Dropout assembly

Abstract

A dropout member for bicycle frames is designed to cause an easily replaceable part to separate under stresses which would normally be sufficient to cause bending or other damage to the bicycle frame itself. A relatively lightweight piece of material is bolted, riveted, adhesively bonded or otherwise fastened to the main portion of the dropout such that a torque or bending moment placed upon the derailleur plate serves to fracture or bend the derailleur plate or disengage the attaching mechanism.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A dropout assembly for mounting a rear axle and a derailleur assembly on a bicycle frame, said dropout assembly comprising: a main plate attached to the chainstay tube and the seatstay tube of said frame, said main plate having means therein to mount said rear axle;   a derailleur plate for attachment to said derailleur; and   means attaching said derailleur plate to said main plate, said attachment means having strength sufficient to maintain attachment during normal use but designed to fail when subjected to stresses just short of those which would damage said main plate and said frame.   
     
     
       2. The dropout assembly of claim 1 wherein said attachment means comprises at least one bolt. 
     
     
       3. The dropout assembly of claim 1 wherein said attachment means comprises chemical bonding. 
     
     
       4. The dropout assembly of claim 1 wherein said attachment means comprises at least one rivet. 
     
     
       5. The dropout assembly of claim 1 wherein said main plate has an attachment area where said derailleur plate is attached, said attachment area being thinner than the remainder of said main plate. 
     
     
       6. The dropout of claim 5 wherein said derailleur plate comprises an attachment portion which is thinner than the rest of said derailleur plate. 
     
     
       7. The dropout assembly of claim 6 wherein said attachment area extends downwardly beyond said main plate towards said rest of said derailleur plate. 
     
     
       8. The dropout assembly of claim 7 wherein said rest of said derailleur plate comprises means for mounting said derailleur. 
     
     
       9. The dropout assembly of claim 1 wherein said main plate is aluminum. 
     
     
       10. The dropout assembly of claim 9 wherein said derailleur plate is stainless steel. .Iadd. 
     
     
       11.  A dropout assembly for mounting a rear axle and a derailleur assembly on a bicycle frame, said dropout assembly comprising: a main plate attached to the chainstay tube and the seatstay tube of said frame, said main plate having means therein to mount said rear axle;   a derailleur plate for attachment to said derailleur assembly; and   means attaching said derailleur plate to said main plate, said derailleur plate having strength sufficient for normal use but designed to at least bend when subjected to stress just short of those which would damage said main plate and said frame. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       12.  The dropout assembly of claim 11 wherein said attachment means comprises at least one bolt. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13. The dropout assembly of claim 11 wherein said attachment means comprises chemical bonding. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. The dropout assembly of claim 11 wherein said attachment means comprises at least one rivet. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15. The dropout assembly of claim 11 wherein said main plate has an attachment area where said derailleur plate is attached and a main area, said attachment area being thinner than said main area of said main plate. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16. The dropout assembly of claim 15 wherein said derailleur plate comprises an attachment portion and a derailleur area, said attachment portion being thinner than said derailleur area of said derailleur plate. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17. The dropout assembly of claim 16 wherein said attachment area extends downwardly beyond said main plate towards said derailleur area of said derailleur plate. .Iaddend. .Iadd.18. The dropout assembly of claim 17 wherein said derailleur area of said derailleur plate comprises means for mounting said derailleur. .Iaddend. .Iadd.19. The dropout assembly of claim 11 wherein said main plate is aluminum. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20. The dropout assembly of claim 19 wherein said derailleur plate is stainless steel. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21. A dropout assembly for mounting a rear axle and a derailleur assembly on a bicycle frame, said dropout assembly comprising: a main plate attached to the chainstay tube and the seatstay tube of said frame, said main plate having means therein to mount said rear axle;   a derailleur plate for attachment to said derailleur assembly; and;   means attaching said derailleur plate to said main plate, said derailleur plate having strength sufficient for normal use but designed to fracture when subjected to stresses just short of those which would damage said main plate. .Iaddend.