Releasable wheel axle device
REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 272,924, filed June 6, 1981, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to portable vehicles having removable wheels and, more particularly, to assemblies for allowing the quick release of wheels from such vehicles. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     In the use of light-duty or portable vehicles, such as bicycles, tricycles, wagons, wheelchairs and the like, it is common for one to transport the vehicle within a car. However, given the energy shortage and downscaling of personal automobiles, it is very difficult to position the aforementioned portable vehicles within the truck of a small car or the back seat thereof. 
     Contributing substantially to the unwieldiness of such vehicles are the large wheels commonly associated therewith. Having the ability to remove such wheels, especially from a bike, wheelchair or the like, greatly facilitates handling, movement and/or storage. 
     Mechanisms used for releasing at least the front wheel from the fork of a bike are known. Examples are toggle connectors, spring clips and wing nuts. In the case of wheelchairs, wagons, and certain other vehicles, however, such mechanisms do not greatly assist in solving the problem since removing the wheel still leaves an axle protruding from the vehicle frame. In such cases, the user is left in almost a worse disadvantage than if the wheels were left in place. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a connector assembly is provided which allows a wheel axle to be readily connected or disconnected from a vehicle frame. The axle is retained in the wheel hub when the wheel is withdrawn, thereby allowing the vehicle to be more readily stored or placed within one&#39;s automobile, storage closet or the like. 
     the assembly includes a replacement axle for the vehicle wheel and mounting means attached to the vehicle frame having an orfice through which an extension of the replacement axle extends. A plunger mechanism is utilized to engage the end of the axle extension and hold the wheel in place during use. The plunger mechanism includes a handle member having an upright portion that allows one to grasp the plunger and disengage its connection with the axle extension. 
     The plunger mechanism is spring-biased toward the connecting position and is released by pulling the upright portion along a constraining slot. The upright portion is rotated 90° to engage a detent to hold the plunger in an open position and allow withdrawal of the extension from the connector block for easy removal of the wheel from the vehicle. 
     Alternately, a locking means comprising an indented rotatable shaft may be used. In this case, rotation of the shaft to position the indentation over the axle extension and allow its release is all that is required. 
    
    
     BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the connector assembly of the present invention in use with a wheelchair; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the assembly of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a fragmentary broken-away view of assembly parts shown in phantom in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the parts shown in FIG. 3 in a different position; 
     FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view showing the axle extension and plunger head in engagement; 
     FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the connector shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing the assembly in a locked position; 
     FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-section taken along lines 8--8 of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 7 in a release position; and, 
     FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross-section taken along lines 10--10 of FIG. 9. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the connector assembly of the present invention is shown in use on a wheelchair. A connector mounting means (12) is clamped to a portion of the tubular frame (14) of wheelchair (10). 
     It will be appreciated that the original axle of the wheelchair, which is commonly threadedly attached to frame (14) through internally threaded sleeve (42), has been replaced with axle (20) of the present invention. Such axle includes extension (26) and is provided with split rings (30, 32) and corresponding washer assemblies (31, 33). 
     The split rings engage spaced-apart axle grooves (only groove 32&#39; shown) to define a predetermined axle length within which wheel hub (36) will securely fit. The washers, of course, operate as spacers to allow for different vehicle wheel hub widths. 
     The mounting means includes a connector block (16) and a clamp member (18). The block and clamping member are secured to opposite sides of frame (14) with fastening means--shown in FIG. 2 as threaded bolts (22). The connector block is provided with a second orifice (40) corresponding in diameter and shape to the threaded axle extension (26). The diameter of the extension is slightly less than the inner diameter of sleeve (42). 
     Clamp member (18) includes large opening (28). Such opening is necessary for assembly of the wheel to the frame so that at least the ring (32) and possibly some washers (31) will pass into said opening allowing the ring (32) to abut against the frame (14). Alternately, the ring (32) may abut against an outer boss (43) of the aforementioned sleeve (42). 
     It will be appreciated that when the connector block is placed against frame (14), second orifice (40) will be aligned with the sleeve opening to allow insertion of the extension (26). 
     The connector block (16) is provided with a first longitudinal orifice (50) that, at least partially, intersects with the second orifice (40) at intersection (52). The first orifice corresponds in shape to plunger means (54) which is adapted to slide axially within said first orifice. 
     The plunger means includes a head member (58) and handle member (60). In the preferred embodiment, the handle member is provided with an upright portion (62) to facilitate manual grasping and for visual indication of position. The plunger means further includes spring (56) which biases the plunger means toward a second position, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in a manner to be hereinafter described. 
     The connector block also includes a lateral part shown generally by reference numeral (68). The lateral part comprises bifurcated portions (70, 72) which extend outwardly from the side of the connector block to define a slot opening (74). The lateral part further includes an abutment surface (76) and a detent means shown as an outwardly-facing recess (78) at the end of member (70). 
     When the plunger means is in its second position, the upright portion (62) will lie against abutment surface (76) and head member (58) will extend across the intersection (52). The slot (74) constrains the upright portion (62) in a vertical disposition when the plunger means is in the second position. 
     FIG. 4 shows the plunger means in its first position. In this position, the head member is out of intersection (52) and the handle upright portion lies about horizontally within recess (78). 
     At a predetermined location on the end portion of extension (26) is an engagement means comprising annular groove (80). The groove extends around the circumference of the extension and preferrably corresponds in shape to the cross-sectional configuration of head member (58). As shown, the groove is round and about semi-circular in shape and the head is cylindrical. In this manner, when the plunger means is in its second position, the head will interfit with the groove and form an effective connection with the extension as best shown in FIG. 5. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the longitudinal axis of the first orifice (50) extends about perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second orifice (40). Further, the longitudinal axis of recess (78) extends about perepndicular to the longitudinal axis of orifice (50). This allows the upright portion to be disposed horizontally or parallel to the axle when in recess (78). 
     With reference now to the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-10, a revised connector block (110) is shown clamped to frame (14) (shown in phantom) by U-bolts (146, 148). The block includes an enlarged solid portion (112) through which extend the above described intersecting first and second orifices (50, 40). The block further includes side wall (114) and side wall (116) (not shown). 
     Extending through first orifice (50) is shaft (118) having indentation (120). The indentation is sized to extend across the diameter of second orifice (40) and has a depth greater than the diameter of orifice (40) and extends into and intersects with the orifice (50). In this way, when axle (20) is inserted into the orifice, it will pass beyond the shaft and intersection (52) freely without obstruction. The shaft includes a restraining means shown generally by reference numeral (122) at one end and a handle member (136) at the opposing end. The handle member extends generally about perpendicular from the shaft and includes signal means shown as spring (90) extending from the end thereof in a manner and for a purpose hereinafter described. 
     The restraining means includes at least one pin (124) extending transversely from the shaft and rotates therewith between constraint means. The constraint means includes one or more grooves shown by reference numerals (126, 128) in side wall (114) of the connector block. The groove (126) extends vertically from the longitudinal axis of orifice (50) and groove (128) extends horizontally therefrom. Such grooves are adapted to engage pin (124). The aforementioned handle member (136) extends from shaft (118) coextensively to pin (124). In this manner, when the shaft is rotated so that pin (124) enters groove (128), the assembly will be in a release position as shown in FIG. 9. When the handle member is upright, the pin will likewise be vertically disposed and will be in engagement with groove (126) corresponding to a locked position. The constraint means may further include abutment means shown by outwardly extending projections (130, 132). These projections extend outwardly from the side wall (114) adjacent respective grooves (126, 128). In the embodiment shown, such projections will prevent pin (124) from movement beyond the grooves (126, 128). 
     To ensure that the pin will be drawn into the aforementioned grooves, shaft (118) includes an annular stepped portion (134) against which spring means, shown as spring washer (138), pushes the shaft axially toward the handle member end of the shaft. 
     Operation of the wheel connector of the present invention will now be described. It is expected that the original axle for wheel (15) will be replaced with axle (20) of the present invention. Most commonly, the original axle is threaded at both ends with one end engaged with sleeve (42) and the opposing end retaining the wheel with a nut or the like. As such, the axle is easily removed. 
     The replacement axle is constructed to fit within the wheel hub and engage the wheel bearings or other wear surfaces in the same manner as the original axle. Split rings (30, 32) and removable washers (31, 33) allow for ready connection of the replacement axle to hub (36). 
     With replacement axle (20) in place, the mounting means (12) is connected to frame (14). The second orifice (40) of the connector block is aligned axially with the axle sleeve (42) opening that extends through frame (14). The connector block is held in place by threaded engagement to opposing clamp member (18) with the four threaded bolts (22). Of course, it is possible that block (16) could be joined directly to the frame or with clamping mechanisms known in the art other than member (18). As shown in the FIGS. 7-10 emobdiment, U-bolts (146, 148) with associated nuts and washers are used. 
     In the FIGS. 1-6 embodiment, to allow insertion of the extension into second orifice (40), the plunger means handle is grasped and pulled axially outwardly against spring tension (56). As the upright portion (76) is pulled toward the end of bifurcated member (70), it is rotated inwardly toward wheel (15) about 90° and then allowed to be drawn into recess (78) by the aforementioned tension from spring (56). In this manner, the head member will be held out of intersection (52). Extension (26), with wheel attached, may then be inserted through the clamp member opening (28) and into the sleeve (42) until ring (32) abuts the sleeve boss (43). At this point, the groove (80) will extend across intersection (52). 
     In this regard, it will be noted that the axial distance between ring (32) and groove (80) is predetermined to ensure that the groove is properly located at intersection (52). As so located, the upright member (76) is pulled out of recess (78) and the plunger means is allowed to be drawn by the spring (56) into the intersection and across groove (80) for the aforementioned connection and securement of wheel (15). 
     In the FIGS. 7-10 embodiment, the vehicle wheel and axle assembly is the same with the axial distance between ring (32) and groove (80) being predetermined to ensure that the groove is located at intersection (52) along with the indentation (120) on shaft (118). To insert the axle extension into orifice (40), handle member (136) must be in the horizontal release position shown in FIG. 9. As so disposed, the indentation will be directly above intersection (52) and allow the head (140) of axle (20) to pass freely therethrough until it can be just seen at the outlet of orifice (40) as shown in FIG. 7. As mentioned, the distance between ring (32) and groove (80) is predetermined along with the distance from intersection (52) to the end of sleeve boss (43) shown in phantom. With the washer (32) abuted against sleeve boss (43), the groove will be properly located in intersection (52) and handle member (136) may then be rotated to a vertical lock position as shown in FIG. 7. Such rotation will move indentation (120) away from intersection (52) and allow an unindented portion of the shaft to rotate into the groove (80). In this manner, the groove will be held against axial movement and the axle is thereby locked in place. 
     When a user wishes to move the wheelchair into a compact car or other small storage area, the above-described procedure can be reversed allowing the wheel to be easily removed and stored separately without the added weight and cumbersome manipulation attendant to a wheelchair having opposing large diameter spoked wheels. Of course, the present invention can be utilized for one or more wheels constructed for various types of vehicles supportable by a removable axle similar to that shown in the present invention. 
     A further advantageous feature of the present invention involves an optioanl signal means shown by resilient member (90), such as a plastic or metallic strip or spring. This member may be secured to the end of upright portion (62) and have a length sufficient to contact portions of the wheel structure (15). In this manner, an operator will hear a clattering sound as parts of the wheel, such as spokes, impinge upon the resilient member causing a signal that the plunger means is not in engagement with the axle extension. It is then a simple matter for an operator to grasp the upright member, withdraw it from the recess, rotate it and allow it to snap into engagement for safe operation of the vehcile. 
     Likewise, the resilient member (90) may extend from the end of handle member (136) a distance sufficient to contact portions of the wheel. Such occurs in the release position shown in FIG. 9. Movement of the wheel will create an audible signal and alert an operator that the axle is not locked in place. In such case, the handle member may be rotated to the vertical lock position shown in FIG. 7 for subsequent safe movement of the vehicle. 
     While the invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to skilled artisans that other modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it will be understood that the invention is not to be limited by the specific illustrative embodiments, but only by the scope of the appended claims.