Front Forks And Heads Patents (Class 280/279)
  • Publication number: 20110241309
    Abstract: There is provided a bearing holder comprising a first side, orthogonal to a head tube axis when the bearing holder is used in conjunction with a head tube of a bicycle, adapted to receive a bearing, and a second side, opposed to the first side, adapted to be removeably secured to a head tube of a bicycle, the bearing holder being adapted to axially position the bearing about the head tube. The bearing holder is mounted to the top end of the head tube of the bicycle and the fork tube is engaged to the bearing provided atop the bearing holder. The height of the bearing holder (or a spacer if the bearing holder sits onto such a spacer) determines the elevation of the handlebar connector and thus of the handlebars with respect to the head tube thereby permitting the adjustment of the elevation thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Gervais Rioux, Gilles Cantin
  • Patent number: 8029011
    Abstract: An adjustable handlebar assembly for a saddle-type vehicle includes a base member, a support member, a left handlebar and a right handlebar. The support member is rotatably coupled to the base member and each of the left handlebar and the right handlebar is attached to the support member. The support member is configured to permit the left handlebar and the right handlebar to be selectively moved relative to the support member and the base member, independently of one another, to selectively adjust each of the left handlebar and the right handlebar in respective, generally longitudinal directions along a saddle-type vehicle, when the adjustable handlebar assembly is pivotally coupled to a frame of the saddle-type vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Darin D. King, Robert S. Zimmerman, Daniel T. Sellars, Scott D. Batdorf
  • Patent number: 8029010
    Abstract: A suspension fork for a bicycle includes at least one stanchion tube and at least one slider tube interacting therewith and a wheel receiving space, and a damper system. The damper system includes a damper chamber divided into a first chamber and a second chamber by a movable piston and a damping device for rebound damping and a damping device for compression damping. The damper system is disposed at the stanchion tube, the damping device for rebound damping and the damping device for compression damping are disposed above the movable piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: DT Swiss Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Achenbach
  • Patent number: 8020884
    Abstract: A bicycle including a main frame, a front fork rotationally coupled to the main frame, a rear wheel rotationally coupled to the main frame, a front wheel rotationally coupled to the front fork, a handlebar, and a stem assembly coupling the handlebar to the front fork. The stem assembly includes a stem base coupled to the front fork, a face plate coupled to the stem base with the handlebar sandwiched between the face plate and the stem base, and an auxiliary retention system that holds the face plate engaged with the stem base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron J. Foley, Dennis John Wrobleski
  • Patent number: 7988173
    Abstract: A bicycle suspension system of the present invention generally includes a bicycle suspension and a hydraulic control assembly. The hydraulic control assembly includes a fluid pump, a fluid responder and a fluid path. The fluid pump is mountable to a bicycle handlebar. The fluid responder is mountable to the bicycle suspension. The fluid path links the fluid pump and the fluid responder. The fluid responder is operatively connected to the bicycle suspension to operate the bicycle suspension between first and second suspension settings in response to fluid displacement between the fluid pump and the fluid responder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Morris
  • Publication number: 20110181015
    Abstract: An aerodynamic braking system is disclosed herein. In particular, the brake arms may define an aerodynamic leading portion or edge and may be integrated into the legs of the front fork. Also, the brake arms may be disposed behind the bottom bracket shell to take the rear brake out of the air flow path and reduce aerodynamic drag. The rear brake arms are tapered so that the brake arms remain sufficient stiff to provide sufficient brake response times. The rear brake arms may be matched to recesses formed on an underside of chain stays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Richard Bell, Timothy Saul Lane, William Duehring, James Michael Felt, Jeffrey A. Soucek, David Tyson Buckenberger
  • Patent number: 7976045
    Abstract: A bicycle front end assembly is provided which is configured to reduce aerodynamic drag. In particular, an axis shaft of a fork may be mounted to a head tube of a bicycle frame. A fork head may be disposed in front of the head tube for providing a front end assembly which is aerodynamically configured while providing an increased moment of inertia compared with traditional designs to reduce drag of the bicycle and increase steering stiffness. Also, the handlebar may be attached to the fork head such that when the bicycle is steered to the left, the fork head is rotated toward the left and when the bicycle is steered to the right, the fork head is rotated toward the right. In this manner, the fork head is alignable to the travel direction of the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Felt Racing, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy Saul Lane
