Patents by Inventor Dennis K. Wootten

Dennis K. Wootten 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: 20240125371
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a gas spring cylinder containing a piston moveable between an extended position and a compressed position within the gas spring cylinder. A mechanical actuator is arranged whereby a bleed port is automatically closed when the gas spring is compressed to a predetermined position corresponding to a desired sag setting. In one embodiment, the position corresponds to a predetermined sag setting whereby the gas spring is partially compressed. In another embodiment, a proper sag setting is determined through the use of a processor and sensor that in one instance measure a position of shock absorber components to dictate a proper sag setting and in another instance calculate a pressure corresponding to a preferred sag setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario GALASSO, Dennis K. WOOTTEN, Joseph FRANKLIN
  • Patent number: 11951793
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a vehicle suspension system gas spring. In one embodiment, a vehicle suspension system gas spring includes a compressible main gas chamber and an additional volume combinable with the main chamber to change a gas spring rate of the system. In one embodiment, a low friction piston seal is created by a flexible seal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Galasso, Joshua Benjamin Yablon, Andrew Laird, William M. Becker, Joseph Franklin, Dennis K. Wootten
  • Patent number: 11858385
    Abstract: A sealed boat seat suspension including a plurality of sealed rails. The sealed boat seat suspension also includes a boat seat attachment component which is coupled to the plurality of sealed rails. The sealed boat seat suspension also includes a boat seat attachment component which is movable with respect to at least a portion of the plurality of sealed rails. The sealed boat seat suspension also includes a suspension component which is coupled to the boat seat attachment component such that the suspension component provides at least some control of movement of the boat seat attachment component with respect to at least a portion of the plurality of sealed rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Tsiaras, Dennis K. Wootten, Paul Hammerstrom
  • Patent number: 11858386
    Abstract: A sealed boat seat suspension including a plurality of sealed rails. The sealed boat seat suspension also includes a boat seat attachment component which is coupled to the plurality of sealed rails. The sealed boat seat suspension also includes a boat seat attachment component which is movable with respect to at least a portion of the plurality of sealed rails. The sealed boat seat suspension also includes a suspension component which is coupled to the boat seat attachment component such that the suspension component provides at least some control of movement of the boat seat attachment component with respect to at least a portion of the plurality of sealed rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Tsiaras, Dennis K. Wootten, Paul Hammerstrom
  • Publication number: 20230173960
    Abstract: A sealed boat seat suspension including a plurality of sealed rails. The sealed boat seat suspension also includes a boat seat attachment component which is coupled to the plurality of sealed rails. The sealed boat seat suspension also includes a boat seat attachment component which is movable with respect to at least a portion of the plurality of sealed rails. The sealed boat seat suspension also includes a suspension component which is coupled to the boat seat attachment component such that the suspension component provides at least some control of movement of the boat seat attachment component with respect to at least a portion of the plurality of sealed rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip TSIARAS, Dennis K. WOOTTEN, Paul HAMMERSTROM
  • Patent number: 11655873
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a gas spring cylinder containing a piston moveable between an extended position and a compressed position within the gas spring cylinder. A mechanical actuator is arranged whereby a bleed port is automatically closed when the gas spring is compressed to a predetermined position corresponding to a desired sag setting. In one embodiment, the position corresponds to a predetermined sag setting whereby the gas spring is partially compressed. In another embodiment, a proper sag setting is determined through the use of a processor and sensor that in one instance measure a position of shock absorber components to dictate a proper sag setting and in another instance calculate a pressure corresponding to a preferred sag setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Galasso, Dennis K. Wootten, Joseph Franklin
  • Publication number: 20220324284
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a shock absorber for a vehicle having a gas spring with first and second gas chambers, wherein the first chamber is utilized during a first travel portion of the shock absorber and the first and second chambers are both utilized during a second portion of travel. In one embodiment, a travel adjustment assembly is configured to selectively communicate a first gas chamber with a negative gas chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew LAIRD, Sante M. PELOT, William M. BECKER, Dennis K. WOOTTEN
  • Publication number: 20220281365
    Abstract: A sealed boat seat suspension including a plurality of sealed rails. The sealed boat seat suspension also includes a boat seat attachment component which is coupled to the plurality of sealed rails. The sealed boat seat suspension also includes a boat seat attachment component which is movable with respect to at least a portion of the plurality of sealed rails. The sealed boat seat suspension also includes a suspension component which is coupled to the boat seat attachment component such that the suspension component provides at least some control of movement of the boat seat attachment component with respect to at least a portion of the plurality of sealed rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip TSIARAS, Dennis K. WOOTTEN, Paul HAMMERSTROM
  • Publication number: 20220242191
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a vehicle suspension system gas spring. In one embodiment, a vehicle suspension system gas spring includes a compressible main gas chamber and an additional volume combinable with the main chamber to change a gas spring rate of the system. In one embodiment, a low friction piston seal is created by a flexible seal member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario GALASSO, Joshua Benjamin YABLON, Andrew LAIRD, William M. BECKER, Joseph FRANKLIN, Dennis K. WOOTTEN
  • Patent number: 11370261
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a shock absorber for a vehicle having a gas spring with first and second gas chambers, wherein the first chamber is utilized during a first travel portion of the shock absorber and the first and second chambers are both utilized during a second portion of travel. In one embodiment, a travel adjustment assembly is configured to selectively communicate a first gas chamber with a negative gas chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Laird, Sante M. Pelot, William M. Becker, Dennis K. Wootten
  • Patent number: 11364826
    Abstract: A sealed boat seat suspension including a plurality of sealed rails. The sealed boat seat suspension also includes a boat seat attachment component which is coupled to the plurality of sealed rails. The sealed boat seat suspension also includes a boat seat attachment component which is movable with respect to at least a portion of the plurality of sealed rails. The sealed boat seat suspension also includes a suspension component which is coupled to the boat seat attachment component such that the suspension component provides at least some control of movement of the boat seat attachment component with respect to at least a portion of the plurality of sealed rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Tsiaras, Dennis K. Wootten, Paul Hammerstrom
  • Patent number: 11312203
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a vehicle suspension system gas spring. In one embodiment, a vehicle suspension system gas spring includes a compressible main gas chamber and an additional volume combinable with the main chamber to change a gas spring rate of the system. In one embodiment, a low friction piston seal is created by a flexible seal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Galasso, Joshua Benjamin Yablon, Andrew Laird, William M. Becker, Joseph Franklin, Dennis K. Wootten
  • Publication number: 20220099154
    Abstract: A modern suspension damper, for example, a shock absorber or a suspension fork, including an inertia valve and a pressure-relief feature is disclosed. The pressure-relief feature includes a rotatable adjustment knob that allows the pressure-relief threshold to be externally adjusted by the rider “on-the-fly” and without the use of tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Becker, Robert C, Fox, Dennis K. Wootten
  • Publication number: 20220082150
    Abstract: Pressure-sensitive vales are incorporated within a dampening system to permit user-adjustable tuning of a shock absorber. In one embodiment, a pressure-sensitive valve includes an isolated gas chamber having a pressure therein that is settable by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis K. WOOTTEN, Robert C. FOX, Joshua Benjamin YABLON, David M. Haugen
  • Patent number: 11181163
    Abstract: Pressure-sensitive vales are incorporated within a dampening system to permit user-adjustable tuning of a shock absorber. In one embodiment, a pressure-sensitive valve includes an isolated gas chamber having a pressure therein that is settable by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis K. Wootten, Robert C. Fox, Joshua Benjamin Yablon, David M. Haugen
  • Publication number: 20210301899
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension damper for providing a variable damping rate. The vehicle suspension damper comprises a first damping mechanism having a variable first threshold pressure, a second damping mechanism having a second threshold pressure, and a compressible chamber in communication with a damping fluid chamber, wherein the second damping mechanism is responsive to a compression of said compressible chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Benjamin YABLON, Dennis K. WOOTTEN, Robert C. FOX, David M. HAUGEN, Sante PELOT
  • Patent number: 11085503
    Abstract: A modern suspension damper, for example, a shock absorber or a suspension fork, including an inertia valve and a pressure-relief feature is disclosed. The pressure-relief feature includes a rotatable adjustment knob that allows the pressure-relief threshold to be externally adjusted by the rider “on-the-fly” and without the use of tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Becker, Robert C. Fox, Dennis K. Wootten
  • Patent number: 11041537
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension damper for providing a variable damping rate. The vehicle suspension damper comprises a first damping mechanism having a variable first threshold pressure, a second damping mechanism having a second threshold pressure, and a compressible chamber in communication with a damping fluid chamber, wherein the second damping mechanism is responsive to a compression of said compressible chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Benjamin Yablon, Dennis K. Wootten, Robert C. Fox, David M. Haugen, Sante Pelot
  • Publication number: 20210131521
    Abstract: A fluid damper is provided that has a compression damping profile that is favorable for damping the full range of compression forces, including low- and high-speed compression forces. While achieving this compression damping profile, the damper has a mode that does not require: (1) both low- and high-speed compression circuits; (2) the rider or a complicated control system to make adjustments to the compression circuit to achieve the different compression damping curves/profiles; and/or (3) the use of an inertia valve. The damping curve should be at least non-increasing and may be regressive across substantially the entire high-speed operating range of the damper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis K. WOOTTEN
  • Patent number: 10900539
    Abstract: A fluid damper is provided that has a compression damping profile that is favorable for damping the full range of compression forces, including low- and high-speed compression forces. While achieving this compression damping profile, the damper has a mode that does not require: (1) both low- and high-speed compression circuits; (2) the rider or a complicated control system to make adjustments to the compression circuit to achieve the different compression damping curves/profiles; and/or (3) the use of an inertia valve. The damping curve should be at least non-increasing and may be regressive across substantially the entire high-speed operating range of the damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis K. Wootten