Patents Assigned to Flow Sports, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9868503
    Abstract: A steering system for a vessel includes a tiller system having a tiller arm; a rudder system having a rudder; and a push rod system having a push rod linking the tiller arm to the rudder. Actuation of the tiller arm moves the rudder in an orientation providing directional control over the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Flow Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Raaphorst, Martin Giroud, Anthony Scaturro, Christoph Dworzak, Andres Martinez
  • Patent number: 9248890
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein are directed to a standup paddle board system including a multi-hull board and a steering mechanism which can be activated by a user and assist in maneuvering the standup paddle board system. In addition, one or more moveable rudders can extend from a bottom surface of the multi-hull board and can change position in response to activation of the steering mechanism. In at least some variations, activation of the steering mechanism, such as a steering arm or tiller, can effectuate simultaneous movement of two or more moveable rudders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Flow Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Raaphorst
  • Patent number: 9125450
    Abstract: Disclosed is a boot system having an outer boot including a securing system and a superior end that includes a cuff; an inner boot sized to fit between the outer boot and a foot area of a user inserted in the boot system; and a harness system having a flexible panel and a lace slidably engaged with the panel. The inner boot includes a tension capture element coupled adjacent to a superior end of the inner boot. The harness system is removably secured to the outer boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Flow Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Zhao, Susanne Dachgruber, Lucien Vink
  • Publication number: 20140239614
    Abstract: A binding is adapted for coupling footwear, such as a boot, to a sports board. The binding permits easy adjustment of the binding's position on the board, while also allowing for removal of the binding from the board for improved utility of storage or transport. Adjustment, engagement between binding and board, and removal functions may be accomplished without the use of tools or ancillary components. The binding includes a movable coupler element or elements that removably couple to a retaining disc to secure the binding to the retaining disc and the board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: FLOW SPORTS, INC.
    Inventors: Roger Neiley, Lucien Vink
  • Patent number: 8752857
    Abstract: A snowboard binding for coupling a snowboard boot to a snowboard includes a highback that extends upwardly from a midfoot or heel region of the binding to provide rear support for the boot. In one embodiment, the highback is formed of a plurality of modular components that each can be manufactured of a separate material to collectively provide desired structural characteristics to the highback. The attachment of the highback, its supporting elements and one or more straps to retain the boot within the binding are arranged such that certain attachment points are fixedly connected to each other and thus made to move synchronously when the position of the highback with respect to the binding's base is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Flow Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Neiley, Anthony Scaturro
  • Patent number: 8752845
    Abstract: A snowboard binding includes a base plate and a heel support attached directly or indirectly to this base plate so that it can pivot. Intermediate elements mount the heel support and can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the snowboard binding. Thus, the effective length of the snowboard binding can be adapted to the respective boot. Also, through different positioning of the intermediate elements, the heel support can be arranged diagonally relative to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Flow Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Elkington
  • Patent number: 8714579
    Abstract: A binding is adapted for coupling footwear, such as a boot, to a sports board. The binding permits easy adjustment of the binding's position on the board, while also allowing for removal of the binding from the board for improved utility of storage or transport. Adjustment, engagement between binding and board, and removal functions may be accomplished without the use of tools or ancillary components. The binding includes a movable coupler element or elements that removably couple to a retaining disc to secure the binding to the retaining disc and the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Flow Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Neiley, Lucien Vink
  • Publication number: 20140059893
    Abstract: A boot includes an upper formed of articulating panels that permit portions of the boot to move in substantial independence from one another in response to loads experienced by the boot. The boot generally comprises a sports boot that is positioned around a wearer's foot for coupling to an external appliance, such as a snowboard, wakeboard, skating appliance (such as a blade or wheels), or any other appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Flow Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Neiley
  • Publication number: 20140042719
    Abstract: A snowboard binding includes a base plate and a heel support attached directly or indirectly to this base plate so that it can pivot. Intermediate elements mount the heel support and can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the snowboard binding. Thus, the effective length of the snowboard binding can be adapted to the respective boot. Also, through different positioning of the intermediate elements, the heel support can be arranged diagonally relative to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard binding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Flow Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Elkington
  • Publication number: 20140038480
    Abstract: Described herein is a sports board for gliding over a surface. The board includes an upper structural layer having an outer surface, a lower structural layer, a core having an upper surface substantially covered by the upper structural layer and a lower surface substantially covered by the lower structural layer. The board also includes a deformable element covered by the core on an upper surface. A first portion of the deformable element protrudes a distance beneath the lower structural layer towards a horizontal plane of the surface underlying the sports board. The board also includes a base element substantially covering the lower structural layer and the deformable element and an edge component positioned at least in part around a perimeter of the base element. At least a portion of the deformable element can deform upon application of an amount of pressure against the base element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: FLOW SPORTS, INC.
    Inventor: Eric H. Luthardt
  • Patent number: 8556289
    Abstract: Described herein is a sports board for gliding over a surface. The board includes an upper structural layer having an outer surface, a lower structural layer, a core having an upper surface substantially covered by the upper structural layer and a lower surface substantially covered by the lower structural layer. The board also includes a deformable element covered by the core on an upper surface. A first portion of the deformable element protrudes a distance beneath the lower structural layer towards a horizontal plane of the surface underlying the sports board. The board also includes a base element substantially covering the lower structural layer and the deformable element and an edge component positioned at least in part around a perimeter of the base element. At least a portion of the deformable element can deform upon application of an amount of pressure against the base element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Flow Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric L. Luthardt
  • Patent number: 8544870
    Abstract: A snowboard binding includes a base plate and a heel support attached directly or indirectly to this base plate so that it can pivot. Intermediate elements mount the heel support and can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the snowboard binding. Thus, the effective length of the snowboard binding can be adapted to the respective boot. Also, through different positioning of the intermediate elements, the heel support can be arranged diagonally relative to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Flow Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Elkington
  • Patent number: 8499475
    Abstract: A boot includes an upper formed of articulating panels that permit portions of the boot to move in substantial independence from one another in response to loads experienced by the boot. The boot generally comprises a sports boot that is positioned around a wearer's foot for coupling to an external appliance, such as a snowboard, wakeboard, skating appliance (such as a blade or wheels), or any other appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Flow Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Neiley
  • Patent number: 8465044
    Abstract: A sports board, such as a snow board, has a board core structure that provides desired structural characteristics localized to select regions of the board while maintaining predictable produceability and optimum operating qualities of the board. In an embodiment, the sports board includes a plurality of layered elements or segments, of which certain elements or segments are joined using interlocking elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Flow Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Scaturro, Eric Luthardt, Roger Neiley
  • Publication number: 20130147159
    Abstract: Disclosed is a snowboard binding for coupling a snowboard boot to a snowboard. The binding includes a highback that extends upwardly from a midfoot or heel region of the binding to provide rear support for the boot. In one embodiment, the highback is formed of a plurality of modular components that each can be manufactured of a separate material to collectively provide desired structural characteristics to the highback. The attachment of the highback, its supporting elements and one or more straps to retain the boot within the binding are arranged such that certain attachment points are fixedly connected to each other and thus made to move synchronously when the position of the highback with respect to the binding's base is adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: FLOW SPORTS, INC.
    Inventor: FLOW SPORTS, INC.
  • Patent number: 8376390
    Abstract: A binding is adapted for coupling footwear, such as a boot, to a sports board. The binding permits easy adjustment of the binding's position on the board, while also allowing for removal of the binding from the board for improved utility of storage or transport. Adjustment, engagement between binding and board, and removal functions may be accomplished without the use of tools or ancillary components. The binding includes a movable coupler element or elements that removably couple to a retaining disc to secure the binding to the retaining disc and the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Flow Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Neiley, Lucien Vink
  • Patent number: 8371605
    Abstract: A snowboard binding for coupling a snowboard boot to a snowboard. The binding includes a highback that extends upwardly from a midfoot or heel region of the binding to provide rear support for the boot. In one embodiment, the highback is formed of a plurality of modular components that each can be manufactured of a separate material to collectively provide desired structural characteristics to the highback. The attachment of the highback, its supporting elements and one or more straps to retain the boot within the binding are arranged such that certain attachment points are fixedly connected to each other and thus made to move synchronously when the position of the highback with respect to the binding's base is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Flow Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Neiley, Anthony Scaturro
  • Patent number: 8172252
    Abstract: A snowboard binding includes a base plate and a heel support attached directly or indirectly to this base plate so that it can pivot. Intermediate elements mount the heel support and can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the snowboard binding. Thus, the effective length of the snowboard binding can be adapted to the respective boot. Also, through different positioning of the intermediate elements, the heel support can be arranged diagonally relative to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Flow Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Elkington
  • Patent number: 8128117
    Abstract: A binding is adapted for coupling footwear, such as a boot, to a sports board. The binding permits easy adjustment of the binding's position on the board, while also allowing for removal of the binding from the board for improved utility of storage or transport. Adjustment, engagement between binding and board, and removal functions may be accomplished without the use of tools or ancillary components. The binding includes a movable coupler element or elements that removably couple to a retaining disc to secure the binding to the retaining disc and the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Flow Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Neiley, Lucien Vink
  • Patent number: 8016315
    Abstract: Disclosed is a snowboard binding for coupling a snowboard boot to a snowboard. The binding includes a highback that extends upwardly from a midfoot or heel region of the binding to provide rear support for the boot. In one embodiment, the highback is formed of a plurality of modular components that each can be manufactured of a separate material to collectively provide desired structural characteristics to the highback. The attachment of the highback, its supporting elements and one or more straps to retain the boot within the binding are arranged such that certain attachment points are fixedly connected to each other and thus made to move synchronously when the position of the highback with respect to the binding's base is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Flow Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Neiley, Anthony Scaturro