Patents by Inventor Darek C. Barefoot

Darek C. Barefoot 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: 20210107590
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a compensator and a variable volume chamber. The compensator contains a compressible fluid and the variable volume chamber contains a substantially incompressible fluid. During a compression stroke, an increase in the volume of the incompressible fluid in the variable volume chamber compresses the compensator and thereby increases the available volume in the variable volume chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Darek C. Barefoot, Scott Winans, Timothy A. Fry
  • Publication number: 20210033164
    Abstract: A suspension system includes a first compression chamber and a second compression chamber with a damping chamber therebetween. The compression chambers may be independently filled with a compressible fluid, and the relative pressures may govern the rebound rate of the suspension. Seals that minimize friction, an adjustment system, and a stop are also included to enhance rider joy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Darek C. Barefoot, Eric Prinster
  • Publication number: 20200324858
    Abstract: An assembly for minimizing the disengagement of a chain from a chain ring is disclosed. The assembly includes a bracket and a chain guide assembly. The chain guide assembly includes a chain guide, a first lock and a second lock. The first lock and the second lock are capable of being actuated separately to lock the chain guide into a position in each of a first and second orientation relative to the bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Darek C. Barefoot, Scott Winans, Cole Hanson
  • Publication number: 20200149621
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a chain ring having teeth positioned in one of three lateral positions. At least one tooth may be placed in each lateral position. At least half the teeth may be positioned in a middle lateral position. The teeth in the first and third lateral positions may apply opposing lateral forces to a bicycle drive chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Darek C. Barefoot, Scott S. Winans, Timothy A. Fry
  • Patent number: 10563746
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a chain ring having teeth positioned in one of three lateral positions. At least one tooth may be placed in each lateral position. At least half the teeth may be positioned in a middle lateral position. The teeth in the first and third lateral positions may apply opposing lateral forces to a bicycle drive chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.
    Inventors: Darek C. Barefoot, Scott S. Winans, Timothy A. Fry
  • Patent number: 10549814
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a valve controlling the flow rate of fluid between a first chamber and a second chamber. The shock absorber may include a blocker that has a variable profile. The blocker may be rotatable using an external adjuster to position the blocker to variably occlude an aperture and vary the damping of the suspension. A bias may also be positioned adjacent the blocker to allow force from the fluid to move the blocker and expose the aperture, thereby allowing fluid to flow through the entirety of the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.
    Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
  • Publication number: 20200003293
    Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle includes a chain ring and a drive chain. The chain ring has a plurality of teeth serially arranged and joined to one another. A first subset of teeth has a first outer face that applies a lateral pressure to a link of a drive chain in a first direction. A second subset of teeth has a second outer face that applies a lateral pressure to another link of a drive chain in a second direction. The teeth all have substantially the same width. The top surfaces of the teeth are offset from the centerline of the drive chain. The centerlines of the top surfaces of the teeth are arranged asymmetrically on one side of the centerline of the drive chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Scott Winans, Darek C. Barefoot, Timothy A. Fry
  • Publication number: 20190382075
    Abstract: A suspension unit for a front fork of a vehicle includes an annular tube. The first tube defines a compression chamber and a damping chamber. A damper includes a first valve allowing gas to variably flow from the compression chamber to the damping chamber and a second valve allowing gas to flow from the damping chamber to the compression chamber. An external adjuster allows a rider to adjust the first valve to improve ride conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
  • Publication number: 20190381848
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a first end and a second end that reciprocate relative to one another. The shock absorber includes a gas spring chamber, a damping chamber, and a floating piston. The first side of the floating piston is in fluid communication with the gas spring chamber. The second side of the floating piston is in fluid communication with the damping chamber. The gas in the gas spring chamber applies pressure against the floating piston, which applies pressure to the substantially incompressible fluid in the damping chamber. This pressure transfer may be adequate to minimize or prevent cavitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Darek C. Barefoot, Eric Prinster, Scott Winans
  • Patent number: 10500915
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a first end and a second end that reciprocate relative to one another. The shock absorber includes a gas spring chamber, a damping chamber, and a floating piston. The first side of the floating piston is in fluid communication with the gas spring chamber. The second side of the floating piston is in fluid communication with the damping chamber. The gas in the gas spring chamber applies pressure against the floating piston, which applies pressure to the substantially incompressible fluid in the damping chamber. This pressure transfer may be adequate to minimize or prevent cavitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.
    Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
  • Patent number: 10451166
    Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle includes a chain ring and a drive chain. The chain ring has a plurality of teeth serially arranged and joined to one another. A first subset of teeth has a first outer face that applies a lateral pressure to a link of a drive chain in a first direction. A second subset of teeth has a second outer face that applies a lateral pressure to another link of a drive chain in a second direction. The teeth all have substantially the same width. The top surfaces of the teeth are offset from the centerline of the drive chain. The centerlines of the top surfaces of the teeth are arranged asymmetrically on one side of the centerline of the drive chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Winans, Darek C. Barefoot, Timothy A. Fry
  • Patent number: 10435105
    Abstract: A suspension unit for a front fork of a vehicle includes an annular tube. The first tube defines a compression chamber and a damping chamber. A damper includes a first valve allowing gas to variably flow from the compression chamber to the damping chamber and a second valve allowing gas to flow from the damping chamber to the compression chamber. An external adjuster allows a rider to adjust the first valve to improve ride conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.
    Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
  • Publication number: 20190054973
    Abstract: A front fork of a bicycle may include a suspension system that includes a damper. The damper may include a hollow tube with orifices that may be partially blocked by an adjustable blocker. A free end of the adjuster that adjusts the blocker may maintain its axial position in any rotational position. Ambient air may be introduced through a valve and retained in the suspension system. The suspension may include a mechanical spring in a chamber away from the valve that introduces the ambient air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
  • Patent number: 10156279
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a first end and a second end that reciprocate relative to one another. The shock absorber includes a gas spring chamber, a damping chamber, and a floating piston. The first side of the floating piston is in fluid communication with the gas spring chamber. The second side of the floating piston is in fluid communication with the damping chamber. The gas in the gas spring chamber applies pressure against the floating piston, which applies pressure to the substantially incompressible fluid in the damping chamber. This pressure transfer may be adequate to minimize or prevent cavitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.
    Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
  • Patent number: 10145436
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rear shock absorber for a vehicle. The shock absorber may include a first end and a second end that slide telescopically relative to one another. A piston may be placed in fixed position relative to one of the ends. The first side of the piston may partially define a first chamber filled with a compressible fluid. The second side of the piston may partially define a second chamber filled with a substantially incompressible fluid. The substantially incompressible fluid may be under pressure and may lubricate a seal substantially surrounding a periphery of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.
    Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
  • Publication number: 20180236838
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a first end and a second end that reciprocate relative to one another. The shock absorber includes a gas spring chamber, a damping chamber, and a floating piston. The first side of the floating piston is in fluid communication with the gas spring chamber. The second side of the floating piston is in fluid communication with the damping chamber. The gas in the gas spring chamber applies pressure against the floating piston, which applies pressure to the substantially incompressible fluid in the damping chamber. This pressure transfer may be adequate to minimize or prevent cavitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
  • Patent number: 9981712
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a first end and a second end that reciprocate relative to one another. The shock absorber includes a gas spring chamber, a damping chamber, and a floating piston. The first side of the floating piston is in fluid communication with the gas spring chamber. The second side of the floating piston is in fluid communication with the damping chamber. The gas in the gas spring chamber applies pressure against the floating piston, which applies pressure to the substantially incompressible fluid in the damping chamber. This pressure transfer may be adequate to minimize or prevent cavitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.
    Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
  • Publication number: 20180135721
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a valve controlling the flow rate of fluid between a first chamber and a second chamber. The shock absorber may include a blocker that has a variable profile. The blocker may be rotatable using an external adjuster to position the blocker to variably occlude an aperture and vary the damping of the suspension. A bias may also be positioned adjacent the blocker to allow force from the fluid to move the blocker and expose the aperture, thereby allowing fluid to flow through the entirety of the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
  • Patent number: 9903436
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a valve controlling the flow rate of fluid between a first chamber and a second chamber. The shock absorber may include a blocker that has a variable profile. The blocker may be rotatable using an external adjuster to position the blocker to variably occlude an aperture and vary the damping of the suspension. A bias may also be positioned adjacent the blocker to allow force from the fluid to move the blocker and expose the aperture, thereby allowing fluid to flow through the entirety of the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.
    Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
  • Publication number: 20170350465
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a first end and a second end that reciprocate relative to one another. The shock absorber includes a gas spring chamber, a damping chamber, and a floating piston. The first side of the floating piston is in fluid communication with the gas spring chamber. The second side of the floating piston is in fluid communication with the damping chamber. The gas in the gas spring chamber applies pressure against the floating piston, which applies pressure to the substantially incompressible fluid in the damping chamber. This pressure transfer may be adequate to minimize or prevent cavitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot