Patents Examined by Danny Worrell
  • Circular knitting machine
    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
  • Stitch counting device and method of use
    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
  • Knitted components reinforced with high tenacity yarn
    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
  • Independent presser foot drive mechanism and embroidery machine
    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
  • Article of footwear with upper having stitched polymer thread pattern and methods of making the same
    Patent number: 11326290
    Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear, the upper including a base layer defining a least a portion of the upper and polymer threads stitched to the base layer. The polymer threads may include a core composed of a first material and a coating composed of a second material, where the melting point of the first material is higher than the melting point of the second material. The polymer threads may be bonded to the base layer by the coating of the polymer threads. The polymer threads may include one or more polymer thread sets stitched in pattern(s) on area(s) of an outer surface of the base layer to provide targeted characteristics to area(s) on the upper. In some embodiments, the polymer threads may be bonded to the base layer with heat and/or pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Jason Daniel McGinnity, Janette P. Atkins, Elise Marie Hall, Carl Arnese
  • Article of footwear incorporating a knitted component with an integral knit tongue
    Patent number: 11319651
    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: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Adrian Meir, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Bruce Huffa
  • Upper for an article of footwear with a cuff
    Patent number: 11313057
    Abstract: In one aspect, an upper for an article of footwear may include a knit element, a collar area configured to form an ankle opening, and a cuff in the collar area. The cuff may be at least partially formed by the knit element and may include a ribbed knit structure of the knit element. In another aspect, an upper for an article of footwear may include a knit element with a first area, the first area including a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side may be formed of at least 30% more material than the second side such that the first area is configured to curve convexly away from the first side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Roberto Zavala
  • Automated heart valve manufacturing devices and methods
    Patent number: 11306423
    Abstract: An automated system that can be used for prosthetic heart valve manufacturing or suturing procedures. The system can include a first automated fixture that includes an articulating arm and a target device holder. The system can also include one or more additional automated fixtures, which can be configured as one or more suturing arms that include another articulating arm and a needle holder. The first automated fixture can be configured to rotate a target device held by the holder to allow the one or more additional automated fixtures to perform operations such as form sutures on the target device without intervention of a human operator. The system can include a targeting system configured to provide positioning feedback to the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Cody, III, Ping-Yang Shih, Tiffany Diemtrinh Tran
  • Article incorporating a lenticular knit structure
    Patent number: 11306420
    Abstract: An article of footwear including an upper incorporating a knitted component having color-shifting properties is provided. Color-shift properties can be generated by one or more lenticular knit structures disposed across the upper of the article of footwear. The lenticular knit structures are formed of unitary knit construction with the remaining portions of the knitted component. The lenticular knit structures have portions formed with different yarns. The different yarns on the portions of the lenticular knit structures generate a visual effect that changes the color of the article of footwear depending on the viewing angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian Meir, Daniel A. Podhajny
  • Knit structures with reduced curl and roll over and a method of making same
    Patent number: 11299828
    Abstract: Knit structures and processes for constructing knit structures which can be used as a replacement for double layer bands in articles of clothing such as, but not limited to, pantyhose, stockings, stay ups and socks are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: THE LYCRA COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Alberto Ceria, Davide Rossi
  • Knitting needle with swivel joint
    Patent number: 11299830
    Abstract: A knitting needle or knitting needle assembly may include a cable having opposite ends, with first and second cylindrical members coupled to the opposite ends, respectively. At least one of the first and second cylindrical members may be coupled to its respective end of the cable such that the cylindrical member swivels about its longitudinal axis with respect to the cable to permit relative rotation between the respective cylindrical member and the cable. One or both cylindrical members may define a cavity generally enclosing its respective cable end. Alternatively or in addition, one or both cylindrical member may define a first end bore receiving the cable, and a second end bore at an opposite end thereof, with the second end bore defining a radially inwardly facing thread configured to mate with a radially outwardly facing thread of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Westing Bridge LLC
    Inventor: Liyun Zheng
  • Knitting machine with adjustable needle beds and variable thickness knitted component
    Patent number: 11299829
    Abstract: A variable thickness knitted component including a first region having a spacer knit construction, the first region having a first thickness, and a second region having the spacer knit construction, the second region having a second thickness different than the first thickness. The knitted component may be an integral one-piece element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Adrian Meir
  • Knitting machine with electronic auxiliary component
    Patent number: 11286594
    Abstract: A knitting machine may include a needle bed and a carriage that is movable along the needle bed. The carriage may be configured to engage at least one feeder to move a dispensing area of the feeder along the needle bed while dispensing a yarn, where the carriage includes an interface for providing power to an auxiliary component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart W. Dealey, Adrian Meir, Gagandeep Singh
  • Apparel design system with bounded area for asset placement
    Patent number: 11286614
    Abstract: A system allows a user to create new designs for apparel and preview these designs before manufacture. Software and lasers are used in finishing apparel to produce a desired wear pattern or other design. As the user designs apparel, the system provides feedback as to what designs can be used, such as avoiding technical constraints with their designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Levi Strauss & Co.
