US 7,017,929 B2Granted

Expandable bicycle headset structure

AssigneeShimano Inc.

InventorNoriyuki Horiuchi

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Abstract

An expandable bicycle headset structure is provided to aid in the mounting of a steerer tube of a front fork to a head tube of a bicycle frame. The headset structure has a first tubular member and a second tubular member that are mounted on the steerer tube. The first and second tubular members have bores that are sized to receive the steerer tube therethrough. The first and second mating adjustment structures are adjustably coupled together to change an effective overall axial length of the expandable bicycle headset structure. Thus, the first and second mating adjustment structures apply an axial force to a headset that rotatably mounts the steerer tube of the front fork to the head tube of the bicycle frame.

Claims22

Dependent claims

An expandable bicycle headset structure comprising:

a first tubular member having a first free end, a first coupling end with a first mating adjustment structure, and a first bore extending axially between the first free end and the first coupling end, the first bore having an innermost diameter that is sized to receive a steerer tube therethrough;
a second tubular member having a second free end, a second coupling end with a second mating adjustment structure, and a second bore extending axially between the second free end and the second coupling end, the second bore having an innermost diameter that is sized to receive the steerer tube therethrough, the first and second mating adjustment structures being adjustably coupled together to change an effective overall axial length of the expandable bicycle headset, structure;
and
a locking member configured and arranged to be selectively set to prevent relative adjustment between the first and second mating adjustment structures when the first and second tubular members are located in a plurality of different axial positions relative to each other such that the bicycle headset structure is operable with the first and second tubular members located in the plurality of different axial positions,
the first and second tubular members being mounted between an upper steering bearing set and a mounting portion with the first and second tubular members being adjustably exposed when adjustably coupled such that an overall effective length of the first and second tubular members can be changed in an assembled state,
the first mating adjustment structure including a set of first threads, and the second mating adjustment structure including a set of second threads that are threadedly engaged with the first threads to prevent axial separation of the first and second mating adjustment structures when the first and second threads are threadedly engaged,
the locking member being constructed as a separate member from the first and second tubular members that is threadedly coupled to one of the first and second threads such that rotation of the locking member relative to the one of said first and second threads is used in order for the locking member to be selectively set.

4 more elements

An expandable bicycle headset structure comprising:

a first tubular member having a first free end, a first coupling end with a first mating adjustment structure, and a first bore extending axially between the first free end and the first coupling end, the first bore having an innermost diameter that is sized to receive a steerer tube therethrough, the first mating adjustment structure including a set of first threads;
a second tubular member having a second free end, a second coupling end with a second mating adjustment structure, and a second bore extending axially between the second free end and the second coupling end, the second bore having an innermost diameter that is sized to receive the steerer tube therethrough, the first and second mating adjustment structures being adjustably coupled together to change an effective overall axial length of the expandable bicycle headset structure, the second mating adjustment structure including a set of second threads that are threadedly engaged with the first threads;
a locking member configured and arranged to be selectively set to prevent relative adjustment between the first and second mating adjustment structures when the first and second tubular members are located in a plurality of different axial positions relative to each other such that the bicycle headset structure is operable with the first and second tubular members located in the plurality of different axial positions, the locking member including a split locking collar having an adjustable inner diameter, a first tapered surface that engages the first tubular member, and a second tapered surface that engages the second tubular member, the first and second tapered surfaces being configured and arranged to apply an axial force on the first and second tubular members.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

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Abstract

An expandable bicycle headset structure comprising:

a first tubular member having a first free end, a first coupling end with a first mating adjustment structure, and a first bore extending axially between the first free end and the first coupling end, the first bore having an innermost diameter that is sized to receive a steerer tube therethrough;
a second tubular member having a second free end, a second coupling end with a second mating adjustment structure, and a second bore extending axially between the second free end and the second coupling end, the second bore having an innermost diameter that is sized to receive the steerer tube therethrough, the first and second mating adjustment structures being adjustably coupled together to change an effective overall axial length of the expandable bicycle headset, structure;
and
a locking member configured and arranged to be selectively set to prevent relative adjustment between the first and second mating adjustment structures when the first and second tubular members are located in a plurality of different axial positions relative to each other such that the bicycle headset structure is operable with the first and second tubular members located in the plurality of different axial positions,
the first and second tubular members being mounted between an upper steering bearing set and a mounting portion with the first and second tubular members being adjustably exposed when adjustably coupled such that an overall effective length of the first and second tubular members can be changed in an assembled state,
the first mating adjustment structure including a set of first threads, and the second mating adjustment structure including a set of second threads that are threadedly engaged with the first threads to prevent axial separation of the first and second mating adjustment structures when the first and second threads are threadedly engaged,
the locking member being constructed as a separate member from the first and second tubular members that is threadedly coupled to one of the first and second threads such that rotation of the locking member relative to the one of said first and second threads is used in order for the locking member to be selectively set.

4 more elements