Land vehicles – Wheeled – Occupant propelled type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-12
2001-03-13
DePumpo, Daniel G. (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Occupant propelled type
C280S288400, C074S564000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199887
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an extension tube assembly for a bicycle, and more particularly to an extension tube assembly having a positioning device for releasably attaching an extension tube to a bicycle front fork or rear fork, thereby allowing the extension tube to be re-used by means of re-mounting the extension tube to the fork in a different angular position.
2. Description of the Related Art
A typical stunt bicycle generally has a pair of extension tubes attached to both of the front fork and the rear fork for stunt purpose. Each extension tube is provided with an embossed outer periphery for increasing friction when sliding along the top of a rail. Nevertheless, a bottom portion of the embossed outer periphery of the extension tube is worn away quickly. Thus, the whole extension tube must be discarded even though the embossed outer periphery of the extension tube still has a relatively large portion that has not been used yet.
The present invention is intended to provide an improved extension tube that mitigates and/or obviates this problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An extension tube assembly for a bicycle hub in accordance with the present invention comprises an extension tube including an end releasably attached to the bicycle hub, a polygonal compartment being defined in the end of the extension tube; and a positioning member formed corresponding to the polygonal compartment and thus fittingly yet releasably received in the polygonal compartment.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an extension tube assembly is provided for a bicycle of the type having a hub with an extended member and a fork with an attachment plate. The extension tube assembly comprises an extension tube with a polygonal compartment defined in a first end thereof and a positioning member formed corresponding to the polygonal compartment and thus fittingly yet releasably received in the polygonal compartment. The extended member of the hub is extended through the attachment plate, the positioning member, and a bottom wall defining the polygonal compartment and then releasably secured by a fastener.
The extended member of the hub may be a threaded stem. The positioning member includes a first hole through which the threaded stem extends, and the bottom wall defining the polygonal compartment includes a second hole through which the threaded stem extends. The fastener is a nut.
The attachment plate includes a slit through which the extended member of the hub extends. The slit includes a relatively larger section through which the extended member of the hub extends and a relatively smaller section. The positioning member includes a protrusion that is sized to be releasably received in the relatively larger section of the slit yet greater than the relatively smaller section of the slit. In an alternative embodiment, the slit includes a relatively larger section through which the extended member of the hub extends, the slit further including a relatively smaller section, the positioning member including a protrusion that is sized to be releasably received in the relatively smaller section of the slit
The second end of the extension tube is open-ended through which the fastener is passable for engagement with the extended member of the hub. The extension tube includes an outer periphery that is preferably embossed completely.
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an extension tube assembly having a positioning device for releasably attaching an extension tube to a bicycle front fork or rear fork, thereby allowing the extension tube to be re-used by means of re-mounting to the fork at a different angular position.
Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 578335 (1897-03-01), Hughes
patent: 615533 (1898-12-01), Demory
patent: 618855 (1899-02-01), Ennis et al.
patent: 625368 (1899-05-01), Thompson
patent: 3484829 (1969-12-01), Erickson
patent: 5454580 (1995-10-01), Lin
patent: 5482307 (1996-01-01), Lin
patent: 5779254 (1998-07-01), James et al.
patent: 6070897 (2000-06-01), Hsieh et al.
patent: 1012203 (1957-07-01), None
DePumpo Daniel G.
Kamrath Alan
Rider Bennett Egan & Arundel, LLP.
LandOfFree
Extension tube assembly with lengthened life for a bicycle does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Extension tube assembly with lengthened life for a bicycle, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Extension tube assembly with lengthened life for a bicycle will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2465274