Cable guide for passing bicycle cables through a pipe section of a bicycle frame and use thereof

Abstract

Disclosed is a cable duct 1 for bicycle cables 60. A guide element 20 is clamped between a first and second part 10, 30. The cable duct 1 is inserted into an opening of a tube section (50) of a bicycle frame and clamped thereto. After the cable duct 1 is installed, the bicycle cables 60 can be inserted into the bicycle frame via the tubes 23 of the guide element 20. The bicycle cables (60) are guided through the two tubes (23) and the cable gland 1 provides effective protection against the ingress of dust, moisture and water into the bicycle frame.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the routing and passage of bicycle cables, such as gear or brake cables or lines, on a bicycle frame, in particular to a cable guide for use on a bicycle head tube, which enables simple and safe insertion of bicycle cables into a bicycle head tube and reliably prevents the penetration of dust, moisture and water into the head tube in the area of ​​the cable guide. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] For the routing of bicycle cables, which in the sense of the present application are understood to mean brake or gear cables or also brake lines for hydraulic brake systems or for adjusting seat posts, on a bicycle frame, it was traditionally common practice to route the cables on the outside of the frame. However, the current trend is towards routing cables or lines internally (hereinafter referred to as "internal routing"). This approach not only improves the aesthetic appearance of a bicycle, but also reduces the number of exposed cables or lines and minimizes aerodynamic drag. However, internal routing traditionally required small openings to be created in the bicycle frame through which the cables were inserted into and exited from a tube in the frame.However, in wet or rainy conditions, moisture can easily penetrate the frame through these openings, causing rust and possible damage to the internal components.

[0003] To solve this problem, Taiwanese Utility Model No. M556689 discloses a waterproof plug for sealing a cable passage. This plug is designed to seal an opening in a portion of a bicycle frame and consists of a main body and a block for passing at least one cable. The main body consists of an upper plate and a lower block having a large-diameter hole extending at an angle from the upper plate to the lower block and connected to a small-diameter hole. The lower block extends to form a clamp block adjacent to a small-diameter hole, with a groove provided between the clamp block and the lower block for positioning the opening. The block for passing the cable is inserted into the large-diameter hole and abuts the top of the small-diameter hole.The cable routing block has two cable holes connected to the large and small diameter holes, providing a path for routing and passing bicycle cables.

[0004] However, this plug is quite complex in terms of its design and assembly and results in comparatively high costs: The small-diameter hole in the main body and the cable routing holes in the block create a wide and short passage for the cable. This makes it difficult for the cable to maintain its direction and smooth routing when entering the head tube from the outside, which can lead to damage to the cable housing during use.

[0005] During the connection between the cable pass-through block and the main body, the cable pass-through block is inserted into the inner wall of the large-diameter hole. If the fit between the cable pass-through block and the inner and outer surfaces of the large-diameter hole is not tight, the cable pass-through block may become loose, affecting the reliability of the assembly.

[0006] The clamp block and the opening in the head tube are secured by a groove and a resilient protrusion. After installation, the resilient protrusion rests against the outer surface of the head tube, while the groove rests against the inner surface of the head tube. Due to a lack of precision during manufacturing and the need for convenient assembly, tolerances can occur that make it difficult to achieve a perfect fit between the inside and outside of the opening in the bicycle frame, the resilient protrusion, and the groove. This can lead to leaks, which facilitate the ingress of water, moisture, and dirt, increasing the likelihood of resulting damage.

[0007] The present invention is intended to provide a sealing arrangement for the simple laying and passage of bicycle cables in a bicycle frame in order to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved cable duct, which allows bicycle cables to be passed through an opening in a tubular section of a bicycle frame in a simple and cost-effective manner, while reliably preventing the ingress of water, moisture, or dirt into the bicycle frame. According to further aspects, a corresponding use of such a cable duct and a method for the improved passage of bicycle cables through an opening in a tubular section of a bicycle frame are to be provided.

[0009] These objects are achieved by a cable bushing having the features of claim 1 and by a use according to claim 8. Further embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0010] After the cable grommet is installed in the opening in a bicycle frame, the guide element is clamped between the first and second parts. An edge of the first part completely covers the opening in the bicycle frame and is pressed against the outside of the bicycle frame. This ensures that the bicycle cables run smoothly into the bicycle frame, for example, the head tube, without becoming kinked. This installation effectively prevents dust, moisture, and water from penetrating the bicycle frame, for example, the head tube.

