Patent Publication Number: US-2021187713-A1

Title: Tool storage assembly, and head tube assembly including the tool storage assembly

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a tool storage assembly, and to a head tube assembly including such tool storage assembly. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A bicycle headset assembly is typically designed to allow smooth rotational fork movement with respect to the bicycle frame, while minimizing the degree of “slack” or “play” (i.e. the amount of movement) between the fork and the bicycle frame. 
     Upper and lower bearings between the fork steer tube and the frame head tube must be preloaded just enough to remove play, and not too much to cause binding. The most common system has a star nut jammed inside the fork steer tube, a screw tightened in the star nut, and a cap on top of the stem. 
     As the cap screw is tightened, the upper and lower bearings are squeezed between the stem and the fork, in order to eliminate the slack; then, the stem screws are tightened, while the stem is aligned with the front wheel. 
     In this case, the star nut blocks the inside of the fork steerer tube, and it prevents installing items inside, such as a tool kit. 
     In other solutions currently on the market, the nut screw is replaced by an expanding top cap plug assembly, pushed into the fork steer tube, which, when tightened, preloads the headset assembly. 
     In some other headset tightening systems of the known kind, for example the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,107,049 ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ), threads are cut in the inner surface of the fork steer tube, and a threaded top cap is installed which, when tightened, preloads the headset bearings. 
     There are several significant disadvantages in this solution, including the necessity to cut threads into the fork steer tube, a reduction of the internal diameter for inserting a tool assembly, a weakening of the fork steer tube, the restriction of not using the device with certain fork steer tube materials, and the requirement to use a special tool for adjusting the headset preload. 
     In the same document (see attached  FIGS. 1, 2 ), a tool kit  500  is also disclosed, which can be inserted inside the fork steer tube for storage, sliding through the treaded top cap  526 . 
     The tool kit  500 , which is cylindrical, includes a supporting body  510 , suitable for holding a multi tool  518 , a tire lever  524 , and a chain breaker  528 . 
     The supporting body  510  has a first end  512  and a second end  514 , connected by an elongated mounting arm  516 . 
     Multi tool  518 , tire lever  524 , and chain breaker  528  are housed between ends  512 ,  514 . 
     Also, a container  522  is connected to the supporting body  510 . 
     The above described solution has some drawbacks. 
     The internal diameter of the threaded top cap  526  is smaller than the internal diameter of the fork steer tube, which causes the outer diameter of the tool kit  500  to be smaller than it could be without the threaded top cap  526 . 
     This reduction in diameter of the tool kit  500  has a profound effect on the usability of the tool kit  500 . 
     For example, multi tool  518  has fewer tools than ideal, and container  522  is not big enough to hold a standard CO 2  canister for emergency tire inflation. 
     The mounting arm  516  takes up valuable space that could otherwise be used for a practical purpose, such as a tool. 
     It is difficult to install and remove tools stored between ends  512 , 514 ; for removal and installation, the mounting arm  516  must be significantly flexed, in order to tire lever  524  to release from end  512 , and multi tool  518  and chain breaker  528  must be correctly aligned, in order to fit properly. 
     Normally, fork steer tubes are threadless, and using tool kit  500  requires threading the fork steer tube. 
     This requires using an expensive tap, which most riders do not have, and it is difficult to perform; furthermore, a thread weakens the steer tube, and in many cases, it voids the fork warranty. 
     Additionally, this threading is only recommended to be done on aluminum steer tubes and not on steel tubes, or on carbon steer tubes. 
     It should also be noted that top cap  526  requires a special tool for adjusting, and such tool is included in multi tool  518 , at the expense of eliminating a more common and useful tool. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The technical aim of the present invention is therefore to improve the state of the art in the field of multiple tools. 
     Within such technical aim, it is an object of the invention to develop a multiple tool assembly which is suitable to be inserted in a predetermined space, or cavity inside a bicycle frame (for example the steer tube). 
     A further object of the present invention is to develop a multiple tool assembly which is easy to assemble together prior to the insertion into the predetermined space in the bicycle frame, and easy to disassemble after it has been removed from the same space. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to devise a multiple tool assembly which in which the components are linked together in such a way that they are prevented from detaching from each other when stored inside the predetermined space, or cavity, of the bicycle frame. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This aim and these objects are all achieved by a tool storage assembly, comprising a first multi-tool assembly, including a plurality of tool bits, each of which is movable from an inactive position, of minimum encumbrance, and an operative position, and a container assembly, removably connected to the first tool assembly. 
