Patents by Inventor Dennis K. Wootten

Dennis K. Wootten has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20200318707
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension damper for providing a variable damping rate. The vehicle suspension damper comprises a first damping mechanism having a variable first threshold pressure, a second damping mechanism having a second threshold pressure, and a compressible chamber in communication with a damping fluid chamber, wherein the second damping mechanism is responsive to a compression of said compressible chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Benjamin YABLON, Dennis K. WOOTTEN, Robert C. FOX, David M. HAUGEN, Sante PELOT
  • Publication number: 20200318705
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a vehicle shock absorber comprising a main damper cylinder, a first reservoir and a second reservoir. One embodiment includes a first operational mode where both reservoirs are in fluid communication with the cylinder. In a second operational mode, only one reservoir communicates with the cylinder during fluid evacuation from the cylinder. In each mode, rebound from either or both reservoirs may travel through a single, user-adjustable metering device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Galasso, Dennis K. Wootten, Bryan Wesley Anderson
  • Publication number: 20200248770
    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: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario GALASSO, Dennis K. WOOTTEN, Joseph FRANKLIN
  • Publication number: 20200231017
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a shock absorber for a vehicle having a gas spring with first and second gas chambers, wherein the first chamber is utilized during a first travel portion of the shock absorber and the first and second chambers are both utilized during a second portion of travel. In one embodiment, a travel adjustment assembly is configured to selectively communicate a first gas chamber with a negative gas chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew LAIRD, Sante M. PELOT, William M. BECKER, Dennis K. WOOTTEN
  • Patent number: 10704640
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a vehicle shock absorber comprising a main damper cylinder, a first reservoir and a second reservoir. One embodiment includes a first operational mode where both reservoirs are in fluid communication with the cylinder. In a second operational mode, only one reservoir communicates with the cylinder during fluid evacuation from the cylinder. In each mode, rebound from either or both reservoirs may travel through a single, user-adjustable metering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Galasso, Dennis K. Wootten, Bryan Wesley Anderson
  • Publication number: 20200130785
    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: October 25, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip TSIARAS, Dennis K. WOOTTEN, Paul HAMMERSTROM
  • Patent number: 10618369
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a shock absorber for a vehicle having a gas spring with first and second gas chambers, wherein the first chamber is utilized during a first travel portion of the shock absorber and the first and second chambers are both utilized during a second portion of travel. In one embodiment, a travel adjustment assembly is configured to selectively communicate a first gas chamber with a negative gas chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Laird, Sante M. Pelot, William M. Becker, Dennis K. Wootten
  • Patent number: 10612618
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension damper for providing a variable damping rate. The vehicle suspension damper comprises a first damping mechanism having a variable first threshold pressure, a second damping mechanism having a second threshold pressure, and a compressible chamber in communication with a damping fluid chamber, wherein the second damping mechanism is responsive to a compression of said compressible chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Benjamin Yablon, Dennis K. Wootten, Robert C. Fox, David M. Haugen, Sante Pelot
  • Patent number: 10591015
    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: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Galasso, Dennis K. Wootten
  • Publication number: 20190390732
    Abstract: Pressure-sensitive vales are incorporated within a dampening system to permit user-adjustable tuning of a shock absorber. In one embodiment, a pressure-sensitive valve includes an isolated gas chamber having a pressure therein that is settable by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis K. WOOTTEN, Robert C. FOX, Joshua Benjamin YABLON, David M. Haugen
  • Publication number: 20190338824
    Abstract: A modern suspension damper, for example, a shock absorber or a suspension fork, including an inertia valve and a pressure-relief feature is disclosed. The pressure-relief feature includes a rotatable adjustment knob that allows the pressure-relief threshold to be externally adjusted by the rider “on-the-fly” and without the use of tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Becker, Robert C. FOX, Dennis K. WOOTTEN
  • Publication number: 20190315182
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a vehicle suspension system gas spring. In one embodiment, a vehicle suspension system gas spring includes a compressible main gas chamber and an additional volume combinable with the main chamber to change a gas spring rate of the system. In one embodiment, a low friction piston seal is created by a flexible seal member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario GALASSO, Joshua Benjamin YABLON, Andrew LAIRD, William M. BECKER, Joseph FRANKLIN, Dennis K. WOOTTEN
  • Patent number: 10408295
    Abstract: Pressure-sensitive valves are incorporated within a dampening system to permit user-adjustable tuning of a shock absorber. In one embodiment, a pressure-sensitive valve includes an isolated gas chamber having a pressure therein that is settable by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis K. Wootten, Robert C. Fox, Joshua Benjamin Yablon, David M. Haugen
  • Patent number: 10384509
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a vehicle suspension system gas spring. In one embodiment, a vehicle suspension system gas spring includes a compressible main gas chamber and an additional volume combinable with the main chamber to change a gas spring rate of the system. In one embodiment, a low friction piston seal is created by a flexible seal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Galasso, Joshua Benjamin Yablon, Andrew Laird, William M. Becker, Joseph Franklin, Dennis K. Wootten
  • Publication number: 20190248204
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a shock absorber for a vehicle having a gas spring with first and second gas chambers, wherein the first chamber is utilized during a first travel portion of the shock absorber and the first and second chambers are both utilized during a second portion of travel. In one embodiment, a travel adjustment assembly is configured to selectively communicate a first gas chamber with a negative gas chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew LAIRD, Sante M. PELOT, William M. BECKER, Dennis K. WOOTTEN
  • Patent number: 10359092
    Abstract: A modern suspension damper, for example, a shock absorber or a suspension fork, including an inertia valve and a pressure-relief feature is disclosed. The pressure-relief feature includes a rotatable adjustment knob that allows the pressure-relief threshold to be externally adjusted by the rider “on-the-fly” and without the use of tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Becker, Robert C. Fox, Dennis K. Wootten
  • Publication number: 20190219122
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a vehicle shock absorber comprising a main damper cylinder, a first reservoir and a second reservoir. One embodiment includes a first operational mode where both reservoirs are in fluid communication with the cylinder. In a second operational mode, only one reservoir communicates with the cylinder during fluid evacuation from the cylinder. In each mode, rebound from either or both reservoirs may travel through a single, user-adjustable metering device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Galasso, Dennis K. Wootten, Bryan Wesley Anderson
  • Publication number: 20190195309
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension damper for providing a variable damping rate. The vehicle suspension damper comprises a first damping mechanism having a variable first threshold pressure, a second damping mechanism having a second threshold pressure, and a compressible chamber in communication with a damping fluid chamber, wherein the second damping mechanism is responsive to a compression of said compressible chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Benjamin YABLON, Dennis K. WOOTTEN, Robert C. FOX, David M. HAUGEN, Sante PELOT
  • Patent number: 10315482
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a shock absorber for a vehicle having a gas spring with first and second gas chambers, wherein the first chamber is utilized during a first travel portion of the shock absorber and the first and second chambers are both utilized during a second portion of travel. In one embodiment, a travel adjustment assembly is configured to selectively communicate a first gas chamber with a negative gas chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Laird, Sante M. Pelot, William M. Becker, Dennis K. Wootten
  • Publication number: 20190136931
    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: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario GALASSO, Dennis K. WOOTTEN