TWI696566B - Suspension assembly and bicycle having a suspension assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A bicycle includes a frame, a suspension assembly and a steering assembly. The frame includes a head tube that rotatably receives a front fork assembly. A steerer tube extends axially away from a fork crown of the front fork assembly. The suspension assembly includes an upper tubular support longitudinally slidable relative to a lower tubular support. The upper and lower supports receive a first positive biasing means and a first negative biasing means. The lower and upper supports are respectively connected to the steerer tube and a stem of the steering assembly such that the upper support slides longitudinally relative to the lower support adjacent the stem and above the fork crown.

Description

Suspension assembly and bicycle with suspension assembly

The present invention relates to a suspension assembly and more specifically to a suspension assembly for suspending a bicycle handlebar.

Bicycles designed for paved roads usually have a front fork that includes a fork leg configured to receive the front wheel. A steering tube is rotatably received in a head tube of the bicycle frame and a lever attaches the steering tube and a steering assembly. In some riding conditions (such as when riding long distances or riding on rough roads), it is desirable to reduce the amount of shock or vibration transmitted from the road to the rider via the front wheels. One way to achieve this is to provide a rod-based suspension assembly with a parallelogram linkage group that promotes shock and vibration absorption.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a bicycle including a frame, a front fork assembly, a suspension assembly, and a steering assembly. The frame includes a head tube that rotatably receives the front fork assembly. The front fork assembly has a pair of tubular fork legs connected to a fork shoulder cover at one end. A steering tube projects axially away from the fork shoulder cover and is rotatably received in the head tube.

The suspension assembly is received in an inner diameter of the steering tube so that it protrudes above an upper end of the steering tube. The suspension assembly includes a lower tubular support and an upper tubular support that can slide longitudinally relative to the lower support. The lower support and the upper support receive a first positive biasing member and a first negative biasing member. As used in this article, "offset member" Including coil springs, air cushions, elastomer springs, elastic foams or other structures with similar elastic properties.

The steering assembly includes a rod connected to the upper support.

The lower support and the upper support are connected to the steering tube and the rod, respectively, so that the upper support is adjacent to the rod and slides longitudinally relative to the lower support above the fork shoulder cover.

According to another aspect of the invention, a connector assembly is configured to secure the suspension assembly within the steering tube. In one aspect, the connector assembly includes a clamping collar that circumferentially receives the steering tube. The clamping collar reversibly fixes the suspension assembly in the steering tube via a threaded connector.

In another aspect, the frame also includes a top tube connected to an upper end of the head tube. The steering tube is configured so that the lower support is received above the jack tube.

In another aspect, at least one spacer is received between an upper end of the head pipe and the suspension assembly. In one aspect, the at least one spacer includes a cover.

In another aspect, the positive biasing member applies a first biasing force to the first surface and the second surface of the suspension assembly and the negative biasing member applies a second biasing force to the suspension On the third and fourth surfaces of the crane assembly.

In another aspect, the suspension assembly includes a third biasing member. In one aspect, the third biasing member is a second positive biasing member. In another aspect, the third biasing member applies a third biasing force to the fifth surface and the sixth surface of the suspension assembly.

According to one aspect of the present invention, at least one biasing member can be replaced without disassembling the suspension assembly.

In another aspect, an outer diameter of the suspension assembly is smaller than an inner diameter of the steering tube.

In another aspect, an intermediate tubular support is received between the upper support and the lower support and is configured to minimize lateral movement between the upper support and the lower support.

In another aspect, the intermediate tubular support receives a plurality of bearings.

In another aspect, the upper support receives an externally adjustable interface configured to provide a variable tension on the first positive biasing member.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a suspension assembly for a bicycle, which includes a lower tubular support and an upper tubular support, a first spring, and a second spring.

The lower tubular support is configured to be received in a steering tube of the bicycle fork assembly. The upper tubular support is configured to connect to a rod of a steering assembly. The upper support can slide longitudinally relative to the lower support.

The first spring includes a positive spring. When a compressive force is applied to the suspension assembly, the positive spring applies a first spring force to the upper support member and the lower support member. The second spring includes a negative spring, and when an extension force is applied to the suspension assembly, the negative spring applies a second spring force opposite to the first spring force to the upper support member and the lower support member on.

The upper support and the lower support are configured such that the upper support is adjacent to the rod and slides longitudinally relative to the lower support over a fork shoulder cover of the bicycle fork assembly.

In another aspect, the lower support is configured to be received in a steering tube such that an upper end of the lower support is positioned above a top tube of the bicycle.

In another aspect, the first spring applies the extension force to a first surface and a second surface, and the second spring applies the compression force to a third surface and a fourth surface.

In another aspect, a third spring is disposed in one of the supports of the suspension assembly so that when the compressive force is applied to the suspension assembly, it is parallel to the first A third spring force is applied to the upper support member and the lower support member in one direction of the spring force. In one aspect, the third spring includes a second positive biasing member. In another aspect, the third biasing member applies the third spring force to a fifth surface and a sixth surface of the suspension assembly.

In another aspect, the suspension assembly is configured so that at least one spring can be replaced without removing the lower tubular support from the steering tube.

In another aspect, the outer diameter of one of the lower tubular supports is less than the inner diameter of a standard steering tube.

In another aspect, the steering tube defines a steering axis and the suspension assembly defines a longitudinal axis parallel to the steering axis. In one aspect, the longitudinal axis is coaxial with the steering axis.