     The first tool assembly and the container comprise respective first sliding connection members and second sliding connection members that engage each other. 
     The solutions disclosed hereafter address the needs of bikers, and they provide improvements over existing bicycle tool storage devices. 
     Such solutions permit a user to store bicycle tools in a bicycle head tube assembly, or in another predetermined space provided in the bicycle frame, or even in a bicycle pump. 
     In fact, the solution of tool storage assembly according to the invention is very compact, and it can be inserted into internal volumes of the bicycle frame, making the most of the available space. 
     The objects of the invention are also achieved by a head tube assembly, including a head tube; a fork assembly which, in turn, includes a fork tube comprising, at its opposite ends, a first bearing recess and a second bearing recess; a stem assembly, connected to said fork tube, and configured to clamp a bicycle handlebar; a headset assembly, including a first bearing assembly and a second bearing assembly, inserted along said fork tube and press fit, respectively, into said first bearing recess and said second bearing recess; a headset tightener, configured to properly tighten the headset assembly; and a tool storage assembly, according to the invention, housed into the fork tube. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, the headset tightener includes an outer ring and an inner ring, connected to said outer ring by means of a threaded coupling; the inner ring is configured to engage the top of the fork tube, so that no relative rotation is allowed between the inner ring and the fork tube. 
     Twisting the outer ring, by hand, causes the headset assembly to be properly preloaded, by axially loading the bearing assemblies. 
     The head tube assembly according to the invention, including the headset tightener, allows the headset assembly to be properly tightened without restricting the inside diameter of the fork tube, and without needing to thread the inside of the fork tube. 
     The outer ring of the headset tightener can be rotated by hand, and it can be locked, very simply, with an Allen key. 
     This allows to achieve the maximum space available, within the fork tube, for inserting the tool storage assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other advantages will be better understood by one skilled in the art from the following description that follows and from the attached drawings, given as a non-limiting example, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art tool kit for bicycle tools; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the tool kit shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the tool storage assembly according to the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the tool storage assembly shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the tool storage assembly; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the tool storage assembly; 
         FIG. 7  is a section view of the tool storage assembly, taken along plane VII-VII of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a section view of the tool storage assembly, taken along plane VIII-VIII of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a detail of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the first multi-tool assembly of the tool storage assembly; 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the second multi-tool assembly of the tool storage assembly; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the tool storage assembly according to the invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the first multi-tool assembly; 
         FIG. 14  is a partially exploded perspective view of the first multi-tool assembly, with the tool bits pivoted open; 
         FIG. 15  is a partially exploded perspective view of the tool storage assembly; 
         FIG. 16  is a further perspective view of the tool storage assembly, ready to repair a bicycle chain; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a head tube assembly according to the invention; 
         FIG. 18  is an exploded view of the head tube assembly shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the tool storage assembly ready to be installed into the head tube assembly, according to the invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the head tube assembly with the tool storage assembly already installed; 
         FIG. 21  is a top view of the head tube assembly, with the tool storage assembly installed; 
         FIG. 22  is a cross sectional view of the head tube assembly, with the tool storage assembly installed; 
         FIG. 23  is a front view of the head tube assembly, with the tool storage assembly installed; 
         FIG. 24  is a further cross-sectional view of the head tube assembly, with the tool storage assembly installed, taken along plane XXIV-XXIV of  FIG. 23 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a side view of the head tube assembly, with the tool storage assembly installed, before the headset tightener is tightened; 
         FIG. 26  is a side view of the head tube assembly, with the tool storage assembly installed, after the headset tightener is tightened; 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective view of the headset tightener of the head tube assembly; and 
         FIG. 28  is an exploded view of the headset tightener. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3-16 , a tool storage assembly according to the invention is wholly indicated with  10 . 
     According to the invention, tool storage assembly  10  includes at least a multi-tool assembly  60 ,  130 , and a container assembly  20 . 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, tool storage assembly  10  comprises a first multi-tool assembly  130 , a second multi-tool assembly  60 , and a container assembly  20 . 
     The first multi-tool assembly  130 , the second multi-tool assembly  60 , and the container assembly  20  are removably connected to each other. 
     More in detail, and according to an aspect of the invention, the first multi-tool assembly  130 , the second multi-tool assembly  60 , and the container assembly  20  are removably connected to each other, so to be mutually aligned along an axis A (the same axis A), see for example  FIG. 7 . 
     This feature allows the tool storage assembly  10  to have a minimum encumbrance in the transverse direction, so to be stored in a small available space, for example a space provided within a bicycle frame. 
     For example, such space can be the steer tube of the bicycle frame, or any other suitable portion of the bicycle frame. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the first multi-tool assembly  130 , the second multi-tool assembly  60 , and the container assembly  20  comprise respective sliding connection portions  291 ,  91 ,  92 ,  41 , in order to connect to each other in a removable way, as better explained later. 
     The tool storage assembly  10  has a cylindrical, or substantially cylindrical, shape. 
     In assembled configuration, the axis of cylindrical symmetry of tool storage assembly  10  coincides with axis A. 
     More in detail, each of the first multi-tool assembly  130 , second multi-tool assembly  60 , and container assembly  20  has a cylindrical, or substantially cylindrical, outer surface. 
     The first multi-tool assembly  130  includes a plurality of tool bits  140 ,  150 ,  160 ,  170 ,  180 ,  190 ,  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 . 
     Each of the tool bits  140 ,  150 ,  160 ,  170 ,  180 ,  190 ,  200 ,  210 ,  220  is selectively movable between a respective inactive position, of minimum encumbrance, and a respective operative position, in which each tool bit  140 ,  150 ,  160 ,  170 ,  180 ,  190 ,  200 ,  210 ,  220  can be used, according to its specific function. 
     The first multi-tool assembly  130  includes a first frame bar  290  and a second frame bar  300 , reciprocally connected. 
     The first frame bar  290  and the second frame bar  300  are reciprocally connected by a plurality of threaded axles  250 , and respective screws  240  (four threaded axles  250  and eight screws  240 ). 
     The first frame bar  290  and the second frame bar  300  have radiused edges, so that their external shape is substantially cylindrical. 
     Each of the first frame bar  290  and second frame bar  300  includes respective holes  292 ,  302 . 
     In particular, the first frame bar  290  includes four respective first holes  292 , arranged side by side next to the opposite short sides; in the same way, the second frame bar  300  includes four respective second holes  302 , arranged side by side next to the opposite short sides. 
     The eight screws  240  engage the four threaded axles  250  from opposite sides, passing through the first holes  292  and second holes  302 , so to reciprocally connect the first frame bar  290  to the second frame bar  300 . 
     Around each threaded axle  250 , a certain number of tool bits  140 ,  150 ,  160 ,  170 ,  180 ,  190 ,  200 ,  210 ,  220  is pivoted. 
     More in detail, at least two (or even three) of the tool bits  140 ,  150 ,  160 ,  170 ,  180 ,  190 ,  200 ,  210 ,  220  are pivoted, side by side, around each threaded axle  250 . 
     Side washers  260  are inserted along the threaded axles  250 , between the tool bits  140 ,  150 ,  160 ,  170 ,  180 ,  190 ,  200 ,  210 ,  220  and first and second frame bars  290 , 300 . 
     Central washers  270  are inserted along the threaded axles  250  as well, between the tool bits  140 ,  150 ,  160 ,  170 ,  180 ,  190 ,  200 ,  210 ,  220 . 
     Each of the tool bits  140 ,  150 ,  160 ,  170 ,  180 ,  190 ,  200 ,  210 ,  220  (see, for example,  FIG. 14 ) includes a respective pivot portion  142 , and a respective operative portion  144 . 
     The pivot portion  142  of each of the tool bits  140 ,  150 ,  160 , 170 ,  180 ,  190 ,  200 ,  210 ,  220  is substantially ring-shaped; the operative portion  144  of each of the tool bits  140 ,  150 ,  160 ,  170 ,  180 ,  190 ,  200 ,  210 ,  220  may include, for example, screwdrivers, Allen wrenches, and others, having different shapes and dimensions (without limitations to the purposes of the present invention). 
     The inner surfaces of the first frame bar  290  and of the second frame bar  300  include respective inner seats  294 , in which respective magnets  280  are fixed. 
