Axles, such as for bicycles
View Patent ↗A suspension for a two-wheeled vehicle includes first and second fork legs. Each fork leg includes a dropout. Each dropout has an opening therethrough. At least a portion of one of the openings is threaded. Each of the dropouts includes a split-clamp pinch bearing defining the opening and operable between an open position and a locked position, and a hand operable actuator pivoted to the bearing for operation thereof. The suspension further includes a one-piece axle. The axle is disposed through the openings. The axle has a threaded first end engaged with the threaded portion. The axle has an ergonomic grip formed at a second end. The bearing tightly engages an outer surface of the axle in the locked position, thereby rotationally coupling the axle to the dropout.
1. A suspension for a two-wheeled vehicle, comprising:
first and second fork legs, each fork leg comprising a dropout, each dropout having an opening therethrough,
wherein at least a portion of one of the openings is threaded, and
wherein each of the dropouts comprises:
a split-clamp pinch bearing defining the opening and operable between an open position and a locked position, and
a hand operable actuator pivoted to the bearing for operation thereof; and
a one-piece axle:
disposed through the openings,
having a threaded first end engaged with the threaded portion, and
having an ergonomic grip formed at a second end,
wherein the bearing tightly engages an outer surface of the axle in the locked position, thereby rotationally coupling the axle to the dropout.
2. The suspension of claim 1 , wherein the bearing is a bearing surface.
3. The suspension of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a lever.
4. The suspension of claim 1 , wherein the axle is made from aluminum.
5. The suspension of claim 1 , wherein the axle has a bore formed therethrough.
6. The suspension of claim 1 , wherein the grip has a diameter larger than the rest of the axle.
7. The suspension of claim 1 , wherein the grip comprises opposing wings extending outward from a longitudinal axis of the axle.
8. The suspension of claim 1 , further comprising a lever pivoted to the grip.
9. The suspension of claim 8 , wherein the grip has a recess for stowing the lever.
10. The suspension of claim 1 , wherein the grip has a tool receiving portion for receiving an external tool.
11. A suspension for a two-wheeled vehicle, comprising:
first and second fork legs, each fork leg comprising a dropout, each dropout having an opening therethrough,
wherein at least a portion of one of the openings is threaded, and
wherein at least one of the dropouts comprises:
a split-clamp pinch bearing defining the opening and operable between an open position and a locked position, and
a hand operable actuator pivoted to the bearing for operation thereof;
a one-piece axle:
disposed through the openings,
having a threaded first end engaged with the threaded portion, and
having an ergonomic grip formed at a second end,
wherein the bearing tightly engages an outer surface of the axle in the locked position, thereby rotationally coupling the axle to the dropout; and
a lever pivoted to the grip.
12. The suspension of claim 11 , wherein the bearing is a bearing surface.
13. The suspension of claim 11 , wherein the grip has a recess for stowing the lever.
14. The suspension of claim 11 , wherein the actuator comprises a second lever.
15. The suspension of claim 11 , wherein the axle is made from aluminum.
16. The suspension of claim 11 , wherein the axle has a bore formed therethrough.
17. The suspension of claim 11 , wherein the grip has a diameter larger than the rest of the axle.
18. The suspension of claim 11 , wherein the grip comprises opposing wings extending outward from a longitudinal axis of the axle.