  • Patent number: 7976044
    Abstract: A shock absorber is provided having an exterior that looks like a two-piece structure formed with an outer tube and a separate bracket without using the separate bracket. Also provided is a straddle type vehicle having a shock absorber and a manufacturing method for the shock absorber. The shock absorber comprises a cylindrical outer tube, wherein the outer tube includes a first cylindrical part, and a second cylindrical part having an outer surface roughness greater than the outer surface roughness of the first part. The first part and the second part are adjacent each other in a longitudinal direction of the outer tube, and the second part has an equipment attaching section adapted for attaching a piece of equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshio Iizuka
  • Patent number: 7967315
    Abstract: The bicycle may have a frame and a front fork. A cross section of the frame or the front fork may have an airfoil shape wherein a leading surface is sharper (i.e. less round) compared to prior art airfoil shaped bicycle front forks and bicycle frames. Additionally, a maximum thickness of the airfoil shape may be located more rearward compared to prior art airfoil shaped bicycle frames and bicycle front forks. This configuration provides for a reduction in drag for headwind speeds of about twenty (20) to thirty (30) miles per hour and headwind angles of plus or minus fifteen (15) degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Felt Racing, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Soucek, David Tyson Buckenberger
  • Publication number: 20110148070
    Abstract: The headset includes upper and lower rolling bearings (8, 9) housed inside the head tube so as to allow relative rotation of the steering tube, and clamping elements (18, 21) for axially clamping the lower and upper bearings (8, 9) against, respectively, a lower end and an upper end of the head tube. The axial-clamping elements include a threaded sleeve slipped over the steering tube. This sleeve is secured to the steering tube by connecting elements including a pin extending through two diametrically opposed holes in the threaded sleeve and through two diametrically opposed holes provided in the steering tube. The sleeve collaborates with a tapped annular cap slipped over the steering tube so as to force the upper bearing downward as the annular cap is screwed onto the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: LOOK CYCLE INTERNATIONAL
    Inventor: Matthieu LANZ
  • Patent number: 7963540
    Abstract: A bicycle front end assembly is provided which is configured to reduce aerodynamic drag. In particular, an axis shaft of a fork may be mounted to a head tube of a bicycle frame. A fork head may be disposed in front of the head tube for providing a front end assembly which is aerodynamically configured while providing an increased moment of inertia compared with traditional designs to reduce drag of the bicycle and increase steering stiffness. Also, the handlebar may be attached to the fork head such that when the bicycle is steered to the left, the fork head is rotated toward the left and when the bicycle is steered to the right, the fork head is rotated toward the right. In this manner, the fork head is alignable to the travel direction of the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Felt Racing, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy Saul Lane
  • Publication number: 20110140391
    Abstract: A bicycle front end assembly is provided which is configured to reduce aerodynamic drag. In particular, an axis shaft of a fork may be mounted to a head tube of a bicycle frame. A fork head may be disposed in front of the head tube for providing a front end assembly which is aerodynamically configured while providing an increased moment of inertia compared with traditional designs to reduce drag of the bicycle and increase steering stiffness. Also, the handlebar may be attached to the fork head such that when the bicycle is steered to the left, the fork head is rotated toward the left and when the bicycle is steered to the right, the fork head is rotated toward the right. In this manner, the fork head is alignable to the travel direction of the bicycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventor: Timothy Saul Lane
  • Patent number: 7950681
    Abstract: A bicycle steerer assembly that includes a stub tube, a steerer tube that extends upward from the stub tube, a pair of forks, and a fork crown or crown cap. A key and keyway are formed between the stub tube and a crown portion of each fork. The crown cap overlies the crown portion of each fork thereby preventing dissociation of the key and keyway between each of the pair of forks and the stub tube when the crown cap is positioned thereabout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Trek Bicycle Corporation
    Inventors: Barry Lewis, Steven Moechnig
  • Publication number: 20110121537
    Abstract: A cap assembly for a threadless bicycle headset is provided. The cap assembly includes a fastener and an outer cap integratedly combined with an exterior of the fastener. By the above structure, the integrated cap assembly has a simplified assembling process and improved stability over the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: Wen-Hwa Lin
  • Patent number: 7942433
    Abstract: A vehicle has a vehicle body including a head pipe, a lower side bracket disposed below the head pipe for supporting the head pipe upward in a substantial center of the bracket in the vehicle width direction, and a pair of legs of a front fork fixed in vicinities of the ends of the lower side bracket. The lower side bracket is formed to have a downward sloping shape, which slopes from the ends of the lower side bracket toward its center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takehiro Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 7938422
    Abstract: A device is described, for adjusting the inclination of a front fork of a two- or three-wheeled vehicle having a steering assembly (S) including a frame tube (3) and a steering tube (4) rotatable in the frame tube. The adjusting device comprises an upper connecting unit (10a) and a lower connecting unit (10b), for rigidly connecting the steering tube (4) to two substantially parallel fork rods (5). The connecting units (10a, 10b) are prearranged for enabling to vary in an adjustable manner the inclination of the fork rods (5) relative to the steering tube (4), without the need of relative separation or disassembling among the units, the fork rods and the steering tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Inventor: Romano Clari
  • Patent number: 7909346
    Abstract: A bicycle steerer tube assembly having an oblong asymmetric cross section formed along a portion of the steerer tube. The asymmetric portion of the steerer tube has a first diameter that is generally aligned with an axis of rotation of the front wheel and a second diameter that is generally aligned with a plane of rotation of the front wheel. The first diameter is greater than the second diameter and provides lateral stiffness to the wheel assembly and the second diameter accommodates longitudinal impact absorption of the fork and wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Trek Bicycle Corporation
    Inventor: Steven Moechnig
  • Patent number: 7909345
    Abstract: A triple tree system for mounting the front fork of a motorcycle to the handlebars and to the frame thereof. The system includes upper and lower triple tree members. The upper triple tree member includes a pair of apertures, each containing a threaded connector member fastened at one end to an internally threaded end of one handlebar member, and fastened at an opposite end to an internally threaded end of one fork tube. The lower triple tree member includes a pair of apertures, each accepting one of the fork tubes there through. Threaded apertures, each of which intersect an aperture holding a fork tube, contain a set screw that advances a rod into the fork tube aperture, thereby contacting one of the fork tubes therein, to lock the fork tubes to the lower triple tree member. A stem member is attached between the upper and lower triple tree members and attached to the frame of the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventor: Quentin James Olson
  • Patent number: 7900948
    Abstract: A fork assembly for a bicycle includes a pair of forks and a steerer tube that extend in generally opposite directions from a fork crown. The assembly includes first and second means for securing the steerer tube to the fork crown. Preferably, the steerer tube is threaded and bonded to the fork crown. The fork crown includes a pair of cavities that each slidably receives a respective fork. Preferably, each fork is formed of a carbon fiber material and has an end whose shape substantially matches a shape of a respective cavity formed in the crown. The forks and crown cavities cooperate to efficiently communicate loads between the forks and the fork crown while maintaining a lightweight and robust fork, fork crown, and steerer tube assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Trek Bicycle Corporation
    Inventor: Barry Lewis
  • Publication number: 20110049834
    Abstract: A method of forming a corrosion resistant bushing includes bonding a sliding layer to a first surface of a load bearing substrate to form a laminate sheet and cutting a blank from the laminate sheet. The laminate sheet includes an exposed surface corresponding to a second surface of the load bearing substrate. The blank includes cut edges having a load bearing substrate portion. The method further includes forming a semi-finished bushing from the blank, and applying a corrosion resistant coating to the exposed surface and the load bearing substrate portion of the cut edges to form the corrosion resistant bushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN PERFORMANCE PLASTICS PAMPUS GMBH
    Inventor: Parag Natu
  • Patent number: 7896380
    Abstract: A top cover for a headset of a bicycle includes a bottom ring, a side wall, a C-shaped clip and a fastening unit. The side wall extends upwards from the bottom ring. The C-shaped clip extends upwards from a top end of the side wall and has a through hole at each of two distal ends thereof. The fastening unit passes through the through holes of the C-shaped clip for tightening the C-shaped clip. Thus, the top cover of the present invention can enhance convenience of assembly and disassembly of the bicycle, and prevent components of the headset from getting lost during assembly and disassembly of the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Tange Seiki Taichung Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Tange
  • Patent number: 7896381
