Patents by Inventor Robert C. Fox

Robert C. Fox 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: 11920655
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus of a system for vehicles comprising a vehicle suspension, a sensor operable to measure an operational characteristic of the vehicle suspension, and a processor in communication with the sensor that is operable to suggest an operational setting of the vehicle suspension in response to an input from the sensor corresponding to the operational characteristic. A method for adjusting a suspension of a vehicle may comprise receiving suspension data with a processor, calculating a suspension setting suggestion with the processor, communicating the suspension setting suggestion to a user interface device, and adjusting the suspension based on the suspension setting suggestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Galasso, Joseph Franklin, Andrew Laird, Robert C. Fox
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20230332663
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus of a system for vehicles comprising a vehicle suspension, a sensor operable to measure an operational characteristic of the vehicle suspension, and a processor in communication with the sensor that is operable to suggest an operational setting of the vehicle suspension in response to an input from the sensor corresponding to the operational characteristic. A method for adjusting a suspension of a vehicle may comprise receiving suspension data with a processor, calculating a suspension setting suggestion with the processor, communicating the suspension setting suggestion to a user interface device, and adjusting the suspension based on the suspension setting suggestion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario GALASSO, Joseph FRANKLIN, Andrew LAIRD, Robert C. FOX
  • Patent number: 11679641
    Abstract: Altering the damping rate of a vehicle suspension damper. A pressure of a damping fluid is exerted against a second valve mechanism connected to the vehicle suspension damper. The pressure of the damping fluid is increased beyond a threshold of the second valve mechanism that is adjustable by an adjustment member. The adjustment member is exposed through a high pressure side of the vehicle suspension damper. The second valve mechanism is then opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Laird, Robert C. Fox
  • Patent number: 11619278
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus of a system for vehicles comprising a vehicle suspension, a sensor operable to measure an operational characteristic of the vehicle suspension, and a processor in communication with the sensor that is operable to suggest an operational setting of the vehicle suspension in response to an input from the sensor corresponding to the operational characteristic. A method for adjusting a suspension of a vehicle may comprise receiving suspension data with a processor, calculating a suspension setting suggestion with the processor, communicating the suspension setting suggestion to a user interface device, and adjusting the suspension based on the suspension setting suggestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Galasso, Joseph Franklin, Andrew Laird, Robert C. Fox
  • Publication number: 20230002002
    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: April 8, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Everet Ericksen, Robert C. Fox, David Batterbee, John Marking
  • Publication number: 20220250703
    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: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Everet Ericksen, Robert C. Fox, John Marking
  • Publication number: 20220252131
    Abstract: A damper includes a piston rod, a damping piston, at least one cylinder containing a damping liquid, a fixed partition member for partitioning the interior of the damper into two liquid chambers, a pressure source, and a valve in communication with the pressure source which reacts as a function of the pressure. The valve can also be in communication with additional forces, such as mechanical spring forces, which can be adjustable. The valve can include a pressure intensifier. The valve generates fluid flow resistance during flow of liquid in a first direction through the partition member. The fluid flow resistance in the first direction varies according to the amount of force communicated to the valve by the pressure source and any additional forces. The partition member can include means for providing low-resistance return flow of liquid in a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. FOX
  • Patent number: 11346422
    Abstract: A front bicycle suspension assembly having an inertia valve is described. The front bicycle suspension assembly may include at least upper and lower telescoping tubes and include a damping tube containing an inertia valve. The inertia valve may include an inertia mass movable along the outer surface of a valve shaft as the inertia valve moves between first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Fox
  • Patent number: 11299233
    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: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Everet Ericksen, Robert C. Fox, David Batterbee, John Marking
  • Patent number: 11293515
    Abstract: A damper includes a piston rod, a damping piston, at least one cylinder containing a damping liquid, a fixed partition member for partitioning the interior of the damper into two liquid chambers, a pressure source, and a valve in communication with the pressure source which reacts as a function of the pressure. The valve can also be in communication with additional forces, such as mechanical spring forces, which can be adjustable. The valve can include a pressure intensifier. The valve generates fluid flow resistance during flow of liquid in a first direction through the partition member. The fluid flow resistance in the first direction varies according to the amount of force communicated to the valve by the pressure source and any additional forces. The partition member can include means for providing low-resistance return flow of liquid in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Fox
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11168758
    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: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Everet Owen Ericksen, Robert C. Fox, John Marking
  • Publication number: 20210339597
    Abstract: Altering the damping rate of a vehicle suspension damper. A pressure of a damping fluid is exerted against a second valve mechanism connected to the vehicle suspension damper. The pressure of the damping fluid is increased beyond a threshold of the second valve mechanism that is adjustable by an adjustment member. The adjustment member is exposed through a high pressure side of the vehicle suspension damper. The second valve mechanism is then opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew LAIRD, Robert C. FOX
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20210222750
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a gas spring having a travel control includes positive and negative chambers and a valve mechanism that controls the fluid communication between the chambers. The valve mechanism includes a valve bore that while only moving a small amount, allows for large changes in gas spring travel length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Franklin, Robert C. FOX
  • Patent number: 11065932
    Abstract: Altering the damping rate of a vehicle suspension damper. A pressure of a damping fluid is exerted against a second valve mechanism connected to the vehicle suspension damper. The pressure of the damping fluid is increased beyond a threshold of the second valve mechanism that is adjustable by an adjustment member. The adjustment member is exposed through a high pressure side of the vehicle suspension damper. The second valve mechanism is then opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Laird, Robert C. Fox