RESTRICTION UNIT FOR ADJUSTMENT OF SEAT POST

Abstract

A seat post adjustment device includes an outer tube and an inner tube which has the first end thereof inserted into the outer tube, and a seat is connected to the second end of the inner tube. An adjustment unit is connected to the inner tube, the adjustment unit and the inner tube are linearly movable for a travel distance in the outer tube. An end member is connected to the lower end of the outer tube. A restriction unit is located in the outer tube and has a restriction member which has a length and can be cut when needed such that the travel distance of the inner tube in the outer tube is restricted when the adjustment unit contacts the restriction member.

When the adjustment unit contacts the restriction member, the minimum height of the second end of the post beyond the outer tube is set.

Claims

1. A seat post adjustment device, comprising: a seat post assembly having an outer tube and an inner tube, the inner tube having a first end inserted into the outer tube, a second end of the inner tube extending beyond a top end of the outer tube and connected with a clamp unit which is adapted to clamp a seat, an end member is connected to a bottom end of the outer tube; an adjustment unit connected to the inner tube, the adjustment unit and the inner tube being linearly movable for a travel distance in the outer tube, and a restriction unit located in the outer tube and having a restriction member which has a length and is located in the travel distance, when the adjustment unit and the inner tube are stopped by contacting a top of the restriction member, a minimum length of the second end of the inner tube beyond the outer tube is set.

2. The inner tube adjustment device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the restriction unit has a connection unit which is located between the restriction member and the end member, the connection unit has a first connection portion, the restriction member has a second connection portion which is connected to the first connection portion.

3. The seat post adjustment device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first connection portion is threadedly connected to the second connection portion.

4. The seat post adjustment device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the restriction member is cut to obtain a desired length.

5. The seat post adjustment device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit has a rod located in the travel distance, the rod has a first end thereof extending beyond the adjustment unit and through the restriction member, the first end of the rod is connected to the end member, the restriction member is securely mounted to outside of the rod.

6. The seat post adjustment device as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least one protrusion extends radially from an inner periphery of the restriction member and the at least one protrusion securely contacts against the outside of the rod.

7. The seat post adjustment device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the restriction member has a passage defined centrally therethrough, the restriction member has a slot defined radially therethrough, the slot communicates with the passage, the rod is engaged with the passage via the slot from radial direction.

8. The seat post adjustment device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the restriction member has scales marked on an outside thereof and the scales are provided for reference when the restriction member is to be cut.

9. The seat post adjustment device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the restriction member is engaged with an inside of the outer tube and located between two ends of the travel distance.

10. The seat post adjustment device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the restriction unit has a first connection member which is axially and threadedly connected to the restriction member so as to adjust an axial length of the restriction unit.

11. The seat post adjustment device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the restriction unit has a second connection member which is axially and threadedly connected to first connection member so as to adjust axial length of a combination of the restriction member, the first connection member and the second connection member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partly removed, to show the seat post adjustment device of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the seat post adjustment device of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the seat post adjustment device of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the seat post adjustment device of the present invention, wherein the adjustment unit contacts the restriction unit;

[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partly removed, to show the second embodiment of the seat post adjustment device of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the second embodiment of the seat post adjustment device of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the second embodiment of the seat post adjustment device of the present invention, wherein the adjustment unit contacts the restriction unit;

[0025] FIG. 8 is a perspective view, partly removed, to show the third embodiment of the seat post adjustment device of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the third embodiment of the seat post adjustment device of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the third embodiment of the seat post adjustment device of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 11 is a perspective view, partly removed, to show the fourth embodiment of the seat post adjustment device of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the seat post adjustment device of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 13 is a perspective view, partly removed, to show the fifth embodiment of the seat post adjustment device of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the fifth embodiment of the seat post adjustment device of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of the fifth embodiment of the seat post adjustment device of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 16 is a perspective view, partly removed, to show the sixth embodiment of the seat post adjustment device of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the sixth embodiment of the seat post adjustment device of the present invention, and

[0035] FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view of the sixth embodiment of the seat post adjustment device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the seat post adjustment assembly of the present invention comprises a seat post assembly 10, an adjustment unit 20 and a restriction unit 30.

[0037] The seat assembly 10 comprises an outer tube 11 and an inner tube 12, wherein the inner tube 12 has the first end thereof inserted into the outer tube 11, and the second end of the inner tube 12 extends beyond the top of the outer tube 11 and is connected with a clamp unit 14 which clamps a seat. An end member 13 is connected to and seals the bottom end of the outer tube 11.

[0038] The adjustment unit 20 is connected to the inner tube 12 and located in the outer tube 11. The adjustment unit 20 and the inner tube 12 are linearly movable for a travel distance “d” in the outer tube 11.

[0039] The restriction unit 30 is located in the outer tube 11 and has a restriction member 31 which has a certain length and is located in the travel distance “d”. When the adjustment unit 20 and the inner tube 12 are stopped by being in contact with the top of the restriction member 31, the minimum length of the second end of the inner tube 12 beyond the outer tube 11 is set, this means that the lowest position of the seat is set. The restriction member 31 can be cut to obtain a desired length “L”, and the restriction member 31 is connected to the end member 13 so that the maximum travel distance “d” is the distance of the difference between the length “L” and the travel distance “d”. The restriction unit 30 has a connection unit 20 which is located between the restriction member 31 and the end member 13. The connection unit 32 has a first connection portion 321. The restriction member 31 has a second connection portion 322 which is connected to the first connection portion 321. In this embodiment, the first connection portion 321 is threadedly connected to the second connection portion 322.

[0040] When the restriction member 31 is cut and positioned in the outer tube 11, the maximum travel distance “d” is set, so that when restriction unit 20 on the inner tube 12 contacts the restriction member 31, the inner tube 12 cannot be further lowered, and the minimum length that the second end of inner tube 12 beyond the top end of the outer tube 11 is set. The adjustment can be completed quickly and efficiently, and in a stage-less way.

[0041] When assembling, the adjustment unit 20 is installed in the inner tube 12 and the restriction member 31 to set the height “L” to be the desired length and to set the range of the travel distance “d”. The inner tube 12 is inserted into the outer tube 12, and the first connection portion 321 of the restriction member 31 is threadedly connected to the second connection portion 322 of the end member 13. The end member 13 is connected to the other end of the outer tube 11. The restriction member 31 is located in the lower portion of the outer tube 11. The clamp unit 14 is connected to the exposed end of the outer tube 12.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, when adjusting, the inner tube 12 and the adjustment unit 20 are linearly moved toward the interior of the outer tube 11 until the end face of the adjustment unit 20 contacts the top of the restriction member 31 so that the inner tube 12 and the adjustment unit 20 cannot be further moved. The adjustment action is completed.

[0043] The seat post adjustment device includes the following advantages which are that the inner tube 12 and the adjustment unit 20 are moved linearly simultaneously, and the movement is smooth. The adjustment is stage-less and the height of the seat can be micro-adjusted.

[0044] The restriction member 31 provides a sufficient length so that the users can cut the restriction member 31 to a desired length “L”. The end member 13 is then connected to the lower end of the outer tube 11. The travel distance “d” is set. The restriction member 31 is used to decide the travel distance “d” and can be adjusted to set the travel distance “d”.

[0045] The restriction unit 30 is located in the outer tube 11, and the adjustment unit 20 is stopped by the restriction member 30 such that the lowest position of the bicycle seat is set. In other words, the adjustment can be done by directly lowering the inner tube until the adjustment unit 20 contacts the restriction member 30. The users do not need to spend time to try many times.

[0046] The restriction unit 30 is installed in the outer tube 11 without using any other tools, the removal and installation of the restriction unit 30 is quick and easy.

[0047] The present invention can be cooperated with the mechanical adjustment device, hydraulic adjustment device and hybrid adjustment device.

[0048] FIGS. 5 to 7 show the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the adjustment unit 20 has a rod 21 located in the travel distance “d”. The rod 21 has a first end thereof extending beyond the adjustment unit 20 and through the restriction member 31. The first end of the rod 21 is connected to the end member 13. The restriction member 31 is securely mounted to outside of the rod 21. This embodiment is used for the adjustment device whose travel distance “d” having the rod 21. The restriction member 31 has a certain thickness and is tightly mounted to the rod 21 at the position where the length “L” is from the end member 13 to the restriction member 31. When adjusting the inner tube 12, the adjustment unit 20 and the inner tube 12 both move toward the interior of the inner tube 11 until the adjustment unit 20 contacts the restriction member 31.

[0049] The embodiment provides another type of the restriction unit 30, and the restriction member 31 is located between two ends of the travel distance “d”.