    Abstract: A wheel assembly, which is particularly applicable to bicycles, includes a hub, a pair of laterally spaced bearings, and is constructed to cooperate with a frame of a bicycle. The bearings include an outer race that is directly engaged with the hub. An inner race of each bearing is constructed to directly receive a portion of the bicycle frame such that the wheel is supported by direct interaction of the bicycle frame and the bearing members. Optionally, a hollow axle may extend between adjacent bearings to further enhance the lateral stiffness of the wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Trek Bicycle Corporation
    Inventor: Brad J. Addink
  • Patent number: 7878521
    Abstract: A bicycle frame having a cavity constructed to receive a sensor device. The cavity has a shape and a contour that generally matches a shape and a contour of the sensor device. Such a configuration maintains the aerodynamic contour of the frame when the sensor device is positioned in the cavity. An optional plug occupies the cavity when the sensor device is not positioned therein. Preferably, the sensor device is constructed to wirelessly communicate bicycle operation information to a receiver that is remotely located relative to the sensor device. More preferably, the cavity is formed in a fork of the bicycle and the sensor device is configured to monitor operation of a front wheel and wirelessly communicate the operation information to the remote receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Trek Bicycle Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Blomme, Dan Dacko, Barry Lewis
  • Patent number: 7866892
    Abstract: A rotator for a head tube of a bicycle has a mounting bracket, a rotating collar and a holding ring. The mounting bracket is mounted around the head tube and has a mounting ring and two legs. The mounting ring is mounted around the head tube and has a mounting channel, a kerf, an annular flange and a holding groove. The legs are oppositely mounted on the mounting ring. The rotating collar is rotatably mounted around the mounting bracket and has a chamber, an upper through hole, a lower through hole, a mounting channel and multiple balls. The holding ring is mounted in the mounting ring of the mounting bracket and has an engaging groove. The engaging groove engages the annular flange on the mounting ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventor: Chia-Wei Hsu
  • Patent number: 7854441
    Abstract: A bicycle drop out comprising a seat stay mount having a first receiving portion, a chain stay mount having a second receiving portion, a back plate releasably connected to the seat stay mount and the chain stay mount, the back plate comprising a first member for engaging the first receiving portion and a second member for engaging the second receiving portion, the back plate comprising a third slot for receiving an axle, the slot cooperatively disposed between the seat stay mount and the chain stay mount, and the seat stay mount and the chain stay mount having a gap therebetween for receiving a belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Frank Scurlock
  • Patent number: 7845449
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a head pipe, a handlebar pipe that is rotatable relative to the head pipe, a main frame extending rearward from the head pipe, and a handlebar lock located on a topside of the main frame to prevent the handlebar pipe from rotating relative to the head pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takehiro Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 7841612
    Abstract: A combination bicycle fork and steering tube assembly is formed with a pair of downwardly directed, mutually converging end closure tabs that are bent over into abutment and welded together to define peripherally enclosed fork openings at the ends of the steerer tube. The upper ends of the hollow fork legs are configured to follow the surface contours of the lower end of the steerer tube and are welded to the end closure tabs about the circumferences of the enclosed fork openings at the lower end of the steering tube. The front wheel axle dropouts are formed directly in the lower ends of the fork legs, which include internal dropout support inserts. The dropout support inserts are sandwiched in between a pair of flat, mutually parallel dropout tabs defined directly in the lower ends of the fork legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Bear Corporation
    Inventor: George French
  • Publication number: 20100295266
    Abstract: A steering apparatus for a vehicle includes a stem pipe disposed in a head pipe by upper and lower bearings interposed therebetween, a seal member for covering the upper bearing, and bottom and top bridges mounted on lower and upper ends of the stem pipe, respectively. A single fastening bolt, having a step formed between a head and a threaded surface thereof, is fitted in a pipe insertion hole of the top bridge and the upper threaded portion of the stem pipe. The stem pipe is firmly tightened and supported by a slot-tightening mechanism of the top bridge. The fastening bolt is tightened by only a tightening force required to keep the fastening bolt from loosening. Also, a number of components required for the inventive steering apparatus is reduced, since an additional component, previously used for preventing loosening of a fastening bolt, is made unnecessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yotaro MORI, Mikio UCHIYAMA, Kazuhiko GOGO
  • Patent number: 7837212
