Cannondale Corporation

Cannoncale Corporation

Mario M Galasso

Christopher P D'Aluisio

Ross P Collins

Mark S Farris

Michael A Harrison

John M Loftus

Christoph E Mack

Aaron K Taylor

Timothy J Fenton

Robert H Humphries, Jr

Christopher D Hageman

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.

A hitch for attaching a trailer to a bicycle comprises a mounting bracket adapted to be releasably attached to a chain stay of the bicycle frame and a resiliently flexible coupling member of an elastomeric material attached to the mounting bracket and adapted to be attached to a boom tube that is in turn attached to the trailer. The coupling member provides universal articulation between the mounting bracket and the boom tube. The mounting bracket includes a bracket body member having a chain stay-engaging portion and a coupling attachment portion extending from the chain stay-engaging portion, the coupling being attached to the attachment portion of the bracket body, a bracket claw member having a chain stay-engaging portion, the claw member being pivotally coupled adjacent one end of the chain stay-engaging portion thereof to the body member, and a releasable/adjustable fastener coupled between the chain stay-engaging portion of the bracket body member and the other end of the chain stay-engaging portion of the claw member for selectively connecting the chain stay-engaging portions of the body member and claw member to each other in clamped relation to the chain stay.

Growing community of inventors

Redding, CT, United States of America

Mario M Galasso