# US 8,770,610 B2 · Axles, such as for bicycles > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,770,610 B2 - Document ID: US8770610B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/343,338 - Filed: 2012-01-04 - Published: 2012-05-03 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-13 - Assignees: Fox Factory, Inc. - Applicants: Andrew Laird - Inventors: Andrew Laird - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770610B2 ## CPC - B62K 25/14: with single arm on each fork leg - B60B 35/007: {for mounting suspension elements to axles} - B60B 35/025: {the wheels being removable} - B62K 25/02: for mounting axles rigidly on cycle frame or fork, e.g. adjustably - B62K 2206/00: Quick release mechanisms adapted for cycles - B62K: CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDECARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE - B60B: VEHICLE WHEELS (making wheels or wheel parts by rolling B21H1/00, by forging, hammering or pressing B21K1/28); CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION ## Abstract A suspension for a two-wheeled vehicle includes first and second fork legs. Each fork leg includes a dropout. Each dropout has an opening therethrough. At least a portion of one of the openings is threaded. Each of the dropouts includes a split-clamp pinch bearing defining the opening and operable between an open position and a locked position, and a hand operable actuator pivoted to the bearing for operation thereof. The suspension further includes a one-piece axle. The axle is disposed through the openings. The axle has a threaded first end engaged with the threaded portion. The axle has an ergonomic grip formed at a second end. The bearing tightly engages an outer surface of the axle in the locked position, thereby rotationally coupling the axle to the dropout. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A suspension for a two-wheeled vehicle, comprising: first and second fork legs, each fork leg comprising an opening therethrough, wherein at least a portion of one of the openings is threaded, and wherein each of the fork legs further comprise: a split-clamp pinch bearing defining at least a portion of the opening and operable between an open position and a locked position, and a hand operable actuator pivoted to the bearing for operation thereof; and a one piece continuous axle disposed through the openings in the fork legs, the axle having a threaded first end of a first diameter engaged with the threaded portion of the opening in one of the fork legs and a second end having a larger diameter the threaded first end of the axle engaged with the opening in the other of the fork legs, wherein the bearing tightly engages an outer surface of the axle in the locked position, a grip portion disposed on the second end of the axle having outwardly extending wings having a recess within each wing within which a tool for providing rotational movement to the axle may be disposed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The suspension of claim 1, wherein the bearing is a bearing surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The suspension of claim 1, wherein the tool comprises a lever pivotably connected within one of the wings. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The suspension of claim 3 wherein the lever is pivotable from a first position extending over and crossing the longitudinal axis of the axle wherein the lever extends inwardly of both wings. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The suspension of claim 3 wherein the lever is pivotable within the one of the wings wherein the lever extends outwardly from the one wing into a position for use to rotate the axle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The suspension of claim 1, wherein the recesses in the wing form a tool receiving portion for an external tool. ### Claim 7 A suspension for a two-wheeled vehicle, comprising: first and second fork legs, each fork leg comprising a dropout, each dropout having an opening therethrough, wherein at least a portion of one of the openings is threaded, and wherein at least one of the dropouts comprises: a split-clamp pinch bearing defining at least a portion of the opening and operable between an open position and a locked position, and a hand operable actuator pivoted to the bearing for operation thereof; an axle disposed through the openings, the axle having a threaded first end engaged with the threaded portion and a second end, wherein the bearing tightly engages an outer surface of the axle in the locked position, thereby rotationally coupling the axle to the dropout; and a lever having opposed ends and connected at the second end thereof to a fixed pivot point on the second end of the axle at a location on the second end of the axle offset from the center of the of the diameter of the axle and positionable relative to the axle in at least a first position extending across the second end of the axle for stowage thereof and a second position extending away from the second end of the axle for imparting rotational movement to the axle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The suspension of claim 7, wherein the second end of the axle has a recess for stowing the lever when the lever is in the first position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The suspension of claim 7, wherein the second end of the axle includes a pair of opposed wings extending outwardly to the sides of the axle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The suspension of claim 9, wherein the wings each include a gap therein which forms a stowage slot for receipt of the lever in the stowage position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The suspension of claim 7, wherein the second end of the axle has a larger diameter than the first end of the axle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The suspension of claim 7, wherein the recess includes a clip to releasably secure the lever therein when the lever is in the stowed position. ### Claim 13 An axle configured for receipt in at least two spaced bores, comprising: a single piece tubular member having a first end and a second end and an outer circumferential surface, the outer circumferential surface having a first diameter at the first end of the axle and a second, larger, diameter adjacent the second end of the axle; the outer circumferential surface including threads thereon extending inwardly of the first end; opposed first and second wings extending outwardly of the axle at the second end thereof, the wings extending further outwardly than the second diameter of the axle at the second end, each of the wings including a slot formed therein. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The axle of claim 13, further including a fastener extending across the slot in the first wing at a location of the wing outwardly of the diameter of the second end of the axle; and a lever having opposed first and second ends and connected at the second end thereof to the fastener. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The axle of claim 14, wherein the lever is positionable relative to the axle in at least a first position extending across the second end of the axle and received in the slot in the second wing for stowage thereof and a second position extending away from the second end of the axle for imparting rotational movement to the axle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The axle of claim 14 wherein the axle includes an inner bore extending from the first end to the second end thereof, and the diameter of the bore adjacent to the second end is larger than the diameter of the bore adjacent to the first end. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The axle of claim 13, wherein the slots in the first and second wings are aligned and form a recess for receipt of an external tool therein. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The axle of claim 13, wherein the slots extend outwardly of the outer diameter of the second end of the axle. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The axle of claim 13, wherein the wings and axle are a single piece of material.