US 6,386,567 B1 · Bicycle with shock absorber

Abstract

A bicycle with a torsional shock absorber comprised of a torsion spring assembly. The elements of the torsion spring assembly include: housing, a shaft positioned within the housing, a rubbery substance positioned between the interior surface of the housing and the outer surface of the shaft. The torsional shock absorber is mounted on the bicycle such that shock forces are converted into rotational forces tending to rotate the shaft within the housing. These rotational forces are resisted by the spring force created by the rubbery substance within the torsion spring assembly; thereby absorbing the shock forces. In a preferred embodiment, the rubbery substance is bonded to the interior surface of the housing and the outer surface of the shaft. In a preferred embodiment, the front and rear portions of the bicycle frame pivot about the pedal spindle axis. Also, in a preferred embodiment, the housing of the torsion spring assembly is rigidly connected to the front portion of the bicycle frame in-between the top tube and middle brace and just in front of the seat tube. The rear portion of the bicycle frame is pivotally connected to two torsion arms rigidly connected to the shaft.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A bicycle with a shock absorption assembly comprising:

A) a bicycle frame defining a front portion and a rear portion, said front portion and said rear portion being pivotally connected at a pivot point,
B) at least one torsion spring assembly comprising:
1) an outer housing defining an inner surface,
2) a shaft defining an outer surface,
3) a rubbery substance positioned between said inner surface of said housing and said outer surface of said shaft,
C) a bottom bracket housing welded to said bicycle frame,
D) at least one bearing inside said bottom bracket housing,
E) a bottom bracket shell to rotate inside said at least one bearing,
F) at least one bearing casing threaded into said bottom bracket shell,
G) a bottom bracket spindle to rotate on said at least one bearing casing, and
H) a swingarm rigidly connected to said bottom bracket shell, wherein, said swingarm pivots concentrically and relative to axis formed by said bottom bracket spindle and said bottom bracket spindle rotates independently of said pivoting of said swingarm
wherein, either one of said front portion or said rear portion of said frame is attached to said outer housing and the other one of said front portion or said rear portion is attached to said shaft such that shock forces acting on said front or rear portion are absorbed in said torsion spring assembly.

9 more elements

A bicycle with a shock absorption assembly comprising:

A) a bicycle frame defining a front portion and a rear portion, said front portion and said rear portion being pivotally connected at a pivot point,
B) at least one torsion spring assembly comprising:
1) an outer housing defining an inner surface,
2) a shaft defining an outer surface,
3) a rubbery substance positioned between said inner surface of said housing and said outer surface of said shaft, and
C) a torsion spring preload device, wherein, either one of said front portion or said rear portion of said frame is attached to said outer housing and the other one of said front portion or said rear portion is attached to said shaft such that shock forces acting on said front or rear portion are absorbed in said torsion spring assembly.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Bicycle with shock absorber

Life of this patent

Bicycle with shock absorber

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23