Suspension system for a bicycle

Claim 2

A frame assembly for a bicycle comprising: a main frame portion having a forward end and a rearward end, said forward end structured and dimensioned to accommodate a steering fork and said rearward end structured and dimensioned to accommodate a pedal crankset; an intermediate frame portion including a generally horizontal member having a forward end pivotably connected to said main frame portion and a rearward end structured and dimensioned to support a seat assembly for limited vertical movement relative to said main frame portion; a rear frame portion including a pair of spaced parallel upper arm members and a pair of spaced parallel lower arm members, said pairs of upper and lower arm members each being connected together in a manner such that means are provided for operative connected to a rear wheel axle; a shock absorber connecting said upper arm members to said intermediate frame portion; a pedal crankset connection means, said lower arm members being pivotably connected to said main frame portion about a first pivot axis disposed generally above and in closely spaced relation to said pedal crankset connection means; said lower arm members pivotably connected to said main frame portion by a first link assembly having a rearward end fixedly connected to said lower arm members and having a forward end spaced from said rearward end, said first pivot axis being disposed intermediate said forward and rearward ends of said first link assembly; a second pivot axis defined at said forward end of said first link assembly and said intermediate frame portion including a generally vertical member pivotably connected to said first link assembly at said second pivot axis; said rear frame portion further being connected to said intermediate frame portion, whereby said rear frame portion is pivotably connected to said main frame portion to permit vertical movement of said seat assembly; and said shock absorber constraining relative movement of said seat assembly and rear frame portion when said seat assembly and said rear frame portion move relative to said main frame portion.

Claim 3

The frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said generally vertical member extends from said generally horizontal member at a point intermediate said forward and rearward ends of said generally horizontal member.

Claim 4

The frame assembly of claim 2 wherein said vertical member is fixedly connected to said horizontal member.

Claim 5

The frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said upper arm members are connected to said first link assembly by a second link assembly.

Claim 6

The frame assembly of claim 4 wherein said second link assembly is connected to said upper arm members at a forward end of said upper arm members.

Claim 7

The frame assembly of claim 1 including means for supporting said seat assembly and wherein said shock absorber is connected to said intermediate frame portion at a point disposed forwardly of said means for supporting said seat assembly.

Claim 8

The frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said shock absorber comprises a compression spring assembly.

Claim 9

The frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said means for supporting said seat assembly includes a seat tube.

Claim 10

The frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said main frame portion includes a down tube member extending generally diagonally downwardly from said means for connection of said steering fork to said means for connection of said pedal crankset.

Claim 11

The frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said generally horizontal member is a top tube.

Claim 12

The frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said main frame portion includes means for mounting a derailleur assembly disposed proximate said pedal crankset connection means.

Claim 13

A frame assembly for a bicycle comprising: a main frame portion having a forward end and a rearward end, said forward end structured and dimensioned to accommodate a steering fork and said rearward end structured and dimensioned to accommodate a pedal crankset; an intermediate frame portion including a generally horizontal member having a forward end pivotably connected to said main frame portion and a rearward end structured and dimensioned to support a seat assembly for limited vertical movement relative to said main frame portion; a rear frame portion including a pair of spaced parallel upper arm members and a pair of spaced parallel lower arm members, said pair of upper and lower arm members each being connected together in a manner such that means are provided for operative connection to a rear wheel axle; a shock absorber connecting said upper arm members to said intermediate frame portion; and said lower arm members pivotably connected to said main frame portion, whereby said rear frame is pivotally connected to said main frame permitting vertical movement of said seat frame; said shock absorber constraining relative movement of said seat assembly and said rear frame while minimizing pedal crankset differential forces when said seat and said rear frame move relative to said main frame; a pedal crankset connection means; said lower arm members being pivotably connected to said main frame portion about a pivot axis disposed generally above and in closely spaced relation to said pedal crankset connection means; said lower arm members being connected to said main frame portion by a first link assembly; said first link assembly having a rearward end fixedly connected to said lower arm members and having a forward end spaced from said rearward end; said pivot axis being disposed intermediate said forward and rearward ends of said first link assembly; a second pivot axis being defined at said forward end of said first link assembly; and said intermediate frame portion including a generally vertical member pivotably connected to said first link assembly at said second axis.

