Abstract: An improved wheel construction with a peripheral wheel rim, a central hub with a hub flange and a plurality of spokes extending between the rim and hub, wherein the spokes have a first peripheral portion connected to the rim and a second portion opposed to the first portion. At least one of the spokes is a duplex spoke, including two structural spans extending between the rim and hub with a common portion connected to the hub flange. The duplex spoke includes a portion to directly engage the hub flange.

Abstract: An expandable shaft assembly including an axially extending shaft with an axial axis, an extending shaft with an axial axis, an external dimension, at least one shaft end and a bore extending generally axially from the at least one shaft end. The shaft assembly also includes a second element, as an axle cap, with an axially extending, externally threaded portion with a first thread flank, a shoulder portion extending in a generally radially outwardly direction. A radially extending end face is also provided that is axially constrained relative to the shaft, wherein the radially extending end face is one of (1) integral with the shaft, and (2) on a separate element. The bore of the shaft includes an axially extending, internally threaded portion with a second thread flank, wherein at least one of the first and second thread flanks are inclined.

Abstract: An improved vehicle wheel, including an outer rim, a central hub with a central axle and an outer flange and a plurality of spokes extending between the rim and hub. The spokes have a first portion connected to the rim and a second portion opposed to the first portion and connected to said hub. The outer rim includes a spoke bed wall with a spoke hole therethrough for connection with the first end of the spoke. The spoke bed wall has a radially outboard surface, which is a convex outboard surface including a radially outboard apex and a radially inboard portion relative to the apex and adjacent the apex.

Abstract: An improved bicycle crankshaft assembly, including a crank axle with an axial axle axis, a first axle end, and a second axle end axially opposed to the first axle end; a first crank arm connected to the crank axle at a first crank arm interface adjacent the first axle end; a second crank arm connected to the crank axle at a second crank arm interface axially spaced from the first crank arm interface; a first bearing surrounding said crank axle adjacent said first axle end for rotation of said crank axle about said axial axis; a second bearing surrounding the crank axle and axially spaced from the first bearing. The crank axle includes reinforcement fibers for structural reinforcement of the crank axle and the crank axle is an integral crank axle that simultaneously contacts both the first bearing and the second bearing.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel spoke termination assembly includes an outer rim with means for holding a tire, a central hub assembly and a plurality of spoke portions. The central hub assembly includes an axle assembly and a hub shell that is rotatable about the axle. The spokes are connected at their outer ends to the outer rim hoop and at their inner ends to the hub flange. A connecting element is blindly attached to at least one of the outer rim and the hub flange for a firm connection between the connecting element and the spoke.

Abstract: The vehicle wheel includes an outer rim hoop with means for holding a tire, a plurality of spoke portions, and a central hub assembly. The central hub assembly includes an axle assembly and a hub shell that is rotatable about the axle. The hub shell includes at least two axially spaced outer flanges for attachment with the spokes. The spokes are connected at their outer ends to the rim hoop and at their inner ends to their respective outer flange. Firm attachment between the spoke and the outer flange is achieved by engaging of a portion of the spoke with a cavity formed within at least one of the rim and the outer flange. Also disclosed are attachment arrangements that include an intermediate connection member to facilitate attachment between the spoke and the cavity.

Abstract: The vehicle wheel includes an outer rim hoop with means for holding a tire, a plurality of spoke portions, and a central hub assembly. The central hub assembly includes an axle assembly and a hub shell that is rotatable about the axle. The hub shell includes at least two axially spaced outer flanges for attachment with the spokes. The spokes are connected at their outer ends to the rim hoop and at their inner ends to their respective outer flange. Firm attachment between the spoke and the outer flange is achieved by engaging of a portion of the spoke with a cavity formed within at least one of the rim and the outer flange. Also disclosed are attachment arrangements that include an intermediate connection member to facilitate attachment between the spoke and the cavity.

Abstract: An expandable shaft assembly including an axially extending shaft with an axial axis, an extending shaft with an axial axis, an external dimension, at least one shaft end and a bore extending generally axially from the at least one shaft end. The shaft assembly also includes a second element, as an axle cap, with an axially extending, externally threaded portion with a first thread flank, a shoulder portion extending in a generally radially outwardly direction. A radially extending end face is also provided that is axially constrained relative to the shaft, wherein the radially extending end face is one of (1) integral with the shaft, and (2) on a separate element. The bore of the shaft includes an axially extending, internally threaded portion with a second thread flank, wherein at least one of the first and second thread flanks are inclined.

Abstract: An improved connecting system for tensile elements, including a longitudinal tensile element having an end portion and a cross-section thereof, a deformable connecting element; a bracing element, and a tensile axis of applied tensile load along said longitudinal tensile element. The deformable connecting element surrounds the cross section of the longitudinal tensile element and the deformable connecting element is joined to the longitudinal tensile element by means of plastic deformation of said deformable connecting element. The deformable connecting element is connected to the bracing element.

Abstract: An improved wheel construction with a peripheral wheel rim, a central hub with a hub flange and a plurality of spokes extending between the rim and hub, wherein the spokes have a first peripheral portion connected to the rim and a second portion opposed to the first portion. At least one of the spokes is a duplex spoke, including two structural spans extending between the rim and hub with a common portion connected to the hub flange. The duplex spoke includes a portion to directly engage the hub flange.

Abstract: Improved vehicle wheel construction with a peripheral rim, a central wheel hub and a plurality of spokes extending between the rim and hub, wherein the spokes have a first peripheral portion connected to the rim and a second central portion opposed to the first portion. The hub includes at least two opposed outer flanges, with the central portions of the spokes secured to at least one of the outer flanges by hardened molding material.

Abstract: A power transmission element including an improved drive sprocket assembly with at least one preformed sprocket and a central sprocket carrier, wherein the sprocket teeth of the sprocket extend beyond the central sprocket carrier for mating with a roller chain, and wherein the sprocket is secured to the sprocket carrier via deformation of the sprocket carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the attachment of a rear bicycle wheel to the bicycle frame and involves a decoupling engagement mechanism between the one-way clutch assembly of the freehub, commonly referred to as the freehub body, and the rear hub shell.

Abstract: The vehicle wheel includes an outer rim hoop with means for holding a tire, a plurality of spoke portions, and a central hub assembly. The central hub assembly includes an axle assembly and a hub shell that is rotatable about the axle. The hub shell includes at least two axially spaced outer flanges for attachment with the spokes. The spokes are connected at their outer ends to the rim hoop and at their inner ends to their respective outer flange. Firm attachment between the spoke and the outer flange is achieved by engaging of a portion of the spoke with a cavity formed within at least one of the rim and the outer flange. Also disclosed are attachment arrangements that include an intermediate connection member to facilitate attachment between the spoke and the cavity.

Abstract: Assembly includes a bicycle hub assembly, a control shaft having opposed ends passing through the hub assembly, bicycle frame members operative to receive and retain the opposed ends of the control shaft, wherein one of the frame members includes an open slot to receive and retain one end of the control shaft and the other of the frame members includes openings for a releasable, fixed connection with the opposed end of the shaft; and a handle for manual rotation of the shaft to engage and disengage the shaft with the frame members.

Abstract: A device for forming a connection between connectable elements includes a first connectable member for facilitating the connection and a second connectable member for facilitating the connection. The second connectable member is adapted to engage the first connectable member. The first connectable member includes an opening for receiving the second connectable member. A tapered element is also provided for one of compressing the first connectable member into locking engagement with the second connectable member and expanding the second connectable member into locking engagement with the first connectable member while the second connectable member is positioned in the opening for receiving.

Abstract: The bicycle crankshaft assembly includes two crank arms having end portions thereof, a crank axle having two end portions thereof, with one of the crank arms attached to one of the axle end portions and another of the crank arms attached to the other of the axle end portions, and a crank arm insert affixed to at least one of the axle end portions and affixed to one of the crank arms end portions for connection of the crank arm to the crank axle.

Abstract: Clamping device for clamping a shaft to a base member including a base member, at least one clamping element spaced from the base member, a shaft having a longitudinal axis and extending along the base member between the base member and clamping element, connecting links connecting the clamping element to the base member, and a bolt for moving the clamping element into locking engagement with the shaft exerting a clamping action on the shaft which is parallel to the shaft.

Abstract: The wheel includes an annular rim, a central hub and a plurality of spoke portions running between the rim and hub, with each spoke having a width to thickness ratio of at least 2:1, with the spoke portions having an inside portion in fixed relationship to the hub and an outside portion in fixed relationship to the rim with the spoke portions extending radially outwardly between the hub and rim. An encircling member is provided affixed to at least one of the inside and outside spoke portions defining an enclosed, continuous hollow annulus and including fasteners within the hollow annulus for affixing the spoke portions to said circular member.

Abstract: The wheel includes an annular rim, a central hub and a plurality of spoke portions running between the rim and hub, with each spoke having a width to thickness ratio of at least 2:1, with the spoke portions having an inside portion in fixed relationship to the hub and an outside portion in fixed relationship to the rim with the spoke portions extending radially outwardly between the hub and rim. A circular member is provided affixed to at least one of the inside and outside spoke portions defining an enclosed, continuous hollow annulus and including fasteners within the hollow annulus for affixing said spoke portions to said circular member.