Patents Assigned to SRAM, LLC
  • BICYCLE GEAR SHIFTING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200140035
    Abstract: A bicycle front shifting system includes operable to transmit a wireless signal, a crank assembly with two crank arms and a pedal on each of the two crank arms. The crank assembly is rotatable about a rotation axis. A front shift unit is coupled to the crank assembly and is rotatable about the rotation axis. The front shift unit includes a chain ring component with a big chain ring and a small chain ring. The small chain ring has a small diameter and the big chain ring has a big diameter that is larger than the small diameter. A shift mechanism is coupled to and rotatable with the chain ring component about the rotation axis. The shift mechanism is configured to receive the wireless signal from the shifter and to shift a chain between the big chain ring and the small chain ring according to the wireless signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN, SAGE HAHN
  • SEAT POST CONTROL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200140029
    Abstract: A seat post assembly includes a seat post that is electrically adjustable in height. The adjustability may be based on one or more pressures sensed by one or more sensors within the seat post assembly, respectively. The disclosed seat post assembly includes an electronics module. The electronics module may be carried under the seat or saddle and may include a pressure sensor or pressure sensor circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN, SAGE HAHN
  • SPOKE COVER FOR A BICYCLE RIM
    Publication number: 20200122502
    Abstract: A rim assembly for a bicycle wheel includes a rim and a cover. The rim includes a radially inner portion disposed along an inner circumference of the rim, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall spaced apart from the first sidewall. The first sidewall and the second sidewall extend radially outward form the radially inner portion. The rim also includes a radially outer tire engaging portion disposed along an outer circumference of the rim and. The radially outer tire engaging portion extends from the first sidewall and the second sidewall, respectively. A portion of the radially outer tire engaging portion defines a well disposed between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, opposite the radially inner portion. The rim assembly also includes a cover disposed in the well of the rim. The cover includes one or more openings that extend at least partially through the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: RUAN TROUW, MICHAEL HALL, DAVID MORSE, SIMON MARSHALL, LOUIS BROWN, JOHN LEACHMAN
  • SEAT POST ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20200122799
    Abstract: A fluid device for a bicycle may be provided to vent fluid from a hydraulic chamber of a seating component such as an adjustable seating assembly for a bicycle. The fluid device may be operable to vent a compressible fluid or a mixed combination flow of compressible and non-compressible fluids in a metered volume. The fluid device may recycle fluids preferentially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN, KEVIN WESLING, RAFER CHAMBERS, JESSE JAKOMAIT
  • Brake rotor
    Patent number: 10626935
    Abstract: A brake rotor has a circumferential brake track disposed about an axis of rotation of the brake rotor. The rotor has an outer peripheral edge circumferentially around the brake rotor. The rotor has two surfaces that face axially outward away from one another and that are on axially opposed sides of the brake rotor. The two surfaces define a thickness therebetween. The rotor has an edge surface facing radially outward on the outer peripheral edge. The rotor has a transition between each of the two surfaces and the edge surface. At least a portion of the edge surface is not perpendicular to the two surfaces in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Wesling, Yenpang Liu, Charles Dunlap
  • COMPOSITE BICYCLE RIM
    Publication number: 20200114679
    Abstract: A rim for a bicycle wheel includes a radially inner portion disposed along an inner circumference of the rim, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall spaced apart form the first sidewall. The first sidewall and the second sidewall extend radially outward from the radially inner portion. The radially inner portion includes a stack of strips of material. The stack of strips includes a plurality of strips and a hole through the plurality of strips. The plurality of strips are nonparallel to each other. The plurality of strips are positioned about the hole through the plurality of strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: DAVID MORSE, MICHAEL HALL, RUAN TROUW
  • COMPOSITE BICYCLE RIM
    Publication number: 20200114680
    Abstract: A rim for a bicycle wheel includes a radially inner portion disposed along an inner circumference of the rim. The rim also includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall spaced apart from the first sidewall. The first sidewall and the second sidewall extend radially outward from the radially inner portion. The first sidewall includes a layer of a composite material. The layer of the composite material includes fabric plies of the composite material that are shaped as strips. The composite material includes a matrix of a polymer-based material and fibers of a reinforcing material. The strips include a first strip and a second strip. The second strip is adjacent to the first strip within the layer of the composite material. The second strip is nonparallel to the first strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: DAVID MORSE, MICHAEL HALL, RUAN TROUW
  • Bicycle multi-gear cassette
    Patent number: 10611431
    Abstract: A bicycle multi-gear cassette mountable to a wheel hub driver mechanism that includes truncated conical shell having a first opening proximate a small shell base and a second opening proximate a large shell base. The openings are coaxial with an axis of the shell. A plurality of toothed sprockets having different numbers of teeth are disposed on the shell and extend radially of the central axis. A torque load transmitting profile is configured on the shell proximate one of the small and large shell bases. A radial load transmitting profile is configured on the shell proximate one of the small and large shell bases. The shell, sprockets, and the load transmitting profiles embody a single piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Henrik Braedt
  • Hydraulic bicycle component control device
    Patent number: 10611433
    Abstract: A control device is for a hydraulic valve bicycle component and has a housing defining a fluid port in fluid communication with a hydraulic valve of a bicycle component and has a lever having a proximal end coupled to the housing and a distal end. The proximal end of the lever is rotatable about a pivot axis. The lever includes an actuation surface near the distal end. The control device has a cavity within the housing. The cavity includes a fluid chamber in fluid communication with the fluid port. The control device has a piston disposed within the cavity and movable by actuation of the lever along a piston axis. A first plane perpendicular to the piston axis and containing the piston axis is offset a distance from a second plane perpendicular to the piston axis and extending through the actuation surface of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Rafer Chambers
