Patents Assigned to Nike, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10378130
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an upper for an article of footwear. The upper may include a knitted component with a knit element defining a portion of at least one of an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper, the interior surface defining a void. The knitted component may further include a tongue, where the tongue extends through a throat area of the upper, and where the tongue comprises a lateral edge and a medial edge. The knitted component may further include at least one raised element extending a height above the exterior surface of the knit element and extending a length along at least one of the lateral edge and the medial edge of the tongue, where the tongue and the at least one raised element have a common yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Adrian Meir, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Bruce Huffa
  • Patent number: 10377112
    Abstract: Membranes and methods for producing them are disclosed. The membranes comprise a core layer comprising a composite of alternating thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and barrier microlayers, and they comprise at least one cap layer that is bonded to the core layer or a structural layer. In some embodiments, at least the cap layer comprises a polydiene polyol-based TPU. The membrane may further comprise a rubber layer bonded to the cap layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Yihua Chang, Richard L. Watkins
  • Patent number: 10376016
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear may include a chamber for receiving a pressurized fluid, the chamber having a first chamber barrier layer and a second chamber barrier layer bonded to the first chamber barrier layer about peripheral portions of the first chamber barrier layer and the second chamber barrier layer to define an interior void between the first chamber barrier layer and the second chamber barrier layer. The sole structure may also include a tensile member bonded to, and extending between, the first chamber barrier layer and the second chamber barrier layer. The sole structure may include a bond inhibiting material located between the tensile member and the first chamber barrier layer, the tensile member and the first chamber barrier layer being unbonded in an unbonded area in which the bond inhibiting material is disposed. The chamber may include an outwardly extending bulge in the unbonded area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Darren C. Davison
  • Patent number: 10376017
    Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed having at least one elongated heel support member. The elongated heel support member may be angled and extend from a heel region to a midfoot region, in order to disperse forces applied by a wearer's heel during movement. The heel system may include two heel support members, each associated with a side of the article of footwear. The article of footwear may also include a series of ribs in the midfoot region, which may abut a front edge of the heel support members. Finally, the article of footwear may include asymmetric side flaps extending downward from an upper plate so as to overlap a midsole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kimberly M. Blevens, Graeme McMillan, Enrique V. Santos
  • Publication number: 20190242043
    Abstract: A non-woven textile may be formed from a plurality of thermoplastic polymer filaments. The non-woven textile may have a first region and a second region, with the filaments of the first region being fused to a greater degree than the filaments of the second region. A variety of products, including apparel (e.g., shirts, pants, footwear), may incorporate the non-woven textile. In some of these products, the non-woven textile may be joined with another textile element to form a seam. More particularly, an edge area of the non-woven textile may be heatbonded with an edge area of the other textile element at the seam. In other products, the non-woven textile may be joined with another component, whether a textile or a non-textile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Karen A. Hawkinson
  • Patent number: 10368616
    Abstract: A zipper assembly includes various elements, such as a zipper-slider body and a zipper puller. The zipper puller can be gripped when manually traversing the zipper-slider body along zipper-teeth assemblies, such as when releasably fastening portions or edges of an article together. In addition, the zipper puller includes one or more additional hooking loops that releasably attach onto other surfaces or items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Christine Burke, Stephanie J. Scott, Rebecca M. Sheehan
  • Patent number: 10368606
    Abstract: A knitted component formed of unitary knit construction includes a ridge structure and a channel structure. The ridge structure is biased to curl about a first axis in a first direction toward a compacted position. The channel structure is biased to curl about a second axis in a second direction toward a compacted position. The first direction is opposite the second direction. Courses of the ridge structure extend in the same direction as the first axis. Courses of the channel structure extend in the same direction as the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Adrian Meir
  • Patent number: 10369474
    Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to rewarding users of an electronic game for real-world physical activity. Further aspects relate to altering virtual items based upon physical activity. An electronic game may comprise or otherwise relate to an online world (such as a “Virtual World”). Users may be represented through customized graphical representations, such as avatars. An account of a user (or entity) may be associated a “virtual region.” A threshold level of real-world physical activity may result in obtaining a reward that may be associated with a virtual item. A reward may be configured to result in: (1) altering visual appearance of a virtual item within a virtual region; (2) altering a virtual characteristic of a virtual item, such that the first user may engage in at least one additional virtual activity using that virtual item; and/or (3) acquiring a new virtual item for a virtual region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Willoughby H. Walling
  • Patent number: 10368590
