Patents by Inventor James B. Klassen

James B. Klassen 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: 6497564
    Abstract: A machine to convert energy providing positive displacement of a fluid contained in operating chambers. The machine can either increase the pressure of a fluid or extract energy from a pressure differential to a rotating shaft. The machine having desirable balance features about various axis of the rotors. The machine additionally having desirable axial flow characteristics to pass fluids substantially in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Inventor: James B. Klassen
  • Patent number: 6488301
    Abstract: A rear suspension system for a bicycle. The system directs the rear wheel along a predetermined, S-shaped path as the suspension is compressed. The path is configured to provide a chainstay lengthening effect only at those points where this is needed to counterbalance the pedal inputs of the rider; at those points in the wheel travel path where there is a chainstay lengthening effect, the chain tension which results from the pedal inputs exerts a downward force on the rear wheel, preventing unwanted compression of the suspension. The system employs a dual eccentric crank mechanism mounted adjacent the bottom bracket shell to provide the desired control characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Santa Cruz Bicycles, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Klassen, Jamie W. Calon
  • Publication number: 20020157636
    Abstract: A two-dimensional rotary displacement device comprises a housing, an outer rotor and at least one inner rotor. The axes of rotation of the outer rotor and the at least one inner rotor are parallel. A predefined geometrical relationship exists between the outer and inner rotors such that the scale of operative circumference (or diameter) from the inner rotor with respect to the outer rotor is preferably an integer value. In one embodiment, the device is used as a compressor that positively displaces a gas. In a modified embodiment, the device includes an exit port, which has a location that can be adjusted with respect to the housing and is adjustable so as to decrease the pressure differential between an exit chamber and the exit pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: James B. Klassen
  • Publication number: 20020094293
    Abstract: An improved rotary engine and method for determining the contours of the sealing surfaces thereof. The improved engine provides for maintaining a predetermined, optimal gap between the sealing surfaces during rotation. The gap may be parallel or angled, and may be positive or negative so as to form an interference engagement. The rotors of the engine may be provided with mirror-image sealing surfaces so as to prevent development of excessive back-lash and clearance, and also to permit efficient reverse operation. The sealing surfaces may also be provided with recesses for interrupting the seal at predetermined points in the rotational cycle, for enhanced wear characteristics and/or to accommodate abrasive or shear-sensitive fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: James B. Klassen
  • Publication number: 20010031215
    Abstract: A machine to convert energy providing positive displacement of a fluid contained an operating chambers. The machine can either increase the pressure of a fluid or extract energy from a pressure differential to a rotating shaft. The machine having desirable balance features about various axis of the rotors. The machine additionally having desirable axial flow characteristics to pass fluids substantially in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventor: James B. Klassen
  • Publication number: 20010024024
    Abstract: A rear suspension system for a bicycle. The system directs the rear wheel along a predetermined, S-shaped path as the suspension is compressed. The path is configured to provide a chainstay lengthening effect only at those points where this is needed to counterbalance the pedal inputs of the rider; at those points in the wheel travel path where there is a chainstay lengthening effect, the chain tension which results from the pedal inputs exerts a downward force on the rear wheel, preventing unwanted compression of the suspension. The system employs a dual eccentric crank mechanism mounted adjacent the bottom bracket shell to provide the desired control characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventors: James B. Klassen, Jamie W. Calon
  • Patent number: 6206397
    Abstract: A rear suspension system for a bicycle. The system directs the rear wheel along a predetermined, S-shaped path as the suspension is compressed. The path is configured to provide a chainstay lengthening effect only at those points where this is needed to counterbalance the pedal inputs of the rider; at those points in the wheel travel path where there is a chainstay lengthening effect, the chain tension which results from the pedal inputs exerts a downward force on the rear wheel, preventing unwanted compression of the suspension. The system employs a dual eccentric crank mechanism mounted adjacent the bottom bracket shell to provide the desired control characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventors: James B. Klassen, Jamie W. Calon
  • Patent number: 5867906
    Abstract: A pivot assembly formed by driving an oversized pivot shaft through first and second self-lubricating flanged bushings. The bushing in the static part of the assembly has a smaller inside diameter than the bushing in the rotating part. Installation of the shaft removes a substantial portion of the wear layer on the first bushing so as to form a tight, non-rotating fit therewith, and a lesser portion of the wear layer on the second bushing so as to form a tight, rotating fit therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Outland Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: James B. Klassen
  • Patent number: 5628524
    Abstract: A rear suspension system for a bicycle. The system directs the rear wheel along a predetermined, S-shaped path as the suspension is compressed. The path is configured to provide a chainstay lengthening effect only at those points where this is needed to counterbalance the pedal inputs of the rider; at those points in the wheel travel path where there is a chainstay lengthening effect, the chain tension which results from the pedal inputs exerts a downward force on the rear wheel, preventing unwanted compression of the suspension. The system employs a dual eccentric crank mechanism mounted adjacent the bottom bracket shell to provide the desired control characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Outland Design Techologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Klassen, Jamie W. Calon
  • Patent number: 5553881
    Abstract: A rear suspension system for a bicycle. The system directs the rear wheel along a predetermined, S-shaped path as the suspension is compressed. The path is configured to provide a chainstay lengthening effect only at those points where this is needed to counterbalance the pedal inputs of the rider; at those points in the wheel travel path where there is a chainstay lengthening effect, the chain tension which results from the pedal inputs exerts a downward force on the rear wheel, preventing unwanted compression of the suspension. The system employs a dual eccentric crank mechanism mounted adjacent the bottom bracket shell to provide the desired control characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Outland Design Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Klassen, Jamie W. Calon