VEHICLE FRAME

• US 20140159338A1
• Filed: 08/06/2012
• Published: 06/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canyon Bicycles GmbH
• Original Assignee: Canyon Bicycles GmbH
• Inventors: Thoma, Vincenz
• Granted Patent: US 9,469,369 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/284
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 2025/048 with suspension manual adjustment details
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 25/12 with rocking arm pivoted on each fork leg in combination with telescopic fork B62K25/06
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 25/28 with pivoted chain-stay
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 25/286 the shock absorber being connected to the chain-stay via a linkage mechanism

Abstract

A vehicle frame, in particular a mountain bike frame or a trekking bicycle frame, comprises main frame element. A rear frame is pivotably connected with the main frame element. A damping element is provided between the rear frame and the main frame element. A first connection point of the damper element is connected with the rear frame and a second connection point of the damping element is connected with the main frame element. For the purpose of changing the frame characteristics, a displacing element is provided for the displacement of the first connection point. The locking of the displacing element is done with the help of an actuator element.

Claims

1. A bicycle frame, in particular a mountain bike frame or a trekking bicycle frame, comprising

a rear frame pivotably connected with a main frame element,

a damper element arranged between the rear frame and the main frame element, said damping element being connected with the rear frame via a first connection point and with the main frame element via a second connection point, and

a displacing element for changing the position of the damping element,

wherein the displacing element is connected with the first connection point for changing the position thereof.

2. The bicycle frame of claim 1, wherein the rear frame is connected with the damping element via a rocker link, said rocker link preferably being arranged in a pivotable manner at the main frame element.

3. The bicycle frame of claim 1, wherein the first connection point is connected with a rocker link.

4. The bicycle frame of claim 2, wherein the displacing element is connected with the rocker link.

5. The bicycle frame of claim 1, wherein the displacing element causes a displacement of at least the first connection point by at least 5 mm.

6. The bicycle frame of claim 3, wherein the first connection point is connected with the rocker link via a lever element.

7. The bicycle frame of claim 6, wherein the displacing element acts on the lever element to change the position of the first connection point.

8. The bicycle frame of claim 6, wherein the displacing element is connected with the rocker link and the lever element and/or with the first connection point.

9. The bicycle frame of claim 1, wherein the displacing element is variable in length in order to change the position of the first connection point.

10. The bicycle frame of claim 1, wherein, for changing the position of the first connection point, the displacing element comprises a spring element preferably acting in the direction of displacement, or comprises a torsion spring element acting around a hinge point.

11. The bicycle frame of claim 10, wherein, when the rear frame is loaded with weight, the spring element causes a displacement of the damping element to a position with a smaller negative spring travel (change of characteristic) and/or a change in the rear frame geometry.

12. The bicycle frame of claim 10, wherein the spring element is compressed under a standard weight load.

13. The bicycle frame of claim 1, wherein the displacing element is adapted to be locked at least in one position, preferably in both extreme positions, by means of a locking element.

16. The bicycle frame of claim 13, wherein the locking element, in particular the valve of the locking element is connected with an actuation means for remote actuation.

17. The bicycle frame of claim 16, wherein the actuation means in particular is an actuator element, such as an actuator lever, in particular for mounting on a handlebar.

18. The bicycle frame of claim 16, wherein the actuation means comprises a transmission element connected with the actuator element and the locking element, such as a cable, a hydraulic line and/or an electric line.

19. The bicycle frame of claim 1, further comprising a main link bearing connecting the rear frame with the main frame element is connected directly with the main frame element.

14. The bicycle frame of claim 14, wherein the locking element comprises two fluid chambers connected with each other through a valve.

15. The bicycle frame of claim 14, wherein one of the fluid chambers acts on the spring element preferably configured as a gas chamber.