Patents Assigned to Nike, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11969049
    Abstract: A method of making an article of footwear. The method may include forming a chamber for receiving a pressurized fluid, including a first chamber barrier layer, a second chamber barrier layer, and a tensile member extending between the first chamber barrier layer and the second chamber barrier layer. The tensile member may include a first tensile member layer, a second tensile member layer, and a plurality of tethers connecting the first tensile member layer to the second tensile member layer. The method may also include extending a portion of the second chamber barrier layer toward the first tensile member layer between a first section of the second tensile member layer and a second section of the second tensile member layer, and joining the portion of the second chamber barrier layer to the first tensile member layer between the first section and the second section of the second tensile member layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hurd, Levi J. Patton
  • Patent number: 11969039
    Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to a trim piece assembly that can be incorporated into an article of apparel, where the trim piece assembly is used to house a drawcord. The trim piece assembly is constructed and incorporated into the article of apparel in such a way that there is no topstitching on the external-facing surface of the article of apparel in areas where the trim piece assembly is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Jessica Lynne Thornton
  • Patent number: 11969050
    Abstract: A sole structure may have a tiered plate assembly including a first plate and a second plate. The first plate may extend from a forefoot region of the sole structure to a heel region of the sole structure. Stated differently, the first plate may be a full-length plate that extends the full length of the sole structure. The second plate may be joined with the first plate in a midfoot region of the sole structure and at a rear of a heel region of the sole structure, and may diverge from the first plate between the midfoot region and the rear of the heel region to define a first heel gap between the first plate and the second plate in the heel region. Heel cushioning units may be stacked in the heel region, with a first heel cushioning unit disposed in the first heel gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence K. Amoako, Melusine Dieudonne, Tim Steffen Schulze
  • Patent number: 11969052
    Abstract: Foot support systems include a fluid flow control system that facilitates movement of fluid into, out of, and/or within a sole structure and/or article of footwear, e.g., to change and/or control pressure in fluid filled bladder(s). Aspects of this technology may relate to one or more of: (a) footwear structures in which such systems are incorporated; (b) valve stem based fluid flow transfer systems; (c) solenoid based fluid flow transfer systems; (d) user input button features; (e) air filter features; (f) fluid tube to fluid distributor connection features; (g) fluid distributor to footwear connection features; (h) valve position sensor features; (i) valve transmission features; (j) pressure control algorithm features; (k) electronic communication features; (l) system sealing features; and/or (m) pressure sensor mounting features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Browne, Narissa Y. Chang, Remy Pieron, Stepan Ryabinin, Adam Vollmer, Ethan Vella, Daniel Weeks
  • Patent number: 11972852
    Abstract: Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems include components for measuring or sensing athletic performance data and/or for storing and/or displaying desired information associated with the athletic performance to the user (or others). Such systems can allow users a wide variety of options in creating workouts, selecting and presenting media content during the athletic performance, etc., e.g., to help keep users entertained and motivated. In some instances, user feedback may be used, optionally in combination with objective data relating to a workout, to control features of the workout routine, to control the music or other media content selected and/or presented, and/or to control features of future workout routines and/or the presented media content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond W. Riley, Kevin W. Hoffer, William E. Berner, Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
  • Publication number: 20240130472
    Abstract: An article of footwear having a heel region including a posterior end, a mid-foot region, and a forefoot region including an anterior end. The article of footwear having a lateral side, and a medial side opposite the lateral side; an upper; and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure has a first cushioning element, having a plurality of first tubes and a plurality of first web areas. Adjacent first tubes are connected to one another by a respective first web area of the plurality of first web areas. The sole structure also having a second cushioning element, having a plurality of second tubes and a plurality of second web areas. Adjacent second tubes are connected to one another by a respective web area of the second plurality of web areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Shawn G. Carboy, Zachary M. Elder, Jonathan Kosenick, Roger Paul Murphy, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Jessica Small, Matthew W. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20240130475
