Bicycle suspension system with spring preload adjuster and hydraulic lockout device

A preload adjuster for adjusting the preload of a suspension system in a bicycle suspension fork having a pair of legs, each leg having a pair of telescoping fork tubes, said preload adjuster comprising first and second interengaging preload elements having a combined length, each said preload element having a first end and a second end, wherein said second end of said first preload element and said first end of said second preload element are shaped to interengage each other in one of a plurality of relative positions such that the combined length of said preload elements is variable, wherein:

• said suspension system is positioned within a leg of the suspension fork, the leg having a first end and a second end;
• said suspension system includes a coil suspension spring positioned adjacent the first end of the suspension fork leg and an elastomer preload spring positioned adjacent the second end of the suspension fork leg;
• said first preload element is a preloader;
• said second preload element is a spacer;
• said first end of said preloader is coupled to said coil suspension spring;
• and
• said second end of said spacer is coupled to said elastomer preload spring.

A method of adjusting the preload of a suspension system in a bicycle suspension fork having first and second telescoping fork tubes, said method comprising the steps of:

• positioning a preload adjuster comprising first and second interengaging preload elements having a combined length within a leg of the bicycle suspension, fork each said preload element having a first end and a second end;
• and
• selectively interengaging said second end of said first preload element and said first end of said second preload element in one of a plurality of relative distinct positions to vary the combined length of said preload adjusters;
• wherein said preload elements are aligned along a longitudinal axis when interengaged, said step of interengaging said first and second elements comprising the step of moving said first and second preload elements relative to each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

A lockout mechanism for a bicycle suspension fork having a pair of legs, each leg having first and second telescoping fork tubes, said fork undergoing compression when said fork tubes telescope together and expansion when said fork tubes telescope apart, said lockout mechanism selectively converting said bicycle suspension fork from an energy absorbing suspension system permitting compression of said fork to a relatively rigid system inhibiting compression of said fork, said lockout mechanism comprising:

• first and second fluid chambers in fluid communication;
• a fluid circulation control unit positioned between and controlling fluid flow between said first and second fluid chambers;
• wherein:
• said fluid circulation control unit is positionable between an off position in which fluid flows between said first and second chambers such that compression and rebound of said fork are permitted, and an on position in which fluid flow between said first and second chambers is inhibited such that compression of said fork is inhibited;
• an outer lockout sleeve positioned within one of the fork tubes of the bicycle suspension fork;
• and
• an inner lockout sleeve substantially coaxially positioned within said outer lockout sleeve;
• wherein:
• said first fluid chamber is defined within said inner lockout sleeve;
• said second fluid chamber is a substantially annular chamber defined between said inner and outer lockout sleeves;
• at least one flow passage is defined between said outer and inner lockout sleeves to fluidly communicate said first and second fluid chambers;
• and
• said fluid control unit controls fluid flow through said flow passage.

A lockout mechanism for a bicycle suspension fork having a pair of legs, each leg having first and second telescoping fork tubes, said fork undergoing compression when said fork tubes telescope together and expansion when said fork tubes telescope apart, said lockout mechanism selectively converting said bicycle suspension fork from an energy absorbing suspension system permitting compression of said fork to a relatively rigid system inhibiting compression of said fork, said lockout mechanism comprising:

• first and second fluid chambers in fluid communication;
• a fluid circulation control unit positioned between and controlling fluid flow between said first and second fluid chambers;
• wherein:
• said fluid circulation control unit is positionable between an off position in which fluid flows between said first and second chambers such that compression and rebound of said fork are permitted, and an on position in which fluid flow between said first and second chambers is inhibited such that compression of said fork is inhibited;
• and
• a blow-off valve positioned between said first and second fluid chambers and permitting limited fluid flow from said first fluid chamber to said second fluid chamber even when said fluid circulation control unit is in said on position.

A method of adjusting the compressibility of a bicycle suspension fork having a pair of telescoping fork tubes, said fork undergoing compression when said fork tubes telescope together and expansion when said fork tubes telescope apart, such that the suspension fork is adjusted from being compressible to being substantially rigid and capable of undergoing substantially no compression, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing at least one fork tube with first and second fluid chambers in fluid communication;
• providing a fluid circulation control unit between said first and second fluid chambers, said fluid circulation control unit being positionable between an off position in which fluid flows between said first and second chambers such that compression and rebound of said fork are permitted, and an on position in which fluid flow between said first and second chambers is inhibited such that compression of said fork is substantially inhibited;
• and
• adjusting said fluid circulation control unit to modify the degree to which said first and second fluid chambers are in fluid communication, thereby adjusting the compressibility of said suspension fork.

A bicycle suspension fork comprising:

• first and second fork legs, each fork leg having a pair of telescoping fork tubes, said fork undergoing compression when said fork tubes telescope together and expansion when said fork tubes telescope apart;
• a suspension biasing element in at least said first fork leg;
• a preload adjuster within said first fork leg adjacent said suspension biasing element, said preload adjuster comprising first and second interengaging preload elements having a combined length, each said preload element having a first end and a second end, said second end of said first preload element and said first end of said second preload element being shaped to interengage each other in one of a plurality of relative positions such that the combined length of said preload elements is variable;
• and
• a lockout mechanism within said second fork leg, said lockout mechanism comprising first and second fluid chambers in fluid communication, and a fluid circulation control unit positioned between and controlling fluid flow between said first and second fluid chambers;
• wherein:
• adjustment of the position of said first and second preload elements relative to each other modifies the preload on said suspension biasing element;
• and
• said fluid circulation control unit of said lockout mechanism is positionable between an off position in which fluid flows between said first and second chambers such that compression and rebound of said fork are permitted, and an on position in which fluid flow between said first and second chambers is inhibited such that compression of said fork is inhibited.