Bicycle Frame Sealing Means

Abstract

A bicycle frame sealing means includes a frame-side sealing element adapted to be sealingly connected with a saddle tube of a bicycle frame. A saddle post-side sealing element is adapted to be sealingly connected with a saddle post. Both sealing elements are interconnected by means of a flexible connecting elements, so that relative movements can occur between the two sealing elements or between the saddle tube and the saddle post, while a good tightness is still ensured.

Claims

1. A bicycle frame sealing means comprising a frame-side sealing element adapted to be connected with a saddle tube of a bicycle frame in a sealing manner, a saddle post-side sealing element adapted to be connected with a saddle post in a sealing manner, and a flexible connecting element arranged between the two sealing elements.

2. The bicycle frame sealing means according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element is sealingly connected with the frame-side and/or the saddle post-side sealing element.

3. The bicycle frame sealing means according to claim 1, wherein the frame-side and/or saddle post-side sealing element are annular in shape.

4. The bicycle frame sealing means according to claim 1, further comprising an annular bead connected with the saddle tube, around which bead the frame-side sealing element engages.

5. The bicycle frame sealing means according to claim 1, wherein the frame-side sealing element is connected with the saddle tube via an intermediate element.

6. The bicycle frame sealing means according to claim 5, wherein the intermediate element comprises a cylindrical protrusion protruding into the saddle tube when in the mounted state.

7. The bicycle frame sealing means according to claim 5, wherein the bead is arranged on the intermediate element.

8. The bicycle frame sealing means according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate element is annular in shape.

9. The bicycle frame sealing means according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element is formed as bellows.

10. The bicycle frame sealing means according to claim 1, wherein the saddle post-side sealing element has an inner surface formed complementary to an outer surface of the saddle post so that the two surfaces are in sealing contact with each other when in the mounted state.

11. The bicycle frame sealing means according to claim 1, wherein recesses for holding sealant are formed in the frame-side sealing element and/or in the saddle post-side sealing element and/or in the connecting element.

12. The bicycle frame sealing means according to claim 11, wherein the recesses are at least in part formed as circumferential groove.

13. The bicycle frame sealing means claim 1, wherein the connecting element has at least one pressure compensation opening.

14. A bicycle frame system comprising a bicycle frame with a saddle tube, a saddle post inserted into the saddle tube, and a bicycle frame sealing means according to claim 1 arranged between the saddle tube and the saddle post.

15. The bicycle frame sealing means according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element is sealingly and fixidly connected with the frame-side and/or the saddle post-side sealing element.

16. The bicycle frame sealing means according to claim 5, wherein the intermediate element comprises a circular cylindrical protrusion protruding into the saddle tube when in the mounted state.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The disclosure will be explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to a preferred embodiment and to the accompanying drawing:

[0021] The FIGURE is a schematic sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a bicycle frame sealing means of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The FIGURE schematically illustrates an upper end of a saddle tube 10 of a bicycle frame. The bicycle frame typically comprises a top tube connected with the saddle tube 10, as well as a downtube. Further, a steer tube for receiving a front wheel fork may be a part of the bicycle frame, and a bottom bracket seat may also be a part of the bicycle frame. Further, a rear frame may be connected rigidly or hingedly with the bicycle frame, the rear frame typically comprising chain stays and seat stays.

[0023] Relevant to the disclosure is the saddle tube 10 with an opening 12 substantially directed upward. A saddle post 14 is arranged in the opening 12, which is connected with a saddle or supports a saddle at its upper end not illustrated in the FIGURE. The end of the saddle post 14, which is the lower end in the FIGURE, is arranged in the saddle tube 10. The saddle post 14 is typically clampingly fixed in the saddle tube 10 by a clamping means not illustrated. A simple type of clamping means is a clamp surrounding the saddle tube 10. It is also possible to arrange e.g. a grubber screw for clamping in the saddle tube 10, which acts on a clamping means arranged e.g. below the saddle tube 10 and thus clampingly fixes the saddle post 14 in the saddle tube 10.

[0024] In the embodiment illustrated, an intermediate element 18 is arranged in the opening 12 of the saddle tube 10, the intermediate element being in particular formed to be rotationally symmetric to a longitudinal axis 16. An aerodynamically optimized outer contour is also possible. The intermediate element 18 has an outer side 20 that is complementary to an inner side 22 of the saddle tube 10, so that the outer side 20 of the intermediate element 18 Is in surface contact with, preferably bonded to the inner side 22 of the saddle tube 10. The saddle tube may also have an unround contour, such as an oval contour, the intermediate element having the corresponding contour in this case. This also applies to the cross section of the saddle post 14.

[0025] The saddle post 14 is inserted into the intermediate element 18, so that again an outer side 24 of the saddle post 14 is in surface contact with an inner side 26 of the intermediate element 18.

[0026] The intermediate element 18 has a circumferential bead 28 at the end arranged outside the saddle tube 10. In the embodiment illustrated, the bicycle frame sealing means 20 is connected with the bead 28 of the intermediate element 18. As an alternative, the bicycle frame sealing means 30 could also be connected directly with the saddle tube 10.

[0027] The bicycle frame sealing means 30 has a frame-side sealing element 32, as well as a saddle post-side sealing element 34. The two sealing elements are interconnected through a connecting element 36. In the embodiment illustrated, the two sealing elements 32, 34, as well as the connecting element 36 are formed integrally. In the embodiment illustrated, the frame-side sealing element 32 is fixedly connected with the intermediate element 18. The connection is made via the bead 28 around which the frame-side sealing element 32 engages. Thereby, a very tight connection is realized between the frame-side sealing element 32 and the intermediate element 18.

[0028] In the embodiment illustrated, the saddle post-side sealing element 34 is annular in shape and surrounds the saddle post 14. Here, an inner side 38 of the saddle post-side sealing element 34 is in surface contact with the outer side 24 of the saddle post 14. Again, a firm connection can be made, e.g. by frictional engagement, so that this region also has a high tightness. In addition, for example metal ring, a clamping ring or the like may be provided which enhances the sealing effect.

[0029] According to the disclosure, the two sealing elements 32, 34, which are fixedly connected with the intermediate element 18 and the saddle post 14, are flexibly connected with each other via a connecting element 36. The connecting element 36, which is may be made e.g. of a softer elastic plastic material and/or may have a lower density, serves to provide a tighter connection of the two sealing elements 32, 34, on the one hand, and provides a flexible connection, on the other hand. Thereby, it is ensured that relative movements occurring between the two sealing elements 32, 34 do not cause a decrease in tightness, since the two sealing elements are only connected in a flexible manner, but not in a rigid or fixed manner. Since relative movements between the two sealing elements 32, 34 are possible without affecting the tightness, even relative movements occurring between the saddle tube 10 and the saddle post 14 will not cause movements between the sealing elements 32, 34 and their contact partners 10, 14. Thereby, sealing is ensured also in the case of relative movements between the saddle post 14 and the saddle tube 10.

[0030] Further, sealants or lubricants may be provided in non-illustrated recesses of the sealing elements 32 and/or 34 and/or the connecting element 36. In addition, the connecting element may preferably have pressure compensating openings not illustrated.

[0031] The components illustrated in the FIGURE as rotationally symmetric with respect to the axis 16 may also have other geometries, while it is always relevant that the corresponding sealing surfaces are in sealing contact with each other and the geometries are formed complementary to each other. Further, the intermediate element 18 may also be omitted. In this case, the frame-side sealing element 32 is, for example, connected with the saddle tube 10 using a clamping element, the sealing element in particular being put over the opening 12 of the saddle tube 10. For example, the frame-side sealing element 32 can be bonded to an outer side of the saddle tube 10.