Patent ID: 9259777
Filing Date: 2016-02-16
CPC Classification: B21D,B21J,B21K,B62K,B62M,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A method of fabricating an integrally formed unitary bicycle crank-arm spindle comprising: forming a first elongated arm by three-dimensional (3D) forging, said first elongated arm having a solid pedal end portion and a first axial bore, said first axial bore having a first opening extending through a second end of said first elongated arm opposite said solid pedal end portion, said first axial bore having a closed end opposite the first opening, the closed end being adjacent the solid pedal end portion; forming a first projection on said first elongated arm adjacent said second end and opposite said solid pedal end portion; forming an elongated spindle from said first elongated arm by extending said first projection and forming a second axial bore in said first projection by 3D forging, the elongated spindle having an end opposite the first arm configured to couple to a second elongated arm, the second axial bore defining an axis of rotation of the first elongated arm when installed on a bicycle, said spindle being unitary and monolithic with said first elongated arm, wherein said second axial bore intersects and is contiguous with said first axial bore; bending said first elongated arm, wherein said solid pedal end portion is substantially perpendicular to said first projection; forming the second elongated arm by 3D forging, said second elongated arm having a third end and a third axial bore, said third axial bore having a second opening at a fourth end of said second elongated arm; forming a second projection on said second elongated arm adjacent said third end; and, forming a fourth axial bore in said second projection, wherein said fourth axial bore is sized to receive said spindle opposite said first elongated arm; and inserting the spindle in the fourth axial bore to form a crank-arm spindle assembly.