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).

  • FOOTWEAR SOLE ASSEMBLY WITH INSERT PLATE AND NONLINEAR BENDING STIFFNESS
    Publication number: 20200100564
    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: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis D. Bunnell, Bryan N. Farris, Austin Orand, Alison Sheets-Singer, Aaron B. Weast
  • Electronically controlled bladder assembly
    Patent number: 10575589
    Abstract: An electronically controlled bladder assembly includes an adjustable pressure bladder and a constant pressure 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: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James Molyneux, Aaron B. Weast
  • GPS features and functionality in an athletic watch system
    Patent number: 10564002
    Abstract: Athletic performance monitoring systems include GPS data to enhance various features of the workout as well as the post-workout data analysis. Such features include using output from multiple sensors to determine the most accurate data available for providing distance measurements for individual segments of a route. The most accurate data for each route segment, from whatever source, then is used to provide the overall route distance and as the basis for making other calculations, such as pace, calorie burn, etc. Another feature relates to the ability to both input and output geographically tagged messages while moving along a route during an athletic performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Hoffman, Miles W. Brown, Aaron B. Weast, Matt Capozzi, Tomislav Lakovic, James Molyneux, Jamian R. Cobbett
  • FOOTWEAR SOLE STRUCTURE WITH NONLINEAR BENDING STIFFNESS
    Publication number: 20200008519
    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: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan N. Farris, Austin Orand, Alison Sheets-Singer, Aaron B. Weast
  • SOLE STRUCTURE WITH PROGRESSIVELY ADAPTIVE STIFFNESS
    Publication number: 20200008520
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a sole plate including a foot support portion with a foot-facing surface and a ground-facing surface. An opening extends through the foot support portion from the foot-facing surface to the ground-facing surface. The sole plate includes a bridge portion underlying the opening and secured to the foot support portion fore and aft of the opening. The sole structure includes a piston that has a body and a support arm extending transversely from the body. The body extends through the opening. The support arm is supported on the bridge portion, trapped below the ground-facing surface by the foot support portion, and extends under the ground-facing surface at medial and lateral sides of the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan N. Farris, Austin Orand, Aaron B. Weast
  • Footwear sole assembly with insert plate and nonlinear bending stiffness
    Patent number: 10524536
    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: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis D. Bunnell, Bryan N. Farris, Austin Orand, Alison Sheets-Singer, Aaron B. Weast
  • Adjustable Foot Support Systems Including Fluid-Filled Bladder Chambers
    Publication number: 20190365042
    Abstract: Foot support systems, e.g., for articles of footwear, include systems for changing the hardness or firmness of the foot support portion (e.g., of a sole structure) and/or systems for moving (e.g., selectively moving) fluid between various portions of the foot support system. Such systems may include: a foot support bladder, a pump, and a fluid reservoir. Two or more fluid transfer lines may be provided to connect these components, and these fluid lines are equipped with fluid flow control device(s) and/or check valves to enable selective movement of fluid between the fluid reservoir and the foot support bladder. Such systems enable one to set and maintain two or more foot support pressures in the foot support bladder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Aaron B. Weast, Timothy P. Hopkins
  • Fluid Flow Control Devices Usable In Adjustable Foot Support Systems
    Publication number: 20190365041
    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: May 29, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Aaron B. Weast, Timothy P. Hopkins
  • Wearable Device Assembly Having Athletic Functionality and Milestone Tracking
    Publication number: 20190366157
    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: August 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Aaron B. Weast, Jamian R. Cobbett
  • Activity and inactivity monitoring
    Patent number: 10463278
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for calculating point values for users who participate in activities. An activity is first captured with a sensor. A processor classifies the activity by comparing a sensor signal to templates. Once the activity is classified, an activity factor is selected. Point values are then calculated as a function of the activity factor and duration of the activity. If a predetermined criteria is met, such as inactivity for a predetermined time period, points may be deducted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristopher L Homsi, Michael Schmitt, Aaron B Weast
  • Footwear article with tongue reinforcer
    Patent number: 10455898
    Abstract: A footwear article includes a tongue and a tongue reinforcer, which helps the tongue maintain a shape and position when the tongue is subjected to forces or adjustments, such as from other footwear-article elements or from a wearer. For example, the tongue reinforcer may help the tongue maintain a shape and position when a wearer is inserting his or her foot into the footwear article or when medial and/or lateral quarters press inward on the tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Austin J. Orand, Aaron B. Weast, Peter P. Williams, II
  • Wearable device assembly having athletic functionality and milestone tracking
    Patent number: 10456623
    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: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron B. Weast, Jamian R. Cobbett
  • Footwear sole structure with nonlinear bending stiffness
    Patent number: 10448701
    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 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan N. Farris, Austin Orand, Alison Sheets-Singer, Aaron B. Weast
  • Sole structure with progressively adaptive stiffness
    Patent number: 10448702
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a sole plate including a foot support portion with a foot-facing surface and a ground-facing surface. An opening extends through the foot support portion from the foot-facing surface to the ground-facing surface. The sole plate includes a bridge portion underlying the opening and secured to the foot support portion fore and aft of the opening. The sole structure includes a piston that has a body and a support arm extending transversely from the body. The body extends through the opening. The support arm is supported on the bridge portion, trapped below the ground-facing surface by the foot support portion, and extends under the ground-facing surface at medial and lateral sides of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan N. Farris, Austin Orand, Aaron B. Weast
  • Wearable device assembly having athletic functionality
    Patent number: 10444791
    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: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jamian R. Cobbett, Kwamina Crankson, Brian L. Kash, Lola Oyibo, Aaron B. Weast, J. Gerson Goldberg, Michael C. Makay, Robert A. Riccomini
  • Adjustable Multi-Bladder System for an Article of Footwear
    Publication number: 20190297998
    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: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Elizabeth Langvin, James Molyneux, Lee D. Peyton, Ty A. Ransom, Nicola J. Reynolds, Aaron B. Weast
  • GPS features and functionality in an athletic watch system
    Patent number: 10429204
    Abstract: Athletic performance monitoring systems include GPS data to enhance various features of the workout as well as the post-workout data analysis. Such features include using output from multiple sensors to determine the most accurate data available for providing distance measurements for individual segments of a route. The most accurate data for each route segment, from whatever source, then is used to provide the overall route distance and as the basis for making other calculations, such as pace, calorie burn, etc. Another feature relates to the ability to both input and output geographically tagged messages while moving along a route during an athletic performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Hoffman, Miles W. Brown, Aaron B. Weast, Matt Capozzi, Tomislav Lakovic, James Molyneux, Jamian R. Cobbett
  • Fitness training system with energy expenditure calculation that uses a form factor
    Patent number: 10420982
    Abstract: System and methods are provided for prompting a user to perform an exercise and to monitor the exercise. The form of the user may be monitored, such as with one or more video cameras and/or other sensors, to determine how well the user is performing the exercise. Energy expenditure is estimated based factors that include the type of the exercise, the form of the user and a contribution value that associates energy expenditure with form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tesa Aragones, Adriana Guerrero, Steve Holmes, Christina S. Self, Aaron B. Weast, Paul Winsper, Jay C. Blahnik, Adam Carroll
  • Sole structure having a divided cleat
    Patent number: 10398198
    Abstract: A sole plate for an article of footwear includes a foot-receiving surface and a ground-facing surface disposed opposite each other. A stiffness enhancing, ground-engaging cleat extends from the ground-facing surface of the sole plate. The ground-engaging cleat includes a first lug and a second lug. The first lug has a first foundation attached to the sole plate, and a first flex-limiting portion connected to the first foundation. The second lug has a second foundation attached to the sole plate, and a second flex-limiting portion connected to the second foundation. The first flex-limiting portion and the second flex-limiting portion contact each other in response to dorsiflexion of the sole plate equal to at least a predetermined flex angle, to increase a bending stiffness of the sole plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Austin Orand, Aaron B. Weast
  • Fitness training system with energy expenditure calculation that uses multiple sensor inputs
    Patent number: 10369412
    Abstract: Systems and methods for prompting a user to perform an exercise and monitoring the exercise are provided. Multiple independent sensors or sensor systems may be used to calculate energy expenditure. Various criteria may be used to manually or automatically select the independent sensor or sensor system or combination that will be used with the energy expenditure calculations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tesa Aragones, Adriana Guerrero, Steve Holmes, Christina S. Self, Aaron B. Weast, Paul Winsper, Jay C. Blahnik