Patents by Inventor Simon Smart
Simon Smart 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).
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Patent number: 10986883Abstract: A low drag garment is made from a fabric having a textured region with a texture height H, wherein the texture height H increases substantially continuously with the surface angle ? in said textured region. Optionally, the substantially continuous increase in texture height H comprises a plurality of incremental increases in texture height, and wherein each incremental increase in texture height is less than 200 ?m.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2016Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Inventor: Simon Smart
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Patent number: 10258093Abstract: A low drag garment has a plurality of zones including a first zone A, a second zone B and a third zone C, which are defined in relation to a forward direction of travel M of a person wearing the garment. The first zone A is located generally in an inner front region of the garment, the second zone B is located in an outer front region of the garment and the third zone C is located in a rear region of the garment. The garment is made from a fabric having a textured outer surface with a texture height H, wherein in first zone A the fabric has a mean texture height HA in the range 0-200 ?m, in the second zone B the fabric has a mean texture height HB that is greater than HA and preferably in the range of 100-500 ?m, and in the third zone C the fabric has a mean texture height He that is greater than HB and preferably greater than 200 ?m.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2016Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Endura LimitedInventor: Simon Smart
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Publication number: 20180103704Abstract: A low drag garment comprises a textured fabric in at least one side region of the garment, wherein the textured fabric has a substantially uniform texture height in the range 0.2-0.8 mm.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2017Publication date: April 19, 2018Applicant: SMART AERO TECHNOLOGY LIMITEDInventor: Simon Smart
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Patent number: 9770944Abstract: A bicycle rim is configured to reduce drag as well as enhance steering stability, such as in gusty and/or high cross wind conditions. The rim includes a leading edge where the rim interfaces with a tire, and a sidewall extends from the leading edge. The rim includes a spoke face where one or more spokes extend from the bicycle rim. A reflexed blend portion is disposed between the sidewall and the spoke face. The reflexed blend portion allows the sidewall to have increased camber which lowers pressure drag. At the same time, the reflexed blend portion allows the spoke face to have a larger radius so as to provide greater steering stability, such as in gusty and/or high cross wind conditions.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2015Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: ENVE Composities, LLCInventor: Simon Smart
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Publication number: 20170027248Abstract: A method of providing a garment with low aerodynamic drag for an individual person includes providing a database containing data relating to the aerodynamic performance of a plurality of garments when worn by a plurality of persons having different adopted body shapes, determining the adopted body shape of the individual person, and entering data relating to the adopted body shape of the individual person into a computer. The database is interrogated to identify a set of aerodynamic performance data relating to garments worn by a person having a similar adopted body shape to the individual person. The computer compares the aerodynamic performance data of the garments in the identified data set, selects from the identified data set a garment having a relatively low aerodynamic drag, looks up in the database the characteristics of the selected garment, and uses at least some of the characteristics of the selected garment to provide a garment for the individual person.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2016Publication date: February 2, 2017Applicant: ENDURA LIMITEDInventors: James McFarlane, Simon Smart
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Publication number: 20160302495Abstract: A low drag garment has a plurality of zones including a first zone A, a second zone B and a third zone C, which are defined in relation to a forward direction of travel M of a person wearing the garment. The first zone A is located generally in an inner front region of the garment, the second zone B is located in an outer front region of the garment and the third zone C is located in a rear region of the garment. The garment is made from a fabric having a textured outer surface with a texture height H, wherein in first zone A the fabric has a mean texture height HA in the range 0-200 ?m, in the second zone B the fabric has a mean texture height HB that is greater than HA and preferably in the range of 100-500 ?m, and in the third zone C the fabric has a mean texture height He that is greater than HB and preferably greater than 200 ?m.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2016Publication date: October 20, 2016Applicant: SMART AERO TECHNOLOGY LIMITEDInventor: Simon Smart
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Publication number: 20160302494Abstract: A low drag garment is made from a fabric having a textured region with a texture height H, wherein the texture height H increases substantially continuously with the surface angle ? in said textured region. Optionally, the substantially continuous increase in texture height H comprises a plurality of incremental increases in texture height, and wherein each incremental increase in texture height is less than 200 ?m.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2016Publication date: October 20, 2016Applicant: SMART AERO TECHNOLOGY LIMITEDInventor: Simon Smart
