Locks – Special application – For cycles
Patent
1993-01-28
1994-08-23
Gall, Lloyd A.
Locks
Special application
For cycles
70225, 3011242, E05B 7100
Patent
active
053396600
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a quick release hub for bicycles with a fastener secured against theft in which a clamping element is axially slidable by an eccentric bolt which is plvotable by inserting a lever into an opening thereof.
Quick release hubs for bicycles are known. They have the purpose, for example, with racing bikes or mountain bikes, to provide for a fast removal or replacement of wheels.
For the known quick release hubs a special lock is provided. This is comprised of a rod which axially penetrates the hub body and is axially slidable therein. On one end thereof a fixedly connected head is provided onto which a bolt-like clamping element is positioned and in which an eccentric bolt, pivotable by a lever, is pivotably supported. The pivoting of the eccentric bolt axially displaces the clamping element. On the opposite side the rod penetrating the hub body is provided with a tightening nut screwed thereon.
In a known embodiment of such a fastener it is secured against theft. For this purpose the eccentric bolt arranged within the head of the rod as well as within the clamping element is provided with a hollow socket opening. For actuating the fastener a corresponding hollow socket wrench is inserted into the eccentric bolt and turned into the respective direction so that the hub is either released from the bicycle fork or fastened to it. Since the lever for actuating the hollow socket eccentric bolt is not permanently arranged at the eccentric bolt, a certain security against theft is provided because the release of the respective wheel requires the use of such a hollow socket wrench. A random theft can thus be prevented, but not a planned theft, since the thief must have a corresponding hollow socket wrench, which presents no particular obstacle for a planned theft because such hollow socket wrenches are commercially freely available.
Based on these facts the present invention has the object to provide an improved security device against theft for a quick release hub for bicycles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The technical solution to this object is characterized by a security device against theft that locks or releases as desired the opening of the eccentric bolt for insertion of the lever with a respective lock.
A security device against theft embodied according to this technical teaching has the advantage that not only random theft is prevented but also a planned theft. The basic idea of the invention lies in the fact that the quick release mechanism in its fastening position is lockable, i.e., the hollow socket opening of the eccentric bolt is not accessible to the corresponding hollow socket wrench and the quick release hub is thus not releasable. In this manner, the forward as well as the rearward wheel of the bicycle are securable in a technically simple manner.
In a preferred embodiment it is suggested that the lock is arranged at the clamping element. This provides for a technically simple arrangement of the lock in which the clamping element must only be correspondingly retrofitted so that even conventional quick release hubs can be retrofitted in a simple manner.
Preferably, the lock is provided with a lockable or openable through bore aligned with the opening of the eccentric bolt for insertion of the insertable lever. Accordingly, a technically simple design of the lock is realized by releasing or locking the access to the opening of the eccentric bolt.
In a preferred embodiment it is suggested that a sleeve is fixedly connected to the clamping element, coaxially enclosing the clamping element, and supports the lock. This sleeve, which is preferably comprised of metal, preferably has such an inner diameter that it may receive any conventional and commercially available clamping element. The sleeve is provided with the same bores as the clamping element so that the accessibility for the clamping lever is ensured.
In a further embodiment it is suggested that the sleeve is provided with at least one opening in its mantle surface, preferably with two diametric
REFERENCES:
patent: 4033627 (1977-07-01), Morroni
patent: 4114409 (1978-09-01), Scire
patent: 4315420 (1982-02-01), Oliver
patent: 4567741 (1986-02-01), Trempala
patent: 4574602 (1986-03-01), Furuse
patent: 4724692 (1988-02-01), Turin et al.
patent: 4770011 (1988-09-01), Constant
patent: 4944168 (1990-07-01), Kortenbrede
patent: 4964287 (1990-10-01), Gaul
patent: 4971397 (1990-11-01), Nichols et al.
patent: 5022672 (1991-06-01), Kawai
WO86/06695 of Nov. 20, 1986; Quick Release Assembly with Integral Lock.
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