Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a first annular group of traction elements arranged along a first annular zone and a second annular group of traction elements arranged along a second annular zone concentric with the first annular group. The first and second annular groups of traction elements include a plurality of directional traction elements arranged in a first rotational direction about a common rotation zone. Optionally, the first annular group of traction elements may include an omnidirectional traction element arranged at a location associated with a relatively low degree of alignment between radii of rotation corresponding to different torsional movements of the sole structure during use. The directional traction elements may include unidirectional traction elements or bidirectional traction elements at locations associated with moderate to high degrees of alignment between radii of rotation corresponding to the different torsional movements.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 9, 2021
Date of Patent:
April 16, 2024
Assignee:
NIKE, Inc.
Inventors:
Matthew Chua, Paige Hoffert, Oliver McLachlan
Abstract: An article of footwear includes an adjustable element. The adjustable element includes a bladder that defines an interior void. A compressible component that is disposed within the interior void and is operable between an expanded state and a contracted state. The adjustable element also includes a lock strip including a first end anchored at a first location within the bladder and a second end disposed at an opposite end of the lock strip than the first end. A lock receives the lock strip and is operable between a locked state restricting movement of the lock strip relative to the bladder and an unlocked state permitting movement of the lock strip relative to the bladder.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 10, 2023
Publication date:
April 11, 2024
Applicant:
NIKE, Inc.
Inventors:
Nicholas R. Long, Todd W. Miller, Matthew D. Nordstrom, Richard Kristian Hansen
Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper including a chamber, a compressible component disposed within the chamber and operable between a relaxed state and a constricted state, a sole structure including a recess forming a cavity, and a pump device disposed within the cavity and fluidly coupled to the chamber, the pump device operable to transition the compressible component from the relaxed state to the constricted state by removing fluid from the chamber.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 10, 2023
Publication date:
April 11, 2024
Applicant:
NIKE, Inc.
Inventors:
Jennifer L. Bishop, Timothy P. Hopkins, Nicholas R. Long, Nadia M. Panian, Aaron K. Seid, Richard Kristian Hansen
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:
Application
Filed:
December 19, 2023
Publication date:
April 11, 2024
Applicant:
NIKE, Inc.
Inventors:
Elizabeth A. Kilgore, Austin Orand, Andrew A. Owings
Abstract: A computer-implemented method for analyzing sport performance metrics and providing training feedback includes receiving play data for a plurality of users participating in a sporting activity; determining a statistical distribution of the performance metrics categorized by an ability level of each user; and receiving data indicating participation of the first user in the sporting activity. The server then determines a performance metric for the first user based on the received data and compares the performance metric to the statistical distribution of other users having a similar ability level as the first user. The server then identifies a deficient performance metric and transmits, to the user, a training program configured to improve the deficient performance metric.
Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 19, 2023
Publication date:
April 11, 2024
Applicant:
NIKE, Inc.
Inventors:
Tiffany A. Beers, John T. Dimoff, Wade Flanagan, Austin Orand, George A. Xanthos
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:
May 4, 2022
Date of Patent:
April 9, 2024
Assignee:
NIKE, Inc.
Inventors:
Raymond W. Riley, Kevin W. Hoffer, William E. Berner, Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber may have a barrier, a stacked tensile member, and a fluid. The barrier may be formed from a polymer material that is sealed to define an interior void. The stacked tensile member may be located within the interior void and includes a first tensile element and a second tensile element that are joined to each other. Additionally, opposite sides of the stacked tensile member are joined to the barrier. The fluid is located within the interior void and may be pressurized to place an outward force upon the barrier and induce tension in the stacked tensile member. In some configurations, each of the tensile elements may be a spacer textile.
Abstract: An article of apparel, system, and methods optionally include a textile material, a mobile device holder, coupled to the textile material, configured to secure a mobile device with respect to the article of apparel, and an electrical system. The electrical system includes an antenna, configured to communicatively couple with a primary antenna of the mobile device, positioned in relation to the holder, a power supply, coupled to the antenna, configured to output power based on a current as generated in the antenna when communicatively coupled with the primary antenna, a controller, coupled to the power supply, operable based on the power as output by the power supply, and a sensor, coupled to the textile material, communicatively coupled to the controller via a conductor, configured to detect a sensor condition and output a sensor signal when powered by the power output by the power supply.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 30, 2023
Date of Patent:
April 9, 2024
Assignee:
Nike, Inc.
Inventors:
Vikram Malhotra, Holli Pheil, Summer L. Schneider
Abstract: A sole structure includes a foam element extending from a forefoot region to a heel region. A lower surface of the foam element includes a recess formed in the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a posterior cushioning arrangement extending along a peripheral region of the sole structure from a heel region to a mid-foot region, and an anterior cushioning arrangement disposed in the recess of the foam element. The anterior cushioning arrangement has a proximal end adjacent to the lower surface of the foam element and a distal end formed on an opposite side of the anterior cushioning arrangement than the proximal end. The anterior cushioning arrangement includes at least one medial bladder proximate to a medial side of the sole structure and at least one lateral bladder proximate to a lateral side of the sole structure.
Abstract: An apparel system comprises an article of apparel and an attachment element positionable between first and second layers of the article of apparel. The attachment element may be releasably fastened to the article of apparel. The attachment element may comprise a polymer foam material, a fluid- or gas-filled chamber, or a plate, for example.
Abstract: A cushioning element for an article of footwear includes a bladder having a first barrier layer and a second barrier layer joined together along a seam to define a chamber and a support element disposed within the chamber and having a support member and a plurality of flexible support legs each extending from a first end attached to the support member to a second end disposed between the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer within the seam.