Front Forks And Heads Patents (Class 280/279)
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Patent number: 7296813Abstract: An apparatus and method of securing a bicycle handlebar stem to the front wheel fork steerer tube with handlebar height adjustability and rotation of the handlebar and stem for easy storage. A steering assembly is provided where the handlebar stem is moveably fastened to the front fork steerer tube using a manually operated primary locking device and requiring a secondary action to allow for movement in the form of either height adjustment, or rotation, or both. The connection between the handlebar stem and the front fork steerer tube can be on the interior or the exterior of the front fork steerer tube. With the interior connection, the steerer tube can be elongated to extend above the top of the headset bearings where it is fitted with a collar for clamping onto the internally mounted stem. The handlebar stem and fork steerer tube are fitted with corresponding octagonal or other cross sectional shapes, or a safety tracking system.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2005Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Inventors: David Montague, Harry Montague
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Publication number: 20070262557Abstract: A telescopic fork (1) for two-wheelers, in particular bicycles, is provided and includes a plunger tube (2) and a fixed tube (3) having a spring element (4), which is impinged by a piston (5) connected to the plunger tube (2), with the piston (5) having a piston rod (6) connected to the plunger tube (2). For adjusting the spring travel, the piston rod (6) is adjustable in height and connected to the plunger tube (2), with an adjustment cylinder (8) being provided for this purpose connected to the plunger tube (2), in which an adjustment piston (9) is guided connected to the piston rod (6) and the cylinder chambers (13, 14) located at both sides of the adjustment piston (9) are filled with fluid and are at least provided with one connecting channel that can be opened and closed for the fluid to flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2007Publication date: November 15, 2007Applicant: GUSTAV MAGENWIRTH GMBH & CO. KGInventor: Reiner Kunstle
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Patent number: 7284766Abstract: An air suspension system for use with vehicles such as motorcycles and bicycles comprises a sealed chamber inside the handlebars and a fluid line that interconnects the chamber with the vehicle's pneumatic shock absorber, typically part of the forks. Preferably, the system includes a control valve in fluid communication with the chamber and disposed at or between the handlebars or at the forks. In the preferred embodiment, the control valve is connected to a port located near the center of the handlebars. The preferred embodiment also includes a manual pressure release valve in communication with the chamber and an oil/air separator and/or check valve configured to generally prevent oil from entering the chamber. The pressure release valve and/or the separator or check valve can be made integral with or separate from the control valve. Handlebar caps or plugs can be used to seal the handlebars.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2005Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Inventors: Dirk Temmerman, Fred William Gill
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Publication number: 20070222176Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2006Publication date: September 27, 2007Inventor: Morgan Nicol
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Patent number: 7255359Abstract: The invention relates to a bicycle adjusting device, in particular an adjusting device for adjusting the height of the front wheel suspension, the rear wheel suspension, the saddle or of the steering mechanism of a bicycle, e.g. of a mountain bike, a bicycle with at least one bicycle adjustment device, as well as a bicycle-steering head bearing system, whereby the adjustment has at least one double-acting piston-cylinder assembly with a first cylinder space (14a, 34a) and a second cylinder space (15a,35a) in each case, and whereby the two cylinder spaces of the two adjustment devices are interconnectable by means of a fluid duct fitted for that purpose.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2006Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Inventors: Andreas Felsl, Stephan Albrecht
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Patent number: 7246809Abstract: A bicycle having a frame with a single steering arm rotatably mounted in the frame and extending downwardly away from the frame. A wheel support is provided at the end of the arm and a front wheel is rotatably mounted on the wheel support with a single bearing. The bicycle can have a pair of frame arms extending down from the frame with the steering arm between the frame arms and adjacent one of the arms so the front wheel is located between the arms. The frame arms carry pedal means with the axle of the pedal means passing freely through the hub of the front wheel and through the wheel support without connecting to them. Drive means are provided between the pedal axle and the front wheel for propelling the bicycle.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Inventor: Gerd Rutkowski
