Patents by Inventor Nicholas R. Long

Nicholas R. Long 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: 20240115001
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper including a chamber, a compressible component disposed within the chamber and operable between a relaxed state and a constricted state, a sole structure including a recess forming a cavity, and a pump device disposed within the cavity and fluidly coupled to the chamber, the pump device operable to transition the compressible component from the relaxed state to the constricted state by removing fluid from the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer L. Bishop, Timothy P. Hopkins, Nicholas R. Long, Nadia M. Panian, Aaron K. Seid, Richard Kristian Hansen
  • Publication number: 20240115006
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an adjustable element. The adjustable element includes a bladder that defines an interior void. A compressible component that is disposed within the interior void and is operable between an expanded state and a contracted state. The adjustable element also includes a lock strip including a first end anchored at a first location within the bladder and a second end disposed at an opposite end of the lock strip than the first end. A lock receives the lock strip and is operable between a locked state restricting movement of the lock strip relative to the bladder and an unlocked state permitting movement of the lock strip relative to the bladder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas R. Long, Todd W. Miller, Matthew D. Nordstrom, Richard Kristian Hansen
  • Publication number: 20230346074
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper having a chamber, a sole structure including a recess forming a cavity, and a pump device disposed within the cavity, in fluid communication with the chamber, and operable to move the upper from a relaxed state to a constricted state by selectively evacuating fluid from the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer L. Bishop, Timothy P. Hopkins, Nicholas R. Long, Todd W. Miller, Nadia M. Panian, Aaron K. Seid
  • Publication number: 20230225453
    Abstract: A cushioning member for an article of footwear is provided and includes a first barrier member defining a first compartment and a second compartment and being formed from a first material. A second barrier member is attached to the first barrier member, covers the first compartment to define a first interior void, and covers the second compartment to define a second interior void. The second barrier is formed from a second material different than the first material. The cushioning member also includes a first quantity of particulate matter disposed within the first interior void and a second quantity of particulate matter disposed within the second interior void.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hurd, Joël Ryp Greenspan, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long, Tetsuya T. Minami
  • Publication number: 20230189907
    Abstract: A locking structure for an article includes a bladder having a first barrier element attached to a second barrier element to define a chamber including an interior void and a plurality of locking elements disposed within the interior void and each attached to at least one of the first barrier element and the second barrier element, each of the locking elements including an interface surface operable to selectively engage an interface surface of another one of the locking elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer L. Bishop, Timothy P. Hopkins, Nicholas R. Long, Todd W. Miller, Nadia M. Panian, Aaron K. Seid
  • Patent number: 11627778
    Abstract: A cushioning member for an article of footwear is provided and includes a first barrier member defining a first compartment and a second compartment and being formed from a first material. A second barrier member is attached to the first barrier member, covers the first compartment to define a first interior void, and covers the second compartment to define a second interior void. The second barrier is formed from a second material different than the first material. The cushioning member also includes a first quantity of particulate matter disposed within the first interior void and a second quantity of particulate matter disposed within the second interior void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hurd, Joel R. Greenspan, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long, Tetsuya T. Minami
  • Publication number: 20230096885
    Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper, an outsole attached to the upper, and a midsole. The outsole includes a ground-engaging surface and an inner surface disposed on opposite sides. The midsole has a footbed and a bottom surface disposed on opposite sides. The bottom surface opposes the inner surface to define a cavity therebetween. The article of footwear also includes a first series of projections extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in a first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a second series of projection extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in the first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a quantity of particulate matter disposed within the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long, Aaron K. Seid
  • Publication number: 20230033238
    Abstract: A pump includes a conduit defining an inner volume and formed from a flexible material, the conduit movable between an expanded state and a relaxed state. A coil is disposed within the conduit and includes an outer diameter that is approximately equal to an inner diameter of the conduit, the coil substantially maintaining its outer diameter when the conduit is moved between the relaxed state and the expanded state. A manifold is in fluid communication with the inner volume and is operable to permit fluid to enter the inner volume in a first mode and expel fluid from the inner volume in a second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Nicholas R. Long, Matthew D. Nordstrom, Austin J. Orand, Richard Kristian Hansen, Kimberly A. Sokol
  • Patent number: 11490681
    Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper, an outsole attached to the upper, and a midsole. The outsole includes a ground-engaging surface and an inner surface disposed on opposite sides. The midsole has a footbed and a bottom surface disposed on opposite sides. The bottom surface opposes the inner surface to define a cavity therebetween. The article of footwear also includes a first series of projections extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in a first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a second series of projection extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in the first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a quantity of particulate matter disposed within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long, Aaron K. Seid
  • Publication number: 20220330657
    Abstract: An adjustment element for an article of footwear includes a bladder having a barrier layer defining an interior void and a compressible component disposed within the interior void and including a lattice structure defining a plurality of reliefs formed in the lattice structure, the compressible component operable between an expanded state when the interior void includes a first pressure and a contracted state when the interior void includes a second pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer L. Bishop, Timothy P. Hopkins, Nicholas R. Long, Todd W. Miller, Nadia M. Panian, Aaron K. Seid
  • Publication number: 20220240622
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole attached to the upper, and an outsole. The midsole has a footbed and a bottom surface disposed on an opposite side of the midsole than the footbed. The outsole has a ground-engaging surface, an inner surface disposed on an opposite side of the outsole than the ground-engaging surface, and a wall extending from the ground-engaging surface and surrounding the outsole. The article of footwear also includes at least two casings each containing particulate matter and having a thickness extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the outsole. The at least two casings are arranged in a layered configuration and received within a cavity bounded by the wall of the outsole and between the bottom surface and the inner surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long
  • Publication number: 20220240621
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, an outsole, and a midsole disposed between the upper and the outsole. The outsole is attached to the upper and has a ground-engaging surface. The midsole has a series of walls that define a series of channels extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the midsole and along an entire length of the midsole. The series of channels are isolated from one another and each channel receives a quantity of particulate matter therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Scott C. Holt, Jeffrey L. Johnson, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long, Matthew C. Palmer
  • Patent number: 11324281
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole attached to the upper, and an outsole. The midsole has a footbed and a bottom surface disposed on an opposite side of the midsole than the footbed. The outsole has a ground-engaging surface, an inner surface disposed on an opposite side of the outsole than the ground-engaging surface, and a wall extending from the ground-engaging surface and surrounding the outsole. The article of footwear also includes at least two casings each containing particulate matter and having a thickness extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the outsole. The at least two casings are arranged in a layered configuration and received within a cavity bounded by the wall of the outsole and between the bottom surface and the inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long
  • Patent number: 11317675
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole attached to the upper, and an outsole. The midsole has a footbed and a bottom surface disposed on an opposite side of the midsole than the footbed. The outsole has a ground-engaging surface, an inner surface disposed on an opposite side of the outsole than the ground-engaging surface, and a wall extending from the ground-engaging surface and surrounding the outsole. The article of footwear also includes a casing containing particulate matter and having a length that is greater than a length of the outsole. The casing includes a first fold at a predetermined location along its length. The casing is received within a cavity bounded by the wall of the outsole and between the bottom surface and the inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Scott C. Holt, Jeffrey L. Johnson, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long, Matthew C. Palmer
  • Patent number: 11304475
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, an outsole, and a midsole disposed between the upper and the outsole. The outsole is attached to the upper and has a ground-engaging surface. The midsole has a series of walls that define a series of channels extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the midsole and along an entire length of the midsole. The series of channels are isolated from one another and each channel receives a quantity of particulate matter therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Scott C. Holt, Jeffrey L. Johnson, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long, Matthew C. Palmer
  • Publication number: 20210330036
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and cable routed along the upper and operable between a tightened state and a loosened state. A first strap includes a first plurality of bands each extending from a first end attached at a first side of the upper to a second end attached to a portion the cable on a second side of the upper. A second strap includes a second plurality of bands each extending from a first end attached at the second side of the upper to a second end attached to another portion of the cable on the first side of the upper. The first plurality of bands of the first strap are interweaved with the second plurality of bands of the second strap and are operable to move through the second plurality of bands when the cable is moved between the tightened state and the loosened state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Viviane Labelle, Nicholas R. Long
  • Patent number: 11096444
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, an outsole attached to the upper, and a midsole disposed between the upper and the outsole. The outsole includes a ground-engaging surface, an inner surface formed on an opposite side of the outsole than the ground-engaging surface, and a wall surrounding a perimeter of the outsole. The wall cooperates with the inner surface to define a cavity. The midsole includes a footbed and a bottom surface disposed on an opposite side of the midsole than the footbed and opposing the inner surface of the outsole. The article of footwear also includes fibers received within the cavity. The fibers cooperate with one another to form a mesh that at least partially fills the cavity. The article of footwear also includes particulate matter disposed within the cavity and received within interstitial spaces of the mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long
  • Publication number: 20200253329
    Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper, an outsole attached to the upper, and a midsole. The outsole includes a ground-engaging surface and an inner surface disposed on opposite sides. The midsole has a footbed and a bottom surface disposed on opposite sides. The bottom surface opposes the inner surface to define a cavity therebetween. The article of footwear also includes a first series of projections extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in a first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a second series of projection extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in the first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a quantity of particulate matter disposed within the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long, Aaron K. Seid
  • Patent number: 10674788
    Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper, an outsole attached to the upper, and a midsole. The outsole includes a ground-engaging surface and an inner surface disposed on opposite sides. The midsole has a footbed and a bottom surface disposed on opposite sides. The bottom surface opposes the inner surface to define a cavity therebetween. The article of footwear also includes a first series of projections extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in a first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a second series of projection extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in the first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a quantity of particulate matter disposed within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long, Aaron K. Seid
  • Publication number: 20200085140
    Abstract: A method of making a cushioning member is provided. The method includes forming a first barrier member from a first material, the first barrier member including a first compartment and a second compartment. The method further includes forming a second barrier member from a second material different than the first material. The first compartment is provided with a first quantity of particulate matter and the second compartment is provided with a second quantity of particulate matter. The method further includes covering the first compartment with the second barrier member and covering the second compartment with the second barrier member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hurd, Joel R. Greenspan, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long, Tetsuya T. Minami, Howard Fu, Scott C. Holt