Adjustable bicycle suspension

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11420707-B2
Application number	US-202017105063-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 25, 2020
Priority date	Apr 5, 2018
Publication date	Aug 23, 2022
Grant date	Aug 23, 2022

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 extension body comprises a channel shaped to receive at least a portion of the eccentric insert;
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;
wherein the eccentric insert comprises an upper shock coupler and a lower shock coupler, and the pin aperture extends through both the upper and lower shock couplers; and
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 and in contact with the second eyelet of the shock absorber.

2. The bicycle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the upper shock coupler comprises a first face and the lower shock coupler comprise a second face, the first face and the second face shaped to be positioned facing one another and to be non-parallel to a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical body when the upper and lower shock couplers are assembled together in the one arrangement relative to one another.

3. The bicycle assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first face and the second face are each oriented at an angle to the plane that is perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical body when the upper and lower shock couplers are assembled together in the one arrangement relative to one another.

4. The bicycle assembly of claim 3 , wherein the angle is within a range of 5-45 degrees.

5. The bicycle assembly of claim 3 , wherein the angle is within a range of 10-40 degrees.

6. The bicycle assembly of claim 3 , wherein the angle is within a range of 15-30 degrees.

7. The bicycle assembly of claim 3 , wherein the angle is approximately 22 degrees.

8. The bicycle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the axis of the pin aperture is offset from the axis of the cylindrical body by a distance within a range of 2-35 millimeters.

9. The bicycle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the axis of the pin aperture is offset from the axis of the cylindrical body by a distance within a range of 5-20 millimeters.

10. The bicycle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the axis of the pin aperture is offset from the axis of the cylindrical body by a distance within a range of 2-5 millimeters.

11. The bicycle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the axis of the pin aperture is offset from the axis of the cylindrical body by a distance of approximately 10 millimeters.

Assignees

• Specialized Bicycle Components Holding Company Inc
• Specialized Bicycle Components Inc

Inventors

• Chamberlain Jason L
• Mcdonald Jason

Classifications

• B62K2201/04

  Helical springs · 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

• B62K3/04 Primary

  having a substantially horizontal top bar · CPC title

• B62K3/02

  Frames (tandem frames B62K3/14) · CPC title