Patents by Inventor Arick Auyang

Arick Auyang 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: 12453394
    Abstract: A cushioning article includes a bladder enclosing an interior cavity and retaining a gas in the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity and includes tensile layers and a plurality of tethers connecting the tensile layers. The tensile layers are connected to an inner surface of the bladder such that the tethers span across the interior cavity. The bladder has an inwardly-protruding bond that joins an inner surface of the bladder to the tensile component, protrudes inward into the interior cavity, and partially traverses the plurality of tethers such that the bladder is narrowed at the inwardly protruding bond and the gas in the interior cavity fluidly communicates across the inwardly-protruding bond. A method of manufacturing a cushioning article is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2025
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Arick Auyang, Page J. Bailey, Jeremy L. Connell, Derek Houng, Jason R. Meeker
  • Patent number: 12310449
    Abstract: A strobel for an article of footwear comprises a polymeric bladder that defines an interior cavity. The polymeric bladder is configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The polymeric bladder may include a first polymeric sheet bonded to a second polymeric sheet at the peripheral flange and joined to the second polymeric sheet at a plurality of interior welds. Methods of manufacturing a strobel and manufacturing footwear are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Arick Auyang, Derek Houng, Eric A. Schmalzer, Matthew Temple, Jeffrey S. To, Geoffrey A Weston
  • Patent number: 12262784
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a strobel that has a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity. The tensile component is secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The groove serves as a guide path for an operator or for a machine to follow when stitching or otherwise securing the strobel to the upper. A method of manufacturing footwear is included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Arick Auyang, Derek Houng, Jason R. Meeker, Eric A Schmalzer, Jeffrey S. To, Geoffrey A Weston
  • Patent number: 12201184
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a strobel that has a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity and is secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The strobel also includes a lasting component configured to extend along the peripheral flange around the at least a portion of the perimeter of the interior cavity. The lasting component is secured to the peripheral flange. A method of manufacturing footwear that includes the strobel is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Arick Auyang, Derek Houng, Jason R. Meeker, Eric A. Schmalzer, Jeffrey S. To, Geoffrey A. Weston
  • Publication number: 20240365926
    Abstract: A cushioning article includes a bladder enclosing an interior cavity and retaining a gas in the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity and includes tensile layers and a plurality of tethers connecting the tensile layers. The tensile layers are connected to an inner surface of the bladder such that the tethers span across the interior cavity. The bladder has an inwardly-protruding bond that joins an inner surface of the bladder to the tensile component, protrudes inward into the interior cavity, and partially traverses the plurality of tethers such that the bladder is narrowed at the inwardly protruding bond and the gas in the interior cavity fluidly communicates across the inwardly-protruding bond. A method of manufacturing a cushioning article is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Arick Auyang, Page J. Bailey, Jeremy L. Connell, Derek Houng, Jason R. Meeker
  • Patent number: 12064007
    Abstract: A cushioning article includes a bladder enclosing an interior cavity and retaining a gas in the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity and includes tensile layers and a plurality of tethers connecting the tensile layers. The tensile layers are connected to an inner surface of the bladder such that the tethers span across the interior cavity. The bladder has an inwardly-protruding bond that joins an inner surface of the bladder to the tensile component, protrudes inward into the interior cavity, and partially traverses the plurality of tethers such that the bladder is narrowed at the inwardly protruding bond and the gas in the interior cavity fluidly communicates across the inwardly-protruding bond. A method of manufacturing a cushioning article is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Arick Auyang, Page J. Bailey, Jeremy L. Connell, Derek Houng, Jason R. Meeker
  • Publication number: 20240122298
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a strobel that has a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity. The tensile component is secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The groove serves as a guide path for an operator or for a machine to follow when stitching or otherwise securing the strobel to the upper. A method of manufacturing footwear is included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Arick Auyang, Derek Houng, Jason R. Meeker, Eric A. Schmalzer, Jeffrey S. To, Geoffrey A. Weston
  • Publication number: 20240108102
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a strobel that has a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity and is secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The strobel also includes a lasting component configured to extend along the peripheral flange around the at least a portion of the perimeter of the interior cavity. The lasting component is secured to the peripheral flange. A method of manufacturing footwear that includes the strobel is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Arick Auyang, Derek Houng, Jason R. Meeker, Eric A. Schmalzer, Jeffrey S. To, Geoffrey A. Weston
  • Publication number: 20240108103
    Abstract: A strobel for an article of footwear comprises a polymeric bladder that defines an interior cavity. The polymeric bladder is configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The polymeric bladder may include a first polymeric sheet bonded to a second polymeric sheet at the peripheral flange and joined to the second polymeric sheet at a plurality of interior welds. Methods of manufacturing a strobel and manufacturing footwear are included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Arick Auyang, Derek Houng, Eric A. Schmalzer, Matthew Temple, Jeffrey S. To, Geoffrey A. Weston
  • Patent number: 11882899
    Abstract: A strobel for an article of footwear comprises a polymeric bladder that defines an interior cavity. The polymeric bladder is configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The polymeric bladder may include a first polymeric sheet bonded to a second polymeric sheet at the peripheral flange and joined to the second polymeric sheet at a plurality of interior welds. Methods of manufacturing a strobel and manufacturing footwear are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Arick Auyang, Derek Houng, Eric A. Schmalzer, Matthew Temple, Jeffrey S. To, Geoffrey A. Weston
  • Patent number: 11877622
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a strobel that has a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity and is secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The strobel also includes a lasting component configured to extend along the peripheral flange around the at least a portion of the perimeter of the interior cavity. The lasting component is secured to the peripheral flange. A method of manufacturing footwear that includes the strobel is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Arick Auyang, Derek Houng, Jason R. Meeker, Eric A. Schmalzer, Jeffrey S. To, Geoffrey A. Weston
  • Patent number: 11877621
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a strobel that has a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity. The tensile component is secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The groove serves as a guide path for an operator or for a machine to follow when stitching or otherwise securing the strobel to the upper. A method of manufacturing footwear is included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Arick Auyang, Derek Houng, Jason R. Meeker, Eric A. Schmalzer, Jeffrey S. To, Geoffrey A. Weston
  • Publication number: 20230147255
    Abstract: A cushioning article includes a bladder enclosing an interior cavity and retaining a gas in the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity and includes tensile layers and a plurality of tethers connecting the tensile layers. The tensile layers are connected to an inner surface of the bladder such that the tethers span across the interior cavity. The bladder has an inwardly-protruding bond that joins an inner surface of the bladder to the tensile component, protrudes inward into the interior cavity, and partially traverses the plurality of tethers such that the bladder is narrowed at the inwardly protruding bond and the gas in the interior cavity fluidly communicates across the inwardly-protruding bond. A method of manufacturing a cushioning article is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Arick Auyang, Page J. Bailey, Jeremy L. Connell, Derek Houng, Jason R. Meeker
  • Patent number: 11633011
    Abstract: A cushioning article includes a bladder enclosing an interior cavity and retaining a gas in the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity and includes tensile layers and a plurality of tethers connecting the tensile layers. The tensile layers are connected to an inner surface of the bladder such that the tethers span across the interior cavity. The bladder has an inwardly-protruding bond that joins an inner surface of the bladder to the tensile component, protrudes inward into the interior cavity, and partially traverses the plurality of tethers such that the bladder is narrowed at the inwardly protruding bond and the gas in the interior cavity fluidly communicates across the inwardly-protruding bond. A method of manufacturing a cushioning article is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Arick Auyang, Page J. Bailey, Jeremy L. Connell, Derek Houng, Jason R. Meeker
  • Publication number: 20220132985
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a strobel that has a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity and is secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The strobel also includes a lasting component configured to extend along the peripheral flange around the at least a portion of the perimeter of the interior cavity. The lasting component is secured to the peripheral flange. A method of manufacturing footwear that includes the strobel is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Arick Auyang, Derek Houng, Jason R. Meeker, Eric A. Schmalzer, Jeffrey S. To, Geoffrey A. Weston
  • Patent number: 11317677
    Abstract: An article such as an article of footwear includes a lacing system having two laces that are routed through lace-receiving passages in two distinct zones of a body of the article. A first lace can be routed through a first set of lace-receiving passages in a first zone, and a second lace can be routed through a second set of lace-receiving passages in a second zone. A method of lacing an article includes routing the first lace and the second lace through the lace-receiving passages of the respective zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Arick Auyang
  • Publication number: 20220117356
    Abstract: A strobel for an article of footwear comprises a polymeric bladder that defines an interior cavity. The polymeric bladder is configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The polymeric bladder may include a first polymeric sheet bonded to a second polymeric sheet at the peripheral flange and joined to the second polymeric sheet at a plurality of interior welds. Methods of manufacturing a strobel and manufacturing footwear are included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Arick Auyang, Derek Houng, Eric A. Schmalzer, Matthew Temple, Jeffrey S. To, Geoffrey A. Weston
  • Publication number: 20220087363
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a strobel that has a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity. The tensile component is secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The groove serves as a guide path for an operator or for a machine to follow when stitching or otherwise securing the strobel to the upper. A method of manufacturing footwear is included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Arick Auyang, Derek Houng, Jason R. Meeker, Eric A. Schmalzer, Jeffrey S. To, Geoffrey A. Weston
  • Patent number: 11253026
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a strobel that has a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity and is secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The strobel also includes a lasting component configured to extend along the peripheral flange around the at least a portion of the perimeter of the interior cavity. The lasting component is secured to the peripheral flange. A method of manufacturing footwear that includes the strobel is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Arick Auyang, Derek Houng, Jason R. Meeker, Eric A. Schmalzer, Jeffrey S. To, Geoffrey A. Weston
  • Patent number: 11241063
    Abstract: A strobel for an article of footwear comprises a polymeric bladder that defines an interior cavity. The polymeric bladder is configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The polymeric bladder may include a first polymeric sheet bonded to a second polymeric sheet at the peripheral flange and joined to the second polymeric sheet at a plurality of interior welds. Methods of manufacturing a strobel and manufacturing footwear are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Arick Auyang, Derek Houng, Eric A. Schmalzer, Matthew Temple, Jeffrey S. To, Geoffrey A. Weston