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Patent number: 7237787Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly comprising a bicycle fork (1) and a headset (J) on a steering column (2) of a bicycle frame. According to the invention, the fork is solidly connected to a pivot (3) which extends (3a) beyond the end of the steering column, opposite that comprising the fork, such that a handlebar stem can be fixed thereto using the external screw thread of the pivot. The aforementioned headset (J) comprises a lower bearing (7) and an upper bearing (8) and an adjustment means (M) is provided for the axial clamping of said headset. Moreover, in the area at the end of the steering column opposite that comprising the fork, the outer surface of the pivot (3) contains a zone (B) which is equipped with first connecting means (13), while the above-mentioned pivot extension (3a), which is disposed at the end opposite that comprising the fork (1), has no such connecting means.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2003Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Time Sport InternationalInventor: Jean-Marc Gueugneaud
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Patent number: 7234558Abstract: A motorcycle construction permits a rider to assume either a first, elevated crouched racing position, or a second lowered, reclined, feet-forward “custom chopper” position. The motorcycle includes a main frame assembly having a front wheel suspension assembly and a set of handlebars, and a rear wheel suspension assembly with a rear wheel, and a combined engine/transmission assembly. The main frame has a seat for a driver, and a driver footpeg assembly. The footpegs provide a fore position for use with the reclined “custom chopper” position, allowing the driver's legs to be extended in a forward direction for using the fore footpeg position. The footpegs provide an aft position for use with the elevated crouched racing position. A seat moving assembly moves the driver seat between the first elevated position, used with the aft footpeg position, and the second, lowered seat position is used with the fore footpegs position.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2004Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Ostfold Innovasjon ASInventor: Peer Toftner
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Patent number: 7229089Abstract: A foldable bicycle is provided. One feature of the foldable bicycle is that the central portion of the frame that defines the bicycle's geometry is substantially rigid. That is, the down tube, seat tube, top tube and bearing tube are substantially fixed relative to each other. Another feature of the foldable bicycle is that the front wheel can be folded into a position between the down tube, which is comprised of two tubes. Yet another feature is a tandem bicycle configuration that does not extend the length of the frame or the wheelbase. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2003Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Studio Moderna SAInventor: Miko Mihelic
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Patent number: 7216881Abstract: A cable guide routing a control cable that extends between an actuator and a suspension system having a crown connecting two parallel tubular bodies to a steerer tube. The cable guide includes a housing formed on the crown and having a bore extending therethrough for receiving the control cable. The suspension system includes a spool located on an end of one of the tubular bodies for winding and unwinding the control cable. The housing is configured on the suspension system such that a portion of the control cable extending between the housing and the spool lies substantially in a plane of the spool. So configured, friction is minimized.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2003Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: SRAM CorporationInventor: Kevin Wesling
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Patent number: 7210694Abstract: A bicycle comprises a frame member and a front fork member. A first hinge portion is integrated with the frame member and that has a first profile in a plane that is parallel to a plane defined by the front fork member. A second hinge portion is integrated with the front fork and that has a second profile in the plane, wherein the first and second profiles are complementary mating profiles.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2004Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Inventor: Rodney J Trenne
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Patent number: 7207585Abstract: A motorcycle whose front end has a coil-over shock disposed within the head tube and telescopic forks which include linear bearings riding between flats on the outer face of the inner fork tubes and flats on the inner face of the outer fork tubes. The linear bearings ride on hardened steel races, enabling the fork tubes to be e.g. aluminum. Using an odd number of linear bearings in each fork prevents having two linear bearings at 180° opposition which would increase sensitivity to manufacturing tolerance stackups, preload, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2005Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: MotoCzysz LLCInventor: Michael Czysz
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Patent number: 7204349Abstract: In a rotor system, in particular for a bicycle (1), with at least one first rotor (31) for the transmission of brake actuations, which is mounted in the area of a handlebar stem (12) of a fork (8), whose support is provided by a steering head tube (21), and which has two components (32, 51) that are rotatable with respect to each other without restriction, wherein one component (32) is in active connection with a brake actuation device and the other component (51) is in active connection with a brake, the first rotor (31) is mounted inside the steering head tube (21), which serves as a casing for the first rotor (31), or above the steering head tube (21), the transmission of the brake actuation takes place by way of a fluid (F) that penetrates to the first rotor (31), and the first rotor (31) has an external piece (51) mounted outside the handlebar stem (12) and an internal piece (32) mounted inside the handlebar stem (12) as components that are rotatable relative to each other.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Inventor: Thomas Göring
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Patent number: 7204502Abstract: A steering bearing assembly for a vehicle for connecting a steering tube and a frame of the vehicle is disclosed to include a head tube for mounting on the frame of the vehicle and having a tapered face in one end thereof, a bearing mounted in the head tube and formed of an outer race, an inner race, and a plurality of balls mounted in between the outer race and the inner race, the outer race having a protruded retaining portion pressed on the tapered face of the head tube, and a connecting structure for connecting the inner race of the bearing and the steering tube together.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2004Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: Tange Seiko Taichung Co., Ltd.Inventor: Satoshi Tange
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Patent number: 7195265Abstract: A motorcycle chassis component, such as a fork bridge of a front wheel fork, is provided with an integrated partial section of a fluid system circuit, such as a hydraulic brake circuit. By providing a partial section of the fluid system in the chassis component, the chassis component functions as a portion of the fluid system, thereby simplifying the fluid system, lowering manufacturing and component costs, and reducing fluid system vulnerability to damage from external impacts.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2004Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventor: Markus Lederer
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Patent number: 7185905Abstract: A motorcycle whose front end has a coil-over shock disposed within the head tube and telescopic forks which include linear bearings riding between flats on the outer face of the inner fork tubes and flats on the inner face of the outer fork tubes. The linear bearings ride on hardened steel races, enabling the fork tubes to be e.g. aluminum. Using an odd number of linear bearings in each fork prevents having two linear bearings at 180° opposition which would increase sensitivity to manufacturing tolerance stackups, preload, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2005Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: MotoCzysz LLCInventor: Michael Czysz
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Patent number: 7182357Abstract: A motorcycle whose front end has a coil-over shock disposed within the head tube and telescopic forks which include linear bearings riding between flats on the outer face of the inner fork tubes and flats on the inner face of the outer fork tubes. The linear bearings ride on hardened steel races, enabling the fork tubes to be e.g. aluminum. Using an odd number of linear bearings in each fork prevents having two linear bearings at 180° opposition which would increase sensitivity to manufacturing tolerance stackups, preload, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: MotoCzyszInventor: Michael Czysz
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Patent number: 7175191Abstract: A wheel support portion for a bicycle, such as a front fork assembly, arranged to reduce vibrations that originate at the bicycle wheel and are transmitted to the rider of the bicycle through the wheel support. Desirably, the front fork assembly is configured to be supported by a bicycle frame and includes a pair of fork legs, which extend in a downward direction along opposing sides of a front wheel of the bicycle. Preferably, the fork legs are configured to support the front wheel at their lower ends. Each of the fork legs defines a cavity and a damping member is positioned within the cavity. Also disclosed is a preferred method of manufacturing the wheel support.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2006Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Mike Sinyard, Bradley L. Waldron, Christopher P. D'Aluisio
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Patent number: 7168725Abstract: Displacement bearing, in particular for fork pipes of motorcycle forks, having an inside part which has raceways extending in the direction of fork displacement on its outside part, an outside part which extends around the inside part and is displaceable in relation to the inside part, at least two roller bodies which are arranged in the interior of the outside part and which are mounted so that each can rotate about a respective axis of rotation situated in the interior of the outside part, so that the roller bodies roll on the raceways when there is a displacement of the inside part in the outside part. The roller bodies have a convex shape and the raceways each have a concave shape for transferring forces acting perpendicularly and/or transversely on the raceways.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2005Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventor: Gerd Vilsmeier
