Sam S Patterson

US Patent:

56073674, Mar 4, 1997

Filed:

Aug 21, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/517231

Inventors:

Sam Patterson - Chicago IL

Assignee:

SRAM Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

F16H 906

US Classification:

474 80

Abstract:

A linear derailleur for positioning a drive chain in response to displacement of a control cable. The derailleur includes a linear actuator having a substantially uniform actuation ratio over the range of motion of the actuator and, hence, derailleur. The linear actuator also has a mean actuation ratio over its range of motion equal to Cos. theta. :1, where. theta. equals the angle of inclination of the actuator.

US Patent:

49387332, Jul 3, 1990

Filed:

Dec 21, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/456155

Inventors:

Sam H. Patterson - Chicago IL

Assignee:

Sram Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

F16H 924

US Classification:

474 80

Abstract:

A bicycle derailleur gear shifting system having a rotatable handgrip actuator cam which is coupled with the derailleur shifting mechanism through a control cable system so as to control the derailleur mechanism. Separate actuator cams are associated with the front and rear derailleurs. For the down-shifting direction, at least the rear derailleur cam is configured so as to substantially compensate for increasing force of the derailleur return spring; so as to substantially compensate for numerous cumulative lost motions in the derailleur shifting mechanism and cable system, and for chain gap variations; and so as to overshift the chain a sufficient amount beyond the destination freewheel sprocket so that the chain will approach the destination sprocket in the same direction as it would in the up-shift direction, but not sufficient to cause a double shift, or derailling from the #1 sprocket. A front derailleur cam is configured to provide fine-tuning for "cross-over" riding. In one form of the invention a secondary overshift boost cam is added axially in tandem with the primary cam, and is adaptable to both the front and rear derailleur shift actuators.

US Patent:

54760194, Dec 19, 1995

Filed:

Mar 7, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/207249

Inventors:

John D. Cheever - Chicago IL
Sam Patterson - Solana Beach CA
Michael W. Larson - Chicago IL
Tymme A. Laun - Chicago IL

Assignee:

SRAM Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B62K 2304
B62M 2504

US Classification:

74506

Abstract:

A twist grip cable system having a mandrel received over the handlebar of a bicycle and a pulling spool providing increased mechanical advantage which may be used for the full range of rotation or In the case of a variable mechanical advantage system, that is one with a variable radius spool, for only part of the range. To provide even greater mechanical advantage, with the spool complete dropped away, a groove or slot is provided in the mandrel into which the cable may fall.

US Patent:

56203837, Apr 15, 1997

Filed:

Aug 29, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/520400

Inventors:

Sam H. Patterson - Chicago IL
John D. Cheever - Chicago IL
Michael W. Larson - Chicago IL

Assignee:

SRAM Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

F16H 900

US Classification:

474 80

Abstract:

A bicycle derailleur gear shifting system having a rotatable handgrip actuator coupled with a derailleur shifting mechanism through a control cable system so as to control the derailleur. The derailleur (50) includes an arcuate cable entraining surface (78) which substantially reduces the variation and magnitude of the actuation ratio between control cable linear displacement and movement of the derailleur p-knuckle (88). A b-knuckle flange (160) militates against the derailment of the drive chain from the upper guide wheel while permitting maximum lateral flexing of the drive chain (48) during shifting between sprockets (46) on the freewheel. A rigid arcuate surface (174) may be provided as an extension of the b-knuckle (170) in replacement of a segment of a Bowden cable housing (38) to obviate the accumulation of water and foreign matter.

US Patent:

57654468, Jun 16, 1998

Filed:

Aug 15, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/698048

Inventors:

Sam H. Patterson - Chicago IL
Frederick K. W. Day - Chicago IL
Michael W. Larson - Chicago IL
Brian Jordan - Chicago IL
Alex Wassmann - Chicago IL
Patrick Brady - Chicago IL
David J. Zimberoff - Chicago IL
Tyler D. Duston - Evanston IL

Assignee:

SRAM Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

F16C 122

US Classification:

745024

Abstract:

A cable preload system and device for providing an axial force to the control cable and sealing the control cable against contamination. The pre-load apparatus includes a braze-on, a cable connector, a resilient tubular member and a frame connector. The cable connector attaches one end of the tubular member to the control cable to form a static seal about the control cable. The frame connector attaches the other end of the tubular member to the frame. The tubular member is adapted to stretch between a first configuration and a second configuration to pre-load the control cable.

US Patent:

49002910, Feb 13, 1990

Filed:

Jan 5, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/293521

Inventors:

Sam H. Patterson - Chicago IL

Assignee:

Sram Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

F16H 924

US Classification:

474 80

Abstract:

A bicycle derailleur gear shifting system having a rotatable handgrip actuator cam which is coupled with the derailleur shifting mechanism through a control cable system so as to control the derailleur mechanism. Separate actuator cams are associated with the front and rear derailleurs. For the down-shifting direction, at least the rear derailleur cam is configured so as to substantially compensate for increasing force of the derailleur return spring; so as to substantially compensate for numerous cumulative lost motions in the derailleur shifting mechanism and cable system, and for chain gap variations; and so as to overshift the chain a sufficient amount beyond the destination freewheel sprocket so that the chain will approach the destination sprocket in the same direction as it would in the up-shift direction, but not sufficient to cause a double shift, or derailling from the #1 sprocket. A front derailleur cam is configured to provide fine-tuning for "cross-over" riding.

US Patent:

51023725, Apr 7, 1992

Filed:

Mar 20, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/672431

Inventors:

Sam H. Patterson - Chicago IL
John D. Cheever - Chicago IL
Jeffery M. Shupe - Chicago IL

Assignee:

Sram Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

F16H 900

US Classification:

474 80

Abstract:

A bicycle derailleur gear shifting system having a rotatable handgrip actuator cam which is coupled with the derailleur shifting mechanism through a control cable system so as to control the derailleur mechanism. Separate actuator cams are associated with the front and rear derailleurs. For the down-shifting direction, at least the rear derailleur cam is configured so as to substantially compensate for increasing force of the derailleur return spring; so as to substantially compensate for numerous cumulative lost motions in the derailleur shifting mechanism and cable system; and so as to overshift the chain a sufficient amount beyond the destination freewheel sprocket so that the chain will approach the destination sprocket in the same direction as it would in the up-shift direction, but not sufficient to cause a double shift, or derailling from the #1 sprocket. A front derailleur cam is configured to provide fine-tuning for "cross-over" riding.

US Patent:

62677047, Jul 31, 2001

Filed:

Mar 17, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/528221

Inventors:

Sam H. Patterson - Chicago IL
Werner Steuer - Schweinfurt, DE

Assignee:

SRAM Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

F16H 344

US Classification:

475298

Abstract:

A multiple-speed transmission wheel hub for imparting torque to a drive wheel includes a hub shell formed around a wheel axis and a clutch wheel formed around the wheel axis and axially movable between at least first and second speed positions. First gearing couples the clutch wheel to the hub shell when the clutch wheel is in the first position producing a first transmission speed. Second gearing couples the clutch wheel in the second speed position with the hub shell producing a second transmission speed. A speed-shifting cam is disposed on the axis and axially rotatable between at least first and second speed positions, with helical segments formed on a surface of the clutch wheel facing the cam, the helical segments coupling to the cam to translate rotation of the cam into axial displacement of the clutch wheel both from the second speed position to the first speed position and from the first speed position to the second speed position.