QUICK RELEASE SEAT POST CLAMP FOR ATTACHING A SADDLE TO THE SEAT TUBE OF A BICYCLE FRAME

Description

QUICK RELEASE SEATPOST CLAMP FOR FIXING OF A SADDLE TO THE SEAT TUBE OF A BICYCLE FRAME. On behalf of the company URSUS SPA - Via A. Manzoni, 8 – 36027 ROSA´ (YOU). 5 DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a clamp, in particular a seatpost clamp, quick release particularly suitable for the attaching a saddle to the seat tube of a bicycle frame. It is known that quick release seat post clamps are used, 10 especially in the field of rental bicycles, in order to make easy to adjust the height of a bicycle saddle. To this end purpose, quick release seatpost clamps are arranged in the connection between the saddle and the seat tube of a bicycle frame. It is also known that similar clamps are used for fixing the 15 handlebars of a bicycle to the head tube of the frame of the same bicycle. A common quick release seatpost clamp includes a ring clamping, a crank and a locking rod. The locking rod locking is inserted through two through holes made at the two 20 ends of the clamping ring. The crank is configured so that when rotated according to a first rotation direction from an unlocked position to a fixing position, determines the approach of the two ends free of the clamping ring and consequently determines a 25 decrease in the radius of the same clamping ring, so as to define a saddle attachment configuration to the seat tube of the bike frame. However, the prior art quick release seatpost clamps, though appreciated, they have some drawbacks that we will now go into 30 present. 12.3299 PM / (fp) AN AGENCY for himself and for others Dr. Eng. Paolo Marchioro (Studio Bonini SRL) First of all, some types of seatpost clamps of the prior art, although being defined as quick release, in reality they are not so easy usability by even the least experienced users, especially in the act of moving from the fixed position to the fixed position 5 unlocking. Furthermore, sometimes the seat post clamps of the prior art, although arranged in the fixing position so as to lock the saddle to the seat tube of the bike frame, they have a disadvantageous slack and therefore do not I am actually able to appropriately block the same 10 saddle to the seat tube, thus rendering the bike unusable. The present invention intends to overcome the drawbacks of the art Note. In particular, the aim of the invention is to create a clamp seatpost that is easy to handle and use by the user. 15 At the same time, it is the aim of the invention to create a clamp sturdy and reliable seatpost. Furthermore, the invention aims to make a seat clamp that can be finely tuned to ensure such reliability fixing for different types of saddles and seat tubes, or for different 20 types of handlebars and steering tubes, and in order to ensure this reliability over time. The above mentioned task and purposes are achieved by a clamp, in detail of the seat post clamp, according to claim 1. Additional features of the seatpost clamp according to the 25 claim 1 are described in the dependent claims. The task and the above mentioned purposes, together with the benefits that will be mentioned below, are highlighted by the description of two forms executive versions of the invention, which are given for information purposes only but non-limiting, with reference to the attached drawing tables, where: 30 - fig. 1 represents an axonometric view of a first form 12.3299 PM / (fp) AN AGENCY for himself and for others Dr. Eng. Paolo Marchioro (Studio Bonini SRL) executive of the seat post clamp of the invention; - fig. 2 represents a front view of the seat post clamp of fig. 1; - Fig. 3 represents a side view of the seat post clamp 5 of fig. 1; - fig. 4 represents a top view of the seat post clamp of fig. 1; - Fig. 5 represents an exploded front view of the clamp seatpost of fig. 1; 10 Fig. 6 represents an exploded axonometric view of the clamp seatpost of fig. 1; - Fig. 7 represents an exploded top view of the clamp seatpost of fig. 1; - fig. 8 shows the detail of the clamp fixing rod 15 seatpost of fig. 1; - fig. 9 represents a first view of the detail of the ring of tightening and cam system of the seatpost clamp in fig. 1; - fig. 10 represents a second view of the detail of the ring of tightening and cam system of the seatpost clamp in fig. 1; 20 - fig. 11 represents a first detail view of the system fine adjustment of the seat post clamp in fig. 1; - fig. 12 represents a second view of the detail of the system fine adjustment of the seat post clamp in fig. 1; - fig. 13 shows a further detail of the clamping ring and 25 of the seatpost clamp cam system in fig. 1; - fig. 14 represents a top view of the detail of the seatpost clamp crank in fig. 1; - fig. 15 represents a side view of the crank detail of the seatpost clamp in fig. 1; 30 - fig. 16 represents a side view of the crank detail 12.3299 PM / (fp) AN AGENCY for himself and for others Dr. Eng. Paolo Marchioro (Studio Bonini SRL) and of the seatpost clamp counter-cam in fig. 1; - Figs. 17a and 17b represent two sectional views of the clamp seat post in fig. 1 respectively in the unlocked position and in the fixing position; 5 - fig. 18 represents the tightening ring of the seatpost clamp of fig. 1; - figs. 19 and 20 represent