IP Library Granted Patent US 9,182,002
Granted Patent B2
US 9,182,002 · App. 14/086,649 · Granted Nov 10, 2015

Travel control for a gas spring and gas spring having very short travel modes

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,182,002
App. No.
14/086,649
Granted
Nov 10, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

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%.

Claims (31)

1. A gas spring for a two-wheeled vehicle, comprising:

a main chamber;

at least one auxiliary chamber, wherein said main chamber is fillable with a volume of liquid, and wherein said at least one auxiliary chamber comprises:

a first auxiliary chamber and a second auxiliary chamber;

a first flow port disposed between said main chamber and said first auxiliary chamber, said first flow port enabling a first fluid flow between said main chamber and said first auxiliary chamber;

a first valve for movably blocking said first flow port;

a second flow port disposed between said main chamber and said second auxiliary chamber, said second flow port enabling a second fluid flow between said main chamber and said second auxiliary chamber;

a second valve for movably blocking said second flow port;

pressurized gas that fills said at least one auxiliary chamber and a remaining portion of said main chamber; and

a movable piston that compresses said pressurized gas in said main chamber and that displaces said liquid during a compression stroke of said gas spring.

2. The gas spring of claim 1 , further comprising:

a control valve that controls whether said main chamber and said at least one auxiliary chamber are in fluid communication with each other, wherein said control valve controls movement of said first valve and said second valve.

3. The gas spring of claim 2 , further comprising:

a partition that separates said main chamber from said at least one auxiliary chamber, wherein said partition comprises said control valve.

4. The gas spring of claim 2 , wherein a knob positioned externally of said gas spring is coupled with and is in rotational communication with said control valve, wherein said control valve is bi-directionally movable.

5. The gas spring of claim 2 , wherein said control valve comprises:

at least three valve settings.

6. The gas spring of claim 5 , wherein a first valve setting of said at least three valve settings comprises:

a long travel mode, wherein when in said long travel mode, said first valve is not blocking said first flow port such that said first fluid flow is enabled and said second valve is not blocking said second flow port such that said second fluid flow is enabled.

7. The gas spring of claim 5 , wherein a second valve setting of said at least three valve settings comprises:

a medium travel mode, wherein when in said medium travel mode, said first valve is blocking said first flow port such that said first fluid flow is not enabled and said second valve is not blocking said second flow port such that said second fluid flow is enabled.

8. The gas spring of claim 5 , wherein a third valve setting of said at least three valve settings comprises:

a short travel mode, wherein when in said short travel mode, said first valve is not blocking said first flow port such that said first fluid flow is enabled and said second valve is blocking said second flow port such that said second fluid flow is not enabled.

9. The gas spring of claim 5 , wherein a fourth valve setting of said at least three valve settings comprises:

a very short travel mode, wherein when in said very short travel mode, said first valve is blocking said first flow port such that said first fluid flow is not enabled and said second valve is blocking said second flow port such that said second fluid flow is not enabled.

10. The gas spring of claim 1 , wherein said first valve and said second valve comprise:

a first pair of ball valves and a second pair of ball valves, respectively.

11. The gas spring of claim 1 , wherein said first valve and said second valve comprise:

a rotary disc.

12. The gas spring of claim 2 , wherein said control valve comprises:

three valve settings, and wherein said first flow port and said second flow port are each of an oblong shape.

Assignments (5)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 27, 2025
From: FOX FACTORY, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 073270/0027 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 13, 2022
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: FOX FACTORY, INC.
Reel/Frame 059704/0224 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 5, 2022
From: FOX FACTORY, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 059616/0435 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 12, 2020
From: FOX, ROBERT C.
To: FOX FACTORY, INC.
Reel/Frame 054354/0214 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 5, 2019
From: FOX FACTORY, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 049388/0585 →