FR2549000A1 - Plastic pedal for bicycles or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to cycles. This pedal comprises a body 1 made from plastic with a hub 1a shaped, by means of its profiled bore, so as to centre itself and rotate freely on the corresponding profile of a plastic sleeve 3 overmoulded on a metal spindle 2 of a normal diameter, for the purpose of obtaining a frictional surface of the plastic bearing surfaces which is compatible with the pressure exerted on the pedal; means for transversely retaining and sealing the body with respect to the spindle. The invention may be applied for any type of pedal-driven vehicle.

Description

 The present invention relates to a plastic pedal for bicycles or the like.

 I1 is known to produce pedals with a plastic body, rotating on a metal axis by means of ball bearings, needles or added rings.

 These pedals thus produced do not have reliability qualities, due to the significant force exerted directly on the parts of the body, causing rapid wear. In addition, these pedas are relatively high cost by design and by their assembly time.

 According to the present invention, we wanted to make a pedal with a plastic body, the bore of which acts directly by its conformation on the corresponding profile of a plastic sleeve overmolded on a metal axis of normal diameter, so as to obtain a friction diameter, such that there is compatibility between the contact pressure generated by the forces applied to said pedal and the resistance of the plastic materials used.

 According to another characteristic, the corresponding and complementary bearing surfaces of the bore of the pedal body and of the sleeve are established directly, during molding, in the form of successive and stepped cylinders avoiding the molding remains favorable to jamming, while preserving the layer surface particularly resistant to friction.

 According to another characteristic, the pedal body has, according to its bore, an internal flange cooperating with two reliefs formed on the sleeve to allow lateral support of said body, with a minimum of play.

 According to another characteristic, the blocking of the pedal boat body in the lateral direction with respect to the axis provided with its sleeve, is obtained at the end by means of a closure means, such as a stopper, a circlip.

 These characteristics and others will emerge from the following description.

To fix the subject of the invention without however limiting it in the attached drawings
Figure 1 is a small external front view of a pedal body made according to the invention.

 FIG. 2 is an external profile view corresponding to FIG. 1.

 Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the front line showing the broken line 3-3 in Figure 1.

 FIG. 4 is a plan view, in longitudinal section, along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

 Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the hinge pin with its molded plastic sleeve.

 Figures 6 and 7 are views in longitudinal section of a retaining ring of the pedal body and a closure plug, mounted at the end of the sleeve.

 Figure 8 is an external profile view corresponding to Figure 5, shown on a larger scale.

 Figure 9 is a side view in cross section along line 9-9 of Figure 5, shown on a larger scale.

 Figure 10 is, on a larger scale, a longitudinal sectional view of the entire pedal, after the assembly of its elements.

elements.

 Figure 11 is a partial view in longitudinal section of the pedal assembly with a transverse fixing ring fixed elastically by snap-fastening.

 Figure 12 is a partial view in longitudinal section of one set of the pedal with a transverse fixing ring fixed by screwing.

 Figure 13 is a partial view in longitudinal section of the entire pedal with a transverse fixing plate fixed by clipping.

 FIG. 14 is a sectional view along 14-14 of FIG. 13.

 Figure 15 is a partial view in longitudinal section of one set of the pedal with a transverse retaining plug fixed by ultrasonic welds.

 This plastic pedal for bicycles or the like essentially comprises a body (1) with axially and longitudinally a cylindrical sheath (la) connecting at its ends to the support frame (lb) whose longitudinal sides are further axially reinforced by profiled ribs forming arms!

 The composite support frame (lob) in addition to the T-shaped sides (ld) with, according to each support face and in half-parts, extreme and opposite slots (le), formed by external strips (lof) . These slots (the) alternating along each bearing face allow the passage of the clamping straps of the toe clips which are fixed in the known manner by means of openings provided on the longitudinal sides of the frame (lb).

 I1 must be considered that the sheath (la) is entirely hollow by forming a succession of stepped spans (lg - 1h - li - lj - lk il - lm), arranged degressivemert according to the outside of the body with at the end a hollowed collar (ln and an extreme chamber (lp). This body (1) is obtained directly by molding, without any external machining.

 A metallic axis (2) of normal diameter, to resist in bending the forces developed on the pedal, is sheathed externally by the overmolding process, constituting a plastic sleeve (3) anchored longitudinally by means of one or more grooves (2a) formed on the cylindrical support part.

 This sleeve (3), of a compatible diameter to lower the contact pressure to an admissible value, forms externally stepped and declining doors (3a - 3b - 3c - 3d - 3e - 3f - 3g) to rigorously authorize their centering on the additional bores (lg - 1h - li - lj - 1k - ll - lm) of the sleeve (la).

 outside its cylindrical support part, the metal axis (2) constitutes an overhanging end successively forming a threaded nose (2b) intended to be screwed into the crank, followed by a shouldered flange (2c) with plates (2d) in view of the engagement of a wrench.

 In contrast, the sleeve (3) projects beyond the end of the metal axis (2i, forming a shouldered cylindrical clearance (3h) to allow engagement and the stop in translation of the hollowed-out flange (in) of the sheath (la) of the body (1). A conical recess (3i) follows the release (3h) of the sleeve t3) to allow the interior of the chamber (lp), the engagement by elasticity of the complementary internal part of the end of a sealing ring (4) with external flange (4a) cooperating in friction with the external face of the sheath (la). This outer flange (4a) further forms a peripheral edge (4b) ensuring the seal by slightly overlapping the conical outer end of said sheath (la). A plug (5) forcibly engaged or welded ensures the closure of the axial opening of the sleeve (3).

 In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11, the metal axis (6) also receives a sleeve (7) overmolded in plastic material, but its outer end overflows, successively forming a bearing (6a) for the engagement of the collar (ln) of the sheath (la) of the body (1), and squared cylindrical groove (6b) in order to authorize the engagement by elasticity and snap-fastening of a split plug (8), provided externally or not with a protective cover (8a) reported. The latter forming a peripheral rim projecting to ensure the seal by slightly overlapping the conical end of the sheath (la).

 In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12, the metal axis (9) also projects beyond the overmolded sleeve (10) to allow the engagement of the flange (ln) of the sleeve (la) of the body (1), while its end (9a) is threaded to allow fixing by screwing of a plug (11) with facial groove (lla) provided with a peripheral edge (lob) to be applied to the conical end of the sheath (la) ensuring sealing.

 In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, the metal axis (12) projects beyond the molded sleeve (13) and forms a part (12a) for the engagement of the flange (ln) of the sleeve (la). A groove (12b) following the bearing (12a) is presented opposite another groove (lt) of the opening of the sheath (1) to allow the engagement by half-parts of the branches of a stopping fork (14) engaged in corresponding openings formed transversely in said sheath (1). This fork (14) being abutted in the engagement position by its squared end (14a) bearing on the periphery of the sheath (la) of the body (1). A cover (15) is also fixed by elasticity at the end of the sheath (la) and the axis (12) in order to ensure the closure of the opening while ensuring one seal.

 In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15, the sleeve (17) projects beyond the end of the metal axis (18), externally forming a shouldered cylindrical clearance (17a) to allow the engagement and the stop in translation of the hollowed-out flange. (ln) of the sheath (la) of the body (1). This range (17a) is also established with a flat face (17b) to allow the nesting and the circular blocking of the corresponding bore of a plug (18) with in addition an axial nose (18a) which engages at the end of the corresponding axial opening (17c) of said sleeve. The fixing is ensured by ultrasonic welds to the right of the corresponding assembly surfaces on the sleeve (17).

 It should also be noted that in all cases, the pedal comprises on the side of the crank, a cover (16) made of flexible material which is fixed by clipping onto the peripheral part of the sheath (la).

 The advantages are apparent from the description. Particularly noteworthy - The creation of the plastic body.

- The absence of machining of the rotating parts.

- Ja deletion of the usual rolling parts.

- The speed of assembly.

 The invention is in no way limited to that of its modes of application any more than to those of the embodiments of its various parts having been more especially indicated; on the contrary, it embraces all its variants.

Claims (9)

XEVENDICATIONS -1- Pedal for bicycles or the like, characterized in that it comprises a body (1) of plastic material with hub (la) shaped by its profiled bore to center and rotate freely on the corresponding profile of a sleeve (3) made of plastic, molded onto a metal shaft (2) of normal diameter, in order to obtain a friction surface of the bearing surfaces made of plastic material compatible with the pressure exerted on the pedal; means for transversely retaining and sealing the body with respect to the axis. -2- Pedal according to claim 1 characterized in that the bearing surfaces of the hub (la) of the body (1) and of the sleeve (3) of the metal axis (2) are complementary and established in the form of successive and stepped cylinders directly formed during molding. -3- Pedal according to claim 1, characterized in that the hub (la) of the pedal body (1) comprises in its bore a flange (ion) cooperating with two reliefs established respectively on the sleeve (3) of the metal pin (2) and on the retaining means, to allow lateral support.  -4- Pedal according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (1) forms a hub (la) connecting at the end to the support frame (1b) whose longitudinal sides are reinforced axially and transversely by profiled arms (lc); extreme slots or longitudinal openings (ive), opposite along each bearing face of the frame for the passage of the tightening straps of the toe clips. -5- Pedal according to claim 1, characterized in that the sleeve (3) of plastic material projects beyond the metallic axis (2) to allow the engagement and the abutment of the flange (lob) of the hub (the ) while a sealing ring (4) engages by elasticity by its extreme profile in a conical clearance (3h) of said sleeve (3) forming an extreme covering by its opposite flange (4a) provided with a edge or peripheral bead (4b) for covering the end of the sheath (la); a plug (5) being further engaged and fixed in the axial opening of the sleeve (3). -6- Pedal according to claim 1, characterized in that, as a variant, the means for retaining and sealing the body (1) comprises a split plug (8), the stepped front part of which engages by elasticity in a groove (6b) established on the extreme part of the metal shaft (6) projecting from its overmolded sleeve (7), said plug (7) covering the end of the sheath (b) while receiving a protective cover (8a) . -7- Pedal according to claim 1, characterized in that, as a variant, the means for retaining and sealing the body (1) comprises a plug (11) screwed directly by its axial opening on the threaded end and protruding from the metal axis (9), said plug (il) forming a facial groove (pila) with profiled edge (llb) to be applied to the end of the sheath (la). -8- Pedal according to claim 1, characterized in that, as a variant, the means for retaining the body (1) comprises- a removable fork (14) whose branches engage in corresponding openings formed transversely in the sheath (1), in order to cooperate in half-parts in facing grooves (12b and It) formed respectively on the metal axis (12) and in the bore of the sleeve (1), a cover (15) fixed in covering on the end of the sheath ensuring sealing. -9- Pedal according to claim 1, characterized in that, as a variant, the means for retaining and sealing the body (1) comprises a plug (18) fitted by its circular circular groove on the one hand on the outer surface (17a) of the projecting part of the sleeve (17), with flat (17b) of circular positioning, and on the other hand by its axial part forming a nose (18a) in the corresponding opening (17b) formed at the end said sleeve; fixing being ensured by the ultrasonic welding process in line with the assembly spans.