Axles, such as for bicycles
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-damp 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. An axle assembly configured to be disposed within an opening of a first split-clamp pinch bearing of a first dropout of a suspension fork and within an opening of a second split-clamp pinch bearing of said suspension fork, said axle assembly comprising:
an axle body, said axle body comprising:
threads configured to be engaged with threads disposed on at least a portion of an interior surface of said first split-clamp pinch bearing; and
a grip portion; and
wherein said first split-clamp pinch bearing and said second split-clamp pinch bearing are configured, when in a locked position, to clamp said axle body within said first split-clamp pinch bearing and within said second split-clamp pinch bearing, thereby preventing said axle body from un-threading from said first split-clamp pinch bearing.
2. The axle assembly of claim 1 , wherein said axle body is comprised of aluminum.
3. The axle assembly of claim 1 , wherein said axle body has a bore formed therethrough.
4. The axle assembly of claim 1 , wherein said grip portion has a diameter which is larger than a diameter of said axle body.
5. The axle assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a lever coupled to said grip portion.
6. The axle assembly of claim 5 , wherein said grip portion further comprises:
a recess formed in said grip portion for stowing said lever.
7. The axle assembly of claim 1 , wherein said axle body is a one piece continuous axle body.
8. The axle assembly of claim 1 , wherein said axle body further comprises:
said threads disposed on a threaded first end of said axle body, said threaded first end of said axle body having a first diameter, said threaded first end of said axle body configured to be engaged with said threads disposed on said at least a portion of said interior surface of said first split-clamp pinch bearing opening; and
a second end having a diameter which is larger than said first diameter of said threaded first end of said axle body.
9. The axle assembly of claim 1 , wherein said grip portion further comprises:
a tool receiving portion for receiving an external tool.
10. The axle assembly of claim 9 , wherein said tool receiving portion has a diameter which is larger than a diameter of said axle body.
11. The axle assembly of claim 9 , wherein said tool receiving portion is configured to receive an external tool for providing rotational movement to said axle body.
12. The axle assembly of claim 9 , wherein said tool receiving portion comprises:
opposing wings extending outward from a longitudinal axis of said axle body.
13. The axle assembly of claim 12 , wherein said external tool comprises a lever pivotably coupled with one of said opposing wings.
14. The axle assembly of claim 13 , wherein said lever is pivotable from a first position extending over and crossing a longitudinal axis of said axle body, and wherein said lever extends inwardly from said opposing wings.
15. The axle assembly of claim 13 , wherein said lever is pivotable with respect to one of said opposing wings, and wherein said lever extends outwardly from said one of said opposing wings into a position enabling a user to rotate said axle body.