Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Lisa Wunderlich
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Patent number: 6805023Abstract: An integral rider control device mountable to a handlebar steered vehicle. The control device includes an integral support structure having a left end for receiving a left handgrip and a right end for receiving a right handgrip. A central section is disposed between the left end and the right end. A plurality of non-tubular receptacles are formed in the integral support structure between the left end and the right end thereof. Each of the receptacles are configured to receive a respective piece of equipment. The equipment may include controls, displays or accessories. A connecting member is molded into the central section and outwardly extends from the central section. The connecting member pivotally couples the integral support structure to the vehicle along a steering axis of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2002Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: SRAM CorporationInventor: Jacques P. Greetis
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Patent number: 6802231Abstract: The invention relates to a closure member for an opening in an assembly on a housing for a bicycle gear box. Said closure member, consisting of a rubber elastic material, is captively connected to the housing by an extension and can be swung open and closed in a similar manner to a hinge. The confirmation can be optically improved by the formation of an upper lip.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2001Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: SRAM CorporationInventor: Robert Wessel
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Patent number: 6729203Abstract: A shifting device including first and second shift control members, a takeup element, a holding member, and a release member. The takeup element configured for winding and unwinding a tensioned control cable. The first control member is rotatable about a handlebar and configured to rotate the takeup to at least pull or wind the control cable onto the takeup. The second control member is a return-to-neutral member for rotating the takeup to release the. The holding member is rotatable with the takeup and retains the takeup in select angular positions. The release member is operable for disengaging the holding member in response to the actuation or return stroke of the second control member for allowing the takeup to unwind the cable a sufficient amount to enable a single gear shift.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: SRAM CorporationInventors: Kevin F. Wesling, Christopher A. Shipman, John D. Cheever, James P. Orrico, Danny R. Smith, Jr., Georg K. Blaschke
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Patent number: 6708999Abstract: A bicycle suspension system that includes an indicator for displaying the travel of a bicycle suspension system in response to an applied load. The system includes an inner tube telescopically engaging with the outer tube along an axis. A biasing mechanism biases the inner and outer tube apart from each other along the axis. The indicator is disposed along a length of the inner and outer tubes. The indicator may include a plurality of markings on the inner tube and a pointer on the outer tube. Each marking corresponds to a distance that the inner and outer tubes may be displaced relative to each other. The suspension system may include an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the distance the inner and outer tubes may be displaced relative to each other in response to an applied load. The rider may select the desired travel by actuating the adjustment mechanism to align the marking corresponding to the desired travel with the pointer.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: SRAM CorporationInventors: Jeffrey J. Baltes, Mark J. Norris, Kevin F. Wesling
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Patent number: 6698307Abstract: An electronic shifter for shifting a bicycle gear mechanism between a plurality of gears and using a relative shifting method. The shifter includes a stationary member mountable on a handlebar of the bicycle and a rotatable member rotatable with respect to the stationary member to define predetermined positions of the members with respect to each other. An electrical switch is operatively connected to the rotating member for generating a shift signal in response to the rotating member rotating from one predetermined position to another predetermined position.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: SRAM CorporationInventors: Kevin F. Wesling, Ryan A. Calilung
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Patent number: 6692400Abstract: A multi-speed gear hub shiftable under load having a hub shell, a stationary hub shaft, a bearing-mounted driver, and a planet gear mechanism having a ring gear and a planet carrier. A selector element displaces a coupler and introduces a shifting motion into the gearing system. The power travels from the driver to a pawl carrier having rotational play and then to the ring gear and the coupler via the pawls. To implement the backpedal brake, the pawls on the pawl carrier are controlled in a directionally dependent manner via a cam element that is joined nonrotatably to the driver. A spring-preloaded shifting sleeve disengages the pawls with a driving contour on the coupler which is initiated by the selector element. The ring gear carries stud-mounted displacement pawls and is split to simplify production and assembly. The braking operation is always performed in the low gear ratio and thus always exhibits the same braking effect regardless of the gear selection.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbHInventor: Hans Butz
