Dude that bukake shit is HILARIOUS.
I'm still laughing about it.
:D
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Dude that bukake shit is HILARIOUS.
I'm still laughing about it.
:D
The Spatula discussion got me wondering why Volant has the patent and not Shane? He's the one that came up with the concept, right? If he was thinking he would have patented the idea himself and not let Volant have the patent.
they probably wanted to own the patent before they produced it. or maybe shane sat down with their designers, made it on the contingent that volant would own it, and got screwed.
= trouble.Quote:
Originally Posted by FNG
LOL, 2P.
I don't think we're in the same league as the big guys when it comes to buying talent, but we have been contacted by some athletes pondering free agent status, as well as some up-and-comers, who have expressed an interest in riding the wave with a struggling PM Gear because it's a ground-floor opportunity with the coolest company on the internet - due, of course, only to the support group we have here. The industry knows this community has an impact on the sport and could well be a harbinger of future trends in consumerism that will affect their business.
Well, if it's budget talent you need, I am the guy. I will work for a fraction of the $2 million that Atomic is paying Bode this year. Of course I will only bring in a fraction of the business that he does. (Assuming of course that I can convince my sister she really really needs a pair of Bro Models. )
Shane is on the patent, along with the engineer, who (I think) no longer works at Volant. And really, all this excitement about k2? Pshaw. Last I heard, he is over skiing and moved to Africa to lay pipe all over the continent.Quote:
Originally Posted by The AD
So - how much of the spatula idea could be patented?
Who has the patent on traditional sidecut, cambered skis?
Can you patent overall shape? At what point does it infringe?
Seems like 5mms could be enough to differentiate as a unique design, and there's plenty of actual market precedence.
I think that if they decided it was a feasible product, K2 could do a similar (but different enough) reverse camber/sidecut ski without hassle from Atomic. Hell, didn't Atomic just do the same thing to Phantom?
Actually, a reverse camber ski was patented in 1982 by Norman and David Johnston of Illinois:
United States Patent 4,343,485
Johnston , et al. August 10, 1982
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reverse camber ski
Abstract
An improved ski has a reverse camber bottom surface and an hourglass shaped side camber. The waist of the hourglass side camber configuration and the bindings are positioned slightly back from the usual ski binding placement position.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inventors: Johnston; Norman H. (Valparaiso, IN); Johnston; David A. (Valparaiso, IN)
Assignee: Ski World, Inc. (Indianapolis, IN)
Appl. No.: 213012
Filed: December 4, 1980
I think this thread covered most the patent questions.
Not only that (the Spatula Patent being so specific), but the engineer that actually brought the Spatula to the light of day is supossedly working with DB skis; think, "carbon fiber Spatula-like ski".
With positive camber?Quote:
Originally Posted by the_eleven
all you salivating over the possibity of new, K2-made Spats - you do realize they'll still be made in China, right? Or is this a cool enough design for that to be overlooked?
so far K2 hasn't announced any plans to start building any of their skis in the Volkl factories...
You know what? I don't really care where my skis are made. Last time I checked this is an international sport.
If K2s start exploding at an unusual rate, then I'll care. But everybody makes lemons at one time. Just look at last year's Gotamas. Those Germans did a great job! That's why nearly everyone who bought them, including myself, has a free pair coming this winter.
And ulitmately that's what I care about. If my skis blow up and I wasn't responsible for it, then how will they approach the problem? Volkl is being a class act. What's will K2s story be if the same thing happens?
Last year alot of people had problems with bindings pulling out of Seth Pistols because the mounting area was too soft and no problems getting new ones.
They'll definitely have more room to provide a liberal replacement policy with the higher margin afforded by overseas production.Quote:
Originally Posted by Arty50
Low margin + bro-brah warranty/replacement policy would equal going out of business. Given the changes to the K2 family over the last year, doesn't look like they're planning to go out of business any time soon.
Oh I don't expect a bro-brah replacement policy. Generally when something breaks, it's operator error/abuse. Last year's Gotama was an exception, and exceptions are admittedly rare. Having the sidewall crack and warp, thus causing the edge and topsheet to bow outwards is not a good thing. Props to them for admitting they screwed up royally and taking care of it.
http://forums.offtopic.com/images/smilies/werd.gifQuote:
Originally Posted by Arty50
Who cares where a ski is made? If they perform as they should then that's all that should matter. Why isn't anyone making a big deal out of the fact that Armada produces their skis in Europe?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jumper Bones
...Quote:
Originally Posted by Arty50
Agreed.
Probably because they aren't outsourcing to a lower cost/wages country...?Quote:
Originally Posted by skier0178