Patents by Inventor Aaron K. Seid

Aaron K. Seid 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: 20240115001
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper including a chamber, a compressible component disposed within the chamber and operable between a relaxed state and a constricted state, a sole structure including a recess forming a cavity, and a pump device disposed within the cavity and fluidly coupled to the chamber, the pump device operable to transition the compressible component from the relaxed state to the constricted state by removing fluid from the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer L. Bishop, Timothy P. Hopkins, Nicholas R. Long, Nadia M. Panian, Aaron K. Seid, Richard Kristian Hansen
  • Publication number: 20230346074
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper having a chamber, a sole structure including a recess forming a cavity, and a pump device disposed within the cavity, in fluid communication with the chamber, and operable to move the upper from a relaxed state to a constricted state by selectively evacuating fluid from the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer L. Bishop, Timothy P. Hopkins, Nicholas R. Long, Todd W. Miller, Nadia M. Panian, Aaron K. Seid
  • Patent number: 11771170
    Abstract: Footwear includes one or more of: (a) an upper portion at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber; (b) a track component integrally formed or engaged with the upper portion; (c) a heel engaging component movable with respect to the upper portion via the track component between a closed configuration and an open configuration; (d) a locking system, e.g., holding the heel engaging component in the closed configuration; (e) a biasing system, e.g., applying force to the heel engaging component toward the open configuration; (f) a stop system, e.g., keeping the heel engaging component from completely disengaging from the track component; and/or (g) a sole structure. When the footwear is supported upright on a horizontal surface, the heel engaging component may move rearward (and in some examples upward) via the track component when changing from the closed to the open configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron K. Seid
  • Publication number: 20230189907
    Abstract: A locking structure for an article includes a bladder having a first barrier element attached to a second barrier element to define a chamber including an interior void and a plurality of locking elements disposed within the interior void and each attached to at least one of the first barrier element and the second barrier element, each of the locking elements including an interface surface operable to selectively engage an interface surface of another one of the locking elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer L. Bishop, Timothy P. Hopkins, Nicholas R. Long, Todd W. Miller, Nadia M. Panian, Aaron K. Seid
  • Publication number: 20230096885
    Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper, an outsole attached to the upper, and a midsole. The outsole includes a ground-engaging surface and an inner surface disposed on opposite sides. The midsole has a footbed and a bottom surface disposed on opposite sides. The bottom surface opposes the inner surface to define a cavity therebetween. The article of footwear also includes a first series of projections extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in a first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a second series of projection extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in the first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a quantity of particulate matter disposed within the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long, Aaron K. Seid
  • Patent number: 11490681
    Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper, an outsole attached to the upper, and a midsole. The outsole includes a ground-engaging surface and an inner surface disposed on opposite sides. The midsole has a footbed and a bottom surface disposed on opposite sides. The bottom surface opposes the inner surface to define a cavity therebetween. The article of footwear also includes a first series of projections extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in a first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a second series of projection extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in the first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a quantity of particulate matter disposed within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long, Aaron K. Seid
  • Publication number: 20220330657
    Abstract: An adjustment element for an article of footwear includes a bladder having a barrier layer defining an interior void and a compressible component disposed within the interior void and including a lattice structure defining a plurality of reliefs formed in the lattice structure, the compressible component operable between an expanded state when the interior void includes a first pressure and a contracted state when the interior void includes a second pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer L. Bishop, Timothy P. Hopkins, Nicholas R. Long, Todd W. Miller, Nadia M. Panian, Aaron K. Seid
  • Publication number: 20220031014
    Abstract: Footwear includes one or more of: (a) an upper portion at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber; (b) a track component integrally formed or engaged with the upper portion; (c) a heel engaging component movable with respect to the upper portion via the track component between a closed configuration and an open configuration; (d) a locking system, e.g., holding the heel engaging component in the closed configuration; (e) a biasing system, e.g., applying force to the heel engaging component toward the open configuration; (f) a stop system, e.g., keeping the heel engaging component from completely disengaging from the track component; and/or (g) a sole structure. When the footwear is supported upright on a horizontal surface, the heel engaging component may move rearward (and in some examples upward) via the track component when changing from the closed to the open configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventor: Aaron K. Seid
  • Publication number: 20210368923
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a bladder having an inner chamber and a peripheral chamber completely surrounding the inner chamber. The inner chamber defines a first interior void having a tensile element received therein and providing the inner chamber with a constant thickness. The inner chamber may be arcuate and curve continuously from a first end of the bladder to a second end of the bladder. The peripheral chamber extends from and completely surrounds the inner chamber, and has a variable thickness that is greater than the constant thickness of the first inner chamber. The inner chamber and the peripheral chamber are in fluid communication with each other, and the peripheral chamber includes a plurality of deformation zones configured to deform to accommodate a pressure increase within the inner chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron K. Seid
  • Patent number: 11134746
    Abstract: Footwear includes one or more of: (a) an upper portion at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber; (b) a track component integrally formed or engaged with the upper portion; (c) a heel engaging component movable with respect to the upper portion via the track component between a closed configuration and an open configuration; (d) a locking system, e.g., holding the heel engaging component in the closed configuration; (e) a biasing system, e.g., applying force to the heel engaging component toward the open configuration; (f) a stop system, e.g., keeping the heel engaging component from completely disengaging from the track component; and/or (g) a sole structure. When the footwear is supported upright on a horizontal surface, the heel engaging component may move rearward (and in some examples upward) via the track component when changing from the closed to the open configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron K. Seid
  • Publication number: 20200253329
    Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper, an outsole attached to the upper, and a midsole. The outsole includes a ground-engaging surface and an inner surface disposed on opposite sides. The midsole has a footbed and a bottom surface disposed on opposite sides. The bottom surface opposes the inner surface to define a cavity therebetween. The article of footwear also includes a first series of projections extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in a first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a second series of projection extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in the first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a quantity of particulate matter disposed within the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long, Aaron K. Seid
  • Patent number: 10674788
    Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper, an outsole attached to the upper, and a midsole. The outsole includes a ground-engaging surface and an inner surface disposed on opposite sides. The midsole has a footbed and a bottom surface disposed on opposite sides. The bottom surface opposes the inner surface to define a cavity therebetween. The article of footwear also includes a first series of projections extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in a first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a second series of projection extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in the first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a quantity of particulate matter disposed within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long, Aaron K. Seid
  • Publication number: 20190380430
    Abstract: Footwear includes one or more of: (a) an upper portion at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber; (b) a track component integrally formed or engaged with the upper portion; (c) a heel engaging component movable with respect to the upper portion via the track component between a closed configuration and an open configuration; (d) a locking system, e.g., holding the heel engaging component in the closed configuration; (e) a biasing system, e.g., applying force to the heel engaging component toward the open configuration; (f) a stop system, e.g., keeping the heel engaging component from completely disengaging from the track component; and/or (g) a sole structure. When the footwear is supported upright on a horizontal surface, the heel engaging component may move rearward (and in some examples upward) via the track component when changing from the closed to the open configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventor: Aaron K. Seid
  • Patent number: 10314367
    Abstract: An article of footwear has a sole structure with an extension portion that maintains contact with the ground during a forward stride, extending the time period for deceleration of loads applied to the sole structure. The article of footwear comprises an upper and a sole structure. The upper has a forefoot region with a foremost extent. The sole structure has a forefoot portion underlying the forefoot region, and an extension portion extending forward from the forefoot portion. The extension portion extends forward of the foremost extent of the upper from a forward edge of the forefoot portion to a distal end. A top side of the extension portion is spaced apart from the upper between the forward edge and the distal end. The extension portion establishes a propulsion surface beyond the foremost extent of the upper during a forward stride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Kilgore, Paul J. Francis, Kevin W. Hoffer, Shane S. Kohatsu, Aaron K. Seid, Jeffrey C. Spanks, Andrea M. Vinet, George A. Xanthos
  • Patent number: 10098411
    Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper, an outsole attached to the upper, and a midsole. The outsole includes a ground-engaging surface and an inner surface disposed on opposite sides. The midsole has a footbed and a bottom surface disposed on opposite sides. The bottom surface opposes the inner surface to define a cavity therebetween. The article of footwear also includes a first series of projections extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in a first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a second series of projection extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in the first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a quantity of particulate matter disposed within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long, Aaron K. Seid
  • Patent number: 10098412
    Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper, an outsole attached to the upper, and a midsole. The outsole includes a ground-engaging surface and an inner surface disposed on opposite sides. The midsole has a footbed and a bottom surface disposed on opposite sides. The bottom surface opposes the inner surface to define a cavity therebetween. The article of footwear also includes a first series of projections extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in a first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a second series of projection extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in the first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a quantity of particulate matter disposed within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long, Aaron K. Seid
  • Publication number: 20180289108
    Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper, an outsole attached to the upper, and a midsole. The outsole includes a ground-engaging surface and an inner surface disposed on opposite sides. The midsole has a footbed and a bottom surface disposed on opposite sides. The bottom surface opposes the inner surface to define a cavity therebetween. The article of footwear also includes a first series of projections extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in a first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a second series of projection extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in the first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a quantity of particulate matter disposed within the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long, Aaron K. Seid
  • Publication number: 20180160763
    Abstract: Unitary insole/strap layers for articles of footwear and methods for making such unitary insole/strap layers are provided. The insole/strap layers are transformed from a two-dimensional patterned base into a three-dimensional insole/strap layer, which simplifies the manufacturing process. The insole/strap layer is then secured to an outsole structure to form an article of footwear, such as a flip flop or sandal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventor: Aaron K. Seid
  • Publication number: 20180092432
    Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper, an outsole attached to the upper, and a midsole. The outsole includes a ground-engaging surface and an inner surface disposed on opposite sides. The midsole has a footbed and a bottom surface disposed on opposite sides. The bottom surface opposes the inner surface to define a cavity therebetween. The article of footwear also includes a first series of projections extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in a first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a second series of projection extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in the first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a quantity of particulate matter disposed within the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long, Aaron K. Seid
  • Publication number: 20180077997
    Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper, an outsole attached to the upper, and a midsole. The outsole includes a ground-engaging surface and an inner surface disposed on opposite sides. The midsole has a footbed and a bottom surface disposed on opposite sides. The bottom surface opposes the inner surface to define a cavity therebetween. The article of footwear also includes a first series of projections extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in a first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a second series of projection extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in the first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a quantity of particulate matter disposed within the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long, Aaron K. Seid