Composite bicycle frame and methods for its construction
August 7, 2018. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent References 2080698 Method and means for assembling the parts of cycle frames and the like Tubular material based on a fabric-reinforced resin, and a bicycle or similar vehicle frame constructed with such a material Integral seamless composite bicycle frame Bicycle frame Method of making composite bicycle frames Process for connecting and assembling tubular elements, in particular for constructing a bicycle frame High strength composite bicycle frame and method for its manufacture Composite bicycle frame Composite bicycle fork InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 134916 filed on 10/08/1993US Classes:280/281.1, Frames and running gear280/288.3Hollow shell framesExaminersPrimary: Boehler, Anne MarieAttorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassesB62K 019/16B62K 019/30 AbstractThe bicycle frame of the invention is formed by selecting and adhesively joining previously formed and precured composite tubes to previously formed and precured composite lug components. The precured lug components are separately shaped from preforms comprising a plurality of resin impregnated fibrous layers formed into a stack in which the fibers of adjacent layers cross one another, with such preforms of each such lug component being in the nature of a set of similarly shaped overlapping halves of the frame lug component to be formed therefrom, with such overlapping halves being brought together in a hollow nature and placed around an inflatable bladder to form an assemblage that is applied between a set of female mold halves of molding tools that are closed for forming the lug component itself, and the resulting assemblage is subjected to a curing heat, with such bladder of each two hundred (200) set of preforms being arranged to first be pressurized to a pressure greater than or equal to two hundred (200) pounds per square inch, for urging the respective preforms against the mold shaping surfaces opposing same, thereby providing a high laminate compaction pressure during cure that produces a uniform, thin walled, strong, tubular, lug component. The said lug components are also each formed with one or more male members or plugs for closely fitting into adjacent open ends of the aforementioned all-composite tubes. Such composite tubes are formed by wrapping a preform, that is similar to the lug component preform, around a mandrel and cured, with the wrap being subject to a compaction pressure therearound during cure, thereby providing a thin walled high strength tube, for forming of the bicycle frame as above indicated.Other References
Field of SearchFrames and running gearHollow shell frames Frames and running gear With fluid pressure to prevent collapse of hollow structure during assembly and/or joining MOLDED JOINT Socket or open cup for bonding material MEMBER ENDS JOINED BY INSERTED SECTION Angle section Joining a plurality of superposed fibrous or textile layers | |
