Bicycle with improved frame configuration

Abstract

Disclosed herein are various embodiments, including but not limited to a bicycle that includes, among other features, an elongated down tube and a single elongated seat tube, the longitudinal axis of the seat tube intersecting the longitudinal axis of the down tube at a location substantially intermediate between the first and second ends of the down tube, wherein the distance between the spaced apart side outer surfaces of each of the down tube and the seat tube are less than the distance between the upper and lower outer surfaces of each of the down tube and seat tube; additionally including a seat tube, a seat tube sleeve, a crank assembly and a bottom bracket sleeve for mounting the crank assembly, wherein the seat tube sleeve has an upper end, a lower end, and a longitudinal axis extending from the upper end to the lower end; the seat tube being disposed within the seat tube sleeve, the longitudinal axis of the seat tube sleeve intersecting the bottom bracket sleeve.

1. A bicycle, comprising: a single seat tube sleeve, an elongated seat tube, an elongated down tube, a bottom bracket sleeve, a crank assembly, a front fork assembly, a front fork assembly mounting means, a front tire, a rear tire, and means for braking the front and rear tires, wherein:
 (a) the seat tube sleeve has an upper end, a lower end and a longitudinal axis extending through the upper end and the lower end of the seat tube sleeve;  
 (b) the elongated seat tube has a first end disposed adjacent the seat tube sleeve, a second end disposed adjacent the down tube, upper and a lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the seat tube;  
 (c) the elongated down tube has a first end disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means and a second end disposed adjacent the crank assembly, upper and lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the down tube;  
 (d) the front fork assembly is disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means;  
 (e) the bottom bracket sleeve supports the crank assembly and is adjacent the second end of the elongated down tube;  
 (f) the longitudinal axis of the elongated seat tube intersects the longitudinal axis of the upper  elongated down tube at a location substantially intermediate between the first and second ends of the upper  elongated down tube; and  
 (g) the longitudinal axis of the seat tube sleeve intersects the bottom bracket sleeve.  
 
     
     
       2. A bicycle, comprising: a single seat tube sleeve, an elongated seat tube, a single elongated down tube, a bottom bracket sleeve, a crank assembly, a front fork assembly, a front fork assembly mounting means, a front tire, a rear tire, and means for braking the front and rear tires, wherein:
 (a) the seat tube sleeve has an upper end, a lower end and a longitudinal axis extending through the upper end and the lower end of the seat tube sleeve;    (b) the elongated seat tube has a first end disposed adjacent the seat tube sleeve, a second end disposed adjacent the down tube, upper and a lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the seat tube;    (c) the single elongated down tube has a first end disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means and a second end disposed adjacent the crank assembly, upper and lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the down tube;    (d) the front fork assembly is disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means;    (e) the bottom bracket sleeve supports the crank assembly and is adjacent the second end of the single elongated down tube;    (f) the longitudinal axis of the elongated seat tube intersects the longitudinal axis of the upper elongated down tube at a location substantially intermediate between the first and second ends of the upper elongated down tube; and    (g) the longitudinal axis of the seat tube sleeve intersects the bottom bracket sleeve.    
     
     
       3. A bicycle, comprising: a single seat tube sleeve, a single elongated seat tube, an elongated down tube, a bottom bracket sleeve, a crank assembly, a front fork assembly, a front fork assembly mounting means, a front tire, a rear tire, and means for braking the front and rear tires, wherein:
 (a) the seat tube sleeve has an upper end, a lower end and a longitudinal axis extending through the upper end and the lower end of the seat tube sleeve;    (b) the single elongated seat tube has a first end disposed adjacent the seat tube sleeve, a second end disposed adjacent the down tube, upper and lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the seat tube;    (c) the elongated down tube has a first end disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means and a second end disposed adjacent the crank assembly, upper and lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the down tube;    (d) the front fork assembly is disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means;    (e) the bottom bracket sleeve supports the crank assembly and is adjacent the second end of the elongated down tube;    (f) the longitudinal axis of the elongated seat tube intersects the longitudinal axis of the upper elongated down tube at a location substantially intermediate between the first and second ends of the upper elongated down tube; and    (g) the longitudinal axis of the seat tube sleeve intersects the bottom bracket sleeve.    
     