     Magnets  280  are configured to hold a further tool bit  230  (for example a socket wrench, or the like) between first frame bar  290  and second frame bar  300 . 
     First frame bar  290  and second frame bar  300  further comprise respective outer seats  444 , for housing respective chain master links  440 . 
     Outer seats  444  include respective holes  296 , 306 , passing through first frame bar  290  and second frame bar  300 . 
     Chain master links  440  have respective pins  442 , which engage holes  296 , 306 , so that the outer surface of first multi-tool assembly  130  is substantially smooth. 
     Second multi-tool assembly  60  ( FIGS. 11,15,16 ) includes, in an embodiment of the invention, a chainbreaker  62 , and a CO 2  inflator  64 . 
     In addition, second multi-tool assembly  60  includes a spoke wrench  66 . 
     More in detail, second multi-tool assembly  60  includes a body  90 . 
     Body  90  is substantially cylindrical-shaped. 
     Chainbreaker  62  includes a first threaded seat  68 , made in body  90 ; the axis of the first threaded seat  68  is parallel to the axis of cylindrical symmetry B of body  90 . 
     Chainbreaker  62  further includes a first screw pin  120 , which is engaged in the first threaded seat  68 . 
     The first threaded seat  68  communicates with a recess  69 , made in the lateral surface of body  90 . 
     The purpose of first screw pin  120  is to push a chain pin in or out of a chain link, depending upon how the chain link is placed onto body  90  (in particular, within recess  69 ). 
     CO 2  inflator  64  includes a second threaded seat  72  ( FIGS. 15, 16 ), made in body  90 ; the axis of the second threaded seat  72  is parallel to the axis of cylindrical symmetry of body  90 . 
     Second threaded seat  72  communicates with a channel  73  passing through body  90  ( FIG. 8 ). 
     CO 2  inflator  64  includes a second screw pin  80 , which is engaged in said second threaded seat  72 . 
     CO 2  inflator  64  further includes O-ring seals  70 , 110 , engaged in second threaded seat  72  and channel  73 . 
     The purpose of second screw pin  80  is to puncher a hole in the end of a CO 2  bottle. 
     Spoke wrench  66  includes spoke wrench slots  99 , of various standard sizes, made in body  90 . 
     Spoke wrench slots  99  are achieved along the lateral surface of body  90 , and they are parallel to the axis of cylindrical symmetry of body  90 . 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, container assembly  20  includes a container  40 . 
     Container  40  is cylindrical shaped, or substantially cylindrical shaped, and it has a cylindrical symmetry axis C; container  40  has an opening, particularly a threaded opening  55 . 
     Container assembly  20  further includes a lid  30 , associated with the container  40 . 
     Lid  30  is engaged in threaded opening  55  of container  40 ; lid  30  includes a flange  34 . 
     An O-ring seal  50  is interposed between lid  30  and threaded opening  55 , to obtain the tight seal of container  40 . 
     Container  40  can house, for example, a CO 2  bottle, or any other object, or tool. According to an aspect of the invention, sliding connection portions  291 ,  91 ,  92 ,  41  are of the hook type. 
     In other words, each of said first multi-tool assembly  130 , second multi-tool assembly  60 , and container assembly  20 , include at least a respective pair of hook-shaped sliding connection portions  291 ,  91 ,  92 ,  41 , or dovetail-shaped sliding connection portions  291 ,  91 ,  92 ,  41 . 
     The hook-shaped (or dovetail-shaped) sliding connection portions  291 ,  91 ,  92 ,  41  are configured in such a way to engage/disengage each other, in a sliding manner, along directions perpendicular to the aforementioned axis A (therefore, along directions which are perpendicular to the axis of cylindrical symmetry of tool storage assembly  10 ). 
     Such hook-shaped sliding connection portions  291 ,  91 ,  92 ,  41 , or dovetail-shaped sliding connection portions  291 ,  91 ,  92 ,  41  can have rounded edges, for more practical mutual coupling, and more comfortable use. 
     With particular reference to  FIG. 9 , first multi-tool assembly  130  includes a first pair of hook-shaped (or dovetail-shaped) sliding connection portions  291 ; they are arranged, at one end of the multi-tool assembly  130 , in a mirror image with respect to a center plane of the first multi-tool assembly  130 . 
