Bicycle wheel securing structure

Abstract

A bicycle wheel securing structure (16; 116) comprising: a shaft member (20) having a first end portion (20a), a second end portion (20b), and a frame engagement portion (20a), wherein the second end portion (20b) is positioned at an opposite end from the first end portion (20a), and wherein the frame engagement portion (20c) is configured to engage with a bicycle frame (100), and wherein a part of the shaft member (20) is hollow; a head member (22) disposed at the first end portion (20a);a lever member (24) rotatably provided on the head member (22) for rotating between a fixed position and a release position with respect to an axis (C) intersecting an axial direction (X) of the shaft member (20), wherein the head member (22) is moved relative to the first end portion (20a) toward the second end portion (20b) when the lever member (24) is rotated from the release position to the fixed position; and an adjustment member (26) provided within the shaft member (20), wherein the adjustment member (26) is configured to adjust an axial position of the head member (22).

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application 2015-155220, filed on August 5, 2015. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application 2015-155220 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention generally relates to a bicycle wheel securing structure. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bicycle wheel securing structure for removably securing a wheel to the frame of a bicycle.

[0003] A bicycle wheel securing structure for removably securing a wheel to the frame of a bicycle is generally known from US patent US 7,537,291 B2. A conventional bicycle wheel securing structure comprises a head member, a lever member pivotally provided on the head member, and an adjustment member for adjusting the final fixed position of the lever member with respect to an axis.

[0004] Document US 2005 / 0 110 335 A1 further discloses an axle assembly connecting a wheel assembly to a vehicle frame. The axle assembly includes a tubular body having first and second ends connectable to the vehicle frame, and open slots disposed proximate at least one of the first and second ends of the tubular body. An expansion element is engageable with the tubular body to radially deform the tubular body at an attachment point on the vehicle frame.

[0005] Document US 7,537,291 B2 discloses a bicycle wheel fastening structure comprising a shaft member, a head member, a lever member, and an adjustment member. The shaft member has a first threaded end and a second end between which a central axis extends. The head member is disposed on the second end of the shaft member. The lever member is operatively mounted between the shaft member and the head member to move the shaft member in an axial direction relative to the head member in response to movement of the lever member. The adjustment member is axially adjustably coupled to the head member such that an axial position of a stop surface of the adjustment member relative to the shaft member can be adjusted.

[0006] Document DE 601 17 331 T2 discloses a bicycle hub comprising a hub axle, a hub body, a sprocket carrier element, and a spacer. The hub axle has first and second sections that are screwed together via a first threaded connection. The hub body has an outer tubular section and an inner passage in which the first section of the hub axle is rotatably mounted. The sprocket carrier element is detachably and non-rotatably connected to the outer tubular part and mounted on the second part of the hub axle. The spacer is rotatably and axially movably mounted on the first part of the hub axle and is screwed to the hub body via a second threaded connection. The first and second threaded connections are designed such that rotation of the hub axle to release the first and second sections causes axial movement of the spacer toward the hub body.

[0007] A bicycle wheel securing structure according to one aspect of the present invention includes a shaft member, a head member, a lever member, and an adjustment member. The shaft member has a first end portion, a second end portion, and a frame engagement portion. The second end portion is positioned at an opposite end from the first end portion. The frame engagement portion is configured to engage with a bicycle frame. A part of the shaft member is hollow. The head member is provided at the first end portion. The lever member is rotatably provided on the head member to be movable between a fixed position and a release position with respect to an axis intersecting the axial direction. The head member is moved relative to the first end portion toward the second end portion when the lever member is rotated from the release position to the fixed position.The adjusting member is provided within the shaft member. The adjusting member is configured to adjust an axial position of the head member.

[0008] In this bicycle wheel securing structure, the axial position of the head member can be adjusted by the adjusting member provided within the shaft member. For example, the adjusting member can be provided in the hollow portion of the shaft member. Even if the adjusting member is provided on the bicycle wheel securing structure, the length extension in the axial direction of the bicycle wheel securing structure can be suppressed. As a result, a compact bicycle wheel securing structure can be provided.

[0009] The shaft member may include a first shaft part and a second shaft part. The first shaft part may include the first end portion. The first shaft part may be non-rotatably provided on the head member and may be fixed to the adjustment member. The second shaft part may include a second end portion and a frame engagement portion. The second shaft part may be non-rotatably connected to the first shaft part. The second shaft part may be hollow and open at both ends. According to this configuration, the adjustment member to which the first shaft part is fixed may be disposed on the second shaft part with both ends open, and a streamlined bicycle wheel securing structure may be provided.

[0010] The first shaft part may include a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion. The first engagement portion may be configured to engage / come into engagement with the adjustment member. The second engagement portion may be configured to engage / come into engagement with the first engagement portion and to move the first shaft part in the axial direction through relative rotation with the first shaft part. According to this configuration, the first shaft part can be moved in the axial direction by a simple mechanism, such as a screw or a cam.