    Abstract: An article of footwear, with an upper; a heel region including a posterior end of the article of footwear, a mid-foot region, a forefoot region including an anterior end of the article of footwear, a medial side, and a lateral side. A sole structure is coupled to the upper, having a midsole having an outer side surface. The midsole has a first cushioning element extending from the posterior end toward the anterior end, with one or more engagement areas. The article of footwear further includes a heel clip extending from a first end on the medial side to a second end on the lateral side, the heel clip including an outer surface, an inner surface, a base extending from a first end to a second end and the base including a bottom surface, and a support, the base and the support forming the outer surface of the heel clip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Can Eldem, Eric Fauble, Althea R. Fyfe, David Nickless
  • Publication number: 20240130467
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear having a first support element, the first support element including a first set of recesses; a second support element, the second support element including a second set of recesses, and wherein the second support element includes an opening extending therethrough; a coupling portion, the coupling portion including a third set of recesses, and wherein the coupling portion is disposed within the opening of the second support element; a cushioning element disposed between the first support element and the second support element, the cushioning element including a plurality of tubes, wherein the first set of recesses, the second set of recesses, and the third set of recesses form a continuous receiving area, and wherein the cushioning element is disposed within the continuous receiving area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Roger Paul Murphy, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Jessica Small, Matthew W. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20240130470
    Abstract: An article of footwear with a heel region including a posterior end of the article of footwear, a mid-foot region, and a forefoot region including an anterior end of the article of footwear; a lateral side, and a medial side opposite the lateral side; an upper; and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure has a midsole with a first cushioning element extending from the posterior end to the anterior end; a second cushioning element extending from the mid-foot region to the posterior end, the second cushioning element being formed of a different material than the first cushioning element; and a shell with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced apart protrusions, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions is directly coupled to the second cushioning element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard August Benzien, Stephan Hausmann, Evan W. Jones, Christopher J. Lyke, Leah Park, Dylan Petrenka, DePaul Williams, Minuk You
  • Publication number: 20240130478
    Abstract: A method of forming a cushioning element. The method including placing a first sheet adjacent to an outer surface of a first mold portion, the first mold portion including a first mold cavity. The method including pressing a portion of the first sheet into the first mold portion and into the first mold cavity with a forming tool, wherein at least a portion of the forming tool is extended into the first mold cavity. The method including applying negative pressure to the first mold cavity to draw the portion of the first sheet into the first mold cavity, and joining a second sheet to the first sheet to form the cushioning element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Nancy D. Eisenmenger, Travis K. Ernst, Ken Fricke, Javier Garcia, Matthew McClellan, Armando Petitjean, Vincent F. White
  • Publication number: 20240130473
    Abstract: An article of footwear having a heel region including a posterior end, a mid-foot region, and a forefoot region including an anterior end. The article of footwear having an upper extending from the heel region to the forefoot region and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure further has a first cushioning element having a first tube, a second tube, a third tube, and a fourth tube, and an outsole layer extending from the posterior end to the anterior end. The outsole layer is configured to directly receive a portion of the first cushioning element, and the outsole layer forms a ground-contacting surface of the article of footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Shawn G. Carboy, Zachary M. Elder, Jonathan Kosenick, Roger Paul Murphy, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Jessica Small, Matthew W. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20240130469
    Abstract: An article of footwear comprising an upper and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure includes a cushioning element, comprising a plurality of tubes, wherein adjacent tubes are connected to one another by a respective web area, disposed between a first support element and a second support element, wherein one or more of the respective web areas is exposed to the external environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Roger Paul Murphy, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Jessica Small, Matthew W. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20240130471
    Abstract: An article of footwear having a heel region with a posterior end of the article of footwear, a mid-foot region, and a forefoot region with an anterior end of the article of footwear; a lateral side, and a medial side opposite the lateral side; an upper; a sole structure, the sole structure coupled to the upper, and wherein the sole structure has; a cushioning element disposed in the heel region, the cushioning element having a first tube and a second tube, wherein each of the first tube and the second tube extend from the lateral side of the article of footwear to the medial side of the article of footwear, wherein the first tube includes a contained fluid volume at a first pressure, and the second tube includes a contained fluid volume at a second pressure, wherein the first pressure and the second pressure are equal to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Roger Paul Murphy, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Jessica Small, Matthew W. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20240130468
