Patents Assigned to Fox Factory, Inc.
  • Non-uniform steerer tube or fork leg
    Patent number: 11708124
    Abstract: A non-uniform steerer tube. The non-uniform steerer tubes includes an axis-symmetric outer surface and a non axis-symmetric inner surface. The axis-symmetric outer surface and the non axis-symmetric inner surface defining a wall thickness therebetween. The wall thickness varying along an axial length of the non-uniform steerer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: William O. Brown, IV, Daniel McCormick, Joshua Coaplen, Christopher Otterness
  • Remotely operated bypass for a suspension damper
    Patent number: 11708878
    Abstract: A damper assembly with a bypass for a vehicle comprises a pressure cylinder with a piston and piston rod for limiting the flow rate of damping fluid as it passes from a first to a second side of said piston. A bypass provides a fluid pathway between the first and second sides of the piston separately from the flow rare limitation. In one aspect, the bypass is remotely controllable from a passenger compartment of the vehicle. In another aspect, the bypass is remotely controllable based upon one or more variable parameters associated with the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: John Marking
  • MECHANICAL BYPASS OF A VALVE BODY
    Publication number: 20230226873
    Abstract: A mechanical bypass for a shock assembly is disclosed herein. The assembly has a damper chamber having a compression portion and a rebound portion. There is further an external reservoir in fluid communication with the rebound portion of the damper chamber via a flow path. A valve is coupled with the flow path, the valve to meter a flow of the working fluid through the flow path. A bypass port to the external reservoir is provided in the flow path and bypasses the valve. A mechanical relief valve is provided in the bypass port to block a fluid flow though the bypass port until a blow-off pressure that is higher than a normal operating pressure and less than a burst pressure of the damping chamber is provided thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick STRICKLAND, Jeff HALPER, Mike LABBE
  • CHAIN GUIDE
    Publication number: 20230219653
    Abstract: A chain guide is disclosed herein. The chain guide includes a backplate and a chain guide. The backplate has an elongated opening therein. The chain guide includes a guide to orient a chain with respect to the sprocket. The chain guide also includes a retaining assembly to removably and adjustably frictionally couple the guide at a given location along the elongated opening in the backplate, such that when the guide is rotated axially about the retaining assembly, the guide is retained at the given location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert CHARETTE, Douglas CHALMERS, Evan Michael CHOLTCO-DEVLIN
  • Modular electronic damping control
    Patent number: 11697317
    Abstract: A modular electronic damping control system is described and includes a damping component located at a vehicle suspension location. The modular electronic damping control system also includes a control system configured to control the damping component, and determine the type of damping component present. Also, the control system is configured to automatically tune a vehicle's suspension based on the type of damping component present, and automatically monitor the damping component and determine when a change has been made to the damping component so that the control system can then automatically re-tune the vehicle's suspension based on the change to the damping component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Ivan Tong
  • Bicycle crank arm and insert therefore
    Patent number: 11691692
    Abstract: A crank arm for a bicycle may include a body extending along a body axis and having a first body end and a second body end axially spaced apart from the first body end. The insert may also include an insert provided toward the first body end. The insert may include a base portion having a radially outer surface. At least one extension may extend outwardly from the radially outer surface and may be encased within a corresponding recess in the body whereby relative planar movement between the body and the at least one extension in a first plane. The retaining portion may have a retaining portion width measured in the first direction and the retaining width may be greater than the throat width thereby inhibiting relative radial movement between the at least one extension and the recess and preventing radial extraction of the extension from the corresponding recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Staples, Paul Sidlick
  • Adjustable blow-off suspension
    Patent number: 11679641
    Abstract: Altering the damping rate of a vehicle suspension damper. A pressure of a damping fluid is exerted against a second valve mechanism connected to the vehicle suspension damper. The pressure of the damping fluid is increased beyond a threshold of the second valve mechanism that is adjustable by an adjustment member. The adjustment member is exposed through a high pressure side of the vehicle suspension damper. The second valve mechanism is then opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Laird, Robert C. Fox
  • Chainring
    Patent number: 11680633
    Abstract: A chainring is disclosed herein. The chainring includes a front surface, a back surface, a center, and an outer diameter. The chainring has a thickness which varies from a lesser thickness at the outer diameter to a greater thickness nearer the center. The thickness of the chainring varying substantially the same on the front surface and the back surface such that the chainring is substantially symmetric about a plane dividing the front surface and the back surface along a direction normal to an axial direction of the chainring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Klawer, Wesley E. Allinger
  • REMOTELY OPERATED BYPASS FOR A SUSPENSION DAMPER
    Publication number: 20230184308
    Abstract: A damper assembly with a bypass for a vehicle comprises a pressure cylinder with a piston and piston rod for limiting the flow rate of damping fluid as it passes from a first to a second side of said piston. A bypass provides fluid pathway between the first and second sides of the piston separately from the flow rate limitation. In one aspect, the bypass is remotely controllable from a passenger compartment of the vehicle. In another aspect, the bypass is remotely controllable based upon one or more variable parameters associated with the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: John MARKING
  • COMPRESSION SENSITIVE SUSPENSION DAMPENING
    Publication number: 20230174189
    Abstract: A spring for a suspension is described. The spring includes: a spring chamber divided into at least a primary portion and a secondary portion, and a fluid flow path coupled with and between the primary portion and the secondary portion. The fluid flow path includes a bypass mechanism, wherein the bypass mechanism is configured for automatically providing resistance within the fluid flow path in response to a compressed condition of the suspension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Sante PELOT
  • SYSTEM FOR MINIMIZING DATA TRANSMISSION LATENCY BETWEEN A SENSOR AND A SUSPENSION CONTROLLER OF A VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20230173868
    Abstract: A system for minimizing data transmission latency between a sensor and a suspension controller of a vehicle is described. The system includes: a state determination module that determines a physical state of the vehicle; a plurality of data paths for transmitting a first signal from the sensor to the suspension controller; a data path configurator of the controller that selects a first data path of the plurality of data paths based on at least one characteristic of the first data path and the physical state and configures the first data path to transmit the first signal; and an actuation module that generates an actuation signal to control a damping characteristic of the suspension actuator based on at least the first signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Wittenschlaeger
  • SEALED BOAT SEAT SUSPENSION
    Publication number: 20230173960
    Abstract: A sealed boat seat suspension including a plurality of sealed rails. The sealed boat seat suspension also includes a boat seat attachment component which is coupled to the plurality of sealed rails. The sealed boat seat suspension also includes a boat seat attachment component which is movable with respect to at least a portion of the plurality of sealed rails. The sealed boat seat suspension also includes a suspension component which is coupled to the boat seat attachment component such that the suspension component provides at least some control of movement of the boat seat attachment component with respect to at least a portion of the plurality of sealed rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip TSIARAS, Dennis K. WOOTTEN, Paul HAMMERSTROM
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN ADJUSTABLE DAMPER
    Publication number: 20230167870
    Abstract: An air bleed system for a suspension fork or shock absorber includes: a fluid passage between an interior of the suspension and an exterior of the suspension; and a manually operable valve having a first position substantially closing the fluid passage and a second position allowing fluid flow between the interior and the exterior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: William M. Becker
  • Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper
    Patent number: 11660924
    Abstract: A method for controlling vehicle motion is described. The method includes accessing a set of control signals including a measured vehicle speed value associated with a movement of a vehicle. A control signal associated with user-induced input is also accessed. The method compares the measured vehicle speed value with a predetermined vehicle speed threshold value to achieve a speed value threshold approach status, and then compares the set of values to achieve a user-induced input threshold value approach status. The method monitors a state of a valve within the vehicle suspension damper, and determines a control mode for the vehicle suspension damper. The method also regulates damping forces within the vehicle suspension damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Everet Owen Ericksen, Christopher Paul Cox, Philip Tsiaras, Mark Larson, Mario Galasso, Matt McLellan
