Patents by Inventor John T. Dimoff
John T. Dimoff 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: 20240122299Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, John T. Dimoff, Wade Flanagan, Austin Orand, George A. Xanthos
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Patent number: 11957210Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2023Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, John T. Dimoff, Wade Flanagan, Austin Orand, George A. Xanthos
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Publication number: 20240115003Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, John T. Dimoff, Wade Flanagan, Austin Orand, George A. Xanthos
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Patent number: 11896082Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2023Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, John T. Dimoff, Wade Flanagan, Austin Orand, George A. Xanthos
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Publication number: 20240032652Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, John T. Dimoff, Wade Flanagan, Austin Orand, George A. Xanthos
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Publication number: 20240023672Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, John T. Dimoff, Wade Flanagan, Austin Orand, George A. Xanthos
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Patent number: 11832682Abstract: An upper component for an article of footwear allows easy entry of the foot into the article of footwear. The upper component includes a heel body, which includes a first portion partially defining an ankle opening. The heel body further includes a second portion coupled to the first portion. The second portion is foldable and partially defines the ankle opening. The second portion is movable relative to the first portion between an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration. The upper component includes at least one tension member coupled to the second portion. The tension member is movable relative to the first portion to move the second portion from the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration. The ankle opening is larger when the second portion is in the unfolded configuration than when the second portion is in the folded configuration.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2022Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tobie D. Hatfield, Ami Davis, John T. Dimoff, Nadia M. Panian, Thomas J. Rushbrook
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Publication number: 20230309655Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2023Publication date: October 5, 2023Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, John T. Dimoff, Wade Flanagan, Austin Orand, George A. Xanthos
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Publication number: 20230276892Abstract: An article of footwear comprises a sole structure, and an upper including a front section and a rear section. The front section is fixed to a forefoot region of the sole structure and partially defines a foot-receiving cavity. The rear section is operatively secured to the sole structure at least partially rearward of the front section, and includes medial and lateral wings. A medial set of magnets includes at least one front medial magnet secured to a medial side of the front section and at least one rear medial magnet secured to the medial wing. A lateral set of magnets includes at least one front lateral magnet secured to a lateral side of the front section and at least one rear lateral magnet secured to the lateral wing. The rear section is movable relative to the front section between an access position and a use position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tinker L. Hatfield, Tiffany A. Beers, John T. Dimoff, Jared M. Kilmer, Kevin J. Rucier
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Patent number: 11707111Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2021Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, John T. Dimoff, Wade Flanagan, Austin Orand, George A. Xanthos
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Patent number: 11707112Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2021Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, John T. Dimoff, Wade Flanagan, Austin Orand, George A. Xanthos
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Patent number: 11684109Abstract: An article of footwear comprises a sole structure, and an upper including a front section and a rear section. The front section is fixed to a forefoot region of the sole structure and partially defines a foot-receiving cavity. The rear section is operatively secured to the sole structure at least partially rearward of the front section, and includes medial and lateral wings. A medial set of magnets includes at least one front medial magnet secured to a medial side of the front section and at least one rear medial magnet secured to the medial wing. A lateral set of magnets includes at least one front lateral magnet secured to a lateral side of the front section and at least one rear lateral magnet secured to the lateral wing. The rear section is movable relative to the front section between an access position and a use position.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tinker L. Hatfield, Tiffany A. Beers, John T. Dimoff, Jared M. Kilmer, Kevin J. Rucier
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Publication number: 20230189929Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2023Publication date: June 22, 2023Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, John T. Dimoff, Wade Flanagan, Austin Orand, George A. Xanthos
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Patent number: 11612216Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2021Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, John T. Dimoff, Wade Flanagan, Austin Orand, George A. Xanthos
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Patent number: 11484095Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2021Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, John T. Dimoff, Wade Flanagan, Austin Orand, George A. Xanthos
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Publication number: 20220132979Abstract: An upper component for an article of footwear allows easy entry of the foot into the article of footwear. The upper component includes a heel body, which includes a first portion partially defining an ankle opening. The heel body further includes a second portion coupled to the first portion. The second portion is foldable and partially defines the ankle opening. The second portion is movable relative to the first portion between an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration. The upper component includes at least one tension member coupled to the second portion. The tension member is movable relative to the first portion to move the second portion from the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration. The ankle opening is larger when the second portion is in the unfolded configuration than when the second portion is in the folded configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2022Publication date: May 5, 2022Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tobie D. Hatfield, Ami Davis, John T. Dimoff, Nadia M. Panian, Thomas J. Rushbrook
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Patent number: 11304477Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear includes a control bar having a center segment, a medial side arm extending from the center segment, and a lateral side arm spaced from the medial side arm and extending from the center segment. The device may include an extension extending toward the control bar. At least a portion of the control bar may be elastically deformable under an applied force depressing the control bar toward the extension, and the extension may limit movement of the control bar. The control bar may be adapted to return to an unloaded position upon removal of the applied force.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2020Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, John T. Dimoff, Wade Flanagan, Austin Orand, Gerald Sullivan, George A. Xanthos
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Publication number: 20220079291Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, John T. Dimoff, Wade Flanagan, Austin Orand, George A. Xanthos
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Publication number: 20220071354Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2021Publication date: March 10, 2022Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, John T. Dimoff, Wade Flanagan, Austin Orand, George A. Xanthos
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Patent number: 11253023Abstract: An upper component for an article of footwear allows easy entry of the foot into the article of footwear. The upper component includes a heel body, which includes a first portion partially defining an ankle opening. The heel body further includes a second portion coupled to the first portion. The second portion is foldable and partially defines the ankle opening. The second portion is movable relative to the first portion between an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration. The upper component includes at least one tension member coupled to the second portion. The tension member is movable relative to the first portion to move the second portion from the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration. The ankle opening is larger when the second portion is in the unfolded configuration than when the second portion is in the folded configuration.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tobie D. Hatfield, Ami Davis, John T. Dimoff, Nadia M. Panian, Thomas J. Rushbrook