초록 ▼

Various bicycle brake assemblies are described. In some embodiments, a bicycle brake assembly for applying a braking force to a wheel comprises a brake arm comprising a frame pivot joint and a brake pad pivot joint, the frame pivot joint configured to pivotally connect the brake arm to a bicycle fra

Various bicycle brake assemblies are described. In some embodiments, a bicycle brake assembly for applying a braking force to a wheel comprises a brake arm comprising a frame pivot joint and a brake pad pivot joint, the frame pivot joint configured to pivotally connect the brake arm to a bicycle frame to enable pivoting of the brake arm about a first axis of rotation; and a brake pad pivotally coupled to the brake arm at the brake pad pivot joint to enable pivoting of the brake pad about a second axis of rotation, the brake pad comprising a braking surface for engaging a wheel rim to apply a frictional force to the wheel rim, the frictional force having a frictional direction, wherein the first axis of rotation is not parallel to the frictional direction of the frictional force.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An aerodynamic bicycle brake system for applying a braking force to a wheel, the aerodynamic bicycle brake system comprising: a bicycle frame having a seat tube including upper and lower ends, at least one seat stay connected to the seat tube adjacent the seat tube upper end and at least one chai

1. An aerodynamic bicycle brake system for applying a braking force to a wheel, the aerodynamic bicycle brake system comprising: a bicycle frame having a seat tube including upper and lower ends, at least one seat stay connected to the seat tube adjacent the seat tube upper end and at least one chainstay connected to the seat tube adjacent the seat tube lower end;a rear brake arm pivotally coupled to the seat tube intermediate the seat tube upper and lower ends; anda rear brake pad coupled to the rear brake arm, the rear brake pad comprising a rear braking surface positioned to engage a rear wheel rim when the rear brake arm pivots in a direction toward the rear wheel rim,wherein the seat tube comprises an integral air deflector positioned adjacent the rear brake arm, the air deflector shaped to reduce an aerodynamic footprint of the rear brake arm. 2. The aerodynamic brake system of claim 1, further comprising: a front brake arm pivotally coupled to a steering fork of the bicycle frame; anda front brake pad coupled to the front brake arm, the front brake pad comprising a front braking surface positioned to engage a front wheel rim when the front brake arm pivots in a direction toward the front wheel rim,wherein the steering fork comprises a second integral air deflector that projects beyond a rear wall of the steering fork and is positioned adjacent the front brake arm, the second integral air deflector shaped to reduce an aerodynamic footprint of the front brake arm. 3. The aerodynamic brake system of claim 1, wherein the rear braking surface is configured to apply a frictional force to the rear wheel rim, the frictional force having a frictional direction, and wherein the rear brake arm is pivotally coupled to the seat tube to enable the rear brake arm to pivot about a first axis of rotation, the first axis of rotation not parallel to the frictional direction of the frictional force. 4. The bicycle brake assembly of claim 3, wherein the first axis of rotation is oriented with respect to the frictional direction of the frictional force at an angle of at least 45 degrees. 5. The aerodynamic brake system of claim 1, wherein the rear braking surface comprises a trailing edge and a leading edge, the rear brake pad comprising a first thickness at the trailing edge and a second thickness at the leading edge, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness. 6. The aerodynamic brake system of claim 1, wherein the brake system is positioned behind a water bottle. 7. The aerodynamic brake system of claim 1, wherein the integral air deflector projects laterally outward from adjacent portions of the seat tube. 8. The aerodynamic brake system of claim 1, wherein the rear brake arm is pivotally coupled to the seat tube above a connection between a down tube and the seat tube and above a connection between a pair of chainstays and the seat tube. 9. A bicycle brake assembly for applying a braking force to a wheel, the bicycle brake assembly comprising: a first and a second brake arm[s], each comprising proximal and distal ends and a frame pivot joint, the frame pivot joint configured to pivotally connect the brake arm to a bicycle frame to enable pivoting of the brake arm; anda first and a second brake pad, each comprising a leading edge and a trailing edge and a braking surface for engaging a wheel rim to apply a frictional force to the wheel rim;wherein the