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).

  • BICYCLE FORK HAVING LOCK-OUT, BLOW-OFF, AND ADJUSTABLE BLOW-OFF THRESHOLD
    Publication number: 20170159741
    Abstract: A bicycle fork includes a pair of fork leg assemblies, each of the leg assemblies having an upper leg telescopingly engaged with a lower leg. A damping assembly is provided in at least one of the legs. The damping assembly includes lock-out and blow-off compression circuits. These compression circuits are externally adjustable without tools. Furthermore, these two compression circuits may be adjusted independently of each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: William M. Becker, Brian Lampman
  • Methods and apparatus for suspending vehicles
    Patent number: 9656531
    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: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Laird, Sante M. Pelot, William M. Becker, Dennis K. Wootten
  • Bicycle fork having lock-out, blow-off, and adjustable blow-off threshold
    Patent number: 9586645
    Abstract: A bicycle fork includes a pair of fork leg assemblies, each of the leg assemblies having an upper leg telescopingly engaged with a lower leg. A damping assembly is provided in at least one of the legs. The damping assembly includes lock-out and blow-off compression circuits. These compression circuits are externally adjustable without tools. Furthermore, these two compression circuits may be adjusted independently of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Becker, Brian Lampman
  • LIGHTWEIGHT FORK ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20160332691
    Abstract: A fork for a vehicle, the fork including: a set of first tubes; and a set of second tubes telescopically positioned within the set of first tubes, wherein at least one first tube of the set of first tubes comprises a recess configured for receiving at least a portion of a disc brake assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Becker, William O. Brown, IV, Daniel McCormick
  • METHODS AND APPARATUS RELATED TO A UNITARY FORK BRACE
    Publication number: 20160229477
    Abstract: Embodiments of a fork brace for a bicycle are disclosed herein. In one aspect, a brace portion is integrally formed along with two tubular fork members and an overlay fits in a mating relationship with the brace portion to create a unitary, tubular brace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario GALASSO, William M. BECKER, Andrew LAIRD
  • SUSPENSION DAMPER HAVING INERTIA VALVE AND USER ADJUSTABLE PRESSURE-RELIEF
    Publication number: 20160131218
    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: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. BECKER, Robert C. FOX, Dennis K. WOOTTEN
  • Methods and apparatus related to a unitary fork brace
    Patent number: 9334009
    Abstract: Embodiments of a fork brace for a bicycle are disclosed herein. In one aspect, a brace portion is integrally formed along with two tubular fork members and an overlay fits in a mating relationship with the brace portion to create a unitary, tubular brace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Galasso, William M. Becker, Andrew Laird
  • AXLE ADAPTER ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20160114854
    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: January 4, 2016
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventor: William M. Becker
  • METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR STRUCTURAL REINFORCEMENT OF VEHICLE SUSPENSION MEMBERS
    Publication number: 20160074977
    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: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: FOX FACTORY, INC.
    Inventors: William M. Becker, Derek D. Beich
  • Suspension damper having inertia valve and user adjustable pressure-relief
    Patent number: 9261163
    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: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Becker, Robert C. Fox, Dennis K. Wootten
  • SUSPENSION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20160040741
    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: October 22, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Andrew Laird, William M. Becker
  • AXLE ADAPTER ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20160001845
    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: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventor: William M. Becker
  • Axle adapter assembly
    Patent number: 9227690
    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: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: William M. Becker
  • METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE SUSPENSION HAVING MULTIPLE GAS VOLUMES
    Publication number: 20150375593
    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: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: FOX FACTORY, INC.
    Inventors: Mario GALASSO, Joshua Benjamin YABLON, Andrew LAIRD, William M. BECKER, Joseph FRANKLIN, Dennis K. WOOTTEN
  • METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SUSPENDING VEHICLES
    Publication number: 20150375594
    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: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew LAIRD, Sante M. PELOT, William M. BECKER, Dennis K. WOOTTEN
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN ADJUSTABLE DAMPER
    Publication number: 20150344100
    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 10, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventor: William M. Becker
  • Methods and apparatus for vehicle suspension having multiple gas volumes
    Patent number: 9156325
    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: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Galasso, Josh Yablon, Andrew Laird, William M. Becker, Joseph Franklin, Dennis K. Wootten
  • Methods and apparatus for suspending vehicles
    Patent number: 9150075
    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: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Laird, Sante M. Pelot, William M. Becker, Dennis K. Wootten
  • METHODS AND APPARATUS RELATED TO A UNITARY FORK BRACE
    Publication number: 20150232146
    Abstract: Embodiments of a fork brace for a bicycle are disclosed herein. In one aspect, a brace portion is integrally formed along with two tubular fork members and an overlay fits in a mating relationship with the brace portion to create a unitary, tubular brace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario GALASSO, William M. BECKER, Andrew LAIRD
  • Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper
    Patent number: 9103400
    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: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: William M. Becker