front derailleur

Abstract

Front derailleur (12), attachable to a bicycle (10) which has a crank axle (A1) and a rear wheel axle (A2) which is parallel to the crank axle (A1), the front derailleur (12) comprising: a basic link (40) designed to be / be firmly coupled to a bicycle (10); a chain guide (42) designed to guide a chain (26); a connecting mechanism (44) which movably couples the chain guide (42) to the base link (40) between a retracted position and an extended position in response to a movement of an actuating cable (30); and a cable guidance structure (46) is designed to guide the actuating cable (30), wherein the cable guidance structure (46) is arranged on at least one of the base member (40) and the connecting mechanism (44), wherein the cable guidance structure (46) has a cable exit (74), a first cable guidance section and a second cable guidance section, the first cable guidance section is provided as a first cable guidance bore (71) formed in / on the base member (40), the second cable guidance section is provided as a second cable guidance bore (72) formed in / on the connecting mechanism (44), wherein the cable exit (74) is arranged such that the actuating cable (30) exits forward from the cable guidance structure (46) along a cable exit axis (A3), wherein the cable exit axis (A3) enters a sector which forms an angle (α) of 150° around the Crank axle (A1) of an upper radius,lying in a first plane (P1), which is perpendicular to a second plane (P2), which includes the crank axle (A1) and the rear wheel axle (A2).

Description

BACKGROUNDField of the invention

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 900,787, filed May 23, 2013. The entire disclosure of U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 900,787 is hereby incorporated by reference. Field of the invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to a bicycle front derailleur. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bicycle front derailleur having a front cable guide. Background information

[0003] Essentially, a front derailleur is operated by an actuating cable coupled between a shifter and the front derailleur, which is attached to a bicycle frame adjacent to the front chainrings to shift a chain laterally between the chainrings. Depending on the type of cable routing, the front derailleur is referred to as either a top-pull front derailleur or a bottom-pull front derailleur. In the case of the top-pull front derailleur, the actuating cable usually runs in an upward direction along the back of the seat tube of the bicycle frame and then bends forward and runs along a top of a riser of the bicycle frame toward a handlebar where the shifter is provided.In the case of a buttom-pull front derailleur, the operating cable typically runs in a downward direction along the back of the seat tube and then bends under a tube of the bicycle frame in a forward and upward direction, where the operating cable runs along the underside of a drop tube of the bicycle frame toward the handlebar. Front derailleurs with cable guides are known, for example, from publications US 5 496 222 A, US 4 486 182 A, US 4 424 048 A, DE 36 13 591 A, and DE 692 33 560 T2. SUMMARY

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a front derailleur having a cable guide with a cable exit that reduces bends in the cable between a switch and the front derailleur. This object is achieved according to the appended independent claims 1, 5, and 10. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the corresponding subclaims.

[0005] The front derailleur should be provided so that it is attachably attached to a bicycle having a crank axis and a rear wheel axis parallel to the crank axis. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a front derailleur is provided that is preferably attached to a bicycle having a crank axis and a rear wheel axis parallel to the crank axis. The front derailleur essentially comprises a base member, a chain guide, a connecting mechanism, and a cable guide structure. The base member is configured to be fixedly coupled to the bicycle. The chain guide is configured to guide a chain. The connecting mechanism movably couples the chain guide to the base member between a retracted position and an extended position in response to movement of an operating cable.The connecting mechanism includes a cable attachment portion configured to be attached to the actuating cable. The cable guide structure is configured to guide the actuating cable out of the cable attachment portion. The cable guide structure is arranged on at least one of the base member and the connecting mechanism.The cable guide structure has a cable exit, a first cable guide portion and a second cable guide portion, the first cable guide portion is provided as a first cable guide bore formed in / on the base member, the second cable guide portion is provided as a second cable guide bore formed in / on the connecting mechanism, wherein the cable exit is arranged such that the actuating cable exits forwardly from the cable guide structure along a cable exit axis, wherein the cable exit axis enters a sector having an angle of 150° around the crank axis from an upper radius lying in a first plane which is perpendicular to a second plane which includes the crank axis and the rear wheel axis.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a front derailleur essentially comprises a base member, a chain guide, a connecting mechanism, and a cable guide structure. The base member is configured to be fixedly coupled to the bicycle. The chain guide is configured to guide a chain. The connecting mechanism movably couples the chain guide to the base member between a retracted position and an extended position in response to movement of an operating cable. The connecting mechanism includes a cable attachment portion configured to be attached to the operating cable. The cable guide structure is configured to guide the operating cable out of the cable attachment portion. The cable guide structure is disposed on at least one of the base member and the connecting mechanism.The cable guide structure has a cable exit arranged on a front side of the bicycle with respect to a downstream end of the chain guide.

[0007] Preferably, the front derailleur is designed so that the base member includes the cable routing structure.

[0008] Preferably, the front derailleur is designed so that the connecting mechanism includes the cable routing structure.

[0009] Preferably, the front derailleur is configured such that the first cable guide bore has a first bore portion having a first diameter and a second bore portion having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The first bore portion is arranged closer to the cable exit than the second bore portion.

[0010] Preferably, the front derailleur is configured such that the actuating cable includes an outer casing and an inner cable that passes through the outer casing. The first bore portion of the first cable guide bore accommodates the outer casing.

[0011] Preferably, the front derailleur is configured such that the cable routing structure further includes an insert sleeve that is inserted into the first cable routing bore. The first bore portion of the first cable routing bore receives the outer casing via the insert sleeve.

[0012] Preferably, the front derailleur is configured such that the connecting mechanism is pivotally coupled between the chain guide and the base link and moves away from the base link in a rearward direction as the chain guide moves from the retracted position to the extended position in response to movement of the actuating cable.

[0013] Preferably, the front derailleur is configured such that the connecting mechanism includes a first connector pivotally coupled between the base link and the chain guide, and a second connector pivotally coupled between the base link and the chain guide. The first connector includes the cable attachment portion.

[0014] Preferably, the front derailleur is configured such that the first connector further includes a laterally projecting part having a cable guide bore of the cable guide structure.

[0015] Preferably, the front derailleur is configured such that the first connector is arranged closer to a vertical center plane of a bicycle frame than the second connector while the front derailleur is installed on the bicycle frame.

[0016] Preferably, the front derailleur is configured such that the first and second connectors move away from the base member in a rearward direction as the chain guide moves from the retracted position to the extended position in response to movement of the actuating cable.

[0017] Other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the disclosed front derailleur will become apparent to one skilled in the art from the following detailed descriptions which, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, disclose one embodiment of the front derailleur. Short description of the drawings

[0018] Referring now to the attached drawings, which form a part of this original disclosure: Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a bicycle equipped with a front derailleur according to an illustrated embodiment; Fig. 2 is an enlarged outside elevational view of a portion of the bicycle in the area of ​​the front derailleur; Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the front derailleur according to the illustrated embodiment with an actuating cable; Fig. 4 is a rear perspective view of the front derailleur according to the illustrated embodiment with the actuating cable; Fig. 5 is another rear perspective view, similar to Fig. 4, of the front derailleur according to the illustrated embodiment, but with the operating cable removed; Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of the front derailleur according to the illustrated embodiment, with the actuating cable removed; Fig. 7 is an inside elevational view of the front derailleur according to the illustrated embodiment, with the actuating cable removed; Fig. 8 is a rear view of the front derailleur according to the illustrated embodiment with the chain guide in the retracted position; Fig. 9 is a rear view of the front derailleur according to the illustrated embodiment with the chain guide in one of the extended positions; Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the front derailleur as seen along the 10-10 interface of the Fig. 3 can be seen; and Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the front derailleur similar to Fig. 10 as along the section line 10-10 of the Fig. 3 can be seen, but with the operating cable removed; and Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the front derailleur as taken along section line 12-12 of Fig. 3 can be seen. Detailed description of the embodiments

[0019] Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the bicycle art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments are provided for illustrative purposes only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0020] Firstly, referring to Fig. 1, a bicycle 10 is illustrated equipped with a front derailleur 12 according to a first embodiment. As explained below, the front derailleur 12 is attachable, removable, and reinstallable to the bicycle 10. Essentially, the bicycle 10 includes a bicycle frame 14, a front fork 16, a rear wheel 18, a front wheel 20, and a handlebar 22. The handlebar 22 is attached to a steering tube or column of the front fork 16. In the illustrated embodiment, a switch 24 is attached to the handlebar 22 for actuating the front derailleur 12 to shift a chain 26 laterally between three sprockets or chainrings 28. The shift lever 24 is operatively connected to the front derailleur by means of an actuating cable 30.It will be apparent to those skilled in the bicycle art from this disclosure that any shift lever may be used that utilizes an actuating cable, such as actuating cable 30, to actuate the front derailleur 12. Here, the shift lever 24 is illustrated on the right side of the handlebar 22. However, the shift lever 24 may be provided on either the left or right side of the handlebar 22 to actuate the front derailleur 12 as needed and / or desired.

[0021] Referring to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the actuating cable 30 preferably includes an outer housing 30a and an inner cable 30b passing through the outer housing 30a. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the actuating cable 30 is a conventional Bowden cable. The inner cable 30b is slidably disposed within the outer housing 30a. In particular, upon actuation of the shift lever 24 (i.e., pulled or released), the inner cable 30b moves within the outer housing 30a to actuate the front derailleur 12. The outer housing 30a may be formed as a single continuous tubular member with one end contacting a portion of the shift lever 24 and the other end contacting the front derailleur 12, as illustrated. Alternatively, the outer housing 30a may be formed of two or more pieces, as is commonly done on many bicycles. The actuating cable 30 is connected to a down tube 32 or drop tube of the bicycle frame 14 in a conventional manner as in Fig. 1 can be seen attached.

[0022] The bicycle 10 may be any type of bicycle and may have a variety of configurations. Since bicycles and their various components are well known in the bicycle art, the following description does not include detailed descriptions and illustrations regarding the bicycle 10 and its various components other than the front derailleur 12 of the present invention and the components or parts related to the front derailleur 12. In other words, this description describes and / or illustrates only the front derailleur 12 and the components or parts of the bicycle 10 related to the front derailleur 12.

[0023] In the illustrated embodiment as shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the front derailleur 12 is mounted on a seat tube 34 of the bicycle frame 14. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the bicycle art from this disclosure that the front derailleur 12 may also be attached to a bracket tube 36 of the bicycle frame 14 by means of a bottom bracket or other mounting structure, if needed and / or desired. As shown in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the bicycle 10 has a crank axis A1 and a rear wheel axis A2, which is parallel to the crank axis A1. The crank axis A1 is defined by a tube 36 of the bicycle frame 14. In other words, the crank axis A1 corresponds to a central longitudinal axis of the tube 36 and consequently also corresponds to the center of rotation of the chainrings 28. As shown in Fig. 2, the rear wheel axle A2 is defined by a wheel axle 38 of the rear wheel 18.

[0024] As in Fig. 2, the front derailleur 12 is configured such that the actuating cable 30 exits forward from the front derailleur 12 along a cable exit axis A3, which will be explained below. The cable exit axis A3 extends from the front derailleur 12 such that the cable exit axis A3 enters a sector of the bicycle frame 14 having an angle α of 150° measured around the crank axis A1 from a top radius located in a first plane P1, which is perpendicular to a second plane P2, which includes the crank axis A1 and the rear wheel axis A2. The first and second planes P1 and P2 are reference planes perpendicular to a vertical center plane CP (see Fig. 8 and Fig. 9). The vertical center plane CP as used herein refers to a plane which extends vertically while the bicycle is in an upright position on the flat ground and which bisects the bicycle frame 14 into two lateral sections.

[0025] With this illustrated embodiment, a transmission efficiency of the operating cable 30 from the shift lever 24 to the front derailleur 12 can be improved compared to a conventional top-pull cable routing in which the operating cable 30 usually runs in an ascending direction along a back side of the seat tube 34 of a top-pull front derailleur and then bends forward and runs along a top side of a top tube 39 ( Fig. 1) of the bicycle frame 14 toward the handlebar 22. Furthermore, the transmission efficiency of the operating cable 30 from the shift lever 24 to the front derailleur 12 can be improved compared to a conventional bottom-pull cable routing, in which the operating cable 30 typically runs in a descending direction along the bottom of the seat tube 34 and then bends under a yoke tube 36 in a forward and ascending direction, where the operating cable 30 runs along the bottom of the down tube 32 toward the handlebar 22. For example, by using the front derailleur 12, a cable pulling load of an operating cable 30 on the shift lever 24 can be increased by approximately 10-15% relative to conventional top- and bottom-pull front derailleurs.

[0026] Referring now to the Fig. 3 - 12, the front derailleur 12 will now be described in detail. The front derailleur 12 essentially comprises a base member 40, a chain guide 42, a connecting mechanism 44, and a cable routing structure 46. The base member 40 is configured to be fixedly coupled to the bicycle 10. The chain guide 42 is configured to guide a chain 26. The connecting mechanism 44 movably couples the chain guide 42 to the base member 40 between a retracted position ( Fig. 8) and an extended position ( Fig. 9) in response to the movement of the actuating cable 30. Specifically, the chain guide 42 is moved relative to the base member 40 in an outward direction from the bicycle frame 14 by pulling the inner cable 30b of the actuating cable 30, and is moved relative to the base member 40 in a unidirectional direction toward the bicycle frame 14 by releasing the inner cable 30b of the actuating cable 30. In this way, the chain guide 42 selectively positions the bicycle chain 26 over one of the chainrings 28 in response to the operation of the shift lever 24.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the base member 40 is disposed above the chain guide 42 while the front derailleur 12 is in the installed position on the seat tube 34. Of course, it will be apparent to those skilled in the bicycle art from this disclosure that the base member 40 may have other configurations as needed and / or desired. For example, the base member 40 may be attached to the yoke tube 36 via the bottom bracket if needed and / or desired.

[0028] The base member 40 is a rigid member that is rigidly coupled to the seat tube 34 of the bicycle frame 14. Typically, the base member 40 is made of a metallic material or a fiber-reinforced material. As shown in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the base member 40 is a hinge-type band clamp including a first band clamp portion 50 and a second band clamp portion 52. A hinge pin 54 pivotally connects the first ends of the first and second band clamp portions 50 and 52 together, while the second ends of the first and second band clamp portions 50 and 52 are secured together by a fastener 56. Here, the fastener 56 includes a bolt and nut used to pull the second ends of the first and second band clamp portions 50 and 52 together to clamp onto the seat tube 34 of the bicycle frame 14 in an attachable, detachable, and reinstallable manner.

[0029] How best to Fig. 6 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 12, the first band clamp portion 50 of the base link 40 includes a low shift adjustment screw 58a and a top shift adjustment screw 58b, which finely adjust the low and top shift positions of the chain guide 42. In other words, the low shift adjustment screw 58a is configured and arranged to change the low shift position of the chain guide 42 relative to the base link 40, while the top shift adjustment screw 58b is configured and arranged to change the top shift position of the chain guide 42 relative to the base link 40.

[0030] As in the Fig. 3 to 7, the chain guide 42 essentially includes a first guide plate 60 and a second guide plate 62. The chain guide 42 is movably supported on the base member 40 by means of the link mechanism 44 for movement between the retracted position ( Fig. 8) and the extended position ( Fig. 9) with respect to the base member 40 in response to the movement of the actuating cable 30, as explained above. As shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 7, the chain guide 42 has an upstream end 42a and a downstream end 42b. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" as used herein are meant with respect to the movement of the chain 26 during cycling. An upstream end of the first guide plate 60 is attached to an upstream end of the second guide plate 62 by means of a fastener 64 (e.g., a rivet). A downstream end of the first guide plate 60 is attached to a downstream end of the second guide plate 62 by means of two fasteners 66 (e.g., bolts). The first guide plate 60 laterally contacts and engages the bicycle chain 26 to move in an inward direction with respect to the bicycle frame 14 between the chainrings 28.Similarly, the second guide plate 62 laterally contacts and engages the bicycle chain 26, causing the bicycle chain 26 to move in an outward direction relative to the bicycle frame 14 between the chainrings 28. The inner surfaces of the first and second guide plates 60 and 62, which are disposed opposite one another, form a chain receiving slot 68 therebetween for receiving the chain 26.

[0031] How best to Fig. 3 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 5, the connecting mechanism 44 includes a cable attachment portion 70 configured to attach to the inner cable 30b of the operating cable 30. The cable guide structure 46 is configured to guide the operating cable 30 from the cable attachment portion 70 toward a front of the bicycle relative to a downstream end 42b of the chain guide 42. The cable guide structure 46 is disposed on at least one of the base member 40 and the connecting mechanism 44, as explained below. In any event, the operating cable 30 preferably extends in a more forward direction than a conventional cable guide structure in which the operating cable extends upward or downward along the seat tube 34.In the illustrated embodiment, as explained below, the base member 40 includes a first part of the cable routing structure 46, and the connecting mechanism 44 includes a second part of the cable routing structure 46. Specifically, the cable routing structure 46 includes a first cable routing portion formed in the base member 40 and a second cable routing portion formed in the connecting mechanism 44. The first cable routing portion is provided as a first cable routing bore 71, and the second cable routing portion is provided as a second cable routing bore 72. The first cable routing bore 71 is formed in the base member 40. The second cable routing bore 72 is formed in the connecting mechanism 44.However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the bicycle art from this disclosure that the front derailleur 12 of the illustrated embodiment may be modified to incorporate the cable routing structure 46 into the base member 40 or the link mechanism 44 as needed and / or desired. Furthermore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the first and second guide portions may be formed of any suitable shapes in addition to a bore, such as a recess or a groove, to guide the actuating cable 30.

[0032] The cable routing structure 46 has a cable exit 74. The cable exit 74 of the cable routing structure 46 is arranged at a front side of the bicycle 10 with respect to the downstream end 42b of the chain guide 42. The cable exit 74 of the cable routing structure 46 is arranged forward of the downstream end 42b of the chain guide 42 while the front derailleur 12 is installed on the bicycle 10.

[0033] Optionally, the cable routing structure 46 further includes an insert sleeve 76. The insert sleeve 76 is preferably formed from a material having a coefficient of friction lower than the material of the base member 40 defining the first cable routing bore 71. For example, the insert sleeve 76 may be made from polytetrafluoroethylene or other suitable material having a low coefficient of friction. The insert sleeve 76 is inserted into the first cable routing bore 71. As shown in the Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, in the illustrated embodiment, the first cable management bore 71 includes a first bore portion 71a and a second bore portion 71b. The first bore portion 71a has a first diameter D1 dimensioned to receive the outer sheath 30a. The second bore portion 71b has a second diameter D2 smaller than the first diameter D1 dimensioned to receive the inner cable 30b. The first bore portion 71a is located closer to the cable exit 74 than the second bore portion 71b. In the illustrated embodiment, the first bore portion 71a of the first cable management bore 71 receives the outer sheath 30b via the insert sleeve 76. Preferably, the insert sleeve 76 includes a first sleeve portion 76a and a second sleeve portion 76b.The first sleeve portion 76a is arranged in the first bore portion 71a, while the second sleeve portion 76b is arranged in the second bore portion 71b.

[0034] The link mechanism 44 is pivotally coupled between the chain guide 42 and the base link 40 and moves away from the base link 40 in a rearward direction once the chain guide 42 moves from the retracted position ( Fig. 8) to the extended position ( Fig. 9) in response to the movement of the actuating cable 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the chain guide 42 has two extended positions with respect to the retracted position ( Fig. 8). In other words, in the illustrated embodiment, the chain guide 42 is movable with respect to the base member 40 between a low gear position (ie, the retracted position shown in Fig. 8), a middle gear position and a top gear position.

[0035] The connecting mechanism 44 further includes a first connector 80 pivotally coupled between the base member 40 and the chain guide 42, and a second connector 82 pivotally coupled between the base member 40 and the chain guide 42. The first connector 80 includes the cable attachment portion 70. The cable attachment portion 70 of the first connector 80 is generally configured by a head portion of a bolt screwed into a threaded bore of the first connector 80 and a portion opposite the head portion of the bolt on the first connector 80 for attaching the inner cable 30b to the first connector 80.As soon as the first connector 80 is pulled or released by the movement of the inner cable 30b of the actuating cable 30, the chain guide 42 is moved between the retracted position and the extended position to move the chain guide 26 between the chainrings 28.

[0036] The first connector 80 further includes a laterally projecting part 84 which has the second cable routing bore 72 of the cable routing structure 46. As best shown in Fig. 12, the first connector 80 has a first end pivotally attached to the base member 40 by a pivot pin 86. The first connector 80 has a second end pivotally attached to the chain guide 42 by a pivot pin 88. The second connector 82 has a first end pivotally attached to the base member 40 by a pivot pin 90. The second connector 82 has a second end pivotally attached to the chain guide 42 by a pivot pin 92. The pivot pins 86, 88, 90, and 92 have substantially parallel axes. The pivot pins 86, 88, 90, and 92 are approximately vertical axes in an installed position with the bicycle 10 in an upright position on a horizontal surface. The base link 40, the chain guide 42 and the first and second connectors 80 and 82 form a four-bar linkage.Four-point joint or four-link joint. The pivot pins 86, 88, 90, and 92 are preferably spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction with respect to the base member 40 in an installed position with the bicycle 10 occupying an upright position on a horizontal surface.

[0037] As in the Fig. 8 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 9, the first connector 80 is disposed closer to a vertical center plane CP of the bicycle frame 14 than the second connector 82 while the front derailleur 12 is installed on the bicycle frame 14. In other words, the first connector 80 is an inside connector and the second connector 82 is an outside connector. Because the pivot pins 86, 88, 90, and 92 have their axes arranged in a substantially vertical direction, the first and second connectors 80 and 82 move away from the base member 40 in a rearward direction of the bicycle 10 as the chain guide 42 moves from the retracted position to the extended position in response to the movement of the actuating cable 30.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, the link mechanism 44 further includes a biasing member 94 that biases the chain guide 42 toward a low gear position or a top gear position. In the illustrated embodiment, the biasing member 94 is a torsion spring that biases the chain guide 42 toward the low gear position. The biasing member 94 has a coiled portion mounted on the pivot pin 88. A first end of the biasing member 94 engages the second guide plate 62. For example, as in the illustrated embodiment, the first end of the biasing member 94 is hooked to the second guide plate 62. A second end of the biasing member 94 is fixed to an adjustment collar 96, which is fixed to the first connector 80 via the pivot pin 88.The pivot pin 88 is non-rotatably mounted to the first connector 80. The adjustment collar 96 has a set screw 98 that engages the pivot pin 88 to secure the adjustment collar 96 to the pivot pin 88. By fixing the adjustment collar 96 with the set screw 98 at different angular positions, the preload force of the urging member 94 on the chain guide 42 can be varied.

[0039] As in Fig.As shown in Figure 12, the final shift position of the chain guide 42 with respect to the base link 40 is adjusted by rotating the low shift adjustment screw 58a and the top shift adjustment screw 58b. In this way, the adjustment range of the chain guide 42 with respect to the base link 40 is adjusted. Specifically, the low shift adjustment screw 58a contacts a shoulder of the second connector 82 of the link mechanism 44 when the chain guide 42 is in the low shift position (gear position). The top shift adjustment screw 58b contacts a shoulder of the second connector 82 of the link mechanism 44 when the chain guide 42 is in the top shift position (gear position).

[0040] While the cable routing aspect of the present invention has been applied to a front derailleur having a link mechanism in which the connector moves away from a base member in a rearward direction, the cable routing aspect of the present invention is not limited to this arrangement of the link mechanism. For example, the cable routing aspect of the present invention can be adapted to a front derailleur having a link mechanism in which the connector moves away from a base member in either a downward direction or an upward direction.

[0041] In understanding the scope of the present invention, the terms "comprising below" and its derivatives as used herein are intended to be open-ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, numbers, and / or steps, but do not preclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, numbers, and / or steps. The foregoing also applies to terms that have a similar meaning, such as the terms "include," "comprise," and their derivatives. Also, the terms "part," "portion," "region," "element," or "member," when used individually, may also have an ambiguous meaning of a single element or a plurality of elements.As used herein to describe the above-mentioned embodiments, the following directional terms "forward," "backward," "front," "rearward," "above," "descending," "vertical," "horizontal," "below," and "transverse," as well as any other similar directional terms XXX, refer to such directions of a bicycle in an upright riding position and equipped with the front derailleur 12. Accordingly, these directional terms, as used to describe the front derailleur 12, should be interpreted with respect to a bicycle in an upright riding position on a horizontal surface and equipped with the front derailleur 12. Finally, terms of degree such as "substantially," "approximately," and "approximately," as used herein, mean a reasonable degree of deviation from the modified term such that the end result is not significantly altered.

