Axles, such as for bicycles

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9643451-B2
Application number	US-201414293695-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 2, 2014
Priority date	Feb 13, 2007
Publication date	May 9, 2017
Grant date	May 9, 2017

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-clamp 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

The invention claimed is:

1. A suspension for a two-wheeled vehicle, comprising:
a first and second dropout, each dropout comprising:
a split-clamp pinch bearing having an opening formed therethrough;
at least a portion of said opening is threaded on one of said first dropout or said second dropout; and
an actuator pivoted to the bearing for operation thereof;

an axle disposed through the openings of said first and second dropout, said axle comprising:
a threaded first end engaged with a threaded portion of said opening; and
a tool receiving portion at a second end,

wherein the bearing tightly engages an outer surface of the axle in a locked position, thereby rotationally coupling the axle to the dropout.

2. The suspension of claim 1 , wherein the bearing is a bearing surface.

3. The suspension of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a lever.

4. The suspension of claim 1 , wherein the axle is made from aluminum.

5. The suspension of claim 1 , wherein the axle has a bore formed therethrough.

6. The suspension of claim 1 , wherein the tool receiving portion has a diameter larger than a rest of the axle.

7. The suspension of claim 1 , wherein the tool receiving portion comprises opposing wings extending outward from a longitudinal axis of the axle.

8. The suspension of claim 1 , wherein the tool receiving portion receives an external tool for providing rotational movement to the axle.

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

• B62K2206/00

  Quick release mechanisms adapted for cycles · CPC title

• B60B35/025 Primary

  the wheels being removable · CPC title

• B60B35/007

  for mounting suspension elements to axles · CPC title

• B62K25/14 Primary

  with single arm on each fork leg · CPC title