     The first pair of hook-shaped (or dovetail-shaped) sliding connection portions  291  can be arranged to define, between them, a surface concavity, or a surface convexity. 
     In the specific embodiment shown in the attached figures, the first pair of hook-shaped (or dovetail-shaped) sliding connection portions  291  of the first multi-tool assembly  130  are arranged to define, between them, a surface concavity. 
     Second multi-tool assembly  60  includes two second pairs of hook-shaped (or dovetail-shaped) sliding connection portions  91 , 92 ; they are arranged, at both ends of the second multi-tool assembly  60 , in a mirror image with respect to a center plane of the second multi-tool assembly  60  (to which the axis of cylindrical symmetry B of body  90  belongs). 
     The second pairs of hook-shaped (or dovetail-shaped) sliding connection portions  91 , 92  can be arranged to define, between them, a surface concavity, or a surface convexity. 
     In the specific embodiment shown in the attached figures, the two second pairs of hook-shaped (or dovetail-shaped) sliding connection portions  91 , 92  of the second multi-tool assembly  60  are arranged to define, between them, respectively, a surface concavity (at one end) and a surface convexity (at the other end). 
     Container assembly  20  includes a third pair of hook-shaped (or dovetail-shaped) sliding connection portions  41 ; they are arranged, at one end of the container assembly  20 , in a mirror image with respect to a center plane of the container assembly  20  (to which the axis of cylindrical symmetry C of container  40  belongs). 
     The third pair of hook-shaped (or dovetail-shaped) sliding connection portions  41  are arranged at the end of container  40  which is opposite to its threaded opening  55 . 
     The third pair of hook-shaped (or dovetail-shaped) sliding connection portions  41  can be arranged to define, between them, a surface concavity, or a surface convexity. 
     In the specific embodiment shown in the attached figures, the third pair of hook-shaped (or dovetail-shaped) sliding connection portions  41  of the container assembly  20  are arranged to define, between them, a surface convexity. 
     The arrangement of the pairs of hook-shaped (or dovetail-shaped) sliding connection portions  291 ,  91 ,  92 ,  41  of the first multi-tool assembly  130 , second multi-tool assembly  60 , and container assembly  20 , could be any, in connection with specific application requirements. 
     As shown in the detail of  FIG. 9 , the first pair of hook-shaped (or dovetail-shaped) sliding connection portions  291  of the first multi-tool assembly  130  comprises two lips  292  and two grooves  293 , facing each other (that is, facing inwards). 
     The two second pairs of hook-shaped (or dovetail-shaped) sliding connection portions  91 , 92  of the second multi-tool assembly  60  comprises two pairs of lips and grooves  93 ,  94  and  95 ,  96  which—at one end—are facing each other (facing inwards), and—at the other end—are facing outwards. 
     The third pair of hook-shaped (or dovetail-shaped) sliding connection portions  41  of the container assembly  20  includes two lips  42  and two grooves  43 , facing outwards. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, container assembly  20  includes a side connection area  45  for the second multi-tool assembly  60  ( FIG. 15 ). 
     More in detail, container  40  includes a side connection area  45  for the second multi-tool assembly  60 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , side connection area  45  allows the second multi-tool assembly  60  to be connected to container  40  in such a way that the axis of the first screw pin  120  is perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular, to the axis of cylindrical symmetry C of container  40 . 
     This connection configuration allows achieving a comfortable, and strong, handle for leverage, since a significant torque is required to break a bicycle chain (to push a chain pin out of position); in practical use, container  40  constitutes the handle. 
     Side connection area  45  includes a fourth pair of hook-shaped (or dovetail-shaped) sliding connection portions  46 . 
     The fourth pair of hook-shaped (or dovetail-shaped) sliding connection portions  46  are arranged in such a way that their sliding direction is perpendicular to the sliding direction of the third pair of hook-shaped (or dovetail-shaped) sliding connection portions  41 . 
     The fourth pair of hook-shaped (or dovetail-shaped) sliding connection portions  46  can be arranged to define, between them, a surface concavity, or a surface convexity. 
     In the specific embodiment shown in the attached figures, the fourth pair of hook-shaped (or dovetail-shaped) sliding connection portions  46  of side connection area  45  are arranged to define, between them, a surface convexity. 
