IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,625,811

Granted Patent B2

US 10,625,811 · App. 15/885,648 · Granted Apr 21, 2020

Methods and apparatus for selective stiffness of vehicle suspension

Inventor: Mario Galasso (Sandy Hook, CT)

Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.

B62K25/08 B62K21/02 B62K2025/048 F16F1/38 F16F7/12

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 10,625,811
App. No.: 15/885,648
Granted: Apr 21, 2020
Kind: B2

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Abstract

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.

Claims (40)

1. A suspension assembly having adjustable structural reinforcement, said suspension assembly comprising:

a first tube;

a second tube, said second tube at least partially inside of said first tube;

at least one asymmetrically positioned structural member extending along a length of at least one of said first tube and said second tube, wherein said at least one asymmetrically positioned structural member is restrained along at least a portion of said length, wherein a change in rotational position of said first tube with respect to said second tube alters said structural reinforcement of said suspension assembly; and

a triple clamp, wherein when said at least one asymmetrically positioned structural member is in a desired orientation, the triple clamp is tightened around said at least one asymmetrically positioned structural member, which in turn tightens around the first tube, thereby retaining the at least one asymmetrically positioned structural member in the desired orientation, said at least one asymmetrically positioned structural member providing said adjustable structural reinforcement of said suspension assembly.

2. The suspension assembly of claim 1 , wherein said at least one asymmetrically positioned structural member is rotatable about an axis of said first tube.

3. The suspension assembly of claim 1 , wherein said at least one asymmetrically positioned structural member comprises:

two pieces cut at relative angles, thereby avoiding any need to flex said at least one asymmetrically positioned structural member during installation.

4. The suspension assembly of claim 1 , wherein said at least one asymmetrically positioned structural member comprises:

a plurality of spaced inner grooves; and

a plurality of smaller intervening interior diameter portions that engage respectively with a raised diameter portion and a groove portion of said first tube.

5. The suspension assembly of claim 1 , wherein said at least one asymmetrically positioned structural member comprises:

an inner surface, said inner surface is substantially circular; and

an outer surface, said outer surface being elliptical at axial locations on either side of said triple clamp.

6. A suspension assembly having adjustable structural reinforcement, said suspension assembly comprising:

a first tube;

a second tube, said second tube at least partially inside of said first tube; and

a plurality of spaced inner grooves; and

a plurality of smaller intervening interior diameter portions that engage respectively with a raised diameter portion and a groove portion of the first tube, said at least one asymmetrically positioned structural member providing said adjustable structural reinforcement of said suspension assembly.

7. The suspension assembly of claim 6 , wherein said at least one asymmetrically positioned structural member is rotatable about an axis of said first tube.

8. The suspension assembly of claim 6 , wherein said at least one asymmetrically positioned structural member comprises:

two pieces cut at relative angles such that said at least one asymmetrically positioned structural member does not requiring flexing during installation.

9. The suspension assembly of claim 6 , further comprising:

a triple clamp, wherein when said at least one asymmetrically positioned structural member is in a desired orientation, said triple clamp is tightened around said at least one asymmetrically positioned structural member, which in turn tightens around said first tube, thereby retaining said at least one asymmetrically positioned structural member in said desired orientation.

10. The suspension assembly of claim 6 , wherein said at least one asymmetrically positioned structural member comprises:

an inner surface, said inner surface is substantially circular; and

an outer surface, said outer surface being elliptical at axial locations on either side of a triple clamp.

11. A suspension assembly comprising:

a first tube;

a second tube, said second tube at least partially inside of said first tube; an

an inner surface, said inner surface is substantially circular; and

an outer surface, said outer surface being elliptical at axial locations;

12. The suspension assembly of claim 11 , wherein said at least one asymmetrically positioned structural member is rotatable about an axis of said first tube.

13. The suspension assembly of claim 11 , wherein said at least one asymmetrically positioned structural member comprises:

two pieces cut at relative angles such that said at least one asymmetrically positioned structural member does not requiring flexing during installation.

14. The suspension assembly of claim 11 , wherein said at least one asymmetrically positioned structural member comprises:

said outer surface being elliptical at axial locations on either side of said triple clamp.

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