Suspension Systems and Methods for Bicycles

Abstract

A suspension system for a bicycle comprises a first adapter, a second adapter, at least one upper link plate, at least one lower link plate, an upper resilient system, and a lower resilient system. The at least one upper link plate is connected between the first and second adapters. The at least one lower link plate is connected between the first and second adapters. The upper resilient system is connected between the first and second adapters. The lower resilient system is connected between the first and second adapters. The upper and lower link plates allow movement of the first adapter from a first position to a second position relative to the first adapter. The upper and lower resilient systems are arranged to bias the second adapter into the first position. The upper and lower resilient systems resiliently oppose movement of the second adapter towards the second position.

1 . A suspension system for a bicycle comprising:
 a first adapter;   a second adapter;   at least one upper link plate connected between the first and second adapters;   at least one lower link plate connected between the first and second adapters;   an upper resilient system connected between the first and second adapters; and   a lower resilient system connected between the first and second adapters; wherein   the upper and lower link plates allow movement of the first adapter from a first position to a second position relative to the first adapter;   the upper and lower resilient systems are arranged to bias the second adapter into the first position; and   the upper and lower resilient systems resiliently oppose movement of the second adapter towards the second position.   
     
     
         2 . A suspension system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising an adjusting system for applying a precompression force against the bias applied by the upper and lower resilient systems. 
     
     
         3 . A suspension system as recited in  claim 2 , in which adjusting system comprises an adjusting screw configured to allow the second resilient system to be compressed. 
     
     
         4 . A suspension system as recited in  claim 3 , in which adjusting screw extends through the lower resilient system. 
     
     
         5 . A suspension system as recited in  claim 3 , in which the adjusting screw displaces the second adapter away from the upper resilient system. 
     
     
         6 . A suspension system as recited in  claim 1 , in which:
 the at least one upper link plate comprises a pair of upper link plates; and   the at least one lower link plate comprise a pair of lower link plates.   
     
     
         7 . A suspension system as recited in  claim 6 , in which:
 the upper suspension system lies at least partly between the pair of upper link plates; and   the lower resilient system lies at least partly between the pair of lower link plates.   
     
     
         8 . A suspension system as recited in  claim 1 , in which at least one of the upper and lower resilient systems is a spring. 
     
     
         9 . A suspension system as recited in  claim 1 , in which the upper and lower resilient systems each comprise a spring. 
     
     
         10 . A suspension system as recited in  claim 1 , in which at least one of the upper and lower resilient systems is a gas cylinder. 
     
     
         11 . A suspension system as recited in  claim 1 , in which the upper and lower resilient systems each comprise a gas cylinder. 
     
     
         12 . A suspension system as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising a reservoir operatively connected to the gas cylinder. 
     
     
         13 . A suspension system as recited in  claim 1 , in which:
 the first adapter is connected to a seat tube of the bicycle; and   the second adapter is connected to a bicycle seat.   
     
     
         14 . A suspension system as recited in  claim 1 , in which:
 the first adapter is connected to a steerer of the bicycle; and   the second adapter is connected to a bicycle handle bar.   
     
     
         15 . A suspension system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a mounting system supported by the second adapter, where the mounting system is adapted to engage first and second seat rails of a bicycle seat and comprises:
 a base member defining first and second rail grooves;   first and second clamp members, where
 the first clamp member defines at a third rail groove, and 
 the second clamp member defines a fourth rail groove; and 
   a plurality of clamp screws; whereby   one of the clamp screws secures the first clamp member to the base member such that the first and third rail grooves receive the first seat rail; and   one of the clamp screws secures the second clamp member to the base member such that the second and fourth rail grooves receive the second seat rail.   
     
     
         16 . A mounting system adapted to engage first and second seat rails of a bicycle seat, comprising:
 a base member defining first and second rail grooves;   first and second clamp members, where
 the first clamp member defines at a third rail groove, and 
 the second clamp member defines a fourth rail groove; and 
   a plurality of clamp screws; whereby   one of the clamp screws secures the first clamp member to the base member such that the first and third rail grooves receive the first seat rail; and   one of the clamp screws secures the second clamp member to the base member such that the second and fourth rail grooves receive the second seat rail.   
     
     
         17 . A method of forming a suspension system for a bicycle comprising:
 providing a first adapter;   providing a second adapter;   connecting at least one upper link plate and at least one lower link plate between the first and second adapters such that the upper and lower link plates allow movement of the first adapter from a first position to a second position relative to the first adapter;   connecting upper and lower resilient systems between the first and second adapters such that the upper and lower resilient systems
 bias the second adapter into the first position, and 
 resiliently oppose movement of the second adapter towards the second position. 
   
     
     
         18 . A method as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising the step of applying a precompression force against the bias applied by the upper and lower resilient systems. 
     
     
         19 . A method as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising the steps of:
 connecting the first adapter to a seat tube of the bicycle; and   connecting the second adapter to a bicycle seat.   
     
     
         20 . A method as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising the steps of:
 connecting the first adapter to a steerer of the bicycle; and   connecting the second adapter to a bicycle handle bar.   
     
     
         21 . A method as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising the steps of:
 providing a base member defining first and second rail grooves;   securing the base member to the second adapter;   providing first and second clamp members, where
 the first clamp member defines at a third rail groove, and 
 the second clamp member defines a fourth rail groove; 
   securing the first clamp member to the base member such that the first and third rail grooves receive the first seat rail; and   securing the second clamp member to the base member such that the second and fourth rail grooves receive the second seat rail.