For Cycle-type Vehicle Patents (Class 301/110.5)
  • Publication number: 20100052414
    Abstract: A wheel bearing assembly for motorcycles comprising a hub, a bearing, a bearing seal, a collar, and an axle. A sealing element such as an o-ring, rubber seal or sleeve is provided between the inside surface of the collar and the axle, in a substantially watertight static relationship therewith, so as to prevent moisture from seeping between the collar and the axle disposed therein. The sealing element is preferably retained in a groove machined into the interior surface of the collar, but may be frictionally retained thereby or in a press fit relationship therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Curt Leaverton
  • Patent number: 7669870
    Abstract: An adjustable axle assembly for the front fork of a motorcycle. In the preferred embodiment, the axle is received within an eccentric axle carrier which in turn is received within mounting holes in the front fork. The mounting holes utilize a pinch bolts as a clamping method to secure the eccentric axle carrier within the fork. In the preferred embodiment, loosening the pinch bolts allows the eccentric axle carrier to be rotated effectively moving the position of the wheel relative to the fork. Moving the wheel forward and backwards changes the trail characteristic of the motorcycle's geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Rekluse Motor Sports, Inc
    Inventor: Alden R. Eaton
  • Patent number: 7661767
    Abstract: A wheel quick release system for a bicycle or other wheeled vehicle where the wheel can be easily removed by a manual operation on only one side of the wheel hub but is prevented from unexpected separation at all times while engaged with the wheel. A laterally moving skewer mounted concentrically inside a hollow axle is equipped with a “non-touch” nut on one end and is spring loaded toward a quick release cam on the other end thereby always urging the nut against the adjacent dropout. To remove the wheel, the quick release cam is operated and the quick release side assembly is pushed axially inward and a safety mechanism is operated and held in this position while the wheel is removed from the fork dropouts. When the wheel is again inserted into the wheel fork, the skewer automatically locks onto the dropouts, and subsequently if the quick release cam is inadvertently left open by the user, the wheel will be somewhat loose but will remain safely inserted in the wheel mounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventors: David Montague, Harry Montague
  • Patent number: 7658452
    Abstract: A hub and a wheel equipped with such a hub for bicycles, wherein the hub includes a fixed hub axle and a hub body rotatably mounted relative to fixed hub axle through two bearings. The hub body includes a hub sleeve and two separate hub flanges positioned on the hub sleeve at which spokes are disposed to connect the hub body with a rim. The hub flanges are fastened to the hub sleeve by connecting members positioned substantially perpendicular to the hub axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: DT Swiss Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Spahr, Martin Walthert, Andreas Reuteler
  • Patent number: 7658450
    Abstract: A wheel including a peripheral rim, a central hub, and spokes connecting extending and tensioned between the rim and the hub, as well as a method for manufacturing such a wheel. The method includes distributing the spokes in two groups, a first group of spokes lacking a tensioning device, and a second group of spokes having a tensioning device; assembling the spokes to the rim and to the hub, and then adjusting the tension of the spokes with tensioning devices of the second group of spokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Fabrice Augris
  • Patent number: 7651173
    Abstract: A wheel isolator coupling comprising a sprocket for engaging a drive member, the sprocket fixedly connected to a first adaptor, the sprocket rotationally engaged with a shaft through a first bearing, a wheel portion fixedly connected to a second adaptor, the wheel portion rotationally engaged with the shaft through a second bearing, the first adaptor having at least one receiving portion, at least one compressible member disposed within the receiving portion, the second adaptor having a radially extending member for engaging the compressible member within the receiving portion, and the sprocket imparting no axial force to the first bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Xinjian Fan, Jing Yuan, George Vidican
  • Patent number: 7651172
    Abstract: A hub body of a spoked bicycle wheel comprises spoke attachment holes made in the hub body in a direction substantially parallel to a rotation axis of the hub body. Said holes comprise a first set of holes at a first radial distance from the rotation axis and a second set of holes at a second radial distance from the rotation axis, greater than the first radial distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Mario Meggiolan
  • Patent number: 7648211
    Abstract: A bicycle hub includes a wheel securing structure having a retaining arrangement disposed with respect to the hub axle and a wheel securing shaft member. The retaining arrangement overrideably prevents the shaft member from being axially removed from the hub axle when in a predetermined position within the through bore of the hub axle. In other words, the retaining arrangement is arranged to releasably restrict relative axial movement between the shaft member and the hub axle when the shaft member is disposed in the through bore of the hub axle in a predetermined position so that unintended displacement of the wheel securing shaft structure from the hub axle is prevented during use of the wheel securing shaft structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Etsuyoshi Watarai