[0050] FIGS. 8 to 10 show the third embodiment of the present invention, wherein the adjustment unit 20 has the rod 21 which extends beyond the adjustment unit 20. The exposed portion of the rod 21 extends through the restriction member 31 and is fixed to the end member 13. The restriction member 31 is tightly mounted to the rod 21. The restriction member 31 has a passage 311 defined centrally therethrough, and the restriction member 31 has a slot 312 defined radially therethrough. The slot 312 communicates with the passage 311. The rod 21 is engaged with the passage 311 via the slot 312 from radial direction. Multiple protrusions 313 extend radially from the inner periphery of the restriction member 31 and the protrusions 313 securely contact against the outside of the rod 21. The restriction member 31 has scales 314 marked on the outside thereof and the scales 314 are provided for reference when the restriction member 31 is to be cut.

[0051] The embodiment is used for the type of adjustment wherein the end member 13 is connected to the rod or a valve rod, the rod 21 is located between two ends of the travel distance “d”. The restriction member 31 is a cylindrical member and has a certain length. The restriction member 31 has the passage 311 and the slot 312 so as to be connected to the rod 21. The protrusions 313 extend radially from the inner periphery of the restriction member 31 so as to tightly mount to the rod 21.

[0052] The scales 314 each can be 1 cm or 0.5 cm, or other system of measurement such that when cutting the restriction member 31, the users do not need a ruler to measure the desired length. In this embodiment, the restriction member 31 is directly connected to the end member 13.

[0053] FIGS. 11 to 12 show the fourth embodiment, wherein the restriction member 31 is located in the travel distance “d” in the outer tube 11. The restriction member 31 has a slot 312 defined radially therethrough and the slot 312 communicates with the passage 311. The restriction member 31 is mounted to the rod 21, and the outer periphery of the restriction member 31 is tightly engaged with the inner periphery of the outer tube 11.

[0054] The embodiment discloses that the restriction member 31 has a certain thickness and has the slot 312. The restriction member 31 is tightly engaged with the inner periphery of the outer tube 11 at the desired length “L”. The restriction member 31 is located between two ends of the travel distance “d”.

[0055] FIGS. 13 to 15 show the fifth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the restriction unit 30 has a first connection member 33 which is axially and threadedly connected to the restriction member 31 so as to adjust the axial length of the restriction unit 30. In other words, the length “L” can be adjusted.

[0056] This type of the adjustment device includes the rod 21 connected to the end member 13, and the restriction unit 30 is composed of the restriction member 31 and the first connection member 33. The restriction member 31 is tightly connected to the rod 21 at the length “1”. The first connection member 33 is threadedly connected to the underside of the restriction member 31.

[0057] In this embodiment, the restriction member 31 and the first connection member 33 are located between two ends of the travel distance “d”. When adjusting the length “L” of the adjustment unit 20, the restriction member 31 is rotated to increase the length of the restriction unit 30 so that the length is adjusted form “L” to “L′ without using any tool.

[0058] FIGS. 16 to 18 show the sixth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the restriction unit 30 has a second connection member 34 which is axially and threadedly connected to first connection member 33 so as to adjust axial length of the combination of the restriction member 31, the first connection member 33 and the second connection member 34.

[0059] This embodiment is used to the type of the adjustment device wherein no rod or valve rod is connected to the end member 13, there is no rod located between two ends of the travel distance “d”. The restriction unit 30 is composed of the restriction member 31, the first connection member 33 and the second connection member 34. The second connection member 34 is connected to the end member 13. The restriction member 31, the first connection member 33 and the second connection member 34 are connected to each other along the same axis.

[0060] This embodiment shows that the restriction member 31, the first connection member 33 and the second connection member 34 are directly connected to the end member 13. Because the restriction member 31, the first connection member 33 and the second connection member 34 are threadedly connected to each other so that the first and second connection members 33, 34 can adjust the length “L1”. The restriction member 31 and the first connection member 33 can adjust the length “L2”. The length “L” is the combination of the “L1” and “L2”. The lengths “L1” and “L2” can be individually adjusted.

[0061] When rotating the second connection member 34, the length “L1” between the first and second connection members 33, 34 can be adjusted. When rotating the restriction member 31, the length “L2” between the restriction member 31 and the first connection member 33 can adjusted. When adjusting, the end member 13 and the restriction unit 30 are removed from the outer tube 11, and the users can rotate the restriction member 31 and the first connection member 33 to obtain the desired length of the length “L”, and the end member 13 and the restriction unit 30 are installed to the outer tube 11 again to complete the adjustment.

[0062] While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.