Patent Description:
Bicycles have a wide range of user groups and application. In addition to transportation, more and more people regard cycling as a leisure or competitive activity. In order to enable different types of cyclists to ride their bicycles comfortably, different types of bicycle shock absorbers were developed. At the same time, in response to different road sections that may have different smoothness, bicycle shock absorbers with adjustable damping have also been developed. After that, shock absorbers that the initial volume of the air chamber can be adjusted through the pad according to the weight of different riders appear, but how to easily adjust and replace the pad has not been satisfied.

In the conventional method for adjusting the initial volume of the air chamber of the shock absorber, a pad can be added in the air chamber, thereby adjusting the volume of the air chamber to control the air pressure curve of the air spring for fitting to the rider's weight. In order to achieve a stable shock-absorbing effect, the pad and other parts need to be tightly engaged, which may cause difficulty for the user to install or remove the pad.

Document <CIT>, which is considered to be the closest prior art, discloses a bicycle shock absorber structure according to the pre-amble of claim <NUM>.

Therefore, how to make the adjustment function of the air pressure curve of the bicycle shock absorber easy to be performed through the improvement of the structure is a problem to be solved in the art.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a bicycle shock absorber structure includes a gas-tube housing, a lid, an axial rod and a ring-shaped pad. The lid covers the gas-tube housing. An inner space is defined between the lid and the gas-tube housing. The lid includes a locking part and at least one locking slot. The locking part is disposed at a side of the lid that faces toward the gas-tube housing. The at least one locking slot is disposed on the locking part. The axial rod is connected to the locking part along an axial direction. The ring-shaped pad includes a radial opening, an inner hole and at least one protrusion part. The inner hole is communicated with the radial opening and for sleeving on the locking part. The at least one protrusion part is disposed at an inner edge of the inner hole and is movable along the at least one locking slot. The ring-shaped pad sleeves on the axial rod through the radial opening and moves to sleeve on the locking part, the at least one protrusion part then protrudes into the at least one locking slot, and the ring-shaped pad is rotated relative to the lid such that an interference between the at least one protrusion part and the at least one locking slot is generated.

According to one embodiment of the bicycle shock absorber structure, the at least one locking slot may include at least one axial restricting slot, and at least one circumferential restricting slot communicated with the at least one axial restricting slot.

According to one embodiment of the bicycle shock absorber structure, a depth of the at least one axial restricting slot may be larger than a depth of the at least one circumferential restricting slot.

According to one embodiment of the bicycle shock absorber structure, a ratio of the depth of the at least one axial restricting slot and the depth of the at least one circumferential restricting slot may be in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>.

According to one embodiment of the bicycle shock absorber structure, a surface of the at least one protrusion part, a surface of the at least one axial restricting slot and a surface of the at least one circumferential restricting slot may be curved.

According to one embodiment of the bicycle shock absorber structure, the at least one locking slot may include at least one spiral restricting slot.

According to one embodiment of the bicycle shock absorber structure, the at least one protrusion part may have a steel bead structure.

According to one embodiment of the bicycle shock absorber structure, a number of the at least one locking slot may be larger than or equal to <NUM>.

According to one embodiment of the bicycle shock absorber structure, the lid may include a gas valve, and the gas valve allows a gas to enter or to exit the inner space.

According to one embodiment of the bicycle shock absorber structure, may further include an inner-tube housing connected to the gas-tube housing, and the inner-tube housing moves along the axial direction relative to the gas-tube housing.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a bicycle includes a frame, two wheels disposed at the frame and the aforementioned bicycle shock absorber structure disposed at the frame.

According to one embodiment of the bicycle, a depth of a part of the at least one locking slot closing to the axial rod may be larger than a depth of another part of the at least one locking slot away from the axial rod.

<FIG> is a side view of a bicycle shock absorber structure <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded view of the bicycle shock absorber structure <NUM> of <FIG>. In <FIG> and <FIG>, the bicycle shock absorber structure <NUM> includes a gas-tube housing <NUM>, a lid <NUM>, an axial rod <NUM> and a ring-shaped pad <NUM>. The lid <NUM> covers the gas-tube housing <NUM>. An inner space is defined between the lid <NUM> and the gas-tube housing <NUM>. The lid <NUM> includes a locking part <NUM> and at least one locking slot (in the embodiment of <FIG>, the at least one locking slot includes at least one axial restricting slot <NUM> and at least one circumferential restricting slot <NUM>). The locking part <NUM> is disposed at a side of the lid <NUM> that faces toward the gas-tube housing <NUM>. The at least one axial restricting slot <NUM> and the at least one circumferential restricting slot <NUM> are disposed on the locking part <NUM>. The axial rod <NUM> is connected to the locking part <NUM> along an axial direction X. The ring-shaped pad <NUM> includes a radial opening <NUM>, an inner hole <NUM> and at least one protrusion part <NUM>. The inner hole <NUM> is communicated with the radial opening <NUM> and is for sleeving on the locking part <NUM>. The at least one protrusion part <NUM> is disposed at an inner edge <NUM> (labeled in <FIG>) of the inner hole <NUM>. Through sleeving the ring-shaped pad <NUM> on the locking part <NUM>, the inner space defined between the lid <NUM> and the gas-tube housing <NUM> is tunable. Therefore, the damping curve of the bicycle shock absorber structure <NUM> can be adjusted.

The bicycle shock absorber structure <NUM> of this disclosure can be a single-barrel shock absorber, a dual-barrel shock absorber, etc. In the embodiment of <FIG>, the bicycle shock absorber structure <NUM> further includes an inner-tube housing <NUM> connected to the gas-tube housing <NUM>. The inner-tube housing <NUM> moves along the axial direction X relative to the gas-tube housing <NUM>. The inner structure and the principle of the bicycle shock absorber structure <NUM> are known and are not the main improvement of this disclosure, and therefore are not described again.

The lid <NUM> and the ring-shaped pad <NUM> of this embodiment are described in detail below. Please refer to <FIG> is a three dimensional view of a ring-shaped pad <NUM> of the bicycle shock absorber structure <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> is a three dimensional view of a lid <NUM> of the bicycle shock absorber structure <NUM> of <FIG>. In this embodiment, the locking part <NUM> has a cylinder structure. A number of the at least one locking slot is two and the two locking slots are disposed oppositely. As shown in <FIG>, a number of the at least one axial restricting slot <NUM> is two and the two axial restricting slots <NUM> are disposed oppositely. A number of the at least one circumferential restricting slot <NUM> is two and the two circumferential restricting slots <NUM> are disposed oppositely. The ring-shaped pad <NUM> has a C-shaped structure. The inner diameter of the radial opening <NUM> is smaller than the inner diameter of the inner hole <NUM>. A number of the at least one protrusion part <NUM> is two and the two protrusion parts <NUM> are disposed oppositely. In <FIG>, one of the circumferential restricting slots <NUM> is communicated with one of the axial restricting slot <NUM>, and the other one of the circumferential restricting slots <NUM> is communicated with the other one of the axial restricting slot <NUM>. The shape and size of the protrusion part <NUM> match the width of the axial restricting slot <NUM> and the width of the circumferential restricting slot <NUM> such that the protrusion part <NUM> is movable along the axial restricting slot <NUM> and the circumferential restricting slot <NUM>. In this embodiment, the surface of the protrusion part <NUM>, the surface of the axial restricting slot <NUM> and the surface of the circumferential restricting slot <NUM> are curved. Through the curved surfaces of the protrusion part <NUM>, the axial restricting slot <NUM> and the circumferential restricting slot <NUM>, the protrusion part <NUM> is easier to move in the axial restricting slot <NUM> and the circumferential restricting slot <NUM>.

In addition, in the embodiment of <FIG>, the protrusion part <NUM> can be integrally formed on the inner edge <NUM> (labeled in <FIG>) of the inner hole <NUM>. For example, the protrusion part <NUM> of a rubber material can be formed integrally on the inner edge <NUM> of the inner hole <NUM> of the ring-shaped pad <NUM> of a rubber material such that no structural interface exists between the protrusion part <NUM> and the inner edge <NUM> of the inner hole <NUM>. The ring-shaped pad <NUM> can be made of any elastic material and is not limited to rubber. Otherwise, in other embodiments, the protrusion part can have a steel bead structure and be fixed on the inner edge of the inner hole. Otherwise, in other embodiments, the ring-shaped pad can be made of rigid material (e.g. metal) and is not elastic while an elastic protrusion part can be used.

Please refer to <FIG>, <FIG>. The installing method of the bicycle shock absorber structure <NUM> is described below. <FIG> is one cross sectional view of the lid <NUM> assembled with the ring-shaped pad <NUM> of the bicycle shock absorber structure <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> is another cross sectional view of the lid <NUM> assembled with the ring-shaped pad <NUM> of the bicycle shock absorber structure <NUM> of <FIG>. The ring-shaped pad <NUM> sleeves on the axial rod <NUM> through the radial opening <NUM> and moves along the axial direction X to sleeve on the locking part <NUM>, the two protrusion parts <NUM> then protrude into the two axial restricting slots <NUM> respectively, and the ring-shaped pad <NUM> is rotated such that the two protrusion parts <NUM> enter the two circumferential restricting slots <NUM>, respectively, and an interference between the protrusion parts <NUM> and the locking slots is generated.

In the conventional tunable shock absorber, there are no additional structures on the ring-shaped pad and the locking part for fixing, and the ring-shaped pad is simply fixed by the contact between the surface of the inner edge of the ring-shaped pad and the surface of the locking part, and a large force is required by the bicycle riders to assemble or disassemble the ring-shaped pad. Through the structure that the protrusion part <NUM> protrudes into the axial restricting slot <NUM>, and the ring-shaped pad <NUM> is rotated such that the protrusion part <NUM> enters the circumferential restricting slot <NUM> to generate interference therebetween, the bicycle riders can assemble or separate the ring-shaped pad <NUM> from the lid <NUM> more easily, which results a easily adjusting effect.

In this embodiment, a depth of the axial restricting slot <NUM> is larger than a depth of the circumferential restricting slot <NUM>. In <FIG>, when the protrusion part <NUM> of the ring-shaped pad <NUM> is in the axial restricting slot <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>), a gap exists between the inner edge <NUM> of the inner hole <NUM> of the ring-shaped pad <NUM> and the surface of the axial restricting slot <NUM>, and a gap exists between the inner edge <NUM> of the inner hole <NUM> of the ring-shaped pad <NUM> and the surface <NUM> of the locking part <NUM>. After rotating the ring-shaped pad <NUM>, the protrusion part <NUM> is in the circumferential restricting slot <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). Since the depth of the circumferential restricting slot <NUM> is smaller than the depth of the axial restricting slot <NUM>, the interference is generated between the circumferential restricting slot <NUM> and the ring-shaped pad <NUM>. Because the ring-shaped pad <NUM> is elastic, when the circumferential restricting slot <NUM> applies a force on the protrusion part <NUM>, the ring-shaped pad <NUM> deforms near the protrusion part <NUM>, and a restoring force makes the ring-shaped pad <NUM> squeeze the locking part <NUM>. At this moment, no gap exists between the protrusion part <NUM> of the ring-shaped pad <NUM> and the surface of the circumferential restricting slot <NUM>, and the inner edge <NUM> of the inner hole <NUM> of the ring-shaped pad <NUM> is close to or touches the surface <NUM> of the locking part <NUM> of the lid <NUM>. Therefore, a user can easily sleeve the ring-shaped pad <NUM> on the locking part <NUM>, and can fix the ring-shaped pad <NUM> on the locking part <NUM> by simply rotating the ring-shaped pad <NUM>. Inverse operation may be applied to disassemble the ring-shaped pad <NUM>.

To carry out the aforementioned function, the depth of the axial restricting slot <NUM> and the circumferential restricting slot <NUM> can be designed. In one embodiment, a ratio of the depth of the at least one axial restricting slot <NUM> and the depth of the at least one circumferential restricting slot <NUM> is in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>.

In addition to tune the pressure curve of the bicycle shock absorber structure <NUM> by adjusting the volume of the air chamber (the inner space between the lid <NUM> and the gas-tube housing <NUM>), the pressure curve of the bicycle shock absorber structure <NUM> can also be tuned by adjusting the vapor pressure in the air chamber. In the embodiment of <FIG>, the lid <NUM> includes a gas valve <NUM>, and the gas valve <NUM> allows a gas to enter or to exit the inner space.

