Patents Examined by Danny Worrell
  • Patent number: 11408102
    Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear may have a knitted component, where the knitted component has a first edge extending from a first side of a throat area of the upper, through a heel area of the upper, and to a second side of the throat area. At least a portion of the first edge may include a lattice structure, the lattice structuring having a first lattice band and a second lattice band, the first lattice band and the second lattice band having loops that are intermeshed in at least one location, where a plurality of first openings are located between the first lattice band and the second lattice band. At least one of the lattice bands may include a yarn having a tenacity of at least 5 g/d, and/or the first and second lattice bands may be formed from separate yarns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Monica M. Poulsen, Erin C. Stevens
  • Patent number: 11408103
    Abstract: A knitted upper for an article of footwear. The knitted upper is formed essentially as a single piece in a three-dimensional knitting process. The knitted upper includes at least one activated shrink yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Rainer Unnewehr, Stefan Tamm, Claudiu-Ionut Popescu
  • Patent number: 11408104
    Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure is a footwear article. The footwear article includes a double layer knitted upper having a foot bed, an upper portion continuous with the foot bed, an ankle opening, and an inner void for receiving a foot of a wearer. The double layer knitted upper has an outer knit layer defining an exterior surface of the double layer knitted upper. The double layer knitted upper also has an inner knit layer monolithically knit to the outer knit layer. The inner knit layer has a plurality of inner knit regions that spatially correspond to the plurality of outer knit regions of the outer knit layer. The outer knit layer and the inner knit layer substantially define the foot bed and the upper portion of the double layer knitted upper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: The North Face Apparel Corp.
    Inventors: Alexander Dardinski, David Hass, Kurtis Schnackenberg, John Ly
  • Patent number: 11408105
    Abstract: A feeder for a knitting machine may include: a carrier configured to secure the feeder to a knitting machine such that the feeder is movable along an axis with respect to a rail of the knitting machine; a feeder arm extending from the carrier, the feeder arm including a dispensing area configured for supplying a yarn to a needle bed of the knitting machine; and a cutting device coupled to the feeder arm, where the cutting device includes a cutting edge for cutting the yarn to disengage an upper portion of the yarn from the needle bed of the knitting machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart W. Dealey, Adrian Meir, Gagandeep Singh
  • Patent number: 11408106
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for a counting crochet hook. An apparatus comprises a handle. The apparatus includes an elongate rod comprising a first end and second end, the first end coupled to the handle and the second end comprising a hook that is pointed with a lateral groove behind the hook. The apparatus further comprises a first button disposed on the handle. The first button is configured to increment a first counter when actuated. The apparatus additionally comprises a second button disposed on the handle. The second button is configured to increment a second counter when actuated. The apparatus also comprises a display disposed on the handle for displaying a value of the first counter and a value of the second counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: COUNTING CROCHET HOOK, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Braeden Moore, Chandra Moore, Timothy Hayford
  • Patent number: 11401637
    Abstract: A device for keeping a thread tightened and secured while weaving is provided. The thread is allowed to advance in order to make a stitch and further allows the thread to return to an original position so that it remains tensioned for the next stitch. The device is retractable so not only secures the thread but returns it so that it never loses tension. In addition, it has openings designed to allow resting a needle when not weaving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventor: Maria Ines Costa Saravia
  • Patent number: 11401636
    Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to a sock having an integrally knit, two-layered tab positioned interior to a collar of the sock, where the collar defines an opening for a wearer's foot. By positioning the tab interior to the collar, the tab can be used to assist the wearer in donning and/or doffing the sock by acting as the primary structure by which the wearer pulls an elastic collar around the wearer's foot when donning the sock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Hannah R. Amis, Ronen Yehuda
  • Patent number: 11401641
    Abstract: In a sewing machine, an arm includes, on one side thereof in a first direction, a head. A needle bar is disposed at the head to reciprocally move in a second direction. A feed mechanism feeds a workpiece from one side toward the other side of the head in a third direction. The projection unit disposed at the head projects a projection image toward a bed. The projection unit includes an emitter for projecting image light of the projection image. The photographing unit disposed at the head captures a photographing target. The photographing unit includes an incident portion on which light reflected by the photographing target is incident. The emitter and the incident portion are disposed further toward the one side of the arm in the first direction than the needle bar, and further toward the one side of the head in the third direction than the needle bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidenori Oka, Mitsuhiro Iida
  • Patent number: 11390971
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to biosensing garments, and in particular, to systems and methods for monitoring respiration in a biosensing garment, whereby an improved integration of the respiration monitoring circuit into the garment is achieved, resulting in improved signal quality and durability. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an elongate member having a longitudinal axis and configured to be stretchable along its longitudinal axis. The elongate member includes a plurality of elastic members (e.g., a first elastic member, a second elastic member, and a third elastic member) that extend along the longitudinal axis. A conductive member is coupled to the first, second and third members, and forms a “curved” pattern along the longitudinal axis of the elongate member. The conductive member is configured to change from a first configuration to a second configuration as the elongate member stretches along its longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: HONEYWELL SAFETY PRODUCTS USA, INC.
    Inventor: Maria Elina Nurkka
  • Patent number: 11384459
    Abstract: A knitted component including a first knit layer of a first yarn and a second knit layer of a second yarn. The second knit layer and the first knit layer are at least partially coextensive with each other and form a pocket between the first and second knit layers. A third yarn is at least partially positioned within the pocket and between the first and second knit layer. The third yarn is secured to the first knit layer at a first location within the pocket and to the second knit layer at a second location within the pocket. The pocket forms a raised structure when the knitted component is subjected to a stimulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel L. Bartys, JoseLuis Mariscal, Seth M. Wiberg, Nicola A. Danby
  • Patent number: 11384463
    Abstract: Software and lasers are used in finishing apparel to produce a desired wear pattern or other design. A technique includes determining a fabric's response to a laser, capturing an initial image of a wear pattern on a garment, and processing the initial image to obtain a working image in grayscale. The working image is further processed to obtain a difference image by comparing each pixel relative to a dark reference. The difference image is converted to a laser values image by using the previously determined fabric response to the laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Levi Strauss & Co.
