Variable-geometry bicycle frame and method for dynamic changes to the geometry of a bicycle frame

Abstract

The invention relates to a variable-geometry bicycle frame. The bicycle frame consisting of a bearing element (1) comprises a front fork mount (2) and a crankset mount (3), a seat constructional part (10) comprises a saddle’s (4) clamp, an adjustment part (7), a rear wheel suspension set (20) comprises a swingarm (21) and a shock absorber (22) characterized in that, the bearing element (1) is connected by at least one articulated joint to the seat constructional part (10) and by at least one articulated joint to the rear wheel suspension set (20), and the seat constructional part (10) is connected by at least one articulated joint to the rear wheel suspension set (20) and the adjustment part (7) is movable within the range from the X position to Y position.

Claims

1. A bicycle frame consisting of a bearing element (1) comprises a front fork mount (2) and a crankset mount (3), a seat constructional part (10) comprises a saddle’s (4) clamp, an adjustment part (7), a rear wheel suspension set (20) comprises a swingarm (21) and a shock absorber (22) characterized in that, the bearing element (1) is connected by at least one articulated joint to the seat constructional part (10) and by at least one articulated joint to the rear wheel suspension set (20), and the seat constructional part (10) is connected by at least one articulated joint to the rear wheel suspension set (20) and the adjustment part (7) is movable within the range from X position to Y position.

2. The bicycle frame according to claim 1, wherein the seat constructional part (10) extends from the saddle’s (4) clamp downwards and then towards the front fork mount (2), where it is articulated with the bearing element (1), movably in a plane perpendicular to a rear wheel (5) axis, and the rear wheel suspension set (20) is connected by the swingarm (21) to the bearing element (1) in the area above the crankset mount (3); and the swingarm (21) connects to the shock absorber (22) which connects to the seat constructional part (10), where said connections are articulated joints movable in the plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the adjustment part (7) is the fixed between the bearing element (1) and the seat constructional part (10) by articulated joints movable in a plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the adjustment part (7) comprises a spring or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder operating within the range from the Y position to the X position, with a position lock, and the position lock of the adjustment part (7) is released by means of a handlebar shifter.

3. The bicycle frame according to claim 1, wherein the seat constructional part (10) comprises a saddle support (11) extending from the saddle’s (4) clamp downwards and then towards the front fork mount (2), where it is connected to the bearing element (1) via an upper constructional link (12) and via a lower constructional link (13), so that the upper constructional link (12) is closer to front fork mount than lower constructional link (13), and the axes of the links, formed by drawing lines through the link connection points, cross at a point Z near a handlebar (8) where said joints are movable in the planes perpendicular to an axis of a rear wheel (5), and the rear wheel suspension set (20) is connected by the swingarm (21) to the bearing element (1) in the area above the crankset mount (3); and the swingarm (21) connects to the shock absorber (22) which connects to the seat constructional part (10), where said connections are articulated joints movable in the plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the adjustment part (7) is the fixed between the bearing element (1) and the seat constructional part (10) by articulated joints movable in a plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the adjustment part (7) comprises a spring or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder operating within the range from the Y position to the X position, with a position lock, and the position lock of the adjustment part (7) is released by means of a handlebar shifter.

4. The bicycle frame according to claim 1, wherein the seat constructional part (10) comprises an upper constructional link (12) articulated with the bearing element (1) in the front fork mount (2) area and articulated with the saddle support (11) in central part; and the saddle support (11) is vertically oriented, with an upper end connected to the saddle (4) and with a lower end connected to a lower constructional link (13) which is connected to the bearing element (1) between the crankset mount (3) and the front fork mount (2), where all joints are movable in the plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the rear wheel suspension set (20) is connected by the swingarm (21) to the bearing element (1) in the area above the crankset mount (3); and the swingarm (21) connects to the shock absorber (22) which connects to the seat constructional part (10), where said connections are articulated joints movable in the plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the adjustment part (7) is the fixed between the bearing element (1) and the seat constructional part (10) by articulated joints movable in a plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the adjustment part (7) comprises a spring or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder operating within the range from the Y position to the X position, with a position lock, and the position lock of the adjustment part (7) is released by means of a handlebar shifter.

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. The bicycle frame according to claim 1, wherein the seat constructional part (10) comprises an upper constructional link (12), articulated with the bearing element (1) in the front fork mount (2) mounting area and articulated with a saddle support (11) in central portion; and the saddle support (11) is vertically oriented with its upper end connected to the saddle (4), and a triple-arm lever (14) rotatably connected to the bearing element (1) and with its arms articulated to the lower end of the saddle support (11), the adjustment part (7) and rear wheel suspension set (20), where all connections are movable in the plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the rear wheel suspension set (20) comprises a lower suspension link (24) connected to the bearing element (1) in the area of the crankset mount (2) and connected to the swingarm (21) in the area between the rear wheel (5) mounting and the crankset mount (3); and the swingarm (21) connected to the upper suspension link (23) and the shock absorber (22) which are respectively connected the suspension upper link (23) to the three-arm lever (14) and the shock absorbing member (22) to the support member (1), where the said connections are articulated joints movable in the plane perpendicular to the axis of the rear wheel (5), and the adjustment part (7) is the fixed between the bearing element (1) and the seat constructional part (10) by articulated joints movable in a plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the adjustment part (7) comprises a spring or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder operating within the range from the Y position to the X position, with a position lock, and the position lock of the adjustment part (7) is released by means of a handlebar shifter.

10. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. Method for dynamic changes to the geometry of a bicycle frame in the parameters of a saddle angle (31), a saddle height relative to crankset bracket (32), a rear suspension stroke (33), utilizing an adjustment part (7) for variable length characterized in that the bicycle frame is a shock absorbing lever mechanism, which is raised towards the X position by releasing a lock of the adjustment part (7) and fixed in a position between the X and the Y of the saddle (4) by pressing on the saddle (4) and locking the adjustment part (7) again.

16. The bicycle frame according to claim 1, wherein the seat constructional part (10) extends from the saddle’s (4) clamp downwards and then towards the front fork mount (2), where it is articulated with the bearing element (1), movably in a plane perpendicular to a rear wheel (5) axis, and he rear wheel suspension set (20) comprises a lower suspension link (24) extending from the connection with the bearing element (1) in the crankset mount (3) area to a connection to the swingarm (21) in the area between the rear wheel (5) mount and the crankset mount (3); and the swingarm (21) is connected to the shock absorber (22) and a upper suspension link (23) which are connected to the seat constructional part (10) where said connections are articulated movable in the plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the adjustment part (7) is the fixed between the bearing element (1) and the seat constructional part (10) by articulated joints movable in a plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the adjustment part (7) comprises a spring or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder operating within the range from the Y position to the X position, with a position lock, and the position lock of the adjustment part (7) is released by means of a handlebar shifter.

17. The bicycle frame according to claim 1, wherein the seat constructional part (10) extends from the saddle’s (4) clamp downwards and then towards the front fork mount (2), where it is articulated with the bearing element (1), movably in a plane perpendicular to a rear wheel (5) axis, and the rear wheel suspension set (20) comprises a lower suspension link (24) extending from the connection with the bearing element (1) in the connecting area of the crankset mount (3) to a connection to the swingarm (21) in the area between the rear wheel (5) mount and the crankset mount (3); and the swingarm (21) is connected to an upper suspension link (23), which is connected by its opposite end to the seat constructional part (10) or the bearing element (1), and the shock absorber (22), is connected to the upper suspension link (23) and the seat constructional part (10), where said connections are articulated connections movable in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rear wheel (5), and the adjustment part (7) is the fixed between the bearing element (1) and the seat constructional part (10) by articulated joints movable in a plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the adjustment part (7) comprises a spring or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder operating within the range from the Y position to the X position, with a position lock, and the position lock of the adjustment part (7) is released by means of a handlebar shifter.

