The object of the invention is a new bicycle frame.
There are numerous Patents in existence relating to bicycle frames, which form a part of the current state of the technique, some examples being, among many other files, WO056593, WO9911511, WO9528314, EP0832813; they deal with improving aerodynamics and/or stability, as well as achieving maximum performance from the efforts of the cyclist.
In this line and in recent technology, Patents US2002/0033586 and US2004/0046352 refer to bicycle frames in which part of a tubular of the frame covers part of the rear wheel, to improve the aerodynamics.
Problems and disadvantages of this structuring are, among others:
The object of the invention is a new bicycle frame, which consists of a rear triangle joined to a front quadrilateral of tubular elements, the front quadrilateral consisting of a head tube to which an approximately horizontal upper tube and a slanted lower tube are joined; a sealing element which is joined at the lower part to the lower tube and to place the pedals above a coupling element, which joins above to an upper tube and the rear triangle consisting of upper braces, lower braces and the sealing element, which is curved and covers the rear wheel of the bicycle, and the shaft of the coupling element being approximately coplanar with the shaft of the upper braces, forming an angle (α) with respect to the shaft of the upper tube equal to or of greater value than 120°: α≧120°.
In the zone of union of the coupling element with the upper tube, there is a saddle tube with a shaft which passes through the centre of the pedals.
It is specifically a single-block composite bicycle frame which solves the problem of concentration of tensions. Moreover:
To better understand the object of this invention, a preferable form of practical implementation is illustrated in the plans, subject to accessory changes which will not affect their basis.
An example of practical, non-limiting implementation of this invention is described as follows:
The object of the invention is a new bicycle frame manufactured in a single composite piece (carbon-compound material) in which (see
The front quadrilateral (c) consists of a head tube (5), to which is joined an upper tube (4) which is approximately horizontal, a lower slanted tube (6) and a sealing element (2). The sealing element (2) is joined below to the slanted tube (6), to place the pedals (P) in this zone of union, and is joined in the upper part to the lower zone (ZA) of a coupling element (A).
The coupling element (A) is joined in the upper part to the upper tube (4) and below with the braces (3), which form a part of the rear triangle (t). In the zone of union of the coupling element (A) with the upper tube (4) is placed the saddle tube (1), the shaft (e1) of which passes through the centre of the pedals (P).
The rear triangle (t) consists of said upper braces (3), of lower braces (7) and the sealing element itself (2)—which is common to the rear triangle (t) and the front quadrilateral (C)—.
The sealing element (2) is curved and covers the rear wheel of the bicycle.
The shaft (e2) of the coupling element (A) is approximately coplanar with the shaft of the upper braces (3) and forms a comfort angle (a) with the shaft (e3) of the upper tube (4). This angle (a) is always the same or greater than 120° which allows it to absorb vibrations.
The shaft (e2) of the coupling element (A) and the straight line (r) which joins the centre of the pedals (P) with the intersection point (l) between said shaft (e2) with the internal arc (r1) of said sealing element (2) form between them a coupling angle (β). This coupling angle (β) is variable depending on the size, the keep constant the ratio rigidity-absorption/damping of vibrations regardless of the weight and size of the cyclist.
The coupling angle (β) has a value between 120° and 140°: 120=(β)=140.
With this coupling angle (β)the functions of the comfort angle (α) of absorption of vibrations and pleasant feeling in operation and pedalling by the user, are complemented.
The bicycle frame of the invention can be described as follows, a bicycle frame, characterized because it consists of a rear triangle (t) joined to a front quadrilateral (c) of tubular elements, the front quadrilateral (c) consisting of a head tube (5) joined to an upper tube (4) which is approximately horizontal and a lower slanted tube (6); a sealing element (2) which is joined below to the lower tube (6) and to place the pedals (P) above a coupling element (A), which is joined above with the upper tube (4) the rear triangle (t) consisting of upper braces (3), lower braces (7) and a sealing element (2), which is curved and covers the rear wheel of the bicycle, the shaft (e2) being of the coupling element (A) approximately coplanar with the shaft of the upper braces (3) forming an angle of comfort (a) with respect to the shaft of the upper tube (4) of an equal value to or greater than 120°: a =120° .
Preferably, the frame is characterized because in the zone of union of the coupling element to the upper tube (4) there is a saddle tube (1) the shaft (e1) of which passes through the centre of the pedals(P).
Also, preferably the frame is characterized because the shaft (e2) of the coupling element (A) and the straight line (r) which joins the centre of the pedal case (P) and the intersection point (1) between said shaft (e2) to the internal arc of said sealing element (2) together form a coupling angle (β).
Furthermore, the frame is preferably characterized because the comfort angle (a) and the coupling angle (β) are variable, depending on the size, by approximately 5° to keep the ratio of rigidity-absorption/damping of vibrations constant regardless of the weight and size of the cyclist.
More preferably, the frame is a single-block composite.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
200501871 | Jul 2005 | ES | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
PCT/ES2006/000361 | 6/20/2006 | WO | 00 | 1/28/2008 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2007/017532 | 2/15/2007 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4513986 | Trimble | Apr 1985 | A |
4850607 | Trimble et al. | Jul 1989 | A |
5019312 | Bishop | May 1991 | A |
20020033586 | Vroomen et al. | Mar 2002 | A1 |
20040046352 | Vroomen et al. | Mar 2004 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
29601234 X | Mar 1996 | DE |
0832813 | Apr 1998 | EP |
211793 X | Sep 1976 | ES |
2051623 X | Jun 1994 | ES |
9528314 | Oct 1995 | WO |
9854046 X | Dec 1998 | WO |
9911511 | Mar 1999 | WO |
0056593 | Sep 2000 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20080197603 A1 | Aug 2008 | US |