In another aspect, the upper support receives an externally adjustable interface configured to provide a variable tension on the spring.

In another aspect, an intermediate tubular support is received between the upper support and the lower support and is configured to minimize lateral movement between the upper support and the lower support.

In another aspect, the intermediate tubular support receives a plurality of bearings.

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a suspension assembly that provides suspension along an axis coaxial with a rotation axis of a front wheel of a bicycle.

Another aspect of the present invention is to have a suspension assembly that provides riders with an opportunity to customize suspension characteristics and improve bicycle handling characteristics.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent through consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

100: suspension assembly

102: upper support

104: Lower support

106: Side wall of upper support

108: the side wall of the lower support

110: the first longitudinal end of the upper support

111: the second end of the upper tubular support

112: the second longitudinal end of the lower support

113: the first end of the lower tubular support

114: first end cover

116: Second end cap

118: Piston

120: Piston rod

122: the first end of the piston rod

124: second end of piston rod

126: the first surface of the piston

128: the second surface of the piston

130: divider

132: The first surface of the partition

133: Side wall of the partition

134: second surface of the partition

135: Cover

136: Cover hole

138: First spring

140: second spring

142: third spring

144: First compartment

146: Second compartment

148: third compartment

156: Ball bearings

158: Third tubular support

160: axially oriented groove

162: Integration of the suspension assembly with radially protruding shoulders

164: Individual cylindrical collar of suspension assembly

166: User interface

168: Male thread part of user interface

170: Connector part of user interface

172: Compressed component of user interface

174: Female thread part of user interface

176: Actuator part of user interface

178: Radially protruding shoulder of compression part

180: Ring cavity of compression part

182: Radial protrusion of compression part

184: Stop part of the male thread part of the actuator

186: protective cover

188: Connector of protective cover

190: Radial outer part of protective cover connector

192: Radial inner part of protective cover connector

194: upper edge of protective cover

196: Radial protruding shoulder of upper tubular support

198: Lower edge of protective cover

200: Lips on the lower edge of the protective cover

202: cavity defined on the collar of the suspension assembly

204: buffer

1000: bicycle

1001: front hook

1002: Bicycle frame

1003: head tube

1004: front fork assembly

1005: jacking

1006: front wheel

1007: Seatpost

1008: Steering tube

1009: down tube

1010: fork shoulder cover

1011: Bottom bracket assembly

1012: The edge of the steering tube

1013: crank assembly

1014: Axial orientation slot of steering tube

1016: Collar

1018: steering assembly

1019: Rear wheel

1020: Rod

1021: A pair of chainstays

1022: The clamp part of the rod

1023: A pair of chainstays

1024: connector assembly

1025: Rear hook

1026: Hood

1027: The circumferential end of the collar

1028: gap between the circumferential ends of the collar

1029: Cavity

1030: Female part of threaded connector system

1032: through hole

1034: Male part of the threaded connector system

1036: Bearing base of head tube

1038: Cartridge bearing

1040: Hole defined in the collar

1041: collar of the collar

1042: Washer

1043: Male threaded connector parts

1046: Adjuster

1048: Side wall of adjuster

1050: Shoulder protrudes radially above adjuster

1052: The shoulder protrudes radially under the adjuster

A-A: Longitudinal axis of suspension assembly 100

F _C : Compression force

F _E : Extension force

ID: ID

L ₁ : the first length of the suspension assembly

L ₂ : the second length of the suspension assembly

L ₃ : the third length of the suspension assembly

OD: outer diameter

1 shows a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of a suspension assembly according to the present invention; FIG. 1A shows a cross-sectional side view of the suspension assembly of FIG. 1 in a fully compressed position; FIG. 1B shows a One cross-sectional side view of the suspension assembly of FIG. 1 in the fully extended position; FIG. 1C shows a cross-sectional side view of the suspension assembly of FIG. 1 in the fully compressed position, It also shows the length of the upper tubular support in the rest and fully extended positions; Figure 2 shows an exploded cross-sectional side view of one of the suspension assemblies of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows the incorporation of a suspension assembly according to the invention A side view of an embodiment of a bicycle; FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the area in FIG. 3 delimited by a circle 4-4; FIG. 5 shows FIG. 3 delimited by a circle 4-4 One of the cross-sectional side views of one of the regions; FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of the front fork, suspension assembly and connector assembly; FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of one of the regions 7-7 of FIG. 6; A cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a steering tube and suspension assembly; and FIG. 9 shows an enlarged view of area 9-9 of FIG. 8.

3 to 6 illustrate a bicycle 1000 according to the aspect of the present invention. The bicycle 1000 includes a frame 1002 including a head tube 1003, a top tube 1005, a tube 1007, and a lower tube 1009. The jack tube 1005 is connected to the head tube 1003 at a first or forward end and to the seat tube 1007 at a second or rearward end. The down tube 1009 is connected to the head tube 1003 at a first or forward end and to a bottom bracket assembly 1011 at a second or backward end. The bottom bracket assembly 1011 rotatably receives a crank assembly 1013 coupled to a chain (not shown). The chain engages the rear wheel 1019 by installing a series of rear sprockets to a hub (not shown).

