Methods and apparatus for releasably supporting a vehicle wheel assembly

摘要

An axle for removably retaining a wheel on a vehicle. The axle comprises a rotary-type connector at a first end thereof; a cam assembly operatively connected to the second end, the cam assembly including a cam having an axis of rotation; a lever operatively connected to a second end of the axle, said lever being rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the cam, between an open position in which the axle is removable from and mountable on the vehicle and a closed position in which the axle is retained on the vehicle; and a cam assembly operatively connected to the second end; and a lever stop ensuring that an angle of maximum rotation for the lever from the closed position is less than 180 degrees.

主权项

1. An axle for removably retaining a wheel on a vehicle, said axle comprising:
a rotary-type connector at a first end thereof; a cam assembly operatively connected to the second end, said cam assembly including a cam having an axis of rotation; a lever operatively connected to a second end of said axle, said lever being rotatable about an axis substantially parallel said axis of rotation of said cam, between an open position in which said axle is removable from and mountable on said vehicle and a closed position in which said axle is retained on said vehicle, wherein said lever has a closed position in which a substantial portion of said lever occupies a position relative to an adjacent vehicle component such that a portion less than a whole of said lever protrudes laterally from said vehicle; and a lever stop ensuring that an angle of maximum rotation for said lever is limited to ensure that said lever, in said open position, does not substantially interfere with said adjacent vehicle component when said axle is rotated.