    Abstract: An article of footwear having a heel region with a posterior end of the article of footwear, a mid-foot region, and a forefoot region with an anterior end of the article of footwear. The article of footwear also having a lateral side, and a medial side opposite the lateral side; an upper; a sole structure, the sole structure coupled to the upper, and wherein the sole structure has; a midsole having a first cushioning element extending from the posterior end to the anterior end. The article of footwear also having a heel clip disposed adjacent to the first cushioning element in the heel region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Can Eldem, Eric Fauble, Althea R. Fyfe, David Nickless
  • Patent number: 11963575
    Abstract: A sole structure includes a main body formed of a first material and at least one insert formed of a second material. The main body defines first portion of a ground-engaging surface including a first channel defined by a first segment extending along a first axis and a second segment extending along a second axis transverse to the first axis. The one or more inserts are received in sockets formed in the main body. The at least one insert defines a second portion of the ground-engaging surface and has a second channel including a third segment extending along a third axis parallel to the first axis and a fourth segment extending along a fourth axis transverse to the third axis and substantially parallel to the second axis. One of the first channel and the second channel defines an interface between the main body and the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Hollinger
  • Patent number: 11963574
    Abstract: A sole structure including a midsole, an outsole, and a plate disposed between the plate and the outsole. The plate includes a first portion having an arcuate shape extending through a forefoot region and a mid-foot region, and a planar second portion connected to the first portion along a joint and extending in a first plane at an oblique angle from the joint. The plate includes a first channel extending from a first end of the plate along the first portion and in a direction toward the second portion. A second channel extends from a second end of the plate along the second portion and in a direction toward the first portion. The first channel separates the plate into a first pair of tabs formed at the first end and the second channel separates the plate into a second pair of channels formed at the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Mesrop Megrabyan, Nathan M. VanHook
  • Patent number: 11963579
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a forefoot region disposed adjacent an anterior end, a heel region disposed adjacent a posterior end, and a mid-foot region disposed intermediate the forefoot region and the heel region. The sole structure further includes fluid-filled bladder having a first segment extending along a medial side in the heel region, a second segment extending along a lateral side in the heel region, and a web area disposed between the first segment and the second segment. Additionally, the sole structure includes an outer sole member having an upper portion extending from a first end in the forefoot region to a second end in the heel region. The second end of the outer sole member is received on a first side of the web area. The outer sole member also includes a rib extending downwardly from the upper portion and defining a cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Can Eldem, Wade Flanagan, Ryan Nyberg, Levi J. Patton, Eric S. Schindler, Jessica Small
  • Patent number: 11963578
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure having a chassis and a bladder. The chassis includes a cavity and a plurality of pillars extending into the cavity. The bladder is disposed within the cavity and includes one or more chambers. Each of one or more chambers is supported by at least one of the pillars. The chassis may include a first plurality of the pillars extending from a first side of the cavity and a second plurality of the pillars extending towards the first plurality of the pillars from a second side of the cavity, whereby the bladder is supported between the first plurality of the pillars and the second plurality of the pillars. The one or more chambers of the bladder includes an interior chamber and a peripheral chamber at least partially surrounding the interior chamber and the peripheral chamber has a different pressure than the interior chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Lai Wa C. Ho, Jonathan Kosenick, Wil Sixour
  • Patent number: 11963581
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity with a heel region, and a heel support device extending around the rear of a heel region from a lateral side to a medial side. The heel support device may include a plurality of slats and a base, the plurality of slats providing a progressive gradient of lengths and/or widths, and/or one or more pegs extending from the device for attachment to a footwear upper, and/or an elongated tip that may be disposed in a cavity of an extension of a heel collar of the upper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth A. Kilgore, Austin Orand, Andrew A. Owings
  • Patent number: D1023548
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason G. Petrie