Bicycle disc brake hub

Abstract

A bicycle disc brake hub is provided with a brake rotor attachment portion having an external surface with an external spline section and an annular internal surface with internal threads, and a locking ring having a center tubular section with external threads and an abutment flange extending outwardly from the center tubular section to form an axially facing retaining surface. The external threads of the center tubular section mates with the internal threads of the brake rotor attachment portion to secure a rotor mounting boss and a brake rotor thereto. In one embodiment, the brake rotor is held between the locking ring and the rotor mounting boss, while in a another embodiment, the brake rotor is riveted to the rotor mounting boss.

1. A bicycle disc brake hub comprising:
 a hub axle having a center axis extending in an axial direction between a first axle end and a second axle end;   a hub shell having first and second hub shell ends with said hub axle rotatably coupled to said hub shell;   a brake rotor attachment portion disposed at said first hub shell end, said brake rotor attachment portion having an external surface with an external splined section and an annular internal surface with internal threads; and   a locking ring having a center tubular section with external threads and an abutment flange extending outwardly from said center tubular section to form an axially facing retaining surface, said external threads of said center tubular section mating with said internal threads of said brake rotor attachment portion.   
     
     
       2. The A bicycle disc brake hub according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a hub axle having a center axis extending in an axial direction between a first axle end and a second axle end; 
 a hub shell having first and second hub shell ends with said hub axle rotatably coupled to said hub shell; 
 a brake rotor attachment portion disposed at said first hub shell end, said brake rotor attachment portion having an external surface and an annular internal surface with internal threads; 
 a locking ring having an opening therein to form an inner peripheral surface, a center tubular section with external threads and an abutment flange extending outwardly from said center tubular section to form an axially facing retaining surface, said inner peripheral surface having a plurality of splines extending radially inwardly therefrom, said external threads of said center tubular section mating with said internal threads of said brake rotor attachment portion; and 
 a rotor mounting boss configured to be non-rotatably mounted to said brake rotor attachment portion, said rotor mounting boss having internal splines that mate with said external splined section of said brake rotor attachment portion a brake disc fixing structure to non-rotatably engage a brake disc without bolts, said locking ring retaining said rotor mounting boss on said external splined section of said brake rotor attachment portion, hub when said external threads of said center tubular section are engaged with said internal threads of said brake rotor attachment portion. 
 
     
     
       3. The A bicycle disc brake hub according to  claim 2 , wherein comprising:
 a hub axle having a center axis extending in an axial direction between a first axle end and a second axle end; 
 a hub shell having first and second hub shell ends with said hub axle rotatably coupled to said hub shell; 
 a brake rotor attachment portion disposed at said first hub shell end, said brake rotor attachment portion having an external surface with an external splined section and an annular internal surface with internal threads; 
 a locking ring having a center tubular section with external threads and an abutment flange extending outwardly from said center tubular section to form an axially facing retaining surface, said external threads of said center tubular section mating with said internal threads of said brake rotor attachment portion; and 
 saida rotor mounting boss hashaving at least one axially extending protrusion non-movably fixed thereto and internal splines that mate with said external splined section of said brake rotor attachment portion, 
 said locking ring retaining said rotor mounting boss on said external splined section of said brake rotor attachment portion when said external threads of said center tubular section are engaged with said internal threads of said brake rotor attachment portion. 
 
     
     
       4. The bicycle disc brake hub according to  claim 3 , further comprising
 a brake rotor having an inner mounting portion with at least one notch that mates with said at least one axially extending protrusion to prevent relative axial rotation between said rotor mounting boss and said brake rotor. 
 
     
     
       5. The bicycle disc brake hub according to  claim 4 , wherein
 said at least one notch extends axially through said brake rotor and said at least one axially extending protrusion has an axial length that is no greater than an axially axial thickness of said inner mounting portion of said brake rotor. 
 
