Patents by Inventor Brian D. Baker

Brian D. Baker 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: 20110197478
    Abstract: Articles of footwear may include self-adjusting studs that adjust to various types of conditions, environmental changes, and applied forces. The self-adjusting studs may have a first portion and a second portion of different levels of compressibilities and/or retractabilities that compress and extend based on the type of surface on which the wearer is walking or running This footwear with self-adjusting studs may easily transition between surfaces of varying hardness without causing damage to the surface, but also providing the wearer with the necessary amount of traction on each type of surface. Wearers will enjoy the benefit of being able to move on various surfaces without the need to change their footwear multiple times to accommodate the wearer's varying traction needs on different surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Baker
  • Publication number: 20110179676
    Abstract: An article of footwear can receive an insert having ball control elements. The ball control elements protrude through a tongue of the upper to engage other surfaces. The inserts may be purchased separately from the article of footwear and interchanged to be used in a variety of conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Baker, Alexandre Baudouin, John Droege, Erez Morag, Morgan Stauffer
  • Publication number: 20110167573
    Abstract: A footwear customization kit is disclosed. The kit comprises a container including an article of footwear, a stand, a steaming bag and a set of instructions. The article of footwear includes a customizable portion that can be deformed when heated. The stand and the steaming bag can be used to heat the article of footwear in a steam environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Baker, Alexandre Baudouin, William M. Dieter
  • Patent number: 7958993
    Abstract: A footwear customization kit is disclosed. The kit comprises a container including an article of footwear, a stand, a steaming bag and a set of instructions. The article of footwear includes a customizable portion that can be deformed when heated. The stand and the steaming bag can be used to heat the article of footwear in a steam environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Baker, Alexandre Baudouin, William M. Dieter
  • Publication number: 20110114515
    Abstract: A footwear customization kit is disclosed. The kit comprises a container including an article of footwear, a stand, a steaming bag and a set of instructions. The article of footwear includes a customizable portion that can be deformed when heated. The stand and the steaming bag can be used to heat the article of footwear in a steam environment. The stand can be assembled to hold the article of footwear in the steam environment by engaging an outer periphery of a vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Baker, Alexandre Baudouin, William M. Dieter, James Molyneux
  • Patent number: 7941943
    Abstract: An article of footwear can receive an insert having ball control elements. The ball control elements protrude through a tongue of the upper to engage other surfaces. The inserts may be purchased separately from the article of footwear and interchanged to be used in a variety of conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Baker, Alexandre Baudouin, John A. Droege, Erez Morag, Morgan Stauffer
  • Publication number: 20110093316
    Abstract: The present application operates a kiosk which presents multimedia advertising and sells downloads of multimedia content. A user is attracted by displayed video/audio advertising, prompted to make a selection, choices are stored in a shopping cart, and proper payment means are received. The system leverages off of relationships between downloaded sales and multimedia advertising to cross-sell various media products such as music, movies, books, games and the like. The entire system is self-contained, does not require the presences of an operator or cashier, and is able to back itself up nightly through internet connectivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Brian A.D. Baker, John Roberts, III
  • Publication number: 20110078927
    Abstract: Articles of footwear may include selectively engageable traction elements that engage with a surface or the ground during certain activities and do not engage with the surface or the ground during other activities. The selectively engageable traction elements are caused to engage with the ground or surface when a portion of the footwear is flexed. When the footwear is in its unflexed position, the selectively engageable traction elements may not engage with the ground or surface. Selectively engageable traction elements may be desired or may be useful during particular, targeted movements such as sharp turns, pivoting, sudden or abrupt starting and stopping motions, and the like and in changing environmental conditions, such as on various surfaces having different characteristics. Wearers of such footwear may benefit from the extra traction provided by the selectively engageable traction elements when performing the targeted movements and/or when wearing the footwear on surfaces with varying conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventor: Brian D. Baker
  • Publication number: 20110068023
    Abstract: A footwear customization kit is disclosed. The kit comprises a container including an article of footwear, a stand, a steaming bag and a set of instructions. The article of footwear includes a customizable portion that can be deformed when heated. The stand and the steaming bag can be used to heat the article of footwear in a steam environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Baker, Alexandre Baudouin, William M. Dieter
  • Publication number: 20110068024
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for custom fitting an article of footwear is disclosed. A container holding the article of footwear includes a steaming assembly that allows a customer to subject the article of footwear to steam. The method can include cooling the article of footwear on the customer's foot to custom fit the article of footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Baker, Alexandre Baudouin, William M. Dieter
  • Publication number: 20110047834
