Bicycle suspension system

摘要

A suspension system disposed in a bicycle fork. The suspension system includes inner and outer tubes, first and second bushings, a steering mechanism and a shock-absorbing mechanism. The first and second bushings are disposed between the inner and outer tubes to facilitate the sliding of the inner tube within the outer tube. The steering mechanism prevents relative rotation between the inner and outer tubes and is disposed between the first and second bushings. With this configuration, the ratio of the bushing length to the inner tube diameter is greater than 4, resulting in the suspension fork handling most lateral loads without binding.

主权项

1. A bicycle fork suspension system comprising:
an outer tube; an inner tube slidable within the outer tube; first and second friction-reducing elements disposed between the inner and outer tubes, at least one of the friction-reducing elements being non-displaceably attached in position; a steering control mechanism to prevent relative rotation between the inner and outer tubes, the steering control mechanism disposed below the first and above the second of the friction-reducing elements, the steering control mechanism including a non-circular outer surface of the inner tube mating with a complimentary-shaped non-circular inner surface of the outer tube; and a shock-absorbing mechanism.