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Patent number: 7163224Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for providing a riser tube and a riser cap, which when operatively coupled, involve all fasteners providing the coupling to be only visible from an underside of the riser tube.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2003Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: Polaris Industries, Inc.Inventors: Michael M. Song, David A. Swan
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Patent number: 7156408Abstract: Vehicle steering head including a connecting element adapted to engage a handlebar. A support tube rotatably supports the connecting element. A connecting member is adapted to connect a wheel fork to a handlebar. The connecting member is rotatable with respect to the support tube. A mechanism limits the rotational movement of the connecting member in each of two directions. A lower bearing support is mounted to the support tube. The mechanism and the lower bearing support cooperate to limit the rotational movement of the connecting member.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2003Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: Heinz Kettler GmbH & Co. KG.Inventors: Heinz Kettler, Joachim Kettler, Reinhard Rocholl
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Patent number: 7147237Abstract: A fork is provided for driving a driving wheel and especially the front wheel of a bicycle. Therefore the steerer is fixed to the axle of a wheel and extends at least partially to the rotation plane of the wheel in a parallel direction. Furthermore the steerer is designed generally as a frame square wherein at least two frame legs are arranged generally parallel and with a certain distance. The frame legs are fixed in a certain position by at least two connecting elements and are designed as profiled sticks. In a preferred embodiment of the contour of the profiled sticks has the shape of an aerofoil.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2003Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Inventor: John Cobb
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Patent number: 7144028Abstract: A wheel support portion for a bicycle, such as a front fork assembly, arranged to reduce vibrations that originate at the bicycle wheel and are transmitted to the rider of the bicycle through the wheel support. Desirably, the front fork assembly is configured to be supported by a bicycle frame and includes a pair of fork legs, which extend in a downward direction along opposing sides of a front wheel of the bicycle. Preferably, the fork legs are configured to support the front wheel at their lower ends. An intermediate portion of each of the fork legs defines a cavity. A damping member comprised of a vibration damping material is positioned within the cavity. Preferably, the cavity passes completely through each fork leg in a lateral direction and the damping member is retained within the cavity by a friction fit therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2003Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Mike Sinyard, Bradley L. Waldron, Christopher P. D'Aluisio
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Patent number: 7137638Abstract: A suspension travel adjustment mechanism comprises a housing containing a fluid, and a shaft extending through the housing. A piston is coupled to the shaft to define an upper chamber and a lower chamber within the housing. A fluid passageway extends between the upper chamber and the lower chamber. A mechanism is used for selectively opening and closing the fluid passageway from outside of the housing permit the fluid to flow between the upper chamber and the lower chamber when the fluid passageway is opened.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2003Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: Maverick American LLCInventor: Paul H. Turner
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Patent number: 7121568Abstract: Handlebars for a motorcycle and a system for mounting the handlebars on the front fork tubes of the motorcycle. When mounted on the motorcycle, the handlebars extend the line of the fork tubes to terminate laterally in handgrips. The handlebars provide the illusion that the front fork tubes continue upwardly through the upper triple tree to form the handlebars. The handlebars and mounting system comprise a pair of handlebars attached to a base plate that anchors flush into a recess in the upper triple tree. The handlebars and mounting system provide means for concealing wiring, bolts, nuts, stem and fork tube plugs from sight while retaining the functionality of the handlebars.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2004Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Inventor: Johnny Law
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Patent number: 7118302Abstract: A vehicle clamp which may be a motorcycle clamp includes an elongated body having a pair of spaced fork leg receiving openings and an opening disposed generally between the fork receiving openings for receiving a steering shaft. A pair of spaced handlebar mounts are disposed on opposite sides of the steering shaft opening with each handlebar mount being disposed between a fork receiving opening and the steering shaft opening and a vibration dampening insert interposed between the body and the handlebar mounts. In one embodiment, the vibration dampening insert has a plurality of recesses and a lower portion of the base of the handlebar mounts has a plurality of alternating lands and grooves, with the lands being receivable within the grooves in the dampening insert. The insert serves to dampen engine generated vibrations as well as road created vibrations to minimize transmission of the same to the handlebars.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2004Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Oberg IndustriesInventor: Christopher W. Durham
