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US 10,850,799 B2Granted
Adjustable bicycle suspension
AssigneeSpecialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
InventorsJason L. Chamberlain, Jason McDonald
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bicycle assembly can include a bicycle frame having a main frame and a sub-frame, and a shock absorber assembly. The shock absorber assembly can comprise a shock absorber and an extension body. The sub-frame can rotate in relation to the main frame and the shock absorber assembly can be used to regulate that relationship. An eccentric insert positioned functionally between the shock absorber and extension body can be used to modify the overall length of the shock absorber assembly to beneficially alter the geometry of the bicycle frame.
Claims24
A bicycle assembly comprising:
- a main frame comprising a seat tube, a head tube and an intermediate tube connecting the seat tube and the head tube;
- a sub-frame configured to rotate with respect to the main frame, wherein the sub-frame defines a location for mounting a rear wheel;
- a suspension assembly for controlling rotation of the sub-frame with respect to the main frame, the suspension assembly comprising:
- a shock absorber, the shock absorber having first and second opposing ends and first and second eyelets at each end, the first eyelet at the first end connected to the main frame and defining a first suspension assembly pivot axis;
- an extension body, the extension body having a first end connected to the shock absorber at the second eyelet and a second end comprising a pair of extension arms connected to the sub-frame and defining a second suspension assembly pivot axis;
- an eccentric insert coupled between the shock absorber and the extension body, the eccentric insert having a cylindrical body at least partially disposed within the second eyelet of the shock absorber, and a pin aperture disposed through the cylindrical body, wherein an axis of the pin aperture is offset from an axis of the cylindrical body;
- and
- a pin coupling the extension body and the shock absorber, the pin extending through an aperture of the extension body, the pin aperture of the eccentric insert, and the second eyelet of the shock absorber;
- wherein the eccentric insert comprises a base, and the extension body comprises a channel shaped to receive at least a portion of the base;
- wherein the suspension assembly comprises a first assembled configuration corresponding to a first overall length of the shock absorber and extension body in which the axis of the cylindrical body is offset in a first direction relative to the extension body;
- wherein the suspension assembly comprises a second assembled configuration corresponding to a second overall length of the shock absorber and extension body in which the axis of the cylindrical body is offset in a second direction, opposite the first direction, relative to the extension body;
- and
- wherein the eccentric insert comprises an upper shock coupler and a lower shock coupler, the upper shock coupler comprising the base and at least a portion of the cylindrical body, the lower shock coupler comprising a second base and at least a portion of the cylindrical body, the pin aperture extending through both the upper and lower shock couplers.
10 more elements
A bicycle assembly comprising:
- a main frame, a sub-frame that defines a location for mounting a rear wheel, and a shock absorber assembly for controlling rotation of the sub-frame with respect to the main frame;
- wherein the shock absorber assembly comprises:
- a shock absorber having first and second ends, the shock absorber coupled at its first end to the main frame;
- an extension body having first and second ends, the extension body coupled at its first end to the sub-frame and at its second end to the second end of the shock absorber,
- wherein the shock absorber comprises an eyelet, the extension body comprises a channel, and the extension body is coupled with the shock absorber by a pin extending through the eyelet;
- and
- an eccentric insert having a body disposed within the eyelet, the pin extending through a pin aperture disposed through the body, wherein an axis of the pin aperture is offset from an axis of the body;
- wherein the eccentric insert comprises a base, the base extending radially outward from at least a portion of the body, the base disposed within the channel, the base having a first edge engaged with a first side of the channel such that the eccentric insert is prevented from rotating within the channel with respect to the extension body;
- and
- wherein the eccentric insert comprises an upper shock coupler having the base and a lower shock coupler having a second base, the pin aperture extending through both the upper and lower shock couplers.
7 more elements
A bicycle shock absorber assembly comprising:
- a shock absorber having first and second ends, the second end comprising an eyelet;
- an extension body having first and second ends, the second end of the extension body coupled with the second end of the shock absorber by a pin extending through the extension body and the eyelet;
- and
- an eccentric insert having a body and a flange, the body disposed within the eyelet, the pin extending through a pin aperture within the body and the flange, the pin aperture offset from a central axis of the body,
- wherein the flange of the eccentric insert is capable of being disposed within a channel of the extension body in at least two different orientations each corresponding to a different overall length of the shock absorber assembly, the at least two different orientations comprising:
- a first orientation wherein a first edge of the flange engages with a first side of the channel to prevent rotation of the eccentric insert with respect to the extension body;
- and
- a second orientation wherein a second edge of the flange engages with the first side of the channel to prevent rotation of the eccentric insert with respect to the extension body,
- wherein the pin aperture of the eccentric insert is offset towards the first edge from the central axis of the body, and
- wherein the eccentric insert comprises an upper shock coupler having the flange and a lower shock coupler having a second flange, the pin aperture extending through the upper and lower shock couplers.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.