Patents Assigned to SRAM, LLC
  • BICYCLE DERAILLEUR
    Publication number: 20220355900
    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: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, SAGE HAHN
  • FRONT FORKS FOR BICYCLES
    Publication number: 20220355894
    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: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: CHARLES DUNLAP, III
  • DAMPER FOR A BICYCLE COMPONENT
    Publication number: 20220324534
    Abstract: A rear derailleur includes a base member mountable to a bicycle frame, a movable member movably coupled to the base member, and a pivot member rotatably coupled to the movable member. The rear derailleur also includes a chain guide assembly rotatably connected to the movable member via the pivot member. The rear derailleur includes a damper device disposed within the movable member. The damper device is operable to apply a damping force to the chain guide assembly when the chain guide assembly rotates. The damper device includes a friction member having a friction surface. A first portion of the friction surface is in frictional engagement with the pivot member, and a second portion of the friction surface is in frictional engagement with the movable member. The friction device is disposed within the movable member at a distance relative to the biasing device in an axial direction along the pivot member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: JOSHUA BROWN
  • Bicycle component motion control
    Patent number: 11459061
    Abstract: Bicycle component motion control begins when a motorized bicycle component is commanded to shift or actuate. The bicycle component motion control compares parameters of a component of the bicycle to be moved, to predetermined thresholds to provide safe shifting or actuation. The shift or actuation starts only when the battery voltage and the battery temperature are within predetermined acceptable ranges, respectively. Once the shift or actuation has started, the shift or actuation is aborted if the battery voltage remains below a predetermined low voltage threshold for a predetermined amount of time. If the shift or actuation is aborted when the component is in a position, in which the bicycle may not operate at a particular level or is inoperable, the shift or actuation command is modified to move the component to a previous position or an intermediate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Kon-I Ho, Sage Hahn, Sang Kim
  • SPEED SENSING DEVICES AND SYSTEMS FOR A BICYCLE
    Publication number: 20220281553
    Abstract: A speed sensing system for a bicycle includes a sensing device configured for mounting on the bicycle. The sensing device includes a sensor and a plurality of sensed elements. The sensor is configured for mounting at an angle relative to a horizontal hub plane. The plurality of sensed elements are configured to be sensed by the sensing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: SAGE HAHN, PHILIPP HOELLE, LEA HUEMPFER
  • Electromechanical rear derailleur
    Patent number: 11420710
    Abstract: An electromechanical rear derailleur is provided for a bicycle, including a base member for attachment to the bicycle. A movable member has a cage assembly attached thereto. A linkage is provided that couples 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 motor module connected thereto to move the movable member and elements thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
  • BASH GUARD DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR BICYCLE COMPONENTS
    Publication number: 20220227442
    Abstract: A chainring protection system includes a chainring having a torque input section and a torque output section. The torque output section is radially outer relative to the torque input section and has a plurality of teeth. The chainring protection system also includes a cover connected to the chainring, such that the cover at least partially covers a circumferential portion of the torque output section. The circumferential portion of the torque output section includes less than all teeth of the plurality of teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: MELISSA HASTINGS, STEPHANIE RAULSTON, MATTHEW BUSH
  • Braking system for a bicycle
    Patent number: 11390354
    Abstract: Example brake systems and apparatus for providing pitch control on bicycles are described herein. An example rear brake caliper described herein includes a caliper housing to be coupled to the bicycle. The caliper housing includes a first port to be fluidly coupled to a first fluid line fluidly coupled to a front brake actuator and a second port to be fluidly coupled to a second fluid line fluidly coupled to a front brake caliper. The rear brake caliper also includes a valve between the first port and the second port. The valve is operable to affect fluid flow between the first port and the second port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Dunlap, III, Brian Jordan
  • Bicycle control device and system
    Patent number: 11383783
    Abstract: A bicycle control system may be configured to automatically control a bicycle, or components thereof. The bicycle control system may include a system control device configured to provide a simplified shifting system wherein large changes in speed associated with starting and stopping do not require the full attention of the automatic shifting system. The shifting system, or a system control device configured for controlling the shifting system, may be configured to determine when to enter an automatic shifting control mode, establish parameters for the automatic shifting of the automatic shifting control mode, and/or compare detected activities and values of the bicycle to the established parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin Wesling
  • BRAKE SYSTEM FOR BICYCLES
    Publication number: 20220194513
    Abstract: Brake calipers and rotors for bicycles are described herein. An example brake caliper includes an outboard caliper portion to be disposed inboard of a frame of the bicycle. The outboard caliper portion includes an outboard caliper body and an outboard brake pad that is fixed relative to the outboard caliper body. The brake caliper also includes an inboard caliper portion coupled to the outboard caliper body. The inboard caliper portion is disposed inboard of the outboard caliper portion when the brake caliper is coupled to the bicycle. The inboard caliper portion includes an inboard caliper body and an inboard brake pad that is movable relative to the inboard caliper body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: SEBASTIAN HEYNA, HENRIK BRAEDT, CHARLES DUNLAP
  • MUFFLER DEVICE FOR A BICYCLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20220196105
    Abstract: A muffler device for use in a bicycle suspension system that has an axis is presented. The device includes a flow path permitting a pressurized fluid to flow therethrough, and a muffler member having a porous surface that at least partially defines the flow path. The device is provided to dampen the acoustic energy of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: SHU-WEI HO, WEI-KAI LIAO
  • POWER SUPPLY IN BICYCLE AXLE
    Publication number: 20220194509
    Abstract: A power supply for a bicycle component includes an energy storage unit positionable in an axle of the bicycle. The energy storage unit has a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact spaced apart from the first electrical contact. The power supply further includes a connector configured to electrically and mechanically connect the energy storage unit to the component of the bicycle, a first conductive path extending from the energy storage unit to the component of the bicycle via the first electrical contact and the connector, and, a second conductive path extending from the energy storage unit to the component of the bicycle via the second electrical contact and the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: MIGUEL NAVARRO BAEZA
  • BRAKE ROTORS FOR BICYCLES
    Publication number: 20220196090
    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: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: HENRIK BRAEDT, BRIAN JORDAN, CHARLES DUNLAP, SEBASTIAN HEYNA
  • HYDRAULIC BRAKE CONTROL DEVICE WITH HANDLEBAR PROXIMAL HOSE ATTACHMENT
    Publication number: 20220185426
    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: December 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHARLES DUNLAP, BRIAN JORDAN, BRADEN SNEAD
  • HYDRAULIC BRAKE CONTROL DEVICE WITH HANDLEBAR PROXIMAL HOSE ATTACHMENT
    Publication number: 20220185425
    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: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHARLES DUNLAP, BRIAN JORDAN, BRADEN SNEAD
  • Electromechanical shifting systems and methods
    Patent number: 11345440
    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 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Jordan, Todd Squires
  • CONTROL DEVICE FOR A BICYCLE
    Publication number: 20220144378
    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: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: NEIL SWANSON, DOUG MAHONEY, RYAN GRIMM
  • Hydraulic brake control device with staggered timing ports
    Patent number: 11319017
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Braden T. Snead
  • ENERGY HARVESTING FOR A BICYCLE
    Publication number: 20220131404
    Abstract: A bicycle component includes a platform having a mounting arrangement adapted to be mounted to a bicycle. A solar cell array is arranged on the platform. A battery charging unit also is arranged on the platform and is operatively connected to the solar cell array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: GEOFF NICHOLS, SAGE HAHN, HENDRIK SCOTT DEVRIES
  • Bicycle rim
    Patent number: D966166
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: David Morse, Michael Hall, Ruan Trouw