Patent Publication Number: US-2004046353-A1

Title: Quick release for bicycle axle fastener with multiple locking positions

Description:
CLAIM FOR BENEFIT OF EARLIER FILING DATE  
     [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application. No. 60/408,31 1 filed Sep. 6, 2002 entitled “Long Travel Quick Release With Multiple Locking Positions. This application has the same inventor and subject matter as, but a different title from, the aforesaid provisional application. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002] The background of the invention will be discussed in two parts.  
       [0003] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0004] The invention relates to quick-release bicycle axle fasteners and more particularly to a multiple locking position quick release fastener having a longer travel cam allowing the user to open the cam lever to remove the wheel without changing the setting on the adjusting nut.  
       [0005] 2. Description of the Related Art  
       [0006] Bicycle wheels are often attached to bicycles by a bicycle axle fastener that is quickly releasable to allow fast and convenient removal of the wheel. This allows fast replacement of a wheel when a flat tire occurs as well as providing convenient wheel removal for safety attachment to bike racks or for storage. Such conventional quick-release bicycle axle fasteners usually employ a lever-operated cam, often inadvertently left open causing unexpected release of the wheel from the bicycle. However, tabs or bosses have been added to the end of front bicycle fork dropouts so that even if the quick release was open the front wheel could not fall out. This created a problem in that an adjustment nut must be loosened to remove the front wheel. For users not familiar with quick release fasteners this poses a problem, as the nut must be properly adjusted each time the wheel is replaced. This adjustment is often done incorrectly by the inexperienced user, which can result in accidents or other problems due to wheel disengagement. For experienced users this is not a problem, however, the requirement that the nut be adjusted both for wheel removal and installation results in the quick release is no longer as fast as it was before the addition of fork dropout bosses.  
       [0007] Many users get around this problem by filing down the ends of the fork bosses so that the conventional quick release will allow the removal of the wheel without adjusting the nut. This creates a problem in the front wheel can now fall out of the fork if the user did not tighten it properly or if something hits the cam lever to open it.  
       [0008] There are other versions of quick release fasteners that allow for longer travel to open outside of the fork bosses. A related art quick release fastener is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,931 issued to John V. Stewart on Jul. 17, 2001. The disclosed fastener has the addition of a spring such that if the lever-operated cam is left open by the user, the spring causes it to hold the follower against the retaining surface of the dropout, preventing accidental release of the axle. However this is a problem as it is difficult to manufacture a spring with enough tension so that it eliminates the possibility of the wheel falling out without it being too heavy, too large in or too tight for market considerations.  
       [0009] Thus, attempts to solve this problem have not been adequate in that they did not provide features allowing for wheel removal without having to change the setting on the adjusting nut, and/or they were inconvenient, expensive, or had other disadvantages, such as safety problems.  
       [0010] It is thus an aspect of the present invention to provide a quick release fastener that allows the user to open the cam lever far enough to remove the wheel without having to change the setting on the adjusting nut.  
       [0011] It is another aspect of the invention to provide a quick release fastener combining a longer travel cam with a locking mechanism that locks in multiple positions, thereby allowing the user to open the lever far enough to remove the wheel without changing the setting on the adjusting nut.  
       [0012] It is yet another aspect of the invention to provide a quick release fastener having a locking pin that when depressed while opening the cam lever prevents the lever from opening by mistake or by outside influence.  
       [0013] Other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the specification, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements in the several views.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0014] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a quick-release multiple locking position bicycle axle fastener that allows the user to open the cam lever far enough to remove the wheel without having to change the setting on the adjusting nut. The fastener includes a lever operated long travel cam rotating around a cam axle having multiple locking cavities therein for selectively receiving a ball bearing in response to manual movement of a locking and release pin. Depression of the pin releases the lever to rotate about the axle and move the ball bearing from one cavity to another. Positioning of the bearing in a cavity locks the lever in place, one cavity for the closed lever position and multiple cavities for increase opening of the skewer within the bicycle hub. The fastener is quick and convenient to operate, requiring only that the user depresses the pin and moves the cam lever as desired from a closed to one of the multiple other locking positions. The multiple locking features provide that the wheel stays in a locked position on the fork even if the cam lever is not completely closed. The user must depress the locking and release pin while opening the cam lever making it impossible for the lever to open by mistake or from outside influence. 
     
