Patents by Inventor Chad Whittaker
Chad 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).
-
Patent number: 8074380Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a ski boot system with a modular binding interface. The system includes a shell encasing a user's foot and lower leg. A first and second block are interchangeably coupled to the shell below the base to effectuate alternative binding interfaces. The first and second blocks include a binding interface surface and a sole surface. The positioning and shape of the blocks with respect to the shell results in the binding interface surface extending distally from the toe region of the shell and the sole surface being the lowest surface on the boot system. The binding interface surfaces for each block are positioned at different sagittal heights with respect to the shell to facilitate the interconnection with alternative binding coupling systems. The sole surfaces for each block are positioned at substantially identical sagittal heights with respect to the shell to maintain optimum and consistent performance characteristics among different bindings.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd.Inventors: David Narajowski, Jacob Hall, Chad Whittaker, David Mellon, Derek Gustafson, Jeremy Saxton, Mark Vincent Santurbane, Thomas Laakso
-
Patent number: 7810258Abstract: The present invention relates to a support system for use in relation to an articulation region of a boot. Embodiments of the present invention relate to a boot with a dorsal metatarsal articulation region that allows for articulation in the sagittal plane such as a telemark ski boot. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a telemark ski boot, including a shell, an articulation region, and an articulation support system. The articulation support system includes at least one tensile rigid region extending transversely between the proximal and distal sides of the articulation region. The tensile rigid region impedes rotation of the rear portion of the shell about the toe portion in a frontal plane. This form of rotation is often referred to as torsional rotation. The articulation support system may include one or more of a cable, an integrated shell portion, a material mesh, and/or other tensile rigid components which maintain bending flexibility.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2007Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd.Inventors: David Narajowski, Jacob Hall, Paul Terry, Thomas Laasko, Chad Whittaker, Jeremy Saxton, David Mellon
-
Publication number: 20090113763Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a ski boot system with a modular binding interface. The system includes a shell encasing a user's foot and lower leg. A first and second block are interchangeably coupled to the shell below the base to effectuate alternative binding interfaces. The first and second blocks include a binding interface surface and a sole surface. The positioning and shape of the blocks with respect to the shell results in the binding interface surface extending distally from the toe region of the shell and the sole surface being the lowest surface on the boot system. The binding interface surfaces for each block are positioned at different sagittal heights with respect to the shell to facilitate the interconnection with alternative binding coupling systems. The sole surfaces for each block are positioned at substantially identical sagittal heights with respect to the shell to maintain optimum and consistent performance characteristics among different bindings.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2008Publication date: May 7, 2009Inventors: David Narajowski, Jacob Hall, Chad Whittaker, David Mellon, Derek Gustafson, Jeremy Saxton, Mark Vincent Santurbane, Thomas Laakso
-
Publication number: 20080271345Abstract: The present invention relates to a support system for use in relation to an articulation region of a boot. Embodiments of the present invention relate to a boot with a dorsal metatarsal articulation region that allows for articulation in the sagittal plane such as a telemark ski boot. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a telemark ski boot, including a shell, an articulation region, and an articulation support system. The articulation support system includes at least one tensile rigid region extending transversely between the proximal and distal sides of the articulation region. The tensile rigid region impedes rotation of the rear portion of the shell about the toe portion in a frontal plane. This form of rotation is often referred to as torsional rotation. The articulation support system may include one or more of a cable, an integrated shell portion, a material mesh, and/or other tensile rigid components which maintain bending flexibility.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2007Publication date: November 6, 2008Inventors: David Narajowski, Jacob Hall, Paul Terry, Thomas Laakso, Chad Whittaker, Jeremy Saxton, David Mellon
-
Publication number: 20080048416Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2007Publication date: February 28, 2008Inventors: Ben Walker, Jake Hall, Brendan Perkins, Paul Terry, David Narajowski, Thomas Laakso, David Mellon, Chad Whittaker
-
Publication number: 20080042401Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2007Publication date: February 21, 2008Inventors: Ben Walker, Jake Hall, Brendan Perkins, Paul Terry, David Narajowski, Thomas Laakso, David Mellon, Chad Whittaker
-
Publication number: 20070256331Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a ski boot system including a shell and an elongated hollow region disposed substantially sagitally within the base or bottom of the shell. The elongated hollow region is rigidly coupled at the proximal and distal ends to a secondary support structure of the shell that extends dorsally on at least one side of the boot, thereby forming a lateral triangular rigid coupling. The lateral triangular rigid coupling increases the torsional support of a user's foot and lower leg disposed within the shell. An optional second lateral triangular coupling may extend dorsally on the opposite side of the ski boot so as to balance medial and lateral torsional support. The elongated hollow region may be formed internally within the base or created by rigidly coupling a rigid member to a lengthwise U-shaped region.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2007Publication date: November 8, 2007Inventors: David Narajowski, Jacob Hall, Jeremy Saxton, David Mellon, Chad Whittaker, Paul Terry, Thomas Laakso
-
Publication number: 20070108735Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2005Publication date: May 17, 2007Inventors: Ben Walker, Jake Hall, Brendan Perkins, Paul Terry, David Narajowski, Thomas Laakso, David Mellon, Chad Whittaker
-
Publication number: 20070108736Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2005Publication date: May 17, 2007Inventors: Ben Walker, Jake Hall, Brendan Perkins, Paul Terry, David Narajowski, Thomas Laakso, David Mellon, Chad Whittaker
-
Publication number: 20070108737Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2005Publication date: May 17, 2007Inventors: Ben Walker, Jake Hall, Brendan Perkins, Paul Terry, David Narajowski, Thomas Laakso, David Mellon, Chad Whittaker
-
Publication number: 20070108738Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2005Publication date: May 17, 2007Inventors: Ben Walker, Jake Hall, Brendan Perkins, Paul Terry, David Narajowski, Thomas Laakso, David Mellon, Chad Whittaker
-
Publication number: 20070108782Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable snow shovel that includes a unique collapsible mechanism. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a shovel that 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. An optional locking mechanism may be utilized to releasably lock the elongated shaft member with respect to the blade member in the two states.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2005Publication date: May 17, 2007Inventors: Ben Walker, David Narajowski, Thomas Laakso, David Mellon, Chad Whittaker