Patents by Inventor Geoff Nichols
Geoff Nichols 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: 20250026167Abstract: Example adjustable suspension components for bicycles are described herein. An example bicycle suspension component includes a damper operable in a low damping state, a high damping state, and an intermediate damping state between the low damping state and the high damping state, a motion controller operable to change the damper between the low damping state, the intermediate damping state, and the high damping state, and a processor to, based on sensor data, activate the motion controller to change the damper between the intermediate damping state and one of the low damping state or the high damping state.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2024Publication date: January 23, 2025Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: R. JOE SCHOOLCRAFT, JR., GEOFF NICHOLS, WARREN CHAMBLISS, MARK SANTURBANE, C. MICHAEL LIBERATO, II
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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: 12134296Abstract: Example adjustable suspension components for bicycles are described herein. An example bicycle suspension component includes a damper operable in a low damping state, a high damping state, and an intermediate damping state between the low damping state and the high damping state, a motion controller operable to change the damper between the low damping state, the intermediate damping state, and the high damping state, and a processor to, based on sensor data, activate the motion controller to change the damper between the intermediate damping state and one of the low damping state or the high damping state.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2020Date of Patent: November 5, 2024Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: R. Joe Schoolcraft, Jr., Geoff Nichols, Warren Chambliss, Mark Santurbane, C. Michael Liberato, II
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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: 20240113551Abstract: A bicycle component includes a platform having a mounting arrangement adapted to be mounted to a bicycle. A solar cell array is arranged on the platform. A battery charging unit also is arranged on the platform and is operatively connected to the solar cell array.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: GEOFF NICHOLS, SAGE HAHN, HENDRIK SCOTT DEVRIES, JEFFREY BALTES, TODD BALTES
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Patent number: 11894716Abstract: A bicycle component includes a platform having a mounting arrangement adapted to be mounted to a bicycle. A solar cell array is arranged on the platform. A battery charging unit also is arranged on the platform and is operatively connected to the solar cell array.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2020Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Geoff Nichols, Sage Hahn, Hendrik Scott Devries, Jeefrey Baltes, Todd Baltes
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Publication number: 20230339567Abstract: 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: June 28, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: MARK SANTURBANE, GEOFF NICHOLS, CHRISTOPHER SHIPMAN, JEFFREY JOHN BALTES
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Patent number: 11787503Abstract: An axle assembly for a bicycle includes an axle having an inner wall extending along a length of the axle between a first end and a second end of the axle. The inner wall at least partially defines a first volume and a second volume within the axle. The first volume has a first diameter, and the second volume has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. The first volume is closer than the second volume to the first end of the axle. The axle assembly also includes a sensor attached to the inner wall of the axle within the second volume of the axle.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventor: Geoff Nichols
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Patent number: 11745549Abstract: A pressure sensing assembly configured to be attached to a bicycle wheel having a tire and a rim mounted to the tire. The pressure sensing assembly includes a housing, a pressure transmitting member, a sensing chamber defined by the housing and the pressure transmitting member, and a sensing element. The pressure transmitting member is coupled the housing and has a central portion offset from the plane in a first direction. The sensing element is offset from the plane in a second direction opposite the first direction. The pressure transmitting member is configured to transmit a pressure in the tire to the sensing element via the sensing chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2017Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: SRAM. LLCInventor: Geoff Nichols
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Patent number: 11724769Abstract: 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: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Mark Santurbane, Geoff Nichols, Christopher Shipman, Jeffrey John Baltes
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Publication number: 20230182511Abstract: A pressure sensing assembly configured to be attached to a bicycle wheel having a tire and a rim mounted to the tire. The pressure sensing assembly includes a housing, a pressure transmitting member, a sensing chamber defined by the housing and the pressure transmitting member, and a sensing element. The pressure transmitting member is coupled the housing and has a central portion offset from the plane in a first direction. The sensing element is offset from the plane in a second direction opposite the first direction. The pressure transmitting member is configured to transmit a pressure in the tire to the sensing element via the sensing chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2022Publication date: June 15, 2023Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventor: GEOFF NICHOLS
