Patents by Inventor David Starbuck

David Starbuck 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: 9994290
    Abstract: A hookless coupling device for a sports harness has an elongate body having a connector end for connection with a sports harness and an engagement end. An elongate aperture extends between the connector end and the engagement end. The aperture is wider at the connector end, for receiving an engager through the aperture, than at the engagement end provided for engaging the engager with the elongate body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventors: Pete Cabrinha, David Starbuck, Philip Sobolev, David Hastilow
  • Patent number: 9957022
    Abstract: A hookless coupling device for releasable connection to a sports harness includes an elongate body having a connector end for connection with the sports harness, an engagement end, and an elongate aperture extending between the connector end and the engagement end for engaging an engager. The aperture is wider at the connector end than at the engagement end. The sports harness includes a band for surrounding the waist or hips of a person, and the elongate body. A sports device, releasably engagable to the harness, has a spherical engager tethered with a line. The aperture passes the spherical engager though the engagement end and the engager is moved to the connector end. A sports kite includes a canopy, a traction line having a first end tethered to the canopy, and a second end to which the spherical engager is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Neil Pryde Limited
    Inventors: Pete Cabrinha, David Starbuck, Philip Sobolev, David Hastilow
  • Patent number: 9394039
    Abstract: A control system for a traction wing includes a control bar having first and second ends. A first fixing arm is connected to each end of the bar. Each fixing arm has a fixing point for attachment of a respective wing control line. At least one of the fixing arms is an articulated arm that is pivotally connected to its end of the bar and is pivotable between a first position defining a first effective control bar length and a second position defining a second effective control bar length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: NEIL PRYDE LIMITED
    Inventors: David Starbuck, Pete Cabrinha, Philip Sobolev, David Hastilow
  • Publication number: 20160159443
    Abstract: A hookless coupling device for a sports harness has an elongate body having a connector end for connection with a sports harness and an engagement end. An elongate aperture extends between the connector end and the engagement end. The aperture is wider at the connector end, for receiving an engager through the aperture, than at the engagement end provided for engaging the engager with the elongate body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Pete Cabrinha, David Starbuck, Philip Sobolev, David Hastilow
  • Publication number: 20160159444
    Abstract: A hookless coupling device for releasable connection to a sports harness includes an elongate body having a connector end for connection with the sports harness, an engagement end, and an elongate aperture extending between the connector end and the engagement end for engaging an engager. The aperture is wider at the connector end than at the engagement end. The sports harness includes a band for surrounding the waist or hips of a person, and the elongate body. A sports device, releasably engagable to the harness, has a spherical engager tethered with a line. The aperture passes the spherical engager though the engagement end and the engager is moved to the connector end. A sports kite includes a canopy, a traction line having a first end tethered to the canopy, and a second end to which the spherical engager is connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Pete Cabrinha, David Starbuck, Philip Sobolev, David Hastilow
  • Publication number: 20150014486
    Abstract: A control system for a traction wing includes a control bar having first and second ends. A first fixing arm is connected to each end of the bar. Each fixing arm has a fixing point for attachment of a respective wing control line. At least one of the fixing arms is an articulated arm that is pivotally connected to its end of the bar and is pivotable between a first position defining a first effective control bar length and a second position defining a second effective control bar length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: NEIL PRYDE LIMITED
    Inventors: David Starbuck, Pete Cabrinha, Philip Sobolev, David Hastilow
  • Patent number: 7798084
    Abstract: In a battened sailboard sail a sail attachment device is attached to the leading edge of the sail and the sail attachment device is connected to a camber-inducer by a line that is acted on by a batten to evenly distribute the batten tension load between the sail and camber-inducer. The batten is able to move chordwise relative the camber inducer when the sail is rotating about the mast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Neil Pryde Limited
    Inventors: Robert Stroj, David Starbuck
  • Publication number: 20080066666
    Abstract: In a battened sailboard sail a sail-widget is attached to the leading edge of the sail and the sail-widget is connected to a camber-inducer by a line that is acted on by a batten to evenly distribute the batten tension load between the sail and camber-inducer. The batten is able to move chordwise relative the camber inducer when the sail is rotating about the mast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Robert Stroj, David Starbuck
  • Patent number: 7127781