two axonometric views of the seatpost clamp of fig. 1 applied to a seat tube of a frame a bicycle in the unlocked position and in the 10 fixing position; - fig. 21 represents an axonometric view of a second form executive of the seat post clamp of the invention; - fig. 22 represents a top view of the seat post clamp of fig. 21; 15 - fig. 23 represents a front view of the seat post clamp of fig. 21; - fig. 24 represents an exploded front view of the clamp seatpost of fig. 21; - fig. 25 represents an exploded axonometric view of the clamp 20 seatpost of fig. 21; - fig. 26 represents a first view of the detail of the ring of clamping and fine adjustment system of the seatpost clamp fig. 21; - fig. 27 represents a second view of the detail of the ring of 25 clamping and fine adjustment system of the seatpost clamp fig. 21; - fig. 28 represents an axonometric view of the elements that they make up the fine adjustment system of the clamp in fig. 21; - fig. 29 represents a first view of the detail of the ring of 30 tightening and cam system of the seatpost clamp in fig. 21; 12.3299 PM / (fp) AN AGENCY for himself and for others Dr. Eng. Paolo Marchioro (Studio Bonini SRL) - fig. 30 represents a first view of the detail of the ring of tightening and cam system of the seat post clamp in fig. 21; - fig. 31 represents an axonometric view of the clamp seat post of fig. 21 applied to a seat tube of a frame 5 a bicycle. The clamp, especially the seatpost clamp, especially suitable for attaching an S saddle to the TS seat tube of a T frame a bicycle, according to a first preferred embodiment, is represented in Figs. 1 to 7 in isolation and in Figs. 18 and 10 19 applied to the above mentioned TS seat tube, where indicated overall with 1. It should be noted that the terminal 1 of the invention is to be considered suitable also to be used for attaching a handlebar to the tube steering of a bicycle frame or for fixing any 15 coupling of two tubes inserted one inside the other. This seat clamp 1, according to this first embodiment preferred, includes a clamping ring 2 provided with its own free ends 2a and 2b of two through holes 21 and 22, between them facing each other, as visible in fig. 18. 20 This seat clamp 1 of the invention also comprises a rod of locking 3 arranged passing through these two through holes 21 and 22, where such locking rod 3 is provided in correspondence of its two ends 3a and 3b of two locking elements 4 and 5 to prevent the locking rod 3 from coming out of the holes 25 loops 21 and 22 of the clamping ring 2. Furthermore, the seatpost clamp 1 comprises a crank 6 configured so that when rotated in a first direction of rotation V1 from an unlocked position, shown in fig. 20, at a fixing position, represented in fig. 19, determines 30 the approach of the two free ends 2a and 2b of the ring of 12.3299 PM / (fp) AN AGENCY for himself and for others Dr. Eng. Paolo Marchioro (Studio Bonini SRL) tightening 2 and a decrease in the radius of the same ring of tightening 2, in order to define a fastening configuration of the saddle S to the seat tube TS of the bicycle frame. According to the invention, the crank 6 is configured to rotate 5 around the X-axis defined by the locking rod 3. Furthermore, according to the above-mentioned first preferred embodiment of the invention, as visible in fig. 14, the crank 6 has a “C” shape and is solidly associated in rotation, in correspondence of its free ends 6a and 6b, to both 10 said two locking elements 4 and 5 of said locking rod 3, in such that the rotation of the crank 6 also causes rotation the two locking elements 4 and 5 and the locking rod 3. Furthermore, always according to the aforementioned first executive form preferred, it is expected that between each of the two free ends 6a and 15 6b of the crank 6 and the relative free end 2a and 2b of the ring of clamping 2, a cam system 7a and 7b is arranged configured to determine the approach or separation of the two free ends 2a and 2b of the clamping ring 2, when the crank 6 is rotated from the above unlocking position to 20 the tightening one and vice versa. It is not excluded, however, that according to an executive variant of the seat post clamp 1 of the invention, with respect to the aforementioned first preferred embodiment, only a cam system is provided arranged between only one of the free ends 6a or 6b of the crank 6 25 and the corresponding free end 2a or 2b of the clamping ring 2. Returning to the aforementioned first preferred executive form of the invention, preferably but not necessarily, each of the cam systems 7a and 7b comprises a coupled cam 71 integrally with the free end 2a and 2b of the clamping ring 2 and 30 a counter-cam 72 coupled integrally to the element of 12.3299 PM / (fp) AN AGENCY for himself and for others Dr. Eng. Paolo Marchioro (Studio Bonini SRL) Locking 4 and 5 in turn coupled solidly in rotation at the free end 6a and 6b of the crank 6. Incidentally, with the expression “coupled jointly” in the present context it is understood that when the clamp of the invention is mounted, 5 the various components coupled together do not have the possibility of change one's relative position (rotation and translation) one with respect to the other. With the expression “joined together in solidarity “rotation” means that these components coupled together solidly in rotation, they rotate together but can 10 translate one with respect to the other as will be specifically indicated followed. Furthermore, as can be seen in Figs. 9, 10 and 13, each of the faces 71a and 72a facing each other of the cam 71 and the counter- cam 72 have their surfaces inclined, so that 15 the relative rotation of the counter-cam 72 with respect to the cam 71 determines a variation in their total extension along the said axis X and, consequently, determines the approach or the departure of the two free ends 2a and 2b of the clamping ring 2, as represented in the cross-sections of figs. 17a and 17b. 20 However, it is not excluded that such cam 71 and counter-cam 72 are configured differently than what has just been indicated, provided that the their relative rotation determines a variation in their extension total along the said X axis. In other words, such cam 71 and counter-cam 72 can be 25 configured in any known way, provided they are capable of transform a rotational movement into a linear translation along the X-axis. This set of features of the seatpost clamp 1 of the invention described up to now allow to obtain 30 advantageously, a more robust, more reliable and more clamp 12.3299 PM / (fp) AN AGENCY for himself and for others Dr. Eng. Paolo Marchioro (Studio Bonini SRL) simple to use compared to prior art seatpost clamps. Furthermore, the counter-cam 72 and its locking element 4 and 5 are configured to translate relative to crank 6 along the said X-axis, in the manner and for the advantages that will be clarified 5 followed. A further aspect of the seatpost clamp 1 according to the above first preferred embodiment of the invention, consists in the fact that a first of the two locking elements 4 or 5 is integral with the rod locking 3, while the second of the two locking elements 4 or 5 10 is configured to be able to vary its relative position with respect to to the locking rod 3 along the X-axis, so as to define a system fine adjustment 8 configured to allow fine adjustment of the distance between the two locking elements 4 and 5 and consequently fine adjustment of the distance between the two ends 2a and 2b 15 of the clamping ring 2, even keeping said crank still 6. In fact, it is evident that the distance between the two locking elements 4 and 5 determines the distance between the two free ends 2a and 2b of the ring of tightening 2 for any position the crank 6 assumes in such a way 20 static between the unlocking position and the locking position of the seat post clamp 1 of the invention. Preferably but not necessarily, as seen in fig. 8, locking rod 3 is a bolt 31, the first locking element 4 integral with the locking rod 3 is the head 41 of the bolt 31 and the 25 second locking element 5, configured to be able to vary the its relative position with respect to the same locking rod 3, is the nut 51 of bolt 31. Therefore, the above variation of the position of the second element locking 5 relative to locking rod 3 along the X-axis 30 of the locking rod 3 is obtained by screwing or tightening it 12.3299 PM / (fp) AN AGENCY for himself and for others Dr. Eng. Paolo Marchioro (Studio Bonini SRL) relative unscrewing between nut 51 and bolt 31. In addition, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention the head 41 and nut 51 have a prismatic shape. Alternatively the head 41 and the nut 51 could have any 5 other non-circular shapes for the reasons that will be explained below. Again, according to the above-mentioned first preferred embodiment of the invention, it is envisaged that the said fine adjustment system 8 includes an ergonomic knob 9 solidly coupled with one of the two locking elements 4 or 5 in order to facilitate, from 10 part of a user, the change in relative position between the second locking element 5 and locking rod 3, along the X-axis of the locking rod 3. In particular, the presence of this knob ergonomic 9 allows a user to make such a change without the aid of a special tool. 15 To enable the locking element 4 and 5 to which the knob ergonomic 9 is solidly coupled, to be coupled solidly in rotation with the crank 6, when the same crank 6 is rotated in order to operate the unlocking or the fixing the S saddle to the TS seat tube, and at the same time for 20 allow the same locking element 4 and 5 to be able to rotate, in order to perform this fine adjustment, keeping the crank 6 firm, the ergonomic knob 9 includes first locking means 91 configured to cooperate with second defined blocking means 721, in the case of the preferred embodiment of the invention, on one of 25 said counter-cams 72. These first and second locking means are visible in figures 11 and 12. In particular, such first blocking means 91 and the related second blocking means block 721 are defined on the two opposing surfaces of the ergonomic knob 9 and counter-cam 72 by means of teeth 30 complementary radials which allow on the one hand to make the 12.3299 PM / (fp) AN AGENCY for himself and for others Dr. Eng. Paolo Marchioro (Studio Bonini SRL) the rotation of the crank 6, of the counter-cam 72, and of the ergonomic knob 9 and its locking element 4 or 5, when the rotation is set by the same crank 6, and on the other hand to allow the knob to be rotated discreetly 5 ergonomic 9 and the related locking element 4 or 5 with respect to the crank 6 and counter-cam 72, so as to perform the aforementioned fine tuning. It is not excluded that, in an alternative executive form to the preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein only one is provided 10 cam system, such ergonomic knob 9 is associated to the locking element 4 or 5 located on the opposite side to to this cam system. In this case, therefore, the second means of block are no longer defined on the counter-cam 72 but on the end free of the same crank 6. 