The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 12, 1995
Filed:
Feb. 03, 1994
Christoph Mack, West Redding, CT (US);
Cannondale Corporation, Georgetown, CT (US);
Abstract
A shock absorber for a bicycle front fork comprises telescopically related inner and outer tubes and an elastomeric spring received within the inner tube and engaged between a lower cap on the inner tube and a preload piston. A through-tube extends concentrically downwardly from an upper cap on the outer tube and is axially coupled to and rotational relative to the outer tube. The preload piston is on the lower end of a rod that is received in the through-tube and is axially adjustable relative to the through-tube to vary the preload of the elastomeric spring. A hydraulic damper composed of a cylinder member received within a lower portion of the inner tube and affixed to the inner tube and a hollow piston telescopically received by the through-tube and affixed to the upper cap includes a controllable bypass for changing the flow of hydraulic liquid between portions of the cylinder chamber on opposite sides of the piston. The bypass flow is controlled by a control member that abuts the piston and is affixed to the through-tube. Both the preload of the elastomeric spring and the damping rate of the hydraulic damper are adjustable by elements that are accessible from outside the shock absorber tubes. The bypass flow can be changed 'on the fly.'