Axle arrangement for a bicycle

• US 10,633,053 B1
• Filed: 04/13/2017
• Issued: 04/28/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kinetic Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kurt Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Meyer, Bradd R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bellinger, Jason R
• Application Number:
  US15/487,247
• Time in Patent Office: 1,111 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 27/023 specially adapted for bicycles
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 35/004 Mounting arrangements for axles
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 25/02 for mounting axles rigidly on cycle frame or fork, e.g. adjustably

Abstract

An axle arrangement for a rear hub of a bicycle includes an axle skewer having at a first end threads formed on an outer surface thereof, and at a second end remote from the first end, an enlarged head having an annular surface facing the first end. An element has threads to threadably engage the axle shaft at the first end. Each of the enlarged end and the element are configured with surfaces so as to be fixably secured to couplers of a bicycle trainer.

Claims

1. An axle arrangement for a rear hub of a bicycle, comprising:

an axle skewer having at a first end threads formed on an outer surface thereof configured to theadably engage a frame fork of the bicycle, and at a second end remote from the first end, an enlarged head having an annular surface facing the first end; and

an element having threads to threadably engage at the first end, and wherein each of the enlarged head and the element are configured with surfaces so as to be fixably secured to couplers of a bicycle trainer.

2. The axle arrangement of claim 1 wherein each of the enlarged head and the element have oppositely facing conical annular surfaces when the element is threaded upon the skewer, each of the conical annular surfaces having cross section therethrough reducing in a direction away from the other conical annular surface.

3. The axle arrangement of claim 1 and further comprising a spacer having an aperture through which the axle skewer slidably extends.

4. The axle arrangement of claim 1 and further comprising an adapter having an aperture through which the axle skewer slidably extends and an annular conical surface.

5. The axle arrangement of claim 4 wherein the adapter includes a flexible ring disposed about a circumferential surface of the adapter.

6. The axle arrangement of claim 1 wherein the axle skewer includes apertures extending inwardly from each of opposite end surfaces.

7. The axle arrangement of claim 6 wherein each of the apertures have internal threads.

8. The axle arrangement of claim 7 and further comprising a fastener securable to the axle skewer with the internal threads of one of the apertures.

9. The axle arrangement of claim 8 wherein the fastener comprises an adapter having surfaces configured to allow another element to be removably secured thereto.

10. The axle arrangement of claim 9 wherein the adapter includes a threaded shaft to threadably mate with the internal threads.

11. The axle arrangement of claim 8 wherein the fastener comprises a securing bolt and an adapter having a bore through which a threaded shaft of the securing bolt extends.

12. The axle arrangement of claim 1 and further comprising a fastener configured to be secured to the axle skewer, the fastener configured to attach a device to the axle skewer.

13. The axle arrangement of claim 12 wherein the fastener includes a portion having a mount for securing the device to the axle skewer.

14. The axle arrangement of claim 13 wherein the fastener includes an aperture to receive and allow the axle skewer to extend through.

15. The axle arrangement of claim 14 wherein the mount is configured asymmetrically with respect to the aperture.

16. The axle arrangement of claim 15 wherein the fastener includes a second aperture in the mount.

23. The axle arrangement of claim 3 and further comprising a second spacer of length different than the spacer.

24. The axle arrangement of claim 3 and further comprising an adapter having a second aperture through which the axle skewer slidably extends and an annular conical surface.

25. The axle arrangement of claim 4 and further comprising a second adapter having a second aperture through which the axle skewer slidably extends and a second annular conical surface.

17. A kit comprising an axle arrangement for a rear hub of a bicycle, the kit comprising:

an axle skewer having at a first end threads formed on an outer surface thereof configured to theadably engage a frame fork of the bicycle, and at a second end remote from the first end, and an enlarged head having an annular surface facing the first end;

an element configured to threadably mate with the threads, wherein each of the enlarged head and the element are configured with surfaces so as to be fixably secured to couplers of a bicycle trainer; and

two or more of a spacer and/or an adapter wherein each of said spacers and/or adapters are separately configured to adapt the axle arrangement to a different manufacturer of a bicycle.

18. The kit of claim 17 and further comprising a fastener configured to be secured to the axle skewer, the fastener configured to attach a device to the axle skewer.

19. The kit of claim 18 wherein the fastener includes a portion having a mount for securing the device to the axle skewer.

20. The kit of claim 19 wherein the fastener includes an aperture to receive and allow the axle skewer to extend through.

21. The kit of claim 20 wherein the mount is configured asymmetrically with respect to the aperture.

22. The kit of claim 21 wherein the fastener includes a second aperture in the mount.