Land vehicles – Wheeled – Occupant propelled type
Patent
1993-12-28
1996-11-05
Culbreth, Eric D.
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Occupant propelled type
267249, 267293, 267286, B62K 2510
Patent
active
055708960
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to suspension systems for use on bicycles, motor cycles and other modes of transport utilising wheels or ski's.
Suspension on a bicycle would provide many benefits to the performance of a bicycle (too numerous to discuss), however such systems currently available are either over simple as to be ineffective in some aspects of performance or too complicated such to increase the bicycle weight and cost.
There are five principle objectives of this invention.
The first is to provide a lightweight and simple rear wheel suspension system, achieved by using a single pivot axis, this will be referred to as a "unipivot".
The second is to incorporate a stepload system in order to prevent articulation upon component pedalling loads.
The third is to ensure the arcuate movement is free to move in only two planes, this will be referred to as being "torsion locked".
The fourth is to achieve these requirements in a compact package in a manner that is compatible with most bicycle frames.
The fifth is to offer an option of frame size reduction for transport, making use of the pivot which forms part of the suspension.
A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a bicycle frame including the rear suspension components.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the suspension unit (not including pivot) and frame surrounding elements.
FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the suspended beating arrangement.
FIG. 4 is a front elevation of a linear roller beating.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the shock absorber and clamp.
FIG. 6 is a centre-sectioned side elevation of the shock absorbing system and surrounding frame components.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a complete frame and utilising the removable stay clamp.
FIG. 8 is a side elevation of an alternative shock absorber position.
FIG. 9 is centre sectioned elevation of the pivot system.
FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the bottom bracket shell with pivot system attached.
In FIG. 1 there is illustrated a bicycle mainframe 1 which includes a top tube 2, down tube 3, seat tube 4, bottom bracket shell 5 and according to the present invention a suspension unit 7.
Also illustrated is a bicycle rear frame 10 comprising a pair of seat stays 9 and chain stays 8 respectively and a rear wheel 11.
Also illustrated are other well known bicycle components such as handlebars 6 and a head tube 24.
Said rear frame 10 is pivotally attached directly behind said bottom bracket shell 5.
In FIG. 9 there is a pivot system comprising rear frame axle 13 and mainframe axle 14. Both these axles have inner bearing surfaces 15 which mate to a pivot pin 12. The overall pivot width is greater than that of the bottom bracket shell 5 but not too great as to interfere with the pedalling action of transmission components 33 of the bicycle when ridden.
In FIG. 6 at the junction of the seat stays 9 there projects a suspension housing 16 which sleeves axially or near axially over the stay runner 17.
Both the suspension housing 16 and stay runner 17 feature flat sides 18 to which bearing surfaces 19 are affixed.
Between the bearing surfaces 19 there are needle roller bearing groups 20 as shown in FIG. 3.
The bearing surfaces may feature deformable backing 21 as shown in FIG. 3. This allows the bearing surface 19 to provide a controlled level of movement, this facilitates manufacture and tolerancing and guarantees proper torsional control.
The suspension housing 16 is holed on both sides 22, one hole being threaded, this permits entry within the housing of a stepload bolt 23. The stay runner 17 has a vertical, axial stepload slot 32 running part of its length.
Also a stepload adjustment bolt 25 is located in the open end of the stay runner 17, threading axially though a tapped hole until reaching the stepload slot 32
A hollow shock absorber 26 surrounds both the suspension housing 16 and stay runner 17, its top end mates against the seat tube 4 and its lower end mates against the seat stays 9 o
REFERENCES:
patent: 644787 (1900-03-01), Williams
patent: 4022485 (1977-05-01), Cox
patent: 4406504 (1983-09-01), Coenen et al.
Culbreth Eric D.
Zeender F.
LandOfFree
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