FOX FACTORY, INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160131218 | SUSPENSION DAMPER HAVING INERTIA VALVE AND USER ADJUSTABLE PRESSURE-RELIEF - 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. | 05-12-2016 |
20160114855 | COMPRESSION SENSITIVE SUSPENSION DAMPENING - 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. | 04-28-2016 |
20160074977 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR STRUCTURAL REINFORCEMENT OF VEHICLE SUSPENSION MEMBERS - 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. | 03-17-2016 |
20160053842 | TRAVEL CONTROL FOR A GAS SPRING AND GAS SPRING HAVING VERY SHORT TRAVEL MODES - A gas spring capable of having long and short travel modes is described. The gas spring uses liquid in combination with pressurized air to affect the travel length. Unlike conventional gas springs, the gas spring according to the invention may have its travel reduced more than, for example, by 50%. | 02-25-2016 |
20160052590 | VEHICLE SUSPENSION DAMPER - 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. | 02-25-2016 |
20160003321 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR COMBINED VARIABLE DAMPING AND VARIABLE SPRING RATE SUSPENSION - 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. | 01-07-2016 |
20160001623 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVE SPRING PRE-LOAD ADJUSTMENT - A method and apparatus for a suspension comprising a spring having a threaded member at a first end for providing axial movement to the spring as the spring is rotated and the threaded member moves relative to a second component. In one embodiment, the system includes a damper for metering fluid through a piston and a rotatable spring member coaxially disposed around the damper and rotatable relative to the damper. | 01-07-2016 |
20150375594 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SUSPENDING VEHICLES - 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. | 12-31-2015 |
20150375593 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE SUSPENSION HAVING MULTIPLE GAS VOLUMES - 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. | 12-31-2015 |
20150321533 | ADJUSTABLE BLOW-OFF SUSPENSION - 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. | 11-12-2015 |
20150321084 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR VIRTUAL COMPETITION - A system configured to be coupled with a participant of an activity. The system comprises: a participant activity monitoring unit configured for monitoring a performance of the activity by the participant; an activity information module configured for storing performance information corresponding to the activity; and a participant performance correlator configured for delivering comparative performance data based on the monitored performance of the activity by the participant and the stored performance information. | 11-12-2015 |
20150290991 | TWIN TUBE DAMPER WITH REMOTE GAS RESERVOIR - A damper is provided having a twin tube construction interconnected to a gas reservoir. The connection of each of the inner and outer volumes of the twin tube to the gas reservoir is independently valved, and each of these valves are independently settable to change the differential pressure thereacross at which they open. The damper provides flow passages directly from the inner and outer volumes to enable flow form the compression to rebound sides thereof, as well as through the valved connections to the gas reservoir and at least one valved opening in the damper piston. | 10-15-2015 |
20150285325 | DAMPER WITH PRESSURE-SENSITIVE COMPRESSION DAMPING - 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. | 10-08-2015 |
20150247545 | VALVE ASSEMBLY - A hydraulic valve includes a closure member, wherein the closure member is actuable toward an opening sealed thereby in the valve, but is unconstrained to move with respect to the opening when the valve is in a closed position. In an aspect, the closure may be a thin disk, in the shape of a flat washer, which is located between the valve and piston of a hydraulic damper, and when the valve is positioned away from an opening through the piston by virtue of differential pressure across the valve in a dampening r rebound stroke, the disk is free to rotate, move from side to side, and move away from and toward the piston. By employing such a disk, sympathetic vibrations in the damper created during compression events are eliminated. | 09-03-2015 |
20150239525 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVE STIFFNESS OF VEHICLE SUSPENSION - A suspension assembly including a core member; and a skin member bonded on said core member. The skin member having a higher strength than the core member. | 08-27-2015 |
20150232146 | METHODS AND APPARATUS RELATED TO A UNITARY FORK BRACE - 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. | 08-20-2015 |
20150226283 | COMPRESSION ISOLATOR FOR A SUSPENSION DAMPER - 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. | 08-13-2015 |
20150192186 | SHOCK ABSORBER WITH PRESSURE-CONTROLLED DAMPING - A damper includes a pressure-sensitive damping control circuit that selectively permits fluid flow from a first chamber to a second chamber. A piston varies a volume of the first chamber. A blow-off piston is movable between a closed position, wherein fluid flow through the control circuit is substantially prevented, and an open position, wherein fluid flow through the control circuit is permitted. The damper also includes a first source of pressure. A fluid pressure created by compression of the damper applies an opening force to the blow-off piston moving the blow-off piston in a direction toward the open position against a resistance force provided by the first source of pressure. The resistance force exceeds the opening force until the pressure created by forces tending to insert the piston rod into the first fluid chamber exceeds the pressure in the first source of pressure by a predetermined amount. | 07-09-2015 |
20150158547 | GAS SPRING CURVE CONTROL IN AN ADJUSTABLE VOLUME GAS PRESSURIZED DEVICE - 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. | 06-11-2015 |
20150130263 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR RELEASABLY SUPPORTING A VEHICLE WHEEL ASSEMBLY - An axle for removably retaining a wheel on a vehicle. The axle comprises a rotary-type connector at a first end thereof; a cam assembly operatively connected to the second end, the cam assembly including a cam having an axis of rotation; a lever operatively connected to a second end of the axle, said lever being rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the cam, between an open position in which the axle is removable from and mountable on the vehicle and a closed position in which the axle is retained on the vehicle; and a cam assembly operatively connected to the second end; and a lever stop ensuring that an angle of maximum rotation for the lever from the closed position is less than 180 degrees. | 05-14-2015 |
20150115563 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A FLUID DAMPER - 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. | 04-30-2015 |
20140124312 | BYPASS FOR A SUSPENSION DAMPER - A vehicle suspension damper comprises a cylinder and a piston assembly including a damping piston along with working fluid within the cylinder. A bypass permits fluid to avoid dampening resistance of the damping piston. A fluid path through the bypass is controlled by a valve that is shifted by a piston surface when the contents of at least one predetermined volume is injected against the piston surface which acts upon the valve. In one embodiment, the bypass is remotely operable. | 05-08-2014 |
20140102839 | SUSPENSION DAMPER HAVING INERTIA VALVE AND USER ADJUSTABLE PRESSURE-RELIEF - 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. | 04-17-2014 |
20140008160 | REMOTELY OPERATED BYPASS FOR A SUSPENSION DAMPER - 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. | 01-09-2014 |
20130313056 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN ADJUSTABLE DAMPER - A vehicle suspension damper including: a cylinder; a piston assembly; and an adjuster, wherein the piston assembly compresses fluid as it moves within the cylinder and the adjuster obstructs fluid flow from a first side of a damping piston of the piston assembly to a second side of the damping piston. | 11-28-2013 |
20130249181 | BICYCLE FORK HAVING LOCK-OUT, BLOW-OFF, AND ADJUSTABLE BLOW-OFF THRESHOLD - 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. | 09-26-2013 |
20130234378 | SUSPENSION DAMPER - A vehicle damper comprises a fluid filled cylinder, a piston for movement within the cylinder, at least two fluid ports formed in the piston and at least one shim at least partially blocking the ports. In one embodiment, a fluid collection area is formed between the ports and the shim, the collection area permitting communication between fluid in the ports. In another embodiment, the piston includes at least one aperture constructed and arranged to receive a threaded bleed valve. | 09-12-2013 |
20130228404 | SUSPENSION DAMPER WITH BY-PASS VALVES - 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. | 09-05-2013 |
20130221713 | SEAT POST - A system including: a seat post; a user interface operatively connected with the seat post, the user interface configured for receiving instructions associated with a height of the seat post and for communicating received instructions to at least one controller coupled with a motive source of the seat post; and a valve assembly in communication with the motive source, the valve assembly regulating fluid flow within a variable finite positioning seat post height mode in response to a translation of the received instructions by the motive source. | 08-29-2013 |
20130168194 | DAMPERS WITH THERMAL EXPANSION COMPENSATION - A damper includes a housing bounding a primary chamber and a compensation chamber, the primary chamber including a first gas compartment and a control compartment that are separated by an expansion piston, the compensation chamber including a second gas compartment and an overflow compartment that are separated by a compensation piston. A piston rod has a first end slidably disposed within the control compartment. A first fluid path is in fluid communication with the overflow compartment so that when the expansion piston is in the first position, the expansion piston blocks fluid communication between the control compartment and the overflow compartment by way of the first fluid path and when the expansion piston is in the second position, the hydraulic fluid can freely flow from the control compartment to the overflow compartment by way of the first fluid path. | 07-04-2013 |
