Patents by Inventor Aaron B. Weast
Aaron B. Weast has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11970045Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments for providing temperature control for to a temperature-controlled storage compartment in a tunnel of a vehicle. The tunnel extends from a first side of the vehicle, such as the passenger side, to a second side of the vehicle, such as the driver side. The vehicle also includes a refrigeration module that is moveable on a shuttle of the tunnel. The refrigeration module includes a temperature-controlled storage unit configured to open and close in accordance with a path defined by an accessibility assembly. The shuttle transfers power from a power source, such as a battery, to the temperature-controlled storage unit, for example, to provide temperature control even when the vehicle is powered off. Accordingly, the refrigeration module provides a space-efficient system for ensuring prolonged temperature control of items stored in the temperature-controlled storage unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2022Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Daniel Geoffrey Walker, Austin Keith Simpson, William Thomas Wanstall, Rachel Sarah Jewkes, Ruey-Khan Kenneth Tsang, Bar Sarig, Parmita Pradip Dalal, Martyn Sweeney, Aaron B. Weast
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Publication number: 20240115000Abstract: Foot support systems, e.g., for articles of footwear, include systems for changing the hardness or firmness of the foot support portion (e.g., of a sole structure) and/or systems for moving (e.g., selectively moving) fluid between various portions of the foot support system. Such systems may include: a foot support bladder, a pump, and a fluid reservoir. Two or more fluid transfer lines may be provided to connect these components, and these fluid lines are equipped with fluid flow control device(s) and/or check valves to enable selective movement of fluid between the fluid reservoir and the foot support bladder. Such systems enable one to set and maintain two or more foot support pressures in the foot support bladder.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Aaron B. Weast, Timothy P. Hopkins
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Publication number: 20240108098Abstract: A footwear article includes a footwear upper defining a foot-receiving cavity with a heel region and defining an ankle opening, the footwear upper including an ankle collar at the ankle opening. The footwear article has a sole structure secured to the footwear upper and underlying the foot-receiving cavity, the sole structure including a strobel and a midsole. The footwear article including a collar support disposed inward of an exterior layer of the footwear upper at the heel region, and extending from the sole structure to the ankle opening. The ankle collar is movable from a raised state positioned farther from the sole to a lowered state positioned closer to the sole during donning, and wherein the collar support has a shoehorn structure operable to move a portion of the ankle collar rearward in a longitudinal direction as the ankle collar moves from the raised state to the lowered state.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Austin J. Orand, Wade Flanagan, Aaron B. Weast, Peter P. Williams, II
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Publication number: 20240108099Abstract: A footwear article includes a heel structure that returns an ankle collar from a second state that is conducive to donning up to a first state that secures the wearer's foot during wear. The footwear article includes an upper having a foot insertion opening. The foot-insertion opening defines a first circumference when the heel structure is in the first state, and wherein the heel structure expands the foot-insertion opening to a second circumference when the heel structure is in the second state, such that the second circumference is larger than the first circumference.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Austin J. Orand, Wade Flanagan, Aaron B. Weast, Peter P. Williams, II
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Patent number: 11935640Abstract: An athletic parameter measurement device worn by an athlete during an athletic activity session includes a housing which attaches to the athlete, a display, a processor associated with the display, and an athletic parameter measurement sensor. During the athletic activity, the device detects, using the sensor, a vertical jump height of the athlete, and displays, during the performance of the athletic activity session, a representation of the vertical jump height on the display.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2023Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: James Meschter, James Molyneux, Aaron B. Weast
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Publication number: 20240051372Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments for providing temperature control for to a temperature-controlled storage compartment in a tunnel of a vehicle. The tunnel extends from a first side of the vehicle, such as the passenger side, to a second side of the vehicle, such as the driver side. The vehicle also includes a refrigeration module that is moveable on a shuttle of the tunnel. The refrigeration module includes a temperature-controlled storage unit configured to open and close in accordance with a path defined by an accessibility assembly. The shuttle transfers power from a power source, such as a battery, to the temperature-controlled storage unit, for example, to provide temperature control even when the vehicle is powered off. Accordingly, the refrigeration module provides a space-efficient system for ensuring prolonged temperature control of items stored in the temperature-controlled storage unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2022Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: Daniel Geoffrey WALKER, Austin Keith SIMPSON, William Thomas WANSTALL, Rachel Sarah JEWKES, Ruey-Khan Kenneth TSANG, Bar SARIG, Parmita Pradip DALAL, Martyn SWEENEY, Aaron B. WEAST
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Publication number: 20240041157Abstract: A footwear article includes a collar elevator that returns an ankle collar from a lowered state that is conducive to donning up to a raised state that secures the wearer's foot during wear. The collar elevator includes a lever arm. The lever arm may be deformable and biased towards the raised state. The lever arm may be articulated with a biasing force urging the lever arm to the raised state. The lever arm may have a variety of cross sections as well. The lever arm extends from a base, which may a sole portion of the footwear article. The lever arm and the base may be monolithic, permanently joined, removably joined, or otherwise connected.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Austin J. Orand, Wade Flanagan, Aaron B. Weast, Peter P. Williams, II
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Patent number: 11889890Abstract: Foot support systems, e.g., for articles of footwear, include systems for changing the hardness or firmness of the foot support portion (e.g., of a sole structure) and/or systems for moving (e.g., selectively moving) fluid between various portions of the foot support system. Such systems may include: a foot support bladder, a pump, and a fluid reservoir. Two or more fluid transfer lines may be provided to connect these components, and these fluid lines are equipped with fluid flow control device(s) and/or check valves to enable selective movement of fluid between the fluid reservoir and the foot support bladder. Such systems enable one to set and maintain two or more foot support pressures in the foot support bladder.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2021Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Aaron B. Weast, Timothy P. Hopkins
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Publication number: 20240032651Abstract: An adjustable multiple bladder system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The bladder system includes an outer bladder that may be inflated using an external pump. A valve member is disposed within the outer bladder and divides the outer bladder into two distinct inflation chambers. The inflation chambers may be inflated separately.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Elizabeth Langvin, James Molyneux, Lee D. Peyton, Ty A. Ransom, Nicola J. Reynolds, Aaron B. Weast
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Publication number: 20240038360Abstract: An athletic parameter measurement device worn by an athlete during an athletic activity session includes a housing which attaches to the athlete, a display, a processor associated with the display, and an athletic parameter measurement sensor. During the athletic activity, the device detects, using the sensor, a vertical jump height of the athlete, and displays, during the performance of the athletic activity session, a representation of the vertical jump height on the display.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: James Meschter, James Molyneux, Aaron B. Weast
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Publication number: 20240008584Abstract: An article with a color change portion and a method of changing color. The article includes at least one color change portion capable of changing colors. The color change portion includes composite material including a photonic lattice. The color change portion can change colors according to one or more performance parameters. The article can be connected to a computer and the color change portion can be controlled using the computer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2023Publication date: January 11, 2024Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Sharna M. Donovan, Sean D. Hartford, Vikram Malhotra, Michelle L. Mishler, James Molyneux, Andrew A. Owings, Aaron B. Weast, Bradley W. Wilkins
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Publication number: 20240000189Abstract: An electronically controlled bladder assembly includes an adjustable pressure bladder and a reservoir connected by an electronically controlled valve. The electronically controlled valve is operated in a manner that inflates the adjustable bladder when the current pressure is below a target pressure and in a manner that deflates the adjustable bladder when the current pressure is above the target pressure. The system and process described herein allows the bladder pressure to be iteratively increased toward and decreased toward the target pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: James Molyneux, Aaron B. Weast
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Patent number: 11849797Abstract: A footwear article includes a heel structure that is conducive to hands-free donning to secure the wearer's foot during wear. A footwear article capable of hands-free donning comprises a sole, an upper having an ankle region and a heel region, and a heel structure. The heel structure is a coupled with the upper in the ankle region and the heel region between an exterior layer of the upper and an inner lining of the upper. The heel structure is formed from a material having a greater stiffness than the upper in at least the heel region and the heel structure has a curved profile in a medial to lateral direction of the footwear article in the heel region.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Austin J. Orand, Wade Flanagan, Aaron B. Weast, Peter P. Williams, II
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Patent number: 11849798Abstract: A footwear article includes a collar elevator that is conducive to hands-free donning to secure the wearer's foot during wear. A footwear article capable of hands-free donning comprises a sole; an upper having a heel region; and a collar elevator coupled with the upper in the heel region. The footwear also includes a base affixed to the sole. The collar elevator is attached to the base and the base is an outsole, a midsole, an insole, or a strobel.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Austin J. Orand, Wade Flanagan, Aaron B. Weast, Peter P. Williams, II
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Patent number: 11825902Abstract: A footwear article includes a collar elevator that returns an ankle collar from a lowered state that is conducive to donning up to a raised state that secures the wearer's foot during wear. The collar elevator includes a lever arm. The lever arm may be deformable and biased towards the raised state. The lever arm may be articulated with a biasing force urging the lever arm to the raised state. The lever arm may have a variety of cross sections as well. The lever arm extends from a base, which may a sole portion of the footwear article. The lever arm and the base may be monolithic, permanently joined, removably joined, or otherwise connected.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2022Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Austin J. Orand, Wade Flanagan, Aaron B. Weast, Peter P. Williams, II
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Patent number: 11817198Abstract: An athletic parameter measurement device worn by an athlete during an athletic activity session includes a housing which attaches to the athlete, a display, a processor associated with the display, and an athletic parameter measurement sensor. During the athletic activity, the device detects, using the sensor, a vertical jump height of the athlete, and displays, during the performance of the athletic activity session, a representation of the vertical jump height on the display.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2022Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: James Meschter, James Molyneux, Aaron B. Weast
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Patent number: 11812819Abstract: Bladder systems for footwear include: two inflation chambers; a valve body defining: (a) a bore, (b) a first fluid passage extending to the bore, (c) a second fluid passage extending between the bore and one inflation chamber, and (d) a third fluid passage extending between the bore and another inflation chamber; and a valve in the bore. The valve includes two orifices connected by a passage and rotates in the bore between two positions. In one position, a first orifice (of the “orifices”) is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage and a second orifice is in fluid communication with the second fluid passage to allow fluid flow to one inflation chamber. In another position, the first orifice is in fluid communication with the third fluid passage and the second orifice is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage to allow fluid flow to the other inflation chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2022Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Elizabeth Langvin, James Molyneux, Lee D. Peyton, Ty A. Ransom, Nicola J. Reynolds, Aaron B. Weast
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Patent number: 11793265Abstract: An article with a color change portion and a method of changing color. The article includes at least one color change portion capable of changing colors. The color change portion includes composite material including a photonic lattice. The color change portion can change colors according to one or more performance parameters. The article can be connected to a computer and the color change portion can be controlled using the computer.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Sharna M. Donovan, Sean D. Hartford, Vikram Malhotra, Michelle L. Mishler, James Molyneux, Andrew A. Owings, Aaron B. Weast, Bradley W. Wilkins
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Patent number: 11798673Abstract: A wearable device assembly has a housing supporting a controller, display and indicator system thereon. The controller has at least one sensor wherein activity of a user wearing the device is detected. The controller selectively illuminates the indicator system to indicate a level of activity of the user.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Aaron B. Weast, Jamian R. Cobbett
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Patent number: 11793272Abstract: An electronically controlled bladder assembly includes an adjustable pressure bladder and a reservoir connected by an electronically controlled valve. The electronically controlled valve is operated in a manner that inflates the adjustable bladder when the current pressure is below a target pressure and in a manner that deflates the adjustable bladder when the current pressure is above the target pressure. The inflation and deflation of the adjustable bladder are achieved in an iterative manner by controlling the flow of fluid between the constant pressure reservoir and the adjustable bladder over several cycles of heel strikes.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: James Molyneux, Aaron B. Weast