Patent ID: 6065580
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: B60B,F16D

Abstract:
A free-wheel hub for a bicycle comprising:a hub shell, said hub shell a tubular member having a first end and a second end;a sleeve axle having an external diameter, a first end region, a second end region, and a hole; said sleeve axle positioned within said hub shell and rotatable relative to said hub shell;a first roller bearing interfacing between the first end of said hub shell and the first end region of said sleeve axle;a sprocket body having a first end and a second end and further having a central through bore larger than the external diameter of said sleeve axle; said sprocket body having splines for receiving sprocket wheels; said sprocket body positioned about said sleeve axle with the first end of said sprocket body within the second end of said hub shell, and the second end of said sprocket body adjacent said second end region of said sleeve axle and outward from the second end of said hub shell;a second roller bearing positioned within the second end of said hub shell, inward of, said splines toward said first roller bearing, and interfacing between said hub shell and said sprocket body;a third roller bearing positioned within the second end of said hub shell, inward of said splines toward said first roller bearing, and interfacing between said sleeve axle and the first end of said sprocket body;clutch means for providing unidirectional torque coupling between said sprocket body and said hub shell, said clutch means positioned within said hub shell and inward of said splines and inward of the second and third roller bearings, toward said first roller bearing; said clutch means for coupling rotation of said sprocket body to rotation of said hub shell in a first direction of rotation, and allowing free rotation said hub shell relative to said sprocket body in a second direction of rotation;an axle, said axle disposed within said hole of said sleeve axle and protruding from the first and second end regions of said sleeve axle, said axle further protruding from said first end of said hub shell and from said second end of said sprocket body for providing clamp-engagable material.