Our Team  . . .  Patent Awards  . . .
	The following is a list of patents for which Eldon is the inventor, or one of the inventors.  The intellectual property for most is held by the customer for whom the work was created.  These represent a good cross-section of our sphere of expertise -- covering several fields -- and containing both functional (Utility) and artistic (Design) patents. Let us know how we can help.  At Synthesis, we are very flexible in structuring terms for intellectual property rights and requirements.  This list is growing with additional, ongoing work.  Call Synthesis now to have this creative effort incorporated in your behalf.

Patent Numbers and Short Descriptions
US Patent #5,016,488	Shift mechanism for engaging sliding gear in manual transmission;  awarded May 1991.  - Patent for a progressive gear shift linkage for a sliding gear engagement and disengagement.  - Improves shift feel, reduces engagement effort and improves driver feedback and control.  - 14 Claims.
US Patent #5,234,389	Releasable overrunning coupling power transmission mechanism acting in cooperation with a friction brake;  awarded August 1993.  - Patent for a mechanical clutch system and the method for controlling the application and deactivation of the clutch.  - Combines the functions of mechanical and friction clutches in greatly reduced package.  - 8 Claims.
US Patent #5,492,509	Operating range selection of an automatic transmission;  awarded February 1996.  - Patent for an electro-hydraulic range selection control system in an automatic transmission.  - Electronically controlled function of a previously mechanical only system.  - 4 Claims.
US Patent #5,513,732	Regulation of hydraulic pressure in a system having multiple pressure sources;  awarded May 1996.  - Patent for pressure regulation and active control of hydraulic fluid for a system having multiple pressure sources.  - Improved efficiency, function and control using multi-pump system.  - 15 Claims.
US Patent #5,696,679	Integrated electronic control of pawl-gear park function of an automatic transmission;  awarded December 1997.  - Patent for electronic control of a mechanical safety system having redundant and interlocking control features.  - Improved operation over a purely mechanical system with added safety and reliability.  - 8 Claims.
US Patent #5,762,580	Operating range selection of an automatic transmission;  awarded June 1998.  - Patent for an electro-hydraulic full system range selection and safety interlock system for an automatic transmission.  - The practical, full system implementation of shift-by-wire control system logic.  - 6 Claims.
US Patent #5,826,612	Orifice scheduling ball check valve;  awarded October 1998.  - Patent for a check valve for use in an hydraulic control circuit used to control flow.  - A simpler more responsive system for controlling flow.  - 3 Claims.
US Patent #6,139,468	Electronically actuated transmission range control system;  awarded October 2000.  - Patent for a range selection control system in an automatic transmission.  - An electro-hydraulic control system with verification redundancy, more system flexibility and full vehicle integration.  - 7 Claims.
US Patent #D488690	Lighter sleeve integrated with a bottle opener;  awarded April 2004.  - Design patent covering the unique design of a lighter sleeve integrated with a bottle cap opener.  A simple and unique design that holds the bottle cap securely.
US Patent #6,814,222	Narrow belt non-pneumatically actuated accumulation conveyor;  awarded November 2004.  - Patent for simplistic electro-mechanical accumulation conveyor actuator to control the activation / deactivation of float accumulation zones for a narrow belt conveyor drive system.  - 26 Claims.
US Patent #6,969,080	Bicycle suspension damper system with lock-out;  awarded November 2005.  - Patent for bicycle suspension hydraulic control mechanism with integrated lock-out using a spool valve.  Related to Patent #7,134,534 with the addition of Lock-out.  Sold using the SPUL Lock-out trade name.  - 6 Claims. (Patent filed as Chen.  In Taiwanese tradition the factory owner claims exclusive inventorship of any and all intellectual property.  Eldon Goates is the actual inventor.)
US Patent #7,063,343	Simplistic bicycle suspension damper system;  awarded June 2006.  - Patent for a very simple bicycle suspension hydraulic control mechanism optimized for minimal weight and minimal manufacturing cost.  Unique design has only 2 parts in the damping system.  aka OX Valve.  - 7 Claims. (Patent filed as Chen, in Taiwanese tradition as factory owner.  Eldon Goates is the actual inventor.)
US Patent #D524210	Design patent covering a License Plate Frame known as Diamondesque;  awarded July 2006.
US Patent #7,134,534	Bicycle suspension damper control system;  awarded November 2006.  - Patent for a bicycle suspension apparatus for use in a hydraulic damping control using a spool valve.  Initial application but related to Patent #6,969,080 listed above.  Sold using the SPUL trade name.  - 5 Claims. (Patent filed as Chen, in Taiwanese tradition as factory owner.  Eldon Goates is the actual inventor.)
US Patent #7,316,409	Bicycle suspension damper and support system;  awarded January 2008.  - Patent for a simple bicycle suspension system using an air over hydraulic configuration for pressure control in conjunction with damping control for minimal weight.  Sold using the AERIS trade name.  - 2 Claims. (Patent filed as Chen, in Taiwanese tradition as factory owner.  Eldon Goates is the actual inventor.)
US Patent #7,325,661	Hydraulic bicycle suspension system with variable lock-out;  awarded February 2008.  - Patent for bicycle suspension system with hydraulic threshold adjust that allows accurate compression pressure and feel control.  STX - 11 Claims.  - 2 Claims. (Patent filed as Chen, in Taiwanese tradition as factory owner.  Eldon Goates is the actual inventor.)
Patent Application #20080141486	Fire damper latching apparatus;  published June 2008.  - Patent for a latching apparatus to be used with ventilation system fire dampers, allowing an inspector to quickly test and reset the retractable fire damper.  - 13 Claims.
US Patent #D593917	Design patent covering a License Plate Frame known as Golf Club;  awarded June 2008.
US Patent #D576531	Design patent covering a License Plate Frame known as Palm Trees;  awarded September 2008.
US Patent #D599255	Design patent covering a Medium Road Bike Chain Ring;  awarded September 2009.
US Patent #D599716	Design patent covering a Large Road Bike Chain Ring;  awarded September 2009.
US Patent #D599717	Design patent covering a Large Cyclocross Bike Chain Ring;  awarded September 2009.
US Patent #D599718	Design patent covering a Large Mountain Bike Chain Ring;  awarded September 2009.
US Patent #D599719	Design patent covering a Medium Mountain Bike Chain Ring;  awarded September 2009.
US Patent #D602831	Design patent covering a License Plate Frame known as Neo Diamondesque;  awarded October 2009.
US Patent #D602832	Design patent covering a License Plate Frame known as ICE;  awarded October 2009.
US Patent #D616347	Design patent covering a License Plate Frame known as Tribal;  awarded May 2010.
US Patent #D630986	Design patent covering a License Plate Frame known as Curve;  awarded January 2011.
US Patent #D631415	Design patent for a multi-positional, reversible emblem system on a a License Plate Frame known as Eagle;  awarded January 2011.
US Patent #D633020	Design patent covering a License Plate Frame known as Heart;  awarded February 2011.
European Patent #09814899.2-1254	Six Link Front Derailleur for Bicycles;  awarded April 2011.  - European Patent covering an innovative way of lifting the chain for shifting.  Part of the Paradigm Shift system for WickWerks.
European Patent #09814912.3-1254	Bicycle Chain Rings with Radical Ramps;  awarded April 2011.  - European Patent covering Chain Rings designed for improved front shifting on bicycles.  Part of the Paradigm Shift system for WickWerks.
US Patent #D639592	Design patent for a Single Wire Display Rack for retail display of license plate frames.  Design uses fewer wires and less material to show more merchandise in retail setting;  awarded June 2011.
US Patent #D647021	Design patent covering a License Plate Frame known as Princess;  awarded October 2011.
US Patent #D647834	Design patent covering a License Plate Frame known as Skulls & Chains;  awarded October 2011.
US Patent #D651547	Design patent covering a License Plate Vanity Bar sold as an add-on or accessory to a license plate or license plate frame for displaying messages or decorations;  January 2012.
US Patent #8,092,329	Bicycle Chain Rings with Shift Ramps;  awarded January 2012.  - Patent for bicycle chain rings with shift ramps having several features to facilitate chain movement, smooth transitions and increase wear life while providing fast and accurate front shifting.  - 19 Claims.
US Patent #D656076	Design patent covering a License Plate Frame known as Daisy;  awarded March 2012.
US Patent #D656077	Design patent covering a License Plate Frame known as Skull & Bones;  awarded March 2012.  This frame also includes some clever mixed materials for an orientation independent aesthetic effect.
US Patent #D656872	Design patent covering a License Plate Frame known as Morphed Skulls;  awarded April 2012.
US Patent #D657294	Design patent covering a License Plate Frame known as Fleur de Lis using multi-positioning and flippable emblems to accommodate visual legalities of the license plate;  awarded April 2012.
US Patent #8,303,443	Six Link Bicycle Front Derailleur;  Awarded November 2012.  - Patent for bicycle front derailleur system using 6 links for linear chain lifting.  The lifting allows quick, smooth, secure shifting action by placing the chain at the proper running location rather than relying on "smash and drag".  - 23 Claims.
Several additional Patent applications and invention disclosures are currently pending or in process. Check back once in a while to see what we've been doing. As can be seen in the list above, development of intellectual property is something we've been doing for quite some time.  Creativity is one of our strong suits.  It's something we'd be happy to assist you with as well.
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