FRONT BICYCLE SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY WITH INERTIA VALVE

• US 20110031076A1
• Filed: 08/02/2010
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fox Factory Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fox Factory Incorporated
• Inventors: Fox, Robert C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,297,417 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 188/275
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 2025/048 with suspension manual adjustment details
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 25/04 for mounting axles resiliently on cycle frame or fork for sidecars, forecars or the like B62K27/06
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 25/08 for front wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 25/286 the shock absorber being connected to the chain-stay via a linkage mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/064 Units characterised by the location or shape of the expansion chamber F16F9/068, F16F9/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/34 Special valve constructions F16F9/44, F16F9/50 take precedence; filtering details F16F9/3285 ; valves in general F16K; Shape or construction of throttling passages
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/504 Inertia , i.e. acceleration,-sensitive means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/494 Fluidic or fluid actuated device making

Abstract

A front bicycle suspension assembly having an inertia valve is described. The front bicycle suspension assembly may include at least upper and lower telescoping tubes and include a damping tube containing an inertia valve. The inertia valve may include an inertia mass movable along the outer surface of a valve shaft as the inertia valve moves between first and second positions.

Claims

1. A damper, comprising:

a first tube having a wall and a longitudinal bore formed through the wall;

a shaft;

disposed in the first tube bore,

longitudinally coupled to the first tube, and

having a wall, a longitudinal bore formed through the shaft wall, and a radial port formed through the shaft wall; and

an inertia mass;

disposed in the first tube bore,

disposed around the shaft, and

longitudinally moveable relative to the shaft between an open position where the port is exposed to the tube bore and a closed position where the inertia mass covers the port.