Patents Assigned to Nike, Inc.
  • PROVIDING ATHLETIC TRAINING INFORMATION
    Publication number: 20110268294
    Abstract: An audible playback device that allows an athlete, such as a runner, to conveniently listen to audible content and receive athletic performance information. A device may be employed to both playback audible content and provide monitored performance information to a user. The performance information may be provided to a user audibly, so that the user does not need to move the monitoring device's user interface to a viewable position, or visually. For example, if the user does not wish to interrupt the audible content, the user may elect to view athletic information visually on a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Albert Shum, Gregory Vissia
  • Automatic lacing system
    Patent number: 8046937
    Abstract: An article of footwear with an automatic lacing system is disclosed. The automatic lacing system provides a set of straps that can be automatically opened and closed to switch between a loosened and tightened position of the upper. The article further includes an automatic ankle cinching system that is configured to automatically adjust an ankle portion of the upper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Michael R. Friton, Tinker L. Hatfield
  • Method of making a multi-element mold assembly for, E.G., footwear components
    Patent number: 8047261
    Abstract: A mold assembly for footwear components is cast as a collection of mold elements having integral attachment members. Attachment members of separate mold elements may then be joined by, e.g., welding. Handles may also be formed into one or more mold elements as part of the casting process. Outsole negatives are juxtaposed with templates for attachment tabs and/or handles and used to form ceramic casting molds. The ceramic casting molds can then be used to cast individual mold elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Joe Guerrero
  • Article Of Footwear With Ball Control Portion
    Publication number: 20110258883
    Abstract: A ball control portion for an article of footwear is disclosed. The ball control portion extends from a side to an underside of an article of footwear. The ball control portion includes a lattice with a plurality of protrusions arranged in a grid. The plurality of protrusions include multiple groups of protrusions arranged with one or more of different orientations, different types of protrusions, and different heights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Collin K. Eder, Windra Fahmi, Sebastien Mermet, Morgan Stauffer
  • Self Stabilizing Backpack
    Publication number: 20110259935
    Abstract: A backpack with a self stabilizing shoulder strap system is disclosed. The backpack includes two shoulder straps, an intermediate member, and a bag. The bag is configured to pivot about a first connector associated with the intermediate member. The shoulder straps are configured to pivot about connectors associated with the intermediate member. The configuration of the shoulder strap system allows for the bag to remain substantially vertical during motions as the shoulders are raised and lowered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Fidrych, Tory M. Cross, Christopher M. Helmsworth
  • Cable Tightening System For An Article of Footwear
    Publication number: 20110258876
    Abstract: A tightening system for an article of footwear includes a cable disposed between an upper and a sole plate. The upper includes a flexible main body and an exoskeleton covering a portion of the flexible main body in an instep region. The cable is attached to the exoskeleton so that the exoskeleton is tightened to a wearer's foot when the cable length is effectively shortened and/or if the cable tension is increased. The instep region is devoid of the tightening system so that a smooth instep region is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Baker, John Hurd, James Molyneux, Blake Rhulen
  • Golf Club Head or Other Ball Striking Device Having Multi-Piece Construction and Method for Manufacturing
    Publication number: 20110263350
    Abstract: A ball striking device has a head that includes a metal face configured for striking a ball, a rearwardly extending metal band, a top piece, and a bottom piece. The metal band has a first end extending from one side of the face, a second end extending from the opposite side of the face, and a rear portion extending between the first and second ends and defining at least a portion of the rear periphery of the head. The top piece and the bottom piece are non-metallic or substantially non-metallic. The top piece is connected to the top side of the metal band and forms at least a portion of a top side of the head, and the bottom piece is connected to the bottom side of the metal band and forms at least a portion of a bottom side of the head. The top piece and the bottom piece are separated by the metal band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventor: David S. Lee
  • Golf clubs and golf club heads having interchangeable rear body members
    Patent number: 8043167
    Abstract: Golf club heads (e.g., drivers, fairway woods, wood-type hybrid clubs, or the like) according to at least some example aspects of this invention include: (a) a heel; (b) a toe; (c) a crown; (d) a sole; (e) a striking face; (f) a cavity, wherein the cavity is at least partially open; (g) a rear face opposite the striking face, the rear face defining an opening to the cavity; and (h) a rear body member configured to be inserted into the opening. The rear body member may be releasably engaged with the opening to the cavity, rear face, and/or other portion of the club head body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Boyd, John T. Stites, Gary G. Tavares
  • Watch with planar light diffusion channel
    Patent number: 8045421
    Abstract: Structures are disclosed that can improve the visibility of instrument displays. With some implementations, an instrument is provided with an illumination system having a light source and a light diffusion device proximal to the light source. The light diffusion device has at least one surface parallel to a primary plane of the display of the instrument. When the light source is activated, light propagates through the light diffusion device toward the display of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Harley, Jr.
