Patents by Inventor James Thomas Grutta

James Thomas Grutta 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: 9492711
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an avalanche safety system including an inflatable chamber, activation system, inflation system, harness, and a container. The inflatable chamber is a three-dimensionally, partially enclosed region having an inflated state and a compressed state. The inflated state may form a particular three dimensional shape configured to protect the use from impact and/or provide flotation during an avalanche. The inflation system is configured to transmit ambient air into the inflatable chamber. The harness may be a backpack that enables a user to transport the system while engaging in activities that may be exposed to avalanche risk. The container is releasably coupled to the harness including a coupled and a separate state. The container independently includes a container chamber that is selectively enclosable by a container opening. The releasable coupling between the container and the harness may include a periphery zipper type coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph Benjamin Walker, Pete Gompert, David Kuhlman Blackwell, Derick J Noffsinger, James Thomas Grutta, Nathan Miles Kuder, Robert John Horacek
  • Patent number: 9289633
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an avalanche safety system including an inflatable chamber, activation system, inflation system, and a harness. The inflatable chamber is a three-dimensionally, partially enclosed region having an inflated state and a compressed state. The inflated state may form a particular three dimensional shape configured to protect the user from burial and provide flotation during an avalanche. The activation system is configured to receive a user-triggered action to activate the system. The inflation system may include an air intake, battery, fan, and internal airway channel. The inflation system is configured to transmit ambient air into the inflatable chamber. The harness may be a backpack that enables a user to transport the system while engaging in activities that may be exposed to avalanche risk. The harness may include hip straps, shoulder straps, internal compartments, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph Benjamin Walker, David K Blackwell, Derick J. Noffsinger, James Thomas Grutta, Nathan Miles Kuder, Peter Thomas Gompert, Robert John Horacek
  • Publication number: 20160015094
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an avalanche safety system including an inflatable chamber, activation system, inflation system, harness, and a container. The inflatable chamber is a three-dimensionally, partially enclosed region having an inflated state and a compressed state. The inflated state may form a particular three dimensional shape configured to protect the use from impact and/or provide flotation during an avalanche. The inflation system is configured to transmit ambient air into the inflatable chamber. The harness may be a backpack that enables a user to transport the system while engaging in activities that may be exposed to avalanche risk. The container is releasably coupled to the harness including a coupled and a separate state. The container independently includes a container chamber that is selectively enclosable by a container opening. The releasable coupling between the container and the harness may include a periphery zipper type coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph Benjamin Walker, Pete Gompert, David Kuhlman Blackwell, Derick J. Noffsinger, James Thomas Grutta, Nathan Miles Kuder, Robert John Horacek
  • Patent number: 9004116
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for inflating a chamber within an inflatable avalanche safety system. The method includes providing an inflatable avalanche safety system including an inflatable chamber; receiving a user-triggered action intended to activate the avalanche safety system; transmitting ambient air from an external region to within the inflatable chamber; and inflating the inflatable chamber entirely with the transmitted external ambient air to a particular internal pressure and shape configured to protect the user from burial during an avalanche. The transmission of ambient air within the inflatable chamber may be accomplished with a fan or an electrical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Black Diamond Equipmnt Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph Benjamin Walker, David K. Blackwell, Derick J. Neffsinger, James Thomas Grutta, Nathan Miles Kuder, Peter Thomas Gompert, Robert John Horacek
  • Patent number: 8851948
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an avalanche safety system including an inflatable chamber, activation system, inflation system, and a harness. The inflatable chamber is a three-dimensionally, partially enclosed region having an inflated state and a compressed state. The inflated state may form a particular three dimensional shape configured to protect the user from burial and provide flotation during an avalanche. The activation system is configured to receive a user-triggered action to activate the system. The activation system also includes a reinflation algorithm configured to automatically reactivate the inflation system after a period of time to maintain the inflated state of the inflatable chamber. The inflation system may include an air intake, battery, fan, and internal airway channel. The inflation system is configured to transmit ambient air into the inflatable chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd
    Inventors: James Thomas Grutta, Nathan Kuder, Peter Thomas Gompert, Derick Noffsinger, Robert Joan Horacek, Joseph Benjamin Walker, David Kuhlmann Blackwell
  • Patent number: 8851949
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an avalanche safety system including an inflatable chamber, activation system, inflation system, and a harness. The inflatable chamber is a three-dimensionally, partially enclosed region having an inflated state and a compressed state. The inflated state may form a particular three dimensional shape configured to protect the user from impact and/or provide inverse segregation during an avalanche. The activation system is configured to receive a user-triggered action to activate the system. The inflation system is configured to transmit gas into and out of the inflatable chamber to transition between the inflated state and compressed state. The inflation system may automatically deflate or transmit the gas from the inflatable chamber external of the system. Automatic deflation of the inflatable chamber may be via a valve corresponding to a particular value such as time or three dimensional position of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd
    Inventors: James Thomas Grutta, Nathan Kuder, Peter Thomas Gompet, Derick J. Neffsinger, Robert John Horacek, Joseph Benjamin Walker, David Kuhlmann Blackwell
  • Patent number: 8777684
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an avalanche safety system including an inflatable chamber, activation system, inflation system, diagnostic system and a harness. The inflatable chamber is a three-dimensionally, partially enclosed region having an inflated state and a compressed state. The inflated state may form a particular three dimensional shape configured to protect the user from burial and provide flotation during an avalanche. The activation system is configured to receive a user-triggered action to activate the system. The inflation system may include an air intake, battery, fan, and internal airway channel. The inflation system is configured to transmit ambient air into the inflatable chamber. The diagnostic system includes a at least one sensor configured to measure a parameter corresponding to the inflation system and a display configured to visually, audibly, and/or tactilely display the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd
    Inventors: James Thomas Grutta, Nathan Kuder, Peter Thomas Gompert, Derick Noffsinger, Robert John Horacek, Joseph Benjamin Walker, David Kuhlmann Blackwell
  • Publication number: 20130149923
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an avalanche safety system including an inflatable chamber, activation system, inflation system, and a harness. The inflatable chamber is a three-dimensionally, partially enclosed region having an inflated state and a compressed state. The inflated state may form a particular three dimensional shape configured to protect the user from burial and provide flotation during an avalanche. The activation system is configured to receive a user-triggered action to activate the system. The inflation system may include an air intake, battery, fan, and internal airway channel. The inflation system is configured to transmit ambient air into the inflatable chamber. The harness may be a backpack that enables a user to transport the system while engaging in activities that may be exposed to avalanche risk. The harness may include hip straps, shoulder straps, internal compartments, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: Joseph Benjamin Walker, David K. Blackwell, Derick J. Noffsinger, James Thomas Grutta, Nathan Miles Kuder, Peter Thomas Gompert, Robert John Horacek
  • Publication number: 20130149924
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an avalanche safety system including an inflatable chamber, activation system, inflation system, diagnostic system and a harness. The inflatable chamber is a three-dimensionally, partially enclosed region having an inflated state and a compressed state. The inflated state may form a particular three dimensional shape configured to protect the user from burial and provide flotation during an avalanche. The activation system is configured to receive a user-triggered action to activate the system. The inflation system may include an air intake, battery, fan, and internal airway channel. The inflation system is configured to transmit ambient air into the inflatable chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: James Thomas Grutta, Nathan Kuder, Peter Thomas Gompert, Derick Noffsinger, Robert John Horacek, Joseph Benjamin Walker, David Kuhlmann Blackwell
  • Publication number: 20130145528
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an avalanche safety system including an inflatable chamber, activation system, inflation system, and a harness. The inflatable chamber is a three-dimensionally, partially enclosed region having an inflated state and a compressed state. The inflated state may form a particular three dimensional shape configured to protect the user from burial and provide flotation during an avalanche. The activation system is configured to receive a user-triggered action to activate the system. The activation system also includes a reinflation algorithm configured to automatically reactivate the inflation system after a period of time to maintain the inflated state of the inflatable chamber. The inflation system may include an air intake, battery, fan, and internal airway channel. The inflation system is configured to transmit ambient air into the inflatable chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: James Thomas Grutta, Nathan Kuder, Peter Thomas Gompert, Derick Noffsinger, Robert Joan Horacek, Joseph Benjamin Walker, David Kuhlmann Blackwell
  • Publication number: 20130145529
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an avalanche safety system including an inflatable chamber, activation system, inflation system, and a harness. The inflatable chamber is a three-dimensionally, partially enclosed region having an inflated state and a compressed state. The inflated state may form a particular three dimensional shape configured to protect the user from impact and/or provide inverse segregation during an avalanche. The activation system is configured to receive a user-triggered action to activate the system. The inflation system is configured to transmit gas into and out of the inflatable chamber to transition between the inflated state and compressed state. The inflation system may automatically deflate or transmit the gas from the inflatable chamber external of the system. Automatic deflation of the inflatable chamber may be via a valve corresponding to a particular value such as time or three dimensional position of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: James Thomas Grutta, Nathan Kuder, Peter Thomas Gompet, Derick J. Neffsinger, Robert John Horacek, Joseph Benjamin Walker, David Kuhlmann Blackwell
  • Publication number: 20130146175
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for inflating a chamber within an inflatable avalanche safety system. The method includes providing an inflatable avalanche safety system including an inflatable chamber; receiving a user-triggered action intended to activate the avalanche safety system; transmitting ambient air from an external region to within the inflatable chamber; and inflating the inflatable chamber entirely with the transmitted external ambient air to a particular internal pressure and shape configured to protect the user from burial during an avalanche. The transmission of ambient air within the inflatable chamber may be accomplished with a fan or an electrical component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: Joseph Benjamin Walker, David K. Blackwell, Derick J. Neffsinger, James Thomas Grutta, Nathan Miles Kuder, Peter Thomas Gompert, Robert John Horacek