Folding locking type front fork and folding bicycle

Abstract

The utility model discloses a folding locking type front fork and a folding bicycle. The front fork comprises a front fork support and a front fork stand pipe. The upper end of the front fork support is provided with a mandrel and a fixing rod located on one side of the mandrel, the mandrel is provided with a shaft hole and a plurality of locking rods arranged around the peripheral side of the shaft hole, and the fixing rod and each locking rod are sleeved with springs. A shaft sleeve is arranged at the lower end of the front fork stand pipe, a fixing hole is formed in the end face of the shaft sleeve, a partition is arranged in the shaft sleeve, and a center hole, a first lock hole and a second lock hole are formed in the partition and located on the outer side of the center hole. The mandrel is inserted into the shaft sleeve pipe, and the mandrel is rotatably connected with the shaft sleeve pipe through a first rotating shaft penetrating through the shaft hole and the central hole; when the tail end of the lock rod is inserted into the first lock hole and the tail end of the fixed rod is inserted into the fixed hole, the front fork is locked in a folded state; and when the tail end of the lock rod is inserted into the second lock hole and the fixed rod is separated from the fixed hole, the front fork is locked in an unfolded state. The front fork has the advantages of being simple in structure, easy to assemble, reliable in work and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of bicycle technology, and in particular to a folding locking front fork and a folding bicycle. Background Technology

[0002] Chinese patent CN202422031385X discloses a front fork folding structure, specifically including: a front fork assembly having a first transverse shaft tube; a handlebar mounting tube having a second transverse shaft tube, the inner wall of which is provided with a second limiting groove; a rotating shaft; a slider, limited on the rotating shaft, having a switchable first position and a second position on the rotating shaft; an elastic element disposed at one end of the slider; when the slider is in the first position on the rotating shaft, the slider engages with the second limiting groove for axial rotation locking; when the slider is in the second position on the rotating shaft, the slider separates from the second limiting groove for axial rotation unlocking, so that the front fork assembly can be rotated and folded or unfolded relative to the handlebar mounting tube. This technical solution has the following shortcomings:

[0003] 1. Since the slide block with a spline sleeve is axially locked to the first or second limiting groove by the elastic element, the manufacturing process of the slide block with the spline sleeve and the first and second limiting grooves with the spline groove is relatively complex. At the same time, the number of components is relatively large, which makes it difficult to assemble and maintain later.

[0004] 2. One end of the rotating shaft is fixedly connected to the first cross shaft tube by a screw element (nut). During the switching operation of folding and unfolding the bicycle front wheel using the front fork assembly, the front fork drives the rotating shaft to rotate repeatedly, which can easily cause the screw element screwed at the end of the rotating shaft to fall off, thereby causing the front fork assembly to separate from the handlebar mounting tube, which poses a potential safety hazard. Utility Model Content

[0005] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art, and proposes a folding locking front fork that is simple in structure, easy to assemble and reliable in operation, as well as a folding bicycle that implements the folding locking front fork.

[0006] This utility model proposes a folding locking front fork, including a front fork bracket and a front fork stem. The upper end of the front fork bracket is provided with a spindle and a fixing rod located on one side of the spindle. The spindle has a shaft hole and multiple locking rods arranged around the shaft hole. Each locking rod and the fixing rod is fitted with a spring so that the fixing rod and the locking rod can extend and retract relative to the spindle in the direction of the shaft hole. The lower end of the front fork stem has a bushing tube with a fixing hole on its end face. The bushing tube has a partition inside, and a central hole, a first locking hole, and a second locking hole located outside the central hole are provided on the partition. The spindle is inserted into the bushing tube, and the spindle and the bushing tube are rotatably connected by a first rotating shaft passing through the shaft hole and the central hole. When the end of the locking rod is inserted into the first locking hole and the end of the fixing rod is inserted into the fixing hole, the front fork is locked in a folded state. When the end of the locking rod is inserted into the second locking hole and the fixing rod is separated from the fixing hole, the front fork is locked in an unfolded state.

[0007] Compared with existing technologies, this utility model has the following advantages: The front fork disclosed in this utility model utilizes multiple locking rods that engage with either the first or second locking hole in both the unfolded and folded states to lock the front fork bracket to the front fork stem. This ensures the front fork remains structurally secure in both unfolded and folded states, contributing to a robust and reliable structure that prevents loosening and enhances user convenience. Furthermore, the overall structure of the front fork is simple, facilitating assembly and subsequent disassembly and maintenance. It contains no complex or difficult-to-process parts, making it easy to manufacture and resulting in lower production costs.

