Patents Assigned to The North Face
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Publication number: 20100243687Abstract: Systems and methods comprising a portable packing apparatus comprising a first tracking element and a second tracking element, and a holster adapted to be slidably disposed on the first tracking element and second tracking element of the portable tracking apparatus. The holster has a variety of positions, in which the holster slides along at least one of the first tracking element and the second tracking element to move from a first position to a second position. The second position may be set according to a user preference. The holster may be adapted to holster a liquid container.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: THE NORTH FACE APPAREL CORPORATIONInventors: Ezra Liang, Tuan Le
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Publication number: 20100195057Abstract: A projection system for displaying information which may include an electronic device and a projector connected to the electronic device. The electronic device and projector can be positioned on an article of clothing and/or an outdoor recreational product to project information therefrom. The article of clothing and/or outdoor recreational device may include a screen to enhance the projected information. The projector may be in connection with a power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2007Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: The North Face Apparel Corp.Inventors: Jeff Nash, Winston Shih
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Publication number: 20100151176Abstract: The present invention provides a waterproof softshell construction having a face fabric layer, a laminate layer, and a back layer. The three layers are joined at a joint seam using a sonic welder. The joint seam is covered by a seam seal, the seam seal including face fabric tape, having a first major surface and a second major surface, and stretch adhesive located on at least the first major surface of the face fabric tape. The present invention also provides a method for preparing a waterproof softshell construction. The present invention further provides a waterproof softshell construction prepared by a process including the steps of joining a face fabric layer, a laminate layer, and a backer layer at a joint seam by sonic welding and attaching face fabric tape to the joint seam using stretch adhesive.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2008Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: The North Face Apparel CorporationInventors: John Thiet Ly, Neil Tappan Munro, Kin Siang Kong Chan
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Patent number: 7716013Abstract: Systems and methods of managing the performance of host products such as outdoor gear provide for detecting a connection between drive and performance modules. The performance module has an associated output type and is installed in a host product. A drive profile is selected from a plurality of drive profiles based on the output type and performance characteristic of the host product and is modified by controlling the performance module based on the selected drive profile. Other embodiments include systems and methods of managing trips provide for a performance unit that generates profile data for a performance module based on pre-trip data. The profile data instructs a drive module to modify a performance characteristic of a host product in which the performance module is installed. A trip management unit collects sensor data from a sensor based on the pre-trip data and generates post-trip data based on the sensor data.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2007Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: The North Face Apparel Corp.Inventors: Maggie Orth, Sheila Kennedy, Chris Verplaetse, Brian Elginsmith
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Patent number: 7594569Abstract: A backpack assembly includes a luggage case having a first attachment interface and a backpack having a second attachment interface. The second attachment interface is configured to be mated with the first attachment interface to removably attach the backpack to the luggage case. The luggage case further includes a flap with a third attachment interface that is configured to be mated with the first attachment interface if the backpack is detached from the luggage case.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2007Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: The North Face Apparel CorporationInventors: Gregory Bass, Andrew Walla, Kim Tae
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Publication number: 20090126227Abstract: An article of footwear comprising a sliding eyelet apparatus comprising a flexible track comprising at least one groove and at least one track, and a lace carrier comprising a lever comprising at least one tooth to engage said groove, a spring; and a slider comprising a rail to engage said flexible track.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2008Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: THE NORTH FACE APPAREL CORPORATIONInventors: Jake RIVAS, Barry McGEOUGH, Gregory McNAMARA
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Patent number: 7484519Abstract: A system for providing an anchor member on a fabric portion of a tent, such as a tent body or a tent fly, includes an anchor member and an anchor patch sewn to at least a portion of the anchor member with threads. The anchor patch is laminated to the fabric portion of the tent without the threads extending through the fabric portion of the tent. A tent including such a system is also disclosed, as well as the method of providing the anchor member on the fabric portion of the tent.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2003Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: The North Face Apparel Corp.Inventors: Thomas Laakso, Kye-Sun Choi
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Publication number: 20080289220Abstract: An article of footwear comprising a plate insert with plurality of longitudinally staggered, substantially lateral cutouts is described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2008Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicant: THE NORTH FACE APPAREL CORPORATIONInventors: Jake RIVAS, Barry McGEOUGH
