Patents Assigned to SPARK R&D IP HOLDINGS, LLC
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Publication number: 20230191234Abstract: The splitboard fastening system is for use with a splitboard having first and second splitboard skis. The splitboard fastening system includes an adjustable crossbar attachment, configured to be coupled to the first splitboard ski, and including a crossbar having an engagement interface that is adjustable relative to a center seam of the splitboard. A rotatable lever attachment is configured to be coupled to the second splitboard ski, and includes a post, defining an axis of rotation, and coupled to a lever. Wherein, in a locked configuration, the post exerts a lateral force against the engagement interface of the crossbar based upon rotation of the lever.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2023Publication date: June 22, 2023Applicant: SPARK R&D IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventor: William J. Ritter
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Patent number: 11577150Abstract: A splitboard fastening system is disclosed herein. The splitboard fastening system comprises a crossbar comprising a shear bushing interface and a hook, an eccentric post coupled to a lever and configured to engage an inside edge of the hook in response to rotation of the lever, and a shear bushing configured to engage the shear bushing interface, wherein the crossbar is configured to be coupled to a first splitboard ski, and wherein the eccentric post and the shear bushing are configured to be independently coupled to a second splitboard ski.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: SPARK R&D IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventor: William J. Ritter
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Patent number: 11413517Abstract: A nose clip and a tail clip for a splitboard ski assembly may each comprise at least three hooks. The nose clip and the tail clip may be adaptable to various splitboard ski designs. A stretcher for a skin assembly may be configured to interface with the tail clip. The tail clip may comprise at least two elongated apertures defining a rail. The stretcher may be configured to interface with the rail via friction and/or secure a skin assembly to a splitboard ski assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2021Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: SPARK R&D IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventor: William J. Ritter
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Publication number: 20210228971Abstract: A nose clip and a tail clip for a splitboard ski assembly may each comprise at least three hooks. The nose clip and the tail clip may be adaptable to various splitboard ski designs. A stretcher for a skin assembly may be configured to interface with the tail clip. The tail clip may comprise at least two elongated apertures defining a rail. The stretcher may be configured to interface with the rail via friction and/or secure a skin assembly to a splitboard ski assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Applicant: SPARK R&D IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventor: William J. Ritter
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Publication number: 20210220721Abstract: A splitboard fastening system is disclosed herein. The splitboard fastening system comprises a crossbar comprising a shear bushing interface and a hook, an eccentric post coupled to a lever and configured to engage an inside edge of the hook in response to rotation of the lever, and a shear bushing configured to engage the shear bushing interface, wherein the crossbar is configured to be coupled to a first splitboard ski, and wherein the eccentric post and the shear bushing are configured to be independently coupled to a second splitboard ski.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Applicant: SPARK R&D IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventor: William J. Ritter
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Patent number: 10974124Abstract: A splitboard fastening system is disclosed herein. The splitboard fastening system comprises a crossbar comprising a shear bushing interface and a hook, an eccentric post coupled to a lever and configured to engage an inside edge of the hook in response to rotation of the lever, and a shear bushing configured to engage the shear bushing interface, wherein the crossbar is configured to be coupled to a first splitboard ski, and wherein the eccentric post and the shear bushing are configured to be independently coupled to a second splitboard ski.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2019Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: SPARK R&D IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventor: William J. Ritter
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Patent number: 10960290Abstract: A mounting device for snowboards and other snow glide boards that includes a puck assembly. The adjustment system can be adjusted with three degrees of freedom with respect to the snowboard: foot placement, foot angle, and heel and toe centering. The puck assembly can attach directly to the snowboard or can be built into the snowboard boot binding. The mounting device can include a slider block/snowboard binding base plate and a disk. The disk includes a series of projections. The slider block/snowboard binding base plate receives the disk in a recess indented in the slider block/snowboard binding base plate top surface. The recess is patterned with a series of detents sized and shaped to receive the projections from the disk. The detents arranged as a series of arcs, of equal radius, translated linearly on even increments. This combination allows for the foot angle and heel and toe centering adjustments to be made concurrently.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2020Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Spark R&D IP Holdings, LLCInventor: William J. Ritter
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Patent number: 10814210Abstract: A mechanism for locking the heel portion of a snow glide board boot binding. The heel-locking device locks and unlocks by rotating a lever. The heel-locking device allows the rider to lock their boot binding hands-free to the snow glide board by pressuring the back of the boot binding baseplate with their boot while the heel-locking device is in the locked position. Once locked, the rider must rotate the lever to a predetermined position to unlock the boot binding.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2019Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Spark R&D IP Holdings, LLCInventor: William J. Ritter
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Publication number: 20200222786Abstract: A splitboard fastening system is disclosed herein. The splitboard fastening system comprises a crossbar comprising a shear bushing interface and a hook, an eccentric post coupled to a lever and configured to engage an inside edge of the hook in response to rotation of the lever, and a shear bushing configured to engage the shear bushing interface, wherein the crossbar is configured to be coupled to a first splitboard ski, and wherein the eccentric post and the shear bushing are configured to be independently coupled to a second splitboard ski.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2019Publication date: July 16, 2020Applicant: SPARK R&D IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventor: William J. Ritter
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Patent number: 10518164Abstract: A splitboard fastening system comprises a crossbar comprising a shear bushing interface and a hook, an eccentric post coupled to a lever and configured to engage an inside edge of the hook in response to rotation of the lever, and a shear bushing configured to engage the shear bushing interface, wherein the crossbar is configured to be coupled to a first splitboard ski, and wherein the eccentric post and the shear bushing are configured to be independently coupled to a second splitboard ski.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2018Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Spark R&D IP Holdings, LLCInventor: William J. Ritter
