Patents by Inventor Austin J. Orand

Austin J. Orand 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: 20240108098
    Abstract: A footwear article includes a footwear upper defining a foot-receiving cavity with a heel region and defining an ankle opening, the footwear upper including an ankle collar at the ankle opening. The footwear article has a sole structure secured to the footwear upper and underlying the foot-receiving cavity, the sole structure including a strobel and a midsole. The footwear article including a collar support disposed inward of an exterior layer of the footwear upper at the heel region, and extending from the sole structure to the ankle opening. The ankle collar is movable from a raised state positioned farther from the sole to a lowered state positioned closer to the sole during donning, and wherein the collar support has a shoehorn structure operable to move a portion of the ankle collar rearward in a longitudinal direction as the ankle collar moves from the raised state to the lowered state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Austin J. Orand, Wade Flanagan, Aaron B. Weast, Peter P. Williams, II
  • Publication number: 20240108099
    Abstract: A footwear article includes a heel structure that returns an ankle collar from a second state that is conducive to donning up to a first state that secures the wearer's foot during wear. The footwear article includes an upper having a foot insertion opening. The foot-insertion opening defines a first circumference when the heel structure is in the first state, and wherein the heel structure expands the foot-insertion opening to a second circumference when the heel structure is in the second state, such that the second circumference is larger than the first circumference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Austin J. Orand, Wade Flanagan, Aaron B. Weast, Peter P. Williams, II
  • Patent number: 11910882
    Abstract: A track and field shoe can include an upper, a sole structure, and a toe plate. The upper includes a medial side portion, a lateral side portion, and a toe box portion. The sole structure is attached to the upper and includes a spike plate. The spike plate has an anterior portion, a posterior portion, and a plurality of spikes. The spikes are configured for penetrating a track surface. The toe plate is attached to an anterior portion of the toe box portion of the upper. One or more portions of the toe plate are exposed from an exterior surface of the upper. The spikes are spaced apart from the toe plate such that the spikes disengage the track surface when the toe plate contacts the track surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Cailee M. Caldwell, Ingrid Hagen-Keith, Austin J. Orand
  • Patent number: 11903441
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to articles of footwear with adjustable dimensions. More specifically, the articles of footwear disclosed herein include sole structures with adjustable dimensions. In some instances, an article of footwear includes one or more removable insert members configured for adjusting the dimensions of a foot-receiving cavity of the article of footwear. Additionally or alternatively, a sole structure can include one or more flexible portions that can move between compressed and expanded states to accommodate feet of various dimensions. To accommodate the adjustable dimensions of the sole structures, an upper of the article of footwear can be stretchable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Ami M. Davis, Daniel J. Gearhardt, Michelle Haines, George S. Kim, Ryan J. Maddox, Austin J. Orand, Richard S. Ramsay, Sarah E. Sowers, Peter P. Williams, II, Patrick D. Boyd
  • Publication number: 20240041157
    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: October 19, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Austin J. Orand, Wade Flanagan, Aaron B. Weast, Peter P. Williams, II
  • Publication number: 20240032635
    Abstract: Aspects herein relate to articles of apparel having anchoring devices that engage face masks in a convenient and accessible way. For example, the anchoring devices in accordance with aspects herein can be concealed in a hidden state when not in use, and can be in an anchoring state when in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: George S. Kim, Austin J. Orand
  • Patent number: 11882901
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper defining an interior void and a first cable movable in a tightening direction to move the upper into a tightened state and movable in a loosening direction to move the upper into a loosened state. The article of footwear also includes a tightening grip operable to be moved away from the upper in a first direction to move the first cable in the tightening direction and a cable lock operable in a locked state to restrict movement of the first cable in the loosening direction and operable in an unlocked state to permit movement of the first cable in the loosening direction. A release grip is operable to be moved away from the upper in a second direction to move the cable lock from the locked state to the unlocked state, whereby the release grip is separate from the tightening grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Caleb W. Dyer, Peter Lam, Austin J. Orand, Andrea M. Vinet, Peter Williams, Samantha Young
  • Patent number: 11849797
    Abstract: A footwear article includes a heel structure that is conducive to hands-free donning to secure the wearer's foot during wear. A footwear article capable of hands-free donning comprises a sole, an upper having an ankle region and a heel region, and a heel structure. The heel structure is a coupled with the upper in the ankle region and the heel region between an exterior layer of the upper and an inner lining of the upper. The heel structure is formed from a material having a greater stiffness than the upper in at least the heel region and the heel structure has a curved profile in a medial to lateral direction of the footwear article in the heel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Austin J. Orand, Wade Flanagan, Aaron B. Weast, Peter P. Williams, II
  • Patent number: 11849798
    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 comprises a sole; an upper having a heel region; and a collar elevator coupled with the upper in the heel region. The footwear also includes a base affixed to the sole. The collar elevator is attached to the base and the base is an outsole, a midsole, an insole, or a strobel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Austin J. Orand, Wade Flanagan, Aaron B. Weast, Peter P. Williams, II
  • Patent number: 11844402
    Abstract: A tensioning system for articles of footwear and articles of apparel is disclosed. The tensioning system includes a spool system that can be engaged or disengaged from a driveshaft through the use of a cam device. The motorized tensioning device includes a torque transmitting system that allows for incremental tightening, incremental loosening and full loosening of the tensile element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Ryan Frederick, Clayton Lindsay, Austin J. Orand, Andrew A. Owings
  • Patent number: 11825902
    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: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Austin J. Orand, Wade Flanagan, Aaron B. Weast, Peter P. Williams, II
  • Publication number: 20230309659
    Abstract: An article of footwear comprises an upper defining an interior void, a sole structure attached to the upper, a cable attached to the upper and moveable in a tightening direction to decrease a volume of the interior void of the upper and in a loosening direction to increase a volume of the interior void of the upper, and a locking device operable between a locked state to prevent movement of the cable and an unlocked state to permit movement of the cable, the locking having a housing attached to one of the upper and the sole structure and receiving the cable therethrough. The housing includes a pulley rotatably disposed therein, whereby the pulley is engaged by the cable and configured cooperate with the housing to provide audible or tactile feedback when the pulley is rotated by cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Caleb W. Dyer, Austin J. Orand
  • Patent number: 11744320
    Abstract: A footwear article includes a collar slide that is conducive to hands-free donning to secure the wearer's foot during wear. A footwear article capable of hands-free donning comprises a sole including a ground-contacting surface and a foot-facing surface and an upper having a heel region. The footwear article also includes a strobel, the strobel affixed to the foot-facing surface of the sole and a collar elevator comprising a heel structure, the collar elevator connected with the strobel and coupled with the upper in the heel region. The collar elevator includes a collar slide forming a ramp interface during a donning operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Austin J. Orand, Wade Flanagan, Aaron B. Weast, Peter P. Williams, II
  • Publication number: 20230270202
    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 comprises a sole; an upper having a heel region; and a collar elevator coupled with the upper in the heel region. The footwear also includes a base affixed to the sole. The collar elevator is attached to the base and the base is an outsole, a midsole, an insole, or a strobel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Austin J. Orand, Wade Flanagan, Aaron B. Weast, Peter P. Williams
  • Patent number: 11678723
    Abstract: An article of footwear comprises an upper defining an interior void, a sole structure attached to the upper, a cable attached to the upper and moveable in a tightening direction to decrease a volume of the interior void of the upper and in a loosening direction to increase a volume of the interior void of the upper, and a locking device operable between a locked state to prevent movement of the cable and an unlocked state to permit movement of the cable, the locking having a housing attached to one of the upper and the sole structure and receiving the cable therethrough. The housing includes a pulley rotatably disposed therein, whereby the pulley is engaged by the cable and configured cooperate with the housing to provide audible or tactile feedback when the pulley is rotated by cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Caleb W. Dyer, Austin J. Orand
  • Publication number: 20230180895
    Abstract: A tensioning system for use with an article of footwear includes a pulley assembly. The pulley assembly may include a first disc and a second disc connected by a central shaft. A tensioning element can be engaged around the central shaft. A ring element can be used to prevent the tensioning element from disengaging the pulley when there is slack in the tensioning element. The pulley assembly can include a guide portion that guides a tensioning member so as to restrict the entry angle of segments of the tensioning member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Austin J. Orand, Timothy P. Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20230165339
    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 may be arranged at various positions among the footwear article, such as above or below a strobel. The collar elevator may be coupled to the footwear article using various connectors. The footwear article may have other features, such as an ankle collar, that are configured in a manner to work together with the collar elevator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Austin J. Orand, Aaron B. Weast, Peter P. Williams II
  • Patent number: 11633016
    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: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Austin J. Orand, Aaron B. Weast, Peter P. Williams, II
  • Publication number: 20230032939
    Abstract: An article of apparel includes a bladder including an interior void, a compressible component disposed within the interior void and including a first zone, the first zone operable between a contracted state and a relaxed state, and a port fluidly coupled to the bladder and operable to selectively permit fluid communication with the interior void.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tina M. Casillas, Risha Dupre, Sam Lacey, Austin J. Orand, Nadia M. Panian, Adam Parkinson, Simon Quay, Victoria Rind, Kimberly A. Sokol, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Publication number: 20230033238
    Abstract: A pump includes a conduit defining an inner volume and formed from a flexible material, the conduit movable between an expanded state and a relaxed state. A coil is disposed within the conduit and includes an outer diameter that is approximately equal to an inner diameter of the conduit, the coil substantially maintaining its outer diameter when the conduit is moved between the relaxed state and the expanded state. A manifold is in fluid communication with the inner volume and is operable to permit fluid to enter the inner volume in a first mode and expel fluid from the inner volume in a second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Nicholas R. Long, Matthew D. Nordstrom, Austin J. Orand, Richard Kristian Hansen, Kimberly A. Sokol