Patents Assigned to SRAM, LLC
  • Patent number: 12208858
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Sage Hahn, Brian Jordan, Kevin Wesling
  • Patent number: 12208861
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan, Sage Hahn
  • Publication number: 20250026167
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: R. JOE SCHOOLCRAFT, JR., GEOFF NICHOLS, WARREN CHAMBLISS, MARK SANTURBANE, C. MICHAEL LIBERATO, II
  • Publication number: 20250018831
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2023
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: SAGE HAHN, SHELBY SESSIONS, SEBASTIAN HEYNA
  • Publication number: 20250010941
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: SAGE HAHN
  • Publication number: 20250010938
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: MARK SANTURBANE, GEOFF NICHOLS, CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, JEFFREY JOHN BALTES
  • Patent number: 12187377
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Sebastian Heyna, Henrik Braedt, Charles Dunlap
  • Patent number: 12179870
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Dunlap, Rafer Chambers
  • Patent number: 12179877
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Dunlap, III, Brent Packer, Kevin Wesling
  • Publication number: 20240425138
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2024
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHARLES DUNLAP, III, KEVIN WESLING
  • Publication number: 20240417013
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHARLES DUNLAP, BRIAN JORDAN
  • Publication number: 20240409178
    Abstract: A control device for a hydraulic brake for a bicycle includes a reservoir for hydraulic fluid. The reservoir has a variable volume. The control device also includes a reservoir cover at least partially defining the reservoir, and a support that is attachable to a handlebar of the bicycle via an inner annular surface of the support. A handlebar proximity zone is radially outer relative to the inner annular surface of the support and is within two centimeters of the inner annular surface of the support. At least part of the reservoir cover is within the handlebar proximity zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHARLES DUNLAP, BRIAN JORDAN, BRADEN SNEAD
  • Publication number: 20240408469
    Abstract: A bicycle trainer includes a frame having a pair of laterally spaced axle supports configured to support a rear wheel axle of a bicycle. The axle supports define a laterally extending first axis. A drive wheel is rotatably supported by the frame, wherein the drive wheel is rotatable about a second axis parallel to, and radially spaced from, the first axis. A resistance unit is supported by the frame and operably coupled to the drive wheel. A bicycle trainer system includes a bicycle having a rear wheel axle removably supported by the axle supports. A method of using the trainer is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: OWEN BRITTON
  • Patent number: 12162554
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
  • Patent number: 12151772
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Dunlap, III, Kevin Wesling
  • Publication number: 20240375749
    Abstract: An e-bike interface is a hybrid wired/wireless e-bike control system that integrates wireless bicycle components into operation of an e-bike. The e-bike interface provides a frame-mounted control and display that is wired to, for example, an assist motor and a battery, and provides a wireless communication bridge between wireless bicycle components and corresponding wireless controls located on a handlebar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: SAGE HAHN, SVEN BAUMANN, DOMINIQUE FUSS, JOCHEN BIERWERTH
  • Publication number: 20240369434
    Abstract: A rim for a bicycle wheel includes a radially inner portion disposed along an inner circumference of the rim, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall spaced apart from the first sidewall. The first sidewall and the second sidewall extend radially outward from the radially inner portion. The rim also includes a radially outer tire engaging portion disposed along an outer circumference of the rim. The radially outer tire engaging portion extends from the first sidewall and the second sidewall, respectively. The rim also includes an opening through the radially inner portion at a first circumferential position along the inner circumference. An air valve of the bicycle wheel is positionable through the opening. The rim also includes a receptacle for a sensor device within the radially inner portion at a second circumferential position along the inner circumference. The second circumferential position is different than the first circumferential position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: BRIAN JORDAN, DAVID MORSE, SHELBY SESSIONS, RUAN TROUW
  • Patent number: 12135064
    Abstract: Brake rotors for bicycles are described herein. An example brake rotor for a bicycle includes a carrier to be coupled to a hub of the bicycle. The brake rotor also includes a brake track having braking surfaces to be engaged by brake pads. The brake track is disposed radially outward of the carrier. The brake track has a first thickness and the carrier has a second thickness greater than the first thickness. The brake track is coupled to the carrier such that the brake track is axially movable relative to the carrier while being radially and circumferentially constrained relative to the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Henrik Braedt, Brian Jordan, Charles Dunlap, Sebastian Heyna
  • Patent number: 12134296
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: R. Joe Schoolcraft, Jr., Geoff Nichols, Warren Chambliss, Mark Santurbane, C. Michael Liberato, II
  • Patent number: 12128989
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Sage Hahn