanism 111 is the same as in the first embodiment. The spring member 14 may be disposed outside the. In this case, you may provide the 1st latching | locking part 122 and the 2nd latching | locking part 123 in the base member 10 and the movable member 12 separately from connection pin 116a, 116b, 117a, 117b. Other configurations such as the base member 10, the movable member 12, the chain guide 13, the inner locking portion 18, and the outer locking portion 19 are the same as those in the above embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

<Third Embodiment>
In the two embodiments, the first positions 23a and 123a and the second positions 23b and 123b of the second locking portions 23 and 123 are constituted by two members. However, as shown in FIG. You may comprise the 2nd latching | locking part 223 with the rocking | swiveling member 260 arrange | positioned at the position 223a and the 2nd position 223b. The swing member 260 is swingably mounted on the inner surface of the link support portion 12a of the movable member 12 between the connection pin 16b and the connection pin 17b. At the tip of the swing member 260, a locking pin 260 a that locks the second end 14 b of the spring member 14 is provided upright. The swing member 260 is positioned at the first positions 223a and 223b by a pair of stopper members 261 provided upright on the link support portion 12a, and is swingable between the first position 223a and the second position 223b. is there. In the third embodiment, the first and positions 223a and 223b are the same positions as the connecting pins 16a and 16b, but may be different positions as long as they are close to and away from the frame 102. In such a third embodiment, when the swinging member is positioned at the first position as shown by the solid line in FIG. 11, the first biased state is established, and when the swinging member is positioned at the second position 223b indicated by the two-dot chain line, the second attachment is performed. Get ready. In this case, since it is only necessary to position the swinging member 260 at one of the two positions, it is easy to switch the biased state.

  As a modification of the third embodiment, the movable member 12 may be provided with a fixed first locking portion, and the base member 10 may be provided with a swinging member 260 as a second locking portion. In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, the base member 10 and the movable member 12 may be provided with swing members 262 and 260, respectively. In this case, in addition to the second locking portion 223, the first locking portion 222 is also composed of the swing member 262. The swing member 262 on the first locking portion 222 side is positioned at a third position 222a indicated by a two-dot chain line and a fourth position 222b indicated by a solid line in FIG. For this positioning, a pair of stopper members 263 is used as in the third embodiment. In this modification, when the swing members 260 and 262 are positioned at the first position 223a and the fourth position 222b as in the second embodiment, the first biased state is established, and the second position 223b and the third position are moved. When the swinging members 260 and 262 are positioned with respect to 222a, the second biased state is established.

[Other Embodiments]
(A) In the above embodiment, a manual rear derailleur for a mountain bike has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any rear derailleur having a link mechanism may be used. It may be a driving rear derailleur.

  (B) In the above-described embodiment, the first and second locking portions are constituted by the shaft members. However, any structure may be used as long as the ends of the spring members can be locked. For example, it may be a bowl-shaped part formed integrally with the link member.

  (C) In the above embodiment, the coil spring is exemplified as the urging member, but the urging member may be configured so that the urging direction can be changed by switching. For example, a torsion coil spring that can be wound around the outer periphery of the connecting pin may be used.

  (D) In the above embodiment, the outer locking portion 19 is composed of the two locking portions 19a and 19b. However, like the inner locking portion 18, the outer locking portion 19 is configured to be detachable from the base member 10. Also good. In FIG. 14, two locking portion mounting portions 170 to which the outer locking portion 119 can be detachably mounted are formed on the lower surface of the base member 10 (the mounting side of the outer locking portion 119 is not shown in FIG. 14). ) The locking portion mounting portion 170 is formed, for example, in the form of a dovetail groove, and the outer locking portion 119 is mounted by sliding. One of the locking portion mounting portions 170 that is not used is closed by, for example, a cover member 171. In this case, since the outer locking portion 119 is detachable, one outer locking portion 119 can be mounted at one of the two locking positions corresponding to the biased state.

  (E) In the above-described embodiment, the inner locking portion 18 is configured to be detachable with respect to the link members 16 and 17, and the mounting position is changed between the top normal and the low normal. 17 may be provided with an inner locking portion fixed to each. Moreover, you may provide an inner latching | locking part in a movable member.

