Methods and apparatus for suspension set up

• US 10,086,670 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2016
• Issued: 10/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fox Factory Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fox Factory Incorporated
• Inventors: Galasso, Mario, Franklin, Joseph, Laird, Andrew, Bass, Charles, Bavetta, Ryan
• Primary Examiner(s): Paige, Tyler D
• Application Number:
  US15/061,735
• Publication Number:
  US 20160185178A1
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• Field of Search: 701 37, 280284
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/015 the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements B60G17/002, B60G17/005 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/017 characterised by their use when the vehicle is stationary, e.g. during loading, engine start-up or switch-off
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/018 characterised by the use of a specific signal treatment or control method
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/019 characterised by the type of sensor or the arrangement thereof B60G17/01941 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/04 fluid spring characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0424 by varying the air pressure of the accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/06 Characteristics of dampers , e.g. mechanical dampersB60G17/015 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/61 Adjustable during maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/99 Suspension element selection procedure depending on loading or performance requirements, e.g. selection of damper, spring or bush
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/12 Cycles; Motorcycles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2401/14 Photo or light sensitive means, e.g. Infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2401/142 Visual Display Camera, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/102 stepwise
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/30 Height or ground clearance
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/04 Means for informing, instructing or displaying
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/182 Active control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/20 Manual control or setting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/704 Electronic tags containing data, e.g. identification number of a component; Gain values for the control of the unit, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/41 characterised by the type of sensor
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/42 characterised by mounting
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 2025/044 : Suspensions with automatic adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 2025/047 : with suspension locking means
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 2025/048 : with suspension manual adjustment details
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 25/04 : for mounting axles resiliently on cycle frame or fork for sidecars, forecars or the like B62K27/06
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 25/286 : the shock absorber being connected to the chain-stay via a linkage mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/20021 : Dividing image into blocks, subimages or windows
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30248 : Vehicle exterior or interior
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30252 : Vehicle exterior; Vicinity of vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2210/22 : Cropping

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed that assist a user in performing proper setup of a vehicle suspension. A user may utilize a device equipped with an image sensor to assist the user in proper setup of a vehicle suspension. The device executes an application that prompts the user for input and instructs the user to perform a number of steps for adjusting the suspension components. In one embodiment, the application does not communicate with sensors on the vehicle. In another embodiment, the application may communicate with various sensors located on the vehicle to provide feedback to the device during the setup routine. In one embodiment, the device may analyze a digital image of a suspension component to provide feedback about a physical characteristic of the component.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform steps for enabling initial set up of a suspension component of a vehicle, the steps comprising:

receiving input related to said suspension component utilizing said input related to said suspension component to determine product information related to said suspension component; and

providing instructions regarding said initial set up of said suspension component, wherein said instructions enable a user to properly achieve said initial set up of said suspension component, wherein said providing instructions regarding said initial set up of said suspension component further comprises providing pictures that show said user how to properly achieve said initial set up of said suspension component.

2. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein said step of receiving input related to said suspension component further comprises:

prompting a user to provide said input related to said suspension component.

3. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein said step of receiving input related to said suspension component further comprises receiving said input selected from the group consisting of:

a component identifier associated with said suspension component; and

a weight of said user with full riding gear.

4. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein said step of utilizing said input related to said suspension component to determine product information related to said suspension component further comprises utilizing said input related to said suspension component to determine said product information selected from the group consisting of:

name of said suspension component;

available external adjustments available for said suspension component;

length of travel of said suspension component;

a preferred sag setting for said suspension component;

a range of adjustment for external adjustors of said suspension component; and

physical characteristics of said suspension component.

5. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein said step of providing instructions regarding said initial set up of said suspension component further comprises providing videos that show said user how to properly achieve said initial set up of said suspension component.

6. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform steps for enabling a suspension component of a vehicle to achieve a preferred initial sag setting, said steps comprising:

prompting a user to provide input related to said suspension component;

receiving said input related to said suspension component;

utilizing said input related to said suspension component to determine product information related to said suspension component; and

providing graphical instructions regarding said preferred initial sag setting of said suspension component, wherein said instructions enable a user to properly achieve said preferred initial sag setting of said suspension component, wherein said providing graphical instructions regarding said preferred initial sag setting of said suspension component further comprises providing pictures that show said user how to properly achieve said preferred initial sag setting of said suspension component.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 6, wherein said step of receiving input related to said suspension component further comprises receiving said input selected from the group consisting of:

a component identifier associated with said suspension component; and

a weight of said user with full riding gear.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 6, wherein said step of utilizing said input related to said suspension component to determine product information related to said suspension component further comprises utilizing said input related to said suspension component to determine said product information selected from the group consisting of:

name of said suspension component;

available external adjustments available for said suspension component;

length of travel of said suspension component;

said preferred initial sag setting for said suspension component;

a range of adjustment for external adjustors of said suspension component;

and physical characteristics of said suspension component.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 6, wherein said step of providing graphical instructions regarding said preferred initial sag setting of said suspension component further comprises providing videos that show said user how to properly achieve said preferred initial sag setting of said suspension component.