Bicycle pedals

Abstract

A bicycle pedal comprising a shaft (1) and at least one retaining member (2) rotatably supported on the shaft (1), wherein the retaining member (2) has a housing section (4) having two sides (6) that extend annularly around the axis of rotation of the pedal, and the housing section (4) has grooves or projections (8) that extend in the circumferential direction, wherein the retaining member (2) has a particularly cylindrical support section (5) that continues from the sides (6), the support section (5) extends from the side of the housing section (4) and has a smaller outer diameter than the housing section (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bicycle pedal having a shaft body and at least one holding member rotatably supported on the shaft body. The holding member has a receiving section extending annularly around the rotation axis of the pedal, and the receiving section has two side surfaces on which circumferentially extending grooves or protrusions are formed.

Background Art

[0002] European Patent Application Publication No. 0800472 shows a normal pedal that can accommodate cleats only in one or two rotational positions. With this pedal, it is difficult to connect the cleat to the pedal during operation.

[0003] European Patent Application Publication No. 2664534 also discloses a pedal that can be connected to a cleat only in two rotational positions. For this connection, a surface fastener is used, which certainly facilitates the establishment of the connection, but however, the connection is liable to be released.

[0004] German Patent Application Publication No. 102008028569 discloses a pedal having two halves, and the cleat is clamped between the two halves. Here too, there is a problem that it is difficult to establish the connection when the pedal is not present at one of the two connection positions.

[0005] European Patent No. 1492697 discloses a pedal having a retaining member comprising two parts, in which a cleat is positioned between these parts. Thus, each part of the retaining member has opposing grooves located on the inner flange portion. In this case, the spikes of the cleat should not be too long, as excessive length would make walking in the shoe to which the cleat is attached uncomfortable. However, if the spikes are made short, their durability is limited, and they may be damaged when walking with the cleat attached. Furthermore, a drawback is that the cleat must be positioned very precisely on the gap to establish binding. If not precisely positioned, the cleat will slip sideways, preventing binding.

[0006] U.S. Patent No. 1,0398,192 proposes an embodiment having two parts, with grooves facing opposite directions. This embodiment allows for easier access to the connection. However, because the grooves are located on the end parts of the pedal, slippage is still possible. If the user feeds the cleat diagonally towards the pedal, the cleat may pass through the groove and slip laterally. Also, since force transmission occurs exclusively through the grooves, the lifespan of this embodiment is shortened. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 0800472 [Patent Document 2] European Patent Application Publication No. 2664534 [Patent Document 3] German Patent Application Publication No. 102008028569 Specification [Patent Document 4] European Patent No. 1492697 [Patent Document 5] U.S. Patent No. 10398192 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a solution that avoids these drawbacks, facilitates access, and enables a long service life. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] This problem is solved, according to the present invention, by having a retaining member having a support section, particularly a cylindrical support section, that extends from the side of the housing section and has a smaller outer diameter than the housing section.

[0010] The support section provides the cleat or shoe with an area that supports and transmits force. This means that while pedaling, force is not transmitted solely through grooves or protrusions, but is at least partially absorbed through the support section. This extends the lifespan of the pedal. At the same time, the guide surface supports access because it prevents slipping and ensures that the cleat makes contact with the guide surface without slipping even when approaching at an angle.

[0011] In particular, at least one support section is formed to extend in an annular shape around the axis of rotation of the pedal. In particular, at least one support section is cylindrical.

[0012] Here, "extending in a ring around the pedal's axis of rotation" means that the housing or support section extends around the entire axis of rotation of the pedal. In other words, the housing or support section is located on both sides of the axis of rotation, not just one side.

[0013] In particular, the containment section is cylindrical.

[0014] According to the present invention, the grooves or projections are arranged to face in opposite directions to one another.

[0015] Here, "continuing to the side" means that the support section is located adjacent to the side in the axial direction, i.e., along the axis of rotation. In this case, the support section may be at least partially directly continuous with the side, or at least partially at a distance from the side.

[0016] The storage section has at least two sides. It may also have more than two sides, which can improve the connection between the pedal and the cleat.

[0017] In particular, the accommodating section has at least one, and especially two, guide surfaces that are oblique to the groove or projection, and these guide surfaces are radially positioned outside the groove or projection with respect to the axis of rotation. This facilitates guiding the cleat into the groove.

