Adjustable geometry bicycle rear wheel suspension system
First Claim
1. A bicycle frame assembly comprising:
- a forward frame portion for supporting a rider;
a rear wheel support assembly connected to the forward frame portion and movable so as to allow translation of a rear wheel relative to the forward frame portion;
a first pivot assembly and a second pivot assembly that connect the rear wheel support assembly to the forward frame portion, each of the first pivot assembly and the second pivot assembly being adjustable relative to the forward frame portion such that a pivot axis associated with each of the first pivot assembly and the second pivot assembly is individually infinitely eccentrically adjustable with respect to an orientation of the respective pivot assembly relative to the forward frame portion; and
a coupler that creates a dependency between the orientation of the first pivot assembly and the second pivot assembly relative to the forward frame portion.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A bicycle rear wheel suspension system having a number of movable suspension links includes a pair of adjustable eccentric pivot assemblies that connect respective members of the movable linkage to the underlying fixed shape portion of the bicycle frame assembly. Each adjustable eccentric pivot assembly is preferably infinitely adjustable within a range of rotation of the respective pivot assembly relative to the underlying bicycle frame to manipulate an orientation of an axis of rotation of the respective movable link relative to the underlying bicycle frame assembly. The pair of adjustable eccentric pivot assemblies is coupled to one another in a manner that creates a dependency between the orientations of the respective eccentric pivot assemblies thereby providing various geometric configurations of the moveable members of the suspension system without changing the leverage ratio provided by the suspension system.
76 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A bicycle frame assembly comprising:
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a forward frame portion for supporting a rider; a rear wheel support assembly connected to the forward frame portion and movable so as to allow translation of a rear wheel relative to the forward frame portion; a first pivot assembly and a second pivot assembly that connect the rear wheel support assembly to the forward frame portion, each of the first pivot assembly and the second pivot assembly being adjustable relative to the forward frame portion such that a pivot axis associated with each of the first pivot assembly and the second pivot assembly is individually infinitely eccentrically adjustable with respect to an orientation of the respective pivot assembly relative to the forward frame portion; and a coupler that creates a dependency between the orientation of the first pivot assembly and the second pivot assembly relative to the forward frame portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A bicycle frame assembly comprising:
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a first frame portion that supports a crankset; a rear wheel support assembly having a seat stay and a chain stay, the rear wheel support assembly being movable relative to the first frame portion; a rear wheel that rotatably cooperates with the rear wheel support assembly; and a first pivot assembly and a second pivot assembly that are offset from one another and that each pivotably connect the rear wheel support assembly to the first frame portion, each of the first pivot assembly and the second pivot assembly being rotatable about a pivot mount axis and defining a link pivot axis that is offset from the respective pivot mount axis; wherein the first pivot assembly and the second pivot assembly are infinitely adjustable with a 360 degree range of rotation of the respective pivot assembly relative to the first frame portion. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of forming a bicycle suspension with a manipulatable suspension performance comprising:
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connecting a first movable linkage member to a bicycle frame member with a first eccentric pivot assembly that is adjustable without removing the first eccentric pivot assembly from a bicycle assembly; connecting a second moveable linkage member to the bicycle frame with a second eccentric pivot assembly that is adjustable without removing the second eccentric pivot assembly from the bicycle assembly; and coupling the first pivot assembly to the second pivot assembly such that an orientation of the first eccentric pivot assembly is dependent on an orientation of the second eccentric pivot assembly relative to the bicycle assembly and forms a path that is separate from paths associated with movable members of the bicycle suspension. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification