Wheel and hub assemblies removable without tools
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A hub assembly comprising:
- a housing including;
an axle sleeve including an axle bore configured to receive an axle; and
a pin sleeve including a first end, a second end, and a conduit between the first end and the second end, the first end in fluid communication with the axle bore;
a retaining element within the conduit, the retaining element configured to operatively engage a groove in the axle;
a biasing element within the conduit and configured to bias the retaining element towards the axle bore;
a hand-maneuverable release mechanism configured to displace the retaining element away from the axle bore, the release mechanism including;
a tab configured to be manipulated by a hand of a user;
a lifter at least partially and non-removably within the pin sleeve the lifter configured to interact with the retaining element, the lifter connected to the tab, wherein movement of the tab is configured to cause movement of the lifter; and
a connector coupled to the tab and coupled to the lifter, wherein the retaining element includes a lip configured to interact with the release mechanism, and wherein the lifter includes a fork including prongs on two sides of the lip of the retaining element; and
a restraining element configured to inhibit at least one of the retaining element and the biasing element from exiting the second end of the pin sleeve.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hub assembly includes a housing, retaining element, biasing element, and hand-maneuverable release mechanism. The housing includes an axle sleeve including an axle bore configured to receive an axle and a pin sleeve including a first end in fluid communication with the axle bore, second end, and conduit between the first end and the second end. The retaining element is within the conduit and is configured to operatively engage a groove in an axle. The biasing element is within the conduit and is configured to bias the retaining element towards the axle bore. The hand-maneuverable release mechanism is configured to displace the retaining element away from the axle bore.
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Citations
55 Claims
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1. A hub assembly comprising:
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a housing including; an axle sleeve including an axle bore configured to receive an axle; and a pin sleeve including a first end, a second end, and a conduit between the first end and the second end, the first end in fluid communication with the axle bore; a retaining element within the conduit, the retaining element configured to operatively engage a groove in the axle; a biasing element within the conduit and configured to bias the retaining element towards the axle bore; a hand-maneuverable release mechanism configured to displace the retaining element away from the axle bore, the release mechanism including; a tab configured to be manipulated by a hand of a user; a lifter at least partially and non-removably within the pin sleeve the lifter configured to interact with the retaining element, the lifter connected to the tab, wherein movement of the tab is configured to cause movement of the lifter; and a connector coupled to the tab and coupled to the lifter, wherein the retaining element includes a lip configured to interact with the release mechanism, and wherein the lifter includes a fork including prongs on two sides of the lip of the retaining element; and a restraining element configured to inhibit at least one of the retaining element and the biasing element from exiting the second end of the pin sleeve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A hub assembly comprising:
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a housing including; an axle sleeve including an axle bore configured to receive an axle; and a pin sleeve including a first end, a second end, and a conduit between the first end and the second end, the first end in fluid communication with the axle bore; a retaining element within the conduit, the retaining element configured to operatively engage a groove in the axle; a biasing element within the conduit and configured to bias the retaining element towards the axle bore; a hand-maneuverable release mechanism configured to displace the retaining element away from the axle bore, the release mechanism including; a tab configured to be manipulated by a hand of a user; a lifter at least partially and non-removably within the pin sleeve the lifter configured to interact with the retaining element, the lifter connected to the tab, wherein movement of the tab is configured to cause movement of the lifter; and a connector coupled to the tab and coupled to the lifter, wherein the housing includes a bearing surface configured to increase leverage between the release mechanism and the retaining element; and a restraining element configured to inhibit at least one of the retaining element and the biasing element from exiting the second end of the pin sleeve. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A hub assembly comprising:
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a housing including; an axle sleeve including an axle bore configured to receive an axle; and a pin sleeve including a first end, a second end, and a conduit between the first end and the second end, the first end in fluid communication with the axle bore; a retaining element within the conduit, the retaining element configured to operatively engage a groove in the axle; a biasing element within the conduit and configured to bias the retaining element towards the axle bore; a hand-maneuverable release mechanism configured to displace the retaining element away from the axle bore, the release mechanism including; a tab configured to be manipulated by a hand of a user; a lifter at least partially and non-removably within the pin sleeve the lifter configured to interact with the retaining element, the lifter connected to the tab, wherein movement of the tab is configured to cause movement of the lifter; and a connector coupled to the tab and coupled to the lifter, wherein the connector is substantially orthogonal to the tab and to the lifter; and a restraining element configured to inhibit at least one of the retaining element and the biasing element from exiting the second end of the pin sleeve. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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Specification