Assembly to be attached to an attachment portion

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly (100) to be attached to an attachment portion, for example of a vehicle, in particular a cycle vehicle, for example an electrically assisted bicycle, the attachment part being, for example, a bicycle handlebar tube, this assembly to be attached comprising: - an item of equipment (1) such as a control device configured to control functions of an electric bicycle, the item of equipment (1) comprising a body (2) provided with an insertion cavity formed by a wall, in particular having a cylindrical shape; - a collar part (50) comprising: • a fastening section (51) configured to be clamped around the attachment portion, so as to enable the collar part (50) to be fastened to the attachment portion; • an insertion section, in particular having a cylindrical shape, configured to be inserted into the insertion cavity in the body (2) of the item of equipment (1); • a clamping section (54) configured to have flexibility so as to allow this clamping section (54) to be brought closer to the insertion section so as to enclose the wall (5) that forms the insertion cavity.

Description

Assembly to be fixed to a mounting part

[0001] The present invention relates in particular to an assembly to be fixed on a fixing part, for example of a vehicle, in particular a cycle vehicle.

[0002] It is desirable to have good ergonomics for the use of a control device (sometimes called a remote control) when it is mounted on a bicycle handlebar, for example.

[0003] The invention aims in particular to facilitate and improve settings on this type of application.

[0004] The invention thus relates to an assembly to be fixed to a mounting part, for example of a vehicle, in particular a cycle vehicle, for example an electric bicycle, the mounting part being for example a bicycle handlebar tube, this assembly to be fixed comprising: equipment such as a control device configured to control functions of an electric bicycle, the equipment comprising a body having an insertion cavity formed by a wall, in particular cylindrical in shape, a collar piece comprising: a hooking portion configured to be able to be tightened around the mounting part allowing the collar piece to be hooked onto the mounting part, an insertion portion, in particular cylindrical in shape, configured to be inserted into the insertion cavity of the body of the equipment,a clamping portion configured to exhibit flexibility, allowing this clamping portion to move closer to the insertion portion so as to clamp the wall that forms the insertion cavity.

[0005] The invention allows for the attachment (or locking) of the assembly (equipment and collar) to a mounting element, which is in particular a tube, preferably a cylindrical tube. This tube might be, for example, part of a bicycle handlebar. However, other applications are, of course, possible; for example, the mounting element could be a support rod for equipment according to the invention, which includes a camera.

[0006] Thanks to the invention, when the collar is tightened onto the mounting part, the clamping and insertion portions of the collar can grip the wall that forms the insertion cavity on the equipment body. The clamping and insertion portions of the collar come into full contact on a portion of the wall sandwiched between them. This is particularly advantageous because it prevents breakage of the assembly (equipment and collar) if the collar is overtightened. Advantageously, the clamping is thus achieved cylinder-on-cylinder.

[0007] In other words, the flexible clamping portion of the collar allows for a secure, break-free clamping action, both on a handlebar tube, for example, and on the body of the equipment.

[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, the collar piece has a notch substantially at the junction between the hook portion and the clamping portion.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, the recess, for example of substantially L-shaped profile (with rounded corner), is made on an inner perimeter of the collar piece, in particular in the extension of an arc of the inner perimeter.

[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, the notch is configured to allow the collar piece to continue to be deformed while the collar piece is already tightened around the fixing part, in particular a handlebar tube.

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, the arc of the inner perimeter of the collar piece is configured to surround the fixing part, in particular a handlebar tube, over an angular opening of between 250° and 320° for example.

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, the assembly to be fixed comprises a fixing element, in particular a screw, configured to clamp the clamping portion against the insertion portion of the collar piece.

[0013] For example, by screwing the screw, the clamping portion is brought closer to the insertion portion of the collar piece so as to clamp the wall that forms the insertion cavity on the body of the equipment.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the clamping portion of the collar piece includes an opening for the passage of the fastening element, in particular a screw.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the opening is bordered by a support edge against which a head of the fastening element, in particular a screw head, can be placed to rest.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the support edge, in particular inscribed in a geometric plane, has an inclination, in particular with respect to a plane perpendicular to an axis of the opening, so that, when the fixing member is introduced into the opening, a head of the fixing member has an angle of attack with this support edge.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the angle of attack is non-zero, for example being between 1° and 3°, for example being about 2°.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the insertion portion of the collar piece has a hole, through or blind, configured for the passage of a rod of the fastening member, in particular a threaded rod of the screw.

[0019] Thus the fastening element which is introduced through the opening on the clamping part passes through the hole in the insertion portion and the fastening element allows, for example by screwing, to force the clamping portion towards the insertion portion.

[0020] In one embodiment of the invention, the hole in the insertion portion is smooth, i.e., without threads. In this case, a nut is provided, notably in a recess in the insertion portion, to cooperate with the shank of the screw to allow the screw to be tightened between the clamping portion and the insertion portion of the collar piece.

[0021] Alternatively, the hole in the insertion portion is tapped so that the threaded shank of the screw can be screwed directly into this tapped hole. In this case, an additional nut is not required.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, the equipment body has a slot configured to allow the fastening element to pass through. After assembly, the fastening element then extends between the clamping portion and the insertion portion of the collar piece, passing through the slot in the equipment body.

[0023] It is understood that the fastening element, for example a screw, thus passes through the clamping portion, the light on the body of the equipment and the insertion portion.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the light for the passage of the fastening member is formed on the wall of the insertion cavity of the equipment body.

[0025] Advantageously, the light is configured to allow at least one degree of freedom between the collar piece and the body of the equipment.

[0026] In particular, the light can be large enough so that the fastening element, especially a screw, can be placed through the light in different positions.

[0027] In particular, the rod of the fixing element can be configured to have at least one degree of freedom within this light, along at least one axis only or along two different axes when two degrees of freedom are desired.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the light has an enlargement in one direction which allows a degree of freedom in translation along a tube of the fixing part.

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, the light may have an enlargement in a direction which allows a degree of rotational freedom of the equipment relative to the collar piece.

[0030] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the light is configured to allow both a rotational degree of freedom and a translational degree of freedom.

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, the light has a perimeter, for example substantially rectangular or substantially square, in particular with rounded corners, formed on the wall of the insertion cavity, a wall which is substantially cylindrical.

[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, the rod of the fastening member is configured so that it can be moved within this light to allow the desired orientation to be chosen before tightening.

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, the wall of the body of the equipment which is to be clamped between the clamping portion and the insertion portion of the collar piece has a cylindrical shape.

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, the clamping portion of the collar piece includes a bearing face configured to bear against the wall of the insertion cavity of the equipment body.

[0035] In one embodiment of the invention, the wall of the insertion cavity of the equipment body and the bearing face of the clamping portion of the collar piece have, before clamping, a relative inclination such that this bearing face has a leading edge against the cylindrical wall of the equipment body.

[0036] In one embodiment of the invention, the wall of the insertion cavity of the equipment body is cylindrical and the bearing face of the clamping portion of the collar piece has, before clamping, an inclination with respect to the cylindrical wall such that this bearing face has a leading edge against the cylindrical wall of the equipment body.

[0037] Alternatively, the bearing face of the clamping portion of the collar part is cylindrical, and the wall of the insertion cavity of the equipment body has, before clamping, an inclination relative to the cylindrical bearing face such that this bearing face has a leading edge against the wall of the equipment body. A leading edge with an angle of attack is thus defined before clamping.

[0038] According to one aspect of the invention, the head of the fastening member has an angle of attack with the bearing edge on the clamping portion of the collar piece, and this angle of attack is equal to the angle of attack between the wall of the insertion cavity of the equipment body and the bearing face of the clamping portion of the collar piece.

[0039] When the screw is tightened, the clamping portion of the collar piece will become angled. By becoming angled, the clamping portion of the collar piece will reduce the diameter of the attachment portion around the tube.

[0040] The invention allows the equipment to be adjusted on the mounting part, for example a bicycle handlebar tube, along one or more axes. For example, the equipment can be adjusted along three degrees of freedom.

[0041] The invention allows in particular for three adjustment freedoms, notably with a single screw and a single clamping point.

[0042] For example, the invention can allow the management of altitude, angle of rotation (for example around the handlebar tube) and positioning (in translation) for example relative to the handlebar tube.

[0043] According to one aspect of the invention, the screw is positioned so that a tool can be passed through to screw / unscrew it, without being hindered, for example, by the brake handle.

[0044] According to one aspect of the invention, the collar piece and / or the body of the equipment are made by molding, in particular from a plastic material. Alternatively, the collar piece and / or the body of the equipment are made of aluminum.

[0045] According to one aspect of the invention, the control device comprises a plurality of control buttons.

[0046] Preferably, the assembly is configured to allow locking with a single screw, with three degrees of freedom allowing three different positioning settings.

[0047] The invention further relates to a collar piece of an assembly such as the above, the collar piece comprising: a hooking portion configured to be able to be tightened around the fixing part allowing the collar piece to be hooked onto the fixing part, an insertion portion, in particular cylindrical in shape, configured to be inserted into the insertion cavity of the body of the equipment, a clamping portion configured to have flexibility to allow this clamping portion to approach the insertion portion so as to clamp the wall which forms the insertion cavity.