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Patent number: 9457618Abstract: Embodiments described herein improve airflow around bicycle wheels by providing for one or more of: (1) a optimum leading edge width of a rim for preventing early stall in cross winds, while still allowing for sufficient stability without undue drag, while not unnecessarily increasing the rotating wheel and drag on the frame; (2) a sidewall shape with a subtle camber angle at the leading, which defines a rate of radius change at the max width of the rim—which further defines the max width and placement along the chord length for optimizing the aerodynamic properties of the rim; (3) a continuous rate of change of curvature at a spoke face, which fundamentally improves the performance and stability by generating a side force at higher yaw angles; and (4) wheel sets with a wider front rim relative to a narrower rear wheel to assist in flow attachment in high crosswind areas.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: ENVE COMPOSITES, LLCInventor: Simon Smart
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Publication number: 20160250890Abstract: A bicycle rim is configured to reduce drag as well as enhance steering stability, such as in gusty and/or high cross wind conditions. The rim includes a leading edge where the rim interfaces with a tire, and a sidewall extends from the leading edge. The rim includes a spoke face where one or more spokes extend from the bicycle rim. A reflexed blend portion is disposed between the sidewall and the spoke face. The reflexed blend portion allows the sidewall to have increased camber which lowers pressure drag. At the same time, the reflexed blend portion allows the spoke face to have a larger radius so as to provide greater steering stability, such as in gusty and/or high cross wind conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2015Publication date: September 1, 2016Inventor: Simon Smart
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Patent number: 9302538Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for one or more of: (1) airflow enhancement around a rim using cusps that create virtual surfaces of air with the bike in motion, which also encourage favorable air attachment around the rim; (2) wake reduction by streamlining the airfoil around the rim using trip edges at various points of rim surface transition, which cause a laminar flow to go turbulent for enhancing the streamline effect; (3) a double rim surface, which provides an air slot between the two rim surfaces at a distance that enhances flow attachment and adds energy of air flow around the rim by moving air between areas of high and low pressure; and (4) a tubeless tire rim kit capable of converting conventional rims into tubeless ones and also promoting the sealing of the tire to the rim with minimal air pressure necessary to create the seal.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2012Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: ENVE Composites, LLCInventor: Simon Smart
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Publication number: 20140284995Abstract: Embodiments described herein improve airflow around bicycle wheels by providing for one or more of: (1) a optimum leading edge width of a rim for preventing early stall in cross winds, while still allowing for sufficient stability without undue drag, whilst not unnecessarily increasing the rotating wheel and drag on the frame; (2) a sidewall shape with a subtle camber angle at the leading, which defines a rate of radius change at the max width of the rim—which further defines the max width and placement along the chord length for optimizing the aerodynamic properties of the rim; (3) a continuous rate of change of curvature at a spoke face, which fundamentally improves the performance and stability by generating a side force at higher yaw angles; and (4) wheel sets with a wider front rim relative to a narrower rear wheel to assist in flow attachment in high crosswind areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2014Publication date: September 25, 2014Applicant: ENVE COMPOSITES, LLCInventor: Simon Smart
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Patent number: 8757733Abstract: Embodiments described herein improve airflow around the bicycle wheels by providing for one or more of: (1) a optimum leading edge width of a rim for preventing early stall in cross winds, while still allowing for sufficient stability without undue drag, while not unnecessarily increasing the rotating wheel and drag on the frame; (2) a sidewall shape with a subtle camber angle at the leading, which defines a rate of radius change at the max width of the rim—which further defines the max width and placement along the chord length for optimizing the aerodynamic properties of the rim; (3) a continuous rate of change of curvature at a spoke face, which fundamentally improves the performance and stability by generating a side force at higher yaw angles; and (4) wheel sets with a wider front rim relative to a narrower rear wheel to assist in flow attachment in high crosswind areas.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2012Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: ENVE Composites, LLCInventor: Simon Smart
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Publication number: 20130053198Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for a derailleur cover with a housing and a mounting mechanism (for respectively covering and holding the housing in place around at least a portion of a chain-guide for the derailleur). Such derailleur cover not only provides for a shield or protection for the derailleur components, but another example embodiment also considers an airfoil shape of the housing for promoting non-turbulent airflow around the chain-guide.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Inventor: Simon Smart
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Publication number: 20130032001Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for an integrated hydration and nutrition container with or within the handlebars of a cycling system (e.g., a bicycle). Such integration allows a rider easy access to the nutritional value necessary for high performance competition with little to no movement required, thereby allowing the rider to maintain focus, balance, speed, and aerodynamic efficiency. In one embodiment, the system is easily removable, if desired; yet holds firmly in place (with also available airfoil adjustments) on the desired handlebar positioning during a ride. In another embodiment, the container resides within the handlebar unit itself.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2011Publication date: February 7, 2013Inventor: Simon Smart