GB2584943A

GB2584943A - Rotary type quick-folding crank device of bicycle

Info

Publication number: GB2584943A
Application number: GB2004383.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Liu Peng; Zhao Xiaofei
Original assignee: Ningbo Tekmax Bicycle Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ningbo Tekmax Bicycle Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-06-17
Filing date: 2020-03-26
Publication date: 2020-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-26
Also published as: GB202004383D0; CN210101917U; GB2584943B

Abstract

A folding crank device of bicycle comprises a crank upper section 2, either end being connected with crank lower sections 1, the crank lower sections being connectable with pedals via screw threads 15. Each crank lower section has a cavity, and a rotation stop slide block 3 arranged therein. Clamping slots 4 matching with the rotation stop slide blocks 3 are arranged at the ends of the crank upper section 2. In use, the rotation stop slide block 3 may be disengaged from the clamping slot 4, the crank lower section is then rotated relative to the crank upper section 2 bringing the axis of a pedal mounting hole 15 parallel with a bicycle frame. Folding the pedals reduces the width of the bicycle thereby reducing packing carton costs. When the bicycle is unpacked for use, the pedals may be unfolded without tools.

Description

ROTARY TYPE QUICK-FOLDING CRANK DEVICE OF BICYCLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of bicycles, and in particular to a rotary type quick-folding crank device of bicycle.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A bicycle crank is a connecting portion of pedals and a chain ring. The crank can transfer kinetic energy from the pedals to a driving wheel of a bicycle through a chain on the chain ring.

[0003] The applicant finds at least the following technical problems in the prior art: pedals on a crank of the existing bicycle are generally fixedly connected with the crank after assembly of the bicycle is completed, such whole body cannot be folded, and the structures of pedal bodies protrude. In one aspect, most of the complete bicycles utilize a 85% assembly manner during transportation, and the pedals are assembled by bicycle sellers or customers, so the pedals are very easy to be lost. Moreover, the pedals and the crank are poor in thread match such that assembly is difficult and assembly tools need to be additionally provided. In another aspect, the pedals are assembled to be transported such that the pedals are very easy to collide with outside objects. Additionally, surfaces of the pedals are generally vertical to a plane on which a bicycle main body is located, wherein protrusion portions of the pedals cause space waste of a packing box and increases the size of the packing box, resulting in high transport costs.

[0004] Therefore, how to solve the above problem always troubles users and the applicant.

SUMMARY

[0005] An objective of the present disclosure is to provide a rotary type quick-folding crank device of bicycle in order to solve a technical problem that pedals protrude a bicycle main body so as to occupy a large packing space when a bicycle is packed to be transported in the prior art. The following describes in detail multiple technical effects capable of being generated by a preferred technical solution of multiple technical solutions provided by the present disclosure.

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the present disclosure provides the following technical solution: [0007] a rotary type quick-folding crank device of bicycle provided by the present disclosure comprises: [0008] a crank upper section, wherein two ends of the crank upper section are detachably connected with crank lower sections, and the crank lower sections are connected with pedals.

[0009] The crank lower section has a cavity structure, and a rotation stop slide block is arranged in the crank lower section. Clamping slots matching with the rotation stop slide blocks are arranged at two end parts of the crank upper section, respectively. The rotation stop slide block can be removed from the clamping slots, and when the rotation stop slide block is removed from the clamping slots, the crank lower section can be rotated corresponding to the crank upper section till the axis of a pedal mounting hole of the crank lower section is in parallel with a bicycle main body so as to achieve folding.

[0010] Preferably, the crank upper section and the crank lower section are connected through a pin hole and a first pin.

[0011] An inner annular slot is arranged in the crank lower section, and the first pin can move in the inner annular slot such that the crank lower section can do partial circular motion on the crank upper section.

[0012] Preferably, symmetrical sliding slots are arranged on a circumferential wall of the crank lower section and are arranged in a direction of the axis of the crank lower section. The rotation stop slide block can slide in the sliding slots and can remove the clamping slots when the rotation stop slide block is pulled, and the crank lower section is rotated at the same time in order to fold the pedal to be in parallel with the bicycle main body.

[0013] Preferably, an elastic device is arranged in the cavity of the crank lower section and is fixed to an end part of the cavity. The elastic device can be propped against the rotation stop slide block when the rotation stop slide block is pushed.

[0014] Preferably, a clamping end of the rotation stop slide block is T-shaped, and the clamping slots are U-shaped. In a riding state, a protrusion section of the rotation stop slide block is clamped in the U-shaped slots. In a folding state, the protrusion section of the rotation stop slide block is propped against an outer edges of the clamping slots.

