Patents by Inventor James Molyneux

James Molyneux 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: 20230272563
    Abstract: Articles of wear having one or more textiles that include a low processing temperature polymeric composition and a high processing temperature polymeric composition, and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The low processing temperature polymeric composition and the high processing temperature polymeric composition can be selectively incorporated into a textile to provide one or more structural properties and/or other advantageous properties to the article. The textile can be thermoformed to impart such structural and/or other advantageous properties to the article of wear. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Giovanni Adami, Sam Amis, Sergio Cavaliere, Yuchung K. Chen, Jessica Green, Stephen J. Hipp, John Hurd, Oliver McLachlan, James Molyneux, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Timothy J. Smith, Christianna Wincek
  • Publication number: 20230240412
    Abstract: Bladders for footwear uppers, footwear uppers including the bladders, articles of footwear including the bladders, and/or methods of making and using such bladders are described. At least one bladder chamber is provided in the instep and/or tongue area of the upper/article of footwear. In some examples, force applied to the instep based bladder chamber(s) moves fluid to one or more additional bladder chambers located in the arch and/or midfoot areas of the upper/article of footwear, and/or other areas of the wearer's foot. This movement of fluid increases fluid pressure and/or volume in the arch, midfoot, and/or other areas of the wearer's foot to provide additional support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Patrick R. Case, Yoon Jeong Choi, James Molyneux, Colin Runkle, Bryan K. Youngs
  • Publication number: 20230240411
    Abstract: Bladders for footwear uppers, footwear uppers including the bladders, articles of footwear including the bladders, and/or methods of making and using such bladders are described. At least one bladder chamber is provided in the instep and/or tongue area of the upper/article of footwear. In some examples, force applied to the instep based bladder chamber(s) moves fluid to one or more additional bladder chambers located in the arch and/or midfoot areas of the upper/article of footwear, and/or other areas of the wearer’s foot. This movement of fluid increases fluid pressure and/or volume in the arch, midfoot, and/or other areas of the wearer’s foot to provide additional support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Patrick R. Case, Yoon Jeong Choi, James Molyneux, Colin Runkle, Bryan K. Youngs
  • Patent number: 11680344
    Abstract: Articles of wear having one or more textiles that include a low processing temperature polymeric composition and a high processing temperature polymeric composition, and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The low processing temperature polymeric composition and the high processing temperature polymeric composition can be selectively incorporated into a textile to provide one or more structural properties and/or other advantageous properties to the article. The textile can be thermoformed to impart such structural and/or other advantageous properties to the article of wear. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Giovanni Adami, Sam Amis, Yuchung K. Chen, Jessica Green, Stephen Hipp, John Hurd, Oliver McLachlan, James Molyneux, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Timothy J. Smith, Christianna Wincek
  • Patent number: 11680343
    Abstract: Articles of wear having one or more textiles that include a low processing temperature polymeric composition and a high processing temperature polymeric composition, and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The low processing temperature polymeric composition and the high processing temperature polymeric composition can be selectively incorporated into a textile to provide one or more structural properties and/or other advantageous properties to the article. The textile can be thermoformed to impart such structural and/or other advantageous properties to the article of wear. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Giovanni Adami, Sam Amis, Sergio Cavaliere, Jessica Green, Stephen Hipp, John Hurd, James Molyneux, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Timothy J. Smith, Christianna Wincek
  • Publication number: 20230172316
    Abstract: Footwear uppers and articles of footwear including such uppers include: (a) a first lateral lace-engaging component; (b) a first medial lace-engaging component; and (c) a bladder. The bladder includes: (i) a tongue and/or instep chamber having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, (ii) a first heel and/or ankle support chamber, and (iii) a first fluid line placing the first heel and/or ankle support chamber in fluid communication with the tongue and/or instep chamber. A lace engages the first lateral lace-engaging component and the first medial lace-engaging component such that a first portion of the lace extends across the first surface. The lace may apply a force to the tongue and/or instep chamber, and this force may move fluid from the tongue and/or instep chamber to the first heel and/or ankle support chamber to provide additional support for the heel and/or ankle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Patrick R. Case, Yoon Jeong Choi, James Molyneux, Colin Runkle, Bryan K. Youngs
  • Publication number: 20230172315
    Abstract: Footwear uppers include a footwear upper base having an instep region; one or more lace-engaging components located at a first side of the instep region; and one or more lace-engaging components located at a second side of the instep region. A bladder at the instep region includes: (i) a tongue and/or instep chamber, (ii) a first sealed seam region extending along a first side edge of the bladder, and (iii) a second sealed seam region extending along a second side edge of the bladder. The tongue and/or instep chamber extends between the sealed seam regions. A lace may apply a force to the tongue and/or instep chamber of the bladder. This force may move fluid from the tongue and/or instep chamber to a heel and/or ankle support chamber of the bladder. The lace may extend through a lace-engaging opening provided in a seam of the bladder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Patrick R. Case, Yoon Jeong Choi, James Molyneux, Colin Runkle, Bryan K. Youngs
  • Publication number: 20230178209
    Abstract: An athletic parameter measurement device worn by an athlete during an athletic activity session includes a housing which attaches to the athlete, a display, a processor associated with the display, and an athletic parameter measurement sensor. During the athletic activity, the device detects, using the sensor, a vertical jump height of the athlete, and displays, during the performance of the athletic activity session, a representation of the vertical jump height on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: James Meschter, James Molyneux, Aaron B. Weast
  • Publication number: 20230141164
    Abstract: Footwear uppers include a footwear upper base formed from one or more component parts and including: (i) an instep region including at least one of a tongue base region or instep base region and (ii) a heel-containing region. A bladder is engaged with the footwear upper. The bladder includes: (i) at least a first instep chamber engaged with the instep region, (ii) at least a first heel and/or ankle support chamber engaged with the heel-containing region, and (iii) a first fluid line connecting the first instep chamber and the first heel and/or ankle support chamber and placing the first instep chamber in fluid communication with the first heel and/or ankle support chamber. Fluid moving from the first instep chamber to the first heel and/or ankle support chamber (e.g., under force applied by a footwear securing strap) provides further support for the wearer's heel and/or ankle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Patrick R. Case, Yoon Jeong Choi, James Molyneux, Colin Runkle, Bryan K. Youngs
  • Publication number: 20230141325
    Abstract: Footwear uppers include a footwear upper base formed from one or more component parts and including: (i) an instep region including at least one of a tongue base region or instep base region and (ii) a heel-containing region. A bladder is engaged with the footwear upper. The bladder includes: (i) at least a first instep chamber engaged with the instep region, (ii) at least a first heel and/or ankle support chamber engaged with the heel-containing region, and (iii) a first fluid line connecting the first instep chamber and the first heel and/or ankle support chamber and placing the first instep chamber in fluid communication with the first heel and/or ankle support chamber. Fluid moving from the first instep chamber to the first heel and/or ankle support chamber (e.g., under force applied by a footwear securing strap) provides further support for the wearer's heel and/or ankle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Patrick R. Case, Yoon Jeong Choi, James Molyneux, Colin Runkle, Bryan K. Youngs
  • Publication number: 20230146597
    Abstract: Footwear upper components include a fabric element and a bladder component that defines a sealed interior chamber. The bladder component includes: (a) a first major surface engaged with the fabric element, wherein this first major surface defines at least part of a first perimeter seam surface and at least part of a first surface of the sealed interior chamber, (b) a second major surface opposite the first major surface, wherein this second major surface defines at least part of a second perimeter seam surface opposite the first perimeter seam surface and at least part of a second surface of the sealed interior chamber opposite the sealed interior chamber's first surface, and (c) and a fluid chamber between the first and second major surfaces. The first major surface (and optionally the second major surface) may include texturing, e.g., texturing corresponding to texture present on a surface of the fabric element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Patrick R. Case, Yoon Jeong Choi, John S. MacGilbert, James Molyneux, Colin Runkle, Bryan K. Youngs
  • Publication number: 20230147306
    Abstract: Footwear upper components include a fabric element having a first thermoplastic polyurethane component and a bladder component that defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid. The bladder component includes an outer perimeter seam that extends at least partially around the sealed interior chamber, and at least a portion of this outer perimeter seam is engaged with the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the fabric element. The outer perimeter seam seals two thermoplastic sheets together to form the bladder component. At least a portion of a major exterior surface of one thermoplastic sheet that defines the sealed interior chamber may be bonded to the thermoplastic polyurethane component of the fabric element in an adhesive free manner, and/or the portion of the outer perimeter seam that is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the fabric element may be bonded in an adhesive free manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Patrick R. Case, Yoon Jeong Choi, John S. MacGilbert, James Molyneux, Colin Runkle, Bryan K. Youngs
