Patents by Inventor William M. Becker

William M. Becker 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).

  • Publication number: 20210300140
    Abstract: An integrated active valve assembly is disclosed. The integrated active valve assembly including a suspension controller module, an active shock assembly, and a wire to communicatively couple the suspension controller module with the active shock assembly such that the suspension controller module can send a signal via the wire to modify a damping characteristic of the active shock assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Everet Owen ERICKSEN, William M. BECKER
  • 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: 20210229492
    Abstract: An axle adapter assembly, configured for enabling conversion of an axle installed on a vehicle to fit different center bore sizes of wheel hubs, including: an axle configured for coupling dropouts of fork legs of a lower fork; adapters configured for being inserted within the dropouts; the adapters configured for engaging an outer surface of the axle and retaining the axle upon engagement; and axle pinch shims configured for being inserted into slits of the dropouts and the adapters, wherein upon the insertion, the adapters are aligned with the dropouts, such that shoulders of the adapters retain edges of a wheel hub of the wheel hubs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: William M. Becker
  • Patent number: 10974547
    Abstract: An axle adapter assembly, configured for enabling conversion of an axle installed on a vehicle to fit different center bore sizes of wheel hubs, including: an axle configured for coupling dropouts of fork legs of a lower fork; adapters configured for being inserted within the dropouts; the adapters configured for engaging an outer surface of the axle and retaining the axle upon engagement; and axle pinch shims configured for being inserted into slits of the dropouts and the adapters, wherein upon the insertion, the adapters are aligned with the dropouts, such that shoulders of the adapters retain edges of a wheel hub of the wheel hubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: William M. Becker
  • Publication number: 20210010556
    Abstract: A suspension system includes a first suspension member movable relative to a second suspension member, a fluid reservoir having a volume, the volume variable in response to a relative movement between the first and second suspension members, and a fluid flow circuit having a first end in fluidic communication with the fluid reservoir and a second end in fluidic communication with an isolated suspension location, the fluid flow circuit comprising a first valve, a second valve and a third valve, wherein said first and third valves are in parallel with each other and the second valve is in series with each of the first and third valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew LAIRD, William M. BECKER
  • Publication number: 20200378464
    Abstract: An air bleed system for a suspension fork or shock absorber includes: a fluid passage between an interior of the suspension and an exterior of the suspension; and a manually operable valve having a first position substantially closing the fluid passage and a second position allowing fluid flow between the interior and the exterior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: William M. Becker
  • Publication number: 20200376612
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a suspension. In one embodiment, a method includes altering a temperature of a first suspension component and then pressing the first suspension component and a second suspension component into engagement while the temperature remains substantially altered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Becker, Derek D. Beich
  • Publication number: 20200317290
    Abstract: An axle assembly for a vehicle includes an axle shaft having a bolt end and a lever end. The axle assembly includes a cam assembly coupled to the lever end of the axle shaft. The cam assembly includes a cam housing, a cam follower shaft coupled to the cam housing, and the cam follower shaft is located coaxially within the axle shaft. The cam follower shaft does not extend the full length of the axle shaft. The cam shaft is coupled to the cam follower shaft, and a lever is coupled to the cam assembly. The lever is rotatable from an open position to a closed position, and an angle of maximum rotation for the lever between the open position and the closed position is less than 180 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew LAIRD, Mario GALASSO, William M. BECKER, David M. HAUGEN
  • Patent number: 10744602
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a suspension. In one embodiment, a method includes altering a temperature of a first suspension component and then pressing the first suspension component and a second suspension component into engagement while the temperature remains substantially altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Becker, Derek D. Beich
  • Patent number: 10746250
    Abstract: An air bleed system for a suspension fork or shock absorber includes: a fluid passage between an interior of the suspension and an exterior of the suspension; and a manually operable valve having a first position substantially closing the fluid passage and a second position allowing fluid flow between the interior and the exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: William M. Becker