20130144489 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SUSPENSION SET UP - A method and apparatus are disclosed that assist a user in performing proper setup of a vehicle suspension. A user may utilize a device equipped with an image sensor to assist the user in proper setup of a vehicle suspension. The device executes an application that prompts the user for input and instructs the user to perform a number of steps for adjusting the suspension components. In one embodiment, the application does not communicate with sensors on the vehicle. In another embodiment, the application may communicate with various sensors located on the vehicle to provide feedback to the device during the setup routine. In one embodiment, the device may analyze a digital image of a suspension component to provide feedback about a physical characteristic of the component. | 06-06-2013 |
20130134686 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVE STIFFNESS OF VEHICLE SUSPENSION - A method and apparatus for an adjustable suspension system for a vehicle comprises at least one strut. In one embodiment, the stanchion (or slider) is non-uniform with a major and minor circumferential stiffness and is adjustable relative to a fore and aft axis of the vehicle in order to provide a differing amount of stiffness relative thereto. In another embodiment, a portion of the stanchion is circular and a reinforcement is annularly disposed therearound with axial retention formations, The reinforcement has a non-uniform circumferential characteristic and is rotatable relative to the fore/aft axis of the vehicle | 05-30-2013 |
20130026730 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVE STIFFNESS OF VEHICLE SUSPENSION - A suspension assembly including a core member; and a skin member bonded on said core member. The skin member having a higher strength than the core member. | 01-31-2013 |
20120285778 | Suspension Damper Having Inertia Valve and User Adjustable Pressure-Relief - 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. | 11-15-2012 |
20120104839 | AXLES, SUCH AS FOR BICYCLES - A suspension for a two-wheeled vehicle includes first and second fork legs. Each fork leg includes a dropout. Each dropout has an opening therethrough. At least a portion of one of the openings is threaded. Each of the dropouts includes a split-clamp pinch bearing defining the opening and operable between an open position and a locked position, and a hand operable actuator pivoted to the bearing for operation thereof. The suspension further includes a one-piece axle. The axle is disposed through the openings. The axle has a threaded first end engaged with the threaded portion. The axle has an ergonomic grip formed at a second end. The bearing tightly engages an outer surface of the axle in the locked position, thereby rotationally coupling the axle to the dropout. | 05-03-2012 |
20120080279 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SAG ADJUSTMENT - A method and apparatus for adjusting the sag setting of a vehicle suspension are disclosed. An integrated damper/gas spring shock absorber includes a bleed port located at a position on a gas spring cylinder corresponding to a desired sag setting. The gas spring may be over pressurized to a pressure above the expected operating pressure of the gas spring. The vehicle may then be loaded with the normal operating load, partially compressing the shock absorber. Opening the bleed port allows gas to vent from the gas spring, further compressing the shock absorber until a piston in the gas spring closes the bleed port from the inner surface of the gas spring cylinder. A sleeve may be inserted over the gas spring cylinder, the sleeve including one or more sealing elements that seal the bleed port from the outer surface of the gas spring cylinder during normal operation. | 04-05-2012 |
20110248434 | TRAVEL CONTROL FOR A GAS SPRING AND GAS SPRING HAVING VERY SHORT TRAVEL MODES - A gas spring capable of having long and short travel modes is described. The gas spring uses liquid in combination with pressurized air to affect the travel length. Unlike conventional gas springs, the gas spring according to the invention may have its travel reduced more than, for example, by 50%. | 10-13-2011 |
20110204549 | GAS SPRING CURVE CONTROL IN AN ADJUSTABLE VOLUME GAS PRESSURIZED DEVICE - 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. | 08-25-2011 |
20110005877 | DAMPING CYLINDER WITH ANNULAR BLADDER - An improvement to damping cylinders in which the damping fluid needs to be separated from a gas is disclosed. In particular, an annular bladder is used. An annular bladder allows for a control shaft to extend at least a portion of the length of the damping cylinder. This configuration effectively and simply reduces most issues that result from when an IFP is used for the same purpose. | 01-13-2011 |