For Cycle-type Vehicle Patents (Class 301/110.5)
  • Patent number: 11939998
    Abstract: An arrangement secures at least one circlip against centrifugal force. The circlip is axially fastened on a rotor shaft of an electrical machine for positional securing. At least one securing element is provided for securing against the centrifugal forces acting on the circlip when the rotor shaft rotates. The at least one securing element is placed onto the rotor shaft by means of a first portion for fastening and, by means of a second portion, is slid at least partially over the circlip and radially secures the circlip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Linz, Marcel Laake
  • Patent number: 11427028
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel has a wheel frame. The wheel frame is a hollow and annular frame and is composited by multiple equally sized wheel bars. Each one of the wheel bars has two halves connected to each other to form the wheel bar, and each one of the two halves being made by laminating, heating and forming a thermoplastic prepreg. The equally sized wheel bars are connected to each other to form the bicycle wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Corex Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Shao-Chen Chiu, Chia-Ming Ku
  • Patent number: 11407470
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel axle assembly having: an axle sleeve with first and second end faces and an axial opening having a radially inwardly projecting first engagement surface; and a control shaft with a radially outwardly projecting second engagement surface. The control shaft is axially retained to the axle sleeve by an overlie engagement at an engagement interface between the first and second engagement surfaces to limit the axial displacement of the control shaft in a retracting direction relative to the axle sleeve. At least one of: the first engagement surface is in an engagement element discreet from and axially retained to the axle sleeve such that the engagement element may be installed to the axle sleeve and/or removed from the axle sleeve; and the second engagement surface is in an engagement element discreet from and axially retained to the control shaft such that the engagement element may be installed to the control shaft and/or removed from the control shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventor: Raphael Schlanger
  • Patent number: 11279442
    Abstract: A sprocket support body is rotatably mounted on a hub axle of a bicycle rear hub assembly. The sprocket support body comprises at least ten external spline teeth configured to engage with a bicycle rear sprocket assembly. Each of the at least ten external spline teeth has an external-spline driving surface and an external-spline non-driving surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Tomonari Oka
  • Patent number: 11161370
    Abstract: A wheel rim assembly includes a hub with a case and two flanges are formed on two ends of the case. Multiple spoke units are connected between the two flanges of the hub and the inner periphery of the rim. Each spoke unit includes a first connection member and the first end of an X-shaped spoke extends from the first connection member. Each first connection member includes a first recessed area and a second recessed area respectively defined in the outside and the inside thereof. The second recessed area is matched with the flange corresponding thereto. Each first connection member includes an engaging recess and a protrusion. The protrusion of one first connection member is engaged with the engaging recess of the next first connection member. Two covers are respectively connected two ends of the hub. The second end of each spoke is inserted into reception recess of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Great Go Cycles Inc.
    Inventor: Mu-Rong Li
  • Patent number: 11135870
    Abstract: A spoke attachment flange for a bicycle wheel hub and a method for mounting spokes on the flange are disclosed. The flange has an annular body with a plurality of seats for housing enlarged spoke heads. At least one seat has an access opening configured to allow the insertion of the enlarged head in the seat. An outlet opening on the annular body is configured to allow a stem of the spoke to exit from the seat. The access opening and the outlet opening are connected through a connection channel that extends from the access opening towards the outlet opening without reaching a radially outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventors: Nicolò Martinello, Leonardo Antonio Demelio
  • Patent number: 11124258
    Abstract: A bicycle bottom bracket set has two bearing cups, the bearing cup has a built-in ring, a tightening socket and a bearing. The built-in ring and the tightening socket are provided with a guiding end and a connecting portion. When the bearing cup screw is installed, the guiding end of the built-in ring can be gradually opened and pressed against the inner wall of the bottom bracket. When the bottom bracket has inner diameter offsets caused by the heat expansion and contraction factor or the poor processing, the combination of the forced tension of the bearing cup can achieve the purpose of structurally limiting. The stability of the structural installation while ensuring the safety of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: MING SUEY PRECISION INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jia-Wei Hsu