18. The bicycle frame according to claim 1, wherein the seat constructional part (10) extends from the saddle’s (4) clamp downwards and then towards the front fork mount (2), where it is articulated with the bearing element (1), movably in a plane perpendicular to a rear wheel (5) axis, and the rear wheel suspension set (20) comprises the swingarm (21) connected to the bearing element (1) in the connecting area of the crankset mount (3) and a lower suspension link (24) connected to the swingarm (21); and an upper suspension link (23) connected to the lower suspension link (24) and the seat constructional part (10) or the bearing element (1) to which the shock absorber (22) is connected, which connects to the seat constructional part (10), where the said connections are articulated joints in the plane perpendicular to the axis of the rear wheel (5), and the adjustment part (7) is the fixed between the bearing element (1) and the seat constructional part (10) by articulated joints movable in a plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the adjustment part (7) comprises a spring or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder operating within the range from the Y position to the X position, with a position lock, and the position lock of the adjustment part (7) is released by means of a handlebar shifter.

19. The bicycle frame according to claim 1, wherein the seat constructional part (10) comprises a saddle support (11) extending from the saddle’s (4) clamp downwards and then towards the front fork mount (2), where it is connected to the bearing element (1) via an upper constructional link (12) and via a lower constructional link (13), so that the upper constructional link (12) is closer to front fork mount than lower constructional link (13), and the axes of the links, formed by drawing lines through the link connection points, cross at a point Z near a handlebar (8) where said joints are movable in the planes perpendicular to the axis of a rear wheel (5), and the rear wheel suspension set (20) comprises a lower suspension link (24) extending from the connection with the bearing element (1) in the crankset mount (3) area to a connection to the swingarm (21) in the area between the rear wheel (5) mount and the crankset mount (3); and the swingarm (21) is connected to the shock absorber (22) and a upper suspension link (23) which are connected to the seat constructional part (10) where said connections are articulated movable in the plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the adjustment part (7) is the fixed between the bearing element (1) and the seat constructional part (10) by articulated joints movable in a plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, 13 and the adjustment part (7) comprises a spring or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder operating within the range from the Y position to the X position, with a position lock, and the position lock of the adjustment part (7) is released by means of a handlebar shifter.

20. The bicycle frame according to claim 1, wherein the seat constructional part (10) comprises a saddle support (11) extending from the saddle’s (4) clamp downwards and then towards the front fork mount (2), where it is connected to the bearing element (1) via an upper constructional link (12) and via a lower constructional link (13), so that the upper constructional link (12) is closer to front fork mount than lower constructional link (13), and the axes of the links, formed by drawing lines through the link connection points, cross at a point Z near a handlebar (8) where said joints are movable in the planes perpendicular to the axis of a rear wheel (5), and the rear wheel suspension set (20) comprises a lower suspension link (24) extending from the connection with the bearing element (1) in the connecting area of the crankset mount (3) to a connection to the swingarm (21) in the area between the rear wheel (5) mount and the crankset mount (3); and the swingarm (21) is connected to an upper suspension link (23), which is connected by its opposite end to the seat constructional part (10) or the bearing element (1), and the shock absorber (22), is connected to the upper suspension link (23) and the seat constructional part (10), where said connections are articulated connections movable in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rear wheel (5), and the adjustment part (7) is the fixed between the bearing element (1) and the seat constructional part (10) by articulated joints movable in a plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the adjustment part (7) comprises a spring or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder operating within the range from the Y position to the X position, with a position lock, and the position lock of the adjustment part (7) is released by means of a handlebar shifter.

21. The bicycle frame according to claim 1, wherein the seat constructional part (10) comprises a saddle support (11) extending from the saddle’s (4) clamp downwards and then towards the front fork mount (2), where it is connected to the bearing element (1) via an upper constructional link (12) and via a lower constructional link (13), so that the upper constructional link (12) is closer to front fork mount than lower constructional link (13), and the axes of the links, formed by drawing lines through the link connection points, cross at a point Z near a handlebar (8) where said joints are movable in the planes perpendicular to the axis of a rear wheel (5), and the rear wheel suspension set (20) comprises the swingarm (21) connected to the bearing element (1) in the connecting area of the crankset mount (3) and a lower suspension link (24) connected to the swingarm (21); and an upper suspension link (23) connected to the lower suspension link (24) and the seat constructional part (10) or the bearing element (1) to which the shock absorber (22) is connected, which connects to the seat constructional part (10), where the said connections are articulated joints in the plane perpendicular to the axis of the rear wheel (5), and the adjustment part (7) is the fixed between the bearing element (1) and the seat constructional part (10) by articulated joints movable in a plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the adjustment part (7) comprises a spring or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder operating within the range from the Y position to the X position, with a position lock, and the position lock of the adjustment part (7) is released by means of a handlebar shifter.

22. The bicycle frame according to claim 1, wherein the seat constructional part (10) comprises a saddle support (11) extending from the saddle’s (4) clamp downwards and then towards the front fork mount (2), where it is connected to the bearing element (1) via an upper constructional link (12) and via a lower constructional link (13), so that the upper constructional link (12) is closer to front fork mount than lower constructional link (13), and the axes of the links, formed by drawing lines through the link connection points, cross at a point Z near a handlebar (8) where said joints are movable in the planes perpendicular to the axis of a rear wheel (5), and the rear wheel suspension set (20) comprises a lower suspension link (24) extending from the connection with the bearing element (1) in the crankset mount (3) area to a connection to the swingarm (21) in the area between the rear wheel (5) mount and the crankset mount (3); and the swingarm (21) is connected to the shock absorber (22) and a upper suspension link (23) which are connected to the seat constructional part (10) where said connections are articulated movable in the plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, the adjustment part (7) is connected to an element of the seat constructional parts (10), next to the connection of the seat constructional part (10) and the bearing element (1), in the area of the front fork mount (2), and the opposite end being connected to another element of the seat adjustment parts (10), where the said articulated joints are moveable in the plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the adjustment part (7) comprises a spring or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder operating within the range from the Y position to the X position, with a position lock, and the position lock of the adjustment part (7) is released by means of a handlebar shifter.

23. The bicycle frame according to claim 1, wherein the seat constructional part (10) comprises a saddle support (11) extending from the saddle’s (4) clamp downwards and then towards the front fork mount (2), where it is connected to the bearing element (1) via an upper constructional link (12) and via a lower constructional link (13), so that the upper constructional link (12) is closer to front fork mount than lower constructional link (13), and the axes of the links, formed by drawing lines through the link connection points, cross at a point Z near a handlebar (8) where said joints are movable in the planes perpendicular to the axis of a rear wheel (5), and the rear wheel suspension set (20) comprises a lower suspension link (24) extending from the connection with the bearing element (1) in the connecting area of the crankset mount (3) to a connection to the swingarm (21) in the area between the rear wheel (5) mount and the crankset mount (3); and the swingarm (21) is connected to an upper suspension link (23), which is connected by its opposite end to the seat constructional part (10) or the bearing element (1), and the shock absorber (22), is connected to the upper suspension link (23) and the seat constructional part (10), where said connections are articulated connections movable in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rear wheel (5), and the adjustment part (7) is connected to an element of the seat constructional parts (10), next to the connection of the seat constructional part (10) and the bearing element (1), in the area of the front fork mount (2), and the opposite end being connected to another element of the seat adjustment parts (10), where the said articulated joints are moveable in the plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the adjustment part (7) comprises a spring or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder operating within the range from the Y position to the X position, with a position lock, and the position lock of the adjustment part (7) is released by means of a handlebar shifter.