[001 5] Preferably, the rotary type quick-folding crank device of bicycle further comprises protective bushings. The protective bushing is in clearance fit with an outer circumference of the crank lower section and is in interface fit with the rotation stop slide block. The protective bushing can drive the rotation stop slide block to slide.

[001 6] Preferably, the rotary type quick-folding crank device of bicycle further comprises limiting mechanisms, which are arranged on the crank upper section and the crank lower section.

[0017] The limiting mechanism limits a rotation angle of the rotation stop slide block. [0018] Preferably, the limiting mechanism comprises: [0019] a locating slot, which is arranged on an outer wall of the crank lower section; [0020] a second pin, which is arranged at the two end parts of the crank upper section, respectively, protrudes an outer circumference of the crank upper section and extends into the locating slot. After the rotation stop slide block slides, the second pin can rotate according to an angle of the locating slot.

[0021] Preferably, the locating slot is an arc slot, the central angle of the locating slot is 90 degrees, and the second pin can rotate in the locating slot to limit the rotation angle of the rotation stop slide block to be 90 degrees.

[0022] Preferably, an inner side slot is arranged on an inner wall of the protective bushing, and the second pin can rotate in the inner side slot to prevent the second pin from removing.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the rotary type quick-folding crank device of bicycle provided by the present disclosure has the following beneficial effects: the crank has a detachable three-section structure, wherein the crank lower sections can rotate corresponding to the crank upper section; in the riding state, the clamping slots in the crank upper section and the rotation stop slide blocks are clamped; when the pedals are folded, and after the rotation stop slide blocks are removed from the clamping slots, the crank lower sections are rotated corresponding to the crank upper section; and when the axis of the pedal mounting holes of the crank lower sections is in parallel with the bicycle main body, the folding is completed. After the folding is completed, pedal surfaces are changed from a state vertical to the bicycle main body to a state in parallel with a plane on which the bicycle main body is located, and the pedals do not protrude the bicycle main body to occupy a great space.

[0024] The above device mainly reduces packing costs of the whole bicycle. After the pedals are folded, the thickness of a packing carton can reduce 35 cm, so the costs of the packing carton are greatly reduced. When the bicycle is unpacked for use, the pedals are directly unfolded by hands in a pressing manner so as to avoid the need of later assembly and special tools and to reduce labour costs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure or the prior art more clearly, the following briefly introduces the accompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments or the prior art. Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following description show merely some embodiments in the present disclosure, and a person of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.

[0026] FIG 1 is an exploded view of a rotary type quick-folding crank device of bicycle.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a rotary type quick-folding crank device of bicycle.

[0028] FIG 3 is a schematic diagram of a whole structure of a crank lower section.

[0029] FIG 4 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of a crank lower section.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a structural schematic diagram of a protective bushing.

[0031] In the drawings: 1-crank lower section, 11-sliding slot, 12-locating slot, 13-inner annular slot, 14-first pin locating hole, 15-pedal mounting hole, 2-crank upper section, 3-rotation stop slide block, 4-clamping slot, 5-first pin, 6-compression spring, 7-protective bushing, 71-inner side slot, and 8-second pin.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0032] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present disclosure clearer, the following describes the technical solutions of the present disclosure in detail. Apparently, the described embodiments are merely a part rather than all of the embodiments of the present disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present disclosure without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0033] In the description of the present disclosure, it should be understood that orientations or position relationships indicated by terms "center", "length", "width", "height". "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside"and "side", etc. are orientations or position relationships as shown in the accompanying drawings, and these terms are just used to facilitate description of the present disclosure and simplify the description, but not to indicate or imply that the mentioned apparatus or elements must have a specific orientation and must be established and operated in a specific orientation, and thus, these terms cannot be understood as a limitation to the present disclosure. In addition, in the descriptions of the present disclosure, "a plurality of means two or more unless otherwise indicated.

[0034] In the description of the present disclosure, it should be further noted that: unless expressly specified and defined otherwise, the terms "arrangement", "installation", "connected" and "connection" should be understood broadly. For example, "connection" may be fixed connection, detachable connection or integral connection; may also be mechanical connection or electrical connection; may be direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate component; and may also be communication between two elements. Those ordinarily skilled in the art may understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present disclosure based on specific situations.

[0035] Referring to FIG 1 and FIG 2, FIG 1 is an exploded view of a rotary type quick-folding crank device of bicycle. FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a rotary type quick-folding crank device of bicycle. The present disclosure provides a rotary type quick-folding crank device of bicycle, which comprises: [0036] a crank upper section 2, wherein two ends of the crank upper section 2 are detachably connected with crank lower sections 1, and the crank lower sections 1 are connected with pedals.

[0037] The crank lower section 1 has a cavity structure, and a rotation stop slide block 3 is arranged in the crank lower section. Clamping slots 4 matching with the rotation stop slide blocks 3 are arranged at two end parts of the crank upper section 2, respectively. After the rotation stop slide block 3 can be removed from the clamping slots 4, the crank lower section 1 is rotated corresponding to the crank upper section 2 till the axis of a pedal mounting hole 15 of the crank lower section 1 is in parallel with a bicycle main body so as to achieve folding.

[0038] It should be understood that, the folding represents to change a direction of the axis of the pedal mounting hole 15 of the crank lower section. As shown in FIG 2, the left side of the drawing represents a direction of the pedal mounting hole 15 of the crank lower section in a riding state, and the direction of the axis of the pedal mounting hole is located on the same plane with the crank upper section (that is, vertical to a plane on which a bicycle body is located); and the right side of the drawing represents a direction of the pedal mounting hole 15 of the crank lower section in a folding state, and the direction of the axis of the pedal mounting hole is vertical to the plane on which the crank upper section is located (that is, in parallel with the plane on which the bicycle body is located). When the pedal mounting hole 15 is located in a direction of the right side in FIG. 2 and the pedals are mounted again, pedal surfaces and a plane of the bicycle main body are in parallel with each other so as to be capable of reducing thickness of package and transport costs. Referring to FIG. 1 again, a plane on which paper is located in FIG 1 is a plane on which the crank is located, the plane on which the bicycle main body is located is a plane vertical to the paper, and similarly, the left side in FIG 1 represents a direction of the crank lower section in the riding state while the right side in FIG. 1 represents a folding state of the crank lower section.

[0039] The present disclosure has the following beneficial effects: the crank has a detachable three-section structure, wherein the crank lower sections can rotate corresponding to the crank upper section; in the riding state, the clamping slots 4 in the crank upper section 2 and the rotation stop slide blocks 3 are clamped; when the pedals are folded, and after the rotation stop slide blocks 3 are removed from the clamping slots 4, the crank lower sections 1 are rotated; and when the axis of the pedal mounting holes 15 of the crank lower sections 1 is in parallel with the bicycle main body, the folding is completed. After the folding is completed, pedal surfaces are changed from a state vertical to the bicycle main body to a state in parallel with a plane on which the bicycle main body is located, and the pedals do not protrude the bicycle main body to occupy a great space.

[0040] The above device mainly reduces packing costs of the whole bicycle. After the pedals are folded, the thickness of a packing carton can reduce 35 cm, so the costs of the packing carton are greatly reduced. When the bicycle is unpacked for use, the pedals are directly unfolded by hands in a pressing manner so as to avoid the need of later assembly and special tools and to reduce labour costs.

[0041] As an optional embodiment, referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a whole structure of a crank lower section. FIG 4 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of a crank lower section. The crank upper section 2 and the crank lower section 1 are connected through a pin hole and a first pin 5. An inner annular slot 13 is arranged in the crank lower section 1, and the first pin 5 can move in the inner annular slot 13 such that the crank lower section I can do partial circular motion on the crank upper section 2.

[0042] The crank upper section 2 and the crank lower section 1 are connected through the first pin 5, and correspondingly a first pin locating hole 14 is arranged on the crank upper section 2. the first pin 5 penetrates the pin hole of the crank upper section and is located in the inner annular slot 13 of the crank lower section. When the crank lower section is rotated, the first pin 5 can move in the inner annular slot. When the folding is completed, two ends of the first pin 5 can be located in the first pin locating hole 14 to be located.

[0043] The inner annular slot 13 is used for matching with the crank upper section and the pin, and the two crank lower sections 1 are connected with the crank upper section and can do a circular motion on the crank upper section.

[0044] As an optional embodiment, referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, [0045] symmetrical sliding slots 11 are arranged on a circumferential wall of the crank lower section 1 and are arranged in a direction of the axis of the crank lower section, the rotation stop slide block 3 can slide in the sliding slots 11 and can remove the clamping slots 4 when the rotation stop slide block 3 is pulled, and the crank lower section 1 is rotated at the same time in order to fold the pedal to be in parallel with the bicycle main body.

[0046] The sliding slot 11 is used for matching with the rotation stop slide block 3, and the rotation stop slide block 3 slides along the sliding slot 11 but does not rotate. The rotation stop slide block 3 can remove the clamping slots 4 of the crank upper section 2 when sliding in the sliding slot 11.

