Patent ID: 6017048
Filing Date: 2000-01-25
Classification: B62K,Y10T

Abstract:
A bicycle frame utilizing an integral tension configuration, including: a main frame structure, said main frame structure including a front fork mounting means, a crank assembly mounting means, a bicycle saddle mounting means, and two rear wheel mounting means, and also including a down tube structure running from said front fork mounting means to said crank assembly mounting means, two rear wheel stays running from said crank assembly mounting means to said rear wheel mounting means, and a seat tube structure emanating from said down tube structure; said down tube structure, said rear wheel stays, and said seat tube structure are composed of an integral tension outer shell and inner structural members, said inner structural members including a various number of generally parallel and lineally running integral tension struts that are affixed in a continuous manner whereby the entire predetermined circumferential edges of said integral tension struts contact the inner surface of said integral tension outer shell and to mating parts of said down tube structure, said seat tube structure, and said rear wheel stays, as well as to said front fork mounting means, said crank assembly mounting means, said bicycle saddle mounting means, and said rear wheel mounting means, said inner structural members further including a various number of integral tension ribs generally perpendicular to the upper and lower of said generally parallel and lineally running integral tension struts that are affixed in a continuous manner whereby the entire predetermined circumferential edges of said integral tension ribs contact the upper and lower inner surfaces of the said integral tension outer shell, said integral tension struts, and with a predetermined selection of other said main frame structure parts, including said front fork mounting means, said crank assembly mounting means, said bicycle saddle mounting means, and said rear wheel mounting means, with said front fork mounting means, said crank assembly mounting means, said bicycle saddle mounting means, and said rear wheel mounting means also affixed to said inner surfaces of said integral tension outer shell as well as to said integral tension struts and said integral tension ribs in their predetermined positions, and said crank assembly mounting means affixed to said inner surface of the lower part of said outer shell;a fork assembly, including a means for fastening said fork assembly to said main frame structure, a headset bearing race support, a fork crown, two front wheel mounting means, and two fork blades running from said fork crown to said front wheel mounting means, wherein said fork blades are composed of an integral tension outer shell and inner structural members; said inner structural members including a various number of generally vertical and parallel lineally running integral tension struts affixed in a continuous manner whereby the entire predetermined circumferential edges of said integral tension struts contact the inner surface of the said integral tension outer shell, said fork crown, said means for fastening said fork assembly to said main frame structure, and said front wheel mounting means, and wherein said front wheel mounting means are affixed to said integral tension outer shell and to integral tension struts, and wherein said integral tension outer shell is affixed in a continuous manner along its surface of contact to said fork crown and said means for fastening said fork assembly to said main frame structure.