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: 11041537
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Benjamin Yablon, Dennis K. Wootten, Robert C. Fox, David M. Haugen, Sante Pelot
  • Patent number: 10941828
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Franklin, Robert C. Fox
  • Publication number: 20200354013
    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: July 24, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Everet Ericksen, Robert C. Fox, David Batterbee, John Marking
  • Publication number: 20200318707
    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: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Benjamin YABLON, Dennis K. WOOTTEN, Robert C. FOX, David M. HAUGEN, Sante PELOT
  • Publication number: 20200309229
    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: June 16, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario GALASSO, Joseph FRANKLIN, Andrew LAIRD, Robert C. FOX
  • Patent number: 10723409
    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: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Everet Ericksen, Robert C. Fox, David Batterbee, John Marking
  • Publication number: 20200124130
    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: October 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Franklin, Robert C. FOX
  • Patent number: 10612618
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Benjamin Yablon, Dennis K. Wootten, Robert C. Fox, David M. Haugen, Sante Pelot
  • Publication number: 20190390732
    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: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis K. WOOTTEN, Robert C. FOX, Joshua Benjamin YABLON, David M. Haugen
  • Publication number: 20190338825
    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: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. FOX
  • Publication number: 20190338824
    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: July 18, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Becker, Robert C. FOX, Dennis K. WOOTTEN
  • Patent number: 10421518
    Abstract: A gas spring curve control valve for a adjustable-volume gas-pressurized device is described. The valve allows for selection from among at least four spring curves and can be packaged in small spaces/devices. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a rotary cam having grooves and lobes that interact with spring loaded ball bearings and an external adjuster knob are used to easily change the gas spring curve “on-the-fly” and with minimal user effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Fox
  • Patent number: 10408295
    Abstract: Pressure-sensitive valves 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: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis K. Wootten, Robert C. Fox, Joshua Benjamin Yablon, David M. Haugen
  • Publication number: 20190271375
    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: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc
    Inventor: Robert C. FOX
  • Patent number: 10359092
    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: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Becker, Robert C. Fox, Dennis K. Wootten
  • Patent number: 10352392
    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: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Fox
  • Publication number: 20190195309
    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: February 27, 2019
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Benjamin YABLON, Dennis K. WOOTTEN, Robert C. FOX, David M. HAUGEN, Sante PELOT
  • Patent number: 10316924
    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, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Fox
  • Publication number: 20190152285
    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: January 18, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew LAIRD, Robert C. FOX
  • Publication number: 20190118898
    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: December 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Everet Ericksen, Robert C. Fox, David Batterbee, John Marking