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Patent number: 10335665Abstract: A latching device that can latch two splitboard skis together over their lengthwise common edge. The latching device accommodates variation in the distance between latching device mounting holes. The latching device rotates about a fastener assembly secured through one of the latching device mounting holes through the first of the two splitboard skis. A slot in the latching device, engages a second fastener assembly by tension between the outside edge of the slot and the lengthwise common edge between the splitboard skis. The slot includes a series of detents that can engage the second fastener assembly. The detents are distanced progressively closer to the axis of rotation of the latching device to accommodate various distances between the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2018Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: SPARK R&D IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventor: William J Ritter
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Patent number: 10252146Abstract: A latching device that joins splitboard skis along lengthwise edges. The latching device can include a bracket assembly and a crossbar assembly. The bracket assembly can be secured to a first splitboard ski. The crossbar assembly can be secured to a second splitboard ski. The crossbar assembly can include a crossbar and a lever rotationally coupled to the crossbar. The bracket assembly can include a bracket. Rotating the lever can apply a compressive force between the lever and the inside edge of the bracket applying a holding force between the first splitboard ski and the second splitboard ski. With the splitboard skis disengaged, the bracket assembly and crossbar assembly can be stowed completely within their respective splitboard ski perimeter boundaries.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2018Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Spark R&D IP Holdings, LLCInventor: William J. Ritter
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Patent number: 10092816Abstract: An improved highback adjustment system for a splitboard boot binding. A captive strut is mounted on the spine of the highback, the strut having a forward lean adjustor block such that rotation or sliding of the block lengthens or shortens the strut. The combination provides a broadly adjustable range of forward lean bias in small increments and the block is readily disengaged and stowed on the highback when not needed. Advantageously, the mechanism that can be operated and adjusted without tools, even with gloved hands, a significant benefit in winter conditions, and does not jam with snow. Methods of use of the improved forward lean adjustor and highback are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2017Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: SPARK R&D IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventor: William J Ritter
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Patent number: 10035058Abstract: A boot binding system for a splitboard that can include a latch pedal mechanism at an end of a baseplate on which the rider's boot rests. The latch pedal can have a dual function: either to attach each boot binding to a ride mode interface, or to attach each boot binding to a ski tour interface. In a “release position” the latch pedal is disengaged allowing the baseplate assembly to alternate between the ski tour interface and the ride mode interface. In a “lock position,” the rider depresses the latch pedal and locks the boot binding onto the selected interface. The latch pedal is held down by the rider's boot when in the lock position, contributing to the system's lightness and strength.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2017Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: SPARK R&D IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventor: William J Ritter
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Publication number: 20170368446Abstract: An improved highback adjustment system for a splitboard boot binding. A captive strut is mounted on the spine of the highback, the strut having a forward lean adjustor block such that rotation or sliding of the block lengthens or shortens the strut. The combination provides a broadly adjustable range of forward lean bias in small increments and the block is readily disengaged and stowed on the highback when not needed. Advantageously, the mechanism that can be operated and adjusted without tools, even with gloved hands, a significant benefit in winter conditions, and does not jam with snow. Methods of use of the improved forward lean adjustor and highback are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2017Publication date: December 28, 2017Applicant: SPARK R&D IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventor: William J. Ritter
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Patent number: 9782664Abstract: Disclosed is a novel ankle strap and a toe strap that secures snowboard or splitboard rider's boots to corresponding boot bindings. The straps are generally made from a one-piece molding that includes indented portions on the outside surface of the molding that creates corresponding outdented portions on the boot-facing surface for cushioning. The indented portions are bound by ribs, the ribs forming a continuous interconnected rib structure. As the outdented portions flex, the continuous interconnected rib structure helps the strap maintain its shape and structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2017Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: SPARK R&D IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventor: William J Ritter
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Publication number: 20160279505Abstract: An improved highback adjustment system for a splitboard boot binding. A captive strut is mounted on the spine of the highback, the strut having a forward lean adjustor block such that rotation or sliding of the block lengthens or shortens the strut. The combination provides a broadly adjustable range of forward lean bias in small increments and the block is readily disengaged and stowed on the highback when not needed. Advantageously, the mechanism that can be operated and adjusted without tools, even with gloved hands, a significant benefit in winter conditions, and does not jam with snow. Methods of use of the improved forward lean adjustor and highback are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2016Publication date: September 29, 2016Applicant: SPARK R&D IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventor: William J Ritter
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Publication number: 20160199722Abstract: A splitboard boot binding system with single multi-angle climbing wire. The pivotable climbing wire is configured for use with any compatible ski tour interface, and folds away under the boot binding baseplate when the bindings are transferred to a ride mode interface. In ski tour mode, the baseplate pivots on a toe axis and is supported by the climbing wire when the heel is raised. Advantageously, the climbing wire is very lightweight and seats interchangeably in a plurality of detent positions on a compatible heelblock. There are no interferences with conjoint use of a slide-in crampon seated between the heelblock and the toe pivot or with use in systems having a heel locker. Surprisingly, in some combinations the climbing wire may also be used to retain the slider track in ride mode. The combinations and sub-combinations require no tools for adjustment or operation and operate cooperatively.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2016Publication date: July 14, 2016Applicant: SPARK R&D IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventor: William J Ritter