Patents by Inventor Adam Thuss

Adam Thuss 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).

  • Patent number: 12048346
    Abstract: A method of forming a plate for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes applying a first strand portion to a base layer including positioning adjacent segments of the first strand portion to form a first layer on the base layer. The adjacent segments of the first strand portion having a greater density across a width of the plate between a medial side and a lateral side at a midfoot region of the plate than at a forefoot region of the plate and at a heel region of the plate. The method also includes applying at least one of heat and pressure to the first strand portion and to the base layer to conform the first strand portion and the base layer to a predetermined shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Bartel, Stefan E. Guest, Sam Lacey, Adam Thuss, Christian Alexander Steinbeck
  • Patent number: 12022910
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article includes a first layer including a first bundle of fibers affixed to a first substrate, a second layer including a second bundle of fibers affixed to a second substrate, a traction element having a first portion disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and a second portion extending from one of the first layer and the second layer. The sole structure further includes a resin that consolidates the first bundle of fibers and the second bundle of fibers, and secures the traction element between the first bundle of fibers and the second bundle of fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Bartel, Sam Lacey, Adam Thuss
  • Publication number: 20240188676
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a first plate having a first surface. The first plate includes a forefoot region at an anterior end, a heel region at a posterior end, and a mid-foot region. The sole structure further includes a second plate having a second surface opposing the first surface of the first plate. The second plate has a first end attached to the forefoot region of the first plate and a second end that is spaced apart from the first surface of the first plate. A cushion is disposed between the first plate and the second plate and has a first side attached to the first surface of the first plate and a second side attached to the second surface of second plate. The cushion extends continuously from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2024
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy L. Connell, Karen S. Dimoff, Stefan E. Guest, Charlie Keller, Troy C. Lindner, Geng Luo, Tetsuya T. Minami, Jonathan Rasca, Adam Thuss
  • Patent number: 11937663
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a first plate having a first surface. The first plate includes a forefoot region at an anterior end, a heel region at a posterior end, and a mid-foot region. The sole structure further includes a second plate having a second surface opposing the first surface of the first plate. The second plate has a first end attached to the forefoot region of the first plate and a second end that is spaced apart from the first surface of the first plate. A cushion is disposed between the first plate and the second plate and has a first side attached to the first surface of the first plate and a second side attached to the second surface of second plate. The cushion extends continuously from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy L. Connell, Karen S. Dimoff, Stefan E. Guest, Charlie Keller, Troy C. Lindner, Geng Luo, Tetsuya T. Minami, Jonathan Rasca, Adam Thuss
  • Patent number: 11819084
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a component including a first bundle of fibers affixed to a substrate, a ground-engaging assembly including a first traction element, a second traction element, and a connecting member extending between and connecting the first traction element and the second traction element, and a resin consolidating the first bundle of fibers and entrapping the connecting member to fix a position of the first traction element, the second traction element, and the connecting member relative to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Bartel, Sam Lacey, Adam Thuss
  • Publication number: 20230301395
    Abstract: A method of forming a plate for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes applying a first strand portion to a base layer including positioning adjacent segments of the first strand portion to form a first layer on the base layer. The adjacent segments of the first strand portion having a greater density across a width of the plate between a medial side and a lateral side at a midfoot region of the plate than at a forefoot region of the plate and at a heel region of the plate. The method also includes applying at least one of heat and pressure to the first strand portion and to the base layer to conform the first strand portion and the base layer to a predetermined shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Bartel, Stefan E. Guest, Sam Lacey, Adam Thuss, Christian Alexander Steinbeck
  • Publication number: 20230301399
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article includes a first layer including a first bundle of fibers affixed to a first substrate, a second layer including a second bundle of fibers affixed to a second substrate, a traction element having a first portion disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and a second portion extending from one of the first layer and the second layer. The sole structure further includes a resin that consolidates the first bundle of fibers and the second bundle of fibers, and secures the traction element between the first bundle of fibers and the second bundle of fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Bartel, Sam Lacey, Adam Thuss