[0011] The first engagement portion may include one of an external thread portion and an internal thread portion. The second engagement portion may include the other of the external thread portion and the internal thread portion, which is screwed to the one of the external thread portion and the internal thread portion. According to this configuration, the first shaft part can be easily moved in the axial direction with a screw.

[0012] The first engagement portion may be provided on an outer peripheral surface of the first shaft part, and the second engagement portion may be provided on an inner peripheral surface of the adjustment member. According to this configuration, since the outer peripheral surface of the first shaft part engages with the inner peripheral surface of the adjustment member, the diameter of the adjustment member can be increased. Accordingly, in the bicycle wheel locking structure, a structure for rotating the adjustment member can be easily configured.

[0013] The bicycle wheel securing structure may further comprise a regulating member configured to regulate movement of the adjusting member in a direction toward the first end portion. According to this configuration, since the movement of the adjusting member in a direction toward the first end portion is regulated by the regulating member, falling of the adjusting member from the second shaft part in a direction toward the first end portion can be prevented.

[0014] The bicycle wheel securing structure may further comprise a biasing member disposed between the head member and the adjusting member for biasing the head member away from the adjusting member. According to this configuration, the head member can be easily separated from the frame by rotating the lever member from the fixed position to the release position.

[0015] The bicycle wheel securing structure may further comprise a coupling structure for non-rotatably coupling the first shaft part and the second shaft part. According to this embodiment, the first shaft part and the second shaft part can be non-rotatably coupled by the coupling structure.

[0016] The coupling structure may include a first connecting portion, preferably provided on the control member, and a second coupling portion, preferably provided on the first shaft part, for non-rotatably engaging with the first coupling portion. The control member may be non-rotatably coupled to the second shaft part. According to this configuration, the movement of the adjustment member toward the first end portion side may be controlled by the control member, and the first shaft part and the second shaft part may be non-rotatably coupled.

[0017] The bicycle wheel securing structure may further comprise an actuating member, which is preferably non-rotatably disposed within the shaft member and is preferably configured to rotate the adjusting member. According to this embodiment, the adjusting member can be rotated by the actuating member.

[0018] The operating member may include an operating shaft and an operating part. The operating shaft may have a coupling end portion coupled to the adjustment member and an operating end portion positioned opposite the coupling end portion. The operating part may be non-rotatably provided at the operating end portion. The operating end portion may be rotatably supported on the shaft member. According to this configuration, since the operating part is non-rotatably provided at the operating end portion, the user can easily rotate the adjustment member using the operating part. Accordingly, the user can perform an adjustment operation without using tools.

[0019] The bicycle wheel securing structure may further comprise a coupling member that preferably non-rotatably couples the actuating member and the adjusting member. According to this configuration, the coupling member can prevent the actuating member from falling off the adjusting member.

[0020] The coupling member can detachably couple the operating member and the adjusting member. With this configuration, since the operating member can be attached to the adjusting member only when adjustment is necessary, a weight reduction of the bicycle wheel locking structure can be achieved.

[0021] The adjustment member may include a tool engagement portion for receiving a tool inserted into the shaft member from the second end portion. According to this embodiment, the user can rotate the adjustment member using a tool.

[0022] The shaft member may include a stop portion that regulates the movement of the adjusting member in a direction toward the second end portion. According to this configuration, even if the adjusting member is rotated in a direction such that the first shaft part is separated from the adjusting member, since the stop portion suppresses the movement of the adjusting member toward the second end portion, the first shaft part can be moved quickly.

[0023] The stop portion may be provided within the shaft member. According to this configuration, the stop portion can be easily formed by machining or the like.

[0024] The adjustment member may be configured to adjust the axial position of the head member by rotating it relative to the shaft member. According to this configuration, the user can adjust the axial position of the head member simply by rotating the adjustment member. Accordingly, the adjustment operation becomes easy.

[0025] The frame engagement portion may include one of a male thread portion and a female thread portion which is screwed to the other of a male thread portion and a female thread portion provided on the frame.

[0026] The frame engagement portion may be provided at the second end portion.

[0027] A streamlined or compact bicycle wheel securing structure may be provided. Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a bicycle wheel securing structure according to a first illustrated embodiment. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the bicycle wheel securing structure illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the lever link side of the bicycle wheel securing structure illustrated in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an oblique cross-sectional view of the bicycle wheel securing structure illustrated in the Fig. 1 to 3 along the section line IV-IV in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a bicycle wheel securing structure according to a second illustrated embodiment.

