LIGHTWEIGHT FORK ASSEMBLY
A fork for a vehicle, the fork including: a set of first tubes; and a set of second tubes telescopically positioned within the set of first tubes, wherein at least one first tube of the set of first tubes comprises a recess configured for receiving at least a portion of a disc brake assembly.
1 . A fork for a vehicle, said fork comprising:
a set of first tubes; and
a set of second tubes telescopically positioned within said set of first tubes, wherein at least one first tube of said set of first tubes comprises a recess configured for receiving at least a portion of a disc brake assembly.
2 . The fork of claim 1 , wherein said first tube of said at least one first tube comprises:
a first portion; and
a second portion that comprises said recess, wherein said first portion comprises a first circumference, and said second portion comprises a second circumference, wherein said first circumference is greater than said second circumference.
3 . The fork of claim 1 , wherein said first tube of said at least one first tube comprises:
a first portion; and
a second portion that comprises said recess, wherein said first portion comprises a first circumference, and said second portion comprises a second circumference, wherein said first circumference is less than said second circumference.
4 . The fork of claim 1 , wherein said first tube of said at least one first tube comprises:
a first portion; and
a second portion that comprises said recess, wherein said first portion comprises a first circumference, and said second portion comprises a second circumference, wherein said first circumference is equal to said second circumference.
5 . The fork of claim 1 , wherein said first tube of said at least one first tube comprises:
a first portion; and
a second portion that comprises said recess, wherein a circumference of said first portion varies throughout said first portion and a circumference of said second portion varies throughout said second portion.
6 . The fork of claim 1 , wherein said first tube of said at least one first tube comprises:
a first portion; and
a second portion that comprises said recess, wherein said first portion comprises a material that is different from said second portion.
7 . The fork of claim 1 , wherein said portion of said disc brake assembly comprises:
a disc brake rotor.
8 . The fork of claim 1 , further comprises:
a stopper element disposed adjacent to an upper portion of said recess and interior to a first leg tube of said at least one first leg tube, wherein, during compression of said fork, said stopper element restricts a portion of a piston assembly from entering an area within said first leg tube that is adjacent to said recess.
9 . A fork assembly comprising:
a fork crown comprising:
a first receiving end configured for receiving a first end of a first upper leg tube of a set of upper leg tubes; and
a second receiving end configured for receiving a second end of a second upper leg tube of said set of upper leg tubes;
a fork leg assembly comprising:
a set of lower leg tubes; and
said set of upper leg tubes telescopically positioned within said set of lower leg tubes;
a wheel hub removably attached to said set of lower leg tubes,
wherein a distance from said first receiving end and said second receiving end of said fork crown is proportionally sized according to a smallest width between outer surfaces of walls of said set of lower leg tubes, wherein said smallest width does not include an area there between in which a portion of a disc brake assembly is disposed, wherein said portion of said disc brake assembly is coupled with said wheel hub.
10 . The lightweight fork assembly of claim 9 , wherein said portion of said disc brake assembly comprises:
a disc brake rotor.
11 . The fork assembly of claim 9 , further comprising:
a distance between said outer walls of said set of lower leg tubes at which there is a largest width, wherein said largest width is greater than said smallest width, and said largest width includes a set of recesses disposed in at least one lower leg tube of said set of lower leg tubes.
12 . The fork assembly of claim 11 , wherein said set of recesses comprises:
one or more recesses.
13 . A component of a fork assembly for a vehicle, said component comprising:
at least one lower leg tube of a set of lower leg tubes configured for telescopically receiving at least one upper leg tube of a set of upper leg tubes, wherein said at least one lower leg tube comprises a recess configured for receiving at least a portion of a disc brake assembly.
14 . The component of claim 13 , wherein said recess is large enough to fully receive said at least a portion of said disc brake assembly such that since all of said at least a portion of said disc brake assembly is received in said recess, a width between said set of said lower leg tubes does not accommodate a presence of said at least a portion of said disc brake assembly.
15 . A fork for a vehicle, said fork comprising:
a set of first tubes; and
a set of second tubes telescopically positioned within said set of first tubes, wherein at least one first tube of said set of first tubes comprises a recess configured for increasing the distance between said set of first tubes.
16 . The fork of claim 15 , wherein said first tube of said at least one first tube comprises:
a first portion; and
a second portion that comprises said recess, wherein said first portion comprises a first circumference, and said second portion comprises a second circumference, wherein said first circumference is greater than said second circumference.
17 . The fork of claim 15 , wherein said first tube of said at least one first tube comprises:
a first portion; and
a second portion that comprises said recess, wherein said first portion comprises a first circumference, and said second portion comprises a second circumference, wherein said first circumference is less than said second circumference.
18 . The fork of claim 15 , wherein said first tube of said at least one first tube comprises:
a first portion; and
a second portion that comprises said recess, wherein said first portion comprises a first circumference, and said second portion comprises a second circumference, wherein said first circumference is equal to said second circumference.
19 . The fork of claim 15 , wherein said first tube of said at least one first tube comprises:
a first portion; and
a second portion that comprises said recess, wherein a circumference of said first portion varies throughout said first portion and a circumference of said second portion varies throughout said second portion.
20 . The fork of claim 15 , wherein said first tube of said at least one first tube comprises:
a first portion; and
a second portion that comprises said recess, wherein said first portion comprises a material that is different from said second portion.
21 . The fork of claim 15 , further comprises:
a stopper element disposed adjacent to an upper portion of said recess and interior to a first leg tube of said at least one first leg tube, wherein, during compression of said fork, said stopper element restricts a portion of a piston assembly from entering an area within said first leg tube that is adjacent to said recess.