Patents by Inventor John Marking

John Marking 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: 12122205
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension damper includes: a cylinder and a piston assembly, wherein the piston assembly includes a piston; a working fluid within the cylinder; a bypass cylinder surrounding the cylinder and defining a cylindrical bypass channel; an adjustable bypass port fluidly coupling an interior of the cylinder and the cylindrical bypass channel; and an active bypass valve coupled with the cylindrical bypass channel, the active bypass valve configured to adjust a working size of the adjustable bypass port to modify a flow of said working fluid through the adjustable bypass port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: John Marking, Everet Owen Ericksen, George O'Neal, Matt McLellan
  • Publication number: 20240344584
    Abstract: An electronic external bypass for a shock assembly is disclosed herein. The electronic external bypass has a compression side fluid connection, a rebound side fluid connection, and an external bypass fluid flow path physically separate from the shock assembly, the external bypass fluid flow path fluidly coupling the compression side fluid connection with the rebound side fluid connection. The electronic external bypass includes a solenoid circuit, the solenoid circuit to control a flow of a working fluid through the external bypass fluid flow path, the solenoid circuit includes a poppet valve and an active valve configured to control a pop pressure of the poppet valve, such that the solenoid circuit provides an infinitely adjustable bypass pressure for the shock assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2024
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Bobby Smith, John Marking
  • Patent number: 12110944
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for cooling damping fluid in a vehicle suspension damper unit. A damping unit includes a piston mounted in a fluid cylinder. A bypass fluid circuit having an integrated cooling assembly disposed therein is fluidly coupled to the fluid cylinder at axial locations that, at least at one point in the piston stroke, are located on opposite sides of the piston. The cooling assembly may include a cylinder having cooling fins thermally coupled to an exterior surface of the cylinder and made of a thermally conductive material. The bypass channel may include a check valve that permits fluid flow in only one direction through the bypass channel. The check valve may be remotely operated, either manually or automatically by an electronic controller. A vehicle suspension system may implement one or more damper units throughout the vehicle, controlled separately or collectively, automatically or manually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: John Marking
  • Publication number: 20240308618
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension damper is described. The vehicle suspension damper includes: a pilot valve assembly; a primary valve; and an adjuster, wherein the pilot valve assembly meters fluid to the primary valve, and the adjuster moves the primary valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Everet Ericksen, Robert C. Fox, David Batterbee, John Marking
  • Patent number: 12091122
    Abstract: A system for controlling vehicle motion is described. The system includes: a first set of sensors coupled with a vehicle, the first set of sensors configured for sensing the vehicle motion; and a vehicle suspension damper coupled with the first set of sensors, the vehicle suspension damper configured for adjusting a damping force therein, the vehicle suspension damper comprising: a primary valve; a pilot valve assembly coupled with the primary valve, the pilot valve assembly configured for metering a flow of fluid to the primary valve, in response to at least the sensing; and an orifice block coupled with the primary valve and comprising a control orifice there through, the control orifice configured for operating cooperatively with the pilot valve assembly in the metering the flow of fluid to the primary valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Everet Ericksen, Robert C. Fox, John Marking
  • Patent number: 12044286
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a damper. The damper comprises a fluid chamber having a piston dividing the chamber into a compression and rebound sides, a reservoir in fluid communication with the compression side of the chamber, and an isolator disposed between the compression side and the reservoir, whereby the isolator obstructs fluid flow between the compression side and the reservoir. In one embodiment, a bypass provides a fluid path between the compression side and the isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: John Marking
  • Patent number: 12005751
    Abstract: A shock absorber including: a first cylinder having an interior, first and second ends and defining an axis, wherein the interior includes a damping fluid chamber and a damping piston movably mounted therein for movement between the first and second ends, wherein the damping piston is mounted on a first end of a shaft, wherein the first end of the shaft is movably retained within the interior of the first cylinder; first and second bypass openings configured for opening into the damping fluid chamber at first and second axially spaced-apart positions; a bypass channel fluidly coupling the first and second bypass openings; a fluid metering valve; and a floating piston dividing a portion of the shock absorber into a gas chamber and the reservoir chamber, wherein the fluid metering valve and the floating piston define the reservoir chamber there between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: John Marking, Vegard Hamso
  • Patent number: 12005755
    Abstract: A spring for a suspension is described. The spring includes: a spring chamber divided into at least a primary portion and a secondary portion, and a fluid flow path coupled with and between the primary portion and the secondary portion. The fluid flow path includes a bypass mechanism, wherein the bypass mechanism is configured for automatically providing resistance within the fluid flow path in response to a compressed condition of the suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: John Marking
  • Patent number: 11999208
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension damper includes: a cylinder and a piston assembly, wherein the piston assembly includes a piston; a working fluid within the cylinder; a bypass cylinder surrounding the cylinder and defining a cylindrical bypass channel; an adjustable bypass port fluidly coupling an interior of the cylinder and the cylindrical bypass channel; and a remotely operable bypass valve slidably disposed within the cylindrical bypass channel, the remotely operable bypass valve configured for, upon actuation of an actuator coupled with the remotely operable bypass valve, adjusting a flow of the working fluid through the adjustable bypass port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: John Marking
  • Patent number: 11976706
    Abstract: A damper assembly with a bypass for a vehicle comprises a pressure cylinder with a piston and piston rod for limiting the flow rate of damping fluid as it passes from a first to a second side of said piston. A bypass provides fluid pathway between the first and second sides of the piston separately from the flow rate limitation. In one aspect, the bypass is remotely controllable from a passenger compartment of the vehicle. In another aspect, the bypass is remotely controllable based upon one or more variable parameters associated with the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: John Marking
