Patents Assigned to Hayes Bicycle Group, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20230391418
    Abstract: A tool for a brake system may comprise a tool body configured to fit within a recess of a body of the caliper assembly. The tool body comprises a first section; the first side comprises a raised surface; the second side comprises a base surface. The first section is to be inserted into the recess of the caliper assembly; in a first mode the first piston set is blocked by the raised surface and the second piston set is unblocked; in a second mode the second piston set is blocked by the raised surface and the first piston set is unblocked. The tool body comprises a second section to be inserted into the recess of the caliper assembly; in a third mode both the first piston set and the second piston set are blocked from movement. A brake system may comprise an improved master cylinder assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: HAYES BICYCLE GROUP INC.
    Inventor: John L THOMAS
  • Patent number: 11772739
    Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle such as a bicycle is disclosed. The brake system may comprise an improved master cylinder assembly configured (e.g. manufactured/produced, assembled, etc.) so that a setting and/or adjustment of the brake stroke and/or lever action/actuation can be provided by any one independent mechanism (e.g. without any other adjustment mechanism) or by a combination of adjustment mechanisms (e.g. in a combination with one or more adjustment mechanism); operation of a mechanism for setting and/or adjusting the brake stroke may comprise a feature configured to engage a pushrod (e.g. by direct action on the pushrod or a feature of the pushrod or by indirect action through a link, adjuster, etc. configured to engage the pushrod). The master cylinder assembly may be configured to be set and/or adjusted/tuned within the indicated range to provide an intended performance and/or “feel” for the operator at the brake lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Hayes Bicycle Group Inc.
    Inventor: John L Thomas
  • Patent number: 11639212
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a bicycle is disclosed. The suspension assembly may be configured to use a volume of fluid in a fluid circuit for damping and may comprise a damping mechanism; the suspension assembly may comprise a lockout mechanism independent of the damping mechanism configured to prevent damping by the damping mechanism and an actuator for the lockout mechanism. The lockout setting may be independent of the damping setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: HAYES BICYCLE GROUP INC.
    Inventors: Edward C Kwaterski, Thomas D Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11370487
    Abstract: A steer/brake system for a vehicle (with wheels and/or tracks) is disclosed. The system may comprise a steering system with an operator control and braking system for each side of the vehicle with a master cylinder for the brake mechanism and an interface between the braking system and the operator control. Operation may provide a phase where the interface is at least partially engaged and force may be applied through the interface to the master cylinder to engage the brake mechanism to provide modulation for the operator control. A steering emulation system may comprise the interface and a compliant element configured to provide modulation for the operator control. The system may comprise a shared hydraulic system; the brake mechanism may comprise the steering brake mechanism and the service brake mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Hayes Bicycle Group Inc.
    Inventors: Clay M Hendricks, Andrew J Doubek
  • Patent number: 11273886
    Abstract: A compression assembly/system for a front suspension fork for a bicycle is disclosed. The compression assembly/system of the front suspension fork may comprise a combination of improved functional assemblies including a hydraulic bottom-out assembly/mechanism and a low-speed compression assembly/mechanism and a high-speed compression assembly/mechanism. The compression assembly/system of the front suspension fork may comprise an externally-adjustable hydraulic bottom-out mechanism; and substantially co-located external adjustment controls for bottom-out mechanism and low-speed compression mechanism and high-speed compression mechanism. The compression assembly/system may also comprise an axially-oriented (compression) mechanism configured to transmit movement/adjustment radially from inner components to outer components of the mechanisms to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: HAYES BICYCLE GROUP INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas W Pye, Edward C Kwaterski
  • Publication number: 20220024537
    Abstract: A brake assembly for a handlebar of a bicycle is disclosed. The brake assembly may be configured so that the position of the brake lever relative to the handlebar may conveniently be adjusted to fit the preferences of the rider/operator of the bicycle (e.g. adjustment of the default position of the lever relative to the handlebar for the “reach adjust” feature). Adjustment of the default position of the lever relative to the body and handlebar may be provided between a near distance/position through an intermediate distance/position to a far distance/position (e.g. adjustment of “finger contact point”/reference point on brake lever relative to handlebar for preference of a rider/operator of the bicycle).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: HAYES BICYCLE GROUP INC.
    Inventor: John L. THOMAS
  • Publication number: 20210331765
    Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle such as a bicycle is disclosed. The brake system may comprise an improved master cylinder assembly configured (e.g. manufactured/produced, assembled, etc.) so that a setting and/or adjustment of the brake stroke and/or lever action/actuation can be provided by any one independent mechanism (e.g. without any other adjustment mechanism) or by a combination of adjustment mechanisms (e.g. in a combination with one or more adjustment mechanism); operation of a mechanism for setting and/or adjusting the brake stroke may comprise a feature configured to engage a pushrod (e.g. by direct action on the pushrod or a feature of the pushrod or by indirect action through a link, adjuster, etc. configured to engage the pushrod). The master cylinder assembly may be configured to be set and/or adjusted/tuned within the indicated range to provide an intended performance and/or “feel” for the operator at the brake lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: HAYES BICYCLE GROUP INC.
    Inventor: John L. THOMAS
  • Patent number: 11124263
    Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle such as a bicycle is disclosed. The brake system may comprise an improved master cylinder assembly configured for adjustment (such as adjustment of the stroke length, stroke start, etc.). The brake system may comprise a caliper assembly with an improved arrangement of flow paths configured to facilitate maintenance (such as to remove/bleed air and/or fluid from the body of the caliper assembly, inspection, etc.); the caliper assembly may also be configured for use with a tool (e.g. configured to fit in body to remove/bleed air and/or fluid from flow paths during maintenance). The master cylinder assembly may be configured (e.g. manufactured/produced, assembled, etc.) so that a setting and/or adjustment of the brake stroke and/or lever action/actuation can be provided by any one independent mechanism or one separate adjustment mechanism (e.g. without any other adjustment mechanism) or by a combination of adjustment mechanisms (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Hayes Bicycle Group Inc.
    Inventor: John L Thomas
  • Patent number: 11090977
    Abstract: A wheel hub assembly for a bicycle is disclosed. The wheel hub assembly may comprise a hub shell for a wheel and coupled to a hub body with an axle by a ratchet mechanism and configured to provide an engaged state where the hub body/axle and the hub shell/wheel rotate together and a disengaged state where the hub body/axle may rotate independently relative to hub shell/wheel; the ratchet mechanism may comprise a set of ratchet rings configured with a set of teeth and sets/groups of pawls configured to engage/disengage the teeth of a ratchet ring; ratchet rings may be configured/installed in the hub body in an aligned condition or an offset condition; when ratchet rings are configured in an offset condition the ratchet mechanism may be configured to facilitate a generally more responsive transition between the disengaged state and the engaged state for the hub body/axle and hub shell/wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Hayes Bicycle Group Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn T Cotter, John Cory
  • Publication number: 20200324849
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a bicycle is disclosed. The suspension assembly may be configured to use a volume of fluid in a fluid circuit for damping may comprise a volume compensator such as a bladder configured to provide an expandable volume to contain fluid in the fluid circuit and a relief valve configured to open to facilitate the flow of fluid through the relief valve rather than entering the volume compensator. The relief valve may be configured to open at a threshold setting. The volume compensator may comprise an expandable bladder. The threshold setting of the relief valve may be selected to prevent failure of the expandable bladder. The volume compensator and the valve may be contained in the fork assembly. The valve may be configured to open to facilitate the flow of fluid through the valve rather than expanding the volume compensator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Applicant: HAYES BICYCLE GROUP INC
    Inventor: Nicholas W. PYE
  • Publication number: 20200324852
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a bicycle is disclosed. The suspension assembly may be configured to use a volume of fluid in a fluid circuit for damping and may comprise a damping mechanism; the suspension assembly may comprise a lockout mechanism independent of the damping mechanism configured to prevent damping by the damping mechanism and an actuator for the lockout mechanism. The lockout setting may be independent of the damping setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Applicant: HAYES BICYCLE GROUP INC
    Inventors: Edward C. KWATERSKI, Thomas D. SCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20200180727
    Abstract: A compression assembly/system for a front suspension fork for a bicycle is disclosed. The compression assembly/system of the front suspension fork may comprise a combination of improved functional assemblies including a hydraulic bottom-out assembly/mechanism and a low-speed compression assembly/mechanism and a high-speed compression assembly/mechanism. The compression assembly/system of the front suspension fork may comprise an externally-adjustable hydraulic bottom-out mechanism; and substantially co-located external adjustment controls for bottom-out mechanism and low-speed compression mechanism and high-speed compression mechanism. The compression assembly/system may also comprise an axially-oriented (compression) mechanism configured to transmit movement/adjustment radially from inner components to outer components of the mechanisms to be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: HAYES BICYCLE GROUP INC
    Inventors: Nicholas W PYE, Edward C KWATERSKI
  • Patent number: 10618593
    Abstract: A system/assembly for a suspension fork for a bicycle is disclosed. The fork may comprise a compression system and an adjustment mechanism configured for adjustment of compression damping and adjustment of travel. Adjustment of travel reduces compression stroke distance within the full length of travel. The adjustment mechanism may be configured for at least two settings for compression damping and at least two settings for adjustment of travel. Settings for compression damping may comprise a setting with adjustment of compression damping but no adjustment of travel and a setting with adjustment of compression damping and adjustment of travel. Settings for adjustment of travel may comprise a travel-adjust setting where the stroke distance is reduced and a setting where the stroke distance may be the full length of travel. The adjustment mechanism may provide for performance adjustment at an adjuster. The fork may comprise a rebound system with an adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: HAYES BICYCLE GROUP INC.
    Inventor: Nicholas William Pye
  • Patent number: 10597112
    Abstract: A compression assembly/system for a front suspension fork for a bicycle is disclosed. The compression assembly/system of the front suspension fork may comprise a combination of improved functional assemblies including a hydraulic bottom-out assembly/mechanism and a low-speed compression assembly/mechanism and a high-speed compression assembly/mechanism. The compression assembly/system of the front suspension fork may comprise an externally-adjustable hydraulic bottom-out mechanism; and substantially co-located external adjustment controls for bottom-out mechanism and low-speed compression mechanism and high-speed compression mechanism. The compression assembly/system may also comprise an axially-oriented (compression) mechanism configured to transmit movement/adjustment radially from inner components to outer components of the mechanisms to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: HAYES BICYCLE GROUP INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas William Pye, Edward Charles Kwaterski
  • Publication number: 20200010142
    Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle such as a bicycle is disclosed. The brake system may comprise an improved master cylinder assembly configured for adjustment (such as adjustment of the stroke length, stroke start, etc.). The brake system may comprise a caliper assembly with an improved arrangement of flow paths configured to facilitate maintenance (such as to remove/bleed air and/or fluid from the body of the caliper assembly, inspection, etc.); the caliper assembly may also be configured for use with a tool (e.g. configured to fit in body to remove/bleed air and/or fluid from flow paths during maintenance). The master cylinder assembly may be configured (e.g. manufactured/produced, assembled, etc.) so that a setting and/or adjustment of the brake stroke and/or lever action/actuation can be provided by any one independent mechanism or one separate adjustment mechanism (e.g. without any other adjustment mechanism) or by a combination of adjustment mechanisms (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: HAYES BICYCLE GROUP INC.
    Inventor: John L. THOMAS
  • Publication number: 20200009907
    Abstract: A wheel hub assembly for a bicycle is disclosed. The wheel hub assembly may comprise a hub shell for a wheel and coupled to a hub body with an axle by a ratchet mechanism and configured to provide an engaged state where the hub body/axle and the hub shell/wheel rotate together and a disengaged state where the hub body/axle may rotate independently relative to hub shell/wheel; the ratchet mechanism may comprise a set of ratchet rings configured with a set of teeth and sets/groups of pawls configured to engage/disengage the teeth of a ratchet ring; ratchet rings may be configured/installed in the hub body in an aligned condition or an offset condition; when ratchet rings are configured in an offset condition the ratchet mechanism may be configured to facilitate a generally more responsive transition between the disengaged state and the engaged state for the hub body/axle and hub shell/wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: HAYES BICYCLE GROUP INC
    Inventors: Shawn T. COTTER, John Cory
  • Publication number: 20180162482
    Abstract: A system/assembly for a suspension fork for a bicycle is disclosed. The fork may comprise a compression system and an adjustment mechanism configured for adjustment of compression damping and adjustment of travel. Adjustment of travel reduces compression stroke distance within the full length of travel. The adjustment mechanism may be configured for at least two settings for compression damping and at least two settings for adjustment of travel. Settings for compression damping may comprise a setting with adjustment of compression damping but no adjustment of travel and a setting with adjustment of compression damping and adjustment of travel. Settings for adjustment of travel may comprise a travel-adjust setting where the stroke distance is reduced and a setting where the stroke distance may be the full length of travel. The adjustment mechanism may provide for performance adjustment at an adjuster. The fork may comprise a rebound system with an adjuster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2018
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: Hayes Bicycle Group Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas William Pye
  • Patent number: 9988124
    Abstract: A suspension assembly is disclosed. The suspension assembly is configured for movement under compression when installed for use in a vehicle providing at least one wheel. The assembly comprises a leg; a compression rod assembly comprising a compression rod movable within the leg; a piston assembly comprising a seal and a piston; and an isolator configured to deform under compression to provide isolation between the compression rod assembly and the piston assembly. The compression rod can translate under compression with deformation of the isolator before movement of the piston. The suspension assembly may be configured to provide a response to a force such as compression. An isolation member between the compression rod assembly and the piston assembly may be configured so that a force imparted on the compression rod assembly compresses the isolation member without translation of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Hayes Bicycle Group Inc.
    Inventor: Edward C Kwaterski
  • Patent number: 9926035
    Abstract: A system/assembly for a suspension fork for a bicycle is disclosed. A suspension system for use in a vehicle is also disclosed. A front suspension fork for a bicycle such as a mountain bike configured to contain a hydraulic fluid for fluid flow and in a flow path providing for compression damping and for rebound damping is also disclosed. A damper assembly configured to contain a hydraulic fluid for fluid flow in a flow path is also disclosed. The assembly/system generally comprises a set of inventive concepts/inventions (combination of inventive features) including (but not specifically limited to): (1) an externally-accessible adjustment mechanism; and (2) internal floating piston. The compression assembly/system of the suspension fork comprises a combination of improved functional assemblies including (but not limited to) an adjustment mechanism (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Hayes Bicycle Group Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas William Pye
  • Patent number: 9758210
    Abstract: A compression assembly/system for a front suspension fork for a bicycle is disclosed. The compression assembly/system of the front suspension fork may comprise a combination of improved functional assemblies including a hydraulic bottom-out assembly/mechanism and a low-speed compression assembly/mechanism and a high-speed compression assembly/mechanism. The compression assembly/system of the front suspension fork may comprise an externally-adjustable hydraulic bottom-out mechanism; and substantially co-located external adjustment controls for bottom-out mechanism and low-speed compression mechanism and high-speed compression mechanism. The compression assembly/system may also comprise an axially-oriented (compression) mechanism configured to transmit movement/adjustment radially from inner components to outer components of the mechanisms to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: HAYES BICYCLE GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas William Pye, Edward Charles Kwaterski