Abstract:
A wheel support portion for a bicycle, such as a front fork assembly, arranged to reduce vibrations that originate at the bicycle wheel and are transmitted to the rider of the bicycle through the wheel support. Desirably, the front fork assembly is configured to be supported by a bicycle frame and includes a pair of fork legs, which extend in a downward direction along opposing sides of a front wheel of the bicycle. Preferably, the fork legs are configured to support the front wheel at their lower ends. An intermediate portion of each of the fork legs defines a cavity. A damping member comprised of a vibration damping material is positioned within the cavity. Preferably, the cavity passes completely through each fork leg in a lateral direction and the damping member is retained within the cavity by a friction fit therebetween.
Abstract:
A vibration reducing device for bicycles that includes a sulfurated synthetic rubber shrinkable knotted tube. The tube has at least one spherical knot and a net reinforcing layer formed in a circumferential wall. An air valve is used to control air pressure in the device.
Abstract:
An outer wheel, tire and rim, is mounted onto an inner wheel or hub and is adapted for low friction rotation on the hub. An arm is pivotally attached to the inner wheel and carries a receiver for the axle upon which the wheel is mounted so that the axle is positionable over an arc of rotation about the pivot point of the arm. The arm is biased by an elastomeric body so that as the arm moves over its arc of rotation, the elastomeric body is compressed. As the wheel rotates under load, road shocks are transferred to the biasing device which acts as a shock absorber.
Abstract:
A shock absorbing member includes a first elastic body and a second elastic body at least partially overlapping the first elastic body in a rotational direction of a first member and the second member. An elasticity of the first elastic body is different from an elasticity of the second elastic body.
Abstract:
A bicycle frame uses an existing frame member--a seat stay--as a spring, and absorbs high frequency, low amplitude vibration with effective damping. The spring force constant can be adjusted for rider weight, riding style, road or terrain conditions, or the like, and the system is lightweight. Each seat stay is connected at a top end to the seat tube, and pivotally connected at the bottom end to the rear drop out, and has a circular arcuate curvature adjacent the bottom end with a radius of between about 11-16 inches and subtending an angle of between about 20-60 degrees. A damping/spring constant increasing element, comprising a metal strip bonded to elastomeric material (such as silicone) having a durometer between about 20-70 Shore A, is bolted to the seat stay convex arcuate portion, and can be replaced with a unit having a different durometer.
Abstract:
A swing arm is pivoted to the pedal housing of the bicycle frame and extends rearwardly from the seat post. The rear bicycle wheel is carried by the rear end of the swing arm. A follower is guided and is moveable along the seat post for up and down movement. A brace arm interconnects the swing arm rear end and the follower and an elastic tension cord biases the follower towards the pedal housing. The bicycle has also a front suspension. The front wheel carrying fork of the bicycle is telescopic and upward movement of the front wheel causes elongation of an elastic tension cord. A stabilizer system is also provided whereby upward movement of the front wheel causes upward movement of the rear wheel and vice and versa. Finally, a damper prevents any up-and-down oscillation of the bicycle frame. This damper includes a collapsible, resilient chamber carried by the bicycle frame and a string attached to the chamber and to the swing arm in the rear suspension and to the lower telescopic fork part in the front suspension. Downward movement of the suspension is slowed down upon string tensioning and consequent collapse of the chamber and air expulsion through a chamber bleed hole.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a human-propellable vehicle comprising a chassis and a footplate for receiving a rider's feet. The footplate is movably mounted to the chassis so that at least part of the footplate can be deflected up towards the rider in the event of a collision between the underside of the footplate and an object or terrain passing under the chassis.
Abstract:
There is provided a sensor support structure. A bracket is fixed to a vehicle body frame comprised of a plurality of frame members. A sensor is attached to a first attachment surface of the bracket. A component is attached to a second attachment surface of the bracket. The sensor is disposed in a space surrounded by the plurality of frame members of the vehicle body frame.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to an inertial sensor attachment structure including: a floating bracket which is fixed to a vehicle body frame via a vibration absorbing member; an inertial sensor attached to a first attachment surface of the floating bracket; and an ABS unit attached to a second attachment surface of the floating bracket.