  • Publication number: 20230292879
    Abstract: A method for forming a plate includes attaching a first strand portion to a flexible substrate to form a first layer on the substrate and positioning a second strand portion on the first layer to form a second layer on the first layer in a plurality of discrete regions on the substrate. The method also includes positioning a plurality of traction elements into corresponding cavities formed into a first mold surface and positioning the substrate on the first mold surface to change a shape of the substrate. At least one of heat and pressure is applied to the first strand portion, the second strand portion, the substrate, and the traction elements to conform the substrate to the shape of the first mold surface and form the traction elements into the substrate at each of the discrete regions. The method also includes incorporating the substrate into an article of footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam Amis, Aaron Bartel, Stefan E. Guest, Sam Lacey, William C. McFarland, II, Christian Alexander Steinbeck, Yoav Sterman, Adam Thuss, Todd A. Waatti
  • Publication number: 20230270203
    Abstract: A plate for an article of footwear includes a substrate, a first strand portion attached to the substrate via first stitching, and a second strand portion disposed on the first layer. The first strand portion includes first segments that each extend between two different locations along the substrate to form a first layer on the substrate. The second strand portion includes second segments that each extend between two different locations along the substrate to form a second layer on the first layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Bartel, Risha Dupre, Emily Farina, Lysandre Follet, Stefan E. Guest, Helene Hutchinson, Sam Lacey, Geng Luo, Rachel M. Savage, Christian Alexander Steinbeck, Adam Thuss, Kristin Yetman
  • Patent number: 11696619
    Abstract: Ground-engaging components for articles of footwear include: (a) an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an open space at least at a forefoot support area of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim is shaped such that the outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component tapers or curves inward moving from a forefoot support area to an arch support area, and wherein a narrowest dimension from a lateral side edge to a medial side edge of the outer perimeter boundary rim is located in a heel support area of the ground-engaging component; and (b) a support structure extending into or at least partially across the open space. The ground-engaging component may have a narrower width dimension in a central heel or rear heel support area than in the arch support area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Amos, Karen S. Dimoff, Lysandre Follet, Thomas Foxen, John Hurd, Shane S. Kohatsu, Troy C. Lindner, David J. Roulo, Adam Thuss, Andrea Vinet
  • Publication number: 20230210212
    Abstract: A method of forming a plate for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes applying a first strand portion to a base layer including positioning adjacent segments of the first strand portion to form a first layer on the base layer. The adjacent segments of the first strand portion having a greater density across a width of the plate between a medial side and a lateral side at a forefoot region of the plate than at a midfoot region of the plate and at a heel region of the plate. The method also includes applying at least one of heat and pressure to the first strand portion and to the base layer to conform the first strand portion and the base layer to a predetermined shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Bartel, Stefan E. Guest, Derek Haight, Adam Kiss, Sam Lacey, Geng Luo, Rachel M. Savage, Christian Alexander Steinbeck, Adam Thuss
  • Patent number: 11678717
    Abstract: A plate for an article of footwear includes a substrate, a first strand portion attached to the substrate via first stitching, and a second strand portion disposed on the first layer. The first strand portion includes first segments that each extend between two different locations along the substrate to form a first layer on the substrate. The second strand portion includes second segments that each extend between two different locations along the substrate to form a second layer on the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Bartel, Risha Dupre, Emily Farina, Lysandre Follet, Stefan E. Guest, Helene Hutchinson, Sam Lacey, Geng Luo, Rachel M. Savage, Christian Alexander Steinbeck, Adam Thuss, Kristin Yetman
  • Patent number: 11678716
    Abstract: A plate for an article of footwear includes a base layer, a first strand layer, and a second strand layer. The base layer has a peripheral edge defining a medial side and a lateral side extending between a heel region and a forefoot region. The first strand portion is attached to the base layer via first stitching that crosses over the first strand portion and penetrates the base layer at first attachment locations that are spaced apart from the first strand portion. The first strand portion further includes adjacent segments that form a first layer on the base layer. The second strand portion is disposed on the first layer to form a second layer on the first layer and is attached to the base layer via second stitching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Bartel, Stefan E. Guest, Sam Lacey, Adam Thuss, Christian Alexander Steinbeck
  • Patent number: 11647808
    Abstract: A method for forming a plate includes attaching a first strand portion to a flexible substrate to form a first layer on the substrate and positioning a second strand portion on the first layer to form a second layer on the first layer in a plurality of discrete regions on the substrate. The method also includes positioning a plurality of traction elements into corresponding cavities formed into a first mold surface and positioning the substrate on the first mold surface to change a shape of the substrate. At least one of heat and pressure is applied to the first strand portion, the second strand portion, the substrate, and the traction elements to conform the substrate to the shape of the first mold surface and form the traction elements into the substrate at each of the discrete regions. The method also includes incorporating the substrate into an article of footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam Amis, Aaron Bartel, Stefan E. Guest, Sam Lacey, William C. McFarland, II, Christian Alexander Steinbeck, Yoav Sterman, Adam Thuss, Todd A. Waatti
  • Patent number: 11633013
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article includes a first layer including a first bundle of fibers affixed to a first substrate, a second layer including a second bundle of fibers affixed to a second substrate, a traction element having a first portion disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and a second portion extending from one of the first layer and the second layer. The sole structure further includes a resin that consolidates the first bundle of fibers and the second bundle of fibers, and secures the traction element between the first bundle of fibers and the second bundle of fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Inventors: Aaron Bartel, Sam Lacey, Adam Thuss
  • Publication number: 20230116987
    Abstract: A method including inserting into a mold a first tool having a first surface. The method further includes printing a second tool from a polymer material and inserting the second tool into the first tool. The second tool having a smaller wall thickness than the first tool and including a second surface opposing and in contact with the first surface of the first tool and a third surface formed on an opposite side of the second tool than the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John Cross, Dervin A. James, Ryan R. Larson, Kevin C. Sze, Adam Thuss
  • Publication number: 20230104760
    Abstract: Ground-engaging components for articles of footwear include an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an upper-facing surface and an opposite ground-facing surface. The outer perimeter boundary rim defines an open space at least at a forefoot support area of the ground-engaging component. A matrix structure extends from the outer perimeter boundary rim (e.g., the ground-facing surface and/or the upper-facing surface) and across the open space at least at the forefoot support area to define an open cellular construction with plural open cells across the open space at least at the forefoot support area. The matrix structure defines one or more sets of adjacent open cells, the set(s) including at least three open cells that are substantially aligned in the forefoot support area along a line extending in a forward medial-to-rear lateral direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Michael S. Amos, Thomas G. Bell, Lysandre Follet, Thomas Foxen, John Hurd, Shane S. Kohatsu, Troy C. Lindner, Geng Luo, Adam Thuss, Andrea Vinet
  • Patent number: 11602194
    Abstract: A method of forming a plate for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes applying a first strand portion to a base layer including positioning adjacent segments of the first strand portion to form a first layer on the base layer. The adjacent segments of the first strand portion having a greater density across a width of the plate between a medial side and a lateral side at a forefoot region of the plate than at a midfoot region of the plate and at a heel region of the plate. The method also includes applying at least one of heat and pressure to the first strand portion and to the base layer to conform the first strand portion and the base layer to a predetermined shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Bartel, Stefan E. Guest, Derek Haight, Adam Kiss, Sam Lacey, Geng Luo, Rachel M. Savage, Christian Alexander Steinbeck, Adam Thuss
  • Patent number: 11533968
    Abstract: Ground-engaging components for articles of footwear include: (a) an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an upper-facing surface and a ground-facing surface opposite the upper-facing surface, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an open space at least at a forefoot support area of the ground-engaging component; and (b) a matrix structure extending from the outer perimeter boundary rim (e.g., the ground-facing surface and/or the upper-facing surface) and across the open space at least at the forefoot support area to define an open cellular construction with plural open cells across the open space at least at the forefoot support area, wherein a plurality (e.g., at least a majority) of the open cells have curved perimeters with no distinct corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Amos, Thomas G. Bell, Lysandre Follet, Thomas Foxen, John Hurd, Shane S. Kohatsu, Troy C. Lindner, Geng Luo, Adam Thuss, Andrea Vinet
  • Publication number: 20220256969
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a component including a first bundle of fibers affixed to a substrate, a ground-engaging assembly including a first traction element, a second traction element, and a connecting member extending between and connecting the first traction element and the second traction element, and a resin consolidating the first bundle of fibers and entrapping the connecting member to fix a position of the first traction element, the second traction element, and the connecting member relative to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Bartel, Sam Lacey, Adam Thuss