Crank preload collar assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023026821-A1
Application number	US-202217869182-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 20, 2022
Priority date	Jul 20, 2021
Publication date	Jan 26, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

A crank preload collar assembly is disclosed. The crank preload collar assembly includes a preload collar body having an axial opening therein to fit around a spindle of a crank assembly. The crank preload collar assembly also includes a clampable opening formed in a portion of the preload collar body. A cam lever is coupled with both sides of the clampable opening, wherein the cam lever provides a clamping force to the preload collar body with respect to the spindle.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A crank preload collar assembly comprising:
a preload collar body having an axial opening therein, said axial opening therein to fit around a spindle of a crank assembly; a clampable opening formed in a portion of said preload collar body; and a cam lever coupled with both sides of said clampable opening, wherein said cam lever provides a clamping force to said preload collar body with respect to said spindle.

2 . The crank preload collar assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a plurality of threads formed about said spindle, said plurality of threads to retain said preload collar body with respect to said spindle.

3 . The crank preload collar assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
said axial opening therein to fit around a portion of a crank arm of said crank assembly.

4 . The crank preload collar assembly of claim 3 , further comprising:
said cam lever provides a clamping force to said preload collar body with respect to said portion of said crank arm.

5 . The crank preload collar assembly of claim 3 , further comprising:
a plurality of threads formed about said portion of said crank arm, said plurality of threads to retain said preload collar body with respect to said portion of said crank arm.

6 . The crank preload collar assembly of claim 1 , wherein said cam lever is openable and closeable without a tool.

7 . The crank preload collar assembly of claim 1 , wherein said preload collar body is selected from at least one material type from a group consisting of: a ceramic, a metal, a metal alloy, a plastic, and a polymer.

8 . The crank preload collar assembly of claim 1 , wherein said preload collar body is selected from a composite material from a group consisting of: said composite material with a thermoset matrix, said composite material with a thermoplastic matrix, a long fiber reinforced thermoplastic, a long fiber reinforced thermoset, a short fiber reinforced thermoplastic, a short fiber reinforced thermoset, an injection molded carbon fiber, a carbon fiber reinforced nylon, a carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin, a glass filled nylon, a composite material comprising chopped carbon fibers, a polymer composite, a reinforced plastic composite, a long fiber-reinforced plastic, a short fiber-reinforced plastic.

9 . A crank preload collar assembly comprising:
a preload collar body having an axial opening therein, said axial opening therein to fit around a portion of a crank arm of a crank assembly; a clampable opening formed in a portion of said preload collar body; and a cam lever coupled with both sides of said clampable opening, wherein said cam lever provides a clamping force to said preload collar body with respect to said portion of said crank arm.

10 . The crank preload collar assembly of claim 9 , further comprising:
a plurality of threads formed about portion of said crank arm, said plurality of threads to retain said preload collar body with respect to said portion of said crank arm.

11 . The crank preload collar assembly of claim 9 , further comprising:
said axial opening therein to fit around a portion of a spindle of said crank assembly.

12 . The crank preload collar assembly of claim 11 , further comprising:
said cam lever provides a clamping force to said preload collar body with respect to said spindle.

13 . The crank preload collar assembly of claim 11 , further comprising:
a plurality of threads formed about said spindle, said plurality of threads to retain said preload collar body with respect to said spindle.

14 . The crank preload collar assembly of claim 9 , wherein said cam lever is openable and closeable without a tool.

15 . The crank preload collar assembly of claim 9 , wherein said preload collar body is selected from at least one material type from a group consisting of: a ceramic, a metal, and a metal alloy, a plastic, and a polymer.

16 . The crank preload collar assembly of claim 9 , wherein said preload collar body is selected from a composite material from a group consisting of: said composite material with a thermoset matrix, said composite material with a thermoplastic matrix, a long fiber reinforced thermoplastic, a long fiber reinforced thermoset, a short fiber reinforced thermoplastic, a short fiber reinforced thermoset, an injection molded carbon fiber, a carbon fiber reinforced nylon, a carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin, a glass filled nylon, a composite material comprising chopped carbon fibers, a polymer composite, a reinforced plastic composite, a long fiber-reinforced plastic, and a short fiber-reinforced plastic.

17 . A crank preload collar assembly comprising:
a preload collar body having an axial opening therein, said axial opening therein to fit around a spindle and a portion of a crank arm of a crank assembly; a clampable opening formed in a portion of said preload collar body; and a cam lever coupled with both sides of said clampable opening wherein said cam lever provides a clamping force to said preload collar body with respect to said spindle and said portion of said crank arm.

18 . The crank preload collar assembly of claim 17 , wherein said cam lever is openable and closeable without a tool.

19 . The crank preload collar assembly of claim 17 , further comprising:
a plurality of spindle threads formed about said spindle, said plurality of spindle threads to retain said preload collar body with respect to said spindle; and a plurality of crank arm threads formed about said portion of said crank arm, said plurality of crank arm threads to retain said preload collar body with respect to said portion of said crank arm.

20 . The crank preload collar assembly of claim 17 , further comprising:
an expandable ring portion formed from a horizontally expanding material, said expandable ring about at least a portion of an interior diameter of said preload collar body, said expandable ring to expand horizontally along an axis of said spindle as said cam lever is closed, said expandable ring portion to retain said preload collar body with respect to said spindle.

21 . The crank preload collar assembly of claim 17 , further comprising:
an expandable ring portion formed from a horizontally expanding material, said expandable ring about at least a portion of an interior diameter of said preload collar body, said expandable ring to expand horizontally along an axis of said portion of said crank arm as said cam lever is closed, said expandable ring portion to retain said preload collar body with respect to said portion of said crank arm.

Assignees

• Fox Factory Inc

Inventors

• Choltco-Devlin Evan Michael
• Andrew Fraser

Classifications

• B62M1/36 Primary

  with rotary cranks, e.g. with pedal cranks (B62M1/34 takes precedence; combined with reciprocating levers B62M1/26; cranks which can be immobilised as foot rests B62M5/00) · CPC title

• B62M3/00 Primary

  Construction of cranks operated by hand or foot · CPC title

• B62K25/30

  pivoted on pedal crank shelf (B62K25/32 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B62K25/286

  the shock absorber being connected to the chain-stay via a linkage mechanism · CPC title

• B62K2206/00

  Quick release mechanisms adapted for cycles · CPC title