[0028] Referring to the Fig. 1 to 4, a bicycle wheel securing structure 16 according to a first illustrated embodiment is explained below. Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the bicycle wheel securing structure 16. The bicycle wheel securing structure 16 secures a bicycle wheel to a bicycle frame 100. More specifically, the bicycle wheel securing structure 16 secures a hub 10, which is part of a bicycle front wheel or a bicycle rear wheel, to the frame 100. The frame 100 essentially includes a bicycle frame (not shown) and a front fork (partially shown in the cross-sectional view in Fig. 1 shown). Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the bicycle wheel securing structure 16 is mounted to the frame 100 of the bicycle, as seen from the rear view of the bicycle. As used herein, the following explanations, such as the following directional terms "front," "rear," "left," and "right," as well as any other similar directional terms, refer to such directions of a bicycle in a state in which the bicycle wheel securing structure 16 is / will be mounted to the bicycle. Accordingly, the term "front" represents the driving direction of the bicycle, and the term "rear" represents the opposite direction of the driving direction.The terms “left” and “right” are used to indicate “right” when referring to the right side as viewed from the rear of the bicycle, and “left” when referring to the left side as viewed from the rear of the bicycle.

[0029] The front fork of the frame 100 includes a wheel securing part 100a for securing the hub 10. In the present embodiment, the wheel securing part 100a includes a first front end 100b and a second front end 100c of the front fork.

[0030] The second front end 100c is spaced apart from the first front end 100b. A first through-hole 100d is formed at a distal end portion of the first front end 100b. A second through-hole 100e is formed at a distal end portion of the second front end 100c. The first through-hole 100d is a circular-shaped hole into which a first internally threaded portion 100f is formed. A nut member may be non-rotatably or rotatably provided on the second front end 100c, instead of forming the first internally threaded portion 100f in the second through-hole 100e.

[0031] The hub 10 in the first embodiment is a front hub that is detachable from the front portion of the frame 100. The hub 10 includes a hub shaft 12 and a hub shell 14. The hub shaft 12 is secured with respect to the first front end 100b and the second front end 100c. The hub shell 14 is rotatably attached to the hub shaft 12. The hub 10 is secured to the wheel securing portion 100a by the bicycle wheel securing structure 16. More specifically, the bicycle wheel securing structure 16 detachably secures the hub shaft 12 to the first front end 100b and the second front end 100c.

[0032] The hub shaft 12 is a hollow shaft member. A first end ( Fig. 1, left end) of the hub 10 touches the front end 100b and a second end ( Fig. 1, right end) touches the second front end 100c.

[0033] As in Fig. 1, the bicycle wheel securing structure 16 includes a shaft member 20, a head member 22, a lever member 24, and an adjustment member 26. The shaft member 20 includes a first end portion 20a, a second end portion 20b, and a frame engagement portion 20c. The second end portion 20b is positioned on the opposite side to the first end portion 20a. The frame engagement portion 20c is engageable with a bicycle frame 100. At least a portion of the shaft member 20 is a hollow portion. The head member 22 is disposed at the first end portion 20a. The lever member 24 is rotatably provided on the head member 22 for rotation between a fixed position and a release position with respect to an axis C. The axis C intersects with an axial direction X of the shaft member 20. Here, the axis C is perpendicular to the axial direction X.The lever member 24 is configured to urge the head member 22 from the first end portion 20a toward the second end portion 20b when the lever member 24 is rotated from a second position to a first position. The second position is the release position, while the first position is the fixed position. The adjustment member 26 is provided within the shaft member. The adjustment member 26 is configured to adjust the axial position of the head member 22 with respect to the axial direction X. The shaft member 20 further includes a central axis A. The axial direction X is a direction parallel to the central axis A of the shaft member 20.

[0034] The bicycle wheel securing structure 16 further comprises a control member 28. The control member 28 is configured to control the movement of the adjustment member 26 in a direction toward the first end portion 20a. The control member 28 is non-rotatably coupled to a second shaft part 42. The bicycle wheel securing structure 16 further comprises a biasing member 30. The biasing member 30 is disposed between the head member 22 and the control member 28. The biasing member 30 is configured to bias the head member 22 away from the control member 28. The bicycle wheel securing structure 16 further comprises an actuating member 32. The actuating member 32 is inserted into the shaft member 20. The actuating member 32 is non-rotatably coupled to the adjusting member 26 and rotates the adjusting member 26. The bicycle wheel securing structure 16 further includes a coupling member 34. The coupling member 34 non-rotatably couples the actuating member 32 and the adjusting member 26.The bicycle wheel securing structure 16 further includes a coupling structure 36. The bicycle wheel securing structure 16 further includes a stop member 38. In the first embodiment, the shaft member 20 includes a first shaft part 40 and a second shaft part 42. The coupling structure 36 non-rotatably couples the first shaft part 40 and the second shaft part 42. The stop member 38 is configured to retain the adjustment member 26 with respect to the first shaft part.

[0035] As in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the first shaft part 40 of the shaft member 20 has a first end portion 20a, while the second shaft part 42 of the shaft member 20 has a second end portion 20b and a frame engagement portion 20c. The first shaft part 40 is non-rotatably provided on the head member 22 and fixed to the adjustment member 26. The first end portion 20a of the first shaft part 40 is covered by the head member 22. The first shaft part 40 includes a support portion 40a and shaft part 40b. The support portion 40a is non-rotatably engaged with the head member 22. The shaft part 40b is integrally formed with the support portion 40a and extends from the support portion 40a toward the second end portion 20b. As described below, the second end portion 20b includes an opening.

[0036] The support portion 40a is a columnar member and includes a pair of planar surfaces 40c. In the present embodiment, the planar surfaces 40c are formed on the support portion 40a and are arranged orthogonally with respect to the axis C. A cam hole 50b is formed on the support portion 40a. The cam hole 50b extends through the planar surfaces 40c. The connecting portion extending between the support portion 40a and the shaft portion 40b is chamfered. Accordingly, when the user operates the lever member 24 and pulls the first shaft part 40 via the second shaft part 42 toward the lever member 24 side, stress concentration is less likely to occur between the support portion 40a and the shaft portion 40b.

[0037] The shaft portion 40b includes a first connecting portion 36a whose transverse cross section is non-circular. The transverse cross section of the connecting portion 36a is a transverse cross section parallel to a surface orthogonal to the axial direction X. In the present invention, the shape of the transverse cross section of the first connecting portion 36a is square. The first connecting portion 36a is configured such that the second shaft part 42 is non-rotatably coupled to the first shaft part 40 via the control member 28. The shaft portion 40b further includes a first engagement portion 40d that engages / comes into engagement with the adjustment member 26. The first engagement portion 40d is formed on the distal end side of the first connecting portion 36a. The first engagement portion 40d engages / comes into engagement with the adjustment member 26.The first engagement portion 40d includes one of an external thread portion and an internal thread portion. In the present embodiment, the first engagement portion 40d includes a first external thread portion 40f formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first shaft part 40. The shaft portion 40b further includes an annular groove 40e formed at the distal end of the first engagement portion 40d. A stop member 38 is attached to the annular groove 40e.

[0038] The second shaft part 42 is a hollow tubular member with both ends open. The second shaft part 42 includes the second end portion 20b and the frame engagement portion 20c. The frame engagement portion 20c is provided at the second end portion 20b. The frame engagement portion 20c includes the other of the externally threaded portion and the internally threaded portion, which is screwed to one of the externally threaded portion and the internally threaded portion provided on the frame 100. In the present embodiment, the frame engagement portion 20c includes a second externally threaded portion 42f formed on the second end portion 20b side. The second externally threaded portion 42f is screwed into the internally threaded portion 100f of the second through-hole 100e formed at the distal end portion of the second front end 100c. The second shaft part 42 further comprises a second internal thread portion 42a.The second internally threaded portion 42a is screwed onto the control member 28 and secures the control member 28 to the second shaft part 42. The second shaft part 42 further comprises a housing portion 42b. The housing portion 42b forms a cylindrical space and rotatably receives the adjustment member 26. In this way, the adjustment member 26 can move freely in the axial direction X within the cylindrical space defined by the housing portion 42b. The second shaft part 42 further comprises a stop portion 42c. As shown in FIG. Fig. 3, the stopper portion 42c is provided within the shaft member 20. More specifically, the stopper portion 42c is formed within the housing portion 42b by reducing the diameter of the cylindrical space of the housing portion 42b at one end compared to the other end. Thus, the housing portion 42b includes a first cylinder section with a first diameter and a second cylinder section with a second diameter. The stopper portion 42c is configured to regulate the movement of the adjustment member 26 in a direction toward the second end portion 20b side. The second shaft part 42 further includes an operating shaft passage hole 42d. The operating shaft passage hole 42d is formed from the stopper portion 42c to the front side of the second end portion 20b.The actuating shaft passage hole 42d is configured such that an actuating shaft 52 of the actuating member 32 can pass therethrough. The actuating shaft 52 will be described below. The second shaft part 42 further includes an actuating shaft support hole 42e. The actuating shaft support hole 42e is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second end portion 20b. The actuating shaft support hole 42e is configured to rotatably support the actuating shaft 52.

[0039] As in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the head member 22 is a cylinder-bottom cap-shaped member. The head member 22 is configured to receive the support portion 40a of the first shaft part 40. The head member 22 rotatably supports the lever member 24 such that the lever member 24 can be selectively positioned in the first position (fixed position) shown by the solid line in Fig. 1, and the second position (release position), represented by the double-dashed line. The head member 22 includes a shaft housing portion 44, which receives the support portion 40a of the first shaft part 40. In this way, the support portion 40a is integrally rotatable with respect to the axis C and freely movable in the axial direction X.

[0040] As in Fig. 2, the shaft housing portion 44 includes a pair of planar portions 44a, which engage with the flat surfaces 40c of the support portion 40a. The transverse cross section of the shaft housing portion 44 is non-circular, wherein the transverse cross section is parallel to a plane orthogonal to the axial direction X. A first support hole 44b (referring to Fig. 2) rotatably supports a rotary shaft 46 of the lever member 24. The rotary shaft of the lever member 24 will be described below. A second support hole 44c is formed in the shaft housing portion 44 (referring to Fig. 3). The second support hole 44c has a smaller diameter than the first support hole 44b. The first support hole 44c extends through one of the flat portions 44a, while the second support hole 44c extends through the other of the flat portions 44a. Anti-slip processing is applied to an end surface of the head member 22 that contacts an outer surface 100g of the first front end 100b of the frame 100.

[0041] As in Fig. 2, the lever member 24 includes a rotary shaft 46, a lever main body 48, and a cam mechanism 50. The rotary shaft 46 is provided on the head member 22 rotatably with respect to the axis C intersecting the shaft member 20. The rotary shaft 46 includes a mounting portion 46a, a first supported portion 46b, a cam portion 50a, and a second supported portion 46c. The mounting portion 46a, the first supported portion 46b, the cam portion 50a, and the second supported portion 46c are arranged in this order from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion. The first supported portion 46b is slightly smaller in diameter than the mounting portion 46a. The cam portion 50a is eccentric with respect to the first supported portion 46b. The second supported portion 46c is arranged coaxially with the first supported portion 46b. The second supported portion 46c is smaller orsmaller in diameter than the first supported portion 46b. The rotary shaft 46 is rotatably supported to the head member 22 at both ends by the first supported portion 46b and the second supported portion 46c. The lever main body 48 is pivoted relative to the axis C to the first position shown by the solid line in FIG. Fig. 1, and the second position shown by the double-dashed line. The lever main body 48 is non-rotatably provided on the rotary shaft 46. More specifically, the lever main body 48 is non-rotatably mounted on the mounting portion 46a of the rotary shaft 46. A C-ring is mounted on the distal end side of the second supported portion 46c for holding the rotary shaft 46 with respect to the head member 22. The lever main body 48 extends radially outward with respect to the axis C. The cam mechanism 50 moves the shaft member 20 along the axial direction X according to the rotation of the lever main body 48. The cam mechanism 50 includes a cam portion 50a and a cam hole 50b. The cam hole 50b is provided on the support portion 40a of the first shaft part 40. The cam portion 50a engages with the cam hole 50b.

[0042] The adjusting member 26 adjusts the axial position of the head member 22 by rotation with respect to the shaft member 20. More specifically, as shown in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the adjustment member 26 is a partially cylindrically shaped member that is received in the housing portion 42b of the second shaft part 42. The outer diameter of the adjustment member 26 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the housing portion 42b. The adjustment member 26 includes a second engagement portion 26a that engages with the first engagement portion 40d. The second engagement portion 26a is configured to move the first shaft part 40 in the axial direction X by relative rotation with the first shaft part 40. The second engagement portion 26a includes the other of the externally threaded portion or the internally threaded portion. In the present embodiment, the second engagement portion 26a includes a second internally threaded portion 26d formed on the inner peripheral surface of the adjustment member 26.The adjusting member 26 further comprises a recess 26b adjacent to one end of the second internally threaded portion 26d such that the second internally threaded portion 26d is open to the recess 26b.

[0043] The adjusting member 26 further comprises an actuator coupling portion 26c. The recess 26b is a space for mounting the stop member 38. As shown in Fig. 4, the recess 26b is formed in a predetermined portion of the adjusting member 26. Specifically, a portion of the adjusting member 26 is cut out in a semicircular shape to form a circular arc-shaped bottom portion 26e. The operating member coupling portion 26c is configured to non-rotatably engage with the operating member 32. The operating member coupling portion 26c is configured to rotatably operate the adjusting member 26 using the operating member 32. The operating member coupling portion 26c includes a coupling recess 26f and a first coupling hole 26g. The coupling recess 26f is formed on the side end surface of the adjusting member 26 with the second end portion 20b. The coupling member 34 is mounted to the first coupling hole 26g. In the present embodiment, the coupling recess 26f is not circular.

[0044] The control member 28 is secured to the second shaft part 42 on the side with the first end portion 20a adjacent to the adjustment member 26. The control member 28 is configured to control the movement of the adjustment member 26 in the axial direction X toward the first end portion 20a. The control member 28 includes a large-diameter flange part 28a, a shaft portion 28b, and a second connecting portion 36b. The flange part 28a is configured to be rotated using a tool. In the present embodiment, the shape of the flange portion 28a is hexagonal. The flange portion 28a abuts the end surface of the second shaft part 42 facing the first end portion 20a. The shaft portion 28b includes a third external thread portion 28c on the outer peripheral surface. The third external thread portion 28c is screwed into the second internal screw hole 42a of the second shaft part 42.The second connecting portion 36b is a hole configured to slidably receive the first connecting portion 36a. Thus, once the first connecting portion 36a is disposed within the second connecting portion 36b, the control member 28 is non-rotatably coupled to the first shaft part 40. In the present embodiment, the cross-section of the second connecting portion 36b is non-circular and, more specifically, rectangular. In the present embodiment, the control member 28 is secured to the second shaft part 42 by adhesives. Therefore, the control member 28 is non-rotatably coupled to the second shaft part 42. A coupling structure 36 that non-rotatably couples the first shaft part 40 and the second shaft part 42 is formed on the first connecting portion 36a and the second connecting portion 36b.

