WO2005084966A1

WO2005084966A1 - Hub construction for detachable wheel

Info

Publication number: WO2005084966A1
Application number: PCT/NL2005/000169
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerjan Koster
Original assignee: Koster & Durieux Beheer B.V.
Priority date: 2004-03-09
Filing date: 2005-03-08
Publication date: 2005-09-15
Also published as: NL1025667C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a hub construction for placing an element detachably on an axle, comprising: - an axle (1); - a bushing (3) which can be placed on the axle (1) and to which the element is connected; and - a locking device for locking the bushing (3) in axial direction on the axle (1), wherein the locking device can be released by a control element (10) which is placed concentrically to the axle (1) and which is to be pressed in axial direction for the purpose of release. As a result of these measures it is possible to bring about release merely by pressing in the release element. This is a much more natural movement for most people. This measure moreover has the advantage that no edges or hooks are necessary for grasping by the fingers; all that is necessary to exert a pressure force is a simple surface.

Description

HUB CONSTRUCTION FOR DETACHABLE WHEEL

The invention relates to a hub construction for placing an element detachably on an axle, comprising an axle, a. bushing which can be placed over an outer end of the axle and to which the element is connected, and a locking device for locking the bushing in axial direction on the axle. Such a hub construction is known from US-A-4 477 121. The hub construction known from this document comprises a locking device which can only be released by performing a pulling movement in axial direction. This is a movement in a direction which is usually perceived as unnatural . A releasing movement in such a device moreover requires an edge, hook or the like behind which the releasing person can place his/her fingers so as to transfer the movement in the relevant direction to the releasing element. This furthermore results in an appearance which is generally not particularly attractive. The object of the present invention is to provide such a hub construction wherein these drawbacks are obviated. This objective is achieved in that the locking device comprises a sleeve slidable over the bushing and can be released by a control element which is placed concentrically to the axle and connected to the sleeve and which is to be pressed in axial direction for the purpose of release. As a result of these measures it is possible to bring about release merely by pressing in the release element. This is a much more natural movement for most people. This measure moreover has the advantage that no edges or hooks are necessary for grasping with the fingers; all that is necessary to exert a pressure force is a simple surface. Although the invention has a large number of applications, the advantages thereof become particularly manifest when the element is a wheel and the axle forms part of a vehicle. Here can be envisaged vehicles which are propelled manually, such as pushchairs, buggies and numerous variants thereof which must usually be taken aboard other vehicles such as cars or public transport, and wherein the wheels take up a significant volume. These vehicles can be transported more easily by removing these wheels. A locking mechanism is per se known from the American document US 5 988 656, wherein unlocking takes place by pressing a separate control element in axial direction. The known construction is however of a wholly different type, wherein the axle fulfils a bearing function as well as a locking function. In order to enable release of the element from a vehicle, the axle itself has to be removed in its entirety from the vehicle . Another preferred embodiment provides the measure that the control button is fixedly connected to a sleeve which is slidable over the bushing. A structurally simple embodiment is hereby obtained. Although this is not essential, a preferred embodiment provides the option of the bushing being rotatable on the axle. With this construction a separate bearing construction becomes unnecessary. A bearing will however still be necessary in many- cases. In such a situation this bearing can best be arranged around the bushing. In order to prevent undesired operation of the release, it is recommended that the outer surface of the control element lies within the contour of the wheel. The outer surface of the control element therefore preferably lies flush with the outer surface of the wheel. Not only does this result in an attractive appearance, but a good protection against dirt entering the interior of the wheel hub construction from outside is hereby also obtained. According to a further preferred embodiment, the locking device and the wheel are fixed to each other. This means that, in both the fitted and detached situation of the wheel, the wheel and the locking clevice form a whole and do not therefore become separate components. This prevents for instance components being mislaid when the wheel is detached. According to a further preferred embodiment, the axle and the wheel remain in stationary position relative to each other when the locking device is released. The wheel is for instance first released, and only then removed from the axle. These separate release and removal functions make release (and, vice versa., also the locking) of the wheel and removal thereof simpler. In a further preferred embodiment, a first wheel is lockable on a first outer end of the axle using a first locking device, and a second wheel is lockable on a. second, opposite outer end of the axle using a second locking device. The axle can for instance be arranged on the underside of a vehicle, such as a pushchair, cart or a travel golf bag, so that the wheels of the releva.nt vehicle can be detached or arranged quickly and easily. The present invention will be elucidated hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Fig. 1 shows a perspective schematic view of a combination of a wheel and an axle wherein the hub construction according to the present invention is applied; Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view through a radial plane of the hub construction. The invention is applicable to a vehicle which is provided with at least one axle. Such an axle is shown in fig. 1. A wheel 2 is mounted rotatably on axle 1. Use is made for the mounting of the releasable construction as shown particularly in fig. 2. A bushing 3 is arranged around axle 1. This bushing 3 fits precisely around axle 1. A peripherally extending groove 4 is arranged in axle 1 in the vicinity of its end. A number of openings

