Bicycle frame

Claim 2

A bicycle frame comprising: a substantially triangular frame structure formed by a bracket lug, a seat lug, a head lug, a seat tube extending between and interconnecting said bracket and seat lugs, an upper tube extending between and interconnecting said seat and head lugs and a lower tube extending between and interconnecting said bracket and head lugs, a chain stay disposed rearwardly of said triangular frame structure and having an end pivotally connected to said bracket lug; a substantially triangular link having long, medium and short sides, said long and short sides cooperating to define therebetween a first apex, said long and medium sides cooperating to define therebetween a second apex, said medium and short sides cooperating to define therebetween a third apex, said triangular link being pivotally connected at a point thereof adjacent the first apex to said seat lug; a shock absorbing cylinder assembly including a cylinder connected at an end thereof to said upper tube and a cylinder rod normally urged to project outwardly from said cylinder and having a free end pivotally connected to said triangular link adjacent said third apex; and a rear fork member extending between and pivotally connected to said triangular link adjacent said second apex and said chain stay adjacent a rear axle support thereof; wherein when the chain stay pivots about said bracket lug in a counter clockwise direction, said triangular link pivots about said seat lug in a clockwise direction.

Claim 3

The bicycle frame according to claim 1, wherein said shock absorbing cylinder assembly further includes a compression coil spring disposed around said cylinder and said cylinder rod and extending between a flange on said cylinder and said triangular link.

Claim 4

A bicycle frame, comprising: a seat tube, an upper tube and a lower tube connected together to form a substantially triangular frame structure, a bracket lug connecting said seat tube to said lower tube, a head lug connecting said lower tube to said upper tube, and a seat lug connecting said upper tube to said seat tube; a chain stay disposed rearwardly of said triangular frame structure and pivotally connected at an end to said bracket lug; a substantially triangular link having a long side, a medium side, and a short side and having a first apex formed between its long and short sides, a second apex formed between the long side and the medium side and a third apex formed between the medium and the short sides, and triangular link being pivotally connected at a first point adjacent the first apex to said seat lug such that said long side faces toward said head lug; a shock absorbing cylinder assembly including a cylinder connected at a first end to said upper tube and a cylinder rod normally urged to project outwardly from said cylinder and having a free end pivotally connected to said triangular link at a third point adjacent said third apex; and a rear fork member pivotally connected to said triangular link at a second point adjacent said second apex at one end thereof and pivotally connected to said chain stay adjacent a rear axle support at another end thereof; wherein when the chain stay pivots about said bracket lug in a counter clockwise direction, said triangular link pivots about said seat lug in a clockwise direction.

Claim 5

A bicycle frame, comprising: a seat tube, an upper tube and a lower tube connected together to form a substantially triangular frame structure, a bracket lug connecting said seat tube to said lower tube, a head lug connecting said lower tube to said upper tube, and a seat lug connecting said upper tube to said seat tube; a chain stay disposed rearwardly of said triangular frame structure and pivotally connected at an end to said bracket lug; a substantially triangular link having a long side, a medium side, and a short side and having a first apex formed between its long and short sides, a second apex formed between the long side and the medium side and a third apex formed between the medium and the short sides, and triangular link being pivotally connected at a first point adjacent the first apex to said seat lug such that said long side faces toward said head lug; a shock absorbing cylinder assembly including a cylinder connected at a first end to said upper tube and a cylinder rod normally urged to project outwardly from said cylinder and having a free end pivotally connected to said triangular link at a third point adjacent said third apex; and a rear fork member pivotally connected to said triangular link at a second point adjacent said second apex at one end thereof and pivotally connected to said chain stay adjacent a rear axle support at another end thereof; wherein when the chain stay pivots about said bracket lug in a counter clockwise direction, said triangular link pivots about said seat lug in a clockwise direction.

Claim 6

The bicycle frame according to claim 3, wherein said shock absorbing cylinder assembly further includes a compression coil spring disposed around said cylinder and said cylinder rod and extending toward said triangular link.

Claim 7

The bicycle frame according to claim 3, wherein an angle of about ninety degrees is initially formed between a line interconnecting said second point and said first point and a line along a longitudinal axis of the rear fork member.