  • Article of footwear with gripping system
    Patent number: 8042289
    Abstract: An article of footwear with a gripping system is disclosed. The gripping system helps to enhance the wearer's ability to contact an athletic ball during kicking. The gripping system can be centered about a region where the wearer tends to kick the ball, and the gripping system can be distributed in a pattern that provides an even or symmetric contact area with the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Tetsuya T. Minami
  • Article of footwear having a textile upper
    Patent number: 8042288
    Abstract: An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the article of footwear are disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. The textile element may also have a first area and a second area with a unitary construction. The first area is formed of a first stitch configuration, and the second area is formed of a second stitch configuration that is different from the first stitch configuration to impart varying textures to a surface of the textile element. Various warp knitting or weft knitting processes may be utilized to form the textile element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Edward Nathaniel Thomas
  • Footwear with a sole structure incorporating a lobed fluid-filled chamber
    Patent number: 8042286
    Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber for an article of footwear and a method for manufacturing the chamber are disclosed. The chamber may be incorporated into a sole structure of the footwear and includes a central area and a plurality of lobes extending outward from the central area. The lobes are in fluid communication with the central area and are formed from a first surface, a second surface, and a sidewall. The sidewall joins with the first surface with the second surface to seal the fluid within the chamber, but no internal connections are generally utilized to join interior portions of the first surface with interior portions of the second surface. The fluid within the chamber may be air at a pressure that is approximately equal to an ambient pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Schindler, John F. Swigart
  • ATHLETICISM RATING AND PERFORMANCE MEASURING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20110257770
    Abstract: A universal athleticism rating system and related athletic performance measuring systems for accurately detecting and recording athletic performance are disclosed. The athleticism rating system evaluates individual athletes against a common, standardized, set of athletic performance tests. Each athlete performs the athletic tests and his or her scores in the individual tests are entered into a standardized calculation to produce a single athletic performance score. The related performance measuring system is preferably a timing system that ensures quick, easy, and accurate collection of athletic event timing related data without the need for the athlete to wear any special detection devices or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the performance measuring system integrates with the rating system to provide seamless athletic data collection and rating of athletes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Rodolfo Chapa, JR., Hamid G. Arjomand, Adam C. Braun, Andrew Bark
  • Article of footwear including a woven strap system
    Patent number: 8037621
    Abstract: An article of footwear including a woven strap system is disclosed. The woven strap system preferably wraps along the entirety of the outsole, including a bottom side and an outer periphery. The article of footwear also includes a midsole that rests inside the woven strap system, just above the outsole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Hooper
  • Article of footwear incorporating a fluid system
    Patent number: 8037623
    Abstract: An article of athletic footwear having an air-filled bladder disposed in a sole structure is disclosed. The air-filled bladder is in fluid communication with ambient air through a filter that permits ambient air to enter the bladder but restricts liquids and particulates from entering the bladder. In operation, the filter and bladder may be portions of a bladder system that absorb shock when the footwear contacts a playing surface. Alternatively, the filter and bladder may be portions of a bladder system that ventilates the interior of the footwear. The filter may be formed of a material such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene that is attached to a carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Passke, Fred Dojan, Peter K. Hazenberg, John Swigart
  • Method Of Manufacturing Cushioning Elements For Apparel And Other Products
    Publication number: 20110247744
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing the cushioning elements may include utilizing a die with a plurality of die elements positioned in a particular arrangement. A polymer material, which may be a polymer foam material, is located between the die and an extractor. The polymer material is compressed between the die and the extractor, and the die elements cut the polymer material to form a plurality of pad components, which are arranged like the die elements. The die and the extractor are separated, and the pad components are secured to the extractor in the arrangement of the die elements. Additionally, the pad components are bonded to at least one material layer such that the pad components remain in the arrangement of the die elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventor: DAVID TURNER
  • Article Of Footwear With A Ball Contacting Surface
    Publication number: 20110247240
    Abstract: An article of footwear with a ball contacting surface is disclosed. The ball contacting surface includes a raised peak member at the top and gripping members along a medial side. The ball contacting surface enhances the ability of a wearer to kick a ball with a low trajectory and to control the ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: Nike, Inc .
    Inventors: Collin K. Eder, Windra Fahmi, Sebastien Mermet, Morgan Stauffer
  • Shoe outsole
    Patent number: D646872
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff Rasmussen
  • Shoe outsole
    Patent number: D646873
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Sebastien Mermet
  • Shoe outsole
    Patent number: D646874
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark C. Miner