The front dropout 1001 and the rear dropout 1025 rotatably fix the front wheel 1006 and the rear wheel 1019 to the bicycle 1000. The front hook 1001 is defined at a lower end of a front fork assembly 1004. A pair of chainstays 1021 are connected to the bottom bracket 1011 at the first or forward chainstay end, and a pair of chainstays 1023 are connected to the seat tube 1007 at the first or forward chainstay end. The chainstay 1021 and the chainstay 1023 are connected to each other at the second or rearward end. The rear hook 1025 is defined at the junction of the chainstay 1021 and the chainstay 1023. After the chainstay is opposed to the hook The lower fork 1021 is connected to the bottom bracket assembly 1011 at one end, and the rear upper fork 1023 is connected to the seat tube at one end of the upper fork 1023 after being opposed to the hook.

The front fork assembly 1004 is installed in the head tube 1003 for rotation around a steering axis B-B. 6 and 7 depict a fork assembly 1004, a suspension assembly 100 (described in more detail below), and a connector assembly 1024; the frame 1002 and other parts of the bicycle are omitted for clarity. As best seen in FIG. 6, a steering tube 1008 coaxial with the steering shaft B-B protrudes from a fork shoulder cover 1010 at one of the upper ends of the fork assembly 1004. As will be described in more detail below, the suspension assembly 100 is received within one of the inner diameters of the steering tube 1008 so that an upper support 102 is adjacent to a rod 1020 of a steering assembly 1018 that slides longitudinally relative to the lower support 104 . Furthermore, the suspension assembly is connected to the steering tube 1008 to provide suspension in a direction parallel to or coaxial with the steering axis B-B.

1 and 2 depict the suspension assembly 100. The suspension assembly 100 includes an upper tubular support 102 and a lower tubular support 104 and a longitudinal axis A-A. The upper tubular support 102 and the lower tubular support 104 each include side walls 106, 108 having inner and outer diameters. As used herein, the term "tubular support" shall mean a tube (ie, a tubular structure) having a substantially cylindrical side wall, however, the skilled artisan will recognize that it is possible without departing from the scope of the patent application Modify the suspension assembly so that the side wall has a non-circular cross-sectional shape.

Referring to FIG. 2, the inner diameter (“ID”) of the lower tubular support 104 is configured to retractably receive the outer diameter (“OD”) of the upper tubular support 102. As will be discussed in more detail below, the upper tubular support 102 and the lower tubular support 104 are combined such that the upper support 102 slides longitudinally relative to the lower support 104, and the suspension assembly 100 can be at a first length L ₁ and A second length L ₂ is compressed and can extend between the first length L ₁ and a third length L ₃ .

As shown in FIG. 2, the upper tubular support has a first longitudinal end 110 that receives a first end cover 114, and the lower tubular support has a second longitudinal end 112 that receives a second end cover 116. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a piston 118 is disposed in the side wall 106 of the upper tubular support 102 and the side wall 108 of the lower tubular support 104. The piston 118 is connected to the first end 122 of a piston rod 接至一Piston rod 120. When the piston rod is connected to the second end cap 116 at a second end 124 of the piston rod, the piston rod projects axially from the second end 112 of the lower tubular support into the suspension assembly 100. The piston has a first surface 126 and a second surface 128.

A partition 130 having a first surface 132 and a second surface 134 is positioned adjacent to the second end 111 of the upper tubular support. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the partition 130 is disposed at one end of a side wall 133 of a cover 135 connected to the second end 111 of the upper tubular support by a threaded connection. The upper tubular support may have an ID adjacent to the second end 111 that is specifically sized to receive the divider 130. The partition 130 defines a through hole 136 coaxial with the longitudinal axis AA. As best seen in FIG. 1, the through hole 136 is defined to receive the piston rod 120 and allow the piston rod to reciprocate when the suspension assembly 100 is compressed and extended between the first length L ₁ and the second length L ₂ .

Referring to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first spring 138, the second spring 140 and the third spring 142 are configured in the first compartment 144, the second compartment 146 and the second compartment 146 defined in the suspension assembly 100 Inside the third compartment 148. The first end cap 114, the upper tubular support side wall 106 and the piston 118 cooperatively define a first compartment 144 that receives the first spring 138. The piston 118, the partition 130 and the upper tubular support side wall 106 define a second compartment 146 that receives the second spring 140. The divider 130, the second end cap 116, and the lower tubular support sidewall 108 define a third compartment 148 that receives a third spring 142 (ie, a third biasing member). In the illustrated embodiment, when the cover 135 is received in the first end 111 of the upper tubular support 102 so that the divider 130 is positioned inwardly from the first axial end 111, the upper tubular support also cooperates to define Third compartment 148. As will be discussed in more detail below, the illustrated suspension assembly 100 is configured such that the first spring 138 and the third spring 142 act as first and second positive biasing members and the second spring 140 acts as A first negative biasing member. Although the first spring 138, the second spring 140, and the third spring 142 are depicted as coil springs, those of ordinary skill will recognize that the suspension assembly can be modified so that other types can be replaced without departing from the scope of the invention Spring (ie, air cushion).

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of bearings are disposed between the upper tubular support and the lower tubular support, where they overlap. As best seen in FIG. 2, the bearing is received in a third tubular member 158 (ie, an intermediate tubular support or tubular structure) that defines one of a plurality of holes sized to receive the bearing. In the illustrated embodiment, the bearing is depicted as a ball bearing 156; however, the ball bearing 156 can be replaced by a plurality of needle bearings without departing from the scope of this disclosure. With further reference to FIG. 2, an inner surface of the lower tubular support 104 and an outer surface of the upper tubular support 102 may define a plurality of axially-oriented grooves 160 sized to receive the bearing. In an alternative embodiment, the axially oriented groove 160 may receive bearings and the third tubular member 158 may be omitted.

