Anti-bob system for cycles
OwnerLarry D. Millerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A control system is operable to selectably activate shock damping devices associated with a bicycle so as to eliminate bobbing encountered under extreme pedaling conditions. The system includes a crank axle torque detector which operates to detect a level of torque applied to a crank axle and provide a control signal corresponding to the level of torque. A shock damping device is coupled to the frame of the cycle, and functions to absorb and dampen mechanical shocks communicated to the frame. The shock damping device includes an activator for controlling its damping function. The activator is operable to receive the control signal from the crank axle torque detector and control the shock damping device in response thereto. The control signal may be an electrical or a mechanical signal.
Claims26
An anti-bob system operable to control a shock damping device of a cycle, said system including:
- a crank axle torque detector operable to detect a level of torque applied to a crank axle, and to provide a control signal corresponding to said level of torque, said control signal being a mechanical signal comprising the displacement of a control cable;
- and
- a shock damping device coupled to a frame of said cycle, said shock damping device functioning to absorb and dampen mechanical shocks communicated to said frame, said shock damping device including an activator for controlling the damping function thereof, said activator being operable to receive the control signal from said crank axle torque detector and to control the shock damping device in response thereto;
- whereby said shock damping device is controlled in response to the level of torque applied to said crank axle.
An anti-bob system operable to control a shock damping device of a cycle, said system including:
- a crank axle torque detector operable to detect a level of torque applied to a crank axle, and to provide a control signal corresponding to said level of torque, said control signal comprising an electrical signal;
- and
- a shock damping device coupled to a frame of said cycle, said shock damping device functioning to absorb and dampen mechanical shocks communicated to said frame, said shock damping device including an activator for controlling the damping function thereof, said activator being operable to receive the control signal from said crank axle torque detector and to control the shock damping device in response thereto;
- whereby said shock damping device is controlled in response to the level of torque applied to said crank axle.
An anti-bob system operable to control a shock damping device of a cycle, said system including:
- a crank axle torque detector operable to detect a level of torque applied to a crank axle, and to provide a control signal corresponding to said level of torque, said torque detector comprising a positionally displaceable bearing assembly supported upon said frame, said bearing assembly having said crank axle rotatably supported thereupon;
- and a biasing member disposed so as to impose a biasing force on said bearing assembly so as to urge said bearing assembly in a first direction relative to said frame;
- whereby when a torque is applied to the crank axle, the torque operates to counter at least a portion of the biasing force so as to displace the bearing assembly in a second direction different from said first direction, whereby said displacement comprises said control signal;
- and
- a shock damping device coupled to a frame of said cycle, said shock damping device functioning to absorb and dampen mechanical shocks communicated to said frame, said shock damping device including an activator for controlling the damping function thereof, said activator being operable to receive the control signal from said crank axle torque detector and to control the shock damping device in response thereto;
- whereby said shock damping device is controlled in response to the level of torque applied to said crank axle.
An anti-bob system operable to control a shock damping device of a cycle which includes a pedal connected to a crank axle by a crank arm, said system including:
- a crank axle torque detector comprising a pressure-responsive device interposed between the pedal and a foot of a user who is operating the cycle, said torque detector being operable to detect a level of torque applied to a crank axle, and to provide a control signal corresponding to said level of torque;
- and
- a shock damping device coupled to a frame of said cycle, said shock damping device functioning to absorb and dampen mechanical shocks communicated to said frame, said shock damping device including an activator for controlling the damping function thereof, said activator being operable to receive the control signal from said crank axle torque detector and to control the shock damping device in response thereto;
- whereby said shock damping device is controlled in response to the level of torque applied to said crank axle.
An anti-bob system operable to control a shock damping device of a cycle, said system including:
- a crank axle torque detector operable to detect a periodically varying level of torque applied to a crank axle, and to provide a control signal corresponding to said periodically varying level of torque;
- and
- a shock damping device coupled to a frame of said cycle, said shock damping device functioning to absorb and dampen mechanical shocks communicated to said frame, said shock damping device including an activator for controlling the damping function thereof, said activator being operable to receive the control signal from said crank axle torque detector and to control the shock damping device in response thereto;
- whereby said shock damping device is controlled in response to the level of torque applied to said crank axle.
An anti-bob system operable to control a shock damping device of a cycle, said system including:
- a crank axle torque detector operable to detect a level of torque applied to a crank axle, and to provide a control signal corresponding to said level of torque;
- and
- a shock damping device coupled to a frame of said cycle, said shock damping device functioning to absorb and dampen mechanical shocks communicated to said frame from a surface on which said cycle is traveling, said shock damping device including an activator for controlling the damping function thereof, said activator being operable to receive the control signal from said crank axle torque detector and to control the shock damping device in response thereto;
- whereby said shock damping device is controlled in response to the level of torque applied to said crank axle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.