Momentum imparting bicycle suspension apparatus

In a bicycle having a frame, a front wheel rotatably supported on said frame, and a rear wheel rotatably supported from said frame, an improved rear suspension mechanism for supporting said rear wheel from said frame to permit generally vertical movement of said rear wheel relative to said frame comprising:

• a semi-elliptical swing arm having a lower leg and an upper leg, said rear wheel having an axle rotatably mounted to said swing arm proximate to a vertex;
• and
• a flexor element operably connected to said swing arm to permit said upper and lower legs to diverge when a generally vertical force is applied to said rear wheel, said flexor element bending to store energy as said upper and lower legs diverge, said flexor element being positioned to define a moment arm between a force generated by a release of energy stored in said flexor element and said rear wheel axle to impart a forward movement-inducing moment on said bicycle.

A method of suspending a rear wheel of a vehicle from a frame member of said vehicle comprising the steps of:

• providing a rear suspension mechanism interconnecting an axle of said rear wheel and a frame member of said vehicle, said rear suspension mechanism having a flexor member that stores energy during operation of said rear suspension mechanism, said stored energy being released when said rear suspension mechanism returns to a relaxed state;
• and
• locating said flexor member within said rear suspension mechanism such that the release of said stored energy from said flexor member exerts a force that is offset from said rear wheel axle by a moment arm to produce a forward momentum-inducing moment about said rear wheel axle and, thereby, contribute to the forward momentum of said vehicle.