[0045] The biasing member 30 is, for example, a coil spring, which is arranged in a compressed state between the head member 22 and the flange portion 28a of the control member 28. The biasing member 30 helps prevent rattling of the head member 22 and the shaft member 20. The biasing member 30 is not limited to a coil spring and may also be a disc spring, a coil spring, or an elastic body such as rubber.

[0046] In addition to the actuating shaft 52, the actuating member 32 further includes an actuating part 54. The actuating shaft 52 includes a coupling end portion 52a and an actuating end portion 52b. The coupling end portion 52a is coupled to the adjusting member 26. The coupling end portion 52a is configured to non-rotatably engage with the coupling recess 26f. The cross-section of the coupling recess 26f is non-circular and, in the present embodiment, is hexagonal. A second coupling hole 52c is formed at the coupling end portion 52a. The actuating member 32 and the adjusting member 26 are non-rotatably coupled by the coupling member 34, which is inserted into the first coupling hole 26g and the second coupling hole 52c. Accordingly, the actuating member 32 can be held with respect to the adjusting member 26.The coupling member 34 is a member with a larger diameter than the first coupling hole 26g and the second coupling hole 52c. For example, the coupling member 34 is a spring pin. With this configuration, since the coupling member 34 frictionally engages / comes into the first coupling hole 26g and the second coupling hole 52c, the coupling member 34 is less likely to come out of the first coupling hole 26g and the second coupling hole 52c.

[0047] The operating end portion 52b is positioned on the opposite side of the coupling end portion 52a. Specifically, the operating end portion 52b is positioned on the opposite side of the coupling end portion 52a in the axial direction X. The operating end portion 52b protrudes from the second end portion 20b and is rotatably supported on the shaft member 20. Specifically, the operating end portion 52b protrudes from the second end portion 20b and is rotatably supported on the operating shaft support hole 42e of the second shaft part 42. An annular first mounting groove 52d, a knurl 52e, and an annular second mounting groove 52f are formed in the listed order toward the shaft end on the operating end portion 52b. The first mounting groove 52d is formed closer to the first end portion 20a than to the second end portion 20b.The knurl 52e and the second mounting groove 52f are formed at a position of the coupling member 34 that protrudes from the second end portion 20b of the shaft member 20. A ring-shaped elastic body 56 is mounted on the first mounting groove 52d. The ring-shaped elastic body 56 is, for example, an O-ring. The ring-shaped elastic body 56 is provided to adjust the operating force of the operating member 32. The ring-shaped elastic body 56 is provided such that the adjustment rotation position does not move. The operating part 54 is non-rotatably provided on the operating end portion 52b. More specifically, the operating part 54 is non-rotatably coupled to the knurl 52e of the operating end portion 52b. The second mounting groove 52f is configured to elastically engage with the operating part 54 and to stop the operating part 54.The operating part 54 is, for example, a member made of synthetic resin and having elasticity. The operating part 54 is configured such that when the operating part 54 is operated by the user, the operating shaft 52 is rotated. The operating part 54 includes a pair of constriction portions 54a that are slightly recessed. The constriction portions 54a are arranged to face away from each other in a direction orthogonal to the central axis A. By utilizing the constriction portions 54a, the operating performance of the operating part 54 is improved, and the user can visually recognize the rotational position of the operating part 54.

[0048] The stop member 38, as described above, holds the adjusting member 26 with respect to the first shaft part 40. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the stop member 38 includes a semicircular first stop portion 38a and a second stop portion 38b. The semicircular first stop portion 38a engages with the recess 26b of the adjustment member 26. The second stop portion 38b has a slot 38c that engages with the annular groove 40e. The first stop portion 38a contacts the recess 26b of the adjustment member 26 and fits into the inner peripheral surface of the housing portion 42b. The first stop portion 38a is slightly larger in outer diameter than the adjustment member 26. The two distal end portions of the second stop portion 38b form the slot 38c. The two distal end portions of the second stop portion 38b are configured such that the spacing therebetween gradually increases. Accordingly, the assembly performance or assembly execution of the stop member 38 is improved.

[0049] When assembling the bicycle wheel locking structure 16, the first shaft part 40 is coupled to the adjustment member 26 in a holding state by the stop member 38 in advance. The operating shaft 52 is coupled to the adjustment member 26 by the coupling member 34. During assembly, an assembled body comprising the first shaft portion 40, the adjustment member 26, and the operating shaft 52 is inserted into the second shaft part 42 from the first end portion 20a side. Then, the operating part 54 is non-rotatably mounted to the operating shaft 52, projecting from the second end portion 20b.

