Santa Cruz Bicycles, Inc.

Joseph E Graney

Nicholas Anderson

A bicycle comprises a bicycle frame and a rear wheel suspension system that is attached to the frame. The rear wheel suspension system comprises a rear wheel swingarm and a shock absorber that is coupled to the swingarm. A change in vertical wheel travel (&#x394;VWT) of the rear wheel is related to a change in the length of the shock absorber (&#x394;SL), providing a shock rate (SR). The shock rate (SR) changes throughout the vertical wheel travel of the rear wheel, such that the change in the shock rate dSR/dVWT has a change in sign as the rear wheel travels through its vertical wheel travel. In each case, the rate of change of the shock includes a change in sign, from positive to negative or from negative to positive. In some embodiments, the swingarm may be attached to the frame at a single pivot point or through a linkage system.

Bicycle rear suspension system with controlled variable shock rate

The present invention is a bicycle including a bicycle frame and a rear wheel suspension system that is attached to the frame. The rear wheel suspension system includes a rear wheel swingarm and a shock absorber that is engaged to the swingarm to control the motion of a rear wheel of the bicycle. A change in the vertical wheel travel (&#x394;VWT) of the rear wheel is related to a change in the length of the shock absorber (&#x394;SL), providing a shock rate (SR) according to the relationship:SR=&#x394;SL/&#x394;VWT. The shock rate (SR) changes throughout the vertical wheel travel of the rear wheel, such that the change in the shock rate dSR/dVWT has a change in sign as the rear wheel travels through its vertical wheel travel. The shock rate may at first decrease in value and subsequently increase, or initially increase in value and subsequently decrease throughout the vertical wheel travel of the rear wheel. In various exemplary embodiments the swingarm may be attached to the frame at a single pivot point or through a linkage system.

Bicycle rear wheel suspension system with controlled variable shock rate

The present invention is a bicycle including a bicycle frame and a rear wheel suspension system that is attached to the frame. The rear wheel suspension system includes a rear wheel swingarm and a shock absorber that is engaged to the swingarm to control the motion of a rear wheel of the bicycle. A change in the vertical wheel travel (&#x394;VWT) of the rear wheel is related to a change in the length of the shock absorber (&#x394;SL), providing a shock rate (SR) according to the relationship:The shock rate (SR) changes throughout the vertical wheel travel of the rear wheel, such that the change in the shock rate dSR/dVWT has a change in sign as the rear wheel travels through its vertical wheel travel. The shock rate may at first decrease in value and subsequently increase, or initially increase in value and subsequently decrease throughout the vertical wheel travel of the rear wheel. In various exemplary embodiments the swingarm may be attached to the frame at a single pivot point or through a linkage system.

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Santa Cruz, CA, United States of America

Joseph E Graney