Patents by Inventor Andrew A. Owings

Andrew A. Owings 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).

  • LACE ROUTING PATTERN OF A LACING SYSTEM FOR AN ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR
    Publication number: 20210037922
    Abstract: A lace routing pattern for a lacing system for an article of footwear is described. The lacing system is moved between opened and closed positions by applying tension to segments of a lace connected to a tensioning assembly of a tensioning system. Each of the lace segments are arranged to extend between opposite sides of a lacing area according to a different lace routing pattern. The lace routing patterns have equal total closure distances for each of the lace segments so that tension applied by the tensioning system will be uniformly distributed through the lacing system and the article of footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings
  • LACE ROUTING PATTERN OF A LACING SYSTEM FOR AN ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR
    Publication number: 20210037923
    Abstract: A lace routing pattern for a lacing system for an article of footwear is described. The lacing system is moved between opened and closed positions by applying tension to segments of a lace connected to a tensioning assembly of a tensioning system. Each of the lace segments are arranged to extend between opposite sides of a lacing area according to a different lace routing pattern. The lace routing patterns have equal total closure distances for each of the lace segments so that tension applied by the tensioning system will be uniformly distributed through the lacing system and the article of footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings
  • LACE ROUTING PATTERN OF A LACING SYSTEM FOR AN ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR
    Publication number: 20210037921
    Abstract: A lace routing pattern for a lacing system for an article of footwear is described. The lacing system is moved between opened and closed positions by applying tension to segments of a lace connected to a tensioning assembly of a tensioning system. Each of the lace segments are arranged to extend between opposite sides of a lacing area according to a different lace routing pattern. The lace routing patterns have equal total closure distances for each of the lace segments so that tension applied by the tensioning system will be uniformly distributed through the lacing system and the article of footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings
  • Footwear having sensor system
    Patent number: 10912490
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper member and a sole structure, with a sensor system connected to the sole structure. The sensor system includes a plurality of sensors that are configured for detecting forces exerted by a user's foot on the sensor. Each sensor includes two electrodes that are in communication with a force sensitive resistive material. The electrodes and the force sensitive resistive material may have multi-lobed shapes. Additionally, the sensor system may be provided on an insert that may form a sole member of the article of footwear. The insert may have slits therethrough, and may have a defined peripheral shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Amos, Andrew A. Owings, Allan M. Schrock, Anthony C. Dean
  • Easy access articles of footwear
    Patent number: 10912348
    Abstract: Foot support systems (and articles of footwear including them) include: (a) a medial side member having one or more medial side supports (e.g., ribs); (b) a lateral side member having one or more lateral side supports (e.g., ribs); and (c) structure (such as a hinge system) configured to move the foot support system (e.g., the medial side support(s) with respect to the lateral side support(s)) between: (a) a foot-insertion configuration and (b) a foot-containing configuration. In moving from the foot-insertion configuration to the foot-containing configuration, the foot support system can be changed between an open condition and a closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew A. Owings, Kevin J. Rucier, Phillip Anthony Meneau, Wilson W. Smith, III
  • MOTORIZED TENSIONING SYSTEM WITH SENSORS
    Publication number: 20210022451
    Abstract: A tensioning system for articles of footwear and articles of apparel is disclosed. The tensioning system includes a tensioning member that is tightened or loosened using a motorized tensioning device for winding and unwinding the tensioning member on a spool. The tensioning system may be used with various sensors to determine how the motorized tensioning device should be controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings, Cody Collier Henderson, James Alan Capra, Mark Stanley Soderberg, Daniel Hipwood
  • MOTORIZED TENSIONING SYSTEM WITH SENSORS
    Publication number: 20210022452
    Abstract: A tensioning system for articles of footwear and articles of apparel is disclosed. The tensioning system includes a tensioning member that is tightened or loosened using a motorized tensioning device for winding and unwinding the tensioning member on a spool. The tensioning system may be used with various sensors to determine how the motorized tensioning device should be controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings, Cody Collier Henderson, James Alan Capra, Mark Stanley Soderberg, Daniel Hipwood
  • Support members with variable viscosity fluid for footwear
    Patent number: 10834997
    Abstract: An article of footwear including an adaptive support system includes a plurality of support members. Each support member includes an outer chamber and an inner chamber, the inner chamber being filled with a magnetorheological fluid. An electromagnet is disposed adjacent to the inner chamber and can be used to vary the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Meschter, Mike A Chamblin, Andrew A. Owings
  • Input assembly for an article of manufacture
    Patent number: 10827802
    Abstract: An article of footwear, an article of apparel or protective gear can include a tensioning apparatus for tightening, for example, laces, cables or strings or other devices that secure the article to a wearer. The tensioning apparatus receives signals from an input assembly that is in communication with the tensioning apparatus. The input assembly may include pairs of wires that have twisted loops or other curvilinear segments that allow the input assembly to accommodate to different actions by the wearer of the footwear. The input assembly may also include a flexible epoxy cover that protects the connections between the wires and a printed circuit board that includes input devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings, Steven H. Walker
  • TENSIONING SYSTEM AND REEL MEMBER FOR FOOTWEAR
    Publication number: 20200305554