Claim 14

A frame assembly for a bicycle comprising: a main frame portion having a forward end and a rearward end, said forward end structured and dimensioned to accommodate a steering fork and said rearward end structured and dimensioned to accommodate a pedal crankset; an intermediate frame portion including a generally horizontal member having a forward end pivotably connected to said main frame portion and a rearward end structured and dimensioned to support a seat assembly for limited vertical movement relative to said main frame portion; a rear frame portion including a pair of spaced parallel upper arm members and a pair of spaced parallel lower arm members, said pair of upper and lower arm members each being connected together in a manner such that means are provided for operative connection to a rear wheel axle; a shock absorber connecting said upper arm members to said intermediate frame portion; and said lower arm members pivotably connected to said main frame portion, whereby said rear frame is pivotally connected to said main frame permitting vertical movement of said seat frame; said shock absorber constraining relative movement of said seat assembly and said rear frame while minimizing pedal crankset differential forces when said seat and said rear frame move relative to said main frame; a pedal crankset connection means; said lower arm members being pivotably connected to said main frame portion about a pivot axis disposed generally above and in closely spaced relation to said pedal crankset connection means; said lower arm members being connected to said main frame portion by a first link assembly; said first link assembly having a rearward end fixedly connected to said lower arm members and having a forward end spaced from said rearward end; said pivot axis being disposed intermediate said forward and rearward ends of said first link assembly; a second pivot axis being defined at said forward end of said first link assembly; and said intermediate frame portion including a generally vertical member pivotably connected to said first link assembly at said second axis.

Claim 15

The frame assembly of claim 12 wherein said shock absorber comprises a compression spring assembly.

Claim 16

A frame assembly for a bicycle comprising: a main frame portion having a forward end and a rearward end, said forward end structured and dimensioned to accommodate a steering fork and said rearward end structured and dimensioned to accommodate a pedal crankset; an intermediate frame portion including a generally horizontal member having a forward end pivotably connected to said main frame portion and a rearward end structured and dimensioned to support a seat assembly for limited vertical movement relative to said main frame portion; a rear frame portion including a pair of spaced parallel upper arm members and a pair of spaced parallel lower arm members, said pair of upper and lower arm members each being connected together in a manner such that means are provided for operative connection to a rear wheel axle; a shock absorber connecting said upper arm members to said intermediate frame portion; and said lower arm members pivotably connected to said main frame portion, whereby said rear frame is pivotally connected to said main frame permitting vertical movement of said seat frame; said shock absorber constraining relative movement of said seat assembly and said rear frame while minimizing pedal crankset differential forces when said seat and said rear frame move relative to said main frame; a pedal crankset connection means; said lower arm members being pivotably connected to said main frame portion about a pivot axis disposed generally above and in closely spaced relation to said pedal crankset connection means; said lower arm members being connected to said main frame portion by a first link assembly; said first link assembly having a rearward end fixedly connected to said lower arm members and having a forward end spaced from said rearward end; said pivot axis being disposed intermediate said forward and rearward ends of said first link assembly; a second pivot axis being defined at said forward end of said first link assembly; and said intermediate frame portion including a generally vertical member pivotably connected to said first link assembly at said second axis; said generally vertical member extending from said generally horizontal member at a point intermediate said forward and rearward ends of said generally horizontal member; said upper arm members being connected to said first link assembly by a second link assembly; and said second link assembly being connected to said upper arm members at a forward end of said upper arm members.

Claim 17

A frame assembly for a bicycle comprising: a main frame portion having a forward end and a rearward end, said forward end structured and dimensioned to accommodate a steering fork and said rearward end structured and dimensioned to accommodate a pedal crankset; an intermediate frame portion including a generally horizontal member having a forward end pivotably connected to said main frame portion and a rearward end structured and dimensioned to support a seat assembly for limited vertical movement relative to said main frame portion; a rear frame portion including a pair of spaced parallel upper arm members and a pair of spaced parallel lower arm members, said pair of upper and lower arm members each being connected together in a manner such that means are provided for operative connection to a rear wheel axle; a shock absorber connecting said upper arm members to said intermediate frame portion; and said lower arm members pivotably connected to said main frame portion, whereby said rear frame is pivotally connected to said main frame permitting vertical movement of said seat frame; said shock absorber constraining relative movement of said seat assembly and said rear frame while minimizing pedal crankset differential forces when said seat and said rear frame move relative to said main frame; a pedal crankset connection means; said lower arm members being pivotably connected to said main frame portion about a pivot axis disposed generally above and in closely spaced relation to said pedal crankset connection means; said lower arm members being connected to said main frame portion by a first link assembly; said first link assembly having a rearward end fixedly connected to said lower arm members and having a forward end spaced from said rearward end; said pivot axis being disposed intermediate said forward and rearward ends of said first link assembly; a second pivot axis being defined at said forward end of said first link assembly; and said intermediate frame portion including a generally vertical member pivotably connected to said first link assembly at said second axis; said generally vertical member extending from said generally horizontal member at a point intermediate said forward and rearward ends of said generally horizontal member; said upper arm members being connected to said first link assembly by a second link assembly; and said second link assembly being connected to said upper arm members at a forward end of said upper arm members.

Claim 18

The frame assembly of claim 14 wherein said shock absorber comprises a compression spring assembly.

