Suspension arrangement for a wheeled conveyance

• US 6,293,560 B1
• Filed: 02/07/2000
• Issued: 09/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RIAS Technologies Limited
• Original Assignee: Buzz Bike International Pty., Ltd.
• Inventors: Byatt, John William
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LUBY, MATTHEW D
• Application Number:
  US09/446,079
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 280/5.2, 280/7.1, 280/7.15
• US Class Current: 280/5.2
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 17/00 Cycles not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 25/00 Axle suspensions for vehicles in general B60G

Abstract

A suspension arrangement for a wheeled conveyance, the suspension arrangement including a mounting member, at least two pairs of wheels and a biasing structure, the mounting member supporting thereon in an operable manner the pairs of wheels, the biasing structure acting between the mounting member and a remote point so as to cause the mounting member to pivot about a pivot point provided thereon and through which the mounting member is joined to the remainder of the conveyance.

Claims

1. A suspension arrangement for a wheeled or self-laying tracked conveyance, the suspension arrangement comprising a mounting member, at least two pairs of wheels and a biasing means, the mounting member supporting thereon in an operable manner the pairs of wheels, the biasing means acting between the mounting member and a remote point so as to cause the mounting member to pivot about a pivot point provided thereon and through which the mounting member is joined to the remainder of the conveyance, wherein the pairs of wheels are spaced apart longitudinally along the mounting member whereby action of the biasing means acts to lift a forwardmost portion of the mounting member and in turn the wheel pair provided thereon, the mounting member is connected to a secondary mounting member by way of the pivot point, and the biasing means is connected to the secondary mounting member in one of a direct and an indirect manner at a point remote to the mounting member, wherein there is provided at least a single intermediate member between the pivot point and the secondary mounting member, whereby the connection between the intermediate member and the secondary mounting member is pivotable as is that connection between the pivot point and the intermediate member.

2. A suspension arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the pairs of wheels are mounted on axles extending transversely with respect to the mounting member.

3. A suspension arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the mounting member further comprises a base member to which the wheel pairs are mounted and two substantially opposed upstanding flange members, the flange members defining therebetween the pivot point.

4. A suspension arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the biasing means acts on the mounting member at a point forward of the pivot point in the normal use of the conveyance such that the forward pair of wheels are biased upwardly.

5. A suspension arrangement according to claim 4, characterised in that the mounting member is provided with one or more stop means to prevent over rotation of the mounting member with respect thereto.

6. A suspension arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the weight of the conveyance and any rider thereon causes the extension of the biasing means and each wheel pair to rest on a surface over which the conveyance is to travel or be at rest, whilst any relief of that weight allows the biasing means to cause the mounting member to pivot.

7. A suspension arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the secondary mounting member is provided with a further biasing means allowing absorption of shocks received through the suspension arrangement, particularly those received through the rear wheels thereof once they mount an obstacle over which the forward wheels have previously travelled.

8. A suspension arrangement according to claim 7, characterised in that there is provided at least a single intermediate member between the pivot point and the secondary mounting member, whereby the connection between the intermediate member and the secondary mounting member is pivotable as is that connection between the pivot point and the intermediate member.

9. A suspension arrangement according to claim 8, characterised in that a stop member is provided to engage the intermediate member to limit movement thereof.

10. A bicycle or tricycle on which is provided a suspension arrangement according to claim 1.