BICYCLE FRAME SEALING DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a bicycle frame sealing device.

[0002] Bicycle frames have a seat tube or seat tube that is connected to the seat post tube that supports the saddle. The seat tube usually has an opening on its upper side into which the seat post tube is inserted. Fixing is usually achieved by a clamping element, for example a clamp that surrounds the seat tube. Other clamping devices are also known, for example a grub screw provided on the seat tube. When loaded, relative movements occur between the seat post tube and the seat tube. Over time, these relative movements lead to abrasion between the seat post tube and the seat tube. The penetration of dirt particles in this area accelerates the abrasion many times over. This can cause significant damage to the seat tube and / or the seat post tube. Water can also penetrate this area, causing lubricants to be washed out.

[0003] In order to reduce the penetration of dirt particles or dirty water, it is known to provide seals in this area. For example, it is known to arrange an annular element such as an insert between the seat tube and the seat post tube, whereby this element has a flexible sealing lip that rests against the seat post tube. It is also known to arrange rubber rings as a seal between the seat tube and the seat post tube. However, due to the large relative movements that occur in practice between the seat post tube and the seat tube, the sealing effect of known seals is relatively poor, so that the damage caused by abrasion remains relatively extensive. The sealing effect of known seals is particularly poor with non-circular, aerodynamically optimized tube profiles.

[0004] From the generic internet publication Beson Cory: "BikeYoke wants to Squeezy your dropper, wrar your Willy & flip a longer Triggy X -Bikerumor" a tube-like element is known that can be put into the area where the seat post tube is located in the seat tube of the frame, so that a certain sealing is achieved in this area.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a bicycle frame sealing device with which sealing between the seat tube and the seat post tube is improved.

[0006] The problem is solved by a bicycle frame sealing device having the features of claim 1.

[0007] The bicycle frame sealing device according to the invention has a frame-side sealing element that can be sealingly connected to the seat tube of a bicycle frame. The frame-side sealing element can be connected directly or indirectly to the seat tube. Furthermore, the bicycle frame sealing device according to the invention has a saddle-side sealing element. The saddle-side sealing element is the sealing element pointing toward the saddle. This sealing element is sealingly connected to a seat post tube, i.e., the tube element supporting the saddle. Here, too, it is possible to realize a direct or indirect connection.

[0008] According to the invention, the two sealing elements are connected to one another via a flexible connecting element. Essential to the invention, the two sealing elements can thus be connected directly or indirectly to the seat tube or seat post tube on the frame or saddle side. This allows a firm and therefore tight connection to be achieved. By connecting the two sealing elements using a flexible connecting element, relative movements that occur between the two sealing elements can be compensated. Relative movements between the two sealing elements or relative movements between the seat tube and the seat post tube do not impair the sealing effect, since the relative movement is possible due to the flexible connecting element. In particular, the flexible connecting element according to the invention couples the two sealing elements together so that they each follow the movement of the corresponding contact partner, i.e.the seat tube or the seat post tube. It is therefore particularly advantageous according to the invention that no relative movements occur between the sealing surfaces of the sealing elements and those of the contact partners. Relative movements therefore do not, for example, cause a separation of adjoining sealing surfaces and thus do not cause leaks.

[0009] According to the invention, decoupling is achieved in such a way that relative movements between the seat tube and the seat post tube, or the sealing elements connected to them, are permissible, and the occurrence of such relative movements does not lead to leaks, since the seat tube is decoupled from the seat post tube with respect to the sealing element. Thus, no or at most extremely slight relative movements occur at the sealing surfaces. This greatly improves the sealing effect.

[0010] In particular, it is possible for the connecting element to be sealingly connected, in particular firmly connected, to the sealing element on the frame and / or the seat post tube. A firm connection is possible insofar as the flexibility can be realized by the connecting element itself. It is particularly preferred for the connecting element to be designed as a bellows.

[0011] The sealing element on the frame side or the seat post tube side is preferably annular. In particular, the sealing elements thus completely surround the seat tube or the seat post tube in a ring-like manner, which, depending on the geometry, can be oval, round, or have a different shape. An annular design makes it possible, in particular, to configure the sealing element such that it rests against a circumferential sealing surface. Since, according to the invention, no or at most minimal relative movement occurs in this area, very good sealing can be achieved.

[0012] Preferably, a bead, in particular a ring-shaped one, is connected to the seat tube. The connection can again be made directly or indirectly, with the bead being formed, for example, by an intermediate element. The bead can also be integrated directly into the seat tube and, in particular, formed integrally with it. In a more preferred embodiment, the bead is encompassed by the frame-side sealing element. In particular, with a ring-shaped bead that is also encompassed in a ring, a very good connection between the bead and the frame-side sealing element is possible. Due to the undercut formed by the bead, a very good sealing effect can be achieved.

[0013] According to the invention, the frame-side sealing element is connected to the seat tube via an intermediate element having a cylindrical, in particular circular-cylindrical, extension. This intermediate element can have the bead, in particular a circumferential one. Furthermore, it is preferred that the intermediate element is rotationally symmetrical. The intermediate element has a cylindrical extension that protrudes into the seat tube when installed. For installation, the intermediate element can thus be inserted into the frame tube, and the seat post tube is then inserted into the intermediate element. This has the particular advantage that the bicycle frame sealing device according to the invention can be easily retrofitted, since a structural modification of the seat tube is not necessary.

[0014] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the connecting element is also rotationally symmetrical or ring-shaped.

[0015] Alternatively, particularly in the case of aerodynamically designed seat tubes and seat post tubes, the bicycle frame sealing device according to the invention also has a correspondingly aerodynamic shape. The shape of the bicycle frame sealing device according to the invention preferably corresponds to the shape of the contour of the seat tube and / or the seat post tube.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the bicycle frame sealing device, the seat post tube-side sealing element has an inner surface that is complementary to an outer surface of the seat post tube. This improves the sealing effect by ensuring that the two surfaces lie flat against each other in the assembled state, thus forming a seal. Corresponding sealing surfaces can also be provided between the frame-side sealing element and the seat tube.

[0017] In a further preferred development of the bicycle frame sealing device according to the invention, recesses for receiving sealant or lubricant can be provided in the frame-side sealing element and / or the seat post tube-side sealing element and / or the connecting element. This can further improve the seal and, in particular, prevent the occurrence of noise due to relative movements. In particular, to improve the sealing effect, the recesses can be designed as circumferential grooves.

[0018] Furthermore, the connecting element may have at least one pressure equalization opening. This is preferably a very small diameter opening to compensate for pressure differences that occur during movement. This ensures that pressure equalization does not occur via the sealing surfaces.

[0019] The invention further relates to a bicycle frame system. The bicycle frame system comprises a bicycle frame with a seat tube. Furthermore, the bicycle frame can have a top tube and / or a down tube. Depending on the design of the bicycle frame, it can have a rear triangle or be pivotally connected to a rear triangle. The design of the bicycle frame can have various known geometries. A seat post tube is connected to the seat tube of the bicycle frame by insertion. A bicycle frame sealing device, as described above, is arranged between the seat tube and the seat post tube for sealing purposes.

[0020] The invention is explained in more detail below using a preferred embodiment with reference to the attached drawing: The figure shows a schematic sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a bicycle frame sealing device according to the invention.

[0021] The figure schematically shows an upper end of a seat tube 10 of a bicycle frame. The bicycle frame typically comprises a top tube connected to the seat tube 10, as well as a down tube. Furthermore, a fork tube for accommodating a front fork, as well as a bottom bracket mount, may be part of the bicycle frame. Furthermore, a rear triangle may be rigidly or pivotably connected to the bicycle frame, with the rear triangle typically comprising chainstays and seat stays.

[0022] Relevant to the invention is the seat tube 10, with an opening 12 pointing essentially upwards. A seat post tube 14 is arranged in the opening 12, which is connected to a saddle or supports a saddle at its upper end (not shown in the figure). The lower end of the seat post tube 14 in the figure is arranged inside the seat tube 10. The seat post tube 14 is usually clamped in the seat tube 10 by a clamping device (not shown). A simple type of clamping device is a clamp surrounding the seat tube 10. For clamping, a grub screw, for example, can also be arranged in the seat tube 10, which acts on a clamping means that is arranged, for example, inside the seat tube 10 and thus clamps the seat post tube 14 in the seat tube 10.

[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, an intermediate element 18, particularly rotationally symmetrical to a longitudinal axis 16, is arranged in the opening 12 of the seat tube 10. An aerodynamically optimized outer contour is also possible. The intermediate element 18 has an outer side 20 that complements an inner side 22 of the seat tube 10, so that the outer side 20 of the intermediate element 18 lies flat against the inner side 22 of the seat tube 10, preferably by bonding. Likewise, the seat tube can have a non-circular contour, such as an oval contour, in which case the intermediate element will then have the corresponding contour. This also applies to the cross-section of the seat post tube 14.

[0024] The seat post tube 14 is inserted into the intermediate element 18 arranged in the seat tube 10, so that an outer side 24 of the seat post tube 14 lies flat against an inner side 26 of the intermediate element 18.

[0025] The intermediate element 18 has a circumferential bead 28 at the end located outside the seat tube 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the bicycle frame sealing device 30 according to the invention is connected to the bead 28 of the intermediate element 18. Alternatively, the bicycle frame sealing device 30 could also be connected directly to the seat tube 10.

[0026] The bicycle frame sealing device 30 has a frame-side sealing element 32 and a seat post-side sealing element 34. The two sealing elements are connected to one another via a connecting element 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the two sealing elements 32, 34 and the connecting element 36 are formed as a single piece. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame-side sealing element 32 is firmly connected to the intermediate element 18. The connection is made via the bead 28, which is encompassed by the frame-side sealing element 32. This creates a very tight connection between the frame-side sealing element 32 and the intermediate element 18.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the seat post tube-side sealing element 34 is annular and surrounds the seat post tube 14. An inner side 38 of the seat post tube-side sealing element 34 lies flat against the outer side 24 of the seat post tube 14. Here, too, a firm connection can be established, for example, by frictional engagement, so that this area also has a high degree of tightness. A metal ring, clamping ring, or the like can also be provided here to improve the sealing effect.

[0028] According to the invention, the two sealing elements 32, 34, which are firmly connected to the intermediate element 18 and the seat post tube 14, respectively, are flexibly connected to one another via a connecting element 36. The connecting element 36, which can be made, for example, from a softer, elastic plastic and / or can have a smaller thickness, serves, on the one hand, to tightly connect the two sealing elements 32, 34 and, on the other hand, to establish a flexible connection. This ensures that any relative movements that occur between the two sealing elements 32, 34 do not lead to a reduction in the tightness, since the two sealing elements are only flexibly and not rigidly or firmly connected to one another.Since relative movements between the two sealing elements 32, 34 are possible without impairing the tightness, even relative movements that occur between the seat tube 10 and the seat post tube 14 do not lead to movements between the sealing elements 32, 34 and their contact partners 10, 14. This ensures the seal even in the event of relative movements between the seat post tube 14 and the seat tube 10.

[0029] Sealing or lubricating agents may be provided in recesses (not shown) of the sealing elements 32 and / or 34 and / or the connecting element 36. Furthermore, the connecting element 36 may preferably have pressure equalization openings (not shown).

[0030] The components, which are rotationally symmetrical to the axis 16 in the illustrated figure, can also have other geometries, whereby it is always relevant that the corresponding sealing surfaces bear against one another in a sealing manner and that the geometries are thus complementary to one another. Furthermore, the intermediate element 18 can also be omitted. In this case, the frame-side sealing element 32 is then connected to the seat tube 10, for example, using a clamping element; in particular, it is slipped over the opening 12 of the seat tube 10. For example, the frame-side sealing element 32 can be glued to an outer side of the seat tube 10.

Claims

1. A bicycle frame sealing means comprising a frame-side sealing element (32) adapted to be connected with a saddle tube (10) of a bicycle frame in a sealing manner, a saddle post-side sealing element (34) adapted to be connected with a saddle post (14) in a sealing manner, and a flexible connecting element (36) arranged between the two sealing elements (32, 34), characterized in that the frame-side sealing element (32) is connected with the saddle tube (10) via an intermediate element (18), wherein the intermediate element (18) comprises a cylindrical, in particular circular cylindrical protrusion protruding into the saddle tube (10) when in the mounted state.

2. The bicycle frame sealing means according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element (36) is sealingly, in particular fixedly, connected with the frame-side and / or the saddle post-side sealing element (32, 34).

3. The bicycle frame sealing means according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the frame-side and / or saddle post-side sealing element (32, 34) are annular in shape.

4. The bicycle frame sealing means according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by an in particular annular bead (28) connected with the saddle tube (10), around which bead the frame-side sealing element (32) engages.

5. The bicycle frame sealing means according to claim 4, characterized in that the bead (28) is arranged on the intermediate element (18).

6. The bicycle frame sealing means according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the connecting element (36) is annular in shape.

7. The bicycle frame sealing means according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the connecting element (36) is formed as bellows.

8. The bicycle frame sealing means according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the saddle post-side sealing element (34) has an inner surface (38) formed complementary to an outer surface (24) of the saddle post (14) so that the two surfaces are in sealing contact with each other when in the mounted state.

9. The bicycle frame sealing means according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that recesses for holding sealant are formed in the frame-side sealing element (32) and / or in the saddle post-side sealing element (34) and / or in the connecting element (36).

10. The bicycle frame sealing means according to claim 9, characterized in that the recesses are at least in part formed as in particular circumferential grooves.

11. The bicycle frame sealing means according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the connecting element (36) has at least one pressure compensation opening.

12. A bicycle frame system comprising a bicycle frame with a saddle tube (10), a saddle post (14) inserted into the saddle tube (10), and a bicycle frame sealing means according to one of claims 1 to 11 arranged between the saddle tube (10) and the saddle post (14).