>The first handlebar stem device vibration isolator 500A can be positioned within the first swing arm 502. Similarly, the second handlebar stem device vibration isolator 500B can be positioned within the second swing arm 504. The handlebar stem device vibration isolator(s) 500 are configured to isolate the rider from vibrations transferred to the rider 112 through the handlebar assembly 120. More specifically, in some instances, the handlebar stem device vibration isolator(s) 500 can be configured to isolate the upper body portion 124 of the rider 112 from vibrations transferred through the handlebar assembly 120 to the upper body portion 124.

In some arrangements, the bicycle 100 can include multiple vibration isolators in any combination of the above-mentioned locations. The use of vibration isolators in multiple components of the bicycle 100 can be advantageous because the vibration isolators can have a combined, synergistic effect on isolation vibration. This is advantageous because, in arrangements in which only one body portion of the rider 112 is isolated from vibrations, the rider 112 can feel an even greater effect of vibrations transferred to another body portion, and the rider 112 can still suffer discomfort and fatigue during their ride even if one body portion is isolated from vibrations. However, when the two or more body portions of the rider 112 are isolated from vibrations, the rider 112 can maintain a comfortable ride without fatigue.

In one or more arrangements, for example, the bicycle 100 can include a frame vibration isolator 200 and one or more front-end vibration isolators. The front-end vibration isolator(s) can include one or more front steering axle vibration isolators 300, one or more front fork assembly vibration isolators 400, and/or one or more handlebar stem device vibration isolators 500. For example, the bicycle 100 can include a frame vibration isolator 200 and a front steering axle vibration isolator 300. The frame vibration isolator 200 and the front steering axle vibration isolator 300 can synergistically isolate both the upper body portion 124 and the lower body portion 126 of the rider 112 from vibrations transferred to the rider 112 through the frame 102 and the front steering axle 116. In another example, the bicycle 100 can include a frame vibration isolator 200 and one or more front fork assembly vibration isolators 400. The frame vibration isolator 200 and the front fork assembly vibration isolator(s) 400 can synergistically isolate both upper body portion 124 and the lower body portion 126 of the rider 112 from vibrations transferred through the frame 102 and the front fork assembly 118. In another example, the bicycle 100 can include a frame vibration isolator and one or more handlebar stem device vibration isolators 500. The frame vibration isolator 200 and the handlebar stem device vibration isolator(s) 500 can synergistically isolate both the upper body portion 124 and the lower body portion 126 of the rider 112 from vibrations transferred to the rider through the frame 102 and the handlebar assembly 120.

In one or more other arrangements, for example, the bicycle 100 can include a frame vibration isolator 200 and any combination of two or more of: a front steering axle vibration isolator 300, one or more front fork assembly vibration isolators 400, and one or more handlebar stem device vibration isolators 500. In one or more other arrangements, for example, the bicycle 100 can include a frame vibration isolator 200, a front steering axle vibration isolator 300, one or more front fork assembly vibration isolators 400, and one or more handlebar stem device vibration isolators 500. All of these vibration isolators together can synergistically isolate different body portions of the rider 112 from vibrations transferred throughout the various elements of the bicycle 100. For instance, all of these vibration isolators together can synergistically isolate both the upper body portion 124 and the lower body portion 126 of the rider 112 from vibrations transferred throughout the various elements of the bicycle 100. In one or more other arrangements, the bicycle 100 can include any suitable combination of a frame vibration isolator 200 and one or more front-end vibration isolators.

As mentioned above, each of the vibration isolators can be configured to exhibit a non-linear stiffness profile. The non-linear stiffness profile can include a region of quasi-zero stiffness. An example of a force-deflection graph 600 for vibration isolator is shown in FIG. 6A. It is noted that this force-deflection graph 600 is merely an example, as the values will vary depending on various characteristics of the isolator. However, the general shape of a force-deflection curve 610, representing the stiffness profile, is shown. Starting from the origin 620, the vibration isolators can exhibit an initial stiffness region 630 that is substantially linear. The vibration isolator is relatively stiff in the initial stiffness region 630. When load is reached, the force-deflection curve 610 can become zero or substantially zero, which is a quasi-zero stiffness region 640. The quasi-zero stiffness region 640 can allow for good vibration isolation. Continuing beyond the quasi-zero stiffness region 640, the force-deflection curve 610 can have a subsequent stiffness region 650 that is substantially linear. The vibration isolator is relatively stiff in the subsequent stiffness region 650.

It should be noted that there are two force-deflection curves shown in FIG. 6A. A first force-deflection curve 610′ represents the vibration isolator going from a non-loaded state to a loaded state. A second force deflection curve 610″ represents the vibration isolator going from a loaded state to a non-loaded state.

Referring now to FIG. 7, according to arrangements herein, the vibration isolators can include a stack of a plurality of conical springs 700. It should be noted that other terms can be used to describe the conical springs 700 such as Belleville washers, disk springs, conical disks, etc. As more conical springs are added to the stack, the quasi-zero stiffness region 640 of the force-deflection curve 610 can be extended. An example of a force-deflection graph 660 depicting this effect is shown in FIG. 6B. As is evident, the length of the quasi-zero stiffness region increases as the number of conical springs 700 used in the stack increases.

Referring to FIG. 7, an example of a conical spring 700 is shown. The conical spring 700 can have a body 710 with a substantially conical shape. The conical spring 700 can include an outer diameter body portion 720 and an inner diameter body portion 730. The outer diameter body portion 720 can be larger than the inner diameter body portion 730. The conical spring 700 can have a central aperture 740. The conical spring 700 can have a central axis 750. The conical spring can have a height H and a thickness λ. In some arrangements, the conical spring 700 can have a ratio of height H to the thickness λ of about 1 to about 2, about 1.2 to about 1.8, about 1.3 to about 1.5. In some arrangements, the ratio of height H to the thickness λ can be about 1.41.

A plurality of the conical springs 700 can be arranged in any suitable manner in a stack. For instance, in one or more arrangements, the plurality of the conical springs 700 can be arranged in an alternating pattern. For example, the outer diameter body portion 720 of one conical spring 700 can face the outer diameter body portion 720 of a neighboring conical spring 700. Alternatively or additionally, the inner diameter body portion 730 of a conical spring 700 can face the inner diameter body portion 730 of a neighboring conical spring 700. The central apertures 740 of the conical springs 700 can be substantially aligned with each other.

In some arrangements, the stack of the plurality of conical springs 700 does not include a central shaft passes through the central apertures 740 of the plurality of conical springs 700. Alternatively or additionally, the plurality of conical springs 700 does not include an outer sleeve that encloses the plurality of conical springs 700.

There are numerous ways in which the plurality of conical springs 700 can be arranged in a stack. Two examples will be provided herein. However, it will be understood that arrangements are not limited to the two examples described herein.

Referring to FIG. 4, a first example of a vibration isolator 800 is shown in a cross-sectional view. The vibration isolator 800 can include a plurality of the conical springs 700 arranged in a stack 816. The stack 816 of the plurality of the conical springs 700 can have a first outermost conical spring 801 and a second outermost conical spring 802.

The vibration isolator 800 can further include a plurality of inner spacers 810 and a plurality of outer spacers 820. The inner spacers 810 can separate the inner diameter body portion 730 of neighboring pairs of the conical springs 700. The outer spacers 820 can separate the outer diameter body portion 720 of neighboring pairs of the conical springs 700. In some arrangements, the plurality of inner spacers 810 can be substantially identical to each other. In other arrangements, at least one of the inner spacers 810 can be different from the other inner spacers 810 in or more respects. In some arrangements, the plurality of outer spacers 820 can be substantially identical to each other. In other arrangements, at least one of the outer spacers 820 can be different from the other outer spacers 820 in or more respects.

The inner spacers 810 and the outer spacers 820 can be generally cylindrical members. In one or more arrangements, the inner spacers 810 and the outer spacers 820 can have a substantially t-shaped cross-sectional shape. Thus, the inner spacers 810 can include an inner wall portion 812 and a transverse ledge portion 814. The transverse ledge portion 814 can extend outwardly from the inner wall portion 812. The transverse ledge portion 814 can be substantially perpendicular to the inner wall portion 812. The outer spacers 820 can include an outer wall portion 822 and a transverse ledge portion 824. The transverse ledge portion 824 can extend inwardly from the outer wall portion 822. The transverse ledge portion 824 can be substantially perpendicular to the outer wall portion 822.

The inner spacers 810 and the outer spacers 820 can be configured as non-locking spacers. Thus, the outer diameter body portion 720 of the conical springs 700 can rest on or contact the transverse ledge portion 824 of the outer spacers 820. Similarly, the inner diameter body portion 730 can rest on or contact the transverse ledge portion 814 of the inner spacers 810. Thus, the inner spacers 810 and the outer spacers 820 do not lockingly engage the conical springs 700.

The vibration isolator 800 can includes a first endcap 840 and a second endcap 850. The first endcap 840 can be operatively connected to and/or operatively positioned with respect to the first outermost conical spring 701 at a first end 801 of the stack 816. In some arrangements, one or more intermediate structures 803 can be located between the first endcap 840 and the first outermost conical spring 701. In other arrangements, the first endcap 840 and the first outermost conical spring 701 can directly contact each other. The second endcap 850 can be is operatively connected to and/or operatively positioned with respect to the second outermost conical spring 702 at a second end 802 of the stack 816. In some arrangements, one or more intermediate structures 804 can be located between the second endcap 850 and the second outermost conical spring 702. In other arrangements, the second endcap 850 and the first outermost conical spring 701 can directly contact each other.

In some arrangements, the first endcap 840 and the second endcap 850 can be substantially identical to each other. In other arrangements, the first endcap 840 and the second endcap 850 can be different from each other in one or more respects. The first endcap 840 and the second endcap 850 can be made of any suitable material.

FIG. 8 shows the conical springs 700 in the stack 816 as being in a neutral position. However, as will be explained in more detail later, the vibration isolator 800 can be configured to allow the conical springs 700 in the stack 816 to become flat or even inverted.

Referring to FIG. 9, a second example of a vibration isolator 900 is shown in a cross-sectional view. The vibration isolator 900 can include a plurality of the conical springs 700 arranged in a stack 930. The stack 930 of the plurality of the conical springs 700 can have a first outermost conical spring 701 and a second outermost conical spring 702.

The vibration isolator 900 can further include a plurality of inner spacers 910 and a plurality of outer spacers 920. The inner spacers 910 can separate the inner diameter body portion 730 of neighboring pairs of the conical springs 700. The outer spacers 920 can separate the outer diameter body portion 720 of neighboring pairs of the conical springs 700. In some arrangements, the plurality of inner spacers 910 can be substantially identical to each other. In other arrangements, at least one of the inner spacers 910 can be different from the other inner spacers 910 in or more respects. In some arrangements, the plurality of outer spacers 920 can be substantially identical to each other. In other arrangements, at least one of the outer spacers 920 can be different from the other outer spacers 920 in or more respects.

The inner spacers 910 and the outer spacers 920 can be generally cylindrical members. In one or more arrangements, the inner spacers 910 and the outer spacers