Patents Examined by Tiffany Drake
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Patent number: 8863408Abstract: An article of footwear may have a sole structure with a chamber, a plate, and an outsole. The chamber encloses a fluid and has an upper surface and an opposite lower surface. The plate is positioned adjacent to the upper surface and has a plurality of projections that extend into indentations in the chamber. The outsole may be positioned adjacent to the lower surface and may have a plurality of projections that extend into indentations in the chamber. In some manufacturing processes for the sole structure, the plate and outsole may be located within a mold, and the chamber may then be shaped by surfaces of the plate, outsole, and mold.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2007Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Eric S. Schindler, Daniel W. Peter
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Patent number: 8850722Abstract: A sizing system for an article of footwear includes an insert attachable to the upper of the article of footwear. The insert is positioned within a pocket formed between the lining of the upper and the exterior shell of the upper. When attached to the upper, the insert forms a part of the exterior surface of the article of footwear. When the insert is removed, part of the pocket forms a portion of the exterior surface of the article of footwear or a flap is extended over the pocket to form a portion of the exterior surface of the article of footwear. The insert may be secured within the pocket using a mechanical fastener.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2008Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Baker, Neil Crumbleholme, Vernon J. Hentz, III, Doug D. Wilken
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Patent number: 8732985Abstract: Sole (100; 200; 300; 400) comprising a support layer (101; 201; 301; 401) having at least one region (103; 203; 303; 403) which allows the passage of air through said layer (101; 201; 301; 401), characterized in that it comprises one or more reinforcing elements (111; 211, 311; 411) joined to one side of said layer (101; 201; 301; 401) in said at least one region (103; 203; 303, 403) and perforated with through-openings (113; 213; 313; 413) for evacuating the air which passes through said region; and a membrane (117; 290, 390; 417) made of material which is waterproof and vapor-permeable, situated above said at least one region (103; 203; 303, 403) on the side of said layer (101; 201; 301, 401) opposite to said elements (111; 211, 311; 411) and sealed with said layer (101; 201; 301; 401) at least along one contour (115; 215; 305) around said at least one region (103; 203; 303; 403).Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2006Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates GmbHInventors: Marco Zanatta, Giovanni Martini, Lino Bernardel
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Patent number: 8667715Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an orthotic device used for controlling motion of a human foot in a functionally corrected anatomical position from heel strike through toe off. The orthotic device may include at least one of rearfoot, midfoot, forefoot, and toe regions. In each region corresponding medial and lateral wedges may be employed. In the rearfoot region, the medial and lateral wedges intersect at an expected contact location of a medial side of a midline of a heel of the human foot. In the midfoot region, the medial and lateral wedges intersect inclusively between expected contact locations of a first cuneiform bone and a cuboid bone. In the forefoot region, the medial and lateral wedges intersect inclusively between expected contact locations of first and fifth metatarsal bones. In the toe region, the medial and lateral wedges intersect inclusively between expected contact locations of first and fifth toes.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2010Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Santtro, LLCInventors: Frank J. Santopietro, David R. Santopietro
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Patent number: 8631591Abstract: Adjustable traction is provided in a traction cleat by selectively restricting or not the amount of flexure permitted for a dynamic traction element on the cleat. Restricting flexure is alternatively achieved by an adjustably positionable ring or by rotating the cleat to align the dynamic element with different shoe sole topographical features. A dual locking post is provided to reduce the surface area required on the cleat hub for locking structures. The cleat is formed in a two shot molding process that permits elongations of the dynamic traction elements without sacrificing the integrity of the cleat structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2010Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Pride Manufacturing Company, LLCInventors: Rand J. Krikorian, John Robert Burt, Faris W. McMullin
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Patent number: 8631590Abstract: An article of footwear with flexing portions disposed in an arch portion of a sole system is disclosed. The flexing portions in the sole system increase the curling toe flexibility of the article of footwear. In addition, the sole system includes trapping portions that enhance the ability of a wearer to stop and capture a ball. Furthermore, the article of footwear includes an asymmetric fastening system biased toward a medial side of the article.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2008Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: John Droege, Paul Hooper, Tetsuya T. Minami, Morgan Stauffer
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Patent number: 8429836Abstract: A collapsible athletic shoe featuring an athletic shoe having a foot portion with an inner cavity, the foot portion can move between an extended position and a collapsed position; a first strap extending out of a first side of the sole area of the athletic shoe and a second strap extending out of a second side of the sole area of the athletic shoe, wherein the first and second straps function to secure the foot portion of the athletic shoe in the collapsed position, the first and second straps can be temporarily secured together via a first attachment means; and a heel strap disposed on the heel portion of the shoe, the heel strap functions to further secure the foot portion of the athletic shoe in the collapsed position.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2010Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Inventor: Veronica Tomor
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Patent number: 8397402Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, with a cushioning system comprising a lower sole element and an upper sole element. The cushioning system further comprises at least one lever having at least two arms where an angle ? between the arms lies within the range 0°<?<180°. The first arm is connected to a deformation element and the second arm is connected to one of the two sole elements, wherein the lever is pivotably arranged at the other sole element.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2007Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: adidas International Marketing B.V.Inventors: Timothy David Lucas, Gerd Rainer Manz, Matthew Daniel Chandler, Paul Leonard Michael Smith, Josh Robert Gordon, Manfred Rippel, Robert Leimer, Jan Hill