US 2012/0235379 A1 · BICYCLE FRAME WITH ADJUSTABLE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS

Abstract

A bicycle frame with an improved suspension system. The bicycle frame includes an adjustable dropout assembly that provides adequate shock absorption without affecting or being affected by the chain length or the pedaling action of the bicycle. The bicycle frame includes a uni-axis system that increases the efficiency and performance of the bicycle while eliminating latter movement found in traditional frames. The bicycle frame includes a micro-adjustable suspension system that allows the rider to easily adjust the suspension of the frame to precise measurements quickly and without additional tools.

Claims25

Dependent claims

An adjustable dropout assembly for a bicycle frame comprising:

(A)An adjustable dropout component comprising;
(I) a wheel end configured to receive a rear wheel;
and
(II) a frame end;
(B) a rear suspension component comprising a receiving means for adjustably retaining the adjustable dropout component, wherein the adjustable dropout component is further configured to be removable from the rear suspension component.

2 more elements

An adjustable dropout assembly for a bicycle frame comprising:

a) a rear suspension component comprising:
i) a first chainstay arm and a second chainstay arm, wherein the first and the second chainstay arms each comprise:
(A) an exterior side, wherein the exterior side comprises a wedge-shaped recess portion comprising:
(I) an upper edge;
(II) a flat surface;
and
(III) a lower edge, wherein the upper edge and the lower edge include teeth;
(B) an interior side comprising a recessed portion comprising an upper ledge and a lower ledge;
and
(C) at least one aperture aligned within and extending through the chainstay arm from the wedge-shaped recess portion of the exterior side to the recessed portion of the interior side;
b) a removable dropout component comprising:
i) a first dropout arm and a second dropout arm, wherein the first and second dropout arms each comprise:
(A) a longitudinal body comprising:
(I) a wheel end;
(II) a frame end having a wedge shape that corresponds to the wedge-shaped recess portion of the exterior side of the chainstay arm, the frame end comprising;
(i) a top edge;
and
(ii) a bottom edge, wherein a portion of the top edge and a portion of the bottom edge have corresponding teeth that are configured to interact with the teeth of the wedge-shaped recess portion of the chainstay arms;
(B) at least one aperture associated with the frame end of the longitudinal body;
and
(C) at least one aperture associated with the wheel end of the longitudinal body, wherein the first dropout arm further comprises (
I) a rear brake mount associated at the wheel end;
and
(D) the second dropout arm further comprises a derailleur mount associated at the wheel end;
and
c) a securing component comprising:
i) a first sliding plate and a second plate, wherein each sliding plate comprises:
(A) at least one aperture;
and
(B) at least one fastener, wherein the at least one fastener is configured to engage the at least one aperture of the sliding plate, the at least one aperture associated with the frame end of the dropout arm, and the at least one aperture of the chainstay arm,
d) wherein the wedge-shaped recessed portions of the exterior sides of the first and second chainstay arms are configured to adjustably receive the first and second dropout arms with the corresponding teeth of the first and second dropout arms adjustably engaging the teeth of the first and second chainstay arms,
e) wherein the recessed portions of the interior sides of the first and second chainstay arms are configured to adjustably receive the first and second sliding plates, wherein the first and second dropout arms, the first and second chainstay arms and the first and second sliding plates are removably secured to each other by receiving the at least one fastener through the at least one aperture associated at the frame end of the longitudinal body, the at least one aperture of the chainstay arm, and the at least one aperture of the sliding plate.

29 more elements

A bicycle frame with a uni-axis system comprising:

a) a bottom bracket frame portion comprising:
i) a hollow interior;
ii) a rear access opening that extends into the hollow interior;
iii) a first axis aperture;
and
iv) a second axis aperture opposite the first axis aperture, wherein the diameter of the first axis aperture substantially equals the diameter of the second axis aperture;
b) a rear suspension arm comprising:
i) a wheel end;
and
ii) a pivoting end opposite the wheel end, the pivoting end comprising:
(A) a channel, wherein the diameter of the channel substantially equals the diameter of the first axis aperture and the second axis aperture;
and
(B) a first recess associated at a first end of the channel and a second recess associated at a second end of the channel;
c) a bottom bracket shell comprising;
i) a tube body comprising:
(A) a first end comprising a flange, wherein the flange is configured to be mounted to the bottom bracket frame portion approximate the first axis aperture;
and
(B) a second end;
ii) a first bottom bracket cup configured to be coupled to the first end of the tube body;
iii) a second bottom bracket shell configured to be coupled to the second end of the tube body;
d) at least two pivot bearings, the at least two pivot bearings having a chamfer surface;
e) at least two washers, the at least two washers having a corresponding chamfer surface to the at least two pivot bearings and configured to receive the tube body;
and
f) a crank set comprising a spindle, wherein the spindle is retained within the tube body of the bottom bracket shell;
wherein the tube body of the bottom bracket shell is retained within the channel of the pivoting end of the rear suspension arm;
wherein the channel of the of the pivoting end of the rear suspension arm is retained in alignment with the first axis aperture and the second axis aperture by a combination of the first bottom bracket cup, the flange, the second bottom bracket shell, the at least two pivot bearings, and the at least two washers, thereby aligning the spindle of the crank set and the channel of the pivoting end of the rear suspension arm on a shared axis.

