Bicycle fork having lock-out, blow-off, and adjustable blow-off threshold
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A bicycle fork, comprising:
- first and second telescopingly engaged tubes configured to move closer together during compression of the fork;
an adjustable lock-out valve, the lock-out valve having a plurality of operator-selectable positions, one of the operator-selectable positions of the lock-out valve at least substantially inhibiting the first and second tubes from moving closer together when subjected to a compressive forces less than an operator-selectable threshold pressure;
a first external adjuster permitting selection of the positions from a location external of the fork;
a manually adjustable blow-off valve allowing the first and second tubes to move closer together in response to a pressure imparted on the blow-off valve during compression of the fork being equal to or greater than the operator-selectable threshold pressure when the lock-out valve is in its substantially inhibiting movement position; and
a second external adjuster, the second external adjuster permitting adjustment of the threshold pressure from a location external of the fork.
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Abstract
A bicycle fork includes a pair of fork leg assemblies, each of the leg assemblies having an upper leg telescopingly engaged with a lower leg. A damping assembly is provided in at least one of the legs. The damping assembly includes lock-out and blow-off compression circuits. These compression circuits are externally adjustable without tools. Furthermore, these two compression circuits may be adjusted independently of each other.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A bicycle fork, comprising:
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first and second telescopingly engaged tubes configured to move closer together during compression of the fork; an adjustable lock-out valve, the lock-out valve having a plurality of operator-selectable positions, one of the operator-selectable positions of the lock-out valve at least substantially inhibiting the first and second tubes from moving closer together when subjected to a compressive forces less than an operator-selectable threshold pressure; a first external adjuster permitting selection of the positions from a location external of the fork; a manually adjustable blow-off valve allowing the first and second tubes to move closer together in response to a pressure imparted on the blow-off valve during compression of the fork being equal to or greater than the operator-selectable threshold pressure when the lock-out valve is in its substantially inhibiting movement position; and a second external adjuster, the second external adjuster permitting adjustment of the threshold pressure from a location external of the fork.
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2. A bicycle front fork, comprising:
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a compression fluid chamber configured to decrease in volume during at least a portion of the compression of the fork; a lock-out valve, the lock-out valve in fluid communication with the compression fluid chamber, and being adjustable between at least two operating modes;
wherein;(a) in a first operating mode, fluid flow from the compression fluid chamber is substantially unrestricted by the lock-out valve, and (b) in a second operating mode, fluid flow from the compression fluid chamber is at least partially blocked by the lock-out valve; a first external adjuster permitting adjustment of the lock-out valve between at least the two operating modes from a location external of the fork; a blow-off valve associated with the compression fluid chamber, the blow-off valve allowing fluid flow from the compression fluid chamber in response to the pressure in the chamber being equal to or greater than a threshold pressure during compression of the fork; and a second external adjuster, the second external adjuster permitting adjustment of the threshold pressure from a location external of the fork; whereby adjustments to the threshold pressure may be made without tools.
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3. A damper, comprising:
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a compression chamber filled with hydraulic fluid a compression valve; in fluid communication with the compression chamber, operable to dampen flow of the hydraulic fluid from the compression chamber when pressure in the compression chamber exceeds a first threshold pressure, and comprising a piston and a shim having an inner surface attached to the piston, the piston having; a low speed compression port located at a first radial location along the piston and in fluid communication with the compression chamber, and a mid speed compression port located at a second radial location along the piston and in fluid communication with the compression chamber, wherein the first radial location is closer to a periphery of the piston than the second radial location; and a blowoff valve; having an adjustable second threshold pressure, in fluid communication with the compression chamber, and operable to relieve the hydraulic fluid from the compression chamber when the pressure in the compression chamber exceeds the adjustable second threshold pressure. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A bicycle suspension assembly, comprising:
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a tubular body; a compression fluid chamber within the tubular body, the compression fluid chamber containing a compression fluid; a compression valve in fluid communication with the compression chamber and operable to dampen flow of the compression fluid from the compression chamber when pressure in the compression chamber exceeds a first threshold pressure; a blowoff valve; in fluid communication with the compression fluid chamber, openable in response to pressure in the compression chamber exceeding a second threshold pressure, and comprising an adjustment member externally accessible without disassembly of the suspension assembly, wherein movement of the adjustment member sets the second threshold pressure. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification