Large diameter rigid lightweight fork and steering assembly for bicycles
US5002297A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 27, 1989 |
| Grant date | Mar 26, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 27, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/2078
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A light weight aluminum bicycle fork with positive feel and improved control in rough conditions, and is stiffer in torsional stiffness, fore and aft stiffness and side-to-side stiffness and has a higher overall rigidity than prior art forks. A large diameter steering tube has a bearing raceway seat formed therein and a very large diameter head tube has a corresponding bearing raceway seat formed in the lowered end thereof to receive, by way of a press-fit, aircraft-type torque tube bearings. An upper bearing assembly is seated in a raceway seat formed in the upper end of the head tube. Adhesive is used to maintain the bearings in position and prevent their loosening. A pair of large diameter crown miter tubes are welded to the lower end of the steering tube and a pair of large diameter, tapered, round blade tubes are welded to the crown miter tubes and have dropouts welded to the lower ends of the blades. A one-piece aluminum bar, neck and large diameter stem is provided. A tightening wedge and the stem have complementary camming surfaces which are at a shallow angle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.