Axle With Clone Clamping System

Abstract

A quick-release axle system includes two bicycle elements, particular two chain stays. They are connected to each other by means of a quick-release axle. Two clamping elements are provided for the connection, so that a non-positive connection is realized between the two bicycle elements and the quick-release axle.

Claims

1. A quick-release axle system comprising two bicycle elements, in particular two chain stays, rocker stays or the like, a quick-release axle connecting the two bicycle elements to each other, and two clamping elements each arranged between one of the bicycle elements and the quick-release axle, for non-positively connecting the bicycle elements to the quick-release axle.

2. The quick-release axle system according to claim 1, wherein an adjustment element displaceable in the axial direction of the quick-release axle is connected to the quick-release axle.

3. The quick-release axle system according to claim 2, wherein the adjustment element is configured as a screw which can be screwed into an opening of the quick-release axle in particular.

4. The quick-release axle system according to claim 2, wherein the adjustment element comprises an in particular head-shaped extension which cooperates with one of the bicycle elements, in particular abuts against an outer side of the bicycle element.

5. The quick-release axle system according to claim 2, wherein the quick-release axle comprises an in particular head-shaped extension which is opposite the adjustment element and cooperates with one of the bicycle element, in particular abuts against an outer side of the bicycle element.

6. The quick-release axle system according to claim 1, wherein the clamping elements are formed to be wedge- or ring-shaped and in particular completely surround the quick-release axle.

7. The quick-release axle system according to claim 1, wherein an outer side and/or an inner side of at least one of the clamping elements is conical.

8. The quick-release axle system according to claim 7, wherein an inner side of the bicycle elements is formed complementary to the outer sides of the clamping element.

9. The quick-release axle system according to claim 7, wherein an outer side f the quick-release axle is formed complementary to the inner side of the clamping element.

10. The quick-release axle system according to claim 1, wherein the inner side of at least one of the clamping elements is cylindrical.

11. The quick-release axle according to claim wherein at least one of the clamping elements has a radially extending

12. The quick-release axle system according to claim 1, wherein a bicycle frame element having a through opening for receiving the quick-release axle.

13. The quick-release axle according to claim 12, wherein bearing elements, in particular ball bearings, are arranged in the through opening between the quick-release axle and the bicycle frame element

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In the following, the invention is described in more detail by means of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] In the drawings:

[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-section of a quick-release axle, wherein the illustrated exemplary embodiments shows two chain stays pivotally connected to the bicycle frame element,

[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a clamping element, and

[0024] FIG. 3 is a preferred embodiment of a sleeve arranged between the bearings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The quick-release axle system is arranged in a bicycle frame element 10 and comprises a quick-release axle 12. Quick-release axle 12 is arranged in a through opening 14 provided in bicycle frame 10. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, main link bearings 16 designed as ball bearings are arranged in through opening 14. They are arranged such that a sleeve 19 is arranged between the two inner rings of the two ball bearings 16. The two outer rings of the ball bearings 16 are supported on corresponding extensions 18 of frame element 10. In bicycle frames made of carbon or the like, the extensions 18 are formed by inserts that are firmly connected to the corresponding frame element and are made in particular of aluminum. They are connected to bicycle frame element 10, in particular by co-molding.

[0026] A chain stay 20 is arranged on each of the two sides of frame element 10. The two chain stays 20 each comprise a through opening 22. Through opening 22 has a conical inner side 24 widening inwardly, i.e. in the direction of the bicycle frame element 10, wherein a sleeve-like intermediate element 26 made of a corresponding, possibly harder material may be provided. In chain stays 20 made of carbon, the intermediate elements 26 are in turn preferably firmly connected to the chain stays, in particular by co-molding. Here, it is preferred that the intermediate elements 26 are formed as aluminum inserts.

[0027] A clamping element 28 is provided in each of the two through openings 22 of the two chain stays 20, the clamping elements 28 being of identical design. The two clamping elements 28 have a cylindrical inner side 30, which is only slightly larger in diameter than the outer diameter of the quick-release axle 12 in this area. Moreover, the two clamping elements 28 have a conical outer side 32, wherein the diameter of the outer side 32 of the clamping elements 28 decreases outwardly to form the conical outer side 32. Thus, conical surface 32 is substantially parallel to the conical inner side 24 of through opening 22 of the chain stays 20.

[0028] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the quick-release axle comprises a head-shaped extension 34 on the left side in the figure. The head-shaped extension 34 abuts against an outer side 36 of the chain stay 20 on the left in the figure. The quick-release axle is thus inserted from the left for mounting in the figure. An adjustment element 38 is provided on the side opposite the head-shaped extension 34. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, adjustment element 38 is configured as a screw that engages in a thread provided in an inner bore 40 of quick-release axle 12. Adjustment element 38 also has a head-shaped extension 42 which in turn abuts against an outer side 36 of chain stay 20 on the right in the figure.

[0029] Furthermore, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the two clamping elements 28 each have a radial slot 44 that extends across the entire width and height of the two clamping elements.

[0030] For assembly, the two bearings 16 are first arranged in through opening 14 of frame element 10 together with sleeve 18. The sleeves 26 and the two clamping elements 28 are arranged in the two chain stays 20. Then, quick-release axle 12 is inserted from the left in the figure. For fixation and thus non-positive connection between the chain stays 20 and quick-release axle 12, adjustment element 38 is screwed into inner bore 40. Here, a clamping non-positive connection is effected via the wedge-shaped surfaces 32, 24 and, due to the provision of a slot 44 in the clamping elements 28, a clamping connection is effected between the cylindrical inner side 30 of the clamping elements and a likewise cylindrical outer side 46 of quick-release axle 12.

[0031] Since the inner sides 48 of the two clamping elements 28 abut indirectly or directly against the inner rings of the ball bearings 16, the two ball bearings 16 are simultaneously adjusted or preloaded, respectively.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a clamping element 28 in perspective view. Instead of a single radial slot 44, said clamping element comprises multiple slots 50, 52. They each extend in longitudinal direction of clamping element 28 not along the entire length and are open on different opposing sides 54, 56 of clamping element 28. Preferably, there is a regular arrangement of six slots 50, 52, with three slots 50 open toward the inner side 50 and three slots 52 open toward the outer side 54.

[0033] FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of sleeve 19. In particular, to facilitate assembly and disassembly, sleeve 19 may have longitudinally extending slots 58 extending inwardly from opposite sides as shown.