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US 5,452,910 AGranted
Rear wheel suspension for a bicycle and bicycle equipped therewith
AssigneeRockshox, Inc.
InventorTrevor L. Harris
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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AssigneeRockshox, Inc.
InventorTrevor L. Harris
Estimating the term…
A suspension assembly that is formed of an essentially horizontal swing arm which is pivotally attached at one end to the underside of a bicycle frame by a pair of short links and which carries the rear wheel at an opposite end. The geometry of the suspension assembly is designed to produce a substantially straight line trajectory of the rear wheel in an upward and rearward direction at an angle that is preferably 20.degree.-30.degree. with respect to a vertical line through the wheel axis of rotation to increase traction, making the acceleration forces apply an upward vertical force component to the frame, and a downward component to the frame under braking, independent of wheel position, that reduces rear frame lift (pitch). Furthermore, to obtain a constant pedal "feel," the suspension geometry is also designed so that the maximum vertical height movement of the pedal crank axis of rotation can be kept to less than 5% of the vertical wheel travel (e.g., a 0.25" crank axis height increase for a 4" vertical wheel travel). The suspension is designed to attach to a standard frame leaving room for mounting of the derailleur between the frame and the rear wheel. In a particularly preferred form, the swing arm assembly is provided with a tubular derailleur mount and an upper tube to which the rear wheel brake assembly can be mounted.
In a bicycle rear wheel suspension of the pivoting swing arm type with a swing arm having mounting means for connecting a bicycle rear wheel to a first end thereof, pivot means for pivotally connecting the swing arm to a bicycle frame adjacent a second end thereof, a pedal crank rotationally mounted on the swing arm, and shock absorbing means for connection between the bicycle frame and the suspension;
A bicycle having a frame, a front wheel steerably connected to the frame, a driven rear wheel, and a rear wheel suspension of the pivoting swing arm type with a swing arm having mounting means for producing a connection of the rear wheel of the bicycle to a first end thereof, pivot means for pivotally connecting the swing arm to the frame of the bicycle adjacent a second end thereof, a pedal crank rotationally mounted on the swing arm, and shock absorbing means connected between the bicycle frame and the suspension;
A bicycle according to clam 12, wherein said swing arm is part of a triangular frame-shaped assembly having an upright positioned adjacent the location at which said pedal crank is rotationally mounted;
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.