Patents by Inventor Jim Baucom
Jim Baucom 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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Publication number: 20230380546Abstract: Presented are S-shaped cleats for footwear, methods for making/using S-shaped cleats, and footwear fabricated with S-shaped cleats. A cleat structure for an article of footwear includes a mounting base, such as a pair of coplanar mounting plates, that attaches to the footwear's sole structure. A center wall projects downwardly from the mounting base and has opposing lateral sides with a distal end extending therebetween. A pair of sidewalls each projects downwardly from the base and adjoins a respective lateral side of the center wall. Each sidewall has a respective angled edge that projects at an oblique angle from the distal end of the center wall. The two sidewalls are located on opposing sides of the center wall; the sidewalls may be parallel to and extend in opposite directions of each other. The center wall and sidewalls may be substantially flat panels with multiple polygonal faces or may have arcuate sides.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jim Baucom, Josh A. Fedderly, Zach F. Fitean, John Hlavacs
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Patent number: 11758983Abstract: Presented are S-shaped cleats for footwear, methods for making/using S-shaped cleats, and footwear fabricated with S-shaped cleats. A cleat structure for an article of footwear includes a mounting base, such as a pair of coplanar mounting plates, that attaches to the footwear's sole structure. A center wall projects downwardly from the mounting base and has opposing lateral sides with a distal end extending therebetween. A pair of sidewalls each projects downwardly from the base and adjoins a respective lateral side of the center wall. Each sidewall has a respective angled edge that projects at an oblique angle from the distal end of the center wall. The two sidewalls are located on opposing sides of the center wall; the sidewalls may be parallel to and extend in opposite directions of each other. The center wall and sidewalls may be substantially flat panels with multiple polygonal faces or may have arcuate sides.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jim Baucom, Josh A. Fedderly, Zach F. Fitean, John Hlavacs
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Patent number: 11547180Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a plate made of a polymeric material and a plurality of cleats each made of a metallic material. Each of the cleats is overmolded onto the plate. Each of the cleats includes an internal portion and an external portion coupled to the internal portion. The external portion is disposed outside the plate. The internal portion is disposed inside the plate. The internal portion includes a lattice framework. The lattice framework defines a plurality of holes. The plate partly extends through the holes of the lattice framework to secure the plurality of cleats to the plate.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Josh A. Fedderly, John Hlavacs, Jim Baucom
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Publication number: 20220395050Abstract: Presented are S-shaped cleats for footwear, methods for making/using S-shaped cleats, and footwear fabricated with S-shaped cleats. A cleat structure for an article of footwear includes a mounting base, such as a pair of coplanar mounting plates, that attaches to the footwear's sole structure. A center wall projects downwardly from the mounting base and has opposing lateral sides with a distal end extending therebetween. A pair of sidewalls each projects downwardly from the base and adjoins a respective lateral side of the center wall. Each sidewall has a respective angled edge that projects at an oblique angle from the distal end of the center wall. The two sidewalls are located on opposing sides of the center wall; the sidewalls may be parallel to and extend in opposite directions of each other. The center wall and sidewalls may be substantially flat panels with multiple polygonal faces or may have arcuate sides.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2021Publication date: December 15, 2022Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jim Baucom, Josh A. Fedderly, Zach F. Fitean, John Hlavacs
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Patent number: 11166526Abstract: An article of footwear with an arrangement of cleats is disclosed. The arrangement of cleats may enhance traction during the first step of sprinting, quick directional changes, and backward movement. The arrangement of cleats may be disposed on a base plate and may include a first angled cleat aligned with the hallux of a user and a second angled cleat disposed proximate a rearward edge of the base plate. The first angled cleat and two flat cleats may be aligned with the perimeter of a circle on the forefoot region of the base plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2017Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jim Baucom, Joseph Howley, Morgan Stauffer
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Publication number: 20210244136Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a plate made of a polymeric material and a plurality of cleats each made of a metallic material. Each of the cleats is overmolded onto the plate. Each of the cleats includes an internal portion and an external portion coupled to the internal portion. The external portion is disposed outside the plate. The internal portion is disposed inside the plate. The internal portion includes a lattice framework. The lattice framework defines a plurality of holes. The plate partly extends through the holes of the lattice framework to secure the plurality of cleats to the plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Josh A. Fedderly, John Hlavacs, Jim Baucom
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Patent number: 10897961Abstract: An article of footwear has a sole assembly that is further comprised of a chassis, a reinforcing member and a forefoot plate. The reinforcing member includes lateral and medial forefoot portions that fit with corresponding recesses in the forefoot plate and the reinforcing member in the forefoot region of the chassis. The reinforcing member includes a central portion that figs with a corresponding recess in the heel region of the chassis. The chassis and the forefoot plate include ridges on their outer surfaces. Cleats extending from ridges in the forefoot of the chassis are vertically aligned with protrusions on ridges in the forefoot plate. The protrusions can help diffuse forces applied by the cleats against the inner components of the sole and foot to reduce point loading.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2019Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jim Baucom, Josh Fedderly, Jeff Rasmussen, Darlan Zacharia
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Patent number: 10834993Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear may include a carrier and a frame. The frame may include walls that define cells. The carrier may cover the frame. The frame may be joined to and located on a top side of the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2019Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jim Baucom, Lysandre Follet, Timothy Hanson, James Molyneux, Jeff Rasmussen
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Patent number: 10660400Abstract: A sole structure includes a sole plate having a foot-facing surface with a forefoot portion, and a ground-facing surface opposite from the foot-facing surface. The sole plate includes a plurality of grooves extending transversely relative to a longitudinal axis of the sole plate, in the forefoot region of the foot-facing surface. A flex control insert includes an upper surface, and a lower surface opposite the upper surface. The flex control insert includes a plurality of ribs protruding from the lower surface of the flex control insert, which extend transversely relative to the longitudinal axis of the sole plate. Each one of ribs is disposed within a different respective one of the grooves. The ribs are strong in compression, and maintain their volume to resist compression by the grooves as the sole plate flexes in a longitudinal direction to increase the bending stiffness of the sole plate.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jim Baucom, Bryan N. Farris, Alison Sheets-Singer
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Publication number: 20190191815Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear may include a carrier and a frame. The frame may include walls that define cells. The carrier may cover the frame. The frame may be joined to and located on a top side of the carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2019Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: Jim Baucom, Lysandre Follet, Timothy Hanson, James Molyneux, Jeff Rasmussen
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Publication number: 20190174873Abstract: An article of footwear has a sole assembly that is further comprised of a chassis, a reinforcing member and a forefoot plate. The reinforcing member includes lateral and medial forefoot portions that fit with corresponding recesses in the forefoot plate and the reinforcing member in the forefoot region of the chassis. The reinforcing member includes a central portion that figs with a corresponding recess in the heel region of the chassis. The chassis and the forefoot plate include ridges on their outer surfaces. Cleats extending from ridges in the forefoot of the chassis are vertically aligned with protrusions on ridges in the forefoot plate. The protrusions can help diffuse forces applied by the cleats against the inner components of the sole and foot to reduce point loading.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2019Publication date: June 13, 2019Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jim Baucom, Josh Fedderly, Jeff Rasmussen, Darlan Zacharia
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Patent number: 10299543Abstract: A method for making a cleated plate member for an article of footwear is described. The method includes a number of steps where various molds are used to form different components of the cleated plate member. A collar receptacle is formed using a first molding process. A cleat member is formed from a non-compatible material with a fastener of the cleat member associated with the collar receptacle using another molding process to form a combined cleat assembly. The combined cleat assembly is placed into corresponding receptacles in a mold used to form the cleated plate member. The cleated plate member is formed using another molding process that embeds the collar receptacle into the body of the cleated plate member. The completed cleated plate member includes releasably attached cleat members.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2018Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jim Baucom, Clifford B. Gerber, Haim Horesh, Hector R. Quinonez
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Patent number: 10244815Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear may include a carrier and a frame. The frame may include walls that define cells. The carrier may cover the frame. The frame may be joined to and located on a top side of the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2016Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jim Baucom, Lysandre Follet, Timothy Hanson, James Molyneux, Jeff Rasmussen
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Patent number: 10231517Abstract: An article of footwear has a sole assembly that is further comprised of a chassis, a reinforcing member and a forefoot plate. The reinforcing member includes lateral and medial forefoot portions that fit with corresponding recesses in the forefoot plate and the reinforcing member in the forefoot region of the chassis. The reinforcing member includes a central portion that figs with a corresponding recess in the heel region of the chassis. The chassis and the forefoot plate include ridges on their outer surfaces. Cleats extending from ridges in the forefoot of the chassis are vertically aligned with protrusions on ridges in the forefoot plate. The protrusions can help diffuse forces applied by the cleats against the inner components of the sole and foot to reduce point loading.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2017Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jim Baucom, Josh Fedderly, Jeff Rasmussen, Darlan Zacharia
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Publication number: 20180184763Abstract: A method for making a cleated plate member for an article of footwear is described. The method includes a number of steps where various molds are used to form different components of the cleated plate member. A collar receptacle is formed using a first molding process. A cleat member is formed from a non-compatible material with a fastener of the cleat member associated with the collar receptacle using another molding process to form a combined cleat assembly. The combined cleat assembly is placed into corresponding receptacles in a mold used to form the cleated plate member. The cleated plate member is formed using another molding process that embeds the collar receptacle into the body of the cleated plate member. The completed cleated plate member includes releasably attached cleat members.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2018Publication date: July 5, 2018Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jim Baucom, Clifford B. Gerber, Haim Horesh, Hector R. Quinonez
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Patent number: 10010139Abstract: A method for making a cleated plate member of an article of footwear includes forming a blade cleat assembly having an anchor member associated with a blade member, the blade member having a planar body, the body having a base portion, a head portion opposite the base portion, and a through hole formed in the base portion, a first molding material of the anchor member surrounding the base portion of the blade member and extending through the through hole formed in the base portion of the blade member, and associating the blade cleat assembly with an exposed surface of a plate body to form a cleated plate member. The base portion of the blade member further may include a pair of opposing shoulder flange portions. A blade cleat assembly may be disposed in a cleat assembly receptacle of a mold system configured to form a cleated plate member.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2014Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jim Baucom, Matthew R. Pauk
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Publication number: 20180055143Abstract: A sole structure includes a sole plate having a foot-facing surface with a forefoot portion, and a ground-facing surface opposite from the foot-facing surface. The sole plate includes a plurality of grooves extending transversely relative to a longitudinal axis of the sole plate, in the forefoot region of the foot-facing surface. A flex control insert includes an upper surface, and a lower surface opposite the upper surface. The flex control insert includes a plurality of ribs protruding from the lower surface of the flex control insert, which extend transversely relative to the longitudinal axis of the sole plate. Each one of ribs is disposed within a different respective one of the grooves. The ribs are strong in compression, and maintain their volume to resist compression by the grooves as the sole plate flexes in a longitudinal direction to increase the bending stiffness of the sole plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2017Publication date: March 1, 2018Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jim Baucom, Bryan N. Farris, Alison Sheets-Singer
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Patent number: 9901141Abstract: A method for making a cleated plate member for an article of footwear is described. The method includes a number of steps where various molds are used to form different components of the cleated plate member. A collar receptacle is formed using a first molding process. A cleat member is formed from a non-compatible material with a fastener of the cleat member associated with the collar receptacle using another molding process to form a combined cleat assembly. The combined cleat assembly is placed into corresponding receptacles in a mold used to form the cleated plate member. The cleated plate member is formed using another molding process that embeds the collar receptacle into the body of the cleated plate member. The completed cleated plate member includes releasably attached cleat members.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2014Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jim Baucom, Clifford B. Gerber, Haim Horesh, Hector R. Quinonez
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Patent number: 9894956Abstract: An article of footwear with an insert system is disclosed. The insert system can include an insert that may be introduced to a side portion of the upper. The insert is configured to adjust properties of a side portion of an upper.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jim Baucom, Clifford B. Gerber, James A. Grove
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Patent number: 9844242Abstract: An inner sole board having varying regions of flexibility is provided for use in an article of footwear. The inner sole board may include different materials along its length at different locations that vary its flexibility. An inner sole board is manufactured in an injection molding process requiring only one mold. The process includes a first step of providing a mold, a second step of providing an injection molding assembly, a third step of preparing an injection molding assembly and mold, a fourth step of injecting material into the mold, and a fifth step of establishing the dimensions of a first portion. During the injection molding process, the flow rate of at least one material may be controlled by a nozzle gate to control the shape and size of the flex zone it creates. In this manner, the inner sole board may be customized for a specific sport or individual.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jim Baucom, Clifford B. Gerber