  • Methods and apparatus for suspension adjustment
    Patent number: 11655873
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a gas spring cylinder containing a piston moveable between an extended position and a compressed position within the gas spring cylinder. A mechanical actuator is arranged whereby a bleed port is automatically closed when the gas spring is compressed to a predetermined position corresponding to a desired sag setting. In one embodiment, the position corresponds to a predetermined sag setting whereby the gas spring is partially compressed. In another embodiment, a proper sag setting is determined through the use of a processor and sensor that in one instance measure a position of shock absorber components to dictate a proper sag setting and in another instance calculate a pressure corresponding to a preferred sag setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Galasso, Dennis K. Wootten, Joseph Franklin
  • PLUG AND PLAY SUSPENSION
    Publication number: 20230150333
    Abstract: A plug and play suspension system is disclosed. The plug and play suspension system includes at least one electronically adjustable shock assembly, a controller, and a communications network to communicatively couple said controller with said at least one electronically adjustable shock assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Asimm Hirani, Robert Stanford, Nobuhiko Negishi, Andrew Peterson, Rick Strickland, James Alens, Connor Randall
  • Multi-mode air shock
    Patent number: 11644079
    Abstract: A multi-mode air shock is disclosed herein. The air shock includes an air spring having a primary air chamber, and a damper having an insertion end to telescope within the primary air chamber and a coupler to couple with a portion of a vehicle. An adjuster housing is fixedly coupled to an end of the air spring opposite of the damper, the adjuster housing having a secondary air chamber in communication with the primary air chamber and a mounting structure to couple with a different portion of the vehicle. There is a bulkhead with a valve to open or close the fluid communication between the primary air chamber and the secondary air chamber. The air shock also includes a tertiary air chamber in fluid communication with the secondary air chamber but not in fluid communication with the primary air chamber except via the secondary air chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Laird
  • SYSTEM FOR MINIMIZING DATA TRANSMISSION LATENCY BETWEEN A SENSOR AND A SUSPENSION CONTROLLER OF A VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20230134005
    Abstract: A system for minimizing data transmission latency between a sensor and a suspension controller of a vehicle is described. The system includes: a state determination module that determines a physical state of the vehicle; a plurality of data paths for transmitting a first signal from the sensor to the suspension controller; a data path configurator of the controller that selects a first data path of the plurality of data paths based on at least one characteristic of the first data path and the physical state and configures the first data path to transmit the first signal; and an actuation module that generates an actuation signal to control a damping characteristic of the suspension actuator based on at least the first signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Wittenschlaeger
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN ADJUSTABLE DAMPER
    Publication number: 20230131078
    Abstract: A method for controlling vehicle motion is described. The method includes accessing a set of control signals including a measured vehicle speed value associated with a movement of a vehicle. A control signal associated with user-induced input is also accessed. The method compares the measured vehicle speed value with a predetermined vehicle speed threshold value to achieve a speed value threshold approach status, and then compares the set of values to achieve a user-induced input threshold value approach status. The method monitors a state of a valve within the vehicle suspension damper, and determines a control mode for the vehicle suspension damper. The method also regulates damping forces within the vehicle suspension damper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Everet Owen ERICKSEN, Christopher Paul COX, Philip TSIARAS, Mark LARSON, Mario GALASSO, Matt McLellan
  • Automated control system for an electronically controlled sway bar link
    Patent number: 11634003
    Abstract: A sway bar system is described. The sway bar system includes a sway bar having a first end and a second end. An electronically controlled connector to provide a remotely controllable physical connection and disconnection capability between a first location on a vehicle and the first end of the sway bar; and the second end of the sway bar coupled to a second location on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Negishi, Rick Strickland, Philip Tsiaras, Andrew Peterson