  • Publication number: 20230136147
    Abstract: An athletic parameter measurement device worn by an athlete during an athletic activity session includes a housing which attaches to the athlete, a display, a processor associated with the display, and an athletic parameter measurement sensor. During the athletic activity, the device detects, using the sensor, a vertical jump height of the athlete, and displays, during the performance of the athletic activity session, a representation of the vertical jump height on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James Meschter, James Molyneux, Aaron B. Weast
  • Publication number: 20230126432
    Abstract: A knitted component having an outer perimeter and a common portion, which may be a centrally-located region, such as a throat region and/or a collar region. A plurality of courses of the knitted component extend between the between the outer perimeter and the common portion such that the courses may be radially-extending outwards from the common portion. One or more continuous strand may be inlaid within the knit courses to form a plurality of strand segments that extend within respective ones of the plurality of courses of the knitted component between the outer perimeter and the common portion of the knitted component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Gemma Brown, James Molyneux, Kristen E. Orme, Peter R. Savage, Gagandeep Singh, Seth M. Wiberg, Roberto Zavala
  • Publication number: 20230081283
    Abstract: An adjustable multiple bladder system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The bladder system includes an outer bladder that may be inflated using an external pump. A valve member is disposed within the outer bladder and divides the outer bladder into two distinct inflation chambers. The inflation chambers may be inflated separately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Elizabeth Langvin, James Molyneux, Lee D. Peyton, Ty A. Ransom, Nicola J. Reynolds, Aaron B. Weast
  • Patent number: 11600371
    Abstract: An athletic parameter measurement device worn by an athlete during an athletic activity session includes a housing which attaches to the athlete, a display, a processor associated with the display, and an athletic parameter measurement sensor. During the athletic activity, the device detects, using the sensor, a vertical jump height of the athlete, and displays, during the performance of the athletic activity session, a representation of the vertical jump height on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James Meschter, James Molyneux, Aaron B. Weast
  • Publication number: 20230060025
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper that is attached to the sole structure. The upper defines a cavity that is configured to receive a foot of a wearer. The upper is at least partially defined by a textile. The textile includes a first area that is substantially smooth. The first area defines a reference boundary that conforms to the cavity. The textile includes a second area. The second area includes a plurality of projection structures that project away from the reference boundary and outwardly from the cavity at varying heights. The second area includes a plurality of recess structures that recess away from the reference boundary and inwardly toward the cavity. The plurality of projection structures and the plurality of recess structures are in an alternating arrangement across the textile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Lysandre FOLLET, Gjermund HAUGBRO, James MOLYNEUX, Philip WOODMAN
  • Patent number: 11585023
    Abstract: Articles of wear having one or more textiles that include a low processing temperature polymeric composition and a high processing temperature polymeric composition, and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The low processing temperature polymeric composition and the high processing temperature polymeric composition can be selectively incorporated into a textile to provide one or more structural properties and/or other advantageous properties to the article. The textile can be thermoformed to impart such structural and/or other advantageous properties to the article of wear. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Giovanni Adami, Sam Amis, Sergio Cavaliere, Jessica Green, Stephen Hipp, John Hurd, James Molyneux, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Timothy J. Smith, Christianna Wincek
  • Publication number: 20230048020
    Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing and monitoring various athletic performance metrics, e.g., during the course of a game, a practice, a training session, training drills, and the like, are described. These systems and methods can provide useful metrics for players and coaches relating to athletic performances in various sports, including various team sports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: James Molyneux, Aaron B. Weast, Brandon S. Burroughs
  • Patent number: 11568977
    Abstract: An athletic parameter measurement device worn by an athlete during an athletic activity session includes a housing which attaches to the athlete, a display, a processor associated with the display, and an athletic parameter measurement sensor. During the athletic activity, the device detects, using the sensor, a vertical jump height of the athlete, and displays, during the performance of the athletic activity session, a representation of the vertical jump height on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James Meschter, James Molyneux, Aaron B. Weast