  (F) In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the two outer locking portions are arranged side by side on the same side of the base member 10, the outer link member, and the inner link member. You may arrange | position two outer latching | locking parts substantially up and down along the diagonal of a base member in FIG. In this case, the inner locking portion is also arranged up and down like the outer locking portion. In addition, you may provide an outer latching | locking part only in one place instead of two places. Further, the outer locking portion may be provided at the tip of the swinging member in the same manner as the second locking portion shown in FIG. 11 so as to swing to one of two positions according to the biased state.

1 is a side view of a bicycle adopting a first embodiment of the present invention. The side view of the rear derailleur by 1st Embodiment of this invention. The rear view. The side view of the link mechanism vicinity in the 1st biasing state seen from the inner side. The side view near the link mechanism seen from the outside. FIG. 6 is a partially broken plan view of the vicinity of the link mechanism as viewed from above. The side view near a link mechanism in the 2nd energized state seen from the inside. The figure equivalent to FIG. 5 of 2nd Embodiment. The figure equivalent to FIG. 6 of 2nd Embodiment. The figure equivalent to FIG. 4 of 2nd Embodiment. The figure equivalent to FIG. 4 of 3rd Embodiment. The figure corresponded in FIG. 4 of the modification of 3rd Embodiment. The figure equivalent to FIG. 4 of the modification of 1st Embodiment. The figure equivalent to a part of FIG. 3 of other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 frame 10 base member (an example of a fixing member)
11 Link mechanism 12 Movable member 13 Chain guide 14 Spring member (an example of an urging member)
14a 1st end 14b 2nd end 14c Coil part 15 Spring latching | locking part (an example of an urging | biasing member latching | locking part)
16, 116 Outer link member 16a, 16b, 116a, 116b Connecting pin 17, 117 Inner link member 17a, 17b, 117a, 117b Connecting pin 18 Inner locking portion 19 Outer locking portion 22, 122, 222 First locking portion 122a, 222a Third position 122b, 222b Fourth position 23, 123, 223 Second locking portion 23a, 123a, 223a First position 23b, 123b, 223b Second position 115 Transmission cable 115a Inner cable 115b Outer casing 260, 262 Swing member 261, 263 Stopper member

Claims (21)

