Patents Examined by Sharon M Prange
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Patent number: 11051580Abstract: A shoe includes: a shock-absorbing member formed from a foam body including a thermoplastic resin; a solid-form soft member including a polymer resin, having a greater weight per unit volume and a lower hardness than the shock-absorbing member, and having a smaller volume change per unit volume, than the shock-absorbing member, for a change in external pressure within a predetermined external pressure range; and an outsole including a thermoplastic resin, having a tread surface, and rolled up upward along at least a part of an outer edge thereof, thereby defining an accommodating portion to accommodate the soft member between the outsole and the lid, wherein: the shock-absorbing member forms the lid to lid the soft member from a side of an upper; and the soft member is wrapped in the accommodating portion, being in contact with at least a part of inner surfaces of the shock-absorbing member and the outsole.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: ASICS CORPORATIONInventors: Hisanori Fujita, Yoshinori Fujita, Norihiko Taniguchi, Junichiro Tateishi
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Patent number: 11051584Abstract: A sole structure with an integrated cleat member includes a plate member with a protruding portion that forms a first portion of the cleat member. A second portion of the cleat member is attached to the first portion and may be made of a less rigid material than the first portion. A supporting structure can be disposed inside the protruding portion. A method of forming the sole structure can include reshaping a portion of a plate member to form a protruding portion, molding a cleat tip portion onto the protruding portion and molding a supporting structure into a concave inner portion of the protruding portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2019Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Thomas C. Foxen
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Patent number: 11044963Abstract: Described are soccer shoes having an upper formed of knitwear, and a sole having cleats that are connected to the knitwear, wherein the knitwear is capable of coupling the sole to a foot of a wearer of the soccer shoe while the soccer shoe is being worn.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2015Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: adidas AGInventors: Martin Love, Marco Müller, Martin Jobst, Jacky Gilbert Weber
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Patent number: 11039659Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear is provided and includes a plate having a concave ground-engaging surface extending between a medial side of the plate and a lateral side of the plate and movable between a relaxed state and a flexed state. The concave surface has an increased radius when moved from the relaxed state to the flexed state. A first ground-engaging member extends from the plate proximate to the medial side of the plate and a second ground-engaging member extends from the plate proximate to the lateral side of the plate. The second ground-engaging member is spaced apart from the first ground-engaging member by a first distance when the plate is in the relaxed state and is spaced apart from the first ground engaging member by a second distance greater than the first distance when the plate is in the flexed state.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2018Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Timothy P. Hopkins
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Patent number: 11033075Abstract: A foot engagement device includes a generally U-shaped portion having an inner edge, an outer wall, and a tapered upper surface extending from the inner edge to the outer wall. The upper surface tapers between 1 degree and 45 degrees from the inner edge to the outer wall.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2017Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Washington UniversityInventor: Michael D. Weiss
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Patent number: 11033079Abstract: A lacing system for an article of footwear includes a sole structure, an upper attached to the sole structure, the upper comprising a lateral side, a medial side, and a tongue, and a housing disposed adjacent the tongue. A plurality of lateral eyelets are disposed along the lateral side of the upper and a plurality of medial eyelets are disposed along the medial side of the upper. A first lace extends from the housing through the plurality of lateral eyelets, and a second lace extends from the housing through the plurality of medial eyelets.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2019Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: PUMA SEInventors: Markus Bock, Randolph Maussner
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Patent number: 11026471Abstract: An article of footwear including an upper having a strap assembly with a plurality of straps, where a plurality of the straps have outsole connectors, and at least one removable connecting member is configured to interconnect a plurality of the straps. The article of footwear also includes a sole including a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of through-holes positioned on the sole, where the plurality of the straps including the outsole connector are inserted through a corresponding one of the through-holes until a bottom surface of each outsole connector is substantially flush with the bottom surface of the sole to secure the strap assembly to the sole, and at least two of the straps are interconnected by the at least one removable connecting member.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2017Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: DECKERS OUTDOOR CORPORATIONInventor: Christopher Hillyer
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Patent number: 11026478Abstract: An upper may be included with an article of footwear. The upper may include a textile portion, the textile portion forming a throat area of the upper. The upper may further include a base portion, the base portion extending to a biteline area of the upper. The upper may further include a tie structure, the tie structure extending through a first opening of the textile portion and a second opening of the base portion to secure the textile portion to the base portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Monica M. Poulsen, Juan L. Aceves Tinajero
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Patent number: 11026476Abstract: A bladder for an article of footwear includes a chamber having (i) an arcuate segment extending from a first transition to a second transition, (ii) a first plurality of elongate segments extending in a first direction from the first transition to a first terminal end, and (iii) a second plurality of elongate segments spaced apart from the first plurality of elongate segments and extending in the first direction from the second transition to a second terminal end. The bladder also includes a web area connecting the arcuate segment, the first plurality of elongate segments, and the second plurality of elongate segments and extending to a terminal edge spaced apart from each of the first terminal end and the second terminal end.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Can Eldem, Wade Flanagan, Craig Fredrick, Ryan Nyberg, Jessica Small
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Patent number: 11026469Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper member and a sole structure, with a sensor system connected to the sole structure. The sensor system includes a plurality of sensors that are configured for detecting forces exerted by a user's foot on the sensor. The sensor system also includes a port that is configured to receive a module to place the module in communication with the sensors. The port includes a housing with a chamber configured to receive the module and an interface engaged with the housing and having at least one electrical contact exposed to the chamber. Additional retaining structure and interface structure may be included.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: James Molyneux, Aaron B. Weast, Jordan M. Rice, Allan M. Schrock, Michael S. Amos, Andrew A. Owings, Martine Stillman, Joseph B. Horrell, Jonathan B. Knight, Dane R. Weitmann, Jeffrey J. Hebert
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Patent number: 11019878Abstract: An insole and/or outsole for a shoe such as an athletic shoe or cleat that includes a multilayer channeled assembly designed at preventing the transfer of heat from extremely hot ground surfaces, most notably synthetic turf, to the foot. In one embodiment, the insole includes a channeled layer of solid material with a very low thermal conductivity, preferably silicon or cork, as the base material beneath a layer of heat resistant felt preferably made of oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers. The channeling in the base layer allows for air pockets to be created within the insole itself that makes the heat resistant felt more resistant to (i.e., efficient at preventing) the transfer of heat. In another embodiment, the outsole for a shoe such as an athletic shoe or cleat includes a base layer of channeled solid material with low thermal conductivity, silicon, cork, or polystyrene, below a layer of heat resistant felt.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2014Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Inventors: William Walsh, Craig Krzyskowski, John E. Brovsky
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Patent number: 11019874Abstract: Golf shoes having improved outsole constructions are provided. The golf shoes include upper, midsole, and outsole sections. The outsole includes a first set of arc pathways extending along the outsole in one direction. A second set of arc pathways extend along the outsole in a second direction. When the first and second arc pathways are superposed over each other, four-sided tile pieces are formed, and these tiles contain protruding traction members. Different traction zones containing different traction members are provided on the outsole. These zones provide improved all surface traction and there is no channeling and no trenching of the golf course turf. There is less damage to the golf course for a given amount of traction.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Jean-Marie Bidal, John F. Swigart
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Patent number: 11013296Abstract: A modular article of footwear comprises a sole structure having a foot-facing surface, a ground-engaging surface, and a peripheral side surface extending between the foot-facing surface and the ground-engaging surface. The peripheral side surface has at least one recess. The modular article of footwear includes an upper component, and a flange secured to the upper component and projecting therefrom. An inner surface of the flange fits against and is securable to the peripheral side surface of the sole structure with the flange in the at least one recess, and the upper component at least partially defining a foot-receiving cavity over the foot-facing surface. A method of manufacturing a customized article of footwear comprises receiving a request for an upper with a specified characteristic, and assembling the modular article of footwear having an upper in accordance with the request.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Piero Fenato, Elizabeth Langvin, Randall S. Wolfe, Krissy Yetman
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Patent number: 11013293Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure. The upper includes a base layer and one or more tensile strands. The sole structure includes an auxetic element operable to expand in two orthogonal horizontal directions in response to a tension applied in one of the directions. Each tensile strand has at least one end secured in fixed position relative to a peripheral region of the sole structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Elizabeth Langvin, Tory M. Cross, Bryant Russell Klug, Timothy K. Liles, Robert Mervar, Olivier Henrichot
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Patent number: 11006692Abstract: Described are soccer shoes having an upper formed of knitwear, and a sole having cleats that are connected to the knitwear, wherein the knitwear is capable of coupling the sole to a foot of a wearer of the soccer shoe while the soccer shoe is being worn.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2015Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: adidas AGInventors: Martin Love, Marco Müller, Martin Jobst, Jacky Gilbert Weber
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Patent number: 11000100Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear is disclosed. The sole structure comprises a fluid filled member and a plurality of slots. The slots are associated with connecting portions that connect portions of the sole structure in the generally longitudinal direction and provide for increased fit, flexibility and stability.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2018Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Mark C. Miner
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Patent number: 11000098Abstract: A footwear construction is provided including an upper joined with a sole assembly having a dynamic strap system that extends over the upper to secure the footwear on a wearer's foot. The sole assembly includes strap channels for the strap system, which can be free-floating relative to at least a portion of the exterior surface of the upper, and a foxing band encircling a substantial portion of the upper.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2018Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Wolverine Outdoors, Inc.Inventors: Peter Fogg, Andrew Estey, Omar Velazquez
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Patent number: 10986893Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a sole plate that has a forefoot portion with a foot-facing surface. The sole plate has at least one groove extending at least partially transversely in the foot-facing surface. The at least one groove is open when the sole structure is dorsiflexed in a first portion of a flexion range, and closed when the sole structure is dorsiflexed in a second portion of the flexion range that includes flex angles greater than in the first portion of the flexion range.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2016Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Dennis D. Bunnell, Bryan N. Farris, Austin Orand, Alison Sheets-Singer, Aaron B. Weast
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Patent number: 10986898Abstract: An apparatus for making an article of footwear is provided. The apparatus may include a last shaped to resemble a human foot and being formed at least in part from a susceptor material that is thermally reactive to an electromagnetic field. The apparatus may also include an induction coil disposed proximate to the last and configured to produce an electromagnetic field that causes the susceptor material in the last to increase in temperature by induction heating.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2018Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Eric A. Boardman, Levi J. Patton
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Patent number: 10973280Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure with a sole member. The sole member can include a set of apertures that is formed along various surfaces of the sole member. The sole member can be manufactured using a customized cushioning sole system, forming generally circular patterns throughout the sole member. A user's foot morphology and/or preferences may be used to design the sole member.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Shane S. Kohatsu, Christopher S. Cook, Bret Schoolmeester