    Abstract: An article of footwear including three cleat member sets is disclosed. A first cleat member set is tuned to provide maximum traction on soft natural grass. A second cleat member set is tuned to provide maximum traction on firm natural grass. A third cleat member set is tuned to provide maximum traction on artificial turf. The sizes, material properties and arrangement of each cleat member set is varied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Baker, Thomas W. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20110035963
    Abstract: An article of footwear comfortably accommodating different foot sizes is disclosed. The article comprises an upper, sole and integrally formed cleat members made of a monolithic material. In addition, the article can include an integrally formed internal cushioning system. The article further includes grooves and/or perforations that assist the footwear in stretching to accommodate different foot sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Baker, Blake Rhulen, Doug D. Wilken
  • Publication number: 20100299961
    Abstract: An article of footwear with a shape correcting member is disclosed. The shape correcting member includes an inner surface associated with a portion of a foot and an outer surface disposed opposite of the inner surface. The inner surface is pre-shaped to fit the contours of a portion of the foot and the outer surface is substantially non-protruding. With this arrangement, the outer surface may facilitate accurate kicking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Baker, Andrew Caine, John Droege, Tetsuya T. Minami, Erez Morag, Morgan Stauffer
  • Publication number: 20100251578
    Abstract: Traction elements for an article of footwear can include stabilizer elements. An extendable traction element for an article of footwear can include an elongatable extender attached to another portion of a sole structure. An actuator can rest within the extender and cause elongation of the extender in response to a force from the foot of a wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Perry W. Auger, Brian D. Baker, Andrew Caine, Sergio Cavaliere, Daniel W. Peter, Timothy J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20100186261
    Abstract: An article of footwear with a suspended stud assembly attached to a sole is disclosed. The suspended stud assembly includes a base portion attached to the sole of a shoe. A set of suspension arms connect a plurality of studs to the base portion. This arrangement allows the studs to move independently of the sole and of each other to provide greater traction capabilities to the article of footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Nike,Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Baker, Alexandre Baudouin, Erez Morag
  • Publication number: 20100024248
    Abstract: A sizing system for an article of footwear includes an insert attachable to the upper of the article of footwear. The insert is positioned within a pocket formed between the lining of the upper and the exterior shell of the upper. When attached to the upper, the insert forms a part of the exterior surface of the article of footwear. When the insert is removed, part of the pocket forms a portion of the exterior surface of the article of footwear or a flap is extended over the pocket to form a portion of the exterior surface of the article of footwear. The insert may be secured within the pocket using a mechanical fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Baker, Neil Crumbleholme, Vernon J. Hentz, III, Doug D. Wilken
  • Publication number: 20090100712
    Abstract: An article of footwear can receive an insert having ball control elements. The ball control elements protrude through a tongue of the upper to engage other surfaces. The inserts may be purchased separately from the article of footwear and interchanged to be used in a variety of conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Baker, Alexandre Baudouin, John A. Droege, Erez Morag, Morgan Stauffer
  • Patent number: 7168188
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole assembly, an upper secured to the sole assembly, a heel counter secured to the upper, and a heel pad removably attached to an inner surface of the heel counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Perry W. Auger, Neil Crumbleholme, Brian D. Baker, Peter A. Hudson
  • Patent number: 7099723
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a simple user interface for programming scenes and multi-way groups in a home automation and control system is provided. Each device participating in the home automation and control system is equipped with control logic for providing the simple programming interface. Through the control logic, each device maintains its status in a system-wide programming mode and retains knowledge of its inclusion or exclusion in the current scene or multi-way group being programmed. When any device in the system receives indications that affect the system programming mode, such as a press on one of the buttons on the devices, the device broadcasts a notification message to all devices within the home automation and control system. The message maintains the integrity of the system programming mode. Each device knows when a scene or multi-way group being programmed is finally captured and the programming of a new scene or multi-way group has started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Gonzales, Brian D Baker, Sara White
  • Patent number: 6990379
    Abstract: A method of dynamically selecting a role for a resource device employed in a scene automation and control system is provided. The method comprises providing an object in a resource device having a plurality of predetermined roles that are dynamically settable, said roles including a requester role and a subscriber role. The method also comprises automatically setting the role of the resource device in response to either the receipt of a setting message or the manual adjustment of the resource device. Preferably, each object has a plurality of instances, each of which is settable. Further, preferably, the capability of an object (instance) to take on a role is preset. In addition to subscriber and requester roles, preferably, objects (instances) also include administrator and active roles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Gonzales, Brian D. Baker