Bicycle hub assembly
AssigneeShimano Inc.
InventorSeiji Fukui
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bicycle hub cover assembly is installed on a bicycle hub to provide a hard, rigid protective cover for the bicycle hub. In one embodiment, the bicycle hub cover assembly has a hub shell cover, a first hub end cover, a second hub end cover and a pair of fasteners that attach the hub end covers to the axle of the bicycle hub. The hub shell cover is configured and arranged to be mounted concentrically around a center portion of the hub shell of the bicycle hub, while the hub end covers overlie the axial ends of the bicycle hub. Thus, the bicycle hub is completely enclosed, except for a small gap located between the hub shell cover and each of the first and second hub end covers. In another embodiment, the hub shell cover is eliminated.
Claims19
A bicycle hub assembly comprising:
- a hub axle having a first axle end and a second axle end;
- a hub shell mounted on the hub axle such that the hub shell rotates about the hub axle, the hub shell having a first end portion with a first free end edge;
- a first hub end cover structure including a first hub end cover and a first elongated element integrally formed with the first hub end cover, the first hub end cover having a first peripheral surface that generally matches the first free end edge of the hub shell and a first mounting hole with the first elongated element extending outwardly from the first peripheral surface in a direction generally perpendicular to the hub axle;
- and
- a first fastener extending through the first mounting hole of the first hub end cover and engaged with the first axle end of the hub axle,
- the first elongated element having a longitudinal length that is longer than a maximum transverse width of the first hub end cover.
A bicycle hub assembly comprising:
- a hub axle having a first axle end and a second axle end;
- a hub shell mounted on the hub axle such that the hub shell rotates about the hub axle, the hub shell having a first end portion with a first free end edge;
- a first hub end cover structure including a first hub end cover and a first elongated element with a pair of elongated substantially parallel sections integrally formed with the first hub end cover, the first hub end cover having a first peripheral surface that generally matches the first free end edge of the hub shell and a first mounting hole with the elongated elements extending outwardly from the first periphcral surface in a direction generally perpendicular to the hub axle;
- and
- a first fastener extending through the first mounting hole of the first hub end cover and engaged with the first axle end of the hub axle.
A bicycle hub assembly comprising:
- a hub axle having a first axle end and a second axle end;
- a hub shell mounted on the hub axle such that the hub shell rotates about the hub axle, the hub shell having a first end portion with a first free end edge;
- a first hub end cover structure including a first hub end cover and a first elongated element integrally formed with the first hub end cover, the first hub end cover having a first peripheral surface that generally matches the first free end edge of the hub shell and a first mounting hole with the first elongated element extending outwardly from the first peripheral surface in a direction generally perpendicular to the hub axle;
- and
- a first fastener extending through the first mounting hole of the first hub end cover and engaged with the first axle end of the hub axle,
- a sprocket member disposed within the first hub end cover with the first elongated element being aligned with the sprocket to form part of a chain guard.
A bicycle hub assembly comprising:
- a hub axle having a first axle end and a second axle end;
- a hub shell mounted on the hub axle such that the hub shell rotates about the hub axle, the hub shell having a first end portion with a first free end edge;
- a first hub end cover structure including a first hub end cover and a first elongated element integrally formed with the first hub end cover, the first hub end cover having a first peripheral surface that generally matches the first free end edge of the hub shell and a first mounting hole with the first elongated element extending outwardly from the first peripheral surface in a direction generally perpendicular to the hub axle;
- and
- a first fastener extending through the first mounting hole of the first hub end cover and engaged with the first axle end of the hub axle,
- the first elongated element being part of a chain guard.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.