Patent ID: 6517096
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: B62K

Abstract:
A shock absorbing device adapted for use in a bicycle to reduce shock transmitted to a handlebar of the bicycle, the bicycle includinga front brake cable, a front wheel axle defining a rotating axis, a front hub mounted on the front wheel axle to rotate about the rotating axis, a first friction brake member mounted to rotate with the front hub, and including an outer circumferential wall surface surrounding the rotating axis, and a stem disposed on and extending from the handlebar downwards to terminate at a first coupling end which is swiveled about a swiveling axis, wherein the shock is transmitted along a route which extends radially from the front wheel axle and rearwardly and upwardly to the swiveling axis of the stem to the handlebar, said shock absorbing device comprising: a support leg including an upper end adapted to be swiveled with the first coupling end of the stem about the swiveling axis and to be disposed distal to the handlebar, and an intermediate portion extending from said upper end downwards and forwardly and terminating at a lower end which is adapted to be disposed above the front wheel axle; a lever including a proximate end adapted to be anchored relative to the front wheel axle, and a distal end fitted to said lower end of said support leg such that said intermediate portion is movable towards said proximate end when the stem is abruptly pressed by the combined inertial momenta of the mass of a rider and the mass of the bicycle as a result of a braking action, or when the shock is transmitted upwards via the front wheel axle as a result of unevenness of a road surface being traversed by the bicycle; a crank member including a first journal end adapted to be journalled on the front wheel axle, and a web portion extending from said first journal end radially relative to the rotating axis and terminating at a second coupling end which is disposed to couple with said intermediate portion; a resisting member disposed to bias said intermediate portion to move away from said proximate end, thereby providing a damping action to the shock; a second friction brake member disposed on and movable relative to said web portion in an axial direction parallel to the rotating axis and between a braked position, where said second friction brake member, in response to an actuation of the front brake cable, is moved to abut against the first friction brake member so as to generate a frictional force to retard running of the front hub, while taking up the inertial momentum of the front hub to push said web portion as well as said second coupling end to turn so as to move a corresponding one of said proximate end and said intermediate portion away from the other one of said intermediate portion and said proximate end, thereby counteracting the relative movement of said intermediate portion towards said proximate end stemming from the braking action, and an unbraked position, where said second friction brake member is moved outwardly and in the axial direction to disengage the first friction brake member; a first coupler interconnecting said second coupling end and said intermediate portion; and a second coupler having a journal end which is adapted to be journalled on the front wheel axle and opposite to said web portion and which is disposed to be turned with said crank member, and a linking end which is distal to the front wheel axle and which is connected to said proximate end.