Patents by Inventor Christopher Shipman
Christopher 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).
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Publication number: 20260098572Abstract: An electromechanical front gear changer for a bicycle is provided, the bicycle having a chain, including a base member attachable to the bicycle. A linkage is movably coupled to the base member. A chain guide is movably coupled to the linkage for contacting the chain. A motor is supported by the base member. A gear transmission is driven by the motor to move the linkage. A CPU is provided for controlling the motor and a power supply is supported by the base member to power the motor and the CPU. A manually operated device is disposed on the electromechanical front gear changer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2025Publication date: April 9, 2026Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN, MARK SANTURBANE
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Patent number: 12589830Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 3, 2024Date of Patent: March 31, 2026Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan, Sage Hahn
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Patent number: 12534159Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 20, 2024Date of Patent: January 27, 2026Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
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Patent number: 12523277Abstract: An electromechanical front gear changer for a bicycle is provided, the bicycle having a chain, including a base member attachable to the bicycle. A linkage is movably coupled to the base member. A chain guide is movably coupled to the linkage for contacting the chain. A motor is supported by the base member. A gear transmission is driven by the motor to move the linkage. A CPU is provided for controlling the motor and a power supply is supported by the base member to power the motor and the CPU. A manually operated device is disposed on the electromechanical front gear changer.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2020Date of Patent: January 13, 2026Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan, Mark Santurbane
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Publication number: 20250388290Abstract: A torque transmission device for a drive unit of a bicycle includes a shaft having an opening extending through the shaft. The torque transmission device includes a lever having a seat, a foot, and a tooth. The lever is movably attached to the shaft, such that the seat of the lever is rotatable on a surface of the shaft at least partially defining the opening. The tooth of the lever is engageable with internal teeth of a gear disposable about the shaft, and the foot of the lever is engageable with a cam disposable within the shaft. The lever is movably attached to the shaft, such that the foot of the lever is biased away from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft. A distance between the seat and the foot is greater than a distance between the tooth and the seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2025Publication date: December 25, 2025Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: SAGE HAHN, CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN
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Patent number: 12420890Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 31, 2023Date of Patent: September 23, 2025Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Christopher Shipman, Sage Hahn
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Patent number: 12384491Abstract: 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. An energy storage device, spaced apart from the cage assembly, may be connected to the electrical generator system and/or motor with a flexible electrical conductor.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2022Date of Patent: August 12, 2025Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Christopher Shipman, Sage Hahn
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Patent number: 12312034Abstract: 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: March 9, 2023Date of Patent: May 27, 2025Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan, Sage Hahn
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Publication number: 20250100648Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2023Publication date: March 27, 2025Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN, ANTHONY MEDAGLIA
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Publication number: 20250100640Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2024Publication date: March 27, 2025Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, SAGE HAHN, BRIAN JORDAN
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Publication number: 20250100638Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2023Publication date: March 27, 2025Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, SAGE HAHN, BRIAN JORDAN
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Publication number: 20250100639Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2023Publication date: March 27, 2025Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, SAGE HAHN, BRIAN JORDAN
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Publication number: 20250065984Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2024Publication date: February 27, 2025Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, MATTHEW C. MORRIS
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Publication number: 20250050958Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2024Publication date: February 13, 2025Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN
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Patent number: 12208861Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 21, 2019Date of Patent: January 28, 2025Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan, Sage Hahn
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Publication number: 20250010938Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2024Publication date: January 9, 2025Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: MARK SANTURBANE, GEOFF NICHOLS, CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, JEFFREY JOHN BALTES
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Patent number: 12162554Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 10, 2023Date of Patent: December 10, 2024Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
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Patent number: 12128985Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 28, 2023Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Mark Santurbane, Geoff Nichols, Christopher Shipman, Jeffrey John Baltes
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Publication number: 20240343343Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2024Publication date: October 17, 2024Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN
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Patent number: 12116081Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 8, 2023Date of Patent: October 15, 2024Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Christopher Shipman, Matthew C. Morris