Bicycle crank axle with a radial projection

• US 7,856,903 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2006
• Issued: 12/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Original Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Inventors: Watarai, Etsuyoshi, Yamanaka, Masahiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Luong; Vinh T.
• Application Number:
  US11/613,130
• Publication Number:
  US 20070137428A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,470 Days
• Field of Search: 745941-5943, 384484-486, 384/489, 384/545, 280/259, 180/260, 188/266
• US Class Current: 74/594.1
• 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: Y10T 74/2164 Cranks and pedals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2165 with attached gear
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2168 Pedals

Abstract

A bicycle crank axle comprises an axle body having first and second end portions, a plurality of first splines disposed at the first end portion of the axle body, a plurality of second splines disposed at the second end portion of the axle body, and a projection extending radially outwardly from the first end portion of the axle body, wherein the projection is structured to abut against a lateral outer surface of a bicycle crank arm to prevent the bicycle crank arm from moving axially outward. A separate projecting member is mounted to the first end of the axle body to form the projection. The plurality of first splines extend radially outwardly from an outer peripheral surface of the axle body for engaging a splined surface of the bicycle crank arm, but the plurality of second splines do not extend radially outwardly relative to the outer peripheral surface of the axle body.

Claims

1. A bicycle crank axle adapted to be rotatably supported within a bottom bracket of a bicycle frame for supporting a bicycle crank arm, wherein the crank axle comprises:

an axle body having first and second end portions;

a plurality of first splines disposed at the first end portion of the axle body;

a plurality of second splines disposed at the second end portion of the axle body; and

a projection extending radially outwardly from the first end portion of the axle body, wherein the projection is structured to abut against a lateral outer surface of the bicycle crank arm to prevent the bicycle crank arm from moving axially outward;

wherein a separate projecting member is mounted to the first end of the axle body to form the projection;

wherein the plurality of first splines extend radially outwardly from an outer peripheral surface of the axle body for engaging a splined surface of the bicycle crank arm; and

wherein the plurality of second splines do not extend radially outwardly relative to the outer peripheral surface of the axle body.

2. The crank axle according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of first splines are disposed axially inwardly of the projection.

3. The crank axle according to claim 2 wherein the plurality of first splines are located in close proximity to the projection.

4. The crank axle according to claim 3 wherein the plurality of first splines are located directly adjacent to the projection.

5. The crank axle according to claim 1 wherein the second end portion of the axle body includes a threaded opening.

6. The crank axle according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of second splines do not extend radially outwardly from an outer peripheral surface of the axle body located axially inwardly of the plurality of second splines.

7. The crank axle according to claim 1 wherein the projection extends circumferentially along the axle body.

8. The crank axle according to claim 1 wherein the first end portion of the axle body includes a groove, and wherein the projecting member is disposed in the groove.

9. The crank axle according to claim 8 wherein the projecting member comprises a C-clip.

10. The crank axle according to claim 1 wherein the projecting member comprises a pin.

11. The crank axle according to claim 10 wherein the first end portion of the axle body has an opening formed therein, and wherein the pin is disposed in the opening.

12. The crank axle according to claim 11 wherein the opening extends diametrically through the first end portion, and wherein the pin extends through the opening to form first and second radially projecting abutments.