Patents by Inventor Christopher A. Shipman

Christopher A. Shipman 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: 20250100639
    Abstract: Height adjustable seat posts for bicycles are described herein. An example height adjustable seat post includes an upper tube and a lower tube configured in a telescopic arrangement. The height adjustable seat post includes a piston assembly in the upper tube that divides the upper tube into a first chamber and a second chamber. The piston assembly includes a valve to control fluid flow between the first and second chambers. The height adjustable seat post also includes an actuator to operate the valve. The height adjustable seat post further includes a connector assembly connected to the lower tube. The connector assembly is to be connected to a mating connector assembly on the bicycle. The connector assembly includes a magnetic connector including a housing having an end surface with an opening, first and second electrical contacts in the opening, and a magnet disposed in the housing and spaced from the end surface of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, SAGE HAHN, BRIAN JORDAN
  • Publication number: 20250100638
    Abstract: Height adjustable seat posts for bicycles are described herein. An example height adjustable seat post includes an upper tube and a lower tube configured in a telescopic arrangement. The height adjustable seat post includes a piston in the upper tube that divides the upper tube into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first and second chambers are filled with fluid. The piston defines a fluid passageway between the first chamber and the second chamber. The height adjustable seat post includes a plug and a seal carried by the plug. The plug is moveable in a linear direction between a closed position in which the seal is engaged with the piston to block fluid flow through the fluid passageway and an open position in which the seal is spaced from the piston to enable fluid flow through the fluid passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, SAGE HAHN, BRIAN JORDAN
  • Publication number: 20250100648
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel hub includes a driver rotatable about an axis at a first rotational speed, wherein the driver includes a mating feature configured to engage a cassette. A shell is rotatable about the axis at a second rotational speed. A non-adjustable gear train is coupled between the driver and the shell, wherein the gear train defines a single fixed gear ratio greater than 1:1 between the driver and the shell. A bicycle drive train includes a drive unit having a user input component rotatable about a first axis at a first rotational speed, a chain ring rotatable about a second axis at a second rotational speed, and a gear train coupled between the user input component and the chain ring. The gear train defines a gear ratio less than 1:1 between the user input component and the chain ring. A method of propelling a bicycle is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN, ANTHONY MEDAGLIA
  • Publication number: 20250100640
    Abstract: Height adjustable seat posts for bicycles are described herein. An example apparatus includes a height adjustable seat post including a valve and an internal actuator to operate the valve to enable the seat post to expand or contract. The apparatus also includes a control device including a housing and a microcontroller in the housing. The control device is outside of the seat post. The microcontroller is to control power to the internal actuator based on wireless signals from a seat post actuator on the bicycle. The apparatus also includes a cable to electrically couple the seat post and the control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2024
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, SAGE HAHN, BRIAN JORDAN
  • Publication number: 20250065984
    Abstract: A bicycle control assembly may be provided for operating an electromechanical gear shifting device. The control assembly includes a graspable housing mountable to the bicycle, a power supply connected to the control assembly disposed in the housing, a first operating member movably connected to the housing, and electronic componentry disposed on the first operating member. The electronic componentry may include an electrical switch, a controller in communication with the electrical switch and configured to generate a signal to change a shift position of the gear shifting device responsive to an input from the electrical switch, and an antenna in communication with the controller and configured to send the signal. The control assembly may also include a cable extending from the housing to the first operating member connecting the power supply and the electronic componentry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2024
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, MATTHEW C. MORRIS
  • Publication number: 20250050958
    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: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2024
    Publication date: February 13, 2025
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN
  • Patent number: 12208861
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan, Sage Hahn
  • Publication number: 20250010938
    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: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: MARK SANTURBANE, GEOFF NICHOLS, CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, JEFFREY JOHN BALTES
  • Patent number: 12162554
    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: July 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
  • Patent number: 12128985
    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: June 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Santurbane, Geoff Nichols, Christopher Shipman, Jeffrey John Baltes
  • Publication number: 20240343343
    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: June 21, 2024
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN
  • Patent number: 12116081
    Abstract: A bicycle control assembly may be provided for operating an electromechanical gear shifting device. The control assembly includes a graspable housing mountable to the bicycle, a power supply connected to the control assembly disposed in the housing, a first operating member movably connected to the housing, and electronic componentry disposed on the first operating member. The electronic componentry may include an electrical switch, a controller in communication with the electrical switch and configured to generate a signal to change a shift position of the gear shifting device responsive to an input from the electrical switch, and an antenna in communication with the controller and configured to send the signal. The control assembly may also include a cable extending from the housing to the first operating member connecting the power supply and the electronic componentry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Matthew C. Morris
  • Publication number: 20240300617
    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: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN
  • Patent number: 12054224
    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: March 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
  • Publication number: 20240246636
    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: January 3, 2024
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN, SAGE HAHN
  • Patent number: 12017731
    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 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
  • Patent number: 11987312
    Abstract: A fluid device for a bicycle may be provided to vent fluid from a hydraulic chamber of a seating component such as an adjustable seating assembly for a bicycle. The fluid device may be operable to vent a compressible fluid or a mixed combination flow of compressible and non-compressible fluids in a metered volume. The fluid device may recycle fluids preferentially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan, Kevin Wesling, Rafer Chambers, Jesse Jakomait
  • Patent number: 11912374
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan, Sage Hahn
  • Patent number: 11845505
    Abstract: A bypass device for a seating component such as an adjustable seating assembly for a bicycle may be provided to redistribute fluid preferentially by density. The bypass device may be operable to redistribute a low density compressible fluid or a mixed phase of low density compressible and high density non-compressible fluids within the seating component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
  • Patent number: 11845512
    Abstract: A bicycle control assembly may be provided for operating an electromechanical gear shifting device. The control assembly includes a graspable housing mountable to the bicycle, a power supply connected to the control assembly disposed in the housing, a first operating member movably connected to the housing, and electronic componentry disposed on the first operating member. The electronic componentry may include an electrical switch, a controller in communication with the electrical switch and configured to generate a signal to change a shift position of the gear shifting device responsive to an input from the electrical switch, and an antenna in communication with the controller and configured to send the signal. The control assembly may also include a cable extending from the housing to the first operating member connecting the power supply and the electronic componentry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Matthew C. Morris