Patents by Inventor Charles Dunlap, III

Charles Dunlap, III has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 11643164
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Dunlap, III, Brian Jordan
  • Publication number: 20220411007
    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: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHARLES DUNLAP, III, BRENT PACKER, KEVIN WESLING
  • Publication number: 20220411008
    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: June 24, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHARLES DUNLAP, III, KEVIN WESLING
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20210101658
    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: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHARLES DUNLAP, III, BRIAN JORDAN
  • Patent number: 10913510
    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: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Dunlap, III, Brian Jordan
  • Publication number: 20200408267
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHARLES DUNLAP, III, BRIAN JORDAN
  • Publication number: 20200407009
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHARLES DUNLAP, III, BRIAN JORDAN
  • Publication number: 20200283090
    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: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHARLES DUNLAP, III, BRIAN JORDAN
  • Patent number: 10710672
    Abstract: Responsive to a hydraulic piston advancing out of a piston housing in a second brake arm and contacting a piston cam surface of a first brake arm, the second brake arm pivots around a second pivot. As this is happening, a cam surface in the second brake arm lifts a contact surface of a first force transfer member of the first brake arm, imparting torque to the first brake arm which then pivots around a first pivot. The cam surface is shaped to impart synchronous motion to the first and second pad holders. Splitting one of the brake arms with a centering member permits a centering adjust feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Dunlap, III, Brian Jordan
  • Patent number: 10207767
    Abstract: Responsive to a hydraulic piston advancing out of a piston housing in a second brake arm and contacting a piston cam surface of a first brake arm, the second brake arm pivots around a second pivot. As this is happening, a cam surface in the second brake arm lifts a contact surface of a first force transfer member of the first brake arm, imparting torque to the first brake arm which then pivots around a first pivot. The cam surface is shaped to impart synchronous motion to the first and second pad holders. Splitting one of the brake arms with a centering member permits a centering adjust feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Dunlap, III, Brian Jordan
  • Publication number: 20190009857
    Abstract: Responsive to a hydraulic piston advancing out of a piston housing in a second brake arm and contacting a piston cam surface of a first brake arm, the second brake arm pivots around a second pivot. As this is happening, a cam surface in the second brake arm lifts a contact surface of a first force transfer member of the first brake arm, imparting torque to the first brake arm which then pivots around a first pivot. The cam surface is shaped to impart synchronous motion to the first and second pad holders. Splitting one of the brake arms with a centering member permits a centering adjust feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Dunlap, III, Brian Jordan
  • Publication number: 20170073035
    Abstract: Responsive to a hydraulic piston advancing out of a piston housing in a second brake arm and contacting a piston cam surface of a first brake arm, the second brake arm pivots around a second pivot. As this is happening, a cam surface in the second brake arm lifts a contact surface of a first force transfer member of the first brake arm, imparting torque to the first brake arm which then pivots around a first pivot. The cam surface is shaped to impart synchronous motion to the first and second pad holders. Splitting one of the brake arms with a centering member permits a centering adjust feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Dunlap, III, Brian Jordan