[0011] The present invention has in particular the following advantages: 1. The tubes of the guide element are straight and inclined, and their course corresponds to the curvature of the inside of the tube section, for example, the bicycle head tube. The bicycle cables can be smoothly inserted tangentially into the interior of the bicycle frame. This is sufficient to guide the bicycle cables without interference, with the end of each tube of the guide element being bent to correspond to the curved surface of the inside of the tube section, especially the head tube. This ensures that the further course of the bicycle cables inside the tube section is well guided through the tubes, which allows excellent directional control during installation. This ensures that the bicycle cables entering the head tube cannot be easily kinked, allowing optimal mobility on the controlled path without major obstacles or obstructions. 2. The present invention uses a first part and a second part to clamp the guide member. The first and second parts hold the guide member to the outside and inside of the head tube. The first plastic part covers the entire opening of the tube section and is pressed against the outside of the tube section, for example, the head tube. In addition, the guide member is made of elastic rubber material, which increases watertightness and effectively prevents moisture from penetrating the tube section. 3. The first part and the guide element have a coordinated arrangement of a notch or recess and a hook. The hook hooks precisely onto the wall thickness of the opening. The slot of the second part and the projection of the first part interact, and the grooves of the second part snugly accommodate the tubes of the guide element, thus enabling reliable assembly. The second part is expediently made of a rigid aluminum alloy and is connected to one end of the guide element to ensure smooth assembly and prevent the components from easily loosening. The mutual support, the engagement of the projection and the slot, and the bolt engagement ensure a reliable and secure mounting structure for closing the opening in the frame section. 4. The present invention particularly simplifies the configuration of a bicycle head tube because it simply requires the provision of an opening of a suitable shape without any additional structural complexity. The subsequent assembly and routing of bicycle cables, in particular brake lines for hydraulic disc brakes, is also simplified. For this purpose, the opening is formed on a section of a head tube in such a way that the two grooves on the inside of the second part automatically guide the brake lines in the correct directions, for example the front brake line towards the lower end of the head tube, where the bicycle fork is to be mounted later, and the rear brake line into the

[0012] Down tube of the bicycle frame, on the inside of which the brake line is then routed further towards the rear wheel.

[0013] The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings, which show, for the purpose of illustration only, a preferred embodiment according to the present invention. FIGURE OVERVIEW Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a cable bushing according to the present invention in an assembled state without cables; Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of the cable gland according to the Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a front view of the cable gland assembly according to the Fig. 1; Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the cable entry according to the Fig. 3 along line 4-4; Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the cable entry according to the Fig. 3 along line 5-5; Fig. Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a cable bushing according to the present invention in an assembled state with cable; Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the cable entry according to Fig. 6; and Fig. 8 shows the exemplary arrangement of a tube section of a bicycle frame on which a cable gland according to the present invention is mounted for passing through two cables. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The Fig. 1 to 3 show the basic assembly of a cable duct 1 for guiding bicycle cables through a bicycle frame according to the present invention, comprising a first part 10, a guide element 20, and a second part 30, which are firmly connected to one another to form the cable duct 1. The tube section 50 of a bicycle frame, which may in particular be a head tube, has an opening 51, which is preferably designed as a rectangular or square opening and expediently has rounded corner regions.

[0015] The first part 10 is designed as a plate, in particular as an arcuately curved plate, corresponding to an outer side of the tube section 50, for mounting on the outer side of the tube section 50. Especially in the case of frames of e-bikes, such a tube section can be designed to be only slightly curved.

[0016] The first part 10 is formed corresponding to the opening 51 and comprises: a first hole 12, which is preferably passed centrally through the first part, at least two cable holes 13 extending through the first part 10, wherein the first hole 12 is provided between the two cable holes 13, a recess 14 at one end of the first part 10, and a projection 15 on an inner side of the first part 10, which is provided between the two cable holes 13. The first part 10 has a first section 111 with a first thickness and a central second section 11, which protrudes from the first section 111 and has a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness. A stepped region is formed along an edge of the central second section 11, which corresponds to the predetermined shape of the opening 51 in the tube section 50.In particular, this stepped section, preferably the entire first part 10, is made of a plastic that can have a certain degree of elasticity, in particular to tightly seal the opening 51 in the tube section 50. The second section 11 is larger than the opening 51 in the tube section 50, so that the opening 51 in the tube section 50 is completely covered by an edge of the first section 111 when the cable feedthrough 1 is assembled. The first hole 12 can be a countersunk hole so that the head of the bolt 311 does not protrude from the first part 10.

[0017] The guide element 20 comprises according to the Fig. 2 a body 21 with a through-hole 22, which is formed and positioned corresponding to the first hole 12 in the first part 10, two tubes 23 on opposite sides of the body 21, wherein the tubes 23 are longer than the body 21 and ends of each of the two tubes 23 are each formed corresponding to the cable holes 13 of the first part, in particular to be received and passed through in a tight fitting manner. Furthermore, the guide element 20 has a hook 24, which protrudes from the body 21 and is designed to engage in a circumference of the opening 51 via the recess 14 of the first part 10 in the assembled state and thus ensure a secure fit of the cable feedthrough 1 in the opening 51 of the tube section 50.

[0018] The second part 30 is designed as a plate, in particular as an arcuately curved plate, corresponding to an inner side of the pipe section 50, for mounting on the inner side 53 of the pipe section 50. The second part 30 comprises according to the Fig. 2 a bore 31, which is designed in particular as a blind hole, a bolt 311, in particular a threaded bolt, a slot or a recess 32, and two grooves 34, which are formed on a side of the second part 30 facing the tube section 50 and, in the assembled state, specify the further course of the bicycle cables after their insertion into the cable holes 13 of the guide element in the interior of the tube section 50.

[0019] As in the Fig. 8, the frame section is expediently provided laterally in the region of the head tube of a bicycle frame. When the cable duct is inserted into the opening of the frame section, the bicycle cables, in particular a pair of brake lines of a hydraulically actuated disc brake, can be automatically routed in the correct directions on the inside of the frame section through the grooves 34 of the second part 30, which are formed on a side of the second part 30 facing the tube section 50, namely the front brake line towards the lower end of the head tube, where the bicycle fork is to be mounted later, and the rear brake line into the down tube or into the top tube of the bicycle frame, on the inside of which the brake line is then routed further towards the rear wheel.

[0020] The Fig. 1 to 5 show details of the assembled state of a cable duct 1 according to the present invention. In the assembled state, the first hole 12 of the first part 10 is aligned with the through-hole 22 of the guide element 20, so that the bolt 311 extends through the first hole 12 and the through-hole 22 and engages in the bore 31 of the second part 30 to connect the first part 10, the second part 30, and the guide element 20 to one another. The projection 15 of the first part 10 engages in the slot or recess 32 of the second part 30, wherein the tubes 23 of the guide element 20, in particular their ends, can each be received in a groove 34 of the second part 30. The further course of the grooves 34 can determine the further course of the bicycle cables 60 inside the bicycle frame.In the assembled state, the guide element 20 is inserted into the opening 51 of the tubular section 50 such that it is clamped between the first part 10 and the second part 30. At the same time, the hook 24 engages behind an edge of the opening 51 of the tubular section 50, so that the cable duct can be hooked into the opening 51 at the beginning of assembly, and the cable duct 1 sits firmly in the opening 51 after the bolt 311 is tightened. After the cable duct 1 has been installed in the opening 51 of the tubular section 50, the bicycle cables 60 can then be guided through the tubes 23 of the guide element 20.

[0021] The Fig. 5 to 8 show that the bicycle cables 60, such as brake and gear cables, can be easily guided from the outside of the tube section, in particular the head tube 50, through the tubes 23, whereby the bicycle cables 60 are not kinked.

[0022] To install a cable entry 1, proceed as follows: First, the guide element 20 is connected to the first part 10 by inserting the hook 24 of the guide element 20 into the recess 14 of the first part 10 so that it engages therein. The projection 15 of the first part 10 engages in the slot or recess 32 of the second part 30 and can in particular be snapped into place therein to temporarily secure the connection of the two elements. The first hole 12 of the first part 10 is then aligned with the through hole 22 of the guide element 20 so that a bolt can be inserted for connection. The second part 30 is then connected to the guide element 20 and the first part 10 such that the through hole 22 of the guide element 20 is aligned with the bore 31, in particular the blind hole, of the second part 30. The bolt 311 is then inserted through the first hole 12 and the through hole 22 into the bore 31 of the second part 30 until it engages in the bore 31.Preferably, the bolt 311 is designed as a threaded bolt or screw. The bolt 311 is not fully tightened, so that a certain amount of play still exists between the elements 10, 20, 30 of the cable feedthrough 1 thus formed, which can be used for inserting the cable feedthrough into the opening 51 of the pipe section 50.