    
    
     DRAWINGS  
     [0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the quick release for a bicycle axle fastener embodying features of the present invention fastener assembled in the closed position;  
     [0016]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the quick release fastener shown in FIG. 1;  
     [0017]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the quick release fastener of FIG. 1 as viewed along line  3 - 3  thereof;  
     [0018]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the quick release fastener of FIG. 1 illustrating the closed and two open positions of the fastener for clearance of the fork bosses with turning of the cam lever;  
     [0019]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the quick release fastener of FIG. 1 assembled in the hub of a bicycle with the lever arm  22  in the closed position to secure the front wheel  72  to the forks  70 ; and  
     [0020]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the quick release fastener of FIG. 1 assembled in the open cam lever position with a fork and front wheel showing cam travel to clear the fork bosses.  
    
    
     DESCRIPTION  
     [0021] Referring to FIGS.  1 - 3  the particulars of assembling the long travel cam quick release axle fastener embodying features of the invention will be described. Generally designated  10 , the quick release fastener includes the cam lever assembly, generally designated  20 , sliding washer  40  with profile washer  41  embedded therein, hub centering springs  45  and  46 , skewer shaft  50 , and adjustment nut  60 . The assembly  20  is shown in the closed position.  
     [0022] For convenience a listing of the reference numerals with a brief description of their function is as follows:  
     [0023] Reference Numerals  
     [0024] 10 . Quick release fastener generally  
     [0025] 20 . Cam lever assembly, generally  
     [0026] 21 . Cam lever head  
     [0027] 21   a.  Long travel cam face of cam lever head  21   
     [0028] 22 . Cam lever arm  
     [0029] 23 . Cam lever head cut-out providing threaded access of skewer shaft  50  to cam axle  26   
     [0030] 24 . Channel in cam lever head  21  for receiving cam axle  26   
     [0031] 25 . Recess in cam lever head  21  for receiving release pin  30   
     [0032] 26 . Cam axle with recessed holes  26   a    
     [0033] 26   a.  Recessed cavities in cam axle  26  for selectively receiving ball bearing  35   
     [0034] 26   b.  Cam lever position indicator  
     [0035] 30 . Release pin with raised boss  31  on the base  
     [0036] 31 . Raised boss on base of release pin  30   
     [0037] 32 . Release pin spring  
     [0038] 33 . Pin cushion to cushion release pin  30  when it is pushed  
     [0039] 34 . Pin collar press fit into channel  25  for retaining release pin  30  in cam lever head  21   
     [0040] 35 . Ball bearing to engage selected holes  26   a  in cam axle  26  for locking skewer  50  in various multiple positions  
     [0041] 40 . Sliding washer  
     [0042] 41 . Profile washer fitted into sliding washer  40  for coacting with face of cam head  21   
     [0043] 45 . First center spring that sits outside the hollow axle of hub  71  to center skewer  50   
     [0044] 46 . Second center spring for centering skewer  50   
     [0045] 47 . Rubber insert to keep the adjusting nut  60  tightened  
     [0046] 50 . Skewer shaft  
     [0047] 60 . Adjusting nut, threads onto end of skewer shaft  50  to adjust skewer  50   
     [0048] 70 . Front wheel fork tubes  
     [0049] 71 . Wheel hub  
     [0050] 72 . Front wheel rim and tire  
     [0051] Referring more particularly to FIG. 2 which is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1, cam lever assembly  20  is shown in detail to comprise cam lever head  21  and cam lever arm  22 , cam lever head  21  including a long-travel cam face generally designated  21   a,  vertical circular channel  24  for receiving circular cam axle  26 , vertical circular recess  25  for receiving release pin  30 , and a horizontal cut-out  23  extending from the face  21   a  into channel  24 . Cam face  21   a  is curved in cam-like manner such that coacting with profile washer  41  the combination serves to convert rotary motion of cam lever head  21  into linear motion of skewer  50 . It is termed “long travel” in that in operation it provides sufficient linear motion for skewer  50  to clear the bicycle fork bosses. Cam axle  26  includes means, such as threadable, for receiving skewer shaft  50  through cut-out  23 , and cavities  26   a  located for selectively receiving ball bearing  35  therein so as to provide multiple locking positions of cam lever arm  22  as will be further described.  
     [0052] Cut-out  23  extends horizontally into cam head  21  deep enough for connection of skewer shaft  50  to cam axle  26 , and laterally to permit motion of cam lever arm  22  about cam axle  26  allowing ball bearing  35  to be selectively positioned in cavities  26 a, as will be further discussed. For purposes of explanation three holes are provided to support the three locking positions illustrated in FIG. 4. More or fewer holes could be provided depending upon the number of locking positions desired.  
     [0053] Circular recess  25  is terminated with a floor for receiving in sequence, spring  32 , release pin  30 , and pin collar  15  that is press fit onto recess  25 . Release pin  30  has a raised boss, or base, for contact with spring  32  and a shaft with an end adapted for receiving pin cushion  33  to provide cushioning when release pin  30  is pushed against spring  32 . Pushing of release pin  30  depresses spring  32  thereby releasing ball bearing  35  to travel into cam lever head  21  allowing ball bearing  35  to be selectively positioned in a desired one of cavities  26   a.  When pin  30  is released spring  32  forces raised pin base  31  upward to force ball bearing  35  into a selected position. This is more clearly explained by reference to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 as viewed along line  3 - 3  thereof.  
