Backcountry Access reported on its blog that after two years of work, the US Patent Office issued a patent this week for its Float 30 airbag, which backcountry skiers can inflate the moment they feel threatened by an avalanche to reduce their chances of burial.
“The main independent claim is related to the design of BCA's “super-efficient single-stage ejector (venturi), which enables us to use a smaller cylinder than our competitors,” wrote BCA's Bruce Edgerly. “There are several other dependant claims related to the cylinder head and location of the airbag.”
Named in the patent are Dwayne Paynton, Edgerly, Eric Moore, and Jason Cloyd. BCA now has three patents, including those issued for its Alpine Trekker and Tracker avalanche beacon. BCA is now working on getting its Euro patent(s).
