Crank Or Sprocket Patents (Class D12/123)
  • Patent number: 6058803
    Abstract: A crank arm for a bicycle includes a crank arm body having a pedal attachment hole on a first end thereof and a spindle attachment hole on a second end thereof. The crank arm body defines an elongated interior cavity, wherein the interior cavity is open to an exterior of the crank arm body. The opening can be used to access the cavity during and after manufacturing. In the method used to form the crank arm body according to the present invention, a sand mold core is positioned into a casting mold so that a melt space is formed around the sand mold core, molten metal is poured into the casting mold, and the molten metal is solidified to form a crank billet. Sand is preferably removed through an opening in the crank billet. This may be accomplished by drilling the crank billet to form the pedal attachment hole in a location that communicates with the sand mold and then removing sand through the pedal attachment hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiro Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 5988016
    Abstract: A bicycle crank arm assembly for a bicycle is designed for mounting a sprocket thereto. The crank arm has a centrally located hub portion, a crank portion extending radially outwardly from the hub portion and at least three fastening fingers extending radially outwardly from the hub portion. The fastening fingers are designed to have substantially the same stiffness at their free ends. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways such as change the cross-section of the fastening fingers adjacent the crank portion or changing the shape of the sprocket mounting portions of the fastening fingers. Also, in certain embodiments, the fastening fingers adjacent the crank portion are constructed such that their rear surfaces lie in the same plane as the rear surface of the crank portion adjacent thereto, or in a lower plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiro Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 5791202
    Abstract: A curved, tetrahelix bicycle crank arm composed of a helical array of tetrahedra. This design will transmit the propelling force away from the top dead center point providing more efficient use of the propelling energy. With this Tetrahelical design a hollow core is possible that will reduce weight and permit lubrication if needed without reducing strength. This design is also applicable to the connecting rod of internal or external combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Inventor: Jeffrey Karsdon
  • Patent number: 5179873
    Abstract: A bicycle crank assembly utilizing a hollow crank arm is disclosed. The crank arm is welded to a hub for mounting to an axle and reinforced using a doubler provided at a point of maximum stress to minimize the likelihood of breakage at the maximum stress point. The resulting bicycle crank assembly exhibits reduced weight without a substantial reduction of torsional or bending strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: Ocean State International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert H. Girvin
  • Patent number: D436330
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Currie Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Malcom R. Currie, Devin S. Bank, Richard A. Mayer
  • Patent number: D436561
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Louden, David Swan
  • Patent number: D438148
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventors: Tung-Chien Chiu, Chon-I Mao
  • Patent number: D441324
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventors: Tung-Chien Chiu, Chon-I Mao
  • Patent number: D246097
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1977
    Inventors: John C. McGregor, Sr., Daniel P. McGregor, James B. McGregor
  • Patent number: D446169
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Takuji Masui
  • Patent number: D253641
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1979
    Inventor: Curtis W. Tritchka
  • Patent number: D265812
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1982
    Inventor: B. Linn Kastan
  • Patent number: D461481
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Steeda Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew D. Carlson
  • Patent number: D266558
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1982
    Assignee: The Murray Ohio Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: John D. Breen, Ronald L. Ihrie
  • Patent number: D478849
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Inventors: Matthew C. Griffin, Dan Geberth
  • Patent number: D288421
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: B.M.X. Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley C. Hess
  • Patent number: D484831
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventor: Cheng-Hsun Chiang
  • Patent number: D485791
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: Bruno Mombrinie
  • Patent number: D299221
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: 3 T S.p.A.
    Inventor: Lucio Borromeo
  • Patent number: D299448
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Inventor: Robert B. Haro
  • Patent number: D306842
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Huffy Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne Beiser
  • Patent number: D319808
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Inventor: Gary B. Cook
  • Patent number: D323308
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Seattle Bike Supply
    Inventor: Ysmael E. Romero
  • Patent number: D356526
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Inventor: Greg Burns
  • Patent number: D362210
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Huffy Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Haney
  • Patent number: D365049
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Inventor: Stephan J. Kuylman
  • Patent number: D366017
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Inventor: Bruce T. Boone
  • Patent number: D368055
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Ets Jouret Vanoverschelde
    Inventor: Jean J. Jouret
  • Patent number: D372444
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Inventor: Jim Kim
  • Patent number: D372692
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Inventor: Lee Thomason
  • Patent number: D384603
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Dotek Corporation
    Inventor: Shih-lung Chen
  • Patent number: D396436
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Gordon Liska
  • Patent number: D397966
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Chuhn Chuan Corporation
    Inventor: Wen-Yao Chang
  • Patent number: D397967
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hironori Nakayama
  • Patent number: D401539
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Cannondale Corporation
    Inventors: Robert H. Humphries, Jr., Thomas C. Patterson
  • Patent number: D424983
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: Tzong-Tai Liang
  • Patent number: D430075
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kanji Kirimoto
  • Patent number: D430510
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Junichi Hanamura
  • Patent number: D430511
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Sunstar Giken Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihiko Takamori, Wan Zhi Zhong
  • Patent number: D430825
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yasushi Nakamura
  • Patent number: D432054
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Junichi Hanamura
  • Patent number: D432055
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kanji Kirimoto
  • Patent number: D434351
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Sunstar Giken Kabushiki kaisha
    Inventors: Norihiko Takamori, Wan Zhi Zhong
  • Patent number: D435001
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Sunstar Giken Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihiko Takamori, Wan Zhi Zhong
  • Patent number: D435492
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: Jiin-Chyr Shy