24. The bicycle frame according to claim 1, wherein the seat constructional part (10) comprises a saddle support (11) extending from the saddle’s (4) clamp downwards and then towards the front fork mount (2), where it is connected to the bearing element (1) via an upper constructional link (12) and via a lower constructional link (13), so that the upper constructional link (12) is closer to front fork mount than lower constructional link (13), and the axes of the links, formed by drawing lines through the link connection points, cross at a point Z near a handlebar (8) where said joints are movable in the planes perpendicular to the axis of a rear wheel (5), and the rear wheel suspension set (20) comprises the swingarm (21) connected to the bearing element (1) in the connecting area of the crankset mount (3) and a lower suspension link (24) connected to the swingarm (21); and an upper suspension link (23) connected to the lower suspension link (24) and the seat constructional part (10) or the bearing element (1) to which the shock absorber (22) is connected, which connects to the seat constructional part (10), where the said connections are articulated joints in the plane perpendicular to the axis of the rear wheel (5), and the adjustment part (7) is connected to an element of the seat constructional parts (10), next to the connection of the seat constructional part (10) and the bearing element (1), in the area of the front fork mount (2), and the opposite end being connected to another element of the seat adjustment parts (10), where the said articulated joints are moveable in the plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the adjustment part (7) comprises a spring or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder operating within the range from the Y position to the X position, with a position lock, and the position lock of the adjustment part (7) is released by means of a handlebar shifter.

25. The bicycle frame according to claim 1, wherein the seat constructional part (10) comprises an upper constructional link (12) articulated with the bearing element (1) in the front fork mount (2) area and articulated with the saddle support (11) in central part; and the saddle support (11) is vertically oriented, with an upper end connected to the saddle (4) and with a lower end connected to a lower constructional link (13) which is connected to the bearing element (1) between the crankset mount (3) and the front fork mount (2), where all joints are movable in the plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the rear wheel suspension set (20) comprises a lower suspension link (24) extending from the connection with the bearing element (1) in the crankset mount (3) area to a connection to the swingarm (21) in the area between the rear wheel (5) mount and the crankset mount (3); and the swingarm (21) is connected to the shock absorber (22) and a upper suspension link (23) which are connected to the seat constructional part (10) where said connections are articulated movable in the plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the adjustment part (7) is the fixed between the bearing element (1) and the seat constructional part (10) by articulated joints movable in a plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the adjustment part (7) comprises a spring or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder operating within the range from the Y position to the X position, with a position lock, and the position lock of the adjustment part (7) is released by means of a handlebar shifter.

26. The bicycle frame according to claim 1, wherein the seat constructional part (10) comprises an upper constructional link (12) articulated with the bearing element (1) in the front fork mount (2) area and articulated with the saddle support (11) in central part; and the saddle support (11) is vertically oriented, with an upper end connected to the saddle (4) and with a lower end connected to a lower constructional link (13) which is connected to the bearing element (1) between the crankset mount (3) and the front fork mount (2), where all joints are movable in the plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the rear wheel suspension set (20) comprises a lower suspension link (24) extending from the connection with the bearing element (1) in the connecting area of the crankset mount (3) to a connection to the swingarm (21) in the area between the rear wheel (5) mount and the crankset mount (3); and the swingarm (21) is connected to an upper suspension link (23), which is connected by its opposite end to the seat constructional part (10) or the bearing element (1), and the shock absorber (22), is connected to the upper suspension link (23) and the seat constructional part (10), where said connections are articulated connections movable in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rear wheel (5), and the adjustment part (7) is the fixed between the bearing element (1) and the seat constructional part (10) by articulated joints movable in a plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the adjustment part (7) comprises a spring or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder operating within the range from the Y position to the X position, with a position lock, and the position lock of the adjustment part (7) is released by means of a handlebar shifter.

27. The bicycle frame according to claim 1, wherein the seat constructional part (10) comprises an upper constructional link (12) articulated with the bearing element (1) in the front fork mount (2) area and articulated with the saddle support (11) in central part; and the saddle support (11) is vertically oriented, with an upper end connected to the saddle (4) and with a lower end connected to a lower constructional link (13) which is connected to the bearing element (1) between the crankset mount (3) and the front fork mount (2), where all joints are movable in the plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the rear wheel suspension set (20) comprises the swingarm (21) connected to the bearing element (1) in the connecting area of the crankset mount (3) and a lower suspension link (24) connected to the swingarm (21); and an upper suspension link (23) connected to the lower suspension link (24) and the seat constructional part (10) or the bearing element (1) to which the shock absorber (22) is connected, which connects to the seat constructional part (10), where the said connections are articulated joints in the plane perpendicular to the axis of the rear wheel (5), the adjustment part (7) is the fixed between the bearing element (1) and the seat constructional part (10) by articulated joints movable in a plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the adjustment part (7) comprises a spring or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder operating within the range from the Y position to the X position, with a position lock, and the position lock of the adjustment part (7) is released by means of a handlebar shifter.

