Bicycle hub with sliding engagement member and detachable freewheel

• US 6,497,314 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2000
• Issued: 12/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Original Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Inventors: Kanehisa, Takanori
• Primary Examiner(s): RODRIGUEZ, SAUL
• Application Number:
  US09/730,537
• Publication Number:
  US 20020070604A1
• Time in Patent Office: 747 Days
• Field of Search: 192/64, 192/41.R, 192/45, 192/45.1, 301/110.5, 301/105.1
• US Class Current: 192/64
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 27/0005 with ball bearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 27/0078 characterised by the fixation of bearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 27/026 comprising quick release devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 27/047 comprising a freewheel mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 2206/00 Quick release mechanisms adapted for cycles
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 25/02 for mounting axles rigidly on cycle frame or fork, e.g. adjustably

Abstract

A bicycle hub basically includes a hub axle, a hub body, a sprocket support member and an engagement member. The hub axle has first and second portions releasably coupled together. The hub body has an outer tubular portion and an interior passageway. The first portion of the hub axle is rotatably supported in the interior passageway. The sprocket support member is mounted on the second portion of the hub axle. The engagement member non-rotatably couples the outer tubular portion to the sprocket support member in an engaged position and is axially movable by the hub axle between the engaged position and a disengaged position. The hub body can be separated from the sprocket support member when the engagement member is in the disengaged position and the first and second portions of the hub axle are released from each other.

Claims

1. A bicycle hub comprising:

a hub axle having a first portion and a second portion releasably coupled to said first portion;

a hub body having an outer tubular portion and an interior passageway with said first portion of said hub axle being rotatably supported therein;

a sprocket support member mounted on said second portion of said hub axle; and

an engagement member non-rotatably coupling said outer tubular portion to said sprocket support member in an engaged position, said engagement member being axially movable by said hub axle relative to said hub body between said engaged position and a disengaged position.

2. The bicycle hub according to claim 1, wherein

said first portion of said hub axle is threadedly coupled to said second portion of said hub axle.

3. The bicycle hub according to claim 1, wherein

said first portion of said hub axle includes an abutment shoulder arranged to move said engagement member from said disengaged position to said engaged position.

4. The bicycle hub according to claim 3, wherein

said first portion of said hub axle includes a retaining ring arranged thereon to move said engagement member from said engaged position to said disengaged position.

5. The bicycle hub according to claim 4, wherein

said first portion of said hub axle is threadedly coupled to said second portion of said hub axle such that rotation of said first portion relative to said second portion moves said engagement member between said engaged and disengaged positions.

6. The bicycle hub according to claim 4, wherein

said retaining ring is threadedly mounted on said first portion of said hub axle.

7. The bicycle hub according to claim 1, wherein

said first portion of said hub axle includes a first abutment surface arranged to axially move said engagement member in a first direction.

8. The bicycle hub according to claim 7, wherein

said first portion of said hub axle includes a second abutment surface arranged to axially move said engagement member in a second direction opposite said first direction.

9. The bicycle hub according to claim 1, wherein

said first portion of said hub axle includes a retaining ring releasably mounted thereon.

10. The bicycle hub according to claim 1, wherein

said hub body includes an inner tubular portion rotatably coupled on said first portion of said hub axle.

11. The bicycle hub according to claim 1, wherein

said first portion of said hub axle includes a quick release mechanism mounted on a free end of said first portion.

12. The bicycle hub according to claim 1, wherein

said sprocket support member includes a freewheel.

13. A bicycle hub comprising:

a hub axle having a first portion and a second portion releasably coupled to said first portion, said first portion including an abutment shoulder and a retaining ring;

a hub body having an outer tubular portion and an interior passageway with said first portion of said hub axle being rotatably supported therein;

a sprocket support member mounted on said second portion of said hub axle; and

an engagement member non-rotatably coupling said outer tubular portion to said sprocket support member in an engaged position, said engagement member being axially movable by said hub axle between said engaged position and a disengaged position, said abutment shoulder of said first portion of said hub axle arranged to move said engagement member from said disengaged position to said engaged position, said retaining ring of said first portion of said hub axle arranged thereon to move said engagement member from said engaged position to said disengaged position, said engagement member including an annular contact portion rotatably mounted on said first portion of said hub axle, said contact portion arranged between said abutment shoulder and said retaining ring.

14. The bicycle hub according to claim 13, wherein

said contact portion has an axial thickness that is less than an axial distance formed between said abutment shoulder and said retaining ring to allow relative axial movement of said engagement member on said first portion of said hub axle.

15. The bicycle hub according to claim 14, wherein

said axial thickness of said contact portion is equal to about one half of the axial distance between said abutment shoulder and said retaining ring.

16. A bicycle hub comprising:

a hub axle having a first portion and a second portion releasably coupled to said first portion;

a hub body having an outer tubular portion and an interior passageway with said first portion of said hub axle being rotatably supported therein;

a sprocket support member mounted on said second portion of said hub axle; and

an engagement member non-rotatably coupling said outer tubular portion to said sprocket support member in an engaged position, said engagement member being axially movable by said hub axle between said engaged position and a disengaged position, said outer tubular portion including an internal splined engagement section and said engagement member including a first splined engagement portion non-rotatably and slidably coupled to said engagement section.

17. The bicycle hub according to claim 16, wherein

said first engagement portion of said engagement member has an axial length smaller than an axial length of said engagement section of said outer tubular portion.

18. The bicycle hub according to claim 16, wherein

said engagement member has a second splined engagement portion extending from said engagement member to slidably and non-rotatably engage a splined engagement flange of said sprocket support member.

19. The bicycle hub according to claim 16, wherein

said engagement member has a maximum axial length smaller than an axial length of said engagement section of said outer tubular portion such that said engagement member can be retracted into an internal recess of said outer tubular portion.

20. The bicycle hub according to claim 19, wherein

said engagement member has a first abutment surface arranged to contact an internal abutment surface of said internal recess of said outer tubular portion.

21. The bicycle hub according to claim 20, wherein

said first abutment surface of said engagement member is axially aligned with a free edge of said first engagement portion.

22. The bicycle hub according to claim 20, wherein

said engagement member has a second abutment surface arranged to contact said sprocket support member.

23. The bicycle hub according to claim 22, wherein

said second abutment surface of said engagement member is axially spaced from a free edge of said first engagement portion.

24. The bicycle hub according to claim 23, wherein

said engagement member has a second splined engagement portion extending from said second abutment surface to slidably and non-rotatably engage a splined engagement flange of said sprocket support member.

25. A bicycle hub comprising:

a hub axle having a first portion and a second portion releasably coupled to said first portion;

a hub body having an outer tubular portion and an interior passageway with said first portion of said hub axle being rotatably supported therein, said hub body including an inner tubular portion rotatably coupled on said first portion of said hub axle;

a sprocket support member mounted on said second portion of said hub axle; and

an engagement member non-rotatably coupling said outer tubular portion to said sprocket support member in an engaged position, said engagement member being axially movable by said hub axle between said engaged position and a disengaged position, said inner tubular portion including an external flange axially aligned with an internal flange of said outer tubular portion such that said internal and external flanges form a stop surface to prevent axial movement of said engagement member within an internal recess of said outer tubular portion.