Patents Examined by Grady Alexander Nunnery
  • Patent number: 11930884
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a first cushioning element, a second cushioning element, and a panel disposed within a joint formed between the first cushioning element and the second cushioning element. The first cushioning element includes a first surface and a second surface formed on an opposite side from the first surface. The second cushioning element includes a third surface and a fourth surface formed on an opposite side from the third surface. The third surface of the second cushioning element is joined to the second surface of the first cushioning element to form a joint between the first cushioning element and the second cushioning element, where the fabric panel is interposed between the first cushioning element and the second cushioning element within the joint. The panel may be a fabric panel, and more particularly, may include a mesh textile material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Tory M. Cross
  • Patent number: 11910857
    Abstract: An article of apparel for providing shelter to one or more people during a storm or other severe weather event is provided. In one embodiment, the article of apparel includes a cape. The article of apparel also includes at least one fastening mechanism. The at least one fastening mechanism including a pair of wrist cuffs configured to secure the article of apparel to a wearer. The article of apparel further including at least one securement mechanism. The at least one securement mechanism including a pair of arm straps. The pair of arm straps include a closure system configured to interlock the arm straps together in a locked configuration to secure the wearer to a stationary object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Andre Rene Buentello, Nina Cooper, Ashley Raine Philbrick, Stacy Callaway Huggar, Jose L. Romero, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11889886
    Abstract: A dance shoe having an upper and an underfoot portion, the underfoot portion includes a sole shank, consisting of a relatively rigid structure, extending longitudinally in the shoe over at least a forefoot portion of the shoe and at least partially over a midfoot portion. The sole shank has at least one hinge with a unidirectional stop disposed widthwise in the sole shank. The sole shank covers at least the forefoot portion of the underfoot area and it locks to support plantar flexion and hinges to facilitate dorsiflexion of the foot. To facilitate en pointe movements, the sole shank may be coupled to a rigid distal part of the shoe, such as a toe box. The inventive subject matter is also directed to dance shoes, as well as the sole shanks themselves, and to methods of making the sole shanks and using the sole shanks in assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Fox Investments Limited
    Inventor: David Fox
  • Patent number: 11849780
    Abstract: A garment includes a torso portion adapted to cover a wearer's torso; a first sleeve extending from the torso portion at a proximal end of the first sleeve; a second sleeve extending from the torso portion at a proximal end of the second sleeve; a first flap spanning between the torso portion and the first sleeve; and a second flap spanning between the torso portion and the second sleeve. One or more openings along a side of the first flap adjacent to the torso portion and one or more openings along a side of the second flap adjacent to the torso portion are adapted to allow a personal flotation device vest to be secured to the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventor: Eric William McMullin
  • Patent number: 11832676
    Abstract: A helmet with an automatic vent that is normally open and responds to external air pressure to close. The vent is pivotally mounted to the body of the helmet to move between a closed position, wherein the vent does not permit any flow of air into the cavity of the body, and an open position, wherein the vent allows the flow of air into the cavity of the body. A spring provides a biasing force that urges the vent into the open position. The biasing force provided by the spring is overcome by air pressure on the vent when the helmet is in motion so that the vent closes. The vent may be a windshield that closes when the user travels at a predetermined velocity and opens when the user is stationary, thereby avoiding the need for the user to manually open and close the vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Inventor: Shary Nassimi
  • Patent number: 11819071
    Abstract: A glove for use in hair styling applications, comprising: a glove body with an inner cavity therein generally conforming to a shape of a human hand, the body portion including an outer surface defining a front side with a palm area and an opposing back side of the glove body, a first end portion having an opening to the inner cavity and an opposing second end portion including a plurality of finger stalls extending from the glove body, the body portion being constructed of a first material; and a plurality of elements coupled to discrete areas of the body portion, wherein the elements are constructed of a second material, the second material having a property of greater thermal conductivity as compared with the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventors: Rebecca H Tomb, Sabrina Jahnigen
  • Patent number: 11766073
    Abstract: A garment includes a torso portion adapted to cover a wearer's torso; a first sleeve extending from the torso portion at a proximal end of the first sleeve; a second sleeve extending from the torso portion at a proximal end of the second sleeve; a first flap spanning between the torso portion and the first sleeve; and a second flap spanning between the torso portion and the second sleeve. One or more openings along a side of the first flap adjacent to the torso portion and one or more openings along a side of the second flap adjacent to the torso portion are adapted to allow a personal flotation device vest to be secured to the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Inventor: Eric William McMullin
  • Patent number: 11751617
    Abstract: A pocket configured to provide retention of an item in the interior volume thereof. The pocket of the present invention is formed having an outer wall adjacent to the body to which the pocket is secured. The pocket includes opposing lateral edges, a bottom edge and an upper peripheral edge wherein the upper peripheral edge defines the opening of the pocket. A first retention member is present along the upper peripheral edge and is configured to bias the upper peripheral edge against the body. An upper flap member is present and is vertically adjacent the upper peripheral edge. The upper flap member includes an upper edge, opposing side edge and a lower peripheral edge. The lower peripheral edge extends below the upper peripheral edge of the outer wall. A second retention seam member is present along the lower peripheral edge to bias against the outer wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventor: James Edward Berkery
  • Patent number: 11737520
    Abstract: Provided is a non-skid shoe capable of absorbing shock including: an outsole; a plurality of accommodation grooves formed on the outsole, the accommodation groove including a groove portion, and a penetrated portion extending from the groove portion and penetrating the outsole; a support member which is accommodated in the respective accommodation grooves, and includes a support portion disposed in the groove portion, a first guide portion formed at a center of the support portion, and a second guide portion extending from the first guide portion and penetrating a bottom surface of the support portion; a movable member which is disposed in the respective support members, and includes a latch portion and a protruding portion; a pressing member engaged to an upper portion of the first guide portion; a resilient member disposed in the first guide portion; and a midsole engaged to the top surface of the outsole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: SHINWON CHEMICAL PRODUCTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Sim Kim, Choon Geun Choi, Do Kyung Choi
  • Patent number: 11723423
    Abstract: A hood for a hooded garment may include apertures in the hood to improve a sealing connection between headphone earpieces and the outer portion of the user's ears while using headphones while also maintaining the hood's ability to retain body heat when not using headphones. While using the hood with headphones, the apertures may improve the sealing connection between the headphone earpieces and the user's ears and, thus, improve the function of the headphones (e.g., sound translation or sound deadening). While using the hood without headphones, a portion of mesh fabric sewn into the hood over the apertures allows the hood to retain the user's body heat and thereby mitigate heat loss through the hood caused by the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Ninja Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Tyler Blevins
  • Patent number: 11712087
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an upper for a shoe, including an inner layer; an outer layer overlapping the inner layer at least partially; wherein the outer layer includes a plurality of cuts; wherein the inner layer includes a plurality of protrusions; wherein each cut at least partially overlaps at least one protrusion; wherein each protrusion causes an extension in width of its corresponding cut when the shoe is worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Benjamin Alexander Thompsett, Raphael Curet, Ananda Aditya, Quentin Ferrari, No Kwang Park
  • Patent number: 11700896
    Abstract: The present invention relates to upper body garments designed to provide an enhanced range of motion to the arms and shoulders of a wearer. This is accomplished by having a layered construction comprising different fabric/textile materials where the enhanced range of motion is desired. In aspects, the upper body garment includes an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve where the garment is structured so that the outer sleeve is decoupled from the inner sleeve in one or more locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Donavan Harris
  • Patent number: 11700915
    Abstract: An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the same is provided. The article comprises an upper having an inner layer and an outer layer coupled to the inner layer, such that the inner layer and the outer layer define a closed pocket therebetween. An insert is disposed in the closed pocket. The outer layer is formed of an at least partially transparent material, such that the insert is at least partially visible through the outer layer. The method comprises placing the insert in a recess defined by the outer layer of the upper, such that the insert abuts an inner surface of the outer layer and positioning the inner layer on the inner surface of the outer layer over the recess and the insert, such that the inner layer and outer layer form the closed pocket at the recess with the insert disposed within the closed pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Francesca Capone, Laura Papp, S H Park
  • Patent number: 11696610
    Abstract: The invention relates to a protective helmet, comprising an outer shell (1) for distributing impact forces and an antenna (2) for transferring a radio signal, which antenna is arranged at least partially inside the outer shell (1). The outer shell (1) consists of a main material in a main region (5). The protective helmet is characterized in that the outer shell (1) consists of a cut-out material in a cut-out region (6), the cut-out material having a lesser damping effect on the radio signal in comparison with the main material. The invention further relates to a method for producing a protective helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: SCHUBERTH GMBH
    Inventors: Philipp Lange, Sven Bartels
  • Patent number: 11696616
    Abstract: A dancing shoe is described. The latter has a sole with an inner side and an outer side, which sole extends in a longitudinal direction from a rear end to a front end. The outer side of the sole has a plurality of incisions. Moreover, an upper shoe is provided, which is connected to the sole and has a foot section. To connect the upper shoe to the sole, the foot section of the upper shoe has, on its underside, at least one recess through which elongate connection elements extend which, in the state when the dancing shoe is being worn, are received at least in some regions in incisions of the outer side of the sole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Inventor: Sophia Lindner
  • Patent number: 11690418
    Abstract: A hood for a hooded garment may include apertures in the hood to improve a sealing connection between headphone earpieces and the outer portion of the user's ears while using headphones while also maintaining the hood's ability to retain body heat when not using headphones. While using the hood with headphones, the apertures may improve the sealing connection between the headphone earpieces and the user's ears and, thus, improve the function of the headphones (e.g., sound translation or sound deadening). While using the hood without headphones, a portion of mesh fabric sewn into the hood over the apertures allows the hood to retain the user's body heat and thereby mitigate heat loss through the hood caused by the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Ninja Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Tyler Blevins
  • Patent number: 11684102
    Abstract: Examples of a waistband for a garment are disclosed, the waistband having a front portion, a back portion, and a curved top edge at the waist opening that curves gradually downward forming a concave curve at the front portion of the waistband and curves gradually upward forming a convex curve at the back portion of the waistband. Also disclosed is a lower body garment having a waistband, the waistband having one or more storage means (or pockets) formed therein and a curved edge at the waist opening, the storage means being concealed by respective loops formed over the waistband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: LULULEMON ATHLETICA CANADA INC.
    Inventors: Natasa Lazic, Olga Vysotska
  • Patent number: 11684121
    Abstract: Footwear with vertically lapped nonwoven layers in upper and sole structures for enhanced breathability and moisture wicking is disclosed. Exemplary vertically lapped nonwoven dual layers comprise one or more hydrophobic layers and one or more hydrophilic layers that are adhered to each other by a plurality of methods and are further integrated into the inside of the upper and sole of the footwear so that the hydrophilic layer is in direct contact with the feet. The hydrophilic part of the dual layer wicks sweat or bodily fluid from the wearer into the nonwoven and transports the moisture to the hydrophobic layer for fast evaporation, thus keeping the feet dry. The nonwoven footwear is environmentally friendly as the nonwoven layers can be made of recycled materials and may be fully recyclable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Piana Nonwovens, LLC.
    Inventors: Andy Hollis, Michael Stephen DeFranks, Eric McCann, Andrea Piana
  • Patent number: 11666110
    Abstract: A head wrap assembly having a flexible, unitary body having a headband portion with two cooperating flaps or wings extending therefrom. The headband portion is constructed to be placed circumferentially around the head of a wearer and having an elastic cord secured therein that can be cinched at the nape of a wearer's neck to secure the headband on a wearer's head. Each flap or wing has a wing-like configuration and is attached along one side to the headband and has an endpoint or terminal tip that is located at the other end of the wing and thus spaced from the headband portion. In a preferred embodiment, a magnet is located within the endpoint or terminal tip of each wing and secures each wing around the head of a wearer by magnetically engaging a magnet contained in the headband. A flap structure having a pocket may be also attached along one side to the headband structure to contain the hair of a wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventor: Lacretia Panzer
  • Patent number: 11641908
    Abstract: An article of footwear may include a sole assembly and an upper, positioned above the sole assembly, formed from a stretchable material such as a stretchable canvas. The upper may include stitching, with a stretchability of the stretchable canvas being maintained in an area of the upper where the stitching extends. The stitching may include, for example, double needle cover stitching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Converse Inc.
    Inventors: Gavin Dean Engel, Zhiqiang Li, Richa Maheshwari