Patent Application
20140260784
The present application relates to pedal and crank systems. More particularly, the present application relates to pedal and crank systems having removable pedal subassemblies.
Pedal powered cycles, such as bicycles, tricycles, unicycles, and the like, are used by people of all ages for recreational activities, commuting, exercise, and other purposes. In this regard, such cycles include pedals which are used to directly and/or indirectly power one or more wheels of the cycle.
However, when pedal powered cycles are packaged and transported, such as for sale, they are typically at least partially disassembled. In this regard, the pedals, which generally protrude outwardly, would become entangled with other pedals and structures of the bicycle as well as with other structures that are being shipped with the cycle if they were to have been installed at the factory. Further, the protruding pedals can scratch and damage walls and other surfaces when transported. Therefore, to overcome such issues, pedal powered cycles often have at least the pedals removed from the cycle.
Generally, most pedals are attached to the crank by external threading found on the pedal axle which corresponds to a threaded bore on the end of the crank arm. Typically, the threads are either right or left handed so as to tighten as the crank is pedaled in a forward direction. However, such right and left-handed threads can make it difficult for purchasers to assemble. For example, a customer may not readily identify markings indicating that one pedal is a right-hand side pedal whereas the other pedal is a left-hand side pedal. In such a situation, the customer may damage or destroy the threads while attempting to install a pedal on the wrong side of the cycle. Moreover, depending on the design of the threads, such as the pitch, depth, and the like, the threads can be easily misaligned and therefore cross-threaded or otherwise stripped.
Further, it may be desirable to have pedals which are readily removable, such as for storage or transport by the customer. For example, a parent may wish to load up and transport a number of bicycles for younger children, but the pedals may become entangled or otherwise make it difficult to stack the cycles in an efficient manner. Therefore, it may be desirable to have the crank arms and/or pedals as removable components. Moreover, it may be desirable to have such removable pedals be quickly re-attachable to the cycle.
In one form, it has unexpectedly been found that a crank arm system can be provided whereby a cycle may be shipped and then later assembled by a customer in a generally simplified manner. Moreover, in one form, pedal subassemblies can be assembled at a factory and then later installed as part of a crank arm system by a customer. According to one form, the pedal subassemblies can be prepared such that a subassembly can be installed on either the left-hand side or the right-hand side of the cycle. Moreover, in one form, as the pedal subassemblies can be installed on either side, a replacement subassembly can be used to replace a broken pedal without having to purchase a specific right-hand or left-hand side subassembly.
According to one form, a crank arm system for a cycle is provided. The crank arm system includes a first crank arm, a second crank arm, a first crank arm end, and a second crank arm end. The first crank arm has a length extending along a first plane. The second crank arm has a length extending along a second plane. The first crank arm end has a pedal coupling portion and a crank arm coupling portion. The crank arm coupling portion has a length configured to extend along either the first or second plane when coupled to the respective first or second crank arm. The second crank arm end has a pedal coupling portion and a crank arm coupling portion. The crank arm coupling portion has a length configured to extend along either the first or second plane when coupled to the respective first or second crank arm.
In accordance with one form, a crank arm system for a cycle is provided. The crank arm system includes a first crank arm, a second crank arm, a first crank arm end, a second crank arm end, a first pedal, and a second pedal. The first crank arm has a length extending along a first plane. The second crank arm has a length extending along a second plane. The first crank arm end has a pedal coupling portion and a crank arm coupling portion. The crank arm coupling portion has a length configured to extend along the first plane when coupled to the first crank arm. The second crank arm end has a pedal coupling portion and a crank arm coupling portion. The crank arm coupling portion has a length configured to extend along the second plane when coupled to the second crank arm. The first pedal is operably coupled to the pedal coupling portion of the first crank arm end and extends substantially perpendicular to the first plane. The second pedal is operably coupled to the pedal coupling portion of the second crank arm end and extends substantially perpendicular to the second plane.
In one form, each of the first and second pedals include an externally threaded portion and each of the pedal coupling portions of the first and second crank arm ends includes internally threaded portions configured to receive the externally threaded portion of at least one of the first and second pedals.
According to one form, the first and second crank arms each have a female end portion configured to receive the crank arm coupling portion of at least one of the first and second crank arm ends.
In accordance with one form, the crank arm system further includes a plurality of fasteners to secure the first and second crank arm ends to the respective crank arms.
In one form, the crank arm coupling portions of the first and second crank arm ends each includes a flared portion configured to contact at least one of the first and second crank arms.
According to one form, a method of assembling a crank arm system for a cycle is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a first crank arm having a length extending along a first plane; providing a second crank arm having a length extending along a second plane; providing a first pedal subassembly, the first pedal subassembly including a first crank arm end having a first pedal operably coupled to a pedal coupling portion and a crank arm coupling portion; providing a second pedal subassembly, the second pedal subassembly including a second crank arm end having a second pedal operably coupled to a pedal coupling portion and a crank arm coupling portion; securing the first pedal subassembly to the first crank arm so that the crank arm coupling portion of the first pedal subassembly extends along the first plane; and securing the second pedal subassembly to the second crank arm so that the crank arm coupling portion of the second pedal subassembly extends along the second plane.
Generally, a crank arm system is provided which, in one form, is shipped with a cycle and then later assembled by a customer in a generally simplified manner. Moreover, in one form, pedal subassemblies can be assembled at a factory and then later installed as part of a crank arm system by a customer. Furthermore, the pedal subassemblies can be prepared such that a subassembly can be installed on either the left-hand side or the right-hand side of the cycle.
It should be noted that the term cycle refers to any pedal powered device including, but not limited to, unicycles, bicycles, tricycles, and the like. In this regard, the crank arm system may be in the form of a hub, such as the case for many unicycles and child tricycles, thereby directly powering one or more wheels. In another form, the crank arm system may be configured with one or more gears, such as often the case with many bicycles, to thereby indirectly power one or more wheels. Additionally, such cycles can include baby, toddler, child, adult, and the like type cycles. Other uses and configurations for the crank arm system are also contemplated.
As shown in
As best seen in
Furthermore, the first and second crank arms 16, 18 may be coupled to one another in a variety of different manners. As shown in
Referring to
Each of the first and second crank arm ends 20, 22 include a pedal coupling portion and a crank arm coupling portion. For example, the first crank arm end 20 includes a pedal coupling portion 30 and a crank arm coupling portion 32. The pedal coupling portion 30 is generally configured to couple a pedal to the crank arm end 20. In this regard, in one form, the pedal coupling portion 32 can include a threaded bore 34 to receive a portion of a pedal, as will be described below in more detail. It should be noted that the pedal coupling portion 30 may take a variety of other forms, such as a protrusion that is configured to coordinate with an opening in the pedal (not shown). Other methods and structures for coupling the pedal coupling portion 32 to a pedal are also contemplated.
The crank arm coupling portion 32 includes a length that is configured to extend along either the first or second planes 24, 26 when coupled to the respective first or second crank arm 16, 18. As shown in
As shown in the figures, the pedal coupling portion 30 and crank arm portion 32 are in the form of a single, integral component, though they may also take the form of separate components that are secured together. Further, as shown in
The crank arm system 10 may also include a first pedal 42 and a second pedal 44. As best seen in
As shown in the figures, when installed, the pedals generally extend from the crank arm ends 20, 22 in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first and second planes 24, 26. In this regard, the connection between the crank arm 16, 18 and the respective crank arm end 20, 22 may be configured to counteract the forces applied to the pedals 42, 44. Generally, the forces will be in a downward direction, but may also include a rotational component as the pedals 42, 44 extend outward from the crank arm ends 20, 22. In this regard a certain amount of torque may be applied and the connection between the crank arm 16, 18 and the respective crank arm end 20, 22 is suitable to resist such forces without breaking and/or substantial deflection during the intended use.
The crank arm system 10 may also include one or more fasteners. For example, as shown in
In one form, the crank arm ends 20, 22 are removable from the crank arms 16, 18 by a user after installation. In another form, the crank arm ends 20, 22 are not configured to be easily removable by a user after installation.
Further, in one form, the crank arm ends 20, 22 are configured to be interchangeable. In other words, each of crank arm ends 20, 22 may be designed to be installed on either of crank arms 16, 18. In this regard, a customer does not need to determine which crank arm end 20, 22 is supposed to be installed on which side of the crank arm system 10. In other forms, the crank arm ends 20, 22 can be side specific and can include indicators as to which side the respective crank arm end 20, 22 is supposed to be installed. In this regard, the crank arm 16, 18 and/or crank arm ends 20, 22 can be keyed so as to only fit a specific side.
Referring now to
It should be noted that the crank arm system may be manufactured from a number of different materials and/or combinations of materials. Such materials may include plastic, metal, fiberglass, carbon fiber, composites, and the like. For example, in one form, the crank arms and crank arm ends may be manufactured from metals including, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, and the like. The pedals may also be made from a variety of different materials.
While the system and structure have been particularly described with specific reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated that various alterations, modifications, and adaptations may be based on the present disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit of this disclosure.
