Patents by Inventor Bret Schoolmeester

Bret Schoolmeester 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).

  • Publication number: 20210030110
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure with a sole member. The sole member can be manufactured using a system that modifies the forefoot cushioning of the sole member over a series of footwear purchases. The modifications can be configured to correspond to a customer's evaluation of the forefoot cushioning previously purchased. The sole member can include a set of apertures or incisions that are formed along various surfaces of the sole member to adjust the cushioning characteristics of the sole member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Shane S. Kohatsu, Bret Schoolmeester, Daniel T. Rowe
  • Patent number: 10798994
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure with a sole member. The sole member can be manufactured using a system that modifies the forefoot cushioning of the sole member over a series of footwear purchases. The modifications can be configured to correspond to a customer's evaluation of the forefoot cushioning previously purchased. The sole member can include a set of apertures or incisions that are formed along various surfaces of the sole member to adjust the cushioning characteristics of the sole member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Shane S. Kohatsu, Bret Schoolmeester, Daniel T. Rowe
  • Patent number: 10786039
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure with a sole member. The sole member can be manufactured using a cushioning sole system that provides different cushioning characteristics to a sole member using varying patterns of apertures. A user's foot morphology and/or preferences may be used to design the sole member. The sole member can include a set of apertures that are formed along various surfaces of the sole member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane S. Kohatsu, Christopher S. Cook, Bret Schoolmeester
  • Patent number: 10736379
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure and the upper collectively define an interior cavity therebetween. The sole structure further includes a reinforcing element spanning from the sole structure to the upper within the interior cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Shane S. Kohatsu, Bret Schoolmeester
  • Publication number: 20200163410
    Abstract: The disclosed method provides a way to manufacture a style of an article of footwear in bulk, while providing customization for heel stability for individual customers. Moreover, the disclosed method provides a way to customize articles of footwear for a customer on an ongoing basis, such that the heel stability of the articles of footwear is refined until a tailored fit is achieved for the same customer. Generally, the method may include providing a user/customer with an article of footwear, getting evaluation information about the stability of the article of footwear from a survey (e.g., asking the user to rate the stability of the article of footwear in a smartphone app), modifying the next article of footwear provided to the user/customer according to the evaluation information, and iterating through this process to give the user an article optimized for stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Shane S. Kohatsu, Bret Schoolmeester, Daniel T. Rowe
  • Publication number: 20200107610
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure with a sole member. The sole member can be manufactured using a customized cushioning sole system. A user's foot morphology and/or preferences may be used to design the sole member. The sole member can include a column of apertures that are formed along the outer surface of the sole member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Shane S. Kohatsu, Christopher S. Cook, Bret Schoolmeester
  • Patent number: 10582740
    Abstract: The disclosed method provides a way to manufacture a style of an article of footwear in bulk, while providing customization for heel stability for individual customers. Moreover, the disclosed method provides a way to customize articles of footwear for a customer on an ongoing basis, such that the heel stability of the articles of footwear is refined until a tailored fit is achieved for the same customer. Generally, the method may include providing a user/customer with an article of footwear, getting evaluation information about the stability of the article of footwear from a survey (e.g., asking the user to rate the stability of the article of footwear in a smartphone app), modifying the next article of footwear provided to the user/customer according to the evaluation information, and iterating through this process to give the user an article optimized for stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Shane S. Kohatsu, Bret Schoolmeester, Daniel T. Rowe
  • Patent number: 10537151
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure with a sole member. The sole member can be manufactured using a customized cushioning sole system. A user's foot morphology and/or preferences may be used to design the sole member. The sole member can include a column of apertures that are formed along the outer surface of the sole member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane S. Kohatsu, Christopher S. Cook, Bret Schoolmeester
  • Patent number: 10448699
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure with a cushioning element. The cushioning element can be disposed in the upper and/or the sole structure. The cushioning element is configured to provide tactile feedback to a user during pronation events. The cushioning element can be a dynamically responsive material or shape that exhibits dilatant behavior in response to the application of a force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane S. Kohatsu, Christopher S. Cook, Bret Schoolmeester, Matthew R. Pauk, Lee Gibson
  • Patent number: 10357080