23 more elements

A bicycle frame with a rear suspension arm having an adjustable suspension and wheel base comprising:

a) An adjustable dropout assembly associated with the rear suspension arm, the adjustable dropout assembly comprising:
(i) a first removable dropout arm and a second removable dropout arm, wherein the first and removable second dropout arms each comprise
(A) a wheel end;
and
(B) a frame end having a wedge shape;
and
(ii) a first chainstay arm and a second chainstay arm, wherein the first and the second chainstay arms each comprise:
(A) a wedge-shaped recess portion configured to retain the frame end of the removable dropout arm;
b) an uni-axis system comprising:
a bottom bracket frame portion comprising:
(A) an axis aperture;
and
(B) a rear access point;
and
(ii) a bottom bracket shell comprising a tube body, wherein the rear access point is configured to receive a pivoting end of the rear suspension arm, wherein the pivoting end comprises a channel, and wherein the axis aperture and the channel of the rear suspension arm are configured to receive the tube body of the bottom bracket shell;
and
c) a micro-adjustable suspension system associated with the rear suspension arm, the micro-adjustable suspension system comprising:
(i) a micro-adjustable component comprising:
(A) a mount coupled to the rear suspension arm approximate the pivoting end, the mount comprising a channel;
and
(B) a connecting rod comprising:
(I) an upper end having a coupling mechanism;
and
(II) a lower end configured to adjustably engage the channel;
and
(ii) a shock assembly comprising:
(A) a main shock body comprising:
(I) a first end;
and
(II) a second end, wherein the first end is associated with the rear suspension arm and the second end is associated with a down tube of the bicycle frame;
and
(III) a first connecting means, wherein the coupling mechanism is configured to couple with the first connecting means of the shock assembly and adjust the main shock body based upon a position of the connecting rod within the channel.

29 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Abstract

Claims25

Dependent claims

An adjustable dropout assembly for a bicycle frame comprising:

(A)An adjustable dropout component comprising;
(I) a wheel end configured to receive a rear wheel;
and
(II) a frame end;
(B) a rear suspension component comprising a receiving means for adjustably retaining the adjustable dropout component, wherein the adjustable dropout component is further configured to be removable from the rear suspension component.

2 more elements

An adjustable dropout assembly for a bicycle frame comprising:

a) a rear suspension component comprising:
i) a first chainstay arm and a second chainstay arm, wherein the first and the second chainstay arms each comprise:
(A) an exterior side, wherein the exterior side comprises a wedge-shaped recess portion comprising:
(I) an upper edge;
(II) a flat surface;
and
(III) a lower edge, wherein the upper edge and the lower edge include teeth;
(B) an interior side comprising a recessed portion comprising an upper ledge and a lower ledge;
and
(C) at least one aperture aligned within and extending through the chainstay arm from the wedge-shaped recess portion of the exterior side to the recessed portion of the interior side;
b) a removable dropout component comprising:
i) a first dropout arm and a second dropout arm, wherein the first and second dropout arms each comprise:
(A) a longitudinal body comprising:
(I) a wheel end;
(II) a frame end having a wedge shape that corresponds to the wedge-shaped recess portion of the exterior side of the chainstay arm, the frame end comprising;
(i) a top edge;
and
(ii) a bottom edge, wherein a portion of the top edge and a portion of the bottom edge have corresponding teeth that are configured to interact with the teeth of the wedge-shaped recess portion of the chainstay arms;
(B) at least one aperture associated with the frame end of the longitudinal body;
and
(C) at least one aperture associated with the wheel end of the longitudinal body, wherein the first dropout arm further comprises (
I) a rear brake mount associated at the wheel end;
and
(D) the second dropout arm further comprises a derailleur mount associated at the wheel end;
and
c) a securing component comprising:
i) a first sliding plate and a second plate, wherein each sliding plate comprises:
(A) at least one aperture;
and
(B) at least one fastener, wherein the at least one fastener is configured to engage the at least one aperture of the sliding plate, the at least one aperture associated with the frame end of the dropout arm, and the at least one aperture of the chainstay arm,
d) wherein the wedge-shaped recessed portions of the exterior sides of the first and second chainstay arms are configured to adjustably receive the first and second dropout arms with the corresponding teeth of the first and second dropout arms adjustably engaging the teeth of the first and second chainstay arms,
e) wherein the recessed portions of the interior sides of the first and second chainstay arms are configured to adjustably receive the first and second sliding plates, wherein the first and second dropout arms, the first and second chainstay arms and the first and second sliding plates are removably secured to each other by receiving the at least one fastener through the at least one aperture associated at the frame end of the longitudinal body, the at least one aperture of the chainstay arm, and the at least one aperture of the sliding plate.

