Patents by Inventor Charles Kraeuter
Charles Kraeuter 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: 7810257Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole assembly having a midsole having an upper surface, a frame recess and a first registration recess being formed in the upper surface. A frame member is seated in the frame recess, and has a first end secured to the midsole, a second end free of the midsole, and a first registration member extending downwardly from a lower surface of the frame member. The first registration member is received in the first registration recess. An upper is removably attached to the sole assembly, and has a pocket on a bottom surface thereof, with the second end of the frame member being received in the pocket.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2007Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Natalie Candrian, Michael Steszyn, Charles Kraeuter
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Patent number: 7681333Abstract: The present invention provides an interchangeable shoe footbed cartridge system. The system includes a footbed such as a midsole, insole or a sockliner. A cartridge is inserted into or otherwise attached to the forefoot section of the footbed. Multiple cartridges of varying depths, widths and/or lengths may be provided. The wearer can select a cartridge to achieve a desired fit. Because right and left feet may be of different sizes, different cartridges may be chosen for each foot. Furthermore, the user may swap cartridges depending upon different conditions, or to change the stiffness of the cartridge. Additionally, a slipcover having a stretchable portion may be placed over the cartridge system. The cartridges enable a footwear manufacturer to produce fewer shoe sizes while fitting more of the population. This reduces manufacturing, shipping, warehousing and accounting costs. All levels of the supply chain, as well as the end customers, will greatly benefit from the method of supplying footwear.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2005Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: The Timberland CompanyInventors: Alexander Dardinski, John Healy, Peter Dillon, David E. Miller, Simon Luthi, Charles Kraeuter, Douglas E. Clark
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Patent number: 7461470Abstract: The present invention provides an interchangeable shoe footbed cartridge system. The system includes a footbed such as a midsole, insole or a sockliner. A cartridge is inserted into or otherwise attached to the forefoot section of the footbed. Multiple cartridges of varying depths, widths and/or lengths may be provided. The wearer can select a cartridge to achieve a desired fit. Because right and left feet may be of different sizes, different cartridges may be chosen for each foot. Furthermore, the user may swap cartridges depending upon different conditions, or to change the stiffness of the cartridge. Additionally, a slipcover having a stretchable portion may be placed over the cartridge system. The cartridges enable a footwear manufacturer to produce fewer shoe sizes while fitting more of the population. This reduces manufacturing, shipping, warehousing and accounting costs. All levels of the supply chain, as well as the end customers, will greatly benefit from the method of supplying footwear.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2005Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: The Timberland CompanyInventors: Alexander Dardinski, John Healy, Peter Dillon, David E. Miller, Simon Luthi, Charles Kraeuter, Douglas E. Clark
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Publication number: 20080289222Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole assembly having a midsole having an upper surface, a frame recess and a first registration recess being formed in the upper surface. A frame member is seated in the frame recess, and has a first end secured to the midsole, a second end free of the midsole, and a first registration member extending downwardly from a lower surface of the frame member. The first registration member is received in the first registration recess. An upper is removably attached to the sole assembly, and has a pocket on a bottom surface thereof, with the second end of the frame member being received in the pocket.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2007Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Natalie Candrian, Michael Steszyn, Charles Kraeuter
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Publication number: 20080113831Abstract: A training game ball is described having cues for visually indicating the rotational alignment of the ball when it is thrown. If the ball is improperly thrown so that the axis of rotation does not stay perpendicular to the direction of flight, then the rotational alignment cue line will appear to wobble as the ball travels. The ball also has a rotational speed cue formed from a plurality of spaced panels arranged parallel with the alignment cue. If the ball is thrown with a high rotational speed, the panels will appear to the player as a solid line. Still further, the ball also includes hand alignment cues for assisting a player in properly positioning his or her hands for throwing the ball. The hand alignment cues include finger positioning pads, which are positioned sufficiently close together about the circumference of the ball to allow even a small youth's hand to easily reach a finger positioning pad from any position of the ball.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2008Publication date: May 15, 2008Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Chris Page, Paul Gaudio, Geoffrey Raynak, Charles Kraeuter
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Publication number: 20060107552Abstract: The present invention provides an interchangeable shoe footbed cartridge system. The system includes a footbed such as a midsole, insole or a sockliner. A cartridge is inserted into or otherwise attached to the forefoot section of the footbed. Multiple cartridges of varying depths, widths and/or lengths may be provided. The wearer can select a cartridge to achieve a desired fit. Because right and left feet may be of different sizes, different cartridges may be chosen for each foot. Furthermore, the user may swap cartridges depending upon different conditions, or to change the stiffness of the cartridge. Additionally, a slipcover having a stretchable portion may be placed over the cartridge system. The cartridges enable a footwear manufacturer to produce fewer shoe sizes while fitting more of the population. This reduces manufacturing, shipping, warehousing and accounting costs. All levels of the supply chain, as well as the end customers, will greatly benefit from the method of supplying footwear.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2005Publication date: May 25, 2006Applicant: The Timberland CompanyInventors: Douglas Clark, Alexander Dardinski, Peter Dillon, John Healy, Charles Kraeuter, Simon Luthi, David Miller