    Inventors: James Barton Sights, Christopher Schultz, Jennifer Schultz
  • Patent number: 11377767
    Abstract: In feed dog mounting/unmounting mechanism, lever is slidably provided to feed base in the front-rear direction, and is forced backward by a lever force-applying spring. Upon sliding lever rearward, fixing target portion of feed dog 22 is fixedly held by base-side fixing portion of feed base and lever-side fixing portion of lever arranged in the front-rear direction. Stopper is provided to feed base so as to be movable in the upper-lower direction, and holds lever. When feed dog is mounted, stopper is pressed downward by feed dog, which moves stopper so as to allow lever to slide. With this, lever is slid due to force applied by the lever force-applying spring, thereby allowing fixing target portion to be held, interposed between base-side fixing portion and lever-side fixing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: JANOME SEWING MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Muneyuki Ishikawa, Norihiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11365494
    Abstract: A knitted component may include a first side and an opposite second side and a first tubular knit structure having a first portion on the first side and a second portion on the second side, where the first portion is at least partially formed with a first yarn and where the second portion is at least partially formed with a different second yarn, and where the first yarn includes a thermoplastic polymer material with a melting point of about 200° C. or less. The knitted component may further include a fused surface region on the first side of the knitted component formed with the thermoplastic polymer material of the first yarn. The knitted component may further include an inlaid strand extending through a passage formed by the first tubular knit structure between the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. McFarland, II, Leah M. Resneck, Nikita A. Troufanov
  • Patent number: 11359313
    Abstract: The invention relates to a prosthetic porous knit based on a monofilament of a biocompatible polymer material, the pattern followed for the knitting of said monofilament on a warp knitting machine having two guide bars B1, B2 being the following, according to the ISO 11676 standard: Bar B1: 1.2/4.5/4.3/4.5/4.3/1.0/1.2/1.0// Bar B2: 4.3/1.0/1.2/1.0/1.2/4.5/4.3/4.5// The invention further relates to a method for producing such a knit and to a hernia prosthesis comprising such a knit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: SOFRADIM PRODUCTION
    Inventor: Julie Lecuivre
  • Patent number: 11352723
    Abstract: In one aspect of the disclosure, a knitted component for use in an article of footwear may include a first layer with a multi-bed first area having a first surface and an opposite facing second surface. The knitted component may include a second layer with a second area overlapping the first area. The second area may have a first surface and an opposite facing second surface. The knitted component may include a plurality of interlayer knit stitches interlooping at least one yarn of the first layer with at least one yarn of the second layer at an interface between the second surfaces of the first and second areas. The interior surfaces of the first area and the second area may define at least part of a freely separable area between the first and second areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan L. Aceves Tinajero, Nicola A. Danby, Fiona L. Lesecq, David F. Roth, Gagandeep Singh
  • Patent number: 11346026
    Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear may include a knitted component having a first region located adjacent to an outer edge of the upper, where the first region of the knitted component includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface may include a fused area formed with a thermoformed thermoplastic material included with a first yarn. The inner surface may be at least partially formed with the second yarn and may substantially exclude the thermoplastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jessica Green, Chun-Ying Hsu, Jaroslav J. Lupinek, Darryl Matthews, William C. McFarland, II, Chun-Yao Tu, Yi-Ning Yang, Cheng-Ying Han
  • Patent number: 11332857
    Abstract: A single- or double-knit circular knitting machine having a cylinder (11) equipped with cylinder needles and/or a dial equipped with dial needles for the production of single- or double-jersey knitted webs, which machine has at least one thread-selection device, threads being able to be supplied to any cylinder- and/or dial needle by the thread-selection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: SIPRA Patententwicklungs- und Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Dietmar Traenkle
  • Patent number: 11326286
    Abstract: A stitch counting device for assisting users with counting the number of stitches made during stitchwork. The stitch counting device includes a casing, a first prong, a second prong, a display, a microcontroller, one or more fasteners, a fulcrum having a spring, a battery, and an interface input port. Methods for using the stitch counting device are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Inventors: Alexander S. Bowen, Kimberly M. Bowen
  • Patent number: 11326281
    Abstract: Knitted components may include a first knit layer including a first yarn, a second knit layer, and a plurality of inlaid courses of a high tenacity yarn having a tenacity of at least six grams-force per denier. The plurality of inlaid courses of the high tenacity yarn may include at least three courses of high tenacity yarn, each of which may be separated from an adjacent course of the first plurality of courses of the high tenacity yarn by no more than five courses of the first yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Lauren E. Cox, Seth M. Wiberg, Roberto Zavala
  • Patent number: 11326288
    Abstract: An independent presser foot drive mechanism and an embroidery machine includes a machine head, a needle bar drive mechanism mounted on the machine head, a needle bar drive block provided on a corresponding guide rod and movable up and down. The presser foot drive block further includes a presser foot drive motor that independently drives a presser foot, and a presser foot link assembly that connects the presser foot drive motor with the presser foot drive block to complete driving of the presser foot. The presser foot can be independently driven to move by providing the independent presser foot drive motor and the presser foot link assembly. According to corresponding embroidery processes, the presser foot can independently complete more complicated actions under the driving of the drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG HEHE ELECTRIC MACHINERY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Zhengan Chen