Piezoelectric damper for a board such as a snow ski or snowboard

Patent 5775715 Issued on July 7, 1998. Estimated Expiration Date:

August 1, 2015. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

2258046

2539224

3260531

3537717

3644919

3774923

3894437

Brake assembly for skateboard
Patent #: 4288088
Issued on: 09/08/1981
Inventor: Harrison

Electrical ski boot release
Patent #: 4291894
Issued on: 09/29/1981
Inventor: D'Antonio , et al.

Snow ski with adjustable camber
Patent #: 4300786
Issued on: 11/17/1981
Inventor: Alley

More ...

Inventor

Vandergrift, James A.

Assignee

K-2 Corporation

Application

No. 509970 filed on 08/01/1995

US Classes:

280/602, With camber or flexibility control280/607, With foot supporting plate or portion280/610Laminated or synthetic material

Examiners

Primary: Johnson, Brian L.
Assistant: Avery, Bridget

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Christensen O'Connor Johnson & Kindness PLLC

Foreign Patent References

327754 AT. 02/13/1976
376571 AT. 12/13/1984
0 014 687 EP. 08/13/1980
0 207 302 EP. 01/13/1987
0490044A1 EP. 06/13/1992
1115843 FR. 04/13/2012
2503569 FR. 10/13/1982
2 504 809 FR. 11/13/1982
2575393 FR. 07/13/1986
2643430 FR. 08/13/1990
2693379 FR. 01/13/1994
2502031A1 DD. 07/13/1976
3315638A1 DE. 12/13/1983
3505255A1 DE. 08/13/1986
3919010A1 DE. 01/13/1990
3933717A1 DE. 04/13/1990
4020212A1 DE. 01/13/1991
73456 NO. 04/13/2012
465 603 SE 10/13/1991
WO95/20827 WO. 08/13/1995

International Class

A63C 005/07

Abstract

A board, such as a ski or snowboard, that includes a piezoelectric damper. The piezoelectric damper is located on the body of the board such that, as the board vibrates or deforms, the piezoelectric material is also deformed. As the piezoelectric material deforms, it produces an electrical signal that is provided to a control circuit. The control circuit receives the electrical signal and either provides a resistance to the electrical signal or provides a control signal to the piezoelectric material. The resulting resistance or control signal causes the piezoelectric material to resist the deformation of the board, thus acting as a damper. The piezoelectric damper may be located between the bindings on the board, or may be located in front of the forward binding, behind the aft binding, or in more than one location. In the preferred embodiment, the piezoelectric damper is formed of one or more layers of piezoelectric material on which an electrical grid has been mounted. The piezoelectric material and electrical grid are encapsulated within an organic matrix, such as an epoxy or plastic resin.

Other References

Article, "ACX Gets Smart With Materials," Boston Business Journal, vol. 14, No. 30, Section 1, p. 3; Sep. 9, 1994
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