    Abstract: A bicycle comprising a frame including a head tube, a fork rotationally coupled to the head tube, and a wheel rotationally coupled to the fork. The fork includes a crown, two legs extending downward from the crown, and a steerer tube extending upward from the crown and through the head tube. A handlebar and brake assembly is detachably secured to the fork. The assembly includes a stem, a handlebar secured to the stem, a clamp secured to an upper end of the steerer tube, a strap secured to the crown, a brake mount supported by the stem, and a brake secured to the brake mount. In one embodiment, the stem is hollow, and the bicycle further includes a brake cable to move the brake. In this embodiment, the brake cable and the brake are at least partially positioned within the hollow stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Chistopher P. D'Aluisio
  • Patent number: 7832752
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a front end of a vehicle to provide lateral flex for absorption of lateral forces. The suspension assembly comprises a steering shaft including two ends: an end coupled to an upper triple clamp and another end coupled to a lower triple clamp. A spring unit couples one of the two ends of the steering shaft to the associated triple clamp and absorbs forces that are transferred from a road surface up through a front wheel and the pair of forks retained by the upper and lower triple clamps. A pivot mechanism couples the other triple clamp to the other one of the two ends of the steering shaft and creates a pivoting axis. The suspension assembly permits the front end to pivot about the pivoting axis and causes the spring unit to flex laterally in response to bumps in the road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: MotoCzysz LLC
    Inventor: Michael Czysz
  • Publication number: 20100283219
    Abstract: A bicycle front end assembly is provided which is configured to reduce aerodynamic drag. In particular, an axis shaft of a fork may be mounted to a head tube of a bicycle frame. A fork head may be disposed in front of the head tube for providing a front end assembly which is aerodynamically configured while providing an increased moment of inertia compared with traditional designs to reduce drag of the bicycle and increase steering stiffness. Also, the handlebar may be attached to the fork head such that when the bicycle is steered to the left, the fork head is rotated toward the left and when the bicycle is steered to the right, the fork head is rotated toward the right. In this manner, the fork head is alignable to the travel direction of the bicycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: Timothy Saul Lane
  • Patent number: 7815206
    Abstract: A securing device for a bicycle front fork has a clamping sleeve, an upper pressing base and a lower pressing base. The clamping sleeve is hollow, is made of a resilient material and has a C-shaped cross section. The upper pressing base is attached to a top end of the clamping sleeve and has a threaded hole and an upper pressing surface. The threaded hole is defined in the upper pressing base to screw with a connecting bolt. The upper pressing surface is conical and pressing against the inner surface of the clamping sleeve. The lower pressing base is attached to a bottom end of the clamping sleeve, is connected to the upper pressing base in a thread manner and has a lower pressing surface. The lower pressing surface is conical and presses against the inner surface the clamping sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Peng-Yu Tseng
  • Publication number: 20100259028
    Abstract: A bicycle steerer tube assembly having an oblong asymmetric cross section formed along a portion of the steerer tube. The asymmetric portion of the steerer tube has a first diameter that is generally aligned with an axis of rotation of the front wheel and a second diameter that is generally aligned with a plane of rotation of the front wheel. The first diameter is greater than the second diameter and provides lateral stiffness to the wheel assembly and the second diameter accommodates longitudinal impact absorption of the fork and wheel assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventor: Steven Moechnig
  • Patent number: 7810826
    Abstract: A bicycle including a suspension system operably positioned between the bicycle frame and at least one of the front wheel and rear wheel of the bicycle. The suspension system includes a damping system including a first valve and a second valve, which cooperate to provide desirable damping forces throughout a broad range of relative velocities of the suspension system, while also being relatively lightweight and compact. The first valve includes a first orifice and a first valve body configured to regulate fluid flow through the first orifice. The second valve includes a second orifice. In one arrangement, the second orifice is defined by the first valve body. In another arrangement, the second valve includes a second valve body configured to regulate fluid flow through the second orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael McAndrews
  • Patent number: 7810614
    Abstract: A swivel device for bicycles includes a first ring adapted to be mounted on a head tube of a bicycle. The first ring has a plurality of first protrusions formed thereon. Each first protrusion connects to a first brake cable. A second ring is adapted to be mounted on the head tube. The second ring has a plurality of second protrusions formed thereon. Each second protrusion connects to a second brake cable. A positioning sleeve encloses the first and the second rings for positioning the first and the second rings in place. The first ring is able to pivotally swivel relative to the second ring. When braking, the second brake cables dragged to lift the second ring upwardly and the first ring moved upwardly to drag the first brake cables upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Kun-Yuan Li
