Threadless fork compression system and method for kick style scooter

Abstract

A compression coupler is described that provides a robust and simple mechanism to couple threadless tubes in bicycles and/or scooters. Particularly, the handlebar/stem tube-to-fork joint is coupled with a compression sleeve. The coupler provides more surface area for binding and is tightened along a slot on the length of the coupler. The coupler can include a headtube bearing preloading mechanism, a keyway for aligning the handlebar/stem tube to the fork, and shims to accommodate different sized tubings.

1 .- 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method for binding a handlebar stem tubing to a fork tubing on a bicycle or scooter, comprising:
 placing a fork tubing end into a first diameter bore hole at an end of a longitudinal compression sleeve body having a second diameter bore hole at an other end of the body, wherein the first bore hole and the second bore hole meet within the body to form a circular lip defined by a difference in the first and second diameters, the body further having a longitudinal slot along the entire body, communicating to the first and second bore hole, and having a compression washer having a diameter greater than the first diameter, disposed upon the lip, and having a compression bolt with a head and threads coupled to the compression washer, the head within a larger of the first and second bores of the body and the threads within a smaller of the first and second bores of the body, and having a gripping element coupled to the threads of the compression bolt, within the smaller of the first and second bores of the body and adapted to grip an interior of a fork tubing inserted within the smaller bore of the body, wherein as the compression bolt is tightened, the gripping element axially pulls the inserted fork tubing towards the larger bore of the body;   placing a handlebar stem tubing end into the larger bore hole of the body;   placing a fork tubing into the smaller bore hole of the body; and   tightening a securing mechanism disposed about a portion of the body to secure the fork tubing and handlebar stem tubing to the body.   
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the compression washer is integral to the lip of the body. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising inserting a keyway into a keyway slot formed along a perimeter of the first and second diameter bore holes, opposite the securing mechanism, wherein the keyway has a first uniform thickness and a second uniform thickness, an intersection of the first and second uniform thicknesses providing a horizontal edge approximate to the compression washer. 
     
     
         18 .- 21 . (canceled)