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Patent number: 6681652Abstract: A gear selection device for a variable gear mechanism, especially for a bicycle gear drive mechanism, with a control device, which acts via a force-transmitting element on the variable gear mechanism; with an actuating device with a rotatable actuating element for manual actuation of the control device; and with a display device with an indicator element, which can move along an arc to display the engaged gear selected via the actuating device. The angular movement of the actuating device or control device is transmitted via a transmission device to the display device in such a way that the arc through which the indicator element of the display device passes is smaller than the arc through which the actuating element of the actuating device passes as the same time. This improves the readability of the display device and also improves the ergonomics of the gear selection device.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2001Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbHInventors: Marcus Auer, Martin Assel
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Patent number: 6631655Abstract: The invention relates to a shifter for actuating at least one gear mechanism of a bicycle including a housing, a gripping element for actuating the shifter, and a movable element for exerting tension on and/or for releasing a gear transfer means. The movable element has a pawl which engages in a set of latching teeth in the housing. The gripping element has a lifter which disengages the pawl from the latching teeth during a shifting operation in the release direction. A driver on the gripping part preloads a spring on the movable element during a shifting operation in the release direction which urges the movable element in the release direction. The advantage of a shifter for bicycle gear mechanisms according to the present invention is to be found in that, by simple means, it becomes possible to shift gears, especially in the release direction, quickly and independently of the preload being exerted on the movable element by the gear mechanism via the transfer element.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2001Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbHInventors: Georg Blaschke, Marcus Auer
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Patent number: 6615688Abstract: A twist-grip switch for the actuation of bicycle gears is arranged in the grip region of a handlebar is fixed thereto by a clamping clip. The switch components, such as the grip end piece, twist-grip part, winding reel and switch housing, are arranged around the central bearing tube and form a complete grip unit. The bearing tube fits tautly on the handlebar and on one side is rigidly connected to the grip end piece by an overmolding connection and on the other side is fixed to the switch housing by means of a snap connection. The clamping clip prevents the snap connection from being opened in the mounted state. Furthermore, the grip end piece reliably assumes the intended position on the handlebar tube in relation to the switch housing, and it cannot be removed from this position by forces acting on it.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2001Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbHInventor: Robert Wessel
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Patent number: 6612197Abstract: An axle shift device for transmitting control movements from a remote control to a multi-speed hub in a cycle includes a housing and a pivoted lever arranged in the housing. The axle shift device is arranged on a hub axle of the multi-speed hub. This pivoted lever is in form-locking effective connection with a force transmission element which has a head and is preferably actuated in tension against a return spring. A slide arranged in the housing can move the pivoted lever out of form-locking engagement with the head of the force transmission element, thereby allowing the axle shift device to be removed from the hub axle in a simple manner without the aid of tools.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2001Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbHInventors: Werner Steuer, Georg Blaschke
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Patent number: 6604440Abstract: A switch for actuating a gear on a bicycle includes a housing with an inner toothing formation, a grip part and a rotary part with a cable drum for a fraction cable. The grip part having an integrally formed section for actuating an elastic element on the rotary part so that when the grip part is rotated in a switching direction which releases the traction cable the elastic element is pretensioned until a disengagement member on the grip part disengages a pawl on the rotary part which interacts with the inner tooting formation in the housing. Both the pawl and the elastic element are connected integrally to the rotary part resulting in advantage in terms of the production and assembly of the switch.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2001Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbHInventors: Robert Wessel, Georg Blaschke
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Patent number: 6588296Abstract: The invention relates to a twist grip shift which is arranged preferably in the grip region of a handle bar, is secured with a clip and has the purpose of activating bicycle transmissions. The shift components such as the grip end part, the twist grip part, the take-up reel and the shift housing are arranged about a central bearing tube and form one complete grip unit. The clip prevents a releasable connection between the bearing tube and the shift housing from opening in the mounted state. The advantage of this shift design lies in the increase in protection against undesired release of the releasable connection. The components which are joined in the premounted state are securely lined up on the bearing tube.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2001Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbHInventor: Robert Wessel
