DISC BRAKE CALIPER LOCATION ON A RIGID BICYCLE FORK

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the positioning of a disc brake caliper mounted to a rigid bicycle fork. In one aspect, the disc brake caliper is attached to a portion in front of the fork and the front wheel axle, hence exposing the disc brake caliper to the maximum cooling potential of the airflow. Further, the disc brake caliper is positioned roughly horizontally in-line with the wheel axle to provide aerodynamic benefits for the trailing front wheel axle.

Claims

1. The location of a disc brake caliper fixedly connected to a rigid bicycle fork wherein the disc brake caliper is attached to a portion of the fork forward of the front wheel axle and in front of the rigid fork. Further, the disc brake caliper is fixedly attached to a portion of the fork wherein the uppermost portion of the disc brake caliper is above the centre of the wheel axle on the horizontal plane, and the bottommost portion of the disc brake caliper is below the centre of the wheel axle on the horizontal plane to provide maximum aerodynamic advantages to the trailing wheel axle. Further, the disc brake caliper is attached to a portion of the rigid bicycle fork where it is exposed to the maximum available cooling potential of the oncoming airflow.

2. The location of a disc brake caliper as of claim 1, wherein the rigid bicycle fork is designed to have less than 5 mm of vertical compliance measured at the front wheel axle when encountering bumps.

3. The location of a disc brake caliper as of claim 1, wherein the bicycle fork is designed to have 5-10 mm of vertical compliance measured at the front wheel axle when encountering bumps.

4. A rigid bicycle fork of claims 2 and 3 comprising a disc brake caliper location of claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a disc brake equipped rigid bicycle fork wherein the brake caliper is mounted forward of the bicycle fork and axle. Front wheel is illustrated.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a disc brake equipped rigid bicycle fork wherein the brake caliper is mounted forward of the bicycle fork and axle. The lower portion of the bicycle fork is of the type designed to provide some vertical compliance when encountering bumps.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a disc brake equipped rigid bicycle fork wherein the brake caliper is mounted forward of the bicycle fork and axle. Oncoming airflow direction as the bicycle travels forward is illustrated, as is the zone of aerodynamic benefit to the wheel axle in the slipstream of the brake caliper.

[0023] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0024] A conventional disc brake equipped rigid bicycle fork typically has the disc brake caliper located in such a position that it not exposed to the full cooling potential of the wind. Typically, the disc brake caliper is located behind the bicycle fork, wherein the bicycle fork obstructs much of the wind from flowing directly over the brake caliper. Braking performance is therefore negatively impacted in situations where a high generation of heat occurs due to hard prolonged braking.

[0025] For the purpose of this specification, the term “disc brake caliper” should be construed as being inclusive of any member whose primary function is to provide braking forces by squeezing brake pads on the disc brake rotor, causing friction that converts the kinetic forward momentum into heat, thus slowing the bicycle.

[0026] For the purpose of this specification, the term “disc brake rotor” should be construed as being inclusive of any member whose axis of rotation is fixedly connected to the wheel, and whose primary function is to provide a surface unto which the disc brake caliper and brake pads can squeeze onto, the generated friction converting the forward momentum of the vehicle into heat, thus slowing the bicycle.

[0027] For the purpose of this specification, the term “rigid bicycle fork” and “bicycle fork”, and “fork” should be construed as being inclusive of any member whose primary function is to hold and provide a rotable connection to the front wheel, and a pivotal connection to the bicycle frame. Enabling steering of the bicycle and rotation of the wheel. Furthermore, the term “rigid” should be construed as referring to a bicycle fork that has no pivot points, and is designed to have less than 10 mm of vertical compliance—measured at the wheel axle, when encountering bumps on a road.

[0028] For the purpose of this specification, the term “front wheel axle” and “wheel axle” should be construed as being inclusive of the axle of the front wheel only. The centre-point of the front wheel, about which the wheel rotates.

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a schematic representation of a rigid bicycle fork 10 with a disc brake caliper 7 fixedly attached to the bicycle fork 10. The centre-point of the disc brake caliper position 14 is shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Position 14 for the caliper 7 is favourable in exposing the caliper 7 to the maximum unobstructed airflow to cool the caliper 7, enhancing braking performance. The wheel 5 and disc brake rotor 9 rotate about its axle 6 as the bicycle travels in the forward direction 60. The trailing section 12 of the bicycle fork 10 is here depicted in a form favourable for obtaining high strength to weight, and high stiffness to weight ratios.

[0030] It is to be noted that for the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-3, only the left side of the disc brake equipped bicycle fork 10 is illustrated and described. In certain embodiments the right side of the bicycle fork 10 may be substantially identical to the left side, or it may be dissimilar. In certain embodiments, the bicycle fork may be one sided.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a schematic representation of a rigid bicycle fork 10 with a disc brake caliper 7 fixedly attached to the bicycle fork 10. The centre-point of the disc brake caliper position 14 is shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The trailing section 12 of the bicycle fork 10 is here depicted in a form favourable for obtaining some flex in the vertical plane which is favourable for absorbing small bumps and vibrations as the bicycle passes over uneven surfaces.

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a schematic representation of a rigid bicycle fork 10 with a disc brake caliper 7 fixedly attached to the bicycle fork 10. The centre-point of the disc brake caliper position 14 is shown, according to an embodiment of the invention. The direction of travel of the bicycle is indicated by arrow 60. The direction of travel of the incoming air as the bicycle travels forwards is indicated by arrow 80. The zone of potential aerodynamic benefit to the wheel axle 6 exists between the dotted lines 7a and 7b. Between the dotted line 7a and dotted line 7b is the slipstream from the disc brake caliper 7. Dotted line 7a corresponds to the bottommost point of the disc brake caliper 7. Dotted line 7b corresponds to the uppermost point of the disc brake caliper 7. In FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 the disc brake caliper is positioned such that the wheel axle 6 is located between the horizontal plane of 7a and 7b for maximum aerodynamic benefit. The unexpected result of locating the disc brake caliper 7 at position 14 is that not only is braking performance improved due to the optimal exposure of the caliper 7 to cooling airflow, but the aerodynamics of the complete system taken as a whole, including the fork 10, wheel 5, brake caliper 7, and wheel axle 6, is greatly improved.

[0033] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise” and “include” and variations such as “comprising” and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0034] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0035] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.