Bicycle stem assembly

Abstract

Bicycle stem assembly (1), characterized by: a front fork tube (10) with a tube body (11); a stem (20) with an opening (21) which is pushed onto the tube body (11) of the front fork tube (10), and an upper stop section (24) which is arranged around the opening (21); an upper cover (30) with a lower mounting section (32) that abuts the upper mounting section (24) of the extension (20), a coupling bore (33) designed for fastening the upper cover (30) to the extension (20) by means of a screw (B2), and two upper engagement sections (35) arranged above the lower mounting section (32); and a decorative cover (40) with a cover body (41) that covers the upper cover (30), and two cover engagement sections (42) that each engage with the upper engagement sections (35) of the upper cover (30).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a bicycle and in particular to a bicycle stem assembly. 2. Description of the state of the art

[0002] In previously known bicycle stem designs, a decorative cover is attached to the stem using fasteners such as screws. Such a design not only requires the rider to carry tools for disassembly and assembly, but also leads to problems such as an increased number of components, complicated assembly procedures, and higher manufacturing costs.

[0003] In the bicycle stem assembly disclosed in TW M645488, the decorative cover engages with the stem by means of engagement projections on two sides of the decorative cover engaging with corresponding recesses on two sides of the stem. The decorative cover is further engaged by an engagement tab on its upper side with the underside of an upper cover. However, vibrations or strong oscillation amplitudes of the stem during riding can easily cause the decorative cover to detach. Additionally, the decorative cover's locking mechanism can disengage if the stem is subjected to an external impact. Furthermore, since the decorative cover does not completely cover the upper cover, the upper cover is also susceptible to impact, which can likewise cause the decorative cover to detach.

[0004] The bicycle stem disclosed in TW M661879 has an upper housing attached to the stem by means of a fastener, and a cap is mounted vertically in a through-hole of the upper housing. The cap tends to pop out of the upper housing due to road irregularities while riding, and the upper housing is also susceptible to external impacts that can cause the cap to detach. Furthermore, the cap does not cover the fastener. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In light of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle stem assembly that enables a more convenient snap-in of a decorative cover while ensuring that the decorative cover snaps into place more securely.

[0006] To solve the aforementioned problem, the present invention provides a bicycle stem assembly or a bicycle stem structure comprising a front fork tube with a tube body; a stem with a hole that is pushed onto the tube body of the front fork tube and an upper stop section that is arranged around the hole; an upper cover with a lower stop section that rests against the upper stop section of the stem, a coupling bore that is designed for fastening the upper cover to the stem by means of a screw, and two upper engagement sections that are arranged above the lower stop section; and a decorative cover with a cover body that covers the upper cover and two cover engagement sections that each engage with the upper engagement sections of the upper cover.

[0007] Due to the aforementioned technical features, the cover engagement sections of the decorative cover engage with the upper engagement sections of the upper cover, making the decorative cover easier to engage and the engagement of the decorative cover more secure.

[0008] The upper cover can preferably have an annular groove formed circumferentially above the lower mounting part, and the upper engagement sections are formed by the annular groove. Accordingly, the engagement structure can be further simplified.

[0009] Preferably, the front fork tube can have two lower engagement sections formed from the tube body, the stem can have a transverse slot that communicates with the stem's bore, and the decorative cover can have two tube engagement sections that extend through the stem's transverse slot and engage with the two lower engagement sections of the front fork tube. Since the two tube engagement sections of the decorative cover engage with the two lower engagement sections of the front fork tube, the decorative cover snaps into place more easily, and its engagement is more secure.

[0010] Preferably, the stem can have a transverse slot that connects to the stem's bore, and the decorative cover can have two tube engagement sections that extend through the stem's transverse slot and engage with the front fork tube body. Accordingly, the engagement structure can be further simplified.

[0011] Preferably, the extension can have a longitudinal slot that communicates with the bore of the extension, and the decorative cover can have a longitudinal rib that is inserted into the longitudinal slot of the extension. The interaction between the longitudinal slot and the longitudinal rib prevents lateral displacement of the decorative cover relative to the extension.

[0012] Preferably, the decorative cover can include an object mounting section formed from the cover body. Accordingly, the decorative cover can be conveniently attached to other objects.

[0013] Preferably, the bicycle stem assembly can further comprise a bottom cover that is slid onto the tube body of the front fork tube. The decorative cover can have a first anti-disengagement section, and the bottom cover can have a second anti-disengagement section that abuts the first anti-disengagement section of the decorative cover. Accordingly, the bottom cover can abut the decorative cover and prevent the decorative cover from disengaging.

[0014] To solve the aforementioned problem, the present invention provides a bicycle stem assembly comprising: a front fork tube with a tube body and two lower engagement sections formed from the tube body; a stem with a hole that is pushed onto the tube body of the front fork tube, an upper bearing section arranged around the hole, and a transverse slot that communicates with the hole; an upper cover with a lower bearing section that rests against the upper bearing section of the stem and a coupling bore designed for fastening the upper cover to the stem by means of a screw; and a decorative cover with a cover body that covers the upper cover and two tube engagement sections that extend through the transverse slot of the stem and engage with the two lower engagement sections of the front fork tube.

[0015] Due to the aforementioned technical features, the two tube engagement sections of the decorative cover engage with the two lower engagement sections of the front fork tube, making the decorative cover easier to attach and ensuring a more secure fit.

[0016] Preferably, the extension can have a longitudinal slot that communicates with the bore of the extension, and the decorative cover can have a longitudinal rib that is inserted into the longitudinal slot of the extension. The interaction between the longitudinal slot and the longitudinal rib prevents lateral displacement of the decorative cover relative to the extension.

[0017] Preferably, the decorative cover can include an object mounting section formed from the cover body. Accordingly, the decorative cover can be conveniently attached to other objects.

[0018] Preferably, the bicycle stem assembly can further comprise a bottom cover that is slid onto the tube body of the front fork tube. The decorative cover can have a first anti-disengagement section, and the bottom cover can have a second anti-disengagement section that abuts the first anti-disengagement section of the decorative cover. Accordingly, the bottom cover can abut the decorative cover and prevent the decorative cover from disengaging.

[0019] To solve the aforementioned problem, the present invention provides a bicycle stem assembly comprising: a front fork tube with a tube body; a stem with a hole that is pushed onto the tube body of the front fork tube and a transverse slot that is connected to the hole; an upper cover with a coupling bore designed so that the upper cover can be attached to the stem by means of a screw; and a decorative cover with a cover body that covers the upper cover, as well as two tube engagement sections that extend through the transverse slot of the stem and engage in the tube body of the front fork tube.

[0020] Due to the aforementioned technical features, the two tube engagement sections of the decorative cover engage in the tube body of the front fork tube, making the decorative cover easier to attach and the engagement of the decorative cover more secure.

[0021] Preferably, the extension can have a longitudinal slot that communicates with the bore of the extension, and the decorative cover can have a longitudinal rib that is inserted into the longitudinal slot of the extension. The interaction between the longitudinal slot and the longitudinal rib prevents lateral displacement of the decorative cover relative to the extension.

[0022] Preferably, the decorative cover can include an object mounting section formed from the cover body. Accordingly, the decorative cover can be conveniently attached to other objects.

[0023] Preferably, the bicycle stem assembly can further comprise a bottom cover that is slid onto the tube body of the front fork tube. The decorative cover can have a first anti-disengagement section, and the bottom cover can have a second anti-disengagement section that abuts the first anti-disengagement section of the decorative cover. Accordingly, the bottom cover can rest against the decorative cover and prevent the decorative cover from disengaging.

[0024] The further scope of application of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given below. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, although they indicate preferred embodiments of the invention, serve only for illustrative purposes, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the invention will be apparent to a person skilled in the art from this detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The present invention will be better understood with reference to the detailed description given below and the accompanying drawings, which serve only for illustration and thus do not limit the present invention, wherein: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 shows an assembled sectional view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 a sectional view along line 3-3 in Fig. 2 is; Fig. 4 a sectional view along line 4-4 in Fig. 2 is; Fig. 5 is an exploded view in top view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a perspective exploded view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a further perspective exploded view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 8 is a further perspective exploded view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 9 is a perspective assembled view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 10 is a perspective assembled view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. Figure 11 is a perspective composite view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] It should first be noted that identical or similar reference numerals used in the following embodiments and the drawings in the appendix denote identical or similar elements or their structural features throughout the entire description, in order to present the invention concisely. It should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, the components and structures shown in the figures are not drawn to actual scale and extent, and that the features mentioned in each embodiment may be applied in the other embodiments, provided this is practically feasible.

[0027] When it is further stated that one element is arranged on another, this means that the first-mentioned element is arranged directly on the last-mentioned element, or that the first-mentioned element is arranged indirectly on the last-mentioned element via one or more other elements located between the first-mentioned and the last-mentioned element. When it is stated that one element is arranged directly on another element, this means that no other element is located between the first-mentioned and the last-mentioned element.

[0028] With reference to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 to Fig. 8 comprises a first preferred embodiment of a bicycle stem assembly 1 of the present invention essentially a front fork tube 10, a stem 20, an upper cover 30, a decorative cover 40 and a lower cover 50.

[0029] The front fork tube 10 has a tube body 11 and two lower engagement sections 12, as shown in Fig. 4 shown. The lower engagement sections 12 are formed by part or all of the outer circumference of the pipe body 11.

[0030] The stem 20 has a hole 21, a longitudinal slot 22, several bolt holes 23, an upper contact section 24, a transverse slot 25, and a cover contact edge 26. The bore 21 is pushed onto the tube body 11 of the front fork tube 10, the longitudinal slot 22 is longitudinally connected to the bore 21, and first bolts B1 are inserted into the bolt holes 23, so that the stem 20 is attached to the front fork tube 10. The upper contact section 24 is located around the hole 21 and above the bolt holes 23, the transverse slot 25 is laterally connected to the hole 21, and the cover contact edge 26 is formed on one side of the upper contact section 24.

[0031] The upper cover 30 has a hole section 31, a lower mounting section 32, a coupling hole 33, an annular groove 34 and, as shown in Fig. Figure 3 shows two upper engagement sections 35. The hole section 31 corresponds to the hole 21 of the shaft 20, the lower contact part 32 rests against the upper contact part 24 of the shaft 20, and the coupling hole 33 is located in a central area of ​​the lower contact part 32 and is fitted with a second bolt B2 to fasten the upper cover 30 to the shaft 20. The annular groove 34 is formed circumferentially above the lower contact part 32, and the upper engagement parts 35 are provided on the annular groove 34. In this embodiment, the upper engagement parts 35 are formed by part or all of the annular groove 34.

[0032] The decorative cover 40 comprises a cover body 41, two cover engagement sections 42, two tube engagement sections 43, a longitudinal rib 44, a leading edge 45, and two first anti-disengagement sections 46. The cover body 41 covers the upper cover 30 and the stem 20. The cover engagement sections 42 are inserted into the annular groove 34 of the upper cover 30 to engage with the upper engagement sections 35. The tube engagement sections 43 extend through the transverse slot 25 of the stem 20 and slide against the tube body 11 of the front fork tube 10 to engage with the lower engagement sections 12. The longitudinal rib 44 is inserted into the longitudinal slot 22 of the stem 20. The front edge 45 corresponds to the edge 26 of the front section 20 that abuts the cover. The first anti-slip sections 46 are provided on the underside of the decorative cover 40.

[0033] The bottom cover 50 has a bottom cover hole 51 and a longitudinal rib 52. The bottom cover hole 51 is slid onto the front fork tube 10 so that the bottom cover 50 is located below the stem 20 and the decorative cover 40. The longitudinal rib 52 is then inserted into the longitudinal slot 22 of the stem 20, preventing the bottom cover 50 from moving left and right and helping to prevent it from coming loose. Furthermore, the bottom cover 50 has two secondary anti-loosening sections 53 that interact with the primary anti-loosening sections 46 of the decorative cover 40. The decorative cover 40 can only be loosened when the bottom cover 50 is moved downwards. The first anti-slip sections 46 and the second anti-slip sections 53 can be designed as chamfered edges, as a tenon and tenon hole structure or as other coupling structures.

[0034] In this embodiment, the decorative cover 40 can be quickly and securely mounted by engaging the two cover engagement sections 42 of the decorative cover 40 with the upper engagement sections 35 of the upper cover 30 and by engaging the two tube engagement sections 43 of the decorative cover 40 with the lower engagement sections 12 of the front fork tube 10. This prevents the cover from easily coming loose due to impacts, thus achieving the objective of the present invention. Furthermore, by inserting the longitudinal rib 44 of the decorative cover 40 into the longitudinal slot 22 of the stem 20, lateral movement can be prevented, and loosening can be further avoided.Furthermore, by equipping the lower cover 50 with the two second anti-release sections 53, which cooperate with the first anti-release sections 46 of the decorative cover 40, the decorative cover 40 can only be released when the lower cover 50 is moved downwards, which further helps to prevent it from coming loose.

[0035] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, a second preferred embodiment of the bicycle stem assembly 1 of the present invention corresponds essentially to the above embodiment, the main difference being that the lower cover 50 can be omitted while still achieving the objective of the present invention.

[0036] As in the Fig. 10 and Fig.As shown in Figure 11, a third preferred embodiment and a fourth embodiment of the bicycle stem assembly 1 of the present invention essentially correspond to the preceding embodiments, the main difference being that the decorative cover 40 further comprises an object mounting section 49 provided on the top of the cover body 41. The object mounting section can be configured as an object mounting base or mounting hole for attaching objects such as a bicycle computer or a display.

[0037] In addition to the embodiments described above, the present invention can be modified and implemented as follows.

[0038] For example, the upper engagement sections 35 of the upper cover 30 can not only be designed as part or as a whole of the annular groove 34 as described above, but can alternatively also be configured as recesses (not shown) or projections (not shown) for engagement with the cover engagement sections 42 of the decorative cover 40.

[0039] Alternatively, the lower engagement sections 12 of the front fork tube 10 can be designed not only as part or as a whole of the tube body 11, as described above, but the lower engagement sections 12 can also be designed as recesses (not shown) or projections (not shown) for engagement with the tube engagement sections 43 of the decorative cover 40. That is, the two tube engagement sections 43 of the decorative cover 40 can engage with the two lower engagement sections 12 of the front fork tube 10, or the two tube engagement sections 43 of the decorative cover 40 can engage directly with the tube body 11 of the front fork tube 10.

[0040] Alternatively, in addition to the cover engagement sections 42 and pipe engagement sections 43 described above, the decorative cover 40 can be configured to include only the cover engagement sections 42 without the pipe engagement sections 43, or to include only the pipe engagement sections 43 without the cover engagement sections 42.

[0041] In summary, the bicycle stem assembly 1 provided by the present invention uses a structure that makes it possible to conveniently mount and snap the decorative cover 40 onto the upper cover 30 and / or the front fork tube 10 without the use of tools, thereby overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art in which the decorative cover requires complicated assembly and disassembly procedures and must be mounted using tools.

[0042] Finally, it should be noted that the components disclosed in the preceding embodiments of the present invention serve only as examples for illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Substitution or variation by other equivalent elements should be included within the scope of the following claims of the present invention. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] TW M645488

[0003] TW M661879

[0004]