     
     
       6. The bicycle disc brake hub according to  claim 4 , wherein
 said at least one axially extending protrusion includes a plurality of axially extending protrusions, and said at least one notch includes a plurality of notches that that mate with said protrusions to prevent relative axial rotation between said rotor mounting boss and said brake rotor. 
 
     
     
       7. The bicycle disc brake hub according to  claim 6 , wherein
 said notches extend axially through said brake rotor and said protrusions have axial lengths that are no greater than an axially axial thickness of said inner mounting portion of said brake rotor. 
 
     
     
       8. The bicycle disc brake hub according to  claim 4 , wherein
 said rotor mounting boss is constructed of a first material and said brake rotor is constructed of a second material having a higher specific gravity than said first material. 
 
     
     
       9. The bicycle disc brake hub according to claim  4  8, wherein
 said first material of said rotor mounting boss is aluminum and said second material of said brake rotor is stainless steel. 
 
     
     
       10. The bicycle disc brake hub according to  claim 9 , wherein
 said first axle end and said first hub shell end are rotatably coupled together by a bearing assembly, and 
 said second axle end and said second hub shell end are coupled together by a freewheel. 
 
     
     
       11. The bicycle disc brake hub according to  claim 4 , wherein
 said first axle end and said first hub shell end are rotatably coupled together by a first bearing assembly to rotate freely in both directions about said center axis of said hub axle, and 
 said second axle end and said second hub shell end are rotatably coupled together by a second bearing assembly to rotate freely in both directions about said center axis of said hub axle. 
 
     
     
       12. The bicycle disc brake hub according to  claim 4 , wherein
 said first hub shell end has a first annular spoke flange with first spoke holes formed therein, and 
 said second hub shell end has a second annular spoke flange with second spoke holes formed therein. 
 
     
     
       13. The bicycle disc brake hub according to  claim 12 , wherein
 said first and second spoke flanges are integrally formed with said hub shell as a one-piece, unitary member. 
 
     
     
       14. The bicycle disc brake hub according to  claim 4 , wherein
 said brake rotor further includes a plurality of intermediate connecting portions integrally formed with said inner mounting portion, and an outer braking portion integrally formed with said intermediate connecting portions. 
 
     
     
       15. The A bicycle disc brake hub according to  claim 2 , wherein comprising:
 a hub axle having a center axis extending in an axial direction between a first axle end and a second axle end; 
 a hub shell having first and second hub shell ends with said hub axle rotatably coupled to said hub shell; 
 a brake rotor attachment portion disposed at said first hub shell end, said brake rotor attachment portion having an external surface with an external splined section and an annular internal surface with internal threads; 
 a locking ring having an opening therein to form an inner peripheral surface, a center tubular section with external threads and an abutment flange extending outwardly from said center tubular section to form an axially facing retaining surface, said inner peripheral surface having a plurality of splines extending radially inwardly therefrom, said external threads of said center tubular section mating with said internal threads of said brake rotor attachment portion; and 
 a rotor mounting boss having internal splines that mate with said external splined section of said brake rotor attachment portion, said locking ring retaining said rotor mounting boss on said external splined section of said brake rotor attachment portion when said external threads of said center tubular section are engaged with said internal threads of said brake rotor attachment portion, 
 said rotor mounting boss has having a base section with said internal splines formed thereon and an outer rotor attachment section extending from said base section. 
 
     
     
       16. The bicycle disc brake hub according to  claim 15 , further comprising
 a brake rotor fixedly coupled to said outer rotor attachment section of said rotor mounting boss. 
 
     
     
       17. The bicycle disc brake hub according to  claim 16 , wherein
 said outer rotor attachment section of said rotor mounting boss is fixedly coupled to said brake rotor by a plurality of fasteners. 
 
     
     
       18. The bicycle disc brake hub according to  claim 17 , wherein
 said fasteners are axially extending rivets. 
 
     
     
       19. The bicycle disc brake hub according to  claim 15 , wherein
 said rotor mounting boss is constructed of a first material and said brake rotor is constructed of a second material having a higher specific gravity than said first material. 
 
     
     
       20. The bicycle disc brake hub according to  claim 19 , wherein
 said first material of said rotor mounting boss is aluminum and said second material of said brake rotor is stainless steel. 
 
     
     
       21. The bicycle disc brake hub according to  claim 15 , wherein
 said first axle end and said first hub shell end are rotatably coupled together by a bearing assembly, and 
 said second axle end and said second hub shell end are coupled together by a freewheel. 
 
     
     
       22. The bicycle disc brake hub according to  claim 15 , wherein
 said first axle end and said first hub shell end are rotatably coupled together by a first bearing assembly to rotate freely in both directions about said center axis of said hub axle, and 
 said second axle end and said second hub shell end are rotatably coupled together by a second bearing assembly to rotate freely in both directions about said center axis of said hub axle. 
 
     
     
       23. The bicycle disc brake hub according to  claim 15 , wherein
 said first hub shell end has a first annular spoke flange with first spoke holes formed therein, and 
 said second hub shell end has a second annular spoke flange with second spoke holes formed therein. 
 
     
     
       24. The bicycle disc brake hub according to  claim 23 , wherein
 said first and second spoke flanges are integrally formed with said hub shell as a one-piece, unitary member. 
 
     
     
       25. The bicycle disc brake hub according to claim 2, wherein
 said first axle end and said first hub shell end are rotatably coupled together by a bearing assembly, and   said second axle end and said second hub shell end are coupled together by a freewheel.   
     
     
       26. The bicycle disc brake hub according to claim 2, wherein
 said first axle end and said first hub shell end are rotatably coupled together by a first bearing assembly to rotate freely in both directions about said center axis of said hub axle, and   said second axle end and said second hub shell end are rotatably coupled together by a second bearing assembly to rotate freely in both directions about said center axis of said hub axle.   
     
     
       27. The bicycle disc brake hub according to claim 2, wherein
 said first hub shell end has a first annular spoke flange with first spoke holes formed therein, and   said second hub shell end has a second annular spoke flange with second spoke holes formed therein.   
     
     
       28. The bicycle disc brake hub according to claim 2, further comprising
 a nut disposed at said first axle end of said a hub axle, said nut having a maximum outer width and said inner peripheral surface of said locking ring having a minimum inner width that is greater than said maximum outer width of said nut.   
     
     
       29. The bicycle disc brake hub according to claim 2, wherein
 said brake disc fixing structure of said rotor mounting boss has at least one axially extending protrusion.   
     
     
       30. The bicycle disc brake hub according to claim 29, further comprising
 a brake rotor having an inner mounting portion with at least one notch that mates with said at least one axially extending protrusion to prevent relative rotation between said rotor mounting boss and said brake rotor.   
     
     
       31. A bicycle disc brake hub comprising:
 a hub axle having a center axis extending in an axial direction between a first axle end and a second axle end;   a nut disposed at said first axle end of said hub axle;   a hub shell having first and second hub shell ends with said hub axle rotatably coupled to said hub shell;   a brake rotor attachment portion disposed at said first hub shell end, said brake rotor attachment portion having an external surface and an annular internal surface with internal threads; and   a locking ring having a center opening with a non-circular inner peripheral surface, a center tubular section with external threads and an abutment flange extending outwardly from said center tubular section to form an axially facing retaining surface; and   a rotor mounting boss configured to be non-rotatably mounted to said brake rotor attachment portion, said rotor mounting boss having a brake disc fixing structure to non-rotatably engage a brake disc without bolts, said locking ring retaining said rotor mounting boss on said hub when said external threads of said center tubular section are engaged with said internal threads of said brake rotor attachment portion,   said external threads of said center tubular section mating with said internal threads of said brake rotor attachment portion, said opening of said locking ring being arranged and configured such that said locking ring can be installed in said axial direction onto said brake rotor attachment portion when said nut is attached to said hub axle.   
     
