US 6,139,038 AGranted

Weldless bicycle frame

OwnerCathy D. Santa Cruz, Donald N. Minoliinventors

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Abstract

A bicycle frame is hereby provided which allows component assembly at the point of manufacture by a method other than welding. The present invention is a novel frame design which includes multiple aluminum extrusions, with each of those extrusions being machined and anodized prior to assembly. Further taught is a unique A-X frame configuration and simplified construction.

Claims2

Dependent claims

A weldless bicycle frame comprising:

a hollow upper right side rail member;
a hollow lower right side rail member;
a hollow upper left side rail member;
a hollow lower left side rail member;
a head tube;
a right side rear axle attachment plate;
a left side rear axle attachment plate;
a hollow cross member;
a hollow seat post member;
and a seat support member;
said frame when assembled and viewed from above forms an A-shape, said frame when assembled and viewed from either side forms an X-shape, each said rail member having a head end and a rear end, said hollow seat post member having an upper end and a lower end, said cross member having an upper end and a lower end, said head tube having a top race;
a thrust bearing;
and a bottom race;
said head tube having multiple protrusions thereon, said protrusions each being of a shape and size to be slidably engaged within said head end of each said rail member with said protrusions each being fixedly secured in place by at least one fastener, said right side rear axle attachment plate having multiple protrusions thereon, last said protrusions each being of a shape and size to be slidably engaged within each said rear end of each said right side rail member, last said protrusions each being fixedly secured in place with at least one fastener, said left side rear axle attachment plate having multiple protrusions thereon, last said protrusions each being of a shape and size to be slidably engaged within each said rear end of each said left side rail member, last said protrusions each being fixedly secured in place with at least one fastener, said cross member having multiple external flanges thereon, said flanges each being fixedly attached to one of each said rail member, said flanges each being secured in place onto one of each said rail member with at least one fastener, said lower end of said hollow seat post member being telescopically slidably adjustably engaged within said upper end of said cross member, said cross member having at least one threaded bore there through which is of a shape and size to threadably receive a fastener there through, said hollow seat post member having at least two seat height adjustment bores there through which are of a shape and size to receive said fastener therein, said bore being aligned with at least one of said seat height adjustment bores and fixedly secured in place by last said fastener, and said seat support member being of a shape and size to be slidably engaged within said upper end of said hollow seat post member, said seat support member having a right side spring support channel and a left side spring support channel, and said seat support member being fixedly attached to said upper end of said hollow seat post member by multiple bores and multiple fasteners.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

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Abstract

A weldless bicycle frame comprising:

a hollow upper right side rail member;
a hollow lower right side rail member;
a hollow upper left side rail member;
a hollow lower left side rail member;
a head tube;
a right side rear axle attachment plate;
a left side rear axle attachment plate;
a hollow cross member;
a hollow seat post member;
and a seat support member;
said frame when assembled and viewed from above forms an A-shape, said frame when assembled and viewed from either side forms an X-shape, each said rail member having a head end and a rear end, said hollow seat post member having an upper end and a lower end, said cross member having an upper end and a lower end, said head tube having a top race;
a thrust bearing;
and a bottom race;
said head tube having multiple protrusions thereon, said protrusions each being of a shape and size to be slidably engaged within said head end of each said rail member with said protrusions each being fixedly secured in place by at least one fastener, said right side rear axle attachment plate having multiple protrusions thereon, last said protrusions each being of a shape and size to be slidably engaged within each said rear end of each said right side rail member, last said protrusions each being fixedly secured in place with at least one fastener, said left side rear axle attachment plate having multiple protrusions thereon, last said protrusions each being of a shape and size to be slidably engaged within each said rear end of each said left side rail member, last said protrusions each being fixedly secured in place with at least one fastener, said cross member having multiple external flanges thereon, said flanges each being fixedly attached to one of each said rail member, said flanges each being secured in place onto one of each said rail member with at least one fastener, said lower end of said hollow seat post member being telescopically slidably adjustably engaged within said upper end of said cross member, said cross member having at least one threaded bore there through which is of a shape and size to threadably receive a fastener there through, said hollow seat post member having at least two seat height adjustment bores there through which are of a shape and size to receive said fastener therein, said bore being aligned with at least one of said seat height adjustment bores and fixedly secured in place by last said fastener, and said seat support member being of a shape and size to be slidably engaged within said upper end of said hollow seat post member, said seat support member having a right side spring support channel and a left side spring support channel, and said seat support member being fixedly attached to said upper end of said hollow seat post member by multiple bores and multiple fasteners.

11 more elements