[0047] To help the rotation stop slide block 3 to slide and reset, as an optional embodiment, referring to FIG 1 and FIG 2, an elastic device is arranged in the cavity of the crank lower section 1 and is fixed to an end part of a cavity. The elastic device can be propped against the rotation stop slide block 3 when the rotation stop slide block 3 is pushed.

[0048] As shown in FIG 2, and referring to directions of the rotation stop slide block 3 and the clamping slot 4 on the right side of the drawing, the above spring is acted on the rotation stop slide block 3 in the folding state, and the rotation stop slide block 3 closely matches with upper edges of the clamping slots 4 at the end part of the crank upper section in the folding state so as to help location of the direction of the crank lower section.

[004.9] To help clamping of the rotation stop slide block 3 and the clamping slots 4 and propping thereof in the folding state, as shown in FIG 2, as an optional embodiment, a clamping end of the rotation stop slide block 3 is T-shaped, and the clamping slots 4 are U-shaped. In the riding state, a protrusion section of the rotation stop slide block 3 is clamped in the U-shaped slots. In a folding state, the protrusion section of the rotation stop slide block 3 is propped against the outer edges of the clamping slots 4.

[0050] To help rotation of the rotation stop slide block 3, as an optional embodiment, and referring to FIG 1, FIG 2 and FIG 5, FIG 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a protective bushing. The rotary type quick-folding crank device of bicycle further comprises protective bushings 7. The protective bushing 7 is in clearance fit with an outer circumference of the crank lower section 1 and is in interface fit with the rotation stop slide block 3. The protective bushing 7 can drive the rotation stop slide block 3 to slide.

[0051] When the rotation stop slide block 3 needs to rotate, such rotation can be achieved by rotating the protective bushing 7, wherein the protective bushing 7 can be made of nylon in order to help operations.

[0052] After the folding is completed, to conveniently prevent the rotation stop slide block 3 from continuously rotating, as an optional embodiment, the rotary type quick-folding crank device of bicycle further comprises limiting mechanisms, which are arranged on the crank upper section 2 and the crank lower section 1, and the limiting mechanism limits a rotation angle of the rotation stop slide block 3.

[0053] The limiting mechanism is used for limiting continuous rotation of the rotation stop slide block 3 when the axis of the pedal mounting hole 15 of the crank lower section is in parallel with the bicycle main body [0054] As an optional embodiment, referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the limiting mechanism comprises: [0055] a locating slot 12, which is arranged on an outer wall of the crank lower section 1; and a second pin 8, which is arranged at the two end parts of the crank upper section 2, respectively, protrudes an outer circumference of the crank upper section 2 and extends into the locating slot 12. When the rotation stop slide block 3 rotates, the second pin 8 can rotate according to an angle of the locating slot 12.

[0056] The locating slot 12 decide a rotation direction and a rotation limit of the second pin 8. The second pin 8 is used for connecting the crank upper section and the crank lower section and also ensuring that the crank lower section can rotate by taking the crank upper section as the axis.

[0057] In the riding state, an axis extending line of the pedal mounting hole 15 is located on the same plane (shown in FIG. 2 at the left side) with the crank upper section. In the folding state, and the axis of the pedal mounting hole 15 is vertical to a plane (shown in FIG 2 at the right side) on which the crank upper section is located, so the whole rotation angle of the crank lower section is 90 degrees. Therefore, as an optional embodiment, and referring to FIG. 2 and FIG 3, the locating slot 12 is an arc slot with a central angle of 90 degrees, and the second pin 8 can rotate in the locating slot 12 to limit the rotation angle of the rotation stop slide block 3 to be 90 degrees.

[0058] As an optional embodiment" an inner side slot 71 is arranged on an inner wall of the protective bushing 7, and the second pin 8 can rotate in the inner side slot 71 to prevent the second pin from removing.

[0059] The inner side slot 71 can allow rotation of the second pin 8 with a limiting function and limit the pin from removing.

[0060] Referring to FIG 1 and FIG 2, a specific use method of the rotary type quick-folding crank device of bicycle in the specific embodiment of the present disclosure is: in a regular riding state, the rotation stop slide block 3 is tightly clamped in the clamping slots 4 at the two ends of the crank upper section 2, and the crank lower sections 1 at the two ends and the crank upper section cannot rotate so as to achieve direction location. In the folding state, the nylon protective bushings 7 at two ends are respectively pulled. The nylon protective bushing 7 drives the rotation stop slide block 3 to completely remove from the clamping slots 4 at the end part of the crank upper section. The rotation stop slide block 3 moves towards the end part in the sliding slots 11. The crank lower section 1 rotates 90 degrees by taking the crank upper section as the axis. The compression spring 6 is acted on the rotation stop slide block 3. And the end part of the rotation stop slide block 3 is propped against upper edges of the clamping slots 4 (as shown in the right side of FIG 2). Meanwhile, the first pin 5 matches with the inner annular slot 13 on the crank lower section 1, and the second pin 8 matches with the locating slot 12 of the crank lower section 1 so as to be capable of preventing the crank lower section 1 from further rotating. The pedal and the crank lower section 1 are assembly, and a folding mechanism can be opened by a little force. Wherein the riding state can refer to a state of the crank lower section on the left side of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The folding state can refer to a state of the crank lower section on the right side.

[0061] The above device mainly reduces packing costs of the whole bicycle. After the pedals are folded, the thickness of a packing carton can reduce 35, so the costs of the packing carton are greatly reduced. When the bicycle is unpacked for use, the pedals are directly unfolded by hands in a pressing manner so as to avoid the need of later assembly and special tools and to reduce labours.

[0062] The specific features, structures or characteristics described in the specification may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0063] The above merely describes specific embodiments of the present disclosure, but the protection scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. A person skilled in the art can easily conceive modifications or replacements within the technical scope disclosed by the present disclosure within the scope of the claims.

Claims

Claims I. A rotary type quick-folding crank device of bicycle, comprising: a crank upper section, wherein two ends of the crank upper section are detachably connected with crank lower sections, and the crank lower sections are connected with pedals; the crank lower section has a cavity structure, a rotation stop slide block is arranged in the crank lower section, and clamping slots matching with the rotation stop slide blocks are arranged at two end parts of the crank upper section, respectively; and the rotation stop slide block can be removed from the clamping slots, and when the rotation stop slide block is removed from the clamping slots, the crank lower section can be rotated corresponding to the crank upper section till the axis of a pedal mounting hole of the crank lower section is in parallel with a bicycle main body so as to achieve folding.
2. The rotary type quick-folding crank device of bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the crank upper section and the crank lower section are connected through a pin hole and a first pin; and an inner annular slot is arranged in the crank lower section, and the first pin can move in the inner annular slot such that the crank lower section can do partial circular motion on the crank upper section.
3. The rotary type quick-folding crank device of bicycle according to claim 1, wherein symmetrical sliding slots are arranged on a circumferential wall of the crank lower section and are arranged in a direction of the axis of the crank lower section, the rotation stop slide block can slide in the sliding slots and can remove the clamping slots when the rotation stop slide block is pulled, and the crank lower section is rotated at the same time in order to fold the pedal to be in parallel with the bicycle main body
4. The rotary type quick-folding crank device of bicycle according to claim I_ or 3, wherein an elastic device is arranged in the cavity of the crank lower section and is fixed to an interior bottom of the cavity, and the elastic device can be propped against the rotation stop slide block when the rotation stop slide block is pushed.
5. The rotary type quick-folding crank device of bicycle according to claim 3, wherein a clamping end of the rotation stop slide block is T-shaped, and the clamping slots are U-shaped; in a riding state, a protrusion section of the rotation stop slide block is clamped in the U-shaped slots; and in a folding state, the protrusion section of the rotation stop slide block is propped against an outer edges of the clamping slots.
6. The rotary type quick-folding crank device of bicycle according to claim 1, further comprising protective bushings, wherein the protective bushing is in clearance fit with an outer circumference of the crank lower section and is in interface fit with the rotation stop slide block, and the protective bushing can drive the rotation stop slide block to rotate.
7. The rotary type quick-folding crank device of bicycle according to claim 6, further comprising limiting mechanisms, which are arranged on the crank upper section and the crank lower section, wherein the limiting mechanism limits a rotation angle of the rotation stop slide block.
8. The rotary type quick-folding crank device of bicycle according to claim 7, wherein the limiting mechanism comprises a locating slot, which is arranged on an outer wall of the crank lower section; and a second pin, which is arranged at the two end parts of the crank upper section, respectively, protrudes an outer circumference of the crank upper section and extends into the locating slot; wherein, after the rotation stop slide block rotates, the second pin can rotate according to an angle of the locating slot.
9. The rotary type quick-folding crank device of bicycle according to claim 8, wherein, the locating slot is an arc slot, the central angle of the locating slot is 90 degrees, and the second pin can rotate in the locating slot to limit the rotation angle of the rotation stop slide block to be 90 degrees.
10. The rotary type quick-folding crank device of bicycle according to claim 8, wherein an inner side slot is arranged on an inner wall of the protective bushing, and the second pin can rotate in the inner side slot to prevent the second pin from removing.