IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0880577
(2001-06-13)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Laughlin, James
- Coulter, Ryan
- Beck, Benjamin
- Powers, Thomas
- Walter, Glen V.
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출원인 / 주소 |
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대리인 / 주소 |
Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, P.C.
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
13 인용 특허 :
21 |
초록
▼
A system for tool free disengagement of an engagement member from a base while the base is mounted to a substrate, so that the engagement member may be repositioned, tool free, in a new mounting location. The engagement member and the base include complementary locking members, and the engagement me
A system for tool free disengagement of an engagement member from a base while the base is mounted to a substrate, so that the engagement member may be repositioned, tool free, in a new mounting location. The engagement member and the base include complementary locking members, and the engagement member may be constructed so that manipulation of the engagement member releases the complementary locking members allowing relocation of the engagement member in a new mounting location. The system may be incorporated in a binding for securing a foot or a boot and in footwear.
대표청구항
▼
A system for tool free disengagement of an engagement member from a base while the base is mounted to a substrate, so that the engagement member may be repositioned, tool free, in a new mounting location. The engagement member and the base include complementary locking members, and the engagement me
A system for tool free disengagement of an engagement member from a base while the base is mounted to a substrate, so that the engagement member may be repositioned, tool free, in a new mounting location. The engagement member and the base include complementary locking members, and the engagement member may be constructed so that manipulation of the engagement member releases the complementary locking members allowing relocation of the engagement member in a new mounting location. The system may be incorporated in a binding for securing a foot or a boot and in footwear. mechanism accessible after said insertion to engage said locking member and move said locking member from said locking position to said release position against said bias, to permit withdrawal of said pedal shank from said crank bore. 4. In a wheeled cycle having an opposing pair of cranks with pedals for engagement by the feet of a rider for manual propulsion, a pedal-to-crank mounting assembly comprising a crank bore in said crank, a pedal shank extending into said crank bore, one of said crank and said pedal shank having a locking member engaging the other of said crank and said pedal shank upon insertion of said pedal shank into said crank bore to lock said pedal shank in said crank bore, wherein said pedal-to-crank mounting assembly comprises first and second intersecting bores in said crank, said first bore extending axially, said second bore extending laterally and crossing said first bore at a common intersection, said second bore being said crank bore, said locking member comprising a pin in said first bore and axially slidable therealong and biased toward said common intersection, said pedal shank extending into said second bore and into said common intersection, a third bore in said pedal shank and receiving said pin axially biased into said third bore to lock said pedal shank in said second bore. 5. The cycle according to claim 4 wherein said third bore has an axially facing stop surface engaging and stopping said pin to limit axially biased movement of said pin. 6. The cycle according to claim 4 wherein said first bore extends axially between first and second axial ends, said first end being closed, said second end being open, said third bore is co-axial with said first bore in said common intersection and extends axially between first and second axial ends, each of said first and second ends of said third bore being open. 7. The cycle according to claim 6 comprising a biasing member in said first bore between said pin and said first end of said first bore and biasing said pin toward said common intersection and into said third bore through said first end of said third bore, and wherein said pin is accessible through said second end of said first bore and said second end of said third bore by inserting a tool in the form of a rod axially into said first bore through said second end of said first bore and axially into said third bore through said second end of said third bore to axially push said pin out of said third bore against the bias of said biasing member, to unlock said pedal shank from said crank and permit withdrawal of said pedal shank laterally along and out of said second bore. 8. The cycle according to claim 4 wherein said second bore extends laterally between first and second ends, each of said first and second ends being open. 9. The cycle according to claim 8 comprising a plug insertable laterally into said second bore through said second end to hold said pin in a retracted withdrawn position against said bias and out of said common intersection, such that insertion of said pedal shank laterally into and along said second bore through said first end is permitted without being blocked by said pin, and wherein during said insertion of said pedal shank laterally into and along said second bore through said first end, said pedal shank engages said plug and laterally pushes said plug out of said second bore through said second end, to release said pin such that said pin slides axially into said third bore to lock said pedal shank in said second bore. 10. The cycle according to claim 9 wherein said insertion of said pedal shank into said second bore through said first end and the expulsion of said plug from said second bore through said second end is a single unidirectional rectilinear motion requiring no tools. 11. The cycle according to claim 4 wherein said pedal shank and said second bore are complementally shaped in keyed configuration to each other to prevent rotation of said pedal shank in said sec ond bore and to co-axially align said third bore with said first bore for receipt of said pin in said third bore. 12. The cycle according to claim 11 wherein said keyed configuration is a D-shape. 13. A tool-free assembly method for a wheeled cycle having an opposing pair of cranks with pedals for engagement by the feet of a rider for manual propulsion, said method comprising mounting said pedal to said crank with an insertion motion requiring no tools, and comprising requiring a tool to unlock said pedal from said crank, and unlocking said pedal from said crank with said tool after said insertion. 