Trek's Active Braking Pivot Issued US Patent

sspomer
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Edited Date/Time 8/12/2014 8:48am
The patent is official and here's the Trek press release
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Trek’s Active Braking Pivot Issued US Patent
Proprietary suspension design now protected by federal law

(Waterloo, WI) - Today, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued Trek Bicycle a patent on its Active Braking Pivot (ABP) suspension system, #7,837,213.

Invented by Trek suspension engineers James Colegrove, Dylan Howes, and Jose Gonzalez, ABP has been praised for being the first suspension technology to effectively separate braking and suspension forces. This separation allows the suspension to remain active while the rear brake is engaged.

Trek’s ABP patent has broad implications, as it covers a concentric pivot in combination with much more sophisticated and varied types of rear suspension designs.

ABP, utilizing a concentric rear pivot, was first introduced to the marketplace in May of 2007 and has since evolved to become the foundation of Trek’s full-suspension bikes, offered on eight platforms to date.

From its origins in 2006 to today’s 2011 Trek full suspension lineup, Active Braking Pivot remains a competitive performance advantage found exclusively on Trek and Trek’s Gary Fisher Collection full-suspension mountain bikes. Now patented, ABP is further proof of Trek’s commitment to leading the world in mountain bike technology.
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MTB R&D
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11/23/2010 9:12am Edited Date/Time 4/21/2016 10:19am
Good question. But here is the info from the patent office...


TREK

Bicycle rear wheel suspension system


Abstract

A bicycle frame assembly having a number of rotatable members configured to absorb shocks and impacts associated with operation of the bicycle. The assembly includes a frame constructed to support a rider and a chain stay having a rearward end that extends toward a wheel hub and a forward end that is pivotably connected to the frame. An absorber is pivotably connected to the forward end of the chain stay and extends to a rocker arm that is pivotably connected to the frame. A seat stay is pivotably connected to a rearward end of the rocker arm and extends to the rearward end of the chain stay. The rearward ends of the seat stay and the chain stay are pivotably connected to rotate about a common axis.


Inventors: Colegrove; James (Lake Mills, WI), Howes; Dylan (Monona, WI), Gonzalez; Jose (Santa Clarita, CA)

Assignee: Trek Bicycle Corporation (Waterloo, WI)

Appl. No.: 11/735,816

Filed: April 16, 2007


Split Pivot

Vehicle suspension systems for seperated acceleration responses


Abstract

The invention relates to suspension systems comprising, in certain embodiments, a pivoting means concentric to a wheel rotation axis so that braking forces can be controlled by placement of an instant force center, and so that acceleration forces can be controlled by a swinging wheel link.


Inventors: Weagle; David (Edgartown, MA)

Assignee: Split Pivot, Inc. (Edgartown, MA)

Appl. No.: 11/510,522

Filed: August 25, 2006
kaibrabo
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11/23/2010 11:34am
dave weagle came up with it first, but. trek came out with the bikes first....who wins?
bturman
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11/23/2010 11:51am
I *think* Trek proved that they had conceived it long ago (prior to 2006 maybe?), which is why they were granted the patent. Not 100% on that, though.
sideshow
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11/23/2010 2:07pm
read those patents carefully. they are actually quite different. basically, trek seems to have been granted the patent on the grounds that their designs "requires" the shock to be floating, where as DW's patent is just related to the pivot on the axle. there was also some questions about the difference being in the number of bearings and their placement on the pivot. this is interesting. i think it will bread some proper competition in the bike industry, more around frame design (geo) and price, instead of suspension marketing hype - but that might be wishful thinking.
Pip3r
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11/23/2010 7:22pm
Also note that Treks is very specific to the bicycle, while Split Pivots has no mention of anything bicycle related
unskilled
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11/23/2010 8:03pm
it means they colored their's blue and now they'll co-exist in harmony forever. shooting stars flying over unicorns prancing over rainbows for the rest of eternity. go ride.
11/24/2010 7:24pm
Its all fair. It's all in the language. Bicycles vs. vehicles. Vehicles.....Bicycles, Dirt bikes, motor cycles. Trek can have their pedal powered Patent . DW phase 1: Bikes....COMPLETED! DW Phase 2: Dirt Bikes...In the works!
EVERYONE buy Dave a Beer the next time you see him or at least thank him for his work in the bike industry!

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