Patents by Inventor Michael McAndrews

Michael McAndrews 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: 9963191
    Abstract: A damper for a bicycle, having a primary unit including a damper tube, a piston rod that supports a main piston, a reservoir tube that is outside of the compression chamber of the primary tube, and an inertial valve within the reservoir tube. The damper also includes a flow path connecting the reservoir fluid chamber and the compression chamber of the primary tube. The damper also may have a damping valve in the reservoir tube. When the inertia valve is open, the damping valve opens before flow through the inertia valve is maximized. The main piston and the damper tube at least partially define a compression chamber and a rebound chamber. The main piston is movable within the damper chamber of the primary unit. The reservoir tube includes a reservoir fluid chamber. The inertial valve is responsive to terrain-induced forces and not responsive to rider-induced forces when the shock absorber is assembled to the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael McAndrews
  • Patent number: 9944337
    Abstract: A saddle adjustment assembly comprising an adjustable height saddle post, the adjustable height saddle post comprising a first support and a second support, the second support configured to slidably move relative to the first support between at least a raised position and a lowered position, the first support configured to attach to a bicycle frame; a saddle angle adjustment mechanism coupled to the second support, the saddle angle adjustment mechanism comprising a rotatably coupled saddle support configured to couple to a bicycle saddle; wherein the saddle angle adjustment mechanism is configured to enable rotation of the saddle support relative to the second support as a result of the first support moving relative to the second support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Ron Powers, Brandon D. Sloan, Jeffrey Keith Bowers, Ian Thomas McPherson
  • Patent number: 9821878
    Abstract: A bicycle assembly can include a front or rear suspension system with a shock absorber. A front suspension system can be a suspension fork. A rear suspension system can include a rear shock absorber. The shock can have a shock body and a pressurized main air chamber within the shock body to act as an air spring. The shock can also have a valve configured to receive a pump for adding air to the main air chamber. A secondary air chamber and a control member can be used to reduce the pressure within the main air chamber by venting the secondary air chamber to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Robb Jankura, Brian Lampman
  • Publication number: 20170297641
    Abstract: A saddle adjustment assembly comprising an adjustable height saddle post, the adjustable height saddle post comprising a first support and a second support, the second support configured to slidably move relative to the first support between at least a raised position and a lowered position, the first support configured to attach to a bicycle frame; a saddle angle adjustment mechanism coupled to the second support, the saddle angle adjustment mechanism comprising a rotatably coupled saddle support configured to couple to a bicycle saddle; wherein the saddle angle adjustment mechanism is configured to enable rotation of the saddle support relative to the second support as a result of the first support moving relative to the second support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Ron Powers, Brandon D. Sloan, Jeffrey Keith Bowers, Ian Thomas McPherson
  • Patent number: 9694865
    Abstract: A saddle adjustment assembly comprising an adjustable height saddle post, the adjustable height saddle post comprising a first support and a second support, the second support configured to slidably move relative to the first support between at least a raised position and a lowered position, the first support configured to attach to a bicycle frame; a saddle angle adjustment mechanism coupled to the second support, the saddle angle adjustment mechanism comprising a rotatably coupled saddle support configured to couple to a bicycle saddle; wherein the saddle angle adjustment mechanism is configured to enable rotation of the saddle support relative to the second support as a result of the first support moving relative to the second support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Ron Powers, Brandon D. Sloan, Jeffrey Keith Bowers, Ian Thomas McPherson
  • Publication number: 20170183048
    Abstract: An adjustable assembly for a bicycle includes a first support having an interior surface and a second support slidably positioned within at least a portion of the first support. One of the first support and the second support is adapted to attach to a first bicycle portion, and the other of the first support and the second support is adapted to attach to a second bicycle portion. Further, the second support comprises an expansion portion configured to be moved between an expanded position and a retracted position. The expansion portion is configured to engage the interior surface of the first support when the expansion portion is in an expanded position. In addition, the first support is configured to be selectively moved relative to the second support when the expansion portion is permitted to assume a retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Ron Powers
  • Publication number: 20170106927
    Abstract: A bicycle saddle suspension assembly comprises a body configured to couple to a bicycle frame; a saddle support mechanism configured to couple to a bicycle saddle; a suspension spring that biases the saddle support mechanism in a first direction with respect to the body; and a damping apparatus configured to damp motion of the saddle support mechanism with respect to the body, the damping apparatus configured to reduce a level of damping responsive to a terrain-induced force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Brian Lampman