[0042] While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications may be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location, or orientation of the various components may be changed as needed and / or desired. Components shown as being directly connected or in contact with one another may have intermediate structures therebetween. The functions of one element may be performed by two, and vice versa. The structures and functions of one embodiment may be adapted in another embodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be presented in a particular embodiment at the same time.Each feature that is unique from the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, should be considered a separate description of further inventions by the applicant, including the structural and / or functional concepts embodied by those features. Accordingly, the foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

[1] Front derailleur (12) attachable to a bicycle (10) having a crank axis (A1) and a rear wheel axis (A2) parallel to the crank axis (A1), the front derailleur (12) comprising: a base member (40) configured to be fixedly coupled to a bicycle (10); a chain guide (42) configured to guide a chain (26); a connecting mechanism (44) which movably couples the chain guide (42) to the base member (40) between a retracted position and an extended position in response to movement of an actuating cable (30); and a cable guide structure (46) configured to guide the actuating cable (30), wherein the cable guide structure (46) is / is arranged on at least one of the base member (40) and the connecting mechanism (44), wherein the cable guide structure (46) has a cable outlet (74), a first cable guide portion, and a second cable guide portion, the first cable guide portion being provided as a first cable guide bore (71) formed in / on the base member (40), the second cable guide portion being provided as a second cable guide bore (72) formed in / on the connecting mechanism (44), wherein the cable outlet (74) is / is arranged such that the actuating cable (30) exits the cable guide structure (46) forward along a cable exit axis (A3), wherein the cable exit axis (A3) enters a sector having an angle (α) of 150° around the crank axis (A1) from an upper radius,lying in a first plane (P1) which is perpendicular to a second plane (P2) which includes the crank axis (A1) and the rear wheel axis (A2). [2] The front derailleur (12) of claim 1, wherein the second cable guide portion includes at least one of a recess and a groove. [3] Front derailleur (12) according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the connecting mechanism (44) includes a first connector (80) and a second connector (82) pivotally connecting the chain guide (42) to the base member (40), the first connector (80) including a laterally projecting part (84) having the second cable guide portion. [4] Front derailleur (12) according to claim 3, wherein the first connector (80) is / will be arranged closer to a vertical center plane (CP) of a bicycle frame (14) than the second connector (82) when the base member (40) is / will be coupled to the bicycle (10). [5] Front derailleur (12) comprising: a base member (40) configured to be fixedly coupled to a bicycle (10); a chain guide (42) configured to guide a chain (26); a connecting mechanism (44) which movably couples the chain guide (42) to the base member (40) between a retracted position and an extended position in response to movement of an actuating cable (30); and a cable guide structure (46) configured to guide the operating cable (30), wherein the cable guide structure (46) includes a cable outlet (74), a first cable guide portion formed in / on the base member (40), and a second cable guide portion formed in / on the connecting mechanism (44), wherein the first cable guide portion has a first bore portion (71a) having a first diameter (D1) and a second bore portion (71b) having a second diameter (D2) smaller than the first diameter (D1), wherein the first bore portion (71a) is arranged closer to the cable outlet (74) than the second bore portion (71b), wherein the cable outlet (74) is arranged on a front side of the bicycle (10) with respect to a downstream end (42b) of the chain guide (42). [6] Front derailleur (12) according to claim 5, wherein the first diameter (D1) is dimensioned to receive an outer casing (30a) of the operating cable (30), and the second diameter (D2) is dimensioned to receive an inner cable (30b) of the operating cable (30). [7] Front derailleur (12) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the cable guide structure (46) includes an insert sleeve (76) which is inserted into the first cable guide portion. [8] Front derailleur (12) according to claim 7, wherein the insert sleeve (76) includes a first sleeve portion (76a) and a second sleeve portion (76b), the first sleeve portion (76a) being disposed in the first bore portion (71a), and the second sleeve portion (76b) being disposed in the second bore portion (71b). [9] Front derailleur (12) according to claim 8, wherein the second sleeve portion (76b) is / is arranged partially outside of the second bore portion (71b). [10] Front derailleur (12) for a bicycle (10), comprising: a base member (40) configured to be fixedly coupled to a bicycle (10); a chain guide (42) configured to guide a chain (26); a connecting mechanism (44) that movably couples the chain guide (42) to the base member (40) between a retracted position and an extended position in response to movement of an actuating cable (30), the connecting mechanism (44) including a first connector (80) and a second connector (82), the first connector (80) and the second connector (82) pivotally coupling the chain guide (42) to the base member (40) via pivot pins (86, 88, 90, 92) that define approximately vertical axes in an installed position, with the bicycle (10) in an upright position; and a cable guide structure (46) configured to guide the actuating cable (30) toward a forward direction of travel of the bicycle (10), in an upright position.

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