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Patent number: 6588297Abstract: An integral rider control device coupled to a handlebar steered vehicle includes an elongate integral support structure having receptacles and non-cylindrical mounting surfaces, and a central region of the structure configured to pivotally couple to the vehicle. Each receptacle is configured to integrally receive at least one accessory, control or display. The mounting surfaces are configured for the integral attachment of the accessories, controls and displays. The device can include upper and lower elongate spars. An integrated rider control system includes an elongate stem, the structure pivotally coupled to the stem, and two mandrels outwardly projecting from left and right ends of the structure. A cushionable cover connected to the structure. A rider control device includes an elongate member having at least two gripping surfaces and an elongate open recess defined into the member and configured to receive one of integrally attached accessories, controls and displays.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2000Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: SRAM CorporationInventors: Frederick K. W. Day, Todd J. Darland, Charles M. Goldman, Christine Raymo
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Patent number: 6571920Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel hub (1) for a running wheel of bicycle comprising a wheel hub axis (4), a wheel hub sleeve (2) having spoke flanges (3), and at least one bearing (5) located between the wheel hub axle (4) and the wheel hub sleeve (2), whereby arrangements are made for fixing the rotating part of a brake system, especially of a brake disk. Said arrangements consist of an adapter provided with fixing boreholes for fixing the brake disk and provided with an inner profile (8) which, on the wheel hub sleeve (2), can be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a profile which is arranged on the wheel hub sleeve in a rotative manner and which is adapted to the inner profile. The invention is advantageous in that a universal wheel hub sleeve is produced which can be equipped either with or without a brake disk on which, however, the rotating part of another type of brake device can be applied.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2002Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbHInventors: Joachim Sturmer, Peter Feiler, Markus Arbeiter, Peter Kroger, Jean Bernard Plee
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Patent number: 6553860Abstract: A switch for actuating at least one gear mechanism on a bicycle includes a housing and a movement element movably arranged relative to the housing and including a transmission means for controlling the gear mechanism in a tensioning direction and in a release direction. A first pawl interacts with a first latching toothing arrangement in the housing. The individual gear stages in the switch are produced with a form fit via one or more controllable pawls. The switch is designed as a trigger switch for shifting through a plurality of gear stages in the tensioning direction and in the release direction by a single switching movement.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbHInventor: Georg Blaschke
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Patent number: 6533054Abstract: A drive unit for electrically-operated vehicles. Two electromotors which can be electrically switched in series or in parallel, optionally, are used in the drive unit in order to obtain a high degree of efficiency and a high degree of overload protection for the batteries. The motors can also be controlled with pulse width modulation by means of an electronic control unit, which enables the current load of the batteries to be kept within stipulated limits. Other advantages of the invention lie in the better use that is made of the construction space, the lower production costs and the use of economical construction materials.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2000Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbHInventor: Rainer Fey
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Patent number: 6516931Abstract: A freewheel clutch includes detent pawls located between first and second clutch parts. The pawls are moved exclusively by control elements. As a result, the freewheel clutch does not need any spring elements to hold the pawls in place. The control elements are attached to a common actuating ring. The freewheel clutch can be very easily assembled, and only a small amount of force is required to move the pawls.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbHInventor: Peter Kröger
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Patent number: 6513405Abstract: A twist-grip shift mechanism that includes a housing part, a rotating part and a ring disposed in the rotating part. The housing part includes a cylindrical extension and a housing extension. The rotating part is rotatably mounted on the cylindrical extension. The cylindrical extension has tongues with retaining profiles extending from one end of the cylindrical extension for releaseably connecting to the ring. The tongues and the retaining profiles do not extend beyond an outer diameter of the cylindrical extension so that the housing part may be formed by an injection molding process using a single half of an injection mold, thereby eliminating undercuts and other molding inaccuracies.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2001Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbHInventors: Joachim Stürmer, Peter Feiler, Markus Arbeiter, Peter Kröger, Jean Bernard Plée
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Patent number: 6443027Abstract: A brake operating device (30) is configured such that actuation of the brake lever (34) around the lever pivot (36) displaces the cable (38) in a direction transverse to the cable length toward the lever pivot (36), as the user is actuating the brake lever (34). This provides at least a 33% increase in mechanical advantage over the actuation range of the brake lever (34).Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1998Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: SRAM CorporationInventors: John D. Cheever, Michael W. Larson, Andrew J. Caron, Scott A. McLaughlin, David Zimberoff
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Patent number: D470440Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2000Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: RockShox, Inc.Inventors: Russell J. Rose, Mark Norris