IP Library Granted Patent US 11,872,843
Granted Patent B2
US 11,872,843 · App. 17/228,369 · Granted Jan 16, 2024

Axle adapter assembly

Inventor: William M. Becker (Aptos, CA)
Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
B60B35/004B62K25/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,872,843
App. No.
17/228,369
Granted
Jan 16, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

An axle adapter assembly, configured for enabling conversion of an axle installed on a vehicle to fit different center bore sizes of wheel hubs, including: an axle configured for coupling dropouts of fork legs of a lower fork; adapters configured for being inserted within the dropouts; the adapters configured for engaging an outer surface of the axle and retaining the axle upon engagement; and axle pinch shims configured for being inserted into slits of the dropouts and the adapters, wherein upon the insertion, the adapters are aligned with the dropouts, such that shoulders of the adapters retain edges of a wheel hub of the wheel hubs.

Claims (21)

1. An adapter assembly configured for conversion of an axle installed on a vehicle to fit different center bore sizes of wheel hubs, said adapter assembly comprises:

an axle configured for coupling dropouts of fork legs of a lower fork;

adapters configured for being inserted within the dropouts and engaging an outer surface of the axle and retaining the axle upon engagement; and

axle pinch shims configured for being inserted into slits of the dropouts and the adapters, wherein upon the insertion, the adapters are aligned with the dropouts, such that shoulders of the adapters retain edges of a wheel hub of the wheel hubs.

2. The adapter assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a first adapter and a second adapter comprise a tube configured for insertion within dropouts of said fork legs, said tube comprising:

a lengthwise slit formed along a longitudinal axis of said tube from a first end to a second end, wherein said lengthwise slit is configured for receiving a hanging tab of one of said axle pinch shims to position said tube with said dropout such that a lip extension holds said edge of said wheel hub during at least one of installation and removal of said axle; and

a set of axle pinch shims, wherein each axle pinch shim of said set of axle pinch shim comprises:

a width and a length, said width configured for enabling said each axle pinch shim to be disposed within an opening of said dropout, said length having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, wherein said dropout comprises:

a split-clamp pinch bearing defining said opening, said split-clamp pinch bearing comprising:

a first opposing clamp end; and

a second opposing clamp end, wherein said first opposing clamp end and said second opposing clamp end comprises aligned pinch bolt holes configured for receiving pinch bolts; and

axle pinch shim bolt holes disposed in said first side of said length of said axle pinch shim and aligned with said pinch bolt holes, said axle pinch shim bolt holes configured for receiving said pinch bolts.

3. The adapter assembly of claim 2 , wherein said lengthwise slit comprises:

a jogging pattern disposed at a second end of said tube, wherein said jogging pattern is configured for limiting lateral movement of said axle pinch shim.

4. The adapter assembly of claim 3 , wherein a first adapter of said set of adapters comprises a diameter measurement that is different than a second adapter of said set of adapters.

5. The adapter assembly of claim 3 , wherein said second side of said length of said each axle pinch shim comprises:

a hanging tab configured for being inserted into said lengthwise slit, such that said hanging tab prevents at least a rotational movement of said each adapter during said at least one of installation and removal of said axle.

6. The axle adapter assembly of claim 5 , wherein a first hanging tab of a first axle pinch shim of said set of axle pinch shims is of a different shape from a second hanging tab of a second axle pinch shim of said set of axle pinch shims.

7. The axle adapter assembly of claim 3 , wherein a second end of said axle comprises:

a turn mechanism configured for receiving a turning tool, whereupon said axle rotates upon a turning of said turning tool.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 27, 2025
From: FOX FACTORY, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 073270/0027 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 5, 2022
From: FOX FACTORY, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 059616/0435 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 12, 2021
From: BECKER, WILLIAM M.
To: FOX FACTORY, INC.
Reel/Frame 055993/0244 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 16204669 · Nov 29, 2018
Continuation 15827631 · Nov 30, 2017
Continuation 14987616 · Jan 4, 2016
Continuation In Part 14323934 · Jul 3, 2014
Related Publication 20210229492A1 · Jul 29, 2021