15 Returning to the first preferred embodiment of the clamp seat post 1 of the invention, and in particular to the fact that the counter- cam 72 and the associated locking element 4 or 5 are configured to translate relative to the crank 6 along said X axis, such peculiarity is obtained in the following way. 20 The two free ends 6a and 6b of the crank 6 have two through housings 61 and 62, preferably circular in shape, as visible in fig. 15, each presenting at least one slit 63 undercut in the direction of the X-axis. Preferably but not necessarily, the first preferred embodiment of the invention 25 provides three such slits 63 distributed angularly along the circumference of such through housings 61 and 62. The counter-cam 72 of each cam system 7a and 7b, in its vault, has a circular external profile, complementary to the shape of these two through housings 61 and 62. Furthermore, on the external profile 30 of this counter-cam 72 three projections 722 are defined according to 12.3299 PM / (fp) AN AGENCY for himself and for others Dr. Eng. Paolo Marchioro (Studio Bonini SRL) development axes parallel to the X axis and complementary to said slits 63, as visible in fig. 16, so that the insertion of each counter-cam 72 in its through housing 61 and 62 determines a solid coupling in rotation between the crank 6 and 5 the counter-cam 72 and at the same time allows the translation of the counter-cam 72 with respect to the relative through housing 61 and 62 along the X-axis. It cannot be ruled out, however, that both the through housings 61 and 62 are the external profiles of the counter-cams 72 may present 10 shapes such that when each counter-cam 72 is inserted in the relative through housing 61 and 62, these elements are solidary in rotation, but can translate along the X axis with respect to to the other. Further, the first preferred embodiment of the invention, 15 provides that the counter-cam 72 of the cam system 7b arranged on the opposite side of the fine adjustment system 8, that is, from the opposite side of the ergonomic knob 9, present, as is observe in fig. 13, a seat 723 configured to accommodate and lock in rotation one of the two locking elements 4 or 5. According to the 20 preferred embodiment of the invention, such seat 723 has a prismatic shape complementary to the shape of the bolt head 41 31 or to the shape of the nut 51 of the bolt 31. It is not excluded, however, that both the seat 723 and the head 41 and the nut 51 can be shaped in such a way that when the head 41 25 or the nut 51 are inserted into this seat 723, the two coupled elements are in solidarity in rotation. Furthermore, this counter-cam 72 has a striking wall 724 for the contrast with the corresponding locking element 4 or 5 inserted inside the aforementioned location 723. This abutment wall 724 30 necessarily has a central hole 725 which allows the 12.3299 PM / (fp) AN AGENCY for himself and for others Dr. Eng. Paolo Marchioro (Studio Bonini SRL) passage of the locking rod 3. According to the first preferred embodiment of the invention herein described such seat 723 accommodates the nut 51 of the bolt 31. Similarly, the integral coupling between the knob 5 ergonomic 9 and the other of the two locking elements 4 or 5 is obtained, as visible in fig. 11, defining on the same ergonomic knob 9 a seat 93 configured to accommodate the relevant element of blocking 4. Also in this case, specifically, this location 93 presents a 10 prismatic shape complementary to the shape of the bolt head 41 31 or to the shape of the nut 51 of the bolt 31. Even in this case, however, it cannot be excluded that both location 93 and the head 41 and the nut 51 can be shaped in such a way as to which when the head 41 or the nut 51 are inserted into such seat 93, the two 15 coupled elements are solidly coupled in rotation. According to the first preferred embodiment of the invention herein described this seat accommodates the head 41 of the bolt 31. Furthermore, this ergonomic knob 9 has a striking wall 94 for contrast with the respective locking element 4 or 5 inserted 20 inside the aforementioned seat 93. This abutment wall 94 has necessarily a central hole 95 which allows the passage of the locking rod 3. Also the counter-cam 72 associated with this ergonomic knob 9, necessarily has a central hole 725 to allow the passage of the locking rod 3. 