Patents by Inventor Christopher S. Cook

Christopher S. Cook 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).

  • Patent number: 8978272
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly has an upper plate and a lower plate in a forefoot portion of the sole assembly, and a plurality of lower plate arms curving downwardly from the upper plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hurd, Christopher S. Cook, Steven F. Smith, Jeffrey L. Johnson, Paul VanDomelen, Kevin W. Hoffer
  • Patent number: 8978273
    Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure incorporates a support element that includes a fluid-filled chamber. The chamber may be bonded to other portions of the sole to secure the chamber within the sole. A surface of the chamber may also be angled to form a corresponding bevel in a lower surface of the sole structure, potentially in a rear-lateral area of the sole structure. A plate may also extend under a portion of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Bryan N. Farris, Jeffrey L. Johnson, Steven F. Smith, Paul VanDomelen
  • Publication number: 20150040432
    Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a midsole. A first midsole impact force attenuation structure or system is arranged at least within the toe region of the midsole. A second midsole impact force attenuation structure or system is arranged at least within the heel region of the midsole, such that the second midsole impact force attenuation structure or system includes a molded heel region member extending from a lateral side of the article of footwear to a medial side; the heel region member having a hollow central region defined by a first radius of curvature in a direction toward the toe region and a second radius of curvature in a direction toward the heel region. The first radius of curvature is different from the second radius of curvature. The heel region member may be in an asymmetrical stiffness construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Berend, Christopher S. Cook, Scott C. Holt
  • Patent number: 8769843
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly has a shell having a first hardness and a recess. A lateral side of the recess has a first depth and a medial side of the recess has a second depth that is different than the first depth. A first aperture extends through a forefoot portion of the shell, with the first aperture defining a first tongue fixed on a medial side thereof with a remainder of the first tongue free to flex with respect to the shell. An insert has a second hardness and is seated in the recess. A lateral side of the insert has a first height and a medial side of the insert has a second height that is different than the first height, with the second hardness being different than the first hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Bryan N. Farris, Ernest E. Kim
  • Patent number: 8490296
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly has an upper plate and a lower plate in a forefoot portion of the sole assembly, and a plurality of lower plate arms curving downwardly from the upper plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hurd, Christopher S. Cook, Steven F. Smith, Jeffrey L. Johnson, Paul VanDomelen, Kevin W. Hoffer
  • Publication number: 20120260528
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly has a shell having a first hardness and a recess. A lateral side of the recess has a first depth and a medial side of the recess has a second depth that is different than the first depth. A first aperture extends through a forefoot portion of the shell, with the first aperture defining a first tongue fixed on a medial side thereof with a remainder of the first tongue free to flex with respect to the shell. An insert has a second hardness and is seated in the recess. A lateral side of the insert has a first height and a medial side of the insert has a second height that is different than the first height, with the second hardness being different than the first hardness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Bryan N. Farris, Ernest E. Kim
  • Publication number: 20120159812
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly has an upper plate and a lower plate in a forefoot portion of the sole assembly, and a plurality of lower plate arms curving downwardly from the upper plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: John Hurd, Christopher S. Cook, Steven F. Smith, Jeffrey L. Johnson, Paul VanDomelen, Kevin W. Hoffer
  • Patent number: 8196316
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly has a shell having a first hardness and a recess. A lateral side of the recess has a first depth and a medial side of the recess has a second depth that is different than the first depth. A first aperture extends through a forefoot portion of the shell, with the first aperture defining a first tongue fixed on a medial side thereof with a remainder of the first tongue free to flex with respect to the shell. An insert has a second hardness and is seated in the recess. A lateral side of the insert has a first height and a medial side of the insert has a second height that is different than the first height, with the second hardness being different than the first hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Bryan N. Farris, Ernest E. Kim
  • Publication number: 20120090200
    Abstract: Articles of footwear have a sole structure that extends along the longitudinal length of the article of footwear within the forefoot region, the midfoot region, and the heel region of the article of footwear. One or more removable inserts may be inserted into at least a portion of the sole structure in any desired region. Various removable inserts may have different characteristics, including different performance characteristics. The various removable inserts may be inserted into and removed from the sole structure of the article of footwear. A wearer may be able to compare the characteristics for each of the removable inserts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher S. Cook
  • Patent number: 8151485
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly has an upper plate and a lower plate in a forefoot portion of the sole assembly, and a plurality of lower plate arms curving downwardly from the upper plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hurd, Christopher S. Cook, Steven F. Smith, Jeffrey L. Johnson, Paul VanDomelen, Kevin W. Hoffer
  • Patent number: 8006408
    Abstract: Impact-attenuating elements include a plurality of impact-attenuating members and a means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element to at least one of the upper member or the sole member of a piece of footwear or other foot-receiving device. The impact-attenuating elements may be included in the footwear or other foot-receiving devices in a selectively removable manner so that a user, retailer, or another can customize and freely select an appropriate element, e.g., depending on user preferences, characteristics of the user, characteristics of the intended use, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Ross Leedy, Anthony Carl Dean, Christopher S. Cook