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Publication number: 20230055332Abstract: An axle assembly for a bicycle includes an axle having an inner wall extending along a length of the axle between a first end and a second end of the axle. The inner wall at least partially defines a first volume and a second volume within the axle. The first volume has a first diameter, and the second volume has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. The first volume is closer than the second volume to the first end of the axle. The axle assembly also includes a sensor attached to the inner wall of the axle within the second volume of the axle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventor: GEOFF NICHOLS
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Patent number: 11535069Abstract: A pressure measuring device for a bicycle has a housing that includes a pressure chamber. The pressure chamber has a valve disposed in a first opening and a second opening into or out of a tire assembly volume of a tire assembly. A sense element is in pressure communication with the pressure chamber along a flow path between the first and second openings.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2020Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Brian Jordan, Trevor Krugman, Geoff Nichols, Benjamin Rothschild, David Jonathan Huft
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Patent number: 11511826Abstract: An axle assembly for a bicycle includes an axle having an inner wall extending along a length of the axle between a first end and a second end of the axle. The inner wall at least partially defines a first volume and a second volume within the axle. The first volume has a first diameter, and the second volume has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. The first volume is closer than the second volume to the first end of the axle. The axle assembly also includes a sensor attached to the inner wall of the axle within the second volume of the axle.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2019Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventor: Geoff Nichols
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Publication number: 20220131404Abstract: A bicycle component includes a platform having a mounting arrangement adapted to be mounted to a bicycle. A solar cell array is arranged on the platform. A battery charging unit also is arranged on the platform and is operatively connected to the solar cell array.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2020Publication date: April 28, 2022Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: GEOFF NICHOLS, SAGE HAHN, HENDRIK SCOTT DEVRIES
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Publication number: 20210331550Abstract: Example adjustable suspension components for bicycles are described herein. An example bicycle suspension component includes a damper operable in a low damping state, a high damping state, and an intermediate damping state between the low damping state and the high damping state, a motion controller operable to change the damper between the low damping state, the intermediate damping state, and the high damping state, and a processor to, based on sensor data, activate the motion controller to change the damper between the intermediate damping state and one of the low damping state or the high damping state.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2020Publication date: October 28, 2021Applicant: SRAM, LLCInventors: R. JOE SCHOOLCRAFT, JR., GEOFF NICHOLS, WARREN CHAMBLISS, MARK SANTURBANE, C. MICHAEL LIBERATO, II
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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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Publication number: 20210171153Abstract: An axle assembly for a bicycle includes an axle having an inner wall extending along a length of the axle between a first end and a second end of the axle. The inner wall at least partially defines a first volume and a second volume within the axle. The first volume has a first diameter, and the second volume has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. The first volume is closer than the second volume to the first end of the axle. The axle assembly also includes a sensor attached to the inner wall of the axle within the second volume of the axle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2019Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventor: GEOFF NICHOLS
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Patent number: 11001327Abstract: Example pedal detection devices for bicycles are described herein. An example a pedal detection device includes an electronics module to be disposed in a spindle of a crankset of the bicycle. The electronics module includes a sensor to detect angular velocity and/or position of the spindle, a driver, and an expander wedge movably coupled to the electronics module via the driver. Axial movement of the expander wedge relative to the electronics module causes the expander wedge to expand radially.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2020Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Mark Santurbane, Mason Pluimer, Geoff Nichols, Kevin Wesling, Brian Jordan
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Patent number: 10919346Abstract: A pressure measuring device for a bicycle has a housing that includes a pressure chamber. The pressure chamber has a valve disposed in a first opening and a second opening into or out of a tire assembly volume of a tire assembly. A sense element is in pressure communication with the pressure chamber along a flow path between the first and second openings.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2017Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Brian Jordan, Benjamin Rothschild, Geoff Nichols