Axles, such as for bicycles

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10850797-B2
Application number	US-201916382087-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 11, 2019
Priority date	Feb 13, 2007
Publication date	Dec 1, 2020
Grant date	Dec 1, 2020

Abstract

A suspension for a two-wheeled vehicle includes first and second fork legs. Each fork leg includes a dropout. Each dropout has an opening therethrough. At least a portion of one of the openings is threaded. Each of the dropouts includes a split-damp pinch bearing defining the opening and operable between an open position and a locked position, and a hand operable actuator pivoted to the bearing for operation thereof. The suspension further includes a one-piece axle. The axle is disposed through the openings. The axle has a threaded first end engaged with the threaded portion. The axle has an ergonomic grip formed at a second end. The bearing tightly engages an outer surface of the axle in the locked position, thereby rotationally coupling the axle to the dropout.

First claim

I claim:

1. An axle assembly configured to be disposed within an opening of a first split-clamp pinch bearing of a first dropout of a suspension fork and within an opening of a second split-clamp pinch bearing of said suspension fork, said axle assembly comprising:
an axle body, said axle body comprising:
threads configured to be engaged with threads disposed on at least a portion of an interior surface of said first split-clamp pinch bearing; and
a bore formed through said axle body; and

a lever coupled to said axle body;
a grip portion, said grip portion including a recess formed therein for stowing said lever; and
wherein said first split-clamp pinch bearing and said second split-clamp pinch bearing are configured, when in a locked position, to clamp said axle body within said first split-clamp pinch bearing and within said second split-clamp pinch bearing, thereby preventing said axle body from un-threading from said first split-clamp pinch bearing.

2. The axle assembly of claim 1 , wherein said axle body is at least partially comprised of aluminum.

3. The axle assembly of claim 1 , wherein said grip portion has a diameter which is larger than a diameter of said axle body.

4. The axle assembly of claim 1 , wherein said axle body is a one piece continuous axle body.

5. The axle assembly of claim 1 , wherein said axle body further comprises:
said threads disposed on a threaded first end of said axle body, said threaded first end of said axle body having a first diameter, said threaded first end of said axle body configured to be engaged with said threads disposed on said at least a portion of said interior surface of said first split-clamp pinch bearing opening; and
a second end having a diameter which is larger than said first diameter of said threaded first end of said axle body.

6. The axle assembly of claim 1 , wherein said grip portion further comprises:
a tool receiving portion for receiving an external tool.

7. The axle assembly of claim 6 , wherein said tool receiving portion has a diameter which is larger than a diameter of said axle body.

8. The axle assembly of claim 6 , wherein said tool receiving portion is configured to receive an external tool for providing rotational movement to said axle body.

9. The axle assembly of claim 6 , wherein said tool receiving portion comprises:
opposing wings extending outward from a longitudinal axis of said axle body.

10. The axle assembly of claim 9 , wherein said external tool comprises a lever pivotably coupled with one of said opposing wings.

11. The axle assembly of claim 10 , wherein said lever is pivotable from a first position extending over and crossing a longitudinal axis of said axle body, and wherein said lever extends inwardly from said opposing wings.

12. The axle assembly of claim 10 , wherein said lever is pivotable with respect to one of said opposing wings, and wherein said lever extends outwardly from said one of said opposing wings into a position enabling a user to rotate said axle body.

Assignees

• Fox Factory Inc

Inventors

• Laird Andrew

Classifications

• B62K25/02 Primary

  for mounting axles rigidly on cycle frame or fork, e.g. adjustably · CPC title

• B60B35/007

  for mounting suspension elements to axles · CPC title

• B60B35/025

  the wheels being removable · CPC title

• B62K2206/00

  Quick release mechanisms adapted for cycles · CPC title

• B62K25/14 Primary

  with single arm on each fork leg · CPC title