Patent ID: 6722678
Filing Date: 2004-04-20
Classification: B62K,F16F

Abstract:
A suspension assembly for a bicycle, comprising:a primary tube; a piston rod supporting a piston and being capable of motion relative to said primary tube, said piston and said primary tube at least partially defining a first fluid chamber, wherein one of said primary tube and said piston rod is configured to be connected to a wheel portion of a bicycle and the other of said primary tube and said piston rod is configured to be connected to a frame portion of a bicycle; a secondary tube at least partially defining a second fluid chamber, wherein said first fluid chamber and said second fluid chamber are filled with a liquid and wherein liquid flows between said first fluid chamber and said second fluid chamber in response to relative motion of said piston rod and said primary tube; an inertial valve having a first position and a second position, said inertial valve blocking a flow of liquid from said first fluid chamber to said second fluid chamber in said first position and thereby preventing any significant relative motion of said primary tube and said piston rod, said inertial valve permitting a flow of liquid from said first fluid chamber to said second fluid chamber in said second position and thereby permitting relative movement of said primary tube and said piston rod; and a floating piston within said secondary tube separating said second fluid chamber from a gas chamber, said gas chamber including a pressurized gas that applies a force to said floating piston, thereby pressurizing said liquid within said second fluid chamber.