Patents Assigned to Specialized Bicycle Components
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Patent number: 8496262Abstract: A bicycle that includes 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. The rear wheel defines a center plane of the bicycle. The bicycle further includes a rear stay that couples the rear dropout to the main frame. The rear stay has an inner surface facing the rear wheel and an outer surface facing away from the rear wheel. The rear stay includes a steep portion having an outer surface at a steep angle of between about 25 degrees and about 75 degrees relative to the center plane.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2007Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Jean-Luc Callahan, Christopher P. D'Aluisio
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Patent number: 8480064Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 9, 2010Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Jan Talavasek
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Patent number: 8459680Abstract: 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: August 26, 2011Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Jason L. Chamberlain
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Patent number: 8459681Abstract: A bicycle having a frame, two wheels, handlebars, a longitudinal housing (e.g., cable housing or hydraulic hose) defining radial and axial directions, and a housing guide securing the housing to the frame. The housing guide includes a base member and a clamp member. The base member has a base surface secured to the frame and defining a passage in which the housing is positioned, and the clamp member cooperates with the base member to secure the housing in both radial and axial directions. Preferably, the base member comprises first and second guide arms (e.g., opposed hooks) spaced by a gap and wrapped around the housing, and the clamp member is positioned in the gap. The clamp member can include a collar and a fastener that tightens the collar onto the housing. The collar can include an opening and a slot that facilitates inserting the housing into the opening.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2010Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Jason L. Chamberlain
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Patent number: 8453808Abstract: A bicycle shock absorber and methods for differentiating between rider-induced forces and terrain-induced forces includes a first fluid chamber having fluid contained therein, a piston for compressing the fluid within the fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber coupled to the first fluid chamber by a fluid communication hose, and an inertial valve disposed within the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve opens in response to terrain-induced forces and provides communication of fluid compressed by the piston from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve does not open in response to rider-induced forces.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2012Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Michael McAndrews
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Patent number: 8454044Abstract: 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: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Kyle L. Chubbuck, Christopher P. D'Aluisio
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Patent number: 8439383Abstract: A bicycle frame can have a main frame, a sub-frame and a shock. The sub-frame can move in relation to the main frame and the shock can be used to regulate that relationship. A linkage can also be used to regulate the relationships and control the rotation. The shock can further have a pair of extension arms to span a seat tube which is part of the main frame.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2009Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Jan Talavasek
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Patent number: 8430417Abstract: A bicycle includes a front wheel and a rear wheel. A main frame includes a rear pivot support defining a rear pivot axis. A front fork is pivotally coupled to the main frame and supported by the front wheel. A chainstay is pivotally coupled to the pivot support and supported by the rear wheel. The chainstay includes a left mounting portion and a right mounting portion. A bearing assembly pivotally supports the chainstay relative to the pivot support. The bearing assembly includes a pivot shaft having a left shaft portion and a right shaft portion movable relative to the left shaft portion along the rear pivot axis. The left mounting portion is secured to the left shaft portion and the right mounting portion is secured to the right shaft portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2012Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Ross E. Galson
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Patent number: 8408574Abstract: A bicycle including a front wheel, a rear wheel, and a frame supported on the front and rear wheels, the frame having a frame member. The bicycle further includes a first fairing member protruding outward from the frame member and having a side surface defining an aerodynamic trailing edge and a second fairing member detachably mounted on the first fairing member such that the side surface is exposed.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2011Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Jean-Luc Callahan, Christopher P. D'Aluisio, Mark Cote
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Patent number: 8403350Abstract: A bicycle that including front and rear wheels and a frameset supported by the wheels. The frameset including a main frame with a seat tube having a width, a fork that couples the main frame to the front wheel, and a seatstay assembly. The seatstay assembly including first and second seatstays positioned on opposing sides of the rear wheel and on opposing sides of the seat tube. A front end of the first seatstay is spaced from a front end of the second seatstay by a distance greater that the width of the seat tube. The frameset also including a suspension mount that is detachably secured to the front end of the first seatstay and a suspension member that is pivotally coupled to the suspension mount.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2010Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Jan Talavasek, Robb Jankura
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Patent number: 8342302Abstract: 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: January 1, 2013Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Anthony Trujillo
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Patent number: 8336683Abstract: 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: August 22, 2008Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Anthony Trujillo
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Patent number: 8333268Abstract: A bicycle shock absorber and methods for differentiating between rider-induced forces and terrain-induced forces includes a first fluid chamber having fluid contained therein, a piston for compressing the fluid within the fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber coupled to the first fluid chamber by a fluid communication hose, and an inertial valve disposed within the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve opens in response to terrain-induced forces and provides communication of fluid compressed by the piston from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve does not open in response to rider-induced forces.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2011Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Michael McAndrews
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Patent number: 8328454Abstract: 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. In some embodiments, the first bicycle portion comprises a bicycle frame and the second bicycle portion comprises a bicycle saddle.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2009Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Ron Powers
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Patent number: 8308179Abstract: A bicycle including a front wheel, a rear wheel, and a frame supported on the front and rear wheels. The frame includes a hollow frame member having a wall with an opening, and a flexible bladder positioned in the hollow frame member. A stiffening member is positioned along at least a portion of the bladder to facilitate insertion of the bladder through the opening and into the frame member. The bicycle further includes a collar coupled to the open end of the bladder with at least a portion of the collar being positioned on an outer surface of the frame member. The bladder includes a first portion adjacent the open end and generally aligned with a first axis and a second portion distal to the open end and generally aligned with a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2011Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Mark Cote, Jean-Luc Callahan, Christopher P. D'Aluisio
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Patent number: 8276719Abstract: A damper for a bicycle having, in one arrangement, a primary unit and a remote 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 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. A fluid flow control arrangement within the remote unit utilizes compression fluid flow to delay closing of the inertial valve after acceleration forces acting on the inertial valve diminish. In some arrangements, the inertial valve and fluid flow control arrangement may reside in the primary unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2009Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Anthony Trujillo, Michael McAndrews
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Patent number: 8197371Abstract: A bicycle hub assembly comprises a shaft, a first load bearing adjacent said shaft, a hub main body surrounding said shaft, and a cogset. The cogset can define an inner surface, and the inner surface can define a seat configured to receive the first load bearing. Further, the inner surface can define an opening of variable size. The cogset can also define an inner end and an outer end, and the opening can generally increase in size from the outer end to the inner end.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2008Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Christopher P. D'Aluisio
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Patent number: 8167327Abstract: A bicycle assembly can include a bicycle frame that can have a head tube, a top tube and a down tube. The top tube and down tube can be attached to the head tube. The head tube can include at least one ledge configured to fit inside either of the top and down tubes. The top of the top tube and/or the bottom of the down tube can be substantially flush with the top of the head tube or bottom of the head tube, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2010Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Jason L. Chamberlain
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Patent number: D658096Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2011Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Christopher P. D'Aluisio
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Patent number: D662011Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2011Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Christopher P. D'Aluisio, Kyle L. Chubbuck