Patents by Inventor Kirby J. Mead

Kirby J. Mead 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: 10894584
    Abstract: The present invention is a Low-Drag Fin and Foil System for Surfboards (10), particularly including cambered fin foils (40; 42). The invention (10) also discloses low-drag, directionally unstable fin positions wherein the lesser of negative angle of attack of a trailing fin (50), versus the higher or positive angle of attack of a forward fin (48), makes the board (12) highly maneuverable by creating a yawing moment that aids the rotation of the board (12) as it is turned. The system particularly utilizes fins (40) having foil (42) shapes in which either the cambered side (74) or the non-cambered side (76) is provided with a combination of a convex curvature (68) and a concave curvature (70) to result in an oscillating curvature (72) which has a positive effect on control and acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Inventor: Kirby J. Mead
  • Publication number: 20180251198
    Abstract: The present invention is a Low-Drag Fin and Foil System for Surfboards (10), particularly including cambered fin foils (40; 42). The invention (10) also discloses low-drag, directionally unstable fin positions wherein the lesser of negative angle of attack of a trailing fin (50), versus the higher or positive angle of attack of a forward fin (48), makes the board (12) highly maneuverable by creating a yawing moment that aids the rotation of the board (12) as it is turned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventor: Kirby J. MEAD
  • Patent number: 9957020
    Abstract: The present invention is a Low-Drag Fin and Foil System for Surfboards (10), particularly including cambered fin foils (40; 42). The invention (10) also discloses low-drag, directionally unstable fin positions wherein the lesser of negative angle of attack of a trailing fin (50), versus the higher or positive angle of attack of a forward fin (48), makes the board (12) highly maneuverable by creating a yawing moment that aids the rotation of the board (12) as it is turned. The system particularly utilizes fins (40) having foil (42) shapes in which either the cambered side (74) or the non-cambered side (76) is provided with a combination of a convex curvature (68) and a concave curvature (70) to result in an oscillating curvature (72) which has a positive effect on control and acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Kirby J. Mead
  • Publication number: 20160347427
    Abstract: The present invention is a Low-Drag Fin and Foil System for Surfboards (10), particularly including cambered fin foils (40; 42). The invention (10) also discloses low-drag, directionally unstable fin positions wherein the lesser of negative angle of attack of a trailing fin (50), versus the higher or positive angle of attack of a forward fin (48), makes the board (12) highly maneuverable by creating a yawing moment that aids the rotation of the board (12) as it is turned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventor: Kirby J. MEAD
  • Publication number: 20150044921
    Abstract: The present invention is a Low-Drag Fin and Foil System for Surfboards (10), particularly including cambered fin foils (40; 42). The invention (10) also discloses low-drag, directionally unstable fin positions wherein the lesser of negative angle of attack of a trailing fin (50), versus the higher or positive angle of attack of a forward fin (48), makes the board (12) highly maneuverable by creating a yawing moment that aids the rotation of the board (12) as it is turned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Kirby J. MEAD
  • Patent number: 8821205
    Abstract: The present invention is a Low-Drag Fin and Foil System for Surfboards (10), particularly including cambered fin foils (40; 42). The invention (10) also discloses low-drag, directionally unstable fin positions wherein the lesser of negative angle of attack of a trailing fin (50), versus the higher or positive angle of attack of a forward fin (48), makes the board (12) highly maneuverable by creating a yawing moment that aids the rotation of the board (12) as it is turned. The system particularly utilizes fins (40) having foil (42) shapes in which either the cambered side (74) or the non-cambered side (76) is provided with a combination of a convex curvature (68) and a concave curvature (70) to result in an oscillating curvature (72) which has a positive effect on control and acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Kirby J Mead
  • Publication number: 20140094074
    Abstract: The present invention is a Low-Drag Fin and Foil System for Surfboards (10), particularly including cambered fin foils (40; 42). The invention (10) also discloses low-drag, directionally unstable fin positions wherein the lesser of negative angle of attack of a trailing fin (50), versus the higher or positive angle of attack of a forward fin (48), makes the board (12) highly maneuverable by creating a yawing moment that aids the rotation of the board (12) as it is turned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventor: Kirby J. Mead
  • Patent number: 8613636
    Abstract: The present invention is a Low-Drag Fin and Foil System for Surfboards (10), particularly including cambered fin foils (40; 42). The invention (10) also discloses low-drag, directionally unstable fin positions wherein the lesser of negative angle of attack of a trailing fin (50), versus the higher or positive angle of attack of a forward fin (48), makes the board (12) highly maneuverable by creating a yawing moment that aids the rotation of the board (12) as it is turned. The system particularly utilizes fins (40) having foil (42) shapes in which either the cambered side (74) or the non-cambered side (76) is provided with a combination of a convex curvature (68) and a concave curvature (70) to result in an oscillating curvature (72) which has a positive effect on control and acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Inventor: Kirby J Mead
  • Publication number: 20130012083
    Abstract: The present invention is a Low-Drag Fin and Foil System for Surfboards (10), particularly including cambered fin foils (40; 42). The invention (10) also discloses low-drag, directionally unstable fin positions wherein the lesser of negative angle of attack of a trailing fin (50), versus the higher or positive angle of attack of a forward fin (48), makes the board (12) highly maneuverable by creating a yawing moment that aids the rotation of the board (12) as it is turned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventor: Kirby J. Mead
  • Patent number: 8328593
    Abstract: The present invention is a Low-Drag Fin and Foil System for Surfboards (10), particularly including cambered fin foils (40; 42). The invention (10) also discloses low-drag, directionally unstable fin positions wherein the lesser of negative angle of attack of a trailing fin (50), versus the higher or positive angle of attack of a forward fin (48), makes the board (12) highly maneuverable by creating a yawing moment that aids the rotation of the board (12) as it is turned. The system particularly utilizes fins (40) having foil (42) shapes in which either the cambered side (74) or the non-cambered side (76) is provided with a combination of a convex curvature (68) and a concave curvature (70) to result in an oscillating curvature (72) which has a positive effect on control and acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventor: Kirby J Mead
  • Patent number: 7963815
    Abstract: A mold and construction method for forming aquatic sports boards is provided. The method and molds provide skin and interior core structures made shape-adjustable by a pre-molded perimeter rail. Division(s) in the structural exterior skin allow the skin core to be trimmed and bonded to a variety of convex, shape-defining core structures to produce a plurality of different shapes. A reusable shape-defining mold allows the board structure to be modified in shape. The mold is reversible and male/female configurations produce convex, shape-defining board substrates for a wide array of custom designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Kirby J. Mead
  • Publication number: 20080311806
    Abstract: The present invention is a Low-Drag Fin and Foil System for Surfboards (10), particularly including cambered fin foils (40; 42). The invention (10) also discloses low-drag, directionally unstable fin positions wherein the lesser of negative angle of attack of a trailing fin (50), versus the higher or positive angle of attack of a forward fin (48), makes the board (12) highly maneuverable by creating a yawing moment that aids the rotation of the board (12) as it is turned. The system particularly utilizes fins (40) having foil (42) shapes in which either the cambered side (74) or the non-cambered side (76) is provided with a combination of a convex curvature (68) and a concave curvature (70) to result in an oscillating curvature (72) which has a positive effect on control and acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Kirby J. Mead
  • Patent number: 6878025
    Abstract: Discloses skin and interior core structures made shape-adjustable with a layer of skin core forming a pre-molded perimeter rail; exterior structural skin can be molded using a convex shape-defining mold to produce a plurality of different shapes; separate subparts give the mold the capacity to describe different curves and modify different parameters of the board's design. Mold is reversible; male/female configurations produce convex shape-defining substrates allowing a wide array of different shapes. Board is fabricated without use of any concave shape-defining surface, and therefore without the high manufacturing costs and structural problems of prior art female molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: Kirby J. Mead
  • Publication number: 20040043680
    Abstract: Discloses skin and interior core structures made shape-adjustable with a layer of skin core forming a pre-molded perimeter rail; exterior structural skin can be molded using a convex shape-defining mold to produce a plurality of different shapes; separate subparts give the mold the capacity to describe different curves and modify different parameters of the board's design. Mold is reversible; male/female configurations produce convex shape-defining substrates allowing a wide array of different shapes. Board is fabricated without use of any concave shape-defining surface, and therefore without the high manufacturing costs and structural problems of prior art female molds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventor: Kirby J. Mead
  • Patent number: 6623323
    Abstract: Method of high-strength sandwich skin fabrication uses the thickness of a high-density foam skin core (27) to mask minor imperfections on the surface of the mold (10,20), thereby allowing the mold to be divided into separate integral parts that have the capacity to be moved, then fixed and set, so as to describe different curves or modify dimensions of the board. Mold is reversible; male/female configurations permit fabrication of a wide array of custom designs. Method offers low production costs due to a rapid mold cycle, reduced labor, and efficient use of space, yet produces an exceptionally high strength, light weight board because of the increased shear strength of the monocoque perimeter rail (70), and the optimum fiber/resin ratio in the cored, structural sandwich skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: Kirby J. Mead
  • Patent number: 6561118
    Abstract: Method of high-strength sandwich skin fabrication uses the thickness of a high-density foam skin core to mask minor imperfections on the surface of the mold, thereby allowing the mold to be divided into separate parts that have the capacity to be moved, then fixed and set, so as to describe different curves or modify dimensions of the board. Mold is reversible; male/female configurations permit fabrication of a wide array of custom designs. Method offers low production costs due to a rapid mold cycle, reduced labor, and efficient use of space, yet produces an exceptionally high strength, light weight board because of the increased shear strength of the monocoque perimeter rail, and the optimum fiber/resin ratio in the cored, structural sandwich skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Inventor: Kirby J. Mead
  • Publication number: 20020031963
    Abstract: Method of high-strength sandwich skin fabrication uses the thickness of a high-density foam skin core to mask minor imperfections on the surface of the mold, thereby allowing the mold to be divided into separate parts that have the capacity to be moved, then fixed and set, so as to describe different curves or modify dimensions of the board. Mold is reversible; male/female configurations permit fabrication of a wide array of custom designs. Method offers low production costs due to a rapid mold cycle, reduced labor, and efficient use of space, yet produces an exceptionally high strength, light weight board because of the increased shear strength of the monocoque perimeter rail, and the optimum fiber/resin ratio in the cored, structural sandwich skin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: Kirby J. Mead