Please refer to <FIG> is a three dimensional view of a lid <NUM> of a bicycle shock absorber structure according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The lid <NUM> of this embodiment is similar to the lid <NUM> of the embodiment of <FIG>, and the difference is that the circumferential restricting slot <NUM> surrounds the locking part <NUM> and forms a ring-shaped circumferential restricting slot <NUM>, and is communicated with the at least one axial restricting slot <NUM>. In the real production and application, the extending length of the circumferential restricting slot <NUM> along the circumferential direction R (shown in <FIG>) of the locking part <NUM> can be designed according to demands.

Please refer to <FIG> is a three dimensional view of a lid <NUM> of a bicycle shock absorber structure according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. The lid <NUM> of this embodiment is similar to the lid <NUM> of the embodiment of <FIG>, and the difference is that the at least one locking slot includes at least one spiral restricting slot <NUM>. The at least one spiral restricting slot <NUM> extends along the axial direction X and the circumferential direction R on the surface <NUM> of the locking part <NUM>. In this embodiment, the locking slot includes two spiral restricting slots <NUM> and two circumferential restricting slots <NUM>. One of the spiral restricting slots <NUM> is communicated with one of the circumferential restricting slots <NUM>, and the other one of the spiral restricting slots <NUM> is communicated with the other one of the circumferential restricting slot <NUM>.

In the above three different embodiments, a number of the protrusion parts <NUM> and a number of the ring-shaped pad <NUM> are two, and a number of the locking slots of the lid <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> is two. In other embodiments that are not illustrated in this disclosure, the ring-shaped pad can include only one protrusion part, and the lid can include only one locking slot, or the ring-shaped pad can include more than two protrusion parts, and the lid can include more than two locking slots.

Please refer to <FIG> is a side view of a bicycle <NUM> according to still yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. The bicycle shock absorber structure <NUM> is illustrated as a rear shock absorber in <FIG> to illustrate the position of the bicycle shock absorber structure <NUM> on bicycle <NUM>. In <FIG>, the bicycle <NUM> includes a frame <NUM>, two wheels <NUM> and the bicycle shock absorber structure <NUM>. The two wheels <NUM> and the bicycle shock absorber structure <NUM> are disposed on the frame <NUM>. The lid and the inner-tube housing of the bicycle shock absorber structure <NUM> are respectively fixed at the seat stay <NUM> of the frame <NUM> and the down tube <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. Through positioning the bicycle shock absorber structure <NUM> between the seat stay <NUM> and the down tube <NUM>, the shock generated by the wheels <NUM> traveling on an uneven road can be partially or totally absorbed by the bicycle shock absorber structure <NUM> such that the vibrations of shocks transport to the saddle <NUM> are reduced, and comfortability of riding the bicycle <NUM> can be improved.

In this embodiment, the bicycle shock absorber structure <NUM> can be the bicycle shock absorber structure <NUM> in <FIG>. In the bicycle shock absorber structure <NUM>, a depth of a part of the at least one locking slot closing to the axial rod is larger than a depth of another part of the at least one locking slot away from the axial rod.

Claim 1:
A bicycle shock absorber structure (<NUM>, <NUM>), characterized in comprising:
a gas-tube housing (<NUM>);
a lid (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) covering the gas-tube housing (<NUM>), an inner space being defined between the lid (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the gas-tube housing (<NUM>), the lid (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a locking part (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) disposed at a side of the lid (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) that faces toward the gas-tube housing (<NUM>); characterised in that the lid (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is further comprising:
at least one locking slot disposed on the locking part (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
an axial rod (<NUM>) connected to the locking part (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) along an axial direction (X); and
a ring-shaped pad (<NUM>), comprising:
a radial opening (<NUM>);
an inner hole (<NUM>) communicated with the radial opening (<NUM>) and for sleeving on the locking part (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); and
at least one protrusion part (<NUM>) disposed at an inner edge (<NUM>) of the inner hole (<NUM>) and being movable along the at least one locking slot;
wherein the ring-shaped pad (<NUM>) sleeves on the axial rod (<NUM>) through the radial opening (<NUM>) and moves to sleeve on the locking part (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the at least one protrusion part (<NUM>) then protrudes into the at least one locking slot, and the ring-shaped pad (<NUM>) is rotated relative to the lid (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) such that an interference between the at least one protrusion part (<NUM>) and the at least one locking slot is generated.