Cycle suspension element

Abstract

A cycle suspension element for handlebars or a saddle, comprising two tubular elements 1 positioned one above another and extending away from each other. The tubular elements are attached to a central

Description

This invention relates to a cycle suspension device for either a cycle handle bar, or a cycle seat. This is a novel invention which is designed to minimise harmful upward movement of a cycle by applying a greater than prior art 'moment of inertia' to either a seat or a handlebar. (Note. The moment of inertia indicates the opposition that each of the two supporting means exhibit to having their speed of rotation about an axis altered by the application of a turning force). Health problems arising from cycling, caused by sharp jolts, shakes, bumps , etc., affect female and male riders. Reported problems relate to the perineum, the prostate, wrists, lower back and other parts of the body. Genital numbness, prostate bleeding, priapism, infertility, erectile dysfunction, labial enlargement, are conditions experienced by cycle riders. The inventor of this device suffered prostate bleeding over a period of more than ten years, without remedy either from his GP or from hospital consultations and treatments. His prostate bleeding stopped completely as soon as he began cycling with this invention as seat suspension. This remains true after five years regular cycling, with one exception. When the inventor used a friend's cycle that used prior art seat suspension, the result was considerable prostate bleeding immediately, which continued for more than fortyeight hours. (Please note. Fully controlled tests to be carried out before reliable public health claims can be made for this invention). This invention deploys two means of support, extending diametrically away from each other, pivoting freely, at central axes one below the other at a central support means, and extending to a length of their radius away from the central supporting means. One or both support means additionally extend beyond a central support means. When used as a part of cycle seat suspension, this invention, when used with weight supporting means to a wide extent, has an estimated 7 times greater moment of inertia, and therefore dampening, than alike prior art for cycle seat suspension. For example, prior art for a cycle seat with moment of inertia, where supporting / pivoting means radius is, for example, typically estimated 45mm, a mass of 40Kg, for example, gives the calculation (m)(r2) as I = .081. This invention, with the same mass, i.e., 40Kg, but with a radius of 120mm, the calculation m(r2) is I = .576. Further, prior art seat suspension parallel supporting bars and other prior art means respond principally to the upward movement of a cycle's back wheel, however this device as seat suspension responds to upward movement from a cycle's front and back wheel. When this suspension device is a part of a cycle handle bar, the moment of inertia is also greater than prior art. The supporting means radius of this invention, in pivoting from the center of the handlebar stem, is greater than prior art. This includes stem mounted pivoting handle bars which attach to mounting brackets extending either side of the stem bracket and a shorter bar width than this invention. The moment of inertia calculation for this device as part of a typical handlebar would be I = .6144, for 6kg mass for example, with handlebar radius of 320mm for example. For the prior art, the estimated moment of inertia is estimated to be from I = .015 to .2904 This invention when in use as a handle bar or seat device allows easy adjustment in balancing a rider's weight. Prior art requires the complication of handle bar or seat suspension to be disassembled then reassembled in changing suspension balance. The essential features of this device are; the comparatively high moment of inertia to resist harmful cycle movement, personalised balance adjustment for a rider's weight, a device which serves seat and handlebar suspension. The invention will now be described solely by example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the invention device as part of a cycle handle bar, Figure 2 shows a schematic of the device as part of a handle bar with pivots, the weight supporting means, and their balance means, Figure 3 shows an exploded view of components for the device as a handle bar part, Figure 4 shows a second exploded view in perspective of components for the handle bar application, Figure 5 shows a side view of the device as a part of a seat suspension, Figure 6 shows seven alternative placings for weight supporting means, pivots and balance means for the device as a part of a seat suspension, Figure 7 shows an exploded view of components for central support means of the seat application of the device, Figure 8 shows a top view of a central support means for the seat version of the device, Figure 9 shows a typical cycle seat post that would carry the device, Figure 10 shows a balance means in perspective for the seat version of the device, also the attachment means 13 Figure 11 shows an exploded view of a balance means part for the seat version of the device, including attachment means 13 Figure 12 shows a side view of the springs and mounts of a balance means for the seat version of the device. Referring to Figure 1, the purpose of this perspective drawing is to show the device when it is incorporated as a part of a cycle handlebar. Vertical number 1 shows two weight supporting means, in this instance used to form a part of cycle handlebars. Two weight supporting means (1) are attached to plate 3, which houses two pivot axle rods 2 shown in Figure 3. The top handlebar extends to the side of plate 3, while the lower bar, with two 90degree bends, extends below the top weight supporting means 1 and beyond plate 3. A balance means, number 8, in this case formed from elastomer, is in a position on weight supporting means 1. Number 9 in Figure 1 and also shown in Figure 4, is an attachment means holding the balance means 8 in place. Grooves cut lightly across and into the surface of weight supporting means 1 on both inward facing sides of the weight supporting means 1 are matched by similarly placed and corresponding size