Patents Assigned to KUIU, INC.
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Publication number: 20180125210Abstract: An adjustable shoulder strap attachment assembly is disclosed, as are methods for adjustably attaching shoulder straps to a backpack frame. The backpack frame has a pair of generally vertically-oriented tracks. Each strap has a cam-fastener with at least one dimension greater than the width of one of the tracks. To secure a strap to the backpack frame, the cam-fastener is inserted into the track and rotated into its use position. A desired vertical position of the strap is selected, and the strap is secured by using hook-and-loop fastener between the backpack frame and the strap.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2018Publication date: May 10, 2018Applicant: KUIU, INC.Inventor: Jason Hairston
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Publication number: 20170337516Abstract: Technologies for distributed gear development is shown. Users generate proposed products through a development process based on project data. A community of users may provide feedback about the plurality of proposed products in a particular project. Conditional funding may be received from the users as a pre-purchase of a proposed product. A subset of the plurality of proposed projects may be selected for production.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2016Publication date: November 23, 2017Applicant: KUIU, Inc.Inventors: Jason Hairston, Adam Hairston
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Patent number: 9636875Abstract: A backpack and frame are disclosed, as are methods of making the frame using composite materials and compression molding. The backpack frame is designed to be at least partially internal and is of unitary construction using a resin-impregnated material, such as resin-impregnated carbon fiber sheets with selective reinforcement by interstitial layers. The frame has a mid-back portion that includes openings for independently positionable shoulder straps and a lower back portion that provides for a rotatable connection to a belt assembly. A pair of curved stay portions is contiguous with the mid-back portion of the frame and curves outwardly as the stay portions extend downwardly. The frame is preferably curved to match the curvature of the human back.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2012Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: KUIU, INC.Inventors: Jason Hairston, Paul Hewitt, Zachary D. West
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Patent number: 9364072Abstract: A backpack and frame are disclosed. The backpack frame is designed to be at least partially internal and is of unitary construction, most advantageously of a resin-impregnated material, such as resin-impregnated carbon fiber sheets with selective reinforcement by interstitial layers. The frame has a mid-back portion that includes openings for independently positionable shoulder straps and a lower back portion that provides for a rotatable connection to a belt assembly. A pair of curved stay portions is contiguous with the mid-back portion of the frame and curves outwardly as the stay portions extend downwardly. The frame is preferably curved to match the curvature of the human back. The backpack frame is lightweight and by use of composite materials can provide strength as well as selective flexibility to suspend the load of the backpack and decouple it from the movements of the wearer.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2014Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: KUIU, INC.Inventors: Jason Hairston, Zachary D. West
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Patent number: 9095203Abstract: Resin-impregnated sandwich composite backpack frames are disclosed. The frames may, for example, be made of a carbon fiber twill with a foam core. The frames have an upper portion that includes upwardly-extending, elongate stays to support a backpack and mechanically decouple its load from the wearer. Open, generally vertically extending tracks in the upper portion provide points of attachment for shoulder strap assemblies. The lower portion is contoured to follow the typical lumbar-sacral curvature of the human back and terminates in a generally U-shaped tongue. Openings and unreinforced areas in the frame are provided to reduce weight and increase flexibility.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2013Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: KUIU, INC.Inventors: Jason Hairston, Paul Hewitt
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Publication number: 20140332576Abstract: A backpack and frame are disclosed. The backpack frame is designed to be at least partially internal and is of unitary construction, most advantageously of a resin-impregnated material, such as resin-impregnated carbon fiber sheets with selective reinforcement by interstitial layers. The frame has a mid-back portion that includes openings for independently positionable shoulder straps and a lower back portion that provides for a rotatable connection to a belt assembly. A pair of curved stay portions is contiguous with the mid-back portion of the frame and curves outwardly as the stay portions extend downwardly. The frame is preferably curved to match the curvature of the human back. The backpack frame is lightweight and by use of composite materials can provide strength as well as selective flexibility to suspend the load of the backpack and decouple it from the movements of the wearer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2014Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: Kuiu, Inc.Inventors: Jason Hairston, Zachary D. West
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Patent number: 8740028Abstract: A backpack and frame are disclosed. The backpack frame is designed to be at least partially internal and is of unitary construction, most advantageously of a resin-impregnated material, such as resin-impregnated carbon fiber sheets with selective reinforcement by interstitial layers. The frame has a mid-back portion that includes openings for independently positionable shoulder straps and a lower back portion that provides for a rotatable connection to a belt assembly. A pair of curved stay portions is contiguous with the mid-back portion of the frame and curves outwardly as the stay portions extend downwardly. The frame is preferably curved to match the curvature of the human back. The backpack frame is lightweight and by use of composite materials can provide strength as well as selective flexibility to suspend the load of the backpack and decouple it from the movements of the wearer.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2011Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Kuiu, Inc.Inventors: Jason Hairston, Zachary D. West
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Publication number: 20130221051Abstract: Resin-impregnated sandwich composite backpack frames are disclosed. The frames may, for example, be made of a carbon fiber twill with a foam core. The frames have an upper portion that includes upwardly-extending, elongate stays to support a backpack and mechanically decouple its load from the wearer. Open, generally vertically extending tracks in the upper portion provide points of attachment for shoulder strap assemblies. The lower portion is contoured to follow the typical lumbar-sacral curvature of the human back and terminates in a generally U-shaped tongue. Openings and unreinforced areas in the frame are provided to reduce weight and increase flexibility.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2013Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: Kuiu, Inc.Inventor: Kuiu, Inc.
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Publication number: 20130001268Abstract: A backpack and frame are disclosed, as are methods of making the frame using composite materials and compression molding. The backpack frame is designed to be at least partially internal and is of unitary construction using a resin-impregnated material, such as resin-impregnated carbon fiber sheets with selective reinforcement by interstitial layers. The frame has a mid-back portion that includes openings for independently positionable shoulder straps and a lower back portion that provides for a rotatable connection to a belt assembly. A pair of curved stay portions is contiguous with the mid-back portion of the frame and curves outwardly as the stay portions extend downwardly. The frame is preferably curved to match the curvature of the human back.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: KUIU, INC.Inventors: Jason Hairston, Paul Hewitt, Zachary D. West
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Publication number: 20120031936Abstract: A backpack and frame are disclosed. The backpack frame is designed to be at least partially internal and is of unitary construction, most advantageously of a resin-impregnated material, such as resin-impregnated carbon fiber sheets with selective reinforcement by interstitial layers. The frame has a mid-back portion that includes openings for independently positionable shoulder straps and a lower back portion that provides for a rotatable connection to a belt assembly. A pair of curved stay portions is contiguous with the mid-back portion of the frame and curves outwardly as the stay portions extend downwardly. The frame is preferably curved to match the curvature of the human back. The backpack frame is lightweight and by use of composite materials can provide strength as well as selective flexibility to suspend the load of the backpack and decouple it from the movements of the wearer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: KUIU, INC.Inventors: Jason Hairston, Zachary D. West