Axles, such as for bicycles

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9862453-B2
Application number	US-201715584477-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 2, 2017
Priority date	Feb 13, 2007
Publication date	Jan 9, 2018
Grant date	Jan 9, 2018

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

What I claim is:

1. A suspension fork for a two-wheeled vehicle, said suspension fork comprising:
a first dropout comprising:
a first split-clamp pinch bearing having an opening formed therethrough;
at least a portion of an interior surface of said first split-clamp pinch bearing having threads; and
a first clamp lever coupled to said first split-clamp pinch bearing;

a second dropout comprising:
a second split-clamp pinch bearing having an opening formed therethrough; and
a second clamp lever coupled to said second split-clamp pinch bearing;

an axle assembly configured to be disposed within said opening of said first split-clamp pinch bearing and within said opening of said second split-clamp pinch bearing, said axle assembly comprising:
an axle body comprising:
threads configured to be engaged with said threads of said at least a portion of said interior surface of said first split-clamp pinch bearing; and
a grip portion; 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 suspension fork of claim 1 , wherein said axle body is comprised of one-piece.

3. The suspension fork of claim 1 , wherein said axle body is comprised of one-piece of aluminum.

4. The suspension fork of claim 1 , wherein said axle body is formed of one piece having a bore formed therethrough.

5. The suspension fork of claim 1 , wherein said grip portion of said axle body further comprises:
a tool receiving portion.

6. The suspension fork of claim 1 , wherein said grip portion of said axle body further comprises:
opposing wings extending outward from a longitudinal axis of said axle body.

7. The suspension fork of claim 1 , wherein said grip portion of said axle body further comprises:
a tool receiving portion configured to receive an external tool for providing rotational movement to said axle body.

Assignees

• Fox Factory Inc

Inventors

• Laird Andrew

Classifications

• B62K25/14 Primary

  with single arm on each fork leg · CPC title

• B62K2206/00

  Quick release mechanisms adapted for cycles · CPC title

• B60B35/007

  for mounting suspension elements to axles · CPC title

• B62K25/02 Primary

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

• B60B35/025

  the wheels being removable · CPC title