ridges on the appropriate walls of balance means 8 elastomer. Figure 2 schematic shows direction of force for the core parts of the device when applied to a handle bar, to show the weight supporting means (21 in the schematic), the pivot points, and balance means (22 in the schematic). This schematic specifically relates to handlebar suspension, however the schematic, Figure 6, relates to seat suspension. The schematic Figure 6 also shows alternative, but not all, weight supporting means 1 and balance means 8 arrangements which may be used for this invention. Figure 3 shows an exploded side elevation of the device as handlebar suspension, where number 1 shows two tubular weight supporting means at the centre line. Four holes, two in each weight supporting means 1, carry self-lubricating bushes. Number 5 bushes must fit firmly in to weight supporting means 1. Shrink fit is proposed as suitable method of alternative methods to strongly secure the bushes in place in the weight supporting means 1. Plate number 6, fixing plate, shown in Figure 1, Figure 3, Figure 4, and Figure 7 attaches to the twin pivot axis rods number 2. For handlebar application, the fixing plate 6 has a recessed lip, which slots into number 6a grooves sited at the end of number 2 pivot axis rods. In the seat application shown in Figure 7, fixing plate 6 has recessed vertical grooves number 6b which slide into place over number 2 rods. The plate is locked into position by screw 12, which fixes to fixing plat 6. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the invention when used in a handle bar application. It shows stop means 8a alongside balance means 8. The 8a stop means prevents weight supporting means number 1 from compressing balance means 8 beyond a point, for example for handlebars when a rider may brake heavily. The stop also applies to a seat suspension application shown as number 8b in Figure 5, with this stop 8b adhered to number 10. Figure 5, side elevation drawing of the invention, has above it an impression of a cycle seat and its suspension attachment. This is to help show the invention in relation to a typical seat. The drawing also shows balance means 8, in this case with springs. Here the movement balance means 8 is adjustable and situate along the two supporting means 1 to allow adjustment for an individual rider’s riding weight when setting a balance between upward support 10 and weight supporting means 1. Figure 6 shows seven alternative options for weight supporting means 21 and balance means 22 in this Figure. The schematic has arrows to indicate direction of movement of weight supporting means 1 from a rest position. Figure 6 also shows two possible alternative balance means 8 positions and types, one balance means is an elastomer type, and the other spring(s). Figure 7, an exploded front elevation sectional view, shows the suggested components for a seat version of this invention. Number 1, weight supporting means uses square tubing in this case. Number 3, fixing plate, has two reception holes 3a, suitably deep, but not fully through to the other side of 3. Number 2, pivot rods, are inserted and fixed to secure and withstand impact. A professional shrink fit techniques would be appropriate for this fixing. (Shrink fit techniques would require plate 3 to be heated sufficiently to allow rods 2 to positioned and fixed in holes 3a). It should be noted that plate 3 in this application has been rounded on the outer face for aesthetic effect only. Weight supporting means 1 carries self-lubricating bushes 5. Fixing must be tight, so this can require the bushes 5 to be fixed using a shrink fit technique, where weight supporting means are heated to allow the bushes 5 to be positioned. Number 4, washers, space the two weight supporting means 1 allowing them to pivot freely. Number 10 in Figure 7 is a central support means, which carries much of the weight of the rider and must withstand safely considerable impact and vibration. Figure 8 number 10 is a top outline view of the central support means. Figure 9 shows a representation only of a typical cycle seat post. (Fitting inside is a central support means lower section number 10, secured using high performance adhesive). Figure 10 is a perspective view of the balance means for a seat application with the invention, and shows two expansion springs with attachment means that allow balance springs to be situate or adjusted by moving in either direction along the two weight supporting means number 1. Figure 11 is an exploded view of balance means 8, where the spring assembly with a spring supporting square bar 14 passes through bracket 13 and then is secured at either end of bar 14 with two sur clips. These clips, number 15, fix to grooves number 16, at either end of bar 14. Number 13 is the housing fitted to weight supporting means number 1, and carries bars 14. Housing 13 is constructed such that it may be moved and secured in either direction along weight supporting means 1. Figure 12 is a front elevation exploded view of the upper and lower bars 14, with balance expansion springs 8, and sur clips 15, to retain the balance position of each bar 14.

Claims

1 Cycle suspension element, comprising two independent rotating weight supporting means which extend one above the other, from separate downward force attachment ends which extend to central independent upward force axes, where one, or both, rotating weight supporting means extend / s further beyond central independent upward force axes, in which central independent axes have suitable pivot means, one above the other, comprising pivoting means attaching a central support means so two rotating weight supporting means which rotate in opposite directions move freely and independently, rotating weight supporting means attach balanceit                       if iff ®        g ordecreasing leverage by rotating weight supportingdirectly or indirectly, else a bridle means attaches rotating weight support means, constraining rotational arc of rotating weight supporting means.ffiillllif Iliffmeans, the other end attaches a third-party downward force Bitachment, wheriltiffe easement Ifff |i® es to abifibBBinor moveiihifObis ing a:siBiiliiiOI®ii ght iiiiiiiio

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