  • Publication number: 20090309411
    Abstract: A motorcycle wheel assembly having a wheel with a central hub and an axle extending centrally through the hub with interior wheel bearings and at least one brake disc in abutment with the outside surface of the hub is provided with at least a wheel cover fitted onto a spacer surrounding the axle between the brake disc and the lower extremity of an adjacent fork in order to protect the wheel bearings and the mounting bolts from sand and grit. The wheel cover includes a shoulder portion on one side through which a spacer and an axle extend and an outer lip overlying the brake disc and mounting bolts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: David C. Perry
  • Patent number: 7628518
    Abstract: A bicycle hub includes a hub shaft, a hub shell, a bearing arrangement, an electricity generating mechanism and at least one lamp. The hub shaft is configured and arranged to be mounted in a non-rotatable manner to a bicycle frame. The hub shell has a hollow interior with the hub shaft being disposed in the hollow interior of the hub shell. The bearing arrangement is arranged between the hub shell and the hub shaft in such a manner that the hub shell can rotate freely with respect to the hub shaft. The electricity generating mechanism is arranged inside the hub shell and is configured to generate electricity in response to relative rotation of the hub shell with respect to the hub shaft. The lamp is arranged on at least one end of the hub shell and illuminated using electricity generated by the electricity generating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Fujii, Koji Uno
  • Patent number: 7628416
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel securing structure includes a shaft member, a head member, a lever member and a radial expansion structure. The shaft member has first and second end portions. The head member is coupled at the second end portion. The lever member is operatively mounted to move the shaft member in an axial direction relative to the head member in response to movement of the lever member. The radial expansion structure is disposed at the second end portion and includes an expansion member and the second end portion of the shaft member. The expansion member has a first inclined surface and the second end portion of the shaft member has a second inclined surface that cooperates with the first inclined surface to radially expand an outer diameter of the radial expansion structure in response to movement of the lever member from a release position to an attachment position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Nobukatsu Hara
  • Patent number: 7621601
    Abstract: A bicycle hub comprises a central tube having an axial receiving groove for installing an axial shaft of a wheel; a first peripheral disk formed at one end of the central tube; a second peripheral disk formed at another end of the central tube; the second peripheral disk being formed with a plurality of axial insertion holes for receiving radiation spokes; a peripheral of the second peripheral disk being formed with a plurality of ribs; each rib having a penetrating axial installing hole; and each rib of the first peripheral disk having a positioning groove; two ends of the positioning groove being opened at two lateral sides of the rib so as to form the openings; the positioning groove being approximately transversal to an axial direction of the installing hole and a lower side of the installing hole is opened to the positioning groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Tien Hsin Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas Chiang
  • Publication number: 20090243372
    Abstract: A hub installed to a bicycle is disclosed. The normal force of each rolling ball set and the spindle has an inclined angle so that the bearing can suffer from a greater axial force so as to increase the lifetime of the hub. The sizes of the rolling balls are enlarged and the number of the rolling balls used is increased. The annular rib is integrally formed with the hub so as to increase the concentricity between the hub body and the ratchet wheel. The swing range of the hub is decreased and thus it is smooth. The first resisting portion, second resisting portion, seven resisting portion and eight resisting portion are matched to cambered recesses of the first rolling ball set, second rolling ball set, third rolling ball set, and fourth rolling ball set so that the resisting areas between the rolling balls and the resisting portions are increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Tien-Wan HOU, Chia-Ling YANG
  • Publication number: 20090236818
    Abstract: A wheel assembly, which is particularly applicable to bicycles, includes a hub, a pair of laterally spaced bearings, and is constructed to cooperate with a frame of a bicycle. The bearings include an outer race that is directly engaged with the hub. An inner race of each bearing is constructed to directly receive a portion of the bicycle frame such that the wheel is supported by direct interaction of the bicycle frame and the bearing members. Optionally, a hollow axle may extend between adjacent bearings to further enhance the lateral stiffness of the wheel assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Brad J. Addink
  • Publication number: 20090230758
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bicycle wheel hub that generally includes an axle, an input sprocket, an output shell, a one-way clutch and a locking mechanism. The one-way clutch operatively connects the input sprocket and the output shell and is configured to drive the output shell in a first direction. The locking mechanism is configured to operatively connect the output shell and the input sprocket to drive the output shell in a second direction to operate the bicycle wheel hub in a fixed drive mode. The locking mechanism is configured to operatively disconnect the output shell and the input sprocket to operate the bicycle wheel hub in a freewheel drive mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Marcus Schneider, Karl-Joachim Kuhne
  • Patent number: 7581795
    Abstract: A bicycle frame includes a mandrel, a hub and freewheel assembly, two bearings, two first locking nuts, two fork end members, and two second locking nuts. Thus, when each of the first locking nuts is screwed onto the respective first threaded section of the mandrel and when each of the second locking nuts is screwed onto the respective second threaded section of the mandrel and rested on the respective fork end member, the respective fork end member will not be driven by the respective second locking nut to push the respective first locking nut to prevent the respective bearing from being compressed by the respective first locking nut so as to maintain the normal operation of the respective bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Chosen Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching-Shu Chen
  • Publication number: 20090189437
    Abstract: A hub unit is equipped with an inner member having an inner ring raceway formed on its outer peripheral face, an outer member having an outer ring raceway formed on its inner peripheral face, and a plurality of rolling elements provided between the inner ring raceway and the outer ring raceway. At least one of the inner ring raceway and the outer ring raceway has a rolling contact zone on which an induction-hardened layer is formed. The hardened layer has a depth of about 1.5 to 1.9 mm at a distance of 1 mm inward from each end of the hardened layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Masao Takimoto
  • Patent number: 7562940
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel and hub can be configured to provide enhanced stiffness, reduced aerodynamic drag, and reduced weight. For enhanced lateral stiffness, the bicycle wheel comprises a hub having a central body bounded by a first hub flange and a second hub flange. Each of the hub flanges includes a plurality of extensions protruding radially outward from the central body towards a wheel rim. The extensions extend at least one-fifth of the distance from the central body to the rim. A pair of spokes spans between each hub flange extension to the rim. The hub of drive side of a driven wheel may further include a reinforcing member such as a reinforcing ring to accommodate forces and loads imparted by a bicycle drive mechanism. For reduced drag while retaining sufficient lateral stiffness, the central body of the hub may be narrowed and the hub flanges correspondingly repositioned laterally inward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Chris D'Aluisio
  • Patent number: 7562755
    Abstract: A hub for bicycles, having an axle and a shell, two bearing units arranged substantially between the hub axle and the hub shell, and a rotor rotatably supported relative to the hub axle for receiving a sprocket the rotor, and a freewheel having two toothed disc units with biased tooth faces for transmitting the drive torque from the rotor to the hub shell. The two toothed disc units are disposed around the hub axle upon assembly, they are, at idle, disposed transverse to the hub axle. At least one toothed disc unit includes a toothed disc having a hole, a radial wall and an axial toothed wall, wherein an inner diameter of the hole is smaller at the axial wall than an inner dimension in the radial wall to form a receiving space at the toothed disc between the clear inner diameter of the axial wall and the radial wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: DT Swiss, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephan Spahr
  • Patent number: 7562941
    Abstract: A bicycle disc brake hub is basically provided with a hub axle and a hub shell rotatably disposed about the hub axle. The hub shell has a pair of flanges with a tubular portion extending between the flanges, and a rotor attachment portion configured to prevent an inside diameter of a disc brake rotor from increasing when the diameter of the hub axle increases. The rotor attachment portion is provided in the vicinity of a first shell end of the hub shell, and has a smaller outside diameter than the outside diameter of the tubular portion. A rotor of a disc brake device is attached to the rotor attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Takanori Kanehisa
  • Patent number: 7559612
    Abstract: An internally geared bicycle hub cover is provided to cover an end of internally geared bicycle hub. The cover has a generally cup-shaped annular housing, an inner annular seal and an outer annular seal. The generally cup-shaped annular housing includes a base portion defining a centrally located driving member opening and an outer rim portion located radially outward of the base portion with at least two radially projecting protuberances configured and arranged to engage a cover mating structure on an internally geared bicycle hub. The inner annular seal is disposed on the base portion of the annular housing about the driving member opening. The outer annular seal is disposed on the outer rim portion of the annular housing face in a substantially opposite radial direction from the radially projecting protuberances. The outer annular seal is provided on the annular housing to wedge the protuberances into a corresponding annular groove or notches on the hub transmission/shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Hino, Minoru Ito
  • Patent number: 7559416
    Abstract: A free coaster bicycle wheel driving apparatus having a clutch that employs radially acting components. A drive sleeve has an inner cylindrical wall surface mounted coaxially about a wheel mounting shaft and an outer cylindrical wall surface that is eccentric relative to the drive sleeve inner wall surface. The outer surface of the drive sleeve cooperates with a power transmission sleeve that has an inner cylindrical wall surface that is eccentric relative to its cylindrical outer wall surface. The power transmission sleeve is interposed between the drive sleeve and a wheel hub. When the eccentric lobe on the drive sleeve is in opposition to the eccentric lobe on the surrounding power transmission sleeve, the sprocket is disengaged from the wheel hub. Forward rotation of the sprocket jams the lobe of the drive sleeve against the power transmission sleeve, forcing its cam lobe outwardly into frictional engagement with the wheel hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Bear Corporation
    Inventor: George French
  • Patent number: 7556321
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel securing structure includes an outer axle, an inner axle, a head member and a lever member. The outer axle has a first threaded end and a second end. The inner axle is coupled to the outer axle within an internal bore of the outer axle. The head member is disposed on the inner axle with the lever member operatively mounted to move the head member relative to the inner axle in response to movement of the lever member. A structure is arranged such that a final rotational position of the lever member can be adjusted. A structure is also disposed between the outer axle and the inner axle to releasably prevent axial removal of the inner axle from the internal bore of the outer axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Nobukatsu Hara, Takanori Kanehisa
  • Patent number: 7540570
    Abstract: A wheel shock absorbing apparatus includes: a hub, one or more bearings seated within the hub, and an axle. At least two outer end caps, each with an axle mounting hole and an offset inwardly opening cavity, enclose the ends of the hub. A springing element is positioned within each cavity in the end caps, and an inner body unit is located between the outer end caps. An actuation stud projects from the inner body unit into the cavities to contact the springing element. Fastening elements secure the outer end caps together on opposite side of the inner body unit. A pivot stud allows the respective outer end caps and inner body unit to pivot with respect to one another, which causes the actuation stud to contact the spring element, which absorbs shocks as the wheel travels over a surface during locomotion of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Inventor: Morten A. Lund
  • Patent number: 7537291
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel securing structure includes a shaft member, a head member, a lever member and an adjustment member. The shaft member has a first threaded end and a second end with a center axis extending therebetween. The head member is disposed on the second end of the shaft member. The lever member is operatively mounted between the shaft member and the head member to move the shaft member in an axial direction relative to the head member in response to movement of the lever member. The adjustment member is axially adjustably coupled to the head member such that an axial position of an abutment surface of the adjustment member can be adjusted relative to the shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Nobukatsu Hara
  • Publication number: 20090127922
    Abstract: A bicycle hub comprises a central tube having an axial receiving groove for installing an axial shaft of a wheel; a first peripheral disk formed at one end of the central tube; a second peripheral disk formed at another end of the central tube; the second peripheral disk being formed with a plurality of axial insertion holes for receiving radiation spokes; a peripheral of the second peripheral disk being formed with a plurality of ribs; each rib having a penetrating axial installing hole; and each rib of the first peripheral disk having a positioning groove; two ends of the positioning groove being opened at two lateral sides of the rib so as to form the openings; the positioning groove being approximately transversal to an axial direction of the installing hole and a lower side of the installing hole is opened to the positioning groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Douglas CHIANG
  • Patent number: 7530645
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel securing structure includes a shaft member, a head member, a first wheel securing device, a second wheel securing device, a first lever member and a second lever member. The shaft member has first and second end portions and a longitudinal center axis. The head member is coupled at the second end portion. The first wheel securing device is positioned at the second end portion. The second wheel securing device positioned at least one of the first and second end portions. The first lever member is operatively connected to the first wheel securing device to move the first wheel securing device in response to movement of the first lever member. The second lever member is operatively connected to the second wheel securing device to move the second wheel securing device in response to movement of the second lever member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Takeshi Takachi
  • Publication number: 20090085397
