Quick release, especially for bicycles

• US 8,186,768 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2006
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dt Swiss Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dt Swiss Inc.
• Inventors: Spahr, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): Kotter, Kip T
• Application Number:
  US11/643,648
• Publication Number:
  US 20070154286A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,987 Days
• Field of Search: 301/110.5, 301/124.2, 280/279, 280/288, 411/402, 411/160, 411/161, 411/533, 403/373, 403/374.1, 403/374.2, 403/374.3, 403/374.4, 403/374.5, 403/DIG.4, 403/DIG.9, 403/322.4
• US Class Current: 301/124.2
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7069 Axially oriented
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7071 Lever actuator

Abstract

A quick release for bicycles comprising a pull rod extending in the axial direction, an end element at a first end of the pull rod, a clamping element at the second end of the pull rod, and a tensioning device for tensioning the clamping element. The tensioning device comprises a lever for applying the clamping force and a tensioning sleeve with a transmitter portion for transmitting the clamping force to an engaging portion of the clamping element. The lever is positioned to be movable relative to the clamping element in the axial direction of the pull rod and against the biasing force of a biasing spring is movable outwardly in the axial direction of the pull rod from an engaged position to a turn position. In the turn position an angular position of the lever can be set independently of the state of tensioning.

Claims

1. A quick release for bicycles, comprising:

a pull rod extending in the axial direction, a removable end element directly connected to a first end of the pull rod, a clamping element connected to a second end of the pull rod, and a tensioning device for tensioning the clamping element;

said tensioning device including a removable lever for applying a clamping force, an outermost surface protruding beyond an outer surface of said lever for enabling a user to apply a pushing force on said second end of the pull rod while pulling on said lever, and a tensioning sleeve with a transmitter portion for transmitting the clamping force to an engaging portion of the clamping element, said tensioning sleeve including at least one radially, inwardly extending shoulder integrally formed therewith for supporting an end of at least one biasing spring, wherein an annular axially extending gap is defined between the tensioning device and a radially, outwardly extending flange portion of the clamping element; and

a pair of tensioning springs configured for centering said clamping element, said tensioning device and said pull rod relative to a wheel, wherein one of said tensioning springs is on said first end of said pull rod and said other of said tensioning springs is on said second end of said pull rod,

wherein the lever is positioned to be movable relative to the clamping element in the axial direction of the pull rod and is movable outwardly in the axial direction of the pull rod from an engaged position to a turn position in which an angular position of the lever can be set independently of the state of tensioning.

2. The quick release of claim 1, wherein said lever and said clamping element are connected together by a fastener.

16. The quick release according to claim 1, wherein the knurled wheel is positioned on a sealing ring.

3. A quick release for bicycles, comprising:

a pull rod extending in the axial direction, a removable end element directly connected to a first end of the pull rod, a clamping element connected to a second end of the pull rod, and a tensioning device for tensioning the clamping element;

said tensioning device including a lever for applying a clamping force, an outermost surface protruding beyond an outer surface of said lever for enabling a user to apply a pushing force on said second end of the pull rod while pulling on said lever, and a tensioning sleeve with a transmitter portion for transmitting the clamping force to an engaging portion of the clamping element, said tensioning sleeve including at least one radially, inwardly extending shoulder integrally formed therewith for supporting an end of at least one biasing spring, wherein an annular axially extending gap is defined between the tensioning device and a radially, outwardly extending flange portion of the clamping element; and

a knurled wheel rotatably mounted on the clamping element, said knurled wheel being made of metal and including a first diameter and a second diameter, wherein said first diameter and said second diameter are connected by a chamfered edge on an inner surface of said wheel that is spaced from said clamping element, said first diameter being greater than a diameter of said clamping element to allow rotation of said knurled wheel relative to said clamping element, said second diameter being less than said diameter of said clamping element to secure said knurled wheel on said clamping element;

wherein the lever is positioned to be movable relative to the clamping element in the axial direction of the pull rod and is movable against the biasing force of said at least one biasing spring outwardly in the axial direction of the pull rod from an engaged position to a turn position in which an angular position of the lever can be set independently of the state of tensioning.

4. The quick release according to claim 3, wherein the engaging portion is configured as an external toothing.

5. The quick release according to claim 3, wherein the transmitter portion is configured as an internal toothing.

6. The quick release according to claim 3, wherein the clamping force is independent of the said at least one biasing spring.

7. The quick release according to claim 3, wherein the clamping element comprises an internal thread interacting with an external thread of the pull rod.

8. The quick release according to claim 3, wherein the end element comprises an internal thread interacting with an external thread of the pull rod.

9. The quick release according to claim 3, wherein the tensioning device comprises a safety device to support the tensioning sleeve on the clamping element to be axially movable and secure against loss.

10. The quick release according to claim 9, wherein the safety device comprises an external thread interacting with an internal thread of the clamping element.

11. The quick release according to claim 3, wherein said at least one biasing spring is supported between a safety device and the end element.

12. The quick release according to claim 3, wherein an axial annular gap is provided between the transmitter portion of the tensioning sleeve and the clamping element.

13. The quick release according to claim 3, wherein the lever is at least partially made of plastic.

14. The quick release according to claim 3, wherein the lever is at least partially made of a fibrous composite material.

15. The quick release according to claim 3, wherein at least one tensioning spring is provided.

17. The quick release according to claim 3, wherein the lever is removable after removing a safety device to inhibit illicit removal of a wheel.

18. A wheel having a rim and a hub wherein a quick release is provided for mounting the wheel to a bicycle, the quick release comprising:

a pull rod extending in the axial direction and an end element connected directly to a first end of the pull rod, a clamping element connected to a second end of the pull rod and a tensioning device for tensioning the clamping element, the clamping element defining a groove configured to receive a first sealing ring to form a seal between the clamping element and the tensioning device;

the tensioning device including a lever for applying the clamping force, an outermost surface protruding beyond an outer surface of said lever for enabling a user to apply a pushing force on said second end of the pull rod while pulling on said lever, and a tensioning sleeve with a transmitter portion for transmitting the clamping force to an engaging portion of the clamping element, said tensioning sleeve including at least one radially, inwardly extending shoulder integrally formed therewith for supporting an end of at least one biasing spring, wherein an annular axially extending gap is defined between the tensioning device and a radially, outwardly extending flange portion of the clamping element;

a knurled wheel made of metal and rotatably mounted on the clamping element, said knurled wheel having a first diameter and a second diameter, wherein said first diameter and said second diameter are connected by a chamfered edge on an inner surface of said wheel that is spaced from said clamping element, said first diameter being greater than a diameter of said clamping element to allow rotation of said knurled wheel relative to said clamping element, said second diameter being less than said diameter of said clamping element to secure said knurled wheel on said clamping element; and

a second sealing ring provided between the knurled wheel and the clamping element and configured to support and axially lock the wheel in position;

wherein the lever is positioned to be movable relative to the clamping element in the axial direction of the pull rod and against the biasing force of a biasing spring is movable outwardly in the axial direction of the pull rod from an engaged position to a turn position in which the angular position of the lever can be set independently of the state of tensioning.