Patents by Inventor Paul E. Litchfield
Paul E. Litchfield 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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Patent number: 9737110Abstract: The present invention is a method for manufacturing inflatable bladders for use in articles of manufacture. The method includes the steps of providing a first polymer film, applying a curable release coating to the polymer film in a pattern that corresponds to the configuration of the inflatable bladder, curing the release coating to the first polymer film, providing a second polymer film with the first polymer film to form a layered element such that the release coating is disposed between the polymer films, positioning the layered element between two plies of material, applying heat and pressure to adhere the polymer films together except in the area where the release coating has been applied to form an inflatable compartment surrounded by a sealed perimeter, and removing the plies of material from the adhered first and second polymer films.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Reebok International LimitedInventors: Paul M. Davis, Frank Millette, Paul E. Litchfield
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Patent number: 9609913Abstract: A sole for an article of footwear includes: a foam base; a lateral pod assembly having a plurality of pods fluidly connected in series disposed below the foam base, wherein the lateral pod assembly extends from a heel portion of the sole to a forefoot portion of the sole along a lateral side of the sole; and a medial pod assembly having a plurality of pods fluidly connected in series disposed below the foam base, wherein the medial pod assembly extends from a heel portion of the sole to a forefoot portion of the sole along a medial side of the sole, wherein a portion of the foam base extends between the lateral pod assembly and the medial pod assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: Reebok International LimitedInventors: Paul Bates, Paul E. Litchfield, David Lacorazza, William McInnis
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Publication number: 20170087764Abstract: The present invention is a method for manufacturing inflatable articles, or bladders for inflatable articles, that is time-efficient, simple, inexpensive and permits the uninterrupted manufacture of numerous and even customized article or bladder configurations and sizes, without expensive configuration-specific, metal tooling. The method includes the steps of applying a barrier material to a side of a first film, providing a second film with the first film so that the barrier material is disposed between the first and second films, adhering the first film to the second film so that the films are sealed together in areas except where the barrier material has been applied to form at least one inflatable compartment and sealed peripheral edge, and cutting along the sealed peripheral edge to form an inflatable article or bladder for use in an article of manufacture. The barrier material may be a paint, ink, paper or surface treatment that effectively prevents the first film from adhering to the second.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2016Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: Frank MILLETTE, Brian CHRISTENSEN, Paul M. DAVIS, Paul E. LITCHFIELD
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Publication number: 20170035148Abstract: An article of footwear including a sole and an upper with an exterior and interior surface, and one or more bladders which comprises at least one of the exterior or interior surfaces of the upper. The bladder comprising sheets of polyurethane or polyester film attached together to form an airtight seal. The article of footwear also includes a inflation mechanism for selectively introducing air in the one or more bladders. The inflation mechanism is located under the foot of the wearer to be activated by the normal action of the wearer to inflate the one or more bladders. The article of footwear may also include an assembly for connecting several tubes to one under foot inflation mechanism. The article of footwear may also include inflatable laces that are inflated by an underfoot inflation mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventors: William MARVIN, Paul M. DAVIS, Geoff SWALES, Paul E. LITCHFIELD
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Patent number: 9516921Abstract: The present invention is a method for manufacturing inflatable articles, or bladders for inflatable articles, that is time-efficient, simple, inexpensive and permits the uninterrupted manufacture of numerous and even customized article or bladder configurations and sizes, without expensive configuration-specific, metal tooling. The method includes the steps of applying a barrier material to a side of a first film, providing a second film with the first film so that the barrier material is disposed between the first and second films, adhering the first film to the second film so that the films are sealed together in areas except where the barrier material has been applied to form at least one inflatable compartment and sealed peripheral edge, and cutting along the sealed peripheral edge to form an inflatable article or bladder for use in an article of manufacture. The barrier material may be a paint, ink, paper or surface treatment that effectively prevents the first film from adhering to the second.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2013Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Reebok International LimitedInventors: Frank Millette, Brian Christensen, Paul M. Davis, Paul E. Litchfield
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Patent number: 9474323Abstract: An article of footwear including a sole and an upper with an exterior and interior surface, and one or more bladders which comprises at least one of the exterior or interior surfaces of the upper. The bladder comprising sheets of polyurethane or polyester film attached together to form an airtight seal. The article of footwear also includes a inflation mechanism for selectively introducing air in the one or more bladders. The inflation mechanism is located under the foot of the wearer to be activated by the normal action of the wearer to inflate the one or more bladders. The article of footwear may also include an assembly for connecting several tubes to one under foot inflation mechanism. The article of footwear may also include inflatable laces that are inflated by an underfoot inflation mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2014Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LIMITEDInventors: William Marvin, Paul M. Davis, Geoff Swales, Paul E. Litchfield
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Patent number: 9462846Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole having a forefoot portion, a heel portion and an outsole having a bottom surface including a primary ground contacting surface. The bottom surface of the outsole includes a forefoot bulge and a heel bulge which provide the footwear with controlled instability for providing dynamic conditioning of the wearer's muscles during the gait cycle.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2014Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LIMITEDInventors: Paul E. Litchfield, William McInnis, Michael Andrews, Kevin Leary, Ricardo Vestuti, Brian Christensen, Paul Shinney
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Patent number: 9402441Abstract: Articles of footwear and soles are disclosed. The article of footwear may include an upper; an outer midsole having a base coupled to the upper, and a rim portion extending from the periphery of the base, wherein the rim portion defines a plurality of spaced apart gaps; and an inner midsole disposed interiorly to the rim portion, wherein a portion of the inner midsole is disposed in at least one gap.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2014Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Reebok International LimitedInventors: Brian Christensen, Matthew J. Montross, Alexandre Leblanc, Paul E. Litchfield, William Marvin, Frank Millette
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Patent number: 9339078Abstract: Customized, form-fitting athletic articles with a heat moldable material that a wearer may heat to soften after purchase to conform the heat moldable material so the contours of the wearer's body may provide many advantages for consumers, such as increased comfort, performance, or safety. The heat moldable material may be incorporated into the upper of an athletic shoe. The heat moldable material may be sufficiently flexible so as not to impede the necessary movements of a wearer or the athletic shoe while performing activities, such as running, walking, jumping, etc. The heat moldable material may be reusable in that it may be reheated and remolded multiple times so that the article may be re-customized or re-fitted as needed. The article may also include a temperature sensitive indicator that indicates when the heat moldable material has been softened.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LIMITEDInventors: Kevin Leary, Paul Shinney, Paul E. Litchfield, William McInnis
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Patent number: 9295299Abstract: Customized, form-fitting athletic articles with a heat moldable material that a wearer may heat to soften after purchase to conform the heat moldable material so the contours of the wearer's body may provide many advantages for consumers, such as increased comfort, performance, or safety. The heat moldable material may be incorporated into an athletic glove. The heat moldable material may be reusable in that it may be reheated and remolded multiple times so that the article may be re-customized or re-fitted as needed. The article may also include a temperature sensitive indicator that indicates when the heat moldable material has been softened.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2012Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LIMITEDInventors: Kevin Leary, Paul Shinney, Paul E. Litchfield, William McInnis
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Publication number: 20160073729Abstract: The present invention is a method for manufacturing inflatable bladders for use in articles of manufacture. The method includes the steps of providing a first polymer film, applying a curable release coating to the polymer film in a pattern that corresponds to the configuration of the inflatable bladder, curing the release coating to the first polymer film, providing a second polymer film with the first polymer film to form a layered element such that the release coating is disposed between the polymer films, positioning the layered element between two plies of material, applying heat and pressure to adhere the polymer films together except in the area where the release coating has been applied to form an inflatable compartment surrounded by a sealed perimeter, and removing the plies of material from the adhered first and second polymer films.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2015Publication date: March 17, 2016Inventors: Paul M. DAVIS, Frank MILLETTE, Paul E. LITCHFIELD
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Patent number: 9198477Abstract: The present invention is a method for manufacturing inflatable bladders for use in articles of manufacture. The method includes the steps of providing a first polymer film, applying a curable release coating to the polymer film in a pattern that corresponds to the configuration of the inflatable bladder, curing the release coating to the first polymer film, providing a second polymer film with the first polymer film to form a layered element such that the release coating is disposed between the polymer films, positioning the layered element between two plies of material, applying heat and pressure to adhere the polymer films together except in the area where the release coating has been applied to form an inflatable compartment surrounded by a sealed perimeter, and removing the plies of material from the adhered first and second polymer films.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2013Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Reebok International LimitedInventors: Paul M. Davis, Frank Millette, Paul E. Litchfield
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Patent number: 9185946Abstract: Customized, form-fitting athletic articles with a heat moldable material that a wearer may heat to soften after purchase to conform the heat moldable material so the contours of the wearer's body may provide many advantages for consumers, such as increased comfort, performance, or safety. The heat moldable material may be incorporated into the upper of an athletic shoe. The heat moldable material may be sufficiently flexible so as not to impede the necessary movements of a wearer or the athletic shoe while performing activities, such as running, walking, jumping, etc. The heat moldable material may be reusable in that it may be reheated and remolded multiple times so that the article may be re-customized or re-fitted as needed. The article may also include a temperature sensitive indicator that indicates when the heat moldable material has been softened.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2011Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Reebok International LimitedInventors: Kevin Leary, Paul Shinney, Paul E. Litchfield, William McInnis
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Publication number: 20150052782Abstract: Articles of footwear and soles are disclosed. The article of footwear may include an upper; an outer midsole having a base coupled to the upper, and a rim portion extending from the periphery of the base, wherein the rim portion defines a plurality of spaced apart gaps; and an inner midsole disposed interiorly to the rim portion, wherein a portion of the inner midsole is disposed in at least one gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventors: Brian CHRISTENSEN, Matthew J. MONTROSS, Alexandre LEBLANC, Paul E. LITCHFIELD, William MARVIN, Frank MILLETTE
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Publication number: 20140283413Abstract: A sole for an article of footwear includes: an upper sole portion; and a pod assembly having a plurality of pods fluidly connected in series disposed below the upper sole portion, wherein the pod assembly extends from a lateral heel portion of the sole to a medial forefoot portion of the sole such that the plurality of pods compress substantially in sequence through a gait cycle of a wearer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2013Publication date: September 25, 2014Applicant: Reebok International LimitedInventors: Brian CHRISTENSEN, William MARVIN, Paul E. LITCHFIELD
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Publication number: 20140283410Abstract: A method for manufacturing an upper for an article of footwear includes: forming a foam layer; forming a preliminary upper by laminating an outer layer, an inner layer, and the foam layer intermediate to the outer layer and the inner layer; and molding the preliminary upper to a shape having: a contour to substantially fit at least a portion of a foot to provide at least a portion of an upper for an article of footwear.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2013Publication date: September 25, 2014Inventors: William MARVIN, Kevin Leary, Paul E. Litchfield, Thomas Piacentini
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Publication number: 20140245641Abstract: Articles of footwear and soles are disclosed. The article of footwear may include an upper; an outer midsole having a base coupled to the upper, and a rim portion extending from the periphery of the base, wherein the rim portion defines a plurality of spaced apart gaps; and an inner midsole disposed interiorly to the rim portion, wherein a portion of the inner midsole is disposed in at least one gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: Reebok International LimitedInventors: Brian Christensen, Matthew J. Montross, Alexandre Leblanc, Paul E. Litchfield, William Marvin, Frank Millette
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Publication number: 20140223772Abstract: An article of footwear including a sole and an upper with an exterior and interior surface, and one or more bladders which comprises at least one of the exterior or interior surfaces of the upper. The bladder comprising sheets of polyurethane or polyester film attached together to form an airtight seal. The article of footwear also includes a inflation mechanism for selectively introducing air in the one or more bladders. The inflation mechanism is located under the foot of the wearer to be activated by the normal action of the wearer to inflate the one or more bladders. The article of footwear may also include an assembly for connecting several tubes to one under foot inflation mechanism. The article of footwear may also include inflatable laces that are inflated by an underfoot inflation mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2014Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: Reebok International LimitedInventors: William MARVIN, Paul M. DAVIS, Geoff SWALES, Paul E. LITCHFIELD
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Publication number: 20140215849Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole having a forefoot portion, a heel portion and an outsole having a bottom surface including a primary ground contacting surface. The bottom surface of the outsole includes a forefoot bulge and a heel bulge which provide the footwear with controlled instability for providing dynamic conditioning of the wearer's muscles during the gait cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: Reebok International LimitedInventors: Paul E. LITCHFIELD, William MCINNIS, Michael ANDREWS, Kevin LEARY, Ricardo VESTUTI, Brian CHRISTENSEN, Paul SHINNEY
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Patent number: D738079Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2013Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Reebok International LimitedInventors: Paul Bates, Paul E. Litchfield, David Lacorazza, William McInnis