Patents Assigned to SRAM, LLC
  • Damper Assembly
    Publication number: 20180297395
    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: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Charles Emmett Dunlap, III
  • Electromechanical shifting systems and methods
    Patent number: 10093391
    Abstract: The invention provides a wireless control system for a bicycle, including at least one actuator having at least a pressed state and a released state, and a control unit configured to generate a first control signal responsive to the pressed state and a second control signal responsive to the released state, and to transmit the first control signal and the second control signal to at least one bicycle component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Jordan, Todd Squires
  • Hydraulic bicycle system
    Patent number: 10086813
    Abstract: A normally closed port valve seals a hydraulic hose connection port of a hydraulic bicycle component. Connection of an end of a hydraulic hose assembly to the port opens the valve, placing the assembly's hydraulic fluid chamber in fluid communication with the interior of the hose assembly. A hydraulic cylinder of the assembly is in fluid communication with the chamber. A spring may be used to bias the valve to a closed condition and simultaneously to bias a brake actuating piston to a non-actuated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Bradley, Paul Gallagher
  • Method and apparatus for controlling automatic gear-change processes of an electric gear-change apparatus of a bicycle
    Patent number: 10086906
    Abstract: Controlling automatic gear-changing of an electric gear-change apparatus of a bicycle, the method may involve assigning each of a plurality of gears of the bicycle a predetermined gearing range. Controlling the process may also involve assigning a predetermined lower limit value and a predetermined upper limit value to each gearing range, wherein the upper limit value of a gearing range is in each case larger by a predetermined value than the lower limit value of a next higher gearing range, and the upper limit value of the gearing range and the lower limit value of the next higher gearing range define between them an overlap range. Controlling the process may also involve selecting an engagement of either a gear or a next higher gear in the overlap range depending on a speed profile of the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Sven Baumann, Egon Schmittfull, Uwe Seufert
  • FLUID DAMPER FOR A BICYCLE COMPONENT
    Publication number: 20180274623
    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 for rotation about a rotational axis, a biasing element configured and arranged to bias the chain guide assembly for rotation in a first rotational direction with respect to the movable member, and a fluid damper having a fluid cavity containing a volume of fluid. The fluid damper is operatively disposed between the chain guide assembly and the movable member to apply a damping force to the chain guide assembly when the chain guide assembly rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction. The fluid damper has a guide wheel configured to route a chain and rotatable about the rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: JOSHUA BROWN, BRIAN JORDAN, CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN
  • FLUID DAMPER FOR A BICYCLE COMPONENT
    Publication number: 20180273139
    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 for rotation about a rotational axis, a biasing element configured and arranged to bias the chain guide assembly for rotation in a first rotational direction with respect to the movable member, and a fluid damper having a fluid cavity containing a volume of fluid. The fluid damper is operatively disposed between the chain guide assembly and the movable member to apply a damping force to the chain guide assembly when the chain guide assembly rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction. The fluid damper has a compensation device in fluid communication with the fluid cavity and is configured to accommodate a change in the volume of fluid in the fluid cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHRIS SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN
  • HYDRAULIC BICYCLE COMPONENT CONTROL DEVICE
    Publication number: 20180274562
    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: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: RAFER CHAMBERS
  • BICYCLE DERAILLEUR AND CONNECTION
    Publication number: 20180229803
    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 7, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin Wesling
  • Rear derailleur
    Patent number: 10040511
    Abstract: An electronic rear derailleur for a bicycle, includes a base member for attachment to a frame member of the bicycle, and a movable member having a cage assembly attached thereto. The electronic rear derailleur may also include a linkage coupling the movable member to the base member and configured to permit movement of the movable member relative to the base member, and a motor positioned at the movable member, the motor configured to operate the linkage to move the movable member relative to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
  • BICYCLE RIM AND WHEEL HAVING INNER PROTRUSIONS
    Publication number: 20180201059
    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: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: MICHAEL HALL, DAVID MORSE, RUAN TROUW
  • Damper assembly
    Patent number: 10023003
    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 first damping force against a spoke segment of at least one spoke of a plurality of spokes of the bicycle wheel assembly. The spoke segment is spaced apart from a spoke attachment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Charles Emmett Dunlap, III
  • CHAIN GUIDE SENSOR AND METHODS OF CONTROLING A BICYCLE
    Publication number: 20180194432
    Abstract: A gear change mechanism for a bicycle may involve a tensioner that has a wheel engaged with a chain in a bicycle drivetrain. This tensioner may be configured to rotate or otherwise change orientation in response to slack in the chain to maintain tension in the chain. A sensor may be used to measure the orientation of a tensioner of a chain in a bicycle drivetrain, and/or the physical orientation of components indicative thereof. Actions may be triggered by signals generated by the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: HENRIK BRAEDT, BRIAN JORDAN
  • ADJUSTABLE SEATPOST
    Publication number: 20180186419
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHRIS SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN
  • Electronic shifting systems and methods
    Patent number: 9981717
    Abstract: The invention provides a wireless control system for a bicycle, including at least one shift unit including a shift actuator, and a master control unit in communication with the shift actuator. The master control unit transmits on a channel and listens for noise on the channel. When the master control unit receives an input signal from the shift actuator, the master control unit transmits a plurality of shift signals corresponding to the input signal for a message duration time if the channel is free of noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Jordan, Todd Squires
  • BICYCLE POWER METER
    Publication number: 20180141613
    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 a printed circuit board (“PCB”) having a substrate and at least one strain measurement device which may be attached to the PCB. The power meter may be integrally constructed with a chainring construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: JOHN COLLEN, RYAN JENNINGS, JOHN EPPEN, OWEN ANDERS BRITTON, SCOTT MCLAUGHLIN
  • SURFACE FEATURE TRANSFER MEDIA AND METHODS OF USE
    Publication number: 20180117829
    Abstract: Forming features in the surface of a bicycle component involves depositing a substance onto a substrate in a geometric pattern to form a transfer medium. Forming features may also involve positioning the transfer medium relative to an unformed bicycle component, and forming a negative of the geometric pattern in the bicycle component through the application of heat and/or pressure to the transfer medium and the unformed bicycle component. The transfer medium may be configured for use in the molding of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (“CFRP”) bicycle components and may include a substrate formed of a flexible material, and a geometric pattern formed of a hard material, the hard material different than the flexible material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: PATRICK BRADY, MICHAEL HALL, RUAN TROUW
  • BICYCLE CONTROL DEVICE AND SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20180111661
    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: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: KEVIN WESLING
  • Bicycle rim and wheel having inner protrusions
    Patent number: 9950561
    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: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hall, David Morse, Ruan Trouw
  • Pivoting chainring assembly
    Patent number: 9944347
    Abstract: A pivotable chainring assembly for a bicycle includes a chainring and a carrier. The carrier includes an annular bearing and a pivot attachment portion. The annular bearing includes an inner race and an outer race. The outer race of the annular bearing is rotatable about a crank axis. The chainring is physically connected to and rotatably fixed relative to the outer race of the annular bearing. The inner race of the annular bearing is physically connected to and rotationally fixed relative to the pivot attachment portion. The pivot attachment portion has a pivot axis disposed a distance from the crank axis. The chainring is rotatable about the crank axis and rotatable about the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: James Cooke
  • Device for shifting the chain on a front chain wheel for a bicycle
    Patent number: 9944351
    Abstract: A shifting assembly for shifting a roller chain between a plurality of front chain wheels for a bicycle that includes a smaller chain wheel, a larger chain wheel and a chain derailleur having a channel on an inner guide plate. The channel has an elevation that comes into contact with a chain rise rivet on the larger chain wheel in the state of starting to shift the roller chain from the smaller chain wheel to the adjacent larger chain wheel, viewed in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the chain wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Braun, Marcus Auer, Markus Engel