For Pedal Crank Patents (Class 384/458)
  • Patent number: 10948016
    Abstract: A bicycle rolling-element bearing assembly includes an outer bearing ring, an inner bearing ring, a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the outer bearing ring and the inner bearing ring and rotatably supporting the outer bearing ring relative to the inner bearing ring, and a lubricant reservoir, configured as a first cage, for storing and dispensing a lubricant, the first cage including bridge elements extending between the rolling elements and at least one side ring connecting the bridge elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventor: Benjamin Michael
  • Patent number: 10940910
    Abstract: A bicycle component includes a housing that supports a crankshaft of a bicycle and a first mounting portion that mounts the housing on a frame of the bicycle. The first mounting portion is configured to apply force to the housing and the frame that moves the housing and the frame away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Noda, Takaaki Fujiwara, Kensuke Tagaya
  • Patent number: 10850785
    Abstract: A balance bike conversion system may include first and second protective inserts, each having an interface adapted to engage opposite ends of a bicycle bottom bracket. A connector may be adapted to connect the first and second protective inserts, and may be adapted to adjust the distance between the inserts, thereby accommodating variability in the width of the bottom bracket. The system may further include adapters to enable the system to be used with bicycles having bottom brackets with different diameters, and may use an elastomeric gasket to accommodate larger bottom brackets. The protective inserts and/or adapters may provide mechanical support to the bottom bracket, thereby protecting it from damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: O'Reilly Enterprises, Incorporated
    Inventor: Phillip O'Reilly
  • Patent number: 10436253
    Abstract: A bicycle rolling-element bearing assembly includes an outer bearing ring, an inner bearing ring, a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the outer bearing ring and the inner bearing ring and rotatably supporting the outer bearing ring relative to the inner bearing ring, and a lubricant reservoir, configured as a first cage, for storing and dispensing a lubricant, the first cage including bridge elements extending between the rolling elements and at least one side ring connecting the bridge elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventor: Benjamin Michael
  • Patent number: 10336401
    Abstract: A bicycle crank assembly includes a fixing member for fixing a sprocket to a crank arm. The fixing member includes a radially-extending projection, to prevent the sprocket from moving relative to the crank axle in an axial direction, and an axially-extending base portion, which is secured to the crank arm. A contact part is provided on an inner periphery of the base portion and contacts the crank axle or is provided on the crank axle and contacts the base portion. The contact part permits force to be transmitted between the crank axle and the fixing member to limit flexing of the crank axle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Takashi Furuya, Masahiro Yamanaka, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Patent number: 10006483
    Abstract: A bottom bracket for a bicycle may include a left bearing cup and a right bearing cup, the two bearing cups configured to be threaded together within a bottom bracket shell. Threading the bearing cups together may result in an axial force being applied to a resilient ring disposed on one of the bearing cups. This axial force may cause an outer diameter of the resilient ring to expand against an inner surface of the bottom bracket shell, thereby effectively locking the bottom bracket into the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Praxis Works LLC
    Inventor: William A. Hilgenberg
  • Patent number: 9874241
    Abstract: A rolling bearing including an outer ring, an inner ring and two annular, cage-guided rolling body rows, the two rolling body rows being axially pre-stressed by at least one spring element which is disposed therebetween, the two rolling body rows each being pre-stressed against a rim at the end of the outer ring, while the inner ring is axially movable against the restoring force of the spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Johannes Lang, Stefan Hamper, Andre Anger
  • Patent number: 9764795
    Abstract: An interlocked bottom bracket bearing device is provided, including an axial tube, two bottom bracket bearing assemblies and two annular members. The axial tube includes a first end and a second end. Each said bottom bracket bearing assembly includes a small-diameter portion and a large-diameter portion. Said two small-diameter portions are respectively assembled to the first and second ends. A side of each said large-diameter portion is radially and annularly formed with a protruding flange. Said two annular members are respectively sleeved on said two large-diameter portions. The annular members are abutted against the protruding flanges. Wherein said two bottom bracket bearing assemblies are located on two opposite sides of the bottom bracket tube, the annular member is radially clamped and a portion of the annular member is axially clamped between the protruding flange and a side wall of bottom bracket tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: E-MA INTERNATIONAL CORP.
    Inventor: Huang-Kun Ma
  • Patent number: 9487266
    Abstract: A bicycle crank axle assembly has first and second crank arms that are attached to opposite ends of a crank axle. The ends of the crank axle are non-rotatably disposed in axle mounting openings of the first and second crank arms. A first end of the crank axle has at least one axially extending first spline that protrudes radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of its middle body portion. The at least one axially extending first spline non-rotatably couples the crank axle to the first crank arm and prevents outward axial movement of the first crank arm away from the second crank arm. The second end portion of the crank axle has at least one recess that extend radially inward with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the middle body portion to form at least one axially extending second spline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Masahiro Yamanaka, Yusuke Nishimoto, Shingo Shiraishi, Akinobu Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 9387905
    Abstract: In a sprocket for a bicycle having a radial bearing acting as a bearing portion, an axial load acting on the bearing can be easily adjusted without having to dismount the components of the bicycle after the bicycle has been assembled; a spring washer is used as a component for an anti-rotation mechanism of an adjusting nut which serves to adjust the axial load of the radial bearing, so that an excessive load is not applied on the radial bearing to avoid a defective rotation, and the axial load acting on the radial bearing can be easily adjusted without having to dismount the components of the bicycle even after the bicycle has been assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: SR SUNTOUR INC.
    Inventor: Yoshiya Chonan
  • Patent number: 9228613
    Abstract: A bicycle bottom bracket assembly comprises a first adapter, a first bearing, a second adapter and a second bearing. The first adapter extends along a first center axis of the first adapter. The first bearing comprises first rolling elements and a first outer race. The first outer race is configured to be fitted in the first adapter. The first outer race is slidable relative to the first adapter in both axial directions along the first center axis in a state where the first outer race is fitted in the first adapter. The second adapter extends along a second center axis of the second adapter. The second bearing comprises second rolling elements and a second outer race. The second outer race is configured to be provided in the second adapter such that the second outer race is a separate member from the first outer race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Shingo Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 9004771
    Abstract: An improved bicycle bottom bracket system and methods of manufacturing and installing such a system. The improved system may include bearings mounted within bearing cups on either side of the bottom bracket shell of a bicycle frame. The bearing cups may be threaded together, and one bearing cup may include a collet portion expandable by the other bearing cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Praxis Works LLC
    Inventors: David M. Earle, Chin T. Chuang
  • Patent number: 8721187
    Abstract: A bicycle axle assembly is provided with an axle including a rotational axis, a bearing, a bearing adapter and a conical element. The bearing includes a cone disposed on the axle, a cup and a plurality of roller elements disposed between the cone and the cup such that the cup rotates relative to the cone about the rotational axis. The bearing adapter includes a tubular mounting section for mounting to a tubular member and a bearing housing section housing the bearing therein. The bearing housing section has a tapered abutment angled relative to the rotational axis at a first abutment angle and contacting a tapered contact surface of the cup. The conical element is disposed on the axle. The conical element has a tapered abutment angled relative to the rotational axis at a second abutment angle and contacting a tapered contact surface of the first cone. The second abutment angle of the tapered abutment of the conical element is smaller than the first abutment angle of the bearing housing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiro Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 8590421
    Abstract: A bicycle bottom bracket assembly has a shaft having a longitudinal axis X-X, a pair of bearings configured to support the shaft in rotation with respect to a housing box of the bottom bracket assembly provided in a bicycle frame, and a pair of adapter devices configured to be cantilevered with opposite free ends of the box to support the bearings outside of said box. At least one of the adapter devices has at least one first stop element and at least one second stop element arranged on opposite sides with respect to at least one bearing, wherein the first and second stop elements cooperate with the at least one bearing to keep the at least one bearing inside a space having a predetermined axial extension. The bearing's movement is thus limited in the axial direction, providing a fixed reference to determine the chain line of the bottom bracket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventors: Mario Meggiolan, Paolo Pasqua
  • Patent number: 8393794
    Abstract: A bicycle bottom bracket assembly is provided with a support member, a bearing unit and a seal member. The support member includes a hanger mounting structure and a bearing mounting structure. The bearing unit includes an outer race, an inner race and at least one roller element disposed between the outer and inner races. The outer race is fixed to the bearing mounting structure of the support member. The seal member has a proximal end fixed to the support member and a distal end slidably contacting the inner race of the bearing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Shingo Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 8302504
    Abstract: A bicycle bottom bracket assembly has a shaft having a longitudinal axis extending along a predetermined direction and a first and second end portion. A first bearing has an inner ring inserted on the shaft in a position adjacent to the first end portion and an outer ring is coupled with a first adapter adapted to be associated with a first end of a housing box of the bottom bracket assembly in a bicycle frame. A second bearing has an inner ring inserted on the shaft adjacent to the second end portion and an outer ring coupled with a second adapter is associated with a second end of the housing box. The assembly further includes first locking means of the inner rings of the first and second bearings acting on the inner rings to prevent the movement of the inner rings in both ways of the predetermined direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Dal Pra'
  • Publication number: 20100220947
    Abstract: An improved bicycle bottom bracket system and methods of manufacturing and installing such a system. The improved system generally includes bearings mounted within bearing cups on either side of the bottom bracket shell of a bicycle frame, and an alignment mechanism designed to result in substantially parallel, concentric alignment of the bearings. The alignment mechanism generally involves some form of aligned engagement of the left and right bearing cups with each other, such as direct abutment or threaded engagement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Praxis Works LLC
    Inventor: David M. Earle
  • Patent number: 7661885
    Abstract: A ball bearing assembly for a bicycle comprises a outer race, a ball cage, settled in the outer race, a cap, having a center hole and a ring portion extended axially from the periphery of the center hole, an inner race, with the inner surface thereof closely surrounding the outer surface of the ring portion, and a packing ring which is in an annular shape and having an annular flange around the bottom outer edge so that when the cap is put over the outer race to make the ball cage press upon the ball cage, the packing ring can be inserted into the center hole of the cap, and the flange is retained around the bottom of the ball cage. The disclosed ball bearing assembly is characterized by improved assembling accuracy and automatic center adjusting function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: VP Components Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Hwa Lin
  • Patent number: 7650817
    Abstract: A bicycle crank assembly is configured to simplify the work required to adjust the bearing play by the crank assembly when the crank assembly is mounted. The bicycle crank assembly has a left crank that is mounted on a crank axle of the bicycle, and is provided with a crank body and an adjustment member. The crank body includes a crank axle mounting part non-rotatably mounting to one end of the crank axle, an arm part extending from the crank axle mounting part, a pedal mounting part for mounting the pedal and provided at the tip of the arm part, and a male screw part formed on the crank axle mounting part. The adjustment member includes a tubular part having a female screw part into which the male screw part is screwed, and a contact part formed at one end of the tubular part and capable of contacting the bearing supporting the crank axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shingo Shiraishi, Masahiro Yamanaka, Takuji Tatsumi
  • Publication number: 20090145262
    Abstract: A bottom bracket assembly (1) of a bicycle is disclosed. The bottom bracket assembly includes a shaft (2) extending along a predetermined longitudinal direction and a pair of bearings (31, 41) adapted to rotatably support the shaft (2) with respect to a housing box (10) provided in a bicycle frame, the bearings (31, 41) being mounted on the shaft (2) at opposite end portions (3, 4) of the shaft (2). The opposite end portions (3, 4) of the shaft (2) have an outer diameter (D2) between 28 mm and 37 mm, bounds being included, and the distance (D1) between the median planes (Y1, Y2) of the bearings (31, 41) along the longitudinal direction is between 80 mm and 100 mm, bounds being included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: CAMPAGNOLO S.R.L.
    Inventors: Paolo Pasqua, Vittorio Babini
  • Publication number: 20080247695
    Abstract: A bicycle axle assembly is provided with an axle including a rotational axis, a bearing, a bearing adapter and a conical element. The bearing includes a cone disposed on the axle, a cup and a plurality of roller elements disposed between the cone and the cup such that the cup rotates relative to the cone about the rotational axis. The bearing adapter includes a tubular mounting section for mounting to a tubular member and a bearing housing section housing the bearing therein. The bearing housing section has a tapered abutment angled relative to the rotational axis at a first abutment angle and contacting a tapered contact surface of the cup. The conical element is disposed on the axle. The conical element has a tapered abutment angled relative to the rotational axis at a second abutment angle and contacting a tapered contact surface of the first cone. The second abutment angle of the tapered abutment of the conical element is smaller than the first abutment angle of the bearing housing section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiro Yamanaka
  • Publication number: 20080219609
    Abstract: A bicycle treadle bearing assembly comprises a seat being a concave receiving portion at an upper portion thereof; a lower portion of the seat being a thread portion; a bearing; a periphery of the bearing being formed with a plurality of axially arranged rolling posts each of which is rotatably axially; a supporting casing arranged around the bearing; an inner surface of the supporting casing being corresponding to that of an outer surface of the bearing. In assembly, the supporting casing encloses the bearing therein and then the supporting casing and the bearing are placed into the receiving portion. The bearing has a tapered outer surface and an inner surface of the supporting casing is a tapered surface corresponding to the outer surface of the bearing. A cover is installed upon the supporting casing and the bearing so as to seal the bearing and the supporting casing therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventor: Kun-Yuan Li
  • Patent number: 6668533
    Abstract: A reel mower includes a bearing system having a spring that biases a plurality of ball bearings toward a cone. The cone is fixedly mounted on the reel shaft. The cone can be conically constructed, and used in combination with a washer that is fixedly attached to the reel shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: American Lawn Mower Co.
    Inventors: Richard W. Beckman, Robert E. Kersey
  • Publication number: 20030235356
    Abstract: A bottom bracket assembly includes an axle with two flanges on an outer periphery close to a first end of the axle and two bearings are mounted to the axle and engaged with the two flanges. A flange extends from the outer periphery of the axle and is located close to a second end of the axle. A bearing is mounted to the axle and engaged with the flange. Each bearing is retained by a retaining ring such that the axle is rotated smoothly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: Cheng-Xun Jiang
  • Patent number: 6244750
    Abstract: A bicycle crank axle comprises an axle, which is provided with two fitting portions located at both ends thereof. Each of the two fitting portions is fitted into a tapered sleeve, which is in turn fitted into a fixation seat. The fixation seat is provided with a tapered center hole in which a tapered fixation ring, a tapered bearing seat, a C-shaped ring, a pillar holder of a tapered construction, a plurality of tapered pillars, a washer, and a fixation seat cover are provided. The tapered pillars are intimately held by the pillar holder to provide the axle with protection against idle running and mechanical wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Douglas Chiang
  • Patent number: 6212774
    Abstract: A bicycle bearing assembly has a spindle rotatably coupled within an outer tubular member via bearing members. The spindle preferably has a pair of annular grooves, which are formed in its outer surface by cold rolling the spindle. Similarly, the tubular outer member is cold rolled to form a pair of corresponding annular grooves in its internal surface. The cold rolling process of forming the tubular outer member results in its external surface also deformed to create a similar corresponding profile to the internal surface. This cold rolling creates a very smooth bearing surface for the bearing members. In one embodiment, the bicycle bearing assembly is a bottom bracket for a bicycle. In other embodiments, the bicycle bearing assembly is a hub for a wheel bicycle. The hub can be either a front hub or a rear hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Tomohiko Ohtsu
  • Patent number: 6139192
    Abstract: A bicycle axle comprises a shaft on which two fastening seats are mounted with, one of the two fastening seats is provided with inner threads and the other one the two fastening seats being provided with a tapered inner wall cooperating with a tapered outer wall of a fastening piece. The five-way tube of the bicycle frame is securely fastened between the two fastening seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Douglas Chiang
  • Patent number: 6095691
    Abstract: An improved crank axle for bicycle is a hollow hub axle provided with a circle of tooth shape key slot at both ends respectively, arranged with a single roller bearing and the two parallel ball bearings and covered with an aluminum alloy cone-shaped sleeve. So that its can reduce the weight, facilitate assembling, keep axle rotation smoothly and receive loading strength well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Douglas Chiang
  • Patent number: 6042274
    Abstract: An annular locating member mounted around a bottom bracket bearing axle within a ball race to hold steel balls inside the ball race around the bottom bracket bearing axle between a flange around the periphery of the bottom bracket bearing axle and a flange around the inside wall of the ball race, the annular locating member having an outward flange coupled to an annular groove inside the ball race and an inward flange coupled to an annular groove around the periphery of the flange at the bottom bracket bearing axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: Wen-Hwa Lin
  • Patent number: 5984528
    Abstract: A bicycle bearing assembly has a spindle rotatably coupled within an outer tubular member via bearing members. The spindle preferably has a pair of annular grooves, which are formed in its outer surface by cold rolling the spindle. Similarly, the tubular outer member is cold rolled to form a pair of corresponding annular grooves in its internal surface. The cold rolling process of forming the tubular outer member results in its external surface also deformed to create a similar corresponding profile to the internal surface. This cold rolling creates a very smooth bearing surface for the bearing members. In one embodiment, the bicycle bearing assembly is a bottom bracket for a bicycle. In other embodiments, the bicycle bearing assembly is a hub for a wheel bicycle. The hub can be either a front hub or a rear hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Tomohiko Ohtsu
  • Patent number: 5813770
    Abstract: A hub of a bicycle includes a hub shell which has two dust caps threadedly engaged to both ends of the hub shell, a sleeve inserted in the hub shell and located between the two dust caps, an axle rotatably inserted in the sleeve and has a first and a second flanges extending therefrom for a bearing disposed between the first flange and one of the two dust caps and between the second flange and the other dust cap, the axle having a third and a fourth flanges extending therefrom between the first and the second flanges, a first bearing and a second bearing respectively disposed between the first and the third flanges and between the second and the fourth flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Inventor: Douglas Chiang
  • Patent number: 5762426
    Abstract: A bottom bracket bearing axle for a bicycle, including two screw caps fastened to two opposite ends of a bottom bracket to hold two ball bearings, a bottom bracket bearing axle supported on the ball bearings, and a bush mounted around the bottom bracket bearing axle within the bottom bracket, wherein the ball bearings are respectively mounted around bottom bracket bearing axle within the screw caps and having respective balls respectively supported on a respective annular flange of the bottom bracket bearing axle at an outer side; the bush is comprised of two symmetrical halves fastened together by a dowel joint and mounted within the bottom bracket around the bottom bracket bearing axle between the ball bearings, having a corrugated outside wall and two end flanges at two opposite ends respectively stopped against the ball bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Wen-Hwa Lin
  • Patent number: 5632561
    Abstract: A bearing assembly of a bottom bracket for a bicycle, the bottom bracket includes an axle, at least one bearing, a tube and a housing, the tube engaged in the housing and the axle rotatably engaged in the tube by at least one bearing disposed therebetween. The tube has at least one annular recess defined in an inner periphery thereof and the axle has a threaded portion for threadedly engaging to a race which has an annular recess defined in an outer periphery thereof. The bearing is received between the annular recess of the tube and the annular recess of the race, an abutment between the tube and the bearing defining a first arc on a vertical plane passing through a center of the bearing, the first arc having an upper distal point and a lower distal point, the upper distal point located in the first (or the second) quadrant of the vertical plane with regard to a right-angle coordinate which has an origin of ordinates at the center of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Inventor: Yi C. Chi
  • Patent number: 5626060
    Abstract: A bicycle bottom bracket and bearing axle arrangement including two end caps fastened to the bottom bracket of a bicycle at two oppoisite sides to hold a bushing around the bottom bracket bearing axle, two nuts and two clamps respectively fastened tot he bottom bracket bearing axle to hold two axle bearings at two opposite ends of the bushing around the bottom bracket bearing axle, and a cushion mounted around the bottom bracket bearing axle between one nut and one clamp had having inward teeth respectively engaging in respective longitudinal sliding grooves on the bottom bracket bearing axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Inventor: Wen-Hwa Lin
  • Patent number: 5572909
    Abstract: A structure of a bottom bracket includes a housing having first and second ends, each having a thread portion formed in an inner peripheral surface thereof, a tube having first and second ends, the first end thereof having a thread portion formed in an outer peripheral surface thereof for engagement to the thread portion of the first end of the housing, a tapered outer peripheral surface being formed on an outer peripheral surface of the second end of the tube, an axle rotatably extending through the tube with bearings being disposed therebetween and a cap having first and second ends, a thread portion being formed in an outer peripheral surface of the first end thereof for engagement to the second end of the housing, a tapered inner peripheral surface being formed on an inner peripheral surface of the first end of the cap for engagement to the tapered outer peripheral surface of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: Yi C. Chi
  • Patent number: 5509739
    Abstract: A bottom bracket assembly includes a bottom bracket, a first bowl member having an outer threaded portion for engagement in an inner threaded portion of the bottom bracket, a flange portion formed on a distal end of the first bowl member, a second bowl member having an outer threaded portion for engagement in an inner threaded portion of the bottom bracket, a tube fixedly mounted in the bottom bracket and including a first end having an outer threaded portion for engagement in an inner threaded portion of the first bowl member and a second end having a tapered surface for urging on a tapered surface of the second bowl member, a second flange portion formed on the first end of the tube for abutting against the flange portion of the first bowl member, an axle rotatably mounted in the tube, a first ball bearing rotatably mounted between an annular recess of the first bowl member and an annular recess of the axle, and a second ball bearing rotatably mounted between an annular recess of the tube and an annular rec
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Inventor: Yi C. Chi
  • Patent number: 5496114
    Abstract: A bottom bracket bearing axle mounting structure including a barrel received in the transverse mounting hole of the bottom bracket of a bicycle to hold an axle, a first screw cap threaded into one end of the transverse mounting hole to hold a first ring of balls on a first ball bearing on the axle, and a second screw cap threaded onto one end of the barrel and into an opposite end of the transverse mounting hole to hold a second ring of balls on a second ball bearing on the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Inventor: Wen-Hwa Lin
  • Patent number: 5474387
    Abstract: A bicycle pedal crank bearing system has a hollow axle within which expandable cone shaped discs are flattened so as to expand radially outward and expand the axle into locking engagement with a thrust sleeve surrounding the axle. Since the thrust sleeve can not move axially relative to the bearing, the axle is likewise axially positioned, but is still free to rotate. The chain path is, thus, easily aligned and access to the bearings for maintenance is made easier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: King Cycle Group
    Inventor: Christopher D. King
  • Patent number: 5460455
    Abstract: A pedal crank bearing assembly includes a housing, a tube, two races, two bearings and an axle. The axle is rotatably engaged within the tube by two bearings and at least one bearing is received in an inner side of one of the races which is threadedly engaged to an inner periphery of the housing and the tube is threadedly engaged to an inner periphery of the race. The race has a serrated face defined at an end thereof for engagement to a stop fixed on the tube for preventing the race from rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Inventor: Yi C. Chen
  • Patent number: 5335928
    Abstract: A bicycle comprises a frame having a sleeve portion adapted to support a bottom bracket/crank assembly and having an annular opening having its axis oriented substantially orthogonally to a vertical-longitudinal center plane of the bicycle, a bearing support ring attached to the sleeve portion in cantilevered relation and having an external bearing seat surface oriented substantially orthogonally to the vertical-longitudinal center plane, and a thin wall large diameter angular contact bearing having an inner race received on the bearing seat surface of the ring. A driving sprocket wheel set having an internal bearing seat surface is received on an outer race of the bearing. A first crank member having a crank arm located on the side of the sprocket wheel set opposite from the frame sleeve portion is fastened to the sprocket wheel set for rotation therewith. A sleeve portion of the first crank member overlies the opening in the sleeve portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Cannondale Corporation
    Inventors: Alex Pong, Skooks Pong
  • Patent number: 5118205
    Abstract: A bottom bracket bearing unit for a bicycle or the like has an installation unit formed by a long sleeve and short sleeve of synthetic resin formed directly with race grooves for a pair of double bearings which have steel balls riding between the grooves of the sleeves and the grooves of the pedal-crnak axle or shaft which is received in these sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: Joachim Hoffmann
    Inventor: Joachim Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 4883368
    Abstract: This invention relates to a device by which the pedal crank bearings of a bicycle may have the grease replaced without disassembly of the mechanism. The invention is to be installed into existing bicycle crank bearing assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Inventor: James A. Stein
  • Patent number: 4808147
    Abstract: An adjustable bottom bracket assembly for a bicycle comprises a body member and a wedge member, each having a circular cylindrical external surface in close fit with an internal circular cylindrical surface of a bottom bracket shell. The body and wedge members have abutting complementary planar wedge surfaces oriented obliquely to the axes of their cylindrical surfaces. A drive device, such as a screw, moves the body and wedge members axially to wedge them securely in an adjusted position in the bottom bracket shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Cannondale Corporation
    Inventor: David Graham
  • Patent number: 4732051
    Abstract: A bicycle freewheel assembly comprising a hollow external body relatively rotatable with and radially spaced apart from a hollow internal body, a first dust protective member including a horizontal tubular body and an annular vertical flange and secured to the alternative of the internal body or the external body at one side of the the freewheel assembly, a second dust protective member including a horizontal tubular body and an annular vertical flange and secured to the alternative of the external body or a lock nut mounted on the internal body at the other side of the freewheel assembly, a first narrow clearance formed between the first dust protective member and the alternative of the internal body or the external body at the one side of the freewheel assembly, a second narrow clearance formed between the second dust protective member and the alternative of the external body or the lock nut at the other side of the freewheel assembly, and each of the first and the second clearances being L-shaped or hook-s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: Aeda Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Ozaki, Mamoru Nakai
  • Patent number: 4651590
