Land vehicles: wheels and axles – Wheel – Hub
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-03
2001-09-18
Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: wheels and axles
Wheel
Hub
C301S124200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06290304
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a wheel hub assembly.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a wheel and hub assembly which can be quickly connected to an axle and/or released from the axle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Generally, wheels are fixedly mounted on hubs and the hubs are attached to axles. Bicycles, for example, have a front hub attached to a front wheel with the hub being rotatably mounted on an axle. The front wheel mounting includes a forked frame with each end of the forked portion being bifurcated. The wheel is mounted on the bicycle by inserting the ends of the axle into bifurcations so that the wheel rotates within the forked frame. The ends of the axle are threaded so that nuts threadedly engaged on the axle but against the forked frame and hold the hub rigidly in place. The rear wheel differs from the front wheel in that one or more driving sprockets are fixedly attached to the rear hub and driven by means of a chain and pedals. In this standard bicycle, the front and rear wheels are different, because of the hubs, and are not interchangeable. Further, the wheels are relatively difficult to take off and replace, generally requiring a minimum of one or two wrenches to loosen the nuts.
Similarly, wheels on any other vehicles that require a hub, are generally attached fixedly to the hub and the hub is attached to an axle so as to allow relative rotation of the wheel. All of these wheel and hub assemblies require special tools (wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, etc.) to remove the wheel from the hub and/or to remove the hub from the axle. Also. the removal and replacement process is generally quite involved, including substantial movement of the wheel to engage it with the hub or to engage the hub with the axle, and the time consuming threading of nuts onto retaining bolts or screws into threaded openings. Further, in many instances (notably with bicycles) wheels are not interchangeable and several different spares must be maintained in the event of damage to either wheel.
It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved quick connect wheel hub assembly.
Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved quick connect wheel hub assembly which is inexpensive and easy to use.
And another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved quick connect wheel hub assembly which allows the changing of a wheel quickly and without the need for tools.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved quick connect wheel hub assembly which allows a common wheel to be used.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved quick connect wheel hub assembly which allows a wheel to be quickly changed with little movement while providing a highly rugged and safe mounting.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, to achieve the desired objects of the instant invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, provided is a quick connect/release wheel and hub assembly including first and second hub portions. The first hub portion is constructed for rotation about an axis and has a dovetail groove formed therein generally transverse to the axis. A second hub portion is constructed for rotation about the axis and has a mating dovetail ridge formed therein generally transverse to the axis. The dovetail ridge is positioned to be engaged in the dovetail groove by relative transverse movement of the first and second hub portions from a non-coaxial orientation into a coaxial orientation. The engaged dovetail ridge and dovetail groove hold the first and second hub portions fixedly together in the coaxial orientation. A wheel is attached to one of the first and second hub portions for rotation with the one of the first and second hub portions about the axis. A movable member is coupled to one of the first and second hub portions and movable between a connect position in which the first and second hub portions are held in the coaxial orientation and relative transverse movement of the first and second hub portions is prevented, and a release position in which relative transverse movement of the first and second hub portions from the coaxial orientation into the non-coaxial orientation is allowed.
In the preferred embodiment, the dovetail ridge and groove abut along the entire length to provide a very rugged wheel mount. Also, a relatively short transverse movement disengages or releases the dovetail ridge and groove to remove the wheel. The same mounting structure can be used on different wheels, such as the back and front wheels of a bicycle, so that wheels and wheel mountings are standardized to reduce parts and simplify manufacturing and maintenance.
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Dayoan D. Glenn
Engle Patricia
Goltry Michael W.
Parsons Robert A.
Parsons & Goltry
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