Patent Application
20220324532
The invention related to a method for allowing different wheels to be attached to a bicycle frame in a simple, efficient and interchangeable manner.
The typical bicycle wheel has a rubber tire 12 supported on a rim 14, as seen in
The typical bicycle frame has a top tube 20 and a bottom tube 22 extending between a head tube 24 and a seat tube 26. The head tube receives a front fork and handle bars for steering. A bottom bracket 32 at the bottom of the seat tube 26 supports the pedal crank. A pair of seat stays 28 extends rearwardly from a top of the seat tube and a pair of chain stays 30 extends rearwardly from the bottom of the seat tube. A first pair of a seat stay and a chain stay join together at a distal end to form a first rear end of the frame and a second pair of a seat stay and a chain stay join together at a distal end to form a second rear end of the frame. The distance between the first rear end of the frame and the second rear end of the frame is fixed and a length of the axle of the wheel to be attached is greater than this distance. Therefore, dropouts 34 allowing the attachment of the wheel to the frame are slots into which the axle of the wheel is inserted.
Chips removably attached to a bicycle frame allow different size hubs and axles to be connected to a frame. As the frame represents a major part of the investment in a bicycle, the chips allow a single frame to accommodate different wheels. The user can then use a wheel having the appropriate tire and attachments for the terrain to be traversed. For instance, a particular wheel and tire would be used for a downhill mountain trail, another wheel used for riding on paved surfaces and a third wheel hub would be used for loose surfaces, such as sand or gravel. Therefore, the user is able to adapt the bicycle for a variety of different terrains and uses.
It is an object of the invention to provide a method for attaching different wheels to a bicycle frame.
It is another object of the invention to provide an inexpensive method for adapting a bicycle to different terrains.
It is yet another object to provide a method for securing attaching wheels of different sizes to a bicycle frame.
Further scope of applicability of the present application will become more apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention and wherein:
Different sized hubs can be attached to a bicycle frame by using a chip which attaches to the frame and hub. The chips are sized and shaped to accommodate a particular wheel hub. A pair of chips are preferable used, one chip of each pair on each side of the hub and frame.
The chips connected to the frame and wheel hub each have a two tiered structure, as will be explain in more detail below. The first tier has a pair of apertures that align with the pair of apertures 102 on the frame, allowing fasteners to pass through the aligned apertures to secure the chip to the frame. The second tier has an arcuate edge that corresponds to the curved surface 104 of the frame. The arcuate edge of the chip bears against the curved surface 104 of the frame.
The second chip 220 of the first chip set is depicted in
A second chip set 302 is depicted in
A third chip set is depicted in
As seen in the figures, the chips of the chip sets have common features, such as a two tier structure and a curved surface corresponding to the curved surface 104 of the frame as well as a pair of apertures aligning with the apertures 102 of the frame. However, each of the chip sets has different features suitable for the particular wheel to be attached. For that reason, each chip in a chip set has a different profile than chips in another set. The profile refers to the shape of the chip as seen in a side view. In addition, the thickness of the chips is suited for the wheel to be attached. As seen in
A kit may be used to practice the method which enables the user to attach different wheels to a frame. The kit would include the various chip sets, thereby providing the user the elements needed to selectively attach a variety of wheels to a frame. The chip sets, coupled with the knowledge of which chip sets to use with which wheels provides the flexibility to use a wheel suitable for the use of the bicycle, including factors such as terrain and the number of speeds for the bicycle.
The invention thus being described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
