Bicycle Spoke Or Nipple Wrench Patents (Class 81/DIG7)
  • Patent number: 5894767
    Abstract: A wrench for a wheel spoke nipple is provided. The wrench includes a body having an axis and first and second axial ends, the first axial end having first and second engagement notches for engaging spoke nipples, and the second axial end having third and fourth engagement notches for engaging spoke nipples. The wrench may also include a central portion disposed between the first and second axial ends, the central portion having first and second radial engaging portions for engagement with a user's fingers or thumb. Each engaging portion having an inner radial end and an outer radial end. Each engaging portion also having first and second oppositely contoured concave faces disposed between the inner and outer radial ends wherein the distance between the first and second oppositely contoured faces of the first engaging portion increases between the inner and outer radial ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignees: Snap-on Technologies, Inc., Trek Bicycle Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald A. Wridt, Mark J. Hasenberg, Wendell J. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 5673976
    Abstract: Nipples, for example, useful in joining a spoke to the rim of a bicycle wheel, are provided. Such nipples include an enlarged head, and an elongated shank joined to and extending from the enlarged head and having an outer peripheral surface; and a passageway including an inlet defined by the elongated shank. The passageway is at least partially defined by an interior surface of the elongated shank and by a threaded surface. The outer peripheral surface of the elongated shank includes at least one spline, preferably a plurality of splines, each of which extends generally longitudinally. The inclusion of such spline or splines has been found to allow the nipple to be turned so as to effectively tighten the spoke to the rim with a reduced risk of damaging the nipple. Apparatus useful for turning such nipples and spoked wheels including such nipples are also within the scope of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Spline Drive, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Hillis, Lee Kent Clark
  • Patent number: 5303439
    Abstract: A bicycle tool kit which provides either a number of open end or box style wrenches in a plate-like web attached to an end of an elongated handle. Attached to the top of the handle is a chain link remover for repairing broken links of bicycle chains. The threaded shaft of the chain link remover is adapted for removably retaining a separate deep socket and two allen wrenches, one of which has a screw driver tip. A wrench is also provided for adjusting the tension of the spokes of the bicycle wheels. The bicycle tool kit is structured to be lightweight, compact, and highly portable, and yet still offer most of the tools necessary for making adjustments and repairs to a bicycle should a problem develope while riding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Inventor: Robert L. Seals
  • Patent number: 5146815
    Abstract: A folding tool comprises a chassis in the form of a generally U-shaped metal band having a base portion and a pair of substantially parallel spaced-apart leg portions, an axle joined to the leg portions adjacent their free ends and transversely spanning the space between them, and a multiplicity of different elongated tools pivotally received on the axle and individually pivotable selectively about the axle between a storage position in which they are received between the leg portions of the chassis and a deployed position in which they extend away from the chassis. A handle having a top wall, a pair of side walls and one end wall receives the chassis and is joined to it, the handle having a bottom opening between the leg portions of the chassis and an end opening between the free ends of the leg portions through which the tools are movable between their storage and deployed positions. The external surfaces of the top and side walls of the handle are contoured to facilitate gripping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Cannondale Corporation
    Inventor: George W. Scott, III
  • Patent number: 5086674
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand tool with combination of independent functions, which is simple in construction and easy to manufacture. The hand tool has a tubular body with a pair of hexical joints formed integrally at both ends, to which a pair of connecting blocks or heads are mounted. The connecting blocks has a plurality of through holes, of hexical shape, to substantially receive, as desired, screw driver bits, wrench member, etc., so that it is particularly suitable for various type and different sizes of screws. In addition, an opening is formed at substantial middle portion of the tubular body to receive a spoon member which is designed for adjusting a bicycle spokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: Yu Chou Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jern-Shong Her
  • Patent number: 4967435
    Abstract: A bicycle tool kit which provides a small adjustable open end wrech with an elongated handle to which is affixed a chain link remover for repairing broken links of bicycle chains. The threaded shaft of the chain link remover is adapted for removably retaining a socket and two allen wrenches for adjustment of various hardware components of the bicycle. The jaws of the adjustable open end wrench are also adapted for adjusting the tension of the spokes of the bicycle wheels. The allen wrenches can be assembled onto the head of the adjustable open end wrench and the handle of the link remover in various positions to provide leverage for several repair applications of the device. Useful accessory tool heads are provided which can be gripped in the jaws of the adjustable open end wrench using the handle as a lever. The kit is compact and fits into a pocket sized carrying pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Inventor: Robert L. Seals
  • Patent number: D292549
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Inventor: Edgar F. Rixen
  • Patent number: RE35424
    Abstract: A bicycle tool kit which provides either a number of open end or box style wrenches in a plate-like web attached to an end of an elongated handle. Attached to the top of the handle is a chain link remover for repairing broken links of bicycle chains. The threaded shaft of the chain link remover is adapted for removably retaining a separate deep socket and two allen wrenches, one of which has a screw driver tip. A wrench is also provided for adjusting the tension of the spokes of the bicycle wheels. The bicycle tool kit is structured to be lightweight, compact, and highly portable, and yet still offer most of the tools necessary for making adjustments and repairs to a bicycle should a problem develop while riding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Fiskars Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Seals