IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0118990
(2002-04-09)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
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출원인 / 주소 |
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대리인 / 주소 |
Boyle, Fredrickson, Newholm, Stein & Gratz, S.C.
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
26 인용 특허 :
39 |
초록
▼
A fork mount or clamping assembly for securement to the prongs of a bicycle fork, such as is incorporated into a bicycle carrier. The clamping assembly includes a pair of inner clamping surfaces, and an axial skewer member extends outwardly from the inner clamping surfaces for receiving the fork pro
A fork mount or clamping assembly for securement to the prongs of a bicycle fork, such as is incorporated into a bicycle carrier. The clamping assembly includes a pair of inner clamping surfaces, and an axial skewer member extends outwardly from the inner clamping surfaces for receiving the fork prongs. A fixed front clamping member is engaged with one end of the skewer and is located outwardly of one of the inner clamping surfaces. A movable second clamping member is located outwardly of the other inner clamping surface. An adjustable position actuator arrangement is engaged with the skewer outwardly of the second outer clamping member, and is operable to selectively move the outer clamping members toward and away from each other. The actuator arrangement includes a threaded sleeve engaged with threads formed at one end of the skewer member, in combination with a pivotable cam-type actuator member which is pivotably mounted to the sleeve. The actuator member defines a cam surface that interacts with the second outer clamping member so as to selectively move the outer clamping members toward and away from each other upon pivoting movement of the actuator member. The threaded connection between the sleeve and the skewer member is located within a recess defined by the second outer clamping member, and the first outer clamping member includes an engagement tab received within a slot in the fork prong so as to prevent rotation of the skewer. In this manner, the actuator arrangement can be rotated relative to the skewer so as to adjust its axial position, to accommodate fork prongs of varying thickness. A spring is located between the sleeve and the outer clamping member, to enable the outer clamping member to act as a cam follower, and the spring functions to urge the outer clamping members away from each other.
대표청구항
▼
1. A clamping assembly for a fork having a pair of fork prongs, comprising:a pair of inner clamping surfaces;an elongated skewer member extending between the inner clamping surfaces and outwardly from each inner clamping surface, wherein the skewer member includes a threaded section;a fixed position
1. A clamping assembly for a fork having a pair of fork prongs, comprising:a pair of inner clamping surfaces;an elongated skewer member extending between the inner clamping surfaces and outwardly from each inner clamping surface, wherein the skewer member includes a threaded section;a fixed position first outer clamping member engaged with the skewer member and located outwardly of a first one of the inner clamping surfaces, wherein the threaded section of the skewer member is located outwardly of a second one of the inner clamping surfaces;an axially movable second outer clamping member located outwardly of a second one of the inner clamping surfaces; andan actuator arrangement operable on the second outer clamping member so as to selectively move the first and second outer clamping members together to an operative position in which one of the fork prongs is clamped between the first outer clamping member and the first inner clamping surface, and a second one of the fork prongs is clamped between the second outer clamping member and the second inner clamping surface, and to an inoperative position in which the first and second fork prongs are released from engagement between the first and second outer clamping members and the respective first and second inner clamping surfaces;wherein the actuator arrangement includes a connector member threadedly engaged with the threaded section of the skewer member, and an actuator member mounted to the connector member, wherein operation of the actuator member moves the second outer clamping member between the operative and inoperative positions, and wherein rotation of the connector member and the actuator member is operable to adjust the axial position of the connector member, and thereby the actuator member, relative to the fixed position first outer clamping member. 2. The clamping assembly of claim 1, wherein the clamping assembly forms a part of a bicycle carrier and wherein the first and second inner clamping surfaces are defined by a fork mount section of the bicycle carrier. 3. The clamping assembly of claim 2, wherein the actuator arrangement comprises a cam-type actuator member pivotably mounted to the connector member for movement about a pivot axis extending substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis defined by the skewer member and the connector member. 4. The clamping assembly of claim 3, further comprising a lock arrangement interposed between the second outer clamping member and the cam-type actuator member for selectively maintaining the actuator member in an engaged position in which the clamping members are placed in the operative position. 5. The clamping assembly of claim 2, wherein the first outer clamping member includes engagement structure adapted to be received within a slot defined by a first one of the fork prongs when the fork prongs are engaged with the skewer member, for preventing rotation of the skewer member. 