Patent ID: 6829965
Filing Date: 2004-12-14
Classification: B62M,Y10T

Abstract:
A bicycle crank set comprising:a. a pair of hollow L-shaped tubular members, each being of unitary construction and having one-piece continuous walls, each of said members comprising: i. a first leg having respective first and second closed ends; ii. a second leg joining said first leg at a position between the axial midpoint of said first leg and a second end of said first leg, said second leg having an open end remote from position of juncture with said first leg; iii. interiors of said legs of respective tubular members being in open communication with each other; iv. first closed ends of said L-shaped tubular members being rounded; v. a second one of said tubular members having a spider integrally formed therein as a part of said one-piece continuous wall, proximate said second closed end, coaxially with said second leg of said second tubular member, said spider being adapted for driving engagement with a conventional bicycle drive chain; vi. said members being adapted for coaxial interfitting joining at convoluted open ends of respective second legs for unitary rotation about a common axis of said second legs; and b. releasable means for clampingly securing said second legs for said unitary rotation when said convoluted open ends are matingly engaged, comprising: i. an outer sleeve surrounding said matingly engaged second legs; ii. a radially expandable inner sleeve positioned within said matingly engaged second legs, including an axially tapered interior surface, adapted to expand outwardly against inner annular surface of said second legs and urging said second legs outwardly into tight fitting contact with said outer sleeve; iii. a threaded stud coaxially located within said inner sleeve; iv. externally axially tapered bushing means threadedly engaging said stud and axially slidably contacting the interior of said inner sleeve upon rotational axial movement of said bushing along said stud; wherein rotation of said stud results in bushing axial movement therealong moving said inner sleeve radially outwardly against annular interior surfaces of said second legs, urging said second legs outwardly into tight fitting contact with said outer sleeve and sandwiching said second legs therebetween for unitary rotation one with another.