Patent ID: 6712376
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: B62H,B62J

Abstract:
A quick release for a clamping mechanism that may be secured about a structural member of a bicycle or other device, the mechanism including a first clamp having first and second outwardly projecting lugs that may be drawn together toward one another to compress the clamp about the structural member, each of the lugs having a bore extending therethrough and positioned upon said first clamp such that the bores are generally aligned with one another, the bore in the first lug internally threaded, the quick release mechanism comprising:an elongate bolt member receivable through said bores in said lugs, said bolt member having a first threaded end that threadably engages the threaded bore through the first lug to secure said bolt member thereto; and, a tensioning member, said tensioning member operable between an engaged and a disengaged position, when in said engaged position said tensioning member bearing against said second lug and drawing said threaded end of said bolt member and said first lug to which it is secured toward said second lug thereby compressing the first clamp, when in said disengaged position said tensioning member releasing said force drawing said first lug toward said second lug, the compressive force applied by said tensioning member adjustable through threading said first end of said bolt member into or out of the threaded bore through the first lug, said bolt member further including an enlarged diameter portion, said enlarged diameter portion situated between the first and second lugs when said bolt member is received through the bores in the lugs, said enlarged diameter portion limiting movement of the lugs toward one another beyond a predetermined distance, said enlarged diameter portion bearing against the second lug when said bolt member is threaded out of the bore through the first lug thereby driving the first and second lugs away from one another and expanding the first clamp.