[0048] The invention also relates to equipment of an assembly such as the aforementioned, the equipment comprising a body provided with an insertion cavity formed by a wall, in particular of cylindrical shape.

[0049] The invention also relates to a method for mounting an assembly such as the one mentioned above, on a fixing part.

[0050] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description on the one hand, and an example of an embodiment given by way of illustration and not limitation with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0051] Laest is a perspective representation of an assembly to be fixed according to an example of the invention;

[0052] This is a view of the whole, from a different perspective;

[0053] This is a perspective representation of the necklace piece from the set illustrated in figures 1 and 2.

[0054] This is a perspective representation of the equipment shown in figures 1 and 2.

[0055] This is a cross-sectional representation of the assembly illustrated in figures 1 and 2.

[0056] This is a cross-sectional representation of the assembly illustrated in figures 1 and 2, before tightening.

[0057] This is a cross-sectional representation of the assembly illustrated in figures 1 and 2, after tightening.

[0058] The features, variations, and different embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variations of the invention may include only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from prior art.

[0059] Figures 1 and 2 show an assembly 100 to be fixed to a part of the fixing of a cycle vehicle, here an electric assisted bicycle, the part of the fixing being a cylindrical tube 101 of a bicycle handlebar.

[0060] The assembly 100 to be fixed comprises: a piece of equipment 1, here a control device, configured to control functions of the electric bicycle, the piece of equipment 1 comprising a body 2 having an insertion cavity 4 formed by a cylindrical wall 5, a collar piece 50 comprising: a hooking portion 51 configured to be able to be tightened around the handlebar tube 101, allowing the collar piece 50 to be hooked onto the handlebar tube 101, an insertion portion 52, of generally cylindrical shape, configured to be inserted into the insertion cavity 4 of the body 2 of the piece of equipment 1, a clamping portion 54 configured to have flexibility to allow this clamping portion 54 to approach the insertion portion 52 so as to clamp the wall 5 which forms the insertion cavity 4.

[0061] The control device 1 comprises a plurality of control buttons 103, and a control lever 104.

[0062] Equipment 1 may also include a touch screen.

[0063] The attachment portion 51 defines a collar around the handlebar tube 101.

[0064] Tube 101 belongs, for example, to a bicycle handlebar. However, other applications are, of course, possible; for example, the fixing part could be a support rod for equipment 1 according to the invention, which includes a camera.

[0065] Thanks to the invention, when the clamp 50 is tightened onto the handlebar tube 101, the clamping portion 54 and the insertion portion 52 of the clamp 50 can grip the wall 5 that forms the insertion cavity 4 on the body 2 of the equipment 1. The clamping portion 54 and the insertion portion 52 of the clamp 50 come into full contact on a part of the wall 5 that is sandwiched between the clamping portion 54 and the insertion portion 52. This is particularly advantageous because it prevents breakage of the assembly 100 (equipment 1 and clamp 50) if the clamp 50 is overtightened. Advantageously, the clamping is thus achieved cylinder-on-cylinder, as will be explained below.

[0066] In other words, the clamping portion 54 of the collar part 50, which has a flexibility, allows a solid clamping, without risk of breakage, which is done both on the tube 101, and on the body 2 of the equipment 1.

[0067] The collar piece 50 has a notch 55 substantially at the junction between the hook portion 51 and the clamping portion 54, as can be clearly seen in figures 3 and 5.

[0068] The recess 55, with a profile roughly in L (with the rounded corner), is made on an inner perimeter of the collar piece 50, in the extension of an arc of the inner perimeter (which forms the collar).

[0069] The 55 offset is configured to allow the collar piece 50 to continue to be deformed while the collar piece 50 is already tightened around the handlebar tube 101.

[0070] The arc of the inner perimeter of the collar part 50 is configured to surround the tube 101, on an angular opening between 250° and 320° for example.

[0071] The assembly 100 to be fixed includes a fixing element 80, here a screw, configured to clamp the clamping portion 54 against the insertion portion 52 of the collar piece 50.

[0072] By tightening the screw 80, the clamping portion 54 is brought closer to the insertion portion 52 of the collar piece 50 so as to clamp the wall 5 which forms the insertion cavity 4 on the body 2 of the equipment 1.

[0073] The clamping portion 54 of the collar part 50 has an opening 56 for the passage of the fixing element 80 (the screw).

[0074] As can be seen for example in figures 6 and 7, the opening 56 is bordered by a support edge 57 against which a head 81 of the fixing member 80, here a screw head, can be placed in support.

[0075] The support edge 57, inscribed in a geometric plane, has an inclination with respect to a plane perpendicular to an axis of the opening 56, so that, when the fixing member 80 is introduced into the opening 56, the head 81 of the fixing member 80 has an angle of attack ANG1 with this support edge 57 (see).

[0076] The angle of attack is non-zero, for example between 1° and 3°, for example being approximately 2°.

[0077] The insertion portion 52 of the collar piece 50 has a through hole 61 configured for the passage of a rod 82 of the fixing member 80, here a threaded rod 82 of the screw (see figures 5, 6 and 7).

[0078] Thus the fixing member 80 which is introduced through the opening 56 on the clamping portion 54 passes through the hole 61 of the insertion portion 52 and the fixing member 80 allows, for example by screwing, to force the approach of the clamping portion 54 towards the insertion portion 52.

[0079] In the described embodiment of the invention, the hole 61 in the insertion portion 52 is smooth, i.e., without a thread. In this case, a nut 85 is provided in a recess 58 in the insertion portion 52 to cooperate with the shank 82 of the screw, allowing the screw to be tightened between the clamping portion 54 and the insertion portion 52 of the collar piece 50.

[0080] Alternatively (not shown), the hole 61 in the insertion portion 52 is tapped so that the threaded shank 82 of the screw can be screwed directly into this tapped hole 61. In this case, an additional nut is not required.

[0081] The body 2 of the equipment 1 has a light 10 configured to allow the passage of the fastening member 80. After assembly, the fastening member 80 then extends between the clamping portion 54 and the insertion portion 52 of the collar part 50, passing through the light 10 of the body 2 of the equipment 1.

[0082] It is understood that the fastening element 80 (the screw) thus passes through the clamping portion 54, the light 10 on the body 2 of the equipment 1 and the insertion portion 52.

[0083] The light 10 for the passage of the fixing organ 80 is formed on the wall 5 of the insertion cavity 4 of the insertion body 2 of the equipment 1.

[0084] Light 10 is configured to allow at least one degree of freedom between collar part 50 and body 2 of equipment 1.

[0085] In particular, the slot 10 can be large enough (relative to the diameter of the screw shank) so that the screw 80 can be placed through the slot 10 in different positions.

[0086] In particular, the rod 82 of the fixing member 80 may be allowed to have at least one degree of freedom within this light 10, along at least one axis only or along two different axes (for example two orthogonal axes) when two degrees of freedom are desired.

[0087] In the example described, the light 10 is configured to allow both one degree of rotational freedom and one degree of translational freedom.

[0088] The light 10 has a substantially rectangular or substantially square perimeter 11, with rounded corners, formed on the wall 5 of the insertion cavity 4, wall 5 which is substantially cylindrical.

[0089] The rod 82 of the fixing member 80 is configured so that it can be moved within this light 10 to allow the desired orientation to be chosen before tightening.

[0090] The wall 5 of the body 2 of the equipment 1 which is to be clamped between the clamping portion 54 and the insertion portion 52 of the collar part 50 has a cylindrical shape.

[0091] The clamping portion 54 of the collar part 50 includes a bearing face 63 configured to bear against the wall 5 of the insertion cavity 4 of the body 2 of the equipment 1.

[0092] In one embodiment of the invention, the wall 5 of the insertion cavity 4 of the body 2 of the equipment 1 and the bearing face 63 of the clamping portion 54 of the collar part 50 has, before clamping, a relative inclination, defining an angle of attack ANG2, so that this bearing face 63 has an attack edge against the cylindrical wall 5 of the body 2 of the equipment 1.

[0093] In one embodiment of the invention, the wall 5 of the insertion cavity 4 of the body 2 of the equipment 1 is cylindrical and the bearing face 63 of the clamping portion 54 of the collar part 50 has, before clamping, an inclination with respect to the cylindrical wall 5 such that this bearing face 63 has a leading edge against the cylindrical wall 5 of the body 2 of the equipment 1. A leading edge with an angle of attack ANG2 is thus defined before clamping.

[0094] In an alternative (not shown), the bearing face 63 of the clamping portion 54 of the collar part 50 is cylindrical and the wall 5 of the insertion cavity 4 of the body 2 of the equipment 1 has, before clamping, an inclination with respect to the cylindrical bearing face 63 so that this bearing face 63 has a leading edge against the wall 5 of the body 2 of the equipment 1.

