Bicycle frame with integrated shock absorber

Abstract

The present invention describes a bicycle frame provided with a compartment (150) having an upper opening (150a) and a lower opening (150b), wherein assembly of the shock absorber (10) is carried out through the lower opening (150b), while the upper opening (150a), having smaller dimensions than the lower opening (150b), allows access to adjustments of the rear suspension, calibration of the pneumatic spring and replacement of the battery of the electronic suspension system, including a recess (160) for storing tools.

Description

[0001] Bicycle frame with integrated shock absorber. Field of the invention.

[0002]

[0001] This invention patent describes a bicycle frame equipped with a compartment with an upper opening and a lower opening, where the shock absorber is mounted through the lower opening, while the upper opening, with dimensions smaller than the lower opening, allows access to the rear suspension adjustments, air spring calibration and battery replacement of the electronic suspension system, including a tool storage niche.

[0003] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004]

[0002] Some touring bicycles and more frequently racing bicycles feature suspension arrangements in which the rear wheel is mounted on a swingarm that can move around a center of rotation (usually near the crank bearing). These bicycle rear wheel suspension arrangements generally comprise at least one linear steel or pneumatic spring and an oil damping arrangement. Through a suitable mechanism, forces are transmitted from the swingarm assembly to the spring / damper element, which acts as a shock absorption system, minimizing vibrations and impacts transmitted to the rider.

[0005]

[0003] The arrangement of these rear wheel suspension systems is usually external to the bicycle frame tubes. However, this presents a risk of dirt ingress and adversely affects the function of the spring / damper element and / or the axle for transmitting forces from the swingarm assembly to the damper element.

[0004] Therefore, the state of the art describes solutions in which the damper element is integrated inside the bicycle frame tubes.

[0006]

[0005] Document US5772228 describes a bicycle frame that includes a shock absorber assembly that is coaxial and integral with the frame's top tube.

[0007]

[0006] Document US1 0071786 describes at least one shock absorber integrated inside the frame tubes, which requires disassembly of the frame and / or the shock absorber to extract it from one end of the tube, usually from the bottom, using wrenches or other tools. Given that the shock absorber housing does not have a top opening, access is difficult. With this design, access to the shock absorber, calibration of the air spring, adjustment of the suspension lockout cable, and battery replacement, when using electronic suspension, must be done from underneath the bicycle, in a location that receives a lot of debris from the front wheel, especially on muddy terrain. These adjustments, in many cases, are made daily, depending on the terrain and race track.

[0008]

[0007] Document ES2935649 describes a bicycle frame having at least one shock absorber integrated internally in a housing within the tubes that make up the front frame, said housing having an opening that allows both the removal and placement of the shock absorber and the cleaning, adjustment and / or maintenance of said shock absorber without the need to disassemble or remove it; and a removable cover that, once placed, completely covers and closes said access opening to the housing, keeping the shock absorber protected against the entry of dust and mud or other foreign objects that may impair its operation. In this document, an excessively large front opening of the housing is required, which also has a water bottle holder attached to the housing cover, weighing approximately 1 kilogram. Under these conditions, the bicycle frame loses the rigidity necessary for the transfer of energy from pedaling to the traction of the rear wheel.

[0009]

[0008] However, known solutions require complex operations and tools for shock absorber extraction in case of adjustments and maintenance, as well as easy access for calibrating the air spring and adjusting the suspension lockout cable. Similarly, the positioning of the housing at a critical point on the front frame of the bicycle imposes restrictions on the shape of the shock absorber housing in order to maintain frame rigidity for greater transfer of pedaling energy, where a lot of load comes from the rear wheel and pedaling torque. By restricting the upper opening of the housing, it is possible to attach the bottle cages directly to the frame using screws, without having to attach them to the cover that hides the housing opening.

[0010]

[0009] In this way, the applicant developed a bicycle frame with a compartment with an upper opening and a lower opening, where the shock absorber is mounted through the lower opening, while the upper opening, with smaller dimensions than the lower opening, allows access to the rear suspension adjustments, air spring calibration and battery replacement of the electronic suspension system.

[0011] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0010] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the bicycle frame, highlighting the triangular front frame and the rear frame.

