Robert L Valdez

US Patent:

20020020588, Feb 21, 2002

Filed:

Jun 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/892054

Inventors:

Robert Valdez - Lake Forest CA, US

International Classification:

B62L003/00

US Classification:

188/024210, 188/024110

Abstract:

A micro-spring brake adjuster is provided for a bicycle brake having a pair of bicycle brake lever arms mounted rotatably on the bicycle frame fork arms of a bicycle. Bicycle brakes of this type utilize elongated, linear spring rods that are resiliently deflected to apply biasing forces that tend to disengage the brake pads from contact with the bicycle wheel rim. The brake adjuster includes a body that fits onto a bicycle brake spring rod. The brake adjuster is also provided with structure having a cam surface that can be interposed between the brake spring rod and the spring pin against which the brake spring rod resiliently bears. Longitudinal movement of the adjuster along the length of the spring rod in one direction increases the amount of structure of the adjuster interposed between the spring rod and the spring pin, thereby increasing the resilient deflection of the linear spring rod, which in turn increases the outwardly biasing force that the spring rod exerts on the brake pad. Conversely, longitudinal movement of the adjuster in the opposite direction along the spring rod reduces the amount of structure of the adjuster interposed between the spring rod and the spring pin against which the spring bears. This reduces the spring bias against the spring pin, thereby reducing the force with which the brake pad is biased away from the bicycle wheel rim. The micro-spring adjuster of the invention can be operated without dismounting from the bicycle and can fine tune the bias of each brake spring rod independently of the other in a bicycle brake assembly.

US Patent:

57916713, Aug 11, 1998

Filed:

Sep 8, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/526108

Inventors:

Richard Tang - Carson CA
Robert Valdez - Carson CA

Assignee:

Bear Corporation - Carson CA

International Classification:

B62K 2118

US Classification:

280264

Abstract:

A free-style bicycle is modified to accommodate a threadless headset by constructing the preloading assembly employed with a threadless headset as a cable routing assembly so that at least the inextensible core of the front brake cable is routed down through the preloading and cable routing assembly and through the hollow steering tube of a bicycle. The preloading assembly has a longitudinal passageway defined therethrough. The passageway may be formed by utilizing a hollow draw bolt that permits the passage of the core of the front brake cable therethrough. In this case the sheath of the front brake cable is divided into upper and lower segments. The upper sheath segment extends between the front brake control and the top of the preloading and cable routing assembly, while the lower sheath segment extends from a lower steering tube end plug to the front wheel brake. Alternatively, the preloading and cable routing assembly is provided with a hollow wedging structure that defines a longitudinal passageway therethrough. In this embodiment the passageway can be of a diameter large enough to accommodate not only the front brake cable core but the surrounding front brake cable sheath as well.

US Patent:

60856114, Jul 11, 2000

Filed:

Feb 1, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/241109

Inventors:

Robert Valdez - Carson CA

Assignee:

Bear Corporation - Cerritos CA

International Classification:

F16C 110
B62L 100
B62L 112

US Classification:

745016

Abstract:

A bicycle brake cable system has a brake cable coupling arrangement in which a plurality of branches are provided from a single brake lever force application lug. Splitting of the brake cable is performed within the structure of a brake barrel adjuster. The barrel adjuster is provided with a cylindrical cavity that receives a rotatable coupler therewithin. The interface ends of the force transmission cable segments are terminated in the coupler, which is free to rotate relative to the barrel adjuster. As a consequence, the barrel adjuster may be threadably advanced to either increase or decrease brake tension by rotation relative to its threaded connection to the brake lever assembly body. By providing a coupler that is rotatable relative to the barrel adjuster, the barrel adjuster can be rotated in both directions to increase or reduce brake tension. The relative rotation between the coupler and the threaded nipple of the barrel adjuster allows the force transmission segments of the brake cable to remain stationary relative to the handlebars, while still permitting tension adjustment on the brake cable.

US Patent:

61491772, Nov 21, 2000

Filed:

Oct 19, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/175038

Inventors:

Robert Valdez - Carson CA

Assignee:

Bear Corporation - Cerritos CA

International Classification:

B62H 100

US Classification:

280291

Abstract:

A freestyle bicycle is provided with removable foot peg bosses that allow a rider to selectively attach and detach foot pegs on the legs of a bicycle fork. By providing the foot peg bosses as removable structures, uncomfortable outwardly projecting protrusions in the form of unused peg bosses which are characteristic of conventional foot peg systems are eliminated. A bolt is utilized to clamp the transverse end wall of a foot peg against a corresponding bearing surface of a removable foot peg boss while concurrently attaching the foot peg boss to the distal end of a selected fork leg. The shank of the bolt is threadably engageable with and disengageable from a peg boss support barrel that is mounted transversely within the tubular structure of a bicycle fork leg.

US Patent:

60795220, Jun 27, 2000

Filed:

May 15, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/080036

Inventors:

Robert Valdez - Carson CA

Assignee:

Bear Corporation - Cerritos CA

International Classification:

B62L 106
B62L 102

US Classification:

188 2419

Abstract:

A bicycle brake mechanism is provided that protects a bicycle brake lever axle from bending. The bicycle brake mechanism of the invention employs a conventional brake mounting base, brake axle, and brake lever arm on a conventional bicycle frame. However, the invention employs a brake adapter of special construction which is interposed between each brake lever arm and the brake axle upon which it is mounted to isolate the brake axle from forces tending to bend the brake axle out of axial alignment. The adapter is rigidly connected to the brake mounting base and to a retaining structure which allows the brake lever arm mounted on the brake axle to rotate and apply the bicycle brakes in a conventional manner. The structure and location of the adapter isolate the brake axle or brake boss from forces that would otherwise bend the brake axle in a plane passing through the axis of rotation of the brake lever arm.

US Patent:

61994456, Mar 13, 2001

Filed:

May 8, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/566767

Inventors:

Robert Valdez - Cerritos CA

Assignee:

Bear Corporation - Cerriton CA

International Classification:

F16C 110
B62L 100
B62L 112

US Classification:

745016

Abstract:

A bicycle brake cable system has a brake cable coupling arrangement in which a plurality of branches are provided from a single brake lever force application lug. Splitting of the brake cable is performed within the structure of a brake barrel adjuster. The barrel adjuster is provided with a cylindrical cavity that receives a rotatable coupler therewithin. The interface ends of the force transmission cable segments are terminated in the coupler, which is free to rotate relative to the barrel adjuster. As a consequence, the barrel adjuster may be threadably advanced to either increase or decrease brake tension by rotation relative to its threaded connection to the brake lever assembly body. By providing a coupler that is rotatable relative to the barrel adjuster, the barrel adjuster can be rotated in both directions to increase or reduce brake tension. The relative rotation between the coupler and the threaded nipple of the barrel adjuster allows the force transmission segments of the brake cable to remain stationary relative to the handlebars, while still permitting tension adjustment on the brake cable.