Patents Assigned to SRAM, LLC
  • Braking system for a bicycle
    Patent number: 11390354
    Abstract: Example brake systems and apparatus for providing pitch control on bicycles are described herein. An example rear brake caliper described herein includes a caliper housing to be coupled to the bicycle. The caliper housing includes a first port to be fluidly coupled to a first fluid line fluidly coupled to a front brake actuator and a second port to be fluidly coupled to a second fluid line fluidly coupled to a front brake caliper. The rear brake caliper also includes a valve between the first port and the second port. The valve is operable to affect fluid flow between the first port and the second port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Dunlap, III, Brian Jordan
  • Bicycle control device and system
    Patent number: 11383783
    Abstract: A bicycle control system may be configured to automatically control a bicycle, or components thereof. The bicycle control system may include a system control device configured to provide a simplified shifting system wherein large changes in speed associated with starting and stopping do not require the full attention of the automatic shifting system. The shifting system, or a system control device configured for controlling the shifting system, may be configured to determine when to enter an automatic shifting control mode, establish parameters for the automatic shifting of the automatic shifting control mode, and/or compare detected activities and values of the bicycle to the established parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin Wesling
  • POWER SUPPLY IN BICYCLE AXLE
    Publication number: 20220194509
    Abstract: A power supply for a bicycle component includes an energy storage unit positionable in an axle of the bicycle. The energy storage unit has a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact spaced apart from the first electrical contact. The power supply further includes a connector configured to electrically and mechanically connect the energy storage unit to the component of the bicycle, a first conductive path extending from the energy storage unit to the component of the bicycle via the first electrical contact and the connector, and, a second conductive path extending from the energy storage unit to the component of the bicycle via the second electrical contact and the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: MIGUEL NAVARRO BAEZA
  • BRAKE SYSTEM FOR BICYCLES
    Publication number: 20220194513
    Abstract: Brake calipers and rotors for bicycles are described herein. An example brake caliper includes an outboard caliper portion to be disposed inboard of a frame of the bicycle. The outboard caliper portion includes an outboard caliper body and an outboard brake pad that is fixed relative to the outboard caliper body. The brake caliper also includes an inboard caliper portion coupled to the outboard caliper body. The inboard caliper portion is disposed inboard of the outboard caliper portion when the brake caliper is coupled to the bicycle. The inboard caliper portion includes an inboard caliper body and an inboard brake pad that is movable relative to the inboard caliper body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: SEBASTIAN HEYNA, HENRIK BRAEDT, CHARLES DUNLAP
  • BRAKE ROTORS FOR BICYCLES
    Publication number: 20220196090
    Abstract: Brake rotors for bicycles are described herein. An example brake rotor for a bicycle includes a carrier to be coupled to a hub of the bicycle. The brake rotor also includes a brake track having braking surfaces to be engaged by brake pads. The brake track is disposed radially outward of the carrier. The brake track has a first thickness and the carrier has a second thickness greater than the first thickness. The brake track is coupled to the carrier such that the brake track is axially movable relative to the carrier while being radially and circumferentially constrained relative to the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: HENRIK BRAEDT, BRIAN JORDAN, CHARLES DUNLAP, SEBASTIAN HEYNA
  • MUFFLER DEVICE FOR A BICYCLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20220196105
    Abstract: A muffler device for use in a bicycle suspension system that has an axis is presented. The device includes a flow path permitting a pressurized fluid to flow therethrough, and a muffler member having a porous surface that at least partially defines the flow path. The device is provided to dampen the acoustic energy of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: SHU-WEI HO, WEI-KAI LIAO
  • HYDRAULIC BRAKE CONTROL DEVICE WITH HANDLEBAR PROXIMAL HOSE ATTACHMENT
    Publication number: 20220185425
    Abstract: A control device for a hydraulic brake for a bicycle includes a reservoir for hydraulic fluid. The reservoir has a variable volume. The control device also includes a reservoir cover at least partially defining the reservoir, and a support that is attachable to a handlebar of the bicycle via an inner annular surface of the support. A handlebar proximity zone is radially outer relative to the inner annular surface of the support and is within two centimeters of the inner annular surface of the support. At least part of the reservoir cover is within the handlebar proximity zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHARLES DUNLAP, BRIAN JORDAN, BRADEN SNEAD
  • HYDRAULIC BRAKE CONTROL DEVICE WITH HANDLEBAR PROXIMAL HOSE ATTACHMENT
    Publication number: 20220185426
    Abstract: A control device for a hydraulic brake for a bicycle includes a reservoir for hydraulic fluid. The reservoir has a variable volume. The control device also includes a reservoir cover at least partially defining the reservoir, and a support that is attachable to a handlebar of the bicycle via an inner annular surface of the support. A handlebar proximity zone is radially outer relative to the inner annular surface of the support and is within two centimeters of the inner annular surface of the support. At least part of the reservoir cover is within the handlebar proximity zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHARLES DUNLAP, BRIAN JORDAN, BRADEN SNEAD