first brake pad and the first brake arm are oriented generally parallel to one another;wherein the second brake pad and the second brake arm are oriented generally parallel to one another;wherein the first brake pad is coupled to the first brake arm intermediate the first brake arm proximal and distal ends, and the first brake arm distal end projects beyond the first brake pad trailing end; andwherein the second brake pad is coupled to the second brake arm intermediate the second brake arm proximal and distal ends, and the second brake arm distal end projects beyond the second brake pad trailing end. 10. The bicycle brake assembly of claim 9, wherein the frame pivot joint is disposed at the proximal end of each of the first and the second brake arm[s], and a pull cable engages the distal end of each of the first and the second brake arms. 11. The bicycle brake assembly of claim 10, wherein the pull cable is configured to pull at least one of the first and the second brake arms in a direction toward the wheel rim, overcoming a force applied by a brake arm spring. 12. An aerodynamic bicycle brake system for applying a braking force to a wheel, the aerodynamic bicycle brake system comprising: a bicycle frame having a seat tube including upper and lower ends, at least one seat stay connected to the seat tube adjacent the seat tube upper end and at least one chainstay connected to the seat tube adjacent the seat tube lower end;a pair of rear brake arms each including proximal and distal ends and pivotally coupled to the seat tube intermediate the seat tube upper and lower ends;wherein the seat tube receives a first pull cable such that the first pull cable exits the seat tube adjacent one of the rear brake arms and wherein the rear brake arms are configured such that said one of the rear brake arms receives the first pull cable within an exterior structure of said one of the rear brake arms at the proximal end and the first pull cable exits said one of the rear brake arms at the distal end;a pair of front brake arms each including proximal and distal ends and pivotally coupled to a rear wall of a steering fork of the bicycle frame;wherein the steering fork receives a second pull cable such that the second pull cable exits the steering fork adjacent one of the pair of front brake arms and wherein the pair of front brake arms are configured such that said one of the pair of front brake arms receives the second pull cable within an exterior structure of said one of the pair of front brake arms at the proximal end and the second pull cable exits said one of the pair of front brake arms at the distal end such that the second pull cable is not exposed to an airflow path until the distal end of said one of the pair of front brake arms. 13. An aerodynamic bicycle brake system for applying a braking force to a wheel, the aerodynamic bicycle brake system comprising: a bicycle frame having a seat tube including upper and lower ends, at least one seat stay connected to the seat tube adjacent the seat tube upper end and at least one chainstay connected to the seat tube adjacent the seat tube lower end;a pair of rear brake arms each including proximal and distal ends and pivotally coupled to the seat tube intermediate the seat tube upper and lower ends;wherein the seat tube receives a first pull cable such that the first pull cable exits the seat tube adjacent one of the rear brake arms and is received within said one of the rear brake arms;wherein a first shroud receives the first pull cable, and said one of the pair of rear brake arms defines a longitudinal bore within an exterior structure of said one of the pair of rear brake arms such that the first pull cable and first shroud enter the proximal end of said one of the pair of rear brake arms, and the first pull cable exits the distal end of said one of the pair of rear brake arms;wherein the brake assembly further includes a pair of front brake arms each including proximal and distal ends and pivotally coupled to a rear wall of a steering fork of the bicycle frame;wherein the steering fork receives a second pull cable such that the second pull cable exits the steering fork adjacent one of the pair of front brake arms and is received within said one of the pair of front brake arms; andwherein a second shroud receives the second pull cable, and said one of the pair of front brake arms defines a longitudinal bore within an exterior structure of said one of the pair of front brake arms such that the second pull cable and second shroud enter the proximal end of said one of the pair of front brake arms, and the second pull cable exits the distal end of said one of the pair of front brake arms such that neither the second shroud or the second pull cable are exposed to an airflow path until the distal end of said one of the pair of front brake arms.