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WO1994026579A1 - Cadre et elements de bicyclette - Google Patents

Cadre et elements de bicyclette Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1994026579A1
WO1994026579A1 PCT/GB1994/001038 GB9401038W WO9426579A1 WO 1994026579 A1 WO1994026579 A1 WO 1994026579A1 GB 9401038 W GB9401038 W GB 9401038W WO 9426579 A1 WO9426579 A1 WO 9426579A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
frame
bicycle
stays
wheel
mounting
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1994/001038
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Richard David Hill
Rudy Thomann
Original Assignee
Lotus Cars Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lotus Cars Limited filed Critical Lotus Cars Limited
Priority to AU66553/94A priority Critical patent/AU6655394A/en
Publication of WO1994026579A1 publication Critical patent/WO1994026579A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
    • B62K19/00—Cycle frames
    • B62K19/02—Cycle frames characterised by material or cross-section of frame members
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
    • B62J9/00—Containers specially adapted for cycles, e.g. panniers or saddle bags
    • B62J9/20—Containers specially adapted for cycles, e.g. panniers or saddle bags attached to the cycle as accessories
    • B62J9/26—Containers specially adapted for cycles, e.g. panniers or saddle bags attached to the cycle as accessories to the saddle, e.g. saddle bags
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
    • B62K19/00—Cycle frames
    • B62K19/02—Cycle frames characterised by material or cross-section of frame members
    • B62K19/16—Cycle frames characterised by material or cross-section of frame members the material being wholly or mainly of plastics
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
    • B62K3/00—Bicycles
    • B62K3/02—Frames

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a new bicycle frame and to novel components for a bicycle.
  • the bicycle had a "monoblade" front fork construction which consisted of a single support member extending down one side of the front wheel.
  • the handlebars for the bicycle were positioned between the monoblade and the frame.
  • the bicycle frame consisted of a carbon fibre monocoque having an aerofoil cross-section.
  • the monocoque had a top surface which curved downwardly in a direction extending backwardly away from the frame front and then curved smoothly upwardly to a vehicle seat support.
  • the rear surface of the frame was formed by a continuous curve starting at the vehicle seat support and curving down to the mounting point for the rear wheel.
  • a recess was provided at the rear of one side surface of the frame to receive the rear wheel.
  • the front surface of the frame was formed as a smooth curve curving downwardly in the direction rearward of the front wheel and forming a parabolic surface ending at a mounting portion of the frame adapted to support the pedal assembly. This mounting portion of the frame was enlarged with respect to the rest of the frame to provide an aerodynamic tear drop shape.
  • the present invention provides in a first aspect a bicycle frame formed as a monocoque having a generally Z-shaped side elevation.
  • the frame comprises a substantially horizontal top portion, a support portion for the rear wheel and a connecting portion connecting the top portion and the support portion and angled to extend forwardly with respect to the top portion, wherein the top portion and the connecting portion of the frame both have an aerofoil shape in horizontal cross-section, both having rounded leading edges and side surfaces which taper rearwardly.
  • the top portion in use defines a substantially horizontal top surface. This is aerodynamically advantageous.
  • the top portion of the frame has an enlarged portion at the front end thereof which encases a bearing means for mounting a front wheel mounting member, the bearing means being encased in the frame such that the front wheel mounting member when mounted to the frame will extend forwardly of the top portion of the frame at an angle to the top portion.
  • the top portion of the frame was angled to the horizontal and the bearing means perpendicular to the frame, as thought advantageous at the time.
  • the bicycle frame has a rear wheel mounting portion which comprises a wishbone arrangement of two rear stays which have mounting means for mounting the rear wheel therebetween.
  • These members form the lowest part of the Z-shaped side elevation.
  • Use of such members instead of a single support member allows standard components to be used.
  • each of the two rear wheel stays is split along the length thereof, each stay having a top member and a bottom member, only the bottom member of each stay being connected to the mounting means for mounting the rear wheel.
  • the stays thus act as leaf springs giving beneficial suspension effects.
  • a compliant material is provided to act between the top and bottom members of the stays.
  • the compliant material provides damping.
  • the material is preferably bonded to the top and bottom members of each stay.
  • the present invention provides a front fork assembly for a bicycle comprising two stays having wheel mounting means for supporting a wheel between the members, the stays being joined at one end, the stays both being shaped as aerofoils in cross-section each having a rounded leading edge and each having side surfaces which taper rearwardly from the leading edge thereof to intersect to define a knife-edge-like rearward edge.
  • the two stays can each be narrower in width than a monoblade and this has aerodynamic advantages.
  • the use of such stays also allows use of standard bearing components.
  • each support member is straight and the rearward edge of each support member is curved. This is aerodynamically beneficial.
  • the present invention in a third aspect provides a bicycle frame having two stays in a wishbone arrangement for mounting a wheel to the remainder of the frame, the arms being connected at one end to the remainder of the frame and then curving away from each other to end portions which are spaced apart and substantially parallel. This allows the possibility of suspension without requiring a wide central frame portion.
  • the present invention provides a bicycle frame having a plurality of stays for mounting a wheel to the remainder of the frame wherein the stays are in the form of cantilever arms extending away from the remainder of the frame and wherein the stays flex to allow motion of a wheel relative to the remainder of the frame.
  • the bicycle has a suspension of sorts.
  • each stay is split along the length thereof whereby each stay comprises an upper and a lower member, the lower member of each stay having mounting means for connecting the wheel to the stay, the two members acting in use as a leaf spring to allow motion of the wheel relative to the remainder of the frame.
  • each stay has compliant material positioned between the upper and lower member thereof, the compliant material damping motion mounted wheel relative to the remainder of the frame.
  • the invention provides a bicycle seat wherein the container for drinking fluid forms a rearward extension of the bicycle seat when attached thereto, the container being provided with an exterior surface which continues the contours of the seat.
  • the present invention in a sixth aspect provides a detachable container for drinking fluid having connecting means for connecting the container to a bicycle seat to form a rearward extension of the bicycle seat, the container being shaped to continue the contours of the seat.
  • Figures 1A, IB, 1C, ID, IE, IF, 1G, 1H and 1J show a bicycle frame according to the present invention and various cross sections of the bicycle frame, the cross-sections being taken along lines clearly indicated in Figure 1A;
  • Figure 2 is a partial cross-section taken along the line XX in figure 1 in the direction of the arrows shown in figure 1,
  • Figure 3 shows a front fork assembly according to the present invention in side elevation
  • Figure 4 shows a part cross-section/part front elevation view of the fork assembly of figure 3 , the part cross-section taken along line YY of the figure 3
  • Figures 5A and 5B show a rear stay assembly of a second embodiment of the invention
  • Figures 6A and 6B show a rear stay assembly of a third embodiment of the invention.
  • FIGS 7, 8 and 9 show a bicycle seat and drinking fluid arrangement according to the invention.
  • the bicycle frame according to the present invention can be seen to comprise a monocoque frame having a generally Z-shaped side elevation, the frame comprising a top portion 10, a rear wheel mounting portion 11 and a connecting portion 12 extending between the top portion and the rear wheel mounting portion 11.
  • the frame is in the preferred embodiment constructed of a carbon fibre composite.
  • the top portion 10 of the frame defines a surface 13 which is horizontal.
  • references are made to horizontal and vertical members it should be appreciated that those references refer to the orientation of members when the bicycle frame of the invention is fitted with wheels and positioned on a horizontal surface.
  • a bulbous mounting portion 14 which encases a bearing arrangement 15 for receiving a spindle connected to a front fork.
  • the bearing arrangement 15 and the bulbous casing 14 are arranged such that a spindle mounted in the bearing arrangement 15 is mounted inclined to the vertical so that the fork members for mounting the front wheels extend forwardly from the top portion 10 of the frame.
  • a seat mounting member 17 is provided which extends upwardly away from the top surface 13 at an angle inclined rearwardly. In manufacture of the frame, the seat mounting member 17 will be produced with a height exceeding requirements and will then be sawn off to the rider's required height.
  • a sleeve 31 which surrounds the seat mounting member 17 is provided upon which a seat 16 is mounted.
  • the seat 16 is mounted to the sleeve 31 by a joint 32 which allows pivotting of the seat 16 to suit the rider's requirements.
  • the sleeve 15 can be moved relative to the seat mounting member 17 to allow limited adjustment of the height of the seat 16.
  • the rear surface of the frame is formed from two curved surfaces 18 and 19.
  • the curved surfaces intersect at a point 20.
  • the curvature of the curved surface 19 is designed to match the curvature of a rear wheel when the rear wheel is attached to the frame.
  • a standard braking arrangement 21 is provided at the lowermost portion of the curved surface 18, to brake a rear wheel when attached to the frame.
  • the front surface 22 of the frame is curved with the curve extending first rearwardly from the front of the top portion 10 of the frame and then in a forward direction towards the lowermost part of the frame.
  • the connecting portion 12 of the frame connects the top portion 10 to the rear wheel mounting portion 11.
  • a bulbous tear drop shape frame portion 23 which encases a standard bottom bracket assembly 24 for mounting a shaft attached to the pedals of a bicycle.
  • the rear wheel mounting portion 11 of the bicycle comprises two stays 25 and 26 in a wishbone arrangement as can be clearly seen in figure 2.
  • the stays 25 and 26 flare outwardly from the centre line of the frame as they extend rearwardly.
  • Each stay includes a metal hindmost portion for mounting the rear wheel of the bicycle and the metal portions can be seen at 27 and 28 (these are commonly called “drop-outs") .
  • the rear wheel and the gears of the bicycle are mounted between the stays using the drop-outs 27 and 28.
  • the drop-outs 27 and 28 used with the frame could have generally vertically extending slots as shown in figure 1 and this would be common in bikes which used the Derallieur gear system which employs a chain tensioner.
  • the drop-outs 27 and 28 could have the horizontally extending slots as common in racing bicycles, where the horizontal movement of the rear wheel relative to the frame must be allowed to permit chain tensioning.
  • the frame in the portions 10 and 12 is designed to have an aerofoil shape in cross-section; i.e. the frame portions have a horizontal cross-section with a rounded front portion and rearwardly tapering side surfaces. This is indicated by the various cross-sections of figures ID, IF, 1G, 1H.
  • the rear surface 19 of the frame has a curved portion 30 which is designed to match the curvature of the tyre of a wheel mounted to the frame.
  • the thickness of the rear surface 19 is deliberately designed to be slightly smaller than the thickness of the tyre of a wheel mounted to the frame, to ensure continuous uninterrupted airflow across the frame and the rear wheel, the rear wheel typically being a closed disc type wheel to maximise aerodynamic efficiency.
  • Figure 1J shows a cross-section taken through the bulbous portion 23 of the frame. It can be seen that the bulbous portion 23 is a lot wider than the connecting portion 12 of the frame immediately above the bulbous portion 23. This has a beneficial aerodynamic effect.
  • the new design differs from conventional bicycles and also ditfers from the bicycle raced at the Olympic Games in that there is no triangular support structure for mounting a rear wheel.
  • conventional bicycles with tubular frames two tubular triangles are provided at the rear of the bicycle frame to support the rear wheel.
  • a single generally triangular webbing portion of the bicycle frame was provided to support the rear wheel.
  • the rear stay arrangement 11 for mounting the rear wheel allows flexing of the wishbone arms 25 and 26 and thus allows a degree of motion of the rear wheel vertically relative to the remainder of the frame. Thus, some degree of suspension is allowed by the new design.
  • both of the rear wishbone arms 25 and 26 are split horizontally along their length into two separate portions 25A and 25B and 26A and 26B respectively.
  • the drop-outs 27 and 28 are mounted only to the lower members 26B and 25B of the rear stays.
  • the member 25A can move relative to member 25B and similarly 26A can move relative to member 26B.
  • the rear stays 25 and 26 act as leaf springs allowing vertical motion of the rear wheel.
  • rubber or some other compliant material (shown at 70 in Figure 6B) is included between the split members 25A and 25B and also between the split members 26A and 26B.
  • the rubber acts to damp vertical motions of the rear wheel and thus provide damping in the suspension for the rear wheel.
  • the characteristics of the rubber or other material can be varied to provide the suspension characteristics required.
  • the rubber or other compliant material will be bonded to split members of each wishbone arm.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the new front fork assembly provided by the invention.
  • the front fork assembly consists of two stays which are mounted to a spindle and then mounted in the bearing assembly 15 in the head portion 14 of the bicycle frame previously described.
  • the stay has an aerofoil cross-section, which is clearly shown in figure 3; cross-sections of the fork member 50 are shown at 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55.
  • the front fork stays in a preferred embodiment are made out of a carbon fibre reinforced composite.
  • a front braking mechanism 57 is mounted at the top of the fork stays, where they are joined to each other and also to the spindle 58.
  • the bicycle can use any form of handlebars required by the rider, normal standard drop handlebars, tri-bars or specialised handlebars as used on the bicycle raced in the Barcelona Olympics.
  • FIG 7 of the application there is shown a standard bicycle seat 100.
  • a container 101 adapted to hold fluid for a rider.
  • the container will preferably have a tube (not shown) connected thereto to allow the rider to draw fluid from the container.
  • the container will include a container holding pressurised fluid with a valve installed in a tube connected to the container operable to allow fluid flow to the rider.
  • the container 101 is designed to fit the vehicle seat 100 as an extension of the seat with the contours of the container 101 following the contours of the seat.
  • the liquid containers currently used are mounted on bicycle frames and disrupt airflow and thus the use of a container attached to a seat improves the overall aerodynamics of a bicycle.
  • the container 101 is attached to the vehicle seat 100 by a screw 103.
  • Recesses 105 in the container 101 match bars on the underneath of the seat 100.
  • the bar 104 illustrated in figure 7 has screw holes for engagement by screws such as 103.
  • the seat 100 and container 101 are shown in figure 9 in an assembled state.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Axle Suspensions And Sidecars For Cycles (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention concerne (voir figure 1A) un cadre (10, 11, 12) de bicyclette qui est conçu monobloc et qui présente, vu de côté, globalement la forme d'un Z; et un ensemble fourche avant (voir figure 3) pour bicyclette comprenant deux montants (50 par exemple) pourvus de dispositifs (56 par exemple) de montage de roue qui servent à supporter une roue entre eux, ces montants (50 par exemple) se rejoignant à une extrémité et étant configurés sous forme de profils d'ailes présentant chacun en coupe transversale un bord avant arrondi et des surfaces latérales qui diminuent vers l'arrière depuis le bord avant afin de s'entrecroiser pour définir un bord arrière en forme d'arête de couteau. Cette invention concerne également (voir figure 1A) un cadre (10, 11, 12) de bicyclette comprenant plusieurs montants (25, 26) qui servent à monter une roue sur le reste du cadre (10, 12), ces montants (25, 26) se présentant sous forme de fourchons s'étendant depuis le reste du cadre (10, 11) qui se fléchissent et s'abaissent pour permettre à une roue de se déplacer par rapport au reste du cadre (10, 12); et (voir figure 7) une selle (100, 101) de bicyclette conçue pour loger un récipient détachable (101) destiné à contenir une boisson, ce récipient détachable (101) comprenant un dispositif de fixation (103, 105) qui permet de le fixer sur la selle (100) de bicyclette de manière à constituer la partie arrière de la selle (100), ce récipient (101) étant configuré pour prolonger les contours de ladite selle (100).
PCT/GB1994/001038 1993-05-14 1994-05-16 Cadre et elements de bicyclette WO1994026579A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU66553/94A AU6655394A (en) 1993-05-14 1994-05-16 A bicycle frame and bicycle components

