Bicycle steering fork bearing system
US5332245A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 26, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jul 26, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 26, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/7056
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In bicycles that have the front fork and handle bars attached to a steering tube that rotates within a frame mounted head tube, a bearing system wherein a compression ring slides over and about the steering tube to trap the bearing against the head tube. Lock nuts surround the tapered compression ring so that when they are threaded together they squeeze the ring against the steering tube. Threads or barbs on the inside of the ring dig into the steering tube to resist movement away from the bearing and allow the ring to be moved against the bearing and establish a proper bearing end load. Further tightening of the lock nuts holds the ring permanently in place.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.