Spring devices – Vehicle – Torsion
Reexamination Certificate
2002-04-03
2003-10-28
Schwartz, Christopher P. (Department: 3683)
Spring devices
Vehicle
Torsion
C384S221000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06637736
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a bearing assembly for supporting components for facilitating limited rotational movement. The components include the rear wheel support of a bicycle in the bicycle frame.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The support and guidance of the rear wheel support of a bicycle in the bicycle frame has, up to now, been configured in many ways.
In German patent publication 197 45 380, a bicycle is disclosed having a suspension device which includes at least one torsion spring. This torsion spring includes an outer body and an inner part rotatably supported in the outer body. The outer body and the inner part are each connected to a part of the bicycle.
German Patent 753,841 discloses a bicycle having a rear wheel pivotable about the foot pedal crank axis. The rear wheel is made pivotable about the longitudinal axis of the foot pedal crank bearing by a U-shaped bracket and is spring suspended relative to the bicycle frame. The U-shaped bracket extends from the hub of the rear wheel. To realize this function, a rubber torsion spring is used which is connected concentrically to the foot pedal crank bearing and is connected to the bicycle frame. This solution is suitable for short spring paths but is subjected to increased wear when continuously loaded.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a bearing assembly especially for the rear wheel support of a bicycle. It is a further object of the invention to provide such a bearing assembly which is simple in configuration and can be continuously subjected to load and can be used in a comparatively large rotational angle range.
The bearing assembly of the invention is for permitting a limited rotationally moveable support of a component part. The bearing assembly includes: a bearing body; a deflectable rotational body attached to the component part and disposed at a distance from the bearing body so that the bodies conjointly define a space therebetween; an intermediate element disposed in the space and connected to the bearing body and to the rotational body; and, the intermediate element including an axial component and a radial component and the components extending one into the other to form a layer so as to prevent a direct contact of the bodies with each other even under a dynamic loading of the bearing assembly while at the same time facilitating a limited rotational movement of the rotational body and the component part relative to the bearing body.
According to the invention, the intermediate element of the bearing assembly includes an axial component and a radial component which extend one into the other and form a layer in such a manner that a direct contact between the bearing body and the rotational body does not occur even under dynamic load of the bearing. The intermediate element ensures a permanent spacing between the bearing body and the rotational body.
The invention is associated with the advantage that a rotation of the parts of the bearing to each other is possible over a large rotational angular range without a negative influence on the durability of the bearing. The bearing is characterized by a high transverse stiffness so that a use, for example, for mounting, suspending and damping the rear wheel support of a bicycle is possible with a precise tracking.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the radially extended intermediate element is an elastomeric layer which permits coupling the required elasticity characteristics to a damping component. If the stressing of the material within the elastomeric layer is to be equalized with a rotation of the bearing components relative to each other, then it is provided that the thickness of the elastomeric layer increases with increasing distance from the center of the bearing.
The bearing body and the rotational body can be correspondingly configured to each other that a wave-shaped elastomeric layer arises which departs from a planar layer. With this measure, the possibility is provided to influence the spring deflection characteristic line and to achieve a progressive increase of the reaction force caused by the spring deflection operation in the elastomeric connection.
If the elastomeric layer runs essentially radially remote from the bearing center and essentially axially near the bearing center, then a balanced torsion performance of the bearing assembly can be connected to a high transverse force stability. A further qualitative improvement of the bearing characteristics occurs when a further bearing body or rotational body is provided so that two elastomeric layers are provided between the bearing bodies and the rotational bodies or between the rotational bodies and the bearing bodies. It is further practical to provide a symmetrical arrangement of the elastomeric layers to each other referred to the inner body of the bearing configured as the bearing body or the rotational body.
In a further embodiment of the invention, a device for generating a pretensioning in the elastomeric layer is provided. With such a device, the spring deflection characteristic line can be influenced in a targeted manner. Such a device for generating a pretension can be a threaded bushing wherein an axial change of length functions to adjust the degree of pretensioning.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2158028 (1939-05-01), Burke
patent: 2203342 (1940-06-01), Sloman et al.
patent: 2231037 (1941-02-01), Taylor
patent: 2873110 (1959-02-01), Johsson
patent: 3124342 (1964-03-01), Ormond
patent: 4040690 (1977-08-01), Finney
patent: 4142833 (1979-03-01), Rybicki et al.
patent: 4913411 (1990-04-01), Collins et al.
patent: 6241224 (2001-06-01), Leibman
patent: 753 841 (1944-08-01), None
patent: 197 45 380 (1998-04-01), None
Eller Gerhard
Hahnkamm Jörg
Lantermann Ulrich
Contitech Vibration Control GmbH
Nguyen Xuan Lan
Ottesen Walter
Schwartz Christopher P.
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