     The fourth pair of hook-shaped (or dovetail-shaped) sliding connection portions  46  of side connection area  45  includes two lips  47  and two grooves  48 , facing outwards. 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , a simple and strong slideable connection is achieved between container  40  and body  90  of second multi-tool assembly  60 . 
     To operate the chainbreaker  62 , one of the tool bits  180  of the first multi-tool assembly  130  is pivoted out, and it is inserted in the hexagonal key socket  122  of first screw pin  120 . 
     The sliding connection portions  291 ,  91 ,  92 ,  41 ,  46  allows extremely easy connection between the components of the tool storage assembly  10 , a secure connection during storage, and easy separation once removed from storage. 
       FIG. 12  shows an alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein the tool storage assembly  10  only includes the container assembly  20  and the first multi-tool assembly  130 , directly connected to each other. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention, not shown in the figures, the tool storage assembly  10  could include the container assembly  20  and the second multi-tool assembly  60 , directly connected to each other. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, a head tube assembly  400  is disclosed ( FIGS. 17-28 ). 
     Head tube assembly  400  includes a head tube  382 , which is a portion of a bicycle frame  380 . 
     Head tube  382  is tapered, with the largest section facing down, with reference to the configuration of use (see for example  FIG. 22 ). 
     Head tube  382  includes, at its opposite ends, a first bearing recess  384  and a second bearing recess  386 . 
     Head tube assembly  400  further includes a fork assembly  390 ; fork assembly  390 , in turn, includes a fork tube  392 . 
     Head tube assembly  400  further includes a stem assembly  350 , and a headset assembly  490 . 
     Stem assembly  350  is connected to fork tube  392 , and it is configured to clamp a bicycle handlebar (not shown in the drawings). 
     More in detail, stem assembly  350  includes a stem body  360 , and screws  370  which allow tightening stem body  360  at the top of fork tube  392 . 
     Stem body  360  includes a clamp portion  364  which, together with a faceplate (not shown in the drawings) can clamp a bicycle handlebar. 
     Headset assembly  490  includes a first bearing assembly  460  (in detail, a first angular contact bearing assembly  460 ), and a second bearing assembly  470  (in detail, a second angular contact bearing assembly  470 ); the first bearing assembly  460  and the second bearing assembly  470  are inserted along fork tube  392 , and they are press fit, respectively, into first bearing recess  382  and second bearing recess  384 . 
     Head tube assembly  400  could also include a bottom plug assembly  410 , installed in the bottom of the fork tube  392  (see also  FIGS. 3, 4 ). 
     As better explained later, bottom plug assembly  410 , when installed, provides more stability to tool storage assembly  10 , when inserted inside the fork tube  392  ( FIG. 20 ), and it prevents dirt, debris, and contaminants from entering the fork tube  392 . 
     Bottom plug assembly  410  includes a plug body  420 , and an O-ring  430 . Plug body  420  includes a plurality of legs  422 , arranged longitudinally, and ribs  424 . 
     Plug body  420  is made of a flexible material, such as nylon, so that legs  422  can flex open slightly. 
     Thanks to this feature, plug body  420  can accept insertion of tool storage assembly  10 , according to the invention, in order to help prevent rattling between the tool storage assembly  10  and fork tube  392 . 
     O-ring  430  fits around legs  422 , to provide additional leg spring action. 
     Ribs  424  are configured to press fit plug body  420  into fork tube  392 . 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, head tube assembly  400  includes a headset tightener  310 . 
     Headset tightener  310  is configured to properly tighten the headset assembly  490 , as will be further discussed. 
     By using such headset tightener  310  according to the invention, which does not decrease the internal diameter of the bicycle fork tube  392 , the latter can house tools components which are slightly bigger, and this has a profound effect on usefulness of those tool components. 
     Importantly, headset tightener  310  does not require threading inside of fork tube  392 , as is required with some of the prior art devices. 
     In this way, the fork tube  392  is stronger, and the installation process is much easier and less expensive, because no special thread tap is required, and the system works with any steer tube material. 
     Headset tightener  310 , according to the invention ( FIGS. 27, 28 ), includes an outer ring  320  and an inner ring  330 , connected by a threaded coupling; inner ring  330  is configured to engage the top of fork tube  392 . 