    Abstract: a bicycle-type pedal assembly has a frame sleeve extending along and centered on a sleeve axis and having a pair of axially opposite sleeve ends, and a pedal shaft extending coaxially through the sleeve, having an end carrying a radially projecting and unitarily formed pedal and a sprocket, and having a pair of radially outwardly directed races also directed axially outward away from each other. This shaft has a predetermined outer diameter at the races and is of smaller diameter therebetween. A bearing tube including an inner tube part has an external thread and an outer tube part having an internal thread. The parts are coaxial to the sleeve and shaft with the threads engaged and have an inner diameter greater than the other diameter of the shaft. Thus the shaft can be inserted axially through the tube parts, which have respective outer tube ends forming radially inwardly directed tube races directed axially inward toward each other and confronting the respective shaft races.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Inventor: Alfred H. Thun
  • Patent number: 4611933
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns accurate axial and radial fastening of the bearings of, for instance, a bicycle pedal crank. An intermediate sleeve of deformable material is arranged between the outer race of the bearing on the shaft and the housing for the pedal crank. There is underdimensioning between the intermediate sleeve and the outer race, on the one hand, and the housing borehole on the other hand, and the outer race having teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Assignee: FAG Kugelfischer Georg Schafter (KGaA)
    Inventors: Heinrich Hofmann, Horst Ulsenheimer
  • Patent number: 4606658
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a two-row angular-contact ball bearing with axially spaced apart inner races defined on a shaft and outer rings with outer races disposed around the inner races. The outer rings are held apart by a bushing, and a spring inside the bushing presses one outer ring away from the other. At each outer ring is a respective cage for the bearing balls and the cage has a T-shaped cross section with the leg of the T being the prongs between adjacent balls and the cross bar of the T resting on one radial side on a collar defined on the shaft and at the other radial side which is radially outwardly of the collar, on the end of the respective outer ring, and with the cage resting there, the balls are in the inner race. The cage includes elements surrounding the balls and defining pockets and at least some of the sections of the pockets are resilient to expand as the balls are moved over the shaft toward the race and to return to shape after the balls have entered the inner race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: FAG Kugelfischer Georg Schafer (KGaA)
    Inventors: Heinrich Hofmann, Gunter Markfelder
  • Patent number: 4606655
    Abstract: In a bearing structure in a housing and around a shaft and comprising a pair of bearings, there is a pair of axially spaced inner races on the shaft, and a respective outer ring in the housing defining the outer race of each bearing. A stepped diameter bushing in the housing has a larger and a smaller diameter section. The outer ring for the first of the bearings is supported within the larger diameter section of the stepped bushing. The outer surface of the larger diameter bushing section fits in the housing for the bearing structure. The second of the bearings is contacted by the end of the smaller diameter section of the bushing. The assembled bearing and shaft unit is in the housing with the larger diameter portion of the stepped bushing bearing against the interior of the housing. An intermediate bushing may be provided around the outer ring of the second bearing at the smaller diameter section of the stepped bushing and the intermediate bushing fitting in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: FAG Kugelfischer Georg Schafer (KGaA)
    Inventor: Heinrich Hofmann
  • Patent number: 4605321
    Abstract: A rolling bearing unit with a pair of axially spaced grooves in the shaft, rolling bearing elements in the grooves, sheet metal outer race elements secured in a housing, and an adjusting ring for driving one of the outer race elements axially relative to the housing and to the other race element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Assignee: SKF Kugellagerfbriken GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Brandenstein, Roland Haas, Rudiger Hans
  • Patent number: 4563099
    Abstract: A rolling bearing unit, in particular a play-adjustable bearing arrangement, comprising a bearing shaft, a housing having a bore, and angular contact ball bearings having outer rings arranged in the housing bore and inner rings arranged on the bearing shaft. The shaft is provided with three annular grooves, a threaded portion, and an axial groove along the threaded portion. A locking ring is arranged in the first annular groove, a first cover is arranged on the shaft and abuts the locking ring, and the inner ring of the first bearing abuts the cover. The adjustment of the bearing play is achieved by adjustably arranging a second cover on the threaded portion of the shaft to abut the inner ring of the other ball bearing. The securing of the second cover against rotation relative to the shaft is achieved by deforming or indenting the boss of the cover to engage the axial groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignee: SKF Kugellagerfabriken GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Brandenstein, Roland Haas, Rudiger Hans