Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
233 words
For use in removably mounting a pair of bicycle fork tubes having longitudinally extending upper and lower brackets on a fork mounting tube of a bicycle frame, a fork assembly comprising an inner tube, means for rotatably mounting the inner tube within the fork mounting tube, a rod extending through said inner tube, said brackets having rearwardly extending slots through which the rod may pass to engage the fork assembly, a lower spool on said rod adapted to engage the under side of said lower bracket, an upper spool on said rod adapted to engage the under side of said upper bracket, said spools being movable longitudinally with said rod within said inner tube, spring means within said inner tube yieldingly urging said spools into engagement with said brackets, and locking means on the upper end of said rod and movable longitudinally of said rod such that when said locking means is moved longitudinally relative to said rod toward the upper surface of said upper bracket, said fork assembly is locked on said brackets, and when said locking means is moved longitudinally relative to said rod away from said upper bracket, said fork assembly can be removed by moving said rod and said spools longitudinally downwardly against the action of said spring means disengaging said spools from said brackets so that said fork assembly can be removed by transverse movement through said slots.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
233 words
For use in removably mounting a pair of bicycle fork tubes having longitudinally extending upper and lower brackets on a fork mounting tube of a bicycle frame, a fork assembly comprising an inner tube, means for rotatably mounting the inner tube within the fork mounting tube, a rod extending through said inner tube, said brackets having rearwardly extending slots through which the rod may pass to engage the fork assembly, a lower spool on said rod adapted to engage the under side of said lower bracket, an upper spool on said rod adapted to engage the under side of said upper bracket, said spools being movable longitudinally with said rod within said inner tube, spring means within said inner tube yieldingly urging said spools into engagement with said brackets, and locking means on the upper end of said rod and movable longitudinally of said rod such that when said locking means is moved longitudinally relative to said rod toward the upper surface of said upper bracket, said fork assembly is locked on said brackets, and when said locking means is moved longitudinally relative to said rod away from said upper bracket, said fork assembly can be removed by moving said rod and said spools longitudinally downwardly against the action of said spring means disengaging said spools from said brackets so that said fork assembly can be removed by transverse movement through said slots.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a nut threaded on the upper end of said rod.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said rod has means thereon preventing complete removal of said nut.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said slot in each said fork bracket has a portion thereof deformed upwardly out of the plane of said bracket, said brackets and spools having complementary surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination set forth in claim 4 wherein said deformed portion has a concave surface and said spools have complementary convex surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said spools on the upper and lower ends of said rod have inclined surfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said slot in each said fork bracket is key shaped.