Patents by Inventor Michael Wallans

Michael Wallans 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: 20240148105
    Abstract: A sole structure includes an outsole defining an inner outsole surface and an outer outsole surface opposite the inner outer surface. The inner outsole surface is spaced apart from the outer outsole surface along a first direction. The sole structure further includes a midsole disposed on the outsole and a footwear plate is directly coupled to the midsole. The footwear plate includes a composite material and includes a first plate portion, a second plate portion is connected to the first plate portion, and a third plate portion is connected to the second plate portion. The second plate portion is connected between the first plate portion and the third plate portion. The second plate portion is obliquely angled relative to the first plate portion and the third plate portion so that the first plate portion is spaced apart from the third plate portion along the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2024
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Bardini, Michael Wallans
  • Publication number: 20230191213
    Abstract: A golf club head has a body having a ball striking face, a rear opposite the ball striking face, a crown, a sole, a heel, and a toe, the body having a void defined by a peripheral edge on the sole. The body further defines a cover that extends over the void and forms at least a portion of the crown. At least a portion of the peripheral edge of the void includes a lip extending from the peripheral edge inwardly into the void. The golf club head may additionally or alternately include one or more weight receptacles connected to the sole and having an opening in the sole, such that each weight receptacle is configured to receive insertion of a weight through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Michael G. Taylor, Michael Wallans, John T. Stites, Sherry L. Jones
  • Patent number: 11577133
    Abstract: A golf club head has a body having a ball striking face, a rear opposite the ball striking face, a crown, a sole, a heel, and a toe, the body having a void defined by a peripheral edge on the sole. The body further defines a cover that extends over the void and forms at least a portion of the crown. At least a portion of the peripheral edge of the void includes a lip extending from the peripheral edge inwardly into the void. The golf club head may additionally or alternately include one or more weight receptacles connected to the sole and having an opening in the sole, such that each weight receptacle is configured to receive insertion of a weight through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. Taylor, Michael Wallans, John T. Stites, Sherry L. Jones
  • Patent number: 11541294
    Abstract: An electronic golf aid system for assisting users with reading greens on golf courses includes a camera that captures images of the user's field of view, and an electronic display device with a display screen that displays captured images. A processor, which communicates with the camera and display device, is programmed to: receive signals from the camera indicative of images of a golf ball and a cup on the green; determine respective locations for the golf ball and cup; determine a perspective view of the topology of the green between the golf ball and cup from the user's point of view; determine, based on the green's topology, a proposed trajectory line from the golf ball's location to the cup's location; and direct the electronic display device to display the proposed trajectory line superimposed on the surface of the green as the green is shown in real-time on the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Leech, Michael Wallans
  • Publication number: 20220219052
    Abstract: Ball striking devices, such as golf clubs, have a head that includes a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball, and a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the face, with the body having a crown, a sole, a heel side, and a toe side, such that the face and the body combine to define an enclosed internal cavity. A damping member is connected to the body and includes a post extending inwardly into the cavity from an inner surface of the body, a first arm extending from the post toward the heel side of the body, and a second arm extending from the post toward the toe side of the body. The damping member is configured to produce a mass damping effect upon an impact on the face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: David N. Franklin, Michael Wallans
  • Patent number: 11285364
    Abstract: Ball striking devices, such as golf clubs, have a head that includes a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball, and a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the face, with the body having a crown, a sole, a heel side, and a toe side, such that the face and the body combine to define an enclosed internal cavity. A damping member is connected to the body and includes a post extending inwardly into the cavity from an inner surface of the body, a first arm extending from the post toward the heel side of the body, and a second arm extending from the post toward the toe side of the body. The damping member is configured to produce a mass damping effect upon an impact on the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: David N. Franklin, Michael Wallans
  • Publication number: 20220087362
    Abstract: A sole structure includes an outsole defining an inner outsole surface and an outer outsole surface opposite the inner outer surface. The inner outsole surface is spaced apart from the outer outsole surface along a first direction. The sole structure further includes a midsole disposed on the outsole and a footwear plate is directly coupled to the midsole. The footwear plate includes a composite material and includes a first plate portion, a second plate portion is connected to the first plate portion, and a third plate portion is connected to the second plate portion. The second plate portion is connected between the first plate portion and the third plate portion. The second plate portion is obliquely angled relative to the first plate portion and the third plate portion so that the first plate portion is spaced apart from the third plate portion along the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Bardini, Michael Wallans
  • Publication number: 20210346771
    Abstract: A golf club head has a body having a ball striking face, a rear opposite the ball striking face, a crown, a sole, a heel, and a toe, the body having a void defined by a peripheral edge on the sole. The body further defines a cover that extends over the void and forms at least a portion of the crown. At least a portion of the peripheral edge of the void includes a lip extending from the peripheral edge inwardly into the void. The golf club head may additionally or alternately include one or more weight receptacles connected to the sole and having an opening in the sole, such that each weight receptacle is configured to receive insertion of a weight through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Michael G. Taylor, Michael Wallans, John T. Stites, Sherry L. Jones
  • Publication number: 20210282560
    Abstract: A sport chair includes a seating surface operative to support a user and a processor. The processor is configured to detect the presence of a user on the seating surface, establish communication with an article of apparel on the body of the user, receive an indication of a physiological parameter of the user from a biometric sensor provided with the article of apparel, and output the physiological parameter to a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Andon, Ciro Fusco, Daniel A. Judelson, Hien Tommy Pham, Michael Wallans
  • Patent number: 11077343
    Abstract: Golf clubs according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include a golf club head and a shaft configured to engage with the golf club head which includes a grip engaged with the shaft. Further, the golf club may include a monitoring device, which includes a sensor and a transmitter. Additionally, the monitoring device may be configured to determine data related to the characteristics of a golf swing. Further, the monitoring device may be configured to transmit the data related to the characteristics of a golf swing to a remote computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wallans, Robert M. Boyd, Philip J. Hatton, Mario A. Lafortune, John T. Stites
  • Patent number: 11065517
    Abstract: A golf club head has a body having a ball striking face, a rear opposite the ball striking face, a crown, a sole, a heel, and a toe, the body having a void defined by a peripheral edge on the sole. The body further defines a cover that extends over the void and forms at least a portion of the crown. At least a portion of the peripheral edge of the void includes a lip extending from the peripheral edge inwardly into the void. The golf club head may additionally or alternately include one or more weight receptacles connected to the sole and having an opening in the sole, such that each weight receptacle is configured to receive insertion of a weight through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. Taylor, Michael Wallans, John T. Stites, Sherry L. Jones
  • Patent number: 11019931
    Abstract: A sport chair includes a seating surface operative to support a user and a processor. The processor is configured to detect the presence of a user on the seating surface, establish communication with an article of apparel on the body of the user, receive an indication of a physiological parameter of the user from a biometric sensor provided with the article of apparel, and output the physiological parameter to a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Andon, Ciro Fusco, Daniel A. Judelson, Hien Tommy Pham, Michael Wallans
  • Publication number: 20210069562
    Abstract: A head for a ball striking device includes a bracing member connected to an upper sole surface located on the sole of the body opposite the bottom sole surface. The bracing member includes a first end connected to a first point on the upper sole surface, a second end connected to a second point on the upper sole surface spaced from the first point, and a bridge portion extending between the first and second ends. The bridge portion extends upward from the upper sole surface and is spaced from the upper sole surface. The bridge portion may be formed by one or more trusses, and may define a generally triangular shape in one embodiment. The first and second ends may be connected to the upper sole surface using a variety of techniques, e.g., welding or other integral joining technique, integral forming, adhesive or other bonding material, or other technique. The location of the bracing member may be determined using a modal analysis to determine a maximum displacement region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: William C. Knight, Michael Wallans
  • Publication number: 20210008419
