Spring devices – Vehicle – Comprising compressible fluid
Reexamination Certificate
1995-10-06
2001-04-24
Graham, Matthew C. (Department: 3613)
Spring devices
Vehicle
Comprising compressible fluid
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220581
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to bicycle seat adjustment devices and more particularly to gas spring adjustable bicycle seat height adjustment devices. The gas spring adjustment of this system is an improvement over existing bicycle seat adjustment devices.
Conventional methods of bicycle seat adjustment generally require the rider to stop, dismount, loosen a seat attachment bolt, manually raise or lower the bicycle seat, retighten the seat attachment bolt, remount and then begin riding again. The process is very time consuming and often requires many minutes of trial and error in order to achieve the correct height. Present seat adjustment mechanisms either prohibit adjustment while riding or limit it to the limited travel presented by a steel spring between the seat and frame.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved bicycle seat adjustment system that is adapted for quick adjustment of the height of a bicycle seat while riding yet allow that adjustment to be smooth and controlled.
Another object of the invention is to provide a bicycle seat adjustment system which does not alter its adjustment force versus distance of adjustment.
A further object of the invention is to provide a bicycle seat adjustment system which is easy to install on any conventional bicycle, whether small or large frame, with a minimum of specialized parts.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a bicycle seat adjustment system which is lightweight.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To accomplish the foregoing and other objects of this invention there is provided a bicycle seat gas spring adjustment system which utilizes a gas spring assembly in conjunction with an existing bicycle seat and conventional seat tube. The bicycle seat is comprised of a seating surface and conventional a seat post. Said conventional seat post inserts into the seat tube. The gas spring assembly is often comprised of an assembly with attached pushrod and an outer housing assembly. The gas spring assembly may be manufactured in a variety sizes, shapes, styles, and configurations which contain a variety of parts within an outer housing. The outer housing assembly is sized such that it fits within any conventional bicycle seat tube.
The gas spring assembly with its associated hardware is sized lengthwise via one or more gas spring spacers, which bear on a bicycle's bottom bracket within the seat tube, in order to match the length of the seat tube in which it is installed. The gas spring spacer(s) are often rigidly attached to said outer housing of said gas spring. If rigidly attached, the gas spring spacer(s) will also function to center the diameter of the gas spring within the seat tube. The objective of sizing the gas spring is to provide the maximum travel for the gas spring, i.e. no preload on the bicycle seat when it is adjusted to its maximum allowable height, and yet allow for secure bearing with the portion of the seat post which inserts into the seat tube.
A typical configuration will utilize one gas spring, one gas spring spacer, a seat post adaptor collar, a seat post adaptor washer and the existing seating surface conventional, seat post and seat tube on a bicycle. The objective of the seat post adaptor collar is to provide an adapting means by which the pushrod is allowed to securely bear upon the bottom of the conventional seat post. The seat post adaptor collar is movable on the portion of the gas spring upon which it is placed. It is held in place by via the friction between the seat post adaptor collar and the pushrod which is caused by a set screw which squeezes the collar firmly against the gas spring. Since the seat post adaptor collar is movable on the pushrod, the seat post adaptor collar allows for a modicum of adjustment to ensure that no preload is present on the seat when adjusted to its maximum height. That is, if the seat post quick release is opened fully, the seat post will not disengage from the seat tube.
The seat post adaptor collar may also be manufactured of two pieces whereby the collar firmly attaches to the push rod and one or more seat post adaptor washers, sized to the seat post diameter, are placed onto the pushrod and seated onto the collar. The seat post adaptor washer provides a method of adjustment and a means of adaptation for conventional seat posts of various diameters.
The gas spring may be of any force rating which is comfortable and convenient to the user, provided that the force is greater than the weight of the seating surface and conventional seat post. In a preferred embodiment, the gas spring force rating is 40 pounds.
The bicycle seat gas spring adjustment system may be manufactured out of a variety of different materials, and in different sizes, colors and shapes. In a preferred embodiment the pushrod, outer housing and seat post adaptor washer are manufactured of tempered steel and the adaptor collar is manufactured of aluminum alloy or steel.
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patent: 5996980 (1999-12-01), Frey et al.
Graham Matthew C.
Klug Kevin L.
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