Back to results
US 4,792,150 AGranted
Bicycle frame
AssigneeGreendale Bicycle Company
InventorsMark L. Groendal, Robert E. Shook
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bicycle frame has front and rear frame portions interconnected at their top by a flexible spring connection, that allows relative vertical flexing of the frame portions, and by a tension cable and compression spring between a forward portion of the front frame portion and a lower portion of the rear frame portion. Integral stiffening means included with the vertical center post member of the rear frame portion and with the horizontal crossbar assembly of the front frame portion are provided to minimize the tendency of the front portion of the frame to yaw laterally from side to side relative to the rear frame.
Claims18
A bicycle having a frame, a pair of wheels supporting said frame and a pedal crankshaft journaled to said frame for manually propelling one of said wheels, said frame comprising:
- a rear frame member including a generally vertical center post positioned within an imaginary, generally vertical plane extending along a longitudinal axis of said bicycle;
- a front frame member including a generally horizontally crossbar means positioned within said generally vertical, longitudinal plane;
- flex means for flexibly interconnecting said frame members so as to allow vertical relative flexing of said frame members generally along said generally vertical, longitudinal plane but so as to minimize relative flexing of said frame members out of said generally vertical, longitudinal plane;
- one of (1) said center post, (2) said crossbar means and (3) both said center post and said crossbar means including integral stiffening means for minimizing twisting and lateral bending of same out of said generally vertical, longitudinal plane.
1 more element
A bicycle comprising:
- a rear frame member including a generally vertical center post positioned within an imaginary, generally vertical plane extending along a longitudinal axis of said bicycle;
- a front frame member including a generally horizontal crossbar means positioned within said generally vertical, longitudinal plane;
- flex means for flexibly interconnecting said frame members so as to allow vertical relative flexing of said frame members generally along said generally vertical, longitudinal plane but so as to minimize relative flexing of said frame members out of said generally vertical, longitudinal plane;
- one of (1) said center post, (2) said crossbar means and (3) both said center post and said crossbar means including integral stiffening means for minimizing twisting and lateral bending of same out of said generally vertical, longitudinal plane;
- said center post being a hollow tubular member having opposing wall portions and an upper portion for telescopingly receiving a seat post;
- and
- said integral stiffening means comprising a first rigid plate positioned within the interior of said center post transverse said generally vertical, longitudinal plane and interference fit between said opposing wall portions, said rigid plate extending the majority of the length of said center post, said rigid plate being located in a portions of said center post below said upper portion, said rigid plate having compression means in a portion thereof adjacent said center post upper portion for reducing a concentration of stress in said center post wall portions, said compression means comprising diverging edge means defining a V-shaped notch in an end of said plate.
4 more elements
A bicycle comprising:
- a rear frame member including a generally vertical center post positioned within an imaginary, generally vertical plane extending along a longitudinal axis of said bicycle;
- a front frame member including a generally horizontal crossbar means positioned within said generally vertical, longitudinal plane;
- flex means for flexibly interconnecting said frame members so as to allow vertical relative flexing of said frame members generally along said generally vertical, longitudinal plane but so as to minimize relative flexing of said frame members out of said generally vertical, longitudinal plane;
- one of (1) said center post, (2) said crossbar means and (3) both said center post add said crossbar means including integral stiffening means for minimizing twisting and lateral bending of same out of said generally vertical, longitudinal plane;
- and
- said crossbar means including upper and lower crossbar members, each said crossbar member comprising a hollow tubular member having opposing wall portions and in which said integral stiffening means comprises a rigid plate positioned within the interior of said upper crossbar member transverse said generally vertical longitudinal plane and interference fit between said upper crossbar wall portions an further comprises a rigid plate positioned within the interior of said lower crossbar member transverse said generally vertical, longitudinal plane and interference fit between said lower crossbar wall portions, each said rigid plate extending the majority of the length of the respective said crossbar member.
3 more elements
A bicycle comprising:
- a rear frame member including a generally vertical center post positioned within an imaginary, generally vertical plane extending along a longitudinal axis of said bicycle;
- a front frame member including a generally horizontal crossbar means positioned within said generally vertical, longitudinal plane;
- flex means for flexibly interconnecting said frame members so as to allow vertical relative flexing of said frame members generally along said generally vertical, longitudinal plane but so as to minimize relative flexing of said frame members out of said generally vertical, longitudinal plane;
- one of (1) said center post, (2) said crossbar means and (3) both said center post and said crossbar means including integral stiffening means for minimizing twisting and lateral bending of same out of said generally vertical, longitudinal plane;
- said flex means comprising a spring plate transverse said vertical, longitudinal plane;
- said spring plate comprising upper and lower plates and central core between said plates;
- and
- said front frame member having a rearwardly opening first fitting member, said rear frame member having a forwardly opening second fitting member and in which said spring plate having a first end in said first fitting member and a second opposite end in said second fitting member.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.