14. A tool-free assembly method for a wheeled cycle having an opposing pair of cranks with pedals for engagement by the feet of a rider for manual propulsion, said method comprising mounting said pedal to said crank with an insertion motion requiring no tools, and comprising providing a biased locking member having a locking position and a release position, providing a release plug, holding said locking member in said release position with said release plug, engaging said release plug with said pedal during said insertion to move said release plug out of engagement with said locking member and release said locking member to said locking position engaging said pedal and locking said pedal to said crank. 15. The method according to claim 14 comprising releasing said pedal from said crank by engaging said release member with a tool to move said release member to said release position to permit withdrawal of said pedal from said crank. 16. A tool-free assembly method for a wheeled cycle having an opposing pair of cranks with pedals for engagement by the feet of a rider for manual propulsion, said method comprising mounting said pedal to said crank with an insertion motion requiring no tools, and comprising providing a crank bore in said crank, providing a pedal shank extending into said crank bore, providing one of said crank and said pedal shank with a locking member engaging the other of said crank and said pedal shank upon insertion of said pedal shank into said crank bore to lock said pedal shank in said crank bore, providing first and second intersecting bores in said crank, said first bore extending axially, said second bore extending laterally and crossing said first bore at a common intersection, said second bore being said crank bore, providing said locking member as a pin in said first bore and axially slidable therealong, biasing said pin toward said common intersection, inserting said pedal shank into said second bore and into said common intersection, providing a third bore in said pedal shank and receiving said pin axially biased into said third bore to lock said pedal shank in said second bore. 17. The method according to claim 16 wherein said second bore extends laterally between first and second ends, each of said first and second ends being open, providing a release plug in said second bore and said common intersection and holding said pin in a retracted withdrawn position against said bias and out of said common intersection, inserting said pedal shank laterally into and along said second bore through said first end such that during said insertion said pedal shank engages said release plug and laterally pushes said plug out of said second bore through said second end, to release said pin such that said pin slides axially into said third bore to lock said pedal shank in said second bore. 18. The method according to claim 16 comprising complementally shaping said pedal shank and said second bore in keyed relation to each other to prevent rotation of said pedal shank in said second bore and to coaxially align said third bore with said first bore for receipt of said pin in said third bore. and second coupling means having one or more service supply lines provided therein and said service supply lines of said first and second coupling means engaging upon mechanical engagement of said first and second coupling means, thereby allowing the supply of services from said tractor unit to said trailer unit and/or vice versa, and characterised in that one of said first or second coupling means is provided with one or more annular protrusions on a coupling surface and the other of said coupling means is provided with complementary annular channels on a coupling surface, said annular protrusions being received in said annular channels upon mechanical engagement of said first and second coupling means, thereby simultaneously or substantially simultaneously allowing the connection and/or communication of at least one of the tractor supply lines with at least one of the trailer supply lines to allow the supply of said service(s) therebetween. 2. A coupling system according to claim 1 characterised in that said service supply lines provide at least electrical and/or pneumatic supply between the tractor and trailer units. 3. A coupling system according to claim 1 characterised in that one or more pneumatic supply lines are connected or communicate upon receipt of the annular protrusions in the annular channels. 4. A coupling system according to claim 3 characterised in that the one or more pneumatic supply lines have openings in said annular channels and corresponding openings on said annular protrusions. 5. A coupling system according to claim 3 characterised in that sealing means are provided in said annular channels to allow a continuous sealed pneumatic passageway between said tractor unit and said trailer units to be formed on engagement of said annular protrusions/channels. 6. A coupling system according to claim 2 characterised in that the electrical connection is achieved by engagement of a centrally located plug in one of said coupling means and a complementary centrally located socket in the other of said coupling means. 7. A coupling system according to claim 6 characterised in that complementary engagement means are provided on the housings of said plug and socket to allow mechanical engagement of the plug and socket prior to, or simultaneously to electrical connection between said plug and socket. 8. A coupling system according to claim 7 characterised in that the engagement means includes one or more fin portions on the housing of one of said plug or socket which engage with one or more complementary recess/slot portions provided in the housing of the other of said plug or socket. 9. A coupling system according to claim 6 characterised in that electrical connection of said electrical plug and socket when engaged is provided by electrical pulse signals provided by a multiplex system passing between said plug and socket. 10. A coupling system according to claim 6 characterised in that electrical connection of said electrical plug and socket when engaged is provided by fibre optic means. 11. A coupling system according to claim 6 characterised in that the electrical plug includes one or more protruding pins which locate in one or more complementary pin recesses provided in said electrical socket to allow electrical connection therebetween. 12. A coupling system according to claim 1 characterised in that one of the coupling means is provided with linearly reciprocating means to allow motion between a coupled position wherein the coupling means are engaged and an uncoupled position wherein the coupling means are disengaged and spaced apart. 13. A coupling system according to claim 12 characterised in that the second coupling means of the trailer unit is aligned above the first coupling means of the tractor unit during the coupling procedure and said linearly reciprocating means raises or lowers one of said coupling means between the coupled and uncoupled positions. 14. A coupling system according to claim 12 characteris ed in that the linearly reciprocating means includes a pneumatically operated arm. 15. A coupling system according to claim 1 characterised in that locking means are provided to lock the first and second coupling means together when in a coupled position. 16. A coupling system according to claim 15 characterised in that the locking means include a catch provided on one or both of said units. 17. A coupling system according to claim 16 characterised in that the catch is rotatably mounted to capture the first and/or second coupling means upon mechanical engagement thereof. 18. A coupling system according to claim 16 characterised in that the catch is provided on a fifth wheel of the cab unit and captures the coupling means of said trailer unit. 19. A coupling system according to claim 1 characterised in that a quick release switch is provided in one or both of said tractor and trailer units to enable uncoupling thereof. 20. A coupling system according to claim 1 characterised in that the tractor and/or trailer unit is provided with a signal box having audio and/or visual signal means to indicate to a user/driver of the unit(s) whether coupling of the tractor and trailer units has been completed successfully and/or unsuccessfully. 21. A coupling system according to claim 20 characterised in that the signal means includes one or more audible alarms. 22. A coupling system according to claim 20 characterised in that the signal means includes on or more light sources which are switched on/off and/or change colour when coupling has been completed successfully and/or unsuccessfully. 23. A coupling system according to claim 1 characterised in that the coupling system is provided with security means to prevent unauthorised use of said coupling system. 24. A coupling system according to claim 23 characterised in that a pin number or authorisation code is required to be entered into the security means before one or more functions of the coupling system are operational. 25. A coupling system according to claim 23 characterised in that the security means is connected to the vehicle's starter motor and/or brake system. 26. A coupling system according to claim 2 characterised in that pneumatic hoses and/or electricity cables providing the pneumatic supply and/or electricity supply are short, armoured flexible hoses or cables. 27. A coupling system according to claim 2 characterised in that connection of one or more pneumatic supply lines between said trailer and tractor units allows the operation of one or more support legs on said units. 28. A coupling system according to claim 27 characterised in that the one or more support legs are provided with locking means to lock the support legs in an in-use position, where the legs are in contact with a floor surface, and an out-of-use position where the legs are out of contact with a floor surface. 29. A coupling system according to claim 20 characterised in that signalling means in the first and/or second unit indicate to a user/driver that one or more support legs are in an in-use position or an out of position. 30. A coupling system according to claim 1 characterised in that the first and/or second coupling means are provided with a cover or covers mounted over the coupling surfaces thereof. 31. A coupling system according to claim 30 characterised in that the cover(s) is/are spring loaded. 32. A vehicle having a coupling system for coupling a tractor unit to a trailer unit, said tractor unit having first coupling means which engage with complementary second coupling means on said trailer unit, said first and second coupling means having one or more service supply lines provided therein and said service supply lines of said first and second coupling means engaging upon mechanical engagement of said first and second coupling means, thereby allowing the supply of services from said tractor unit to said trailer unit and/or vice versa, and characterised in that one of said first or second coupling me ans is provided with one or more annular protrusions on a coupling surface and the other of said coupling means is provided with complementary annular channels on a coupling surface, said annular protrusions engaging with said annular channels upon mechanical engagement of said first and second coupling means, thereby simultaneously or substantially simultaneously allowing the connection and/or communication of at least one of the tractor supply lines with at least one of the trailer supply lines to allow the supply of said service(s) therebetween. 33. A fifth wheel for a tractor unit, said fifth wheel having first coupling means which engage with complementary second coupling means on a trailer unit, said first and second coupling means having one or more service supply lines provided therein and said service supply lines of said first and second coupling means engaging upon mechanical engagement of said first and second coupling means, thereby allowing the supply of services from said tractor unit to said trailer unit and/or vice versa, and characterised in that one of said first or second coupling means is provided with one or more annular protrusions on a coupling surface and the other of said coupling means is provided with complementary annular channels on a coupling surface, said annular protrusions engaging with said annular channels upon mechanical engagement of said first and second coupling means, thereby simultaneously or substantially simultaneously allowing the connection and/or communication of at least one of the tractor supply lines with at least one of the trailer supply lines to allow the supply of said service(s) therebetween. 34. A method of coupling tractor and trailer units together, said method including the steps of positioning said tractor and/or trailer units relative to each other to allow alignment of first coupling means on said tractor unit with second coupling means on said trailer unit, actuating movement means on one of said coupling means to allow linear movement of said one coupling means to the other of said coupling means which is fixedly mounted to couple said means together, and characterised that one of said first or second coupling means is provided with one or more annular protrusions on a coupling surface and the other of said coupling means is provided with complementary annular channels on a coupling surface, said annular protrusions engaging with said annular channels upon mechanical engagement of said first and second coupling means, said engagement of said annular protrusions and grooves affecting connection of at least one service supply line between said tractor and trailer units simultaneously or substantially simultaneously to the mechanical coupling of the tractor and trailer units.
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