Carl D Bird

US Patent:

6477793, Nov 12, 2002

Filed:

Apr 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/552450

Inventors:

Andrew L. Pruitt - Boulder CO
Carl Bird - Watsonville CA
Luke Fryer - Los Gatos CA

Assignee:

Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. - Morgan Hill CA

International Classification:

A43B 514

US Classification:

36131, 36103, 36144

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for promoting an ergonomically proper leg and foot posture while cycling are disclosed. A cycling shoe has a rigid outsole with a heel portion, a forefoot portion forward of the heel portion, a toe portion forward of the forefoot portion, an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface has a pedal contact area underlying the forefoot portion. The pedal contact area defines a base plane, and the upper surface of the outsole is sloped laterally with respect to the base plane along substantially the entire width of the forefoot portion, at a predetermined varus-compensation angle.

US Patent:

7284336, Oct 23, 2007

Filed:

Jun 3, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/145270

Inventors:

Carl Bird - Aptos CA, US
Greg Grenzke - Santa Cruz CA, US

Assignee:

Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. - Morgan Hills CA

International Classification:

A61B 5/103

US Classification:

33512, 33515

Abstract:

In one disclosed embodiment, a bicycle saddle fit system comprises an impression pad of sufficient size to span the sit bones of an adult human, and a measurement gauge fixed to and extending along the impression pad. The measurement gauge is usable to measure the distance between sit-bone impressions made in the impression pad by a person previously seated on the impression pad. In another disclosed embodiment, a method of fitting a bicycle saddle to a human rider comprises measuring a sit-bone width of the rider, determining a preferred riding posture of the rider, and assessing a saddle characteristic suitable for the rider based on both the rider's sit-bone width and the rider's preferred riding posture.

US Patent:

7441343, Oct 28, 2008

Filed:

Aug 14, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/838836

Inventors:

Carl Bird - Aptos CA, US
Greg Grenzke - Santa Cruz CA, US

Assignee:

Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. - Morgan Hills CA

International Classification:

A61B 5/103

US Classification:

33512, 33515

Abstract:

In an embodiment, a bicycle saddle fit system comprises first and second supports, a substrate coupled to the first and second supports, and a measurement gauge coupled to the substrate. The first and second supports are each configured to receive sit bones of an adult human. At least one of the first and second supports is selectively moveable to locate the sit bones and to define a sit bone width. The substrate is configured to facilitate the selective movability of the at least one of the first and second supports. The measurement gauge is configured to visually indicate the sit bone width. In another embodiment, a method of fitting a bicycle saddle to a human rider comprises locating the first and second sit bones of the rider, reading a sit bone width from the measurement gauge, and assessing a saddle characteristic based on the rider's sit-bone width.

US Patent:

7448141, Nov 11, 2008

Filed:

Feb 19, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/033358

Inventors:

Carl Bird - Aptos CA, US
Greg Grenzke - Santa Cruz CA, US

Assignee:

Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. - Morgan Hill CA

International Classification:

A61B 5/103

US Classification:

33512, 33515

Abstract:

In an embodiment, a bicycle saddle fit system comprises first and second supports, a substrate coupled to the first and second supports, and a measurement gauge coupled to the substrate. The first and second supports are each configured to receive sit bones of an adult human. At least one of the first and second supports is selectively moveable to locate the sit bones and to define a sit bone width. The substrate is configured to facilitate the selective moveability of the at least one of the first and second supports. The measurement gauge is configured to visually indicate the sit bone width. In another embodiment, a method of fitting a bicycle saddle to a human rider comprises locating the first and second sit bones of the rider, reading a sit bone width from the measurement gauge, and assessing a saddle characteristic based on the rider's sit-bone width.

US Patent:

7533478, May 19, 2009

Filed:

May 18, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/383992

Inventors:

Carl Bird - Aptos CA, US
Greg Grenzke - Santa Cruz CA, US

Assignee:

Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. - Morgan Hill CA

International Classification:

A43B 5/14
A43C 11/00

US Classification:

36 501, 36 505, 36131

Abstract:

A shoe that includes an upper defining a heel, a strap adjuster member coupled to the upper, and a strap that extends across a portion of the upper. The strap is coupled to the adjuster member such that at least a portion of the strap is movable in one of a direction toward and away from the heel.

US Patent:

20100319216, Dec 23, 2010

Filed:

Jun 18, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/818475

Inventors:

Gregory Roger Grenzke - Santa Cruz CA, US
Carl Darius Bird - Aptos CA, US
John Figueiredo - Morgan Hill CA, US

Assignee:

SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC. - Morgan Hill CA

International Classification:

A43B 23/26
A43C 11/00

US Classification:

36 54, 36 501

Abstract:

A shoe comprising a sole and an upper secured to the sole. The upper includes a heel portion movable relative to a mid portion from an open position to a closed position. A securing mechanism (e.g., a lace and a dial for tightening the lace) is coupled between the heel portion and the mid portion. Preferably, the dial is secured near an edge of the mid portion near an instep opening, and the lace is positioned in a passageway in the mid portion. The heel portion can comprise a flexible fabric that acts as a living hinge to facilitate pivotal movement of the heel portion relative to the mid portion at a pivot point positioned above the sole and rearward of the mid portion. Preferably, the heel portion includes a wide portion and a narrow portion (e.g., defining the pivot point) below the wide portion.

US Patent:

20130008057, Jan 10, 2013

Filed:

Jul 6, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/177373

Inventors:

Carl Darius Bird - Aptos CA, US
John Figueiredo - Morgan Hill CA, US
Robert A.L. Cook - Aptos CA, US

Assignee:

SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC. - Morgan Hill CA

International Classification:

A43B 5/14

US Classification:

36131

Abstract:

A shoe including a sole for supporting a foot and an upper coupled to the sole. The upper defines an opening for receiving the foot and includes a first side panel and a second side panel movable in relation to the first side panel. The shoe also includes a closure mechanism that is coupled between the first side panel and the second side panel, and a tightening mechanism that is engaged with the closure mechanism to selectively draw the first side panel and the second side panel closer to each other and to selectively permit the first side panel and the second side panel to move apart from each other. A cover provides access to the tightening mechanism while enclosing the closure mechanism.

US Patent:

20130086730, Apr 11, 2013

Filed:

Oct 5, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/253757

Inventors:

John Wilkening - Watsonville CA, US
Carl Darius Bird - Aptos CA, US
John Cordoba - Morgan Hill CA, US

Assignee:

SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC. - Morgan Hill CA

International Classification:

A63B 71/14
A41D 19/00

US Classification:

21611

Abstract:

A glove, such as a cycling glove, for use with a capacitive touchscreen device has a back side and a palm side. The glove has an outer shell substantially forming an outer surface of the glove on the back side and the palm side of the glove. An inner liner substantially forms an inner surface of the glove. A waterproof layer can be positioned between the outer shell and the inner liner. A conductive strip can be positioned within the glove with a first end extending from the glove at a fingertip. A second end can contact a user's skin when the glove is on the user's hand.