Patents Assigned to Specialized Bicycle Components
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Patent number: 8132824Abstract: A bicycle having a wheel (e.g., a rear 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 resiliently engages the stay and comprises a body member including a resilient material adapted to resiliently engage the stay, and a guard member positioned on (e.g., protruding beyond) an outer surface of the body member (e.g., on a top portion and/or bottom portion of the body member). Preferably, the stay includes a molded image on a central portion that is not covered by the guard member. In one embodiment, the guard member comprises a material that has a different hardness than the resilient material of the body member. For example, the guard member can comprise a material that is harder than the resilient material of the body member.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2010Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Brandon Dale Sloan, Joseph Edward Buckley, F. Robert Egger
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Patent number: 8122927Abstract: An inner-tube assembly that includes an inner-tube and a valve assembly. The valve assembly is configured to facilitate the inflation of the inner-tube, and the valve assembly includes a valve core and a valve housing. The valve housing has a lower portion coupled to the inner-tube and an opposite upper portion. At least part of an exterior surface of the lower portion is threaded and at least part of an exterior surface of the upper portion is unthreaded. In another aspect, the inner-tube assembly includes the inner-tube and a valve assembly. An attachment member couples the valve assembly to the inner-tube. The attachment member has a length and a width defining an aspect ratio of width/length, and the aspect ratio is less than about 0.50.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2006Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Sinyard, Chance Regina
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Patent number: 8079288Abstract: A bicycle gear crank that allows easy and proper circumferential position adjustment of the gear plate with respect to the crank arm. The bicycle gear crank includes a crank arm having a base end provided with a boss for mounting to a crank shaft an annular intermediate member non-rotatably around the boss 11a; a gear mount 3 which is supported non-rotatably fixed to the intermediate member, gear plates fixed around the gear mount, and a positional adjuster provided by spline fitting for changing relative circumferential position of the gear mount with respect to the intermediate member.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2009Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Akira Nakatani, Christopher P. D'Aluisio
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Patent number: 8075010Abstract: A bicycle including a front wheel, a rear wheel, and a frameset supported by the front wheel and the rear wheel. The rear wheel includes a first end cap and a second end cap, and each end cap has an aligned hole extending through the end cap. The rear wheel includes an axle that is positioned in the holes in the end caps and that defines an axial direction. The frameset includes a first dropout and a second dropout, each including an opening. The axle is positioned in the opening of each dropout. Each drop out has a lip that defines a slot aligned with and larger than the openings. Each of the lips is dimensioned to receive a corresponding end cap of the rear wheel. The lip of the first dropout has an axial length less than the lip of the second dropout.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2010Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Jan Talavasek, Robb Jankura, Jeremy Thompson, Brandon Dale Sloan
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Patent number: 8066104Abstract: Various bicycle brake assemblies are described. In some embodiments, a bicycle brake assembly comprises a multi-lever linkage assembly comprising an input link and an output link coupled with a brake pad, wherein the multi-lever linkage assembly is configured to provide a greater mechanical advantage when the brake assembly is in a second activated position in which the brake pad is contacting a wheel than when the brake assembly is in a first unactivated position.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2009Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Christopher P. D'Aluisio
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Publication number: 20110278817Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2010Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Jan Talavasek, Robb Jankura
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Patent number: 8042822Abstract: A bicycle frame comprising a first tubular member having a first interface portion, and a second tubular member having a second interface portion engaged with the first interface portion to create a joint. The joint includes a peripheral channel having a depth that is greater than a wall thickness of the first tubular member, and a weld is positioned in the peripheral channel. To enhance the transition from the first main portion to the second main portion, the second tubular member can include a fillet surface between the second main portion and the second interface portion. The fillet surface is contoured to provide a smooth transition between the top tube and the head tube. An outer surface of the first interface portion can be offset from an outer surface of the first main portion to thereby create a shoulder.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2009Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Christopher P. D'Aluisio
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Patent number: 8020884Abstract: A bicycle including a main frame, a front fork rotationally coupled to the main frame, a rear wheel rotationally coupled to the main frame, a front wheel rotationally coupled to the front fork, a handlebar, and a stem assembly coupling the handlebar to the front fork. The stem assembly includes a stem base coupled to the front fork, a face plate coupled to the stem base with the handlebar sandwiched between the face plate and the stem base, and an auxiliary retention system that holds the face plate engaged with the stem base.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Aaron J. Foley, Dennis John Wrobleski
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Patent number: 8015625Abstract: A helmet adjustment mechanism is adapted to adjust the size of a helmet having first and second retention members (e.g., plastic straps) movable with respect to each other. The adjustment mechanism includes an actuating member (e.g., a pinion) coupled to at least one of the retention members and movable (e.g., rotatable) in two directions to move at least one of the retention members relative to the other. A clutch mechanism is coupled to the actuating member and includes at least one locking member (e.g., two locking members) that inhibits movement of the actuating member in both of the two directions. The adjustment mechanism also includes a release mechanism (e.g., including a rotary dial) adapted to move the locking member from a locked position to an unlocked position to allow movement of the actuating member. When the actuating member is being moved, the adjustment mechanism also provides a ratcheting detent.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2009Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Specialized Bicycle ComponentsInventors: Michael Grim, David E Stroud
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Patent number: 8006993Abstract: 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: May 14, 2010Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Jason L. Chamberlain
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Patent number: 8002092Abstract: A damper including a valve movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively alter the compression damping rate of the shock absorber. The valve may include a groove feature at the location of the openings in the valve shaft which operates to accumulate the flow of hydraulic fluid through the openings and to equalize the pressure exerted by the fluid on the other components of the valve.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2007Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Michael McAndrews
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Patent number: 7963541Abstract: A bicycle assembly can have a main frame, a sub-frame, a main shock section, an extension section, and a fastener. The sub-frame can move in relation to the main frame and the main shock section can be used to regulate that relationship. The extension section can have a receiving portion, wherein an end of the main shock section can fit into the receiving portion. The fastener can be used to secure the main shock section within the receiving portion of the extension section.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2010Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Jason L. Chamberlain
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Patent number: 7954837Abstract: 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. The mainframe can comprise a series of tubes including a head tube, a top tube, a bottom tube and a seat tube. The shock can connect to the main frame at a gusset connected to the top tube and the bottom tube.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2009Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Jan Talavasek
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Patent number: 7938425Abstract: 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 10, 2011Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Jason L. Chamberlain
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Patent number: 7914031Abstract: A damper for a bicycle having a primary unit and a remote unit that 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 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. The shock absorber forms a flow path separated from the piston rod that connects the remote fluid chamber and the compression chamber of the damper tube.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2007Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Michael McAndrews
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Patent number: 7913325Abstract: A bicycle helmet has a body with a concave inner surface configured to permit the helmet to fit a user's head. The body has a first section with a first density and a second section with a second density different from the first density. A reinforcement structure is disposed in the body, wherein the reinforcement structure engages the first and second portions of the body.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2006Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Christopher Bullock
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Patent number: 7891688Abstract: A bicycle frame assembly includes an articulating linkage mounting arrangement that fixedly couples one or more lever arms to a rotatable axle. A preferred embodiment includes at least one lever arm, and preferably a pair of lever arms. The lever arm or arms are fixedly coupled to an axle by a fastener having a fastener axis that is eccentric to, or offset from, the axis of rotation of the axle. Accordingly, relative rotation of the lever arm and axle is prevented such that the axle and lever arm rotate together as a unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2009Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Jason L. Chamberlain
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Patent number: 7878310Abstract: A damper including a valve movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively alter the compression damping rate of the shock absorber. The valve may include a groove feature at the location of the openings in the valve shaft which operates to accumulate the flow of hydraulic fluid through the openings and to equalize the pressure exerted by the fluid on the other components of the valve.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2007Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Michael McAndrews
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Patent number: 7837212Abstract: A bicycle comprising a frame including a head tube, a fork rotationally coupled to the head tube, and a wheel rotationally coupled to the fork. The fork includes a crown, two legs extending downward from the crown, and a steerer tube extending upward from the crown and through the head tube. A handlebar and brake assembly is detachably secured to the fork. The assembly includes a stem, a handlebar secured to the stem, a clamp secured to an upper end of the steerer tube, a strap secured to the crown, a brake mount supported by the stem, and a brake secured to the brake mount. In one embodiment, the stem is hollow, and the bicycle further includes a brake cable to move the brake. In this embodiment, the brake cable and the brake are at least partially positioned within the hollow stem.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2009Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Chistopher P. D'Aluisio
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Publication number: 20100281604Abstract: A helmet adjustment mechanism is adapted to adjust the size of a helmet having first and second retention members (e.g., plastic straps) movable with respect to each other. The adjustment mechanism includes an actuating member (e.g., a pinion) coupled to at least one of the retention members and movable (e.g., rotatable) in two directions to move at least one of the retention members relative to the other. A clutch mechanism is coupled to the actuating member and includes at least one locking member (e.g., two locking members) that inhibits movement of the actuating member in both of the two directions. The adjustment mechanism also includes a release mechanism (e.g., including a rotary dial) adapted to move the locking member from a locked position to an unlocked position to allow movement of the actuating member. When the actuating member is being moved, the adjustment mechanism also provides a ratcheting detent.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2009Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Michael Grim, David E. Stroud