Patents by Inventor Chad John Whittaker

Chad John Whittaker 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).

  • Collapsible shovel
    Patent number: 7571945
    Abstract: A portable snow shovel that includes a unique collapsible mechanism. One embodiment of the shovel includes both an expanded and collapsed state. The shovel includes a blade member and an elongated shaft member. The elongated shaft member is slidably engaged to the blade member through a recess that extends through the blade member. The elongated shaft member is able to translate with respect to the blade member between the extended and collapsed states. The collapsed state relates to a configuration in which the elongated shaft member is extended through the recess and over the blade member a particular amount. The extended state relates to a configuration in which the elongated shaft member is extended through the recess and away from the blade member a particular amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ben Walker, David Narajowski, Thomas Laakso, David Mellon, Chad John Whittaker
  • Binding system
    Patent number: 7401802
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a ski binding that retains a boot to a ski in at least two independent operational states. One embodiment of a ski binding includes a toe receiving member and a releasable system. The toe receiving member is configured to engage the toe portion of the boot. The releasable system is configured to couple the toe receiving member to the ski in at least two independent operational states. A first state corresponds to a state in which the toe receiving member is allowed to freely rotate with respect to the ski. The first state is particularly useful in minimizing the necessary energy output for uphill travel. A second state corresponds to a state in which the toe receiving member is locked with respect to the ski. The second state is particularly useful in high performance downhill travel. The releasable system further includes an engagement mechanism and a switching mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ben Walker, Jake Hall, Brendan Perkins, Paul Terry, David Narajowski, Thomas Laakso, David Mellon, Chad John Whittaker
  • Binding system
    Patent number: 7396037
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a ski binding that retains a boot to a ski in at least two independent operational states. One embodiment of a ski binding includes a toe receiving member and a releasable system. The toe receiving member is configured to engage the toe portion of the boot. The releasable system is configured to couple the toe receiving member to the ski in at least two independent operational states. A first state corresponds to a state in which the toe receiving member is allowed to freely rotate with respect to the ski. The first state is particularly useful in minimizing the necessary energy output for uphill travel. A second state corresponds to a state in which the toe receiving member is locked with respect to the ski. The second state is particularly useful in high performance downhill travel. The releasable system further includes an engagement mechanism and a switching mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ben Walker, Jake Hall, Brendan Perkins, Paul Terry, David Narajowski, Thomas Laakso, David Mellon, Chad John Whittaker
  • Binding system
    Patent number: 7318597
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a ski binding that retains a boot to a ski in at least two independent operational states. One embodiment of a ski binding includes a toe receiving member and a releasable system. The toe receiving member is configured to engage the toe portion of the boot. The releasable system is configured to couple the toe receiving member to the ski in at least two independent operational states. A first state corresponds to a state in which the toe receiving member is allowed to freely rotate with respect to the ski. The first state is particularly useful in minimizing the necessary energy output for uphill travel. A second state corresponds to a state in which the toe receiving member is locked with respect to the ski. The second state is particularly useful in high performance downhill travel. The releasable system further includes an engagement mechanism and a switching mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ben Walker, Jake Hall, Brendan Perkins, Paul Terry, David Narajowski, Thomas Laakso, David Mellon, Chad John Whittaker
  • Binding system
    Patent number: 7306255
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a ski binding that retains a boot to a ski in at least two independent operational states. One embodiment of a ski binding includes a toe receiving member and a releasable system. The toe receiving member is configured to engage the toe portion of the boot. The releasable system is configured to couple the toe receiving member to the ski in at least two independent operational states. A first state corresponds to a state in which the toe receiving member is allowed to freely rotate with respect to the ski. The first state is particularly useful in minimizing the necessary energy output for uphill travel. A second state corresponds to a state in which the toe receiving member is locked with respect to the ski. The second state is particularly useful in high performance downhill travel. The releasable system further includes an engagement mechanism and a switching mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ben Walker, Jake Hall, Brendan Perkins, Paul Terry, David Narajowski, Thomas Laakso, David Mellon, Chad John Whittaker
  • Binding system
    Patent number: 7306256
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a ski binding that retains a boot to a ski in at least two independent operational states. One embodiment of a ski binding includes a toe receiving member and a releasable system. The toe receiving member is configured to engage the toe portion of the boot. The releasable system is configured to couple the toe receiving member to the ski in at least two independent operational states. A first state corresponds to a state in which the toe receiving member is allowed to freely rotate with respect to the ski. The first state is particularly useful in minimizing the necessary energy output for uphill travel. A second state corresponds to a state in which the toe receiving member is locked with respect to the ski. The second state is particularly useful in high performance downhill travel. The releasable system further includes an engagement mechanism and a switching mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ben Walker, Jake Hall, Brendan Perkins, Paul Terry, David Narajowski, Thomas Laakso, David Mellon, Chad John Whittaker
  • Binding system
    Patent number: 7216888
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a ski binding that retains a boot to a ski in at least two independent operational states. One embodiment of a ski binding includes a toe receiving member and a releasable system. The toe receiving member is configured to engage the toe portion of the boot. The releasable system is configured to couple the toe receiving member to the ski in at least two independent operational states. A first state corresponds to a state in which the toe receiving member is allowed to freely rotate with respect to the ski. The first state is particularly useful in minimizing the necessary energy output for uphill travel. A second state corresponds to a state in which the toe receiving member is locked with respect to the ski. The second state is particularly useful in high performance downhill travel. The releasable system further includes an engagement mechanism and a switching mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ben Walker, Jake Hall, Brendan Perkins, Paul Terry, David Narajowski, Thomas Laakso, David Mellon, Chad John Whittaker