GB2331966A

GB2331966A - A front wheel bicycle suspension with a pivoted rocking arm

Info

Publication number: GB2331966A
Application number: GB9826404A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Victor Allan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-12-03
Filing date: 1998-12-02
Publication date: 1999-06-09
Also published as: GB9725656D0; GB9826404D0

Abstract

The pivoted arm 5 which carries the front wheel spindle 2 is connected for pivotal movement about a point 6 to a fork or second arm 4 that joins the steering column 3. A lug 7b on the pivoted arm is coupled by a rubber band 8 to a lug 7a on the second arm so that the pivotal movement of the pivoted arm is resisted and this provides the spring effect for the suspension. The pivoted arm has a U shaped section 5a that curves over the front wheel 1 so that the arm carries both ends of the spindle 2 as seen from Figure 2. In addition to the pivoted arm a shock absorber 9 can be provided to dampen excessive oscillations and improve the handling of the bicycle.

Description

2331966 Bicycle Suspension System The present invention relates to a

suspension system suitable for bicycles, more particularly it relates to a suspension system for the front wheels of bicycles with a spring mounted front wheel.

In bicycles for off-road use and for use over rough terrain e.g. the socalled mountain bikes, the front wheel is usually spring mounted so that it can move up and down relative to the frame of the bicycle and this reduces the shocks etc. when the bicycle goes over bumps etc. There have also been bicycles for on road use which have a spring mounted front wheel for greater comfort e.g. in those bicycles which were produced with a smaller size front wheel. The conventional way of spring mounting the front wheel is to have a spring between the wheel mounting (usually the hub) and the frame of the bicycle so the wheel can move up and down and coil springs of is suitable dimensions have been used.

However when there is a larger movement of the wheel e.g. up to six inches the existing types of spring mounting suffer disadvantages.

1 have now devised an improved suspension system for use with bicycles.

According to the invention there is provided a suspension system for use with the front wheel of a bicycle which comprises a first suspension member attached to the hub or wheel spindle of the wheel and which projects forward from the wheel, which first suspension member is pivotally attached to a second suspension member at a pivot point forward of, and spaced apart from the hub of the wheel, which second suspension member is attached to the frame or steering mechanism of the bicycle; the first suspension member projects forward of the pivot point and there is a spring means connecting the second suspension member to the first suspension member at a position on the first suspension member beyond the pivot point.

217 Bicycle Suspension System (f).doc 30-No.,-98 - 18:02 Preferably, where the first suspension member projects beyond the pivot point the first suspension member is then shaped upwards so that the distance between this part of the first suspension member and the second suspension member is at a convenient distance to enable the first and second suspension members to be connected by the spring means.

The terms forward of and upwards etc. refer to the bicycle when it is in its normal usage position standing on its wheels.

The spring means can be a coil spring, hydraulic spring, a spring means made from an elastic material such as a rubber or any other type of spring means. A preferred form of spring comprises a band or belt made of an elastic material which passes over mounting means on the first and second suspension members and holds the members is together so that movement apart of the first and second suspension members will act to stretch the band or belt.

The second suspension member will normally be attached to or form part of the steering column of the bicycle so that turning the handle bars in the conventional way will turn the front wheel through the suspension means.

Preferably there is shock absorber or damper between the hub or spindle of the wheel and the frame or steering mechanism of the bicycle for comfort of use.

Preferably there is a second suspension member attached to the frame, steering column etc. on each side of the wheel, similar to conventional bicycles and the first suspension member is of unitary construction and is shaped so that it passes upwardly over the wheel and connects to second suspension members on each side of the wheel in substantially corresponding positions e.g. similar to a calliper construction; preferably there are substantially the same spring means on each side of the wheel.

1 217 Bicycle S'uspension System (f.doc 30-Ne,-98 - 18:02 In the case of hub brakes there is preferably a stabilising arm which connects the second suspension member to the brake actuating mechanism at a point above the pivot point for better control and stability under braking.

The suspension members can be made of conventional bicycle construction materials e.g. hollow tubes of metal alloy etc.

In use, the wheel of the bicycle is connected to the frame through the first and second suspension members which are connected at the pivot point and the spring means holds the wheel in its rest position. When the wheel of a moving bicycle moves over a bump etc. the wheel will tend to move relative to the fi-ame and there is movement about the pivot point and this movement is resisted by the action of the spring means which provides the spring effect for the wheel.

is The suspension system of the present invention can be considered as a type of trailing arm suspension system and, hitherto, trailing arm suspension systems have been considered unsuitable for use with the front wheels bicycles, because of the steering instability which is thought to be inherent in this type of suspension. It is very surprising that the suspension system of the present invention enables a stable trailing arm suspension and steering system to be made.

The invention is further described in the drawings in which figs. 1 and 2 are views of either side of a front wheel utilising an embodiment of the suspension system of the invention.

In the drawings there is steering column (3) connected to the main frame of a bicycle, the spindle (2) of the front wheel (1) is connected to a first suspension arm (5) as shown. The steering column (3) is connected to a second suspension arm (4) which is connected to the first suspension arm (5) at pivot point (6). The arm (5) is shaped as 217 Bicycle Sspension System (f).doc 3C-Nov-98 - 18:02 shown with the section (5a) curving over wheel (1) to the other side of the wheel (fig. 2). There are lugs (7a) on (4) and (7b) on (5a) which are connected by a rubber band (8). There is a shock absorber (9) connected as shown. Referring to fig. 2, there is a brake actuating lever (11) which is connected to stabilising arm (10).

In use the bicycle moves in the direction shown by the arrows and the band (8) holds the suspension in place. When the wheel passes over a bump it will move upwards and this will cause the arm (5) to pivot about the point (6) to accommodate this movement. This movement will cause the arm (5a) to move away from arm (4) which movement is resisted by the band (8) which provides the spring effect for the suspension. The shock absorber (9) dampens excessive oscillations and improves the handling of the bicycle.

1 217 Bicycle Suspension System (f).doc 30-Nov-98 - 18:02

Claims

1. A suspension system for use with the front wheel of a bicycle which comprises a first suspension member attached to the hub or wheel spindle of the wheel and which projects forward from the wheel, which first suspension member is pivotally attached to a second suspension member at a pivot point forward of, and spaced apart from the hub of the wheel, which second suspension member is attached to the fl- ame or steering mechanism of the bicycle; the first suspension member projects forward of the pivot point and there is a spring means connecting the second suspension member to the first suspension member at a position on the first suspension member beyond the pivot point.

2. A suspension system as claimed in claim 1 in which spring means comprises a is band or belt made of an elastic material which passes over mounting means on the first and second suspension members and holds the members together so that movement apart of the first and second suspension members will act to stretch the band or belt.

3. A suspension system as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the second suspension member is attached to or forms part of the steering column of the bicycle so that turning the handle bars in the conventional way will turn the front wheel through the suspension means.

4. A suspension system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 in which there is shock absorber or damper between the hub or spindle of the wheel and the frame or steering mechanism of the bicycle.

5. A suspension system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 in which there is a second suspension member attached to the frame, on each side of the wheel, and the 217 Bicycle Suspension System (f).doc 30-Nov-98 - 18:02 6 first suspension member is of unitary construction and is shaped so that it passes upwardly over the wheel and connects to second suspension members on each side of the wheel in substantially corresponding positions.

6. A suspension system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 in which the brake is a hub brake and there is a stabilising arm which connects the second suspension member to the brake actuating mechanism at a point above the pivot point.

7. A suspension system as claimed in claim 1 as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.