Abstract: The compensator consists of at least one flexible and preferably elastic braiding (8), fitted up outside onto the cylinder (1) of the shock absorber, seal-fastened with its own ends onto said cylinder by means of suitable fastening means (19, 10) and carried out in such a way as to contain a chamber with variable volume (C) occupied by oil and communicating with at least one of the inside chambers of the shock absorber, for instance with the chamber with the larger volume, by means of holes provided on said cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to bicycles, and more particularly to wheel hub assemblies for bicycles and motorcycles. Specifically, the present invention provides a novel wheel hub assembly for connecting a wheel rim to the front fork or rear portion of the frame of the bicycle or motorcycle, with this same wheel hub assembly comprising an oversized single member hub-axle assembly for attachment to a fork dropout having an enlarged opening. The wheel hub assembly according to the present invention comprises an axle (or axles), a bearing assembly, a hub having connecting means (e.g. flanges and spokes, cylinder and bearing assembly, etc.), and a quick release clamping mechanism for securing the wheel hub assembly to the front forks or the rear portion of the frame of the bicycle.

Abstract: The pieces to be reciprocally connected are mechanically manufactured with tolerances such that the external diameter of the ends of the pipes (6,6′) is suitably greater at the internal diameter of the seat ends of the star cross pieces (1). The star cross pieces are heated to a temperature which does not provoke a permanent deformity in the pieces and which is such as to slightly increase the diameter of the their seats. The pipes are inserted instead into the ends to be connected, in a liquid nitrogen bath that properly contracts the external diameter of said ends and brings them substantially to a condition of equality or inferiority with respect to the diameter of the dilated seats and the ends of the star cross pieces. The cooled ends of the pipes are then inserted into the heated end of the seats of the cross pieces and when the pieces return to room temperature, they are connected with the foreseen tightness.

Abstract: The compensator consists of at least one flexible and preferably elastic braiding (8), fitted up outside onto the cylinder (1) of the shock absorber, seal-fastened with its own ends onto said cylinder by means of suitable fastening means (19, 10) and carried out in such a way as to contain a chamber with variable volume (C) occupied by oil and communicating with at least one of the inside chambers of the shock absorber, for instance with the chamber with the larger volume, by means of holes provided on said cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to bicycles, and more particularly to front wheel hub assemblies for bicycles and motorcycles. Specifically, the present invention provides a novel wheel hub assembly for connecting a wheel rim to the front fork of a bicycle or motorcycle, with this same wheel hub assembly comprising an oversized single member hub-axle assembly for attachment to a fork dropout having an enlarged opening. The wheel hub assembly according to the present invention comprises an axle (or axles), a bearing assembly, a hub having flanges for connection to the wheel rim (e.g., via spokes), and a quick release clamping mechanism for securing the wheel hub assembly to the front forks of the bicycle. Additionally, the present invention provides a wheel hub assembly having an axle with an increased diameter and a dropout with an increased size at the axle/dropout interface in order to yield a more rigid interface between the wheel and fork, and provides a more stable bicycle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydropneumatic shock absorber. This new telescopic system comprises an outer sliding tube, an inner sliding tube and structure for adjusting the braking level of the shock absorber in expansion. Fastened on the base of the outer sliding tube is the bottom of a barrel on which rests an elastic structure, such as a counter-acting spring, which pushes on the inner sliding tube in the expansion stroke. The inner sliding tube carries at its internal end a bell which cooperates with a stop spring when in the expansion stroke. The liquid filled barrel contains an axially movable piston connected to the closure plug assembly with the piston contains a first valve, which opens only in the compression phase, and a second valve, which acts as variable throttle and is controlled by the padded end of a screw axially placed within the support tube. By acting on a screw, the expansion braking level of the shock absorber can be adjusted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shock absorber having improved damping. On the base of the shock absorber there is fastened the bottom of a barrel on which rests the counter-acting spring which urges in expansion the piston of the shock absorber. The barrel contains damping fluid and has a piston which is axially movable with lateral seal. The shock absorber also has an external secondary flow dampening device which is connected to the base of the shock absorber via a tube. In the strut base, and the connecting appendage there is a plug adjustment which moves laterally and limits an alternative path of flow for the liquid through the base flow damper and the piston flow damper respectively. By acting on the plug adjustments it is possible to adjust the braking level in expansion of the strut. Each flow damper also is affixed with a shim. The shim on the piston flow damper will flex at an appropriate pressure in the expansion phase, thereby damping the reaction of the strut to expansion.

