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).

  • Patent number: 10240655
    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: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Galasso, Dennis K. Wootten, Bryan Wesley Anderson
  • Patent number: 10221914
    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: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Benjamin Yablon, Dennis K. Wootten, Robert C. Fox, David M. Haugen, Sante Pelot
  • Patent number: 10145435
    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: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Galasso, Dennis K. Wootten, Joseph Franklin
  • Publication number: 20180086170
    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: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario GALASSO, Joshua Benjamin YABLON, Andrew LAIRD, William M. BECKER, Joseph FRANKLIN, Dennis K. WOOTTEN
  • Publication number: 20180066724
    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: November 9, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Galasso, Dennis K. Wootten, Bryan Wesley Anderson
  • Publication number: 20180038444
    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: October 19, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis K. WOOTTEN, Robert C. FOX, Joshua Benjamin YABLON, David M. Haugen
  • Patent number: 9855812
    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: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Galasso, Joshua Benjamin Yablon, Andrew Laird, William M. Becker, Joseph Franklin, Dennis K. Wootten
  • Publication number: 20170356521
    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: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Becker, Robert C. Fox, Dennis K. Wootten
  • Patent number: 9816578
    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: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Galasso, Dennis K. Wootten, Bryan Wesley Anderson
  • Patent number: 9797467
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis K. Wootten, Robert C. Fox, Joshua Benjamin Yablon, David M. Haugen
  • Publication number: 20170284499
    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: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Benjamin YABLON, Dennis K. WOOTTEN, Robert C. FOX, David M. HAUGEN, Sante PELOT
  • Publication number: 20170246927
    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: May 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew LAIRD, Sante M. PELOT, William M. BECKER, Dennis K. WOOTTEN
  • Patent number: 9746049
    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: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Becker, Robert C. Fox, Dennis K. Wootten
  • Patent number: 9688347
    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: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Benjamin Yablon, Dennis K. Wootten, Robert C. Fox, David M. Haugen, Sante Pelot
  • Patent number: 9656531
    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: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Laird, Sante M. Pelot, William M. Becker, Dennis K. Wootten
  • Patent number: 9523406
    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 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Galasso, Dennis K. Wootten, Joseph Franklin
  • Publication number: 20160319899
    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: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Mario GALASSO, Dennis K. WOOTTEN, Joseph FRANKLIN
  • Publication number: 20160131218
    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: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. BECKER, Robert C. FOX, Dennis K. WOOTTEN
  • Publication number: 20160123424
    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: January 12, 2016
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Mario Galasso, Dennis K. Wootten, Bryan Wesley Anderson
  • Publication number: 20160069411
    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 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Mario GALASSO, Dennis K. WOOTTEN, Joseph FRANKLIN