US 5,211,415 A · Bicycle frame with channel member

Abstract

A bicycle frame using in combination with tubing elements a main channel frame member. The main load carrying member of the frame is an inverted "U" shaped section, or channel section which is tapered in both the horizontal plane and the vertical plane from the front of the bicycle frame to the rear of the bicycle frame (depth and width of the frame member increases from the front to the rear). A head tube is joined to the front of the channel frame, a seat mast tube runs through the middle portion of the channel frame member, and is anchored to the web of the channel frame, and a down tube extends from the top part of the head tube through the web of the channel section between the head tube and the seat mast tube to the lower portion of the seat mast tube where it is affixed to the seat mast tube, or to the bottom bracket. Optionally, further diagonal bracing elements can extend from the top of the seat mast tube to the back of the frame to connect to the channel frame member at either side of a rear wheel. In another alternative embodiment the optional diagonal bracing tubes are replaced with shock absorbing members, and the channel is provided with a hinge to provide a suspension for the rear wheel.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A bicycle frame comprising:

(a) an elongate longitudinal channel member comprising walls and a web, with first and second ends wherein said channel member, when oriented horizontally, is tapered in both horizontal and vertical planes, being smaller at said first end and both wider and deeper at said second end, and wherein said web is partially cut out from said channel member at said second end;
(b) a head tube with upper and lower ends wherein a portion of said lower end is secured to said web of said channel member at said first end, and wherein said walls at said first end wrap entirely around said head tube;
(c) a seat mast tube with upper and lower ends, said seat mast tube secured at a point intermediate to said upper and lower ends to the web of said channel member at a point intermediate said first and second ends of said channel member;
(d) a down tube with first upper and second lower ends, wherein said first upper end is connected to the upper portion of said head tube and wherein said second lower end is connected to said seat mast tube near said lower end and wherein said down tube is connected to said web of said channel member at a point on said channel member intermediate to said first end of said channel member and said point where said seat mast tube is secured to said channel member.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Bicycle frame with channel member

Life of this patent

Bicycle frame with channel member

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17