Abstract: A bicycle frame suspension comprises a single main tube having fore and aft ends and left and right sides with a head tube for rotatably mounting the front steering forks and front wheel secured to said fore end and a seat retention tube for mounting the seat secured to the aft end and bearings attached to either side of the main tube. A rigid rear triangle assembly has a bottom bracket for rotatably mounting the pedal and crank assembly. Left and right chain stay tubes have forward and trailing ends. A wheel fixing dropout is secured to each trailing end, respectively. The forward ends are secured to the bottom bracket. Left and right seat stay tubes have trailing ends secured in the proximity of the trailing ends of the chain stay tube and the dropouts, respectively. Pivot struts have upper and lower ends with the lower ends being secured to the bottom bracket, the upper ends being provided with bearing fittings and spaced apart a distance D and joined to forward ends of the seat stay tubes.

Abstract: A lightweight, high strength bicycle seat post for securing a bicycle seat to a seat tube of a bicycle frame. It comprises a hollow metal tubular member having a seat tube portion for reception in and securement to the seat tube of a bicycle frame, and an integral head portion comprised of four planar walls diverging in an upward direction to form an open space. A pair of the sidewalls are oriented in a fore and aft direction to the fore and aft direction of the bicycle seat and a pair of end walls which are transverse to the fore and aft direction and connects the fore and aft ends of the pair of sidewalls together defining the open space, which, preferably, is generally rectangular. The upper edges of the sidewalls have arcuate load reacting edges, which define a seat angle adjustment path, and a clamp assembly secures the bicycle seat to the load reacting edges so that the seat loads are transferred directly to the load reacting edges at any seat angle.

Abstract: A method of making a bicycle front fork of molded composite laminates of fiber in a resin matrix, the front fork including a steerer portion, a tubular crown portion, a pair of tubular blade portions. Each has upper ends joined by said crown to the steerer, respectively, and lower ends adapted to receive dropouts. According to the invention, the front fork is molded in two substantially mirror image halves having mutually congruent joining surfaces in said steerer portion.

Abstract: A high efficiency bicycle front fork suspension system in which the front fork and wheel assembly are isolated from the remaining parts of the bicycle frame by a leading, 3-point linkage arrangement configured to produce a trailing link action at the wheel. The suspension system, in its preferred configuration, includes one or more fluid logic, rotary dampers and one or more high performance elastomeric or conventional spring elements carried in rear stub or shortened fork blades.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a very durable, lightweight, front fork assembly for use on competition bicycles. The invention provides improved fatigue and impact resistance compared to prior art designs. The invention makes maximum use of advanced, high strength composite materials and high strength, lightweight metal alloys, improving its stiffness-to-weight and strength-to-weight ratios. The superior structural performance of the invention is provided by a unique section geometry and ply configuration that efficiently utilizes the material to maximize bending and torsional stiffness while minimizing weight. The improved strength also comes from the superior control of the molding process, made possible with a removable pressure bladder that remains connected to the pressure source, and is regulated, during the molding process.

Abstract: This invention relates to front fork, telescoping type suspension systems for bicycles. The main focus of the invention is the brake bridge assembly, the fork crown assembly and the joinder of these assemblies to form the fork suspension. The brake bridge assembly serves two main functions: 1) it provides a stiff structural connection between the right and left telescoping struts, to reduce wheel wobble during high speed wheel impacts, and 2) it provides a structural support for the brake cable stop. The invention provides for increased stiffness and lower stresses in the brake bridge, which translates into improved directional stability for the front wheel, less displacement for the brake cable stop .(when the brake loads are applied) and improved fatigue life for the assembly. It also provides for a simpler and less expensive means for mounting the brake bridge to the fork assembly. The invention also encompasses the fork crown producing a lightweight structure with high torsional and bending rigidity.

Abstract: A bicycle having an improved suspension system including a rotary damper and composite springs. Springs which closely control the direction of allowable movement in the suspension preclude rocking, twisting or unwanted lateral deflections.

Abstract: A high efficiency lightweight bicycle handlebar using strong, stiff fibers and a structural resin is disclosed. Relatively low modulus fibers are used in the axial direction and relatively high modulus fibers in the transverse or hoop direction. The hoop fibers are placed on the inside and outside diameters.

Abstract: A lightweight handlebar/steerer locking mechanism for use on road and mountain bicycles. The invention provides higher fatigue and impact resistance, lower material and production costs, and improved adjustability, compared to prior art designs, all at a reduced weight.The superior structural performance of the invention is provided by a unique, 3-dimensional, sliding, compression wedge. The 3-dimension wedge improves the stress distributions within the device my introducing a more uniform wedging (locking) action on the circumference of the steerer tube. This allows the mating parts to be designed lighter, thereby reducing the total weight of the assembly. The configuration of the design also lends itself to modern metal working methods. This further improves the strength of the parts by increasing the material allowables. Also, these metal working operations help to reduce material scrap, thus reducing material costs.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a light weight, mountain bicycle competition wheel rim. The invention provides improved fatigue and impact resistance compared to prior art designs. The invention makes maximum use of advanced, high strength aluminum alloy materials, improving its stiffness-to-weight and strength-to-weight ratios. The superior structural performance of the invention is provided by a unique truss type section geometry that efficiently utilizes the material to maximize bending and torsional stiffness and strength while minimizing weight.

