Abstract: A bicycle suspension fork for use on a bicycle, and preferably a road bicycle. The suspension fork has a preload adjuster that is designed and formed such that it is readily usable in the front fork of a bicycle without adding undue weight to the bicycle. The preload adjuster has interengaging preload elements that, instead of having a bulky adjustment mechanism typically provided for preload adjustment. Preferably, the preload elements have interengaging ribs and grooves, the relative position of which are adjustable to adjust preload on the suspension biasing element in the fork. Additionally, a lockout mechanism is provided for adjusting the compressibility of the suspension fork by rotating no more than about 60° during use of the bicycle. The lockout mechanism preferably has first and second fluid chambers in fluid communication and a fluid circulation control unit. Fluid flows between the chambers during compression and expansion of the suspension fork.

Abstract: A suspension system having first and second elements telescopingly engaged and being biased apart by a positive spring, such biasing being counteracted by a negative spring. In one embodiment, the positive spring and negative spring are disposed in the first element, which is in the form of a tube, and separated by a damping system, and a damping piston is fixed with respect to the first element. In another embodiment in which the suspension system comprises two legs of a bicycle suspension fork, a positive spring is disposed in both legs, and a negative spring and damping system are disposed in separate legs. In another embodiment in which the suspension system comprises a rear shock absorber for a bicycle, the negative and positive springs are disposed in a first tubular element, and a damping system is disposed in a second tubular element.

Abstract: A suspension system, particularly for a pedal-driven vehicle, comprising a telescoping strut having first and second telescopingly and coaxially engaged members, and having a damping system comprising a damping fluid, a damping piston connected to a piston rod, an inertia-activated compression fluid flow control mechanism and a pressure-activated compression fluid flow control mechanism disposed in the first telescoping strut. The inertia-activated compression fluid flow control mechanism comprises a valve body biased by a valve spring into a first position over a radial groove formed on the piston so that the valve body prevents fluid flow through an inertia-activated compression fluid flow circuit in response to force inputs imparted to the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A suspension system for a bicycle or other vehicle or apparatus, the system including at least one telescoping strut comprising a first telescoping member and a second telescoping member, the first and second telescoping members being telescopingly and coaxially engaged with each other so that the strut is compressible by relative movement of the telescoping members toward each other and expandable by relative movement of the telescoping members away from each other. A piston may be interconnected with the second telescoping member and slidably positioned within the first telescoping member. The piston separates a primary compression spring chamber into two gas chambers connected by an adjustable port, whereby compression or expansion of the strut creates a damping force that resists such relative movement of the telescoping members, resulting in the primary compression spring having a frequency-sensitive spring rate.

Abstract: An adjustable fluid damping system for use in a suspension system that undergoes compression and rebound. The fluid damping system permits independent adjustment of compression and rebound damping by providing separate compression and rebound damping circuits. Each circuit has a flow path with an inlet through which damping fluid flows during damping, and an adjuster that adjusts the degree to which the inlet is open and hence damping through that flow path. The compression and adjusters are selectively and independently coupled to the same adjuster rod via respective compression and rebound couplers. The adjuster rod can be coupled to only one of the couplers at a time. Rotation of the adjuster rod by means of an adjuster knob, which can be pulled outward or pushed inward to engage one of the compression and rebound couplers, causes rotation of the coupler coupled thereto and axial movement of the respective adjuster to modify damping through the associated damping circuit.

Abstract: A damping system having a lightweight, low-cost, thin-walled cartridge body sealed on both ends by mechanically deforming the cartridge body wall into sealing elements that seal the ends of the cartridge body. Preferably, the cartridge body wall is roll crimped to compress the sealing elements and thereby create a seal between the wall and the sealing elements. The cartridge body is preferably also provided with a retaining ring having an internally formed ridge that engages the mechanically deformed portion of the cartridge body wall. The retaining ring is thereby axially fixed with respect to the cartridge body. Because the retaining ring is positioned about the cartridge body, the retaining ring forms a shoulder with respect thereto. The shoulder thereby formed may be inserted within the recess of a bicycle suspension fork strut to fix the damping cartridge therein against movement.

Abstract: A fork stop assembly for preventing overrotation of a bicycle fork into engagement with the frame of the bicycle. The fork stop assembly includes at least one catch surface on the frame of the bicycle and a fork stop pin on the bicycle fork. Upon rotation of the fork beyond a predetermined position, the fork stop pin engages the catch surface and further rotation of the bicycle fork is thereby prevented. Thus, the fork is prevented from crashing into the bicycle frame. The catch surface and fork stop pin are preferably formed such that they may be nonrotatably coupled to the respective parts of a bicycle manufactured without such a stop assembly. Most preferably, the fork stop assembly is removable from the bicycle without damaging the frame or bicycle fork or leaving any significant permanent marks thereon.

Abstract: A shock absorber formed of an inner tubular element telescopingly slidable within an outer tubular element. A piston is mounted on the inner tubular element and is provided with valving that permits adjustability of compression damping separate from rebound damping. Preferably, the piston slides within a glide tube substantially concentrically mounted within the outer tubular and having a highly finished surface along which the piston slides. A first chamber is formed within the glide tube a second chamber is formed between the outer tubular element and the glide tube. Valves are positioned between these first and second chambers to control compression flow and rebound flow separately and independently. A main compression spring is positioned external to and between the inner and outer tubular elements of the shock absorber, and acts to bias the tubular elements away from each other.

Abstract: A hub retainer device for maintaining the position of a bicycle wheel, particularly the wheel hub, with respect to a bicycle fork dropout. The hub retainer device includes a base portion dimensioned to fit securely within a recess defined in an outer surface of a bicycle fork dropout. The bicycle wheel skewer rod is passed through a hole defined in the base portion of the hub retainer device. The hub retainer further includes a projecting portion shaped to fit securely within the dropout slot. Preferably, a shoulder portion extends from the projecting portion beyond the inside surface of the dropout and is shaped to receive a shoulder on the wheel hub or an axle stub. Thus, loads on the wheel are transferred to the interface between the hub and hub retainer rather than to the interface between the skewer rod and the dropout as in prior art configurations not having a hub retainer as described.

Abstract: A mounting mechanism for mounting a disk brake to a bicycle. The mounting mechanism includes an elongated mounting bracket that is mounted adjacent the bicycle wheel assembly. Preferably, a first end of the bracket is coupled to the wheel dropout of the frame and a second end of the bracket is coupled to a portion of the bicycle frame, such as the seat stay. A mounting band or other similar coupling element may be used to couple the second end to the frame such that the integrity of the frame is not compromised. The disk brake component to be mounted adjacent the wheel is coupled to the mounting bracket preferably between the ends of the bracket.

Abstract: A friction damping system for use in a system having at least one of a pair of sliding elements. The friction damping system has a friction producing element positioned between the sliding elements such that at least one of the sliding elements rubs against the friction producing element to generate friction and thereby damp the relative sliding movement of the sliding elements. The friction producing element may be provided in a housing that is fixed to one of the sliding elements with the friction producing element facing and contacting the other sliding element. The friction damping system may further be designed to provide directional sensitivity such that damping of movement of the sliding elements in a first direction is greater than damping of movement in a second direction opposite the first direction. Such directional sensitivity may be accomplished by angling one of the surfaces against which the friction producing element moves during sliding movement of the sliding elements.

Abstract: A shock absorbing fork for a bicycle or other two-wheeled vehicle of the type having a pair of telescoping struts, with upper tubes which are interconnected by an upper crown to a steerer tube at an upper end portion thereof and lower tubes which are which mount a wheel axle at a bottom end thereof. Within at least one of the telescoping struts a spring arrangement and/or a hydraulic damping arrangement is provided which is acted upon as the upper tube and the lower tube move toward each other for absorbing impact shocks experienced by the wheel of the bicycle.

Abstract: A temperature compensating system for a closed system, such as a damping system, in which fluid is subject to temperature increases and accompanying volume increases. The temperature compensating system provides a compressible member within a temperature compensation volume, and a barrier restricting the entry of fluid to the volume. When the fluid volume increases as a result of temperature increases, fluid seeps past the barrier into the temperature compensation volume to compress the compressible member and thus increase the total volume available to the fluid in the closed system. The increased volume reduces pressure buildup that would otherwise occur, and thereby tends to maintain a steady pressure within the closed system. Dynamic or high speed fluid flows are restricted by the barrier or other restriction, inhibiting such flows from passing into the volume.

Abstract: A disc braking assembly provides a compact, lightweight braking arrangement which utilizes hydraulic fluid to provide greater braking power. Durability and reliability are achieved by use of a compensating chamber and piston having a compensating piston biasing member.

Abstract: A front fork for bicycles which has a shock absorbing system having both a spring type shock absorbing unit and a hydraulic shock damping unit with variable and adjustable damping characteristics that will allow a wide range of adjustments for adapting the suspension to widely differing circumstances of rider weight and riding experience and has a spring type shock absorbing system which can be interchangeably be used with both stacked elastomeric pad and coil spring type spring shock absorbing units. Stacked elastomeric pad arrangements are provided which allow the pad stack to be exchanged as a unit with another pad stack or with a coil spring and an adjustment mechanism allows the performance characteristics of a particular pad stack to be changed. Alternatively, a leaf spring arrangement can be provided formed of pairs of oppositely facing convex-concave carbon fiber composite leaf springs can be employed to produce a unit that is especially light in weight.

Abstract: Shock absorbing fork, especially a front fork, for a two-wheeled vehicle, particularly a bicycle, of the type having a pair of telescoping struts and a hydraulically damped shock absorbing arrangement disposed within each of the telescoping struts, the shock absorbing arrangement having a piston which divides a hydraulic fluid containing cylinder into upper and lower chambers, a valve regulating flow of hydraulic fluid through the piston between the upper and lower chambers, and a piston rod connected to the piston. Among the improvements of the invention is the provision of a spring for absorbing shocks that acts on the piston of the hydraulic shock damping arrangement upon compression of the telescopic struts, and a location sensitive flow control arrangement having a flow path extending between opposite sides of said piston and a flow adjusting element which is displaceable into and out of said flow path as a function of the extent which the spring is compressed by compression of the telescopic struts.