28. The bicycle frame according to claim 1, wherein the seat constructional part (10) comprises an upper constructional link (12) articulated with the bearing element (1) in the front fork mount (2) area and articulated with the saddle support (11) in central part; and the saddle support (11) is vertically oriented, with an upper end connected to the saddle (4) and with a lower end connected to a lower constructional link (13) which is connected to the bearing element (1) between the crankset mount (3) and the front fork mount (2), where all joints are movable in the plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the rear wheel suspension set (20) comprises a lower suspension link (24) extending from the connection with the bearing element (1) in the crankset mount (3) area to a connection to the swingarm (21) in the area between the rear wheel (5) mount and the crankset mount (3); and the swingarm (21) is connected to the shock absorber (22) and a upper suspension link (23) which are connected to the seat constructional part (10) where said connections are articulated movable in the plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the adjustment part (7) is connected to an element of the seat constructional parts (10), next to the connection of the seat constructional part (10) and the bearing element (1), in the area of the front fork mount (2), and the opposite end being connected to another element of the seat adjustment parts (10), where the said articulated joints are moveable in the plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the adjustment part (7) comprises a spring or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder operating within the range from the Y position to the X position, with a position lock, and the position lock of the adjustment part (7) is released by means of a handlebar shifter.

29. The bicycle frame according to claim 1, wherein the seat constructional part (10) comprises an upper constructional link (12), articulated with the bearing element (1) in the front fork mount (2) mounting area and articulated with a saddle support (11) in central portion; and the saddle support (11) is vertically oriented with its upper end connected to the saddle (4), and a triple-arm lever (14) rotatably connected to the bearing element (1) and with its arms articulated to the lower end of the saddle support (11), the adjustment part (7) and rear wheel suspension set (20), where all connections are movable in the plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the rear wheel suspension set (20) comprises a lower suspension link (24) connected to the bearing element (1) in the area of the crankset mount (2) and connected to the swingarm (21) in the area between the rear wheel (5) mounting and the crankset mount (3); and the swingarm (21) connected to the upper suspension link (23) and the shock absorber (22) which are respectively connected the suspension upper link (23) to the three-arm lever (14) and the shock absorbing member (22) to the support member (1), where the said connections are articulated joints movable in the plane perpendicular to the axis of the rear wheel (5), and the adjustment part (7) is connected to an element of the seat constructional parts (10), next to the connection of the seat constructional part (10) and the bearing element (1), in the area of the front fork mount (2), and the opposite end being connected to another element of the seat adjustment parts (10), where the said articulated joints are moveable in the plane perpendicular to the rear wheel (5) axis, and the adjustment part (7) comprises a spring or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder operating within the range from the Y position to the X position, with a position lock, and the position lock of the adjustment part (7) is released by means of a handlebar shifter.

Description

[0033] The object of the invention has been illustrated by examples which do not limit its scope, but only indicate advantageous variants thereof. The device according to the invention is illustrated in the figures:

[0034] FIG. 1 - shows the side view of the bicycle equipped with the frame described by claims 1, 2, 5, 11, 13 in X position

[0035] FIG. 2 - shows the side view of the bicycle equipped with the frame described by claims 1, 2, 5, 11, 13 in Y position

[0036] FIG. 3 - shows a schematic superimposition of the frame positions of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2

[0037] FIG. 4 - shows a side view of the frame parts shown in FIG. 3

[0038] FIG. 5 - shows the side view of the bicycle equipped with the frame described by claims 1, 2, 6, 11, 13 in X position

[0039] FIG. 6 - shows the side view of the bicycle equipped with the frame described by claims 1, 2, 6, 11, 13 in Y position

[0040] FIG. 7 - shows a schematic superimposition of the frame positions of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6

[0041] FIG. 8 - shows a side view of the frame parts shown in FIG. 7

[0042] FIG. 9 - shows the side view of the bicycle equipped with the frame described by claims 1, 3, 6, 11, 13 in X position

[0043] FIG. 10 - shows the side view of the bicycle equipped with the frame described by claims 1, 3, 6, 11, 13 in Y position

[0044] FIG. 11 - shows a schematic superimposition of the frame positions of FIG. 9 and FIG. 10

[0045] FIG. 12 - shows a side view of the frame parts shown in FIG. 11

[0046] FIG. 13 - shows the side view of the bicycle equipped with the frame described by claims 1, 9, 10, 11, 13 in X position

[0047] FIG. 14 - shows the side view of the bicycle equipped with the frame described by claims 1, 9, 10, 11, 13 in Y position

[0048] FIG. 15 - shows a schematic superimposition of the frame positions of FIG. 13 and FIG. 14

[0049] FIG. 16 - shows a side view of the frame parts shown in FIG. 15

[0050] As disclosed in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the bicycle frame consisting of the bearing element 1 comprises the front fork mount 2 and the crankset mount 3, the seat constructional part 10 comprises a saddle’s 4 clamp, the adjusting assembly 7, the rear wheel suspension set 20 comprises a swingarm 21 and a shock absorber 22. The bearing element 1 is connected by one articulated joint to the seat constructional part 10 and by one articulated joint to the rear wheel suspension set 20. The seat constructional part 10 is connected by one articulated joint to the rear wheel suspension set 20. The adjusting assembly 7 is movable within the range from the X position to Y position. The seat constructional part 10 extends from saddle’s 4 clamp downwards and then towards the front fork mount 2, where the seat constructional part 10 is articulated with the bearing element 1. The rear wheel suspension set 20 is connected by the swingarm 21 to the bearing element 1 in the area above the crankset mount 3. The swingarm 21 connects to the shock absorber 22 which connects to the seat constructional part 10, at a central portion thereof so that the shock absorber is directed toward the handlebars and operates at an angle of 30-40 degrees from horizontal. The adjusting assembly 7 is the fixed between the bearing element 1 and the seat constructional part 10, above the crankset mount 3, in the direction of the saddle’s 4 clamp in X position. It comprises a spring or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder operating within the range from the Y position to the X position, with a position lock. The frame joints are rotatable, movable in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rear wheel 5.

[0051] This is the most elementary solution of the invention, which, with a lightweight and economical design, allows the parameters described in FIG. 3. to be adjusted over ranges approaching: [0052] the head tube angle 30 – 1 degree, [0053] the saddle angle 31 – 13 degrees, [0054] the height of the saddle relative to the crankset mount 32 – 70 mm [0055] the rear suspension set stroke 33 – 20 mm [0056] the crankset mount height above the ground 34 – 12 mm [0057] the seat tube effective angle 35 – 5 degrees,where the above-mentioned parameters are estimated for frames of size L, i.e. dedicated to cyclists of height about 180 mm.

[0058] In the second example of implementation, illustrated in FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the solution differs from the first example, described in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 in that it uses a rear wheel suspension set 20 comprising the lower suspension link 24 extending from a connection with the bearing element 1 in the connecting area of the crankset mount 3 to a connection with a swingarm 21 in the area between the rear wheel 5 mount and the crankset mount 3. In addition, the swingarm 21 is connected to the shock absorber 22 and the upper suspension link 23, which, intersecting each other, connect to the seat constructional part 10, at a central part thereof. The four-bar-suspension system greatly improves the adjustment ranges of the parameters described in FIG. 7., making them more desirable [0059] the head tube angle 30 – 0,5 degree [0060] the saddle angle 31 – 16 degrees [0061] the height of the saddle relative to the crankset mount 32 – 180 mm [0062] the rear suspension set stroke 33 – 35 mm [0063] the crankset mount height above the ground 34 – 7 mm [0064] the seat tube effective angle 35 – 5 degrees, where the above-mentioned parameters are estimated for frames of size L, i.e. dedicated to cyclists of height about 180 mm. In addition, anti-squat (the effect of drive on suspension shrinkage), adjusted at 25%, and anti-rise (the effect of braking on suspension shrinkage), adjusted at 30%, also change favorably.