    Inventors: James Barton Sights, Jennifer Schultz, Debdulal Mahanty, Christopher Schultz, Benjamin Bell
  • Footwear article including circular knit structures
    Patent number: 11286591
    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: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: The North Face Apparel Corp.
    Inventor: John Ly
  • Active knit compression garments, devices and related methods
    Patent number: 11280031
    Abstract: Garments having active and passive knitted rows can provide desired levels of compression. Garments made of active and passive knitted rows can provide dynamic levels of compression with respect to both location and over time to address a variety of conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Rachael Margaret Granberry, Kevin Eschen, Julianna Abel, Bradley Holschuh
  • Manufacturing method for knitted fabric having heat generating function
    Patent number: 11280032
    Abstract: A knitted fabric having a heat generating function has a four-layer structure and can be knitted by a flat knitting machine. Knit stitching is used to knit first and second layers such that the second layer is fully covered under the first layer. Tuck stitching is used to knit the third layer such that one stitch is made to the third layer per a preset number of stitches made to each of first and second layers. Knit stitching is used to knit the fourth layer. After knitting, the fabric is soaked with water and spin-dried to form protrusions, spatially distributed as a centered rectangular lattice, on fabric surface. The second layer is electrically conductive for generating heat and is hidden inside the fabric. This layer is not easily hooked by a user during use and cleaning. The fabric is elastic and soft, and provides a comfortable feeling to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: KnitWarm Limited
    Inventor: Kam Kuen Ng
  • Engineered knit with multi-density knit zone
    Patent number: 11274383
    Abstract: A knitted element may include at least three zones. The first zone may include terry loop knitting. The second zone may include mesh knitting. The third zone may include jersey knitting. The knitted element may include at least one seamless transition between the first zone and the second zone, or between the first zone and the third zone so that terry loop knitting is continuous with either the mesh knitting or the jersey knitting. The first zone, the second zone, and the third zone may each include wool knitting. The terry loop knitting may be adapted to provide warmth in areas where it is needed, while the mesh knitting may be adapted to provide breathability in areas where it is needed. The jersey knitting may provide an intermediate level of warmth and breathability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: TBL Licensing LLC
    Inventors: Susanne Annette Jesch, Anne Louise Wiper
  • Knit sock with targeted compression zone
    Patent number: 11268219
    Abstract: A knit sock includes a foot portion having an upper instep area and a lower sole area integrally knit of a body yarn in circumferential courses and axial wales. The lower sole area defines inner and outer arch regions. The inner arch region incorporates a targeted compression zone adapted to reside generally adjacent an inner arch of a wearer's foot. The compression zone includes axially extending compression ridges of variable length spaced apart from a top of the compression zone to a bottom of the compression zone. When the sock is worn, a compression force applied by the foot portion within the targeted compression zone is greater than the compression force in directly adjacent areas of said foot portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Flagship Brands, LLC
    Inventor: Hugh Gaither
  • Sewing machine
    Patent number: 11268225
    Abstract: Sewing machine with a sewing machine housing (2) comprising a lower housing part (3), an upper housing part (4) with a sewing head (6) and a stand (5), which connects the lower housing part (3) to the upper housing part (4), wherein the upper housing part (4) comprises a stand-side arm housing section (7), a head-side arm housing section (8) and a joint (23), wherein the joint (23) is arranged in such a manner that the head-side arm housing section (8) can be swiveled between a preparation position for the picking up/delivering of a sewing material and a sewing position for sewing the sewing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: PFAFF Industriesysteme und Maschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Kallenbach, Berthold Becker, Stefan Samstag