  • Publication number: 20200247492
    Abstract: A dropper seatpost head assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a lower post for insertion into a seat tube of a vehicle and an upper post having a housing coupled at one end thereof, the upper post to telescopically slide with respect to the lower post to form a dropper seatpost. The assembly also includes a saddle rail clamp assembly having a lower saddle rail clamping portion rotatably coupled with the housing and an upper saddle rail clamping portion to couple with the lower saddle rail clamping portion to form a clamping structure. The lower saddle rail clamping portion having a drooped shape such that the lower saddle rail clamping portion and the clamping structure hang down in a plane that intersects at least a portion of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua COAPLEN, Bryan Wesley ANDERSON, William M. BECKER
  • Patent number: 10731724
    Abstract: A suspension system includes a first suspension member movable relative to a second suspension member, a fluid reservoir having a volume, the volume variable in response to a relative movement between the first and second suspension members, and a fluid flow circuit having a first end in fluidic communication with the fluid reservoir and a second end in fluidic communication with an isolated suspension location, the fluid flow circuit comprising a first valve, a second valve and a third valve, wherein said first and third valves are in parallel with each other and the second valve is in series with each of the first and third valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Laird, William M. Becker
  • Publication number: 20200231017
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a shock absorber for a vehicle having a gas spring with first and second gas chambers, wherein the first chamber is utilized during a first travel portion of the shock absorber and the first and second chambers are both utilized during a second portion of travel. In one embodiment, a travel adjustment assembly is configured to selectively communicate a first gas chamber with a negative gas chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew LAIRD, Sante M. PELOT, William M. BECKER, Dennis K. WOOTTEN
  • Patent number: 10618369
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a shock absorber for a vehicle having a gas spring with first and second gas chambers, wherein the first chamber is utilized during a first travel portion of the shock absorber and the first and second chambers are both utilized during a second portion of travel. In one embodiment, a travel adjustment assembly is configured to selectively communicate a first gas chamber with a negative gas chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Laird, Sante M. Pelot, William M. Becker, Dennis K. Wootten
  • Patent number: 10611426
    Abstract: An axle assembly for a vehicle includes an axle shaft having a bolt end and a lever end. The axle assembly includes a cam assembly coupled to the lever end of the axle shaft. The cam assembly includes a cam housing, a cam follower shaft coupled to the cam housing, and the cam follower shaft is located within the axle shaft. The cam follower shaft does not extend the full length of the axle shaft. The cam shaft is coupled to the cam follower shaft, and a lever is coupled to the cam assembly. The lever is rotatable from an open position to a closed position, and an angle of maximum rotation for the lever between the open position and the closed position is less than 180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Laird, Mario Galasso, William M. Becker, David M. Haugen
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20190315182
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a vehicle suspension system gas spring. In one embodiment, a vehicle suspension system gas spring includes a compressible main gas chamber and an additional volume combinable with the main chamber to change a gas spring rate of the system. In one embodiment, a low friction piston seal is created by a flexible seal member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario GALASSO, Joshua Benjamin YABLON, Andrew LAIRD, William M. BECKER, Joseph FRANKLIN, Dennis K. WOOTTEN
  • Patent number: 10384509
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a vehicle suspension system gas spring. In one embodiment, a vehicle suspension system gas spring includes a compressible main gas chamber and an additional volume combinable with the main chamber to change a gas spring rate of the system. In one embodiment, a low friction piston seal is created by a flexible seal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Galasso, Joshua Benjamin Yablon, Andrew Laird, William M. Becker, Joseph Franklin, Dennis K. Wootten
  • Publication number: 20190248204
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a shock absorber for a vehicle having a gas spring with first and second gas chambers, wherein the first chamber is utilized during a first travel portion of the shock absorber and the first and second chambers are both utilized during a second portion of travel. In one embodiment, a travel adjustment assembly is configured to selectively communicate a first gas chamber with a negative gas chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew LAIRD, Sante M. PELOT, William M. BECKER, Dennis K. WOOTTEN
  • 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