Harmonic Damper

Abstract

A damper for reducing vibrations present in various portions of small vehicles, other transportation devices and other rolling and/or motorized devices, such as bicycles, motorcycles, lawn mowers, snowblowers and the like, may comprise a resilient member and a weight. The resilient member may mounted to a portion of a device having a surface suitable for engaging and retaining the resilient member therein, and the resilient member may have an inside surface suitable for engaging and retaining the weight.

1 - 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . A vibration damper for a bicycle comprising:
 a resilient member having an annular shape defining a central axis, the resilient member comprising an annular channel having a U-shaped cross-section; the resilient member supported by the bicycle; and   a weight supported by the resilient member.   
     
     
         45 . The vibration damper of  claim 44 , wherein a vertical axis of the U-shape is parallel to the central axis. 
     
     
         46 . The vibration damper of  claim 44 , wherein the resilient member comprises a protrusion that engages a recess in said weight. 
     
     
         47 . The vibration damper of  claim 44 , wherein the resilient member comprises an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         48 . The vibration damper of  claim 44 , said resilient member comprising a first resilient member, the damper further comprising a second resilient member having an annular shape defining a central axis, the second resilient member supporting said weight. 
     
     
         49 . The vibration damper of  claim 48 , wherein the central axis of the first resilient member and the central axis of the second resilient member are collinear. 
     
     
         50 . The vibration damper of  claim 48 , wherein the second resilient member comprising an annular channel having a U-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         51 . The vibration damper of  claim 48 , wherein the second resilient member has the same shape as the first resilient member 
     
     
         52 . The vibration damper of  claim 51 , wherein the first resilient member is oriented oppositely from the second resilient member. 
     
     
         53 . A bicycle comprising:
 a frame;   a front wheel in communication with a handlebar, the front wheel attached to said frame;   a rear wheel in communication with petals, the rear wheel attached to said frame; and   a vibration damper comprising a weight and a resilient member having an annular shape defining a central axis, the resilient member comprising an annular channel having a U-shaped cross-section, the resilient member supporting the weight.   
     
     
         54 . The bicycle of  claim 53 , wherein the vibration damper is supported by the handlebar. 
     
     
         55 . The bicycle of  claim 53 , wherein the vibration damper is supported by one of said wheels. 
     
     
         56 . The bicycle of  claim 55 , wherein the vibration damper is supported by one or more spokes that comprise said wheel. 
     
     
         57 . The bicycle of  claim 53 , wherein the vibration damper is supported by said frame. 
     
     
         58 . The bicycle of  claim 53 , wherein a vertical axis of the U-shape is parallel to the central axis. 
     
     
         59 . The bicycle of  claim 53 , wherein the resilient member comprises a protrusion that engages a recess in said weight. 
     
     
         60 . The bicycle of  claim 53 , said resilient member comprising a first resilient member, the vibration damper further comprising a second resilient member having an annular shape defining a central axis, the second resilient member supporting said weight. 
     
     
         61 . The bicycle of  claim 60 , wherein the central axis of the first resilient member and the central axis of the second resilient member are collinear. 
     
     
         62 . The bicycle of  claim 61 , wherein the second resilient member has the same shape as the first resilient member. 
     
     
         63 . The bicycle of  claim 62 , wherein the first resilient member is oriented oppositely from the second resilient member.