Claim 19

A frame assembly for a bicycle comprising: a main frame portion having a forward end and a rearward end, said forward end structured and dimensioned to accommodate a steering fork and said rearward end structured and dimensioned to accommodate a pedal crankset; an intermediate frame portion including a generally horizontal member having a forward end pivotably connected to said main frame portion and a rearward end structured and dimensioned to support a seat assembly for limited vertical movement relative to said main frame portion; a rear frame portion including a pair of spaced parallel upper arm members and a pair of spaced parallel lower arm members, said pair of upper and lower arm members each being connected together in a manner such that means are provided for operative connection to a rear wheel axle; a shock absorber connecting said upper arm members to said intermediate frame portion; and said lower arm members pivotably connected to said main frame portion, whereby said rear frame is pivotally connected to said main frame permitting vertical movement of said seat frame; said shock absorber constraining relative movement of said seat assembly and said rear frame while minimizing pedal crankset differential forces when said seat and said rear frame move relative to said main frame; a pedal crankset connection means; said lower arm members being pivotably connected to said main frame portion about a pivot axis disposed generally above and in closely spaced relation to said pedal crankset connection means; said lower arm members being connected to said main frame portion by a first link assembly; said first link assembly having a rearward end fixedly connected to said lower arm members and having a forward end spaced from said rearward end; said pivot axis being disposed intermediate said forward and rearward ends of said first link assembly; a second pivot axis being defined at said forward end of said first link assembly; said intermediate frame portion including a generally vertical member pivotably connected to said first link assembly at said second axis; means for supporting said seat assembly; and said shock absorber being connected to said intermediate frame portion at a point disposed forwardly of said means for supporting said seat assembly.

Claim 20

A frame assembly for a bicycle comprising: a main frame portion having a forward end and a rearward end, said forward end structured and dimensioned to accommodate a steering fork and said rearward end structured and dimensioned to accommodate a pedal crankset; an intermediate frame portion including a generally horizontal member having a forward end pivotably connected to said main frame portion and a rearward end structured and dimensioned to support a seat assembly for limited vertical movement relative to said main frame portion; a rear frame portion including a pair of spaced parallel upper arm members and a pair of spaced parallel lower arm members, said pair of upper and lower arm members each being connected together in a manner such that means are provided for operative connection to a rear wheel axle; a shock absorber connecting said upper arm members to said intermediate frame portion; and said lower arm members pivotably connected to said main frame portion, whereby said rear frame is pivotally connected to said main frame permitting vertical movement of said seat frame; said shock absorber constraining relative movement of said seat assembly and said rear frame while minimizing pedal crankset differential forces when said seat and said rear frame move relative to said main frame; a pedal crankset connection means; said lower arm members being pivotably connected to said main frame portion about a pivot axis disposed generally above and in closely spaced relation to said pedal crankset connection means; said lower arm members being connected to said main frame portion by a first link assembly; said first link assembly having a rearward end fixedly connected to said lower arm members and having a forward end spaced from said rearward end; said pivot axis being disposed intermediate said forward and rearward ends of said first link assembly; a second pivot axis being defined at said forward end of said first link assembly; said intermediate frame portion including a generally vertical member pivotably connected to said first link assembly at said second axis; means for supporting said seat assembly; and said shock absorber being connected to said intermediate frame portion at a point disposed forwardly of said means for supporting said seat assembly.

Claim 21

The frame assembly of claim 16 wherein said shock absorber comprises a compression spring assembly.

Claim 22

A suspension frame assembly for a bicycle comprising: a main frame portion having a first end and a second end, said first end structured and dimensioned to accommodate a steering fork and said second end structured and dimensioned to accommodate a pedal crankset; an intermediate frame portion having first and second ends, said first end being pivotable relative to the first end of said main frame portion and said second end structured and dimensioned to support a seat assembly for limited vertical movement relative to said main frame portion; a rear frame portion including means for operative connection to a rear wheel; said rear frame portion including upper means pivotably connected to said intermediate frame portion and said rear frame portion further including means pivotably connected to said main frame portion whereby said rear frame portion is pivotably connected to both said main frame portion and said intermediate frame portion and permitting vertical movement of said intermediate frame portion carrying said seat assembly; and shock absorber means connecting said rear frame portion to said intermediate frame portion, said shock absorber means constraining relative movement of said seat assembly and said rear frame portion when said seat assembly and said rear frame portion move relative to said main frame portion; wherein said intermediate frame portion includes a frame member disposed forwardly of said shock absorber means and pivotably connected to said rear frame portion.

