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).

  • Patent number: 12134296
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: R. Joe Schoolcraft, Jr., Geoff Nichols, Warren Chambliss, Mark Santurbane, C. Michael Liberato, II
  • Patent number: 12128985
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Santurbane, Geoff Nichols, Christopher Shipman, Jeffrey John Baltes
  • Patent number: 11894716
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Geoff Nichols, Sage Hahn, Hendrik Scott Devries, Jeefrey Baltes, Todd Baltes
  • Patent number: 11787503
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Geoff Nichols
  • Patent number: 11745549
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM. LLC
    Inventor: Geoff Nichols
  • Patent number: 11724769
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Santurbane, Geoff Nichols, Christopher Shipman, Jeffrey John Baltes
  • Patent number: 11535069
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Jordan, Trevor Krugman, Geoff Nichols, Benjamin Rothschild, David Jonathan Huft
  • Patent number: 11511826
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Geoff Nichols
  • Patent number: 11001327
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Santurbane, Mason Pluimer, Geoff Nichols, Kevin Wesling, Brian Jordan
  • Patent number: 10919346
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Jordan, Benjamin Rothschild, Geoff Nichols
  • Patent number: 10900986
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining bicycle pedaling may include a sensor that detects the angular velocity and/or position of a drivetrain or rear sprocket assembly of the bicycle The apparatus may determine values indicative of pedaling. The apparatus may be configured to be housed within a component of the bicycle, such as within a hollow opening of the spindle or crank axle. The apparatus also may include a wireless transmitter to communicate with another component, such as a suspension controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Geoff Nichols, Brian Jordan, Sarah Fanto
  • Patent number: 10703146
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Jordan, Trevor Krugman, Geoff Nichols, Benjamin Rothschild, David Jonathan Huft
  • Patent number: 10416186
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining bicycle pedaling may include a sensor that detects the angular velocity and position of a drivetrain or rear sprocket assembly of the bicycle and a processor that is configured to compare the detected values against values indicative of at least one pedaling state. The apparatus may be configured to be housed within a component of the bicycle, such as within a hollow opening of the spindle or crank axle. The apparatus also may include a wireless transmitter to communicate with another component, such as a suspension controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Geoff Nichols, Brian Jordan, Sarah Fanto
  • Patent number: 9559973
    Abstract: Wireless communication link bandwidth utilization monitoring apparatus and methods are disclosed. Utilization of bandwidth on a wireless communication link is monitored to generate bandwidth utilization information. In order to provide a record of the distribution of bandwidth utilization, durations of bandwidth utilization above respective different thresholds might be determined. Such distributions could be useful for such purposes as network analysis and/or customer billing based on actual wireless bandwidth usage. Bandwidth utilization information may be collected from multiple wireless link nodes, illustratively the wireless link nodes at both ends of monitored wireless communication links, to allow total bandwidth utilization for bi-directional communications over the monitored links to be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: DRAGONWAVE INC.
    Inventors: Prakasha Aithal, Geoff Nichols
  • Patent number: 9544181
    Abstract: Multiple-node communication link management apparatus and methods are disclosed. Management information is exchanged between a management system and a local communication node over a connection with the local communication node. The management information includes management information associated with the local communication node and management information associated with a peer communication node that communicates with the local communication node through a communication link. Views of the communication link, in its context between the local communication node and the peer communication node, as well as partner and peer partner communication nodes in the case of a related link pair, for example, are provided at the management system. Through the management system and the local communication node, any or all of the communication nodes including the local, peer, partner, and peer partner communication nodes can be managed through the single connection with the communication node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Dragonwave, Inc.
    Inventors: Prakasha Aithal, Alykhan Nathoo, Geoff Nichols, Rozita Rafieyan
  • Patent number: 9066453
    Abstract: A power electronic system including a casing encapsulating a circuit board and multiple power electronic components mounted to a first broad face of the circuit board. The casing includes a case body, a first lid, and a second lid. The case body includes a cooling channel region including a cooling plate having a first and second broad face, cooling features extending from the cooling plate first broad face, and a cooling block extending from the cooling plate second broad face. The case body further includes a first access gap defined through the case body. The circuit board is mounted to the casing with the first broad face proximal the cooling plate second broad face. The power electronic system additionally includes a connector that extends from the case exterior to connect to the circuit board first broad face, wherein connector connection is facilitated by the first access gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Mission Motor Company
    Inventors: Jon Wagner, Geoff Nichols
  • Publication number: 20130235527
    Abstract: A power electronic system including a casing encapsulating a circuit board and multiple power electronic components mounted to a first broad face of the circuit board. The casing includes a case body, a first lid, and a second lid. The case body includes a cooling channel region including a cooling plate having a first and second broad face, cooling features extending from the cooling plate first broad face, and a cooling block extending from the cooling plate second broad face. The case body further includes a first access gap defined through the case body. The circuit board is mounted to the casing with the first broad face proximal the cooling plate second broad face. The power electronic system additionally includes a connector that extends from the case exterior to connect to the circuit board first broad face, wherein connector connection is facilitated by the first access gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: MISSION MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Jon Wagner, Geoff Nichols
  • Patent number: 7100095
    Abstract: In a communications network, a system and method for fault notification and correlation. The system includes a notification collector that serves as an intermediary for processing fault notifications. If the fault notification volume exceeds a defined threshold, such that in the prior art could involve dropped notifications, the notification collector processes the critical fault notifications. The notification collector may also assign a higher priority to processing the fault notifications than the faulty components do for generating the fault notifications. In this manner, the need for a fault correlation subsystem is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: CIENA Corporation
    Inventors: Dhananjay Godse, Geoff Nichols, Louie Kwan
  • Publication number: 20040078629
    Abstract: In a communications network, a system and method for fault notification and correlation. The system includes a notification collector that serves as an intermediary for processing fault notifications. If the fault notification volume exceeds a defined threshold, such that in the prior art could involve dropped notifications, the notification collector processes the critical fault notifications. The notification collector may also assign a higher priority to processing the fault notifications than the faulty components do for generating the fault notifications. In this manner, the need for a fault correlation subsystem is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Catena Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Dhananjay Godse, Geoff Nichols, Louie Kwan