6. A clamping assembly for a bicycle carrier for carrying a bicycle having a fork defining a pair of fork prongs, comprising:a fork mount section having first and second inner clamping surfaces;an elongated skewer member extending between the inner clamping surfaces and outwardly from each inner clamping surface;a fixed position first outer clamping member engaged with the skewer member and located outwardly of the first inner clamping surface;an axially movable second outer clamping member interconnected with the skewer member and located outwardly of the second inner clamping surface;a connector member extending outwardly from the skewer member;wherein the second outer clamping member is interconnected with the skewer member via mating threads provided on the skewer member and on the connector member; andan actuator arrangement engaged with the connector member and operable on the second outer clamping member so as to selectively move the first and second outer clamping members together to an operative position in which a first one of the fo rk prongs is clamped between the first outer clamping member and the first inner clamping surface, and a second one of the fork prongs is clamped between the second outer clamping member and the second inner clamping surface, and to an inoperative position in which the first and second fork prongs are released from engagement between the first and second outer clamping members and the respective first and second inner clamping surfaces;wherein the actuator arrangement comprises a cam-type actuator member pivotably mounted to the connector member for movement about a pivot axis extending substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis defined by the skewer member and the connector member; andwherein the connector member and the second outer clamping member are axially movable relative to each other, and further comprising a biasing member interposed between the connector member and the second outer clamping member for urging the second outer clamping member into engagement with a cam surface defined by the cam-type actuator member. 7. The clamping assembly of claim 6, wherein the second outer clamping member defines an internal cavity which receives an inner portion of the connector member, wherein the biasing member is disposed within the internal cavity and bears between the second outer clamping member and the inner portion of the connector member, and wherein the cam-type actuator member is pivotably mounted to an outer portion of the connector member located outwardly of the internal cavity defined by the second outer clamping member. 8. A clamping assembly for a fork having a pair of fork prongs, comprising:a pair of inner clamping surfaces;an elongated skewer member extending between the inner clamping surfaces and outwardly from each of the inner clamping surfaces, wherein the elongated skewer member includes a threaded section;a first outer clamping member engaged with the skewer member and located outwardly of a first one of the inner clamping surfaces;a second outer clamping member interconnected with the skewer member and located outwardly of a second one of the inner clamping surfaces; andan adjustable actuator arrangement interconnected with the skewer member, wherein the adjustable actuator arrangement includes a threaded connector engaged with the threaded section of the elongated skewer member, and an actuator member movably mounted to the threaded connector, wherein rotation of the threaded connector and the actuator provides axial adjustment of the actuator arrangement relative to the skewer member, wherein movement of the actuator member is operable to selectively move the first and second outer c together and apart so as to selectively clamp the fork prongs between the inner clamping surfaces and the first and second outer clamping members;wherein the first outer clamping member includes engagement structure which is adapted to be received within a slot defined by one of the fork prongs so as to prevent rotation of the skewer member and to allow rotation of the actuator arrangement relative to the skewer member so as to adjust the axial position of the actuator arrangement relative to the skewer member. 9. The clamping assembly of claim 10, wherein the second outer clamping member defines an inwardly facing clamping surface, and wherein the engagement structure comprises a tab member extending inwardly from the inwardly facing clamping surface toward the first inner clamping surface. 10. The clamping assembly of claim 8, wherein the threaded connector comprises a sleeve member engaged with the threaded section of the skewer member, and wherein the actuator member is pivotably interconnected with the sleeve member via a pivot connection, wherein the actuator member includes cam structure operable on the second outer clamping member so as to selectively move the first and second outer clamping members together and apart upon pivoting movement of the actuator member. 11. The clamping assembly of claim 10, wher ein the second outer clamping member defines a cavity within which the threaded section of the skewer member is received, wherein the sleeve member extends into the cavity for engagement with the threaded section of the skewer member, and wherein the actuator member is pivotably interconnected with an outer portion of the sleeve member located outwardly of the internal cavity defined by the second outer clamping member. 12. A clamping assembly for a fork having a pair of fork prongs, comprising:a pair of inner clamping surfaces;an elongated skewer member extending between the inner clamping surfaces and outwardly from each of the inner clamping surfaces;a first outer clamping member engaged with the skewer member and located outwardly of a first one of the inner clamping surfaces;a second outer clamping member interconnected with the skewer member and located outwardly of a second one of the inner clamping surfaces, wherein the second outer clamping member defines a cavity; andan adjustable actuator arrangement interconnected with the skewer member via a threaded connection for enabling axial adjustment of the actuator arrangement relative to the skewer member, wherein the actuator arrangement is operable to selectively move the first and second outer clamping members together and apart so as to selectively clamp the fork prongs between the inner clamping surfaces and the first and second outer clamping members, wherein the actuator arrangement comprises a threaded sleeve member engaged with a threaded portion of the skewer member, in combination with an actuator member pivotably interconnected with the sleeve member via a pivot connection, wherein the actuator member includes cam structure operable on the second outer clamping member so as to selectively move the first and second outer clamping members together and apart upon pivoting movement of the actuator member;wherein the threaded portion of the skewer member is received within the cavity defined by the second outer clamping member, and wherein the sleeve member extends into the cavity for engagement with the threaded portion of the skewer member, and wherein the actuator member is pivotably interconnected with an outer portion of the sleeve member located outwardly of the cavity defined by the second outer clamping member;wherein the first outer clamping member includes engagement structure which is adapted to be received within a slot defined by one of the fork prongs so as to prevent rotation of the skewer member and to allow rotation of the actuator arrangement relative to the skewer member so as to adjust the axial position of the actuator arrangement relative to the skewer member; anda spring located within the cavity defined by the second outer clamping member and interposed between the second outer clamping member and the inner portion of the sleeve member, for biasing the sleeve member into the cavity and thereby biasing the first and second outer clamping members apart from each other. 13. A clamping assembly for a fork having a pair of fork prongs, comprising:a pair of inner clamping surfaces;an elongated skewer member extending between the inner clamping surfaces and outwardly from each of the inner clamping surfaces, wherein the elongated skewer member includes a threaded section;a first outer clamping member interconnected with the skewer member and located outwardly of a first one of the inner clamping surfaces;a second outer clamping member interconnected with the skewer member and located outwardly of a second one of the inner clamping surfaces; andan adjustable position actuator arrangement interconnected with the skewer member, including an internal engagement arrangement interposed between the actuator arrangement and the skewer member, and wherein the actuator arrangement includes a movable actuator member which is operable to selectively move the first and second outer clamping members toward and away from each other;wherein the internal engagement arrangement includes a threaded connector member engaged with the threaded section of the skewer member, wherein the actuator member is carried by the threaded connector member and wherein rotation of the threaded connector member and the actuator member is operable to adjust the position of the connector member, and thereby the actuator member, relative to the skewer member. 14. The clamping assembly of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the connector member is located within a cavity defined by the second outer clamping member. is located within a cavity defined by the second outer clamping member. 15. The clamping assembly of claim 14, wherein the connector member defines an inner portion located within the cavity of the second outer clamping member, in combination with an outer portion extending outwardly therefrom, wherein the actuator member is pivotably interconnected with the outer portion of the connector member. 16. The clamping assembly of claim 15, wherein the connector member is received within a space defined between a pair of cam members forming a part of the actuator member, wherein the actuator member is pivotable about a pivot axis defined by a pivot pin extending between the cam members and through a passage defined by the outer portion of the connector member. 17. A clamping assembly for a fork having a pair of fork prongs, comprising:a pair of inner clamping surfaces;an elongated skewer member extending between the inner clamping surfaces and outwardly from each of the inner clamping surfaces;a first outer clamping member interconnected with the skewer member and located outwardly of a first one of the inner clamping surfaces;a second outer clamping member interconnected with the skewer member and located outwardly of a second one of the inner clamping surfaces; andan adjustable position actuator arrangement interconnected with the skewer member, including an internal engagement arrangement interposed between the actuator arrangement and the skewer member, and wherein the actuator arrangement includes a movable actuator member which is operable to selectively move the first and second outer clamping members toward and away from each other, wherein the actuator arrangement includes a connector member engaged with the skewer member via an adjustable position connection arrangement which is located within a cavity defined by the second outer clamping member, wherein the adjustable position connection arrangement comprises threaded engagement structure between the connector member and the skewer member so as to enable the actuator arrangement to be axially moved relative to the skewer member by rotation of the actuator arrangement relative to the skewer member;wherein the connector member defines an inner portion located within the internal cavity of the second outer clamping member, in combination with an outer portion extending outwardly therefrom, wherein the actuator member is pivotably interconnected with the outer portion of the connector member; anda biasing member interposed between the second outer clamping member and the inner portion of the connector member for urging the connector member inwardly toward the internal cavity of the second outer clamping member, and thereby urging the first outer clamping member away from the second outer clamping member by urging axial movement of the skewer member relative to the second outer clamping member.
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