[0050] In the bicycle wheel securing structure 16 configured in this manner, when the user first attaches the hub 10 to the wheel securing part 100a, the user rotates the operating part 54 in a direction in which the screw is loosened and moves the first shaft part 40 leftward in the axial direction X with respect to the adjusting member 26. The user positions the hub 10 between the first front end 100b and the second front end 100c and inserts the shaft member 20 from the first through hole 100d toward the second through hole 100e via the hub shaft 12.

[0051] The user rotates the lever member 24 in a direction in which the screw is tightened, and screws the second external thread portion 42f of the frame engagement portion 20c of the second end portion 20b of the shaft member 20 into the first internal thread portion 100f of the second through hole 100e. The head member 22 approaches the outer surface 100g of the first front end 100b. The user arranges the lever main body 48 in the second position and rotates the lever main body 48. At this time, the user positions the lever main body 48 in a rotational position such that the lever main body 48 runs along the first front end 100b when the lever main body 48 is arranged in the first position.

[0052] The user rotates the operating part 54 in a direction in which the screw is tightened. As a result of rotating the operating part 54 in a tightening direction, the head member 22 contacts the outer surface 100g of the first front end 100b, and the lever main body 48 rotates from the second position to the first position. With this configuration, the securing of the wheel is completed. According to the present embodiment, when the wheel is mounted next time and subsequently, the user does not need to perform the position adjustment of the adjusting member 26 using the operating part 54. Since the adjusting member 26 is provided inside the second shaft part 42, the length of the bicycle wheel securing structure 16 in the axial direction is not increased. Therefore, the bicycle wheel securing structure 16 can be provided as a more compact structure.

[0053] An embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The various embodiments and modified examples described in the present specification can be freely combined with each other as needed.

[0054] (a) In the above-described embodiment, the bicycle wheel securing structure 16 includes the actuator 32, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a bicycle wheel securing structure 116 according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig.5, the bicycle wheel locking structure 116 does not include the operating member 32. In this case, for example, a rod-shaped tool such as a hex wrench is used for the rotational operation of the adjusting member 26 instead of the operating member 32. The adjusting member 26 includes a tool engagement portion 126f for receiving a tool, which is inserted into the second shaft part 42 of the shaft member 20 from the opening of the second end portion 20b instead of the coupling recess 26f. When a tool is not inserted, the opening of the second end portion 20b can be blocked by attaching a detachable cap member 154 to the opening of the second end portion 20b to prevent water or foreign matter from entering the second shaft part 42.

[0055] (b) In the above-described embodiment, the bicycle wheel securing structure 16 is disclosed in which the second end portion 20b of the shaft member 20 is screwed to the bolt provided on the frame, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention can also be applied to a bicycle wheel securing structure that can be secured to a frame by the second end portion 20b and a member such as a nut screwed thereto.

[0056] (c) In the above-described embodiment, the coupling recess 26f is hexagonal in shape so that a tool such as a hex wrench can be used, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the coupling recess 26f may be formed into a non-circular shape, such as a square or a slot, into which a wrench can be engaged.

[0057] (d) In the above-described embodiment, the adjusting member 26 and the first shaft part 40 are engaged using a screw, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the adjusting member 26 and the first shaft part 40 may be engaged using a cam mechanism.

[0058] (e) In the above-described embodiment, the operating member 32 and the adjusting member 26 are coupled by the coupling member 34 so as not to separate, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the operating member 32 and the adjusting member 26 may be detachably coupled. More specifically, the coupling member 34 may be an elastic body such as an O-ring that detachably couples the operating member 32 and the adjusting member 26 through frictional engagement. The coupling member 34 may include a ball or pin member biased by a spring or the like and provided on either the adjusting member 26 or the operating member 32, and a recess that engages with the ball or pin member provided on the other of the adjusting member 26 or the operating member 32.

[0059] (f) In the above-described embodiment, the wheel securing part 100a separately includes the first front end 100b and the second front end 100c of the front fork, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. That is, the wheel securing part 100a may separately include a first rear end and a second rear end of the frame. In this case, a first through hole and a second through hole may be formed separately at the first rear end and the second rear end. The first through hole is a normally circular hole, and the second through hole includes a first internally threaded portion. The second through hole may be a nut that is non-rotatably or rotatably provided at the second front end instead of the first internally threaded portion. In this case, the hub 10 is a rear hub mountable to a rear portion of the frame 100. DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 16, 116 Bicycle wheel securing structure 20 shaft link 20a first end section 20b second end section 20c Frame engagement section 22 head segment 24 lever link 26 Adjusting element 28 control element 30 tendon 32 Actuator 34 coupling element 36 coupling structure 40 first shaft part 42 second shaft part 52 Actuating shaft 52a Coupling end section 52b Actuating end section 54 Actuating part

