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: 7513067Abstract: 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 article of footwear also includes a inflation mechanism 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 inflation mechanism may be monolithic with the bladder or may be a satellite inflation mechanism coupled to the bladder. The article of footwear may also include a deflation mechanism. The deflation mechanism may include a release valve capable of remaining in a open position and/or an adjustable check valve. The deflation mechanism may also be a combination check valve and release valve accessing a single opening in the bladder.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2006Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: William Marvin, Paul M. Davis, Geoff Swales, Paul E. Litchfield, Brian J. Christensen, Mark Busse, Todd Ellis
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Patent number: 7475498Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 12, 2006Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: Paul E. Litchfield, Matthew J. Montross, Steven F. Smith, J. Spencer White, Alexander W. Jessiman
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Publication number: 20080209763Abstract: 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: May 19, 2008Publication date: September 4, 2008Inventors: Paul E. LITCHFIELD, Geoff Swales
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Patent number: 7383648Abstract: 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: February 23, 2005Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: Paul E. Litchfield, Geoff Swales
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Patent number: 7340851Abstract: 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: March 29, 2006Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: Paul E. Litchfield, Paul M. Davis, Geoff Swales, William Marvin
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Patent number: 7337560Abstract: 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: October 28, 2005Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: William Marvin, Paul M. Davis, Geoff Swales, Paul E. Litchfield
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Publication number: 20080022431Abstract: 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. The interconnected tubes form a cavity which is filled with air that can flow between the plurality of 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: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2006Publication date: January 31, 2008Applicant: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: Christopher Gallo, Paul E. Litchfield, William McInnis, Francis V. Millette
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Patent number: 7278445Abstract: 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 article of footwear also includes a inflation mechanism 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 inflation mechanism may be monolithic with the bladder or may be a satellite inflation mechanism coupled to the bladder. The article of footwear may also include a deflation mechanism. The deflation mechanism may include a release valve capable of remaining in a open position and/or an adjustable check valve. The deflation mechanism may also be a combination check valve and release valve accessing a single opening in the bladder.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2004Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: William Marvin, Paul M. Davis, Geoff Swales, Paul E. Litchfield, Brian J. Christensen, Mark Busse, Todd Ellis
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Patent number: 7181867Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 25, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: 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: 7152625Abstract: 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: May 24, 2004Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: William Marvin, Paul M. Davis, Geoff Swales, Paul E. Litchfield
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Patent number: 7080467Abstract: A hollow sole is formed within the sole of a shoe wherein a top component having a flat portion and an outer wall is adhered to a bottom component wherein the depth of the outer wall defines an enclosed space between the top and bottom components. The outer wall of the top component and the walls of the bottom component that rise to and fall from the weld lines are made with flexible ridges which provides a bellowing effect when the pressure of the foot is pushed down on the sole. In one embodiment, a fluidly connected inside compartment and outside compartment are created by welded lines adhering the bottom component to the top component. In an alternate embodiment, the hollow sole may contain foam for extra support. Fluid pockets and other flow structures are bored into the foam to allow for the dynamic fluid flow.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2003Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: William Marvin, Brian Christensen, Paul E. Litchfield, William McInnis
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Patent number: 7047670Abstract: 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: July 2, 2003Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: William Marvin, Paul M Davis, Geoff Swales, Paul E Litchfield
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Patent number: 6988329Abstract: 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: March 4, 2005Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: William Marvin, Paul M. Davis, Geoff Swales, Paul E. Litchfield
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Patent number: 6845573Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 16, 2002Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: Paul E. Litchfield, Matthew J. Montross, Steven F. Smith, J. Spencer White, Alexander W. Jessiman
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Publication number: 20040261293Abstract: A hollow sole is formed within the sole of a shoe wherein a top component having a flat portion and an outer wall is adhered to a bottom component wherein the depth of the outer wall defines an enclosed space between the top and bottom components. The outer wall of the top component and the walls of the bottom component that rise to and fall from the weld lines are made with flexible ridges which provides a bellowing effect when the pressure of the foot is pushed down on the sole. In one embodiment, a fluidly connected inside compartment and outside compartment are created by welded lines adhering the bottom component to the top component. In an alternate embodiment, the hollow sole may contain foam for extra support. Fluid pockets and other flow structures are bored into the foam to allow for the dynamic fluid flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2003Publication date: December 30, 2004Applicant: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: William Marvin, Brian Christensen, Paul E. Litchfield, William McInnis
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Publication number: 20040211084Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2004Publication date: October 28, 2004Inventors: William Marvin, Paul M. Davis, Geoff Swales, Paul E. Litchfield
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Patent number: 6785985Abstract: 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: July 2, 2002Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: William Marvin, Paul M. Davis, Geoff Swales, Paul E. Litchfield
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Patent number: 6745499Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe sole having a resilient insert which provides fluidic cushioning and support to the foot of the wearer. The resilient insert has a heel chamber, a forefoot chamber and a passageway, which fluidly connects the heel chamber to the forefoot chamber. As the wearer walks or run and applies impact forces to the shoe sole, fluid within the resilient insert flows back and forth between the heel chamber and the forefoot chamber to provide continuous cushioning and support to the heel and fore portion of the wearer's foot. The resilient insert and components of the sole are specifically constructed and assembled to avoid friction and turbulence therein, which can result in the production of audible and undesirable noises within the interior of the shoe sole.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2002Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: Brian Christensen, Todd Ellis, Paul E. Litchfield
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Publication number: 20040003517Abstract: 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: July 2, 2003Publication date: January 8, 2004Inventors: William Marvin, Paul M. Davis, Geoff Swales, Paul E. Litchfield
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Patent number: D543677Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2005Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: Reebok International Ltd.Inventors: Michael Andrews, William McInnis, Paul Bates, Paul E. Litchfield