[0065] Another solution shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 disclose the use of a four-hinged arrangement of the constructional part, which is a distinction from the second example described in FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. The seat constructional part 10 comprises a saddle support 11 extending from the saddle’s 4 clamp downwards and then towards the front fork mount. The saddle support 11 is connected to the bearing element 1 via an upper constructional link 12 and via a lower constructional link 13, so that the upper constructional link 12 is closer to the front fork mount than the lower constructional link 13, and the axes of the links, formed by drawing lines through the link connection points, cross at a point Z located behind the handlebars set 8.

[0066] The four-hinged seat constructional part allows the designed advantageous lowering path of the saddle. significantly improves the adjustment ranges of the parameters described in FIG. 11., making them more desirable: [0067] the head tube angle 30 – 1 [0068] the saddle angle 31 – 19 degrees [0069] the height of the saddle relative to the crankset mount 32 – 180 mm [0070] the rear suspension set stroke 33 – 20 mm [0071] the crankset mount height above the ground 34 – 9 mm [0072] the seat tube effective angle 35 – 4 degrees, where the above-mentioned parameters are estimated for frames of size L, i.e. dedicated to cyclists of height about 180 mm In addition, anti-squat (the effect of drive on suspension shrinkage), adjusted at 25%, and anti-rise (the effect of braking on suspension shrinkage), adjusted at 30%, also change favorably.

[0073] FIGS. 13., 14., 15. and 16. show a further example of a design, the seat constructional part 10 of which includes a upper constructional link 12 articulated with the bearing element 1 in the front fork mount 2 area and articulated with the saddle support 11 in a central part. The saddle support 11 is vertically oriented, with its upper end connected to the saddle 4. The seat constructional part 10 also includes a triple-arm lever. This lever is pivotally connected to the bearing element 1, and with its arms pivotally connected to the lower end of the saddle support 11, the adjustment assembly 7 and the rear wheel suspension set 20. The rear wheel suspension set 20 in this embodiment includes a lower suspension link 24 connected to the bearing element 1 in the area of the crankset mount 3, and connected to a swingarm 21 in the area between the rear wheel 5 mount and the crankset mount 3. The swingarm 21 is connected to the upper suspension link 23 and a shock absorber 22. These intersecting links respectively connect the upper suspension link 23 to the triple-arm lever 14 and the shock absorber 22 to the bearing element 1 at a central portion thereof. The adjusting portion 7 is fixed between the bearing element 1 and the triple-arm lever 14, in such a way that one end is fixed near the front fork mount 2 and is directed along the bearing element 1. Its design and mode of operation is analogous to the other examples. The frame joints are rotatable, movable in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rear wheel 5.

[0074] This is the most advantageous variant of the invention shown, which optimizes the regulatory range of the parameters, described in FIG. 15. in ranges close to: [0075] the head tube angle 30 – 0,5 degree [0076] the saddle angle 31 – 9 degrees [0077] the height of the saddle relative to the crankset mount 32 – 185 mm [0078] the rear suspension set stroke 33 – 20 mm [0079] the crankset mount height above the ground 34 – 7 mm [0080] the seat tube effective angle 35 – 3 degrees, where the above-mentioned parameters are estimated for frames of size L, i.e. dedicated to cyclists of height about 180 mm. In addition, anti-squat (the effect of drive on suspension shrinkage), adjusted at 35%, and anti-rise (the effect of braking on suspension shrinkage), adjusted at 30%, also change favorably.