Patents by Inventor Dane R. Winbigler

Dane R. Winbigler 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: 10537149
    Abstract: An energy absorbing liner system that offers a multi-stage reaction to impact and is positioned inside a member that receives an impact. The energy absorbing liner system has one or more interconnected energy absorbing modules that rebound after one or more impacts. At least some of the modules in the layer have a basal portion with multiple levels of reaction to impact. For example, a first stage has one or more membranes. A second stage has energy absorbing units with bendable walls. The membranes extend between the walls of adjacent energy absorbing units. The membranes alone or in combination with the side walls of the units at least partially cushion the blow in multiple stages of reaction by progressively absorbing energy imparted by an object that impacts the outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: VICONIC SPORTING LLC
    Inventors: Joel M. Cormier, Richard F. Audi, Donald S. Smith, Dane R. Winbigler
  • Patent number: 10369739
    Abstract: A surface underlayment system and its method of manufacture that is sandwiched between an impact-receiving upper surface and a lower foundation. The energy absorbing system has subassemblies of interconnected modules that cooperate to absorb and distribute impact forces applied thereto. Each module has one or more frustoconical support structures. At least some of the frustoconical support structures have bases that underlie the upper impact-receiving surface such as a golf putting green, a football field, marine decking, and senior living flooring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: VICONIC SPORTING LLC
    Inventors: Joel M. Cormier, Donald S. Smith, Richard F. Audi, Dane R. Winbigler
  • Publication number: 20170101789
    Abstract: A surface underlayment system and its method of manufacture that is sandwiched between an impact-receiving upper surface and a lower foundation. The energy absorbing system has subassemblies of interconnected modules that cooperate to absorb and distribute impact forces applied thereto. Each module has one or more frustoconical support structures. At least some of the frustoconical support structures have bases that underlie the upper impact-receiving surface such as a golf putting green, a football field, marine decking, and senior living flooring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Joel M. Cormier, Donald S. Smith, Richard F. Audi, Dane R. Winbigler
  • Patent number: 9528280
    Abstract: A modular energy absorbing system sandwiched between an impact-receiving upper surface and a lower foundation. The energy absorbing system has one or more interconnected modules that cooperate to absorb and distribute impact forces applied thereto. Each module has one or more frustoconical support structures. At least some of the frustoconical support structures have bases that underlie the upper impact-receiving surface such as a football field or a basketball court.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Viconic Sporting LLC
    Inventors: Joel M. Cormier, Donald S. Smith, Richard F. Audi, Dane R. Winbigler
  • Publication number: 20160255898
    Abstract: An energy absorbing liner system that offers a multi-stage reaction to impact and is positioned inside a member that receives an impact. The energy absorbing liner system has one or more interconnected energy absorbing modules that rebound after one or more impacts. At least some of the modules in the layer have a basal portion with multiple levels of reaction to impact. For example, a first stage has one or more membranes. A second stage has energy absorbing units with bendable walls. The membranes extend between the walls of adjacent energy absorbing units. The membranes alone or in combination with the side walls of the units at least partially cushion the blow in multiple stages of reaction by progressively absorbing energy imparted by an object that impacts the outer shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Joel M. Cormier, Richard F. Audi, Donald S. Smith, Dane R. Winbigler
  • Patent number: 9394702
    Abstract: A recoiling energy absorbing system is interpositioned between an outer shell that is exposed to percussive impact and a foundation. An energy absorbing layer with friction lugs is positioned inside the outer shell. The energy absorbing layer includes one or more energy absorbing modules with optional veins and drain holes. At least some of the modules are provided with one or more energy absorbing units that extend from an upper basal layer. At least some of the energy absorbing units are provided with a flexible wall that extends from the upper basal layer. The energy absorbing units at least partially absorb energy generated by an impacting object due to the flexible wall bending inwardly or outwardly and recoiling nondestructively after single or multiple impacts to its undeflected configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: VICONIC SPORTING LLC
    Inventors: Joel M. Cormier, Donald S. Smith, Richard F. Audi, Dane R. Winbigler
  • Publication number: 20160138275
    Abstract: A modular energy absorbing system sandwiched between an impact-receiving upper surface and a lower foundation. The energy absorbing system has one or more interconnected modules that cooperate to absorb and distribute impact forces applied thereto. Each module has one or more frustoconical support structures. At least some of the frustoconical support structures have bases that underlie the upper impact-receiving surface such as a football field or a basketball court.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Joel M. Cormier, Donald S. Smith, Richard F. Audi, Dane R. Winbigler
  • Publication number: 20160123021
    Abstract: A recoiling energy absorbing system is interpositioned between an outer shell that is exposed to percussive impact and a foundation. An energy absorbing layer with friction lugs is positioned inside the outer shell. The energy absorbing layer includes one or more energy absorbing modules with optional veins and drain holes. At least some of the modules are provided with one or more energy absorbing units that extend from an upper basal layer. At least some of the energy absorbing units are provided with a flexible wall that extends from the upper basal layer. The energy absorbing units at least partially absorb energy generated by an impacting object due to the flexible wall bending inwardly or outwardly and recoiling nondestructively after single or multiple impacts to its undeflected configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Joel M. Cormier, Donald S. Smith, Richard F. Audi, Dane R. Winbigler