Patents Assigned to SRAM, LLC
  • Patent number: 11738826
    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 controller of the bicycle. The controller activates motor overdrive based on the measured wheel speed and/or the measured crank cadence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Sage Hahn, Brian Jordan, Kevin Wesling
  • Patent number: 11738817
    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: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
  • Patent number: 11738821
    Abstract: Example bicycle suspension components and analysis devices are described herein. An example suspension component includes a first tube and a second tube configured in a telescopic arrangement having an interior space, a spring system including a pneumatic chamber containing a mass of a gas forming a pneumatic spring configured to resist compression of the telescopic arrangement, and a suspension component analysis (SCA) device. The SCA device may include a pressure sensor to detect a pressure of the gas in the pneumatic chamber and provide a signal indicative of the detected pressure and circuitry configured to receive the signal. The circuitry and the pressure sensor are at least partially disposed in the interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Trevor Krugman, Jack Greetis, James Meyer, Kevin Wesling
  • Publication number: 20230264771
    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: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHARLES DUNLAP, RAFER CHAMBERS
  • Patent number: 11731732
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
  • Publication number: 20230257062
    Abstract: A control device includes a housing having a base portion and an extension portion. The base portion of the housing has an inward facing side and an outward facing side. The control device includes a lever coupled to and pivotable relative to the housing, and a master cylinder portion supported by the housing. The master cylinder portion has a hollow fluid cylinder. The control device also includes a piston assembly supported by the housing. The piston assembly is movable relative to the master cylinder portion. At least part of the piston assembly is disposed within the master cylinder portion. The master cylinder portion is angled relative to the outward facing side of the base portion of the housing, such that the first end of the fluid cylinder is closer to the outward facing side than the second end of the fluid cylinder is relative to the outward facing side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: PATRICK GRUSE, REBECCA GREETIS, NATHAN LUMAN, DOUGLAS MAHONEY, WALTER MAY, NEIL SWANSON
  • Publication number: 20230257061
    Abstract: Front forks for bicycles are described herein. An example front fork includes an upper fork including a first leg and a second leg, a lower fork including a third leg disposed along the first leg and a fourth leg disposed along the second leg, a first set of links rotatably coupled between the first leg and the third leg, and a second set of links rotatably coupled between the second leg and the fourth leg. The first and second sets of links enable the lower fork to swing relative to the upper fork. The front fork also includes a steerer tube coupled to the front fork and a spring in the steerer tube. The spring is configured to bias the lower fork away from the steer tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: CHARLES DUNLAP, III
  • Patent number: 11724769
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Santurbane, Geoff Nichols, Christopher Shipman, Jeffrey John Baltes
  • Patent number: 11713095
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur includes a base member mountable to a bicycle frame and a cage assembly moveably coupled to the base member. One or both of a motor and/or electrical generator system may be coupled to and moveable with the cage assembly. The motor is operable to move the cage assembly. The electrical generator system includes a generator and a generator drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Sage Hahn
  • Publication number: 20230234668
    Abstract: A control device mountable to a handlebar of a bicycle includes a housing, a lever coupled to and pivotable relative to the housing, and a master cylinder portion supported by the housing. The master cylinder portion has a fluid cylinder. The fluid cylinder has a first end and a second end opposite the first end with a cylindrical wall therebetween. An opening extends through the master cylinder portion, from the first end to the second end. The control device also includes a plug removably connected to the master cylinder portion via the opening at the first end of the fluid cylinder, and a piston assembly supported by the housing. The piston assembly is movable relative to the master cylinder portion. The housing is made of a first material, and the master cylinder portion is made of a second material. The second material is different than the first material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: NEIL SWANSON, DOUG MAHONEY, RYAN GRIMM
  • Publication number: 20230234663
    Abstract: A reinforcement device for reinforcing an electric bicycle frame at least in a region of a tube cutout of a bicycle frame tube which accommodates an energy storage. The reinforcement device includes a first reinforcement element which extends axially in the bicycle frame tube and/or extends at a certain angle to the bicycle frame tube, and at least one second reinforcement element which extends axially in the bicycle frame tube. The reinforcement device is installed in the bicycle frame tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: JONNI SCHAEFER, CHRISTIAN WURMBAECK
  • Publication number: 20230227120
