Russell A Robinson

US Patent:

53800265, Jan 10, 1995

Filed:

Aug 5, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/102579

Inventors:

Russell Robinson - Silverado CA

International Classification:

B62K 2120

US Classification:

280276

Abstract:

There is disclosed a shock absorber which is contained within the head tube of a bicycle. The shock absorber has an outer cylinder that is rotationally received within the head tube and secured at its upper end to a handlebar support member, such as a gooseneck. An inner cylinder is slidably received within the outer cylinder and secured at its lower end to the fork that supports the front wheel. Each of the cylinders has longitudinal grooves, the inner cylinder having longitudinal grooves on its outer surface which align with longitudinal grooves on the inside wall of the outer cylinder. A plurality of bearing balls are received in the tracks which are formed by the longitudinal grooves of the cylinders and a thin-wall bearing retainer is concentrically received between the inner and outer cylinders having a plurality of apertures at predetermined spacing which are aligned along the bearing tracks, each of the apertures capturing one of the bearing balls. Finally a compression spring is captured between the upper end of the inner cylinder and the upper end of the outer cylinder to bias the cylinders in an extended, telescoping position. Preferably, the assembly also includes a rod that is concentrically received in the assembly of the cylinders.

US Patent:

53501853, Sep 27, 1994

Filed:

Mar 9, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/491461

Inventors:

Russell Robinson - Silverado CA

International Classification:

B62K 2508

US Classification:

280276

Abstract:

There is disclosed a shock absorber which is contained within the head tube of a bicycle. The shock absorber has an outer cylinder that is rotationally received within the head tube and secured at its upper end to a handlebar support member, such as a gooseneck. An inner cylinder is slidably received within the outer cylinder and secured at its lower end to the fork that supports the front wheel. Each of the cylinders has longitudinal grooves, the inner cylinder having longitudinal grooves on its outer surface which align with longitudinal grooves on the inside wall of the outer cylinder. A plurality of bearing balls are received in the tracks which are formed by the longitudinal grooves of the cylinders and a thin-wall bearing retainer is concentrically received between the inner and outer cylinders having a plurality of apertures at predetermined spacing which are aligned along the bearing tracks, each of the apertures capturing one of the bearing balls. Finally a compression spring is captured between the upper end of the inner cylinder and the upper end of the outer cylinder to bias the cylinders in an extended, telescoping position. Preferably, the assembly also includes a rod that is concentrically received in the assembly of the cylinders.