Patents Assigned to Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc.
  • Zoned functional fabrics
    Patent number: 8479322
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to body gear having designed performance characteristics, and in particular to methods and apparatuses that utilize an array of performance characteristic elements coupled to a base material to direct heat, absorb heat, emit heat, and/or wick moisture while also maintaining the desired transfer properties of the base material. In some embodiments, two, three, four, or more different types of performance characteristic elements may be included in a piece of body gear, for example in desired zones of the body gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. “Woody” Blackford, Jeffrey Mergy
  • Patterned heat management material
    Patent number: 8453270
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to body gear having designed performance characteristics, and in particular to methods and apparatuses that utilize an array of heat managing elements coupled to a base material to direct body heat while also maintaining the desired transfer properties of the base material. In some embodiments, the heat managing material elements include heat management elements that reflect heat or conduct heat, and may be directed towards the body of a user or away from the body of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Woody Blackford
  • COOLING FABRICS
    Publication number: 20130133353
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to cooling fabrics having an array of cooling elements coupled to a base fabric, and in particular to methods and fabrics that utilize an array of cooling elements coupled to a base material to absorb heat while also maintaining desired properties of the base material. In some embodiments, the cooling elements may include a cooling gel or polymer or a phase change material, and the cooling elements may undergo a chemical or physical change when exposed to moisture, thereby absorbing heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Columbia sportswear north america, inc.
  • CO-MOLDED SOLE
    Publication number: 20130126075
    Abstract: Embodiments herein provide a co-molded sole for footwear, such as athletic shoes. Embodiments also provide a mold for manufacturing the co-molded sole. In various embodiments, the co-molded sole may include an outsole and a midsole. The outsole may be composed of an outsole material, and the midsole may be composed of a midsole material. The outsole and midsole may be co-molded together to form a unitary piece by the mold. The mold may include a lower plate, a middle plate, and an upper plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc.
  • ACCESSORY STRAP FOR APPAREL
    Publication number: 20130097766
    Abstract: Embodiments provide accessory straps for apparel, such as outerwear. In various embodiments, the accessory strap may be used to secure gloves, mittens, hats, scarves, and/or other accessories to a piece of apparel, such as outerwear, when the accessory is not being used. Various embodiments of the accessory strap may include an elastomeric element, so that the strap may stretch to encompass large or bulky items. Some embodiments may have an adjustable fit, so that various sized accessories may be securely stowed. In various embodiments, the accessory strap may be stowed under a flap, bellow, or other feature of the outerwear when not in use, for instance to hide it from view and/or prevent it from catching on nearby objects, and various embodiments of the accessory strap may be incorporated into the design of a pocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc.
  • Patterned heat management material
    Patent number: 8424119
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to body gear having designed performance characteristics, and in particular to methods and apparatuses that utilize an array of heat managing elements coupled to a base material to direct body heat while also maintaining the desired transfer properties of the base material. In some embodiments, the heat managing material elements include heat management elements that reflect heat or conduct heat, and may be directed towards the body of a user or away from the body of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. “Woody” Blackford
  • PATTERNED HEAT MANAGEMENT MATERIAL
    Publication number: 20130042390
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to body gear having designed performance characteristics, and in particular to methods and apparatuses that utilize an array of heat managing elements coupled to a base material to direct body heat while also maintaining the desired transfer properties of the base material. In some embodiments, the heat managing material elements include heat management elements that reflect heat or conduct heat, and may be directed towards the body of a user or away from the body of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc.
  • APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OIL REPELLENT MICROPOROUS FILM
    Publication number: 20130020024
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a microporous film for a fabric and method of producing the microporous film are provided. The microporous film may be treated with a treatment agent. In some embodiments, the microporous film may be treated prior to the film being applied to the fabric. In other embodiments, the treatment agent may be applied to an exposed side of the film after the film is laminated to the fabric. The treatment agent may include a relatively high concentration of an oil repellent (oleophobic) component to increase the oleophobicity of the film. Additionally, the treatment agent may include a high concentration of a wetting component, such as isobutyl alcohol (IBA) and/or isopropyl alcohol (IPA), to facilitate absorption of the oleophobic component by the film and/or penetration of the oleophobic component into the micropores of the film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Wayne Skankey, Jen Hsien Tin
  • SELF SEALING VULCANIZED SYSTEM FOR WATERPROOF COUPLING OF UPPERS TO OUTSOLES
    Publication number: 20120317837
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to the field of waterproofing, and, more specifically, to waterproof footwear and methods of waterproofing a stitch line in footwear. In various embodiments, methods are provided for waterproofing a seam in an article of footwear by positioning an uncured rubber tape between the layers to be stitched, stitching the seam through the uncured rubber tape, and at least partially curing the rubber tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Xiao Dong Liu, Yi Jiang Wei, Peng Cheng Xia
  • ADHERING FOOTWEAR
    Publication number: 20120260533
    Abstract: Embodiments herein provide adhering “upperless” footwear. Such footwear is provided with adhesive or another surface element to secure the footwear to a wearer's foot during use. The adhesive may be formulated to allow the footwear to be secured to the wearer's foot in a removable and repeatable fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Nenow, Daniel Fulton, John Swigart, Craig Binzer, Todd Lewis, William Scott Portzline
  • ADHESIVE ZIPPER TAPE
    Publication number: 20120233739
    Abstract: Embodiments herein provide adhesive zipper tape. A zipper may be coupled to adhesive zipper tape to form a zipper assembly. In various embodiments, the adhesive zipper tape may be coupled to a piece of fabric, such as in a garment, around an opening. The zipper may then be used to open and close the opening. In various embodiments, the adhesive zipper tape may manifest an adhesive quality when activated by an activation stimulus, such as heat or air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Michael E. "Woody" Blackford
  • Footwear
    Patent number: D667620
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Travis Lonigan
  • Footwear
    Patent number: D667621
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc.
    Inventor: William Scott Portzline
  • Footwear
    Patent number: D667624
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc.
    Inventor: William Travis Lonigan
  • Footwear
    Patent number: D669256
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Castellon
  • Heat reflective material with pattern
    Patent number: D670435
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. “Woody” Blackford
  • Heat reflective lining material
    Patent number: D670917
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. Blackford
  • Footwear
    Patent number: D680723
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Joseph
  • Footwear
    Patent number: D686400
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc.
    Inventors: William Scott Portzline, John Joseph
  • Footwear
    Patent number: D677458
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean Denniston