Abstract: There is disclosed a uniquely shaped bicycle chainstay structure produced using modern metal working methods, without the use of welding. The uniqueness of the structure allows a significant shortening of the chainstay length while increasing the tire and chain-ring clearances. An accomplishment not possible using prior art methods.

Abstract: Improved cable guide for bicycle frames which has been found useful for improving the fatigue life of light weight bicycle frames and other stressed tubular structures. One or more welding or brazing-free dimple/bulkhead forming deformations produce strategically reduced stiffness zones so as to reduce peak stresses. The cable guide system also offers an improved method for routing control cables through the frame structure. A plastic cable nozzle insert is disclosed along with pyramid-shaped external dimples and contiguous bulkheads.

Abstract: A bicycle having an improved suspension system including a rotary damper and composite springs. Springs which closely control the direction of allowable movement in the suspension preclude rocking, twisting or unwanted lateral deflections.

Abstract: A high efficiency all terrain bicycle or motorcycle tire having a tread design in which spaced tread blocks are arranged in circumferential rows and overlapped to allow a smooth shift in load from one tread block to another in different circumferential rows with a minimum of casing hysteresis and at the same time provide a low rotating mass, low rolling resistance, high cornering adhesion with high consistency across differing types of ground conditions, high motive and stopping traction. The tread blocks in the different rows have shapes, spacings and orientations which createa plurality of tortous paths for flow of material without excessive constricting of flow in any one spot.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a durable, lightweight, bicycle dropout-fitting design for use on high strength fiber reinforced composite frames and forks of competition bicycles. The invention provides improved fatigue and impact resistance compared to prior art designs. The invention is configured to make maximum use of modern cold metal forming methods to produce the connecting part and adhesive bonding and/or co-curing methods to join the part to the primary structure. The superior structural performance of the invention is provided by a unique geometry that efficiently utilizes the material properties of the part to maximize the rigidity and strength of the joint.

Abstract: A light weight aluminum bicycle fork with positive feel and improved control in rough conditions, and is stiffer in torsional stiffness, fore and aft stiffness and side-to-side stiffness and has a higher overall rigidity than prior art forks. A large diameter steering tube has an hourglass external surface and bearing raceway seats formed therein and a very large diameter head tube has a corresponding bearing raceway seat formed in the lowered end thereof to receive, by way of a press-fit, aircraft-type torque tube bearings. An upper bearing assembly is seated in a raceway seat formed in the upper end of the head tube. Adhesive is used to maintain the bearings in position and prevent their loosening. A pair of large diameter crown miter tubes are welded to the lower end of the steering tube and a pair of large diameter, tapered, blade tubes are welded to the crown miter tubes and have dropouts welded to the lower ends of the blades.

Abstract: An anti-chain wrap device for bicycles has a short mounting plate with large fastener holes for universal adjustments in the plane thereof and a clamp plate fastener with conventional fastener holes. Chain lifter fingers for contacting chain stuck on a chainring have portions bent out of the plane thereof to avoid interference on chainrings having extra teeth thereon. The fastener plate may have a fender mounting tab thereon as well as a control cable guide.

Abstract: A bicycle frame which is made of large diameter tubing formed of an aluminum alloy and which is made very rigid to increase the power transmission efficiency and to improve the handling and riding characteristics. The result is a frame which is lighter, stronger, and much more rigid than prior art frames formed of steel tubing.

Abstract: A light weight aluminum bicycle fork with positive feel and improved control in rough conditions, and is stiffer in torsional stiffness, fore and aft stiffness and side-to-side stiffness and has a higher overall rigidity than prior art forks. A large diameter steering tube has a bearing raceway seat formed therein and a very large diameter head tube has a corresponding bearing raceway seat formed in the lowered end thereof to receive, by way of a press-fit, aircraft-type torque tube bearings. An upper bearing assembly is seated in a raceway seat formed in the upper end of the head tube. Adhesive is used to maintain the bearings in position and prevent their loosening. A pair of large diameter crown miter tubes are welded to the lower end of the steering tube and a pair of large diameter, tapered, round blade tubes are welded to the crown miter tubes and have dropouts welded to the lower ends of the blades. A one-piece aluminum bar, neck and large diameter stem is provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to front fork, telescoping type suspension systems for bicycles. The main focus of the invention is the brake bridge assembly, the fork crown assembly and the joinder of these assemblies to form the fork suspension. The brake bridge assembly serves two main functions: 1) it provides a stiff structural connection between the right and left telescoping struts, to reduce wheel wobble during high speed wheel impacts, and 2) it provides a structural support for the brake cable stop. The invention provides for increased stiffness and lower stresses in the brake bridge, which translates into improved directional stability for the front wheel, less displacement for the brake cable stop .(when the brake loads are applied) and improved fatigue life for the assembly. It also provides for a simpler and less expensive means for mounting the brake bridge to the fork assembly. The invention also encompasses the fork crown producing a lightweight structure with high torsional and bending rigidity.