    Abstract: A wheel hub is provided. The wheel hub includes an axle, a first spoke coupling member operably connected to the axle, a second spoke coupling member operably connected to the axle and an outer surface covering at least a portion of the axle. The outer surface is located between the first and second spoke coupling members and has a length and a thickness where the length is greater than the thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: John Cobb
  • Publication number: 20090058179
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel having a number of larger than normal spokes constructed to support a rim about a hub. The hub includes a number of recesses that are constructed to receive an end of each spoke. The spoke and hub are constructed such that translation of the spoke in an axial direction relative to the hub engages an end of each spoke with a respective recess. Each spoke can be rotated about an axis of the spoke when the spoke is positioned in a respective recess such that the rim is generally concentrically supported about the hub by a limited number of spokes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Brad J. Addink
  • Patent number: 7494145
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bicycle fork comprising an improved axle with non-round tapered ends affixed into dropouts with openings to match the axle ends through a taper-lock affixation for improving the torsional strength of the fork and facilitate ease of the axle installation. The improved axle consists of a first non-round end with interior female threads connecting an intermediate cylindrical portion which connects to a second non-round tapered end. An improved tapered split non-round nut having a cylindrical bolt possessing male threads lock the nut to the first end of the axle, wherein said bolt has an another preferred embodiment which connects a rotatable handle for ease of the axle installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Answer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Brady Matthew Schroeder, James Chris Rathbun
  • Patent number: 7484609
    Abstract: A hub assembly for a bicycle includes a hub shell rotatably mounted on a hub axle, a plurality of pawls disposed respectively in retreat bores in the hub shell to be moved between driven and idle positions, a chainring carrier rotatably mounted on the hub axle, a surrounding drive member coupled with the chainring carrier and having an annular ratchet segment to be coupled with the pawls so as to form a uni-directional mechanism, and an annular barrier member that confronts an annular insertion opening in the hub shell, and a shielding member including a rim which is water-tightly engaged with the insertion opening, and an annular flexible web body which has a tubular tail portion that is kept in frictional contact with a protrusion of the annular barrier member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Kun Teng Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hubert Chen
  • Patent number: 7484812
    Abstract: A spoked bicycle wheel hub is provided. The hub has a central tubular portion and a pair of side caps, whose diameter is larger than the central tubular portion. The hub is a monolithic fiber-reinforced plastic structure where the central tubular portion and the side caps form a continuous surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Compagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Mario Meggiolan
  • Patent number: 7481499
    Abstract: Wheel hub having a central tubular portion and a pair of side caps, whose diameter is larger than the said central portion is provided. The hub comprises a monolith body made of fiber-reinforced plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Mario Meggiolan
  • Patent number: 7481497
    Abstract: A hub for cycle wheel including a shaft, a hub body rotatably mounted around the shaft. The hub body has, at least at one of its ends, merlons that are provided for fastening the spokes. Each of the merlons has a radial housing that opens out at its top, as well as two slots, each of the slots extending through the wall thickness between the radial housing and a distinct frontal surface of the merlon. The invention also relates to a cycle wheel having such a hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Pascal Baron
  • Patent number: 7478885
    Abstract: A cap member of an internally geared hub includes a cap body and a first seal member. The cap body has a side wall part and an outer cylindrical part provided with an internally threaded section that meshes with external threads of a cylindrical member of a hub shell. The side wall part has an opening in the center thereof configured such that a driver inside the hub shell extends there-through. The side wall part is configured to extend radially inward from a first axial end section of the outer cylindrical part. A first seal member is arranged on the side wall part of the cap body and configured to contact the driver thereby creating a seal around the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Urabe
  • Publication number: 20090008987
    Abstract: An axle and hub structure for attaching a wheel to a bicycle or motorcycle, where the bearings for rotationally supporting the axle and hub are positioned on the frame, and the axle rotates relative to the frame. More particularly, a structure for attaching a wheel to one of a motorcycle or bicycle including an axle having opposing end portions and supporting a wheel, at least one left axle support collar, at least one right axle support collar, a bearing in said left axle support collar and supporting one end portion of said axle, a bearing in said right axle support collar and supporting an opposing end portion of said axle, and wherein the axle rotates relative to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Steven W. Hoogendoorn
  • Publication number: 20080315679
