Patents Assigned to SRAM, LLC
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Publication number: 20250074539Abstract: Brake mounts for bicycles are described herein. The brake mounts are for coupling a brake caliper to a bicycle. An example brake mount includes a bracket having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The bracket has bores to receive fasteners to couple the brake caliper to the bracket. The brake mount includes a sleeve extending from the first side of the bracket. An opening extends through the sleeve and the bracket. The opening is to receive an axle of a hub assembly of the bicycle. The sleeve is to extend into an axle opening in a frame of the bicycle. A distal end of the sleeve is threaded. The brake mount also includes a nut to be threadably coupled to the distal end of the sleeve when the sleeve is inserted into the axle opening in the frame e.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2024Publication date: March 6, 2025Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: SEBASTIAN HEYNA, HENRIK BRAEDT, CHARLES DUNLAP
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Patent number: 12240555Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 15, 2021Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventor: Miguel Navarro Baeza
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Publication number: 20250065984Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2024Publication date: February 27, 2025Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, MATTHEW C. MORRIS
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Patent number: 12233977Abstract: A bottle structure for a bicycle handlebar, includes a bottle body having an integrally-formed bottle and bottle coupling structure. The bottle coupling structure is directly connected to the bicycle handlebar, and is dissociable from the bicycle handlebar. The integrated bottle structure may include additional features such as a straw structure or other devices.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2021Date of Patent: February 25, 2025Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Ming Chang, Nathan Schickel, Benjamin Waite
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Patent number: 12227263Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 12, 2023Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Brian Jordan, Todd Squires
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Publication number: 20250050958Abstract: A seat post assembly for a bicycle has a first tube with a first distal end and a second tube with a second distal end. The first and second tubes are movable relative to one another to establish a distance between the first and second distal ends. A first pressure chamber has a loaded pressure proportional to a load applied along the tube axis. A second pressure chamber has a second pressure not proportional to the load. A flow path connects the first and second pressure chambers. A valve is disposed along the flow path and is configured to move between a closed position closing the flow path and an open position opening the flow path between the first and second pressure chambers. An isolator of the valve is configured to nullify any resultant force produced by the loaded pressure of the first pressure chamber acting on the isolator.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2024Publication date: February 13, 2025Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN
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Publication number: 20250055057Abstract: An energy storage device for a bicycle includes a housing moveable between at least a first position and a second position, at least one battery cell disposed in the housing, and a heat sink coupled to the housing. The heat sink is in a heat dissipation position when the housing is in the first position and the heat sink is in a non-heat dissipation position when the housing is in the second position. The energy storage device includes a positional sensor coupled to the housing and configured to sense when the housing is in the second position. In various embodiments, the positional sensor may be configured as an orientation sensor or as a proximity sensor. A bicycle communication system may include a Wi-Fi enabled energy storage system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2023Publication date: February 13, 2025Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventor: SHELBY SESSIONS
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Publication number: 20250042490Abstract: Height adjustable seat posts for bicycles are described herein. An example height adjustable seat post includes an upper tube and a lower tube configured in a telescopic arrangement. The height adjustable seat post includes a piston in the upper tube that divides the upper tube into a first chamber and a second chamber. The piston defines a fluid passageway between the first chamber and the second chamber. The height adjustable seat post also includes a plug in the fluid passageway. The plug is moveable in a linear direction between an open position to enable fluid flow through the fluid passageway and a closed position to block fluid flow through the fluid passageway. The height adjustable seat post further includes a motor and a cam assembly to convert rotational motion of the motor to linear movement of the plug.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2024Publication date: February 6, 2025Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: CHARLES DUNLAP, KOSTYANTYN KOZIY
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Publication number: 20250042501Abstract: A bicycle suspension system with automatic venting and/or pressurizing of a scaled chamber that minimizes the pressure differential between the sealed chamber and the ambient environment. Methods for making and using the bicycle suspension system are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2024Publication date: February 6, 2025Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: CHARLES DUNLAP, III, BRENT PACKER, KEVIN WESLING
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Patent number: 12208861Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 21, 2019Date of Patent: January 28, 2025Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan, Sage Hahn
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Patent number: 12208858Abstract: A bicycle with an electric pedal assist motor capable of driving a chainring independent of cranks includes wheel speed sensors and crank cadence sensors. The wheel speed sensors and the crank cadence sensors measure wheel speed and crank cadence, respectively, and provide the measured wheel speed and crank cadence to a controller of the bicycle. The controller is configured to instruct an assist motor to activate based on the measured wheel speed and/or the measured crank cadence.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2020Date of Patent: January 28, 2025Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Sage Hahn, Brian Jordan, Kevin Wesling
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Publication number: 20250026167Abstract: Example adjustable suspension components for bicycles are described herein. An example bicycle suspension component includes a damper operable in a low damping state, a high damping state, and an intermediate damping state between the low damping state and the high damping state, a motion controller operable to change the damper between the low damping state, the intermediate damping state, and the high damping state, and a processor to, based on sensor data, activate the motion controller to change the damper between the intermediate damping state and one of the low damping state or the high damping state.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2024Publication date: January 23, 2025Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: R. JOE SCHOOLCRAFT, JR., GEOFF NICHOLS, WARREN CHAMBLISS, MARK SANTURBANE, C. MICHAEL LIBERATO, II
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Publication number: 20250018831Abstract: A battery system includes an auxiliary battery releasably coupled to a main battery. The main battery includes a charge controller and has a first output voltage. The main battery is configured to be electrically coupled to a bicycle drive unit and supply power to the drive unit. The auxiliary battery has a second output voltage. The auxiliary battery is releasably coupled to the main battery in series such that a total output voltage of the main battery and auxiliary battery is equal to a sum of the first and second output voltages.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2023Publication date: January 16, 2025Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: SAGE HAHN, SHELBY SESSIONS, SEBASTIAN HEYNA
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Publication number: 20250010941Abstract: An electronic control device may be configured to be integrated, or coupled, with a bicycle to control bicycle components. The electronic control device may wirelessly control bicycle components to trigger an action when actuated. The electronic control device may be dimensioned to have a mating surface contoured to matingly engage with a mounting surface of a bicycle, such as on a handlebar. The electronic control device may also be dimensioned to have a compact and/or concealed appearance aided by a low profile relative to the bicycle mounting surface selected for the control device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2024Publication date: January 9, 2025Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventor: SAGE HAHN
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Publication number: 20250010938Abstract: Example bicycle suspension components and control devices are described herein. An example shock absorber includes a damper body defining a first chamber and a reservoir defining a second chamber. A flow path is defined between the first chamber and the second chamber. The example shock absorber also includes a flow control member disposed in the flow path and a motor to operate the flow control member to affect fluid flow between the first chamber and the second chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2024Publication date: January 9, 2025Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: MARK SANTURBANE, GEOFF NICHOLS, CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, JEFFREY JOHN BALTES
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Patent number: 12187377Abstract: Brake mounts for bicycles are described herein. The brake mounts are for coupling a brake caliper to a bicycle. An example brake mount includes a bracket having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The bracket has bores to receive fasteners to couple the brake caliper to the bracket. The brake mount includes a sleeve extending from the first side of the bracket. An opening extends through the sleeve and the bracket. The opening is to receive an axle of a hub assembly of the bicycle. The sleeve is to extend into an axle opening in a frame of the bicycle. A distal end of the sleeve is threaded. The brake mount also includes a nut to be threadably coupled to the distal end of the sleeve when the sleeve is inserted into the axle opening in the frame e.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2021Date of Patent: January 7, 2025Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Sebastian Heyna, Henrik Braedt, Charles Dunlap
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Patent number: 12179870Abstract: 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. The first tube is movable relative to the second tube to establish a distance between the first distal end and the second distal end. The distance is at a maximum distance when the first tube is in a first position relative to the second tube. The seat post assembly includes a seal disposed within the second tube and connected to the first tube or the second tube. The seat post assembly includes a piston coupled to the seal when the first tube is in the first position. A position of the seal relative to the second distal end is adjustable, such that the first position of the first tube relative to the second tube is adjustable via the coupling between the piston and the seal.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2023Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Charles Dunlap, Rafer Chambers
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Patent number: 12179877Abstract: A bicycle suspension system with automatic venting and/or pressurizing of a sealed chamber that minimizes the pressure differential between the sealed chamber and the ambient environment. Methods for making and using the bicycle suspension system are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2021Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Charles Dunlap, III, Brent Packer, Kevin Wesling
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Publication number: 20240425138Abstract: Example bicycle suspension components are described herein. An example suspension component includes an air spring including an air spring body and a piston in the air spring body. The piston divides the air spring body into a first chamber and a second chamber. The air spring also includes a shaft extending into the air spring body. The shaft extends through the piston. The piston is slidable along the shaft. The air spring further includes a spring to bias the piston in a first direction relative to the shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2024Publication date: December 26, 2024Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: CHARLES DUNLAP, III, KEVIN WESLING
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Publication number: 20240417013Abstract: Height adjustable seat posts for bicycles are described herein. An example height adjustable seat post includes an upper tube and a lower tube configured in a telescopic arrangement and a piston in the upper tube. The piston divides the upper tube into first chamber and second chambers. The first and second chambers are filled with fluid. The height adjustable seat post also includes a valve including a fixed member and a rotatable member forming a face seal between a first face of the fixed member and a second face of the rotatable member. The fixed member has a fluid flow passageway. The rotatable member is rotatable relative to the fixed member between a closed position in which the rotatable member blocks the fluid flow passageway to prevent fluid flow between the first and second chambers and an open position to enable fluid flow through the fluid flow passageway and between the first and second chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2023Publication date: December 19, 2024Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: CHARLES DUNLAP, BRIAN JORDAN