Bicycle seat tube assembly with shock absorbing function

Abstract

The utility model provides a shock -absorbing function's bicycle seat tube assembly, it contains a seat tube subassembly, a buffer adjustment subassembly and a buffer element. Buffer adjustment subassembly detachably sets up in the top of seat tube subassembly, buffer adjustment subassembly has an adjustment tool and an adjusting nut, the adjustment tool will be worn in adjusting nut, and the partial structure of adjustment tool will be accommodated in adjusting nut. The bottom side of adjusting nut of buffer adjustment subassembly is abutted to buffer element, and the top of buffer element is concave and forms a containing space inward, makes the straight pole section of adjustment tool enter to containing space. Therefore, when operating adjustment tool, adjusting nut can move relative to seat tube subassembly, and adjusting nut will push and shove buffer element to change the preload of buffer element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a bicycle seatpost, and more particularly to a bicycle seatpost assembly with shock absorption function. It provides a design that allows for easy adjustment of the preload of the cushioning element through a buffer adjustment component, and can shorten the length of the seatpost assembly to suit various riding needs and flexibly match various bicycle frames. Background Technology

[0002] During bicycle riding, to avoid discomfort for the rider when traveling on bumpy roads, a shock absorber is installed between the saddle and the seatpost to absorb vibrations and achieve a shock absorption effect. Currently, most bicycle seatposts use air or hydraulic structures as shock absorbers. This approach not only increases the complexity of the structure but also leads to difficulties in maintenance.

[0003] Therefore, some bicycle seatposts use a shock-absorbing structure instead of a pneumatic or hydraulic one. This shock-absorbing structure is made of rubber, urethane, or other elastic materials to reduce vibrations transmitted to the saddle. Utility model patent TWM636793U provides an improved shock-absorbing seatpost with a shock-absorbing component housed within an inner tube. This component includes a first socket, a second socket, and a shock-absorbing structure. The first socket has an elongated slot, allowing a fixing rod to pass through a hole in the inner tube and then into the slot to secure the first fixing part of the first socket. The rider can use a tool to rotate the screw of the first socket, causing the screw to compress or release the shock-absorbing structure, thus adjusting its shock-absorbing effect.

[0004] Such cushioning structures are generally manufactured with a fixed elastic coefficient, which may not meet the needs of riders of various sizes or adapt to different road conditions in actual use. Therefore, the previous patent proposed a mechanism for adjusting the cushioning structure, which uses the change of the screw's position in the inner tube to adjust the preload of the cushioning structure. However, in order to prevent the components below the screw from spinning freely with the rotation of the screw tube, a fixing rod is used to restrict the first fixing part to prevent it from rotating. However, the original structure of the inner tube is damaged in order to install the fixing rod, resulting in a decrease in the strength of the seat post. Secondly, in order to achieve a certain cushioning effect, the cushioning structure also has a fixed length. In addition, the structure used to adjust the cushioning structure requires a certain length of bicycle seat post to accommodate these components, thus limiting the choice of bicycle seat post size.

[0005] Therefore, the applicant considered how to provide a bicycle seatpost that could adjust the cushioning effect while reducing its size. Utility Model Content

[0006] Given the numerous shortcomings of existing bicycle seatposts, the main objective of this invention is to provide a bicycle seatpost assembly with shock absorption function, improve the structure of the cushioning adjustment component, make the bicycle seatpost assembly smaller, be flexibly compatible with various bicycle frames, and allow users to adjust the preload of the cushioning element.

[0007] To achieve the aforementioned main objectives, this utility model provides a bicycle seatpost assembly, comprising a seatpost assembly, a cushioning adjustment assembly, and a cushioning element. The seatpost assembly has a hollow structure, with a flange formed on the inner circumferential surface of its top. The cushioning adjustment assembly is detachably mounted on the top of the seatpost assembly. The cushioning adjustment assembly includes an adjustment tool and an adjustment nut. The adjustment tool has an operating part, a small-diameter section connected to the bottom side of the operating part, and a straight rod section connected to the bottom side of the small-diameter section. The adjustment nut has a recess and a through-hole penetrating the recess. The operating part of the adjustment tool abuts against the flange of the seatpost assembly, and the straight rod section passes through the through-hole and is assembled to the adjustment nut. The small-diameter section is accommodated in the recess. The adjustment nut can move relative to the seatpost assembly according to the operation of the adjustment tool. The cushioning element abuts against the bottom side of the adjustment nut of the cushioning adjustment assembly, and the top of the cushioning element is recessed inward to form an accommodating space, allowing the straight rod section of the adjustment tool to pass into the accommodating space.