  • Publication number: 20240109384
    Abstract: A shock absorber including: a first cylinder having an interior, first and second ends and defining an axis, wherein the interior includes a damping fluid chamber and a damping piston movably mounted therein for movement between the first and second ends, wherein the damping piston is mounted on a first end of a shaft, wherein the first end of the shaft is movably retained within the interior of the first cylinder; first and second bypass openings configured for opening into the damping fluid chamber at first and second axially spaced-apart positions; a bypass channel fluidly coupling the first and second bypass openings; a fluid metering valve; and a floating piston dividing a portion of the shock absorber into a gas chamber and the reservoir chamber, wherein the fluid metering valve and the floating piston define the reservoir chamber there between.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: John MARKING, Vegard HAMSO
  • Patent number: 11927242
    Abstract: An electronic external bypass for a shock assembly is disclosed herein. The electronic external bypass has a compression side fluid connection, a rebound side fluid connection, and an external bypass fluid flow path physically separate from the shock assembly, the external bypass fluid flow path fluidly coupling the compression side fluid connection with the rebound side fluid connection. The electronic external bypass includes a solenoid circuit, the solenoid circuit to control a flow of a working fluid through the external bypass fluid flow path, the solenoid circuit includes a poppet valve and an active valve configured to control a pop pressure of the poppet valve, such that the solenoid circuit provides an infinitely adjustable bypass pressure for the shock assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Bobby Smith, John Marking
  • Patent number: 11866120
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension damper is described. The vehicle suspension damper includes: a pilot valve assembly; a primary valve; and an adjuster, wherein the pilot valve assembly meters fluid to the primary valve, and the adjuster moves the primary valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Everet Ericksen, Robert C. Fox, David Batterbee, John Marking
  • Patent number: 11833874
    Abstract: A shock absorber including: a first cylinder having an interior, first and second ends and defining an axis, wherein the interior includes a damping fluid chamber and a damping piston movably mounted therein for movement between the first and second ends, wherein the damping piston is mounted on a first end of a shaft, wherein the first end of the shaft is movably retained within the interior of the first cylinder; first and second bypass openings configured for opening into the damping fluid chamber at first and second axially spaced-apart positions; a bypass channel fluidly coupling the first and second bypass openings; a fluid metering valve; and a floating piston dividing a portion of the shock absorber into a gas chamber and the reservoir chamber, wherein the fluid metering valve and the floating piston define the reservoir chamber there between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: John Marking, Vegard Hamso
  • Patent number: 11760150
    Abstract: A vehicle damper is described. The vehicle damper includes: a cylinder; a piston within the cylinder; a working fluid within the cylinder; a reservoir in fluid communication with the cylinder via the working fluid, the reservoir operable to receive the working fluid from the cylinder in a compression stroke; a valve in a flow path between the cylinder and the reservoir; and a remotely-operable valve having a position allowing the working fluid to significantly by-pass the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: John Marking
  • Patent number: 11708878
    Abstract: A damper assembly with a bypass for a vehicle comprises a pressure cylinder with a piston and piston rod for limiting the flow rate of damping fluid as it passes from a first to a second side of said piston. A bypass provides a fluid pathway between the first and second sides of the piston separately from the flow rare limitation. In one aspect, the bypass is remotely controllable from a passenger compartment of the vehicle. In another aspect, the bypass is remotely controllable based upon one or more variable parameters associated with the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: John Marking
  • Publication number: 20230184308
    Abstract: A damper assembly with a bypass for a vehicle comprises a pressure cylinder with a piston and piston rod for limiting the flow rate of damping fluid as it passes from a first to a second side of said piston. A bypass provides fluid pathway between the first and second sides of the piston separately from the flow rate limitation. In one aspect, the bypass is remotely controllable from a passenger compartment of the vehicle. In another aspect, the bypass is remotely controllable based upon one or more variable parameters associated with the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: John MARKING
  • Publication number: 20230098340
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a damper. The damper comprises a fluid chamber having a piston dividing the chamber into a compression and rebound sides, a reservoir in fluid communication with the compression side of the chamber, and an isolator disposed between the compression side and the reservoir, whereby the isolator obstructs fluid flow between the compression side and the reservoir. In one embodiment, a bypass provides a fluid path between the compression side and the isolator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: John MARKING
  • Publication number: 20230081379
    Abstract: A shock absorber including: a first cylinder having an interior, first and second ends and defining an axis, wherein the interior includes a damping fluid chamber and a damping piston movably mounted therein for movement between the first and second ends, wherein the damping piston is mounted on a first end of a shaft, wherein the first end of the shaft is movably retained within the interior of the first cylinder; first and second bypass openings configured for opening into the damping fluid chamber at first and second axially spaced-apart positions; a bypass channel fluidly coupling the first and second bypass openings; a fluid metering valve; and a floating piston dividing a portion of the shock absorber into a gas chamber and the reservoir chamber, wherein the fluid metering valve and the floating piston define the reservoir chamber there between.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: John MARKING, Vegard HAMSO
  • Publication number: 20230019929
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for position sensitive dampening with an active valve. In one aspect a fluid damper is provided comprising a damper chamber divided by a piston into a primary compression and a primary rebound chamber; a secondary compression chamber in fluid communication with the damper chamber; and an active valve controlling fluid flow out of the secondary compression chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Paul COX, John MARKING, Everet Owen ERICKSEN