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: 20220355900Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2021Publication date: November 10, 2022Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, SAGE HAHN
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Patent number: 11420710Abstract: 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: July 9, 2019Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
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Publication number: 20220041249Abstract: 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: October 22, 2021Publication date: February 10, 2022Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, MATTHEW C. MORRIS
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Patent number: 11199240Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur has a base member mountable to a bicycle frame, a movable member movably coupled to the base member, a chain guide assembly rotatably connected to the movable member for rotation about a rotational axis, a biasing element configured and arranged to bias the chain guide assembly for rotation in a first rotational direction with respect to the movable member, and a fluid damper having a fluid cavity containing a volume of fluid. The fluid damper is operatively disposed between the chain guide assembly and the movable member to apply a damping force to the chain guide assembly when the chain guide assembly rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction. The fluid damper has a guide wheel configured to route a chain and rotatable about the rotational axis.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2017Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Joshua Brown, Brian Jordan, Christopher Shipman
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Patent number: 11180219Abstract: 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: November 15, 2018Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Christopher Shipman, Matthew C. Morris
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Publication number: 20210324934Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur has a base member mountable to a bicycle frame, a movable member movably coupled to the base member, a chain guide assembly rotatably connected to the movable member for rotation about a rotational axis, a biasing element configured and arranged to bias the chain guide assembly for rotation in a first rotational direction with respect to the movable member, and a fluid damper having a fluid cavity containing a volume of fluid. The fluid damper is operatively disposed between the chain guide assembly and the movable member to apply a damping force to the chain guide assembly when the chain guide assembly rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction. The fluid damper has a guide wheel configured to route a chain and rotatable about the rotational axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2021Publication date: October 21, 2021Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: JOSHUA BROWN, BRIAN JORDAN, CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN
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Patent number: 11090543Abstract: A bicycle trainer has a stand, a resistance generating mechanism carried by the stand, and a decoupling hub assembly carried on the stand. The decoupling hub assembly has a torque coupler operably connected to the resistance generating mechanism. The torque coupler has a coupling portion configured to engage a coupling part of a drive body assembly on a bicycle. The coupling portion is exposed to an exterior of the stand engages the drive body assembly, which is rotationally driven by the drive train of the bicycle.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2018Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: James Meyer, Christopher Shipman, Kevin Wesling
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Publication number: 20210179226Abstract: 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: December 17, 2019Publication date: June 17, 2021Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: MARK SANTURBANE, GEOFF NICHOLS, CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, JEFFREY JOHN BALTES
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Patent number: 10988209Abstract: A bicycle control system includes a housing having an upper mounting surface and housing a brake actuation system. A lever is pivotally coupled to the housing about an axis and is operably coupled to the brake actuation system. An electronic module includes a housing releasably coupled to the upper mounting surface. The housing sealingly encloses at least one electronic component. The lever may be pivotally coupled to the housing about both a shift axis and a brake axis, wherein the shift axis and the brake axis being non-orthogonal. A bicycle control kit includes different first and second electronic modules.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2020Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Nathan Luman, Christopher Shipman, Patrick Gruse
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Publication number: 20210079984Abstract: 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: November 24, 2020Publication date: March 18, 2021Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN, MARK SANTURBANE
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Publication number: 20210001941Abstract: 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: September 18, 2020Publication date: January 7, 2021Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN
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Patent number: 10876607Abstract: 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: October 26, 2017Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan, Mark Santurbane
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Patent number: 10807667Abstract: 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: June 6, 2019Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
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Patent number: 10759494Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur includes a base member mountable to a bicycle frame. A movable member is movably coupled to the base member. A chain guide assembly is rotatably connected to the movable member for rotation about a rotation axis. A biasing element is configured to bias the chain guide assembly for rotation in a first rotational direction with respect to the movable member. A damper assembly is operatively disposed between the chain guide assembly and the movable member to apply a damping force to the chain guide assembly when the chain guide assembly rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2017Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
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Publication number: 20200255078Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN
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Publication number: 20200255089Abstract: 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: April 27, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: Christopher SHIPMAN, Brian JORDAN
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Publication number: 20200188757Abstract: A bicycle trainer has a stand, a resistance generating mechanism carried by the stand, and a decoupling hub assembly carried on the stand. The decoupling hub assembly has a torque coupler operably connected to the resistance generating mechanism. The torque coupler has a coupling portion configured to engage a coupling part of a drive body assembly on a bicycle. The coupling portion is exposed to an exterior of the stand engages the drive body assembly, which is rotationally driven by the drive train of the bicycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2018Publication date: June 18, 2020Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: JAMES MEYER, CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, KEVIN WESLING
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Patent number: 10668968Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 25, 2018Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
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Patent number: 10668984Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 14, 2017Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
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Publication number: 20200140029Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, BRIAN JORDAN, SAGE HAHN