    Abstract: A steel insert for transferring load to an aluminum splined body from thin plate like sprockets used in multiple speed bicycle drive systems is held in place by a dovetail tongue. The tongue is fitted into a mating groove in the aluminum spline and together the steel insert and the aluminum spline are the proper width to fit the industry standard spline. The dovetail in the tongue of the insert holds the insert securely in position while handling the aluminum splined body, installing or uninstalling sprockets. Drive load from the sprocket is handled as a compressive load on the insert and the aluminum spline but does not load the tongue. The steel insert prevents the thin teeth of the sprocket from damaging the aluminum body or aluminum spline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: William B. Shook
  • Publication number: 20080315678
    Abstract: A bicycle hub includes a wheel securing structure having a retaining arrangement disposed with respect to the hub axle and a wheel securing shaft member. The retaining arrangement overrideably prevents the shaft member from being axially removed from the hub axle when in a predetermined position within the through bore of the hub axle. In other words, the retaining arrangement is arranged to releasably restrict relative axial movement between the shaft member and the hub axle when the shaft member is disposed in the through bore of the hub axle in a predetermined position so that unintended displacement of the wheel securing shaft structure from the hub axle is prevented during use of the wheel securing shaft structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Etsuyoshi WATARAI
  • Patent number: 7461904
    Abstract: A bicycle hub assembly includes a hub shell, a freewheel body and a sealing structure there between. The sealing structure includes a seal that has a lip that extends in an axial direction to engage a radially extending surface on the sealing plate. In one embodiment, the seal is installed in a seal retaining portion formed on the hub shell. In another embodiment, the seal is installed on the freewheel and contacts a radially extending surface on the hub shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takanori Kanehisa, Atsuhiro Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20080296966
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bicycle of shaking equipment capable of carrying out a normal rotation running or a shaking rotation running according to the rotation of a hub. The bicycle of shaking equipment has an adjusting means causing a cylindrical eccentric cam inserted and installed a hub and the inside of the hub to make a centrifugal rotation and an eccentric rotation to be carried out, wherein the adjusting means may be used as a handle lever installed to the handle. And a wire cable of a handle lever makes a rotation piece to be rotated on basis of a pin. A connection long rod inserted and coupled in a guide tube portion of a hub screw axis makes a movable member inserted in a guide part of the center of the hub screw axis to be moved back and also moved forward by the elasticity of a coil spring of the hub screw axis to restore, and due to this key pin elastically installed the hub and the inside of pin hole of the cylindrical eccentric cam makes the hub and the cylindrical eccentric cam to be incorporated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: In Sup Choi
  • Patent number: 7445105
    Abstract: A free coaster bicycle wheel driving apparatus having a clutch that employs radially acting components. A drive sleeve has an inner cylindrical wall surface mounted coaxially about a wheel mounting shaft and an outer cylindrical wall surface that is eccentric relative to the drive sleeve inner wall surface. The outer surface of the drive sleeve cooperates with a power transmission sleeve that has an inner cylindrical wall surface that is eccentric relative to its cylindrical outer wall surface. The power transmission sleeve is interposed between the drive sleeve and a wheel hub. When the eccentric lobe on the drive sleeve is in opposition to the eccentric lobe on the surrounding power transmission sleeve, the sprocket is disengaged from the wheel hub. Forward rotation of the sprocket jams the lobe of the drive sleeve against the power transmission sleeve, forcing its cam lobe outwardly into frictional engagement with the wheel hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Bear Corporation
    Inventor: George French
  • Patent number: 7445296
    Abstract: A hub for a bicycle includes a shaft, a hub body rotatably mounted on the shaft, a drive seat rotatably mounted on the shaft and engaged with the hub body, and a self-lubricating bearing mounted between the drive seat and the shaft. Thus, the self-lubricating bearing has an inner wall contacting with an outer wall of the shaft completely and an outer wall contacting with an inner wall of the drive seat completely, so that the external force applied on the self-lubricating bearing is distributed evenly and smoothly to prevent the self-lubricating bearing from being distorted or deformed due to a stress concentration, thereby enhancing the lifetime of the self-lubricating bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Chosen Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching-Shu Chen
  • Patent number: 7442146
    Abstract: An internally geared bicycle hub is provided with a hub axle, a hub body, a drive member and a gear mechanism for transmitting a rotational drive force from the drive member to the hub body. The hub body and the drive member are mounted in a radially uncoupled manner to the hub axle, so as to be coupled to the gear mechanism. The drive member is supported by axially spaced bearing assemblies, positioned on the inner side of the drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Okouchi
  • Patent number: 7441842