    Abstract: A tensioning system for an article of footwear includes a motor, a reel member in communication with the motor, and a lace, the reel member comprising a shaft including a central axis running from a first end to a second end and at least three flanges disposed along the shaft. A center flange of the at least three flanges includes an aperture extending through the center flange from a first face to a second face of the center flange, the aperture aligned with the central axis. A portion of the lace extends through the aperture in the center flange to interconnect the lace with the reel member and the lace is configured to be wound around portions of the shaft disposed on opposite sides of the center flange when the tensioning system is in a tightened condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings
  • Article of footwear and a charging system for an article of footwear
    Patent number: 10779605
    Abstract: A charging system can include provisions for providing power to various systems or components associated with the article of footwear. A charging system may include a charging device dimensioned to be used with one or more articles of footwear, where the articles of footwear can include different sizes. In some cases, the charging system can be used to facilitate the transfer of power to components in a motorized tensioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings
  • LOCKOUT FEATURE FOR A CONTROL DEVICE
    Publication number: 20200281304
    Abstract: An article of footwear can include provisions for improving the operation and use of various systems associated with the article. A control device included in the article can be configured to allow manual control of a system by a user. A lockout feature that can disable manual control may be included. During periods of competitive activity, the manual controls may be disabled to allow a user wearing the article to engage in different activities without inadvertent activation of a system. In some cases, the control device and lockout feature can be used in conjunction with a motorized tensioning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings
  • MOTORIZED TENSIONING SYSTEM WITH SENSORS
    Publication number: 20200281321
    Abstract: A tensioning system for articles of footwear and articles of apparel is disclosed. The tensioning system includes a tensioning member that is tightened or loosened using a motorized tensioning device for winding and unwinding the tensioning member on a spool. The tensioning system may be used with various sensors to determine how the motorized tensioning device should be controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings, Cody Collier Henderson, James Alan Capra, Mark Stanley Soderberg, Daniel Hipwood
  • MOTORIZED TENSIONING DEVICE WITH COMPACT SPOOL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200281318
    Abstract: A tensioning system for articles of footwear (100) and articles of apparel is disclosed. The tensioning system includes a tensioning member that is tightened or loosened using a motorized tensioning device for winding and unwinding the tensioning member on a spool. The motorized tensioning device includes a torque transmitting system that allows for incremental tightening, incremental loosening and full loosening of the tensioning member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings
  • Article Of Footwear And A Method Of Assembly Of The Article Of Footwear
    Publication number: 20200275740
    Abstract: An article of footwear can include provisions for facilitating the installation of various components. During manufacture of the article of footwear, the upper and/or sole structure can include one or more specialized compartments designed to receive the components. The components can be installed in compartments after manufacture of the article of footwear. In some cases, the components can be used to perform different functions in a motorized tensioning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings
  • Automated tensioning system for an article of footwear
    Patent number: 10743620
    Abstract: An article of footwear can include provisions for improving the operation and use of various systems associated with the article. An automated tensioning system can be configured to provide and perform a variety of functions associated with the fastening of the article of footwear. The automated tensioning system may tighten and loosen the article of footwear through the operation of a motor. The automated tensioning system may also be able to store and recall a preset tension level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Holli Pheil, Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings, Ryan Frederick, Austin Palmer, Michael Ciuffo, Steven H. Walker
  • FOOTWEAR HEEL SUPPORT DEVICE
    Publication number: 20200253333
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity with a heel region, and a heel support device extending around the rear of a heel region from a lateral side to a medial side. The heel support device may include a plurality of slats and a base, the plurality of slats providing a progressive gradient of lengths and/or widths, and/or one or more pegs extending from the device for attachment to a footwear upper, and/or an elongated tip that may be disposed in a cavity of an extension of a heel collar of the upper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth A. Kilgore, Austin Orand, Andrew A. Owings
  • AUTOMATED TENSIONING SYSTEM FOR AN ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR
    Publication number: 20200245723
    Abstract: An article of footwear can include provisions for improving the operation and use of various systems associated with the article. An automated tensioning system can be configured to provide and perform a variety of functions associated with the fastening of the article of footwear. The automated tensioning system may tighten and loosen the article of footwear through the operation of a motor. The automated tensioning system may also be able to store and recall a preset tension level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Holli Pheil, Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings, Ryan Frederick, Austin Palmer, Michael Ciuffo, Steven H. Walker
  • FOOTWEAR ARTICLE WITH COLLAR ELEVATOR
    Publication number: 20200229536
    Abstract: A footwear article includes a collar elevator to raise an ankle collar from a lowered position to a raised position. For example, the ankle collar may be lowered when a wearer slides a foot into or out of the footwear article. The collar elevator may include a forwardly inclined angle. In addition, the footwear article may include a doffing ledge, in some instances, which includes characteristics based on the forwardly inclined angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Andrew A. Owings, Haley Toelle
  • ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR AND A CHARGING SYSTEM FOR AN ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR
    Publication number: 20200221815
    Abstract: A charging system can include provisions for providing power to various systems or components associated with the article of footwear. A charging system may include a charging device dimensioned to be used with one or more articles of footwear, where the articles of footwear can include different sizes. In some cases, the charging system can be used to facilitate the transfer of power to components in a motorized tensioning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings