Patent ID: 7267030

Claim:
A bicycle crank assembly, comprising: a first crank arm with an integrated hollow spindle, said integrated hollow spindle terminating with a substantially hexagonal untapered end; a second crank arm disposed diametrically opposite said first crank arm, said second crank arm fitted with an internally tapered coupling socket at one end, said internally tapered coupling socket including a plurality of inner contact surfaces arranged in a substantially hexagonal configuration, said contact surfaces defining a decreasing inner cross-section in a direction away from said substantially hexagonal untapered end of said first crank arm, said substantially hexagonal untapered end being radially aligned with said hexagonal inner contact surfaces; and a sleeve configured for operative coupling between said first and second crank arms, said sleeve being comprised of a cluster of wedge-shaped shims, said wedge-shaped shims being loosely connected via a plurality of straps to define a substantially C-shaped cross-section, said loosely connected wedge-shaped shim cluster having a substantially hexagonal configuration which is tapered to conform to the shape of the internally tapered coupling socket of said second crank arm, said tapered wedge-shaped shim cluster including an inner surface configured for frictional contact with said substantially hexagonal untapered end of said first crank arm and an outer surface configured for frictional contact with said hexagonal inner contact surfaces of said second crank arm, said frictional contact occurring during assembly of said first and second bicycle crank arms.