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Publication number: 20080263743Abstract: A venting apparatus with a no-catch mechanism and a method of manufacture of the apparatus are described. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention may comprise: a fastening device, a venting mechanism wherein the venting mechanism further comprises an opening, a mesh arrangement, and a no-catch mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2008Publication date: October 30, 2008Applicant: The North Face Apparel Corp.Inventor: Kathryn MAURER
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Patent number: 7287677Abstract: A suspension system for a backpack includes a rocker arm pivotally connected to the backpack. A first hip stay has a first end connected to a first end of the rocker arm and a second end opposite the first end. A second hip stay has a first end connected to a second end of the rocker arm and a second end opposite the first end. A waist belt is attached to the second end of the first hip stay and to the second end of the second hip stay. The first and second hip stays distribute the load of the backpack between a wearer's left and right hips. A backpack incorporating the suspension system is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2004Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: The North Face Apparel Corp.Inventor: Lawrence Carter Reid
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Publication number: 20070084844Abstract: A method and portable hydration system can include a conduit coupled to a bite valve and a reservoir. The conduit and the bite valve facilitate human consumption of fluid in the reservoir. The system may also include an active heating assembly to prevent the fluid from freezing while in the conduit and the bite valve. The active heating assembly may include a temperature sensor to detect the temperature of the conduit, a heating element to heat the conduit and a controller coupled to the temperature sensor and the heating element to control heating of the conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2006Publication date: April 19, 2007Applicant: The North Face Apparel Corp.Inventors: Wade Woodfill, Tae Kim, Jeffrey Nash
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Patent number: 6855281Abstract: In a method of forming an article of footwear, a shell is formed between at least two die portions. The shell has a flash line defined proximate an interface of the die portions and along a perimeter of the shell. The method may include coupling a component directly to the shell so that the flash line is at least in part disposed proximate or below an upper edge of the component, with the component selected from the group consisting of a midsole and an outsole. The flash line may be positioned to coincide with an edge of a ridge on the shell.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2002Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: The North Face Apparel CorpInventors: Rodney Ross Gumringer, Michael Todd Jennings
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Patent number: 5713079Abstract: An insulated garment which includes an outer fabric and an inner fabric and at least two layers of insulation between the inner and outer fabrics. A first layer of insulation contiguous to the outer fabric is a synthetic material and a second layer of insulation contiguous to the inner fabric is goose down. Stitching maintaining the inner and outer fabrics to the two layers of insulation is patterned so that the stitching of one of the layers of insulation is contiguous to mid-points between the stitching of the second layer of insulation.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1996Date of Patent: February 3, 1998Assignee: The North Face, Inc.Inventors: William Simon, Eric Rice
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Patent number: 5673444Abstract: A suspended hammock for mountaineering is provided for suspending a climber adjacent a substantially vertical face of a mountain. The hammock includes a supporting membrane which forms a bed of a size to support the climber in a substantially prone position, and a `T`-shaped supporting frame to which the bed is attached by a plurality of suspension straps. The straps are positioned along the edges of the bed, with one strap being positioned at each side of the head end, two straps being positioned on each side in the middle, and a fourth strap being positioned on each side at the foot end of the bed. The straps can be adjusted in length by means of a buckle. The `T`-frame comprises a spreader bar and a cross bar, with the spreader bar being attached to the cross bar at it's midpoint. The suspension straps are attached in a spaced relationship to the first and second ends of the spreader bar.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1997Date of Patent: October 7, 1997Assignee: The North FaceInventor: John Middendorf
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Patent number: 5197504Abstract: A new and improved dome-type tent with a membrane suspended from a plurality of flexible tent poles. The membrane has a plurality of O-rings distributed about its outer surface in a plurality of paths separated one from the other with one of the flexible poles extending through the O-rings along each path of O-rings and with the pole being securely attached at one of its ends to the membrane in such a manner that the end remains attached to the tent membrane even when the tent is in the unassembled state for storage.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1991Date of Patent: March 30, 1993Assignee: The North FaceInventor: Robert Howe
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Patent number: 5090604Abstract: A backpack device including a flexible enclosure for containing a load to be supported and carried by a wearer and a frame for supporting the flexible enclosure. Shock absorbers are pivotally connected to the frame and to a waist belt for absorbing shock between the flexible enclosure and the wearer.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1990Date of Patent: February 25, 1992Assignee: The North FaceInventor: Robert Howe
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Patent number: D566960Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: The North Face Apparel Corp.Inventors: Jake Rivas, Donald Raymond Reardon
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Patent number: D573336Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: The North Face Apparel Corp.Inventors: Jake Rivas, Barry McGeough
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Patent number: D588792Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2008Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: The North Face Apparel Corp.Inventor: Cameron Dean Braithwaite