     
       32. A bicycle disc brake hub comprising:
 a hub axle having a center axis extending in an axial direction between a first axle end and a second axle end;   a hub shell having first and second hub shell ends with said hub axle rotatably coupled to said hub shell, said first hub shell end having a brake rotor attachment portion including an annular surface with first threads that surrounds said first axle end of said hub axle;   a rotor mounting member being configured to be non-rotatably mounted on said first hub shell end, said rotor mounting member having at least one axially extending protrusion non-movably fixed thereto that is configured to engage a disc brake rotor, said at least one axially extending protrusion extending axially from an axially facing surface of said rotor mounting member, and   a locking ring having an opening with an inner peripheral surface, a center tubular section with second threads and an abutment flange extending outwardly from said center tubular section to form an axially facing retaining surface,   said annular surface being an inner annular surface, said first threads being internal threads and said second threads being external threads.   
     
     
       33. The bicycle disc brake hub according to claim 32, wherein
 said at least one axially extending protrusion of said rotor mounting member includes six axially extending protrusions configured to engage the disc brake rotor.   
     
     
       34. The bicycle disc brake hub according to claim 33, wherein
 said inner peripheral surface of said locking ring has a plurality of projections extending radially inwardly therefrom.   
     
     
       35. The bicycle disc brake hub according to claim 34, wherein
 said first hub shell end has a first annular spoke flange with first spoke holes formed therein, and   said second hub shell end has a second annular spoke flange with second spoke holes formed therein.   
     
     
       36. The bicycle disc brake hub according to claim 35, wherein
 said first axle end and said first hub shell end are rotatably coupled together by a bearing assembly, and   said second axle end and said second hub shell end are coupled together by a freewheel.   
     
     
       37. The bicycle disc brake hub according to claim 35, wherein
 said first axle end and said first hub shell end are rotatably coupled together by a first bearing assembly to rotate freely in both directions about said center axis of said hub axle, and   said second axle end and said second hub shell end are rotatably coupled together by a second bearing assembly to rotate freely in both directions about said center axis of said hub axle.   
     
     
       38. The bicycle disc brake hub according to claim 32, wherein
 said first axle end and said first hub shell end are rotatably coupled together by a bearing assembly, and   said second axle end and said second hub shell end are coupled together by a freewheel.   
     
     
       39. A bicycle disc brake hub comprising:
 a hub axle having a center axis extending in an axial direction between a first axle end and a second axle end;   a hub shell having first and second hub shell ends with said hub axle rotatably coupled to said hub shell, said first hub shell end having a brake rotor attachment portion including an annular surface with first threads that surrounds said first axle end of said hub axle;   a rotor mounting member being configured to be non-rotatably mounted on said first hub shell end, said rotor mounting member having at least one axially extending protrusion non-movably fixed thereto that is configured to engage a disc brake rotor, said at least one axially extending protrusion extending axially from an axially facing surface of said rotor mounting member, and   a locking ring having an opening with an inner peripheral surface, a center tubular section with second threads and an abutment flange extending outwardly from said center tubular section to form an axially facing retaining surface,   said at least one axially extending protrusion of said rotor mounting member including six axially extending protrusions configured to engage the disc brake rotor.   
     
     
       40. A bicycle disc brake hub comprising:
 a hub axle having a center axis extending in an axial direction between a first axle end and a second axle end;   a hub shell having first and second hub shell ends with said hub axle rotatably coupled to said hub shell, said first hub shell end having a brake rotor attachment portion including an annular surface with first threads that surrounds said first axle end of said hub axle;   a rotor mounting member being configured to be non-rotatably mounted on said first hub shell end, said rotor mounting member having at least one axially extending protrusion non-movably fixed thereto that is configured to engage a disc brake rotor, said at least one axially extending protrusion extending axially from an axially facing surface of said rotor mounting member, and   a locking ring having an opening with an inner peripheral surface, a center tubular section with second threads and an abutment flange extending outwardly from said center tubular section to form an axially facing retaining surface,   said inner peripheral surface of said locking ring being non-circular.   
     
