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US 10,398,192 B2Granted
Bicycle pedal system
OwnerSamuel R. Hunterinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Implementations of the present invention comprise devices, systems, components, and methods for use with bicycle pedals. For example, implementations of the invention provide a bicycle pedal system that efficiently and easily allows a cyclist to securely engage an engagement assembly located on the spindle with a cleat. In particular, implementations of the present invention provide an engagement assembly with a first and a second grabber. The first grabber and second grabber are easily guided to come into contact with protrusions located on the cleat such that the engagement assembly securely engages the cleat, thus allowing a cyclist to take advantage of both down-strokes and up-strokes, while at the same time providing an easy and efficient way for the cyclist to engage the pedals.
Claims20
A pedal system comprising:
- a cleat attached to a bottom portion of a shoe, the cleat comprising:
- a frame with a front wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a base;
- the first side wall includes a first portion and a second portion;
- the second side wall includes a first portion and a second portion;
- a first protrusion extending from the first portion of the first side wall toward the second side wall;
- and
- a second protrusion extending from the first portion of the second side wall toward the first side wall;
- and
- the second portion of the first side wall extends from the base to a distal end of the first side wall away from the front wall;
- and
- the second portion of the second side wall extends from the base to a distal end of the second side wall away from the front wall;
- the second portion of the first side wall and the second portion of the second side wall define an open back therebetween;
- an engagement assembly, comprising:
- a spindle configured to attach at a first end to a crank arm, the spindle comprising a threaded second end;
- a first grabber coupled to the threaded second end of the spindle, the first grabber defining a first recess which circumscribes an axis of the spindle;
- and
- a second grabber movably positioned between the first grabber and a stop located on the spindle, the second grabber defining a second recess which circumscribes the axis of the spindle, the second grabber biased along the axis of the spindle away from the first grabber and toward the stop.
14 more elements
An engagement assembly for use with a pedal system, the engagement assembly configured to engage a cleat of the pedal system, the engagement assembly comprising:
- a first grabber coupled to a threaded end of a spindle, the first grabber immovable along a length of the spindle and comprising a continuous first engagement recess to engage the cleat at every rotational angle of the first grabber;
- a second grabber movably positioned between the first grabber and a stop located between the threaded end of the spindle and an end of the spindle configured to attach to a crank arm, the second grabber biased along an axis of the spindle away from the first grabber and toward the stop, the second grabber comprising a continuous second engagement recess to engage the cleat at every rotational angle of the second grabber, wherein the first engagement recess is exposed beyond the threaded end of the spindle in a direction along the length of the spindle and away from the crank arm,
- wherein the cleat comprises:
- a frame with a front wall, a first side wall having a first portion and a second portion, a second side wall having a first portion and a second portion, and a base;
- a first protrusion extending from the first portion of the first side wall toward the second side wall and a second protrusion extending from the first portion of the second side wall toward the first side wall;
- and
- the second portion of the first side wall extends from the base to a distal end of the first side wall away from the front wall;
- and
- the second portion of the second side wall extends from the base to a distal end of the second side wall away from the front wall;
- the second portion of the first side wall and the second portion of the second side wall define an open back therebetween.
7 more elements
A bicycle pedal to engage a cleat on a cycling shoe, the pedal comprising:
- a spindle with a first end to couple to a crank arm;
- a first grabber and a second grabber disposed toward a second end of the spindle, wherein the second grabber is movable along an axis of the spindle in response to contact and force from the cleat to overcome a bias force on the second grabber, and wherein each of the first and second grabbers defines a respective circular recess aligned perpendicular to the axis of the spindle, each of the respective circular recesses engages a respective one of a first protrusion and a second protrusion from the cleat, wherein the respective circular recess of the second grabber is disposed toward the first end and wherein the respective circular recess of the first grabber is disposed toward the second end, and wherein the respective circular recess of the first grabber is exposed beyond the second end of the spindle in a direction along a length of the spindle and away from the crank arm,
- wherein the cleat comprises:
- a frame with a front wall, a first side wall having a first portion and a second portion, a second side wall having a first portion and a second portion, and a base;
- the first protrusion extends from the first portion of the first side wall toward the second side wall and the second protrusion extends from the first portion of the second side wall toward the first side wall;
- and
- the second portion of the first side wall extends from the base to a distal end of the first side wall away from the front wall;
- and
- the second portion of the second side wall extends from the base to a distal end of the second side wall away from the front wall;
- the second portion of the first side wall and the second portion of the second side wall define an open back therebetween.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.