25 The above set of features described so far allows for get the following benefits: - in case of need to finely adjust the relative distance between the two free ends 2a and 2b of the clamping ring 2, keeping stops the crank 6, the user acts on the ergonomic knob 9, 30 in particular by rotating this ergonomic knob 9, imposes a 12.3299 PM / (fp) AN AGENCY for himself and for others Dr. Eng. Paolo Marchioro (Studio Bonini SRL) relative rotation between the locking rod 3 and the second element of locking 5 thus varying the distance between the aforementioned two elements of locking 4 and 5 along the X axis. This variation therefore determines a variation of the distance between the two counter-cams 72. In particular, 5 by acting on the ergonomic knob 9 in order to screw the nut 51 on bolt 31, the same number 51 and the head 41 force the approach of the two counter-cams 72 along the X-axis, which in turn, push approaching the cams 71. These cams 71 being integral to the clamping ring 2, they force the two ends closer together 10 free 2a and 2b of the same clamping ring 2. Acting in the direction opposite on the ergonomic knob 9, the nut 51 is unscrewed from the bolt 31 thus obtaining, for what has just been said, the separation of the two free ends 2a and 2b of the same ring of tightening 2. All this while keeping the crank 6 still and not 15 also generating no thrust along the X-axis on the same crank 6 thanks to the fact that the counter-cams 72 are in able to translate along the same X axis with respect to the crank 6. This advantageously avoids inappropriately deforming the crank 6, while being able to finely adjust the distance between 20 the two free ends 2a and 2b of the same clamping ring 2; - once the static position of the free ends 2a and 2b, as stated so far, acting in rotation on crank 6 it is possible to switch between a configuration of unlocking to a tightening configuration of the S saddle on the tube 25 TS saddle and vice versa. Moving now to the description of a second executive form preferred seat post clamp of the invention, it is represented in Figs. 21 to 25 in isolation and in Fig. 31 applied to the aforementioned TS seat tube, where it is indicated overall with 100. 30 Also according to the above-mentioned second preferred executive form 12.3299 PM / (fp) AN AGENCY for himself and for others Dr. Eng. Paolo Marchioro (Studio Bonini SRL) of the invention, the seat post clamp 100 comprises a ring of clamping 102 provided at its free ends 102a and 102b with two through holes 1021 and 1022, facing each other. The seat clamp 1 of the invention also comprises a rod 5 locking 103 arranged passing through these two through holes 1021 and 1022, where such locking rod 103 is provided in correspondence of its two ends 103a and 103b of two locking elements 104 and 105 to prevent the release of the locking rod 103 from the through holes 1021 and 1022 of the locking ring 10 tightening 102. Additionally, the seatpost clamp 100 includes a crank 106 configured so that when rotated according to a first direction of rotation V1 from an unlocked position to a fixing position, determines the approach of the two ends 15 free 102a and 102b of the clamping ring 102 and a decrease of the radius of the same clamping ring 102, so as to define a Saddle fixing configuration S to the seat tube TS of the frame of the bicycle. In accordance with the invention, the crank 106 is configured to rotate 20 around the X-axis defined by the locking rod 103. Furthermore, according to the above-mentioned second preferred embodiment of the invention, the crank 106 is integrally associated in rotation, at its free end 106a, to only one of the two locking elements 104 of said rod 25 locking 103, so that the rotation of the crank 106 also rotate this locking element 104. In this second preferred embodiment of the invention, the other of the two locking elements 105 is configured to remain stationary during the rotation of the crank 106 so as to allow 30 the variation of the distance between the two locking elements 104 and 105 12.3299 PM / (fp) AN AGENCY for himself and for others Dr. Eng. Paolo Marchioro (Studio Bonini SRL) and consequently of the distance of the two ends 102a and 102b of the clamping ring 102. To allow this, it is necessary that one of the first two elements of locking 104 or 105 is integral with the locking rod 103, while the 5 second of the two locking elements 104 or 105 is configured for to be able to vary one's relative position with respect to the auction locking 103 along the X-axis. This feature also allows to define a system of fine tuning 108 configured to allow fine tuning 10 of the distance between the two locking elements 104 and 105 and of consequence of the fine adjustment of the distances of the two ends 102a and 102b of the clamping ring 102, even keeping still said crank 106. In fact, it is evident that the distance between the two locking elements 104 15 and 105 determine the distance of the two free ends 102a and 102b of the clamping ring 102 for any of the positions of the crank 106 between the unlocking position and the locking position fixing of the seat post clamp 100 of the invention. Preferably but not necessarily the locking rod 103, 20 as seen in figures 24 and 25, is a 1031 bolt, the first locking element 104 integral with the locking rod 103 is the head 1041 of bolt 1031 and the second locking element 105, configured to be able to vary its relative position with respect to to the same locking rod 103, is the nut 1051 of the bolt 1031. 25 Therefore the above mentioned variation of the position of the second of the two locking elements 104 and 105 with respect to locking rod 103 along the X-axis of the locking rod 103 is obtained by operating the relative screwing or unscrewing between the nut 1051 and the bolt 1031. 30 In addition, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention the 12.3299 PM / (fp) AN AGENCY for himself and for others Dr. Eng. Paolo Marchioro (Studio Bonini SRL) head 1041 and nut 1051 have a prismatic shape. Alternatively the 1041 head and 1051 nut may have any other non-circular form for the reasons that will be clarified followed. 5 Furthermore, a further aspect that characterizes the aforementioned second preferred embodiment of the invention and which makes possible both the fine adjustment of the seat post clamp 100 both the transition from unlocking position to the locking position of the same 100 seatpost clamp, consists of providing a knob 10 ergonomic 109 solidly coupled to the locking element 105 which is not solidly associated in rotation with the crank 106. According to this second preferred embodiment of the invention, such ergonomic knob 109 is solidly coupled to the aforementioned 15 second locking element 105, while the crank 106 is solidly associated in rotation with the first locking element 104. It is not excluded, however, that according to an executive variant of the above-mentioned second preferred embodiment of the invention, the ergonomic knob 109 is solidly coupled to the first 20 locking element 104, while the crank 106 is solidly associated in rotation with the second element of block 105. However, it is also expected that the ergonomic knob 109 includes first locking means 191 reversible with respect to second ones 25 locking means 1721 defined on one of the ends 102a of the ring of tightening 102, so as to keep the element still locking 105 to which the same ergonomic knob 109 is associated, during the rotation of said crank 106, and also in such a way as to allow the rotation of the ergonomic knob 109 solidly 30 to the relative locking element 105 to which it is associated, maintaining 12.3299 PM / (fp) AN AGENCY for himself and for others Dr. Eng. Paolo Marchioro (Studio Bonini SRL) stop the crank 106 in order to carry out said fine adjustment. According to the above-mentioned second preferred embodiment of the invention, the first locking means 191 comprise a 1911 projection protruding from the knob surface 109a 5 ergonomic 109 which faces the clamping ring 102, as it is see figure 27. The second locking means 1721 comprise a 17211 housing defined on the surface of the clamping ring 102 facing this ergonomic knob 109, as can be seen in fig. 26, where such housing 17211 is configured to accommodate 10 such protrusion 1911 in a precise angular position of the same ergonomic knob 109 with respect to the clamping ring 102, as see for example fig. 21. In this way, when such coupling is achieved, the ergonomic knob 109 and the related locking element 105 to 15 it associated are locked in rotation, when the crank 106. To perform fine adjustment of the seatpost clamp 100 of the invention, a user rotating the ergonomic knob 109, allows the 1911 projection to come out of the housing 20 17211 and, by keeping the crank 106 still, the same user can vary the distance between the two locking elements 104 and 105 and therefore between the two ends 102a and 102b of the clamping ring 102. Furthermore, the above-mentioned second preferred embodiment of the invention, to increase the approach of the two ends 25 free 102a and 102b of the clamping ring 102, during rotation of the crank 106 from the unlocked position to the locking position fixing, requires the presence of a cam system 107 between the same crank 106 and the free end 102b of the clamping ring 102. 30 In particular, as shown in figures 29 and 30, this system 12.3299 PM / (fp) AN AGENCY for himself and for others Dr. Eng. Paolo Marchioro (Studio Bonini SRL) cams 107 provides that the facing walls 161 and 1023 of the crank 106 and the free end 102b respectively of the clamping ring 102 are shaped in such a way as to form at least one 170° curved slot and one 180° curved counter-slot, each 5 with variable depth along their development. The pair formed from the 170 curved slot and 180 curved counter-slot are configured for accommodate a 190 sphere. According to the above-mentioned second preferred embodiment of the invention, both the wall 161 of the crank 6 and the wall 1023 10 of the free end 102b respectively comprises two curved slots 170 and two opposing curved counter-caves 180, as can be seen in the above mentioned figs. 29 and 30, each pair of slot / counter-slot hosting a respective sphere 190. This solution, namely the variable depth of the curved quarries 170 and 15 of the 180 curved counter-caves and the presence of the sphere between each pair of 170 curved slots and 180 curved counter-slots, in fact allows for force the two free ends 102a and 102b to come together of the clamping ring 102 also on the side of the crank 106 during the rotation of the same crank 106 from the position of 20 locking in the fixing position. It is not excluded, however, that such wall 161 of the crank 6 and such wall 1023 of the free end 102b are configured so different from what has just been indicated, provided that their relative rotation determines a variation in their total