Patents Assigned to SRAM, LLC
  • Patent number: 10746276
    Abstract: A bicycle chainring, including a generally annular body formed of at least an inner material, the inner material including a first side and a second side opposite the first side and a plurality of teeth disposed about a periphery of the body. At least some of the plurality of teeth are formed of both the inner material and an outer material, the outer material disposed on one or both of the first and second sides, the outer material having a greater wear resistance relative to the inner material and a thickness greater than 0.1 millimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Wesling, Anthony Medaglia
  • Publication number: 20200255078
    Abstract: A bypass device for a seating component such as an adjustable seating assembly for a bicycle may be provided to redistribute fluid preferentially by density. The bypass device may be operable to redistribute a low density compressible fluid or a mixed phase of low density compressible and high density non-compressible fluids within the seating component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN
  • Publication number: 20200255089
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides an electromechanical rear derailleur for a bicycle including a base member that is configured to be coupled to a frame member of a bicycle. The derailleur includes a movable member and a link mechanism that movably couples the movable member to the base member. A motor is positioned at the movable member to move the movable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher SHIPMAN, Brian JORDAN
  • Publication number: 20200247504
    Abstract: A bicycle system includes controller devices. Each controller device includes at least one respective input element configured to receive input from a user. The system includes operation-enacting devices. Each operation-enacting device is configured to enact at least one respective operation on the bicycle. The system includes a network coordinator device configured to (i) establish a wireless network for communications between the network coordinator device, the controller devices, and the operation-enacting devices, and (ii) transmit to the operation-enacting devices, via the wireless network, a roster identifying the controller devices and the operation-enacting devices paired to the wireless network. The controller devices are configured to transmit to the operation-enacting devices, via the wireless network, signals indicating input received by the input elements of the controller devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: ALEXANDER KON-I HO
  • Publication number: 20200250246
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a computer-based system and/or method which automatically, e.g. with minimal, or entirely without, human intervention, identifies, distinguishes, disambiguates or otherwise differentiates among multiple configurable bicycles based on the data reported to the system from the bicycle's data-reporting components, such that the data reported by those components may be associated with a particular bicycle for real-time and/or later review, analysis, etc. More particularly, where one or more data reporting components of a bicycle may change, the disclosed embodiments enable a data gathering system/service to identify, distinguish, disambiguate or otherwise differentiate among multiple bicycles which may use, or have used, one or more of the same components so as to associate the reported data, such as from a particular ride, with the correct bicycle configuration for real-time and/or later review and/or analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: JAMES MEYER, ALAN CHRISTIANSON, ALAN FISCHER, ANDREW FISCHER, BEN JASINSKI, KEVIN DUELLMAN
  • Publication number: 20200231249
    Abstract: A bicycle control system may be provided to control a first gear changer with a control unit and a second gear changer with the first gear changer. The control unit may control both first and second gear changers. The system includes a predetermined shift path and may transition in and out of the predetermined shift path responsive to various controls. Shifts out of the predetermined shift path may be recovery shifts where both first and second gear changers are controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: ALEXANDER KON-I HO
  • Publication number: 20200231245
    Abstract: Example dampers for bicycle suspension components are described herein. An example damper includes a damper body defining a chamber, a shaft extending into the chamber of the damper body, and an adjustable piston system having a piston body coupled to the shaft. The adjustable piston system controls a flow of fluid between the first and second chambers. The adjustable piston system includes an adjustable rebound orifice forming part of a rebound flow path to control the flow of fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber across the piston body, an adjustable compression orifice forming part of a low flow compression flow path to control the flow of fluid from the second chamber to the first chamber across the piston body, an isolation member to separate the rebound flow path and the low flow compression flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: TIMOTHY LYNCH
  • Patent number: 10717496
    Abstract: Electronic shifting systems, mechanisms and methods of using and/or controlling the systems to operate a bicycle that allows front and rear gear changer mechanisms to be controlled with only two switches. The switches can be arranged so that each hand is only required to operate one switch to shift the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Brian Jordan
  • Publication number: 20200223513
    Abstract: Bicycle component motion control begins when a motorized bicycle component is commanded to shift or actuate. The bicycle component motion control compares parameters of a component of the bicycle to be moved, to predetermined thresholds to provide safe shifting or actuation. The shift or actuation starts only when the battery voltage and the battery temperature are within predetermined acceptable ranges, respectively. Once the shift or actuation has started, the shift or actuation is aborted if the battery voltage remains below a predetermined low voltage threshold for a predetermined amount of time. If the shift or actuation is aborted when the component is in a position, in which the bicycle may not operate at a particular level or is inoperable, the shift or actuation command is modified to move the component to a previous position or an intermediate position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: ALEXANDER KON-I HO, SAGE HAHN, SANG KIM
