CANTILEVERED REAR STAY AND SUSPENSION FOR A SHAFT DRIVEN BICYCLE

摘要

A bicycle having a drive-shaft connecting a crank to an internal hub gearbox on a rear wheel. The bicycle having a suspension system and a cantilevered rear stay that connects the rear wheel to the frame and maintains the hub in a relative radial distance from the crank to maintain contact of the drive-shaft with the crank and gearbox. The suspension system having a linearly moveable damping device disposed within the frame. A swing arm pivotally extends from the rear stay to the damping device. The pivotal connection of the rear stay to the frame, the linear connection of the damping device to the frame, and the pivotal connection of the swing-arm to both the rear stay and damping device provide a four-bar sliding mechanism to provide suspension for the rear wheel on the bicycle.

主权项

1. A bicycle comprising:
a cantilevered stay pivotally connecting a rear wheel to a frame; a crank supported by the frame, wherein the cantilevered stay is pivotally connected to the frame about the crank; a gearbox disposed within a hub; a drive-shaft disposed in the cantilevered stay connecting the crank to the gearbox; and a suspension system connected to the cantilevered stay and frame to damp relative movement therebetween.