BICYCLE REAR WHEEL SUSPENSION SYSTEM

US 20080252040A1
Filed: 04/16/2007
Published: 10/16/2008
Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2007
Status: Active Grant

First Claim

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1. A bicycle frame assembly comprising:

a frame for supporting a rider;

a swing arm having a first end pivotably connected to the frame and a second end for pivotably engaging a rear wheel assembly; and

a seat stay pivotably connected to the rear wheel assembly such that the seat stay, the swing arm, and a rear wheel have a common axis of rotation.

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Abstract

A bicycle frame assembly having a number of rotatable members configured to absorb shocks and impacts associated with operation of the bicycle. The assembly includes a frame constructed to support a rider and a chain stay having a rearward end that extends toward a wheel hub and a forward end that is pivotably connected to the frame. An absorber is pivotably connected to the forward end of the chain stay and extends to a rocker arm that is pivotably connected to the frame. A seat stay is pivotably connected to a rearward end of the rocker arm and extends to the rearward end of the chain stay. The rearward ends of the seat stay and the chain stay are pivotably connected to rotate about a common axis.

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25 Claims

1. A bicycle frame assembly comprising:
- a frame for supporting a rider;
  
  a swing arm having a first end pivotably connected to the frame and a second end for pivotably engaging a rear wheel assembly; and
  
  a seat stay pivotably connected to the rear wheel assembly such that the seat stay, the swing arm, and a rear wheel have a common axis of rotation.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
- - 2. The bicycle frame assembly of claim 1 further comprising a rocker arm attached to the frame and connected to an end of the seat stay generally opposite the common axis of rotation.
  - 3. The bicycle frame assembly of claim 2 further comprising a shock absorber attached to the rocker arm generally forward of a seat tube of the frame.
  - 4. The bicycle frame assembly of claim 3 wherein an end of the shock absorber generally opposite the rocker arm is pivotably attached to the swing arm.
  - 5. The bicycle frame assembly of claim 4 wherein the swing arm and the shock absorber are pivotably connected at a location generally forward of the seat tube.
  - 6. The bicycle frame assembly of claim 1 wherein the rear wheel has a contact patch between about 0 and about 7 degrees for a bicycle having a swing arm travel between about 75 mm to about 250 mm.
  - 7. The bicycle frame assembly of claim 1 further comprising another swing arm and another seat stay attached to the frame assembly such that the swing arms and the seat stays generally flank the rear wheel.

8. A bicycle rear wheel suspension system comprising:
- a first link pivotably connected to a frame member and having a first section for supporting a wheel extending rearward of the frame member and a second section extending forward of the frame member;
  
  a rocker arm pivotably connected to the frame and having a first portion extending rearward of the frame member and a second portion extending forward of the frame member;
  
  a second link pivotably disposed between the first section of the first link and the first portion of the rocker arm such that the first link and the second link are pivotable about a common axis; and
  
  an arrestor having a first end connected to the second section of the first link and a second end connected to the second portion of the rocker arm.
- View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
- - 9. The suspension system of claim 8 further comprising an axle having the wheel mounted thereto, the axle constructed to support the wheel for rotation about the common axis.
  - 10. The suspension system of claim 8 wherein the arrestor is a shock absorber having one of a spring, a gas charge, or a fluid.
  - 11. The suspension system of claim 8 wherein the frame member is a seat tube.
  - 12. The suspension system of claim 8 wherein the wheel has a contact patch between about 0 degrees and about 7 degrees.
  - 13. The suspension system of claim 8 wherein the first portion of the rocker arm is longer than the second portion of the rocker arm.
  - 14. The suspension system of claim 8 wherein the first link includes a pair of arms constructed to flank the wheel and a bracket that extends between the pair of arms proximate the frame member.
  - 15. The suspension system of claim 8 wherein the rocker arm includes a generally U-shaped recess constructed to receive the frame member.

16. A bicycle frame comprising:
- a first portion for supporting a rider;
  
  an arm pivotably attached to the first portion;
  
  a first member pivotably attached to the first portion and having a first end connected to the arm by an absorber and a second end; and
  
  a second member having a first end connected to an end of the arm generally opposite the absorber and a second end pivotably connected to the second end of the first member such that the first and second members are rotatable about a common axis.
- View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
- - 17. The bicycle frame of claim 16 further comprising a rear wheel axle located at the common axis and constructed to support a wheel.
  - 18. The bicycle frame of claim 16 further comprising another first member and another second member positioned on a side of the first portion generally opposite the first member and the second member to flank a wheel.
  - 19. The bicycle frame of claim 18 wherein the first member and the another first member have different shapes.
  - 20. The bicycle frame of claim 16 wherein the arm is pivotably attached to a seat tube and is rotatable about an axis positioned between a forward edge and a rearward edge of the seat tube.

21. A bicycle frame system comprising:
- a frame constructed to support a rider; and
  
  a rear wheel suspension assembly constructed to support a rear wheel such that an axis of rotation of the rear wheel forms a pivot with a swing arm and a seat stay and is movable relative to the frame to generally maintain a generally uniform braking performance across a substantial portion of a range of motion of the rear wheel axis.
- View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
- - 22. The bicycle frame system of claim 21 wherein the swing arm is pivotably connected to the frame at an end remote from the pivot.
  - 23. The bicycle frame system of claim 22 wherein translation of the axis of rotation is generally unaffected by a braking operation.
  - 24. The bicycle frame system of claim 21 wherein the rear suspension system limits radial translation of a contact patch across the substantial portion of the range of motion of the rear wheel axis.
  - 25. The bicycle frame system of claim 21 further comprising a rocker arm pivotably connected to the frame, the seat stay and a shock absorber being pivotably connected to generally opposite sides of the rocker arm.

Specification

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Current Assignee
Trek Bicycle Corporation
Original Assignee
Trek Bicycle Corporation
Inventors
Gonzalez, Jose, Colegrove, James, Howes, Dylan

Granted Patent

US 7,837,213 B2
Time in Patent Office

Days
Field of Search
US Class Current

280/284
CPC Class Codes

B62K 25/04 for mounting axles resilien...

B62K 25/286 the shock absorber being co...

BICYCLE REAR WHEEL SUSPENSION SYSTEM

First Claim

3 Assignments

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

113 Citations

25 Claims

Specification

Solutions

Use Cases

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BICYCLE REAR WHEEL SUSPENSION SYSTEM

First Claim

3 Assignments

Subscription Required

Subscription Required

0 Petitions

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Accused Products

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Abstract

113 Citations

25 Claims

Specification

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Solutions

Use Cases

Quick Links