Adjustable bicycle suspension

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10850799-B2
Application number	US-201815946520-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 5, 2018
Priority date	Apr 5, 2018
Publication date	Dec 1, 2020
Grant date	Dec 1, 2020

Abstract

A bicycle assembly can include a bicycle frame having a main frame and a sub-frame, and a shock absorber assembly. The shock absorber assembly can comprise a shock absorber and an extension body. The sub-frame can rotate in relation to the main frame and the shock absorber assembly can be used to regulate that relationship. An eccentric insert positioned functionally between the shock absorber and extension body can be used to modify the overall length of the shock absorber assembly to beneficially alter the geometry of the bicycle frame.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bicycle assembly comprising:
a main frame comprising a seat tube, a head tube and an intermediate tube connecting the seat tube and the head tube;
a sub-frame configured to rotate with respect to the main frame, wherein the sub-frame defines a location for mounting a rear wheel;
a suspension assembly for controlling rotation of the sub-frame with respect to the main frame, the suspension assembly comprising:
a shock absorber, the shock absorber having first and second opposing ends and first and second eyelets at each end, the first eyelet at the first end connected to the main frame and defining a first suspension assembly pivot axis;
an extension body, the extension body having a first end connected to the shock absorber at the second eyelet and a second end comprising a pair of extension arms connected to the sub-frame and defining a second suspension assembly pivot axis;
an eccentric insert coupled between the shock absorber and the extension body, the eccentric insert having a cylindrical body at least partially disposed within the second eyelet of the shock absorber, and a pin aperture disposed through the cylindrical body, wherein an axis of the pin aperture is offset from an axis of the cylindrical body; and
a pin coupling the extension body and the shock absorber, the pin extending through an aperture of the extension body, the pin aperture of the eccentric insert, and the second eyelet of the shock absorber;

wherein the eccentric insert comprises a base, and the extension body comprises a channel shaped to receive at least a portion of the base;
wherein the suspension assembly comprises a first assembled configuration corresponding to a first overall length of the shock absorber and extension body in which the axis of the cylindrical body is offset in a first direction relative to the extension body;
wherein the suspension assembly comprises a second assembled configuration corresponding to a second overall length of the shock absorber and extension body in which the axis of the cylindrical body is offset in a second direction, opposite the first direction, relative to the extension body; and
wherein the eccentric insert comprises an upper shock coupler and a lower shock coupler, the upper shock coupler comprising the base and at least a portion of the cylindrical body, the lower shock coupler comprising a second base and at least a portion of the cylindrical body, the pin aperture extending through both the upper and lower shock couplers.

2. The bicycle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the extension body comprises an upper deck and a lower deck, the channel disposed in the upper deck and a second channel disposed in the lower deck, the upper and lower shock couplers insertable between the upper and lower decks within the channels.

3. The bicycle assembly of claim 2 , wherein the upper and lower shock couplers are shaped such that they can only be assembled together in one arrangement relative to one another when the upper and lower shock couplers are assembled to the shock absorber with the bases in contact with the second eyelet of the shock absorber.

4. The bicycle assembly of claim 2 , wherein the upper and lower shock couplers each comprise a corresponding angled surface and the eccentric insert is insertable within the channel disposed in the upper deck and the second channel disposed in the lower deck of the extension body with the corresponding angled surfaces aligned such that they do not contact one another.

5. The bicycle assembly of claim 4 , wherein the upper and lower shock couplers are identical.

6. The bicycle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the base of the eccentric insert comprises a first mating surface, and the channel comprises a second mating surface, the first and second mating surfaces shaped to cooperate to prevent rotation of the base about the axis of said pin aperture when the suspension assembly is in the first assembled configuration.

7. The bicycle assembly of claim 6 , wherein the base of the eccentric insert comprises a third mating surface, the third and second mating surfaces shaped to cooperate to prevent rotation of the base about the axis of said pin aperture when the suspension assembly is in the second assembled configuration.

8. The bicycle assembly of claim 7 , wherein the first and third mating surfaces are positioned at opposite sides of base of the eccentric insert.

9. The bicycle assembly of claim 7 , wherein the base of the eccentric insert comprises a rectangular shape, and the first and third mating surfaces are positioned at opposite sides of the rectangular shape.

10. The bicycle assembly of claim 6 , wherein the cylindrical body at least partially overhangs the first mating surface.

11. The bicycle assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one lateral edge of the base engages with at least one lateral side of the channel to prevent rotation of the eccentric insert.

12. The bicycle assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least two lateral edges of the base engage with corresponding lateral sides of the channel to prevent rotation of the eccentric insert.

13. The bicycle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the pin comprises a bolt.

14. A bicycle assembly comprising:
a main frame, a sub-frame that defines a location for mounting a rear wheel, and a shock absorber assembly for controlling rotation of the sub-frame with respect to the main frame;
wherein the shock absorber assembly comprises:
a shock absorber having first and second ends, the shock absorber coupled at its first end to the main frame;
an extension body having first and second ends, the extension body coupled at its first end to the sub-frame and at its second end to the second end of the shock absorber,
wherein the shock absorber comprises an eyelet, the extension body comprises a channel, and the extension body is coupled with the shock absorber by a pin extending through the eyelet; and
an eccentric insert having a body disposed within the eyelet, the pin extending through a pin aperture disposed through the body, wherein an axis of the pin aperture is offset from an axis of the body;

wherein the eccentric insert comprises a base, the base extending radially outward from at least a portion of the body, the base disposed within the channel, the base having a first edge engaged with a first side of the channel such that the eccentric insert is prevented from rotating within the channel with respect to the extension body; and
wherein the eccentric insert comprises an upper shock coupler having the base and a lower shock coupler having a second base, the pin aperture extending through both the upper and lower shock couplers.

15. The bicycle assembly of claim 14 , wherein the base of the eccentric insert comprises a second edge opposite the first edge, the second edge configured to engage with a second side of the channel such that the eccentric insert is prevented from rotating within the channel.

16. The bicycle assembly of claim 14 , wherein the extension body comprises an upper deck and a lower deck, the channel disposed in the upper deck and a second channel disposed in the lower deck, the upper and lower shock couplers insertable between the upper and lower decks within the channels.

17. The bicycle assembly of claim 14 , wherein the upper and lower shock couplers each comprise an angled surface positioned such that alignment of the angled surfaces allows the eccentric insert to be assembled into the eyelet with both the base of the upper shock coupler and the second base of the lower shock coupler in contact with the eyelet.

Assignees

• Specialized Bicycle Components Inc

Inventors

• Chamberlain Jason L
• Mcdonald Jason

Classifications

• B62K2201/04

  Helical springs · CPC title

• B62K25/28 Primary

  with pivoted chain-stay · CPC title

• B62K3/02

  Frames (tandem frames B62K3/14) · CPC title

• B62K19/30

  Frame parts shaped to receive other cycle parts or accessories (axle suspensions B62K25/00) · CPC title

• B62K25/286

  the shock absorber being connected to the chain-stay via a linkage mechanism · CPC title