US 7,621,601 B2 · Bicycle hub

Abstract

A bicycle hub comprises a central tube having an axial receiving groove for installing an axial shaft of a wheel; a first peripheral disk formed at one end of the central tube; a second peripheral disk formed at another end of the central tube; the second peripheral disk being formed with a plurality of axial insertion holes for receiving radiation spokes; a peripheral of the second peripheral disk being formed with a plurality of ribs; each rib having a penetrating axial installing hole; and each rib of the first peripheral disk having a positioning groove; two ends of the positioning groove being opened at two lateral sides of the rib so as to form the openings; the positioning groove being approximately transversal to an axial direction of the installing hole and a lower side of the installing hole is opened to the positioning groove.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims3

Dependent claims

A bicycle hub, comprising:

a central tube having an axial receiving groove for installing an axial shaft of a wheel;
a first peripheral disk formed at one end of the central tube;
a second peripheral disk formed at another end of the central tube;
the second peripheral disk being formed with a plurality of radial insertion holes for receiving spokes;
a peripheral of the first peripheral disk being formed with a plurality of ribs;
each rib having a penetrating axial installing hole which penetrates through the rib and axially arranged along the axial direction of the central tube;
the installing hole having a larger opening at an inner side facing the second peripheral disk and having a smaller opening at an outer side opposite to the inner side;
the opening at the inner side being greater than an enlarged head of a respective spoke;
the opening of the installing hole at the outer side being smaller than the enlarged head of the respective spoke;
and
each rib of the first peripheral disk having a positioning groove;
two ends of the positioning groove being opened at two lateral sides of the rib so as to form two openings;
the positioning groove being approximately transversal to an axial direction of the installing hole and a lower side of the installing hole is opened to the positioning groove.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description1,697 words

Summary852 words

#The present invention relates to bicycle hubs, and particularly to a bicycle hub which has a structure causing that the spokes of the bicycle can be installed easily and quickly. Thereby the structure is concrete so as to have a long lifetime.

#Bicycling is becoming an increasingly more popular form of recreation as well as a means of transportation. Moreover, bicycling has become a very popular competitive sport for both amateurs and professionals. Whether the bicycle is used for recreation, transportation or competition, the bicycle industry is constantly improving the various components of the bicycle to make the bicycle more reliable and durable. Moreover, various components of the bicycle are constantly being modified and/or improved depending upon their use to be more aesthetically pleasing to the rider. In other words, it is often desirable to produce bicycles that are attractive to the rider. In addition, many riders desire a bicycle that looks different than other bicycles. Many bicycle frames are designed to have a distinctive and attractive appearance.

#Recently, various covers have been proposed for covering portions of the front fork and/or the front hub. For example, a cover assembly has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,489 (Shimano Inc.) that provides an aesthetically pleasing look and a protection to the front hub. Basically, this Shimano patent discloses a pair of hub covers that are used with fork tube covers to provide an attractive appearance. However, the hub covers are not integrated with the hub design, and do not protect the center portion of the hub shell. Thus, the cover assembly does not provide a hub assembly with a look in which the hub cover and the hub shell are integrated together with a unified identity.

Brief description of the drawings4 figures

#FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the bicycle hub of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a schematic cross sectional view of the seat support structure of a bicycle of the present invention.

#FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic cross sectional views showing the installation of the spokes according to the present invention.

Detailed description780 words

#In order that those skilled in the art can further understand the present invention, a description will be provided in the following in details. However, these descriptions and the appended drawings are only used to cause those skilled in the art to understand the objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention, but not to be used to confine the scope and spirit of the present invention defined in the appended claims.

#Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the bicycle hub of the present invention is illustrated. The present invention has the following elements.

#A central tube 13 has an axial receiving groove 14 for installing an axial shaft of a wheel.

Facts

Application

11/943,587Filed 21 Nov 2007

Published

US 2009/0127922 A121 May 2009

Granted

24 Nov 2009

Term ends

31 Dec 2027

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 40 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification4 codes

B60B 1/042
Attaching spokes to rim or hub: attaching spokes to hub
B60B 1/0215
Wheels with wire or other tension spokes: characterised by specific grouping of spokes
B60B 1/041
Attaching spokes to rim or hub: of bicycle wheels
B60B
Vehicle wheels

Timeline

21 Nov 2007Application filedUS 11/943,587
14 Dec 2007Assigned to Hsin Industries Co., theassignment of assignor's interest
21 May 2009PublishedUS 2009/0127922 A1
24 Nov 2009GrantedUS 7,621,601 B2
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
31 Dec 2027Term endsEstimated, includes 40 days of adjustment

Bicycle hub

Life of this patent

Bicycle hub

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims3

Description1,697 words

Drawings

Classification4 codes

Life of this patent

Description1,697 words