In addition, the ball bearing 156 of the illustrated embodiment may have one of a plurality of different diameters. The diameter of the bearing may be specifically selected to minimize lateral movement between the upper tubular support 102 and the lower tubular support 104. Therefore, manufacturing tolerances in the inner and outer diameters of the upper tubular support 102 and the lower tubular support 104 can be accommodated during the assembly of the suspension assembly 100.

With reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 7, the suspension assembly lower tubular support 104 includes a radially outwardly protruding shoulder disposed adjacent to the first axial end 113 of the lower tubular support. The shoulder may be a shoulder 162 integrally formed with the lower tubular support 104 as shown in FIG. 1, or alternatively, the shoulder may include a separate one secured to the first axial end 113 of the lower tubular support The cylindrical collar 164 is as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7. Referring to FIG. 5, the suspension assembly 100 is received in the ID of the steering tube 1008 and the collar 164 is adjacent to a cover 1026 of a connector assembly 1024 (described in more detail below) to ensure that the suspension assembly does not fall during installation Steering tube 1008.

The steering assembly 1018 (Figures 3 and 4) is connected to the suspension assembly 100 by a rod 1020. Referring to FIG. 4, the rod 1020 is fixed to the tubular support 102 above the suspension assembly 100 via a clamping portion 1022 having one of a plurality of clamping bolts known in the art. The rod 1020 is fixed to the upper tubular support 102 adjacent to the first end cover 114 so that the upper tubular support can slide longitudinally relative to the lower support 104 by a distance d. The distance d is equal to the amount of clearance between the rod and the first longitudinal end 113 of the lower tubular support 104 when it is fixed to the upper tubular support. As best seen in FIG. 1C, the distance d is equal to the difference between the first length L ₁ and the second length L _{2 of the} suspension assembly 100, and in one embodiment d is about 20 mm. In other words, the distance d is equal to the amount of travel of the suspension assembly 100.

The rod usually provides an axial retention force that secures the prior art front fork assembly within the head tube. The embodiment of the connector assembly 1024 shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 provides axial retaining force to fix the front fork assembly 1004 in the head tube 1003, and additionally fix the suspension assembly 100 in the steering tube 1008 . The illustrated connector assembly 1024 includes a cover 1026 and a set of rings 1016. The circumferential end 1027 of the collar 1016 defines a gap 1028. A cavity 1029 defined adjacent one circumferential end is configured to receive a female portion 1030 of a threaded connector system, and the other circumferential end defines a length of a male portion 1034 configured to receive a male portion of the threaded connector system One through hole 1032.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the steering tube defines an axially oriented slot 1014 that communicates with the edge 1012. To rotatably fix the front fork assembly near the front end of the bicycle 1000, the collar 1016 surrounds the steering tube adjacent the edge 1012 and pulls the circumferential ends 1027 toward each other, thereby tightening the sleeve circumferentially around the steering tube 1008 at the edge 1012 Ring 1016. The tightening collar 1016 clamps the slot 1014 thereby narrowing the steering tube at the edge 1012 and securing the suspension assembly 100 within the steering tube 1008. In addition, tightening the collar 1016 circumferentially around the steering tube 1008 positions the collar 1016 axially on the steering tube 1008. The collar 1016 is tightened circumferentially around the steering tube 1008 while fixing the fork assembly 1004 in the head tube 1003, between the collar 1016 and the fork shoulder cover 1010. The steering tube is received above the fork shoulder cover 1010 and is at least partially received within the edge 1012 of the steering tube 1008 and partially received above the edge 1012. The suspension assembly is received within the steering tube 1008 and the rod is attached to the upper tubular support such that the upper support is adjacent to the rod 1020 and slides longitudinally relative to the lower support above the fork shoulder cover 1010. With reference to the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 5, 8 and 9, the steering tube 1008 may receive the first axial end 113 of the lower support 104 above the jack tube, such that the upper support 102 is at least partially above the jack tube 1002 relative to the lower support The piece 104 slides longitudinally.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the head tube 1003 defines at least one bearing seat 1036 configured to receive a bearing. In the illustrated embodiment, the bearing housing 1036 receives a cartridge bearing 1038, although other bearings can be used. Referring to FIGS. 5-7, the collar 1016 includes a flange 1041 that acts as a preload mechanism. The preload mechanism further includes a washer 1042 and male threaded connector parts 1043 that pass through the flange 1041 and engage the washer 1042 to adjust the preload on the cartridge bearing 1038. The collar 1016 defines a plurality of holes 1040 that form a female portion that is threadedly connected to one of the male threaded connector parts 1043. The preload mechanism ensures that there is no gap between the collar 1016 and the cartridge bearing 1038. In other words, the flange 1041 of the collar 1016 ensures that the cartridge bearing 1038 does not rattle in the bearing housing 1036 of the head tube 1003 during riding.

Referring to FIG. 5, the cover 1024 has a height h, which can determine the position of the steering assembly 1018 relative to the head tube 1003 and the top tube 1005. Several different covers with different heights can be supplied as a set to allow a rider to selectively adjust the vertical position of the steering assembly 1018. Alternatively, a plurality of cylindrical spacer members (not shown) may be used in place of or in addition to the cover 1024 to provide the desired position of the steering assembly 1018.

8 and 9 show an embodiment of a steering tube 1008 that receives a suspension member 100 according to the present invention; the frame 1002, steering assembly 1018, and other parts of the bicycle are omitted for clarity. In the illustrated embodiment, an adjuster 1046 including a side wall 1048 having an ID and an OD is provided. The adjuster 1046 further includes an upper radial protruding shoulder 1050 and a lower radial protruding shoulder 1052. The adjuster ID is sized to receive the upper tubular support 102 so that the upper radially protruding shoulder 1050 rests on the upper tubular support end cap 114 and the adjuster OD is approximately the same as one of the steering tube 1008 ODs. The ODs of the upper tubular support 102 and the lower tubular support 104 are dimensioned to be smaller than the OD of the steering tube, so that the OD of the lower tubular support 104 can fit within the ID of the steering tube 1008 as described above. The clamp portion 1022 of the commercially available rod 1020 is sized to fit a steering tube with a set of commercially standardized sizes 1008. For example, many bicycles designed for high speed riding on paved roads include a steering tube with an OD at the end opposite the fork shoulder cover 1010 (see also Figure 6), which is usually measured as 1 inch (25.4 mm) or 11/8 inches (28.6mm). The clamp portion 1022 for most commercially available rods 1020 has an ID slightly larger than the steering tube OD, so that the rod clamp portion 1022 can receive the steering tube OD and fix the steering tube to by tightening the clamp clamp bolts Inside the head tube. Therefore, the adjuster 1048 facilitates the use of a commercially available steering tube 1008 and lever 1020, thereby eliminating the need to manufacture and find customized components for the bicycle 1000 of the present invention.

Referring to the embodiment of the suspension assembly 100 shown in FIG. 9, a protective cover 186 is attached to the upper tubular support 102 and the lower tubular support 104 and is configured to prevent contaminants from entering the suspension assembly 100. The protective cover 186 includes a connector 188 fixed by co-molding or bonding with an upper edge 194 of the protective cover. The connector 188 includes a material that is harder than the protective cover 186, thereby strengthening the upper connection between the protective cover and the upper tubular support 102. In some embodiments, the connector 188 also promotes a seal between the protective cover 186 and the upper tubular member 102. The connector 188 includes: a radially outer portion 190 which is fixed to the upper edge 194 of the protective cover; and a radially inner portion 192 which abuts a shoulder protruding radially outward from a surface of the upper tubular member 102 196. The lower edge 198 of the protective cover includes a lip 200 secured to a cavity 202 defined by a collar 164. In the illustrated embodiment, the lip 200 is held in the cavity by extending the lip above the collar and creating an interference fit between the lip 200 and the cavity 202. The protective cover 186 may be formed of an elastic material such as neoprene to allow the protective cover to extend and retract during the telescopic movement of the suspension assembly 100.

In one embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first end cover 114 includes a user interface 166. The user interface 166 is external to the upper tubular support 102 and can be manipulated to provide adjustable tension on the first spring 138 when the suspension assembly 100 is mounted on the bicycle, as will be discussed further below. The illustrated user interface 166 includes a male threaded portion 168, a connector portion 170, and a compression member 172 that includes a female threaded portion 174. The connector portion 170 fixes the user interface 166 (and the expanded first end cover 114) to the upper tube The first end 110 of the shaped support member 102 may include a thread, snap fit, bayonet or several other connector systems. The male screw portion 168 communicates with the actuator portion 176 disposed in the first end cap 114. The compression member 172 includes a radially protruding shoulder 178 that engages one of the first springs 138. In one embodiment best seen in FIG. 2, a surface of the compression member 172 facing the first compartment 144 (FIG. 1) defines an annular cavity 180 that receives an axial end of the first spring 138. The compression member 172 includes at least one radial protrusion 182 received in an axially oriented slot defined by the upper tubular support 102. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector portion 170 includes a snap-fit connector, and the connector portion also includes at least one radial protrusion 182.

The user interface 166 in the illustrated embodiment provides variable compression on the first spring 138 in a direction coaxial with the longitudinal axis AA, thereby providing tension on the suspension assembly 100 and ensuring the composition of the suspension assembly Individual components of 100 are not rattling during the ride. To increase or decrease the compression on the first spring 138, the actuator 176 is rotated, thereby rotating the male threaded portion 168 within the user interface 166. When the male threaded portion is actuated by the actuator portion 176, at least one radial protrusion 182 of the compression member 172 (and in certain embodiments the connector portion 170) prevents the compression member 172 from rotating within the upper tubular support 102 . The female threaded portion 174 interacts with the male threaded portion 168, thereby causing the compression member 172 to move axially within the first compartment 144. A stop member 184 is disposed on one end of the male screw portion 168 opposite to the actuator 176, which prevents the female screw portion 174 from being separated from the male screw portion 168.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the first spring 138, the second spring 140, and the third spring 142 are received in the first compartment 144, the second compartment 146, and the third compartment 148 to allow the total suspension The 100 is compressed between a resting configuration defined by a first length L ₁ and a fully compressed configuration defined by a second length L ₂ , which is best seen in FIG. 1C. Although the second compartment 146 is disposed between the first compartment and the third compartment, the suspension assembly 100 is configured such that the first spring 138 and the third spring 142 are the same as the first positive biasing member and the second positive The biasing members act in parallel. When a compressive force F _C (see FIGS. 4 and 5) is applied to the suspension assembly 100, as the suspension assembly approaches L ₂ , the first spring 138 abuts the first end cover 114 and the first surface of the piston 126 applies a first positive biasing force, and the third spring 142 applies a second positive biasing force against the second surface 134 of the partition and the second end cap 116. The combination of the first positive bias force and the second positive bias force applied by the first spring 138 and the third spring 142 results in an overall suspension profile. As used herein, "suspension profile" should be defined as meaning the relative firmness or compliance of the suspension assembly 100 during telescopic movement.

