Patent ID: 7811210
Filing Date: 2010-10-12
Classification: A63B,B62M,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A crank assembly for fitness equipment comprising a crankshaft extending axially along an axis and rotational about said axis, a crank arm mounted to said crankshaft at a keyed interface and extending radially therefrom relative to said axis, said crankshaft and said crank arm each having a mounting surface facing each other at said interface, a ductile spacer engaged between said crankshaft mounting surface and said crank arm mounting surface at said interface, wherein said ductile spacer has distally opposite facing surfaces, namely a first facing surface facing and engaging said crankshaft mounting surface, and a second facing surface facing and engaging said crank arm mounting surface, and wherein said ductile spacer is of a constituent material softer than at least one of said mounting surfaces, said ductile spacer having a nonsplit continuous perimeter therearound in a plane normal to said axis, wherein: said constituent material of said ductile spacer is softer and more malleable than both of said mounting surfaces; said first facing surface conforms to said crankshaft mounting surface and maximizes surface contact area therewith; said second facing surface conforms to said crank arm mounting surface and maximizes surface contact area therewith; said ductile spacer has a keyed cross-sectional shape along a cross-sectional plane taken transversely to said axis; said ductile spacer extends axially along said axis and is frustoconically tapered relative to said axis.