Patents Assigned to SRAM, LLC
  • Multi-gear cassette for a bicycle
    Patent number: 9260158
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-sprocket cassette mountable to a bicycle rear wheel for engaging a drive chain. The cassette includes a conical body formed as a single piece having a center axis that includes a plurality of sprocket portions, each of the plurality of sprocket portions including a plurality of teeth formed thereabout for engaging the drive chain and a plurality of connecting portions supporting each of the plurality of sprocket portions. One or more of the plurality of connecting portions includes a first wall thickness and one or more of the plurality of connecting portions includes a second wall thickness. The second wall thickness is less than the first wall thickness. A plurality of openings is formed through each of the plurality of connecting portions having the first wall thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Henrik Braedt
  • Electric bicycle transmission
    Patent number: 9243692
    Abstract: The invention includes a multi-speed transmission for an electric motor propelled bicycle with multiple gear combinations for driving the bicycle that constitute the full gear range of the transmission. A portion of the full gear range is operated to shift automatically and a portion is shifted manually. Additionally, the control of the electric motor and control of the shifting operations may be integrated to allow the output power of the motor to be decreased during a shifting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin Wesling
  • Bicycle rim with brake track
    Patent number: 9216613
    Abstract: A FRP rim for a bicycle, including a radially outer tire-engaging portion and a radially inner spoke-engaging portion. A first sidewall is in a spaced configuration with a second sidewall. The first and second sidewalls extend between the radially outer tire-engaging portion and the radially inner spoke-engaging portion. A brake track is disposed on each of the first and second sidewalls including a layer of microparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Josh Poertner, David Morse, Michael Hall
  • BICYCLE RIM WITH BRAKE TRACK
    Publication number: 20150360510
    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: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Josh Poertner, Andrew Truemper
  • Chainring
    Patent number: 9182027
    Abstract: A solitary chainring of a bicycle front crankset for engaging a drive chain, including a plurality of teeth formed about a periphery of the chainring, the plurality of teeth consisting of an even number. The plurality of teeth includes a first group of teeth and a second group of teeth arranged alternatingly between the first group of teeth. The first group of teeth and the second group of teeth are equal in number. Each of the first and second group of teeth include an outboard side and an inboard side opposite the outboard side and each tooth of the first group of teeth includes at least a first protrusion on the outboard side thereof and each tooth of the second group of teeth are free of the first protrusions on the outboard side and the inboard side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Markus Reiter, Raymond Florczyk, Henrik Braedt
  • Control assembly for a bicycle shock absorber
    Patent number: 9156520
    Abstract: A control assembly for controlling a component, such as a bicycle shock absorber including a first actuator carried by the shock absorber. The first actuator has a fulcrum body supported in the shock absorber and a control arm displacing the fulcrum body. The first actuator pivots on the fulcrum body to operatively control a first characteristic of the shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Van Zyl, Andrew Shawver
  • CONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR A WIRELESS ELECTROMECHANICAL BICYCLE SHIFTING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20150284049
    Abstract: A bicycle control assembly for operating an electromechanical gear shifting device. The assembly includes a graspable housing mountable to the bicycle. A first operating member is movably connected to the housing. The assembly includes an electrical switch. A controller is in communication with the electrical switch and is configured to generate a signal to change a shift position of the gear shifting device responsive to an input from the electrical switch. An antenna is on the first operating member and in communication with the controller to send the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Matthew C. Morris
  • Bicycle multi-gear cassette
    Patent number: 9150280
    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: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Henrik Braedt
  • VARIABLE RATE ASSEMBLY FOR A BRAKE SYSTEM FOR BICYCLE
    Publication number: 20150266540
    Abstract: A brake assembly for a hydraulic brake system of a handlebar-steered vehicle, the brake assembly including a housing mountable to a handlebar of the vehicle and having a chamber formed therein. The brake assembly is provided with a variable rate linkage. A piston assembly is received and axially guided within the chamber and is provided with a piston adjustment mechanism that does not affect the function of the variable rate linkage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Braden T. Snead
  • Bicycle derailleur
    Patent number: 9132885
    Abstract: A derailleur is configured to be mounted to a bicycle frame. The derailleur includes a clamp mountable to the bicycle frame. The clamp includes a first end having a threaded portion receiving a clamp fastener for tightening of the clamp about the bicycle frame. A base member is connected to the clamp and includes a bore receiving the clamp fastener. A chain guide receives and laterally displaces a chain. First and second link members pivotably connect the base member and the chain guide. One of the link members includes an opening aligned with the bore such that the clamp fastener passes through the opening and into the bore of the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Marcus Auer
  • Bicycle derailleur
    Patent number: 9132884
    Abstract: A chain guide of a bicycle derailleur for displacing a chain between gears that includes inner and outer side plates, a pivot shaft and a thermoplastic connector. The pivot shaft pivotably connects the chain guide to the bicycle derailleur. The thermoplastic connector injection molds the pivot shaft to one of the inner and outer side plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Ted Chen, Andreas Benz, Georg Blaschke, Robert Boehm
  • Bicycle suspension system
    Patent number: 9085337
    Abstract: A suspension system disposed in a bicycle fork. The suspension system includes inner and outer tubes, first and second bushings, a steering mechanism and a shock-absorbing mechanism. The first and second bushings are disposed between the inner and outer tubes to facilitate the sliding of the inner tube within the outer tube. The steering mechanism prevents relative rotation between the inner and outer tubes and is disposed between the first and second bushings. With this configuration, the ratio of the bushing length to the inner tube diameter is greater than 4, resulting in the suspension fork handling most lateral loads without binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Jordan, Kevin Wesling
  • BICYCLE CRANK ARM ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20150175241
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Malloy
  • Chainring
    Patent number: 9062758
    Abstract: A solitary chainring of a bicycle front crankset for engaging a bicycle drive chain, including a plurality of teeth formed about a periphery of the chainring. One or more clearance chamfer surfaces are formed on the chainring body, each of the chamfer surfaces substantially centered between adjacent pairs of the plurality of teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Markus Reiter
  • Two position control device
    Patent number: 9027434
    Abstract: An actuator for pulling and releasing a bicycle control cable, including an actuator body including a hollow interior. A plunger is disposed in the hollow interior and is axially movable. The plunger includes at least one driving lug and at least one latching lug. A latching ring is rotatably disposed in the hollow interior, the rotation of which by the plunger lugs creates a cable pull and a cable release state of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Neeley
  • ELECTROMECHANICAL REAR DERAILLEUR
    Publication number: 20150111675
    Abstract: An electromechanical rear derailleur is provided for a bicycle, including a base member for attachment to the bicycle bicycle along a mounting axis. A movable member has a cage assembly attached thereto. A linkage is provided including pivot axes oriented substantially perpendicular to the mounting axis, the linkage coupling the movable member to the base member and operative to enable movement of the movable member relative to the base member in a direction substantially parallel to the mounting axis. A power source powers an electric motor connected thereto and a transmission is coupled to and actuated by the motor to move the movable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
  • Internal gear hub
    Patent number: 9005074
    Abstract: The invention relates to an internal gear hub for a bicycle includes a rotating cam which locates against a retractable cam follower within a multiple speed internal gear hub. The position of the cam determines which speed is selected. The cam is actuated by reversing the direction of the drive input (pedaling backwards) by a fixed or predetermined amount of rotation. The cam follower is retracted when the drive input is reversed and when the rotation is greater than that required to rotate the cam into the next position. When the cam follower retracts, the cam will return to a default position and will select a default speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Samways
  • Bicycle suspension system
    Patent number: 8998231
    Abstract: A bicycle suspension system of the invention generally includes at least two bicycle suspensions and a hydraulic control assembly. The hydraulic control assembly includes a pair of fluid pumps, and a fluid responder and a fluid path for each of the bicycle suspensions. The fluid pumps are mountable to a bicycle handlebar and form part of the hydraulic control assembly. A fluid responder is mountable each of the bicycle suspensions. The fluid paths link the fluid pump to a respective fluid responder. Each fluid responder is operatively connected to one of the bicycle suspensions to operate the bicycle suspension system between first and second suspension settings in response to fluid displacement between each fluid pump and each of the fluid responders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Neeley
  • Disc brake rotor portion
    Patent number: D749025
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Charles Emmett Dunlap, III
  • Disc brake rotor portion
    Patent number: D749476
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Charles Emmett Dunlap, III