Bicycle shock assemblies

Abstract

A shock absorber, which is particularly applicable to bicycles, includes a mount body, a first cap portion, a second cap portion, and a fluid cylinder. The fluid cylinder cooperates with a valve assembly that is offset from the mount body. The first and second cap portions enclose a gas cavity or gas chamber. One of the first and second cap portions is interchangeable with other caps so as to alter the performance of the shock absorber by altering the size of the gas chamber. The replaceable cap cooperates with the mount body such that it can be replaced without removing the shock absorber from a bicycle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to bicycles and, more particularly, to shock assemblies that are constructed to facilitate controlled movement between movable members of a bicycle, such as a frame and a wheel assembly.[0002]The primary structural component of a conventional two-wheel bicycle is the frame. On a conventional road bicycle, the frame is typically constructed from a set of tubular members assembled together to form the frame. For many bicycles, the frame is constructed from members commonly referred to as the top tube, down tube, seat tube, seat stays and chain stays, and those members are joined together at intersections commonly referred to as the head tube, seat post, bottom bracket and rear dropout. The top tube usually extends from the head tube rearward to the seat tube. The head tube, sometimes referred to as the neck, is a short tubular structural member at the upper forward portion of the bicycle which supports the handle...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The present invention provides a shock for a bicycle that addresses one or more of the drawbacks discussed above. One aspect of the invention relates to a shock for a bicycle that includes a mount body constructed to be connected to the bicycle. The shock includes a first cap and a second cap. The first cap is connected to one side of the mount body and encloses a first cavity. The second cap is connected to a second side of the mount body and encloses a second cavity. Such a construction provides a shock assembly whose performance can be changed without altering the mounting of the shock and / or replacing the entire shock assembly.

[0012]Another aspect of the invention usable with one or more of the above aspects includes forming one of the first cap and / or the second cap such that the cap is interchangeable so as to alter a size of the cavity associated with a replaced cap. Such a construction enhances the multi-functionality of the shock system. Preferably, at least one of the caps can be replaced without interfering with the mounting of the shock to a corresponding bicycle.

[0013]Another aspect of the invention usable with one or more of the above aspects includes providing a fluid reservoir that is fluidly associated with one of the first cap or the second cap so as to alter the fluid performance of the shock assembly independent of changing of a replaceable cap. Preferably, an auxiliary tank is connected to the mount body and fluidly connected to the fluid reservoir so as to further enhance the range of performance of the shock assembly.

Problems solved by technology

Although such discontinuities are generally negligible for cyclists operating on paved surfaces, riders venturing from the beaten path frequently encounter such terrain.

Even though suspension features have proliferated in bicycle constructions, the performance of the suspension as well as the structure of the bicycle are often limited to or must be tailored to cooperate with the structure and operation of the shock.

Such a requirement increases the cost associated with performance of suspension features of any bicycle.

Further, if a rider has multiple bicycles, as many competitive riders do, acquiring the components to alter the performance of the suspension of a number of bicycles can be particularly expensive.

Shock design, construction, and assembly can become particularly costly in those instances where a variety of different shocks having different shock performance characteristics must be provided for one particular bicycle to satisfy individual rider preferences.

Satisfying individual rider preferences across the various product platforms of various bicycle manufactures requires providing uncountable specific shock constructions.

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