Patents by Inventor Andy J. Aiken

Andy J. Aiken has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6715773
    Abstract: A binding (10) for securing a snowboarder's boot to a snowboard (12). The binding includes a baseplate (16) in which a plurality of apertures (38) are formed. Each aperture receives the base (50) of an adjustable dampening assembly (37). The dampening assembly (37) is retained in place by a flange (54) projecting from the lower extremity of the perimeter of the base, which is captured between the baseplate and the snowboard upper surface. A dampening pad (52) is threadably inserted into an internally threaded aperture formed in the base. The dampening pad can be twisted, either by contacting the upper surface (60) of the dampening pad with a thumb or with a driver tool. Twisting of the dampening pad selectively adjusts the height of the dampening pad, which has an elastomeric head, above the baseplate to adjust the fit and vibration and shock absorption abilities of the binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: K-2 Corporation
    Inventor: Andy J. Aiken
  • Publication number: 20020180182
    Abstract: A step-in binding system (20) for securing a boot (24) to a snowboard (22). The boot includes a sole defining a toe end, a heel end, and a binding attachment surfaces (46 and 50). The boot also has an elongate, substantially U-shaped highback (28) mounted to the exterior of the boot in the calf area thereof and extending from the ankle area to the top of the boot. The step-in binding system includes a toe and heel binding (62 and 64) attached to the snowboard for receiving and securing the boot to the snowboard. The step-in binding system also includes a lever arm (66) attached to the heel binding for selectively releasing the boot from the binding. A lean support member (68) is fastened near the rearward end of the binding for engagement with a stopper block (29) secured to the highback to define a minimum forward lean angle of the boot and to limit the aft flexure of the ankle support portion of the boot when the boot is received within the binding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: K-2 Corporation
    Inventors: Brian D. Dennis, John D. Martin, Cameron W. Andrus, Andy J. Aiken, Cory W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20020089129
    Abstract: A binding (10) for securing a snowboarder's boot to a snowboard (12). The binding includes a baseplate (16) in which a plurality of apertures (38) are formed. Each aperture receives the base (50) of an adjustable dampening assembly (37). The dampening assembly (37) is retained in place by a flange (54) projecting from the lower extremity of the perimeter of the base, which is captured between the baseplate and the snowboard upper surface. A dampening pad (52) is threadably inserted into an internally threaded aperture formed in the base. The dampening pad can be twisted, either by contacting the upper surface (60) of the dampening pad with a thumb or with a driver tool. Twisting of the dampening pad selectively adjusts the height of the dampening pad, which has an elastomeric head, above the baseplate to adjust the fit and vibration and shock absorption abilities of the binding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Applicant: K-2 Corporation
    Inventor: Andy J. Aiken
  • Patent number: 6382641
    Abstract: A step-in binding system (20) for securing a boot (24) to a snowboard (22). The boot includes a sole defining a toe end, a heel end, and a binding attachment surfaces (46 and 50). The boot also has an elongate, substantially U-shaped highback (28) mounted to the exterior of the boot in the calf area thereof and extending from the ankle area to the top of the boot. The step-in binding system includes a toe and heel binding (62 and 64) attached to the snowboard for receiving and securing the boot to the snowboard. The step-in binding system also includes a lever arm (66) attached to the heel binding for selectively releasing the boot from the binding. A lean support member (68) is fastened near the rearward end of the binding for engagement with a stopper block (29) secured to the highback to define a minimum forward lean angle of the boot and to limit the aft flexure of the ankle support portion of the boot when the boot is received within the binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: K-2 Corporation
    Inventors: Brian D. Dennis, John D. Martin, Cameron W. Andrus, Andy J. Aiken, Cory W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20010011801
    Abstract: A step-in binding system (20) for securing a boot (24) to a snowboard (22). The boot includes a sole defining a toe end, a heel end, and a binding attachment surfaces (46 and 50). The boot also has an elongate, substantially U-shaped highback (28) mounted to the exterior of the boot in the calf area thereof and extending from the ankle area to the top of the boot. The step-in binding system includes a toe and heel binding (62 and 64) attached to the snowboard for receiving and securing the boot to the snowboard. The step-in binding system also includes a lever arm (66) attached to the heel binding for selectively releasing the boot from the binding. A lean support member (68) is fastened near the rearward end of the binding for engagement with a stopper block (29) secured to the highback to define a minimum forward lean angle of the boot and to limit the aft flexure of the ankle support portion of the boot when the boot is received within the binding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Applicant: K-2 CORPORATION
    Inventors: BRIAN DENNIS, JOHN D. MARTIN, CAMERON W. ANDRUS, ANDY J. AIKEN, CORY W. SMITH