Bicycle crank axle bolt

• US 6,938,516 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2003
• Issued: 09/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Original Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Inventors: Yamanaka, Masahiro
• Primary Examiner(s): LUONG, VINH
• Application Number:
  US10/750,920
• Publication Number:
  US 20040154430A1
• Time in Patent Office: 615 Days
• Field of Search: 745/941, 745/942, 474/82, 411/368, 411/430, 411/374, 814/60
• US Class Current: 74/594.1
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 15/005 with cross- or star-shaped cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 27/0071 for bicycles
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 19/34 Bottom brackets
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 3/00 Construction of cranks operated by hand or foot
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 3/003 Combination of crank axles and bearings housed in the bottom bracket bottom bracket frame details B62K19/34
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/71 Blocking disengagement of catches or keys
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2326/28 Bicycle propulsion, e.g. crankshaft and its support
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/78 with a diaphragm, disc, or ring, with or without resilient members F16C33/761 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 35/077 between housing and outer race ring
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7026 Longitudinally splined or fluted rod
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2164 Cranks and pedals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2165 with attached gear

Abstract

A bicycle crank arm apparatus includes an axle having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion has an outer peripheral surface and a threaded inner peripheral surface; an axle bolt having a threaded outer peripheral surface screwed into the threaded inner peripheral surface of the first end portion of the axle; a crank arm having an axle mounting boss defining an opening for receiving the first end portion of the axle therein, wherein the axle mounting boss includes a first fastener for tightening the crank arm mounting boss around the first end portion of the axle; and wherein the crank arm boss is positioned axially inwardly of the axle bolt.

Claims

1. An axle bolt for an axle that is structured to be rotatably fitted within a bottom bracket of a bicycle frame and coupled to a crank arm so that the axle and the crank arm rotate as a unit relative to the bottom bracket as the bicycle is pedaled, wherein the axle has an inner peripheral surface, wherein the axle bolt comprises:

a bolt body having a threaded outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface defining an opening;

wherein the threaded outer peripheral surface is dimensioned to screw within the inner peripheral surface of the axle to fasten the axle bolt so that the axle bolt rotates together with the axle during pedaling;

a plurality of splines circumferentially disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the bolt body; and

a flange extending radially outwardly from the bolt body.

2. The bolt according to claim 1 wherein the flange is positioned at an end of the bolt body.

3. The bolt according to claim 2 wherein the plurality of splines are positioned at the end of the bolt body.

4. The bolt according to claim 3 wherein the flange has a knurled outer peripheral surface.

5. The bolt according to claim 4 wherein each of the plurality of splines comprises an arcuate projection.

6. The bolt according to claim 5 wherein there is exactly eight splines.

7. The bolt according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of splines are positioned at an end of the bolt body.

8. The bolt according to claim 1 wherein the flange has a knurled outer peripheral surface.

9. The bolt according to claim 1 wherein there is exactly eight splines.

10. The bolt according to claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of splines comprises an arcuate projection.