Bicycle shock assemblies

Abstract

A shock absorber, which is particularly applicable to bicycles, includes a mount body, a first cap portion, a second cap portion, and a fluid cylinder. The fluid cylinder cooperates with a valve assembly that is offset from the mount body. The first and second cap portions enclose a gas cavity or gas chamber. One of the first and second cap portions is interchangeable with other caps so as to alter the performance of the shock absorber by altering the size of the gas chamber. The replaceable cap cooperates with the mount body such that it can be replaced without removing the shock absorber from a bicycle.

1 . A shock for a bicycle comprising:
 a mount body constructed to be connected to a bicycle;   a first cap connected to one side of the mount body and constructed to enclose a first cavity; and   a second cap connected to a second side of the mount body and constructed to enclose a second cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The shock of  claim 1  further comprising a passage formed through the mount body such that the first cavity and the second cavity are fluidly connected. 
     
     
         3 . The shock of  claim 2  further comprising a selector supported by the mount body and that is moveable relative to the mount body to alter a performance characteristic of the shock. 
     
     
         4 . The shock of  claim 1  wherein the mount body includes at least one recess for securing the mount body between movable structures of a bicycle. 
     
     
         5 . The shock of  claim 4  wherein the recess is fluidly isolated from the first and second cavities. 
     
     
         6 . The shock of  claim 4  wherein the recess is further defined as one of a through hole or a first threaded bore and a second threaded bore. 
     
     
         7 . The shock of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first cap and second cap is interchangeable with another cap to alter a size of the cavity associated with a replaced cap. 
     
     
         8 . The shock of  claim 7  wherein the one of the first cap, second cap, and another cap are interchangeable without removing the shock from a bicycle. 
     
     
         9 . The shock of  claim 1  wherein a volume of the first cavity is not the same as a volume of the second cavity. 
     
     
         10 . The shock of  claim 1  further comprising a fluid reservoir that is fluidly associated with one of the first cap and second cap and a piston body that extends from the mount body. 
     
     
         11 . The shock of  claim 10  further comprising a selector that alters a size of a passage between alternate sides of the piston body thereby altering force required to translate the fluid reservoir relative to the piston body. 
     
     
         12 . The shock of  claim 10  further comprising auxiliary tank connected to the mount body and fluidly connected to the fluid reservoir. 
     
     
         13 . A bicycle suspension system comprising:
 a mount securable to a first bicycle structure;   a sleeve extending from the mount;   a cylinder that is translatable relative to the sleeve and securable to a second bicycle structure; and   a cap secured to the mount such that the cap extends in an outboard direction relative to the first and second bicycle structures.   
     
     
         14 . The bicycle suspension system of  claim 13  further comprising at least one cavity formed in the mount for receiving a fastener that engages the first bicycle structure. 
     
     
         15 . The bicycle suspension system of  claim 14  wherein the cavity extends completely though the mount and is fluidly isolated from an interior volume defined by the mount, sleeve, and cylinder. 
     
     
         16 . The bicycle suspension system of  claim 13  further comprising a stem extending from the mount along a longitudinal axis of the sleeve. 
     
     
         17 . The bicycle suspension system of  claim 16  further comprising a valve body attached to the stem and positioned within the cylinder such that the cylinder is movable along the stem inside the sleeve. 
     
     
         18 . The bicycle suspension system of  claim 17  further comprising a dial connected to the mount and operable to manipulate operation of the valve body. 
     
     
         19 . The bicycle suspension system of  claim 18  further comprising a ball and detent associated with the dial and the mount to provide a tactile indication of the position of the dial relative to the mount. 
     
     
         20 . The bicycle suspension system of  claim 13  further comprising a reservoir attached to the mount and fluidly connected to a volume enclosed by the cylinder. 
     
     
         21 . The bicycle suspension system of  claim 13  wherein the first and second bicycle structures are associated with one or both of a rear wheel assembly and a front wheel assembly of a bicycle. 
     
     
         22 . A method of altering performance of a bicycle suspension system by altering a shock performance characteristic, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a shock having a first body for being connected to one of a first frame member or a second frame member a bicycle;   (b) providing a second body for being connected to the other of the first or the second frame member, the first and second bodies being movable relative to one another to allow translational movement between the first and second frame members with a desired suspension characteristic; and   (c) providing an interchangeable third body that cooperates with the first body and alters the shock performance characteristic.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising providing a number of third bodies that define different cavities and wherein each third body individually cooperates with the first body to provide different desired suspension characteristics. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising forming at least one open cavity in the first body for securing the first body to the one of the frame and the wheel of a bicycle. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising forming the open cavity all the way through the first body and fluidly separating the open cavity and an interior cavity of the first body. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising offsetting a valve assembly from the first body and bifurcating a space enclosed by the second body. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising attaching an operator to the first body and connecting the operator to the valve assembly locating in the space of the second body to alter performance of the shock independent of third body. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising positioning the operator to be adjusted from a riding position. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising attaching an auxiliary reservoir to the first body and fluidly connecting the auxiliary reservoir to one side of the bifurcated space enclosed by the second body. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising attaching the shock to a bicycle such that a portion of the shock is positioned outside an area between a first connection and a second connection of the shock and the bicycle.