Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 10160511
  • Patent Number
    10,160,511
  • Date Filed
    Friday, May 19, 2017
    7 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, December 25, 2018
    5 years ago
Abstract
A vehicle suspension damper is described. The vehicle suspension damper includes a primary valve and a pilot valve assembly. The pilot valve assembly includes an adjustable pilot spool configured for controlling a pressure inside the primary valve. The vehicle suspension damper further includes an externally-adjustable adjuster, wherein the pilot valve assembly meters fluid to the primary valve, and movement of the externally-adjustable adjuster varies an effective orifice size of the adjustable pilot spool. The vehicle suspension damper further includes a set of shims coupled to the primary valve, wherein a position of the adjustable pilot spool corresponds to an increase of pressure inside the primary valve and an increase of an axial force on the set of shims by said primary valve.
Description
BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention


Embodiments generally relate to a damper assembly for a vehicle. More specifically, the invention relates to an adjustable damper for use with a vehicle suspension.


Description of the Related Art


Vehicle suspension systems typically include a spring component or components and a dampening component or components. Typically, mechanical springs, like helical springs are used with some type of viscous fluid-based dampening mechanism and the two are mounted functionally in parallel. In some instances, a spring may comprise pressurized gas and features of the damper or spring are user-adjustable, such as by adjusting the air pressure in a gas spring. A damper may be constructed by placing a damping piston in a fluid-filled cylinder (e.g., liquid such as oil). As the damping piston is moved in the cylinder, fluid is compressed and passes from one side of the piston to the other side. Often, the piston includes vents there-through which may be covered by shim stacks to provide for different operational characteristics in compression or extension.


Conventional damping components provide a constant damping rate during compression or extension through the entire length of the stroke. Other conventional damping components provide mechanisms for varying the damping rate. As various types of recreational and sporting vehicles continue to become more technologically advanced, what is needed in the art are improved techniques for varying the damping rate.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS


FIG. 1A depicts an asymmetric bicycle fork having a damping leg and a spring leg.



FIG. 1B depicts a cross-sectional side elevation view of a shock absorber of a bicycle fork cartridge, in accordance with an embodiment.



FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 depict a cross-sectional side elevation view of various operational positions of an embodiment of the base valve assembly of detail 2 of FIG. 1B.



FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B depict a cross-sectional side elevation view of a valve assembly of detail 2 of the shock absorber of FIG. 1B, in accordance with an embodiment.



FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 each depicts a cross-sectional side elevation view of the valve assembly of detail 2 of the shock absorber of FIG. 1B, in accordance with an embodiment.



FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B depict a cross-sectional side elevation view of a shock absorber, in accordance with an embodiment.



FIGS. 9-13 depict a cross-sectional side elevation view of the base valve assembly of detail 2 of FIG. 1B, including a “latching solenoid”, in accordance with an embodiment.





The drawings referred to in this description should be understood as not being drawn to scale except if specifically noted.


BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present technology, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the technology will be described in conjunction with various embodiment(s), it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the present technology to these embodiments. On the contrary, the present technology is applicable to alternative embodiments, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.


Furthermore, in the following description of embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present technology. However, the present technology may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present disclosure.


Embodiments describe a system and method for a pilot spool valve assembly that enables the generation of relatively large damping forces by a relatively small solenoid (or other motive source), while using relatively low amounts of power. Furthermore, since the incompressible fluid inside of the valve body of the shock absorber assembly causes damping to occur as the valve opens and the valve body collapses, embodiments enable both a controllable preload on the valve stack and a controllable damping rate.


In one embodiment, the solenoid includes a “latching” mechanism to open and close the pressure-balanced pilot spool. Due to the latching configuration of the solenoid, power is only required to open or close the valve. Power is not required to hold the valve open or closed in either setting. Consequently, embodiments enable reduced power consumption compared to the traditional shock absorber.


Further embodiments provide an externally-adjustable means of tuning the open state of the damper. An adjuster turns in or out to vary the effective orifice size of the pilot spool when in the open position. This allows the rider to adjust the soft setting of the damper to his preference.


The following discussion describes the FIGS. 1-8B and embodiments shown therein.


Integrated damper/spring vehicle shock absorbers often include a damper body surrounded by or used in conjunction with a mechanical spring or constructed in conjunction with an air spring or both. The damper often consists of a piston and shaft telescopically mounted in a fluid filled cylinder. The damping fluid (i.e., damping liquid) or damping liquid may be, for example, hydraulic oil. A mechanical spring may be a helically wound spring that surrounds or is mounted in parallel with the damper body. Vehicle suspension systems typically include one or more dampers as well as one or more springs mounted to one or more vehicle axles. As used herein, the terms “down”, “up”, “downward”, “upward”, “lower”, “upper”, and other directional references are relative and are used for reference only.



FIG. 1A shows an asymmetric bicycle fork 100 having a damping leg and a spring leg. The damping leg includes an upper tube 105 mounted in telescopic engagement with a lower tube 110 and having fluid damping components therein. The spring leg includes an upper tube 106 mounted in telescopic engagement with a lower tube 111 and having spring components therein. The upper legs 105, 106 may be held centralized within the lower legs 110, 111 by an annular bushing 108. The fork 100 may be included as a component of a bicycle such as a mountain bicycle or an off-road vehicle such as an off-road motorcycle. In some embodiments, the fork 100 may be an “upside down” or Motocross-style motorcycle fork.


In one embodiment, the damping components inside the damping leg include an internal piston 166 disposed at an upper end of a damper shaft 136 and fixed relative thereto. The internal piston 166 is mounted in telescopic engagement with a cartridge tube 162 connected to a top cap 180 fixed at one end of the upper tube 105. The interior volume of the damping leg may be filled with a damping liquid such as hydraulic oil. The piston 166 may include shim stacks (i.e., valve members) that allow a damping liquid to flow through vented paths in the piston 166 when the upper tube 105 is moved relative to the lower tube 110. A compression chamber is formed on one side of the piston 166 and a rebound chamber is formed on the other side of the piston 166. The pressure built up in either the compression chamber or the rebound chamber during a compression stroke or a rebound stroke provides a damping force that opposes the motion of the fork 100.


The spring components inside the spring leg include a helically wound spring 115 contained within the upper tube 106 and axially restrained between top cap 181 and a flange 165. The flange 165 is disposed at an upper end of the riser tube 163 and fixed thereto. The lower end of the riser tube 163 is connected to the lower tube 111 in the spring leg and fixed relative thereto. A valve plate 155 is positioned within the upper leg tube 106 and axially fixed thereto such that the plate 155 moves with the upper tube 106. The valve plate 155 is annular in configuration, surrounds an exterior surface of the riser tube 163, and is axially moveable in relation thereto. The valve plate 155 is sealed against an interior surface of the upper tube 106 and an exterior surface of the riser tube 163. A substantially incompressible lubricant (e.g., oil) may be contained within a portion of the lower tube 111 filling a portion of the volume within the lower tube 111 below the valve plate 155. The remainder of the volume in the lower tube 111 may be filled with gas at atmospheric pressure.


During compression of fork 100, the gas in the interior volume of the lower tube 111 is compressed between the valve plate 155 and the upper surface of the lubricant as the upper tube 106 telescopically extends into the lower tube 111. The helically wound spring 115 is compressed between the top cap 181 and the flange 165, fixed relative to the lower tube 111. The volume of the gas in the lower tube 111 decreases in a nonlinear fashion as the valve plate 155, fixed relative to the upper tube 106, moves into the lower tube 111. As the volume of the gas gets small, a rapid build-up in pressure occurs that opposes further travel of the fork 100. The high pressure gas greatly augments the spring force of spring 115 proximate to the “bottom-out” position where the fork 100 is fully compressed. The level of the incompressible lubricant may be set to a point in the lower tube 111 such that the distance between the valve plate 155 and the level of the oil is substantially equal to a maximum desired travel of the fork 100.


Referring now to FIG. 1B, a cross-sectional side elevation view of a shock absorber of a bicycle fork cartridge is depicted, in accordance with an embodiment. More particularly, FIG. 1B shows the inner portions of the bicycle fork leg assembly, comprising a damper piston 5. In practice, the top cap 20 is affixed to an upper tube (not shown) and the lower connector 10 is fixed to a lower leg tube (not shown) where the upper tube is typically telescopically mounted within the lower tube (although the reverse may also be the case). As the upper tube and the lower tube telescope in contraction or expansion in response to disparities in the terrain being traversed by a vehicle, including such for shock absorption, so also the damper piston 5 and piston rod 15 move telescopically into and out of damper cylinder 25. During compression, the volume of the piston rod 15 displaces, from the cylinder 25, a volume of damping liquid contained within the cylinder 25 corresponding to the volume of the piston rod 15 incurring into the damper cylinder 25. During extension or “rebound”, the volume of liquid must be replaced as the piston rod 15 leaves the interior of the damper cylinder 25.


Damping liquid displaced as described above moves from the damper cylinder 25, through a base valve assembly of detail 2 and ultimately into an elastic bladder 30 during compression, and from the elastic bladder 30, back through the base valve assembly of detail 2 and into the damper cylinder 25 during rebound. In one embodiment, the base valve assembly of detail 2 allows for the compression damping to be adjusted by the user.



FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 show cross-sectional side elevation views of various operational positions of an embodiment of the base valve assembly of detail 2 of FIG. 1B. FIGS. 2-4 show a continuously variable semi active arrangement, in accordance with embodiments, and as will be described in more detail below. In brief, a solenoid balanced by an armature biasing spring 235 axially locates a pressure-balanced pilot spool 210. The pressure-balanced pilot spool 210 controls the pressure inside the valve body 230. As this pressure is increased inside the valve body 230, the axially force of the valve body 230 on the conventional valve shim increases. Due to the pilot spool assembly arrangement, a relatively small solenoid (using relatively low amounts of power) can generate relatively large damping forces. Furthermore, due to incompressible fluid inside the valve body 230, damping occurs as the valve opens and the valve body 230 collapses. The result is not only a controllable preload on the valve stack, but also a controllable damping rate. Embodiments discussed herein may optionally be packaged in a base valve, the compression adjuster of a shock absorber, and/or on the main piston of a shock absorber.



FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the base valve assembly of detail 2 of FIG. 1B, with the valve shown in the retracted soft position. This retracted position corresponds to minimum or no current in the solenoid. In FIG. 2, a first damping fluid flow path between damping cylinder interior 35 and annular reservoir 40 (including bladder 30 interior; see FIG. 1B) is substantially unobstructed via bleed passage 55, ports 50A and upper annulus 45. (Also shown in FIG. 2 is the main piston 245.)



FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the base valve assembly of detail 2 of FIG. 1B, with the valve shown in the mid-damping position. This corresponds to medium current supplied to the solenoid. FIG. 3 shows a partial obstruction of ports 50A by metering edge 205 of the pilot spool 210.



FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the base valve assembly of detail 2 of FIG. 1B, with the valve shown in the firm-damping position. FIG. 4 shows substantial blockage of ports 50A by the metering edge 205 of the pilot spool 210, which is axially displaced relative to its position in FIG. 2.


Of note, the pilot spool 210 shown in FIG. 2 is in a retracted soft position, in which the metering edge 205 of the pilot spool 210 is not obstructing the ports 50A. However, the pilot spool 210 shown in FIG. 3 is in a middle position, in which the metering edge 205 of the pilot spool 210 is partially obstructing the ports 50A. The pilot spool 210 shown in FIG. 4 is in a firm position, in which the metering edge 205 of the pilot spool 210 is fully obstructing ports 50A.


In one embodiment, the axial displacement of the pilot spool 210 is facilitated by an electromagnetic interaction between the armature 215 and the coil 220. Adjustment of the current in the coil 220 (via modulation of the current from a power source [not shown]) to predetermined values causes the armature 215, and hence the pilot spool 210, to move in corresponding predetermined axial positions relative to the coil 220. As such, the pilot spool 210 can be adjusted as shown in the FIGS. 2-4.


When the pilot spool 210 is closing ports 50A, as shown in FIG. 4, substantially all damping fluid compression flow must flow through port 70 and valve shims 225. In addition, the damping fluid pressure acting through and in annulus 60 on an interior of the valve body 230 is increased and therefore the valve body 230 exerts more closing force of the valve shims 225. The net result is an increased compression damping due to closure of ports 50A and a further compression damping increase due to a corresponding pressure increase in the compression damping within annulus 60. When the pilot spool 210 is located in a middle position as is shown in FIG. 3, the foregoing results apply in a diminished way because some of the compression flow (albeit less than full compression flow) may flow through partially open ports 50A. The embodiment of FIG. 2 also exhibits some effect of pressure boosting via annulus 60 on the valve body 230, but the phenomenon occurs at higher compression rates.



FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B depict a cross-sectional side elevation view of a valve assembly of detail 2 of the shock absorber of FIG. 1B, in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B show an embodiment in which the valve body 230 acts on the valve shims 225 through a spring 75. In use, the valve body 230 increases or decreases the preload on the spring 75. FIG. 5A shows the pilot spool 210 in the retracted soft position, thereby causing the preload on the spring 75 to decrease. FIG. 5B shows the pilot spool 210 in the firm position, thereby causing the preload on the spring 75 to increase.



FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 depict a cross-sectional side elevation view of the valve assembly of detail 2 of the shock absorber of FIG. 1B, in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show an embodiment including a flow control orifice 605 for limiting flow through into the bleed passage 55 during compression. In limiting fluid flow, the flow control orifice 605 (by creating a pressure drop) places an upper limit on the amount of pressure in the annulus 60, and hence the amount of “boost” or closure force that the valve body 230 can exert on the valve shims 230. FIG. 6 shows the metering edge 205 of the pilot spool 210 obstructing ports 50A. FIG. 7 shows the metering edge 205 of the pilot spool 210 partially obstructing ports 50A.



FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B depict a cross-sectional side elevation view of a shock absorber, in accordance with an embodiment. More particularly, FIG. 8A shows an embodiment having a separate valve body 805A and 805B corresponding to each of a rebound shim set 810 and a compression shim set 815, respectively, where a pilot spool 820 (performing, in one embodiment, similarly to the pilot spool 210 of FIGS. 1-7 described herein) alternatingly opens one area (e.g., 825A [similar to function to annulus 60]) while closing the other area (e.g., 825B [similar in function to annulus 60]). Of note, FIG. 8A shows a “hard/soft configuration”. For example, during compression, the area 825A and area 825B experience obstruction by a portion of the pilot spool 820, thereby creating a soft compression. During the rebound, the area 825A and area 825B are open to fluid flow, thereby creating a firm rebound. Thus, there would be a high amount of pressure experienced during rebound. However, for compression, the pressure is low, but there is no bleed. FIG. 8B shows a “hard/hard configuration” (a firm compression and a firm rebound), in accordance with an embodiment.



FIGS. 9-13 depicts a cross-sectional side elevation view of the base valve assembly of detail 2 of FIG. 1B, including a “latching solenoid”, in accordance with an embodiment. Embodiments further provide, in brief and as will be described below, a low-power bi-state electronic damper. The low-power bi-state electronic damper uses a latching solenoid to open and close a pressure-balanced pilot spool. Given the latching configuration of the solenoid, power is required only to open or close but not to hold in it in either setting, in accordance with an embodiment. The result is low power consumption.


Additionally, a further embodiment provides an externally-adjustable means of tuning the open state of the damper. There is an adjuster that can be turned in or out to vary the effective orifice size of the pilot spool when in the open position. This will allow the rider to adjust the soft setting of the damper to his/hers preference.


With reference now to FIG. 9, the latching solenoid 905 primarily uses power to facilitate a change in position of the pilot spool 210 relative to the coil 220 but requires little or no power to maintain the pilot spool 210 in the desired position once that is achieved. In one embodiment, the latching solenoid assembly 905 (or latching spool valve assembly) includes: a pilot spool 210 which includes a magnetically active material; a spring 915 which is normally in compression and biases the pilot spool 210 toward a position obstructing ports 50A; a permanent magnet 920; and a coil 220 where power is supplied to the coil 220 by (in one embodiment) wires 925. The aforementioned components may be contained within a housing 240 or “cartridge” as shown.


The pilot spool valve assembly (including at least the pilot spool 210 and the metering edge 930 of the pilot spool 210) regulates damping fluid flow through a portion of the damper and adjusts the force applied to the valve shims 225 by the valve body 230 through ports 60. In one embodiment, the position of the spool valve assembly may be adjusted axially by means of the low speed adjuster 935. The low speed adjuster 935 (comprising multiple pieces), being for example, threaded at its lower end to the top cap 20 via the low speed adjuster threads 940, may be rotated to facilitate axial movement. In one embodiment, the low speed adjuster 935 includes a non-round shape (e.g., hexagonal) that facilitates the rotation with relative axial movement (see 1105 of FIG. 11).


With reference now to FIGS. 9-13, when the lower portion of the low speed adjuster 935 moves downward axially, the cartridge of the pilot spool 210 is correspondingly moved and thereby further compresses the spring 915. As the cartridge is moved downward, the low speed adjuster metering edge 950 is moved into further obstruction of ports 50B, thereby restricting flow of damping fluid through the damper from an interior of the pilot spool valve assembly to an exterior of the damping assembly (note the open ports 50B shown in FIG. 12, in which the pilot spool valve 210 is shown in the open pilot position with the low speed adjuster 935 in the soft position).


In one embodiment, the pilot spool 210 is biased by spring 915 toward a position wherein the metering edge 930 of the pilot spool 210 further obstructs ports 50A (see FIG. 13, wherein the pilot spool 210 is shown in the open pilot position with the low speed adjuster 935 in the middle position). A force opposing the bias of the spring 915 is exerted on the magnetic component of the pilot spool 210 by the permanent magnet 920. When the pilot spool 210 is in its uppermost (corresponding to open ports 50A) position, it is retained by the magnetic force between the permanent magnet 920 and the pilot spool valve 210 where that force is sufficient to overcome the bias of the spring 915 (thereby holding the spring 915 in a compressed state). As such, when the pilot spool valve 210 and ports 50A are in the open position (see FIG. 12), no power input is required to maintain that state.


In one embodiment, when it is desired to close or partially close ports 50A by means of the metering edge 930 of the pilot spool 210, a current is applied to the coil 220 via the wires 925. The current causes a magnetic flux around the coil 220, which acts on the magnetic component of the pilot spool 210 causing the pilot spool 210 to move axially within the cartridge. When the pilot spool 210 has moved a relatively small distance axially away from the permanent magnet 920, the spring 915 bias moves the pilot spool 210 toward closure of ports 50A with little or no additional power input to the coil 220.


Of note, FIG. 10 shows the pilot spool 210 in the closed pilot position with the low speed adjuster 935 in the firm position. FIG. 11 shows the pilot spool 210 in the open pilot position with the low speed adjuster 935 in the firm position. FIG. 10 additionally shows the low speed adjuster metering edge 1005 and the spool valve assembly housing 1010, in accordance with an embodiment.



FIGS. 9-13 show an orifice block 955 having a tailored orifice 960 there through. The orifice 960 meters low speed damping fluid for low speed bump response of the suspension (when magnitude and rate is insufficient to open the shims). The size of the orifice 960 may be chosen to allow a desired amount or range of pressure to be applied to the valve body 230 through annulus 60 (ports). The use of the pilot spool 210 then further specifies that the pressure acts on the valve body 230 by modulating the flow restriction “downstream” (during a compression stroke of the suspension) of the orifice 960.



FIGS. 9-13 also show a pressure relief valve 965 or “blow off” valve, which is biased toward a closed position by Bellville spring(s) 970. The pressure relief valve 965 opens in response to an interior damper pressure above a predetermined threshold and thereby prevents damage to the damper and vehicle in the event of rapid pressure build up (usually associated with extreme suspension compression rate). The pressure relief valve 965 may have an adjustable threshold value (in one embodiment, by modification of the compression in the Bellville spring 970).


It should be noted that any of the features disclosed herein may be useful alone or in any suitable combination. While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be implemented without departing from the scope of the invention, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.

Claims
  • 1. A vehicle suspension damper comprising: a primary valve;a pilot valve assembly, said pilot valve assembly comprising: an adjustable pilot spool configured for controlling a pressure inside said primary valve;an externally-adjustable adjuster, wherein said pilot valve assembly meters fluid to said primary valve, and movement of said externally-adjustable adjuster varies an effective orifice size of said adjustable pilot spool, said externally-adjustable adjuster disposed at a top cap of said vehicle suspension damper; anda set of shims coupled to said primary valve, wherein a position of said adjustable pilot spool corresponds to an increase of pressure inside said primary valve and an increase of an axial force on said set of shims by said primary valve.
  • 2. The vehicle suspension damper of claim 1 further comprising: a latching solenoid coupled to said pilot valve assembly, said latching solenoid configured to adjust said pilot valve assembly.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of and claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/690,267 filed on Apr. 17, 2015, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN ADJUSTABLE DAMPER”, and assigned to the assignee of the present application, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/843,704 is a divisional application of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/843,704 filed on Mar. 15, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,033,122, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN ADJUSTABLE DAMPER”, and assigned to the assignee of the present application, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/843,704 claims the benefit of and claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/709,041, filed on Oct. 2, 2012, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN ADJUSTABLE DAMPER” by Ericksen et al., assigned to the assignee of the present application, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/843,704 claims the benefit of and claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/667,327, filed on Jul. 2, 2012, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN ADJUSTABLE DAMPER” by Ericksen et al., assigned to the assignee of the present application, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/843,704 is a continuation-in-part application of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/485,401, filed on May 31, 2012, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POSITION SENSITIVE SUSPENSION” by Ericksen et al., assigned to the assignee of the present application, now abandoned, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The application with Ser. No. 13/485,401 claims the benefit of and claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/491,858, filed on May 31, 2011, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POSITION SENSITIVE SUSPENSION DAMPENING” by Ericksen et al., assigned to the assignee of the present application, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The application with Ser. No. 13/485,401 claims the benefit of and claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/645,465, filed on May 10, 2012, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN ADJUSTABLE DAMPER” by Cox et al., assigned to the assignee of the present application, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/843,704 is a continuation-in-part application of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/684,072, filed on Jan. 7, 2010, entitled “REMOTELY OPERATED BYPASS FOR A SUSPENSION DAMPER” by John Marking, now abandoned, assigned to the assignee of the present application, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The application with Ser. No. 12/684,072 claims the benefit of and claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/143,152, filed on Jan. 7, 2009, entitled “REMOTE BYPASS LOCK-OUT” by John Marking, assigned to the assignee of the present application, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/843,704 is a continuation-in-part application of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/189,216, filed on Jul. 22, 2011, entitled “SUSPENSION DAMPER WITH REMOTELY-OPERABLE VALVE” by John Marking, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,239,090, assigned to the assignee of the present application, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The application with Ser. No. 13/189,216 is a continuation-in-part application of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/010,697, filed on Jan. 20, 2011, entitled “REMOTELY OPERATED BYPASS FOR A SUSPENSION DAMPER” by John Marking, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,857,580, assigned to the assignee of the present application, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The application with Ser. No. 13/010,697 claims the benefit of and claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/296,826, filed on Jan. 20, 2010, entitled “BYPASS LOCK-OUT VALVE FOR A SUSPENSION DAMPER” by John Marking, assigned to the assignee of the present application, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The application with Ser. No. 13/189,216 is a continuation-in-part application of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/175,244, filed on Jul. 1, 2011, entitled “BYPASS FOR A SUSPENSION DAMPER” by John Marking, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,627,932, assigned to the assignee of the present application, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The application with Ser. No. 13/175,244 claims the benefit of and claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/361,127, filed on Jul. 2, 2010, entitled “BYPASS LOCK-OUT VALVE FOR A SUSPENSION DAMPER” by John Marking, assigned to the assignee of the present application, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

US Referenced Citations (518)
Number Name Date Kind
435995 Dunlop Sep 1890 A
1492731 Kerr May 1924 A
1575973 Coleman Mar 1926 A
1655786 Guerritore et al. Jan 1928 A
1948600 Templeton Feb 1934 A
2018312 Moulton Oct 1935 A
2259437 Dean Oct 1941 A
2492331 Spring Dec 1949 A
2540525 Howarth et al. Feb 1951 A
2559633 Maurice et al. Jul 1951 A
2697600 Gregoire Dec 1954 A
2725076 Hansen et al. Nov 1955 A
2729308 Koski et al. Jan 1956 A
2784962 Sherburne Mar 1957 A
2838140 Rasmusson et al. Jun 1958 A
2846028 Gunther Aug 1958 A
2879971 Demay Mar 1959 A
2883181 Hogan et al. Apr 1959 A
2897613 Davidson et al. Aug 1959 A
2941629 Etienne et al. Jun 1960 A
2991804 Merkle Jul 1961 A
3003595 Patriquin et al. Oct 1961 A
3056598 Sutton Ransom et al. Oct 1962 A
3073586 Hartel et al. Jan 1963 A
3087583 Bruns Apr 1963 A
3202413 Colmerauer Aug 1965 A
3206153 Burke Sep 1965 A
3284076 Gibson Nov 1966 A
3286797 Leibfritz et al. Nov 1966 A
3405625 Carlson et al. Oct 1968 A
3419849 Anderson et al. Dec 1968 A
3420493 Kraft et al. Jan 1969 A
3528700 Janu et al. Sep 1970 A
3537722 Moulton Nov 1970 A
3556137 Henry et al. Jan 1971 A
3559027 Arsem Jan 1971 A
3584331 Richard et al. Jun 1971 A
3603575 Arlasky et al. Sep 1971 A
3605960 Singer Sep 1971 A
3701544 Stankovich Oct 1972 A
3714953 Solvang Feb 1973 A
3750856 Kenworthy et al. Aug 1973 A
3791408 Saitou et al. Feb 1974 A
3830482 Norris Aug 1974 A
3842753 Ross et al. Oct 1974 A
3861487 Gill Jan 1975 A
3941402 Yankowski et al. Mar 1976 A
3981204 Starbard et al. Sep 1976 A
3986118 Madigan Oct 1976 A
4022113 Blatt et al. May 1977 A
4032829 Schenavar et al. Jun 1977 A
4036335 Thompson et al. Jul 1977 A
4072087 Mueller et al. Feb 1978 A
4103881 Simich Aug 1978 A
4121610 Harms et al. Oct 1978 A
4131657 Ball et al. Dec 1978 A
4139186 Postema et al. Feb 1979 A
4159106 Nyman et al. Jun 1979 A
4174098 Baker et al. Nov 1979 A
4183509 Nishikawa et al. Jan 1980 A
4291850 Sharples Sep 1981 A
4305566 Grawunde Dec 1981 A
4333668 Hendrickson et al. Jun 1982 A
4334711 Mazur et al. Jun 1982 A
4337850 Shimokura et al. Jul 1982 A
4348016 Milly Sep 1982 A
4351515 Yoshida Sep 1982 A
4366969 Benya et al. Jan 1983 A
4387781 Ezell et al. Jun 1983 A
4437548 Ashiba et al. Mar 1984 A
4474363 Numazawa et al. Oct 1984 A
4491207 Boonchanta et al. Jan 1985 A
4500827 Merritt et al. Feb 1985 A
4502673 Clark et al. Mar 1985 A
4529180 Hill Jul 1985 A
4548233 Woelfges Oct 1985 A
4570851 Cirillo et al. Feb 1986 A
4620619 Emura et al. Nov 1986 A
4624346 Katz et al. Nov 1986 A
4634142 Woods et al. Jan 1987 A
4659104 Tanaka et al. Apr 1987 A
4660689 Hayashi et al. Apr 1987 A
4673194 Sugasawa Jun 1987 A
4709779 Takehara Dec 1987 A
4729459 Inagaki et al. Mar 1988 A
4744444 Gillingham May 1988 A
4750735 Furgerson et al. Jun 1988 A
4765648 Mander et al. Aug 1988 A
4773671 Inagaki Sep 1988 A
4786034 Heess et al. Nov 1988 A
4815575 Murty et al. Mar 1989 A
4821852 Yokoya Apr 1989 A
4826207 Yoshioka et al. May 1989 A
4830395 Foley May 1989 A
4836578 Soltis Jun 1989 A
4838394 Lemme et al. Jun 1989 A
4846317 Hudgens Jul 1989 A
4858733 Noguchi et al. Aug 1989 A
4919166 Sims et al. Apr 1990 A
4936424 Costa Jun 1990 A
4949989 Kakizaki et al. Aug 1990 A
4975849 Ema et al. Dec 1990 A
4984819 Kakizaki et al. Jan 1991 A
5027303 Witte Jun 1991 A
5036934 Nishina et al. Aug 1991 A
5040381 Hazen Aug 1991 A
5044614 Rau Sep 1991 A
5060959 Davis et al. Oct 1991 A
5072812 Imaizumi Dec 1991 A
5076404 Gustafsson Dec 1991 A
5080392 Bazergui Jan 1992 A
5105918 Hagiwara et al. Apr 1992 A
5113980 Furrer et al. May 1992 A
5152547 Davis Oct 1992 A
5161653 Hare Nov 1992 A
5163742 Topfer et al. Nov 1992 A
5178242 Nakamura et al. Jan 1993 A
5186481 Turner Feb 1993 A
5203584 Butsuen et al. Apr 1993 A
5207774 Wolfe et al. May 1993 A
5230364 Leng et al. Jul 1993 A
5236169 Johnsen et al. Aug 1993 A
5248014 Ashiba Sep 1993 A
5259487 Petek et al. Nov 1993 A
5263559 Mettner Nov 1993 A
5265902 Lewis Nov 1993 A
5277283 Yamaoka et al. Jan 1994 A
5284330 Carlson et al. Feb 1994 A
5293971 Kanari Mar 1994 A
5307907 Nakamura et al. May 1994 A
5318066 Burgorf et al. Jun 1994 A
5328004 Fannin et al. Jul 1994 A
5347186 Konotchick et al. Sep 1994 A
5348112 Vaillancourt Sep 1994 A
5372223 Dekock et al. Dec 1994 A
5372224 Samonil et al. Dec 1994 A
5381952 Duprez Jan 1995 A
5390949 Naganathan et al. Feb 1995 A
5392885 Patzenhauer et al. Feb 1995 A
5396973 Schwemmer et al. Mar 1995 A
5398787 Woessner et al. Mar 1995 A
5413196 Forster May 1995 A
5467280 Kimura Nov 1995 A
5480011 Nagai et al. Jan 1996 A
5487006 Kakizaki et al. Jan 1996 A
5551674 Johnsen Sep 1996 A
5553836 Ericson Sep 1996 A
5578877 Tiemann Nov 1996 A
5588510 Wilke Dec 1996 A
5597180 Ganzel et al. Jan 1997 A
5598337 Butsuen et al. Jan 1997 A
5601164 Ohsaki et al. Feb 1997 A
5651433 Wirth et al. Jul 1997 A
5657840 Lizell Aug 1997 A
5687575 Keville et al. Nov 1997 A
5699885 Forster Dec 1997 A
5722645 Reitter Mar 1998 A
5803443 Chang Sep 1998 A
5806159 Inoue et al. Sep 1998 A
5810128 Eriksson et al. Sep 1998 A
5813456 Milner et al. Sep 1998 A
5813731 Newman et al. Sep 1998 A
5818132 Konotchick et al. Oct 1998 A
5826935 Defreitas et al. Oct 1998 A
5872418 Wischnewskiy Feb 1999 A
5884921 Katsuda et al. Mar 1999 A
5937975 Forster Aug 1999 A
5947238 Jolly et al. Sep 1999 A
5952823 Sprecher et al. Sep 1999 A
5954318 Kluhsman Sep 1999 A
5956951 O'Callaghan Sep 1999 A
5971116 Franklin Oct 1999 A
5988655 Sakai et al. Nov 1999 A
5992450 Parker et al. Nov 1999 A
5996745 Jones et al. Dec 1999 A
5996746 Turner et al. Dec 1999 A
5999868 Beno et al. Dec 1999 A
6000702 Streiter Dec 1999 A
6035979 Foerster Mar 2000 A
6058340 Uchiyama et al. May 2000 A
6067490 Ichimaru et al. May 2000 A
6073536 Campbell Jun 2000 A
6073700 Tsuji et al. Jun 2000 A
6073736 Franklin Jun 2000 A
6092011 Hiramoto et al. Jul 2000 A
6131709 Jolly et al. Oct 2000 A
6135434 Marking Oct 2000 A
6141969 Launchbury et al. Nov 2000 A
6151930 Carlson Nov 2000 A
6179098 Hayakawa et al. Jan 2001 B1
6199669 Huang et al. Mar 2001 B1
6213263 De Frenne Apr 2001 B1
6215217 Kurosawa et al. Apr 2001 B1
6217049 Becker Apr 2001 B1
6244398 Girvin et al. Jun 2001 B1
6254067 Yih Jul 2001 B1
6279702 Koh Aug 2001 B1
6293530 Delorenzis et al. Sep 2001 B1
6296092 Marking et al. Oct 2001 B1
6311962 Marking Nov 2001 B1
6318525 Vignocchi et al. Nov 2001 B1
6322468 Wing et al. Nov 2001 B1
6343807 Rathbun Feb 2002 B1
6360857 Fox et al. Mar 2002 B1
6371262 Katou et al. Apr 2002 B1
6371267 Kao et al. Apr 2002 B1
6378885 Ellsworth et al. Apr 2002 B1
6389341 Davis May 2002 B1
6390747 Commins May 2002 B1
6401883 Nyce et al. Jun 2002 B1
6415895 Marking et al. Jul 2002 B2
6418360 Spivey et al. Jul 2002 B1
6427812 Crawley et al. Aug 2002 B2
6434460 Uchino et al. Aug 2002 B1
6446771 Sintorn et al. Sep 2002 B1
6467593 Corradini et al. Oct 2002 B1
6474454 Matsumoto et al. Nov 2002 B2
6474753 Rieth et al. Nov 2002 B1
6501554 Hackney et al. Dec 2002 B1
6502837 Hamilton et al. Jan 2003 B1
6510929 Gordaninejad et al. Jan 2003 B1
6520297 Lumpkin et al. Feb 2003 B1
6592136 Becker et al. Jul 2003 B2
6619615 Mayr et al. Sep 2003 B1
6648109 Farr et al. Nov 2003 B2
6659240 Dernebo Dec 2003 B2
6659241 Sendrea Dec 2003 B2
6672687 Nishio Jan 2004 B2
6732033 LaPlante et al. May 2004 B2
6782980 Nakadate Aug 2004 B2
6817454 Nezu Nov 2004 B2
6840257 Dario et al. Jan 2005 B2
6857625 Löser et al. Feb 2005 B2
6863291 Miyoshi Mar 2005 B2
6905203 Kremers et al. Jun 2005 B2
6920951 Song et al. Jul 2005 B2
6923853 Kremers et al. Aug 2005 B2
6935157 Miller Aug 2005 B2
6952060 Goldner et al. Oct 2005 B2
6959906 Hoenig et al. Nov 2005 B2
6959921 Rose Nov 2005 B2
6966412 Braswell et al. Nov 2005 B2
6978871 Holiviers Dec 2005 B2
6978872 Turner Dec 2005 B2
6991076 McAndrews Jan 2006 B2
7025367 McKinnon et al. Apr 2006 B2
7076351 Hamilton et al. Jul 2006 B2
7128192 Fox Oct 2006 B2
7135794 Kühnel Nov 2006 B2
7147207 Jordan et al. Dec 2006 B2
7163222 Becker et al. Jan 2007 B2
7208845 Schaefer et al. Apr 2007 B2
7234575 Anderfaas et al. Jun 2007 B2
7234680 Hull et al. Jun 2007 B2
7243763 Carlson Jul 2007 B2
7270221 McAndrews Sep 2007 B2
7287760 Quick et al. Oct 2007 B1
7293764 Fang Nov 2007 B2
7299112 LaPlante et al. Nov 2007 B2
7316406 Kimura et al. Jan 2008 B2
7325660 Norgaard et al. Feb 2008 B2
7363129 Barnicle et al. Apr 2008 B1
7374028 Fox May 2008 B2
7397355 Tracy Jul 2008 B2
7413063 Davis Aug 2008 B1
7422092 Hitchcock et al. Sep 2008 B2
7441638 Hanawa Oct 2008 B2
7469910 Münster et al. Dec 2008 B2
7484603 Fox Feb 2009 B2
7490705 Fox Feb 2009 B2
7523617 Colpitts et al. Apr 2009 B2
7569952 Bono et al. Aug 2009 B1
7581743 Graney et al. Sep 2009 B2
7591352 Hanawa Sep 2009 B2
7600616 Anderfaas et al. Oct 2009 B2
7628259 Norgaard et al. Dec 2009 B2
7631882 Hirao et al. Dec 2009 B2
7654369 Murray et al. Feb 2010 B2
7673936 Hsu et al. Mar 2010 B2
7684911 Seifert et al. Mar 2010 B2
7694785 Nakadate Apr 2010 B2
7694987 McAndrews Apr 2010 B2
7722056 Inoue et al. May 2010 B2
7722069 Shirai May 2010 B2
7726042 Meschan Jun 2010 B2
7730906 Kleinert et al. Jun 2010 B2
7770701 Davis Aug 2010 B1
7779974 Timoney et al. Aug 2010 B2
7795711 Sauciuc et al. Sep 2010 B2
7837213 Colegrove et al. Nov 2010 B2
7857325 Copsey et al. Dec 2010 B2
7909348 Klieber et al. Mar 2011 B2
7931132 Braun Apr 2011 B2
7946163 Gartner May 2011 B2
8016349 Mouri et al. Sep 2011 B2
8056392 Ryan et al. Nov 2011 B2
8069964 Deferme et al. Dec 2011 B2
8087676 McIntyre Jan 2012 B2
8091910 Hara et al. Jan 2012 B2
8104591 Barefoot et al. Jan 2012 B2
8127900 Inoue Mar 2012 B2
8136877 Walsh et al. Mar 2012 B2
8151952 Lenz et al. Apr 2012 B2
8191964 Hsu et al. Jun 2012 B2
8210106 Tai et al. Jul 2012 B2
8210330 Vandewal Jul 2012 B2
8256587 Bakke et al. Sep 2012 B2
8262062 Kamo et al. Sep 2012 B2
8262100 Thomas Sep 2012 B2
8286982 Plantet et al. Oct 2012 B2
8291889 Shafer et al. Oct 2012 B2
8292274 Adoline et al. Oct 2012 B2
8307965 Föster et al. Nov 2012 B2
8308124 Hsu Nov 2012 B2
8317261 Walsh et al. Nov 2012 B2
8336683 McAndrews et al. Dec 2012 B2
8393446 Haugen Mar 2013 B2
8413773 Anderfaas et al. Apr 2013 B2
8423244 Proemm et al. Apr 2013 B2
8458080 Shirai Jun 2013 B2
8550551 Shirai Oct 2013 B2
8556048 Maeda et al. Oct 2013 B2
8556049 Jee Oct 2013 B2
8596663 Shirai et al. Dec 2013 B2
8627932 Marking Jan 2014 B2
8641073 Lee et al. Feb 2014 B2
8655548 Ichida et al. Feb 2014 B2
8744699 Yamaguchi et al. Jun 2014 B2
8752682 Park et al. Jun 2014 B2
8770357 Sims et al. Jul 2014 B2
8781680 Ichida et al. Jul 2014 B2
8781690 Hara et al. Jul 2014 B2
8814109 Calendrille et al. Aug 2014 B2
8833786 Camp et al. Sep 2014 B2
8838335 Bass et al. Sep 2014 B2
8857580 Marking Oct 2014 B2
8888115 Chubbuck et al. Nov 2014 B2
8950771 Felsl et al. Feb 2015 B2
8955653 Marking Feb 2015 B2
8967343 Battlogg et al. Mar 2015 B2
8991571 Murakami Mar 2015 B2
9033122 Ericksen et al. May 2015 B2
9038791 Marking May 2015 B2
9073592 Hsu Jul 2015 B2
9120362 Marking Sep 2015 B2
9126647 Kuo Sep 2015 B2
9140325 Cox et al. Sep 2015 B2
9157523 Miki et al. Oct 2015 B2
9194456 Laird et al. Nov 2015 B2
9199690 Watarai Dec 2015 B2
