Patents by Inventor Thomas Ratzek

Thomas Ratzek 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: 5762357
    Abstract: A safety binding for snowboards has a base plate (1) on which the snowboarder's boot is fastened. This base plate (1) is fixed in its turning position by a spring plunger (8) and a stop pin (7), but can be turned out of this position when the torque acting on it exceeds a value preset by the initial tension of the spring (10) of the spring plunger (8). The base plate (1) is rigidly connected with the snowboard by means of a turning plate (2) and is not detached from the snowboard even in the case of a "turning release".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: F2 International Ges. m.b.H.
    Inventors: Thomas Ratzek, Christian Niedermayer
  • Patent number: 5697631
    Abstract: The snowboard binding having a sole part integrated in the snowboard boot and a first binding element cooperating with it and continuously connected to the snowboard. The sole part has two spring-loaded pins projecting laterally out of the sole part and capable of engaging with an opening of the first binding element. The pins can be retracted with a device attached to the snowboard boot and thus the binding can be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: F2 International Ges.m.b.H.
    Inventors: Thomas Ratzek, Christian Niedermeier
  • Patent number: 5236216
    Abstract: A binding for snowboards comprises a rotatable base plate (1) which, when mounted, is directly in contact with the surface of the snowboard (25). The base plate (1) includes a circular central opening (2) through which protrudes a circular fastening disc (14) formed with a projecting rim (15) which extends over the opening (2) in the base plate. The fastening disc (14) is adapted to be threadedly engaged with the snowboard (25), thus pressing the base plate against the snowboard. The fastening disc has oblong holes (18, 19, 20, 21) which allow longitudinal shifting of the entire binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: F2 International Ges.m.b.H.
    Inventor: Thomas Ratzek