Apparatus for the control of brakes in bicycles and the like

Abstract

An apparatus for the control of brakes in bicycles and the like, to be used, in particular, for disc brakes mounted on bicycles and including a pump able to push fluid into a hydraulic circuit connected to the brake, characterized in that the pump is held inside the handlebar or a part associated therewith.

1 . A brake arrangement for a bicycle, the arrangement comprising: 
 a bicycle frame including a steering sleeve;    a brake mounted on said bicycle frame and applying friction to a wheel of the bicycle;    an hydraulic circuit having one end connected to said brake;    a steering stem rotatably mounted in said steering sleeve;    a handlebar connected to said steering stem;    a pump arranged inside said handlebar and connected to another end of said hydraulic circuit for forcing fluid through said hydraulic circuit, into said brake, and applying friction to the wheel;    a brake lever device mounted on said handlebar and spaced from said pump, said brake lever device being operatively connected to said pump;    a cable connecting said brake lever device to said pump, said cable transferring motion of said brake lever device to said pump to force the fluid through said hydraulic circuit.    
   
   
       2 . An arrangement in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein an integral portion of said handlebar defines a connection of said handle bar to said steering stem.  
   
   
       3 . An arrangement in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said pump includes a piston;    a sheath surrounds said cable, said cable is fixed to a body of said handlebar or to an integral portion associated with said handlebar, and said piston is pushed by said sheath.    
   
   
       4 . A brake arrangement for a bicycle, the arrangement comprising: 
 a bicycle frame including a steering sleeve;    a brake mounted on said bicycle frame and applying friction to a wheel of the bicycle;    an hydraulic circuit having one end connected to said brake;    a steering stem rotatably mounted in said steering sleeve;    a handlebar connected to said steering stem, said handlebar being of a sprint race-type with two curved arms;    a pump arranged inside said handlebar and connected to another end of said hydraulic circuit for forcing fluid through said hydraulic circuit, into said brake, and applying friction to t wheel;    a brake lever device mounted on an outside of said handlebar, said brake lever device being operatively connected to said pump.    
   
   
       5 . An arrangement in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein: 
 said pump is arranged inside a curved section of said handlebar;    said brake lever is mounted on an outside of said curved section of said handlebar.    
   
   
       6 . An arrangement in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein: 
 said curved section of said handlebar curves substantially 180°.    
   
   
       7 . An arrangement in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein: 
 said handlebar has a substantially circular cross-section with a substantially circular outside surface.    
   
   
       8 . An arrangement in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein said handlebar is of sprint race-type with two curved arms, and wherein said pump is inside one of said two arms of said handlebar.  
   
   
       9 . An arrangement in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein: 
 said handlebar has a substantially circular cross-section with a substantially circular outside surface.    
   
   
       10 . An arrangement in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein said handlebar is of sprint race-type with two said curved sections each forming arms, and wherein said pump is inside one of said two arms of said handlebar.  
   
   
       11 . An arrangement in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein said pump comprises a piston connected to said brake lever through an appendix of said brake lever.  
   
   
       12 . An arrangement in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein said pump comprises a piston connected to said brake lever through a connecting rod.  
   
   
       13 . An arrangement in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein: 
 said handlebar is a single monolithic unit.