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure with a sole member. The sole member can be manufactured using a cushioning sole system that provides customized cushioning characteristics to different regions of a sole member. A user's foot morphology and/or preferences may be used to design the sole member. The sole member can include a set of apertures that are formed along various surfaces of the sole member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane S. Kohatsu, Christopher S. Cook, Bret Schoolmeester
  • Publication number: 20190150560
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure with a sole member. The sole member can be manufactured using a system that modifies the forefoot cushioning of the sole member over a series of footwear purchases. The modifications can be configured to correspond to a customer's evaluation of the forefoot cushioning previously purchased. The sole member can include a set of apertures or incisions that are formed along various surfaces of the sole member to adjust the cushioning characteristics of the sole member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Shane S. Kohatsu, Bret Schoolmeester, Daniel T. Rowe
  • Publication number: 20190116930
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure with a sole member. The sole member can include a set of apertures that is formed along various surfaces of the sole member. The sole member can be manufactured using a customized cushioning sole system, forming generally circular patterns throughout the sole member. A user's foot morphology and/or preferences may be used to design the sole member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Shane S. Kohatsu, Christopher S. Cook, Bret Schoolmeester
  • Patent number: 10206456
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure with a sole member. The sole member can include a set of apertures that is formed along various surfaces of the sole member. The sole member can be manufactured using a customized cushioning sole system, forming generally circular patterns throughout the sole member. A user's foot morphology and/or preferences may be used to design the sole member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane S. Kohatsu, Christopher S. Cook, Bret Schoolmeester
  • Patent number: 10194712
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure with a sole member. The sole member can be manufactured using a system that modifies the forefoot cushioning of the sole member over a series of footwear purchases. The modifications can be configured to correspond to a customer's evaluation of the forefoot cushioning previously purchased. The sole member can include a set of apertures or incisions that are formed along various surfaces of the sole member to adjust the cushioning characteristics of the sole member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Shane S. Kohatsu, Bret Schoolmeester, Daniel T. Rowe
  • Publication number: 20190029366
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure with a sole member. The sole member can be manufactured using a system that modifies the heel cushioning of the sole member over a series of footwear purchases. The modifications can be configured to correspond to a customer's evaluation of the heel cushioning previously purchased. The sole member can include a set of apertures that are formed along various surfaces of the sole member to adjust the cushioning characteristics of the sole member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Shane S. Kohatsu, Bret Schoolmeester, Daniel T. Rowe
  • Publication number: 20180343966
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure and the upper collectively define an interior cavity therebetween. The sole structure further includes a reinforcing element spanning from the sole structure to the upper within the interior cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Shane S. Kohatsu, Bret Schoolmeester
  • Patent number: 10117478
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure with a sole member. The sole member can be manufactured using a system that modifies the heel cushioning of the sole member over a series of footwear purchases. The modifications can be configured to correspond to a customer's evaluation of the heel cushioning previously purchased. The sole member can include a set of apertures that are formed along various surfaces of the sole member to adjust the cushioning characteristics of the sole member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Shane S. Kohatsu, Bret Schoolmeester, Daniel T. Rowe
  • Publication number: 20180308142
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing articles of footwear that includes steps of providing articles to a customer, receiving evaluations of one or more structural characteristics of the articles and making new customized articles for the customer based on the evaluations of one or more structural characteristics. The method can be conducted as a cycle that is repeated each time the customer buys a new pair of footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Shane S. Kohatsu, Bret Schoolmeester, Daniel T. Rowe
  • Patent number: 10032202
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing articles of footwear that includes steps of providing articles to a customer, receiving evaluations of one or more structural characteristics of the articles and making new customized articles for the customer based on the evaluations of one or more structural characteristics. The method can be conducted as a cycle that is repeated each time the customer buys a new pair of footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Shane S. Kohatsu, Bret Schoolmeester, Daniel T. Rowe
  • Publication number: 20180110290
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure with a sole member. The sole member can be manufactured using a system that modifies the forefoot cushioning of the sole member over a series of footwear purchases. The modifications can be configured to correspond to a customer's evaluation of the forefoot cushioning previously purchased. The sole member can include a set of apertures or incisions that are formed along various surfaces of the sole member to adjust the cushioning characteristics of the sole member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Shane S. Kohatsu, Bret Schoolmeester, Daniel T. Rowe