Patents by Inventor John Larry Thomas

John Larry Thomas 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: 9487264
    Abstract: A brake system for a bicycle is disclosed. The brake system comprises an actuation mechanism shown as a master cylinder assembly and a brake or brake mechanism for the wheels of the bicycle. The mechanism/assembly comprises (among other parts, components and assemblies) a body or housing, a piston assembly, an actuating lever on a pivot pin, a bladder, a retainer and a primary seal. The bladder is fixed at a first end to the piston and fixed at a second end to the retainer. A reservoir is defined by the piston, the body, and the bladder. Advancement of the piston along the stroke causes the piston to seal against a primary seal and separate the reservoir from a pressure chamber in the body. A retainer may be provided to seal the bladder to the body, act as a piston guide bushing, act as a pivot bushing, and act as a stroke limiter. Upon advancement the piston will contact the primary seal and separate the reservoir from the pressure chamber as the bladder rolls out thus pressurizing the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Hayes Bicycle Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Jerome Abhold, John Larry Thomas
  • Publication number: 20150083531
    Abstract: A brake system for a bicycle is disclosed. The brake system comprises an actuation mechanism shown as a master cylinder assembly and a brake or brake mechanism for the wheels of the bicycle. The mechanism/assembly comprises (among other parts, components and assemblies) a body or housing, a piston assembly, an actuating lever on a pivot pin, a bladder, a retainer and a primary seal. The bladder is fixed at a first end to the piston and fixed at a second end to the retainer. A reservoir is defined by the piston, the body, and the bladder. Advancement of the piston along the stroke causes the piston to seal against a primary seal and separate the reservoir from a pressure chamber in the body. A retainer may be provided to seal the bladder to the body, act as a piston guide bushing, act as a pivot bushing, and act as a stroke limiter. Upon advancement the piston will contact the primary seal and separate the reservoir from the pressure chamber as the bladder rolls out thus pressurizing the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Hayes Bicyle Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Jerome Abhold, John Larry Thomas
  • Patent number: 8943924
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an adjustable lever assembly with a lever having an adjustment section and a grip section, where the adjustment section includes a slide passage in communication with an adjuster passage, and an adjuster positioned at least partially inside the adjuster passage, the adjuster having a threaded inner passage extending therethrough. The adjustable lever assembly further includes a slide positioned substantially inside the slide passage, the slide including an outer wall surface that is keyed to the slide passage and a threaded outer portion for rotatably engaging the threaded inner passage of the adjuster, wherein rotation of the adjuster translates the slide about the adjuster passage, and wherein the slide includes a bottom portion configured for securing pivotally to a pushrod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: HB Performance Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John Larry Thomas
  • Publication number: 20120125143
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an adjustable lever assembly with a lever having an adjustment section and a grip section, where the adjustment section includes a slide passage in communication with an adjuster passage, and an adjuster positioned at least partially inside the adjuster passage, the adjuster having a threaded inner passage extending therethrough. The adjustable lever assembly further includes a slide positioned substantially inside the slide passage, the slide including an outer wall surface that is keyed to the slide passage and a threaded outer portion for rotatably engaging the threaded inner passage of the adjuster, wherein rotation of the adjuster translates the slide about the adjuster passage, and wherein the slide includes a bottom portion configured for securing pivotally to a pushrod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: HB PERFORMANCE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: John Larry Thomas
  • Publication number: 20120124991
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for lever stroke adjustment that includes, a master cylinder body having a master cylinder body wall at least partially bounding an inside of the master cylinder body, a piston bore situated substantially inside the master cylinder body, a rotatable cam assembly extending through the master cylinder body wall and into the piston bore, the cam assembly having a cam shaft with a lobe portion positioned in the piston bore and a cam lever positioned outside of the master cylinder body. The apparatus further including, a piston having a compression passage that includes a first sealing surface and a poppet valve having a first poppet end with a poppet actuating surface and a second poppet end with a second sealing surface, wherein rotation of the cam assembly varies the distance between the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: HB PERFORMANCE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: John Larry Thomas
  • Patent number: D641670
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: HB Performance Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Larry Thomas, Christopher Sean Jones