[0095] The head 81 of the fastening member 80 has the angle of attack ANG1 with the bearing edge 57 on the clamping portion 54 of the collar part 50, and this angle of attack ANG1 is equal to the angle of attack ANG2 between the wall 5 of the insertion cavity 4 of the body 2 of the equipment 1 and the bearing face 63 of the clamping portion 54 of the collar part 50.

[0096] When the screw 80 is tightened, the clamping portion 54 of the collar piece 50 will become transverse. By becoming transverse, the clamping portion 54 of the collar piece 50 will reduce the diameter of the attachment portion 51 around the tube.

[0097] The invention allows adjustment of the equipment 1 on the bicycle handlebar tube, along one or more axes. The equipment 1 can be adjusted along three degrees of freedom.

[0098] The invention allows in particular for three adjustment freedoms, notably with a single screw and a single clamping point.

[0099] The assembly 100 can allow the management of altitude (in particular along a vertical axis), the angle of rotation (around the handlebar tube 101) and of positioning (in translation) relative to the handlebar tube 101.

[0100] Screw 80 is positioned so that a tool can be passed through to screw / unscrew it, without being obstructed, for example, by the brake handle.

[0101] The collar part 50 and / or the body 2 of the equipment 1 are made by molding, in particular from a plastic material. Alternatively, the collar part 50 and / or the body 2 of the equipment 1 are made of aluminum.

[0102] The invention thus makes it possible to lock with a single screw, three degrees of freedom allowing three different positioning settings.

Claims

Assembly (100) to be fixed to a mounting part (101), for example of a vehicle, in particular a cycle vehicle, for example an electric bicycle, the mounting part (101) being for example a bicycle handlebar tube, this assembly to be fixed comprising: equipment (1) such as a control device configured to control functions of an electric bicycle, the equipment (1) comprising a body (2) having an insertion cavity (4) formed by a wall (5), in particular cylindrical in shape, a collar piece (50) comprising: a hooking portion (51) configured to be able to be tightened around the mounting part (101) allowing the collar piece (50) to be hooked onto the mounting part (101), an insertion portion (52), in particular cylindrical in shape, configured to be inserted into the insertion cavity (4) of the body (2) of the equipment (1),a clamping portion (54) configured to exhibit flexibility to allow this clamping portion (54) to approach the insertion portion (52) so as to clamp the wall (5) which forms the insertion cavity (4). Assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the collar piece (50) has a notch (55) substantially at the junction between the hook portion (51) and the clamping portion (54), the notch (55) being made on an inner perimeter of the collar piece (50), in particular in the extension of an arc of the inner perimeter. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly to be fixed comprises a fastening member (80), in particular a screw, configured to clamp the clamping portion (54) against the insertion portion (52) of the collar piece (50), and the clamping portion (54) of the collar piece (50) has an opening (56) for the passage of the fastening member (80), in particular a screw, the opening (56) being bordered by a support edge (57) against which a head (81) of the fastening member (80), in particular a screw head, can be placed against. Assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the support edge (57), in particular inscribed in a geometric plane, has an inclination, in particular with respect to a plane perpendicular to an axis of the opening (56), such that, when the fastening member (80) is introduced into the opening (56), a head (81) of the fastening member (80) has an angle of attack with this support edge (57), for example the angle of attack is non-zero, being for example between 1° and 3°, being for example about 2°. Assembly according to any one of claims 3 and 4, wherein the insertion portion (52) of the collar piece (50) has a hole (61), through or blind, configured for the passage of a rod of the fastening member (80), in particular a threaded rod of the screw. Assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the body (2) of the equipment (1) has a light (10) configured to allow passage of the fastening member (80). Assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the light (10) is configured to permit at least one degree of freedom between the collar piece (50) and the body (2) of the equipment (1), in particular the light (10) is sufficiently large so that the fastening member (80), in particular a screw, can be placed through the light (10) in different positions. Assembly according to the preceding claim when it depends on claim 5, wherein the rod of the fastening member (80) is configured to have at least one degree of freedom within this light (10), along at least one axis only or along two different axes when two degrees of freedom are desired, and preferably the assembly is configured to allow locking with a single screw, three degrees of freedom allowing three different positioning settings. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping portion (54) of the collar part (50) comprises a bearing face (63) configured to bear against the wall (5) of the insertion cavity (4) of the body (2) of the equipment (1), and the wall (5) of the insertion cavity (4) of the body (2) of the equipment (1) and the bearing face (63) of the clamping portion (54) of the collar part (50) have, before clamping, a relative inclination such that this bearing face (63) has a leading edge against the cylindrical wall (5) of the body (2) of the equipment (1). Collar piece (50) of an assembly according to one of the preceding claims. Equipment (1) of an assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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