9239090 Marking et al. Jan 2016 B2
9278598 Galasso et al. Mar 2016 B2
9353818 Marking May 2016 B2
9366307 Marking Jun 2016 B2
9422018 Pelot et al. Aug 2016 B2
9452654 Ericksen et al. Sep 2016 B2
9550405 Marking et al. Jan 2017 B2
9556925 Marking Jan 2017 B2
9616728 Marking Apr 2017 B2
9663181 Ericksen et al. May 2017 B2
9682604 Cox et al. Jun 2017 B2
9784333 Marking Oct 2017 B2
10036443 Galasso et al. Jul 2018 B2
10040329 Ericksen et al. Aug 2018 B2
10072724 Haugen et al. Sep 2018 B2
10086670 Galasso et al. Oct 2018 B2
10094443 Marking Oct 2018 B2
20010017334 Vincent Aug 2001 A1
20010042663 Marking et al. Nov 2001 A1
20020000352 Matsumoto et al. Jan 2002 A1
20020032508 Uchino et al. Mar 2002 A1
20020050518 Roustaei May 2002 A1
20020063469 Nishio May 2002 A1
20020089107 Koh Jul 2002 A1
20020121416 Katayama et al. Sep 2002 A1
20020130000 Lisenker et al. Sep 2002 A1
20020130003 Lisenker et al. Sep 2002 A1
20020185581 Trask et al. Dec 2002 A1
20030001346 Hamilton et al. Jan 2003 A1
20030001358 Becker et al. Jan 2003 A1
20030034697 Goldner et al. Feb 2003 A1
20030051954 Sendrea Mar 2003 A1
20030065430 Lu et al. Apr 2003 A1
20030075403 Dernebo Apr 2003 A1
20030103651 Novak Jun 2003 A1
20030160369 LaPlante et al. Aug 2003 A1
20040017455 Kremers et al. Jan 2004 A1
20040021754 Kremers et al. Feb 2004 A1
20040075350 Kuhnel Apr 2004 A1
20040099312 Boyer et al. May 2004 A1
20040208687 Sicz et al. Oct 2004 A1
20040222056 Fox Nov 2004 A1
20040256778 Verriet Dec 2004 A1
20050077131 Russell Apr 2005 A1
20050098401 Hamilton et al. May 2005 A1
20050110229 Kimura et al. May 2005 A1
20050121269 Namuduri Jun 2005 A1
20050173849 Vandewal Aug 2005 A1
20050199455 Browne et al. Sep 2005 A1
20060064223 Voss Mar 2006 A1
20060065496 Fox et al. Mar 2006 A1
20060066074 Turner et al. Mar 2006 A1
20060081431 Breese et al. Apr 2006 A1
20060096817 Norgaard et al. May 2006 A1
20060113834 Hanawa Jun 2006 A1
20060124414 Hanawa Jun 2006 A1
20060137934 Kurth Jun 2006 A1
20060163551 Coenen et al. Jul 2006 A1
20060163787 Munster et al. Jul 2006 A1
20060175792 Sicz et al. Aug 2006 A1
20060213082 Meschan Sep 2006 A1
20060219503 Kim Oct 2006 A1
20060225976 Nakadate Oct 2006 A1
20060237272 Huang Oct 2006 A1
20060289258 Fox Dec 2006 A1
20070007743 Becker et al. Jan 2007 A1
20070008096 Tracy Jan 2007 A1
20070034464 Barefoot Feb 2007 A1
20070039790 Timoney et al. Feb 2007 A1
20070051573 Norgaard et al. Mar 2007 A1
20070080515 McAndrews et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070088475 Nordgren et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070090518 Sauciuc et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070119669 Anderfaas et al. May 2007 A1
20080006494 Vandewal Jan 2008 A1
20080018065 Hirao et al. Jan 2008 A1
20080029730 Kamo et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080041677 Namuduri Feb 2008 A1
20080059025 Furuichi et al. Mar 2008 A1
20080067019 Jensen et al. Mar 2008 A1
20080093820 McAndrews Apr 2008 A1
20080099968 Schroeder May 2008 A1
20080116622 Fox May 2008 A1
20080185244 Maeda et al. Aug 2008 A1
20080250844 Gartner Oct 2008 A1
20080303320 Schranz et al. Dec 2008 A1
20080314706 Lun et al. Dec 2008 A1
20090001684 McAndrews et al. Jan 2009 A1
20090020382 Van Weelden et al. Jan 2009 A1
20090038897 Murakami Feb 2009 A1
20090071773 Lun Mar 2009 A1
20090121398 Inoue May 2009 A1
20090171532 Ryan et al. Jul 2009 A1
20090192673 Song et al. Jul 2009 A1
20090200126 Kondo et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090236807 Wootten et al. Sep 2009 A1
20090261542 McIntyre Oct 2009 A1
20090277736 McAndrews et al. Nov 2009 A1
20090288924 Murray et al. Nov 2009 A1
20090294231 Carlson et al. Dec 2009 A1
20090302558 Shirai Dec 2009 A1
20090324327 McAndrews et al. Dec 2009 A1
20100010709 Song Jan 2010 A1
20100032254 Anderfaas et al. Feb 2010 A1
20100044975 Yablon et al. Feb 2010 A1
20100059964 Morris Mar 2010 A1
20100066051 Haugen Mar 2010 A1
20100109277 Furrer May 2010 A1
20100170760 Marking Jul 2010 A1
20100207351 Klieber et al. Aug 2010 A1
20100224454 Chen et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100244340 Wootten et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100252972 Cox et al. Oct 2010 A1
20100276238 Crasset Nov 2010 A1
20100276906 Galasso et al. Nov 2010 A1
20100308628 Hsu et al. Dec 2010 A1
20100314917 Hsieh et al. Dec 2010 A1
20100327542 Hara et al. Dec 2010 A1
20110086686 Avent et al. Apr 2011 A1
20110095507 Plantet et al. Apr 2011 A1
20110097139 Hsu et al. Apr 2011 A1
20110109060 Earle et al. May 2011 A1
20110127706 Sims et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110174582 Wootten et al. Jul 2011 A1
20110202236 Galasso et al. Aug 2011 A1
20110204201 Kodama et al. Aug 2011 A1
20110214956 Marking Sep 2011 A1
20110257848 Shirai Oct 2011 A1
20110284333 Krog et al. Nov 2011 A1
20110315494 Marking Dec 2011 A1
20120006949 Laird et al. Jan 2012 A1
20120018263 Marking Jan 2012 A1
20120018264 King Jan 2012 A1
20120048665 Marking Mar 2012 A1
20120080279 Galasso et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120181126 De Kock Jul 2012 A1
20120222927 Marking Sep 2012 A1
20120228906 McAndrews et al. Sep 2012 A1
20120253599 Shirai Oct 2012 A1
20120253600 Ichida et al. Oct 2012 A1
20120274043 Lee et al. Nov 2012 A1
20120305350 Ericksen et al. Dec 2012 A1
20120312648 Yu et al. Dec 2012 A1
20130001030 Goldasz et al. Jan 2013 A1
20130037361 Park et al. Feb 2013 A1
20130090195 Yamaguchi et al. Apr 2013 A1
20130119634 Camp et al. May 2013 A1
20130144489 Galasso et al. Jun 2013 A1
