Patents Examined by M. C. Patterson
  • Protective cage for footwear bladder
    Patent number: 6944973
    Abstract: A protective cage for footwear bladders is disclosed. The protective cage includes a cage base and a plurality of support members that extend outwardly from the cage base. The support members extend across the side wall of the bladder to protect the device from abrasion and to prevent fatigue. The use of the support members, which selectively bend and buckle under loaded conditions, control the amount of perimeter deflection of the bladder, while allowing for complete deflection at the center of the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: David Goodwin