Claims

Bicycle stem assembly (1), characterized by: a front fork tube (10) with a tube body (11); a stem (20) with an opening (21) which is pushed onto the tube body (11) of the front fork tube (10), and an upper stop section (24) which is arranged around the opening (21); an upper cover (30) with a lower contact section (32) which rests against the upper contact section (24) of the stem (20), a coupling bore (33) which is formed for fastening the upper cover (30) to the stem (20) by means of a screw (B2), and two upper engagement sections (35) which are arranged above the lower contact section (32); and a decorative cover (40) with a cover body (41) that covers the upper cover (30), and two cover engagement sections (42) that each engage with the upper engagement sections (35) of the upper cover (30). Bicycle stem arrangement (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the upper cover (30) has an annular groove (34) which is formed in the circumferential direction above the lower contact section (32) and the upper engagement sections (35) are formed by the annular groove (34). Bicycle stem assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the front fork tube (10) has two lower engagement sections (12) formed from the tube body (11), the stem (20) has a transverse slot (25) which is connected to the bore (21) of the stem (20), and the decorative cover (40) has two tube engagement sections (43) which extend through the transverse slot (25) of the stem (20) and engage with the two lower engagement sections (12) of the front fork tube (10). Bicycle stem assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the stem (20) has a transverse slot (25) which is connected to the bore (21) of the stem (20), and the decorative cover (40) has two tube engagement sections (43) which extend through the transverse slot (25) of the stem (20) and engage with the tube body (11) of the front fork tube (10). Bicycle stem assembly (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the stem (20) has a longitudinal slot (22) which is connected to the bore (21) of the stem (20) and the decorative cover (40) has a longitudinal rib (44) which is inserted into the longitudinal slot (22) of the stem (20). Bicycle stem assembly (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the decorative cover (40) comprises an object fastening section (49) formed from the cover body (41). Bicycle stem assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a lower cover (50) which is pushed onto the tube body (11) of the front fork tube (10); wherein the decorative cover (40) has a first anti-release section (46), and the lower cover (50) has a second anti-release section (53) which abuts the first anti-release section (46) of the decorative cover (40). Bicycle stem assembly (1), characterized by: a front fork tube (10) with a tube body (11) and two lower engagement sections (12) formed from the tube body (11); a stem (20) with a bore (21) which is pushed onto the tube body (11) of the front fork tube (10), an upper contact section (24) which is arranged around the bore (21), and a transverse slot (25) which is connected to the bore (21); an upper cover (30) with a lower contact section (32) which rests against the upper contact section (24) of the stem (20), and a coupling bore (33) which is designed to fasten the upper cover (30) to the stem (20) by means of a screw (B2);and a decorative cover (40) with a cover body (41) that covers the upper cover (30), and two tube engagement sections (43) that extend through the transverse slot (25) of the stem (20) and engage with the two lower engagement sections (12) of the front fork tube (10). Bicycle stem arrangement (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the stem (20) has a longitudinal slot (22) which is connected to the bore (21) of the stem (20), and the decorative cover (40) has a longitudinal rib (44) which is inserted into the longitudinal slot (22) of the stem (20). Bicycle stem assembly (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the decorative cover (40) comprises an object fastening section (49) formed from the cover body (41). Bicycle stem assembly (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that it further comprises a lower cover (50) which is pushed onto the tube body (11) of the front fork tube (10); wherein the decorative cover (40) has a first anti-release section (46) and the bottom cover (50) has a second anti-release section (53) which abuts the first anti-release section (46) of the decorative cover (40). Bicycle stem assembly (1), characterized by: a front fork tube (10) with a tube body (11); a stem (20) with a hole (21) which is pushed onto the tube body (11) of the front fork tube (10), and a transverse slot (25) which is connected to the hole (21); an upper cover (30) with a coupling bore (33) which is designed such that the upper cover (30) can be fastened to the stem (20) by means of a screw (B2); and a decorative cover (40) with a cover body (41) which covers the upper cover (30), and two tube engagement sections (43) which extend through the transverse slot (25) of the stem (20) and engage with the tube body (11) of the front fork tube (10). Bicycle stem arrangement (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the stem (20) has a longitudinal slot (22) which is connected to the bore (21) of the stem (20), and the decorative cover (40) has a longitudinal rib (44) which is inserted into the longitudinal slot (22) of the stem (20). The bicycle stem assembly (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the decorative cover (40) comprises an object fastening section (49) formed from the cover body (41). The bicycle stem assembly (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises a lower cover (50) pushed onto the tube body (11) of the front fork tube (10); wherein the decorative cover (40) has a first anti-release section (46) and the lower cover (50) has a second anti-release section (53) which abuts the first anti-release section (46) of the decorative cover (40).

Images