Wheel assemblies removable without tools
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A wheel assembly comprising:
- an axle bore configured to receive an axle;
a pin sleeve including a first end in fluid communication with the axle bore, a second end, and a conduit between the first end and the second end;
a retaining member at least partially in the conduit of the pin sleeve, the retaining member configured to operatively engage a groove in the axle and comprising a chamfered end extending into the axle bore, the chamfered end shaped to transversely displace the retaining member upon movement of the axle into the axle bore;
a biasing element at least partially in the conduit, the biasing element configured to bias the retaining member towards the axle bore; and
a hand maneuverable release mechanism configured to displace the retaining element away from the axle bore, the hand maneuverable release mechanism remaining with the wheel assembly during operation of the wheel assembly,wherein the hand maneuverable release mechanism comprises a tab configured to be manipulated by a hand of a user, and wherein the hand maneuverable release mechanism is configured to displace the retaining element away from the axle bore upon radially inward movement of the tab.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hub or wheel assembly includes a retaining element, biasing element, and hand-maneuverable release mechanism. The housing includes an axle bore configured to receive an axle and a pin sleeve including a first end in fluid communication with the axle bore, a second end, and a conduit between the first end and the second end. The retaining element is within the conduit and is configured to operatively engage a groove in an axle. The biasing element is within the conduit and is configured to bias the retaining element towards the axle bore. The hand-maneuverable release mechanism is configured to displace the retaining element away from the axle bore.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A wheel assembly comprising:
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an axle bore configured to receive an axle; a pin sleeve including a first end in fluid communication with the axle bore, a second end, and a conduit between the first end and the second end; a retaining member at least partially in the conduit of the pin sleeve, the retaining member configured to operatively engage a groove in the axle and comprising a chamfered end extending into the axle bore, the chamfered end shaped to transversely displace the retaining member upon movement of the axle into the axle bore; a biasing element at least partially in the conduit, the biasing element configured to bias the retaining member towards the axle bore; and a hand maneuverable release mechanism configured to displace the retaining element away from the axle bore, the hand maneuverable release mechanism remaining with the wheel assembly during operation of the wheel assembly, wherein the hand maneuverable release mechanism comprises a tab configured to be manipulated by a hand of a user, and wherein the hand maneuverable release mechanism is configured to displace the retaining element away from the axle bore upon radially inward movement of the tab. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A wheel assembly comprising:
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an axle bore configured to receive an axle; a pin sleeve including a first end in fluid communication with the axle bore, a second end, and a conduit between the first end and the second end; a retaining member at least partially in the conduit of the pin sleeve, the retaining member configured to operatively engage a groove in the axle, the retaining member shaped to move towards the second end of the pin sleeve upon movement of the axle into the axle bore; a biasing element at least partially in the conduit, the biasing element configured to bias the retaining member towards the axle bore; and a hand maneuverable release mechanism configured to displace the retaining element away from the axle bore, the hand maneuverable release mechanism remaining with the wheel assembly during operation of the wheel assembly, the mechanism comprising; a tab configured to be manipulated by a hand of a user; a lifter at least partially and non-removably in the pin sleeve, the lifter configured to interact with the retaining element, the lifter connected to the tab, wherein movement of the tab is configured to cause movement of the lifter; and a connector coupled to the tab and coupled to the lifter, the retaining element including a lip configured to interact with the release mechanism, the connector substantially orthogonal to at least one of the tab and the lifter. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A wheel assembly comprising:
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an axle bore configured to receive an axle; a pin sleeve including a first end in fluid communication with the axle bore, a second end, and a conduit between the first end and the second end; a retaining member at least partially in the conduit of the pin sleeve, the retaining member configured to operatively engage a groove in the axle and comprising a chamfered end extending into the axle bore, the chamfered end shaped to transversely displace the retaining member upon movement of the axle into the axle bore; a biasing element at least partially in the conduit, the biasing element configured to bias the retaining member towards the axle bore; and a hand maneuverable release mechanism configured to displace the retaining element away from the axle bore, the hand maneuverable release mechanism remaining with the wheel assembly during operation of the wheel assembly, the mechanism comprising; a tab configured to be manipulated by a hand of a user; a lifter at least partially and non-removably in the pin sleeve, the lifter configured to interact with the retaining element, the lifter connected to the tab, wherein movement of the tab is configured to cause movement of the lifter; a connector coupled to the tab and coupled to the lifter; and a bearing surface configured to increase leverage between the release mechanism and the retaining element. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification