US 5,683,200 A · Device and method for securing shafts adjustably within tubes, especially bicycle components

Abstract

One end of a flexible cable of specified length attached to the end of a shaft and the other end attached to a light-weight and disengageable restraint anchor with a wedge-shaped cross section within a tube. The shaft cannot be removed from the tube, nor can cable be cut, because the anchor is located at a depth in tube greater than the specified length of cable. Anchor is comprised of an inner and an outer piece and operably attached to cable via the inner piece. Outer surface of outer piece essentially conforms to the tube inner diameter. During normal operation (random vibration and impact) the anchor is held in a specific location by a low-force radial force means comprised of a metal snap ring pressing outwards on outer piece. During an undesired removal, the inner piece and outer piece together provide a high-force radial constraint by means of wedge-shaped cross section such that any amount of tension on cable will be insufficient to move anchor from specified location. In order to remove shaft, the wedge-function of the inner and outer pieces are circumvented by reorienting the inner piece or an inner piece lock by electric, gravitational, or magnetic means, preferably by re-orienting the entire shaft and tube assembly in space.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A method of preventing the theft of a bicycle component attached to a shaft that fits within a tube of a bicycle frame comprising the steps of:

a) measuring a maximal insertion length of said shaft prior to inserting said shaft into said tube;
b) attaching a displacement limiting means on said shaft such that said displacement limiting means shall be concealed upon assembly of said shaft into said tube, said displacement limiting means including anchor means designed to include a low-force insertion means and a high-force withdrawal means, said anchor means limiting the maximal distance of motion desired for said shaft within said tube, said maximal distance of motion is not to exceed said maximal insertion length of said shaft less a minimal length required for said shaft to be securely retained within said tube;
c) placing said displacement limiting means inside said tube;
d) inserting said shaft into said tube;
and
e) adjusting said shaft to a desired height.

3 more elements

A device for preventing the undesired removal of a shaft from a tube comprising:

a displacement limiting means attached to said shaft such that said displacement limiting means shall be concealed upon assembly of said shaft into said tube, said displacement limiting means including a first piece and anchor means designed to include a low-force insertion means and a high-force withdrawal means, said anchor means limiting the maximal distance of motion desired for said shaft within said tube, said maximal distance of motion is not to exceed said maximal insertion length of said shaft less a minimal length required for said shaft to be securely retained within said tube when said first piece is in a first orientation relative to said anchor means, said first piece allowing said shaft to be separated from said tube when said first piece is in a second orientation relative to the anchor means.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Device and method for securing shafts adjustably within tubes, especially bicycle components

Life of this patent

Device and method for securing shafts adjustably within tubes, especially bicycle components

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10