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9309979.4 1993-05-14
GB939309979A GB9309979D0 (en) 1993-05-14 1993-05-14 Bicycle and components thereof

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1994026579A1 true WO1994026579A1 (fr) 1994-11-24

Family

ID=10735497

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1994/001038 WO1994026579A1 (fr) 1993-05-14 1994-05-16 Cadre et elements de bicyclette

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU6655394A (fr)
GB (1) GB9309979D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1994026579A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996003306A1 (fr) * 1994-07-22 1996-02-08 Royal Melbourne Institute Of Technology Cadre de bicyclette
WO1997045315A1 (fr) * 1996-05-29 1997-12-04 Alberto Maistrello Dispositif pour la reduction de la trainee aerodynamique de cycles et similaire, avec injection d'air dans le sillage
US10407120B2 (en) 2014-09-05 2019-09-10 Ventum LLC Cycle frame fluid reservoir

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3233916A (en) * 1964-02-13 1966-02-08 Benjamin G Bowden Velocipede frame
EP0198284A2 (fr) * 1985-04-16 1986-10-22 FIR S.p.A. FABBRICA ITALIANA RUOTE Cadre de bicyclette, en particulier du type pour compétition sportive
DE9103867U1 (de) * 1991-03-28 1991-05-29 Zender, Alfons, 8031 Gilching Fahrradrahmen

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3233916A (en) * 1964-02-13 1966-02-08 Benjamin G Bowden Velocipede frame
EP0198284A2 (fr) * 1985-04-16 1986-10-22 FIR S.p.A. FABBRICA ITALIANA RUOTE Cadre de bicyclette, en particulier du type pour compétition sportive
DE9103867U1 (de) * 1991-03-28 1991-05-29 Zender, Alfons, 8031 Gilching Fahrradrahmen

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
GLASKIN: "On the chain gang", ENGINEERING. (INCL. MACHINE SHOP MAGAZINE), vol. 232, no. 8, September 1992 (1992-09-01), LONDON GB, pages 13 *

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996003306A1 (fr) * 1994-07-22 1996-02-08 Royal Melbourne Institute Of Technology Cadre de bicyclette
WO1997045315A1 (fr) * 1996-05-29 1997-12-04 Alberto Maistrello Dispositif pour la reduction de la trainee aerodynamique de cycles et similaire, avec injection d'air dans le sillage
US10407120B2 (en) 2014-09-05 2019-09-10 Ventum LLC Cycle frame fluid reservoir

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU6655394A (en) 1994-12-12
GB9309979D0 (en) 1993-06-30

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