5 are arranged in the bushing at the position of groove 4. Balls 6 are placed in these openings 5. These balls not only extend into the relevant openings 5 but also into groove 4. They herein prevent axial movement of bushing 3 relative to axle 1. An outward radial movement of balls 6 is prevented by the presence of a sleeve 7 extending around bushing 3. In the normal position shown in fig. 2, sleeve 7 encloses balls 6 so that the desired axial locking does indeed take place. Sleeve 7 is however slidable in axial direction over bushing 3 so that it can be moved to a position in which sleeve 7 is provided with a peripherally extending internal notch 8 at the position of balls 6. The internal notch 8 provides space for an outward radial movement of balls 6, whereby the axial locking of balls

6 on axle 1 is ended. The bushing, together with the wheel situated around it, can then be moved off the axle 1. Owing to the presence of a helical compression spring 9 extending between bushing 3 and a cap 10 connected fixedly to sleeve 7, sleeve 7 is urged to the normal position in which it encloses balls 6. It is however possible to press in the cap 10, whereby the sleeve with its notch 8 is moved to a position above balls 6, whereby the locking is released. Two bearings 11,12 are arranged around bushing 3. These bearings form a connection between the actual wheel 2 and bushing 3 , whereby wheel 2 can rotate relative to bushing 3. It is however also possible to make use of a configuration wherein no separate bearings are present , and wherein wheel 3 is placed directly onto bushing 3. Rotation then becomes possible in that axle 1 and bushing 3 function together as bearing. Cap 10, which is used for the release, lies flush with wheel 2 at its edges. As a consequence the cap functions not only as control element but also as protection from dirt and dust in the shown construction. The present invention is not limited to preferrecL embodiments thereof described here. The rights sought are rather defined by the .following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.

Claims

1. Hub construction for placing an element detachably on an axle, comprising: - an axle; - a bushing which can be placed over an outer end of the axle and to which the element is connected; and - a locking device for locking the bushing in axial direction on the axle, characterized in that the locking device comprises a sleeve slidable over the bushing and can be released by a control element which is placed concentrically to the axle and connected to the sleeve and which is to be pressed in axial direction for the purpose of release.

2. Hub construction as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the element is a wheel and that the axle forms part of a vehicle.

3. Hub construction as claimed in claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the control element is fixedly connected to the sleeve slidable over the bushing.

4. Hub construction as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 , characterized in that the bushing is rotatable on the axle .

5. Hub construction as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that at least one wheel bearing is arranged around the bushing.

6. Combination of a hub construction as claimed in any of the foregoing claims and a wheel, characterized in that the outer surface of the control element lies within the contour of the wheel .

7. Combination of a hub construction as claimed in any of the claims 1-5, characterized in that the outer surface of the control element lies flush with the outer surface of the wheel .

8. Combination as claimed in claim 6 or 7 , characterized in that the wheel hub construction and the wheel form part of a cart .

9. Combination as claimed in claim 6, wherein the locking device and the wheel are fixed to each, other.

10. Combination as claimed in claim 6, wherein the axle and the wheel remain in stationary position relative to each other when the locking device is released.

11. Combination as claimed in claim 6, wherein a first wheel is lockable on a first outer end of the axle using a first locking device, and a second wheel is lockable on a second, opposite outer end of the axle using a second locking device.

12. Vehicle, in particular a cart, characterized by at least two combinations as claimed in any off the claims 6-11.