Patent ID: 6343807
Filing Date: 2002-02-05
Classification: B62K

Abstract:
A front suspension fork for a cycle having a steerer shaft and a wheel that is rotatable about an axle, comprising:(a) at least one suspension fork leg including a pair of vertical telescopic tubular leg sections having remote first ends that are adapted for connection with the cycle steerer shaft and with the wheel axle, respectively; (b) a compression rod arranged concentrically within the outer one of the tubular leg sections, said compression rod having a first end connected with said first end of said outer leg section, said compression rod extending longitudinally along said outer leg section and having a second end that extends partially within the second end of the inner one of the leg sections; (c) helical compression spring means arranged concentrically within and extending longitudinally through said inner leg section, said compression spring means normally reacting between said compression rod and said first end of said inner tubular leg section to bias said leg sections axially apart; (d) first travel limiting means limiting the extent of inward axial displacement of said inner leg section toward a collapsed position relative to the outer leg section; (e) second travel limiting means limiting the extent of outward axial displacement of said inner leg section toward a first expanded position relative to said outer leg section, thereby to define a first relative travel distance (D1) between said leg sections; (f) normally de-activated third travel limiting means arranged between said first and second travel limiting means, said third travel limiting means being operable to an activated condition to limit the extent of outward displacement of said inner leg section toward a second expanded position relative to said outer leg section, thereby to define a second relative travel distance (D2) between said leg sections that is shorter than said first relative travel distance; and (g) operating means arranged externally of said leg sections for selectively activating and de-activating said third travel limiting means.