Patent ID: 7503576
Filing Date: 2009-03-17
Classification: B62K

Abstract:
1. An assembly for use as a component of a bicycle fork, comprising: a. a steering tube having a first proximal end and a second distal end, a flange located at the second distal end, the tube having a shoulder which is located near the second distal end of the tube, the shoulder dividing the steering tube into a neck between the shoulder and the second distal end and a round body portion extending from the shoulder to the first proximal end, the neck having a round interior and exterior surface, the steering tube having a thick tube wall section close the second distal end of the tube, a thin tube wall section at the first proximal end, and the tube wall tapering from adjacent the shoulder to the first proximal end; b. a crown having a central portion including a top hollow shoulder and a bottom interior surface which matches the flange at the second end of the steering tube, the central portion of the crown having a round interior bore which matches the round exterior surface of the neck of the steering tube, the central portion connected to first and second side arms which respectively are connected to receiving members which respectively receive fork legs; and c. said steering tube made of uncured resin with epoxy soaked carbon fibers and the crown made of material selected from the group comprising of copper, aluminum, magnesium and titanium, the steering tube placed into the crown so that the neck is inserted into the matching shaped bore of the crown, the steering tube and crown placed into a mold and subjected to heat so that the carbon fiber steering tube is bonded into the crown and the epoxy soaked carbon fibers do not fully cure until subjected to heat which bonds the steering tube to the crown.