     [0054] In FIG. 3 the cam lever arm  22  is shown in the closed or locked position with release pin spring  32  having pushed release pin  30  up so that the release pin base  31  has forced ball bearing  35  into the corresponding closed position cavity of multiple cavities  26   a  thereby locking lever arm  22  into the closed position. Cam lever arm  22  is locked in this position because the base  31  prevents ball bearing  35  from backing out of the cavity  26   a.    
     [0055] To open the lever arm  22  downward pressure is applied to release pin  30  forcing the base  31  downward enough for the ball bearing  35  to fall out of the cavity  26   a  and into the space above the base  31 . Cam lever arm  22  can now be rotated to travel around cam axle  26  and push ball bearing  35  into the cavity corresponding to the first open position. Likewise, ball bearing  35  can be urged into the cavity corresponding to the next open position, or operated to position the cam lever arm  22  in any desired locked position, open or closed. Thus, when the release pin  30  is depressed ball bearing  17  is freed to reenter the channel  24  thereby allowing the lever arm  22  to rotate to a selected position, and then when pin  30  is released lever arm locks into that position.  
     [0056] Cavities  26   a  are configured such that the ball bearing  35  requires pressure from the base  31  in order to remain therein. When the lever arm  22  is in the open position the release pin  30  is down. To close the lever arm  22  it is moved with pressure on the release pin  30  to keep it down. When the lever arm  22  is in the closed position and the release pin  30  is released it moves up from spring pressure whereby the base  31  forces ball bearing  35  into one of the cavities  26   a.  Thus, when the lever arm  22  is moved into a closed position release pin  30  pops up under pressure from spring  32 . Collar  34  is press fit into channel  25  for retaining release pin  30  therein. Indicator  26   b  provides visual evidence that skewer  50  is in particular position.  
     [0057] Thus, for assembly of the quick release multiple locking position fastener, the release pin  30  and cam axle  26  are inserted into cam lever head  21  as discussed. Skewer shaft  50  is an elongate circular metallic member threaded on both ends with one end threaded into cam lever head  21 . Sliding washer  40  having profile washer  41  fitted therewith is slid over skewer  40  until the face of profile washer  41  is in abutting relation with the face of cam lever head  21 . Profile washer  41  is formed generally of a cam thermoplastic compound and embedded in sliding washer  40 , which is generally of a metal alloy. Skewer shaft  40  then accepts a first centering spring  45  after which it is inserted through hub  71  of wheel  72  as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Second centering spring  46  is then slid onto skewer shaft  40  followed by rubber insert  47  and adjustment nut  60 . Insert  47 , generally of rubber, functions to provide position stability for adjustment nut  60 . Further, although not shown, a set screw can be added to the adjustment nut  60  to provide more permanent adjustment.  
     [0058]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the quick release fastener of FIG. 1 illustrating the closed and two open positions of the fastener  10 . With cam lever arm  22  positioned sufficiently open, either through angle α 1  or α 2 , the cam lever arm  22  is far enough away from the center of wheel hub  71  to allow installation of the wheel  72  between the wheel forks  70  without readjusting nut  60 . Thus, clearance of the bosses on front wheel forks  70  is obtained by turning the cam lever arm  22  from the closed α 1  position to the angle α 2  first open position or to the angle α 3  fully open position. Subsequent open positions moves springs  45  and  46  further away from the center of hub  71  allowing increasing room for clearance of the fork bosses so as to mount the wheel  72 . After installation of the wheel  72 , lever arm  22  is repositioned to force the centering springs  45  and  46  against the bosses of front wheel forks  70  thereby to secure the wheel hub  71  in place.  
     [0059]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the quick release fastener of FIG. 1 assembled in the hub  71  of a bicycle with the lever arm  22  in the closed position and the adjusting nut  60  tightened to secure the wheel  72  to the forks  70 .  
     [0060]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the quick release fastener of FIG. 1 assembled in the hub  71  with the lever arm  22  in the fully opened position to clear the bosses of forks  70  from the front wheel  72 . In this position the wheel  72  can be removed and reinstalled without adjusting the nut  60 .  
     [0061] In accordance with the above, there has been shown and described a quick-release long cam lever operated multiple locking fastener that allows the user to open the cam lever to remove the wheel without having to change the setting on the adjusting nut. The appended claims should not be limited to the description of the invention, it to be understood that various other adaptations and modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the claims.