Patents Assigned to SRAM, LLC
  • Chain guide sensor and methods of controling a bicycle
    Patent number: 9944350
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Henrik Braedt, Brian Jordan
  • CLAD CHAINRING
    Publication number: 20180073622
    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: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: KEVIN WESLING, ANTHONY MEDAGLIA
  • REAR DERAILLEUR
    Publication number: 20180065708
    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: November 14, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN
  • HYDRAULIC BICYCLE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20180056967
    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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: ADAM BRADLEY, PAUL GALLAGHER
  • Multiple sprocket assembly for a bicycle
    Patent number: 9902463
    Abstract: A roller chain based drive train for a bicycle includes a sprocket assembly configured for mounting to a hub of a rear wheel of the bicycle. The sprocket assembly includes a smaller sprocket, a larger sprocket, and a plurality of pins connecting the smaller sprocket and the larger sprocket to each other. The pins are mounted in outer pin mount holes on the smaller sprocket and in the inner pin mount holes on the larger sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Henrik Braedt
  • Heat shields and brake calipers including one or more heat shields
    Patent number: 9903432
    Abstract: A brake caliper may include a housing having a cavity. The brake caliper also includes a brake pad and a heat shield disposed in the cavity. The heat shield may be positioned substantially orthogonal to the brake rotor and include a slot to receive a portion of a brake rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Paul D. Gallagher
  • FRONT GEAR CHANGER
    Publication number: 20180045283
    Abstract: An electromechanical front gear changer for a bicycle is provided, the bicycle having a chain, including a base member attachable to the bicycle. A linkage is movably coupled to the base member. A chain guide is movably coupled to the linkage for contacting the chain. A motor is supported by the base member. A gear transmission is driven by the motor to move the linkage. A CPU is provided for controlling the motor and a power supply is supported by the base member to power the motor and the CPU. A manually operated device is disposed on the electromechanical front gear changer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN, MARK SANTURBANE
  • GRIP COVER
    Publication number: 20180043956
    Abstract: A grip cover for a bicycle control device includes a high durometer portion that is configured to engage the bicycle control device to maintain the grip cover in contact with the bicycle control device. The grip cover further includes a low durometer portion that is connected to the high durometer portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: PAUL A. FEUERSTEIN
  • Front gear changer
    Patent number: 9890838
    Abstract: An electromechanical front gear changer for a bicycle is provided, the bicycle having a chain, including a base member attachable to the bicycle. A linkage is movably coupled to the base member. A chain guide is movably coupled to the linkage for contacting the chain. A motor is supported by the base member. A gear transmission is driven by the motor to move the linkage. A CPU is provided for controlling the motor and a power supply is supported by the base member to power the motor and the CPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan, Mark Santurbane, Henry Tsao
  • PIVOTING CHAINRING ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20180022414
    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: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: JAMES COOKE
  • Control cable actuation device
    Patent number: 9869340
    Abstract: A control cable actuation device designed to be attached to a handlebar-steered vehicle frame member for a cable assembly including a control cable slidably disposed within a control cable housing. The actuation device includes a cable adjuster attachable to the frame member and an actuation lever configured to displace one end of the control cable. The cable adjuster is configured to receive the control cable and to axially displace to slidably displace the cable within the cable housing under cable adjustment. The lever is rotatably attached to the cable adjuster about a first axis to slidably displace the cable within the cable housing under cable actuation. The lever is also configured to rotate about a second axis to axially displace the cable adjuster to slidably displace the cable within the cable housing under cable adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Shipman
  • Clad chainring
    Patent number: 9869382
    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: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Wesling, Anthony Medaglia
  • Chainring
    Patent number: 9862456
    Abstract: A bicycle chainring includes a plurality of teeth extending from a periphery of the chainring wherein roots of the plurality of teeth are disposed adjacent the periphery of the chainring. The plurality of teeth include a first group of teeth and a second group of teeth, each of the first group of teeth wider than each of the second group of teeth. At least some of the second group of teeth are arranged alternatingly and adjacently between the first group of teeth, and wherein the periphery of the chainring is generally non-circular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Markus Reiter, Raymond Florczyk, Henrik Braedt
  • HEAT DISSIPATING BRAKE ROTOR
    Publication number: 20170370430
    Abstract: A brake rotor for a bicycle has a brake body formed of a first material and a cooling element with a cooling body, at least part of which is formed of a second material that has a higher thermal conductivity than the first material. The brake body has a generally annular shape with a first axial contact surface. The cooling body is coupled to the first axial contact surface. The cooling body may be in contact with the first axial contact surface around the brake body for a majority of a circumference of the heat dissipation region. The cooling body may be attached to or be an integral part of a carrier coupled to the brake body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: CHARLES DUNLAP
  • HEAT DISSIPATING BRAKE ROTOR
    Publication number: 20170370431
    Abstract: A brake rotor for a bicycle has a brake body formed of a first material and a cooling element with a cooling body, at least part of which is formed of a second material that has a higher thermal conductivity than the first material. The brake body has a generally annular shape with a first axial contact surface. The cooling body is coupled to the first axial contact surface. The cooling body may be in contact with the first axial contact surface around the brake body for a majority of a circumference of the heat dissipation region. The cooling body may be attached to or be an integral part of a carrier coupled to the brake body. The cooling body may include a protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHARLES DUNLAP, BRADEN SNEAD
  • Hydraulic bicycle system
    Patent number: 9827968
    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: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Bradley, Paul Gallagher
  • Grip cover
    Patent number: 9821871
    Abstract: A grip cover for a bicycle control device includes a high durometer portion that is configured to engage the bicycle control device to maintain the grip cover in contact with the bicycle control device. The grip cover further includes a low durometer portion that is connected to the high durometer portion. The low durometer portion is configured to be tensioned by the high durometer portion when the grip cover is installed on the bicycle control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Paul A. Feuerstein
  • Hydraulic brake mechanism
    Patent number: 9809274
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake mechanism is mountable to a bicycle handlebar. The hydraulic brake mechanism includes a housing having a base portion and an extension portion, the base portion including first and second ends, the base portion including a handlebar clamp at the first end, the base portion extending generally horizontally and the extension portion extending forwardly of the base portion at the second end and angled generally upwardly from the base portion when the hydraulic brake mechanism is mounted to the bicycle handlebar, the housing sized and shaped to be grasped by a user's hand, the housing having a fluid outlet port in the extension portion. The hydraulic brake mechanism may include a fluid line attached to the fluid outlet port and disposed in a groove formed along a length of the extension portion and the base portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Dunlap, Paul Feuerstein
  • Electronic shifting systems and methods
    Patent number: 9802669
    Abstract: A wireless control system for a bicycle, comprising a first shift control unit for a component of a bicycle, the first control unit comprising a radio configured to receive control signals, wirelessly transmitted by a second control unit of the bicycle; the radio operable to receive the control signals only when the radio is operating in a listen mode; and a processor configured to: activate the listen mode of the radio for a first length of time; detect, with the radio, a noise level during the first length of time; and extend the activation of the listen mode for a first extended time period when the noise level achieves a noise level threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Jordan, Todd Squires, Mason Pluimer, Sage Hahn, Alexander Kon-I Ho
  • Battery
    Patent number: D801918
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Santurbane, Brian Jordan, Christopher Shipman