Bicycle Hub Quick-Release Axle

Abstract

A bicycle hub quick-release axle has a shaft. A thread for fixing the shaft in a threaded bore in a dropout is provided at the first end of the shaft. A lever element for screwing the thread into/out of the threaded bore is provided at the second end of the shaft. A receiving space for the lever element is provided within the shaft. The lever element can be pulled out of the receiving space. The lever element when pulled out of the receiving spaced is connected to the shaft via holding elements. By this arrangement, simple screwing-in/unscrewing of the shaft is possible with the aid of the lever element.

Claims

1. A bicycle hub quick-release axle comprising: a shaft comprising: a first end with a thread for fixing the shaft in a threaded bore of a dropout, and a second end connected to a lever element for screwing/unscrewing the thread into/out of the threaded bore, a receiving space provided in the shaft for receiving the lever element, and a holding element connecting the lever element to the shaft when the lever element is pulled out of the receiving space.

2. The bicycle hub quick-release axle of claim 1, wherein the holding element has a first holding part arranged at the lever element, the first holding part cooperating during the pulling with a second holding part arranged at the shaft.

3. The bicycle quick-release axle of claim 2, wherein the second holding part is arranged at a head part of the shaft.

4. The bicycle hub quick-release axle of claim 2, wherein the first or the second holding part has protrusions cooperating with recesses provided in the first or the second holding part.

5. The bicycle hub quick-release axle of claim 4, wherein the first or the second holding part has two opposite recesses.

6. The bicycle hub quick-release axle of claim 4, wherein the protrusions engage in the recesses when the lever element is pulled out of the receiving space.

7. The bicycle hub quick-release axle of claim 1, wherein the lever element is pivotable when in the pulled-out position.

8. The bicycle hub quick-release axle of claim 1, further comprising a fixing element for the fixation of the lever element in the inserted position.

9. The bicycle hub quick-release axle of claim 8, wherein the fixing element has a clamping element of elastic plastic material.

10. The bicycle hub quick-release axle of claim 8, wherein the fixing element has a ball catch.

Description

[0017] In the Figures:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a bicycle hub quick-release axle of the present invention,

[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the quick-release axle with the lever element inserted,

[0020] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the quick-release axle with the lever element pulled out,

[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic top plan view on a component arranged in the head part of the shaft and forming a slot,

[0022] FIG. 5 is a schematic bottom view of the component shown in FIG. 4, and

[0023] FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of the shaft with the lever element pulled out and pivoted.

[0024] The preferred embodiment of the bicycle hub quick-release axle of the present invention illustrated in the Figures has a shaft 10. A thread 14 is provided at a first end 12 of the shaft, i.e. the right end in FIG. 1. In the mounted state the thread 14 engages a threaded bore provided at a dropout. This may be the dropout of the bicycle fork shaft or the dropout at the rear frame of the bicycle for receiving the rear wheel hub. A lever element 18 is arranged at the second end 16 opposite the first end 12. The shaft 10 further has a hollow space 20 into which the lever element 18 can be inserted. At its free end, i.e. the right end in FIG. 2, the lever element 18 has first holding parts 22. In the embodiment illustrated the first holding parts 22 are cylindrical, opposite pins or protrusions.

[0025] Two components 26 are arranged in a head part 24 of the shaft 10, each having a slot 28. The two slots 28, which are also arranged opposite each other, form second holding parts. The components 26 are fastened in the head part 24 using screws 30. The two slot-shaped recesses 28 are open at the inner end 32 directed towards the receiving space 20. At their opposite side, the slots 28 have an abutment surface 34.

[0026] The first holding parts 22 cooperate with the second holding parts 28 and, in the embodiment illustrated, form a holding element. When pulling the lever element 18 out of the inserted position (FIG. 2) to the pulled-out position (FIG. 3), the protrusions 22 slide into the slots 28, while it is not possible to pull the lever element out entirely, since the protrusions 22 abut against the abutment surface 34. It would be possible already in this position to turn the entire quick-release axle using the lever element 18. Even in the inserted position a torque could be transmitted, since the head of the lever element 18 is arranged in the slot or the groove provided at the second end 16 of the shaft 10. To enable the application of a higher torque, the lever element 18 is configured to be pivoted by an angle of e.g. 60 to 80 with respect to a longitudinal axis 36 to the position illustrated in FIG. 6. For this purpose, the head part 24 has a slot extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 36, so as to allow for a pivoting of the lever element. Here, the slot extends preferably over the entire width of the head part 24 so that the lever 18 can be pivoted in both directions.

[0027] For mounting a wheel, the quick-release axle is first inserted through the unthreaded passage bore at the first dropout, is then passed through the bicycle hub and screwed into the opposite threaded bore provided at the other dropout. After the quick-release axle has been screwed in by applying a corresponding torque via the lever element 18, the lever element 18 is inserted into the receiving space 20.

[0028] To ensure a secure retention of the lever element 18 in the receiving space 20, a fixing element 38 is provided in addition. In the embodiment illustrated, the fixing element 38 is a ball catch. The latter has a spring-loaded ball 40. In the inserted state the ball 40 snaps into one of the two slots 28 (FIG. 2).

[0029] The lever 18 further has two grip recesses 44, 46 at its free end 42. A plastic element may be placed therein so as to enable a secure and reliable gripping of the lever element. In this regard it is preferred that one of the plastic elements places in the grip recesses has a tongue-shaped protrusion 48. The same is arranged at an outer side 50 of the lever element 18. It is arranged opposite the ball catch 38, wherein the latter may also be omitted. Upon insertion of the lever element 18 into the hollow receiving space, not only the ball catch 38 snaps in, but at the same time a clamping retention is achieved via the elastic tongue 48. Thereby, a rattling of the lever element in the inserted state is avoided.