Abstract:
A wheel assembly for bicycles that includes a rim having a number of nipple supports attached thereto. A number of nipple supports are attached to a rim and extend in a radially inward direction relative to the rim. One or more openings are formed in each nipple support. The openings are shaped to cooperate with a respective spoke nipple. A cavity is formed between each nipple support and the rim such that the spoke nipples can be engaged with the supports from a circumferential direction.
Abstract:
A seat system for providing a substantially normal contact angle between the seat and the ischial tuberosities of a rider seated thereupon. The seat system includes variable padding that is configured to generally cooperate with the physiology of the rider. The padding is secured to a base that includes a pair of rails extending from an underside of the base. The rails are attached to permit controlled motion of the seat during pedaling operation in response to the change in orientation of the rider's physiology relative to the seat. The deflection of the seat cooperates with the motion of the rider's physiology through a substantial portion of a rider's pedaling motion.
Abstract:
An asymmetric or off-center bottom bracket assembly suitable for a bicycle frame or other similar wheeled vehicle. According to an embodiment, the bottom bracket assembly comprises a shell or housing having a chain ring section configured for coupling a chain ring and a pedal crank section configured for receiving a pedal crank. Each of the chain ring and the pedal crank sections include a receiver for mounting or seating a bearing. According to an embodiment, the bottom bracket assembly is configured to mount the bearing or end of the chain ring section closer to the chain ring than the bearing or end of the pedal crank section to the pedal crank. According to an embodiment, the pedal crank section is configured with a linear dimension greater than the chain ring section. According to another embodiment, the pedal crank section and the chain ring section have the same linear dimensions and the bottom bracket assembly is mounted asymmetrically or off-center to the center line of the bicycle frame. According to another embodiment, the bearing mounted in the chain ring section is larger than the bearing mounted in the pedal crank section of the bottom bracket assembly.
Abstract:
A bladed spoke wrench device used to retain the orientation of a bladed bicycle spoke to prevent unnecessary torsional displacements from being applied to the spoke during spoke tensioning and adjustment. The bladed spoke wrench includes two spoke retention slots of different widths to accommodate the most common bladed spoke thicknesses. The spoke retention slots extend both through the thickness of the tool on both sides and along one face of the tool, allowing the user to orient the tool in any of several ways that the user finds comfortable and efficient during use. The tool also includes one or more hook shaped areas that are adapted to open a bottle and further includes an opening at one end that defines a ring useful for attachment of the bladed spoke wrench to a peg on a tool board, a key ring or other hook.