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).

  • Patent number: 6631915
    Abstract: A bicycle fork travel limiter that limits the maximum extension of the fork, but permits the fork to function as a shock-absorbing unit. A ratchet rod with teeth on the side thereof connects to the upper member of one leg of the fork. A shuttle is slidably mounted to a neutral shaft mounted to the lower member, and contains two pawls that engage and disengage from the teeth based upon the rotational position of the ratchet rod. A coil spring biases the shuttle upwardly toward the ratchet rod. The ratchet rod can move downwardly when the fork is compressed, but upon release of the compression on the fork, the shuttle, with its pawls engaging the teeth, prevents rebound of the upper member other than through a shortened stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.
    Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
  • Patent number: 6581919
    Abstract: A seat post for a cycle has inner and outer members that are slidably mounted together forming a variable volume chamber. The variable volume chamber communicates with a fixed volume chamber in the inner member through orifices and a check valve. Slots are formed in the inner member, and a pin extends from the outer member through the slots. A cushion at one end of the slots prevents hard top-out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.
    Inventors: Darek C. Barefoot, David R. Warnick, Thomas A. Hochanadel, Timothy A. Fry
  • Publication number: 20030034596
    Abstract: A seat post for a cycle has inner and outer members that are slidably mounted together forming a variable volume chamber. The variable volume chamber communicates with a fixed volume chamber in the inner member through orifices and a check valve. Slots are formed in the inner member, and a pin extends from the outer member through the slots. A cushion at one end of the slots prevents hard top-out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Darek C. Barefoot, David R. Warnick, Thomas A. Hochanadel, Timothy A. Fry
  • Publication number: 20020074769
    Abstract: A bicycle fork travel limiter that limits the maximum extension of the fork, but permits the fork to function as a shock-absorbing unit. A ratchet rod with teeth on the side thereof connects to the upper member of one leg of the fork. A shuttle is slidably mounted to a neutral shaft mounted to the lower member, and contains two pawls that engage and disengage from the teeth based upon the rotational position of the ratchet rod. A coil spring biases the shuttle upwardly toward the ratchet rod. The ratchet rod can move downwardly when the fork is compressed, but upon release of the compression on the fork, the shuttle, with its pawls engaging the teeth, prevents rebound of the upper member other than through a shortened stroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot