Patent ID: 6393939
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: B25B,B62M,F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
A one-piece bicycle crank axle adapted to be rotatably supported within a bottom bracket of a bicycle frame, the axle comprising:a one-piece axle body having first and second ends defining respective first and second end faces (49A,49B), wherein the axle body has a hollow central section; a plurality of first splines (51A) disposed at and one-piece with the first end of the axle body; an unsplined first centering structure (52A) disposed at and one-piece with the first end of the axle body in close proximity to the plurality of first splines (51A); wherein the plurality of first splines (51A) are dimensioned and positioned to be located externally of the bottom bracket in close proximity to the first end face (49A) so as to fit at least partially within a first bicycle crank arm (100), and wherein the first centering structure (52A) is dimensioned and positioned to be located externally of the bottom bracket in close proximity to the first end face (49A) so as to fit at least partially within the first bicycle crank arm (100) to center the first bicycle crank arm (100) on the axle; a plurality of second splines (51B) disposed at and one-piece with the second end of the axle body; an unsplined second centering structure (52B) disposed at and one-piece with the second end of the axle body in close proximity to the plurality of second splines (51B); and wherein the plurality of second splines (51B) are dimensioned and positioned to be located externally of the bottom bracket in close proximity to the second end face (49B) so as to fit at least partially within a second bicycle crank arm (1), and wherein the second centering structure (52B) is dimensioned and positioned to be located externally of the bottom bracket in close proximity to the second end face (49B) so as to fit at least partially within the second bicycle crank, arm (1) to center the second bicycle crank arm (1) on the axle.