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Patent number: 7111861Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting a front-end front wheel assembly rake angle are disclosed. An individual wishing to convert a chopper-type motorcycle into a “stock” type motorcycle (or vice-versa) can easily do so without disassembly of the front wheel assembly. The apparatus comprises a main frame member having a front end, a front wheel assembly rotatably connected to the front end, and means for adjusting a rake angle of the front wheel assembly without disassembly of the front wheel assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2004Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Inventor: Kevin K. Pender
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Patent number: 7093844Abstract: A bicycle headset structure is provided to aid in the mounting of a steerer tube of a front fork to a head tube of a bicycle frame. The bicycle headset structure is configured such that a device can be mounted in the steerer tube and the headset is appropriately loaded.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2005Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Noriyuki Horiuchi
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Patent number: 7080848Abstract: A bicycle head cap unit is configured and arranged to mount an electrical device or part in a steerer tube of a bicycle fork. The bicycle head cap unit basically has a cap portion and a housing portion. The cap portion is dimension to close a top opening of a steerer tube of a bicycle fork. The housing portion is coupled to the cap portion. The housing portion is configured to form an electrical part receiving space that is located within the steerer tube when the cap portion closes the top opening of the steerer tube of the bicycle fork.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2003Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Nobukatsu Hara, Takuji Tatsumi
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Patent number: 7069812Abstract: A height adjustment assembly for a handlebar stem secured to a steer tube of a bicycle is provided. The assembly includes a pair of spacers securable to the steer tube on opposite sides of the handlebar stem that each include a pair of rings engageable with one another to form the spacers. Each ring includes a number of tabs having locking members thereon that are engageable with the locking members on the tabs of the opposed ring of each spacer. By rotating the rings of each spacer with regard to one another, the height of each spacer and the gap between the spacers can be moved upwardly or downwardly along the steer tube to enable the stem to be positioned between the spacers on the steer tube at the desired height.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2003Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Trek Bicycle CorporationInventor: Dirk J. Rettig
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Patent number: 7059619Abstract: A steering and suspension system for bicycles and motorcycles that consists of an axle that is pivotally attached to the forward ends of two side rails that are postioned along each side of the vehicle wheel. The rearward ends of the side rails are pivotally attached to the ends of a rear rail that is paralled to the axle and positioned at the rear of the vehicle wheel. The length of the rear rail is large enough to allow sufficient clearance between the vehicle wheel and the side rails during a turn so that an acceptable steering lock is achieved. When viewed from the top, the system forms an isosceles trapezoid with pivots at each corner. The axes of all four pivots are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axle axis. This restricts movement of the axle and side rails in a plane that is perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the wheel. The vehicle wheel is controlled by applying a longitudinal force to the axle through conventional control rods and ball joints.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2003Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Inventor: Thomas G. Dom
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Patent number: 7051852Abstract: Starting devices are provided that are adapted to help hold the front end of a motorcycle down, especially in a “hole shot” or starting applications. The devices allow a rider to compress the suspension fork of the motorcycle down by about 3 to about 4 inches and temporarily lock the fork in a given position. Certain variations provide for selection one of a number of positions. Lock-down and automatic release are accomplished by pushing in a spring loaded lock button while the fork struts are compressed. A pin member interfaces with a stop member located on the fork to prevent decompression of the fork. Upon further compression of the fork (e.g., due to braking) the pin is released and the spring member draws the pin out of the way to allow clearance for free fork travel.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2003Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Inventor: Kevin Maret
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Patent number: 7052028Abstract: A head tube for a bicycle frame that accommodates oversized frame tubing and the use of a standard sized head set. Preferably, the head tube includes a body defining a pair of lateral extensions that cooperate with the body to define an outer surface configured to receive at least a portion of a frame tube. In addition, preferably, the head tube defines a wall thickness that is thicker at the bottom of the head tube than the thickness at the top of the head tube. In addition, preferably, the wall thickness is greater at both of the top and the bottom of the head tube than the wall thickness of the middle of the head tube. Preferably, in at least a portion of the head tube, the wall thickness is thicker in a forward side than the thickness in a rearward side.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2003Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Componets, Inc.Inventor: Jason L. Chamberlain
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Patent number: 7040192Abstract: An adjustable handlebar mounting device includes a frame mounting member, a front pivot member, a rear pivot member, and a releasable fastening unit. The frame mounting member is formed with front and rear lug units. The front pivot member has a front lower section connected pivotally to the front lug unit, a front upper section to be connected to a handlebar, and an intermediate coupling part. The rear pivot member has a rear lower section connected pivotally to the rear lug unit, and a rear upper section. The coupling part and the rear upper section are respectively formed with a slot unit and a hole unit for extension of the fastening unit therethrough. The fastening unit is operable so as to press the coupling part and the rear upper section firmly against each other for supporting the handlebar.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2003Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Giant Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Joe Chou
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Patent number: 7017930Abstract: A bicycle fork assembly designed to reduce the transfer of vibrations to the rider. This is accomplished by providing a damping member (e.g., made of a molded elastomer) that completely surrounds the outer surface of a fork member. Preferably, the damping member is in tension when mounted on the fork member such that the damping member compresses the fork member to thereby reduce transmission of vibrations through the fork. In addition, the fork member can be provided with a necked portion that receives the damping member. Preferably, the damping member is positioned closer to the fork tip than to the fork crown. The damping member can comprise two portions having different colors, durometers, and densities. Preferably, the damping member is formed separate from the fork member, and subsequently slid onto the outer surface of the fork member. Alternatively, the damping member could be molded in place on the fork member.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2004Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Jean-Luc Callahan, Christopher P. D'Aluisio
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Patent number: 7018126Abstract: An intermediate device that clamps the front suspension of a two-wheeled and/or motorized vehicle as part of the steering system that attaches to the frame structure and provides a mounting area for the handlebar and controls. This multiple point mounting area comprises of Acrylonitrile/Butadiene polymer or Urethane dampeners positioned above and below the clamp plane. A shoulder bolt passing through from the lower side captures these dampeners against a step washer backed against the lower portion of the threaded handlebar clamp. This assembly provides a contained system of absorption of impact to the operators' forearms and hands while protecting against handlebar position relocation in the event of a collision, crash or aggressive rider input.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2004Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Inventor: Rob William Henricksen
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Patent number: 7017929Abstract: An expandable bicycle headset structure is provided to aid in the mounting of a steerer tube of a front fork to a head tube of a bicycle frame. The headset structure has a first tubular member and a second tubular member that are mounted on the steerer tube. The first and second tubular members have bores that are sized to receive the steerer tube therethrough. The first and second mating adjustment structures are adjustably coupled together to change an effective overall axial length of the expandable bicycle headset structure. Thus, the first and second mating adjustment structures apply an axial force to a headset that rotatably mounts the steerer tube of the front fork to the head tube of the bicycle frame.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2003Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Noriyuki Horiuchi