[0018] In particular, the grooves or projections extend parallel to the axis of rotation of the shaft.

[0019] In particular, the grooves or projections are configured symmetrically in the radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation of the shaft. That is, the grooves or projections are ring-shaped grooves or projections.

[0020] Here, a groove means a recess or notch on the side surface that extends at least partially parallel to the axis of rotation. A projection means a raised portion or other protruding element that extends at least partially parallel to the axis of rotation and extends beyond the side surface.

[0021] Both the grooves and protrusions are connecting members that enable connection with the cleat by shape coupling and / or force coupling, either by the cleat engaging with the connecting member or, if necessary, engaging behind the connecting member.

[0022] The pedal can also have only grooves or only protrusions, or can have both grooves and protrusions.

[0023] It is advantageous if the groove or protrusion has an inner side wall that is flush with the cylindrical circumferential surface of the support section, especially. In other words, each support section terminates at the same height as the corresponding inner side wall. This enables good placement of the gripping member of the cleat that engages with the groove or protrusion, and thus improves force transmission. Furthermore, catching or pinching when the cleat approaches obliquely is avoided.

[0024] It is particularly advantageous if the holding member is supported on the shaft body via at least one sliding bearing. The sliding bearing is particularly rigid and not easily soiled, and thus is particularly well - suited.

[0025] It is also advantageous if the holding member is supported on the shaft body via at least one rolling bearing. This can also be combined with at least one sliding bearing.

[0026] If the pedal has at least one spacer ring arranged on the pedal in front of or behind the holding member along the rotation axis of the pedal, the position of the holding member on the pedal can be fixed by the spacer ring and / or the movement of the holding member along the rotation axis can be restricted. In this case, the holding member may be adapted to contact at least one spacer ring in the axial direction. At least one spacer ring may be arranged only on one side of the holding member, or at least one spacer ring may be arranged on each side of the holding member. The pedal can also have a set of spacer rings with at least partially different widths. That is, the user can select a spacer ring or a combination of spacer rings that is advantageous for the user himself. This makes it possible to individually adapt to the user's physiological functions and also facilitates driving.

[0027] To achieve the smallest, most rigid, and simplest structure possible, at least one support section may be integrally constructed with the side that follows it. This means that the retaining members forming the side are integrally constructed with the support section. This allows for optimal force distribution between parts and reduces the number of different parts in the pedal, which facilitates assembly and handling by the user.

[0028] Furthermore, a bicycle click device comprising a pedal and a cleat attachable to a shoe is also advantageous, the cleat being removablely connectable to the pedal, the pedal having a shaft and at least one retaining member rotatably supported on the shaft, the retaining member having, in particular, a cylindrical housing section, the housing section having two sides on which grooves or projections extending in the circumferential direction are formed. In particular, the pedal is formed as described herein and in the drawings, however, the pedal does not have to be provided with the support section according to the present invention. In particular for this, the cleat has at least one gripping member, in particular two gripping members, the gripping members being formed to engage with at least one of the grooves or projections, in particular, the gripping members establishing a connection with the grooves or projections by shape coupling in a closed position.

[0029] This is particularly advantageous when the cylindrical housing section is a single, integrated structure. This results in a very stable and rigid housing section that can transmit force to the cleat very effectively. Particularly advantageous is that the cylindrical housing section does not need to move axially when the cleat establishes or disengages connection. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to axially support the housing section along the axis of rotation of the shaft. This significantly extends the lifespan of the pedal, because such axial support is very susceptible to wear.

[0030] In this sense, a click mechanism is very advantageous when the pedal is formed as described in the previous paragraph, and the cleat has at least two opposing gripping members for engaging with a groove or projection, and the gripping members are elastically supported by each other. That is, when connecting the cleat to the pedal, the gripping members can easily detach and engage with the groove or projection. Elastic support can be provided, for example, by a leaf spring, a torsion spring, and / or a ring spring. That is, the spring member can include a leaf spring, a torsion spring, and / or a ring spring.

[0031] Alternatively, the housing section may have two parts, each part having one side, and the two parts may be preloaded by at least one spring member. This allows for easy assembly of the cleat because the spring member can shift the aforementioned parts relative to each other, so that the parts can detach appropriately when the cleat approaches. The spring member is positioned, in particular, between the aforementioned parts and / or preloads the two parts in a direction that moves them apart from each other. The spring member can be made of, for example, an elastic material, and in particular, rubber. In this case, the spring force of the spring member can be used to adjust the amount of resistance that must be overcome when hooking or unhooking the cleat.