  • Publication number: 20170057592
    Abstract: A damper for a bicycle, having a primary unit including a damper tube, a piston rod that supports a main piston, a reservoir tube that is outside of the compression chamber of the primary tube, and an inertial valve within the reservoir tube. The damper also includes a flow path connecting the reservoir fluid chamber and the compression chamber of the primary tube. The damper also may have a damping valve in the reservoir tube. When the inertia valve is open, the damping valve opens before flow through the inertia valve is maximized. The main piston and the damper tube at least partially define a compression chamber and a rebound chamber. The main piston is movable within the damper chamber of the primary unit. The reservoir tube includes a reservoir fluid chamber. The inertial valve is responsive to terrain-induced forces and not responsive to rider-induced forces when the shock absorber is assembled to the bicycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: Michael McAndrews
  • Patent number: 9580134
    Abstract: A bicycle shock absorber and methods for differentiating between rider-induced forces and terrain-induced forces includes a first fluid chamber having fluid contained therein, a piston for compressing the fluid within the fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber coupled to the first fluid chamber by a fluid communication hose, and an inertial valve disposed within the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve opens in response to terrain-induced forces and provides communication of fluid compressed by the piston from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve does not open in response to rider-induced forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael McAndrews
  • Publication number: 20170050698
    Abstract: An air spring comprising a pressurized first chamber including a gas, a first piston adjacent the first chamber and configured to slideably move relative to the first chamber, pressurized second chamber adjacent the first piston and opposite the first chamber, the air spring configured such that the first piston moves towards the first chamber during compression of the air spring and the first piston moves away from the first chamber during extension of the air spring, wherein as said first piston moves towards the first chamber during compression of the air spring, said first piston pushes at least a portion of said gas within said first chamber in a direction opposite said first piston, a second piston configured to slideably move relative to the first chamber, a pressurized third chamber adjacent the second piston and opposite the first chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Brian Lampman
  • Publication number: 20170043833
    Abstract: A saddle adjustment assembly comprising an adjustable height saddle post, the adjustable height saddle post comprising a first support and a second support, the second support configured to slidably move relative to the first support between at least a raised position and a lowered position, the first support configured to attach to a bicycle frame; a saddle angle adjustment mechanism coupled to the second support, the saddle angle adjustment mechanism comprising a rotatably coupled saddle support configured to couple to a bicycle saddle; wherein the saddle angle adjustment mechanism is configured to enable rotation of the saddle support relative to the second support as a result of the first support moving relative to the second support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Ron Powers, Brandon D. Sloan, Jeffrey Keith Bowers, Ian Thomas McPherson
  • Patent number: 9550543
    Abstract: An adjustable assembly for a bicycle includes a first support having an interior surface and a second support slidably positioned within at least a portion of the first support. One of the first support and the second support is adapted to attach to a first bicycle portion, and the other of the first support and the second support is adapted to attach to a second bicycle portion. Further, the second support comprises an expansion portion configured to be moved between an expanded position and a retracted position. The expansion portion is configured to engage the interior surface of the first support when the expansion portion is in an expanded position. In addition, the first support is configured to be selectively moved relative to the second support when the expansion portion is permitted to assume a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Ron Powers
  • Patent number: 9518630
    Abstract: An air spring comprising a pressurized first chamber including a gas, a first piston adjacent the first chamber and configured to slideably move relative to the first chamber, pressurized second chamber adjacent the first piston and opposite the first chamber, the air spring configured such that the first piston moves towards the first chamber during compression of the air spring and the first piston moves away from the first chamber during extension of the air spring, wherein as said first piston moves towards the first chamber during compression of the air spring, said first piston pushes at least a portion of said gas within said first chamber in a direction opposite said first piston, a second piston configured to slideably move relative to the first chamber, a pressurized third chamber adjacent the second piston and opposite the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Brian Lampman
  • Patent number: 9500254