[0023] The cable bushing 1 thus formed is then inserted into the opening 51 of the pipe section 50 such that the first part 10 rests against the outside of the pipe section 50 and the second part 30 rests against the inside 53 of the pipe section 50. How to Fig. 4 and Fig. As can be seen from Figure 5, the cable duct 1 has a hook-shaped projection in its profile, formed in particular by the ends of the tubes 23 on one side of the guide element. Because there is initially a certain amount of play between the interconnected elements, the cable duct 1 can be inserted obliquely into the opening at the end with the tubes 23 and then tilted until the second part 30 rests against the inside 53 of the tube section 50 and the first part 10 rests against the outside of the tube section 50.

[0024] By subsequently tightening the bolt 311, the first and second parts 10, 30 are pretensioned or pressed against the guide element 20 arranged therebetween, so that the cable duct 1 is held clamped to the pipe section 50 by means of the first and second parts 10, 30. The cable duct 1 is thus firmly seated in the opening 51 of the pipe section 50. The hook 24 engages behind an edge of the opening 51 of the pipe section 50. The stepped area on the inside of the first part 10 then tightly seals the opening 51 in the pipe section 50. At the same time, the opening 51 is completely covered by the edge of the first section 111.

[0025] How to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the tubes 23 of the guide element 20 protrude beyond the edge of the opening 51 only at one end of the guide element 20, so that the cable feedthrough 1 as a whole is hooked into the opening 51 of the tube section 50 in the assembled state.

[0026] The bicycle cables 60 are then inserted into the tubes 23 of the guide element 20. How to Fig. 5 and Fig. 7, the bicycle cables 60 can run smoothly and essentially tangentially into the interior of the tube section 50, effectively eliminating the risk of kinking or damage to the bicycle cables 60. The grooves 34 of the second part 30 can predetermine the further course of the bicycle cables 60 on the inside of the tube section 50, so that the bicycle cables 60 can be automatically guided in the correct direction upon further insertion into the cable duct 1.

[0027] A cable duct according to the present invention can also be installed in other positions on a bicycle frame, for example, for routing bicycle cables in the rear area of ​​a bicycle frame, for example, near the rear derailleur hanger or the rear brake. The tube section 50 can also be designed with a relatively strong curve.

[0028] As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon studying the above disclosure, the bicycle cables can be gear or brake cables or even hydraulic brake lines, with a casing that can withstand certain tensile or compressive forces, for example as a counter bearing to support the tensile forces to be transmitted in the case of gear or brake cables, or for the effective sealing of hydraulic brake lines. Gear or brake cables usually have a flexible outer casing in which a thin wire rope can be adjusted. The standard design of such a flexible outer casing consists of an inner plastic sleeve surrounded by wound wire made of a braid. A brake casing differs from a compression-free gear casing, which would not withstand the high braking forces. Another possibility is a so-calledA threaded sheath in which small metal sleeves of the desired length are threaded onto the inner plastic sheath. This type is suitable for brakes and gearshifts. With hydraulic brake lines, power is transmitted via a fluid in the closed brake line from the master cylinder in the brake lever to the slave cylinder in the brake caliper.

[0029] However, a cable duct according to the present invention is also suitable in the same way for leading electrical cables to a suitable location on a bicycle frame, the electrical cables then being guided in a relatively rigid sheath, which is then guided through a cable duct in the manner described above.

[0030] Despite the illustration and description of the embodiment according to the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments can be created without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