  • Publication number: 20100253038
    Abstract: The bicycle may have a frame and a front fork. A cross section of the frame or the front fork may have an airfoil shape wherein a leading surface is sharper (i.e. less round) compared to prior art airfoil shaped bicycle front forks and bicycle frames. Additionally, a maximum thickness of the airfoil shape may be located more rearward compared to prior art airfoil shaped bicycle frames and bicycle front forks. This configuration provides for a reduction in drag for headwind speeds of about twenty (20) to thirty (30) miles per hour and headwind angles of plus or minus fifteen (15) degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Soucek, David Tyson Buckenberger
  • Patent number: 7806421
    Abstract: A handle stem for a bicycle, having a body and a lid, which can be fixed to the body, the body and the lid forming together a handle bar receptacle for receiving the handle bar of the bicycle, has a clamping ring being formed separate from the body and being inserted into a ring receptacle of the body for receiving the forked shaft of a fork of the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: KHE Fahrradhandels GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Göring
  • Publication number: 20100237583
    Abstract: A suspension for a two-wheeled vehicle includes first and second fork legs. Each fork leg includes a dropout. Each dropout has an opening therethrough. At least a portion of one of the openings is threaded. Each of the dropouts includes a split-clamp pinch bearing defining the opening and operable between an open position and a locked position, and a hand operable actuator pivoted to the bearing for operation thereof. The suspension further includes a one-piece axle. The axle is disposed through the openings. The axle has a threaded first end engaged with the threaded portion. The axle has an ergonomic grip formed at a second end. The bearing tightly engages an outer surface of the axle in the locked position, thereby rotationally coupling the axle to the dropout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventor: Andrew Laird
  • Patent number: 7798511
    Abstract: A steering system for a motorcycle includes a head pipe, a steering stem, a top bridge, a bottom bridge, a front fork, and a steering handlebar. The steering stem is supported by the head pipe. The top bridge has a center portion, a side portion extending from the center portion, and a holding portion provided at the side portion. The top bridge is supported by the steering stem at the center portion to steerably move around the head pipe. The bottom bridge is supported by the steering stem to steerably move around the head pipe. The front fork is held by the top bridge through the holding porting and is held by the bottom bridge. The top bridge has a protruding portion provided on an upper face of the top bridge and extending from the holding portion toward the center portion of the top bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takenaka, Akira Kato, Haruki Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20100230928
    Abstract: A head tube assembly for a bicycle has a frame, a lower tube, an upper tube and a cover. The lower tube is mounted in the front end of the frame and has a top, a bottom and a lower bearing mounted in the bottom of the lower tube. The upper tube has a top, a bottom detachably connected to the top of the lower tube and an upper bearing mounted in the top of the upper tube. The cover is detachably mounted on the top at the front end of the frame and has a through hole mounted around the top of the upper tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: MERIDA INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jurgen Falke, Jason Lai
  • Patent number: 7793958
    Abstract: Device includes plates which are connected by an axle that extends through a guiding piece and a ball joint element positioned at the ends of a column tube. Rotating elements are disposed in the plates and enable same to rotate around the axle which is blocked in rotation by the guiding piece. The guiding piece has a concave spherical surface coupled to the convex surface of the eccentric which is equipped with a bore that is off-centre in relation to the vertical axis of the spherical surfaces and a flat surface which is perpendicular to the axis of the bore. An eccentric pivots in the bore and on the surface via a cylinder and a surface. The eccentric is equipped with a bore that is off-centre in relation to the cylinder. The combined reverse rotation of the eccentrics enables the assembly to pivot around the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Lagar Concept Company
    Inventor: Jean-Paul Lagar
  • Patent number: 7789409
    Abstract: A front fork for a bicycle having an upwardly extending mast of an aerodynamic teardrop shape to which a handlebar may readily be attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventor: Philip White
  • Publication number: 20100213684
    Abstract: A bicycle comprising a frame including a head tube, a fork rotationally coupled to the head tube, and a wheel rotationally coupled to the fork. The fork includes a crown, two legs extending downward from the crown, and a steerer tube extending upward from the crown and through the head tube. A handlebar and brake assembly is detachably secured to the fork. The assembly includes a stem, a handlebar secured to the stem, a clamp secured to an upper end of the steerer tube, a strap secured to the crown, a brake mount supported by the stem, and a brake secured to the brake mount. In one embodiment, the stem is hollow, and the bicycle further includes a brake cable to move the brake. In this embodiment, the brake cable and the brake are at least partially positioned within the hollow stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Chistopher P. D'Aluisio
  • Publication number: 20100207352
    Abstract: A foldable device is adapted to connect a front fork to a handlebar of a bicycle, and includes a linking member hingedly connected to lower and upper hingeable flanges about first and second hinge axes, respectively. The first and second hinge axes are transverse to each other. The upper and lower hingeable flanges are respectively coupled with the handlebar and the front fork. The handlebar is turned relative to the front fork about the first and second hinge axes to permit a handlebar line of the handlebar to be parallel to a longitudinal direction in which the bicycle extends so as to fold the bicycle and to minimize the entire width of the folded bicycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Giant Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Che-Wei Hsu
  • Publication number: 20100194073
    Abstract: Conventional linkages between bicycle handlebar-mounted controls and rear brakes and gears are unable to accommodate unlimited rotation of the handlebars as is required on some so-called “freestyle” bicycles. A prior attempt to solve the problem employs a linkage comprising a bearing having two parts that are relatively rotatable about an axis. However this proposal is unable to handle situations where there are two or more mechanisms to be controlled e.g. a rear brake and a gear. Another problem is that dirt between the bearing surfaces may cause the bearing to jam. The invention provides pins (15C) that fit into slots (8A) for restricting rotation, relative to the handlebars, of a first bearing part (15A) and pins (15F) that fit in slots (9A) for restricting rotation, relative to the bicycle frame, of a second bearing part (15B). The aforementioned slots are formed in cylindrical guide walls not visible in FIG. 5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Graham Corbin
  • Publication number: 20100194072
    Abstract: A vehicle, such as a motorcycle, has a structure in which strength of a body frame is increased and positional accuracy between members constituting the body frame is improved. A head pipe of the motorcycle can include a pipe portion inside which a steering shaft is disposed, and a wall portion formed rearward of the pipe portion. The wall portion and the pipe portion can be integrally formed by extruding performed in a direction in which the pipe portion extends. Left and right main frames extending rearward can be disposed on the wall portion. The motorcycle can further include a reinforcing member disposed rearward of the wall portion, arranged such that an upper portion thereof is sandwiched by the right and left main frames, and having rest portions on which the right and left main frames are placed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takehisa Katsura
  • Patent number: 7766360
    Abstract: A motorcycle that reduces air resistance without a cowling includes a steering handle, a headlight unit disposed in front of a handle base disposed at a substantial center of the steering handle, a meter unit disposed above the handle base, and a fuel tank disposed behind the handle base. In a side view of the motorcycle, the headlight top surface, the meter top surface and the fuel tank top surface are smoothly connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsurou Saitou, Shigeto Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 7748150
    Abstract: A bicycle is provided with an identification device. The identification device includes a base, an identity plate and two fasteners. The base is formed on the bicycle. The fasteners are used to attach the identity plate to the base so that the identity plate cannot be removed from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: Louis Chuang
  • Patent number: 7744108
    Abstract: A stem front cap for the stem of a bicycle, including: a body having a mounting part that is adapted and structured for receiving and securing a handlebar in conjunction with a stem. A receiving section at the body of the stem front cap is provided for receiving and securing at least one aero support to enable the user to assume an aerodynamic operating posture on a bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Inventor: Morgan Nicol
  • Patent number: 7740264
    Abstract: A stem connecting the handlebars and steerable fork of a cycle has one tube attached to the handlebars and another tube attached to the steerable fork with the tubes capable of being rotated and locked with respect to one another. This arrangement allows for various configurations of the handlebars and fork including the typical riding configuration as well as an alternate configuration where the handlebars are ‘folded’ with respect to the fork. Change in configuration is accomplished without tools by way of a biased locking arrangement for the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Inventor: Alejandro Lacreu