Automatic suspension lockout for bicycles

An automatic suspension lockout assembly for bicycles comprises a pedal, crankarm, chainwheel, crankshaft and bearing assembly compliantly mounted to a frame such that a combination of pedaling forces and uphill bicycle inclination creates a small motion suitable for controlling a hydraulic valve in a shock absorber of the bicycle suspension assembly resulting in lockout of the suspension.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 , the pedals ( 1 ) of a bicycle are attached to a front chainwheel ( 2 ) via a crankshaft and bearings ( 3 ) which is mounted to the mainframe ( 4 ) via a bottom bracket ( 5 ). In prior art arrangements, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , the crankshaft is normally constrained from movement in the bottom bracket in all degrees of freedom except the desired rotation for pedaling energy transfer to the rear wheel assembly ( 6 ) via the chain ( 8 ). As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 , and 4 A, the bottom bracket ( 5 ) is rotatably attached to the mainframe via a mounting pivot ( 7 ). The mounting pivot is located directly above the crankshaft so that the tension force (Fc) in the chain ( 8 ) caused by the pedaling force (Fp) creates rotational motion (Rm) of the bottom bracket ( 5 ) around the mounting pivot ( 7 ), as best illustrated in FIG. 4A . A control spring ( 9 ) is mounted between the bottom bracket and mainframe so that the tension in the chain creates proportional rotational motion of the bottom bracket around the mounting pivot. The force/displacement rate of the control spring is chosen to accommodate the maximum desired pedaling force threshold within the rotational travel limits of the bottom bracket which is to be less than twenty-five degrees for normal pedaling force (Fp) inputs. This motion is indiscernible to the rider during pedaling. A connector rod ( 10 ) transmits the bottom bracket motion to the suspension's shock absorber ( 11 ). An internal linkage ( 12 ) in the shock absorber operates a valve ( 13 ) that inhibits fluid flow. Limiting the flow creates a hydraulic lock that slows or stops all suspension motion, referred to as lockout whether the flow is slowed or stopped. The addition of a control damper ( 14 ) in parallel with the control spring ( 9 ) is desirable as it increases the dynamic time constant of the pivoting bottom bracket ( 5 ) so that the valve ( 13 ) motion is not overly rapid or oscillatory. In an alternative configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 8 , the crankshaft and bearings ( 3 ) are mounted eccentrically inside the bottom bracket ( 5 ). The bottom bracket is mounted solidly to the mainframe as in a conventional bicycle. An elastomeric material ( 15 ) such as synthetic rubber is utilized to attach the crankshaft and bearings ( 3 ) to the bottom bracket ( 5 ). The elastomeric material allows the crankshaft and bearings to eccentrically rotate in the bottom bracket in response to tension force (Fc) in the chain ( 8 ) caused by the pedaling force (Fp). The force/displacement rate of the elastomeric material is chosen to limit the eccentric motion of the crankshaft and bearings ( 3 ) to less than twenty-five degrees for normal pedaling force (Fp) inputs. Additionally, the elastomeric material can be chosen and designed to provide the correct level of damping required by the system as the characteristic is inherent to this type of material. A connector rod ( 10 ) transmits the eccentric motion of the crankshaft and bearings ( 3 ) to the suspension's shock absorber ( 11 ). An internal linkage ( 12 ) in the shock absorber ( 11 ) operates a valve ( 13 ) that significantly inhibits fluid flow. This blocking of the flow creates a hydraulic lock that limits or stops all suspension motion. In a further alternative configuration as illustrated in FIG. 7 , the crankshaft and bearings are mounted inside a bottom bracket ( 5 ) which is slideably attached to the mainframe ( 4 ) via a linear bearing ( 20 ) that moves parallel to the tight span of the chain in response to the tension force (Fc) in the chain. A control spring ( 9 ) is mounted between the bottom bracket ( 5 ) and the mainframe ( 4 ). The force displacement rate of the control spring is chosen to accommodate the largest possible pedaling force threshold within the travel range of the linear bearing which is small enough to be indiscernible to the rider. A connector rod ( 10 ) or cable ( 17 ) transmits the linear motion of the crankshaft and bearings ( 3 ) to the suspension's shock absorber ( 11 ). A pre-load setting mechanism ( 16 ) capable of adjusting the pre-load of the control spring ( 9 ) or elastomeric material ( 15 ) is desirable to adjust the threshold at which the pedaling force (Fp) cause the valve ( 13 ) to hydraulically lock the suspension, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B . By correctly choosing the force/displacement rate of the control spring or elastomeric material and adjusting the preload, actuation of the valve ( 13 ) can be achieved at any desired pedaling force threshold. An alternative to the connector rod ( 10 ) solution of transferring the pedal force induced rotary motion is to utilize a cable ( 17 ), as illustrated in FIG. 3 . This arrangement is especially well suited to actuating the valve ( 13 ) in a front suspension system due to the relative motion between the forks ( 18 ) and mainframe required by the steering system.