    Abstract: Aspects of a flat-knit support garment for an upper torso are provided. The flat-knit support garment may include a bra structure having a flat-knit bra material that includes a cup zone, a body zone, a wing zone, a strap zone, and a chestband zone. In some instances, a perimeter of the flat-knit bra comprising a neck opening and armhole openings includes a finished edge treatment corresponding to a high stretch modulus, covered yarn. Such finished edges are generated in seamless construction with the unitary, flat-knit structure of the flat-knit support garment for an upper torso. The flat-knit characteristics of the support garment for an upper torso may correspond to one or more of a flat-knit stitch sequence, a yarn type, and/or a finishing treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Josue Diaz, Paul R. Montgomery, Lori Sears, Andrea J. Staub
  • Patent number: 10368607
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper defining an interior void and a first cable movable in a tightening direction to move the upper into a tightened state and movable in a loosening direction to move the upper into a loosened state. The article of footwear also includes a tightening grip operable to be moved away from the upper in a first direction to move the first cable in the tightening direction and a cable lock operable in a locked state to restrict movement of the first cable in the loosening direction and operable in an unlocked state to permit movement of the first cable in the loosening direction. A release grip is operable to be moved away from the upper in a second direction to move the cable lock from the locked state to the unlocked state, whereby the release grip is separate from the tightening grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Caleb W. Dyer, Peter Lam, Austin Orand, Andrea M. Vinet, Peter Williams, Samantha Young
  • Patent number: 10368611
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole assembly that has a bladder element with a first outer surface and a second outer surface opposite the first surface. A guide component is fused to one of the outer surfaces. The guide component has at least one groove extending laterally across the guide component. The at least one groove is configured to receive and guide at least one elongated member such that the elongated member is movable lengthwise when positioned in the at least one groove. A method of manufacturing a sole assembly for an article of footwear includes fusing the guide component to one of the first outer surface and the second outer surface of the bladder element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy L. Connell, Benjamin J. Monfils
  • Patent number: 10368608
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper defining an interior void and a first cable movable in a tightening direction to move the upper into a tightened state and movable in a loosening direction to move the upper into a loosened state. The article of footwear also includes a tightening grip operable to be moved away from the upper in a first direction to move the first cable in the tightening direction and a cable lock operable in a locked state to restrict movement of the first cable in the loosening direction and operable in an unlocked state to permit movement of the first cable in the loosening direction. A release grip is operable to be moved away from the upper in a second direction to move the cable lock from the locked state to the unlocked state, whereby the release grip is separate from the tightening grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Caleb W. Dyer, Peter Lam, Austin Orand, Andrea M. Vinet, Peter Williams, Samantha Young
  • Patent number: 10369412
    Abstract: Systems and methods for prompting a user to perform an exercise and monitoring the exercise are provided. Multiple independent sensors or sensor systems may be used to calculate energy expenditure. Various criteria may be used to manually or automatically select the independent sensor or sensor system or combination that will be used with the energy expenditure calculations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tesa Aragones, Adriana Guerrero, Steve Holmes, Christina S. Self, Aaron B. Weast, Paul Winsper, Jay C. Blahnik
  • Patent number: 10369409
    Abstract: Analysis of sporting equipment characteristics may be analyzed using dynamic sampling rates. For example, analyzing a golf swing may include the use of one or more sensors providing data at various sampling rates. According to some aspects, the sampling rate may be dynamically modified upon determination of one or more golf equipment characteristics, environmental conditions, player characteristics and the like. In one example, a sampling rate processor may dynamically select a sampling rate at which data is sampled from one or more sensors. In some examples, by dynamically selecting the sampling rate, an analysis may be tailored to various types, and portions of a golf swing, in addition to producing power consumption by the analysis instruments in the golf club system. According to other aspects, triggering conditions for modifying a sampling rate may be determined from a population of one or more previous golf swings performed by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Manan Goel, Mario Lafortune
  • Patent number: 10368612
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article of footwear from a flat pattern is provided. The method includes cutting a first cut in a first material through the top surface (502) and the bottom surface of the first material. The method continues with coupling an overlay (500) on the first material top surface (502) such that the overlay (500) extends over the first cut and obscures the first material top surface (502). The method continues with forming the flat pattern having the first material with the first cut and the overlay (500) into a dimensional article of footwear configured to receive a foot. The first material bottom surface is more interior to the dimensional article of footwear than the top surface (502).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce J. Kilgore
  • Patent number: D855298
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason G. Petrie
  • Patent number: D855301
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: D855302
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Winfield
  • Patent number: D855303
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Darryl Matthews
  • Patent number: D855940
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Jessica A. Lomax