     More in detail, outer ring  320  includes an inner thread  328 ; correspondingly, inner ring  330  includes an outer thread  332 , which engages the inner thread  328  of outer ring  320 . 
     Inner ring  330  further includes an inner channel  321 . 
     Outer ring  320  includes a split  322 ; split  322  is arranged radially. 
     Outer ring  320  further includes peripheral contours  323 , 324 , 325 , 326 . 
     Particularly, contours  325 , 326  are divided by split  322 ; contours  325 , 326  include respective holes  327   a , 327   b , of which first hole  327   a  smooth, and second hole  327   b  threaded. 
     Outer ring  320  further includes a screw  340 , whose thread  342  is engaged in threaded second hole  327   b.    
     The purpose of contours  323 , 324 , 325 , 326  is to provide enough grip, when turning outer ring  320  by hand, in order to provide enough preload force of headset assembly  490 . 
     Headset tightener  310  further includes two O-rings  450 ; O-rings  450  fit inner channel  321 , such that when outer ring  320  is pushed onto fork tube  392 , there is sufficient friction to rotationally fix inner ring  330  to fork tube  392 , and inner ring  330  does not rotate relative to fork tube  392  as outer ring  320  is rotated. 
       FIG. 25  shows headset tightener  310  prior to tightening headset assembly  490 . 
     In actual practice, during assembly of the fork tube  392 , first and second bearing assemblies  460  and  470 , head tube  382 , headset tightener  310  and stem assembly  350  are pushed together by hand, and stem screws  370  are tightened to fix stem body  360  to fork tube  392 . 
       FIG. 25  shows, for the purposes of description, gap G between the top surface  329  of outer ring  320  and the bottom surface  362  of stem body  360 , which, in actual practice, would be so small as to be invisible, because head tube assembly  400  would be pushed together by hand prior to tightening screws  370 . 
     Screw  340  is loose enough, to allow rotational threaded movement between outer ring  320  and inner ring  330 . 
     As outer ring  320  is rotated by hand, gap G will close, and then further rotation will cause first and second bearing assemblies  460  and  470  to be preloaded, removing play in the headset assembly  490 . 
     Specifically, as outer ring  320  is rotated relative to inner ring  330 , the distance between outer ring  320  top surface  329 , and inner ring  330  bottom surface  334 , will increase. 
       FIG. 26  shows headset tightener  310  after tightening headset assembly  490 . 
     By twisting outer ring  320  while inner ring  330  remains rotationally fixed to fork tube  392 , outer ring  320  top surface  329  will push against stem body  360  bottom surface  362 , while inner ring  330  bottom surface  334  pushes against the top of angular contact bearing  470 . 
     Twisting outer ring  330  causes headset assembly  490  to be become preloaded, by axially loading first and second bearing assemblies  460 , 470 . 
     Proper preloading is typically verified by feeling if handlebar rotation is smooth, and by applying the front brake and pushing the bike fore and aft to feel for play. 
     Once proper preload is achieved, screw  340  is tightened, so to decrease the size of split  322 , to bind outer ring  320  to inner ring  330 : this prevents headset tightener  310  from inadvertently loosening, and from causing play in the headset assembly  490 . 
     As previously mentioned, and according to a further aspect of the invention, tool storage assembly  10 , having the features disclosed above, can be installed into head tube assembly  400  according to the invention (more particularly, housed into fork tube  392 ). 
     For easy installation and removal, O-ring  50  of container assembly  20  frictionally fits into fork tube  392 . 
     Flange  34  of lid  30  is greater than the inside diameter of fork tube  392 , to ensure that lid  30  remains above the top of fork tube  392 , for safe and easy removal of tool storage assembly  10 . 
     The outer diameter of first multi-tool assembly  130 , second multi-tool assembly  60 , and container assembly  20  is slightly smaller than the internal diameter of fork tube  392 . 
     It is also emphasized that second multi-tool assembly  60 , having the features disclosed above, represents an original combination of a chainbreaker and a CO 2  inflator, which is accomplished in a very compact and handy way. 
     It has thus been seen how the invention achieves the proposed aims. 
     In the embodiments previously disclosed individual features, given in connection with such specific embodiments, may actually be interchanged with other different features that exist in other embodiments. 
     The present invention has been described according to preferred embodiments, but equivalent variants can be devised without departing from the scope of protection offered by the following claims.