Patents Assigned to Cycle Group, Inc.
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Patent number: 7846480Abstract: Method for manufacturing carrier granules. The method forms a mixture comprising fibers, mineral filler, and binder. The mixture contains 32-48 weight-% wood fibers having a bulk density of less than 20 pounds per cubic foot, at least 35 weight-% of which fibers are retained on a 50-Mesh U.S. Sieve Series screen. The fibers have a moisture content of less than 15 weight-%. The mixture also contains 52-65 weight-% mineral filler having a moisture content of less than 12 weight-%. In addition, the mixture contains 3-7 weight-% binder. The mixture is agglomerated by conditioning and agglomerating it in a pin mixer to form small particles followed by agglomerating it in a disc or pan pelletizer to form substantially spherical granules. The method then dries the granules to a moisture content of less than about 5 weight-%, and screens the granules to select granules that pass through a 10-Mesh U.S. Sieve Series screen but are retained on a 40-Mesh U.S. Sieve Series screen.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2006Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Cycle Group, Inc.Inventors: Yechiel Gilo, Steven G. Myers
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Patent number: 7775128Abstract: A cassette-based power measuring apparatus includes a power sensing arrangement mounted within a cavity defined by a hollow bicycle cassette. The power sensing arrangement includes a torque sensing assembly including torque sensing elements configured to measure a user applied torque. The torque sensing elements are in communication with an electronics assembly configured to process the measured data and transmit it to a receiver. The torque sensing assembly may comprise a torque tube or a series of bending beams secured between a rear plate of the cassette and a freehub. The torque tube or bending beams may include strain gauges bonded thereto for measuring strain induced by application of forces in response to user-applied power.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2008Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Saris Cycling Group, Inc.Inventors: Jordan R. Roessingh, David L. Wendt
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Patent number: 7758474Abstract: A bicycle trainer includes a frame, a resistance unit interconnected with the frame, and a wheel mounting arrangement for securing the bicycle wheel to the frame. The wheel mounting arrangement includes first and second spaced apart wheel engagement areas, one of which includes a threaded wheel engagement member. A fixed-position threaded actuator member is rotatably interconnected with the frame. Rotation of the actuator member causes extension and retraction of the wheel engagement member, to move the wheel engagement member toward and away from the second wheel engagement area, and to selectively clamp the wheel between the second wheel engagement area and the wheel engagement member. The threads of the actuator member and the wheel engagement member are lead threads, and a guide arrangement is associated with the threaded wheel engagement member for guiding inward and outward movement of the wheel engagement member upon rotation of the actuator member.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2008Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Saris Cycling Group, Inc.Inventor: Fabio Pedrini
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Patent number: 7727124Abstract: A bicycle trainer includes a frame and a resistance unit movably interconnected with the frame by an adjustment arrangement for movement through a range of operative positions and to an inoperative position. The adjustment arrangement includes an adjustment member that is selectively engaged with, and disengaged from, an engagement member. When disengaged, the adjustment member slides relative to the engagement member. The sliding movement of the adjustment member provides a first mode of operation to move the resistance unit to an initial engagement position adjacent the wheel, and the adjustment arrangement can be operated in a second mode of operation, such as by cam-type movement, to advance the resistance unit from the initial engagement position toward and against the wheel.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2008Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Saris Cycling Group, Inc.Inventors: Todd W. Lassanske, Benjamin R. Bass, Randy J. Hilgart
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Patent number: 7585258Abstract: An exercise system includes a user input arrangement; a rotatable member that rotates in response to an input force applied by a user on the user input arrangement; a power sensing arrangement that senses power applied to the rotatable member due to the input force applied by the user; and a variable resistance arrangement interconnected with the power sensing arrangement and with the user input arrangement. The resistance arrangement applies resistance to rotation of the rotatable member, and is variable in response to the power sensing arrangement to vary the resistance applied to the rotatable member. The variable resistance arrangement may be a brake that interacts with the rotatable member to resist rotation of the rotatable member, and to thereby resist the input force applied by the user. The variable resistance arrangement includes a controller for controlling the brake in response to the power sensing arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: Saris Cycling Group, Inc.Inventors: Edward M. Watson, David L. Wendt, Clint D. Kolda
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Patent number: 7408447Abstract: A wireless, passive wheel-speed and detection system is provided for measuring the rate of rotation of a rotating component of a bicycle. The detection system includes a sensor arrangement having a first portion mounted on the bicycle and a second portion mounted on the rotating component. The sensor arrangement generates an input signal representative of a revolution of the rotating component. A transmitter circuit is operatively connected to the sensor arrangement for converting the input signal to a radio frequency signal and for transmitting the radio frequency signal. A controller receives the radio frequency signal and translates the radio frequency signal to a value indicative of a rate of rotation of the rotating component.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Saris Cycling Group, Inc.Inventor: Edward M. Watson