[1] Cable feedthrough (1) for passing bicycle cables (60), in particular gear or brake cables or lines, through a tube section (50) of a bicycle frame, wherein the tube section (50) has an opening (51) with a predetermined shape in the area of ​​the feedthrough, comprising: a first part (10), a second part (30) and a guide element (20), wherein the first part (10) is designed as a plate, in particular as an arcuately curved plate, corresponding to an outer side of the pipe section (50), for mounting on the outer side of the pipe section (50), the second part (30) is designed as a plate, in particular as an arcuately curved plate, corresponding to an inner side of the pipe section (50), for mounting on the inner side (53) of the pipe section (50), and the guide element (20) is designed to guide the bicycle cables (60) through the pipe section (50); wherein the first part (10) is formed corresponding to the opening (51) and comprises: a first hole (12), which is preferably passed centrally through the first part, at least two cable holes (13) extending through the first part (10), the first hole (12) being provided between the two cable holes (13), a recess (14) at one end of the first part (10), and a projection (15) on an inner side of the first part (10) provided between the two cable holes (13); wherein the guide element (20) comprises: a body (21) with a through hole (22) corresponding to the first hole (12) in the first part (10), two tubes (23) on opposite sides of the body (21), the tubes (23) being longer than the body (21), ends of each of the tubes (23) being formed to correspond to the cable holes (13) of the first part, in particular to be tightly received and passed through therein, and a hook (24) projecting from the body (21) and designed to engage a periphery of the opening (51) via the recess (14) of the first part (10); and wherein the second part (30) comprises; a bore (31), in particular a blind hole, a bolt (311), in particular a threaded bolt, a slot or recess (32), and two grooves (34) formed on a side of the second part (30) facing the pipe section (50); wherein the first part (10), the second part (30) and the guide element (20) are matched to one another in such a way that for passing the bicycle cables (60) through the tube section (50) of the bicycle frame in an assembled state the first hole (12) of the first part (10) is aligned with the through hole (22) of the guide element (20), so that the bolt (311) extends through the first hole (12) and the through hole (22) and engages in the bore (31) of the second part (30) to connect the first part (10), the second part (30) and the guide element (20) to one another, the projection (15) of the first part (10) engages in the slot or recess (32) of the second part (30), the tubes (23) of the guide element (20) are each received in a groove (34) of the second part (30), the guide element (20) is mounted in the opening (51) of the pipe section (50) and clamped between the first part (10) and the second part (30), the hook (24) engages behind an edge of the opening (51) of the pipe section (50), and the bicycle cables (60) are passed through the tubes (23) of the guide element (20). [2] Cable bushing (1) according to claim 1, wherein the opening (51) is designed as a square or rectangular hole, in particular with rounded corner regions. [3] Cable bushing (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first part (10) has a first portion (111) with a first thickness and a central second portion (11) projecting from the first portion (111) and having a second thickness greater than the first thickness, a stepped region is formed along an edge of the central second section (11), which is formed corresponding to the predetermined shape of the opening (51) in the pipe section (50), in particular in order to tightly seal the opening (51) in the pipe section (50), and the second section (11) is larger than the opening (51) in the pipe section (50), so that the opening (51) in the pipe section (50) can be completely covered by an edge of the first section (111). [4] Cable bushing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein another of the two ends of the cable pipes (23) of the guide element (20) is tapered and the hook (24) is designed as an L-shaped element in order to engage in a form-fitting manner, in particular by hooking, into the circumference of the opening (51) in the pipe section (50). [5] Cable bushing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first part (10) is made of plastic. [6] Cable bushing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide element (20) is made of an elastic rubber material. [7] Cable bushing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second part (30) is made of an aluminum alloy. [8] Use of a cable bushing (1) according to one of the preceding claims for passing bicycle cables (60), preferably a pair of bicycle cables (60), in particular gear or brake cables or lines, very particularly preferably a pair of brake lines, through a tube section (50) of a bicycle frame, wherein the tube section (50) has an opening (51) with a predetermined shape in the region of the bushing, wherein the guide element (20) is connected to the first part (10) by the hook (24) of the guide element (20) engaging in the recess (14) of the first part (10) so that the first hole (12) of the first part (10) is aligned with the through hole (22) of the guide element (20); the second part (30) is connected to the guide element (20) and the first part (10) in such a way that the through hole (22) of the guide element (20) is aligned with the bore (31), in particular the blind hole, and the bolt (311) extends through the first hole (12) and the through hole (22) and engages in the bore (31) of the second part (30); the cable bushing (1) thus formed is inserted into the opening (51) of the pipe section (50) such that the first part (10) rests against the outside of the pipe section (50) and the second part (30) rests against the inside (53) of the pipe section (50); and Inserting the bicycle cables (60) into the tubes (23) of the guide element (20). [9] Use of a cable bushing (1) according to claim 8, wherein the bolt (331) is designed as a threaded bolt, wherein the threaded bolt is not yet fully tightened when inserting the cable gland (1) into the opening (51) of the pipe section (50), and the threaded bolt is fully tightened after the cable gland (1) has been inserted into the opening (51) of the pipe section (50), so that the cable gland (1) is held clamped to the pipe section (50) by means of the first and second parts (10, 30). [10] Use of a cable duct (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the opening (51) is provided on a head tube (50) of a bicycle frame, wherein the cable duct (1) is inserted into the opening (51) such that the bicycle cables (60) are automatically guided in predetermined directions through the grooves (34) of the second part (30) on the inside of the bicycle frame, in particular a front brake line towards a lower end of a head tube of the bicycle frame and a rear brake line into a down tube or top tube of the bicycle frame.

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