Patents Assigned to Specialized Bicycle Components
  • Patent number: 10526035
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a bicycle comprises a lower tubular support configured to be received within a steerer tube of a bicycle fork assembly; an upper tubular support configured to be connected to a stem of a steering assembly above an upper end of the steerer tube; and a spring configured to exert a force that biases the upper and lower tubular supports toward an extended position, wherein the upper and lower tubular supports are configured such that the upper tubular support slides longitudinally relative to the lower tubular support adjacent the stem and above a fork crown of the bicycle fork assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher P. D'Aluisio, Jean-Luc Callahan, Tyler Kraus, Conner Swarthout, Michael McAndrews
  • 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: 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: 9550543
    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: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Ron Powers
  • Publication number: 20160311485
    Abstract: A bicycle seat support comprising a lower engagement member, an upper engagement member, and a compliant support assembly coupling the upper engagement member to the lower engagement member. In one embodiment, the bicycle seat support further comprises an angular adjustment mechanism coupled to the upper engagement member and configured to adjust an angle of the upper engagement member relative to the lower engagement member. For example, the angular adjustment mechanism can comprise a lower link coupled (e.g., cantilevered) to the lower engagement member and an intermediate link coupled (e.g., pivotally) between the lower link and the upper engagement member. In one embodiment, the seat support further comprises a bottom out beam cantilevered to the lower engagement member. The bottom out beam is positioned to inhibit downward movement of the upper engagement member after the upper engagement member has deflected downward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher P. D'Aluisio, Aaron J. Foley, Jeffrey K. Bowers
  • Publication number: 20160244114
    Abstract: A bicycle includes front and rear wheels, a frame supported on the front and rear wheels, and a seat post. The frame includes a seat tube having an upper end with a rear wall and a side wall, and the seat post is positioned at least partially inside the seat tube and is secured to the seat tube at a securing location spaced from the upper end. The rear wall of the upper end of the seat tube is spaced from the seat post by a first gap, and the side wall of the upper end of the seat tube is spaced from the seat post by a second gap that is smaller than the first gap. The seat tube has an effective length from a crank axis to the upper end, and the securing location is preferably spaced from the upper end by a distance that is at least 5% of the effective length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicant: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher P. D'Aluisio, David Tyson Buckenberger
  • Publication number: 20160223022
    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: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Conner Swarthout, Chuck Teixeira
  • Publication number: 20160214433
    Abstract: A bicycle hub assembly having a rotational axis and comprising a sidewall defining first and second ends, a connector body coupled to the sidewall first end, and a first flange extending radially outward and axially away from an outer surface of the sidewall at the sidewall first end such that the first flange axially overlaps with a portion of the connector body. The hub assembly can further comprise a second flange extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the sidewall at the second end, wherein the first flange projects radially farther away from the sidewall than the second flange. In one embodiment, the first flange at least partially defines a concave receptacle that houses at least a portion of the connector body. In this embodiment, the hub assembly can further comprise an adapter body positioned around the connector body and at least partially in the concave receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Applicant: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason L. Chamberlain
  • Patent number: 9242688
    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: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Ron Powers
  • Publication number: 20150305428
    Abstract: The present invention provides a helmet comprising a main body having a concave interior for receiving a user's head, a head strap coupled to the body, and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the head strap. The head strap is positioned in a loop that spans at least 1.5 wraps around the interior of the main body. Preferably, the head strap is fully recessed into the concave interior of the main body. The head strap can include an occipital pad and a flexible belt (e.g., two flexible belts) secured to the occipital pad and engaged with the adjustment mechanism. Preferably, at least a portion of the flexible belt is spaced rearward from the occipital pad. The helmet can further include a belt guide (e.g., two side belt guides and a front belt guide) secured to the main body and adapted to allow the head strap to slide through the belt guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lakes, David E. Stroud, Michael Grim, Mike Krynock
  • Publication number: 20150291242
    Abstract: A bicycle assembly can include a main frame having a bottom bracket area to receive a bottom bracket. The bottom bracket area can be made of carbon fiber with one or more embedded seat blanks to serve as bearing surfaces within the bottom bracket area. The disks may be machined to a high tolerance to receive a bottom bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason L. Chamberlain, Robb H. Jankura, Brian Daniel Robinson, Bradley L. Paquin
  • Publication number: 20150239518
    Abstract: A bicycle and light assembly has wheels, a frame support by the wheels, a bike light supported by the frame, and a mounting system coupling the bike light to the frame. The mounting system includes a socket secured to one of the frame and the bike light, a post secured to the other of the frame and the bike light, and a releasable securing mechanism that secures the post in the socket. The mounting system can further include a mounting bracket coupling the post to the frame, wherein the mounting bracket facilitates rotational adjustment of the post about the post axis. The releasable securing mechanism can include a detent member positioned in a side opening of the socket and in engagement with a recess in the socket to secure the rotational orientation of the post in the socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Eric Lee, Andreas Absalon Volk, Ian Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20150224820
    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: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Chuck Teixeira
  • Publication number: 20150197299
    Abstract: A bicycle is disclosed comprising wheels, a frame assembly supported on the wheels and including a mounting portion defining a mounting axis, and a lighting system mounted on the mounting portion. The lighting system includes a power source and a lighting element having a lighting axis that is substantially parallel to the mounting axis. Preferably, the mounting axis is at an angle of 70-75 degrees relative to horizontal. The lighting system can further include a primary electronic board positioned substantially parallel to the mounting axis and a secondary electronic board positioned substantially perpendicular to the mounting axis. The lighting element is mounted on the secondary electronic board. The power source is preferably positioned between the primary electronic board and the mounting portion. The lighting system can further comprise a reflector positioned to receive light from the lighting element and direct a majority of the light in a substantially horizontal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Eric Lee, Andreas Absalon Volk, Ian Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20150145231
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bicycle that includes a frame that is specifically design to accommodate different axle configurations. The bicycle includes a wheel including a wheel axle and a bicycle frame comprising a wheel support including an axle opening having a first width and an axle slot contiguous with the axle opening and having a second width less than the first width. Preferably, a portion of the wheel axle positioned in the axle opening has a diameter that substantially matches the first width. The present invention also provides a method of changing an original wheel of a bicycle. The method comprises removing the original wheel from the wheel support, positioning a converter in the axle opening, providing a replacement wheel having a replacement hub that has a replacement axle, and sliding the replacement axle through the axle slot and into the receiving area defined by the converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason S. McDonald, Jeremy Thompson
  • Publication number: 20150137477
    Abstract: A bicycle including front and rear wheels and a frame supported by the front and rear wheels. The rear wheel defines a central plane of the bicycle. The frame includes a main frame and a rear frame that is movable relative to the main frame. The main frame has a seat support with an offset portion that is offset from the central plane. The bicycle also includes a seat supported by the seat support, and a suspension unit coupled between the rear frame and the main frame to inhibit relative movement between the rear frame and the main frame. The suspension unit is positioned with the offset portion of the seat support laterally aligned with a first side of the suspension unit, and a second side of the suspension unit opposite the first side is not laterally aligned with the seat support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason L. Chamberlain
  • Patent number: 9010792
    Abstract: A bicycle including a wheel that has an axle with a first end and a second end, a motor coupled to the axle, and a frame supported by the wheel. The frame includes a first dropout and a second dropout, and the first dropout defines a recess. The bicycle also includes a torque element that is secured to the first end of the axle and that is shaped to fit within the recess of the first dropout to inhibit rotation of the axle relative to the frame in response to torque from the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Talavasek, Amber R. Lucas, Robert F. Meyer
  • Patent number: D726075
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher P. D'Aluisio, Robert F. Egger, Jean-Luc Callahan, Andrew Frasca
  • Patent number: D727132
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher P. D'Aluisio