    Abstract: Flat mount brake calipers for bicycles are described herein. An example flat mount brake caliper includes a caliper body defining a first piston cylinder and a second piston cylinder. The caliper body has a flat mount surface with a first threaded bore and a second threaded bore extending into the flat mount surface. The first and second threaded bores are configured to receive threaded fasteners to couple the caliper body to a frame of the bicycle. The first and second piston cylinders are arranged such that projections of the first and second threaded bores do not intersect the first or second piston cylinders. The flat mount brake caliper also includes a brake pad and first and second pistons disposed in the respective first and second piston cylinders to move the brake pad relative to the caliper body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2022
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: CHARLES DUNLAP
  • Publication number: 20230227123
    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: March 22, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN
  • Patent number: 11703118
    Abstract: A control device wearable by a bicycle rider, the control device including at least one control sensor generating input signals when actuated. A control processor is connected to the at least one control sensor generating control signals responsive to the input signals. A wireless transmitter is in communication with the processor transmitting the control signals and a power source is connected to the shift control processor and the wireless transmitter. The control device may one or more of a control gear changer, one or more suspension component, and other electronically-controllable components or systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin Wesling
  • Publication number: 20230211846
    Abstract: Generally, this disclosure enables various mounting interfaces, devices therewith, accessories therefor, and methods of manufacture and use thereof. In particular, these mounting interfaces include a latch configured to engage with a detent of an accessory (e.g., a smartphone, a dedicated navigation device, a storage container, a drinking bottle) in order to (a) allow the accessory to be easily mounted thereon and unmounted therefrom and (b) hold the accessory sufficiently securely when the accessory is mounted thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: LAURENCE JOHN WATTRUS, EVAN CHARLES HUGGINS, ROBERT DAVID MARTINEZ, ZAKERY ALLEN KOSTER, PAUL THOMAS REAMEY
  • Publication number: 20230211845
    Abstract: A seat post assembly includes a seat post that is electrically adjustable in height. The adjustability may be based on one or more pressures sensed by one or more sensors within the seat post assembly, respectively. The disclosed seat post assembly includes an electronics module. The electronics module may be carried under the seat or saddle and may include a pressure sensor or pressure sensor circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN, SAGE HAHN
  • Publication number: 20230202609
    Abstract: A motorized component for a bicycle includes a motor, a power source configured to generate current for the motor, and a processor. The processor is configured to identify a state of the bicycle and, based on the identified state of the bicycle, generate an audio notification. The generation of the audio notification includes control of the current from the power source to the motor, such that a periodic current with a frequency between 20 Hz and 20 kHz is applied to the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Sage HAHN, Kyle HAGERMAN
  • Patent number: 11685472
    Abstract: A wireless control system for a bicycle may include a base part attachable to a bicycle and a movable part. The control system may also include an electric motor disposed on the electromechanical component and a control unit disposed on the electromechanical component for operating the electric motor to operate the electromechanical component, the control unit including a wireless receiver. The control system includes a wake sensor connected to the control unit, the wake sensor configured to communicate a wake signal to the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Jordan, Todd Squires
  • Publication number: 20230192207
    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. A distance between the first distal end of the first tube and the second distal end of the second tube is at a maximum when the first tube is in a first position relative to the second tube. The seat post assembly also includes a first chamber and a second chamber that are fluidly coupleable. The first chamber is a positive fluid chamber, and the second chamber is a negative fluid chamber. The seat post assembly includes a fluid volume disposed in the first chamber and the second chamber. The fluid volume includes a compressible fluid. The first chamber is configured to act as a spring configured to bias the first tube towards the first position relative to the second tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: RAFER CHAMBERS, CHARLES DUNLAP
  • Publication number: 20230192217
    Abstract: This disclosure discloses various brackets with various mounting interfaces for engaging (e.g., mechanically) with various surfaces that are correspondingly configured. For example, one of such brackets can clamp onto a bar (e.g., a handlebar of a vehicle) and then an electronic device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, a dedicated navigational unit) can removably secure (e.g., mate) to that bracket. This form of removable securing can be via that bracket having a latch configured to engage a detent of the electronic device (or vice versa) in order to linearly mount the electronic device onto the bracket (or vice versa) and disengage the detent in order rotationally unmount the electronic device from the bracket (or vice versa).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: LAURENCE JOHN WATTRUS, EVAN CHARLES HUGGINS, ROBERT DAVID MARTINEZ, ZAKERY ALLEN KOSTER, PAUL THOMAS REAMEY