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Patent number: 7011325Abstract: An improved, lightweight suspension fork for a bicycle with variable travel capability that maintains excellent torsional rigidity. This suspension fork allows for adjustable suspension travel adjusted at the handlebars of the bicycle. The suspension system includes a travel adjustment knob located at the handlebars of the bicycle. The travel adjustment knob is keyed with the main shaft of the suspension system so as to allow turning of the main shaft. Located on the main shaft within the suspension system housing is a length adjuster mechanism. The length adjuster moves linearly with respect to the housing as the main shaft is turned pulling the inner tube member of the suspension housing up or down relative to the outer tube section of the suspension housing, thereby changing the stroke of the suspension system.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2004Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Inventors: Frederick W. Kinzler, Walker P. Woodworth
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Patent number: 6994366Abstract: A flush mount fork tube cap nut for a triple tree of a motorcycle, having a cap nut that is threadedly engaged to the end of the fork tubes of a triple tree of a motorcycle steering assembly so that the top of the cap nut is flush with the top of the triple tree.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2004Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Inventor: Peter G. Rambo
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Patent number: 6988740Abstract: A suspension device for disposition between a support post of a bicycle and a suspended member, such as a bicycle seat and bicycle handlebars, having an invertible connector body with a support post mounting, a horizontal median and two shoulder surfaces disposed above the median or below the median. The connector body has at least two sleeves with two slide pins slidably mounted in and passing through the two sleeves, and a top bracket and a bottom bracket fixed to top and bottom ends of said slide pins, with two springs disposed between the shoulder surfaces and the brackets and a seat or handlebar mounting connected to the top bracket.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2004Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Inventor: Bert Bobrovniczky
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Patent number: 6983949Abstract: A bicycle headset structure is provided to aid in concealment of wiring from components mounted in the handlebar area to components mounted on the rest of the bicycle. The bicycle headset structure basically comprises a handlebar attachment member and a tubular spacer member. The handlebar attachment member has wiring passage extends between the handlebar mounting portion and the steerer tube attachment portion. The tubular spacer member has a wiring channel extending between first and second ends of the tubular spacer member and an axial passageway extending axially between the upper and lower end openings of the tubular spacer member. The axial passageway is dimensioned to receive the bicycle steerer tube. The wiring channel is arranged to communicate with the wiring passage of handlebar attachment member when the handlebar attachment member and the tubular spacer member are attached to the bicycle steerer tube.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2004Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Koken Ueno, Hiroyuki Miyoshi
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Patent number: 6979011Abstract: A motorcycle or bicycle suspension having adjustable side-to-side flexibility. The suspension includes a telescopic fork and a fork bottom which couples the fork to the axle of a wheel. The fork bottom and the fork are stiff in the direction of travel, to avoid flexing under heavy braking. The fork bottom is flexible in the lateral direction, to improve the ability of the tire to stay in contact with the ground when leaned over and cornering over irregular, bumpy ground. The lateral flexibility of the fork bottom is adjustable by tightening or loosening a tension cable which is attached to the ends of the fork bottom and stretched over a fulcrum in the middle of the fork bottom. Tightening the tension cable increases sideways thrust of the fulcrum against the fork bottom, reducing the lateral flexibility of the fork bottom.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2003Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: MotoCzyszInventor: Michael Czysz
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Patent number: 6976691Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for a triple clamp with a central recess contained therein. In combination with a removable cover, the recess can be utilized to conceal a steering stem nut of the motorcycle, as well as to contain and hold a variety of items if so desired.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2003Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventors: Michael M. Song, Kevin Nelson, Danny Jay Fredrickson
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Patent number: 6976692Abstract: A bicycle fork crown cover including an upper cover and a lower cover connected to the upper cover. The upper cover defines at lease one setting aperture and the lower cover includes at least one flexible setting post dimensioned to engage with the setting aperture, and wherein the lower cover is connected to the upper cover by engaging the flexible setting post with the setting aperture.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2003Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Hiroyuki Miyoshi, Masao Kojima
