Patents Assigned to SRAM, LLC
  • FLAT MOUNT BRAKE CALIPER FOR BICYCLE
    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
  • REAR DERAILLEUR
    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
  • Control device for bicycle and methods
    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
  • SEAT POST CONTROL SYSTEM
    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
  • MOUNTING INTERFACES, DEVICES THEREWITH, ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, AND METHODS OF MANUFACTRE AND USE THEREOF
    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
  • MOTOR AS A SOUND GENERATING DEVICE FOR USER NOTIFICATION ON A BICYCLE
    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
  • Electromechanical shifting systems and methods
    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
  • PNEUMATIC ONLY HEIGHT ADJUST SEAT POST ASSEMBLY
    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
  • MOUNTING INTERFACES, DEVICES THEREWITH, ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, AND METHODS OF MANUFACTRE AND USE THEREOF
    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
  • BICYCLE GEAR SHIFTING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20230182861
    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: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN, SAGE HAHN
  • PRESSURE SENSING ASSEMBLY FOR A BICYCLE WHEEL
    Publication number: 20230182511
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: GEOFF NICHOLS
  • BICYCLE DERAILLEUR
    Publication number: 20230182860
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Alyssa CHEN
  • TORQUE SENSOR FOR AN EBIKE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20230174194
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: SAGE HAHN, SEBASTIAN HEYNA, HENRIK BRAEDT, WILLIAM BARRETT LEE
  • Damper for a bicycle component
    Patent number: 11667350
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Jih-Hung Chang
  • BRAKE MOUNTS FOR BICYCLES
    Publication number: 20230166807
    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: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: SEBASTIAN HEYNA, HENRIK BRAEDT, CHARLES DUNLAP
  • Pneumatic only height adjust seat post assembly
    Patent number: 11661129
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Rafer Chambers, Charles Dunlap
  • Tire retaining feature for a bicycle rim
    Patent number: 11660909
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Brady, Michael Hall, David Morse, Miguel Navarro Baeza
  • Electromechanical control device and methods for electromechanical control of a bicycle
    Patent number: 11661139
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Brian Jordan
  • Front forks for bicycles
    Patent number: 11654998
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Charles Dunlap, III
  • Electronic shift control device for a bicycle derailleur
    Patent number: 11655005
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Rachel Cahan, Doug Mahoney