The second spring 140 acts as a top-out spring during the extension of the suspension assembly 100, thereby preventing the upper tubular support 102 from being removed when the compression force F _C on the suspension assembly 100 is quickly removed And damage to the lower tubular support 104. When the suspension assembly 100 is extended and close to the rest configuration, the second spring 140 acts as a first negative biasing member, thereby applying a first negative bias against the piston second surface 128 and the partition first surface 132 To prevent the upper and lower tubular support parts from colliding violently.

In one embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, when an extension force F _{E is} applied to the upper tubular support, the suspension assembly 100 can extend beyond the first length L ₁ in the resting configuration. The extension force F _E can be generated by a rider pulling the handlebar assembly 1020 upward. When the suspension assembly 100 is in a static configuration and an extension force is applied in the directions shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the suspension assembly 100 can extend beyond L ₁ to one defined by a third length L ₃ The fully extended configuration is shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C. When the suspension assembly 100 extends beyond L ₁ , the second spring 140 applies a biasing force against the first surface 132 of the partition and the second surface 128 of the piston. When the extension force F _E is removed, the first negative biasing force applied by the second spring 140 against the first surface 132 of the divider and the second surface 128 of the piston biases the suspension assembly 100 into the rest configuration , So that the suspension assembly 100 returns to the first length L ₁ . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a bumper 204 is placed in the third compartment 148 and is configured to prevent the piston from being suddenly extended by a force F _E that is higher than the biasing force of the second spring 140 118 and the partition 130 collide. In the illustrated embodiment, the bumper 204 is tubular and is fixed concentrically outward from the piston rod 120.

In one embodiment, the suspension assembly 100 may be provided as a set including A plurality of first springs 138 and second springs 140 having the same spring characteristics. The configuration of the suspension assembly 100 can allow height adjustability because the first spring, the second spring, the third spring, or any combination thereof can be interchanged to make the suspension assembly 100 stronger or more compliant.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, at least the first spring 138 can be replaced without disassembling the suspension assembly 100 or removing the suspension assembly from the bicycle 1000. To remove and replace the first spring 138 from the first compartment 144, the clamping bolt 1022 of the rod 1020 is loosened and the first end 114 is removed from the upper support 102. The first compartment 144 is thereby exposed that the first spring 138 can be easily removed and replaced with a different spring, while the upper support 102 and the lower support remain assembled and connected to the steering tube 1008. Therefore, one of ordinary skill will recognize that the configuration of the suspension assembly 100 facilitates some modifications of the suspension profile without removing the suspension assembly 100 from the front fork assembly 1004 or completely dismounting the suspension assembly 100 .

To change the third spring 142 and tune the suspension profile more finely, the suspension assembly 100 is removed from the bicycle 1000 and the second end cap 116 is removed from the lower tubular support 104. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the second end cap 116 can be removed from the piston rod second end 124 and detached, so that the third spring 142 can be exchanged without completely dismounting the suspension assembly 100.

The second spring 140 can be replaced in one of several ways. In one approach, the second spring 140 can be replaced by removing both the first end cap 114 and the second end cap 116 and detaching the second end 124 of the piston rod from the second end cap 116. The piston 118 and the piston rod 122 can be removed from the first end 110 of the upper tubular support 102 and exchange the second spring 142. Alternatively, the second spring 140 may be replaced by removing the second end cap 116 from the lower tubular support 104 and detaching the divider 130 from the second end 111 of the upper tubular support.

3 and 5, the bicycle 1000 of the present invention allows suspension in a direction parallel to or coaxial with the steering axis B-B. Compared with the prior art parallelogram suspension assembly, the suspension box of the present invention eliminates the need to manufacture suspension assemblies with several different lengths to suit cyclists of different sizes. The upper tubular support 102 and the lower tubular support 104 can be manufactured in a single size while providing the ability to change the fit characteristics of the bicycle to suit the needs of the rider This is because the steering assembly 1018 is connected to the upper tubular support 102 and a commercially available rod can be used with the steering assembly 1018. As used herein, the term "fitting characteristics" describes the orientation of the handlebar assembly 1018 relative to other structural components of the bicycle frame. Therefore, instead of manufacturing several customized suspension assembly components that are interchanged to provide the desired fit characteristics, commercially available rods of different lengths and angle orientations can be connected to the upper tubular support 102 as described above.

Although the foregoing systems and methods have been described in terms of specific preferred embodiments, those of ordinary skill will understand other embodiments from the disclosure herein. In addition, in view of the disclosure in this article, those skilled in the art will understand other combinations, omissions, substitutions and modifications. Although certain embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In fact, the novel methods and systems described herein can be embodied in various other forms without departing from the spirit of the equivalent. Therefore, in view of the disclosure in this article, those skilled in the art will understand other combinations, omissions, substitutions, and modifications.