  • Patent number: 10710672
    Abstract: Responsive to a hydraulic piston advancing out of a piston housing in a second brake arm and contacting a piston cam surface of a first brake arm, the second brake arm pivots around a second pivot. As this is happening, a cam surface in the second brake arm lifts a contact surface of a first force transfer member of the first brake arm, imparting torque to the first brake arm which then pivots around a first pivot. The cam surface is shaped to impart synchronous motion to the first and second pad holders. Splitting one of the brake arms with a centering member permits a centering adjust feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Dunlap, III, Brian Jordan
  • Patent number: 10703146
    Abstract: A pressure measuring device for a bicycle has a housing that includes a pressure chamber. The pressure chamber has a valve disposed in a first opening and a second opening into or out of a tire assembly volume of a tire assembly. A sense element is in pressure communication with the pressure chamber along a flow path between the first and second openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Jordan, Trevor Krugman, Geoff Nichols, Benjamin Rothschild, David Jonathan Huft
  • Patent number: 10696094
    Abstract: A damper assembly for a bicycle wheel assembly may include a first damper configured to be disposed about a hub assembly of the bicycle wheel assembly. The first damper is configured to apply a damping force against a spoke segment of at least one spoke of a plurality of spokes of the bicycle wheel assembly. The first damper includes a first end applying the damping force against the spoke segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Charles Emmett Dunlap, III
  • Patent number: 10689059
    Abstract: Example control devices for operating bicycle components are described herein. An example control device includes a housing having an opening to receive a handlebar of the bicycle and a rotating member rotatably coupled to the housing. The rotating member is rotatable about a first axis. The rotating member is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position to change an operating state of a component. The example control device includes a securing mechanism configured to lock the rotating member in the second position. The example control device also includes a release actuator coupled to the housing. The release actuator has an actuating surface to be engaged by a user and moved along a second axis that intersects the first axis. The release actuator is configured to, when actuated, unlock the securing mechanism to enable the rotating member to rotate back to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Devon Sullivan, Michael Van Zyl
  • Publication number: 20200189689
    Abstract: An apparatus for a bicycle includes an intermediate power connector configured for transmitting power between a bicycle component and a power source positioned remote from the bicycle component. The intermediate power connector has a coupling portion configured for removable attachment to a connecting portion of the bicycle component. The bicycle component can also include a battery having a battery coupling portion configured for removable attachment to the connecting portion of the bicycle component. The battery and the intermediate power connector can be selectively attachable to the bicycle component to provide power thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: KEVIN WESLING
  • Publication number: 20200188757
    Abstract: A bicycle trainer has a stand, a resistance generating mechanism carried by the stand, and a decoupling hub assembly carried on the stand. The decoupling hub assembly has a torque coupler operably connected to the resistance generating mechanism. The torque coupler has a coupling portion configured to engage a coupling part of a drive body assembly on a bicycle. The coupling portion is exposed to an exterior of the stand engages the drive body assembly, which is rotationally driven by the drive train of the bicycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: JAMES MEYER, CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, KEVIN WESLING
  • Patent number: 10677671
    Abstract: A power meter for a bicycle includes a body having a torque input section and a torque output section, the body configured to transmit power between the torque input section and the torque output section. The power meter also includes an electronic device having one or more antennae configured to communicate a signal wirelessly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Jennings, John Eppen, Owen Anders Britton, Jesse Parker
  • Publication number: 20200172200
    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: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: BRIAN JORDAN, TODD SQUIRES
  • Patent number: 10668968
    Abstract: A bypass device for a seating component such as an adjustable seating assembly for a bicycle may be provided to redistribute fluid preferentially by density. The bypass device may be operable to redistribute a low density compressible fluid or a mixed phase of low density compressible and high density non-compressible fluids within the seating component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
  • Patent number: 10668984
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides an electromechanical rear derailleur for a bicycle including a base member that is configured to be coupled to a frame member of a bicycle. The derailleur includes a movable member and a link mechanism that movably couples the movable member to the base member. A motor is positioned at the movable member to move the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
  • Publication number: 20200156735
    Abstract: An electromechanical control system for a bicycle has a switch device, the switch device operating a switch between at least three positions. A control communication device transmits signals responsive to operation of the switch. The electromechanical control system includes an operation device configured to respond to signals transmitted by the control communication device. Signals transmitted by the control communication device include commands to listen and commands to operate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: BRIAN JORDAN