[0012]

[0011] Figure 2 shows a detailed view of the compartment in the bicycle frame.

[0013]

[0012] Figure 3 shows the shock absorber positioned in the inner region of the compartment.

[0014]

[0013] Figure 4 shows the shock absorber being extracted through the lower opening.

[0015]

[0014] Figure 5 shows a detailed view of the positioning and securing of the pneumatic spring shock absorber in the compartment.

[0016]

[0015] Figure 6 shows a detailed view of the niche for tool storage.

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018]

[0016] The bicycle frame with integrated shock absorber, object of the present invention, comprises a front frame (100) and a rear frame (200), as detailed in figure 1.

[0019]

[0017] The triangular front frame (100) includes a vertical tube (110) for seat attachment, a sloping tube (120) that branches off from the vertical tube (110) and a horizontal tube (130) that branches off from the vertical tube (110) and is tangent to the sloping tube (120) at its upper end.

[0020]

[0018] The rear frame (200) has a sloping tube (210) as opposed to the sloping tube (120) of the front frame and a swingarm assembly (220) to which the rear wheel (not shown) is attached.

[0021]

[0019] In the intersection region of the vertical tube (110) and the inclined tube (120) the crankset (140) is installed, positioned adjacent to a compartment (150) which has an upper opening (150a) and a lower opening (150b) aligned vertically and protected, respectively, by an upper cover (151a) and a lower cover (151b).

[0022]

[0020] The lower opening (150b) is larger than the upper opening (150a), and the lower opening (150b) extends into the inclined tube (120), as shown in figure 2.

[0023]

[0021] The compartment (150) extends to the vertical tube (110) where a shock absorber with a pneumatic spring (10) is positioned, operationally connected to a transmission mechanism (11) which connects at the other end to the swing arm assembly (220), shown in Figure 3. The lower end of the shock absorber with a pneumatic spring (10) is fixed directly to the intersection region of the vertical tube (110) and the inclined tube (120), in alignment with the upper opening (150a). In the intersection region of the vertical tube (110) and the inclined tube (120), axial openings (121) are provided in which screws (101) with bearings (102) are arranged, allowing smooth movement during compression of the pneumatic spring (10).

[0024]

[0022] Through the upper opening (150a) it is possible to make adjustments to the shock absorber (10), calibrate the air spring and adjust the suspension lock cable. The shock absorber (10) is removed through the lower opening (150b), after releasing the screws (101) that secure it to the frame, as well as the battery of the electronic suspension system, if present.

[0025]

[0023] In compartment (150) there is provided a niche (160) for storing tools, said niche (160) fixed by screws (162) to the inclined tube (120) and having a removable cover (161) that keeps the tools stored, said niche (160) being accessed by the upper opening (150a) of compartment (150).

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Bicycle frame with integrated shock absorber comprising a triangular front frame (100) including a vertical tube (110) for seat attachment, a sloping tube (120) extending from the vertical tube (110) and a horizontal tube (130) extending from the vertical tube (110) and tangent to the sloping tube (120) at its upper end, and a rear frame (200) featuring a sloping tube (210) opposite the sloping tube (120) of the front frame (100) and a swingarm assembly (220) to which the rear wheel (not shown) is attached, having in the intersection region of the vertical tube (110) and the sloping tube (120) a crankset (140) positioned adjacent to a compartment (150) where a shock absorber with pneumatic spring (10) is positioned, operationally connected to a transmission mechanism (11) which connects at the other end to the swingarm assembly (220), characterized by the compartment (150) present: a) an upper opening (150a) with a top cover (151a); b) a lower opening (150b) with a lower cover (151b), said lower opening (150b) being vertically aligned with the upper opening (150a) and extending into the inclined tube (120), with a larger dimension than the upper opening (150a); c) shock absorber with pneumatic spring (10) with lower end fixed directly in the intersection region of the vertical tube (110) and the inclined tube (120), in alignment with the upper opening (150a), by means of screws (101) with bearings (102) arranged in axial openings (121) of said intersection region of the vertical tube (110) and the inclined tube (120).

2. Bicycle frame with integrated shock absorber, according to claim 1, characterized in that the compartment (150) has a niche (160) fixed by screws (162) in the inclined tube (120) and has a removable cover (161).

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