Claims

[1] Bicycle wheel securing structure (16; 116) comprising: a shaft member (20) having a first end portion (20a), a second end portion (20b) and a frame engagement portion (20a), wherein the second end portion (20b) is positioned at an opposite end from the first end portion (20a), and wherein the frame engagement portion (20c) is configured to engage with a bicycle frame (100), and wherein a part of the shaft member (20) is hollow; a head member (22) which is / will be arranged at the first end portion (20a); a lever member (24) rotatably provided on the head member (22) to move between a fixed position and a release position with respect to an axis (C) intersecting an axial direction (X) of the shaft member (20), to rotate, wherein the head member (22) is moved relative to the first end portion (20a) towards the second end portion (20b) when the lever member (24) is rotated from the release position to the fixed position; and an adjusting member (26) provided within the shaft member (20), the adjusting member (26) being configured to adjust an axial position of the head member (22). [2] Bicycle wheel securing structure (16; 116) according to claim 1, wherein the shaft member (20) comprises a first shaft part (40) and a second shaft part (42), wherein the first shaft part (40) has the first end portion (20a), the first shaft part (40) is non-rotatably provided to the head member (22) and is fixed to the adjusting member (26), and the second shaft part (42) comprises the second end portion (20b) and the frame engagement portion (20c), wherein the second shaft part (42) is non-rotatable with the first shaft part (40), and wherein the second shaft part (42) is hollow and open at both ends. [3] Bicycle wheel securing structure (16; 116) according to claim 2, wherein the first shaft part (40) comprises a first engagement portion (40d) and a second engagement portion (26a), wherein the first engagement portion (40d) is configured to engage with the adjusting member (26), and the second engagement portion (26a) is configured to engage with the first engagement portion (40d) and to move the first shaft part (40) in the axial direction (X) by relative rotation with the first shaft part (40). [4] Bicycle wheel securing structure (16; 116) according to claim 3, wherein the first engagement portion (40d) comprises one of an external thread portion (40f) and an internal thread portion (26d), and the second engagement portion (26a) comprises: the other of the external thread portion (40f) and the internal thread portion (26d), which screws into one of the external thread portion (40f) and the internal thread portion (26d). [5] Bicycle wheel securing structure (16; 116) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first engagement portion (40d) is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the first shaft part (40), and the second engagement portion (26a) is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the adjusting member (26). [6] Bicycle wheel securing structure (16; 116) according to one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising: a control member (28) which is designed to control a movement of the adjusting member (26) in a direction towards the first end portion (20a). [7] Bicycle wheel securing structure (16; 116) according to claim 6, further comprising: a biasing member (30) disposed between the head member (22) and the control member (28) which biases the head member (22) away from the control member (28). [8] Bicycle wheel securing structure (16; 116) according to one of claims 2 to 7, further comprising: a coupling structure (36) which non-rotatably connects the first shaft part (40) and the second shaft part (42). [9] Bicycle wheel securing structure (16; 116) according to claim 8, wherein the coupling structure (36) comprises: a first connecting portion (36a) provided on the control member (28) and a second connecting portion (36b) provided on the first shaft part (40) to non-rotatably engage with the first connecting portion (36a), and the control member (28) is non-rotatably coupled to the second shaft part (42). [10] Bicycle wheel securing structure (16; 116) according to one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising: an actuating member (32) which is non-rotatably arranged within the shaft member (20) and is configured to rotate the adjusting member (26). [11] Bicycle wheel securing structure (16; 116) according to claim 10, wherein the actuating member (32) comprises an actuating shaft (52) and an actuating part (54), the actuating shaft (52) has a coupling end portion (52a) which is coupled to the adjusting member (26) and an actuating end portion (52b) which is positioned opposite to the coupling end portion (52a), and the actuating part (54) is provided non-rotatably on the actuating end portion (52b), wherein the actuating end portion (52b) is rotatably supported on the shaft member (20). [12] Bicycle wheel securing structure (16; 116) according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising: a coupling member (34) non-rotatably coupling the actuating member (32) and the adjusting member (26), in particular the coupling member (34) removably couples the actuating member (32) and the adjusting member (26). [13] Bicycle wheel securing structure (16; 116) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the adjusting member (26) comprises a tool engagement portion (126f) for receiving a tool inserted into the shaft member (20) from the second end portion (20b). [14] Bicycle wheel securing structure (16; 116) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the shaft member (20) comprises a stop portion (42c), in particular a stop portion (42c) provided within the shaft member (20) to regulate movement of the adjusting member (26) in a direction toward the second end portion (20b). [15] Bicycle wheel securing structure (16; 116) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the adjusting member (26) is configured to adjust the axial position of the head member (22) by rotating with respect to the shaft member (20). [16] The bicycle wheel securing structure (16; 116) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the frame engaging portion (20c) comprises one of an externally threaded portion (42f) and an internally threaded portion (100f) which is screwed with respect to the other of an externally threaded portion (42f) and an internally threaded portion (100f) provided on the frame (100). [17] A bicycle wheel securing structure (16; 116) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the frame engaging portion (20c) is provided at the second end portion (20b).

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