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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Publication number: 20120084999Abstract: 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: October 12, 2010Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicant: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: Paul M. Davis, Frank Millette, Paul E. Litchfield
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Patent number: 8151489Abstract: 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: April 9, 2010Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: William Marvin, Paul M. Davis, Geoff Swales, Paul E. Litchfield
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Publication number: 20120023641Abstract: A patch for a performance garment including a sheet of fabric and an elastomeric adhesive adhered to one side of the sheet such that the sheet may be applied to the garment, wherein at least one of the sheet and the elastomeric adhesive have an independent stretch greater than the stretch of the garment. Embodiments of the invention further include methods of repairing an opening in or reinforcing a garment using the patch, repair kits for containing the patch, and methods of making the patch.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2010Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: Hongqing Shen, Anna E. Newton, Paul E. Litchfield
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Publication number: 20110265347Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: Kevin LEARY, Paul Shinney, Paul E. Litchfield, William McInnis
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Patent number: 7930839Abstract: An impact absorbing flexible support system, comprising a plurality of fluid filled chambers disposed in a plurality of longitudinal rows and a plurality of lateral rows, forming a matrix of said fluid filled chambers and an article of footwear containing such a flexible support system. Each chamber is fluidly connected to at least two other fluid filled chambers and has a vertically tapered shape to provide flexibility of movement. The support system is made from air tight thermoplastic film and is inflatable. The support system may have one or more larger fluid filled chamber is disposed amongst said matrix of chambers.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2009Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: Paul E. Litchfield, Geoff Swales
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Publication number: 20110083340Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2009Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: Kevin LEARY, Paul Shinney, Paul E. Litchfield, William McInnis
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Publication number: 20100281711Abstract: Articles of footwear having support structures are disclosed. An article of footwear comprises: a midsole having a plurality of cavities formed therein; and a flexible cage member disposed on the midsole and extending across at least one of the plurality of cavities. The flexible cage member includes a plurality of support arms disposed on the midsole; and a linking member extending across at least one of the cavities and connecting at least two of the support arms.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2009Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: Ricardo Vestuti, Kevin Leary, William Marvin, Paul Shinney, Michael Andrews, William McInnis, Paul E. Litchfield
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Publication number: 20100251565Abstract: 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: September 30, 2009Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: Paul E. Litchfield, William McInnis, Michael Andrews, Kevin Leary, Ricardo Vestuti, Brian Christensen, Paul Shinney
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Publication number: 20100251567Abstract: Articles of footwear are disclosed. In one embodiment, an article of footwear comprises a sole having a forefoot portion and a heel portion. The sole comprises a midsole, an intermediate sole, and a ground contacting surface. At least a portion of the intermediate sole extends from the midsole such that a forefoot bulge substantially covers the forefoot portion of the ground contacting surface and a heel bulge substantially covers the heel portion of the ground contacting surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2009Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: William McInnis, Michael Andrews, Kevin Leary, Ricardo Vestuti, Paul E. Litchfield
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Patent number: 7784116Abstract: A padded garment having at least one pocket with at least one pad located within the at least one pocket. The at least one pad has a plurality of interconnected, spaced apart tubes. A first end of each of the spaced apart tubes are interconnected along a first pathway and a second end of each of the spaced apart tubes are interconnected along a second pathway. The first and second pathways are recessed from a top plane and a bottom plane of the pad in areas between adjacent tubes such that the pad is flexible along the recessed areas of the first and second pathways and substantially less flexible along a length of the spaced apart tubes. The pad is shaped to correspond to an area of a wearer's body it is intended to cover.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: Christopher Gallo, Paul E. Litchfield, William McInnis, Francis V. Millette
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Publication number: 20100192410Abstract: 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: April 9, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: Reebok International, Ltd.Inventors: William MARVIN, Paul M. Davis, Geoff Swales, Paul E. Litchfield
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Publication number: 20100178445Abstract: A stretchable appliqué made from a stretchable substrate with indicia thereon may be applied to a variety of articles including stretchable performance athletic wear. A method for making the stretchable appliqué may include applying an adhesive and a carrier layer to one surface of a stretchable substrate. Indicia may then be applied to the opposite surface of the stretchable fabric and the stretchable substrate may be cut to a desired shape to form the stretchable appliqué. The carrier layer may then be removed and the stretchable appliqué may be adhered to the desired article. The stretchable appliqué may be adhered to stretchable articles of apparel so that the appliqué may stretch when the article of apparel stretches. The carrier layer may be less stretchable than the stretchable substrate, including being completely non-stretchable.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2009Publication date: July 15, 2010Applicant: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: Hongqing Shen, Anna E. Newton, Paul E. Litchfield, William McInnis
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Patent number: 7735241Abstract: An article of footwear including a sole and an upper with an exterior and interior surface, and a bladder which comprises at least one of the exterior or interior surfaces. The bladder comprising sheets of polyurethane attached together via welding. The bladder includes a medial compartment and a lateral compartment attached to each other under the foot of the wearer. The article of footwear also includes a inflation mechanism for selectively introducing air to the chambers. The inflation mechanism is located under the foot of the wearer to be activated by the normal action of the wearer.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2006Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Reebok International, Ltd.Inventors: William Marvin, Paul M. Davis, Geoff Swales, Paul E. Litchfield
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Publication number: 20100126661Abstract: 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: November 23, 2009Publication date: May 27, 2010Inventors: Frank Millette, Brian Christensen, Paul M. Davis, Paul E. Litchfield
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Patent number: 7721465Abstract: 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: January 4, 2008Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: William Marvin, Paul M. Davis, Geoff Swales, Paul E. Litchfield
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Publication number: 20100037482Abstract: An impact absorbing flexible support system, comprising a plurality of fluid filled chambers disposed in a plurality of longitudinal rows and a plurality of lateral rows, forming a matrix of said fluid filled chambers and an article of footwear containing such a flexible support system. Each chamber is fluidly connected to at least two other fluid filled chambers and has a vertically tapered shape to provide flexibility of movement. The support system is made from air tight thermoplastic film and is inflatable. The support system may have one or more larger fluid filled chamber is disposed amongst said matrix of chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2009Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: Paul E. LITCHFIELD, Geoff SWALES
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Patent number: 7622014Abstract: 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: July 1, 2005Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: Frank Millette, Brian Christensen, Paul M. Davis, Paul E. Litchfield
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Patent number: 7600331Abstract: An impact absorbing flexible support system, comprising a plurality of fluid filled chambers disposed in a plurality of longitudinal rows and a plurality of lateral rows, forming a matrix of said fluid filled chambers and an article of footwear containing such a flexible support system. Each chamber is fluidly connected to at least two other fluid filled chambers and has a vertically tapered shape to provide flexibility of movement. The support system is made from air tight thermoplastic film and is inflatable. The support system may have one or more larger fluid filled chamber is disposed amongst said matrix of chambers.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2008Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: Paul E. Litchfield, Geoff Swales
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Publication number: 20090165333Abstract: A cushioning member for an article of footwear. The cushioning member is a flexible bladder having a fluidly interconnected heel chamber and forefoot chamber. The bladder is disposed above the sole and beneath the wearer's foot to provided added cushioning to the wearer. The bladder contains air at slightly above ambient pressure and can be formed by thermoforming or by welding two sheets of resilient, flexible material together. A connecting passage fluidly connects the heel chamber and the forefoot chamber. The connecting passage is narrow to control the flow of air between the two chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2009Publication date: July 2, 2009Applicant: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: Paul E. LITCHFIELD, Matthew J. Montross, Steven F. Smith, J. Spencer White, Alexander W. Jessiman
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Patent number: D659363Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Reebok International LimitedInventors: Kevin Leary, Paul Shinney, Paul E. Litchfield, William McInnis, Ricardo Vestuti