Patents Assigned to Eko Sport, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20120142469
    Abstract: A chain guide having a mounting bracket mounted to the bottom bracket shell with multiple coaxial pulleys, each of which is in substantially planar alignment with one chainring of a crank with two or more chainrings. Each pulley cog engages the bicycle chain when the chain is on a corresponding chainring. One of the pulley cogs can be replaced by a roller mounted to the bracket coaxially with the first pulley cog and in substantially planar alignment with the corresponding chainring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Eko Sport, Inc.
    Inventors: Darek C. Barefoot, Ryan K. Cranston
  • Patent number: 8104591
    Abstract: A shock absorber having a valve controlling the flow rate of fluid between a compression chamber and a rebound chamber in a housing and separated by a piston. The valve has an orifice component and a blocker component, one of which has a permanent magnet, and the other of which has a magnetically permeable material. Upon the application of sufficient fluid pressure, the blocker component is forced away from the orifice component, despite the magnetic bias that tends to attract the two structures. Because the magnetic force decreases as the two components are spaced farther apart, the shock absorber has excellent performance characteristics. Alternatively, a mechanical spring urges the blocker closed, and magnetic attraction between the blocker and a spaced opener mitigates the increased force of the compressed spring tending to close the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.
    Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
  • Publication number: 20090062049
    Abstract: A combined chain guide and chain ring protector for a bicycle for off-road use having a lower bracket sleeve, a chain ring around which a drive chain extends and a chain ring outer radius. The protector includes a mounting bracket secured at the lower bracket sleeve and a guard mounted thereto. An outer edge of the guard extends beyond the outer radius of the chain ring, thereby protecting a portion of the chain ring from inadvertent impacts. The chain guide extends from the mounting bracket along a path of the drive chain, and preferably includes an upper guide having an inner barrier positioned inboard of the bicycle chain an outer barrier positioned outboard of the inner barrier and an upper barrier positioned above the bicycle chain for preventing the chain from derailing from the chain ring in an upward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: EKO SPORT, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan K. Cranston, James K. Rogers
  • Patent number: 6631915
    Abstract: A bicycle fork travel limiter that limits the maximum extension of the fork, but permits the fork to function as a shock-absorbing unit. A ratchet rod with teeth on the side thereof connects to the upper member of one leg of the fork. A shuttle is slidably mounted to a neutral shaft mounted to the lower member, and contains two pawls that engage and disengage from the teeth based upon the rotational position of the ratchet rod. A coil spring biases the shuttle upwardly toward the ratchet rod. The ratchet rod can move downwardly when the fork is compressed, but upon release of the compression on the fork, the shuttle, with its pawls engaging the teeth, prevents rebound of the upper member other than through a shortened stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.
    Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
  • Patent number: 6581919
    Abstract: A seat post for a cycle has inner and outer members that are slidably mounted together forming a variable volume chamber. The variable volume chamber communicates with a fixed volume chamber in the inner member through orifices and a check valve. Slots are formed in the inner member, and a pin extends from the outer member through the slots. A cushion at one end of the slots prevents hard top-out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.
    Inventors: Darek C. Barefoot, David R. Warnick, Thomas A. Hochanadel, Timothy A. Fry
  • Patent number: RE42436
    Abstract: A chain ring protector having a substantially planar mounting bracket operably secured to the bottom bracket sleeve of a vehicle with a durable semi-circumferential guard extending therefrom is disclosed. The durable guard has a substantially arcuate outer edge sized to approximate the outer diameter of a chain ring, and it is operably secured to the planar mounting bracket such that the outer edge extends slightly beyond the outer diameter of the portion of the chain ring extending below the bottom bracket sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.
    Inventor: James K. Rogers