    Abstract: A safety release device for a kite line has a first fastening member with an attachment point for a first line portion and a second fastening member with an attachment point for a second line portion. In a fastened position the second fastening member engages through an aperture of the first fastening member. A release member is movably positioned on the first fastening member and is movable between a secured position holding hold the release device in the fastened position and a released position in which a line attached to the release device pulls the second fastening member out of engagement through the aperture. A releasable locking member is provided on the release member for locking the release member in the secured position so as to prevent it being moved to the released position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Neil Pryde Limited
    Inventors: Ian Ponting, David Starbuck
  • Publication number: 20060059665
    Abstract: A safety release device-for a kite line-has a first fastening member with an attachment point for a first line portion and a second fastening member with an attachment point for a second line portion. In a fastened position the second fastening member engages through an aperture of the first fastening member. A release member is movably positioned on the first fastening member and is movable between a secured position holding hold the release device in the fastened position and a released position in which a line attached to the release device pulls the second fastening member out of engagement through the aperture. A releasable locking member is provided on the release member for locking the release member in the secured position so as to prevent it being moved to the released position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Inventors: Ian Ponting, David Starbuck
  • Patent number: 6745713
    Abstract: A control device for a kite comprises an elongate rigid control bar extending either side of a central region to provide separated hand-grippable regions for a kite user and anchor points for first and second control lines of a kite. A third control line for the kite is attached to a harness loop at one end and extends from the harness loop towards the kite. A stopper is rigidly fixed to the third control line adjacent the harness loop. The stopper is wedge shaped in a predetermined plane. A body is attached to the central region of the control bar. The body has a cavity for releasably receiving the stopper and an opening in a wall of the cavity. The cavity is wedge shape towards the opening for rotating the stopper to the predetermined plane when it engages against the inner walls of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Neil Pryde Limited
    Inventor: David Starbuck
  • Publication number: 20030116071
    Abstract: A control device for a kite comprises an elongate rigid control bar extending either side of a central region to provide separated hand-grippable regions for a kite user and anchor points for first and second control lines of a kite. A third control line for the kite is attached to a harness loop at one end and extends from the harness loop towards the kite. A stopper is rigidly fixed to the third control line adjacent the harness loop. The stopper is wedge shaped in a predetermined plane. A body is attached to the central region of the control bar. The body has a cavity for releasably receiving the stopper and an opening in a wall of the cavity. The cavity is wedge shape towards the opening for rotating the stopper to the predetermined plane when it engages against the inner walls of the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: David Starbuck
  • Patent number: 6513759
    Abstract: A control device for a surfer's sports kite has a hand-holdable elongate control bar for steering the kite. A central control line is used for changing the effective curvature of the kite and therefore the power generated by the kite. The control device includes an open-top body mounted at the center of the control bar and attached to a harness loop. The harness loop is arranged to be attached to a harness hook of the surfer in use. A stopper fixed on the control line fits in the body. On the one hand, the stopper is shaped to maintain the line (and hence the harness loop) in particular orientations for ease of fitting the loop to the hook. On the other hand, when the ball is moved to the right in the Figure, the ball is free to rotate to allow the surfer to untwist the control lines, when required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Neil Pryde Limited
    Inventor: David Starbuck
  • Publication number: 20020124782
    Abstract: A control device for a surfer's sports kite has a hand-holdable elongate control bar for steering the kite. A central control line is used for changing the effective curvature of the kite and therefore the power generated by the kite. The control device includes an open-top body mounted at the center of the control bar and attached to a harness loop The harness loop is arranged to be attached to a harness hook of the surfer in use. A stopper fixed on the control line fits in the body On the one hand, the stopper is shaped to maintain the line (and hence the harness loop) in particular orientations for ease of fitting the loop to the hook. On the other hand, when the ball is moved to the right in the Figure, the ball is free to rotate to allow the surfer to untwist the control lines, when required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventor: David Starbuck
  • Patent number: 6092481
    Abstract: A windsurfer sailing rig includes a mast with a top mast extension. A swivel connection connects the extension to the top of the mast. In use, down haul tension for the mast is applied to hold the swivel connection downwards in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Neil Pryde Limited
    Inventors: David Starbuck, Barry Spanier