Active piezoelectric damper for a snow ski or snowboard

Patent 6095547 Issued on August 1, 2000. Estimated Expiration Date:

July 6, 2018. 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 ...

Inventors

Assignee

K-2 Corporation

Application

No. 110629 filed on 07/06/1998

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

Foreign Patent References

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376571 AT. 12/04/1984
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465 603 SE 10/04/1991
WO95/20827 WO. 08/04/1995
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International Class

A63C 005/07

Abstract

A board, such as a ski or snowboard, that includes a piezoelectric damper. A sensor such as a piece of piezoelectric material is located on the body of the board such that, as the board vibrates or deforms, the piezoelectric sensor is also deformed. As the piezoelectric sensor deforms, it produces an electrical signal that is provided to a control circuit. The control circuit receives the electrical signal and generates a control signal of proportional amplitude and frequency, but an inverse waveform to the sensed vibration. The control signal causes a piezoelectric damper to stiffen and resist deformation of the board, thus damping the vibration. The sensed signal may also be stored within a memory device and subsequently downloaded to provide a skier profile for analysis.

Other References

Article, "Smart skis and other adaptive structures," 961 Mechanical Engineering, vol. 117, No. 11, (Nov. 1995) New York, NY
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