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Patent number: 7341417Abstract: A carrier for securing a personal transporter to a motorized vehicle generally includes a base for engagement with the motorized vehicle and a transporter support movably engaged with the base for movement between a transport position and a loading position. The personal transporter includes a pair of wheels with a platform therebetween, and a stem extending upwardly from the platform. The transporter support includes a stem receiver and a platform support. The stem of the personal vehicle is releasably engaged with the stem receiver, and the platform is releasably secured to the platform support.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2004Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: Saris Cycling Group, Inc.Inventor: Joshua G. Lohr
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Patent number: 7213731Abstract: A cradle or hold-down for a vehicle-mounted equipment carrier, such as a bicycle carrier, includes a resilient support member interconnected with a rigid shell, in combination with a flexible retainer strap that is secured to a retainer base associated with the rigid shell. The support member defines a passage within which a support arm of the carrier is received, and the shell includes aligned openings through which the support arm extends. The support member includes engagement structure, such as a trough, which is configured to receive and engage the equipment supported by the carrier, e.g. the frame of a bicycle. The retainer base is formed integrally with the shell, and extends laterally from the shell so as to be offset from the engagement area of the support member. The retainer strap is fixed to the retainer base, such as by an interlocking T-slot arrangement interposed between the retainer base and the retainer strap.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2003Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Saris Cycling Group, Inc.Inventor: Clint D. Kolda
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Patent number: 7118016Abstract: An equipment carrier, such as a bicycle rack, is adapted for removable mounting to a vehicle and includes a first frame and a second frame interconnected by one or more hubs. The first frame is engaged with the hubs so as to be axially movable relative to the lower frame and the hubs. The first frame defines a forward engagement area adapted for engagement with the rear of the vehicle, and the second frame defines an outer engagement area adapted to engage the vehicle at a location vertically spaced from the forward engagement area. The second frame is pivotably mounted to the hubs for movement between an operative extended position and an inoperative collapsed position. A variable position engagement arrangement is interposed between the hubs and the first frame, for selectively fixing the axial position of the first frame relative to the hubs.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2002Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Saris Cycling Group, Inc.Inventor: Clint D. Kolda
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Patent number: 7083551Abstract: A system for supporting the non-driven wheel of a bicycle, in which the driven wheel of the bicycle is engaged with a stationary bicycle trainer. The system contemplates a support member that is configured for engagement with a supporting surface, and which includes wheel engagement structure for supporting the non-driven wheel above the supporting surface. A pair of support members are engaged together in different orientations, to raise the elevation of the wheel engagement structure of the upper support member above the supporting surface and to enable the user to adjust the angle of the bicycle.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2003Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Saris Cycling Group, Inc.Inventors: Todd W. Lassanske, Joshua G. Lohr
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Patent number: 7055725Abstract: A vehicle-mounted equipment carrier includes a base having a support member that is movable between an operative position and an inoperative position. An engagement member maintains the position of the support member, and is movable between an engaged position and a release position. The engagement member is movable between the engaged position and an intermediate position by a threaded connection with the base, is movable between the intermediate position and the release position by a sliding connection with the base. The shaft includes a threaded section that engages a threaded opening in the base, for providing movement of the engagement member between the engaged position and the intermediate position upon rotation of the engagement member, and an unthreaded section that moves the shaft axially within the opening for moving the engagement member between the intermediate position and the release position.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2003Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Saris Cycling Group, Inc.Inventor: Clint D. Kolda
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Patent number: 7011607Abstract: An automatically adjusting magnetic resistance unit for an exercise device such as a bicycle trainer, in which the degree of resistance is automatically and non-linearly adjusted in relation to the rotational speed of a rotating member caused by the input of a user. The rotating member may be in the form of a flywheel having a number of supports extending between a hub and a rim. The supports define longitudinal grooves which slidably retain magnets that are biased inwardly toward the hub by biasing members. An electrically conductive member is located adjacent the flywheel. As the flywheel rotates in response to rotation of the bicycle wheel, the magnets interact with the conductive member to establish eddy currents that provide resistance to the rotation of the flywheel.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2002Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Saris Cycling Group, Inc.Inventors: Clint D. Kolda, Chang Shin Pin, Zhu Zhao Hua
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Internal tightening system for preventing relative movement between a pair of interconnected members
Patent number: 6974147Abstract: A system for preventing relative movement between first and second members, in which the first member is received within a passage defined by the second member. The system includes an engagement or locking member, which may in the form of a cam, that is movably mounted within an interior defined by the first member. An actuator arrangement is carried by the first member and is interconnected with the cam, for moving the cam between an operative position and a release position. In one embodiment, the first member may be in the form of a mounting member associated with a device such as a trailer tow bar or the mounting member of an equipment carrier, and the second member may be in the form of a hitch receiver secured to a vehicle. A cross member is located within the interior of the first member, and may be in the form of a hitch pin that extends through aligned openings in the first and second members.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2003Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: Saris Cycling Group, Inc.Inventor: Clint D. Kolda -
Patent number: 6964633Abstract: A resistance unit for an exercise device, such as a bicycle trainer, includes a magnetic member which cooperates with a rotating electrically conductive member to establish eddy current resistance to rotation of a rotatable member forming a part of the resistance unit. The resistance unit includes a body to which the rotatable member is mounted, and an adjustment mechanism is interconnected with the magnetic member and the body for adjusting the position of the magnetic member relative to the electrically conductive member, to adjust the eddy current resistance experienced by the rotatable member. The magnetic member is movably mounted within a passage defined by the body, and the adjustment mechanism includes a manually operable actuator which is accessible from the exterior of the body. The actuator is rotatable relative to the body, and rotation of the actuator functions to move the magnetic member toward and away from the electrically conductive member, to adjust the eddy current resistance.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2003Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: Saris Cycling Group, Inc.Inventors: Clint D. Kolda, Chang Shin Pin
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Patent number: 6948621Abstract: A collapsible rack or stand for supporting a bicycle or the like in an upright position includes a pair of supports that are pivotably interconnected together for movement between an open, operative position and a closed, inoperative position. Each support defines one or more vertically extending spaces, each of which is configured to receive one of the bicycle wheels for supporting the bicycle in an upright position when the supports are in the open, operative position. Each support includes a lower member and an upper member, between which the wheel-receiving spaces are located, and the upper members of the supports are pivotably interconnected via a hinge arrangement for enabling movement of the supports between the open, operative position and the closed, inoperative position. The hinge arrangement is in the form of a hinge barrel secured to the upper member of each support, and the hinge barrels define aligned passages through which a hinge pin extends.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2003Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: Saris Cycling Group, Inc.Inventors: Todd W. Lassanske, Brian W. Buttchen
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Patent number: 6929163Abstract: A universal mounting bracket for a bicycle rack includes a pair of upstanding members extending from opposite sides of a base member. Each upstanding member includes aligned pivot openings through which a pivot pin is positioned to pivotally secure an equipment carrier support member between the upstanding members. The upstanding members also each include two sets of auxiliary openings spaced from the pivot openings and from one another. Depending upon the particular configuration of the support member, each pair of aligned auxiliary openings can be utilized to lock the support member in a transport position, or to stop or maintain the support member in a non-use position.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2002Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: Saris Cycling Group, Inc.Inventors: Fabio Pedrini, Mark A. Dahl
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Patent number: D507511Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2003Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: Saris Cycling Group, Inc.Inventor: Todd W. Lassanske
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Patent number: D533237Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2004Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: Saris Cycling Group, Inc.Inventors: Todd W. Lassanske, Douglas J. Golenz, William B. Stephens
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Patent number: D593625Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2008Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Saris Cycling Group, Inc.Inventor: Fabio Pedrini
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Patent number: D632616Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2009Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Saris Cycling Group, Inc.Inventors: Joshua G. Lohr, Jeffery T. Iverson, Jereme D. Noffke