102‧‧‧Upper support

104‧‧‧lower support

106‧‧‧Sidewall

108‧‧‧Side wall

114‧‧‧First cover

116‧‧‧Second end cover

118‧‧‧ Piston

120‧‧‧piston rod

122‧‧‧The first end of the piston rod

124‧‧‧The second end of the piston rod

126‧‧‧First surface

128‧‧‧Second surface

130‧‧‧Partition

135‧‧‧ cover

136‧‧‧Through hole

138‧‧‧First spring

140‧‧‧second spring

142‧‧‧third spring

144‧‧‧ First compartment

146‧‧‧Second compartment

148‧‧‧ third compartment

156‧‧‧Ball bearings

162‧‧‧Shoulder

166‧‧‧User interface

168‧‧‧Male thread part

170‧‧‧Connector part

172‧‧‧Compression parts

174‧‧‧Female thread part

176‧‧‧Actuator part

A-A‧‧‧Vertical axis

Claims (45)

A bicycle including: a frame including: a head tube rotatably receiving a front fork assembly including a pair of tubular fork legs connected to a fork shoulder cover at one of its other ends ; And a steering tube, which extends axially away from the fork shoulder cover and is rotatably received in the head tube; and a suspension assembly, which is received in one of the inner diameters of the steering tube, so that it protrudes above Above one upper end of the steering tube, the suspension assembly includes a lower support and an upper support that can slide longitudinally relative to the lower support, the lower support and the upper support receive a first positive biasing member And a first negative bias member; and a steering assembly including a rod connected to the upper support; wherein the lower support and the upper support are connected to the steering tube and the rod, respectively, so that the upper The support is adjacent to the rod and slides longitudinally relative to the lower support above the fork shoulder cover, wherein the frame further includes a top tube connected to an upper end of the head tube, and the steering tube is configured such that the lower At least part of the support is received above the jack pipe. As in the bicycle of claim 1, one of the connector assemblies is configured to fix the suspension assembly in the steering tube. The bicycle of claim 2, wherein the connector assembly includes a clamping collar that circumferentially receives the steering tube and reversibly fixes the suspension assembly via a threaded connector. The bicycle of claim 1, wherein at least one spacer is received between an upper end of the head pipe and the suspension assembly. The bicycle of claim 4, wherein the at least one spacer includes a cover. The bicycle of claim 1, wherein the positive biasing member applies a first biasing force to the first surface and the second surface of the suspension assembly and the negative biasing member applies a second biasing force to the The third surface and the fourth surface of the suspension assembly. The bicycle of claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the suspension assembly is smaller than an inner diameter of the steering tube. As in the bicycle of claim 1, a tubular structure is received between the upper support and the lower support and is configured to minimize lateral movement between the upper support and the lower support. The bicycle of claim 1, wherein the upper support receives an externally adjustable interface configured to provide a variable tension on the first positive biasing member. A bicycle including: a frame including: a head tube rotatably receiving a front fork assembly including a pair of tubular fork legs connected to a fork shoulder cover at one of its other ends ; And a steering tube, which extends axially away from the fork shoulder cover and is rotatably received in the head tube; and a suspension assembly, which is received in one of the inner diameters of the steering tube, so that it protrudes above Above one upper end of the steering tube, the suspension assembly includes a lower support and an upper support that can slide longitudinally relative to the lower support, the lower support and the upper support receive a first positive biasing member And a first negative biasing member, wherein the suspension assembly includes a third biasing member; and a steering assembly, which includes a rod connected to the upper support; wherein the lower support and the upper support The pieces are connected to the steering tube and the rod, respectively, so that the upper support is adjacent to the rod and slides longitudinally relative to the lower support above the fork shoulder cover. The bicycle of claim 10, wherein the third biasing member includes a second positive biasing member. The bicycle according to claim 11, wherein the third biasing member applies a third biasing force to the fifth surface and the sixth surface of the suspension assembly. A bicycle including: a frame including: a head tube rotatably receiving a front fork assembly including a pair of tubular fork legs connected to a fork shoulder cover at one of its other ends ; And a steering tube, which extends axially away from the fork shoulder cover and is rotatably received in the head tube; and a suspension assembly, which is received in one of the inner diameters of the steering tube, so that it protrudes above Above one upper end of the steering tube, the suspension assembly includes a lower support and an upper support that can slide longitudinally relative to the lower support, the lower support and the upper support receive a first positive biasing member And a first negative bias member; and a steering assembly including a rod connected to the upper support; wherein the lower support and the upper support are connected to the steering tube and the rod, respectively, so that the upper The support is adjacent to the rod and slides longitudinally relative to the lower support above the fork shoulder cover, wherein at least one biasing member can be replaced without disassembling the suspension assembly. A bicycle including: a frame including: a head tube rotatably receiving a front fork assembly including a pair of tubular fork legs connected to a fork shoulder cover at one of its other ends ; And a steering tube, which extends axially away from the fork shoulder cover and is rotatably received in the head tube; and a suspension assembly, which is received in one of the inner diameters of the steering tube, so that it protrudes above Above one upper end of the steering tube, the suspension assembly includes a lower support and an upper support that can slide longitudinally relative to the lower support, the lower support and the upper support receive a first positive biasing member And a first negative bias member; and A steering assembly including a rod connected to the upper support member; a tubular structure is received between the upper support member and the lower support member and is configured to minimize between the upper support member and the lower support member Lateral movement of; where the lower support and the upper support are connected to the steering tube and the rod, respectively, so that the upper support is adjacent to the rod and slides longitudinally relative to the lower support above the fork shoulder cover, The tubular structure in the middle receives a plurality of bearings. The bicycle according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the upper support member includes a tubular structure, and the lower support member includes a tubular structure. A suspension assembly for a bicycle, including: a lower support member configured to be received in a steering tube of a bicycle fork assembly; an upper support member configured to be connected to a steering A rod of the assembly, the upper support member can slide longitudinally relative to the lower support member; a first spring, when a compressive force is applied to the suspension assembly, the first spring applies a first spring force to The upper support and the lower support; a second spring, when an extension force is applied to the suspension assembly, the second spring exerts a second spring force opposite to the first spring force on the The upper support and the lower support; wherein the upper support and the lower support are configured such that the upper support is adjacent to the rod and is supported relative to the lower over a fork shoulder cover of the bicycle fork assembly The pieces slide vertically. The suspension assembly of claim 16, wherein the lower support is configured to be received in a steering tube such that an upper end of the lower support is placed above a top tube of the bicycle. The suspension assembly of claim 16, wherein the first spring applies the extension force to a first A surface and a second surface, and the second spring exerts the compressive force on a third surface and a fourth surface. As in the suspension assembly of claim 16, a third spring is disposed in one of the support members of the suspension assembly. The suspension assembly of claim 19, wherein the third spring includes a second positive biasing member, and when a compressive force is applied to the suspension assembly, the second positive biasing member is parallel to the A third spring force is applied to the upper support member and the lower support member in one direction of the first spring force. The suspension assembly of claim 20, wherein the third spring exerts the third spring force on a fifth surface and a sixth surface. The suspension assembly of claim 16, wherein the suspension assembly is configured so that at least one spring can be replaced without removing the lower support from the steering tube. The suspension assembly of claim 16, wherein an outer diameter of the lower support member is smaller than an inner diameter of a standard steering tube. The suspension assembly of claim 16, wherein the steering tube defines a steering axis and the suspension assembly defines a longitudinal axis parallel to the steering axis. The suspension assembly of claim 24, wherein the longitudinal axis is coaxial with the steering axis. The suspension assembly of claim 16, wherein the upper support receives an externally adjustable interface configured to provide an adjustable tension on the first spring. The suspension assembly of claim 16, wherein an intermediate support member is received between the upper support member and the lower support member and is configured to minimize lateral movement between the upper support member and the lower support member. The suspension assembly of claim 27, wherein the intermediate support receives a plurality of bearings. The suspension assembly of claim 28, wherein the intermediate support member includes a tubular structure. The suspension assembly according to any one of claims 16 to 29, wherein the upper support member includes a tubular structure, and the lower support member includes a tubular structure. A suspension assembly for a bicycle includes: a lower tubular support member configured to be received in a steering tube of a bicycle fork assembly; an upper tubular support member configured to connect to A rod of the steering assembly above an upper end of the steering tube, the upper tubular support can slide longitudinally relative to the lower tubular support; a first spring is configured to apply a first force to move The upper tubular support member and the lower tubular support member are biased to an extended position; wherein the upper tubular support member and the lower tubular support member are configured such that the upper tubular support member is adjacent to the rod and at the bicycle fork assembly A fork shoulder cover slides longitudinally relative to the lower tubular support; and an intermediate tubular support received between the upper tubular support and the tubular lower support and configured to minimize the tubular upper support and The lateral movement between the lower tubular supports. The suspension assembly of claim 31, wherein the lower tubular support is configured to be received in the steering tube such that an upper end of the lower tubular support is positioned above a top tube of the bicycle. The suspension assembly of claim 31 further includes a second spring, which is disposed in one of the upper tubular support and the lower tubular support of the suspension assembly. The suspension assembly of claim 33, wherein the first spring is configured to apply the first force to a first surface and a second surface, and the second spring is configured to apply a second force On a third surface and a fourth surface. The suspension assembly of claim 34, wherein the second force biases the upper tubular support and the lower tubular support to the extended position. The suspension assembly of claim 34, wherein the second force biases the upper tubular support and the lower tubular support to a compressed position. The suspension assembly of claim 34 further includes a third spring configured to apply a third force to a fifth surface and a sixth surface. The suspension assembly of claim 31, wherein the suspension assembly is configured so that the first spring can be replaced without removing the lower tubular support from the steering tube. The suspension assembly of claim 31, wherein the steering tube defines a steering axis and the suspension assembly defines a longitudinal axis parallel to the steering axis. The suspension assembly of claim 39, wherein the longitudinal axis is coaxial with the steering axis. The suspension assembly of claim 31, wherein the intermediate tubular support receives a plurality of bearings. The suspension assembly of claim 41, wherein the plurality of bearings include ball bearings or roller bearings. The suspension assembly of claim 31 further includes the bicycle fork assembly and the steering assembly. A suspension assembly for a bicycle includes: a lower tubular support member configured to be received in a steering tube of a bicycle fork assembly; an upper tubular support member configured to connect to A rod of the steering assembly above an upper end of the steering tube, the upper tubular support can slide longitudinally relative to the lower tubular support; a first spring is configured to apply a first force to move The upper tubular support and the lower tubular support are biased to an extended position; a second spring is disposed in one of the upper tubular support and the lower tubular support of the suspension assembly; wherein the The upper tubular support and the lower tubular support are configured such that the upper tubular support is adjacent to the rod and slides longitudinally relative to the lower tubular support above a fork shoulder cover of the bicycle fork assembly. The suspension assembly of claim 44, wherein an intermediate tubular support member is received between the upper tubular support member and the tubular lower support member and is configured to resist between the tubular upper support member and the lower tubular support member Move sideways.

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