A bicycle rear derailleur that guides the chain to any of a plurality of sprockets arranged side by side in the hub axial direction at the rear of the bicycle frame,
A fixing member capable of being installed at the rear of the frame;
A link mechanism rotatably connected to the fixing member;
A movable member that is connected to the link mechanism and is movable in a direction in which the link mechanism rotates and contacts and separates from the frame;
A chain guide pivotably connected to the movable member;
A biasing member that biases the movable member;
A first biasing state in which the biasing member biases the movable member in a direction away from the frame, and a second biasing state in which the biasing member biases the movable member in a direction approaching the frame. A biasing member locking portion capable of selectively locking the biasing member to any of
Rear derailleur for bicycles equipped with. The link mechanism is
An inner link member that rotatably connects the fixed member and the movable member at both ends;
The bicycle rear derailleur according to claim 1, further comprising an outer link member that rotatably connects the fixed member and the movable member at both ends outside the inner link member.   The bicycle rear derailleur according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member is disposed outside the link mechanism.   The bicycle rear derailleur according to claim 1, wherein the urging member is disposed inside the link mechanism. The biasing member is a coil spring having a first end, a second end, and a coil portion disposed between the both ends,
The biasing member locking portion is
A first locking portion provided on the fixing member and capable of locking the first end;
A second locking portion provided on the movable member and capable of locking the second end at either the first position or the second position separated from the frame from the first position;
When the biasing member is locked to the first position of the first locking portion and the second locking portion, the first biasing state is established, and the first locking portion and the second locking state are obtained. The bicycle rear derailleur according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein when the urging member is locked to the second position of the portion, the second urging state is established. The biasing member is a coil spring having a first end, a second end, and a coil portion disposed between the both ends,
The biasing member locking portion is
A first locking portion provided on the movable member and capable of locking the first end;
A second locking portion provided on the fixing member and capable of locking the second end at either the first position or the second position separated from the frame from the first position;
When the biasing member is locked at the first position of the first locking portion and the second locking portion, the second biasing state is established, and the first locking portion and the second locking state are obtained. The bicycle rear derailleur according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein when the urging member is locked to the second position of the portion, the first urging state is established.   The second locking portion has a swinging member having a base end swingably provided between the first position and the second position, and the swinging member engages the second end. The bicycle rear derailleur according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the bicycle rear derailleur is stoppable and movable between the first position and the second position.   The said 2nd latching | locking part further has the stopper member provided in the said movable member so that the rocking | fluctuation position of the said rocking | swiveling member may be positioned in the said 1st position and the said 2nd position. Rear derailleur for bicycles.   The bicycle rear derailleur according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the first locking portion is disposed between the connecting positions of the two link members. The biasing member is a coil spring having a first end, a second end, and a coil portion disposed between the both ends,
The biasing member locking portion is
A first locking portion provided on the fixing member and capable of locking the first end at any one of a third position and a fourth position separated from the frame from the third position;
A second locking portion provided on the movable member and capable of locking the second end at either the first position or the second position separated from the frame from the first position;
When the biasing member is locked at the fourth position and the first position, the first biasing state is established, and the biasing member is locked at the third position and the second position. The bicycle rear derailleur according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the bicycle rear derailleur is in a second urging state. The third position is disposed at a connection position on the fixing member side of the inner link member, and the fourth position is disposed at a connection position on the fixing member side of the outer link member, respectively.
11. The bicycle according to claim 10, wherein the first position is disposed at a connection position of the inner link member on the movable member side, and the second position is disposed at a connection position of the outer link member on the movable member side. Rear derailleur.   At least one of the first locking part and the second locking part is provided with a swingable base end between the third position and the fourth position or between the first position and the second. A rocking member, the rocking member being able to lock the first end or the second end, and the third position and the fourth position or the first position and the second position. The bicycle rear derailleur according to claim 10 or 11, which is movable between the two.   At least one of the first locking portion and the second locking portion positions the swinging position of the swinging member at the third position and the fourth position or between the first position and the second position. The bicycle rear derailleur according to claim 12, further comprising a stopper member provided on the fixed member or the movable member. The biasing member is a coil spring having a first end, a second end, and a coil portion disposed between the both ends,
The biasing member locking portion is
A first locking portion provided on the fixing member and capable of locking the first end;
A second locking portion capable of locking the second end at any one of a first position provided on the inner link member and a second position provided on the outer link member;
When the biasing member is locked to the first position of the first locking portion and the second locking portion, the first biasing state is established, and the first locking portion and the second locking state are obtained. The bicycle rear derailleur according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein when the urging member is locked to the second position of the portion, the second urging state is established. The biasing member is a coil spring having a first end, a second end, and a coil portion disposed between the both ends,
The biasing member locking portion is
A first locking portion provided on the movable member and capable of locking the first end;
A second locking portion capable of locking the second end at any one of a first position provided on the inner link member and a second position provided on the outer link member;
When the biasing member is locked at the first position of the first locking portion and the second locking portion, the second biasing state is established, and the first locking portion and the second locking state are obtained. The bicycle rear derailleur according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein when the urging member is locked to the second position of the portion, the first urging state is established. The link mechanism is further provided with an inner locking portion for locking the inner cable for shifting,
The inner locking portion has a first inner locking position for use in the first biasing state and a second inner locking position for use in the second biasing state. The bicycle rear derailleur according to any one of claims 1 to 15.   The bicycle rear derailleur according to claim 16, wherein the inner locking portion is detachably attached to the link mechanism.   18. The bicycle rear derailleur according to claim 17, wherein the inner locking portion is attached to the outer link member when in the first biasing state, and is attached to the inner link member when in the second biasing state. An outer locking portion that is provided on the fixing member and locks an outer casing for shifting that houses the inner cable therein;
The outer locking portion has a first outer locking position for use in the first biasing state and a second outer locking position for use in the second biasing state. The bicycle rear derailleur according to any one of claims 1 to 18.   The bicycle rear derailleur according to claim 19, wherein the outer locking portion is detachably attached to the fixing member. The inner link member and the outer link member each have a first connection pin for connecting to the fixed member and a second connection pin for connecting to the movable member,
21. One of the first connection pin and the second connection pin is attached to the inner link member and the outer link member so as to be disassembled by a detachable retaining member. Rear derailleur for bicycles as described in 1.

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