Abstract: The end bushings (102, 102′) of the anti-twisting cross member (2) and the upper ends (201, 201′) of the outer sliding tubes (1, 1′) which are adapted to be coupled into the bushings, are provided laterally respective appendices (10, 10′ 22, 22′) with respective bores (11, 11′, 23, 23′). These parts are superposed and are safely secured together with screws (25, 25′) which fasten the outer sliding tubes to the cross member, thus arranging the outer sliding tubes at a predetermined axial distance. The parallelism between the outer sliding tubes is ensured by the abutment of the lower edge (15, 15′) of the bushings of the cross member against a corresponding lower step (9, 9′) of the upper machined portions of the outer sliding tubes, inserted into the bushings.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to bicycles, and more particularly to front wheel hub assemblies for bicycles and motorcycles. Specifically, the present invention provides a novel wheel hub assembly for connecting a wheel rim to the front fork of a bicycle or motorcycle, with this same wheel hub assembly comprising an oversized single member hub-axle assembly for attachment to a fork dropout having an enlarged opening. The wheel hub assembly according to the present invention comprises an axle (or axles), a bearing assembly, a hub having flanges for connection to the wheel rim (e.g., via spokes), and a quick release clamping mechanism for securing the wheel hub assembly to the front forks of the bicycle. Additionally, the present invention provides a wheel hub assembly having an axle with an increased diameter and a dropout with an increased size at the axle/dropout interface in order to yield a more rigid interface between the wheel and fork, and provides a more stable bicycle.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to front suspension fork assemblies for bicycles, and provides an improved suspension fork comprising an adjustable compression system for quick and easy adaptation to various types of terrain. The front suspension fork of the present invention comprises a pair of rigidly connected parallel fork legs, with each fork leg having at its bottom end a dropout for connection to the axle of a wheel. Each fork leg further comprises a shock absorber positioned therein and comprising a helical coil spring to urge expansion of the sliding tubes, flow dampers, and damping fluid within the cavities of the sliding tubes to dampen the movement of the sliding tubes in compression and expansion. Each flow damper comprises a flexible shim which opens in compression or expansion to increase the flow of damping fluid. Varying the flexibility of the shims also varies the damping effect of the shock absorber.

Abstract: The compensator is made separately from the cylinder of the shock absorber, and the two parts are prearranged for the reciprocal coupling with the possibility of articulation around said cylinder and/or around an axis, substantially perpendicular or orthogonal to the axis of the shock absorber itself.

Abstract: A shock absorber comprises a sliding tube sealed at one end which is provided with an attachment for one of the two parts of the vehicle which needs cushioning and a stem presenting at one end another attachment for the other of the two parts of the vehicle and at the other end a piston engaged within the sliding tube to make a sliding side seal with the tube. The piston is equipped with valve means controlling the flow of a liquid between first and second pressure chambers formed within the sliding tube by the opposed faces of the piston. The first pressure chamber is traversed by the stem. The stem is provided with a longitudinal duct which through radial ports is communicating with the first chamber and which communicates with the second chamber through a sized end hole with which the tip of the needle of a variable throttle cooperates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydropneumatic shock absorber. This new telescopic system comprises an outer sliding tube, an inner sliding tube having an adjustable braking level of the shock absorber in expansion. Fastened on the base of the outer sliding tube is the bottom of a barrel on which rests counter-acting spring, or other elastic device, which pushes on the inner sliding tube in the expansion stroke. The inner sliding tube carries at its internal end a bell which cooperates with a stop spring when in the expansion stroke. The liquid filled barrel contains an axially movable piston connected to the closure plug assembly of the inner sliding tube by a support tube. The piston contains a first valve, which opens only in the compression phase, and a second valve, which acts as variable throttle and is controlled by the padded end of a screw axially placed within the support tube.

Abstract: The compensator is made separately from the cylinder of the shock absorber, and the two parts are prearranged for the reciprocal coupling with the possibility of articulation and pivoting around an axis, substantially perpendicular or orthogonal to the axis of the shock absorber and eventually also with the possibility of articulation around the cylinder of the shock absorber itself.