  • Patent number: 10912595
    Abstract: An anchor to be screwed into a hole and self-lock therein with high initial stability. The anchor has an aggressively-threaded, self-tapping apical end. A central region of the anchor is formed with a plurality of helical flutes and intervening lands. Each land carries a condensing edge. The condensing edges are configured to apply a circumferentially sweeping compressive strain to the interior surface of the host material while the anchor is being screwed into position. A coronal end of the anchor includes a corking feature to mitigate mushrooming around the perimeter of the hole. A helical groove intersects the condensing edges and flutes. The helical groove has a variable pitch and a decreasing depth which functions to squeeze and displace trapped host material thereby enhancing stability and other benefits. In bone applications, the groove hosts material chips which promote and enhance healing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Huwais IP Holding LLC
    Inventor: Salah Huwais
  • Patent number: 10800206
    Abstract: A quick-release structure has: a shaft lever having a shaft lever external thread at one end thereof and a shaft lever internal thread at the other end thereof; a fixed seat sheathed on the shaft lever in a non-rotatable manner relative to each other. The fixed seat has an annular fixed seat engaging tooth on one end face thereof; a movable seat having an axially penetrating perforation, wherein the movable seat has an annular movable seat engaging tooth on one end face thereof, and the movable seat engaging tooth faces the fixed seat engaging tooth of the fixed seat; a spring abutting between the fixed seat and the movable seat; a spanner rod having a pivoting hole; and a connecting shaft, one end of which abuts on the spanner rod, and the other end of which has a connecting shaft external thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Inventor: Chin-Chao Chang
  • Patent number: 10773544
    Abstract: A bicycle real wheel hub includes pulling spokes and static spokes connected to the disks thereof. The hub includes a tubular portion with two disks respectively connected to two ends of the tubular portion. Multiple protrusions protrude from the inner side of each disk. The head of each pulling spoke is secured to the protrusion corresponding thereto. The head of each static spoke is secured to the disks. The heads of the pulling spokes are located closer to the middle point of the tubular portion than the heads of the static spokes. When the hub rotates, the static spokes provide strength in the axial direction of the hub, and the pulling spokes have strong tension so that the hub bears higher torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Inventor: Kuo-Ching Chang
  • Patent number: 10710398
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel hub that includes a hub shell having a first end and a second end. The bicycle wheel hub also includes a first flange adjacent the first end and configured for the attachment of a first plurality of spokes, and a second flange adjacent the second end configured for the attachment of a second plurality of spokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: XTREME CARBON PTY LTD
    Inventor: Brian Francis Corrigan
  • Patent number: 10549575
    Abstract: A hub and a wheel having such a hub are provided. The hub includes a hub shell and an axle to rotatably receive the hub shell. The hub shell is provided with circumferential hub flanges serving for accommodation and defined orientation of a plurality of spokes. Each of the spokes has a spoke body and a spoke head. The hub flanges include a plurality of accommodation sections receiving a spoke head each. Each of the accommodation sections has one spoke feed-through assigned to it through which an accommodated spoke can be guided out of the accommodation section. The hub flange includes two different types of accommodation sections. A first type includes a circumferentially closed spoke feed-through and a second type, a circumferentially opened spoke feed-through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: DT SWISS INC.
    Inventors: Stefan Spahr, Simon Haas
  • Patent number: 10442245
    Abstract: A hub for bicycles includes a hub shell which is rotatably supported relative to a hub axle by two roller bearings disposed on opposite ends of the hub shell, a rotor rotatably supported relative to the hub axle by two rotor bearings, and a freewheel device having an interacting hub-side freewheel component and a rotor-side freewheel component. The two freewheel components each have axial engagement elements and are axially movable relative to one another between a freewheel position and an intermeshing engaging position. The rotor is disposed in the same axial position both in the freewheel position and in the engaging position. A driving torque is transmitted in the engaging position. The hub-side freewheel component has an inner central receiving space with a bearing seat and a roller bearing received to rotatably support the hub shell. The hub-side freewheel component includes an appendix protruding outwardly from the axial body section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: DT SWISS INC.
    Inventors: Martin Walthert, Stefan Spahr
  • Patent number: 10259527
    Abstract: A bicycle pedal is disclosed that consists of a pedal body including a pair of surfaces interchangeably configured to receive a foot and an axle having a first end configured to be received by a crank arm of a bicycle and having a second end received into the pedal body, the axle configured to rotate with respect to the pedal body. The second end of the axle is configured to rotate freely within the pedal body without a bearing system. The bicycle pedals disclosed herein include a fewer number of parts than conventional bicycle pedals, and yet may be stronger and more durable, than conventional bicycle pedals. Further, the bicycle pedals disclosed herein may be manufactured in less time and at lower costs than conventional bicycle pedals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Foresee Pedals LLC
    Inventor: Darcy Saccucci
  • Patent number: 10214051
    Abstract: A rear wheel axle for a bicycle includes a hollow wheel axle and an axle shaft inserted therethrough and torque support elements for supporting torque exerted on the wheel axle on drop outs of a bicycle frame. The torque support elements are formed by a first part of an outside of the axle shaft and a part of an inside of the wheel axle, which parts jointly form a first form locked connection, and are also formed by a second part of the outside of the axle shaft, which together with a bounding wall of a through hole provided in an inserted piece which is fixed in the direction of rotation relative to one of the drop outs, forms a second form locked connection. The first and second parts of the outside of the axle shaft are fixed relative to each other in the direction of rotation of the axle shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: ADVANCING TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Roell Marie Van Druten, Johannes Gijsbertus Antonius Van Den Brand
  • Patent number: 10189490
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners that remove debris from water using a plurality of cyclonic flows, or that include a removable impeller subassembly, a check valve for a debris canister, a particle separator assembly having a handle that locks to the pool cleaner, a modular roller drive gear box, or a roller latch that secures a roller to the pool cleaner. Exemplary embodiments are also directed to the check valve and the roller latch themselves. Exemplary embodiments are directed to a filter medium for pool cleaners that includes embossments providing flow channels for water, and to roller assemblies for pool cleaners. Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners including alternative pump motor engagements. Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners power supplies that include a potted and contoured power board assembly, and to kickstands therefor. Exemplary embodiments are directed to a pool cleaner caddy, and removable wheels therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Garrett Jacob Ferrell
  • Patent number: 10173747
    Abstract: A quick-clamping system for fixing the hub of a wheel between dropouts of a fork or chainstays of a bicycle having a tension axle (1) with a means for exerting axial compressive forces (3) and a first clamping surface (4), both being arranged at a first end (2); a locking mechanism (6) having a second clamping surface (7) and blocking a second end (5) against axial motion; a counter piece (8), wherein counter piece (8) and second end (5) can be detachably connected by means of axial plugging, and wherein the counter piece (8) has an axially moveable, operable unlocking mechanism (9) by means of which the locking mechanism (6) can be unlocked, so that counter piece (8) and second end (5) can be detached from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Inventor: Ulrich Fahl
  • Patent number: 10138933
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the bearing play of components mounted coaxially rotatable to one another and rotatably joined to one another via two axially separated roller bearings is operatively connected to one roller bearing by an end side and to a counter bearing by the opposing end side. The device is formed by two coaxially adjacent rings on one of the components. Each opposing end surface thereof has at least one contour projecting from the plane of the end surfaces. At least one contour has an incline on which the at least one opposing contour slides. One ring is operatively connected to the counter bearing by the other end surface. The other ring is operatively connected to the roller bearing. A device for mutual radial rotation and a device for locking the axially moving ring in the assumed axial position are on both rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: HGW Horst Weidner GmbH
    Inventors: Sven Breitfeld, Frank Weidner
  • Patent number: 10119579
    Abstract: Forward movement of a bicycle results when force is transfer from the chain or belt to a sprocket on a cassette. The cassette is splined to the cassette driver and causes the wheel of the bike to rotate when torque is applied from the cassette to the cassette driver. The cassette driver is typically made of a strong hard material such as steel to withstand the forces in parted thereon by the cassette. The present disclosure provide a hub configuration and method that enables the cassette driver to be made with construction of a lighter weight material such as aluminum yet still withstand the toque applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Christianson Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Gerhardt, Shannon Hansen, Patrick Robert Jensen
  • Patent number: 10113597
    Abstract: Forward movement of a bicycle results when force is transfer from the chain or belt to a sprocket on a cassette. The cassette is splined to the cassette driver and causes the wheel of the bike to rotate when torque is applied from the cassette to the cassette driver. The cassette driver is typically made of a strong hard material such as steel to withstand the forces in parted thereon by the cassette. The present disclosure provide a hub configuration and method that enables the cassette driver to be made with construction of a lighter weight material such as aluminum yet still withstand the toque applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Christianson Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Gerhardt, Shannon Hansen, Patrick Robert Jensen
  • Patent number: 10093129
    Abstract: The invention, in a first variant thereof, relates to a hub for a bicycle wheel with a disc brake. The hub comprises a pin extending along a longitudinal axis (X), a body rotatably mounted on the pin and comprising a coupling portion with a brake disc, a bearing radially interposed between the pin and the body and in axial abutment with the body, a cap associated with a free end portion of the pin and configured to be associated with the frame of the bicycle and a calibrated washer in axial abutment with the pin and one between the cap and the bearing or axially interposed between the bearing and the body. By selecting a calibrated washer of desired thickness, it is possible to precisely position the brake disc with respect to the frame, and thus with respect to the pads associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: CAMPAGNOLO S.R.L.
    Inventor: Paolo Maltauro
  • Patent number: 10065452
    Abstract: A bicycle component includes a hub shell for a wheel of an at least partially muscle-powered bicycle, wherein the hub shell is rotatably supported by at least one bearing device. An adapter unit is disposed on one end of the hub shell. The adapter unit includes an inner stopper having an inner stop face for transferring a clamping force to the bearing device and an outer stopper with an outer stop face transmitting at least part of the clamping force. The adapter unit includes a first and a second stopper component transmitting the clamping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: DT SWISS INC.
    Inventors: Martin Walthert, Stefan Spahr, Simon Haas
  • Patent number: 10011322
    Abstract: A wheel hub transmission unit for a drive wheel of a vehicle is provided. The wheel hub transmission unit includes a wheel axle, a pinion hub carrier concentrically arranged with respect to the wheel axle, a pinion mounted in a torsionally rigid manner onto said pinion hub carrier and configured to drive the drive wheel, and a torque transmission device having a transmission sleeve. The transmission sleeve is made from a magnetically coded material and includes a measuring area that is utilized to measure a torque by utilizing magnetic properties of the magnetically coded material of the transmission sleeve. An annular space is radially provided between the transmission sleeve and the wheel axle in the measuring area with a sensor coil being accommodated therein, the annular space being axially accessible from outside the transmission sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: INNOTORQ GmbH
    Inventor: Theodor Piele
  • Patent number: 9994071
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel securing structure is basically provided with an axle member, a head member, a lever member and an adjusting member. The axle member is at least partially hollow, and includes a first end portion, a second end portion and a vehicle body engagement portion. The vehicle body engagement portion is provided to the second end portion for engaging a bicycle frame. The head member is disposed on the first end portion. The lever member is configured to turn the head member around an axis between a first position and a second position. The lever member presses the head member from the first end portion to the second end portion by being turned from the second position to the first position. The adjusting member is provided inside the axle member for adjusting an axial position of the head member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Nakajima
  • Patent number: 9963190
    Abstract: A quick-release structure includes a shaft having a through hole and a circular magnetic member in the through hole; a circular shaft head having a slot at a front end thereof and two side holes; a stop ring connected with the circular shaft head screwed to the shaft; a drive lever having a lever head and a lever body, two sides of the drive lever having guide grooves respectively, the lever body being inserted into the through hole, the lever head being inserted into the slot and a distal end of the lever body is attracted by the magnetic member; and two engaging members screwed to the side holes and leaning against the guide grooves, the drive lever being movable along the guide grooves, the engaging members functioning as a pivot so that the drive lever can be turned left and right to rotate the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Inventor: Yu-Chen Liu
  • Patent number: 9944119
    Abstract: A hub assembly for bicycle is provided. The hub assembly includes a hub shell having first and second ends at a distance from each other along a rotational axis, a first engagement structure pair having a first inner engagement structure and a first outer engagement structure, the first engagement structure pair being releasably engagable for co-rotation; and a second engagement structure pair having a second inner engagement structure and a second outer engagement structure, the pair being second engagement structure releasably engagable for co-rotation. The first inner engagement structure and the second outer engagement structure are configured not to engage with each other, and/or the second inner engagement structure and the first outer engagement structure are configured not to engage with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Nobukatsu Hara
  • Patent number: 9688391
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an axle sleeve. The axle sleeve may be insertable over a portion of an axle, such as a mid-journal surface between an inner journal and an outer journal of the axle, to protect the mid-journal surface of the axle from damage. The axle sleeve may have a main body with an expansion mechanism, such as an axial cutout arrangement or a helical cutout arrangement. The expansion mechanism may allow the axle sleeve to expand diametrically to pass over a journal and to contract to seat on a mid-journal surface. An axial cutout arrangement may include cutout(s) extending from an end of the axle sleeve parallel to the central axis of the axle sleeve. A helical cutout arrangement may include cutout(s) extending from an end of the axle sleeve along a spiral path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Rony Ganis
  • Patent number: 9539857
    Abstract: A saddle riding type vehicle driven by a straddling rider, comprises a wheel including a wheel member having an annular rim, and a hub formed centrally of the rim to have a through hole formed at a center of rotation, a bearing attached to an inner circumferential surface of the through hole, and a tire attached to the rim; a wheel support for rotatably supporting the wheel with an axle inserted in the through hole; a sensor rotor mounted on the hub using the inner circumferential surface of the through hole as reference; and a wheel speed sensor for detecting rotation of the sensor rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazunari Sagane
  • Patent number: 9502935
    Abstract: A hub shell is used as a part of a bicycle generator hub. The hub shell comprises a main body and a magnet arrangement section. The main body has a tubular shape with an internal circumferential surface. The magnet arrangement section is provided on the internal circumferential surface of the main body to arrange a magnet formed therein by injection molding. The magnet arrangement section includes an even section and a non-even section, the non-even section being configured as one of a recess and a protrusion with respect to the even section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hasegawa, Akira Nakabayashi
  • Patent number: 9463842
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel securing structure is provided with a shaft member, a head member, a lever member, an adjustment member and a positioning mechanism. The shaft member has a first end portion, a second end portion and an engaging part. The head member is movably disposed on the first end portion. The lever member is movably provided on the head member around a pivot axis that intersects with an axial direction of the shaft member to move the shaft member in the axial direction with respect to the head member. The adjustment member is movably provided on the head member in the axial direction and that can adjust a final fixing position of the lever member. The positioning mechanism is provided between the head member and the adjustment member to selectively maintain a position of the adjustment member in a plurality of axially spaced apart locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Nakajima, Kazuki Koshiyama
  • Patent number: 9428006
    Abstract: A wheel, (1) particularly for a cycle, includes a circular rim (2), a hub (3) concentric with the rim, and spokes (4) connecting the hub (3) to the rim (2). The rim, the hub, and the spokes are made of a polymerized composite material. The spokes (4) are paired two by two on either side of the bond plane of the wheel and are attached without tension at their ends onto the hub (3) and onto the rim (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: CORIMA
    Inventors: Pierre-Jean Martin, Thomas Dupont
  • Patent number: 9266576
    Abstract: A wheel support for a bicycle and a bicycle are disclosed. The wheel support includes a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to support the bicycle, and the second end is configured to be tamper evident and to support a wheel. The bicycle includes a frame, a wheel, and the wheel support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Inventor: Arthur J. dela Houssaye
  • Patent number: 9259966
    Abstract: An adjustable quick release grip contains: a handlebar, a central shaft, a quick releasing shaft, a plurality of steel balls, plural springs, a returning spring, an adjusting seat, and a screw nut. The handlebar includes a spherical knob, a groove, an eccentric hole, a pulling lever, and a connecting stem. The quick releasing shaft includes a hollow body with an outer screwing section, and the hollow body has a slot, an aperture, a stopping rim, an opening, a retaining head, and a shoulder, wherein the retaining head has a plurality of receiving holes. The adjusting seat includes an adjustment cover, a first forcing ring, a second forcing ring, a pore, a notch, and a circular gasket, the notch has inner threads arranged around an inner wall thereof, wherein the adjustment cover has an external screw section surround around a bottom end thereof and screwed with the inner threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Chang Hui Lin
  • Patent number: 9227690
    Abstract: An axle adapter assembly, configured for enabling conversion of an axle installed on a vehicle to fit different center bore sizes of wheel hubs, including: an axle configured for coupling dropouts of fork legs of a lower fork; adapters configured for being inserted within the dropouts; the adapters configured for engaging an outer surface of the axle and retaining the axle upon engagement; and axle pinch shims configured for being inserted into slits of the dropouts and the adapters, wherein upon the insertion, the adapters are aligned with the dropouts, such that shoulders of the adapters retain edges of a wheel hub of the wheel hubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: William M. Becker
  • Patent number: 9199689
    Abstract: A wheel assembly quick release lever pivots against a thrust washer to apply a force along the length of an axle. The thrust washer is pressed toward a sleeve nut at the opposite end of the axle, which displaces the thrust washer relative to the axle, drawing the sleeve nut and a pair of compression rings toward one another deeper into conical cavities of dropouts. The radially outwardly facing surfaces of the compression rings firmly seat against the tapered cavities of the closed bore dropouts, and the radially inwardly facing surfaces of the compression rings firmly seat against the axle to provide resistance to rotational movement of the axle relative to the dropouts. The inboard surfaces of the dropouts seat against the load-bearing axle faces of the hub, which provides resistance to lateral movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.
    Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
  • Patent number: 9174487
    Abstract: A rear wheel hub assembly includes a sleeve and a first installation portion and a second installation portion are respectively located in the two open ends of the sleeve. A hub is mounted to one end of the sleeve and two bearings are located between the two open ends of the hub and the sleeve. A ratchet socket is mounted to an end of the sleeve and located away from the first positioning portion. Two end members are located on the two open ends of the sleeve and each end member has a body. The two respective bodies of the two end members are respectively engaged with the first and second installation portions. The two end members are replaceable when the axle of different sizes is replaced so as to be connected to the bicycle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Joy Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Hsung Chen
  • Patent number: 9090124
    Abstract: A bicycle hub axle adapter basically includes a hub axle adapter main body and at least one retaining member. The hub axle adapter main body is configured to be inserted into a bicycle hub having a hollow hub axle. The at least one retaining member is disposed on an external surface of the hub axle adapter main body for contacting an internal surface of the hollow hub axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Fujita
  • Publication number: 20150137583
    Abstract: A wheel of the bicycle wheel type includes a rim (200), a hub (10) with an axis (100) corresponding to the axis of the wheel, the hub including a left flange (11) and a right flange (12). The wheel includes an arrangement of rim-hub-rim connecting elements on at least one flange of the hub, which includes at least two sets of at least two rim-hub-rim connecting elements ((51-52; 53-54); (55-56; 57-58)), in the form of opposing spokes or rods, and in which the elements of each set are in planes situated on either side of the axis of the wheel and parallel to the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: MDPW
