Adjustable joint assembly

Abstract

To provide a joint assembly whose frictional engagement is adjustable.SOLUTION: A joint assembly includes: a housing that includes an inner diameter part having a tapered surface; and at least one shaft that includes an outer diameter part having a tapered surface shaped complementarily to the inner diameter part of the housing. The shaft is rotatively fitted into the housing. Frictional fit is adjustable by changing axial-direction position of the shaft relative to the housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Claims

1. A joint assembly, A housing having an inner diameter portion with a tapered surface, At least one shaft having an outer diameter portion having a tapered surface shape complementary to the inner diameter portion of the housing, A locking mechanism for locking the housing in a predetermined position relative to the shaft, comprising a pin, groove and fastener, nut and bolt, nut and screw, latch, handle, lock nut, or tie rivet. Equipped with, A joint assembly in which at least one of the shaft or the housing is fitted to rotate relative to the other, the friction fit is adjustable by changing the axial position of the shaft relative to the housing, the locking mechanism has a step formed at the end of the tapered surface of the shaft so as to engage securely with the end of the tapered surface of the housing, and the step formed at the end of the tapered surface of the housing is oriented such that the outermost radial surface of the step is positioned on the outermost axial surface of the housing.

2. It is a bicycle assembly, A bicycle frame comprising a main structure and a support structure with a wheel assembly, A joint assembly located within the bicycle frame, adapted to change the position of the wheel assembly relative to the main structure, Equipped with, The aforementioned joint assembly, A housing having an inner diameter portion with a tapered surface, At least one shaft having an outer diameter portion having a tapered surface shape complementary to the inner diameter portion of the housing, A locking mechanism for locking the housing in a predetermined position relative to the shaft, comprising a pin, groove and fastener, nut and bolt, nut and screw, latch, handle, lock nut, or tie rivet. Equipped with, A bicycle assembly in which at least one of the shaft or the housing is fitted to rotate relative to the other, the friction fit is adjustable by changing the axial position of the shaft relative to the housing, the locking mechanism has a step formed at the end of the tapered surface of the shaft so as to engage securely with the end of the tapered surface of the housing, and the step formed at the end of the tapered surface of the housing is oriented such that the outermost radial surface of the step is positioned on the outermost axial surface of the housing.

3. A vehicle subassembly, Frame and, Components rotatably attached to the frame by a joint assembly located within the frame and Equipped with, The aforementioned joint assembly, A housing having an inner diameter portion with a tapered surface, At least one shaft having an outer diameter portion having a tapered surface shape complementary to the inner diameter portion of the housing, A locking mechanism for locking the housing in a predetermined position relative to the shaft, comprising a pin, groove and fastener, nut and bolt, nut and screw, latch, handle, lock nut, or tie rivet. Equipped with, A vehicle subassembly in which at least one of the shaft or the housing is fitted to rotate relative to the other, the friction fit is adjustable by changing the axial position of the shaft relative to the housing, the locking mechanism has a step formed at the end of the tapered surface of the shaft so as to engage securely with the end of the tapered surface of the housing, and the step formed at the end of the tapered surface of the housing is oriented such that the outermost radial surface of the step is positioned on the outermost axial surface of the housing.

4. The joint assembly, bicycle frame assembly, or vehicle subassembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a polymer layer bonded to at least one of the housing and the shaft.

5. The joint assembly, bicycle frame assembly, or vehicle subassembly according to claim 4, wherein the polymer layer comprises a fluorinated polymer.

6. The joint assembly, bicycle frame assembly, or vehicle subassembly according to claim 4, wherein the polymer layer is bonded to the inner diameter portion of the housing.

7. The joint assembly, bicycle frame assembly, or vehicle subassembly according to claim 4, wherein the polymer layer is bonded to the outer diameter portion of the shaft.

8. The joint assembly, bicycle frame assembly, or vehicle subassembly according to claim 4, further comprising a base material.

9. The joint assembly, bicycle frame assembly, or vehicle subassembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the housing comprises a first housing and a second housing.

10. The joint assembly, bicycle frame assembly, or vehicle subassembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one shaft comprises a first shaft and a second shaft.

11. The joint assembly, bicycle frame assembly, or vehicle subassembly according to claim 10, wherein the at least one shaft comprises a connecting component that connects the first shaft to the second shaft.

12. The joint assembly, bicycle frame assembly, or vehicle subassembly according to claim 11, wherein the housing comprises a first housing and a second housing, and the connecting component extends through each of the first and second shafts and is adapted to provide a biasing force to fix the axial positions of the first and second shafts with respect to the first and second housings, respectively.

13. The joint assembly, bicycle frame assembly, or vehicle subassembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tapered surface of the inner diameter portion of the housing has an angle α with respect to the axis of the housing, and 5° ≤ α ≤ 45°.

14. The joint assembly, bicycle frame assembly, or vehicle subassembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising at least one spring element that provides a biasing force so that the shaft is biased against the housing.

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