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:
a first and second dropout, each dropout comprising:
a split-clamp pinch bearing having an opening formed therethrough;
at least a portion of said opening is threaded on one of said first dropout or said second dropout; and
an actuator pivoted to the bearing for operation thereof;
an axle disposed through the openings of said first and second dropout, said axle comprising:
a threaded first end engaged with a threaded portion of said opening; and
a tool receiving portion at a second end,
wherein the bearing tightly engages an outer surface of the axle in a 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 tool receiving portion has a diameter larger than a rest of the axle.
7. The suspension of claim 1 , wherein the tool receiving portion comprises opposing wings extending outward from a longitudinal axis of the axle.
8. The suspension of claim 1 , wherein the tool receiving portion receives an external tool for providing rotational movement to the axle.