Chainstay protector with spaced protrusions
AssigneeSpecialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
InventorsRyan James McDonald, Jason Scott McDonald, James Michael Stafford
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bicycle includes a chainstay protector having an upper surface including a valley, a first peak, and a second peak. The first peak extends upwardly from the valley toward the chain and has a first contact surface positioned to contact the chain a first height above the valley. The second peak extends upwardly from the valley toward the chain and has a second contact surface positioned to contact the chain a second height above the valley. The first contact surface is spaced from the second contact surface by a gap that is at least 5 times the first height. Each of the first and second contact surfaces has a length that is less than the length of the gap and less than two times a pitch of the chain.
Claims20
A bicycle comprising:
- a front wheel and a rear wheel;
- a chain adapted to transfer power to the rear wheel, the chain having a pitch;
- and
- a frame supported by the front wheel and the rear wheel, the frame including a chainstay protector having an upper surface positioned below the chain, the upper surface including:
- a valley;
- a first peak extending upwardly from the valley toward the chain and having a first contact surface positioned to contact the chain a first height above the valley, wherein the first contact surface has a first length that is less than two times the pitch of the chain;
- and
- a second peak extending upwardly from the valley toward the chain and having a second contact surface positioned to contact the chain a second height above the valley, wherein the second contact surface has a second length that is less than two times the pitch of the chain;
- wherein the first contact surface is spaced from the second contact surface by a gap having a length that is at least two times the pitch of the chain.
A bicycle comprising:
- a front wheel and a rear wheel;
- a chain adapted to transfer power to the rear wheel, the chain having a pitch;
- and
- a frame supported by the front wheel and the rear wheel, the frame including a chainstay protector having an upper surface positioned below the chain, the upper surface including:
- a valley;
- a first peak extending upwardly from the valley toward the chain and having a first contact surface positioned to contact the chain a first height above the valley;
- and
- a second peak extending upwardly from the valley toward the chain and having a second contact surface positioned to contact the chain a second height above the valley;
- wherein the chainstay protector is mounted on a chainstay member of the frame, and wherein the chainstay protector includes:
- a base portion comprising a first material;
- and
- an upper portion secured to the base portion and defining part of the upper surface, the upper portion comprising a second material that is more resilient than the first material, wherein the base portion comprises a first opening aligned with the first peak, and wherein a first pad of the second material extends through the first opening and contacts the chainstay member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.