Bicycle shock with extension arms

Abstract

A bicycle frame can have a main frame, a sub-frame and a shock. The sub-frame can move in relation to the main frame and the shock can be used to regulate that relationship. A linkage can also be used to regulate the relationships and control the rotation. The shock can further have a pair of extension arms to span a seat tube which is part of the main frame.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A bicycle assembly comprising:
 a main frame comprising a seat tube, a head tube, a top tube, and a down tube, wherein both the top tube and the down tube extend at a downward sloping angle from the head tube to the seat tube, the seat tube being a continuous seat tube that extends from the top tube to the down tube;   a sub-frame configured to rotate with respect to the main frame comprising a pair of seat stays and a pair of chain stays, each one of the chain stays being pivotally connected to the main frame at one end and pivotally connected to one of the seat stays at an opposite end;   a linkage pivotally connected to the seat stays and pivotally connected to the main frame; and   a shock comprising a shock body and an extension body integral with the shock body, the shock connected to the main frame and the extension body comprising a pair of extension arms which straddle the seat tube and connect the shock to the linkage, the shock extending at a downward sloping angle with respect to the head tube;   wherein the linkage connects to and substantially aligns the shock and the seat stays of the sub-frame as viewed from the side of the bicycle assembly in a rest position.   
     
     
         3 . The bicycle assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising a bottom bracket, wherein the seat tube extends from the top tube to the bottom bracket. 
     
     
         4 . The bicycle assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the shock comprises an air spring with an outer sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The bicycle assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said outer sleeve screws into the extension body. 
     
     
         6 . The bicycle assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the shock comprises three eyelets, one on the shock body and one on each extension arm. 
     
     
         7 . The bicycle assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the extension arms and the seat stays are connected to the linkage at distinct locations on the linkage establishing different pivot points. 
     
     
         8 . The bicycle assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the shock is substantially parallel with the top tube as viewed from the side of the bicycle assembly in a rest position. 
     
     
         9 . The bicycle assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising a fork, a saddle and two wheels. 
     
     
         10 . A bicycle assembly comprising:
 a main frame comprising a seat tube, a head tube, a top tube, and a down tube, wherein both the top tube and the down tube extend at a downward sloping angle from the head tube to the seat tube, the seat tube being a continuous seat tube that extends from the top tube to the down tube;   a sub-frame configured to rotate with respect to the main frame comprising a pair of seat stays and a pair of chain stays, each one of the chain stays being pivotally connected to the main frame at one end;   a linkage pivotally connected to the seat stays and pivotally connected to the main frame; and   a shock comprising a shock body and an extension body integral with the shock body, the shock connected to the main frame and the extension body comprising a pair of extension arms which straddle the seat tube and connect the shock to the linkage, the shock extending at a downward sloping angle with respect to the head tube;   wherein the linkage connects to and substantially aligns the shock and the seat stays of the sub-frame as viewed from the side of the bicycle assembly in a rest position.   
     
     
         11 . A bicycle assembly comprising:
 a main frame, comprising:
 a head tube configured to receive a steering post; 
 a seat tube configured to receive a seat post; 
 a bottom bracket configured to receive an axle assembly; 
 a top tube connected to the seat tube and the head tube; 
 a bottom tube connected to the head tube and the bottom bracket; 
 a first cross tube connected to the seat tube at one end and to the top tube at an opposite end; and 
 a second cross tube connected to the top tube at one end and to the bottom tube at an opposite end, the second cross tube positioned with respect to the first cross tube such that the first and second cross tubes and the top tube form an “X” shape; 
   a sub-frame, movable with respect to the main frame, comprising:
 a pair of seat stays; and 
 a corresponding pair of chain stays; and 
   a shock operatively coupled to the main frame and the sub-frame to regulate a relationship between the main frame and the sub-frame.   
     
     
         12 . The bicycle assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the seat tube connects to the bottom bracket. 
     
     
         13 . The bicycle assembly of  claim 11 , wherein a first end of the shock connects to the second cross tube. 
     
     
         14 . The bicycle assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising a linkage, a second end of the shock is connected to the seat stays through the linkage. 
     
     
         15 . The bicycle assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the linkage is pivotally connected to the seat tube. 
     
     
         16 . The bicycle assembly of  claim 11 , wherein each seat stay is pivotally attached to the corresponding chain stay. 
     
     
         17 . The bicycle assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising handlebars, a fork, and two wheels.