  • Electromechanical shifting systems and methods
    Patent number: 10589822
    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: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Jordan, Todd Squires
  • Damper for a bicycle component
    Patent number: 10577053
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur has a base member mountable to a bicycle frame, a movable member movably coupled to the base member, a chain guide assembly rotatably connected to the movable member, a biasing element configured to bias the chain guide assembly in a first rotational direction relative to the movable member, and a damper device disposed between the chain guide assembly and the movable member. The damper device is operable to apply a damping force to the chain guide assembly when the chain guide assembly rotates in a second rotational direction relative to the movable member. The damper device includes a friction member having a first end and an outer annular surface. The first end is non-rotatably attached to the chain guide assembly. The outer annular surface of the friction member is in frictional engagement with an inner annular surface of the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Brown, Andrew Samways
  • Bicycle rim and wheel having inner protrusions
    Patent number: 10576781
    Abstract: A rim for a bicycle wheel includes a radially outer tire-engaging portion, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall spaced apart from the first sidewall. The first and second sidewalls may extend radially inward of the radially outer tire-engaging portion. The rim includes a radially inner portion having at least one asymmetric protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hall, David Morse, Ruan Trouw
  • BICYCLE SPROCKET ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20200062033
    Abstract: Example bicycle sprocket assemblies are described herein. An example sprocket assembly includes a cassette formed by a plurality of sprockets arranged in increasing diameter order from a first end to a second end of the cassette opposite the first end. The cassette has a passageway extending between a first opening in the first end and a second opening in the second end to receive a driver hub. An outboard portion of the passageway is formed between a midpoint of the cassette and the first end of the cassette. The cassette further includes a torque transmitting profile located within the outboard portion of the passageway to interface with the driver hub. The sprocket assembly also includes a bushing to be disposed within the second opening to form a non-torque transmitting interface between the second end of the cassette and the driver hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: SCOTT BOTS, KEVIN WESLING
  • Seat post assembly
    Patent number: 10549803
    Abstract: A fluid device for a bicycle may be provided to vent fluid from a hydraulic chamber of a seating component such as an adjustable seating assembly for a bicycle. The fluid device may be operable to vent a compressible fluid or a mixed combination flow of compressible and non-compressible fluids in a metered volume. The fluid device may recycle fluids preferentially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan, Kevin Wesling, Rafer Chambers, Jesse Jakomait
  • Bicycle rim with brake track
    Patent number: 10532610
    Abstract: A rim for a bicycle includes a radially outer tire-engaging portion, a radially inner spoke-engaging portion, a first sidewall and a second sidewall spaced apart from the first sidewall. A brake track is located on the first and second sidewalls including a plurality of grooves formed therein. Each of the plurality of grooves has a radially innermost point and a radially outermost point, wherein the radially outermost point is circumferentially aft of the radially innermost point relative to a forward circumferential travel direction of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Josh Poertner, Andrew Truemper
  • Brake control apparatus
    Patent number: 10513308
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake control apparatus for attaching to an open ended handlebar of a vehicle, the handlebar having a longitudinal axis. The hydraulic brake control apparatus includes a brake housing that is attachable to the handlebar, the brake housing including a first section residing outside the handlebar, and a second section sized and shaped to be received inside the handlebar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Brian T. Jordan, Andreas Vonend, Andreas Guender
  • Integrated bicycle control device
    Patent number: 10513311
    Abstract: An integrated bicycle control device has a handlebar portion of a bicycle handlebar assembly. The handlebar portion has a body with a gripping portion adjacent a distal end of the body and a transition portion spaced from the gripping portion. A compartment may be formed in the transition portion and an opening in the body may permit access to the compartment. An actuator is disposed near the distal end of the gripping portion. A control element and/or other elements or circuitry may be disposed within the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Jochen Bierwerth, Paul Feuerstein
  • INTEGRATED BICYCLE CONTROL DEVICE
    Publication number: 20190382074
    Abstract: An integrated bicycle control device has a handlebar portion of a bicycle handlebar assembly. The handlebar portion has a body with a gripping portion adjacent a distal end of the body and a transition portion spaced from the gripping portion. A compartment may be formed in the transition portion and an opening in the body may permit access to the compartment. An actuator is disposed near the distal end of the gripping portion. A control element and/or other elements or circuitry may be disposed within the compartment. The control device may include integrated accessory attachment structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: JOCHEN BIERWERTH, PAUL FEUERSTEIN, MING HSUN WU
  • INTEGRATED BICYCLE CONTROL DEVICE
    Publication number: 20190382081
    Abstract: An integrated bicycle control device has a handlebar portion of a bicycle handlebar assembly. The handlebar portion has a body with a gripping portion adjacent a distal end of the body and a transition portion spaced from the gripping portion. A compartment may be formed in the transition portion and an opening in the body may permit access to the compartment. An actuator is disposed near the distal end of the gripping portion. A control element and/or other elements or circuitry may be disposed within the compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: JOCHEN BIERWERTH, PAUL FEUERSTEIN
  • Bicycle lever assembly adjustment device
    Patent number: 10501144
    Abstract: A lever assembly for a bicycle may be adjustable. The lever assembly may include an anchoring member, a rod coupled to the anchoring member, and a retaining device applying a clamping force to the anchoring member. The retaining device may include a first extension and a second extension configured to obstruct rotation of the rod about a longitudinal axis of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Braden T. Snead