# US 2017/0282997 A1 · Bicycle Frame Rear suspension with Flexing Frame Segment > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0282997 A1 - Document ID: US20170282997A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/623,033 - Filed: 2017-06-14 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2013-12-23 - Inventors: Wayne Lumpkin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170282997A1 ## CPC - B62K 25/28: with pivoted chain-stay - B62K 3/02: Frames (tandem frames B62K3/14) - B62K 19/00: Cycle frames - B62K 19/02: characterised by material or cross-section of frame members - B62K 19/16: the material being wholly or mainly of plastics - B62K 19/18: Joints between frame members - B62K 25/286: {the shock absorber being connected to the chain-stay via a linkage mechanism} - B62K 2025/041: {the cycle frame being made of a flexible material} - B62K: CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDECARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE ## Abstract A bicycle frame includes a substantially rigid front frame portion and a substantially rigid rear frame portion. A link is connected to the rear frame portion by a first pivot and to the front frame portion by a second pivot. A frame segment is rigidly connected at a first end to one of the rear frame portion and the front frame portion and pivotably connected at a second end to other of the rear frame portion or the front frame portion by a third pivot. The frame segment is flexible proximate the second end. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bicycle frame comprising: a substantially rigid front frame portion; a substantially rigid rear frame portion; a link connected to the rear frame portion by a first pivot and connected to the front frame portion by a second pivot; and a frame segment rigidly connected at a first end to one of the rear frame portion or the front frame portion and pivotably connected at a second end to the other of the rear frame portion and the front frame portion by a third pivot, the frame segment being flexible proximate the second end. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bicycle frame of claim 1 wherein the frame segment comprises a leaf spring proximate the second end. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The bicycle frame of claim 1 wherein the substantially rigid rear frame portion comprises a seat stay, a chain stay and a bridge stay, the seat stay and the chain stay being substantially rigidly connected together at their proximal ends and each being substantially rigidly connected to the bridge stay, and the frame segment being substantially parallel and aligned with an imaginary line between the junction between the seat stay and the chain stay and the third pivot. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The bicycle frame of claim 3 wherein the seat stay and the chain stay comprise forked stay pairs configured to receive a bicycle wheel therebetween. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The bicycle frame of claim 1 further comprising a shock absorber pivotably connected between the link and the front frame portion to oppose pivoting of the rear frame portion relative to the front frame portion in a clockwise direction about the third pivot. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The bicycle frame of claim 1 wherein the first pivot floats in an arc about the second pivot which is fixed relative to front frame portion as the rear frame portion pivots relative to the front frame portion about the third pivot, and wherein the frame segment flexes to enable the first pivot to move in the arc about the second pivot as the frame segment pivots about the third pivot between a rest position and a fully pivoted position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The bicycle frame of claim 6 wherein the frame segment behaves as a leaf spring as it flexes, the pivots and the frame segment being configured so that the frame segment provides a spring force that varies between opposing and promoting pivoting of the rear frame portion about the third pivot as the rear frame portion is pivoted about the third pivot from a rest position to a fully pivoted position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The bicycle frame of claim 6 wherein the frame segment behaves as a leaf spring as it flexes, the pivots and the frame segment being configured so that the frame segment provides a spring force opposing rotation of the rear frame portion about the third pivot from a rest position to a fully pivoted position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The bicycle frame of claim 6 wherein the frame segment behaves as a leaf spring it flexes, the pivots and the frame segment being configured so that the frame segment provides a spring force promoting rotation of the rear frame portion about the third pivot from a rest position to a fully pivoted position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The bicycle frame of claim 7 wherein the frame segment is disposed between rear and front frame portions to provide a spring force opposing rotation of the rear frame portion about the third pivot from a rest position to a point along the travel of the arc of the first pivot about the second pivot and to thereafter provide a spring force promoting rotation of the rear frame portion about the third pivot to a fully pivoted position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The bicycle frame of claim 7 wherein the frame segment is disposed between rear and front frame portions to provide a spring force promoting rotation of the rear frame portion about the third pivot from a rest position to a point along the travel of the arc of the first pivot about the second pivot and to thereafter provide a spring force opposing rotation of the rear frame portion about the third pivot to a fully pivoted position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The bicycle frame of claim 1 wherein the frame segment is integrally formed with the one of the rear frame portion or the front frame portion to which it is rigidly connected. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The bicycle frame of claim 1 wherein the frame segment comprises a leaf spring configured to be substantially laterally rigid. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The bicycle frame of claim 13 wherein the leaf spring is made of a metal. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The bicycle frame of claim 13 wherein the leaf spring is made of composite material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The bicycle frame of claim 13 wherein the leaf spring is integrally formed with the one of the rear frame portion or the front frame portion to which it is rigidly connected. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The bicycle frame of claim 1 wherein the frame segment is attached by a fastener to the one of the rear frame portion or the front frame portion to which it is rigidly connected. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The bicycle frame of claim 1 wherein the rear frame portion and the front frame portion are made of composite material and the frame segment is made of composite material integrally formed with the one of the rear frame portion or the front frame portion to which it is rigidly connected. ### Claim 19 A bicycle frame comprising: a substantially rigid front frame portion; a substantially rigid rear frame portion; a link connected to the rear frame portion by a first pivot and connected to the front frame portion by a second pivot; and a frame segment rigidly connected at a first end to one of the rear frame portion or the front frame portion and pivotably connected at a second end to the other of the rear frame portion and the front frame portion by a third pivot, the frame segment being flexible within the first ½ of the distance between the front frame portion and an axle housing of the rear frame portion.