Bicycle bottom bracket assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016368562-A1
Application number	US-201514745878-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 22, 2015
Priority date	Jun 22, 2015
Publication date	Dec 22, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A bicycle bottom bracket assembly having a rotational central axis includes a support member, a bearing unit and a radially inward force reducing structure. The support member includes a hanger mounting portion and a bearing mounting portion. The bearing mounting portion is configured to be at least partly positioned within a hanger part of a bicycle frame. The bearing unit includes an outer race, an inner race and at least one roller element disposed between the outer and inner races in a radial direction with respect to the rotational central axis. The outer race is fixed to the bearing mounting portion of the support member. The radially inward force reducing structure reduces a radially inward force being transmitted to the bearing unit.

First claim

1 . A bicycle bottom bracket assembly having a rotational central axis, the bicycle bottom bracket comprising:
a support member including a hanger mounting portion and a bearing mounting portion, the bearing mounting portion being configured to be at least partly positioned within a hanger part of a bicycle frame; a bearing unit including an outer race, an inner race and at least one roller element disposed between the outer and inner races in a radial direction with respect to the rotational central axis, the outer race being fixed to the bearing mounting portion of the support member; and a radially inward force reducing structure for reducing a radially inward force being transmitted to the bearing unit, the radially inward force reducing structure including a non-threaded outer circumferential surface of the support member, the non-threaded outer circumferential surface being disposed between first and second threaded outer circumferential surfaces of the support member.

2 . The bicycle bottom bracket assembly according to claim 1 , wherein
the hanger mounting portion of the support member includes the first and second threaded outer circumferential surfaces that are configured to be threadably received by an open end of the hanger part of the bicycle frame.

3 . The bicycle bottom bracket assembly according to claim 2 , wherein
the non-threaded outer circumferential surface of the support member is disposed radially outward of the outer race of the bearing unit in a state where the bearing unit is mounted to the bearing mounting portion of the support member.

4 . The bicycle bottom bracket assembly according to claim 3 , wherein
a first axial length of the non-threaded outer circumferential surface of the support member is equal to or larger than a diameter of the at least one roller element.

5 .- 19 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Shimano Kk

Inventors

• Shiraishi Shingo
• Furuya Takashi
• Watarai Etsuyoshi
• Ando Yoshiaki

Classifications

• B62M3/003 Primary

  Combination of crank axles and bearings housed in the bottom bracket (bottom bracket frame details B62K19/34) · CPC title

• F16C2226/60

  with threaded parts, e.g. bolt and nut connections · CPC title

• F16C2326/28

  Bicycle propulsion, e.g. crankshaft and its support · CPC title

• F16C35/077

  between housing and outer race ring · CPC title

• F16C19/54

  Systems consisting of a plurality of bearings with rolling friction (spindle bearings F16C35/08) · CPC title