  • Electromechanical shifting systems and methods
    Patent number: 11345440
    Abstract: A wireless control system for a bicycle may include a base part attachable to a bicycle and a movable part. The control system may also include an electric motor disposed on the electromechanical component and a control unit disposed on the electromechanical component for operating the electric motor to operate the electromechanical component, the control unit including a wireless receiver. The control system includes a wake sensor connected to the control unit, the wake sensor configured to communicate a wake signal to the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Jordan, Todd Squires
  • CONTROL DEVICE FOR A BICYCLE
    Publication number: 20220144378
    Abstract: A control device mountable to a handlebar of a bicycle includes a housing, a lever coupled to and pivotable relative to the housing, and a master cylinder portion supported by the housing. The master cylinder portion has a fluid cylinder. The fluid cylinder has a first end and a second end opposite the first end with a cylindrical wall therebetween. An opening extends through the master cylinder portion, from the first end to the second end. The control device also includes a plug removably connected to the master cylinder portion via the opening at the first end of the fluid cylinder, and a piston assembly supported by the housing. The piston assembly is movable relative to the master cylinder portion. The housing is made of a first material, and the master cylinder portion is made of a second material. The second material is different than the first material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: NEIL SWANSON, DOUG MAHONEY, RYAN GRIMM
  • Hydraulic brake control device with staggered timing ports
    Patent number: 11319017
    Abstract: A hydraulic braking system for a bicycle may include a hydraulic control device that is configured with multiple timing ports positioned within a stroke of a piston of the hydraulic control device. The multiple timing ports are located at different positions along an operational and/or axial length of a cylinder of the hydraulic control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Braden T. Snead
  • ENERGY HARVESTING FOR A BICYCLE
    Publication number: 20220131404
    Abstract: A bicycle component includes a platform having a mounting arrangement adapted to be mounted to a bicycle. A solar cell array is arranged on the platform. A battery charging unit also is arranged on the platform and is operatively connected to the solar cell array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: GEOFF NICHOLS, SAGE HAHN, HENDRIK SCOTT DEVRIES
  • CONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR A WIRELESS ELECTROMECHANICAL BICYCLE SHIFTING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20220041249
    Abstract: A bicycle control assembly may be provided for operating an electromechanical gear shifting device. The control assembly includes a graspable housing mountable to the bicycle, a power supply connected to the control assembly disposed in the housing, a first operating member movably connected to the housing, and electronic componentry disposed on the first operating member. The electronic componentry may include an electrical switch, a controller in communication with the electrical switch and configured to generate a signal to change a shift position of the gear shifting device responsive to an input from the electrical switch, and an antenna in communication with the controller and configured to send the signal. The control assembly may also include a cable extending from the housing to the first operating member connecting the power supply and the electronic componentry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, MATTHEW C. MORRIS
  • SPEED SENSING DEVICES AND SYSTEMS FOR A BICYCLE
    Publication number: 20210405082
    Abstract: A speed sensing system for a bicycle includes a sensing device for mounting on the bicycle, a first sensed element, and a second sensed element, the first sensed element varies from the second sensed element by a characteristic, and the sensing device is configured to detect the characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: SAGE HAHN, PHILIPP HOELLE, HENDRIK SCOTT DEVRIES
  • PNEUMATIC ONLY HEIGHT ADJUST SEAT POST ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20210403111
    Abstract: A seat post assembly for a bicycle includes a first tube having a first distal end and a second tube having a second distal end. A distance between the first distal end of the first tube and the second distal end of the second tube is at a maximum when the first tube is in a first position relative to the second tube. The seat post assembly also includes a first chamber and a second chamber that are fluidly coupleable. The first chamber is a positive fluid chamber, and the second chamber is a negative fluid chamber. The seat post assembly includes a fluid volume disposed in the first chamber and the second chamber. The fluid volume includes a compressible fluid. The first chamber is configured to act as a spring configured to bias the first tube towards the first position relative to the second tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: RAFER CHAMBERS, CHARLES DUNLAP
  • Bicycle brake rotor
    Patent number: D941719
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Patterson, Charles Dunlap, Melissa Hastings
  • Bicycle brake rotor
    Patent number: D943475
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Patterson, Charles Dunlap, Melissa Hastings
  • Bicycle rim with surface indicia
    Patent number: D948404
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: David Morse, Michael Hall, Ruan Trouw
  • Bicycle brake rotor
    Patent number: D949071
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Patterson, Melissa Hastings
  • Bicycle brake rotor
    Patent number: D949072
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Charles Dunlap