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Patent number: 6974144Abstract: A bicycle front fork is configured to reduce the risk that a poor connection occurs in a lead wire connecting an electricity generating mechanism to an electric device for ensuring reliable delivery of electric power to the electric device. The front fork has first and second fork blades, a fork crown, and a fork stem. The first and second fork blades are electrically connected to first and second electrodes, respectively. A front lamp is mounted to the fork crown. The fork crown has a spacer that electrically insulates the first fork blade and the second fork blade. The first fork blade has an attaching part where an end part of a cable extending from the electric device mounted to the fork crown can be attached.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2004Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: Shimano, Inc.Inventor: Noriyuki Horiuchi
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Patent number: 6969080Abstract: A front fork shock-absorbing damper for use in between an upper front fork tube and a lower front fork tube of a vehicle's front fork for producing a damping effect upon movement of the upper front fork tube relative to the lower front fork tube includes a control rod movable by an external force between a top locking position where the front fork shock-absorbing damper does no work, and a bottom unlocking position where the front fork shock-absorbing damper is functioning.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2004Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Spinner Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hui-Hsiung Chen
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Patent number: 6966571Abstract: A motorcycle or bicycle having a fork with swappable trail adjustment blocks which hold the front axle to the fork. Trail can be adjusted without removing the forks or even loosening them in the triple clamps, and without altering ride height or rake angle. Brake caliper mounts are swapped when the trail adjustment blocks are swapped, moving the brake calipers the same distance and direction as the axle, to maintain a constant radial distance from the axle to the brake pads. The brake caliper mounts pivot on the forks, enabling the brake calipers to be swung outward so the wheel can be changed without removing the brake calipers from the forks.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2004Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: MotoCzyszInventor: Michael Czysz
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Patent number: 6964425Abstract: A releasable clamp system for clamping an axle of a wheel to a two wheeled vehicle comprising a frame member and a cover plate that is pivotally coupled to the frame member. The cover plate is movable between a closed portion where the cover plate and the frame member encompass the wheel axle and an open position that permits removal of the wheel axle. A lever is pivotally attached to the cover plate and a hook, member is pivotally attached to the lever. An adjustment system is used to adjust the clamping force applied to the axle by the frame member and the cover plate.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2003Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: Maverick American LLCInventor: Paul H. Turner
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Patent number: 6955371Abstract: A clamping stem is provided for concurrently securing a bicycle fork frame steering tube and a bicycle handlebar together. The clamping stem has a mounting bracket formed as a U-shaped structure with a pair of opposing mutually parallel legs with coaxial openings defined through the legs near the free ends thereof. A steering tube saddle block having a vertically oriented concave surface is disposed between the mounting bracket legs facing the steering tube openings therein. A handlebar saddle block having a horizontally oriented concave surface faces the concave surface of the mounting bracket yoke. A steering tube fits through the apertures in the mounting bracket legs while the handlebar fits through the space located between the mounting bracket yoke and the curved surface of the handlebar saddle block. The sides of the saddle blocks facing each other are formed with inclined surfaces that meet at apices centered between the lateral edges of the mounting bracket legs.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2003Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: Bear CorporationInventor: George French
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Patent number: 6953201Abstract: A handlebar shock and vibration damper triple clamp (20) for a motorcycle or a bicycle is taught which comprises a handlebar triple clamp body (22) with a pair of clamps that holds the handlebar in isolation from the body. The body has a pair of integral front fork mounting rings (24) positioned on opposite ends, and a pair of upright cradles (26) adjacent to the rings. A lower handlebar clamp (44) is positioned within each cradle such that the clamp is completely segregated from the triple clamp body. Resilient isolation strips (50) and cylinders (52) engage the upright cradles and lower handlebar clamps, thereby providing a pliant interface therebetween. An upper handlebar bridge clamp (60) is disposed above each lower handlebar clamp such that a handlebar may be inserted and compressably retained therebetween, thus decreasing vibration and shock impulses upon the handlebar during operation of the cycle due to the elastic nature of the interface.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2003Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Inventor: Dennis R. VanDeMortel