Patents Assigned to Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10184522
    Abstract: A bottom bracket shell assembly includes left and right sidewalls. The left and right sidewalls each include a peripheral rim and a lateral surface. The lateral surfaces define a generally circular void. A bearing support is disposed at the voids of the left and right sidewalls. Left and right first bosses project away from the left and right sidewalls at a periphery of the lateral surface. The first bosses include boss ends configured to connect to a first tubular member. The left and right sidewalls are joined at the peripheral rim to form contiguous front and rear surfaces. The present disclosure maximizes the strength to weight ratio for low modulus frame materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Conner Swarthout, Chuck Teixeira
  • Patent number: 10161474
    Abstract: A bicycle can include a suspension system with a shock absorber. The shock absorber can have a sag position which can be adjustable. Sag refers to the amount of movement experienced by the suspension under a static load, such as that of the weight of a rider. Methods and systems to set sag can include at least one valve in fluid communication with a gas chamber of the shock absorber. In some embodiments, the at least one valve can be used to automatically set the sag position based on an individual's weight and riding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Jan Talavasek
  • Patent number: 10150526
    Abstract: A bicycle saddle suspension assembly comprises a body configured to couple to a bicycle frame; a saddle support mechanism configured to couple to a bicycle saddle; a suspension spring that biases the saddle support mechanism in a first direction with respect to the body; and a damping apparatus configured to damp motion of the saddle support mechanism with respect to the body, the damping apparatus configured to reduce a level of damping responsive to a terrain-induced force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Brian Lampman
  • Patent number: 10137729
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bicycle rim assembly adapted to be coupled to a hub to create a bicycle wheel. The rim assembly includes a rim and a cover coupled to the rim. The rim defines a central plane and comprises an annular inner wall and an annular outer wall cooperating with the inner wall to define a cavity. The rim further includes annular projections spaced laterally relative to the central plane and extending substantially radially outwardly from the outer annular wall. The cover includes sidewalls disposed on lateral sides of the rim adjacent the projections, each sidewall including a lateral inner portion having a lateral thickness. The cover further includes an annular ring portion interconnecting the sidewalls, the annular ring portion including a radial thickness less than the lateral thickness of the lateral inner portion of the sidewalls. Preferably, the rim comprises a metallic material and the cover comprises a non-metallic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Chuck Teixeira
  • Patent number: 10093374
    Abstract: A bicycle assembly comprises a saddle adjustment assembly, the saddle adjustment assembly comprising an adjustable height saddle post, the adjustable height saddle post comprising first and second slidably coupled supports; a saddle post locking mechanism that selectively restricts sliding of the second support relative to the first support; and a saddle angle adjustment mechanism configured to couple to a bicycle saddle to enable rotation of the bicycle saddle between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position, wherein, when the saddle post locking mechanism is in an unlocked configuration, the saddle angle adjustment mechanism enables rotation of the bicycle saddle between the first and second predetermined positions, and wherein, when the saddle post locking mechanism is in a locked configuration, the saddle angle adjustment mechanism maintains the bicycle saddle in one of the first and second predetermined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Ian McPherson, Jeffrey K. Bowers
  • Patent number: 10093372
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, an adjustable assembly for a bicycle comprises a first support and a second support slidably positioned within at least a portion of the first support, such that one of the first support and the second support is adapted to attach to a first bicycle portion and the other of the first support and the second support is adapted to attach to a second bicycle portion. In some embodiments, the second support comprises an expansion portion configured to be selectively moved between an expanded position and a retracted position. In one embodiment, the expansion portion is configured to contact and engage at least one portion of the first support when the expansion portion is in an expanded position, and the first support is configured to be selectively moved relative to the second support when the expansion portion is permitted to assume a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Ron Powers
  • Patent number: 10081405
    Abstract: A saddle adjustment assembly comprising an adjustable height saddle post, the adjustable height saddle post comprising a first support and a second support, the second support configured to slidably move relative to the first support between at least a raised position and a lowered position, the first support configured to attach to a bicycle frame; a saddle angle adjustment mechanism coupled to the second support, the saddle angle adjustment mechanism comprising a rotatably coupled saddle support configured to couple to a bicycle saddle; wherein the saddle angle adjustment mechanism is configured to enable rotation of the saddle support relative to the second support as a result of the first support moving relative to the second support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael A. McAndrews, Ron Powers, Brandon D. Sloan, Jeffrey Keith Bowers, Ian Thomas McPherson
  • Patent number: 10053172
    Abstract: An adjustable assembly for a bicycle includes a first support having an interior surface and a second support slidably positioned within at least a portion of the first support. One of the first support and the second support is adapted to attach to a first bicycle portion, and the other of the first support and the second support is adapted to attach to a second bicycle portion. Further, the second support comprises an expansion portion configured to be moved between an expanded position and a retracted position. The expansion portion is configured to engage the interior surface of the first support when the expansion portion is in an expanded position. In addition, the first support is configured to be selectively moved relative to the second support when the expansion portion is permitted to assume a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Ron Powers
  • Patent number: 10029758
    Abstract: An air spring comprising a pressurized first chamber including a gas, a first piston adjacent the first chamber and configured to slideably move relative to the first chamber, pressurized second chamber adjacent the first piston and opposite the first chamber, the air spring configured such that the first piston moves towards the first chamber during compression of the air spring and the first piston moves away from the first chamber during extension of the air spring, wherein as said first piston moves towards the first chamber during compression of the air spring, said first piston pushes at least a portion of said gas within said first chamber in a direction opposite said first piston, a second piston configured to slideably move relative to the first chamber, a pressurized third chamber adjacent the second piston and opposite the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Brian Lampman
  • Publication number: 20180194418
    Abstract: A bicycle seat post assembly includes a lower seat support secured to the frame, an upper seat support secured to the seat and movable relative to the lower seat support, and an adjusting mechanism coupling the lower seat support to the upper seat support. The adjusting mechanism includes a powered actuator engageable with both the lower seat support and the upper seat support and configured to move the upper seat support relative to the lower seat support, and a coupling device selectively connecting the powered actuator to one of the lower seat support or the upper seat support. The coupling device has a connected state wherein the powered actuator is operatively connected to the one of the lower seat support or the upper seat support and a disconnected state wherein the powered actuator is operatively disconnected to the one of the lower seat support or the upper seat support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey K. Bowers
  • Patent number: 9994279
    Abstract: A bicycle includes a frame, a suspension assembly and a steering assembly. The frame includes a head tube that rotatably receives a front fork assembly. A steerer tube extends axially away from a fork crown of the front fork assembly. The suspension assembly includes an upper tubular support longitudinally slidable relative to a lower tubular support. The upper and lower supports receive a first positive biasing means and a first negative biasing means. The lower and upper supports are respectively connected to the steerer tube and a stem of the steering assembly such that the upper support slides longitudinally relative to the lower support adjacent the stem and above the fork crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher P. D'Aluisio, Jean-Luc Callahan, Tyler Kraus, Conner Swarthout, Michael McAndrews
  • Patent number: 9963191
    Abstract: A damper for a bicycle, having a primary unit including a damper tube, a piston rod that supports a main piston, a reservoir tube that is outside of the compression chamber of the primary tube, and an inertial valve within the reservoir tube. The damper also includes a flow path connecting the reservoir fluid chamber and the compression chamber of the primary tube. The damper also may have a damping valve in the reservoir tube. When the inertia valve is open, the damping valve opens before flow through the inertia valve is maximized. The main piston and the damper tube at least partially define a compression chamber and a rebound chamber. The main piston is movable within the damper chamber of the primary unit. The reservoir tube includes a reservoir fluid chamber. The inertial valve is responsive to terrain-induced forces and not responsive to rider-induced forces when the shock absorber is assembled to the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael McAndrews
  • Patent number: 9944337
    Abstract: A saddle adjustment assembly comprising an adjustable height saddle post, the adjustable height saddle post comprising a first support and a second support, the second support configured to slidably move relative to the first support between at least a raised position and a lowered position, the first support configured to attach to a bicycle frame; a saddle angle adjustment mechanism coupled to the second support, the saddle angle adjustment mechanism comprising a rotatably coupled saddle support configured to couple to a bicycle saddle; wherein the saddle angle adjustment mechanism is configured to enable rotation of the saddle support relative to the second support as a result of the first support moving relative to the second support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Ron Powers, Brandon D. Sloan, Jeffrey Keith Bowers, Ian Thomas McPherson
  • Patent number: 9937971
    Abstract: A bicycle assembly comprises a saddle adjustment assembly, the saddle adjustment assembly comprising an adjustable height saddle post, the adjustable height saddle post comprising first and second slidably coupled supports; a saddle post locking mechanism that selectively restricts sliding of the second support relative to the first support; and a saddle angle adjustment mechanism configured to couple to a bicycle saddle to enable rotation of the bicycle saddle between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position, wherein, when the saddle post locking mechanism is in an unlocked configuration, the saddle angle adjustment mechanism enables rotation of the bicycle saddle between the first and second predetermined positions, and wherein, when the saddle post locking mechanism is in a locked configuration, the saddle angle adjustment mechanism maintains the bicycle saddle in one of the first and second predetermined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Ian McPherson, Jeffrey K. Bowers
  • Patent number: 9919757
    Abstract: A bicycle includes a frame, a front and rear wheel and a crank assembly. The frame includes chainstays and a bottom bracket having a center and which rotationally receives the crank assembly. The crank assembly includes a chain ring having a radius between the bottom bracket center and a circumferential edge. The chainstays are connected to the bottom bracket at a first end and rotationally receive the rear wheel at a second end. The chainstay defines a cutout sized to receive a portion of a circumferential edge of the chain ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas Graham Russell, Todd Cannatelli, Jamie Stafford, Jason McDonald
  • Patent number: 9844235
    Abstract: One non-limiting embodiment of the present invention includes an athletic garment including a garment configured to snugly fit a torso wherein the garment has a front portion and a rear portion. The athletic garment further includes a pocket secured to the rear portion of the garment providing a pocket for containing items therein. The pocket includes a secured portion and a hanging portion wherein the secured portion is secured to the garment and the hanging portion is not secured to the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Asnis, Jason Israel
  • Patent number: 9844978
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel including a hub and a rim coupled to the hub. The wheel also includes a cover that is coupled to rim and that defines a bead seat engageable by a tire. The rim can have a first annular feature and the cover can have a second annular feature that is complementary to the first annular feature to attach the cover to the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Chuck Teixeira
  • Patent number: 9840298
    Abstract: A cable guide for a bicycle including a frame that has a bottom bracket. The cable guide includes a first guide that is attachable to the frame adjacent the bottom bracket and that supports a first cable, and a second guide that is attachable to the frame adjacent the bottom bracket and that supports a second cable. The first guide includes a first cable conduit that extends into the frame at a first angle, and the second guide includes a second cable conduit that extends into the frame at a second angle different from the first angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Kyle L. Chubbuck
  • Patent number: 9840111
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel including a hub and a rim coupled to the hub. The wheel also includes a cover that is coupled to rim and that defines a bead seat engageable by a tire. The rim can have a first annular feature and the cover can have a second annular feature that is complementary to the first annular feature to attach the cover to the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Chuck Teixeira
  • Patent number: D815777
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Grim, Mike Krynock