Bicycle Derailleur System

Abstract

A bicycle derailleur assembly that is mounted concentrically with an axle of a rear wheel assembly. The derailleur is constructed to be mounted to the bicycle such that the derailleur is pivotable about a common axis with the rear wheel and such that the rear wheel can be removed from the bicycle without interfering with the connection of the derailleur to the bicycle. The derailleur system provides a derailleur that is robust and reduces interference of the derailleur with the performance of bicycle maintenance.

1 . A bicycle derailleur assembly comprising:
 a body having a pair of guide members for steering a bicycle chain secured to the body such that each of the pair of guide members can rotate relative to the body; and   a pivot having a first end for engaging the body and a second end for engaging a bicycle frame, the pivot connected to the body and the bicycle frame such that the body is rotatable about an axis generally aligned with a wheel axis and such that a wheel associated with the axis is removable from the bicycle frame independent of the body.   
     
     
         2 . The derailleur system of  claim 1  wherein the bicycle frame further comprises a swing arm and a seat stay that are connected to the bicycle frame and rotatable about the axis of rotation of the body. 
     
     
         3 . The derailleur system of  claim 2  wherein the swing arm and the seat stay rotate relative to one another about the axis of rotation of the body. 
     
     
         4 . The derailleur system of  claim 1  further comprising a passage formed through the body, the passage having a first side constructed to engage the pivot and a second side for engaging a nut constructed to engage the pivot. 
     
     
         5 . The derailleur system of  claim 1  wherein the body comprising a first side wall and a second sidewall positioned on generally opposite sides of the pair of guide members. 
     
     
         6 . The derailleur system of  claim 5  further comprising a pair of pivots, each pivot extending between each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall and passing through a respective guide member. 
     
     
         7 . The derailleur system of  claim 6  wherein each guide member further comprises a number of teeth formed about a perimeter of the guide member and constructed to cooperate with the bicycle chain, at least one guide member constructed to move laterally relative to a gear set. 
     
     
         8 . A bicycle derailleur assembly comprising:
 a first link having a first end and a second end;   a first guide member that engages a flexible drive of a bicycle rotationally connected near a first end of the first link;   second link having a first end attached to the first link near the second end of the first link by a pivotable connection;   a second guide member that engages the flexible drive and rotationally connected at the pivotable connection between first link and the second link; and   a pivotable connection at a second end of the second link for pivotably connecting the second link to a bicycle so that the bicycle derailleur assembly can rotate about an axis that is aligned with an axis of rotation of a rear wheel.   
     
     
         9 . The bicycle derailleur assembly of  claim 8  further comprising a pivot pin that cooperates with an opening formed in the second end of the second link and is securable to one of a seat stay or a chain stay of a bicycle. 
     
     
         10 . The bicycle derailleur assembly of  claim 9  further comprising a cap that cooperates with the pivot pin to capture the second link between the one of the seat stay and the chain stay so that the second link can pivot about the pivot pin. 
     
     
         11 . The bicycle derailleur assembly of  claim 10  further comprising a rib extending from a side of the second link opposite the cap and about the opening. 
     
     
         12 . The bicycle derailleur assembly of  claim 11  wherein the second link is rotatable relative to the seat stay and the chain stay and the seat stay and the chain stay are rotatable relative to one another. 
     
     
         13 . The bicycle derailleur assembly of  claim 8  wherein the first link and the second link each include a pair of arms that flank the flexible drive. 
     
     
         14 . The bicycle derailleur assembly of  claim 13  wherein the first guide member and the second guide member are each disposed between the pair of arm of the first link and the second link. 
     
     
         15 . A method of controlling a bicycle chain tension and position relative to a rear gear cluster, the method comprising:
 passing the bicycle chain in a serpentine manner about a lower guide member and an upper guide member;   securing the lower guide member and the upper guide member to a first link so that the lower guide member and the upper guide member can rotate relative to the first link and to offset the lower guide member from the upper guide member;   pivotably securing the first link to a second link; and   pivotably securing the second link to a pivot that is coaxial with an axis of rotation of a rear gear cluster.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising securing the upper guide member to a pivot pin that connects the first link and the second link. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising forming each of the first link and the second link with a pair of laterally spaced arms that flank each of the first guide member and the second guide member. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising engaging a cap with the pivot to prevent lateral movement of the second link along the pivot. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising extending a rib of the second link into a groove formed in an outboard side of one of a seat stay and a chain stay. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising securing the pivot to the one of the seat stay and the chain stay independent of the rear gear cluster.