Abstract: A bicycle includes a lower frame member and an upper frame member connected to a head tube. The lower frame member includes a down tube, a bottom bracket, and chain stays. The upper frame member includes a top tube, seat stays, and a passage formed in part by a first side wall and a second side wall. The first and second side walls include a first and second openings, respectively. A seat tube extends in an upward direction from the bottom bracket and through the passage. The seat tube includes an opening that extends laterally therethrough. A passive pivot assembly secures the seat tube within the passage, and includes a guide sleeve that extends through the first opening, through the opening in the seat tube, and through the second opening. One or more fasteners secure the guide sleeve to the upper frame member.

Abstract: A bicycle includes a lower frame member and an upper frame member connected to a head tube. The lower frame member includes a down tube, a bottom bracket, and chain stays. The upper frame member includes a top tube, seat stays, and a passage formed in part by a first side wall and a second side wall. The first and second side walls include a first and second openings, respectively. A seat tube extends in an upward direction from the bottom bracket and through the passage. The seat tube includes an opening that extends laterally therethrough. A passive pivot assembly secures the seat tube within the passage, and includes a guide sleeve that extends through the first opening, through the opening in the seat tube, and through the second opening. One or more fasteners secure the guide sleeve to the upper frame member.

Abstract: A bicycle suspension system includes a frame with a downtube and a seat tube, a bottom bracket, a rear wheel, a rear suspension, a rear shock absorber, and a linkage connecting the rear shock absorber and the rear suspension. The seat tube is disposed along a longitudinal axis, is configured to receive a seat post, and allows at least four inches of adjustability of a position of a seat saddle connected to the seat post. The bottom bracket is connected to the frame. The longitudinal axis of the seat tube intersects the downtube at a location spaced apart from the bottom bracket and is disposed at an angle between 50° and 75° degrees relative to horizontal. The rear suspension connects the rear wheel and the frame and controls movement of the rear wheel though a range of vertical travel of the rear wheel of at least four inches.

Abstract: A bicycle including a forward frame triangle. The forward frame triangle can a top tube, a down tube, a bottom bracket, a lower seat mast, and an upper seat mast. The top tube can have a first end connected to a head tube and a second end. The down tube can have a first end connected to the head tube and a second end. The bottom bracket can be connected to the second end of the down tube. The lower seat mast can extend in an upward direction from the bottom bracket to the top tube. The upper seat mast can at least partially overlap the lower seat mast. The upper seat mast can be adjustably and fixedly coupled to the lower seat mast. The upper seat mast can be rotably coupled to the forward frame triangle proximate the second end of the top tube.

Abstract: A bicycle frame assembly that includes an upper frame member and a lower frame member that each extend between a head tube and a dropout. A seat tube extends between the upper frame member and the lower frame member. The seat tube is preferably connected to a bottom bracket of the lower frame member and is connected by a pivot to the upper frame member so that the seat tube can deflect from a rest position without altering an orientation of a top tube to a bottom tube of the upper and lower frame members, respectively.

Abstract: A bicycle frame assembly that includes an upper frame member and a lower frame member that each extend between a head tube and a dropout. A seat tube extends between the upper frame member and the lower frame member. The seat tube is preferably connected to a bottom bracket of the lower frame member and is connected by a pivot to the upper frame member so that the seat tube can deflect from a rest position without altering an orientation of a top tube to a bottom tube of the upper and lower frame members, respectively.

Abstract: A rear-wheel suspension system for a two-wheeled vehicle capable of further reducing a vehicle width. An upper end of a coil spring of a shock absorber includes a tubular damper case, a rod connected to a piston disposed within the shock absorber and protrusively provided to be capable of making strokes with respect to the tubular damper case and an external hydraulic sub-tank positioned to be lower than an upper end of the shock absorber. Vehicle body component parts include a connecting tube and the sub-tank disposed to be close to the shock absorber above the coil spring.

Abstract: A saddle type vehicle includes a down tube extending downward from a head pipe for supporting a front fork, a rear wheel pivot unit provided on the down tube, and a rear wheel suspension device for supporting a rear wheel of the vehicle such that the rear wheel can pivot substantially upward and downward around the rear wheel pivot unit. The rear wheel pivot unit is disposed before an engine in the advancing direction of the vehicle. The engine is attached to the rear wheel suspension device such that the engine can pivot with the rear wheel suspension device.

Abstract: A progressive rear suspension linkage is used in the rear suspension of an ATV to aid in ride quality and safety by changing leverage ratio thru the travel of the rear suspension. The rear shock attaches to it as well as to the frame. The linkage system attaches to the frame at one end and to the rear suspension arm at the other end and changes leverage as the mounting point on the frame and the rear suspension arm come closer together or further apart as the rear suspension arms moves thru its travel. This in turn lets some linkages move in a scissors type movement with the rear shock bolted to it at a given point. This invention provides an improvement to the OEM designs, making for improved handling and safer control of ATVs.

Abstract: A left arm portion and a right arm portion which extend in the front-rear direction are provided on the left and right sides of a swing arm with a window portion for passing a rear shock absorber unit therethrough provided between the left arm portion and the right arm portion. A shock absorber-fitting beam is provided like a bridge between the left arm portion and the right arm portion with a swing arm side fitting portion of the rear shock absorber unit fitted to the shock absorber-fitting beam. A whole part or a part of the window portion is closed with the shock absorber-fitting beam. The swing arm can be reinforced with the shock absorber-fitting beam with the flexural rigidity and torsional rigidity of the swing arm being enhanced. Moreover, since the upper end of the shock absorber unit is fitted to the swing arm side, it is unnecessary to provide, for example, a fitting portion for the upper end of the shock absorber unit on the vehicle body frame side, so that an increase in weight can be restrained.