    Abstract: Ball striking devices, such as golf clubs, have a head that includes a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball, and a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the face, with the body having a crown, a sole, a heel side, and a toe side, such that the face and the body combine to define an enclosed internal cavity. A damping member is connected to the body and includes a post extending inwardly into the cavity from an inner surface of the body, a first arm extending from the post toward the heel side of the body, and a second arm extending from the post toward the toe side of the body. The damping member is configured to produce a mass damping effect upon an impact on the face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: David N. Franklin, Michael Wallans
  • Patent number: 10835793
    Abstract: A head for a ball striking device includes a bracing member connected to an upper sole surface located on the sole of the body opposite the bottom sole surface. The bracing member includes a first end connected to a first point on the upper sole surface, a second end connected to a second point on the upper sole surface spaced from the first point, and a bridge portion extending between the first and second ends. The bridge portion extends upward from the upper sole surface and is spaced from the upper sole surface. The bridge portion may be formed by one or more trusses, and may define a generally triangular shape in one embodiment. The first and second ends may be connected to the upper sole surface using a variety of techniques, e.g., welding or other integral joining technique, integral forming, adhesive or other bonding material, or other technique. The location of the bracing member may be determined using a modal analysis to determine a maximum displacement region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: William C. Knight, Michael Wallans
  • Publication number: 20200298078
    Abstract: A golf club head has a body having a ball striking face, a rear opposite the ball striking face, a crown, a sole, a heel, and a toe, the body having a void defined by a peripheral edge on the sole. The body further defines a cover that extends over the void and forms at least a portion of the crown. At least a portion of the peripheral edge of the void includes a lip extending from the peripheral edge inwardly into the void. The golf club head may additionally or alternately include one or more weight receptacles connected to the sole and having an opening in the sole, such that each weight receptacle is configured to receive insertion of a weight through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Michael G. Taylor, Michael Wallans, John T. Stites, Sherry L. Jones
  • Publication number: 20200281365
    Abstract: A sport chair includes a seating surface operative to support a user and a processor. The processor is configured to detect the presence of a user on the seating surface, establish communication with an article of apparel on the body of the user, receive an indication of a physiological parameter of the user from a biometric sensor provided with the article of apparel, and output the physiological parameter to a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Andon, Ciro Fusco, Daniel A. Judelson, Hien Tommy Pham, Michael Wallans
  • Patent number: 10729947
    Abstract: Ball striking devices, such as golf clubs, have a head that includes a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball, and a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the face, with the body having a crown, a sole, a heel side, and a toe side, such that the face and the body combine to define an enclosed internal cavity. A damping member is connected to the body and includes a post extending inwardly into the cavity from an inner surface of the body, a first arm extending from the post toward the heel side of the body, and a second arm extending from the post toward the toe side of the body. The damping member is configured to produce a mass damping effect upon an impact on the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: David N. Franklin, Michael Wallans
  • Publication number: 20200230480
    Abstract: An electronic golf aid system for assisting users with reading greens on golf courses includes a camera that captures images of the user's field of view, and an electronic display device with a display screen that displays captured images. A processor, which communicates with the camera and display device, is programmed to: receive signals from the camera indicative of images of a golf ball and a cup on the green; determine respective locations for the golf ball and cup; determine a perspective view of the topology of the green between the golf ball and cup from the user's point of view; determine, based on the green's topology, a proposed trajectory line from the golf ball's location to the cup's location; and direct the electronic display device to display the proposed trajectory line superimposed on the surface of the green as the green is shown in real-time on the display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Leech, Michael Wallans
  • Patent number: 10694857
    Abstract: A sport chair with ancillary electronic functionality includes a seating surface operative to support a user, and ancillary functionality selected from: thermal management functionality, identity sensing functionality, health sensing functionality, apparel integration, and immersive display functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Andon, Ciro Fusco, Daniel A. Judelson, Hien Tommy Pham, Michael Wallans