Claim 23

A suspension frame assembly for a bicycle comprising: a main frame portion having a first end and a second end, said first end structured and dimensioned to accommodate a steering fork and said second end structured and dimensioned to accommodate a pedal crankset; an intermediate frame portion having first and second ends, said first end being pivotable relative to the first end of said main frame portion and said second end structured and dimensioned to support a seat assembly for limited vertical movement relative to said main frame portion; a rear frame portion including means for operative connection to a rear wheel; said rear frame portion including upper means pivotably connected to said intermediate frame portion and said rear frame portion further including means pivotably connected to said main frame portion whereby said rear frame portion is pivotably connected to both said main frame portion and said intermediate frame portion and permitting vertical movement of said intermediate frame portion carrying said seat assembly; and shock absorber means connecting said rear frame portion to said intermediate frame portion, said shock absorber means constraining relative movement of said seat assembly and said rear frame portion when said seat assembly and said rear frame portion move relative to said main frame portion; wherein said intermediate frame portion includes a frame member disposed forwardly of said shock absorber means and pivotably connected to said rear frame portion.

Claim 24

The bicycle suspension frame assembly set forth in claim 18 wherein said shock absorber is coupled between said intermediate frame portion and said rear frame portion and said frame portion and said shock absorber means are arranged through their various pivot points to provide a substantially linear rate of compression of said shock absorber means, said shock absorber means being pivotally attached between said intermediate frame portion and said rear frame portion in such a manner as to provide compressible support to said intermediate frame portion without the use of any additional movable connection between said shock absorber means, said intermediate frame portion and said rear frame portion and said main frame portion.

Claim 25

The bicycle suspension frame assembly set forth in claim 18 wherein said rear frame portion includes upper and lower arm members, said upper arm members being pivotably connected to said shock absorber means and being substantially aligned longitudinally with the longitudinal axis of said shock absorber means, and said lower arms providing the pivotable connection to said main frame portion.

Claim 26

The bicycle suspension frame assembly set forth in claim 18 wherein the pivotable connection of said rear frame portion to said main frame portion is located substantially along or within an arc circumscribed by the radius of a chain sprocket of said crankset.

Claim 27

The bicycle suspension frame assembly set forth in claim 18 wherein the pivotable connection of said rear frame portion to said main frame portion is located substantially along or within an arc circumscribed by the radius of a chain sprocket of said crankset and said shock absorber means and said frame portions are arranged through their various pivot points to provide a substantially linear rate of compression of said shock absorber means.

Claim 28

A suspension frame assembly for a bicycle comprising: a main frame portion having a first end and a second end, said first end structured and dimensioned to accommodate a steering fork and said second end structured and dimensioned to accommodate a pedal crankset; an intermediate frame portion having first and second ends, said first end being pivotable relative to the first end of said main frame portion and said second end structured and dimensioned to support a seat assembly for limited vertical movement relative to said main frame portion; a rear frame portion including means for operative connection to a rear wheel; said rear frame portion including means pivotably connecting said rear frame portion to said main frame portion; and shock absorber means connecting said rear frame portion to said intermediate frame portion, said shock absorber means constraining relative movement of said seat assembly and said rear frame portion when said seat assembly and said rear frame portion move relative to said main frame portion; wherein said intermediate frame portion includes a frame member disposed forwardly of said shock absorber means and pivotably connected to said rear frame portion.

Claim 29

A suspension frame assembly for a bicycle comprising: a main frame portion having a first end and a second end, said first end structured and dimensioned to accommodate a steering fork and said second end structured and dimensioned to accommodate a pedal crankset; an intermediate frame portion having first and second ends, said first end being pivotable relative to the first end of said main frame portion and said second end structured and dimensioned to support a seat assembly for limited vertical movement relative to said main frame portion; a rear frame portion including means for operative connection to a rear wheel; said rear frame portion including means pivotably connecting said rear frame portion to said main frame portion; and shock absorber means connecting said rear frame portion to said intermediate frame portion, said shock absorber means constraining relative movement of said seat assembly and said rear frame portion when said seat assembly and said rear frame portion move relative to said main frame portion; wherein said intermediate frame portion includes a frame member disposed forwardly of said shock absorber means and pivotably connected to said rear frame portion.

Claim 30

The bicycle suspension frame assembly set forth in claim 23 wherein the frame portions and shock absorber means are arranged by their various pivot points to provide a substantially linear rate of compression of said shock absorber means.

Claim 31

The bicycle suspension frame assembly set forth in claim 23 wherein the pivotable connection of said rear frame portion to said main frame portion is located substantially along or within an arc circumscribed by the radius of a chain sprocket of said crankset.

Claim 32

The bicycle suspension frame assembly set forth in claim 23 wherein the pivotable connection of said rear frame portion to said main frame portion is located substantially along or within an arc circumscribed by the radius of a chain sprocket of said crankset and said shock absorber means and said frame portions are arranged through their various pivot points to provide a substantially linear rate of compression of said shock absorber means.