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Publication number: 20060107553Abstract: The present invention provides an interchangeable shoe footbed cartridge system. The system includes a footbed such as a midsole, insole or a sockliner. A cartridge is inserted into or otherwise attached to the forefoot section of the footbed. Multiple cartridges of varying depths, widths and/or lengths may be provided. The wearer can select a cartridge to achieve a desired fit. Because right and left feet may be of different sizes, different cartridges may be chosen for each foot. Furthermore, the user may swap cartridges depending upon different conditions, or to change the stiffness of the cartridge. Additionally, a slipcover having a stretchable portion may be placed over the cartridge system. The cartridges enable a footwear manufacturer to produce fewer shoe sizes while fitting more of the population. This reduces manufacturing, shipping, warehousing and accounting costs. All levels of the supply chain, as well as the end customers, will greatly benefit from the method of supplying footwear.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2005Publication date: May 25, 2006Applicant: The Timberland CompanyInventors: Douglas Clark, Alexander Dardinski, Peter Dillon, John Healy, Charles Kraeuter, Simon Luthi, David Miller
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Publication number: 20060100041Abstract: A training game ball is described having cues for visually indicating the rotational alignment of the ball when it is thrown. If the ball is improperly thrown so that the axis of rotation does not stay perpendicular to the direction of flight, then the rotational alignment cue line will appear to wobble as the ball travels. The ball also has a rotational speed cue formed from a plurality of spaced panels arranged parallel with the alignment cue. If the ball is thrown with a high rotational speed, the panels will appear to the player as a solid line. Still further, the ball also includes hand alignment cues for assisting a player in properly positioning his or her hands for throwing the ball. The hand alignment cues include finger positioning pads, which are positioned sufficiently close together about the circumference of the ball to allow even a small youth's hand to easily reach a finger positioning pad from any position of the ball.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2005Publication date: May 11, 2006Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Chris Page, Paul Gaudio, Geoffrey Raynak, Charles Kraeuter
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Patent number: 6769202Abstract: The sole unit (12) for a shoe includes a directional element (16), a cushioning element (18) and a heel cradle (20). The sole unit (12) may be attached to a shoe upper (14) by conventional methods, such as by gluing, stitching, or other means of bonding or physical attachment. The sole unit (12) provides foot support, cushioning, energy return, stability, torsion control, and optionally abrasion resistance to the user. The functional advantages of this construction of the sole unit (12) are primarily achieved through the directional elements (16) and cushioning element (18), each of which handle certain distinct functions of the shoe (10).Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2002Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Inventors: Simon Luthi, Geoff Raynak, Paul Gaudio, Charles Kraeuter
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Patent number: 5228598Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for diluting and dispensing fluid concentrates which comprises a frame having a least one compartment therein for insertion of a liquid holding container. Mounted within the frame is a water valve housing which is adapted to interface with a venturi housing affixed to the liquid holding container. The water valve housing has affixed thereto a valve which is manually actuated. In response to the depression or release of the actuation means, the valve is substantially either fully open or fully closed. The water valve housing includes locking means for preventing the valve from being operated by the manual actuation means when the liquid holding container is not properly inserted into the dilution station. The refill modules of the present invention include the venturi housing and liquid holding container mentioned above.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 1992Date of Patent: July 20, 1993Inventors: Alexander Bally, Allen E. Brandenburg, Charles Kraeuter, Robert G. Petit, James M. Rubenstein, Doris M. Wong, William E. Wood
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Patent number: 5083677Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for diluting and dispensing fluid concentrates which comprises a frame having at least one compartment therein for insertion of a liquid holding container. Mounted within the frame is a water valve housing which is adapted to interface with a venturi housing affixed to the liquid holding container. The water valve housing has affixed thereto a solenoid valve which is manually actuated by moving a magnet into and out of close proximity with the stem of the solenoid valve. The water valve housing includes locking means for preventing the solenoid valve from being operated by the manual actuation means when the liquid holding container is not properly inserted into the dilution station.The refill modules of the present invention include the venturi housing and liquid holding container mentioned above.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1991Date of Patent: January 28, 1992Assignee: Scott Paper CompanyInventors: Alexander Bally, Allen E. Brandenburg, Charles Kraeuter, James M. Rubenstein, Doris M. Wong
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Patent number: 5037003Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for diluting and dispensing fluid concentrates which comprises a frame having a least one compartment therein for insertion of a liquid holding container. Mounted within the frame is a water valve housing which is adapted to interface with a venturi housing affixed to the liquid holding container. The water valve housing has affixed thereto a solenoid valve which is manually actuated by moving a magnet into and out of close proximity with the stem of the solenoid valve. The water valve housing includes locking means for preventing the solenoid valve from being operated by the manual actuation means when the liquid holding container is not properly inserted into the dilution station.The refill modules of the present invention include the venturi housing and liquid holding container mentioned above.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1990Date of Patent: August 6, 1991Assignee: Scott Paper CompanyInventors: Alexander Bally, Allen E. Brandenburg, Charles Kraeuter, James M. Rubenstein, Doris M. Wong
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Patent number: 4668186Abstract: Apparatus and an associated method for effecting dispensing of elastic bands. An elongated handle member cooperates with a slide member which is secured for relative longitudinal sliding movement with respect to the handle. A magazine of the elastic bands is secured to the handle and is adapted to generally forwardly discharge the elastic bands. A pusher member is pivotally mounted on a slide member and is adapted to insert a blade behind the forwardmost elastic band after which forward movement of the slide serves to urge the elastic band away from the remaining elastic bands and to cause it to be expanded radially over the uniquely configurated head portion of the magazine. In a preferred embodiment a cam and cam follower combination cause the pusher member to rotate through its cycle of operation. The first biasing element tends to urge the pusher member into elastic band engaging position and second biasing means tends to urge the elastic bands forwardly.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 1985Date of Patent: May 26, 1987Assignee: The Bally Orthodontics GroupInventors: Alex Bally, Charles Kraeuter