Bicycle wheel travel path for selectively applying chainstay lengthening effect and apparatus for providing same
First Claim
1. A bicycle comprising:
- a chain drive, in which the distance from the axis of a drive sprocket to the axis of a rear wheel hub is represented by a variable value CSL; and
a compressible rear suspension having a linkage for moving said hub along a controlled wheel travel path as said suspension is compressed, said controlled wheel travel path having an arc radius which is greater towards a lower end of said path and smaller towards an upper end of said path.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A rear suspension system for a bicycle. The system directs the rear wheel along a predetermined, S-shaped path as the suspension is compressed. The path is configured to provide a chainstay lengthening effect only at those points where this is needed to counterbalance the pedal inputs of the rider; at those points in the wheel travel path where there is a chainstay lengthening effect, the chain tension which results from the pedal inputs exerts a downward force on the rear wheel, preventing unwanted compression of the suspension. The system employs a dual eccentric crank mechanism mounted adjacent the bottom bracket shell to provide the desired control characteristics.
27 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A bicycle comprising:
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a chain drive, in which the distance from the axis of a drive sprocket to the axis of a rear wheel hub is represented by a variable value CSL; and
a compressible rear suspension having a linkage for moving said hub along a controlled wheel travel path as said suspension is compressed, said controlled wheel travel path having an arc radius which is greater towards a lower end of said path and smaller towards an upper end of said path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A bicycle comprising:
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a chain drive, in which the distance from the axis of a drive sprocket to the axis of a rear wheel hub is represented by a variable value CSL; and
a compressible rear suspension having a linkage for moving said hub along a controlled wheel travel path as said suspension is compressed, said controlled wheel path having an arc radius which is greater towards a lower end of said path and smaller towards an upper end of said path;
said linkage comprising;
a rear frame section having a rearward end to which said wheel is mounted and a forward end; and
a pivot mechanism mounted to a forward end of said rear frame section, said pivot mechanism comprising;
upper and lower link members interconnecting said forward end of said rear frame section to a front frame section of said bicycle;
- View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification