# US 11,299,228 B2 · Aerodynamics of bicycle frames and associated components > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,299,228 B2 - Document ID: US11299228B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/319,288 - Filed: 2017-07-21 - Published: 2019-09-12 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-22 - Assignees: The University of Adelaide - Applicants: The University of Adelaide - Inventors: Richard Malcolm Kelso; Henry James Atkins; Shaun James Fitzgerald - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11299228B2 ## CPC - B62K 3/02: Frames (tandem frames B62K3/14) - B62J 1/08: Frames for saddles; Connections between saddle frames and seat pillars; Seat pillars (attaching seat pillars to cycle frames B62K19/36) - B62J 17/10: Ventilation or air guiding devices forming part of fairings - B62K 19/02: characterised by material or cross-section of frame members - B62K 21/02: Front wheel forks or equivalent, e.g. single tine - B62K 21/12: Handlebars; Handlebar stems - B62K: CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDECARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE - B62J: CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS ## Abstract The present disclosure relates to a bicycle frame and associated bicycle components, and to reducing the aerodynamic drag of these. In one aspect, there is provided an elongate structural member of a bicycle frame, the member comprising a lengthwise extending leading edge, the leading edge comprising at least a pair of forwardly extending protrusions spaced apart lengthwise therealong. In one form, the protrusions comprise tubercles, a series of which are spaced apart lengthwise along the leading edge, and which further extend to at least one side of the leading edge so as to transition into a chordwise extending rib. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An elongate structural member of a bicycle frame, the structural member comprising a lengthwise extending leading edge having at least a pair of forwardly extending protrusions spaced apart lengthwise along the leading edge, wherein each of the protrusions extends to at least one side of the leading edge so as to transition into a chordwise extending rib. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The structural member of claim 1, wherein the leading edge comprises a series of the protrusions spaced apart lengthwise along the leading edge. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The structural member of claim 1, comprising an alternating pattern of the protrusions and spaces extending lengthwise along at least a portion of the leading edge. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The structural member of claim 1, wherein each pair of protrusions is separated by a valley. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The structural member of claim 4, wherein an alternating pattern of the protrusions and the valleys extends lengthwise along at least a portion of the leading edge. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The structural member of claim 5, wherein the pattern extends along an entirety of the leading edge. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The structural member of claim 4, wherein each of the valleys extends to a side of the leading edge so as to transition into a chordwise extending valley. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The structural member of claim 7, wherein each chordwise extending valley extends parallel to one of the chordwise extending ribs. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The structural member of claim 1, wherein each of the protrusions is aerodynamically shaped. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The structural member of claim 1, wherein each of the protrusions comprises a convex rounded form. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The structural member of claim 1, wherein each of the protrusions comprises a tubercle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The structural member of claim 1, wherein each of the protrusions extends to both sides of the leading edge to transition into a pair of chordwise extending ribs. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The structural member of claim 1, wherein each of the chordwise extending ribs extends at least partially around the member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The structural member of claim 1, wherein each of the chordwise extending ribs extends parallel to a direction of airflow when in use. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The structural member of claim 1, wherein the member comprises an aerofoil shaped cross-sectional profile. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The structural member of claim 1, wherein the member is selected from the group comprising a seat post, a head tube, a seat tube, a down tube, at least one of a pair of seat stays, and at least one of a pair of forks. ### Claim 17 An elongate structural member of a bicycle frame, the structural member comprising a lengthwise extending leading edge having a plurality of convex, rounded protrusions spaced apart lengthwise along the leading edge, wherein each of the protrusions extends to at least one side of the leading edge so as to transition into a chordwise rib. ### Claim 18 An elongate structural member of a bicycle frame, the structural member comprising a lengthwise extending leading edge having a plurality of protrusions spaced apart lengthwise along the leading edge, the protrusions selected from the group comprising tubercles, convex, rounded, and forwardly extending vortex generators, wherein each of the protrusions extends to at least one side of the leading edge so as to transition into a chordwise rib. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The structural member of claim 18, wherein the structural member is selected from the group consisting of a handlebar, a handlebar stem, and a seat post.