Shock absorbing wheel hub

Abstract

A shock absorbing bicycle wheel hub apparatus uses an open ended, cylindrical shock absorber housing mounted concentrically within a wheel hub. The wheel hub is adapted for rotation about the shock absorber housing. A pivot tube is axially aligned with the shock absorber housing and rotationally mounted within its sidewall. Terminal ends of the pivot rod engage cover plates fixedly mounted thereon. A pressure tube is axially aligned with the shock absorber housing and extends through it so that its terminal ends may be fixed in the cover plates. A shock-absorbing medium is compressively positioned between the pressure tube and an interior surface of the shock absorber housing. The cover plates engage a bicycle fork so that weight supported by the bicycle fork is transmitted through the cover plates and the pivot tube and pressure tube, to the shock absorbing medium, and thereby, through the shock absorber housing and the wheel hub to a wheel of the bicycle. Likewise, road shocks are transmitted through the shock-absorbing medium in the same way.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A shock absorbing bicycle wheel hub apparatus comprising: a cylindrical shock absorber housing mounted concentrically within a wheel hub of a bicycle wheel; a pivot tube rotationally mounted within an inwardly directed sidewall portion of the shock absorber housing; terminal ends thereof each engaging one of a pair of cover plates positioned laterally to the shock absorber housing; a pressure tube engaged with the cover plates, and a shock absorbing medium positioned between the pressure tube and the shock absorber housing; whereby as the pivot rod rotates within the inwardly directed sidewall portion, the pressure tube and cover plates move arcuately relative to the shock absorber housing, the pressure tube compressing the shock absorbing medium; the cover plates providing bicycle fork engaging means for suspending said bicycle fork laterally to the pivot tube.  
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising rotational bearing means mounted between the shock absorber housing and the wheel hub for improved rotation of the wheel hub about the shock absorber housing.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a fork securement comprising a threaded rod extending through the pivot tube and the cover plates for engaging locking means in lateral opposition to a bicycle fork mounted on the bicycle fork engaging means.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each of the bicycle fork engaging means of the cover plates comprises an integral, laterally protruding boss, the boss positioned eccentrically to the pivot rod.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  Wherein the shock absorbing medium provides depressions placed at opposing ends thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the shock absorbing medium has a length to diameter ratio of at least 1.5.