    Abstract: A bicycle hub includes a hub axle, a hub body, a bearing unit and a lock member. The hub axle is configured and arranged to be non-rotatably coupled to the bicycle frame by a mounting shaft. The hub body has a generally cylindrical shape mounted adjacent to an external perimeter of the hub axle. The bearing unit is installed between the hub body and the hub axle at one axial end portion of the bicycle hub so that the hub body freely rotates with respect to the hub axle. The bearing unit includes an outer ring, an inner ring and a plurality of rolling components. The lock member is configured and arranged to retain an axial position of the outer ring of the bearing unit with respect to the hub body by locking the outer ring in one of a plurality of rotational positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Takanori Kanehisa
  • Patent number: 7437812
    Abstract: A method and assembly for mounting an auto rim and either motorcycle or auto tire as a motorcycle rear wheel. The assembly allows tires of different widths and diameters to be used on the rear of motorcycles that have single side swing arms and standard swing arms. The method and assembly allows a left side or right side drive which can be a belt or chain. A hub with bearings and spacers are mounted with a brake rotor disk and a drive pulley in tandem to produce a hub assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Rodney Baird
  • Patent number: 7434892
    Abstract: A device for mounting a wheel of a bicycle on a frame, including: an inner hub rotatably mounted in a portion of the frame, an outer hub forming a central zone of the wheel, a quick-tightening mechanism that includes a male portion projecting from a first of the inner and outer hubs, a female portion provided in a second of the hubs, axial abutments for retaining the outer hub supported against the inner hub, and a mechanism for positioning the axial abutments, the positioning mechanism not being active upon completion of the tightening of the wheel. The quick-tightening mechanism is equipped with a lever that is pivoted by the operator to provide the necessary force for the axial tightening of the outer hub of the wheel against the inner hub. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the axial abutments include a plurality of balls, and the mechanism for positioning the axial abutments include ramps on which the balls roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Jean-Marc Hillairet
  • Patent number: 7431405
    Abstract: A hub cover is configured to be mounted to a wheel regardless of the spoke configuration of the wheel. The bicycle hub cover is capable of being attached to a bicycle hub that has a hub shell. The hub shell has a hub flange and a cap member. The hub cover comprises a cylindrical part, a retaining part, and a connecting part. The cylindrical part is capable of being attached to the cap member, which is mounted to the hub shell on the axially outward side of the hub flange. The retaining part is configured to latch onto the hub flange. The connecting part is configured to extend radially outward from the cylindrical part and connect the cylindrical part and the retaining part together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Urabe
  • Publication number: 20080224530
    Abstract: A multi-speed hub for cantilever mounting to a bicycle frame generally includes a planetary gear mechanism, a hub shaft, a hub shell, a spoke shell, a driver and a driven gear. The hub shell is cantilever-mounted to the bicycle frame and configured to enclose the planetary gear mechanism and the hub shaft. The spoke shell, driver and driven gear are rotatably supported by the hub shell One end of the hub shaft is indirectly supported by the hub shell and the other end of the hub shaft is fixed to the bicycle frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfram Frank
  • Patent number: 7413350
    Abstract: A bicycle hub is provided that comprises a hub axle, a hub body, a bearing and a clearance adjusting member. The bearing includes an outer ring coupled to the hub body, an inner ring coupled to the hub axle, and a plurality of rolling components disposed between the outer ring and the inner ring. The clearance adjusting member is disposed with respect to the outer ring of the bearing such that at least a portion of the clearance adjusting member is disposed axially inwardly of the outer ring. The clearance adjusting member is configured and arranged to prevent a grease inside the bearing to leak toward an axially inward direction of the hub axle with a prescribed radial clearance being maintained between the clearance adjusting member and one of the hub axle and the outer ring of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takanori Kanehisa, Atsuhiro Nishimura
  • Patent number: 7413262
    Abstract: A hub for a human powered vehicle includes a rotation axis, a hub body formed generally symmetrically about the rotation axis, the hub body having a radially-outward-facing surface that includes a plurality of surface features for improving the aerodynamic efficiency of the hub as it passes through a fluid, and a wheel assembly attachment member formed along a circumference of the hub body, the wheel assembly attachment member being structured for attachment to one of a plurality of spokes and the center of a disc wheel. The surface features may include a series of depressions or a series of projections, and such features may have a dimple shape that can be formed in a variety of shapes including those with a cylindrical wall and a planar bottom or a hemispherical bottom. Alternately, such surface features may have a hemispherical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Compositech, Inc
    Inventors: Andrew Ording, Joshua R. Poertner