[0032] The pedal has at least one tread surface for supporting the foot or shoe, and this tread surface may be positioned at least partially forward and / or backward of the housing section along the longitudinal axis of the pedal which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the pedal. In addition to the support section, the tread surface can transmit force between the foot and the pedal. Such a tread surface enables or improves riding even when shoes with cleats are not worn. In such riding, the forward and / or backward positioning of the housing section is very advantageous.

[0033] Furthermore, the tread surface may be positioned on the tread surface body, and the tread surface body may be connected to the shaft body offset from the housing section, particularly along the rotation axis of the pedal. In this case, the tread surface body may be part of the retaining member and / or may be directly connected to the housing section in an integral structure, or indirectly connected, for example, via the shaft body.

[0034] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the support section is at least partially located on the tread body, and the tread in particular forms at least partially the support section. In such cases, the support section does not have to be cylindrical.

[0035] The tread body can be detachably connected to the housing section, and the tread body may have at least two opposing gripping members for engaging with grooves or projections. This allows for the use of the tread body as needed, by detaching it from or attaching it to the housing section. In this case, the tread body can be connected to the housing section, similar to the case of cleats.

[0036] In this sense, a click mechanism is very advantageous when the pedal is formed as described in the previous paragraph, and the cleat has at least two opposing gripping members for engaging with grooves or projections, and the gripping members are firmly connected to each other. That is, the cleat is particularly durable, and the grooves or projections can be disengaged by a spring member during connection in order to allow the gripping members to lock into the grooves or projections. A firm connection means, in particular, an inelastic connection, i.e., a connection in which the gripping members do not substantially move to each other during normal use, either during the establishment or disengagement of the connection with the retaining member.

[0037] The present invention will be described in more detail below based on non-limiting embodiments of the present invention shown in each figure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0038] [Figure 1] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a pedal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a pedal according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the cleat of a click device according to the present invention. [Figure 4a] This is a schematic plan view of a second embodiment of the cleat of a click device according to the present invention. [Figure 4b] This is a schematic cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 4a. [Figure 4c] This is a schematic cross-sectional view along line BB in Figure 4a. [Figure 4d] This is a schematic plan view of a slightly modified second embodiment of the cleat of the click device according to the present invention. [Figure 5a] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the cleat of a click device according to the present invention. [Figure 5b] Figure 5a is a bottom view of the cleat of the second embodiment. [Figure 6a] This is a plan view of a third embodiment of the pedal according to the present invention. [Figure 6b] This is a side view of the third embodiment in the direction of the axis of rotation. [Figure 6c] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the third embodiment along line AA in Figure 6b. [Figure 7a] This is a bottom view of an embodiment of the pedal tread body according to the present invention. [Figure 7b] This is a cross-sectional view along line BB in Figure 7a. [Figure 7c] This is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 7a. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0039] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, which includes a long shaft 1 having a screw 1a at one end for screw fastening to the crank of a bicycle. The shaft extends along a rotation axis A, and rotates around this rotation axis A during use while the bicycle is in motion.

[0040] A retaining member 2 is rotatably supported on the shaft 1. In this embodiment, the support is provided via a sliding bearing 3. The retaining member 2 is constructed as a single unit and has a cylindrical housing section 4 located in the center. On each of the multiple sides of the retaining member 2, there is a support section 5, each having a relatively small diameter. This provides a side surface 6 on each side of the housing section 4.

[0041] At the end point away from the pedal, the side surface 6 is cut at an angle. As a result, the side surface 6 has an inclined guide surface 7. This guides the cleat gripping members, which descend toward the pedal from above the housing section 5 from a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis A, away from each other and toward the side surface 6.

[0042] Each side surface 6 further has a groove 8, and these grooves 8 are oriented in opposite directions. The grooves 8 are recesses in the side surface 6, thereby allowing a gripping member to be locked into the grooves 8 by shape coupling.

[0043] The groove 8 has an inner side wall 8a on the pedal side, and these side walls 8a are flush with the circumferential surface 5a of the support section 5.

[0044] At the end of the shaft 1 opposite to the threaded 1a side, a retaining end portion 9 is provided, having a larger diameter than the shaft 1 at this end. The retaining end portion 9 is connected to the shaft 1, in particular, by a thread. Alternatively or additionally, the retaining end portion 9 can be connected to the shaft 1 via at least one threaded connection; for example, the retaining end portion 9 and the shaft 1 may have corresponding threads.

[0045] Between the retaining member 2 and the screw 1a, a spacer ring 10 is positioned on the pedal along the rotation axis A. One side of the spacer ring 10 is in contact with the retaining member 2, and the other side is in contact with the wall of the shaft body 1.

[0046] Similarly, a spacer ring 10 is positioned on the pedal between the retaining member 2 and the retaining end portion 9, along the rotation axis A. The width B of the spacer ring 10 defines the precise position of the retaining member 2 on the shaft 1. This position can be changed by replacing or removing the spacer ring 10.

[0047] The embodiment shown in Figure 2 is very similar to the first embodiment. Therefore, only the essential differences will be mentioned here. Components that function similarly are given the same reference numerals.

[0048] The second embodiment shown in Figure 2 has a multi-piece retaining member 2 that is not a single-piece structure. This retaining member 2 has two parts 4a and 4b separated by a spring member 11. The spring member 11 preloads the two parts 4a and 4b parallel to the axis of rotation A and in a direction away from each other. When the cleat is lowered towards the pedal from above the housing section 5 from a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation A, the gripping member of the cleat moves along the guide surface 7, pressing parts 4a and 4b together until the gripping member engages with the groove 8. By being housed in the groove 8, the spring member 11 pushes parts 4a and 4b again in a direction away from each other, fixing the gripping member in place. The pedal may have a set of multiple spring members 11 having different spring forces. This can be achieved, for example, by having spring members 11 having different moduli and / or different compressive moduli.

[0049] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, it is clearly visible that multiple spacer rings 10 with different widths B can be arranged in various ways to fix the position of the retaining member 2. In the illustrated position, two spacer rings 10 of different widths are arranged together on one side of the retaining member 2, and a spacer ring 10 with a very large width B is arranged on the other side. The position can be significantly changed by replacing or omitting individual spacer rings 10.

[0050] Figure 3 schematically shows the cleat gripping members 12, which are particularly advantageous when using the first embodiment of the pedal. These gripping members 12 have hook-shaped end parts 12a that can engage with the groove 8. The gripping members 12 are pivotably supported relative to each other, and in this case, they are preloaded relative to each other by a spring member 13, in this case by a leaf spring, and are preloaded to positions far enough apart from each other to establish a connection by shape coupling between the end parts 12a and the groove 8. In other words, a corresponding interaction with the pedal becomes possible. The cleat is shown as a multi-piece structure, however, it may be constructed as a single piece.

[0051] Figures 4a to 4c illustrate alternative embodiments of the cleat, which are similarly advantageous, particularly when using the first embodiment. The illustrated embodiments are very similar to the first embodiment shown in Figure 3; therefore, only the essential differences will be mentioned here. Components that function similarly are given the same reference numerals.

[0052] As can be seen from the cross-sectional view, the cleat has a U-shaped body 20, similar to the first embodiment. In this regard, the body 20 has a central protrusion 21. Around this protrusion 21, a ring spring 22 is arranged as a spring member 13, and this ring spring 22 has hook-shaped end parts 12a in the regions of the two notches 24 of the body 20, and these end parts 12a protrude into the notches 24. See Figure 4b in particular. When the housing section 4 is inserted into this hollow space created by the protrusion 21, the hook-shaped end parts 12a move elastically away from each other, freeing up space for the housing section 4.

[0053] Figure 4d illustrates an embodiment that is very similar to the second embodiment of the cleat, but is different. This other embodiment also has a ring spring 22, but is configured as a ring with one end open, rather than as a continuous ring.

[0054] Figures 5a and 5b illustrate alternative embodiments of the cleat, particularly advantageous when using the second embodiment of the pedal. The illustrated embodiments are very similar to the first embodiment shown in Figure 3; therefore, only the essential differences will be mentioned here. Components that function similarly are given the same reference numerals.

[0055] The illustrated cleat, like in other embodiments, has two opposing hook-shaped end components 12a. However, the gripping members 12 are not connected via leaf springs, but via rigid connecting beams 26 that do not allow the gripping members 12 to move significantly from one another during use according to the specifications.

[0056] The cleat has, in particular, two mounting surfaces 14. These mounting surfaces are provided for positioning the cleat on the pedal, and in particular for centering. In particular, at least one mounting surface 14 prevents the pedal from moving forward or backward.

[0057] Figures 6a and 6b illustrate a third embodiment of the pedal according to the present invention, which has a tread body 30 rotatable with respect to a shaft 1, and two tread surfaces 31 are arranged on this tread body 30. Along the longitudinal axis L of the pedal, each tread surface 31 extends before and after the housing section 4.

[0058] The tread surface body 30 is positioned on the shaft body 1 along the rotation axis A, both before and after the housing section 4. The tread surface body 30 is configured together with the retaining member 2, and in particular, together with the housing section 4, it forms the retaining member 2.

[0059] The tread surface body 30 is directly connected to the housing section 4 and forms a support section 5 laterally, which is formed as part of the tread surface body 30 and the tread surface 31.

[0060] The tread surface 31 continues along the axis of rotation A to the side surface 6, but is slightly separated from the side surface 6.

[0061] The tread body 30 is opposed to the shaft 1 and is also configured to be rotatable relative to the housing section 4. Therefore, the tread body 30 has treads 31 on two opposing sides, and in this case, depending on the rotation position, one of the treads 31 is always facing the direction of the foot and used for support.

[0062] Figures 7a to 7c illustrate a tread body 30 that can be separated from the shaft 1 under normal operating conditions. This tread body 30 has a tread surface 31 on its upper surface and two gripping members 34 on its lower surface, similar to the case of a cleat. The gripping members 34 may be elastically supported by each other or rigidly connected to each other.

Claims

1. A bicycle pedal comprising a shaft (1) and at least one holding member (2) rotatably supported on the shaft (1), In a bicycle pedal, the retaining member (2) has a housing section (4) with two sides (6) that extend in an annular shape around the rotation axis of the pedal, and the housing section (4) has a groove or projection (8) that extends in the circumferential direction. A bicycle pedal characterized in that the retaining member (2) has a particularly cylindrical support section (5) that continues from the side surface (6), the support section (5) extends from the side of the housing section (4) and has a smaller outer diameter than the housing section (4).

2. The pedal according to claim 1, characterized in that the groove or projection (8) has an inner side wall (8a) that is flush with the cylindrical circumferential surface (5a) of the support section (5).

3. The pedal according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the retaining member (2) is supported on the shaft (1) via at least one sliding bearing (3).

4. The pedal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pedal has at least one spacer ring (10) positioned on the pedal either in front of or behind the retaining member (2) along the rotation axis (A) of the pedal.

5. The pedal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one support section (4) is integrally constructed with the side surface (6) that follows the at least one support section (4).

6. The pedal according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cylindrical housing section (4) is an integral structure.

7. The pedal according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cylindrical housing section (4) has two parts (4a, 4b), each of the parts (4a, 4b) has at least one side (6), and the two parts (4a, 4b) are preloaded together by at least one spring member (11).

8. The pedal according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pedal has at least one tread surface (31) for supporting a foot or shoe, and the tread surface (31) is at least partially positioned in front of and / or behind the housing section (4) along the longitudinal axis (L) of the pedal which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation (A) of the pedal.

9. The pedal according to claim 8, characterized in that the tread surface (31) is arranged on the tread surface body (30), and the tread surface body (30) is connected to the shaft body (1) offset from the housing section (4) in particular along the rotation axis (A) of the pedal.

10. The pedal according to claim 9, characterized in that the support section (5) is at least partially positioned on the tread body (30), and the tread (31) in particular at least partially forms the support section (5).

11. The pedal according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the tread body (30) is removablely connectable to the housing section (4), and the tread body (30) has at least two opposing gripping members (34) for engaging with the groove or the projection (8).

12. A bicycle click device comprising a pedal and a cleat that can be attached to a shoe, In a click device, the cleat is removablely connectable to the pedal, A click device characterized in that the pedal is formed according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The click device according to claim 12, wherein the pedal is formed in accordance with claim 6, and the cleat has at least two opposing gripping members (12) for engaging with the groove or projection (8), and the gripping members (12) are elastically supported by each other.

14. The click device according to claim 12, wherein the pedal is formed in accordance with claim 7, and the cleat has at least two opposing gripping members (12) for engaging with the groove or projection (8), and the gripping members (12) are firmly connected to each other.

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