Axle adapter assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9845130-B2
Application number	US-201614987616-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 4, 2016
Priority date	Jul 3, 2014
Publication date	Dec 19, 2017
Grant date	Dec 19, 2017

Abstract

An axle adapter assembly, configured for enabling conversion of an axle installed on a vehicle to fit different center bore sizes of wheel hubs, including: an axle configured for coupling dropouts of fork legs of a lower fork; adapters configured for being inserted within the dropouts; the adapters configured for engaging an outer surface of the axle and retaining the axle upon engagement; and axle pinch shims configured for being inserted into slits of the dropouts and the adapters, wherein upon the insertion, the adapters are aligned with the dropouts, such that shoulders of the adapters retain edges of a wheel hub of the wheel hubs.

First claim

I claim:

1. An axle adapter assembly configured for enabling conversion of an axle installed on a vehicle to fit different center bore sizes of wheel hubs, wherein said axle adapter assembly comprises:
an axle comprising a first end and a second end, said axle configured for coupling fork legs of a suspension for a two-wheeled vehicle, wherein a first fork leg and a second fork leg of said fork legs comprise a first dropout and a second dropout, respectively;
a set of adapters, wherein each adapter of said set of adapters comprises a tube configured for insertion within dropouts of said fork legs, said tube comprising:
a wall configured for engaging an outer surface of said axle;
a first end, wherein said first end comprises:
a shoulder extending longitudinally beyond an inner surface of a dropout of said dropouts comprising said first dropout and said second dropout, wherein said shoulder comprises:
a lip extension configured for holding an edge of a wheel hub of said wheel hubs; and

a second end, a length of said tube being defined from said first end to said second end, said wall comprising:
a lengthwise slit defined therein along a longitudinal axis of said tube from said first end to said second end, wherein said lengthwise slit is configured for receiving a hanging tab of an axle pinch shim, thereby positioning said tube with said dropout such that said lip extension holds said edge of said wheel hub during at least one of installation and removal of said axle; and

a set of axle pinch shims, wherein each axle pinch shim of said set of axle pinch shim comprises:
a width configured for enabling said each axle pinch shim to be disposed within an opening of said dropout, wherein said dropout comprises:
a split-clamp pinch bearing defining said opening, said split-clamp pinch bearing comprising:
a first opposing clamp end; and
a second opposing clamp end, wherein said first opposing clamp end and said second opposing clamp end comprises a pinch bolt hole configured for receiving a pinch bolt; and

an axle pinch shim bolt hole aligned with said pinch bolt hole, said axle pinch shim bolt hole configured for receiving said pinch bolt.

2. The axle adapter assembly of claim 1 , wherein said lengthwise slit comprises:
a jagged pattern disposed at said second end of said tube, wherein said jagged pattern is configured for limiting lateral movement of said axle pinch shim.

3. The axle adapter assembly of claim 1 , wherein a first adapter of said set of adapters comprises a diameter measurement that is different than a second adapter of said set of adapters.

4. The axle adapter assembly of claim 1 , wherein said each axle pinch shim further comprises:
a hanging tab extending beyond an area comprising said axle pinch shim bolt hole, said hanging tab configured for being inserted into lengthwise slit, such that said hanging tab prevents at least a rotational movement of said each adapter during said at least one of installation and removal of said axle.

5. The axle adapter assembly of claim 4 , wherein a first hanging tab of a first axle pinch shim of said set of axle pinch shims is of a different shape from a second hanging tab of a second axle pinch shim of said set of axle pinch shims.

6. The axle adapter assembly of claim 5 , wherein a second end of said axle comprises:
a turn mechanism configured for receiving a turning tool, whereupon said axle rotates upon a turning of said turning tool.

Assignees

• Fox Factory Inc

Inventors

• Becker William M

Classifications

• B62K25/02 Primary

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

• B60B35/004 Primary

  Mounting arrangements for axles · CPC title