     
       4. A  The bicycle, comprising: a single seat tube sleeve, an elongated seat tube, an elongated down tube, a bottom bracket sleeve, a crank assembly, a front fork assembly, a front fork assembly mounting means, a front tire, a rear tire, and means for braking the front and rear tires, wherein:
 (a) the seat tube sleeve has an upper end, a lower end and a longitudinal axis extending through the upper end and the lower end of the seat tube sleeve;  
 (b) the elongated seat tube has a first end disposed adjacent the seat tube sleeve, a second end disposed adjacent the down tube, upper and a lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the seat tube;  
 (c) the elongated down tube has a first end disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means and a second end disposed adjacent the crank assembly, upper and lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the down tube;  
 (d) the front fork assembly is disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means;  
 (e) the bottom bracket sleeve supports the crank assembly and is adjacent the second end of the elongated down tube;  
 (f) the longitudinal axis of the elongated seat tube intersects the longitudinal axis of the upper elongated down tube at a location substantially intermediate between the first and second ends of the upper elongated down tube;  
 (g) the longitudinal axis of the seat tube sleeve intersects the bottom bracket sleeve; and  
 (h)  of  claim 1  wherein the longitudinal axis of the elongated seat tube intersects the longitudinal axis of the seat tube sleeve.  
 
     
     
       5. A  The bicycle, comprising: a single seat tube sleeve, an elongated seat tube, an elongated down tube, a bottom bracket sleeve, a crank assembly, a front fork assembly, a front fork assembly mounting means, a front tire, a rear tire, and means for braking the front and rear tires, wherein:
 (a) the seat tube sleeve has an upper end, a lower end and a longitudinal axis extending through the upper end and the lower end of the seat tube sleeve;  
 (b) the elongated seat tube has a first end disposed adjacent the seat tube sleeve, a second end disposed adjacent the down tube, upper and a lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the seat tube;  
 (c) the elongated down tube has a first end disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means and a second end disposed adjacent the crank assembly, upper and lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the down tube;  
 (d) the front fork assembly is disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means;  
 (e) the bottom bracket sleeve supports the crank assembly and is adjacent the second end of the elongated down tube;  
 (f) the longitudinal axis of the elongated seat tube intersects the longitudinal axis of the upper elongated down tube at a location substantially intermediate between the first and second ends of the upper elongated down tube;  
 (g) the longitudinal axis of the seat tube sleeve intersects the bottom bracket sleeve; and  
 (h)  of  claim 1  wherein the longitudinal axis of the elongated seat tube does not intersect the bottom bracket sleeve.  
 
     
     
       6. A  The bicycle, comprising: a single seat tube sleeve, an elongated seat tube, an elongated down tube, a bottom bracket sleeve, a crank assembly, a front fork assembly, a front fork assembly mounting means, a front tire, a rear tire, and means for braking the front and rear tires, wherein:
 (a) the seat tube sleeve has an upper end, a lower end and a longitudinal axis extending through the upper end and the lower end of the seat tube sleeve;  
 (b) the elongated seat tube has a first end disposed adjacent the seat tube sleeve, a second end disposed adjacent the down tube, upper and a lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the seat tube;  
 (c) the elongated down tube has a first end disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means and a second end disposed adjacent the crank assembly, upper and lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the down tube;  
 (d) the front fork assembly is disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means;  
 (e) the bottom bracket sleeve supports the crank assembly and is adjacent the second end of the elongated down tube;  
 (f) the longitudinal axis of the elongated seat tube intersects the longitudinal axis of the upper elongated down tube at a location substantially intermediate between the first and second ends of the upper elongated down tube;  
 (g) the longitudinal axis of the seat tube sleeve intersects the bottom bracket sleeve; and  
 (h)  of  claim 1  wherein the longitudinal axis of the elongated seat tube intersects the longitudinal axis of the down tube at a point closer to the fist end of the down tube than to the second end of the down tube.  
 
     
     
       7. A bicycle, comprising: a single seat tube sleeve, an elongated seat tube, an elongated down tube, a bottom bracket sleeve, a crank assembly, a front fork assembly, a front fork assembly mounting means, a front tire, a rear tire, and means for braking the front and rear tires, wherein:
 (a) the seat tube sleeve has an upper end, a lower end and a longitudinal axis extending through the upper end and the lower end of the seat tube sleeve;    (b) the elongated seat tube has a first end disposed adjacent the seat tube sleeve, a second end disposed adjacent the down tube, upper and a lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the seat tube;    (c) the elongated down tube has a first end disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means and a second end disposed adjacent the crank assembly, upper and lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the down tube;    (d) the front fork assembly is disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means;    (e) the bottom bracket sleeve supports the crank assembly and is adjacent the second end of the elongated down tube;    (f) the longitudinal axis of the elongated seat tube intersects the longitudinal axis of the upper elongated down tube at a location substantially intermediate between the first and second ends of the upper elongated down tube;    (g) the longitudinal axis of the seat tube sleeve intersects the bottom bracket sleeve; and,    (h) the elongated down tube or the elongated seat tube, or both, includes a plurality of fibers.    
     
     
       8. A bicycle, comprising: a single seat tube sleeve, an elongated seat tube, an elongated down tube, a bottom bracket sleeve, a crank assembly, a front fork assembly, a front fork assembly mounting means, a front tire, a rear tire, and means for braking the front and rear tires, wherein:
 (a) the seat tube sleeve has an upper end, a lower end and a longitudinal axis extending through the upper end and the lower end of the seat tube sleeve;    (b) the elongated seat tube has a first end disposed adjacent the seat tube sleeve, a second end disposed adjacent the down tube, upper and a lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the seat tube;    (c) the elongated down tube has a first end disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means and a second end disposed adjacent the crank assembly, upper and lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the down tube;    (d) the front fork assembly is disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means;    (e) the bottom bracket sleeve supports the crank assembly and is adjacent the second end of the elongated down tube;    (f) the longitudinal axis of the elongated seat tube intersects the longitudinal axis of the upper elongated down tube at a location substantially intermediate between the first and second ends of the upper elongated down tube;    (g) the longitudinal axis of the seat tube sleeve intersects the bottom bracket sleeve; and    (h) the elongated down tube or the elongated seat tube, or both, is formed of a fiber-reinforced composite laminate with multi-directional fibers.    
     
     
       9. A  The bicycle, comprising: a single seat tube sleeve, an elongated seat tube, an elongated down tube, a bottom bracket sleeve, a crank assembly, a front fork assembly, a front fork assembly mounting means, a front tire, a rear tire, and means for braking the front and rear tires, wherein:
 (a) the seat tube sleeve has an upper end, a lower end and a longitudinal axis extending through the upper end and the lower end of the seat tube sleeve;  
 (b) the elongated seat tube has a first end disposed adjacent the seat tube sleeve, a second end disposed adjacent the down tube, upper and a lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the seat tube;  
 (c) the elongated down tube has a first end disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means and a second end disposed adjacent the crank assembly, upper and lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the down tube;  
 (d) the front fork assembly is disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means;  
 (e) the bottom bracket sleeve supports the crank assembly and is adjacent the second end of the elongated down tube;  
 (f) the longitudinal axis of the elongated seat tube intersects the longitudinal axis of the upper elongated down tube at a location substantially intermediate between the first and second ends of the upper elongated down tube;  
 (g) the longitudinal axis of the seat tube sleeve intersects the bottom bracket sleeve; and  
 (h)  of  claim 1  wherein the elongated down tube or the elongated seat tube, or both, has an airfoil cross-sectional shape.  
 
     
     
       10. A  The bicycle, comprising: a single seat tube sleeve, an elongated seat tube, an elongated down tube, a bottom bracket sleeve, a crank assembly, a front fork assembly, a front fork assembly mounting means, a front tire, a rear tire, and means for braking the front and rear tires, wherein:
 (a) the seat tube sleeve has an upper end, a lower end and a longitudinal axis extending through the upper end and the lower end of the seat tube sleeve;  
 (b) the elongated seat tube has a first end disposed adjacent the seat tube sleeve, a second end disposed adjacent the down tube, upper and a lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the seat tube;  
 (c) the elongated down tube has a first end disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means and a second end disposed adjacent the crank assembly, upper and lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the down tube;  
 (d) the front fork assembly is disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means;  
 (e) the bottom bracket sleeve supports the crank assembly and is adjacent the second end of the elongated down tube;  
 (f) the longitudinal axis of the elongated seat tube intersects the longitudinal axis of the upper elongated down tube at a location substantially intermediate between the first and second ends of the upper elongated down tube;  
 (g) the longitudinal axis of the seat tube sleeve intersects the bottom bracket sleeve;  
 (h) the elongated down tube or the elongated seat tube, or both, has an airfoil cross-sectional shape; and  
 (i)  of  claim 9  wherein the airfoil cross-sectional shape is tear drop shaped.  
 
     
     
       11. A  The bicycle, comprising: a single seat tube sleeve, an elongated seat tube, an elongated down tube, a bottom bracket sleeve, a crank assembly, a front fork assembly, a front fork assembly mounting means, a front tire, a rear tire, and means for braking the front and rear tires, wherein:
 (a) the seat tube sleeve has an upper end, a lower end and a longitudinal axis extending through the upper end and the lower end of the seat tube sleeve;  
 (b) the elongated seat tube has a first end disposed adjacent the seat tube sleeve, a second end disposed adjacent the down tube, upper and a lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the seat tube;  
 (c) the elongated down tube has a first end disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means and a second end disposed adjacent the crank assembly, upper and lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the down tube;  
 (d) the front fork assembly is disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means;  
 (e) the bottom bracket sleeve supports the crank assembly and is adjacent the second end of the elongated down tube;  
 (f) the longitudinal axis of the elongated seat tube intersects the longitudinal axis of the upper elongated down tube at a location substantially intermediate between the first and second ends of the upper elongated down tube;  
 (g) the longitudinal axis of the seat tube sleeve intersects the bottom bracket sleeve;  
 (h) the elongated down tube or the elongated seat tube, or both, has an airfoil cross-sectional shape; and  
 (i)  of  claim 9  wherein the airfoil cross-sectional shape is oval shaped.  
 
