US3871710A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wide flange bicycle hub
Assignee: Beatrice Companies Inc
•
Filing: 1973-12-10
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Granted: 1975-03-18
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Expires: 1993-12-10
Abstract
Abstract Bicycle hub assembly giving maximum spacing between bearings for the hub and positioning the spokes to clear the tines of the bicycle fork, to provide the wide spacing desirable with the present-day bicycle and improve stability and reduce wheel bearing wear. This is attained by providing large diameter spoke attachment flanges at opposite ends of the hub flaring inwardly over the bearings to position the points of attachment of the spokes to the flanges over the bearings and provide ample clearance of the spokes from the tines of the bicycle fork.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Dian
- 👤 Charles V Wrobel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 00:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60B; B60B27/00; B60B27/02; B60B27/023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
In a bicycle hub assembly and in combination with a wheel and fork of a bicycle having relatively widely spaced tines: a shaft having threaded opposite ends mounting the hub and wheel on the bicycle fork; respective external cones threaded on said opposite ends of the shaft; a sleeve coaxial with and radially spaced from said shaft; means for mounting said sleeve for rotation about said shaft comprising spoke attachment flanges fixedly secured to opposite ends of said sleeve and having bell-shaped generally axially outwardly flaring internal cones cooperating rotatably with said external cones through ball bearings between said cones; and wide generally radial flange portions extending from the axially outer end of said internal cones and flaring generally axially inwardly over at least a portion of said internal cones and positioning the peripheries of said flange portions within the extended limits of said ball bearings; said flange portions having means adjacent their perimeters to which wheel spokes are attached and the flange portions and the spokes being clear from the tines of the bicycle fork.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
In a bicycle hub assembly and in combination with a wheel and fork of a bicycle having relatively widely spaced tines: a shaft having threaded opposite ends mounting the hub and wheel on the bicycle fork; respective external cones threaded on said opposite ends of the shaft; a sleeve coaxial with and radially spaced from said shaft; means for mounting said sleeve for rotation about said shaft comprising spoke attachment flanges fixedly secured to opposite ends of said sleeve and having bell-shaped generally axially outwardly flaring internal cones cooperating rotatably with said external cones through ball bearings between said cones; and wide generally radial flange portions extending from the axially outer end of said internal cones and flaring generally axially inwardly over at least a portion of said internal cones and positioning the peripheries of said flange portions within the extended limits of said ball bearings; said flange portions having means adjacent their perimeters to which wheel spokes are attached and the flange portions and the spokes being clear from the tines of the bicycle fork.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The bicycle hub assembly of claim 1, wherein said flange portions are of a modified bell-shaped form and have a series of spoke receiving apertures circumferentially spaced about said flanges close to the peripheries thereof, and positioning the spokes free from the tines of the bicycle fork and the spoke loads directly over said bearings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The bicycle hub assembly of claim 2, wherein the flange portions are formed integrally with the internal cones and provide maximum spacing between the bearings for fork width, increasing the stability of the wheel and reducing wear on the bearings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
The bicycle hub assembly of claim 3, wherein the flange portions are each of an axially inwardly dished bell-shaped form having a relatively deep portion extending radially outwardly of said internal cones and axially inwardly to the region of said internal cones and a flattened portion extending radially outwardly of said deep-dished portion and terminating to position the peripheries of said flange portions in substantially vertical alignment with said internal cones and bearings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The bicycle hub of claim 2, wherein circumferentially spaced air circulating apertures extend through the flange portions and are centered at the junctures of the flattened portions with the deep portions, and in addition to accommodating the circulation of air through the hub, accomodating ready forming of the flanges and reducing the weight thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a bicycle hub and wheel assembly and in combination with a bicycle fork having widely spaced tines forming a mounting for the hub, a wheel rim and spokes secured thereto and extending therefrom, a shaft mounted on the tines of said fork and forming a support for said hub and bearings mounting said hub on said shaft, and means providing maximum spacing between said bearings to increase the stability of the wheel and reduce wear on said bearings, comprising relatively large diameter spoke attachment flanges extending radially of said hub and having spoke attachment apertures extending therethrough and circumferentially spaced adjacent the peripheries thereof, said flanges being dished axially inwardly generally radially aligned over said bearings to position the spokes to clear the tines of the fork and accommodate the positioning of said bearings closely adjacent the tines of the fork.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a bicycle hub and wheel assembly and in combination with a bicycle fork having widely spaced tines forming a mounting for the hub, a wheel rim and spokes secured thereto and extending therefrom, a shaft mounted on the tines of said fork and forming a support for said hub and bearings mounting said hub on said shaft, and means providing maximum spacing between said bearings to increase the stability of the wheel and reduce wear on said bearings, comprising relatively large diameter spoke attachment flanges extending radially of said hub and having spoke attachment apertures extending therethrough and circumferentially spaced adjacent the peripheries thereof, said flanges being dished axially inwardly generally radially aligned over said bearings to position the spokes to clear the tines of the fork and accommodate the positioning of said bearings closely adjacent the tines of the fork.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The bicycle hub of claim 6, wherein the flanges have internal bearing races formed integrally therewith and are of a generally bell-shaped form extending radially over said bearings and dished generally axially inwardly and positioning the spokes at the point of attachment to said flanges over the bearings of the bicycle wheel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The bicycle hub assembly of claim 7, wherein the flanges have steep and flat generally bell-shaped contours positioning the bearings relatively close to the tines of said forks and thereby obtaining maximum spacing between the bearings for fork width giving more stability and less wear on the bearings.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3131008A
Cited
US3428377A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-09-16 | 1979-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-17 | 1982-09-16 | 1983-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-17 | 1986-09-16 | 1987-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |