Patents Assigned to SRAM, LLC
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Publication number: 20230182861Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2022Publication date: June 15, 2023Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN, SAGE HAHN
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Publication number: 20230182511Abstract: A pressure sensing assembly configured to be attached to a bicycle wheel having a tire and a rim mounted to the tire. The pressure sensing assembly includes a housing, a pressure transmitting member, a sensing chamber defined by the housing and the pressure transmitting member, and a sensing element. The pressure transmitting member is coupled the housing and has a central portion offset from the plane in a first direction. The sensing element is offset from the plane in a second direction opposite the first direction. The pressure transmitting member is configured to transmit a pressure in the tire to the sensing element via the sensing chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2022Publication date: June 15, 2023Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventor: GEOFF NICHOLS
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Publication number: 20230182860Abstract: A bicycle derailleur includes a base member mountable to a bicycle frame and having first and second laterally spaced mounting portions defining first and second planes, and a space therebetween dimensioned to receive a portion of the bicycle frame. A first mounting arrangement defines a first pivot axis oriented at an acute angle relative to the first and second planes. A second mounting arrangement defines a second pivot axis parallel to the first pivot axis. A first link is pivotally connected to the first mounting arrangement and a second link is pivotally connected to the second mounting arrangement. A moveable member is pivotally connected to the first and second links. A battery may be mounted on the base member and electrically connected with a motor carried by the moveable member.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2021Publication date: June 15, 2023Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventor: Alyssa CHEN
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Publication number: 20230174194Abstract: A torque sensor for a bicycle includes a coil. The torque sensor may include a support that is disposable around a device of the bicycle, such that the support and the device of the bicycle are separated by an air gap. The torque sensor may also include an excitation coil supported by the support, and a sense coil supported by the support at a distance away from the excitation coil in an axial direction of the support. The excitation coil is configured to induce a voltage and/or current in the sense coil via the device of the bicycle when the support is disposed around the device of the bicycle. The induced voltage is related to a torque in the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2022Publication date: June 8, 2023Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: SAGE HAHN, SEBASTIAN HEYNA, HENRIK BRAEDT, WILLIAM BARRETT LEE
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Patent number: 11667350Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur includes a movable member and a chain guide assembly rotatably connected to the movable member. The bicycle rear derailleur also includes a pivot member non-rotatably coupled to the chain guide assembly and having an outer annular surface, a biasing device configured to bias the chain guide assembly in a first rotational direction relative to the movable member, and a damper device disposed between the chain guide assembly and the movable member. The damper device is operable to apply a damping force to the chain guide assembly when the chain guide assembly rotates in a second rotational direction relative to the movable member. The damper device includes a friction device that is radially inner relative to the biasing device. The friction device includes a friction member having at least one friction surface biased against and in frictional engagement with the pivot member.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2020Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventor: Jih-Hung Chang
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Publication number: 20230166807Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2021Publication date: June 1, 2023Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: SEBASTIAN HEYNA, HENRIK BRAEDT, CHARLES DUNLAP
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Patent number: 11661139Abstract: An electromechanical control system for a bicycle has a switch device, the switch device operating a switch between at least three positions. A control communication device transmits signals responsive to operation of the switch. The electromechanical control system includes an operation device configured to respond to signals transmitted by the control communication device. Signals transmitted by the control communication device include commands to listen and commands to operate.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2018Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventor: Brian Jordan
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Patent number: 11661129Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 30, 2020Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Rafer Chambers, Charles Dunlap
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Patent number: 11660909Abstract: A rim assembly for a bicycle wheel includes a rim, a first protruding tire retaining feature attached to a first surface of the rim, and a second protruding tire retaining feature attached to a second surface of the rim. The first surface is a surface of a first tire retaining wall of a radially outer tire engaging portion of the rim, and the second surface is a surface of a second tire retaining wall of the radially outer tire engaging portion. The second surface faces the first surface. The first protruding tire retaining feature and the second protruding tire retaining feature are made of a first material, and the first tire retaining wall and the second tire retaining wall are made of a second material. The second material is different than the first material.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2019Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Patrick Brady, Michael Hall, David Morse, Miguel Navarro Baeza
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Patent number: 11655005Abstract: A control device for a bicycle has a housing configured to be mountable to the bicycle and sized and shaped to be grasped by a user's hand and a battery receptacle positioned on the housing. The housing has a base portion and an extension portion. The base portion includes first and second ends, a downward facing side, an upward facing side, an inward facing side, an outward facing side, and a handlebar clamp disposed at the first end. A battery receptacle is positioned on a first side, which can be the downward facing side, of the base portion of the housing. An accessory port can be positioned on a second side of the base portion of the housing, different from the first side, and which can be the inward or outward facing side of the base portion of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Rachel Cahan, Doug Mahoney
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Patent number: 11654998Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 10, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventor: Charles Dunlap, III
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Patent number: 11649002Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 25, 2019Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan, Sage Hahn
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Patent number: 11649875Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur has a base member mountable to a bicycle frame, a movable member movably coupled to the base member, a chain guide assembly rotatably connected to the movable member for rotation about a rotational axis, a biasing element configured and arranged to bias the chain guide assembly for rotation in a first rotational direction with respect to the movable member, and a fluid damper having a fluid cavity containing a volume of fluid. The fluid damper is operatively disposed between the chain guide assembly and the movable member to apply a damping force to the chain guide assembly when the chain guide assembly rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction. The fluid damper has a guide wheel configured to route a chain and rotatable about the rotational axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2021Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Joshua Brown, Brian Jordan, Christopher Shipman
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Publication number: 20230147077Abstract: 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 form the first sidewall. The first sidewall and the second sidewall extend radially outward from the radially inner portion. The radially inner portion includes a stack of strips of material. The stack of strips includes a plurality of strips and a hole through the plurality of strips. The plurality of strips are nonparallel to each other. The plurality of strips are positioned about the hole through the plurality of strips.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2022Publication date: May 11, 2023Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: DAVID MORSE, MICHAEL HALL, RUAN TROUW
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Patent number: 11643164Abstract: Example bicycle disc brake rotors are described herein. An example disc brake rotor described herein includes a core having a brake surface core portion and a single-piece brake track coupled to the brake surface core portion. The brake track is constructed of stainless steel. The brake track includes a first track on a first side of the brake surface core portion, a second track on a second side of the brake surface core portion, and a connecting portion extending over a peripheral edge of the brake surface core portion between the first and second tracks.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2020Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Charles Dunlap, III, Brian Jordan
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Publication number: 20230135779Abstract: A bicycle handlebar includes a handlebar body and a recessed structure. The handlebar body has an outer surface. The recessed structure is recessed from the outer surface of the handlebar body, and has a mounting surface that is indented from the outer surface of the handlebar body and that is adapted for a control device to be mounted thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2022Publication date: May 4, 2023Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: Pierre KOMMER, Nathan SCHICKEL, Ming CHANG, En-Chieh CHEN
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Publication number: 20230121029Abstract: A mount for a control device for a bicycle includes a securing portion disposable at least partially around an outer surface of a handlebar of the bicycle, a housing portion extending away from the securing portion, and a cavity within at least the housing portion, the control device being disposable within the cavity, wherein the housing portion includes a shoulder that defines an opening through the housing portion to the cavity, such that an opening size of the opening is smaller than an opening size of the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2021Publication date: April 20, 2023Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: SAGE HAHN, RENEE WESLING
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Patent number: 11628682Abstract: 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 form the first sidewall. The first sidewall and the second sidewall extend radially outward from the radially inner portion. The radially inner portion includes a stack of strips of material. The stack of strips includes a plurality of strips and a hole through the plurality of strips. The plurality of strips are nonparallel to each other. The plurality of strips are positioned about the hole through the plurality of strips.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2018Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: David Morse, Michael Hall, Ruan Trouw
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Publication number: 20230114290Abstract: A rim for a bicycle wheel includes a radially inner portion disposed along an inner circumference of the rim. The rim also includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall spaced apart from the first sidewall, and a radially outer tire engaging portion disposed along an outer circumference of the rim. The first sidewall, the second sidewall, the radially outer tire engaging portion, the radially inner portion, or any combination thereof includes a composite laminate. The composite laminate includes a layer of a composite material. The composite material includes a matrix of a polymer-based material and natural fibers of a reinforcing material. A volume of a respective one of the natural fibers of the layer of the composite material is greater before lamination of the composite laminate compared to the volume of the respective one natural fiber after the lamination of the composite laminate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: RUAN TROUW, DAVID MORSE
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Publication number: 20230111794Abstract: A bicycle crank may include a first lug, a second lug and a transition region. The first lug is for connecting a spindle. The second lug is for connecting a pedal. The transition region interconnects the first lug and the second lug, and is formed from a fiber reinforced thermoplastic material that includes a fiber component and a thermoplastic component.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: HONG-CHOU LEE, CHEN-HSIUNG CHEN, EN-CHIEH CHEN, JOACHIM STUERMER