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US 8,079,610 B2Granted
Quick release camming mechanism
AssigneeCrank Brothers, Inc.
InventorsCarl Winefordner, Frank Hermansen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A quick release camming mechanism is used in a seat post clamp that secures a seat post to a seat tube. Whereas prior art quick release mechanisms have only a single lever, this mechanism has two independently rotatable levers. About half the force is required to independently push either lever closed as to push both levers closed simultaneously. Similarly, about half the force is required to open either lever individually as to open them simultaneously.
Claims23
A clamp system for securing and unsecuring a seat post, comprising:
- a ring clamp comprising a first opening configured to receive a seat tube, wherein the seat post is configured to slide into the seat tube, a second opening at one end of the ring clamp and perpendicular to the first opening, and an inwardly curved surface at the one end;
- a shaft configured to fit into the second opening of the ring clamp;
- a pin having an opening configured to engage a first end of the shaft;
- a first lever having a cam surface and an opening on one end and a lever portion on an opposite end, wherein the opening engages a first portion of the pin;
- and
- a second lever having a cam surface and an opening on one end and a lever portion on an opposite end, wherein the opening of the second lever engages a second portion of the pin, wherein the inwardly curved surface of the ring clamp engages the cam surfaces of the first and second levers, and wherein the first and second levers are independently rotatable about the pin and with respect to each other to move the ring clamp for securing or unsecuring the seat post and the seat tube.
3 more elements
A clamp system, comprising:
- a ring clamp comprising a first opening configured to receive a seat tube having an inner diameter, a first portion and a second portion separated by a second opening and extending outward from the clamp, a third opening extending through the first and second portions, and an inwardly curved surface along an outer surface of the second portion;
- a shaft configured to fit through the third opening;
- a pin having an opening configured to engage a first end of the shaft;
- a first lever having a cam surface and an opening on one end and a lever portion on an opposite end, wherein the opening engages a first portion of the pin;
- and
- a second lever having a cam surface and an opening on one end and a lever portion on an opposite end, wherein the opening of the second lever engages a second portion of the pin, wherein the inwardly curved surface of the ring clamp engages the cam surfaces of the first and second levers, and wherein the first and second levers are independently rotatable about the pin and with respect to each other to move the ring clamp for reducing the inner diameter of the seat tube.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.