Cannondale Corporation

Cannoncale Corporation

Christopher P D'Aluisio

Mario M Galasso

Ross P Collins

Michael A Harrison

Mark S Farris

John M Loftus

Christoph E Mack

Aaron K Taylor

Thomas C Patterson

Robert H Humphries, Jr

David R Graham

Gary Robison

There is disclosed herein a suspension fork assembly particularly for use with bicycles. The assembly comprises an outer tube which is mounted via brackets to the steering tube of the bicycle frame, and an inner tube that telescopes within the outer tube. A shock absorbing system, preferably in the form of a cartridge is provided within the tubes. The inner surface of the outer tube and the outer surface of the inner tube each have a plurality of axially arranged opposing longitudinal flat sections, such as four on each tube. A plurality of needle bearings are disposed between the tubes on these flat sections. This arrangement, with the needle bearings arranged on the flat sections between the inner and outer tubes, allows the two tubes to freely telescope in and out with respect to one another without any significant static friction, and also serves to maintain torsional rigidity between the outer tube to the inner tube. The needle bearings thus bear radial loads as well as maintain the in line relationship of the outer and inner tubes for rotational forces while allowing the two tubes to freely telescope. Further, a rigid front blade is secured the inner tube to hold the front wheel of the vehicle and to provide bending and torsional stiffness.

Bicycle suspension system

The present invention is directed towards a motorcycle or off-road use with an improved engine, air inlet, exhaust and engine control management. The engine is an improved four-stroke engine with a monocoque cylinder and crank case. The air inlet has been moved to the head tube of the motorcycle frame. The engine is reverse flow with the exhaust coming out the rear side and being shortened to less than about 50 inches. The engine control management has been modified to include an ignition interrupt, gear based ignition timing and after market tuning capabilities.

Motorcycle

A crank assembly for a bicycle uses a plurality of auxiliary sprockets and chains to achieve high ratios of wheel speed to pedal-rotation speed. The compact crank assembly is especially well suited for use on full-suspension bicycles, as high gear ratios are attained without altering the normal size and layout of the main sprocket and drive chain of the bicycle. The auxiliary sprockets may be coupled by a simple axle or, alternatively, may be coupled by a rider-adjustable transmission to provide greater control over the gear ratio of the crank assembly.

Crank assembly for a bicycle

Bicycle suspension fork

A bicycle comprising: a frame comprising a down tube with a crank assembly coupled thereto; a front wheel; a front fork assembly for coupling the front wheel to the frame; a rear wheel; and a suspension assembly for coupling the rear wheel to the frame. The suspension assembly is comprised of a swing arm having a first end coupled to the rear wheel and a second end having a first connection point and an intermediate point between the first and second ends having a second connection point. The suspension assembly is further comprised of a first link coupled to the first connection point and to the frame and a second link coupled to the second connection point and to the frame, wherein the frame, the swing arm and the first and second links form an effective pivot point of the suspension assembly that is above the crank assembly and that moves in a forward direction when the rear wheel moves in an upward direction.

Adjustable bicycle handlebars comprise a mounting member adapted to be attached to a bicycle frame and right and left handlebars that are mounted on the mounting member to swing between standard positions in which they extend generally downwardly and laterally outwardly in opposite directions from the mounting member and aero positions in which they extend generally forwardly from the mounting member in closely adjacent relation. The handlebars are interconnected for coordinated swinging movement between the standard and aero positions so that when either of them is moved between the positions the other moves with it. Each handlebar has an armrest portion adapted to support a portion of the forearm of a rider when the handlebar is in the aero position. Also, each handlebar has an elongated body portion adjacent the mounting member and a handgrip portion remote from the mounting member that extends generally vertically when the handlebar is in the aero position. A brake lever is mounted on each handlebar immediately adjacent the handgrip portion so that it is immediately accessible to the rider in both the standard and aero positions of the handlebars.

Bicycle handlebars

An improved form of bicycle frame comprising a down tube attached to a seat tube at their lower ends and a back top tube affixed between the down tube and seat tube to form a first large triangle similar to a conventional bicycle frame. The upper end of the down tube is connected to a head tube, as is an upper end of a front top tube. A lower end of the front top tube is connected intermediate the ends of the back top tube thereby forming a small triangle between a portion of the down tube, a portion of the back top tube, and the front top tube. This smaller triangle functions as a gusset to provide a new frame configuration and to increase the strength thereof as well as increase the crotch clearance of the frame.

Bicycle frame

A headset assembly attached to a bicycle for journaling a steering tube or a fork assembly within a head tube of the frame of the bicycle. The headset comprises upper and lower headset cups which are press fit within respective ends of the head tube. Each of the headset cups has a bore for receiving a respective cartridge bearing. Each of the headset cups has a rim with a radial slot and is designed such that the rim may clamp about a periphery of the respective cartridge bearings.

Bicycle headset

A caliper brake for a bicycle comprises a pair of pivot mounts, one of which is mounted on a bicycle member laterally of a wheel rim, one on either side of the wheel. A brake arm is pivotally mounted in cantilevered relation on each pivot mount adjacent its lower end, is biassed away from the wheel rim, and carries a brake shoe intermediate its ends. A guide is affixed to a member of the bicycle above the wheel. A brake lever cable is connected directly to the upper end of one brake arm. A sheath of the brake lever cable terminates in spaced-apart relation to the upper end of the one brake arm to which the cable is attached and has its end received in a holder. A yoke cable is affixed to the upper end of the other brake arm, passes partway around the guide and is affixed to the sheath holder.

Caliper brake for a bicycle

A replaceable bicycle derailleur hanger comprises a plate-like dropout member and a plate-like hanger member. A coupling portion of the hanger member is bifurcated to form legs defining a slot, and a dropout portion of a dropout member is received in the slot with a close fit. One or more removable fasteners join the two members at their overlapping juncture.

Growing community of inventors

Bethel, CT, United States of America

Christopher P D'Aluisio