bearings

Abstract

A bearing includes an inner ring, an inner bore located inside the inner ring, an outer ring surrounding the outer periphery of the inner ring, and a notch extending axially through the bearing from the outer ring to the inner ring and communicating with the inner bore. The bearing is suitable for use in internally cabled bicycles and can improve the convenience of bicycle maintenance.

Description

bearings Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a bearing, and more particularly to a bearing suitable for installation in an internally cabled bicycle. Prior Technology

[0002] The head tube of a bicycle frame is mainly used to connect the front fork. In order to make the steering of the bicycle's front wheel more stable and smooth, there are usually bearings arranged at intervals between the head tube and the front fork.

[0003] To avoid the appearance of exposed and messy brake and gear cables on bicycles, existing internally routed bicycles conceal these cables within the frame, specifically by running them through the head tube and through the inner bore of the bearing.

[0004] However, when the bearings between the head tube and the fork of the frame are damaged and need to be replaced, on bicycles with internal cable routing, the brake and shifter cables that run through the head tube must be disconnected before the bearings can be removed and replaced. After the bearings are replaced, the cables need to be re-threaded, the brake and shifter cables are threaded through the head tube and through the inner hole of the bearing, and then reconnected to the handlebars, which is quite troublesome. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned deficiencies, the main purpose of this invention is to provide a bearing suitable for use in internal cable-driven bicycles, which eliminates the need to disconnect the brake cable and gear cable from the head tube when the bearing is damaged and needs to be replaced, thus improving maintenance convenience.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the bearing provided by this invention comprises: One inner circle; An inner hole is formed inside the inner ring; An outer ring, which surrounds the outer perimeter of the inner ring; and A notch extends axially through the bearing and extends from the outer circumference of the outer ring to the inner circumference of the inner ring, communicating with the inner bore.

[0007] Because the bearing has a notch that allows the bicycle's brake and shift cables to move in or out of the bearing's inner hole, if the bearing between the head tube and fork of the bicycle frame is damaged and needs to be replaced, it is not necessary to remove the brake and shift cables that pass through the head tube and re-tether them, thus improving the convenience of maintenance. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the present invention installed in a bearing housing. Figure 6 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a limiting bracket installed on the bearing. Figure 7 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the bearing mounted on the head tube of a bicycle frame. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the front fork, brake cable and gear cable passing through the bearing. Figure 9 is a top view of Figure 8. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view along the AA section line in Figure 9. Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the disassembly operation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the removal of the bearing. Implementation

[0009] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4. In a preferred embodiment of the bearing 10 of this novel invention, there is an inner ring 11, an inner hole 12, an outer ring 13, and a notch 14.

[0010] The inner ring 11 has a C-shaped cross-section, the inner hole 12 is formed inside the inner ring 11, the outer ring 13 surrounds the outer periphery of the inner ring 11, and the outer ring 13 has a C-shaped cross-section. The notch 14 axially penetrates the bearing 10, extends from the outer periphery of the outer ring 13 to the inner periphery of the inner ring 11, and communicates with the inner hole 12. The notch 14 forms openings at the opposite ends and outer peripheral surfaces of the bearing 10.

[0011] Specifically, the inner ring 11 and the outer ring 13 are coaxially arranged, and the inner ring 11 can rotate relative to the outer ring 13. A plurality of rolling elements 15 are provided between the inner ring 11 and the outer ring 13. Each rolling element 15 can be a roller or a ball to reduce friction and make it easier for the inner ring 11 to rotate relative to the outer ring 13. A cage can be provided between the inner ring 11 and the outer ring 13 to limit the relative position of the rolling elements 15. The bearing 10 also includes two dust covers 16 located at opposite ends of the bearing 10 to prevent external dust from entering the interior of the bearing 10. The width of the notch 14 can be greater than or equal to 1 mm and less than or equal to 10 mm.

[0012] Preferably, the outer ring 13 of the bearing 10 is provided with a retaining groove 132 on its outer periphery. The retaining groove 132 is recessed along the circumference of the outer ring 13. The bearing 10 also includes a fastener 17, which is fastened into the retaining groove 132 of the outer ring 13. The fastener 17 can be used to maintain the shape of the outer ring 13 and prevent the outer ring 13 from deforming.

[0013] Please refer to Figures 7 to 10. The bearing 10 can be installed between the head tube 511 and the front fork 53 of the bicycle frame 51 as shown in Figures 7 and 8. The brake cable 521 and the gear cable 522 of the bicycle 50 can pass through the inner hole 12 of the bearing 10.

[0014] Specifically, referring to Figures 5 to 7, the bearing 10 can be installed in a bearing housing 20, the bearing 10 can extend into the groove of the bearing housing 20, the outer ring 13 of the bearing 10 mates with the groove of the bearing housing 20, the fastener 17 of the bearing 10 can rest against the top surface of the bearing housing 20, a limiting bracket 30 can be sleeved on the inner ring 11 of the bearing 10, the limiting bracket 30 can be provided with a sleeve hole 32 communicating with the inner hole 12 of the bearing 10, at least one limiting groove 34, and a slot 36 communicating with the sleeve hole 32.

[0015] Please refer to Figures 7 to 10. The bearing 10, the bearing housing 20, and the limiting bracket 30 can be installed at one end of the head tube 511. The fork 53 can be inserted into the head tube 511 from below, and pass through the inner hole 12 of the bearing 10 and be located in the socket hole 32 of the limiting bracket 30. The brake cable 521 and the shift cable 522 can be inserted into the head tube 511, pass through the inner hole 12 of the bearing 10, and be located in the limiting groove 34 of the limiting bracket 30.

[0016] Please refer to Figures 7, 8, 10, and 11. When the bearing 10 is damaged and needs to be replaced, the fork 53 can be pulled out of the head tube 511, and the retainer 30 and the bearing 10 can be removed from the head tube 511. Since the retainer 30 has a slot 36, after the retainer 30 is separated from the inner ring 11 of the bearing 10, the slot 36 of the retainer 30 can be pulled open, allowing the brake cable 521 and the shift cable 522 to pass through the slot 36 of the retainer 30 and separate from the retainer 30. Since the bearing 10 has a notch 14, after the bearing 10 is separated from the bearing housing 20, the bearing 10 can move laterally, allowing the brake cable 521 and the shift cable 522 to pass through the notch 14 and move out of the inner hole 12 of the bearing 10. Therefore, after the bearing 10 is removed, the brake cable 521 and the shift cable 522 are still located inside the head tube 511.

[0017] When installing a new bearing 10, the notch 14 of the bearing 10 can be oriented towards the brake cable 521 and the gear cable 522, allowing the brake cable 521 and the gear cable 522 to pass through the notch 14 of the bearing 10 and move into the inner hole 12 of the bearing 10, and then the bearing 10 can be installed into the bearing housing 20.

[0018] Therefore, if the bearing 10 between the head tube 511 and the fork 53 of the bicycle frame 50 is damaged and needs to be replaced, the brake cable 521 and the shift cable 522 do not need to be disconnected from the head tube 511 and re-wired, thus improving the convenience of maintenance.

[0019] 10: Bearings 11: Inner Circle 12:Inner hole 13: Outer ring 132: Snap-in groove 14: Gap 15: Rolling parts 16: Dust cover 17: Fasteners 20: Bearing housing 30: Limiting bracket 32: Socket 34: Limiting groove 36: Groove 50: Bicycle 51: Chassis 511: Head tube 521: Brake cable 522: Gear Shift Cable 53: Front fork

Claims

1. A bearing comprising an inner ring; an inner bore formed inside the inner ring; an outer ring surrounding the outer periphery of the inner ring; and a notch extending axially through the bearing and extending from the outer periphery of the outer ring to the inner periphery of the inner ring and communicating with the inner bore.

2. The bearing as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of rolling elements are provided between the outer ring and the inner ring.

3. The bearing as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bearing includes two dust covers located at opposite ends of the bearing.

4. The bearing as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the outer ring has a groove on its outer periphery, the groove being recessed along the circumference of the outer ring; and the bearing includes a fastener that engages with the groove in the outer ring.

5. The bearing as described in claim 4, wherein the width of the notch is greater than or equal to 1 millimeter.

6. The bearing as described in claim 5, wherein the width of the notch is greater than or equal to 10 millimeters.

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