Pedal, and in particular a bicycle pedal

Abstract

Bicycle pedal, comprising: a pedal body having a central portion, a first open end, a second open end, and a mounting hole, wherein the central portion is columnar and a hollow tube extends through the central portion, the mounting hole is located near the first open end and extends through the pedal body along the radial direction of the central portion, and at least a part of the mounting hole is continuously connected to the hollow tube; an end cap removably disposed in the hollow tube and closing the first open end; a stop element that is detachably combined with the mounting hole and protrudes from the hollow tube and limits the range of movement of the end cap.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a pedal and in particular to a bicycle pedal. State of the art

[0002] Bicycle pedals available on the market include ballless pedals, loose-ball pedals, and bearing pedals. Especially for bicycle pedals designed for specialized riding requirements or for professional riding, the bicycle pedal is often designed as a removable assembly, typically including an axle, a bearing, and a dust-proof end cap. The end cap may seem like a very small component, but its absence can have a significant impact on the entire bicycle pedal.

[0003] In a removable bicycle pedal, the end cap serves to protect the internal structure of the bicycle pedal, improve comfort, and increase safety. Traditionally, end caps were secured by screws, clamps, engagement, or locking. However, friction during riding often leads to loosening or falling off the end cap, which in turn compromises the entire bicycle pedal system and compromises riding safety.

[0004] In view of this, one goal in this field is to develop a bicycle pedal that can fix the end cap while improving riding safety. Object of the invention

[0005] To develop a bicycle pedal in which the end cap can be fixed, the present invention provides a bicycle pedal comprising: a pedal body having a central portion, a first open end, a second open end, and a mounting hole, wherein the central portion is columnar and a hollow tube extends through the central portion, the mounting hole is located near the first open end and extends through the pedal body along the radial direction of the central portion, and at least a part of the mounting hole is continuously connected to the hollow tube; an end cap removably disposed in the hollow tube and closing the first open end; a stop element that is detachably combined with the mounting hole and protrudes from the hollow tube and limits the range of movement of the end cap.

[0006] Here, the mounting hole extends through a surface at the connection point between the frame body and the central portion of the pedal body, wherein at least a part of the mounting hole extends through at least a part of the hollow tube.

[0007] Furthermore, the fastening hole is formed as a recess radially in the direction of the hollow tube, wherein one end of the fastening hole is continuously connected to the hollow tube.

[0008] Furthermore, the end cap has a neck portion, wherein the neck portion is formed as a taper on a side surface of the end cap, the outer diameter of the neck portion is smaller than the outer diameter of the end cap, and the neck portion corresponds to the fastening hole.

[0009] Here, the stop element has a large head section and a threaded segment, wherein at least a part of the large head section protrudes from the hollow tube and corresponds to the neck section.

[0010] Furthermore, the stop element is a screw, whereby after the combination of the stop element and the mounting hole, the end of the threaded segment protrudes from the pedal body.

[0011] Here, one end of the stop element rests against the neck section after the stop element has been inserted into the mounting hole.

[0012] Furthermore, the anti-slip element protrudes from a surface of the pedal body.

[0013] Here, the anti-slip element is an anti-slip pin, one end of which is screwed to the pedal body, with one end of the anti-slip element protruding from a surface of the pedal body.

[0014] In the bicycle pedal according to the invention, the design of the stopper element and the anti-slip element prevents the end cap of the bicycle pedal from falling off due to friction or vibration during riding, effectively protecting the central axis and bearing assembly located in the central section and thus protecting the entire system of the bicycle pedal. By preventing the end cap from falling off, the rider can provide more friction between their foot and the bicycle pedal during riding, allowing the rider to control the bicycle pedal more stably in humid environments or on bumpy terrain. The present invention not only extends the service life of the bicycle pedal but also ensures functionality and safety during riding. Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of the fixation of the end cap according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic exploded view of the end cap fixation according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 shows an enlarged partial view of the fixation of the end cap according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description of the implementation examples

[0015] It will be on the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, which show a bicycle pedal 10 according to the invention. It comprises a pedal body 11, an end cap 12, a stop element 13, a central axis 14, an anti-slip element 15, and a bearing assembly A.

[0016] The pedal body 11 includes a central portion 111, a first open end 112, a second open end 113, and a mounting hole 114. The shape of the pedal body 11 is not limited, and it can be a rectangular frame body, a trapezoidal frame body, or an elliptical frame body. In the present embodiment, the pedal body 11 is preferably configured as a hollow hexagonal frame body, with the central portion 111 being columnar, and the two ends of the central portion 111 being connected to a pair of corners of the pedal body 11, so that the pedal body 11 has a symmetrical structure. Further, the pedal body 11 includes a connecting segment, with two ends of the connecting segment each connected to any portion of the frame body and any portion of the central portion 111, thereby providing more stable support for the central portion 111.

[0017] In the present exemplary embodiment, the pedal body 11 is divided by the connecting segment into a plurality of hollow areas. Due to the hollow hexagonal shape and the hollow areas of the pedal body 11, more stability is provided to the driver when using the pedal body 11, whereby the forces are evenly distributed on the pedal body 11. In addition, the design of the hollow hexagonal frame body helps that the angle between the sides of the frame body connected to each other is greater than 90 degrees, which prevents dust and mud from easily adhering to the pedal 10 during driving.

[0018] Further, a hollow tube 1111 passes through the middle section 111, wherein the first open end 112 and the second open end 113 respectively correspond to two ends of the middle section 111.

[0019] Furthermore, the fastening hole 114 is located near the first open end 112 and extends along the radial direction of the central portion 111 through one of the surfaces of the pedal body 11, wherein at least a part of the fastening hole 114 is continuously connected to the hollow tube 1111.

[0020] As in Fig. 2, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the mounting hole 114 is located near the first open end 112 and extends through a surface at the junction between the frame body and the central portion 111, the surface corresponding to one of the hexagonal side surfaces of the pedal body 11, with at least a part of the mounting hole 114 extending through at least a part of the hollow tube 1111.

[0021] As in Fig.3, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the fastening hole 114 corresponds to the side surfaces of the central portion 111 and is formed as a recess radially in the direction of the hollow tube 1111, wherein one end of the fastening hole 114 is continuously connected to the hollow tube 1111.

[0022] The central axis 14 extends through the central section 111, and the bearing assembly A is inserted therein, with the first open end 112 closed by the end cap 12. The end cap 12 is removably arranged in the hollow tube 1111 and closes the first open end 112. The end cap 12 has a recess 121 and a neck portion 122, wherein the outer diameter of the end cap 12 corresponds to the inner diameter of the hollow tube 1111. In the present embodiment, the end cap 12 is cylindrical, and the recess 121 is formed as a depression in one of the end surfaces of the end cap 12. After the end cap 12 has been inserted into the central section 111, the recess 121 corresponds to the first open end 112.

[0023] The recess 121 is not subject to any shape restriction and is intended to enable an operator to insert a tool into the recess 121 during insertion of the end cap 12 into the central section 111 and to press the end cap 12 securely and firmly into the first open end 112 of the central section 111.

[0024] The neck portion 122 is formed as a taper on a side surface of the end cap 12, wherein the outer diameter of the neck portion 122 is smaller than the outer diameter of the end cap 12. When the end cap 12 is inserted into the central portion 111, the neck portion 122 corresponds to the mounting hole 114. In the present embodiment, the neck portion 122 is formed as a taper around the side surface of the end cap 12.

[0025] The stop element 13 is rod-shaped and is inserted into the mounting hole 114, with at least a portion of the stop element 13 protruding from the hollow tube 1111 and corresponding to or abutting against the neck portion 122. In this way, the end cap 12 is limited by the stop element 13 and cannot be moved in the radial direction.

[0026] The combination of the stop element 13 and the mounting hole 114 is not fixed and can be achieved by riveting with through holes, mechanical fastening, or bolt fastening. In the present embodiment, the stop element 13 is a screw, each of whose two ends has a large head portion and a threaded segment. The inner wall of the mounting hole 114 is provided with a threaded surface, and the mounting hole 114 is connected to the stop element 13 by a screw connection.

[0027] As shown in the first embodiment of the present invention, the stop member 13 is inserted into the mounting hole 114 and screwed to the threaded surface by means of the threaded segment. Then, at least a portion of the large head portion of the stop member 132 is engaged with the neck portion 122 to restrict the movement of the end cap 12. After the combination of the stop member 13 and the mounting hole 144, a portion of the end of the threaded segment protrudes from the surface of the pedal body 11, whereby the stop member 13 generates friction against the rider's sole.

[0028] In the second embodiment of the present invention, after the stop member 13 is inserted into the mounting hole 114, the end of the threaded segment of the stop member 13 projects into the hollow tube 1111 and abuts against the neck portion 122, so that the end cap 12 is blocked by the stop member 13.

[0029] Preferably, two stop elements 13 and two fastening holes 114 are arranged symmetrically in order to increase the effect of the limitation of the end cap 12 by the stop elements 13.

