Endless belt power transmission systems or components – Means for adjusting belt tension or for shifting belt,... – Pulley or guide roll has eccentric mount for shifting or...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-16
2001-02-13
Bucci, David A. (Department: 3682)
Endless belt power transmission systems or components
Means for adjusting belt tension or for shifting belt,...
Pulley or guide roll has eccentric mount for shifting or...
C280S229000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186918
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an axle structure for a riding apparatus, such as a bicycle, and more particularly, an axle assembly adapted to be adjustable to offset the position of the axle from the geometric center of the wheel.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Although the primary mode of ground transportation is the automobile, the bicycle continues to be a popular mode of transportation, particularly for recreational purposes. A typical bicycle enables a rider to obtain relatively high speeds, which is advantageous while traversing flat terrain or going downhill. With the advent of mountain bicycles, riders can enjoy such bicycles in a rugged mountain terrain with bumps and pot holes.
A bicycle axle is a major driving part to a bicycle since it transfers the force received from two cranks to a driving wheel which then drives the bicycle. A conventional bicycle has a concentric wheel with an axle in the center thereof to drive the bicycle. The position of the axle cannot be adjusted.
Known bicycle axle structure includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,878 to Davignon et al. The device disclosed in the Davignon patent is directed to an adjustable riding toy in both bicycle and tricycle forms. The bicycle is equipped with at least one wave ride wheel allowing a rider to change between a smooth ride and an up-and-down ride. This is accomplished by providing a wheel having a plurality of axle apertures therein. By placing the axle in one of the axle apertures, the wheel of the bicycle can be of a concentric shape or an eccentric shape.
While the above device fulfills its particular objectives and requirements, one disadvantage is that the axle and wheel assembly has to be physically disassembled from the bicycle frame. In particular, the axle has to be removed from one axle aperture of the wheel and then replaced into another axle aperture prior to re-fitting with the bicycle frame. This disassembling and re-assembling requires mechanical tools and effort and is therefore very cumbersome and discouraging.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an axle structure or assembly of a wheel that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
An object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable axle assembly for adjustably shifting the position of the axle with respect to a wheel to provide eccentric rotation of the wheel.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple and easy way to adjust the axle position without using any tools.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, an adjustable axle assembly for use with a wheel comprises a first hub defining a first aperture in an off-centered position so geometric centers of the first aperture and the first hub are eccentrically located, the first aperture adapted to receive an axle; a second hub defining a second aperture in an off-centered position so the geometric centers of the second aperture and the second hub are eccentrically located, the second aperture adapted to rotationally receive the first hub; and a locking assembly coupling and controlling the rotational movement of the first hub and the second hub. Preferably, a roller bearing is disposed in the second aperture of the second hub between the first hub and second hub to assist rotation of the first hub.
According to one aspect of the preferred embodiment, the locking assembly is disposed in the first hub and includes a lock protruding from the first hub to releasably engage the second hub. The locking assembly includes a platform secured to an inner surface of the first hub; at least one alignment rod extending from the platform to align or guide the movement of the lock; and a spring disposed in surrounding relation to the alignment rod, wherein the spring biases the lock to a locking position to prevent the first hub from rotating with respect to the second hub.
According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the first hub includes a slit, wherein a wing of the lock protrudes therethrough and is coupled to a lever to releasably control the rotation of the first hub with respect to the second hub. Moreover, the first hub includes right and left plates, each plate defining an aperture adapted to receive the axle, the right and left plates being fastened together from opposite sides of the second aperture of the second hub.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the second aperture of the second hub includes a plurality of indents formed on the inner surface of the second hub separated by a predetermined angle for releasably engaging the locking assembly, wherein the plurality of indents represents an angle of eccentric rotation of the wheel. At least one of the plurality of indents positions the first hub with respect to the second hub to place the axle in a geometric center of the second hub to provide a concentric rotation of the wheel.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a mobile apparatus comprises at least one wheel having a rim with a geometric center; a first hub defining a first aperture in an off-centered position so geometric centers of the first aperture and the first hub are eccentrically located, the first aperture adapted to receive an axle; a second hub defining a second aperture in an off-centered position so the geometric centers of the second aperture and the second hub are eccentrically located, the second aperture adapted to rotationally receive the first hub, wherein the second hub has the same geometric center as the rim; and a locking assembly coupling and controlling the rotational movement of the first hub and the second hub. Preferably, a roller bearing is disposed in the second aperture of the second hub between the first hub and second hub to assist rotation of the first hub.
According to one aspect of the preferred embodiment, the locking assembly is disposed in the first hub and includes a lock protruding from the first hub to releasably engage the second hub. The locking assembly includes a platform secured to an inner surface of the first hub; at least one alignment rod extending from the platform to align the movement of the lock; and a spring disposed in surrounding relation to the alignment rod, wherein the spring biases the lock to a locking position to prevent the first hub from rotating with respect to the second hub.
According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the first hub includes a slit, wherein a wing of the lock protrudes therethrough and is coupled to a lever to releasably control the rotation of the first hub with respect to the second hub. Moreover, the first hub includes right and left plates, each plate defining an aperture adapted to receive the axle, the right and left plates being fastened together from opposite sides of the second aperture of the second hub.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the second aperture of the second hub includes a plurality of indents formed on the inner surface of the second hub separated by a predetermined angle for releasably engaging the locking assembly, wherein the plurality of indents represents an angle of eccentric rotation of the wheel. At least one of the plurality of indents positions the first hub with respect to the second hub to place the axle in a geometric center of the second hub to provide a concentric rotation of the wheel.
The second hub is preferably connected to the rim through a plurality of spokes. Alternatively, the rim of the wheel can be an oute
Bucci David A.
Charles Marcus
Lee & Hay
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