  • Patent number: 7992243
    Abstract: A system for custom fitting athletic shoes to an individual wearer includes a foot measurement device, an adjustable footform and an infrared activation chamber. Shoes of a single width for each length size have at least a portion of the upper made of heat malleable material to be custom fitted for width. Foot measurement data is used to calculate length size, width size and a number of custom adjustment factors. After the length size is calculated, the appropriately sized shoe and last are assembled together and subject to infrared radiation until the heat malleable material becomes plastic. Adjustments are then made to the last in accordance with the adjustment factors to provide custom width sizing. After further heat treatment to set the shoe upper and cooling, the shoe is complete. In this manner, if used in a retail setting, shoes are custom fitted to the wearer in a matter of minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Bruce J. Kilgore, James C. Meschter
  • Patent number: 7980007
    Abstract: A system for custom fitting athletic shoes to an individual wearer includes a foot measurement device, an adjustable footform and an infrared activation chamber. Shoes of a single width for each length size have at least a portion of the upper made of heat malleable material to be custom fitted for width. Foot measurement data is used to calculate length size, width size and a number of custom adjustment factors. After the length size is calculated, the appropriately sized shoe and last are assembled together and subject to infrared radiation until the heat malleable material becomes plastic. Adjustments are then made to the last in accordance with the adjustment factors to provide custom width sizing. After further heat treatment to set the shoe upper and cooling, the shoe is complete. In this manner, if used in a retail setting, shoes are custom fitted to the wearer in a matter of minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Bruce J. Kilgore, James C. Meschter
  • Publication number: 20110138654
    Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure incorporates a support element that includes a fluid-filled chamber. The chamber may be bonded to other portions of the sole to secure the chamber within the sole. A surface of the chamber may also be angled to form a corresponding bevel in a lower surface of the sole structure, potentially in a rear-lateral area of the sole structure. A plate may also extend under a portion of the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Bryan N. Farris, Jeffrey L. Johnson, Steven F. Smith, Paul VanDomelen
  • Publication number: 20110131833
    Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure incorporates a support element that includes a fluid-filled chamber. The chamber may be bonded to other portions of the sole to secure the chamber within the sole. A surface of the chamber may also be angled to form a corresponding bevel in a lower surface of the sole structure, potentially in a rear-lateral area of the sole structure. A plate may also extend under a portion of the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Bryan N. Farris, Jeffrey L. Johnson, Steven F. Smith, Paul VanDomelen
  • Patent number: 7937856
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly has at least one fluid-filled chamber capable of transmitting light and a recess. A light source is positioned in the recess, and an outsole is secured to a lower surface of the sole assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Steven S Smith
  • Publication number: 20100275392
    Abstract: A system for custom fitting athletic shoes to an individual wearer includes a foot measurement device, an adjustable footform and an infrared activation chamber. Shoes of a single width for each length size have at least a portion of the upper made of heat malleable material to be custom fitted for width. Foot measurement data is used to calculate length size, width size and a number of custom adjustment factors. After the length size is calculated, the appropriately sized shoe and last are assembled together and subject to infrared radiation until the heat malleable material becomes plastic. Adjustments are then made to the last in accordance with the adjustment factors to provide custom width sizing. After further heat treatment to set the shoe upper and cooling, the shoe is complete. In this manner, if used in a retail setting, shoes are custom fitted to the wearer in a matter of minutes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Bruce J. Kilgore, James C. Meschter
  • Publication number: 20100275461
    Abstract: A system for custom fitting athletic shoes to an individual wearer includes a foot measurement device, an adjustable footform and an infrared activation chamber. Shoes of a single width for each length size have at least a portion of the upper made of heat malleable material to be custom fitted for width. Foot measurement data is used to calculate length size, width size and a number of custom adjustment factors. After the length size is calculated, the appropriately sized shoe and last are assembled together and subject to infrared radiation until the heat malleable material becomes plastic. Adjustments are then made to the last in accordance with the adjustment factors to provide custom width sizing. After further heat treatment to set the shoe upper and cooling, the shoe is complete. In this manner, if used in a retail setting, shoes are custom fitted to the wearer in a matter of minutes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Bruce J. Kilgore, James C. Meschter
  • Patent number: 7814687
    Abstract: An article of footwear including a reflective outsole is disclosed. The article of footwear has an outsole including a reflective device that covers one or several portions of the outsole. The reflective device is composed of a thin and flexible material that does interfere with the natural flexibility of the outsole. The reflective device may extend over a substantial majority of a lower surface of the outsole, including a portion of the outer periphery of the outsole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Bryan N. Farris
  • Publication number: 20100186264
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly has a shell having a first hardness and a recess. A lateral side of the recess has a first depth and a medial side of the recess has a second depth that is different than the first depth. A first aperture extends through a forefoot portion of the shell, with the first aperture defining a first tongue fixed on a medial side thereof with a remainder of the first tongue free to flex with respect to the shell. An insert has a second hardness and is seated in the recess. A lateral side of the insert has a first height and a medial side of the insert has a second height that is different than the first height, with the second hardness being different than the first hardness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Bryan N. Farris, Ernest E. Kim