Patents by Inventor Aaron B. Weast

Aaron B. Weast has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230012918
    Abstract: A footwear article includes a collar elevator that is conducive to hands-free donning to secure the wearer's foot during wear. A footwear article capable of hands-free donning includes a sole and an upper having a heel region. The upper includes an inner material layer and an outer material layer. The footwear article also includes a collar elevator positioned between the inner material layer and the outer material layer in the heel region. The collar elevator, in an example, comprises a strand-receiving aperture through which a stitch extends attaching the collar elevator to the upper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Austin J. Orand, Aaron B. Weast, Peter P. Williams, II
  • Patent number: 11541296
    Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing and monitoring various athletic performance metrics, e.g., during the course of a game, a practice, a training session, training drills, and the like, are described. These systems and methods can provide useful metrics for players and coaches relating to athletic performances in various sports, including various team sports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James Molyneux, Aaron B. Weast, Brandon S. Burroughs
  • Publication number: 20220415470
    Abstract: An activity monitoring device may provide data indicating one or more activities performed by a user. The wearable device may send the data to another computing device. An interface may be used to display the data. One or more display characteristics associated with the interface may be determined based on a location of the activity monitoring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Aaron B. Weast, Jamian R. Cobbett
  • Patent number: 11523658
    Abstract: An adjustable multiple bladder system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The bladder system includes an outer bladder that may be inflated using an external pump. A valve member is disposed within the outer bladder and divides the outer bladder into two distinct inflation chambers. The inflation chambers may be inflated separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth Langvin, James Molyneux, Lee D. Peyton, Ty A. Ransom, Nicola J. Reynolds, Aaron B. Weast
  • Publication number: 20220392604
    Abstract: A wearable device may provide activity data indicating one or more activities performed by a user during a time period. An activity milestone for a user may be determined based on the activity data. A user may interact with an interface to associate information with the time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Aaron B. Weast, Jamian R. Cobbett
  • Patent number: 11495341
    Abstract: A wearable device assembly has a housing supporting a controller, display and indicator system thereon. The controller has at least one sensor wherein activity of a user wearing the device is detected. The controller selectively illuminates the indicator system to indicate a level of activity of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron B. Weast, Jamian R. Cobbett
  • Publication number: 20220273069
    Abstract: A footwear article includes a collar elevator that returns an ankle collar from a lowered state that is conducive to donning up to a raised state that secures the wearer's foot during wear. The collar elevator includes a lever arm. The lever arm may be deformable and biased towards the raised state. The lever arm may be articulated with a biasing force urging the lever arm to the raised state. The lever arm may have a variety of cross sections as well. The lever arm extends from a base, which may a sole portion of the footwear article. The lever arm and the base may be monolithic, permanently joined, removably joined, or otherwise connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Austin J. Orand, Wade Flanagan, Aaron B. Weast, Peter P. Williams, II
  • Publication number: 20220262482
    Abstract: A wearable device assembly has a housing supporting a controller, display and indicator system thereon. The controller has at least one sensor wherein activity of a user wearing the device is detected. The controller selectively illuminates the indicator system to indicate a level of activity of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Aaron B. Weast, Jamian R. Cobbett
  • Publication number: 20220262484
    Abstract: A wearable device assembly has a housing supporting a controller, display and indicator system thereon. The controller has at least one sensor wherein activity of a user wearing the device is detected. The controller selectively illuminates the indicator system to indicate a level of activity of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Aaron B. Weast, Jamian R. Cobbett
  • Publication number: 20220262481
    Abstract: A wearable device assembly has a housing supporting a controller, display and indicator system thereon. The controller has at least one sensor wherein activity of a user wearing the device is detected. The controller selectively illuminates the indicator system to indicate a level of activity of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Aaron B. Weast, Jamian R. Cobbett
  • Publication number: 20220262485
    Abstract: An athletic parameter measurement device worn by an athlete during an athletic activity session includes a housing which attaches to the athlete, a display, a processor associated with the display, and an athletic parameter measurement sensor. During the athletic activity, the device detects, using the sensor, a vertical jump height of the athlete, and displays, during the performance of the athletic activity session, a representation of the vertical jump height on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: James Meschter, James Molyneux, Aaron B. Weast
  • Patent number: 11344077
    Abstract: A footwear article includes a collar elevator that returns an ankle collar from a lowered state that is conducive to donning up to a raised state that secures the wearer's foot during wear. The collar elevator includes a lever arm. The lever arm may be deformable and biased towards the raised state. The lever arm may be articulated with a biasing force urging the lever arm to the raised state. The lever arm may have a variety of cross sections as well. The lever arm extends from a base, which may a sole portion of the footwear article. The lever arm and the base may be monolithic, permanently joined, removably joined, or otherwise connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Austin J. Orand, Wade Flanagan, Aaron B. Weast, Peter P. Williams, II
  • Patent number: 11297895
    Abstract: A sole assembly for an article of footwear comprises a sole plate with a foot-facing surface with a recess disposed in the foot-facing surface. An insert plate is disposed in the recess. A length of the insert plate between anterior and posterior ends of the insert plate is less than a length of the recess. The insert plate flexes free of compressive loading by the sole plate when a forefoot portion of the sole assembly is dorsiflexed in a first portion of a flexion range, and operatively engages with the sole plate when the forefoot portion is dorsiflexed in a second portion of the flexion range that includes flex angles greater than in the first portion of the flexion range. The sole assembly is dorsiflexed, for example, when the forefoot portion is flexed in accordance with toes bending toward the top of the foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis D. Bunnell, Bryan N. Farris, Austin Orand, Alison Sheets-Singer, Aaron B. Weast
  • Publication number: 20220079285
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a sole structure. Data is received for a cushioning profile of the sole structure of an article of footwear, the sole structure including a bladder network including multiple bladders interconnected by conduits, the sole structure also including a plurality of openings exposing the conduits. Based on the received data, configurations of at least some stems in a frame are adjusted. The frame is installed into the sole structure, the installing including inserting the stems through the openings so as to at least partially close at least a portion of the conduits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Aaron B. Weast
  • Publication number: 20220071351
    Abstract: An electronically controlled bladder assembly includes an adjustable pressure bladder and a reservoir connected by an electronically controlled valve. The electronically controlled valve is operated in a manner that inflates the adjustable bladder when the current pressure is below a target pressure and in a manner that deflates the adjustable bladder when the current pressure is above the target pressure. The inflation and deflation of the adjustable bladder are achieved in an iterative manner by controlling the flow of fluid between the constant pressure reservoir and the adjustable bladder over several cycles of heel strikes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: James Molyneux, Aaron B. Weast
  • Patent number: 11266202
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a sole plate that has a forefoot region, and a stiffness enhancing assembly disposed in the forefoot region of the sole plate. The stiffness enhancing assembly further comprises a compression member disposed at a foot-facing side of the sole plate, and a tensile member disposed at an opposite side of the sole plate from the compression member. The tensile member is spaced apart from the compression member by a first distance in a first portion of a flexion range during dorsiflexion of the sole structure, and interferes with the compression member during a second portion of the flexion range that includes flex angles greater than in the first portion of the flexion range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan N. Farris, Austin Orand, Alison Sheets-Singer, Aaron B. Weast
  • Publication number: 20220031007
    Abstract: An article with a color change portion and a method of changing color. The article includes at least one color change portion capable of changing colors. The color change portion includes composite material including a photonic lattice. The color change portion can change colors according to one or more performance parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Sharna M. Donovan, Sean D. Hartford, Vikram Malhotra, Michelle L. Mishler, James Molyneux, Andrew A. Owings, Aaron B. Weast, Bradley W. Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20220028521
    Abstract: Example embodiments may relate systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media configured to correlate image data of a user performing physical activity with data collected during the user's performance. Data may include sensor data measuring, force, acceleration, speed, and/or processed sensor data from one or more sensors. Certain embodiments may determine whether the user is within a performance zone based on user attributes. Correlation of the image data with physical activity data may be based, at least in part, whether the user is within a performance zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Brandon S. Burroughs, Richard J. Engelberg, Jordan M. Rice, Bob Sweet, Aaron B. Weast, Wade Convay, Joshua Rooke-Ley
  • Publication number: 20220015508
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a medial support member coupled to a medial portion and having a first rail, a lateral support member coupled to a lateral portion and having a second rail, a plurality of lace-receiving members disposed on and movable along the first and second rails to move the article of footwear between an open configuration and a closed configuration, a lace member extending between the plurality of first lace-receiving members and the plurality of second lace-receiving members, a grip member extending from an upper-most first lace-receiving member of the plurality of first lace-receiving members or from an upper-most second lace-receiving member of the plurality of second lace-receiving members, and a locking member configured for securing the article of footwear in the closed configuration. The locking member has a first side portion and a second side portion forming a notch therebetween configured to receive the grip member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Aaron B. Weast, Peter P. Williams, II
  • Publication number: 20220007786
    Abstract: Foot support systems include a fluid flow regulator and/or valve that: (a) can operate as a stop valve to stop transfer of fluid between a first fluid container and a second fluid container, (b) can open in a controlled manner to allow transfer of fluid from the second fluid container to the first fluid container, (c) can open to equalize pressure in the first and second fluid containers, and (d) can act as a check valve to enable flow of fluid from the first fluid container to the second fluid container when/if gas pressure in the first container exceeds that in the second container by a predetermined amount. Additional features relate to fluid flow control systems and methods, systems and methods for changing and controlling the crack pressure of a valve (e.g., a check valve), and/or systems and methods for matching foot support pressure features in two different sole structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Aaron B. Weast, Timothy P. Hopkins