[0008] In some preferred embodiments, the mandrel is provided with multiple mounting holes, and the fixing rod and each locking rod are respectively sleeved with a spring and inserted into one of the mounting holes, and one end of the fixing rod and the locking rod extend out of the outer side of the mandrel facing away from the front fork upright.

[0009] In some preferred embodiments, an arc-shaped guide groove is provided on the partition between the first keyhole and the second keyhole.

[0010] In some preferred embodiments, the outer wall of the bushing is provided with a clearance groove, and the fixing rod is located in the clearance groove when the fork bracket is in the unfolded state relative to the fork riser.

[0011] In some preferred embodiments, one end of the first rotating shaft is fixedly connected to the mandrel, and the other end of the first rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the bushing.

[0012] In some preferred embodiments, the folding locking fork further includes a handle portion, one end of which is connected to the end of a fixing rod and a locking rod via a pin.

[0013] In some preferred embodiments, a receiving groove for accommodating the handle portion is provided on the outer side of the fork bracket, and the handle portion is located in the receiving groove.

[0014] In some preferred embodiments, when the handle portion is located within the receiving slot, the outer side of the handle portion does not protrude beyond the outer side of the fork bracket.

[0015] In some preferred embodiments, an operating position is provided between the side of the fork bracket and the end of the handlebar to facilitate operation of the handlebar.

[0016] This utility model also discloses a folding bicycle, including a frame, a front wheel assembly and a rear wheel assembly connected to the frame. The front wheel assembly includes a front wheel hub and the aforementioned folding locking front fork, wherein the front wheel hub is fixedly connected to the lower end of the front fork bracket, and the upper end of the front fork seat tube is inserted into and connected to the head tube of the frame.

[0017] To address the technical problems existing in the prior art, this utility model discloses a safe folding bicycle, including a frame, a front wheel assembly, and a rear wheel assembly. The front wheel assembly includes a front wheel hub and a front fork connected to the front wheel hub. The front fork includes a front fork bracket fixedly connected to the front wheel hub and a front fork stem connected to the head tube of the frame. The upper end of the front fork bracket is provided with a spindle, and the lower end of the front fork stem is provided with a bushing, with the spindle inserted inside the bushing. A first rotating shaft is fixedly connected to the spindle at its first end, passes through the bushing, and its second end is rotatably connected to the bushing via a bearing.

[0018] This invention rotatably connects the second end of the first rotating shaft to the bushing via a bearing. During the folding and unfolding switching operation of the front wheel assembly relative to the frame, as the first rotating shaft repeatedly rotates with the front fork bracket relative to the bushing, although the inner ring of the bearing fixedly connected to the second end of the first rotating shaft rotates with the first rotating shaft, the outer ring of the bearing fixedly connected to the bushing does not rotate with the first rotating shaft. Thus, the bearing will not fall off during long-term use, eliminating the potential safety hazard of the spindle and bushing possibly separating, and improving the safety of using folding bicycles.

[0019] In some preferred embodiments, the bearing is concealed and fixed inside the bushing.

[0020] In some preferred embodiments, the first end of the first rotating shaft and the mandrel are integrally formed.

[0021] In some preferred embodiments, the mandrel has a shaft hole, a first rotating shaft passes through the shaft hole, and the first end of the first rotating shaft is limitedly connected to the mandrel.

[0022] In some preferred embodiments, a fixing rod is located on one side of the spindle, and multiple locking rods are provided around the first rotating shaft on the spindle. Each fixing rod and each locking rod is fitted with a spring. The end face of the bushing has a fixing hole, and a partition is provided inside the bushing. A central hole, a first locking hole, and a second locking hole located outside the central hole are provided on the partition. When the end of the locking rod is inserted into the first locking hole and the end of the fixing rod is inserted into the fixing hole, the fork is locked in the folded state. When the end of the locking rod is inserted into the second locking hole and the fixing rod is separated from the fixing hole, the fork is locked in the unfolded state. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a 3D structural diagram of a folding locking fork in its unfolded state.

[0024] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of a folding locking fork.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the handle and the folding bracket.

[0026] Figure 4 This is one of the structural diagrams of the front fork riser.

[0027] Figure 5 This is the second schematic diagram of the front fork riser.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a 3D structural diagram of a folding locking fork in its folded state.

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the front wheel hub being assembled to the bicycle frame via a folding locking fork.

[0030] The components in the diagram have the following meanings: 1. Frame; 12. Head tube; 2. Front wheel assembly; 21. Front wheel hub; 22. Front fork; 221. Front fork bracket; 2211. Receiving slot; 2212. Operating position; 222. Front fork riser; 223. Spindle; 224. Fixing rod; 225. Locking rod; 226. Bushing; 2260. Partition; 2261. Fixing hole; 2262. Center hole; 2263. First locking hole; 2264. Second locking hole; 2265. Guide groove; 2266. Clearance groove; 2267. Bearing; 227. Handle section; 2271. Pivot seat; 228. Pin; 61. First rotating shaft. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by this application to achieve its intended purpose, the specific implementation methods, structures, features, and effects according to this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. In the following description, different "an embodiment" or "an embodiment" do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, specific features, structures, or characteristics in one or more embodiments can be combined in any suitable form.

[0032] This invention proposes a folding locking front fork (hereinafter referred to as "front fork") for use in folding bicycles. The front fork has a switchable folded state and an unfolded state, so as to use the folding locking front fork to fold and lock or unfold and lock the front wheel assembly relative to the frame.

[0033] Combination Figures 1-6 As shown, the front fork 22 specifically includes a front fork bracket 221 and a front fork stem 222; the front fork bracket 221 and the front fork stem 222 are rotatably connected. The front fork bracket 221 has an unfolded state relative to the front fork stem 222 corresponding to the bicycle's riding position (see...). Figure 1 As shown), and after rotating the fork bracket 221 by a preset angle from the unfolded state to switch to the folded state, see Figure 6 As shown, when the fork is folded, the front wheel assembly of the corresponding folding bicycle is in a folded and locked state relative to the frame.

[0034] The upper end of the front fork bracket 221 is provided with a spindle 223 and a fixing rod 224 located on one side of the spindle 223. The spindle 223 has a shaft hole and multiple locking rods 225 arranged around the shaft hole. The fixing rod 224 and each locking rod 225 are fitted with a spring so that the fixing rod 224 and the locking rod 225 can extend and retract relative to the spindle 221 in the direction of the shaft hole.

[0035] The lower end of the front fork riser 222 has a bushing 226, the end face of the bushing 226 has a fixing hole 2261, the bushing 226 has a partition 2260 inside, and a central hole 2262, a first locking hole 2263 and a second locking hole 2264 located outside the central hole 2262 are provided on the partition 2260.

[0036] When assembling the fork bracket 221 and the fork riser 222 in a rotatable connection, the spindle 223 of the fork bracket 221 is inserted into the bushing 226 of the fork riser 222, and the first rotating shaft 61 passes through the shaft hole of the spindle 223 and the center hole 2262 of the bushing 226, so that the spindle 221 and the bushing 226 are rotatably connected by the first rotating shaft 61.

[0037] like Figure 1 When the fork is in the unfolded state, the fixing rod 224 disengages from the fixing hole 2261, and the end of the locking rod 225 is inserted into the second locking hole 2264 for locking, so that the fork 22 is locked in the folded state.

[0038] like Figure 6 As shown, in the unfolded state, a pulling force is applied to the ends of the fixing rod 224 and locking rod 225 in the direction away from the bushing 226, causing the corresponding spring to be further compressed. The end of the locking rod 225 disengages from the second locking hole 2264. At this time, the fork bracket 221 rotates appropriately relative to the fork stem 222 about the first rotating shaft 61. After the fork bracket 221 rotates by a preset angle, the end of the locking rod 225 moves from the second locking hole 2264 to be inserted into the first locking hole 2263, so that the fork bracket 221 and the fork stem 222 are relatively locked. At this time, the end of the fixing rod 224 is also aligned and inserted into the fixing hole 2261, so that the spindle 223 of the fork bracket 221 and the bushing 226 of the fork stem 222 are fixedly connected, thus moving the fork from... Figure 1 The unfolded state shown has been switched to Figure 6 The folded state shown.

[0039] Switching the fork from the folded state to the unfolded state is also a corresponding operation; the difference is that the fork bracket 221 rotates in the opposite direction to the fork stem 222.

[0040] Therefore, it can be seen that the front fork disclosed in this utility model uses multiple locking rods 225 to cooperate with the first locking hole 2263 or the second locking hole 2264 respectively in both the unfolded and folded states to lock the front fork bracket 221 and the front fork stem 222. This ensures that the front fork is in a structurally secure locked state in both the unfolded and folded states, which helps to ensure that the bicycle has a solid and reliable structure in both the unfolded and folded states, making it less prone to loosening and convenient for users.

[0041] In addition, multiple mounting holes are provided on the spindle 223. The fixing rod 224 and each locking rod 225 are respectively sleeved with springs and inserted into one of the mounting holes. One end of the fixing rod 224 and the locking rod 225 extends out of the outer side of the spindle 223 away from the front fork upright tube 22, which makes the installation of the fixing rod 224 and the locking rod 225 onto the spindle 223 simple and convenient for assembly and subsequent maintenance and disassembly.

[0042] An arc-shaped guide groove 2265 is provided on the partition 2260 between the first locking hole 2263 and the second locking hole 2264. When the front fork switches between the unfolded and folded states, the arc-shaped guide groove 2265 provides path guidance for the end of the locking lever 225, ensuring that the end of the locking lever 225 can accurately switch between the first locking hole 2263 and the second locking hole 2264.

[0043] In addition, a clearance groove 2266 is provided on the outer wall of the bushing 226. When the fork is in the unfolded state, the fixing rod 224 is located in the clearance groove 2266. The clearance groove 2266 is provided to avoid interference between the outer wall of the bushing 226 and the fixing rod 224, so that the fork can switch from the unfolded state to the folded state more smoothly.

[0044] Combination Figure 7 As shown, one end of the first rotating shaft 61 is fixedly connected to the spindle 223, and the other end of the first rotating shaft 61 is rotatably connected to the bushing 226.

[0045] To facilitate switching between the unfolded and folded states of the fork, the folding locking fork also includes a handle portion 227, one end of which is connected to the ends of the fixing rod 224 and the locking rod 225 via a pin 228.

[0046] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the fixed rod 224 and the locking rod 225 extend toward the end of the spindle 223 towards the front fork stem tube 222, and each is provided with a corresponding connecting hole; one end of the handle part 227 is provided with a plurality of pivot seats 2271, and the pin 228 passes through the pivot seats 2271 and each connecting hole, so that one end of the handle part 227 is simultaneously fixedly connected to the ends of the fixed rod 224 and the locking rod 225 by means of the pin 228.

[0047] Therefore, when the handle 227 is rotated, the fixing rod 224 and the locking rod 225 can be operated simultaneously, causing the fixing rod 224 and the locking rod 225 to move away from the bushing 226, thereby disengaging the fixing rod 224 from the fixing hole 2261 and disengaging the locking rod 225 from the first locking hole 2263 or the second locking hole 2264. When the handle 227 is released, the fixing rod 224 and the locking rod 225 automatically move towards the bushing 226 under the elastic action of their respective sleeve springs.

[0048] In order to prevent the handle portion 227 from protruding out of the surface of the fork bracket 221 and causing the fork to malfunction due to accidental operation of the handle during use, a receiving groove 2211 for accommodating the handle portion is provided on the outer side of the fork bracket 221. The handle portion 227 is located in the receiving groove 2211 so that the outer side of the handle portion 227 does not protrude from the outer side of the fork bracket 221.

[0049] In addition, an operation position 2212 is provided between the side of the fork bracket 221 and the end of the handle 227 to facilitate operation of the handle 227.

[0050] Combined again Figure 7As shown, this utility model also discloses a folding bicycle, including a frame 1, a front wheel assembly 2 and a rear wheel assembly (not shown) connected to the frame 1. The front wheel assembly 2 includes a front wheel hub 21 and the aforementioned folding locking front fork 22. The front wheel hub 21 is fixedly connected to the lower end of the front fork bracket 221, and the upper end of the front fork stem 222 is inserted into and connected to the head tube 12 of the frame 1.

[0051] Combined again Figures 1-7 As shown, this utility model discloses a safe folding bicycle, including a frame 1, a front wheel assembly 2, and a rear wheel assembly 3. The front wheel assembly 2 includes a front wheel hub 21 and a front fork 22 connected to the front wheel hub 21. The front fork 22 includes a front fork bracket 221 fixedly connected to the front wheel hub 21 and a front fork stem 222 connected to the head tube 12 of the frame 1. The upper end of the front fork bracket 221 is provided with a spindle 223, and the lower end of the front fork stem 222 is provided with a bushing 226. The spindle 223 is inserted into the bushing 226. A first rotating shaft 61 is fixedly connected to the spindle 223 at its first end. The first rotating shaft 61 passes through the bushing 226, and the second end of the first rotating shaft 61 is rotatably connected to the bushing 226 through a bearing 2267.