20130168195 Park et al. Jul 2013 A1
20130292218 Ericksen et al. Nov 2013 A1
20130333993 Yu Dec 2013 A1
20140008160 Marking et al. Jan 2014 A1
20140027219 Marking et al. Jan 2014 A1
20140048365 Kim Feb 2014 A1
20140061419 Wehage et al. Mar 2014 A1
20150081171 Ericksen et al. Mar 2015 A1
20150197308 Butora et al. Jul 2015 A1
20160153516 Marking Jun 2016 A1
20160185178 Galasso et al. Jun 2016 A1
20160265615 Marking Sep 2016 A1
20160290431 Marking Oct 2016 A1
20160355226 Pelot et al. Dec 2016 A1
20170008363 Ericksen et al. Jan 2017 A1
20170136843 Marking May 2017 A1
20170184174 Marking Jun 2017 A1
20170291466 Tong Oct 2017 A1
20180010666 Marking Jan 2018 A1
20180031071 Marking Feb 2018 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (50)
Number Date Country
3532292 Mar 1987 DE
3709447 Oct 1988 DE
3711442 Oct 1988 DE
3738048 May 1989 DE
3924166 Feb 1991 DE
4029090 Mar 1992 DE
4406918 Sep 1994 DE
202004005229 Aug 2004 DE
10326675 Dec 2004 DE
202010012738 Dec 2010 DE
207409 Jan 1987 EP
304801 Mar 1989 EP
0304801 Mar 1989 EP
1050696 Nov 2000 EP
1241087 Sep 2002 EP
1355209 Oct 2003 EP
1623856 Feb 2006 EP
1757473 Feb 2007 EP
2103512 Sep 2009 EP
2248691 Nov 2010 EP
2357098 Aug 2011 EP
2410203 Jan 2012 EP
2479095 Jul 2012 EP
2495472 Sep 2012 EP
2357098 Oct 2014 EP
2848582 Mar 2015 EP
2529002 Dec 1983 FR
2617928 Jan 1989 FR
2104183 Mar 1983 GB
2159604 Dec 1985 GB
2180320 Mar 1987 GB
2289111 Nov 1995 GB
57173632 Oct 1982 JP
57182506 Nov 1982 JP
01106721 Apr 1989 JP
H0193637 Apr 1989 JP
H02168038 Jun 1990 JP
H03113139 May 1991 JP
04203540 Jul 1992 JP
05149364 Jun 1993 JP
06101735 Apr 1994 JP
06185562 Jul 1994 JP
H084818 Jan 1996 JP
2007302211 Nov 2007 JP
20070076226 Jul 2007 KR
9840231 Sep 1998 WO
9840231 Sep 1998 WO
9906231 Feb 1999 WO
0027658 May 2000 WO
2008086605 Jul 2008 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (26)
Entry
Electronic Translation of DE3709447A1.
Nilsson, “Opposition Letter Against EP-2357098”, dated Oct. 13, 2017, 7 Pages.
English language abstract for EP 0207409 (no date).
European Search Report, European Patent Application No. 14189773.6, dated May 4, 2015, 4 Pages.
EP Search Report for European Application No. 15163428.4, dated Jul. 3, 2017, 7 Pages.
“European Patent Office Final Decision dated Mar. 21, 2013”, European Patent Application No. 10161906.2.
“European Search Report for European Application No. 10187320, 2 pages, dated Sep. 25, 2017 (dated Sep. 25, 2017)”.
“European Search Report for European Application No. 11153607, 3 pages, dated Aug. 10, 2012 (dated Aug. 10, 2012))”.
“European Search Report for European Application No. 11172553, 2 pages, dated Sep. 25, 2017 (dated Sep. 25, 2017)”.
“European Search Report for European Application No. 11175126, 2 pages, dated Sep. 25, 2017 (dated Sep. 25, 2017)”.
“European Search Report for European Application No. 12184150, 10 pages, dated Dec. 12, 2017 (dated Dec. 12, 2017)”.
“European Search Report for European Application No. 13174817.0, 13 pages, dated Jan. 8, 2018 (dated Jan. 8, 2018))”.
“European Search Report and Written Opinion, European Patent Application No. 13165362.8”, dated Sep. 24, 2014, 6 Pages.
Shiozaki, et al., “SP-861-Vehicle Dynamics and Electronic Controlled Suspensions SAE Technical Paper Series No. 910661”, International Congress and Exposition, Detroit, Mich., Feb. 25-Mar. 1, 1991.
Smith, ““The Bump Stop” in Engineer to win—Chapter 13: Springs and Shock Absorbers”, MBI Publishing Company and Motorbooks, USA XP055430818, ISBN: 978-0-87938-186-8, Dec. 31, 1984, 207.
“European Search Report for European Application No. 12170370, 2 pages, dated Nov. 15, 2017 (dated Nov. 15, 2017)”.
“European Search Report for European Application No. 17188022, 9 pages, dated Feb. 1, 2018 (dated Feb. 1, 2018))”.
Fachkunde Fahrradtechnik 4 Auflage, Gressmann_Inhaltv und S, 2011, 206-207.
Statement of Grounds of Appeal, EP App. No. 11153607.4, May 28, 2018, 88 Pages.
Grounds of Appeal, EP App. No. 11153607.4, Jun. 1, 2018, 28 Pages.
Puhn, “How to Make Your Car Handle”, HPBooks, 1981, 7 Pages.
Healey, “The Tyre as Part of the Suspension System”, The Institution of Automobile Engineers, Nov. 1924, 26-128.
Kasprzak, “Understanding Your Dampers: A guide from Jim Kasprzak”, http://www.kaztechnologies.com/downloads/kaz-tech-tips/ Accessed: Oct. 24, 2018, 25 pages.
Litchfield, “Pneumatic Tires”, Transactions (Society of Automobile Engineers), vol. 8, Part II, 1913, 208-223.
Thum, “Oppostion Letter Against EP2357098”, Oct. 16, 2018, 39.
Waechter, et al., “A Multibody Model for the Simulation of Bicycle Suspension Systems”, Vehicle System Dynamics vol. 37, No. 1, 2002, 3-28.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20170259876 A1 Sep 2017 US
Provisional Applications (7)
Number Date Country
61709041 Oct 2012 US
61667327 Jul 2012 US
61491858 May 2011 US
61645465 May 2012 US
61143152 Jan 2009 US
61296826 Jan 2010 US
61361127 Jul 2010 US
Divisions (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 13843704 Mar 2013 US
Child 14690267 US
Continuations (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 14690267 Apr 2015 US
Child 15599469 US
Continuation in Parts (8)
Number Date Country
Parent 13485401 May 2012 US
Child 13843704 US
Parent 13843704 US
Child 13843704 US
Parent 12684072 Jan 2010 US
Child 13843704 US
Parent 13843704 US
Child 13843704 US
Parent 13189216 Jul 2011 US
Child 13843704 US
Parent 13010697 Jan 2011 US
Child 13189216 US
Parent 13189216 US
Child 13189216 US
Parent 13175244 Jul 2011 US
Child 13189216 US