Patent ID: 9388847
Filing Date: 2016-07-12
CPC Classification: B62M,F16C

Claim Text:
1. A bottom bracket bearing assembly for composite bicycle frames having a bottom bracket shell with a pass-through, the bracket bearing assembly comprising: an elongated, rigid, tubular sleeve affixed to said bottom bracket shell, the sleeve comprising a leading sleeve end adapted to be directed into the pass-through during installation and an integral, spaced-apart terminal sleeve end; the terminal sleeve end comprising an integral, external, installation stop flange that abuts the frame bottom bracket shell when the assembly is installed; the leading sleeve end and the terminal sleeve end each comprising a bearing bore; each bearing bore comprising an interference fit zone providing a friction fit required for bearing retention and an adjacent, bearing pressure relief zone having a diameter greater than the diameter of the interference fit zone, wherein each pressure relief zone comprises a channel and an adjacent, progressive slope providing a buffer for resisting excessive external pressure on a rolling bearing; a rolling bearing coaxially disposed within and press fitted to the leading sleeve end bearing bore, and a spaced apart radial contact bearing coaxially disposed within and press fitted to the terminal sleeve end bearing bore; and, an inner, hollow buttress bushing coaxially disposed within said tubular sleeve that extends between and internally contacts the rolling bearing proximate each sleeve end.