Patent ID: 7448638
Filing Date: 2008-11-11
Classification: B62K,F16F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A bicycle suspension assembly, comprising: an upper tube configured for coupling to a bicycle frame; a lower tube configured for coupling to a bicycle front wheel, the lower tube in telescoping engagement with the upper tube; a damping assembly including; the piston and the damping tube defining a compression fluid chamber and a rebound fluid chamber, wherein a damping fluid moves between the compression chamber and the rebound chamber during compression movement of the suspension assembly and the piston rod occupies a successively greater portion of the damping tube during the compression movement; an opening communicating with the compression chamber; an inertia valve comprising an inertia mass, the inertia valve having an open position wherein the inertia mass does not block at least a portion of the opening and a flow of damping fluid is permitted through at least a portion of the opening, the inertia valve normally biased to a closed position wherein the inertia mass is positioned to block more of the opening such that the flow of damping fluid through the opening is reduced relative to the open position of the inertia valve; a spring, the spring configured to apply a force to the suspension assembly tending to extend the piston rod relative to the damping tube; wherein the spring and the damper cooperate, in the absence of a terrain-induced upward acceleration of the suspension assembly above a predetermined threshold sufficient to move the inertia valve to the open position, to prevent significant compressive movement of the suspension assembly in response to rider-induced pedaling forces on the suspension assembly, and wherein the inertia valve is movable to the open position in response to a terrain-induced upward acceleration of the suspension assembly above the threshold to permit significant compressive movement of the suspension assembly.