Patents by Inventor James Laughlin

James Laughlin 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).

  • Publication number: 20020190503
    Abstract: A system for tool free disengagement of an engagement member from a base while the base is mounted to a substrate, so that the engagement member may be repositioned, tool free, in a new mounting location. The engagement member and the base include complementary locking members, and the engagement member may be constructed so that manipulation of the engagement member releases the complementary locking members allowing relocation of the engagement member in a new mounting location. The system may be incorporated in a binding for securing a foot or a boot and in footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: James Laughlin, Ryan Coulter, Benjamin Beck, Thomas Powers, Glen V. Walter
  • Patent number: 6485035
    Abstract: A baseplate for binding a foot to a board, particularly suitable for application as a snowboard binding baseplate, maybe tuned to provide a certain level and/or balance of one or more performance properties including, but not limited to power transmission, responsiveness, feel, and comfort. The binding baseplate may include localized regions of varying stiffness to provide a specific performance property. Consequently, the binding baseplate may include a specific stiffness characteristic at a location where the boot engagement members are mounted, providing a desired response of the binding baseplate to forces that may be generated by the rider during turns, landing jumps, and otherwise during riding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: The Burton Corporation
    Inventors: James Laughlin, Ryan Coulter
  • Patent number: 6416075
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for tool-free adjustment of a binding strap on a snowboard binding. A snowboard binding may include a base, at least one binding strap, and at least two strap mounting features, supported by the base, adapted to mount the at least one binding strap to the base in at least two mounting positions. The strap mounting features and the at least one binding strap may be configured to allow the at least one binding strap to be selectively moved between the at least two strap mounting positions without tools while the base is attached to a snowboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: The Burton Corporation
    Inventors: James Laughlin, Ryan Coulter, Benjamin Beck, Thomas Powers, Glen V. Walter
  • Patent number: 6270110
    Abstract: A snowboard binding for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard. According to one aspect of the invention, the binding comprises a base, a first engagement member that is movably mounted to the base and is adapted to engage a first lateral side of the boot, and a second engagement member that is movably mounted to the base and is adapted to engage a second lateral side of the boot opposite the first lateral side of the boot. According to another aspect of the invention, the snowboard binding includes a high-back leg support mounted to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: The Burton Corporation
    Inventors: James Laughlin, David J. Dodge
  • Patent number: 6123354
    Abstract: A snowboard binding for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard. According to one aspect of the invention, the binding comprises a base, a first engagement member that is movably mounted to the base and is adapted to engage a first lateral side of the boot, and a second engagement member that is movably mounted to the base and is adapted to engage a second lateral side of the boot opposite the first lateral side of the boot. According to another aspect of the invention, the snowboard binding includes a high-back leg support mounted to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Inventors: James Laughlin, David J. Dodge
  • Patent number: 6102429
    Abstract: A snowboard binding for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard. According to one aspect of the invention, the binding comprises a base, a first engagement member that is movably mounted to the base and is adapted to engage a first lateral side of the boot, and a second engagement member that is movably mounted to the base and is adapted to engage a second lateral side of the boot opposite the first lateral side of the boot. According to another aspect of the invention, the snowboard binding includes a high-back leg support mounted to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: The Burton Corporation
    Inventors: James Laughlin, David J. Dodge
  • Patent number: 6099018
    Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a snowboard binding including a base having a toe end and a heel end, and a guide that is adapted to guide a snowboard boot back toward the heel end of the base when the snowboard boot is stepped into the binding. Another embodiment is directed to a snowboard binding including a baseplate and a heel hoop hinged for rotation relative to the baseplate. A further embodiment is directed a snowboard binding to mount a snowboard boot to a snowboard, the snowboard boot including at least one pin extending from medial and lateral sides thereof. The snowboard binding comprises a base having medial and lateral sides; a pair of engagement cams each mounted to one of the medial and lateral sides for rotation between open and closed positions; at least one lever to move the pair of engagement cams from the closed position to the open position; and a cocking mechanism that is adapted to maintain the pair of engagement cams in the open position upon release of the at least one lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: The Burton Corporation
    Inventors: Paul T. Maravetz, James Laughlin, Frank Phillips, Joshua S. Reid, David J. Dodge, David L. Perry
  • Patent number: 6053524
    Abstract: A snowboard binding for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard, including a base adapted to receive the snowboard boot; a movable engagement member that is mounted to the base for movement between an open position and a closed position in which the engagement member is adapted to secure the boot in the binding; a handle mechanically coupled to the engagement member and adapted to move the engagement member from the closed position to the open position, the handle being movable between a first position corresponding to the engagement member being in the closed position and a second position corresponding to the engagement member being in the open position; and a visual indicator that is adapted to provide a visual indication that the engagement member is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: The Burton Corporation
    Inventor: James Laughlin
  • Patent number: 5915721
    Abstract: A base includes a first bail that is pivotally connected to the base. A second bail is pivotally connected to the base. An operating arm is connected to the second bail and pivotally connected to the base. A trigger mechanism is connected to the second bail to move the second bail from a first unlocked position to a second locked position. The operating arm is pivoted in a first direction to cause the second bail to move from the second locked position to the first unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: The Burton Corporation
    Inventors: James Laughlin, David J. Dodge
  • Patent number: 5692765
    Abstract: A snowboard binding includes a base plate, a high back member, a toe strap and an in-step strap. The high back member, toe strap and in-step strap are pivotally connected to the base plate so that the high back, toe strap and in-step strap each move between a first open position and a second closed position with respect to the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Inventor: James Laughlin
  • Patent number: 5544909
    Abstract: A base includes a first bail that is pivotally connected to the base. A second bail is pivotally connected to the base. An operating arm is connected to the second bail and pivotally connected to the base. A trigger mechanism is connected to the second bail to move the second bail from a first unlocked position to a second locked position. The operating arm is pivoted in a first direction to cause the second bail to move from the second locked position to the first unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: The Burton Corporation
    Inventors: James Laughlin, David J. Dodge