Patents by Inventor Benjamin A. Shaffer

Benjamin A. Shaffer 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: 20240081489
    Abstract: A band includes a latch body that is movable by pulling a tab. The latch body extends through an opening of the band and secures with a pin located on a head-mountable device. The band can detach from the head-mountable device by pulling the tab, which actuates the latch body and removes the latch body from the pin. A spring (or springs) can bias the latch body toward the opening, causing the latch body to enter the pin. An applied force to the tab can overcome the biasing force provided by the spring(s), and move the latch body away from, and out of, the pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Yiwei TAO, Aiden D. MOSSOP, Benjamin A. SHAFFER, Lauren D. GERARDI, Nicolas LYLYK, Paul J. THOMPSON, Richard P. HOWARTH, Robert V. TANG, Toria F. YAN, Wei-Ling CHANG, Zebinah P. MASSE
  • Patent number: 11910870
    Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear may include one or more of the following: a knitted component forming a collar of the upper, the collar at least partially forming an opening for providing access to an interior of the article of footwear; and a first knit edge and a second knit edge that extend along the collar of the upper, wherein a knitted central portion of the collar extends between the first knit edge and the second knit edge. The collar may consist of a single seam to join together the first knit edge and the second knit edge. The single seam may be offset from a centerline at the rear-most portion of a heel area such that the knitted central portion of the collar extends through the centerline of the heel area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Podhajny, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Erin E. Toraya, Robert C. Williams, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20240028072
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a head-mounted housing containing rear-facing displays that display images for a user when the head-mounted housing is worn by the user. The head-mounted device housing may have housing structures such as elongated housing members with protruding posts. A headband may be removably coupled to the head-mounted device housing. The headband may have a strap with openings configured to receive the posts. Releasable latches may be provided to allow selective engagement and disengagement between the headband and the housing. The latches may contain movable latch members that are biased using magnetic biasing mechanisms, spring-based biasing mechanisms, or other biasing mechanisms. To release each latch, a tab, button, toggle lever, slider, or other release mechanisms may be actuated by a user. This moves the movable latch member from a closed latch position to an open latch position that releases the headband from the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Toria F. Yan, Ryan M. David, Ryan Fernandez, Tingqing Liao, Yunhe Huang, Bingda Liu, Hao Zhu, Lauren D. Gerardi, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Robert V. Tang, Richard P. Howarth, Nicolas Lylyk, Thomas Richard Routh, Alex Warburton, Uwe Michael Homm, James Russell Griffin, Michael Scott Pritchett, Kathryn Lorraine Pritchett, Sion Gwynn
  • Publication number: 20230345162
    Abstract: This disclosure includes several different features suitable for use in circumaural and supra-aural headphones designs. Designs that enhance user comfort and improve user control of the headphones are discussed. Various sensor configurations and electronic component positions are also discussed. User convenience features that include detachable cushions and automatically detecting the donning and doffing of headphones are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Michael B. Minerbi, Eugene Antony Whang, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Edward Siahaan, Daniel R. Bloom
  • Publication number: 20230288711
    Abstract: A head-mounted display includes a display assembly and a head. The head support includes a first hinge portion coupled to a first side of the head-mounted display and a second hinge portion coupled to a second side of the head-mounted display, which are movable between a first and second states. The head support also includes a first elongated portion coupled to the first hinge portion and a second elongated portion coupled to the second hinge portion, which are rigid and movable with the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion, respectively, between the first and second states. A strap portion is flexible, elastic, and extends between the first elongated portion and the second elongated portion. The first elongated portion and the second elongated portion, when in the second state, extend along a rearward side of the display assembly toward each other and do not overlap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Gallaher, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Julian Jaede, Samuel G. Smith, Trevor J. Ness
  • Publication number: 20230287608
    Abstract: An article may include first and second components comprising non-woven textiles and a third component positioned between the first two components. A first surface of the third component that is adjacent the first component comprises a thermoplastic polymer material, and the third component is fused with a first region of the first component and unfused with a second region of the first component. A method of manufacturing the article, which may be an article of wear, includes arranging the components to form a stacked configuration so that the third component is positioned between the first and second components. Heat and compression may be applied to at least a first region of the first component to fuse the first region with the third component, whereas a second region of the first component may remain unfused to the second component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Karen A. Hawkinson, Benjamin A. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 11737528
    Abstract: A watchband can comfortably secure an electronic device to a wrist of a user. The watchband can include a base having a contact surface opposite an engagement surface, contact loops on the contact surface for contacting a user, and engagement loops on the engagement surface for engaging hooks. The hooks can be provided on the engagement surface, opposite some of the contact loops. The base can include base threads, and the contact loops and engagement loops can be formed by contact threads and engagement threads woven about some of the base threads between the contact surface and the engagement surface. Between adjacent engagement loops, the engagement thread can be more securely attached to the base than is the contact thread between adjacent contact loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Shaffer, Yoji Hamada, Motohide Hatanaka, Hsiang-Hung Chen, Eiryo Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 11736847
    Abstract: This disclosure includes several different features suitable for use in circumaural and supra-aural headphones designs. Designs that enhance user comfort and improve user control of the headphones are discussed. Various sensor configurations and electronic component positions are also discussed. User convenience features that include detachable cushions and automatically detecting the donning and doffing of headphones are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Michael B. Minerbi, Eugene Antony Whang, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Edward Siahaan, Daniel R. Bloom
  • Patent number: 11692289
    Abstract: An article may include first and second components comprising non-woven textiles and a third component positioned between the first two components. A first surface of the third component that is adjacent the first component comprises a thermoplastic polymer material, and the third component is fused with a first region of the first component and unfused with a second region of the first component. A method of manufacturing the article, which may be an article of wear, includes arranging the components to form a stacked configuration so that the third component is positioned between the first and second components. Heat and compression may be applied to at least a first region of the first component to fuse the first region with the third component, whereas a second region of the first component may remain unfused to the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Karen A. Hawkinson, Benjamin A. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20230124221
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an upper for an article of footwear. The upper may include a knit element defining a portion of at least one of an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper. An inlaid strand may extend through the knit element, and a tongue and the knit element may have a common yarn at least at a forward portion of the tongue, and the tongue may extend through a throat area of the upper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Daniel A. Podhajny, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Daren P Tatler, Bruce Huffa
  • Publication number: 20230038383
    Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper incorporating a knitted component. An inlaid strand extends through the knitted component. A combination feeder may be utilized to inlay the strand within the knitted component. As an example, the combination feeder may include a feeder arm that reciprocates between a retracted position and an extended position. In manufacturing the knitted component, the feeder inlays the strand when the feeder arm is in the extended position, and the strand is absent from the knitted component when the feeder arm is in the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Bruce Huffa
  • Patent number: 11566354
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an upper for an article of footwear. The upper may include a knit element defining a portion of at least one of an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper. The interior surface may define a void. A tongue and the knit element may have a common yarn, and the tongue may extend through a throat area of the upper. The tongue may comprise a lateral edge, a medial edge, and a forward portion. At least one of the lateral edge and the medial edge of the tongue may be unsecured to the knit element. The tongue and the knit element may comprise a common yarn at least at the forward portion of the tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Daniel A. Podhajny, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Daren P. Tatler, Bruce Huffa
  • Publication number: 20220408171
    Abstract: This disclosure includes several different features suitable for use in circumaural and supra-aural headphones designs. Designs that enhance user comfort and improve user control of the headphones are discussed. Various sensor configurations and electronic component positions are also discussed. User convenience features that include detachable cushions and automatically detecting the donning and doffing of headphones are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Michael B. Minerbi, Eugene Antony Whang, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Edward Siahaan, Daniel R. Bloom
  • Publication number: 20220369015
    Abstract: This disclosure includes several different features suitable for use in circumaural and supra-aural headphones designs. Designs that include earpad assemblies that improve acoustic isolation are discussed. User convenience features that include automatically detecting the orientation of the headphones on a user's head are also discussed. Various power-saving features, design features, sensor configurations and user comfort features are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Edward Siahaan, Daniel R. Bloom, Lee M. Panecki, Phillip Qian, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene A. Whang, David H. Narajowski, Scott Y. Oshita, Dustin A. Hatfield, Zachary G. Segraves, Sean J. Docherty
  • Patent number: 11478038
    Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper incorporating a knitted component. An inlaid strand extends through the knitted component. A combination feeder may be utilized to inlay the strand within the knitted component. As an example, the combination feeder may include a feeder arm that reciprocates between a retracted position and an extended position. In manufacturing the knitted component, the feeder inlays the strand when the feeder arm is in the extended position, and the strand is absent from the knitted component when the feeder arm is in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Bruce Huffa
  • Patent number: 11477558
    Abstract: This disclosure includes several different features suitable for use in circumaural and supra-aural headphones designs. Designs that include earpad assemblies that improve acoustic isolation are discussed. User convenience features that include automatically detecting the orientation of the headphones on a user's head are also discussed. Various power-saving features, design features, sensor configurations and user comfort features are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Siahaan, Daniel R. Bloom, Lee M. Panecki, Phillip Qian, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene A. Whang, David H. Narajowski, Scott Y. Oshita, Dustin A. Hatfield, Zachary G. Segraves, Sean J. Docherty
  • Patent number: 11457300
    Abstract: This disclosure includes several different features suitable for use in circumaural and supra-aural headphones designs. Designs that enhance user comfort and improve user control of the headphones are discussed. Various sensor configurations and electronic component positions are also discussed. User convenience features that include detachable cushions and automatically detecting the donning and doffing of headphones are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Michael B. Minerbi, Eugene Antony Whang, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Edward Siahaan, Daniel R. Bloom
  • Publication number: 20220282410
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an upper for an article of footwear. The upper may include a knitted component with a knit element defining a portion of at least one of an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper, the interior surface defining a void. The knitted component may further include a tongue, where the tongue extends through a throat area of the upper, and where the tongue comprises a lateral edge and a medial edge. The knitted component may further include at least one raised element extending a height above the exterior surface of the knit element and extending a length along at least one of the lateral edge and the medial edge of the tongue, where the tongue and the at least one raised element have a common yarn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Adrian Meir, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Bruce Huffa
  • Publication number: 20220273078
    Abstract: A watchband can comfortably secure an electronic device to a wrist of a user. The watchband can include a base having a contact surface opposite an engagement surface, contact loops on the contact surface for contacting a user, and engagement loops on the engagement surface for engaging hooks. The hooks can be provided on the engagement surface, opposite some of the contact loops. The base can include base threads, and the contact loops and engagement loops can be formed by contact threads and engagement threads woven about some of the base threads between the contact surface and the engagement surface. Between adjacent engagement loops, the engagement thread can be more securely attached to the base than is the contact thread between adjacent contact loops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Benjamin A. SHAFFER, Yoji HAMADA, Motohide HATANAKA, Hsiang-Hung CHEN, Eiryo SHIRAISHI
  • Patent number: 11363861
    Abstract: A watchband can comfortably secure an electronic device to a wrist of a user. The watchband can include a base having a contact surface opposite an engagement surface, contact loops on the contact surface for contacting a user, and engagement loops on the engagement surface for engaging hooks. The hooks can be provided on the engagement surface, opposite some of the contact loops. The base can include base threads, and the contact loops and engagement loops can be formed by contact threads and engagement threads woven about some of the base threads between the contact surface and the engagement surface. Between adjacent engagement loops, the engagement thread can be more securely attached to the base than is the contact thread between adjacent contact loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Shaffer, Yoji Hamada, Motohide Hatanaka, Hsiang-Hung Chen, Eiryo Shiraishi