Patents Assigned to Eko Sport, Inc.
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Patent number: 11904977Abstract: A shock absorber includes a compensator and a variable volume chamber. The compensator contains a compressible fluid and the variable volume chamber contains a substantially incompressible fluid. During a compression stroke, an increase in the volume of the incompressible fluid in the variable volume chamber compresses the compensator and thereby increases the available volume in the variable volume chamber.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2020Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.Inventors: Darek C. Barefoot, Scott Winans, Timothy A. Fry
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Patent number: 11835107Abstract: A suspension system includes a first compression chamber and a second compression chamber with a damping chamber therebetween. The compression chambers may be independently filled with a compressible fluid, and the relative pressures may govern the rebound rate of the suspension. Seals that minimize friction, an adjustment system, and a stop are also included to enhance rider joy.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2020Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.Inventors: Darek C. Barefoot, Eric Prinster
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Patent number: 11827311Abstract: An assembly for minimizing the disengagement of a chain from a chain ring is disclosed. The assembly includes a bracket and a chain guide assembly. The chain guide assembly includes an inboard leg, an outboard leg, and a lock. The lock may be configured to allow a rider to remove the outboard leg of the chain guide assembly without tools.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2023Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.Inventors: Darek C. Barefoot, Scott Winans, Timothy A. Fry, Sean Gregory Mailen
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Patent number: 11719325Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle includes a chain ring and a drive chain. The chain ring has a plurality of teeth serially arranged and joined to one another. A first subset of teeth has a first outer face that applies a lateral pressure to a link of a drive chain in a first direction. A second subset of teeth has a second outer face that applies a lateral pressure to another link of a drive chain in a second direction. The teeth all have substantially the same width. The top surfaces of the teeth are offset from the centerline of the drive chain. The centerlines of the top surfaces of the teeth are arranged asymmetrically on one side of the centerline of the drive chain.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.Inventors: Scott Winans, Darek C. Barefoot, Timothy A. Fry
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Patent number: 11713802Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a chain ring having teeth positioned in one of three lateral positions. At least one tooth may be placed in each lateral position. At least half the teeth may be positioned in a middle lateral position. The teeth in the first and third lateral positions may apply opposing lateral forces to a bicycle drive chain.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2022Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.Inventors: Darek C. Barefoot, Scott S. Winans, Timothy A. Fry
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Patent number: 11685464Abstract: A front fork of a bicycle may include a suspension system that includes a damper. The damper may include a hollow tube with orifices that may be partially blocked by an adjustable blocker. A free end of the adjuster that adjusts the blocker may maintain its axial position in any rotational position. Ambient air may be introduced through a valve and retained in the suspension system. The suspension may include a mechanical spring in a chamber away from the valve that introduces the ambient air.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
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Patent number: 11613326Abstract: An assembly for minimizing the disengagement of a chain from a chain ring is disclosed. The assembly includes a bracket and a chain guide assembly. The chain guide assembly includes an inboard leg, an outboard leg, and a lock. The lock may be configured to allow a rider to remove the outboard leg of the chain guide assembly without tools.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2021Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.Inventors: Darek C. Barefoot, Scott Winans, Timothy A. Fry, Sean Gregory Mailen
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Patent number: 11524746Abstract: An assembly for minimizing the disengagement of a chain from a chain ring is disclosed. The assembly includes a bracket and a chain guide assembly. The chain guide assembly includes a chain guide, a first lock and a second lock. The first lock and the second lock are capable of being actuated separately to lock the chain guide into a position in each of a first and second orientation relative to the bracket.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2020Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.Inventors: Darek C. Barefoot, Scott Winans, Cole Hanson
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Patent number: 11376913Abstract: A shock absorber includes a first end and a second end that reciprocate relative to one another. The shock absorber includes a gas spring chamber, a damping chamber, and a floating piston. The first side of the floating piston is in fluid communication with the gas spring chamber. The second side of the floating piston is in fluid communication with the damping chamber. The gas in the gas spring chamber applies pressure against the floating piston, which applies pressure to the substantially incompressible fluid in the damping chamber. This pressure transfer may be adequate to minimize or prevent cavitation.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2019Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.Inventors: Darek C. Barefoot, Eric Prinster, Scott Winans
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Patent number: 11293537Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a chain ring having teeth positioned in one of three lateral positions. At least one tooth may be placed in each lateral position. At least half the teeth may be positioned in a middle lateral position. The teeth in the first and third lateral positions may apply opposing lateral forces to a bicycle drive chain.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.Inventors: Darek C. Barefoot, Scott S. Winans, Timothy A. Fry
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Patent number: 11091218Abstract: A suspension unit for a front fork of a vehicle includes an annular tube. The first tube defines a compression chamber and a damping chamber. A damper includes a first valve allowing gas to variably flow from the compression chamber to the damping chamber and a second valve allowing gas to flow from the damping chamber to the compression chamber. An external adjuster allows a rider to adjust the first valve to improve ride conditions.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2019Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
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Patent number: 11054014Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle includes a chain ring and a drive chain. The chain ring has a plurality of teeth serially arranged and joined to one another. A first subset of teeth has a first outer face that applies a lateral pressure to a link of a drive chain in a first direction. A second subset of teeth has a second outer face that applies a lateral pressure to another link of a drive chain in a second direction. The teeth all have substantially the same width. The top surfaces of the teeth are offset from the centerline of the drive chain. The centerlines of the top surfaces of the teeth are arranged asymmetrically on one side of the centerline of the drive chain.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2019Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.Inventors: Scott Winans, Darek C. Barefoot, Timothy A. Fry
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Patent number: 11008062Abstract: A front fork of a bicycle may include a suspension system that includes a damper. The damper may include a hollow tube with orifices that may be partially blocked by an adjustable blocker. A free end of the adjuster that adjusts the blocker may maintain its axial position in any rotational position. Ambient air may be introduced through a valve and retained in the suspension system. The suspension may include a mechanical spring in a chamber away from the valve that introduces the ambient air.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2018Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
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Patent number: 10563746Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a chain ring having teeth positioned in one of three lateral positions. At least one tooth may be placed in each lateral position. At least half the teeth may be positioned in a middle lateral position. The teeth in the first and third lateral positions may apply opposing lateral forces to a bicycle drive chain.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2017Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.Inventors: Darek C. Barefoot, Scott S. Winans, Timothy A. Fry
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Patent number: 10549814Abstract: A shock absorber has a valve controlling the flow rate of fluid between a first chamber and a second chamber. The shock absorber may include a blocker that has a variable profile. The blocker may be rotatable using an external adjuster to position the blocker to variably occlude an aperture and vary the damping of the suspension. A bias may also be positioned adjacent the blocker to allow force from the fluid to move the blocker and expose the aperture, thereby allowing fluid to flow through the entirety of the aperture.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2018Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
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Patent number: 10500915Abstract: A shock absorber includes a first end and a second end that reciprocate relative to one another. The shock absorber includes a gas spring chamber, a damping chamber, and a floating piston. The first side of the floating piston is in fluid communication with the gas spring chamber. The second side of the floating piston is in fluid communication with the damping chamber. The gas in the gas spring chamber applies pressure against the floating piston, which applies pressure to the substantially incompressible fluid in the damping chamber. This pressure transfer may be adequate to minimize or prevent cavitation.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2018Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
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Patent number: 10451166Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle includes a chain ring and a drive chain. The chain ring has a plurality of teeth serially arranged and joined to one another. A first subset of teeth has a first outer face that applies a lateral pressure to a link of a drive chain in a first direction. A second subset of teeth has a second outer face that applies a lateral pressure to another link of a drive chain in a second direction. The teeth all have substantially the same width. The top surfaces of the teeth are offset from the centerline of the drive chain. The centerlines of the top surfaces of the teeth are arranged asymmetrically on one side of the centerline of the drive chain.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2016Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.Inventors: Scott Winans, Darek C. Barefoot, Timothy A. Fry
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Patent number: 10435105Abstract: A suspension unit for a front fork of a vehicle includes an annular tube. The first tube defines a compression chamber and a damping chamber. A damper includes a first valve allowing gas to variably flow from the compression chamber to the damping chamber and a second valve allowing gas to flow from the damping chamber to the compression chamber. An external adjuster allows a rider to adjust the first valve to improve ride conditions.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2017Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
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Patent number: 10156279Abstract: A shock absorber includes a first end and a second end that reciprocate relative to one another. The shock absorber includes a gas spring chamber, a damping chamber, and a floating piston. The first side of the floating piston is in fluid communication with the gas spring chamber. The second side of the floating piston is in fluid communication with the damping chamber. The gas in the gas spring chamber applies pressure against the floating piston, which applies pressure to the substantially incompressible fluid in the damping chamber. This pressure transfer may be adequate to minimize or prevent cavitation.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2017Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
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Patent number: 10145436Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rear shock absorber for a vehicle. The shock absorber may include a first end and a second end that slide telescopically relative to one another. A piston may be placed in fixed position relative to one of the ends. The first side of the piston may partially define a first chamber filled with a compressible fluid. The second side of the piston may partially define a second chamber filled with a substantially incompressible fluid. The substantially incompressible fluid may be under pressure and may lubricate a seal substantially surrounding a periphery of the piston.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2016Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot