Patents Assigned to SRAM, LLC
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Publication number: 20170129567Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2015Publication date: May 11, 2017Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventor: BRADEN T. SNEAD
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Patent number: 9630677Abstract: A hydraulic brake control apparatus for attaching to an open ended handlebar of a vehicle, the handlebar having a longitudinal axis. A brake housing is attachable to the handlebar, the brake housing including a first section residing outside the handlebar and abutting the open end of the handlebar, and a second section sized and shaped to be received inside the handlebar. A master cylinder is disposed within the first section, the master cylinder having a bore with a bore axis that is oriented transverse to said axis of the handlebar and a master cylinder actuator is in operative association with the master cylinder. A micro-adjust mechanism, a macro-adjust mechanism, and a clamp mechanism is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2012Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Brian T. Jordan, Andreas Vonend, Andreas Guender
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Publication number: 20170106939Abstract: A hydraulic braking system for a bicycle may include a hydraulic control device that is configured with multiple timing ports positioned within a stroke of a piston of the hydraulic control device. The multiple timing ports are located at different positions along an operational and/or axial length of a cylinder of the hydraulic control device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2015Publication date: April 20, 2017Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventor: BRADEN T. SNEAD
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Patent number: 9598142Abstract: A support assembly for supporting a front derailleur at a bicycle frame is provided. The bicycle frame includes a longitudinal axis, a support portion arranged lengthwise about the longitudinal axis and a mounting portion projecting outwardly from the support portion. The front derailleur includes a base member attachable to the mounting portion of the bicycle frame at a derailleur mounting axis. The base includes a support mounting surface facing the bicycle frame. The support assembly includes a support member and a support member mount. The support member is displaceable relative to the base member along the support mounting surface of the base member. The support member includes a contact surface configured to contact the support portion of the bicycle frame. The support member mount is configured to attach the support member to the support mounting surface of the base member.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2014Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Mark Santurbane, Brian Jordan
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Patent number: 9599208Abstract: A chainring includes a first section having consecutive first teeth. Each of the first teeth includes a first load flank surface having a first wear resistance. The chainring also includes a second section coupled to the first section. The second section includes consecutive second teeth. Each of the second teeth includes a second load flank surface having a second wear resistance greater than the first wear resistance. The consecutive second teeth span an arc length corresponding to between one twelfth and one third of a circumference of a pitch circle of the chainring.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Anthony Medaglia, Joseph Wilson
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Publication number: 20170073035Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2015Publication date: March 16, 2017Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: Charles Dunlap, III, Brian Jordan
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Patent number: 9593736Abstract: A control assembly for an in-line bicycle shock absorber can include a control member rotatably mounted to a housing of the shock absorber, the control member having an interior bore, and with one end of the bore being closed and another end of the bore being open. The control assembly also includes a piston slidably mounted within the interior bore of the control member. The control member is rotated to adjust a first characteristic of the shock absorber and the piston is displaced within the interior bore to adjust a second characteristic of the shock absorber.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2011Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Brian Jordan, Steven Olds, Christopher Shipman, Kevin Wesling
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Publication number: 20170067536Abstract: A bicycle chain is used to transmit the drive force to at least one chain wheel and contains chain rollers and inner and outer plates which are connected to each other by means of pins. As a result of a corresponding shaping of the extremely hard inner plate, the wear on the teeth which cooperate with the inner plate can be reduced on the chain wheels or sprockets.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: PEDRO MIGUEL NUNES DOS SANTOS, BRUNO MIGUEL FERREIRA DA SILVA RIBEIRO
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Patent number: 9580146Abstract: Electronic shifting systems, mechanisms and methods of using 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: GrantFiled: October 16, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventor: Brian Jordan
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Publication number: 20170043840Abstract: A multi-sprocket arrangement for installation on a rear wheel axle of a bicycle includes a sprocket assembly. The sprocket assembly has at least a first sprocket and a second, self-supporting sprocket. The second sprocket is connected to a holding body via the first sprocket by way of a separate, cylindrical fastener which extends parallel to the rear wheel axle. The fastener has a first and a second end which are connected in frictionally fit fashion to drilled holes in the first and second sprockets. The frictionally fit connection between the fastener and the drilled holes of the sprockets prevents an axial movement of the first and second sprockets toward one another. The fastener is additionally connected, at the first and second ends, in form-fitting fashion, to the first and second sprockets such that an axial movement of the first and second sprockets away from one another is also reliably prevented.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2016Publication date: February 16, 2017Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: MATTHIAS REINBOLD, COLE ST. JOHN
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Publication number: 20170036736Abstract: A front derailleur device for a bicycle chain shift includes a frame fixing part for attachment to a bicycle frame, a hinge arrangement which is pivotable relative to the frame fixing part, and a chain cage which is pivotable relative to the frame fixing part via the pivotable hinge arrangement for guiding and pivoting of the bicycle chain. The hinge arrangement includes at least two hinged struts which can be mounted rotatably relative to the frame fixing part and relative to the chain cage about pivot axes. The pivot axes run substantially parallel to each other and, in a mounted state of the derailleur device on a bicycle, may be oriented substantially vertically.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: SEBASTIAN DÜWELING, MARKUS ENGEL
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Publication number: 20170015377Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2015Publication date: January 19, 2017Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventor: PAUL A. FEUERSTEIN
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Patent number: 9540071Abstract: The invention provides a wireless control system for a bicycle, including at least one shift actuator generating an input signal when actuated and a master control unit transmitting a shift signal responsive to the input signal. At least one electromechanical gear changer is provided and includes a gear changer control unit. The gear changer control unit receives the shift signal from the master control unit and controls the at least one electromechanical gear changer corresponding to the received shift signal. The gear changer control unit listens for the shift signal during a part of an awake mode cycle time, the master control unit transmitting the shift signal for a message duration time which is greater than the awake mode cycle time.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2014Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Brian Jordan, Todd Squires
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Publication number: 20170001688Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2016Publication date: January 5, 2017Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: BRIAN JORDAN, TODD SQUIRES
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Patent number: 9527548Abstract: A bicycle crank arm including a support member. The support member includes a first end sized and shaped to receive a pedal and a second end opposite the first end. The second end is sized and shaped to receive a spindle and a middle portion extends between the first and second ends, wherein the middle portion includes at least one recess. An insert is disposed in each of the one or more recess and an outer shell that covers the support member and insert, wherein the outer shell is made of fiber reinforced composite.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventor: Christopher Malloy
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Publication number: 20160347301Abstract: A bleed valve includes an exterior surface, a socket defining a space, and a fluid flow passageway extending from the exterior surface to the space.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2015Publication date: December 1, 2016Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventor: Paul D. Gallagher
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Publication number: 20160339986Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: BRIAN JORDAN, TODD SQUIRES, MASON PLUIMER, SAGE HAHN, ALEXANDER KON-I HO
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Publication number: 20160339894Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: ADAM BRADLEY, PAUL GALLAGHER
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Publication number: 20160339996Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: BRIAN JORDAN, TODD SQUIRES
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Patent number: 9493212Abstract: A front derailleur for use on devices such as bicycles is movable about a yaw axis while it moves laterally. The front derailleur may include a linkage in between a mount and a cage, with the linkage pivoting about two non-parallel axes. The front derailleur may include a linkage in between the mount and the cage that has links of different effective lengths. The front derailleur may include a single link and a cam.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2014Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventor: Brian Jordan