IP Library Granted Patent US 8,489,278
Granted Patent B2
US 8,489,278 · App. 13/748,073 · Granted Jul 16, 2013

Bicycle user interface system and method of operation thereof

Inventors: Stanley Song (Danbury, CT); Stephen R. Extance (New Milford, CT)
Assignee: Cycling Sports Group, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,489,278
App. No.
13/748,073
Granted
Jul 16, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A bicycle is disclosed having a control system with a user interface and an active suspension system. The control system includes a one or more sensors arranged to measure and transmit a signal indicative of the terrain over which the bicycle is being ridden. The active suspension system includes a valve box that is fluidly coupled to each chamber of the lower cylinder. An orifice in the valve box is changed in size in response to a signal from a sensor associated with the front wheel that changes the response of the suspension system due to changing terrain conditions. The user interface includes a selection device mounted to the handlebars that allows the user to change parameters of the active suspension system during operation of the bicycle.

Claims (17)

1. A method of operating a bicycle suspension system with a bicycle control system having a graphical user interface including a processor, a display and a selection device, the method comprising: displaying a first set of menu entries on said display, wherein said first set of menu entries include at least a ride mode entry, a fork setup entry, a rider setup entry, and a view data entry;

receiving at the processor and from an operator of the bicycle control system a menu entry selection signal indicative of said selection device pointing at a selected menu entry from the set of said first set menu entries;

displaying a set of graphical elements on said display in response to a selection of said ride mode menu entry;

displaying a second set of menu entries on said display in response to a selection of said fork setup menu entry; and,

displaying a rider preference parameter on said display in response to a selection of said rider setup menu entry.

2. The method of operating a bicycle suspension system of claim 1 wherein:

said set of graphical elements include five graphical elements; and,

said five graphical elements are positioned on said display to correspond with a location of electrical contacts on said selection device.

3. The method of operating a bicycle suspension system of claim 2 wherein said five graphical elements include a cross-country selection, an all-mountain selection, a downhill selection, a travel management selection, and a lockout selection.

4. The method of operating a bicycle suspension system of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

receiving at the processor a fork setup signal indicative of the selection device having been operated to change the selected fork setup parameter, wherein said fork setup parameters include cross-country, all-mountain, downhill travel management, and lockout parameters; and,

in response to said rider preference parameter selection signal, storing said changed fork setup parameter in a memory location.

5. The method of operating a bicycle suspension system of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

collecting data representative of the amount of travel in a suspension system as a function of time;

storing said collected data;

generating a graphical representation of said collected data; and,

displaying said graphical representation on said display in response to a selection of said view data menu entry.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 24, 2013
From: CANNONDALE BICYCLE CORPORATION
To: CYCLING SPORTS GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 029684/0734 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 23, 2013
From: SONG, STANLEY; EXTANCE, STEPHEN R.
To: CANNONDALE BICYCLE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 029680/0307 →
Continuity (4)
Division 13353630 · Jan 19, 2012
Division 12258525 · Oct 27, 2008
Provisional Application 61023201 · Jan 24, 2008
Related Publication 20130138295A1 · May 30, 2013