29 more elements

A bicycle frame with a uni-axis system comprising:

a) a bottom bracket frame portion comprising:
i) a hollow interior;
ii) a rear access opening that extends into the hollow interior;
iii) a first axis aperture;
and
iv) a second axis aperture opposite the first axis aperture, wherein the diameter of the first axis aperture substantially equals the diameter of the second axis aperture;
b) a rear suspension arm comprising:
i) a wheel end;
and
ii) a pivoting end opposite the wheel end, the pivoting end comprising:
(A) a channel, wherein the diameter of the channel substantially equals the diameter of the first axis aperture and the second axis aperture;
and
(B) a first recess associated at a first end of the channel and a second recess associated at a second end of the channel;
c) a bottom bracket shell comprising;
i) a tube body comprising:
(A) a first end comprising a flange, wherein the flange is configured to be mounted to the bottom bracket frame portion approximate the first axis aperture;
and
(B) a second end;
ii) a first bottom bracket cup configured to be coupled to the first end of the tube body;
iii) a second bottom bracket shell configured to be coupled to the second end of the tube body;
d) at least two pivot bearings, the at least two pivot bearings having a chamfer surface;
e) at least two washers, the at least two washers having a corresponding chamfer surface to the at least two pivot bearings and configured to receive the tube body;
and
f) a crank set comprising a spindle, wherein the spindle is retained within the tube body of the bottom bracket shell;
wherein the tube body of the bottom bracket shell is retained within the channel of the pivoting end of the rear suspension arm;
wherein the channel of the of the pivoting end of the rear suspension arm is retained in alignment with the first axis aperture and the second axis aperture by a combination of the first bottom bracket cup, the flange, the second bottom bracket shell, the at least two pivot bearings, and the at least two washers, thereby aligning the spindle of the crank set and the channel of the pivoting end of the rear suspension arm on a shared axis.

23 more elements

A bicycle frame with a rear suspension arm having an adjustable suspension and wheel base comprising:

a) An adjustable dropout assembly associated with the rear suspension arm, the adjustable dropout assembly comprising:
(i) a first removable dropout arm and a second removable dropout arm, wherein the first and removable second dropout arms each comprise
(A) a wheel end;
and
(B) a frame end having a wedge shape;
and
(ii) a first chainstay arm and a second chainstay arm, wherein the first and the second chainstay arms each comprise:
(A) a wedge-shaped recess portion configured to retain the frame end of the removable dropout arm;
b) an uni-axis system comprising:
a bottom bracket frame portion comprising:
(A) an axis aperture;
and
(B) a rear access point;
and
(ii) a bottom bracket shell comprising a tube body, wherein the rear access point is configured to receive a pivoting end of the rear suspension arm, wherein the pivoting end comprises a channel, and wherein the axis aperture and the channel of the rear suspension arm are configured to receive the tube body of the bottom bracket shell;
and
c) a micro-adjustable suspension system associated with the rear suspension arm, the micro-adjustable suspension system comprising:
(i) a micro-adjustable component comprising:
(A) a mount coupled to the rear suspension arm approximate the pivoting end, the mount comprising a channel;
and
(B) a connecting rod comprising:
(I) an upper end having a coupling mechanism;
and
(II) a lower end configured to adjustably engage the channel;
and
(ii) a shock assembly comprising:
(A) a main shock body comprising:
(I) a first end;
and
(II) a second end, wherein the first end is associated with the rear suspension arm and the second end is associated with a down tube of the bicycle frame;
and
(III) a first connecting means, wherein the coupling mechanism is configured to couple with the first connecting means of the shock assembly and adjust the main shock body based upon a position of the connecting rod within the channel.

29 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Bicycle frame with adjustable suspension components

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25

Bicycle frame with adjustable suspension components

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25