Abstract: A bicycle which can be driven either by conventional rotation of the pedals, or by reciprocating movement of the saddle on the seat post. The cycle includes two frame portions: a first fixed frame portion including an upright member extending from a drive wheel axle bearing, and a second movable frame portion including the seat post which has bifurcated arms driving transmission levers for turning the drive wheel.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing apparatus for a bicycle frame maintains critical spatial relationships by allowing the seat and the pedal assembly to move slightly, together as a unit, relative to the bicycle frame proper. A telescoping portion of the apparatus has an inner tube housed inside an outer tube. The inner tube has a seat post connected to its top end and a pedal crank axle housing connected to the bottom end. The outer tube is in a fixed, integral relationship with the other frame members. Any of a number of combinations and variations of adjustable spring/damper means isolate the inner tube from the outer tube. Numerous features, including dust boots and a rider-activated keyway lock, can be incorporated into the frame design. The telescoping design reduces impact forces without causing undesirable changes in frame geometry or undesirable changes in the distance between the seat and pedals.

Abstract: A suspension system includes a long-travel suspension configuration for the seat of a bicycle. For instance, this long-travel arrangement could take the form of either a spring-loaded telescoping seat tube mechanism or a single-leaf spring extending horizontally from the seat to a forward attachment point fairly near the steering head. In order to prevent the constant bobbing up and down that this type of suspension usually causes when the rider is pedaling, the suspension also includes a second suspension mechanism which allows the pedal-and-crank assembly to move substantially in unison with the seat. However, this coordinated suspension movement occurs only over bumps and obstacles of relatively moderate size because the total suspension travel of the pedal-and-crank assembly, on a sort of reversed swingarm arrangement, is only about half the overall travel of the seat.

Abstract: A bicycle with jumping or leaping capabilities is disclosed wherein the bicycle selectively stores energy in compressible and tensionable members which form part of first and second bicycle frames. At a predetermined moment in time, the energy stored in the compressible and tensionable members is released causing the first and second frames to move in opposite directions thus effectuating a leap or jump.

Abstract: A velocipede comprising a rigid frame with front and rear wheels and a crank operably connected to the rear wheels. A first member has its front end portion pivotably connected to the frame front end such that the first member is movable between upper and lower positions above and below a horizontal line passing through the pivot. A second member has a first end pivotably connected to the first member rear end portion and a second end pivotably connected to the crank such that reciprocating movement of the first member rear end portion causes the second member to rotate the crank. A third member includes a pivot disposed at its intermediate portion and has its front and rear ends movable between upper and lower positions. A pair of pedals are pivotably secured to the third member front end and movable therewith between the upper and lower positions.

Abstract: A fixing structure is provided for a motorcycle including a swing arm by which an axle having at either end thereof a drive wheel and a torque damping mechanism fixed thereto respectively is rotatably supported substantially at the central part thereof. The fixing structure fixes a driven sprocket to a transversely inner part of an outside constituting member of the torque damping mechanism. The fixing structure includes a plurality of fixing lugs projectingly formed at predetermined intervals on the outer circumference of the outside constituting member, and a plurality of fixing lugs projectingly formed with a predetermined width on the inner circumference of the driven sprocket to be fixedly fastened in a detachable manner with the fixing lugs of the outside constituting member, respectively.

Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle similar to a bicycle has a frame comprising four pivotably interconnected frame members of which the lower one is provided with a bearing for a sprocket wheel of a chain drive. A crank arm is connected to the sprocket wheel and cooperates with a connecting rod pivotably connected to the upper frame member carrying a saddle. Pedals are mounted on the lower frame member or the front frame member, the latter guiding the steering handle and the front wheel fork. The driving torque is achieved by alternatively shifting the weight between the saddle and the pedals. The saddle moves up and down reciprocally to the pedals and the steering handle forth and back giving the illusion of riding on horseback. The same structural principle is suitable also for a home-trainer.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an oil brake device for use in the bicycle in which a saddle support is resiliently suspended independent of a main body frame so as to prevent the transmission of shock and vibrations of front and rear wheels in bicycle riding. The brake device is designed to prevent sharp elevation of the saddle support when the bicycle is stopped, or sharp downward movement of the support when starting from the halted position. The device works in cooperation with the wheel brake.

Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle similar to a bicycle has a frame comprising four pivotably interconnected frame members of which the lower one is provided with a bearing for a sprocket wheel of a chain drive. A crank arm is connected to the sprocket wheel and cooperates with a connecting rod pivotably connected to the upper frame member carrying a saddle. Pedals are mounted on the lower frame member or the front frame member, the latter guiding the steering handle and the front wheel fork. The driving torque is achieved by alternatively shifting the weight between the saddle and the pedals. The saddle moves up and down reciprocally to the pedals and the steering handle forth and back giving the illusion of riding on horseback. The same structural principle is suitable also for a home-trainer.

Abstract: A bicycle having its saddle support inclusive of a saddle and a crank means elastically suspended from an upper frame independently of its upper and its lower frame in which front and rear wheels are journalled so as to prevent transmission of vertical motion therefrom to the saddle support and also so as to protect, in conjunction with the saddle support, the handle itself against the vertical motion of the wheels.