     
     
       12. A bicycle, comprising: a seat tube sleeve, a single elongated seat tube, an upper elongated down tube member, a lower elongated down tube member, a bottom bracket sleeve, a crank assembly, a front fork assembly, a front fork assembly mounting means, a front tire, a rear tire, and means for braking the front and rear tires, wherein:
 (a) the seat tube sleeve has an upper end, a lower end and a longitudinal axis extending through the upper end and the lower end of the seat tube sleeve;  
 (b) the elongated seat tube has a first end disposed adjacent the seat tube sleeve, a second end disposed adjacent the upper elongated down tube member, upper and lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the seat tube;  
 (c) at least one of the elongated down tube members has a first end disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means and a second end disposed adjacent the crank assembly, upper and lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the down tube member;  
 (d) the front fork assembly is disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means;  
 (e) the bottom bracket sleeve supports the crank assembly and is adjacent the second end of the elongated down tube ;  
 (f) the longitudinal axis of the elongated seat tube intersects the longitudinal axis of the upper elongated down tube member at a location substantially intermediate between the first and second ends of the upper elongated down tube member; and  
 (g) the longitudinal axis of the seat tube sleeve intersects the bottom bracket sleeve.  
 
     
     
       13. The bicycle of  claim 12  wherein the upper and lower elongated down tube members are enclosed within an elongated down tube. 
     
     
       14. A bicycle frame comprising: a seat tube sleeve, an elongated seat tube, an elongated down tube, a bottom bracket sleeve, a front fork assembly mounting means, wherein:
   the seat tube sleeve has an upper end, a lower end and a longitudinal axis extending through the upper end and the lower end of the seat tube sleeve;        the elongated seat tube has a first end disposed adjacent the seat tube sleeve, a second end disposed adjacent the down tube, upper and a lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the seat tube;        the elongated down tube has a first end disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means and a second end disposed adjacent the bottom bracket sleeve, upper and lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the down tube;        the longitudinal axis of the elongated seat tube intersects the longitudinal axis of the elongated down tube at a location substantially intermediate between the first and second ends of the elongated down tube; and        the longitudinal axis of the seat tube sleeve intersects the bottom bracket sleeve.     
     
     
       15. The bicycle frame of  claim 14  wherein the longitudinal axis of the elongated seat tube intersects the longitudinal axis of the seat tube sleeve. 
     
     
       16. The bicycle frame of  claim 14  wherein the longitudinal axis of the elongated seat tube does not intersect the bottom bracket sleeve. 
     
     
       17. The bicycle frame of  claim 14  wherein the longitudinal axis of the elongated seat tube intersects the longitudinal axis of the elongated down tube at a point closer to the first end of the elongated down tube than to the second end of the elongated down tube. 
     
     
       18. A bicycle frame comprising: a seat tube sleeve, an elongated seat tube, an upper elongated down tube member, a lower elongated down tube member, a bottom bracket sleeve, a front fork assembly mounting means, wherein:
   the seat tube sleeve has an upper end, a lower end and a longitudinal axis extending through the upper end and the lower end of the seat tube sleeve;        the elongated seat tube has a first end disposed adjacent the seat tube sleeve, a second end disposed adjacent the upper elongated down tube member, upper and lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the seat tube;        at least one of the elongated down tube members has a first end disposed adjacent the front fork assembly mounting means and a second end disposed adjacent the bottom bracket sleeve, upper and lower outer surfaces, spaced apart side outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis disposed substantially between the upper and lower outer surfaces of the down tube member;        the longitudinal axis of the elongated seat tube intersects the longitudinal axis of at least one of the upper and lower elongated down tube members at a location substantially intermediate between the first and second ends of at least one of the upper and lower elongated down tube members; and        the longitudinal axis of the seat tube sleeve intersects the bottom bracket sleeve.     
     
     
       19. The bicycle frame of  claim 18  wherein the upper and lower elongated down tube members are enclosed within an elongated down tube. 
     
     
       20. The bicycle frame of  claim 18  wherein the longitudinal axis of the elongated seat tube intersects the longitudinal axis of the seat tube sleeve. 
     
     
       21. The bicycle frame of  claim 18  wherein the longitudinal axis of the elongated seat tube does not intersect the bottom bracket sleeve. 
     
     
       22. The bicycle frame of  claim 18  wherein the longitudinal axis of the elongated seat tube intersects the longitudinal axis of the upper elongated down tube member at a point closer to the first end of the upper elongated down tube member than to the second end of the upper elongated down tube member. 
     
     
       23. The bicycle frame of  claim 18  wherein the longitudinal axis of the elongated seat tube intersects the longitudinal axis of the upper elongated down tube member at a location substantially intermediate between the first and second ends of the upper elongated down tube member.