[0008] Through the aforementioned technical features, the user can operate the adjustment tool of the buffer adjustment assembly, causing the adjustment tool to rotate relative to the seat tube assembly and drive the adjustment nut to move up and down relative to the seat tube assembly. This allows the user to compress or release the buffer element through the adjustment nut, thus achieving the function of adjusting the preload of the buffer element. Since the adjustment tool abuts against the flange of the seat tube assembly, it does not move up and down along the seat tube assembly during rotation; it only drives the adjustment nut to move relative to the seat tube assembly to push against the buffer element. This type of buffer adjustment assembly avoids damage to the structure of the seat tube assembly, eliminating the need for machining the seat tube assembly and maintaining its strength. Furthermore, the adjustment tool is equipped with a small-diameter section and a straight rod section, and the buffer element has a receiving space, allowing part of the adjustment tool's structure to be accommodated within the adjustment nut and buffer element, thereby reducing the overall size.

[0009] Preferably, the seat tube assembly includes an outer tube, a set of inner tubes disposed on the outer tube, and a set of headstocks disposed on the top of the outer tube. The buffer adjustment assembly and buffer element are disposed inside the outer tube and the headstock. Therefore, the buffer adjustment assembly can be installed without changing the structure of the outer tube and the headstock. This type of seat tube assembly without drilling can maintain the original structural strength of the outer tube and the headstock, and also has good waterproof performance.

[0010] Preferably, a bow fixing component is also installed on the headstock, with one arc-shaped fixing piece of the bow fixing component offset from the axis of the outer tube. Therefore, the user can directly operate the adjustment tool of the buffer adjustment component without removing the arc-shaped fixing piece, facilitating preload adjustment.

[0011] Preferably, the adjusting tool of the buffer adjusting assembly also has an external thread formed on the outer peripheral surface of the straight rod section, and the adjusting nut also has an internal thread formed on the inner peripheral surface of the adjusting nut, with the internal thread surrounding the through hole. Therefore, the adjusting tool and the adjusting nut generate movement through the threaded engagement, allowing the adjusting tool to be gradually rotated as needed to change the actuation stroke of the adjusting nut, so that the buffer element reaches a suitable preload.

[0012] Preferably, the adjusting nut of the buffer adjustment assembly also has an outer ring portion, formed by the end edge of the adjusting nut extending toward the side opposite the recess, so that the adjusting nut fits onto the top of the buffer element through the outer ring portion. Therefore, the outer ring portion can stably push against the buffer element, allowing the buffer element to be compressed evenly, thereby improving the accuracy of preload adjustment.

[0013] Preferably, the buffer adjustment assembly further includes a sealing ring, which is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the operating part of the adjustment tool of the buffer adjustment assembly and abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the seat tube assembly. Therefore, the sealing ring enables good waterproof performance between the buffer adjustment assembly and the seat tube assembly, preventing corrosion of the components inside the seat tube assembly.

[0014] Preferably, the buffer adjustment assembly further includes a base disposed at the end of the buffer element that is not in contact with the adjustment nut. Therefore, the base and the adjustment nut clamp the buffer element, and one end of the buffer element can be compressed or released using the base as a fulcrum, which can improve the stability of the buffer element's operation.

[0015] Preferably, the cushioning element is made of rubber blocks, urethane blocks, springs, or gas springs. Therefore, the cushioning element provides shock absorption with a simple structure, making the user's riding experience more comfortable.

[0016] Detailed construction, features, assembly, and usage of the shock-absorbing bicycle seatpost assembly provided by this invention will be described in the subsequent detailed description of the embodiments. However, those skilled in the art should understand that these detailed descriptions and the specific embodiments listed for implementing this invention are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this invention. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following description of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the present utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the buffer adjustment component of this utility model, showing the form without a base;

[0021] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of the buffer adjustment component of this utility model, showing the form without a base;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a comparison diagram of the seat height of this utility model and existing bicycle seat post assemblies;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the present invention, showing a partially enlarged view; and

[0024] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the present invention, showing the form of the compression buffer element.

[0025] The meanings of the reference numerals in the above figures are as follows:

[0026] 10. Bicycle seatpost assembly;

[0027] 20. Seat tube assembly;

[0028] 21. Outer tube;

[0029] 22. Inner tube;

[0030] 23. Headrest;

[0031] 24. Flange;

[0032] 25. Opening;

[0033] 26. Bow fixing parts;

[0034] 261. Arc-shaped fixing plate;

[0035] 30. Buffer adjustment component;

[0036] 31. Adjust the tools;

[0037] 311. Operations Department;

[0038] 312. Small-diameter section;

[0039] 313. Straight rod section;

[0040] 32. Adjust the nut;

[0041] 321. Depression;

[0042] 322. Perforation;

[0043] 323. Outer ring section;

[0044] 33. Base;

[0045] 34. Sealing ring;

[0046] 40. Buffer element;

[0047] 41. Storage space;

[0048] 50. Existing bicycle seatpost assembly;

[0049] H1, seat height;

[0050] H2, seat height. Detailed Implementation

[0051] The applicant first clarifies that in the embodiments and accompanying drawings described below, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or their structural features. It should be noted that the elements and structures in the drawings are for illustrative purposes and are not drawn to scale or in quantity; features of different embodiments may be used interchangeably if feasible in practice. Secondly, when it is stated that an element is disposed on another element, it means that the aforementioned element is directly disposed on the other element, or indirectly disposed on the other element; that is, one or more other elements are disposed between the two elements. Conversely, when it is stated that an element is "directly" disposed on another element, it means that no other elements are disposed between the two elements.

[0052] Please see Figures 1 to 4 The bicycle seatpost assembly 10 with shock absorption function of this utility model mainly includes a seatpost assembly 20, a buffer adjustment assembly 30 and a buffer element 40.

[0053] The seat post assembly 20 is a hollow structure, comprising an outer tube 21, an inner tube 22, and a head seat 23. The outer tube 21 is fitted onto the inner tube 22, and a lifting valve can be installed in the inner tube 22. The head seat 23 is assembled at the top of the outer tube 21. A flange 24 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the head seat 23, and an opening 25 is formed at the top of the head seat 23. This opening 25 connects to the interior of the outer tube 21. A seat bow fixing member 26 is assembled on the head seat 23 to install the seat bow and seat cushion. An arc-shaped fixing piece 261 in the seat bow fixing member 26 is eccentrically positioned relative to the axis of the outer tube 21, so that the opening 25 is not blocked by the arc-shaped fixing piece 261.

[0054] The headstock 23 can also be selectively formed on the top of the outer tube 21, making the headstock 23 and the outer tube 21 an integral structure. When installing the buffer adjustment assembly 30 and the buffer element 40, they are inserted through the opening 25 of the seat tube assembly 20 to the top of the seat tube assembly 20, that is, located inside the headstock 23 and the outer tube 21. When removing the buffer adjustment assembly 30 and the buffer element 40, they are also taken out through the opening 25 of the seat tube assembly 20.

[0055] The buffer adjustment assembly 30 includes an adjustment tool 31 and an adjustment nut 32.

[0056] The adjustment tool 31 has an operating part 311, a small-diameter section 312, and a straight rod section 313, making the adjustment tool 31 a three-layer structure. The first layer structure is the operating part 311, which abuts against the flange 24 of the seat tube assembly 20 from the bottom edge of the operating part 311. The central position of the operating part 311 is recessed inward to form an internal hexagonal locking structure. This locking structure can selectively extend to the area of ​​the small-diameter section 312, or it can be formed only in the operating part 311. The second layer structure is the small-diameter section 312, which is formed by protruding from the bottom side of the operating part 311. The diameter of the small-diameter section 312 is smaller than the diameter of the operating part 311. The third layer structure is the straight rod section 313, which is formed by protruding from the bottom side of the small-diameter section 312. The diameter of the straight rod section 313 is smaller than the diameter of the small-diameter section 312. An external thread is also formed on the outer peripheral surface of the straight rod section 313.

[0057] The adjusting nut 32 has a recessed portion 321, a through hole 322 and an outer ring portion 323. The recessed portion 321 is formed by the top surface of the adjusting nut 32 being recessed inward. The through hole 322 penetrates the recessed portion 321. The outer ring portion 323 is formed by the end edge of the bottom side of the adjusting nut 32 protruding. An internal thread is formed around the position of the through hole 322 of the adjusting nut 32. The internal thread is located on the inner circumferential surface of the adjusting nut 32 and surrounds the through hole 322.

[0058] When the adjusting tool 31 is engaged with the adjusting nut 32, the straight rod section 313 of the adjusting tool 31 passes through the through hole 322 of the adjusting nut 32. The adjusting tool 31 will lock onto the internal thread of the adjusting nut 32 through the external thread. When the adjusting tool 31 can no longer be rotated and locked in, the small diameter section 312 of the adjusting tool 31 is accommodated in the recess 321 of the adjusting nut 32, while the straight rod section 313 extends beyond the through hole 322 and protrudes outward.

[0059] The top of the buffer element 40 is recessed inward to form a receiving space 41. One end of the buffer element 40 abuts against the bottom side of the adjusting nut 32 of the buffer adjustment assembly 30, and the straight rod section 313 of the adjusting tool 31 passes into the receiving space 41. The other end of the buffer element 40 can directly abut against the top of the inner tube 22 or against a base 33. The base 33 is inserted and fixed to the top of the inner tube 22, allowing the end of the buffer element 40 that does not abut against the adjusting nut 32 to abut against the top surface of the base 33. The buffer element 40 can then be positioned within the seat tube assembly 20 by the base 33.

[0060] Please see Figure 5 Because the small-diameter section 312 of the adjusting tool 31 is accommodated in the recess 321 of the adjusting nut 32, and the straight rod section 313 of the adjusting tool 31 is also accommodated in the receiving space 41 of the buffer element 40, most of the structure of the adjusting tool 31 is integrated into the adjusting nut 32 and the buffer element 40, which can significantly reduce the volume occupied by the adjusting tool 31. In this way, compared to the existing bicycle seatpost assembly 50 where various components are directly stacked, requiring a larger volume, this invention can configure the buffer structure within the bicycle seatpost assembly 10 in a smaller volume. Figure 5 It can be seen that the overall seat height H1 of the bicycle seat post assembly 10 of this utility model is shorter than the seat height H2 of the existing bicycle seat post assembly 50, indicating that this utility model can be used for a wider variety of bicycle frames.

[0061] Please see again Figure 6 and Figure 7 To increase the durability of the bicycle seatpost assembly 10, the cushioning adjustment assembly 30 further includes a sealing ring 34. The sealing ring 34 is embedded in the outer peripheral surface of the operating part 311 of the adjustment tool 31 and abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the seatpost assembly 20. Therefore, the sealing ring 34 fits tightly against the adjustment tool 31 and the seatpost assembly 20. Through the configuration of the sealing ring 34, water from outside the bicycle seatpost assembly 10 cannot flow into the area below the adjustment tool 31 in the seatpost assembly 20, thus providing good waterproof performance.

[0062] In actual operation, since the opening 25 of the seat post assembly 20 is not obstructed by the arc-shaped fixing piece 261, to adjust the preload of the buffer element 40, it is only necessary to loosen any screw of the seat arch fixing piece 26 and slightly turn the seat arch fixing piece 26. The operating part 311 of the adjustment tool 31 of the buffer adjustment assembly 30 can then be directly seen through the opening 25. Next, the user can engage a hex wrench with the operating part 311 of the adjustment tool 31 and begin to rotate the adjustment tool 31 to adjust the preload of the buffer element 40.

[0063] To increase the preload of the buffer element 40, the user uses a hex wrench to turn the adjustment tool 31. The entire adjustment tool 31 begins to rotate, but because the operating part 311 of the adjustment tool 31 abuts against the flange 24 of the seat tube assembly 20, the adjustment tool 31 will only rotate in place and will not produce vertical displacement. The adjustment nut 32 engages with the adjustment tool 31 and passes through the seat tube assembly 20. It can move vertically along the straight rod section 313 of the adjustment tool 31 and the seat tube assembly 20. Therefore, as the adjustment tool 31 rotates, the adjustment nut 32 is driven and moves downward in the seat tube assembly 20, causing the adjustment nut 32 to push the buffer element 40. The buffer element 40 is compressed with the end abutting against the base 33 as the fulcrum, thus increasing the preload of the buffer element 40.

[0064] Conversely, to reduce the preload of the buffer element 40, the user uses a hex wrench to rotate the adjusting tool 31 in the opposite direction, causing the adjusting nut 32 to move upward relative to the adjusting tool 31. As the adjusting nut 32 moves upward in the seat tube assembly 20, the adjusting nut 32 reduces the force pushing the buffer element 40, and the buffer element 40 also rebounds due to its own tension, thereby reducing the preload of the buffer element 40 and completing the adjustment of the preload of the buffer element 40.

[0065] In summary, the bicycle seatpost assembly 10 with shock absorption function provided by this utility model has at least the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0066] 1. The bicycle seatpost assembly 10 of this utility model utilizes the design of the adjustment tool 31 being confined within the seatpost assembly 20, allowing only the adjustment nut 32 to move along the straight rod section 313 of the adjustment tool 31, causing the buffer element 40 to compress or release, thereby changing the preload of the buffer element 40 to suit users of various body types and various road conditions.

[0067] 2. The bicycle seatpost assembly 10 of this utility model divides the adjustment tool 31 into a three-layer structure, and a receiving space 41 is formed in the buffer element 40. Two of the layers are respectively housed in the adjustment nut 32 and the buffer element 40. This reduces the overall volume of the buffer adjustment assembly 30, thereby shortening the seat height H1 of the bicycle seatpost assembly 10 and allowing the bicycle seatpost assembly 10 to be more flexibly configured in various bicycle frames.

[0068] 3. In the bicycle seatpost assembly 10 of this utility model, the adjustment tool 31 and the adjustment nut 32 of the buffer adjustment component 30 are interlocked. The preload function of the buffer element 40 can be adjusted without changing the structure of the seatpost assembly 20 itself. This design does not require damaging the structure of the seatpost assembly 20 and can maintain the original strength of the seatpost assembly 20.

[0069] Finally, it must be stated again that the constituent elements disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments of this utility model are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Substitutions or variations of other equivalent elements should also be covered by the scope of the patent application in this application.

[0070] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, these embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Although various embodiments have been described above, this does not mean that the measures in the various embodiments cannot be used advantageously in combination. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Various substitutions and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention, and all such substitutions and modifications should fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bicycle seatpost assembly, characterized in that, Includes: A tube assembly has a hollow structure, and a flange is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the top of the tube assembly; A buffer adjustment assembly is detachably mounted on the top of the seat tube assembly. The buffer adjustment assembly has an adjustment tool and an adjustment nut. The adjustment tool has an operating part, a small-diameter section connected to the bottom side of the operating part, and a straight rod section connected to the bottom side of the small-diameter section. The adjustment nut has a recess and a through hole through the recess. The operating part of the adjustment tool abuts against the flange of the seat tube assembly, and the straight rod section passes through the through hole and is assembled to the adjustment nut. The small-diameter section is accommodated in the recess. According to the operation of the adjustment tool, the adjustment nut can move relative to the seat tube assembly. as well as A buffer element abuts against the bottom side of the adjusting nut of the buffer adjustment assembly, and the top of the buffer element is recessed inward to form an accommodating space, allowing the straight rod section of the adjustment tool to pass into the accommodating space.

2. The bicycle seatpost assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The seat tube assembly includes an outer tube, a set of inner tubes disposed on the outer tube, and a set of headstocks disposed on the top of the outer tube. The buffer adjustment assembly and the buffer element are disposed inside the outer tube and the headstocks.

3. The bicycle seatpost assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, A bow fixing component is also installed on the headstock, and an arc-shaped fixing piece of the bow fixing component is offset from the axis of the outer tube.

4. The bicycle seatpost assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjustment tool of the buffer adjustment assembly also has an external thread formed on the outer peripheral surface of the straight rod section, and the adjustment nut also has an internal thread formed on the inner peripheral surface of the adjustment nut, the internal thread surrounding the through hole.

5. The bicycle seatpost assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjusting nut of the buffer adjustment assembly also has an outer ring portion, which is formed by the end edge of the adjusting nut extending toward the side opposite to the recess, so that the adjusting nut is fitted onto the top of the buffer element through the outer ring portion.

6. The bicycle seatpost assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The buffer adjustment assembly also has a sealing ring disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the operating part of the adjustment tool of the buffer adjustment assembly and abutting against the inner peripheral surface of the seat tube assembly.

7. The bicycle seatpost assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The buffer adjustment assembly also includes a base located at the end of the buffer element that does not abut against the adjustment nut.

8. The bicycle seatpost assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cushioning element can be made of rubber blocks, urethane blocks, springs, or gas rods.

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