IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0463352
(2009-05-08)
|
등록번호 |
US-8328454
(2012-12-11)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- McAndrews, Michael
- Powers, Ron
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출원인 / 주소 |
- Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear, LLP
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
28 인용 특허 :
58 |
초록
▼
An adjustable assembly for a bicycle includes a first support having an interior surface and a second support slidably positioned within at least a portion of the first support. One of the first support and the second support is adapted to attach to a first bicycle portion, and the other of the firs
An adjustable assembly for a bicycle includes a first support having an interior surface and a second support slidably positioned within at least a portion of the first support. One of the first support and the second support is adapted to attach to a first bicycle portion, and the other of the first support and the second support is adapted to attach to a second bicycle portion. Further, the second support comprises an expansion portion configured to be moved between an expanded position and a retracted position. The expansion portion is configured to engage the interior surface of the first support when the expansion portion is in an expanded position. In addition, the first support is configured to be selectively moved relative to the second support when the expansion portion is permitted to assume a retracted position. In some embodiments, the first bicycle portion comprises a bicycle frame and the second bicycle portion comprises a bicycle saddle. In other arrangements, the first bicycle portion comprises a fork assembly and the second bicycle portion comprises a handlebar assembly.
대표청구항
▼
1. An adjustable assembly for a bicycle, comprising: a first tubular support having an interior surface;a second tubular support slidably positioned longitudinally within the first tubular support, said second tubular support being adjacent to at least a portion of the interior surface of the first
1. An adjustable assembly for a bicycle, comprising: a first tubular support having an interior surface;a second tubular support slidably positioned longitudinally within the first tubular support, said second tubular support being adjacent to at least a portion of the interior surface of the first support;wherein one of the first support and the second support is adapted to attach to a first bicycle portion, and wherein the other of the first support and the second support is adapted to attach to a second bicycle portion;wherein the second support comprises a radially flexible expansion portion disposed proximate a lower end thereof, wherein the expansion portion is radially expandable relative to a longitudinal axis of the second support, said expansion portion being movable between a radially expanded position and a radially retracted position;wherein an outer surface of the expansion portion engages at least a portion of the interior surface of the first support when the expansion portion is in the radially expanded position; andwherein when said outer surface of said expansion portion is moved to the radially retracted position, the first support is longitudinally movable relative to the second support; anda retention assembly coupled to the second support, said retention assembly being longitudinally movable between a locked position, in which the retention assembly is at least partially within an interior space of the expansion portion and the retention assembly blocks the expansion portion from moving to the radially retracted position, and an unlocked position, in which the expansion portion may selectively move to the radially retracted position;anda biasing assembly operatively coupled within the first support, said biasing assembly exerting an upwardly directed force on the expansion portion such that when the retention assembly is in the unlocked position, the expansion portion is permitted to move to the radially retracted position and the second support can be raised relative to the first support;a resilient member coupled to the retention member, said resilient member biasing the retention assembly downwardly in a direction that is generally opposite of the upwardly directed force of the biasing assembly, such that the retention assembly is normally biased into the locked position; anda connector operatively coupled to the retention assembly, whereby movement of the connector by a user moves the retention assembly between the locked and unlocked positions. 2. The adjustable assembly of claim 1, wherein the first bicycle portion comprises a bicycle frame and the second bicycle portion comprises a bicycle saddle. 3. The adjustable assembly of claim 1, wherein the first bicycle portion comprises a fork assembly and the second bicycle portion comprises a handlebar assembly. 4. The adjustable assembly of claim 1, wherein the interior surface of the first support comprises a plurality of grooves, the expansion portion being configured to engage one of said grooves when in an expanded position. 5. The adjustable assembly of claim 1, wherein the expansion portion comprises a collet. 6. The adjustable assembly of claim 1, wherein the second support comprises a main body portion, and wherein the expansion portion is separately formed with the main body portion. 7. The adjustable assembly of claim 1, wherein the expansion portion is integrally formed with the second support. 8. The adjustable assembly of claim 4, wherein the first support and the second support comprise a generally tubular shape, and the grooves are circumferentially located around the interior surface of the first support. 9. The adjustable assembly of claim 1, wherein the retention assembly comprises a bearing portion, the bearing portion being configured to contact the expansion portion when positioned within the interior space of the expansion portion. 10. The adjustable assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector is operatively connected to a lever configured to be manipulated while the bicycle is being ridden. 11. The adjustable assembly of claim 1, wherein one of the first support and the second support is a fixed part of a bicycle frame. 12. The adjustable assembly of claim 1, wherein one of the first support and the second support is removably attached to a bicycle frame. 13. The adjustable assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a cable or a rod. 14. The adjustable assembly of claim 1, wherein the expansion portion comprises at least one projecting portion configured to move between a radially contracted position and a radially expanded position to selectively engage a portion of the first support. 15. The adjustable assembly of claim 1, wherein the biasing member comprises an air spring. 16. The adjustable assembly of claim 1, wherein the retention assembly comprises at least one of a bearing portion and locking portion. 17. The adjustable assembly of claim 1, wherein the retention assembly is positioned within the interior space of the expansion portion when the retention assembly is in a relaxed state. 18. A bicycle including an adjustable assembly, the adjustable assembly comprising: a first tubular support configured to attach to one of a bicycle frame and a bicycle saddle, the first support having an interior surface; anda second tubular support configured to attach to another of a bicycle frame and a bicycle saddle, the second support slidably positioned longitudinally within the first support, said second support being adjacent at least a portion of the interior surface of the first support, the second support comprising a radially flexible movable portion disposed proximate a lower end thereof, wherein said movable portion is radially expandable relative to a longitudinal axis of the second support between a radially expanded position and a radially retracted position, and wherein an outer surface of said movable portion engages at least a portion of the interior surface of the first support when the movable portion is in the radially expanded position, and wherein when said outer surface of said expansion portion is moved to the radially retracted position, the first support is longitudinally movable relative to the second support;a retention assembly coupled to the second support, said retention assembly being longitudinally movable between a locked position, in which the retention assembly is at least partially within an interior space of the movable portion and blocks the movable portion from moving to the radially retracted position, and an unlocked position, in which the movable portion may selectively move to the radially retracted position; andan actuator operatively coupled to the retention assembly, whereby movement of the actuator moves the retention assembly between the locked and unlocked positions;wherein a resilient member coupled to the retention assembly biases the retention assembly downwardly such that the retention assembly is normally biased into the locked position, and wherein an upward motion on the actuator raises the retention assembly against the downwardly directed bias;a biasing assembly operatively coupled within the first support, said biasing assembly biasing the one of the first support and the second support relative to one another to selectively raise an elevation of the bicycle saddle when the movable portion is in the radially retracted position;wherein the biasing assembly is exerts an upwardly directed force in a direction generally opposite of the downwardly directed bias of the resilient member of the retention assembly;andwherein the adjustable assembly is configured for placement within a seat tube of a bicycle. 19. The bicycle of claim 18, wherein the retention assembly comprises at least one of a bearing portion and locking portion. 20. The bicycle of claim 18, wherein an interior surface of the first support comprises a plurality of grooves, the movable portion of the second support being configured to engage one of the grooves when the movable portion is in an expanded position. 21. The bicycle of claim 18, wherein the second support comprises a main body portion, and wherein the movable portion is separately formed with the main body portion. 22. The bicycle of claim 18, wherein the movable portion is integrally formed with the second support. 23. The bicycle of claim 18, wherein the movable portion comprises a collet. 24. The bicycle of claim 18, wherein the retention assembly is normally resiliently biased at least partially within the interior space of the movable portion, and wherein the actuator comprises a cable or a rod mechanically attached to the retention assembly, the retention assembly configured to be moved out of the interior space of the movable portion when the cable or rod is generally moved. 25. The bicycle of claim 24, wherein the cable or rod is operatively attached to a lever located near a handlebar area of the bicycle. 26. The bicycle of claim 18, wherein the adjustable assembly is an after-market item that replaces at least one original bicycle component positioned within the seat tube of the bicycle frame. 27. The bicycle of claim 18, wherein the retention assembly is positioned within the interior space of the movable portion when the retention assembly is in a relaxed state.
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