Electrical connector for pedal spindle
AssigneeGarmin Switzerland GmbH
InventorChristopher J. Hanshew
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrical connector for electronics in a pedal spindle. The electrical connector may have a plurality of concentrically-spaced electrical contact pads and a spindle connector. The electrical contact pads may fit within the pedal spindle and electrically connect to the electronics in the pedal spindle. The spindle connector may have a housing and a plurality of electrically conductive elements, such as pins, extending from the housing. The housing may be sized and shaped to mate with an end of the pedal spindle proximate to the electrical contact pads. The electrically conductive elements or pins may each contact one of the electrical contact pads when the housing is mated with the end of the pedal spindle.
Claims16
An electrical connector for electronics associated with a pedal spindle, the electrical connector comprising:
- a plurality of concentrically-spaced electrical contacts configured to fit within the pedal spindle and to electrically connect to the electronics associated with the pedal spindle;
- and
- a spindle connector comprising:
- a housing configured to mate with an end of the pedal spindle proximate to the electrical contact pads, and
- a plurality of electrically conductive elements each configured to electrically connect with one of the concentrically-spaced electrical contacts when the housing is mated with the end of the pedal spindle.
A pedal apparatus comprising:
- a hollow pedal spindle having a threaded portion configured to mate with a crank arm;
- at least one sensor disposed within the pedal spindle;
- and
- an electrical connector comprising:
- a plurality of concentrically-spaced electrical contact pads housed within the threaded portion of the pedal spindle and electrically connected to the at least one sensor, and
- a spindle connector comprising:
- a housing configured to mate with the threaded portion of the pedal spindle,
- a plurality of electrically conductive pins extending from the housing and each configured to contact one of the electrical contact pads when the housing is mated with the pedal spindle, and
- at least one of a power source and a communications device fixed within the housing and electrically coupled with the conductive pins.
A pedal apparatus comprising:
- a hollow pedal spindle having a threaded portion configured to mate with a crank arm, wherein a detent channel is formed into an inner surface of the threaded portion;
- at least one sensor disposed within the pedal spindle;
- and
- an electrical connector configured to mate with the pedal spindle, the electrical connector comprising:
- a plurality of circular, concentrically-spaced electrical contact pads housed within the hollow pedal spindle and electrically connected to the at least one sensor, and
- a spindle connector comprising:
- a housing configured to mate with the inner surface of the threaded portion of the pedal spindle, wherein a continuous channel is formed into the housing,
- a plurality of resilient or spring-biased, electrically conductive pins having rounded ends, extending from the housing, and each configured to contact one of the electrical contact pads when the housing is mated with the pedal spindle,
- at least one of a battery and a wireless transmitter fixed within the housing and electrically coupled with the conductive pins, and
- a C-ring at least partially seated in the continuous channel of the housing and having first and second ends, wherein the C-ring is sized and operable to be flexed such that the first and second ends move toward each other when the C-ring is pressed into the continuous channel, wherein the C-ring is configured to mate with the detent channel within the pedal spindle and thereby retain a portion of the housing within the pedal spindle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.