[0030] The central axis 14 has a crank end 141 and a contact portion 142, wherein the crank end 141 is arranged at one end of the central axis 141 and corresponds to the second open end 113, and the contact portion 142 is located on the side of the crank end 14 near the first open end 112. When the central axis 14 is inserted into the hollow tube 1111, the contact portion 142 abuts the end surface of the second open end 113 and simultaneously closes the second open end 113, whereby the crank end 141 protrudes from the second open end 113.

[0031] Here, the crank end 151 has an external thread that allows a combination of the crank end 141 with a crank of a bicycle.

[0032] Furthermore, at least a portion of an anti-slip element 15 protrudes from at least a portion of a surface of the pedal body 11. In the present embodiment, an anti-slip element 15 is an anti-slip pin, one end of which is screwed to the pedal body 11 and the other end of which protrudes from a surface of the pedal body 11, thereby forming a plurality of projections on the surface of the pedal body 11. Preferably, the anti-slip elements 15 are arranged evenly and symmetrically on two opposite surfaces of the pedal body 11. The anti-slip element 15 can increase the friction between the pedal body 11 and the rider, reducing the risk of foot slipping while riding and simultaneously improving the rider's control over the pedal body 11.

[0033] The material of the bicycle pedal 10 can be a light, strong and durable material, such as: aluminum alloy, plastic or carbon fiber.

[0034] In the bicycle pedal 10 according to the invention, the design of the stopper element 13 prevents the end cap 12 of the bicycle pedal 10 from falling off due to friction or vibration during riding, effectively protecting the central axis 14 and bearing assembly A located in the central portion 111 and thus protecting the entire system of the bicycle pedal 10. By preventing the end cap 12 from falling off, the rider can enjoy more friction between their foot and the bicycle pedal while riding, allowing the rider to control the bicycle pedal more stably in humid environments or on bumpy terrain. The present invention not only extends the service life of the bicycle pedal but also ensures functionality and safety during riding.

[0035] A bicycle pedal thus comprises a pedal, a central axis, an end cap and a stop element, wherein the stop element serves to fix the end cap in order to prevent the end cap of the bicycle pedal from becoming loose or falling off during riding due to the rotation of the pedal. List of reference symbols 10 bicycle pedals 11 Pedal body 111 Middle section 1111 Hollow tube 112 first open end 113 second open end 114 Mounting hole 12 End cap 121 recess 122 neck section 13 Stop element 14 Central axis 141 Crank end 142 Annex section 15 Anti-slip element A bearing arrangement

Claims

[1] Bicycle pedal, comprising: a pedal body having a central portion, a first open end, a second open end, and a mounting hole, wherein the central portion is columnar and a hollow tube extends through the central portion, the mounting hole is located near the first open end and extends through the pedal body along the radial direction of the central portion, and at least a part of the mounting hole is continuously connected to the hollow tube; an end cap removably disposed in the hollow tube and closing the first open end; a stop element that is removably combined with the mounting hole and protrudes from the hollow tube and limits the range of movement of the end cap. [2] A bicycle pedal according to claim 1, wherein the mounting hole extends through a surface at the junction between the frame body and the central portion of the pedal body, at least a portion of the mounting hole extending through at least a portion of the hollow tube. [3] A bicycle pedal according to claim 1, wherein the mounting hole is formed as a recess radially in the direction of the hollow tube, one end of the mounting hole being continuously connected to the hollow tube. [4] A bicycle pedal according to claim 2, wherein the end cap has a neck portion, the neck portion being formed as a taper on a side surface of the end cap, the outer diameter of the neck portion being smaller than the outer diameter of the end cap, and the neck portion corresponding to the mounting hole. [5] A bicycle pedal according to claim 3, wherein the end cap has a neck portion, the neck portion being formed as a taper on a side surface of the end cap, the outer diameter of the neck portion being smaller than the outer diameter of the end cap, and the neck portion corresponding to the mounting hole. [6] A bicycle pedal according to claim 4, wherein the stop member comprises a large head portion and a threaded segment, at least a part of the large head portion protruding from the hollow tube and corresponding to the neck portion. [7] A bicycle pedal according to claim 6, wherein the stop element is a screw, wherein after the combination of the stop element and the mounting hole, the end of the threaded segment protrudes from the pedal body. [8] A bicycle pedal according to claim 5, wherein one end of the stopper member abuts the neck portion after the stopper member is inserted into the mounting hole. [9] A bicycle pedal according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the anti-slip element protrudes from a surface of the pedal body. [10] A bicycle pedal according to claim 9, wherein the anti-slip member is an anti-slip pin having one end screwed to the pedal body, one end of the anti-slip member projecting from a surface of the pedal body.

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