     
       41. A bicycle disc brake hub comprising:
 a hub axle having a center axis extending in an axial direction between a first axle end and a second axle end;   a hub shell having first and second hub shell ends with said hub axle rotatably coupled to said hub shell, said first hub shell end having a brake rotor attachment portion including an annular surface with first threads that surrounds said first axle end of said hub axle;   a rotor mounting member being configured to be non-rotatably mounted on said first hub shell end, said rotor mounting member having at least one axially extending protrusion non-movably fixed thereto that is configured to engage a disc brake rotor, said at least one axially extending protrusion extending axially from an axially facing surface of said rotor mounting member, and   a locking ring having an opening with an inner peripheral surface, a center tubular section with second threads and an abutment flange extending outwardly from said center tubular section to foul! an axially facing retaining surface,   said inner peripheral surface of said locking ring having a plurality of projections extending radially inwardly therefrom.   
     
     
       42. A bicycle disc brake hub comprising:
 a hub axle having a center axis extending in an axial direction between a first axle end and a second axle end;   a hub shell having first and second hub shell ends with said hub axle rotatably coupled to said hub shell, said first hub shell end having a brake rotor attachment portion including an annular surface with first threads that surrounds said first axle end of said hub axle;   a rotor mounting member being configured to be non-rotatably mounted on said first hub shell end, said rotor mounting member having at least one axially extending protrusion non-movably fixed thereto that is configured to engage a disc brake rotor, said at least one axially extending protrusion extending axially from an axially facing surface of said rotor mounting member, and   a locking ring having an opening with an inner peripheral surface, a center tubular section with second threads and an abutment flange extending outwardly from said center tubular section to form an axially facing retaining surface,   said first axle end and said first hub shell end being rotatably coupled together by a first bearing assembly to rotate freely in both directions about said center axis of said hub axle, and   said second axle end and said second hub shell end being rotatably coupled together by a second bearing assembly to rotate freely in both directions about said center axis of said hub axle.   
     
     
       43. A bicycle disc brake hub comprising:
 a hub axle having a center axis extending in an axial direction between a first axle end and a second axle end;   a hub shell having first and second hub shell ends with said hub axle rotatably coupled to said hub shell, said first hub shell end having a brake rotor attachment portion including an annular surface with first threads that surrounds said first axle end of said hub axle;   a rotor mounting member being configured to be non-rotatably mounted on said first hub shell end, said rotor mounting member having at least one axially extending protrusion non-movably fixed thereto that is configured to engage a disc brake rotor, said at least one axially extending protrusion extending axially from an axially facing surface of said rotor mounting member, and   a locking ring having an opening with an inner peripheral surface, a center tubular section with second threads and an abutment flange extending outwardly from said center tubular section to form an axially facing retaining surface,   said first hub shell end having a first annular spoke flange with first spoke holes formed therein, and   said second hub shell end has a second annular spoke flange with second spoke holes formed therein.   
     
     
       44. A bicycle disc brake hub comprising:
 a hub axle having a center axis extending in an axial direction between a first axle end and a second axle end;   a hub shell having first and second hub shell ends with said hub axle rotatably coupled to said hub shell, said first hub shell end having a brake rotor attachment portion including an annular surface with first threads that surrounds said first axle end of said hub axle;   a rotor mounting member being configured to be non-rotatably mounted on said first hub shell end, said rotor mounting member having at least one axially extending protrusion non-movably fixed thereto that is configured to engage a disc brake rotor, said at least one axially extending protrusion extending axially from an axially facing surface of said rotor mounting member;   a locking ring having an opening with an inner peripheral surface, a center tubular section with second threads and an abutment flange extending outwardly from said center tubular section to form an axially facing retaining surface; and   a nut disposed at said first axle end of said a hub axle, said nut having a maximum outer width and said inner peripheral surface of said locking ring having a minimum inner width that is greater than said maximum outer width of said nut.