Patents by Inventor Benjamin J. Monfils
Benjamin J. Monfils 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).
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Patent number: 12622487Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear defines a footbed and includes a chassis having a lower cushioning element including an upper side and a bottom side disposed on an opposite side from the upper side, the lower cushioning element including one or more apertures extending from the upper side to the bottom side. A bladder is disposed adjacent to the upper side of the lower cushioning element and an outsole is disposed adjacent to the bottom side of the lower cushioning element and includes one or more protrusions each extending through a respective one of the one or more apertures and engaging the bladder.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2024Date of Patent: May 12, 2026Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Devin Bailly, Paul Begyn, Clayton Chambers, Guercy Eugene, Dervin A. James, Jason R. Meeker, Benjamin J. Monfils, Kevin C. Sze
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Publication number: 20260053230Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure defining a footbed and a ground-engaging surface and including a chassis extending from an anterior end of the sole structure to a posterior end of the sole structure, and a bladder supported within the chassis and extending from a first end in a forefoot region of the sole structure to a second end exposed at the posterior end of the sole structure, the bladder including a first curved portion in the forefoot region and a substantially flat portion at the posterior end of the sole structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2025Publication date: February 26, 2026Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Devin Bailly, Paul Begyn, Clayton Chambers, Guercy Eugene, Dervin A. James, Jason R. Meeker, Benjamin J. Monfils
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Patent number: 12471669Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure defining a footbed and a ground-engaging surface and including a chassis extending from an anterior end of the sole structure to a posterior end of the sole structure, and a bladder supported within the chassis and extending from a first end in a forefoot region of the sole structure to a second end exposed at the posterior end of the sole structure, the bladder including a first curved portion in the forefoot region and a substantially flat portion at the posterior end of the sole structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2023Date of Patent: November 18, 2025Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Devin Bailly, Paul Begyn, Clayton Chambers, Guercy Eugene, Dervin A. James, Jason R. Meeker, Benjamin J. Monfils
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Publication number: 20250213001Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to an article of footwear having an upper, an upper for an article of footwear, and methods of manufacturing an upper for an article of footwear. The upper includes yarns and knit structures that, after processing, form, at least in part, a translucent or transparent thermoplastic polymer layer that facilitates visibility of a first sole structure, such as a midsole, that is removably positioned within a foot-receiving void of the upper. The translucent or transparent thermoplastic polymer layer may also directly secure a second sole structure to an underfoot portion of the upper.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2024Publication date: July 3, 2025Inventors: Austin Baranek, Travis J. Berrian, Benjamin J. Monfils, Nikita A. Troufanov, Maria Zwerger
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Publication number: 20250185755Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear defines a footbed and includes a bladder extending from a first end in a forefoot region of the sole structure to a second end in a heel region of the sole structure and a chassis including a lower chassis having a first outsole segment attached to the bladder in the forefoot region and a lower cushioning element attached to the bladder in the heel region.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2024Publication date: June 12, 2025Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Devin Bailly, Paul Begyn, Clayton Chambers, Guercy Eugene, Dervin A. James, Jason R. Meeker, Benjamin J. Monfils, Kevin C. Sze
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Publication number: 20250049175Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear defines a footbed and includes a chassis having a lower cushioning element including an upper side and a bottom side disposed on an opposite side from the upper side, the lower cushioning element including one or more apertures extending from the upper side to the bottom side. A bladder is disposed adjacent to the upper side of the lower cushioning element and an outsole is disposed adjacent to the bottom side of the lower cushioning element and includes one or more protrusions each extending through a respective one of the one or more apertures and engaging the bladder.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2024Publication date: February 13, 2025Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Devin Bailly, Paul Begyn, Clayton Chambers, Guercy Eugene, Dervin A. James, Jason R. Meeker, Benjamin J. Monfils, Kevin C. Sze
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Publication number: 20240306766Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear with a cushioning element extending from a posterior end to an anterior end. The cushioning element has a first set of openings and a plurality of bulbs, wherein the plurality of bulbs extend around an entirety of an outer surface of the cushioning element. The cushioning element have an outsole layer coupled to the cushioning element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2024Publication date: September 19, 2024Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Merrily J. ANTONY, Travis J. BERRIAN, Wesley K. CHAN, Bryan P. CONRAD, Zachary M. ELDER, Wade FLANAGAN, Paul HOOPER, Samuel S. KASS, Benjamin J. MONFILS, Nikita A. TROUFANOV, Jeremy W. WEBBER
