US 5,325,738 AGranted

Locking mechanism for a clipless bicycle pedal

OwnerRichard M. Bryneinventor

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

The clipless pedal system for mountain bikes or other bicycles comprises a generally circular pedal body, at least one side of which has a mushroom or T-shaped extension which is created by either forming a larger diameter head over a small diameter neck or by forming grooves or slots in the extension slightly below its top, with the grooves being the equivalent of the neck. The cleat consists of a mounting plate which can be attached to the sole of mountain biking shoe, and has a generally open interior of sufficient dimensions to permit insertion of the head therein. Engaging means extend inwardly at a spacing corresponding to the head of the extension. The engaging means can be inserted into the neck of the extension to catch just below the head of the extension. One or more spring tabs may be used to releasably lock the cleat and pedal extension together once the head is in position with respect to the engaging means.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A locking mechanism for a clipless pedal system having a pedal and a cleat for attachment to a rider's shoe, said locking mechanism comprising:

a body having a lower end for attachment to a first surface and an upper end with a head portion disposed on top of a neck portion, said head portion having at least one head diameter and a head thickness and said neck portion having a plurality of diameters with at least one neck diameter smaller than said head diameter, and a third diameter below said neck portion, said neck portion having a neck length at a location corresponding to said neck diameter;
and
at least two engaging means disposed on a second surface, each engaging means comprising:
at least one first extension affixed perpendicular to said second surface with a first spacing between said first extension of one said engaging means and said first extension of another said engaging means, said first spacing being greater than said head diameter of said head;
a second extension affixed perpendicular to said first extension at a first height above and parallel to said second surface with a second spacing between said second extension of one said engaging means and said second extension of the other said engaging means, said second spacing being smaller than said first spacing, said head diameter and said third diameter, and larger than said neck diameter, and said head thickness being smaller than said first height;
wherein placement of said two engaging means at a first angle relative to said neck diameter of said neck portion causes said body and said engaging means to be releasably locked together and rotation of said two engaging means relative to said second diameter to a second angle different from said first angle causes said body and said engaging means to be releasable from each other.

3 more elements

A locking mechanism for releasably attaching a first surface comprising one of a bicycle pedal or a sole of a bicycle shoe to a second surface comprising the other, said locking mechanism comprising:

a body affixed to said first surface and a head portion and neck portion, said head portion having at least a first diameter and a first thickness and said neck portion having at least one second diameter smaller than said first diameter and a third diameter, said neck portion having a first length at a location corresponding to said second diameter;
and
at least two engaging means disposed on said second surface, each engaging means comprising:
at least one first extension perpendicular to said second surface with a first spacing between said first extension of another said engaging means, said first spacing being greater than said first diameter of said head portion;
and
a second extension perpendicular to said first extension at a first height above and parallel to said second surface with a second spacing between said second extension of one said engaging means and said second extension of another said engaging means, said second spacing being smaller than said first spacing, said first diameter and said third diameter, and larger than said second diameter, said second extension having a second thickness smaller than said first length of said neck portion and said first thickness being smaller than said first height;
wherein placement of said first surface at a first angle relative to said second surface causes said head portion to be locked within aid engaging means and rotation of said first surface to a second angle opposite said first angle causes said head portion to be released from said engaging means.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.