Bicycle derailleur system with integral flexible seal to protect moving parts from contaminants, including cable seal to prevent contaminants from entering cable housing

摘要

A combination bicycle derailleur and one-piece cover therefor, includes a derailleur having a chain cage, a cage securing member connected with the chain cage, a derailleur clamping head for clamping the derailleur to the bicycle frame, and a controller for actuating the chain cage, the controller including link arms pivotally connected to the derailleur clamping head and cage securing member, with the cable being connected to one link arm. The protective cover includes a flexible, resilient main body having a hollow interior, with a first open end at one end secured to the cage securing member and being of sufficient size to be pulled over the clamping derailleur head and the controller, a second open end at an opposite end secured to the derailleur clamping head and being of sufficient size to be pulled over the derailleur clamping head, a cable opening of smaller size than both open ends for receiving the cable therethrough for connection with the controller and being incapable of being pulled over the derailleur clamping head, and at least a section of the main body which is adapted to cover the controller and which extends between the first and second open ends, has a bellows configuration.