Quick-release device and method for securing/releasing the same

Abstract

A quick-release device includes a tube having multiple holes defined through the wall in the first end thereof, and a seat is connected to the second end of the tube. A sleeve is located in the first end of the tube. Multiple stop members are located in the tube and movably engaged with the holes respectively. Each stop member has an inclined face defined in the underside thereof. A lever includes a cam portion pivotably mounted to the first end of an axle which extends through the tube. An end member is movably connected to the first end of the tube and is secured to the second end of the axle. When pivoting the lever, the end member is moved toward the seat or moved away from the seat to be the secure status or the release status.

Claims

1. A quick-release device comprising: a tube having multiple holes defined through a wall in a first end thereof, a seat connected to a second end of the tube, a sleeve located in the first end of the tube; multiple stop members located in the first end of the tube and movably engaged with the holes respectively, each stop member having an inclined face defined in an underside thereof; a lever having a cam portion which is pivotably mounted to a first end of an axle, the axle extending through the tube, and an end member movably connected to the first end of the tube, a second end of the axle connected to the end member, when pivoting the lever, the end member is moved toward the seat or moved away from the seat.

2. The quick-release device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a spring is mounted to the axle and biased between the seat and the end member.

3. The quick-release device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stop members each are an L-shaped member.

4. The quick-release device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sleeve includes multiple grooves defined axially in an outside thereof, the stop members are located in the grooves respectively.

5. The quick-release device as claimed in claim 4, wherein a ring is resiliently mounted to the stop members to position the stop members in the grooves of the sleeve.

6. The quick-release device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end member includes multiple inclined paths defined axially in an outside thereof, the stop members are moved along the inclined paths by the inclined faces, the stop members partially protrude through the holes when the lever is pivoted to set the quick-release device at a secured status.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view to show the quick-release device of the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the quick-release device of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded view of a portion of the quick-release device of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 4 shows the stop member of the quick-release device of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 5 shows the operation of the lever of the quick-release device of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view to show that the quick-release device of the present invention is at the release status;

(7) FIG. 7 shows that the quick-release device of the present invention is to be connected to the bicycle hub;

(8) FIG. 8 shows that the quick-release device of the present invention is connected to the bicycle hub;

(9) FIG. 9 shows the step for securing the quick-release device of the present invention, and

(10) FIG. 10 shows the conventional quick-release device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(11) Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the quick-release device A of the present invention comprises a tube 1 having multiple holes 12 defined through the wall in the first end thereof, and a seat 11 is connected to the second end of the tube 1. A sleeve 21 is located in the first end of the tube 1 and includes multiple grooves 211 defined axially in the outside thereof. Multiple stop members 2 are located in the first end of the tube 1 and in the grooves 211 respectively. A ring 22 is resiliently mounted to the stop members 2 to position the stop members 2 in the grooves 211 of the sleeve 21. The stop members 2 each are an L-shaped member, and each stop member 2 includes a portion 201 formed thereon, an inclined face 20 defined in the underside thereof, and a protrusion extending from the top thereof. The protrusion is movably engaged with the hole 12 corresponding thereto.

(12) A lever 3 has a cam portion 31 which is pivotably mounted to a first end of an axle 32. The first end of the axle 32 is a round disk so that the cam portion 31 of the lever 3 is pivotable relative to the round disk. The axle 32 extends through the tube 1 and the second end of the axle 32 connected to the end member 4. The end member 4 includes a tapered insertion portion which is movably inserted into the first end of the tube 1. The end member 4 includes multiple inclined paths 41 defined axially in the outside of the tapered insertion portion, and the stop members 2 are moved along the inclined paths 41 by the inclined faces 20. A spring 5 is mounted to the axle 32 and biased between the seat 11 and the end member 4.

(13) As shown in FIG. 5, when the lever 3 is located at the upward position as shown, the end member 4 is not pulled toward the seat 11, so that the quick-release device is at its release status. The protrusion of each stop member 2 does not protrude beyond the tube 1, and the users can easily tell which status the quick-release device A is set. The spring 5 is mounted to the axle 32 and biased between the seat 11 and the end member 4 so that the response of the movement of the axle 32 is quick.

(14) As shown in FIG. 6, when the lever 3 is located at the downward position as shown, the end member 4 is pulled toward the seat 11, so that the quick-release device is at its secured status. The end member 4 is moved toward the seat 11 by moving the tapered insertion portion thereof into the tube 1 along the Y-axis direction, and the inclined paths 41 push the stop members 2 to move in the X-axis direction, so that the protrusion of each stop member 2 does not protrude beyond the tube 1.

(15) As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the quick-release device A can be easily connected to the hub 8 of the bicycle frame 7. The tube 1 extends through the hub 8, and the two legs of the front fork are engaged with the two ends of the tube 1.

(16) FIG. 9 shows the method B of securing/releasing the quick-release device A, and the method B comprises the following steps:

(17) A step (a) of installing stop members 2:

(18) Installing multiple stop members 2 in the tube 1 and each of the stop members 2 has an inclined face 20 defined in the underside thereof. The stop members 20 movably in the X-axis direction to protrude through the holes 12 defined in the first end of the tube 1. A sleeve 21 is located in the tube 1 and the stop members 2 are located on the outside of the sleeve 21 and arranged in a loop arrangement.

(19) A step (b) of installing the lever 3 and the axle 32:

(20) The lever 3 has a cam portion 31 with which one end of the axle is pivotably connected. The axle 32 extends through the tube 1 and is pulled in the Y-axis direction by pivoting the lever 3.

(21) A step (c) of moving the end member 4:

(22) The end member 4 is movably inserted into the first end of the tube 1 and connected to the axle 32. The end member 4 is moved with the axle 32 to push the inclined faces 20 of the stop members 2 to move the stop members 20 in the X-axis direction, and

(23) A step (d) of securing/releasing:

(24) The tube 1 includes a seat 11 connected to the second end thereof. The axle 32 is pulled by pivoting the lever 3 to move the end member 4 toward the seat 11. The stop members 2 partially protrude beyond the tube 1 to quickly secure or release the quick-release device A.

(25) While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.