[0052] This structure ensures that the end of the first rotating shaft 61 and the bushing 226 will not loosen or fall off during repeated folding and use on a folding bicycle, which helps to improve the overall reliability of the front fork structure.

[0053] This utility model discloses a safe folding bicycle. By rotatably connecting the second end of the first rotating shaft to the bushing via a bearing, during the folding and unfolding switching operation of the front wheel assembly relative to the frame, the first rotating shaft rotates repeatedly with the front fork bracket relative to the bushing. Although the inner ring of the bearing, which is fixedly connected to the second end of the first rotating shaft, rotates with the first rotating shaft, the outer ring of the bearing, which is fixedly connected to the bushing, does not rotate with the first rotating shaft. Therefore, the bearing will not fall off during long-term use, eliminating the potential safety hazard of the spindle and bushing possibly separating, and improving the safety of using the folding bicycle.

[0054] The bearing 2267 is concealed and fixed inside the bushing 226 by a fastener (such as a fixing cover or a shoulder).

[0055] Furthermore, the first end of the first rotating shaft 61 and the mandrel 223 are integrally formed. Therefore, the multiple locking rods 225 provided on the mandrel 223 are arranged around the periphery of the first rotating shaft 61.

[0056] In some preferred embodiments, the mandrel 223 has a shaft hole through which the first rotating shaft 61 passes, and the first end of the first rotating shaft 61 is connected to the mandrel 61 using any existing limiting connection method. For example, the first end of the first rotating shaft 61 and the mandrel 61 are fixedly connected by means of riveting, tightening and locking, etc.

[0057] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A folding locking front fork, characterized in that, Including the fork bracket and fork riser; The upper end of the front fork bracket is provided with a spindle and a fixing rod located on one side of the spindle. The spindle has a shaft hole and multiple locking rods arranged around the shaft hole. The fixing rod and each locking rod are fitted with a spring so that the fixing rod and locking rod can extend and retract relative to the spindle in the direction of the shaft hole. The lower end of the front fork riser has a bushing, the end face of which has a fixing hole. The bushing has a partition inside, and a central hole, a first locking hole, and a second locking hole located outside the central hole are provided on the partition. The mandrel is inserted into the bushing tube, and the mandrel and the bushing tube are rotatably connected by the first rotating shaft passing through the shaft hole and the center hole; When the end of the locking bar is inserted into the first locking hole and the end of the fixing bar is inserted into the fixing hole, the fork is locked in the folded state. When the end of the locking bar is inserted into the second locking hole and the fixing bar is separated from the fixing hole, the front fork is locked in the deployed state.

2. The folding locking fork according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spindle has multiple mounting holes. The fixing rod and each locking rod are respectively fitted with a spring and inserted into one of the mounting holes. One end of the fixing rod and the locking rod extends out of the outer side of the spindle and the fork upright.

3. The folding locking fork according to claim 1, characterized in that, An arc-shaped guide groove is provided on the partition between the first keyhole and the second keyhole.

4. The folding locking fork according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer wall of the bushing is provided with a clearance groove. When the fork bracket is in the unfolded state relative to the fork riser, the fixing rod is located in the clearance groove.

5. The folding locking fork according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the first rotating shaft is fixedly connected to the mandrel, and the other end of the first rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the bushing.

6. The folding locking fork according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, It also includes a handle, one end of which is connected to the end of the fixing rod and the locking rod via a pin.

7. The folding locking fork according to claim 6, characterized in that, The outer side of the fork bracket is provided with a receiving groove for accommodating the handlebar, and the handlebar is located in the receiving groove.

8. The folding locking fork according to claim 7, characterized in that, An operating position is provided between the side of the fork bracket and the end of the handlebar for easy operation of the handlebar.

9. A folding bicycle, comprising a frame, a front wheel assembly and a rear wheel assembly connected via the frame, characterized in that, The front wheel assembly includes a front wheel hub and a folding locking front fork as described in any one of claims 1-8, wherein the front wheel hub is fixedly connected to the lower end of the front fork bracket, and the upper end of the front fork seat tube is plugged into the head tube of the frame.

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