A bicycle crank comprises a mixture of aluminum and chromoly. The spine comprises chromoly, which serves as a backbone to the crank arm and thereby provides added strength. The body comprises aluminum, which reduces the crank arm weight. The body can therefore be thinner and lighter with the added support provided by the steel spine. In another embodiment the crank arm includes a spine having a crank boss and a spindle boss at opposed ends that are integrally formed with the crank arm. An outer shell includes an elongated member having an inner face having an outer perimeter with a shape approximately coincident with an outer perimeter of the spine The inner face is recessed to admit a portion of the spine and has crank and spindle boss apertures extending through to an outer face. The outer perimeters of the outer shell and the spine are joined together.
Byron Anderson - Austin TX, US Ronald Bonner - Maitland FL, US
Assignee:
American Mentality, Inc. - Winter Park FL
International Classification:
B23Q005/22 F16G013/02 B23Q007/00 B21B039/00
US Classification:
474228000, 474230000
Abstract:
A bicycle chain for improved endurance includes pairs of substantially identical plates. Each oval plate has opposed first and second end portions joined by an outwardly stepped portion. Each end portion has a hole therethrough. A pair of plates is orientable with the respective inner faces of the first and the second end portions parallel and opposed. A spacing between inner faces of the first end portions is thereby less than a spacing between the inner faces of the second end portions. A pivot pin extends through the second end portion hole of a first plate through a first end portion hole of a third plate, through a spacer body, through a first end portion hole of a fourth plate, and through the second end portion hole of the second plate, the pivot pin rotatably anchored adjacent the outer faces of the first and the second plates.
Byron Anderson - Austin TX, US Ronald Bonner - Maitland FL, US
International Classification:
F16G 13/02
US Classification:
474234000, 474230000, 474219000
Abstract:
A bicycle chain for improved endurance includes pairs of substantially identical plates. Each plate has a generally oval shape, with, in one embodiment, a generally centrally located indentation along an inner edge. A pair of plates is orientable with the respective inner faces of the first and the second end portions parallel and opposed. A spacing between inner faces of the first end portions is thereby less than a spacing between the inner faces of the second end portions. A pivot pin extends through the second end portion hole of a first plate through a first end portion hole of a third plate, through a spacer body, through a first end portion hole of a fourth plate, and through the second end portion hole of the second plate, the pivot pin rotatably anchored adjacent the outer faces of the first and the second plates.