Patent attributes
A driven wheel suspension system for a vehicle (100) having a chassis (12) suspended from a driven wheel (10) is disclosed. The suspension system includes a suspension mechanism including a driven wheel carrier member (11) rotatably connected to the driven wheel (10). The suspension mechanism is configured to isolate the movement of the driven wheel 10 from the movement of the chassis (12). The driven wheel (10) is movable a distance relative to the chassis (12) which defines a suspension travel. The driven wheel suspension system further includes a drive train including a looped power transmission element configured to transmit power between the driven wheel (10) and a power source mounted on the chassis (12). An idler member (31) is rotatably mounted on an idler carrier member (20) that is movable relative to both the chassis (12) and driven wheel earner member (11). The idler member (31) is configured to engage with a power transmitting segment (33) of the looped power transmission element and move to follow a predetermined path as a function of suspension travel, to thereby alter a path of said power transmitting segment (33) of the looped power transmission element. Altering the path of the power transmitting segment (33) of the looped power transmission element results in a lengthening or shortening of the power transmitting segment (33) of the looped power transmission element. The driven wheel suspension system of the present invention has many applications, including but not limited to a rear wheel suspension system for a bicycle.