    Inventor: Michel Debien
  • Patent number: 9016802
    Abstract: A bicycle rear hub includes a hub spindle, a drive part, a hub shell and a driving force measuring part. The drive part is rotatably supported on the hub spindle, and configured to receive a driving-force-input member. The hub shell is rotatably supported on the hub spindle and operatively coupled to the drive part for rotation by the drive part on the hub spindle. The driving force measuring part includes a first signal generating mechanism and a second signal generating mechanism. The first signal generating mechanism has a first magnet and a first coil. The second signal generating mechanism has a second magnet and a second coil. The second signal generating mechanism is axially aligned with the first signal generating mechanism in an axial direction of the hub spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Satoshi Kitamura
  • Patent number: 9010875
    Abstract: A hub with a hub body, the hub body having two end units and a tubular center part, and the center part being disposed between, and received at, the end units. At least one end unit includes a tubular inserting portion onto which the center part having a tubular slip-on portion is pushed. The inserting portion and the slip-on portion overlap in an overlapping region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: DT Swiss Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Spahr, Thomas Gasser
  • Patent number: 8974007
    Abstract: A wheel for a vehicle includes a hub, a rim, a plurality of spokes, and a disk member. The hub includes a flange portion, a plurality of spoke pedestals, and a plurality of disk member attaching portions. The flange portion outwardly spreads in a radial direction of the hub and is provided on one end portion of the hub in an axial direction of the hub. The spoke pedestals are provided at substantially regular intervals on an inner side of the flange portion and inwardly projects from the flange portion in the radial direction. The disk member attaching portions are provided at substantially regular intervals on an outer periphery of the flange portion and outwardly projects from the flange portion in the radial direction. The disk member attaching portions are provided between the spoke pedestals in a circumferential direction of the flange portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Uchiyama, Junki Sagara
  • Patent number: 8955660
    Abstract: Wheel hub, in particular bicycle rear wheel hub, comprising hub shell and freewheel shell both supported by bearings to be rotatable relative to the hub axle, where the hub shell is slidingly coupled through spline coupling with a freewheel coupling ring provided with axial pawl teeth on its axial face, wherein an annular permanent magnet (6) is seated in the freewheel coupling ring (3), and another permanent magnet (5) is arranged coaxial to the permanent magnet (6) in the hub shell (1), while the axial pawl teeth (B) of the freewheel coupling ring (3) intermesh with the axial pawl teeth (C) of the freewheel shell (4), and also the inner ring of the bearing (7a) disposed in the hub shell (1) abuts against a hub axle (2) collar (16) and the outer ring of the bearing (7a) is urged towards the said hub axle (2) collar (16) by an adjusting screw (10) screwed in the hub shell (1) from the non-drive side, while the inner ring of the bearing (7b) abuts against the hub axle collar (17) and its outer ring abuts on th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignees: Soul-Kozak
    Inventors: Mariusz Kozak, Janusz Kozak
  • Patent number: 8950825
    Abstract: A bicycle rear hub includes a hub spindle, a drive part, a hub shell and a driving force measuring part. The drive part is rotatably supported on the hub spindle, and configured to receive a driving-force-input member. The drive part includes a coupling part having a liquid storage area filled with a liquid. The hub shell is rotatably supported on the hub spindle and operatively coupled to the coupling part of the drive part for rotation by the drive part on the hub spindle. The driving force measuring part includes a liquid pressure sensor that detects pressure of the liquid in the liquid storage area of the coupling part of the drive part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Satoshi Kitamura
  • Publication number: 20150015125
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel system includes a hub assembly having a body, a collet within the body; a first hub mating member; a second hub mating member; wherein each of the hub mating members have either a surface pattern or an engagement member; and torque transfer flanges at each end of the body. A first axle assembly includes a first axle; either a surface pattern or an engagement member; and a torque transfer flange. A second axle assembly includes a second axle; either a surface pattern or an engagement member; a gear collet; and a ratchet gear drive, with the ratchet gear drive having a torque transfer flange. The surface patterns and engagement members are arranged for selective locking engagement with one another to join the hub assembly, first axle assembly, and second axle assembly together. A locking release mechanism controls the engagement of the surface patterns and engagement members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: SLIPSTREAM BICYCLES, LLC