extension along the said axis 25 X. In other words, such wall 161 of the crank 6 and such wall 1023 of the free end 102b can be configured in any known way, as long as they are able to transform a movement of rotation in a linear translation along the X-axis. 30 In practice it has been found that the invention achieves its objectives 12.3299 PM / (fp) AN AGENCY for himself and for others Dr. Eng. Paolo Marchioro (Studio Bonini SRL) in charge. In particular, the aim of realizing a clamp is achieved seatpost that is easy to handle and use by the user. At the same time, the aim of creating a 5 sturdy and reliable seatpost clamp. Furthermore, the aim of making a seat post clamp is also achieved. that can be finely adjusted to ensure such fastening reliability for different types of saddles and seat tubes and in so as to guarantee such reliability over time. 12.3299 PM / (fp) AN AGENCY for himself and for others Dr. Eng. Paolo Marchioro (Studio Bonini SRL)

Claims

1) Clamp (1, 100) for fixing a saddle (S) to the seat tube (TS) of a frame (T) of a bicycle (B), of the type comprising: - a clamping ring (2, 102) provided at its free ends (2a, 2b, 102a, 102b) with two through holes (21, 22, 1021, 1022), facing each other; - a locking rod (3, 103) arranged passing through said two through holes (21, 22, 1021, 1022) of said clamping ring (2, 102), said locking rod (3, 103) being provided at its two ends (3a, 3b, 103a, 103b) with two locking elements (4, 5, 104, 105) suitable for preventing the exit of said locking rod (3, 103) from said through holes (21, 22, 1021, 1022) of said clamping ring (2, 102);- a crank (6, 1006) configured, when rotated according to a first direction of rotation (V1) from an unlocking position to a fixing position, to determine the approach of said two free ends (2a, 2b, 102a, 102b) of said tightening ring (2, 102) and a decrease in the radius of said tightening ring (2, 102) so as to define a fixing configuration of said saddle (S) to said seat tube (TS) of said frame (T); characterized in that: - said crank (6, 106) is configured to rotate around the axis (X) defined by said locking rod (3, 103), said crank (6, 106) being integrally associated in rotation with at least one of said two locking elements (4, 5, 104, 105) of said locking rod (3, 13) in such a way that the rotation of said crank (6, 106) also causes said at least one of said two locking elements (4, 5, 104, 105) to rotate;- a first of said two locking elements (4, 5, 104, 105) is integral with said locking rod (3, 103) while the second of said two locking elements (4, 5, 104, 105) is configured to be able to vary its relative position with respect to said locking rod (3, 103) along said axis (X) of said locking rod (3, 103), so as to define a fine adjustment system (8, 108) configured to allow the fine adjustment of the distance between said two locking elements (4, 5, 104, 105) and consequently the fine adjustment of the distance of said two ends (2a, 2b, 102a, 102b) of said clamping ring (2, 102), even keeping the said crank (6, 106) still.; 2) Clamp (1, 100) according to claim 1, characterised in that between said crank (6, 106) and a free end (2a, 2b, 102a, 102b) of said clamping ring (2, 102) there is a cam system (7, 107) configured to determine the approach or separation of said two free ends (2a, 2b, 102a, 102b) of said clamping ring (2, 102) when said crank (6,106) is rotated from said unlocking position to said fixing position and vice versa. 3) Clamp (1, 100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said locking rod (3, 103) is a bolt (31, 131), said first of said two locking elements (4, 5, 104, 105) integral with said locking rod (3, 13) is the head (41, 141) of said bolt (31, 131) and said second of said two locking elements (4, 5, 104, 105) configured to be able to vary its relative position with respect to said locking rod (3, 103) is the nut (51, 151) of said bolt (31, 131), said variation of said position of said second of said two locking elements (4, 5, 104, 105) with respect to said locking rod (3, 103) along said axis (X) is obtained by screwing or unscrewing the nut (51, 151) and the bolt (31, 131). 4) Clamp (1, 100) according to claim 3, 12.3299- PM / (fp) AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE for himself and for others Dr. Eng. Paolo Marchioro (Studio Bonini SRL) characterised in that said head (41, 141) and said nut (51, 151) have a prismatic shape. 5) Clamp (1, 100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said fine adjustment system (8, 108) comprises an ergonomic knob (9, 109) integrally coupled with one of said two locking elements (4, 5, 104, 105) so as to facilitate, by a user, the variation of the relative position between said second of said two locking elements (4, 5, 104, 105) and said locking rod (3, 103) along said axis (X). 6) Clamp (1) according to any of the preceding claims in combination with claim 1, characterised in that said crank (6) has a “C” shape, said crank (6) being integrally associated in rotation, at its free ends (6a, 6b), to both said two locking elements (4, 5) of said locking rod (3) in such a way that the rotation of said crank (6) causes said two locking elements (4, 5) and said locking rod (3) to rotate, said cam system (7) being provided between each free end (6a, 6b) of said crank (6) and a relative free end (2a, 2b) of said clamping ring (2). 7) Clamp (1) according to claim 6 in combination with claim 5, characterised in that said ergonomic knob (9) integrally coupled with one of said two locking elements (4, 5), comprises first locking means (91) configured to cooperate with second locking means (721) defined on said cam system (7), said first locking means (91) and said second locking means (721) being configured to integrally associate in rotation said ergonomic knob (9) and the relative locking element (4, 5) to said crank (6) when said crank is 12.3299- PM / (fp) AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE for himself and for others Dr. Ing.Paolo Marchioro (Studio Bonini SRL) placed in rotation, said first locking means (91) and said second locking means (721) being configured to allow the rotational release of said cam system (7) and said crank (6) and to allow the rotation of said ergonomic knob (9) and the relative locking element (4,5), keeping said crank (6) still in order to operate said fine adjustment. 8) Clamp (1) according to any of claims 6 or 7 in combination with claim 2, characterised in that said at least one cam system (7) comprises a cam (71) coupled integrally with said free end (2a, 2b) of said clamping ring (2) and a counter-cam (72) coupled integrally with the locking element (4, 5) coupled integrally in rotation with said free end (6a, 6b) of said crank (6), said counter-cam (72) and said locking element (4, 5) being configured to vary their relative position with respect to said crank (6) along said axis (X), each of the faces (71a,72a) facing each other of said cam (71) and said counter-cam (72) presenting inclined surfaces so that the relative rotation of said counter-cam (72) with respect to said cam (71) determines a variation of their total extension along said axis (X) and consequently the approaching or moving away of said two free ends (2a, 2b) of said tightening ring (2)., 9) Clamp (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that said two free ends (6a, 6b) of said crank (6) have two through housings (61, 62), said through housings (61, 62) and the external profiles of said counter-cams (72) having shapes such that when each of said counter-cams (72) is inserted in the relative through housing (61, 62), said crank (6) and said counter-cams (72) are integral in rotation and at the same time can translate along said axis (X) one 12.3299- PM / (fp) AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE for himself and for others Dr. Eng. Paolo Marchioro (Studio Bonini SRL) with respect to the other. 10) Clamp (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that said through housings (61, 62) have a circular shape and comprise three slots (63) undercut in the direction of said axis (X) and distributed angularly along the circumference of said through housings (61, 62), said counter-cams (72) having a circular external profile, complementary to the shape of said two through housings (61, 62) and comprising on its external profile three projections (722) according to development axes parallel to said axis (X) and complementary to said slots (63), so that the insertion of each counter-cam (72) in the relative through housing (61, 62) determines a solid coupling in rotation between said crank (6) and said counter-cam (72) and at the same time allows the translation of said counter-cam (72) with respect to to the relative through housing (61, 62) along said axis (X). 11) Clamp (100) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said crank (106) is integrally associated for rotation with only one of said two locking elements (104, 105) of said locking rod (103) in such a way that the rotation of said crank (106) also causes said only one of said two locking elements (104, 105) to rotate, the other of said two locking elements (104, 105) being configured to remain stationary during the rotation of said crank (106) in such a way as to allow the variation of the distance between said two locking elements (104, 105) and consequently of the distance of said two ends (102a, 102b) of said clamping ring (102). 12) Clamp (10) according to claim 10, in combination with claim 5, characterised in that said ergonomic knob (109) is integrally coupled to said first of said two locking elements (104, 105) and said crank (106) is integrally associated in rotation with said second of said two locking elements (104, 105) or said ergonomic knob (109) is integrally coupled to said second of said two locking elements (104, 105) and said crank (106) is integrally associated in rotation with said first of said two locking elements (104, 105), said ergonomic knob (109) comprising first locking means (191) reversible with respect to second locking means (1721) defined on one of the ends (102a, 102b) of said clamping ring (102), so as to keep the locking element (104,105) with which it is associated during the rotation of said crank (106), said first locking means (191) and said second locking means (1721) being configured to allow the rotation of said ergonomic knob (109) in solidarity with said locking element (104,105) with which it is associated, keeping said crank (106) stationary so as to operate said fine adjustment.,