US 8,602,435 B2 · Bicycle frame and drive link case therefore

Abstract

A bicycle frame hinge is provided having a lower and upper portion. The lower and upper portions being movable with respect to each other in both translation and rotation when in a storage condition, and are locked with respect to each other to prevent both translation and rotation when in a riding condition. The lower and upper portions are configured to form an internal cable passage way when the bicycle frame is in the riding condition, and when the bicycle frame is in the storage condition. The lower portion comprises two interlocking features, and the upper portion comprises two interlocking features configured to engage with the interlocking features of the lower portion when the bicycle frame is in the riding condition. A clamping mechanism is disposed between the two interlocking features of the lower and upper portions, the clamping mechanism configured to clamp the upper and lower portions.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A frame hinge for a bicycle frame, comprising:

a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower and upper portions being movable with respect to each other in both translation and rotation when the bicycle frame is in a condition suitable for storage, and the lower and upper portions are locked with respect to each other to prevent both translation and rotation therebetween when the bicycle frame is in a condition suitable for riding, wherein the lower and upper portions form an internal cable passage way enclosed therebetween when the bicycle frame is in the condition suitable for riding, and when the bicycle frame is placed in the condition suitable for storage;
wherein the lower portion comprises two interlocking features, and the upper portion comprises two interlocking features configured to engage with the respective two interlocking features of the lower portion when the bicycle frame is in the condition suitable for riding;
and,
a clamping mechanism disposed between the two interlocking features of the lower and upper portions, the clamping mechanism configured to clamp the upper portion with the lower portion.

1 more element

A frame hinge for a bicycle frame having a front section and a rear section, the frame hinge comprising:

a lower portion coupled to one of the front section and rear section, the lower portion having a first passageway;
an upper portion coupled to the other of the front section and rear section, the upper portion having a second passageway;
wherein the lower and upper portions are movable with respect to each other in both translation and rotation between a first position and a second position, wherein the lower and upper portions are locked with respect to each other to prevent both translation and rotation therebetween when in the second position;
wherein the first passageway and second passageway are positioned to form a contiguous internal cable passageway therebetween in both the first position and the second position;
wherein the lower portion comprises two interlocking features, and the upper portion comprises two interlocking features configured to engage with the respective two interlocking features of the lower portion when in the second position;
and
a clamping mechanism disposed between the two interlocking features of the lower and upper portions, the clamping mechanism configured to clamp the upper portion with the lower portion.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Bicycle frame and drive link case therefore

Life of this patent

Bicycle frame and drive link case therefore

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12