Spring devices – Vehicle – Mechanical spring and nonresilient retarder
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-30
2001-04-03
Oberleitner, Robert J. (Department: 3613)
Spring devices
Vehicle
Mechanical spring and nonresilient retarder
C267S279000, C267S292000, C280S259000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209858
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to bicycle components and, more particularly, to a bicycle shock absorber wherein the shock absorber elements are linked together through first and second annular members coupled to corresponding first and second tubular members.
Cycling grows in popularity not only as a transportation means but, to a greater extent, as a mode of recreation. In addition, cycling is a popular competitive sport for professionals and amateurs. It is known that mountain and road bicycles are currently provided with front or rear suspensions to absorb shocks transmitted to the rider both on and off the road. Numerous structures, ranging from simple to complex, are used for such suspensions. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application 9-290790 teaches an inexpensive bicycle suspension with a simple structure. This suspension comprises a cylindrical external member with a plurality of projections extending inwardly and an internal member mounted inside the external member and having a plurality of projections extending radially outwardly, wherein the plurality of projections extending from the external member radially face the plurality of projections extending from the internal member. Elastic members are mounted between the external member and the internal member and are compressionally deformed by the relative rotation of the two members. Side plates are integrally attached to both ends of the internal member. The external and internal members may be integrally linked to respective front and rear frame members of the bicycle, wherein the rear frame member is fixed to the side plates.
In the conventional structure described above, the internal member is prevented from axial movement by the side plate attached to the internal member. However, the internal member and external member sometimes slip in the radial direction when the rider mounts the bicycle or when a shock is applied to the frame. When the two members slip in the radial direction, there is a risk that they will come into contact and sustain damage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a bicycle shock absorber of the type having a second member disposed within a first member for relative rotation between the two, wherein the first member and the second member are axially and radially immovably linked together. In one embodiment of the present invention, a shock absorber for mounting between a first frame member and a second frame member of a bicycle includes a first member adapted to couple to the first frame member and a second member disposed within the first member and adapted to couple to the second frame member. The first and second members rotate relative to each other, and an elastic member is disposed between the first member and the second member so that the elastic member expands and contracts in response to relative rotation of the first member and the second member. A linking mechanism couples the first member with the second member so that the first member and the second member are axially and radially immovable relative to each other.
In a more specific embodiment, the first member has a circular outer peripheral surface and a circular end surface. In this embodiment the link mechanism includes a first bushing fixed to the first member and a second bushing fixed to the second member. The first bushing include a first cylindrical part contacting the circular outer peripheral surface of the first member and a first annular part folded away from the first cylindrical part and contacting the circular end surface of the first member. The second bushing includes a second cylindrical part contacting the first cylindrical part of the first bushing, and a second annular part folded away from the second cylindrical part and contacting the first annular part of the first bushing.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the shock absorber includes a first member adapted to couple to the first frame member, a second member adapted to couple to the second frame member, and a linking mechanism concentrically coupling the first member with the second member so that the first member rotates relative to the second member. An elastic member is disposed between the first member and the second member so that the first elastic member expands and contracts in response to relative rotation of the first member and the second member. In this embodiment, the link mechanism includes a first bushing retained to the first member and a second bushing retained to the second member. The first bushing includes a first tubular part and a first annular part folded away from the first tubular part, and the second bushing includes a second tubular part and a second annular part folded away from the second tubular part.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1753489 (1930-04-01), Weinhardt
patent: 2729442 (1956-01-01), Neidhart
patent: 2915306 (1959-12-01), Hickman
patent: 3012767 (1961-12-01), Jones, Sr.
patent: 3087716 (1963-04-01), Nilsson
patent: 3202410 (1965-08-01), Schell
patent: 3436069 (1969-04-01), Henschen
patent: 3473797 (1969-10-01), Selzer
patent: 5121937 (1992-06-01), Lawwill
patent: 5411287 (1995-05-01), Henschen
patent: 5660406 (1997-08-01), Menze, sen.
patent: 5997022 (1999-12-01), Matsui
patent: 302878 (1997-04-01), None
patent: 4233596 A1 (1994-04-01), None
patent: 9-290790 (1997-11-01), None
U. S. patent application, Ser. No. 08/887,306, filed Jul. 2, 1997.
Deland James A.
Nguyen Xuan Lan
Oberleitner Robert J.
Shimano Inc.
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