    Inventor: Walter H. Webber
  • Publication number: 20140312680
    Abstract: A modularized hub assembly includes an axle member, a hub shell mounted on the axle member, at least two sprocket carriers alternatively mounted on the axle member, and a pair of end caps respectively secured to opposite ends of the axle member. Each of the sprocket carriers includes a carrier body having an outer profile, and a bearing unit mounted in the carrier body. The outer profiles of the carrier bodies of the sprocket carriers are different from each other. The bearing units of the sprocket carriers are the same in total length and inner diameter for being alternatively mounted on a carrier-mounting section of the axle member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: KUN TENG INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hubert Chen
  • Patent number: 8864405
    Abstract: A releasably locking device, and clamping element for such a device, secures a bicycle component to a bicycle frame. The device has a traction rod associated with a rotation cam extending in a housing. The rotation of the cam is driven by a lever-operated manual actuation system between a clamping operating position and a release position. The rotation cam has two ends that can be commanded into synchronous rotation through said lever-operated manual actuation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Mario Meggiolan
  • Publication number: 20140265539
    Abstract: A bicycle hub configuration that allows the use of a wider rear dropout spacing (e.g., increased from 130 mm to 135 mm) without substantially adversely affecting the alignment of the cassette relative to the chainrings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Jeremy Thompson
  • Patent number: 8833536
    Abstract: A ratchet mechanism of a bicycle hub includes a ring fixed in the hub. The ring has a tapered surface and a flange is formed in the inner periphery of the ring. A driving unit is located in the hub and has multiple first ratchet teeth extending axially therefrom. A passive unit is located in the tapered surface and corresponding to the driving unit. The passive unit has a passive seat which has a tapered outer face matched with the tapered surface. The passive seat further has a stop portion which is stopped by the flange in one direction. The passive seat has multiple second ratchet teeth engaged with the first ratchet teeth. A magnetic unit is located between the hub and the passive set, and two magnetic members which are magnetically repulsive to each other so as to linearly move the passive seat toward the driving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Kunshan Henry Metal Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kee Ping Tho
  • Patent number: 8820853
    Abstract: A wheel assembly quick release lever pivots against a thrust washer to apply a force along the length of an axle. The thrust washer is pressed toward a sleeve nut at the opposite end of the axle, which displaces the thrust washer relative to the axle, drawing the sleeve nut and a pair of compression rings toward one another deeper into conical cavities of dropouts. The radially outwardly facing surfaces of the compression rings firmly seat against the tapered cavities of the closed bore dropouts, and the radially inwardly facing surfaces of the compression rings firmly seat against the axle to provide resistance to rotational movement of the axle relative to the dropouts. The inboard surfaces of the dropouts seat against the load-bearing axle faces of the hub, which provides resistance to lateral movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.
    Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
  • Patent number: RE45684
    Abstract: The invention relates to a quick release assembly for a bicycle, wherein the assembly comprises an axle having a first non-cylindrical end portion, a cylindrical central portion, and a second non-cylindrical end portion, wherein a diameter of one of the non-cylindrical end portions is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical central portion. The quick release assembly further comprises an insert having a non-cylindrical outer profile configured to be retained in a non-cylindrical opening and having a cam surface disposed therein, wherein the insert is sized to retain one of the non-cylindrical end portions of the axle therein. The assembly also includes a shaft sized to pass through the axle and having a cam follower on a first end and a handle on a second end, wherein the cam follower is configured to form a locking engagement with the cam surface upon an axial rotation of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Hayes Bicycle Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S Jones, Edward C Kwaterski, Joshua T. Pallesen, Nicholas W Pye, Jonathon M Haggerty