    Abstract: A damper for a bicycle, having a primary unit including a damper tube, a piston rod that supports a main piston, a reservoir tube that is outside of the compression chamber of the primary tube, and an inertial valve within the reservoir tube. The damper also includes a flow path connecting the reservoir fluid chamber and the compression chamber of the primary tube. The damper also may have a damping valve in the reservoir tube. When the inertia valve is open, the damping valve opens before flow through the inertia valve is maximized. The main piston and the damper tube at least partially define a compression chamber and a rebound chamber. The main piston is movable within the damper chamber of the primary unit. The reservoir tube includes a reservoir fluid chamber. The inertial valve is responsive to terrain-induced forces and not responsive to rider-induced forces when the shock absorber is assembled to the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael McAndrews
  • Patent number: 9481420
    Abstract: A saddle adjustment assembly comprising an adjustable height saddle post, the adjustable height saddle post comprising a first support and a second support, the second support configured to slidably move relative to the first support between at least a raised position and a lowered position, the first support configured to attach to a bicycle frame; a saddle angle adjustment mechanism coupled to the second support, the saddle angle adjustment mechanism comprising a rotatably coupled saddle support configured to couple to a bicycle saddle; wherein the saddle angle adjustment mechanism is configured to enable rotation of the saddle support relative to the second support as a result of the first support moving relative to the second support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Ron Powers, Brandon D. Sloan, Jeffrey Keith Bowers, Ian Thomas McPherson
  • Publication number: 20160297498
    Abstract: A bicycle assembly can include a front or rear suspension system with a shock absorber. A front suspension system can be a suspension fork. A rear suspension system can include a rear shock absorber. The shock can have a shock body and a pressurized main air chamber within the shock body to act as an air spring. The shock can also have a valve configured to receive a pump for adding air to the main air chamber. A secondary air chamber and a control member can be used to reduce the pressure within the main air chamber by venting the secondary air chamber to the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Robb Jankura, Brian Lampman
  • Publication number: 20160236741
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, an adjustable assembly for a bicycle comprises a first support and a second support slidably positioned within at least a portion of the first support, such that one of the first support and the second support is adapted to attach to a first bicycle portion and the other of the first support and the second support is adapted to attach to a second bicycle portion. In some embodiments, the second support comprises an expansion portion configured to be selectively moved between an expanded position and a retracted position. In one embodiment, the expansion portion is configured to contact and engage at least one portion of the first support when the expansion portion is in an expanded position, and the first support is configured to be selectively moved relative to the second support when the expansion portion is permitted to assume a retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: MICHAEL MCANDREWS, RON POWERS
  • Patent number: 9399496
    Abstract: A bicycle assembly can include a front or rear suspension system with a shock absorber. A front suspension system can be a suspension fork. A rear suspension system can include a rear shock absorber. The shock can have a shock body and a pressurized main air chamber within the shock body to act as an air spring. The shock can also have a valve configured to receive a pump for adding air to the main air chamber. A secondary air chamber and a control member can be used to reduce the pressure within the main air chamber by venting the secondary air chamber to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Robb Jankura, Brian Lampman
  • Patent number: 9242688
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, an adjustable assembly for a bicycle comprises a first support and a second support slidably positioned within at least a portion of the first support, such that one of the first support and the second support is adapted to attach to a first bicycle portion and the other of the first support and the second support is adapted to attach to a second bicycle portion. In some embodiments, the second support comprises an expansion portion configured to be selectively moved between an expanded position and a retracted position. In one embodiment, the expansion portion is configured to contact and engage at least one portion of the first support when the expansion portion is in an expanded position, and the first support is configured to be selectively moved relative to the second support when the expansion portion is permitted to assume a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Ron Powers
  • Publication number: 20150353162
    Abstract: A bicycle shock absorber and methods for differentiating between rider-induced forces and terrain-induced forces includes a first fluid chamber having fluid contained therein, a piston for compressing the fluid within the fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber coupled to the first fluid chamber by a fluid communication hose, and an inertial valve disposed within the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve opens in response to terrain-induced forces and provides communication of fluid compressed by the piston from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve does not open in response to rider-induced forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventor: Michael McAndrews