Secure locking hub system
First Claim
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1. A locking hub system comprising:
- a wheel hub;
an axle having a threaded section having helical threads;
a threaded fastener having helical threads that are compatible with the threads on the axle, wherein the fastener is configured to fasten the wheel hub to the axle such that the wheel hub is rotatably coupled to the axle, wherein the fastener additionally has a plurality of splines;
a locking ring configured to mate with the splines of the fastener in a locked configuration and to decouple from the splines in an unlocked configuration, wherein the hub is locked in a rotationally fixed position in the locked configuration and free to rotate in the unlocked configuration;
an actuator operably connected to the locking ring and configured to move the locking ring in an axial direction between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration; and
a lock configured to selectively limit operation of the actuator.
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Abstract
A secure locking hub system for locking a wheel hub of a vehicle in a rotationally fixed position relative to an axle is provided. The system has a locking ring that may be moved between locked and unlocked configurations. When in the locked configuration, the wheel hub will not rotate and the vehicle thus cannot be moved. The system additionally has a security lock that prevents any unauthorized individual from unlocking the wheel hub, thereby preventing theft of the vehicle. The system includes a fastener designed to allow the system to be retrofitted to an existing vehicle axle without requiring replacement or mechanical modification of the axle.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A locking hub system comprising:
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a wheel hub; an axle having a threaded section having helical threads; a threaded fastener having helical threads that are compatible with the threads on the axle, wherein the fastener is configured to fasten the wheel hub to the axle such that the wheel hub is rotatably coupled to the axle, wherein the fastener additionally has a plurality of splines; a locking ring configured to mate with the splines of the fastener in a locked configuration and to decouple from the splines in an unlocked configuration, wherein the hub is locked in a rotationally fixed position in the locked configuration and free to rotate in the unlocked configuration; an actuator operably connected to the locking ring and configured to move the locking ring in an axial direction between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration; and a lock configured to selectively limit operation of the actuator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A locking hub system comprising:
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a wheel hub; an axle having a threaded section having helical threads; a threaded fastener having helical threads that are compatible with the threads on the axle, wherein the fastener is configured to fasten the wheel hub to the axle such that the wheel hub is rotatably coupled to the axle, wherein the fastener additionally has a plurality of splines; a locking ring having internal splines configured to mate with the splines of the fastener in a locked configuration and to decouple from the splines of the fastener in an unlocked configuration, wherein the hub is locked in a rotationally fixed position in the locked configuration and free to rotate in the unlocked configuration; and a cap assembly comprising a keyed lock, a lock pawl, and a dial that is operably connected to the locking ring and configured to move the locking ring in an axial direction between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration in response to rotational movement of the dial, and wherein the pawl is configured to lock the dial in a rotationally fixed position in response to input from a key configured to operate the lock. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification