The integrated control device for driving the control cable of the derailleur and the brake cable of a bicycle is provided. The device having a support body connectable to the handlebar and that can be gripped by the cyclist's hand, a cable-winding bush about which the control cable of the derailleur is wound/unwound and a first lever rotatable with respect to the support body about a first axis for actuating the brake cable and rotatable about a second axis to drive the cable-winding bush into rotation in a first direction of rotation. An indexing mechanism connected to the first lever cooperates with the cable-winding bush to define predetermined angular positions therefor. The support body having a recess for the passage of the control cable of the derailleur.

The integrated control device for driving the control cable of the derailleur and the brake cable of a bicycle is provided. The device having a support body connectable to the handlebar and that can be gripped by the cyclist's hand, a cable-winding bush about which the control cable of the derailleur is wound/unwound and a first lever rotatable with respect to the support body about a first axis for actuating the brake cable and rotatable about a second axis to drive the cable-winding bush into rotation in a first direction of rotation. An indexing mechanism connected to the first lever cooperates with the cable-winding bush to define predetermined angular positions therefor. The support body having a recess for the passage of the control cable of the derailleur.

A shift operating device for a bicycle comprises a mounting member structured to be mounted to the bicycle, a cable coupling member coupled to the mounting member for moving a cable in a cable pulling direction and a cable releasing direction, a positioning unit that selectively maintains the cable coupling member in a plurality of operating positions, a first operating member that moves in a first direction and in a second direction different from the first direction, and a transmission unit that transmits movement of the first operating member to the positioning unit such that the cable coupling member moves from an origin operating position toward a destination operating position when the first operating member moves in either of both the first direction and the second direction.

A shift operating device for a bicycle comprises a mounting member structured to be mounted to the bicycle, a cable coupling member coupled to the mounting member for moving a cable in a cable pulling direction and a cable releasing direction, a positioning unit that selectively maintains the cable coupling member in a plurality of operating positions, a first operating member that moves in a first direction and in a second direction different from the first direction, and a transmission unit that transmits movement of the first operating member to the positioning unit such that the cable coupling member moves from an origin operating position toward a destination operating position when the first operating member moves in either of both the first direction and the second direction.

[Object] To provide a hybrid actuator attaining both driving force and responsiveness, capable of reducing inertia of a movable portion.

[Solution] A pneumatic air muscle has a cylinder (112) provided in a flexible member (100) forming a pneumatic artificial muscle. At the center of an upper lid element (109) of the cylinder, a through hole is opened, and an inner wire (103) of a Bowden cable passes through this through hole and is coupled by means of a spring (106) to a bottom portion of the cylinder. When the pneumatic artificial muscle contracts, the inner wire (103) and the pneumatic air muscle move together because of the stopper (105), and the contraction force is transmitted. In contrast, when the pneumatic air muscle extends, the stopper (105) is disengaged, while the tension of inner wire (103) is kept by the spring (106) to prevent slacking.

[Object] To provide a hybrid actuator attaining both driving force and responsiveness, capable of reducing inertia of a movable portion.

[Solution] A pneumatic air muscle has a cylinder (112) provided in a flexible member (100) forming a pneumatic artificial muscle. At the center of an upper lid element (109) of the cylinder, a through hole is opened, and an inner wire (103) of a Bowden cable passes through this through hole and is coupled by means of a spring (106) to a bottom portion of the cylinder. When the pneumatic artificial muscle contracts, the inner wire (103) and the pneumatic air muscle move together because of the stopper (105), and the contraction force is transmitted. In contrast, when the pneumatic air muscle extends, the stopper (105) is disengaged, while the tension of inner wire (103) is kept by the spring (106) to prevent slacking.

A system may include a seat assembly. The seat assembly may include a seat base, a seat portion mounted to the seat base, and an armrest assembly configured to be in an up position or a down position. The armrest assembly may include a handle operable by a user to lock or unlock at least one functionality of at least one adjustable seat assembly feature. Operation of the handle may be configured at least to: unlock the at least one functionality of at least one adjustable seat assembly feature while locking the armrest assembly from moving between the up position and the down position.

A system may include a seat assembly. The seat assembly may include a seat base, a seat portion mounted to the seat base, and an armrest assembly configured to be in an up position or a down position. The armrest assembly may include a handle operable by a user to lock or unlock at least one functionality of at least one adjustable seat assembly feature. Operation of the handle may be configured at least to: unlock the at least one functionality of at least one adjustable seat assembly feature while locking the armrest assembly from moving between the up position and the down position.

The invention provides an actuating device for actuating a cable. The actuating device comprises a housing defining an interior and a motor assembly including a shaft. The actuating device also comprises at least two planetary gears and a flex gear having an inner surface and an outer surface with the inner surface partially engaged with the planetary gears. The actuating device additionally comprises an output member having a drive portion and a mounting interface with the drive portion engaged with a section such that the output member is rotatable relative to the housing when the shaft rotates. The actuating device additionally comprises a connector coupled to the mounting interface for securing the cable to the mounting interface. The connector moves relative to the housing and in unison with the output member during the rotation of the output member for activating the cable during operation of the actuating device.

The invention provides an actuating device for actuating a cable. The actuating device comprises a housing defining an interior and a motor assembly including a shaft. The actuating device also comprises at least two planetary gears and a flex gear having an inner surface and an outer surface with the inner surface partially engaged with the planetary gears. The actuating device additionally comprises an output member having a drive portion and a mounting interface with the drive portion engaged with a section such that the output member is rotatable relative to the housing when the shaft rotates. The actuating device additionally comprises a connector coupled to the mounting interface for securing the cable to the mounting interface. The connector moves relative to the housing and in unison with the output member during the rotation of the output member for activating the cable during operation of the actuating device.