Patents Assigned to Specialized Bicycle Components
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Patent number: 8727367Abstract: A bicycle including a frame that has an elongated hollow frame member, a fork rotationally coupled to the frame, a wheel rotationally coupled to the fork, and a handlebar coupled to the fork for steering the wheel. The frame has an interior surface that defines a longitudinal groove with a groove width. The bicycle also includes a cable that is positioned in the longitudinal groove and that has a cable width less than the groove width.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2012Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Jan Talavasek, Amber R. Lucas, Ian Hamilton, Robert F. Meyer, Markus Spenninger, Holger Krauss
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Patent number: 8727368Abstract: A bicycle including front and rear wheels, a main frame that has a mounting bracket, and a front fork that connects the main frame to the front wheel. The bicycle also includes a rear sub-frame that connects the main frame to the rear wheel and that is movable relative to the main frame, and a shock that is positioned to dampen movement between the main frame and the sub-frame. The shock has a front mount that is secured to the mounting bracket and that defines a space between the front mount and the main frame, and a bicycle accessory is positioned in the space.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2012Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Dennis John Wrobleski
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Patent number: 8720929Abstract: A bicycle frame including a head tube and a bottom bracket adapted to support a crankset. The frame also includes a tubular frame member that is coupled to the head tube and that has a concave section disposed on an underside of the frame member and spaced from the head tube.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Christopher P. D'Aluisio
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Patent number: 8714052Abstract: A bicycle pedal can include a pedal body configured to rotate about a spindle. The pedal can also include one or more bearing systems to reduce friction between the pedal body and the spindle. The spindle can act as the inner bearing race for one or more of the bearing systems. A bearing body can act as the outer bearing race for one or more of the bearing systems.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Jason L. Chamberlain
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Patent number: 8702336Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 5, 2012Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Ron Powers
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Patent number: 8696007Abstract: A frame for a bicycle that has a fork and a handlebar. The frame includes a head tube, a bottom bracket adapted to support a crankset, and a down tube coupled between the head tube and the bottom bracket. The frame also has a fork bumper that is coupled to and is disposed on an underside of the down tube. The fork bumper extends outward from the down tube and includes a base and a resilient outer layer engageable by the fork to prevent contact between the down tube and the fork.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2012Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Robb H. Jankura, Brandon D. Sloan, David Allen, Jeffrey D. Juarez
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Patent number: 8684388Abstract: A bicycle having a first tube with a first tube portion and a first weld portion. The first tube portion has a first tube portion thickness and the first weld portion has a first weld portion thickness. The first weld portion has a first mating surface. A second tube having a second tube portion and a second weld portion. The second tube portion has a second tube portion thickness and the second weld portion has a second weld portion thickness. The second weld portion has a second mating surface. The first mating surface is positioned adjacent to the second mating surface, forming a weld interface between the first tube and the second tube. A weld bead formed along the weld interface coupling the first weld portion and the second weld portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Chuck Teixeira
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Patent number: 8678416Abstract: A bicycle damping system is arranged to reduce vibrations that originate at the bicycle wheel and are transmitted to the rider of the bicycle. Desirably, a front fork assembly is configured to be supported by a bicycle frame and includes a pair of fork legs, which extend in a downward direction along opposing sides of a front wheel of the bicycle. Preferably, the fork legs are configured to support the front wheel at their lower ends. Each of the fork legs can define a cavity and a damping member is positioned within the cavity. The damping member can be forced into contact with a surface of the fork leg. Seat stays, chain stays, the seat post and other components of the bicycle can also include a damping system.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2013Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Kyle L. Chubbuck, Christopher P. D'Aluisio
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Patent number: 8678339Abstract: A bicycle seat support that resiliently supports a bicycle seat and comprises an upper engagement member adapted to support a bicycle seat, a lower engagement member adapted to engage a bicycle frame, and a compliant support assembly coupling the upper engagement member to the lower engagement member. The compliant support assembly includes a first cantilevered beam cantilevered to the lower engagement member, and a second cantilevered beam cantilevered to the first cantilevered beam. The first and second cantilevered beams define a gap, and a resilient member is positioned in the gap. Preferably, the cantilevered beams include convex surfaces, and the resilient member includes concave surfaces shaped to receive the convex surfaces. The resilient member can include a body portion and a strut (e.g., two struts). The resilient member can also include a side surface and a recess in the side surface (e.g., extending all the way through the resilient member).Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2012Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Christopher P. D'Aluisio
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Patent number: 8661935Abstract: A bicycle including a frame that has a head tube. The bicycle also includes a fork that is rotationally coupled to the head tube and that has a steerer tube extending upward through the head tube, a wheel rotationally coupled to the fork, a handlebar, and a stem assembly. The stem assembly is coupled to and extends from the steerer tube to attach the handlebar to the fork. The stem assembly includes a stem, a shim that is coupled to the stem, and a clamp contacting both the shim and the handlebar to secure the handlebar to the stem assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2011Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Mark Cote, Aaron J. Foley, Christopher P. D'Aluisio
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Patent number: 8641071Abstract: A bicycle frame that supports a front wheel and a rear wheel defining a central plane. The bicycle frame includes a head tube, a bottom bracket configured to support a crank assembly, and a bicycle frame portion. The bicycle frame portion includes a leading edge and a trailing edge oriented such that a chord line between the leading edge and the trailing edge defines an angle of incidence greater than zero degrees relative to the central plane.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2011Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Christopher P. D'Aluisio, Jean-Luc Callahan, Mark Cote
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Patent number: 8622411Abstract: A bicycle assembly can include a bicycle frame that can have a main frame, a sub-frame and a shock absorber. The sub-frame can move in relation to the main frame and the shock can be used to regulate that relationship. A extension body can be used to establish a rear pivot point of the shock absorber. In some embodiments, the extension body can also be used to adjust the length of the combined shock absorber and extension body.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2013Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Jason L. Chamberlain
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Publication number: 20130313804Abstract: A bicycle including a main frame, a front wheel mounted for rotation relative to the main frame. a rear dropout, and a rear wheel mounted for rotation relative to the rear dropout about an axis. The rear wheel defines a center plane of the bicycle and is driven by a chain. The bicycle also includes a seat stay coupling the rear dropout to the main frame. The seat stay has an inner surface facing the rear wheel and an outer surface facing away from the rear wheel. The seat stay includes a steep portion having an outer surface disposed at a steep angle of between about 25 degrees and about 75 degrees relative to the center plane, and at least a portion of the steep portion is disposed outboard of the chain.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2013Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Jean-Luc Callahan, Christopher P. D'Aluisio
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Patent number: 8579316Abstract: A bicycle frame comprising a first tubular member having a first main portion and a first interface portion (e.g., a rounded taper), and a second tubular member having a second main portion and a second interface portion engaged with the first interface portion to create a joint. The joint includes a peripheral channel defined between the first interface portion and the second interface portion, and a weld is positioned in the peripheral channel. The second interface portion is defined at least partially by a substantially flat face wall. Preferably, the first tubular member includes an open end at the first interface portion, while the flat face wall at the second interface portion is substantially closed. In addition, it is preferred that the face wall lies in a plane that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the head tube (e.g., within ten degrees of the longitudinal axis).Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Christopher P. D'Aluisio, Andrew Frasca
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Patent number: 8574012Abstract: A bicycle including a frame, an electrical circuit including a power source, and an electrical connector. The electrical connector includes a first port defined by a first terminal that has a first configuration, and a second port defined by a second terminal that has a second configuration complementary to the first configuration. The electrical connector further includes a third port that is distinct from the first and second ports, a plurality of passthrough conductors extending from the first port to the second port to connect the electrical connector to the electrical circuit, and at least one lateral conductor providing an electrical connection from the first port to the third port.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2012Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Jan Talavasek, Ian M. Hamilton, Amber R. Lucas
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Patent number: 8561500Abstract: A crankset for a bicycle that includes a first crank, a second crank, a spindle, a bearing, and a preload mechanism. Each of the first crank and the second crank has an end adapted to engage a pedal. The spindle defines an axis and includes a first end that is coupled to the first crank and a second end that is coupled to the second crank. The bearing positioned around the spindle between the first crank and the second crank to permit rotation of the spindle. The preload mechanism is coupled to the spindle between the bearing and the first crank. The preload mechanism includes a washer that extends circumferentially around the spindle and a cam member that is engageable with the washer to move the washer along the axis to preload the bearing.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2011Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Christopher P. D'Aluisio
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Patent number: 8555609Abstract: A chain tool can be used to assemble or disassemble links on a chain, in particular a bicycle chain. The chain tool can be shaped and sized to be received within a component of a bicycle. For example, the chain tool can be received into a steerer tube at the head tube of the bicycle. The chain tool can also serve as a part of a headset, such as being a top cap of the headset.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2012Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Jason L. Chamberlain, Colin Alexander Davis Daw
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Patent number: 8540267Abstract: A bicycle damping system is arranged to reduce vibrations that originate at the bicycle wheel and are transmitted to the rider of the bicycle. A portion of a bicycle frame and/or bicycle fork can define a cavity and a damping member is positioned within the cavity. The damping member can be forced into contact with a surface of the cavity. Fork legs, seat stays, chain stays, the seat post are all examples portions of the bicycle frame that may include a damping system.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2012Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Kyle L. Chubbuck, Christopher P. D'Aluisio
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Patent number: 8534693Abstract: A bicycle having a wheel and a frame supported by the wheel. The frame includes a wheel support and a stay extending from the wheel support. A stay protector engages the stay, and a chain guide member is coupled to the stay protector to support and align the chain. The chain guide member comprises a guide mount and a guide carriage. The guide mount is secured to the stay protector, and the guide carriage is supported by the guide mount. The bicycle chain passes through a channel formed on the guide carriage.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Brandon Dale Sloan, David Allen, Jan Talavasek, Joseph Edward Buckley
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Patent number: 8511445Abstract: A damper for a bicycle having a primary unit and a remote unit that, in some arrangements, is substantially entirely outside of the primary unit. The primary unit includes a damper tube, a spring chamber, and a piston rod that supports a main piston. The main piston is movable within the damper chamber of the primary unit. The main piston and the damper tube at least partially define a compression chamber. The remote unit comprises a remote fluid chamber and, in some arrangements, an inertial valve within the remote unit. The inertial valve is preferably responsive to terrain-induced forces and preferably not responsive to rider-induced forces when the shock absorber is assembled to the bicycle.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2010Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Anthony Trujillo