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Publication number: 20240306768Abstract: An article of footwear with an upper including an interior void, the upper comprised of a first material; a sole disposed within the interior void of the upper, the sole formed of a second material different from the first material; and a cushioning element formed of a third material different from the first material and the second material. The cushioning element has a first surface facing the upper and a second, ground-facing surface, wherein the upper is directly attached to the cushioning element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2024Publication date: September 19, 2024Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Merrily J. ANTONY, Travis J. BERRIAN, Wesley K. CHAN, Bryan P. CONRAD, Zachary M. ELDER, Wade FLANAGAN, Paul HOOPER, Samuel S. KASS, Benjamin J. MONFILS, Nikita A. TROUFANOV, Jeremy W. WEBBER
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Publication number: 20240306767Abstract: An article of footwear having an anterior end and a posterior end opposite the anterior end, and an upper including an interior void partially defined by a ground-facing surface. The ground-facing surface has a plurality of supports; a sole including a first surface facing the interior void and a second, ground-facing surface, the sole disposed within the interior void of the upper, wherein the sole includes one or more extensions extending from the second surface, wherein each of the one or more extensions is received by a respective one of the plurality of supports; and a cushioning element extending from the posterior end toward the anterior end, the cushioning element including a first surface facing the upper and a second, ground-facing surface, wherein the one or more supports and one or more extensions engage the first surface of the cushioning element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2024Publication date: September 19, 2024Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Merrily J. ANTONY, Travis J. BERRIAN, Wesley K. CHAN, Bryan P. CONRAD, Zachary M. ELDER, Wade FLANAGAN, Paul HOOPER, Samuel S. KASS, Benjamin J. MONFILS, Nikita A. TROUFANOV, Jeremy W. WEBBER
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Publication number: 20240306769Abstract: An article of footwear comprising: a posterior end; an anterior end opposite the posterior end; an upper having an interior void; a sole disposed within the interior void of the upper; an outsole extending from the anterior end to the posterior end, the outsole having a first surface facing the upper, a second surface facing a ground surface, a toe portion, and a heel cap; and a cushioning element, the cushioning element having a first surface facing the upper and a second, ground-facing surface attached to the outsole, wherein a portion of the upper is directly attached to the first surface of the cushioning element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2024Publication date: September 19, 2024Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Merrily J. ANTONY, Travis J. BERRIAN, Wesley K. CHAN, Bryan P. CONRAD, Zachary M. ELDER, Wade FLANAGAN, Paul HOOPER, Samuel S. KASS, Benjamin J. MONFILS, Nikita A. TROUFANOV, Jeremy W. WEBBER
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Patent number: 12017427Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a midsole including a polymeric bladder element enclosing a fluid-filled interior cavity, a first outsole component secured to a bottom surface and to a side surface of the polymeric bladder element, and a second outsole component. The first outsole component includes a first base, and a wall integral with the first base. The second outsole component includes a second base secured to the first base, and a wall integral with the second base and secured to the outer surface of the wall of the first outsole component. A method of manufacturing the article of footwear includes thermoforming the bladder element and the first outsole component, and securing the second outsole component to the first outsole component.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2022Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Frederick J. Dojan, Zachary M. Elder, Eric L. Fliss, Samuel Heinzman, Troy C. Lindner, Benjamin J. Monfils, Melanie N. Moteberg, Lee D. Peyton, Eric S. Schindler
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Patent number: 12016424Abstract: An article comprises a cushioning assembly that comprises a first bladder element forming a first fluid chamber. The cushioning assembly further comprises a second bladder element within the first bladder element. The second bladder element forms a second fluid chamber sealed from and within the first fluid chamber. At least one reinforcement element is operatively connected to and in contact with at least one of the first bladder element and the second bladder element. The at least one reinforcement element is configured to reinforce the cushioning assembly under a load applied to the first bladder element. A method of manufacturing an article with the cushioning assembly is provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2020Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Zachary M. Elder, Benjamin J. Monfils
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Publication number: 20240197034Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure defining a footbed and a ground-engaging surface and including a chassis extending from an anterior end of the sole structure to a posterior end of the sole structure, and a bladder supported within the chassis and extending from a first end in a forefoot region of the sole structure to a second end exposed at the posterior end of the sole structure, the bladder including a first curved portion in the forefoot region and a substantially flat portion at the posterior end of the sole structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2023Publication date: June 20, 2024Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Devin Bailly, Paul Begyn, Clayton Chambers, Guercy Eugene, Dervin A. James, Jason R. Meeker, Benjamin J. Monfils
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Publication number: 20240164478Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure including a chamber for receiving a pressurized fluid, the chamber having a top portion, a bottom portion, and side portions around a periphery of the chamber. The sole structure also includes a central structure located in a central portion of the chamber between opposing side portions of the chamber, such that the chamber is devoid of additional structures in a surrounding region around the central structure and extending from the central structure to the side portions of the chamber. On all sides of the central structure, a dimension of the surrounding region between the central structure and the nearest side portion is one third or more of a span across the chamber between opposing side portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2024Publication date: May 23, 2024Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: DeVonne DeVoe, Benjamin J. Monfils, Lee D. Peyton, Danielle L. Taylor
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Patent number: 11918073Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure including a chamber for receiving a pressurized fluid, the chamber having a top portion, a bottom portion, and side portions around a periphery of the chamber. The sole structure also includes a central structure located in a central portion of the chamber between opposing side portions of the chamber, such that the chamber is devoid of additional structures in a surrounding region around the central structure and extending from the central structure to the side portions of the chamber. On all sides of the central structure, a dimension of the surrounding region between the central structure and the nearest side portion is one third or more of a span across the chamber between opposing side portions.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2020Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Devonne DeVoe, Benjamin J. Monfils, Lee D. Peyton, Danielle L. Taylor
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Publication number: 20230189926Abstract: A kit includes a first article of footwear and a second article of footwear. The first article of footwear includes a first upper, a first sole structure having a first outsole defining a first ground-contacting surface, and a first side support extending between and connecting the first upper and the first outsole at a medial side of the first article of footwear. The second article of footwear including a second upper, a second sole structure having a second outsole defining a second ground-contacting surface, and a second side support extending between and connecting the second upper and the second outsole at a lateral side of the second article of footwear. In one aspect, the first sole structure includes a first fluid-filled chamber and the second sole structure includes a second fluid-filled chamber, wherein the first fluid-filled chamber is identical to the second fluid-filled chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2022Publication date: June 22, 2023Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tony Hardman, Benjamin J. Monfils
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Patent number: 11470915Abstract: The disclosure id directed to an article of footwear including an upper and the sole structure, to the sole structure, and to a method for manufacturing the sole structure and a method for manufacturing the article of footwear. The sole structure includes a fluid-filled chamber and an outsole that at least partially surrounds the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2019Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Benjamin J. Monfils, Lee D. Peyton
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Patent number: 11419388Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bladder element comprises forming at least one of a first, a second, and a third polymeric sheet to have a contoured surface profile. The first, the second, and the third polymeric sheets are stacked so that the second polymeric sheet is between the first polymeric sheet and the third polymeric sheet. The method comprises applying fluid pressure between the first polymeric sheet and second polymeric sheet, between the second polymeric sheet and the third polymeric sheet, or between both, forcing a first surface of the second polymeric sheet into contact with an inner surface of the first polymeric sheet, or a second surface of the second polymeric sheet into contact with an inner surface of the third polymeric sheet, or both. A bladder element is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2019Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Zachary M. Elder, Benjamin J. Monfils
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Publication number: 20220134698Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a midsole including a polymeric bladder element enclosing a fluid-filled interior cavity, a first outsole component secured to a bottom surface and to a side surface of the polymeric bladder element, and a second outsole component. The first outsole component includes a first base, and a wall integral with the first base. The second outsole component includes a second base secured to the first base, and a wall integral with the second base and secured to the outer surface of the wall of the first outsole component. A method of manufacturing the article of footwear includes thermoforming the bladder element and the first outsole component, and securing the second outsole component to the first outsole component.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2022Publication date: May 5, 2022Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Frederick J. Dojan, Zachary M. Elder, Eric L. Fliss, Samuel Heinzman, Troy C. Lindner, Benjamin J. Monfils, Melanie N. Moteberg, Lee D. Peyton, Eric S. Schindler
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Patent number: 11317676Abstract: An article of footwear has a sole assembly with a cushioning component and a shell that has a textile layer. The cushioning component is positioned in a cavity of the shell so that the cushioning component is supported on a lower surface by the shell and the upper surface of the cushioning component is uncovered by the shell at an opening of the shell. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes forming an at least partially textile shell so that the shell has a cavity with an opening. A cushioning component is positioned in the cavity of the shell so that a lower surface of the cushioning component is supported on an inner surface of the shell and is uncovered by the shell at the opening. The lower surface of the cushioning component is secured to the inner surface of the shell by radio frequency welding or adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2019Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Lee D. Peyton, Margarita Cortez, Benjamin J. Monfils