Patents by Inventor Benjamin Shaffer

Benjamin 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).

  • Patent number: 11319651
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Adrian Meir, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Bruce Huffa
  • Patent number: 11297901
    Abstract: Articles of footwear may include uppers having one or more skin layers attached to a base layer, wherein at least one of the skin layers is at least partially transparent or translucent. The transparent or translucent skin layer may be applied over other elements of the upper (e.g., other skin layers, base layers, reinforcing layers, etc.) to provide interesting color change options and color palettes for the upper. Additional aspects of this invention relate to production of curved tongue composite structures and/or footwear having a bonded (hot melt) side seam for forming the upper (and optionally do not include a rear heel seam).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Shaffer, Kevin W. Hoffer, Tony H. Le, YunMi Kang
  • Publication number: 20220086549
    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: September 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Michael B. Minerbi, Eugene Antony Whang, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Edward Siahaan, Daniel R. Bloom
  • Publication number: 20220056621
    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: November 8, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Karen A. Hawkinson, Benjamin A. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 11259107
    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: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mike B. Minerbi, Edward Siahaan, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Eugene A. Whang, Miikka O. Tikander, Derek W. Wright, Jared M. Kole, Esge B. Andersen, Daniel R. Bloom, Edwin J. Corona Aparicio, Timon A. Wright
  • Publication number: 20220042219
    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: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Daniel A. Podhajny, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Daren P. Tatler, Bruce Huffa
  • Patent number: 11203823
    Abstract: A composite structure may include a knit component and a bonded component. The knit component has a first surface and an opposite second surface, and the knit component includes a fusible yarn and a non-fusible yarn that form a knitted structure. The fusible yarn is at least partially formed from a thermoplastic polymer material, and the fusible yarn is located on at least the first surface. The bonded component is positioned adjacent to the first surface, and the bonded component is thermal bonded to the first surface with the thermoplastic polymer material of the fusible yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Karen A. Hawkinson, Benjamin A. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 11155942
    Abstract: A composite structure may include a knit component and a bonded component. The knit component has a first surface and an opposite second surface, and the knit component includes a fusible yarn and a non-fusible yarn that form a knitted structure. The fusible yarn is at least partially formed from a thermoplastic polymer material, and the fusible yarn is located on at least the first surface. The bonded component is positioned adjacent to the first surface, and the bonded component is thermal bonded to the first surface with the thermoplastic polymer material of the fusible yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Karen A. Hawkinson, Benjamin A. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 11155943
    Abstract: A composite structure may include a knit component and a bonded component. The knit component has a first surface and an opposite second surface, and the knit component includes a fusible yarn and a non-fusible yarn that form a knitted structure. The fusible yarn is at least partially formed from a thermoplastic polymer material, and the fusible yarn is located on at least the first surface. The bonded component is positioned adjacent to the first surface, and the bonded component is thermal bonded to the first surface with the thermoplastic polymer material of the fusible yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Karen A. Hawkinson, Benjamin A. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 11155945
    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, the medial edge, and the forward portion may be unsecured to the knit element. The tongue may be secured to the knit element at least at one of the lateral edge, the medial edge, and the forward portion of the throat area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Daniel A. Podhajny, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Daren P. Tatler, Bruce Huffa
  • Patent number: 10966485
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a sole attached to the upper, and an impact absorber attached to the upper at least along a midfoot region of the upper and capable of absorbing a portion of a lateral impact when the impact absorber is moved into contact with a top surface of the sole. The impact absorber is be integrally formed with the sole and has a width that varies along a length of the impact absorber. The width of the impact absorber decreases in a forefoot region and a heel region. The upper rolls to contact the top surface of the sole upon lateral impact. The sole and the upper may be attached asymmetrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Meschter, Matthew A. Nurse, Benjamin A. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20210029435
    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: October 1, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    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
  • Publication number: 20200400948
    Abstract: A display and vision correction system includes a head-mounted display unit, a glasses frame, and a removable lens assembly. The head-mounted display unit is configured to be worn on a head of a user and includes a display for providing graphical content to the user. The glasses frame is configured to be worn on the head of the user. The removable lens assembly is removably coupleable to the head-mounted display unit and to the glasses frame. The removable lens assembly includes a corrective lens element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Ivan S. Maric, Andreas G. Weber, Anna V. Mirabella, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Forrest C. Wang, Jason C. Sauers, Jeremy C. Franklin, Julian Hoenig, Julian Jaede, Kristi E. Bauerly, Stephen E. Dey, Wey-Jiun Lin
  • Patent number: 10865504
    Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper that includes a knitted component and a sole structure secured to the upper. The knitted component may define a tube formed of unitary knit construction, and a strand may extend through a length of the tube. As another example, the knitted component may have a pair of at least partially coextensive knitted layers formed of unitary knit construction, and a plurality of floating yarns may extend between the knitted layers. In some configurations, the knit type or yarn type may vary in different regions of the knitted component to impart different properties. Additionally, the knitted component may incorporate a thermoplastic yarn that is fused in different regions of the knitted component to impart different properties. A flat knitting process or a variety of other knitting processes may be utilized to form the knitted component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Bruce Huffa, Benjamin A. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20200359754
    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: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin A. SHAFFER, Yoji HAMADA, Motohide HATANAKA, Hsiang-Hung CHEN, Eiryo SHIRAISHI
  • Publication number: 20200359746
    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: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Podhajny, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Erin E. Toraya, Robert C. Williams, JR.
  • Patent number: 10796863
    Abstract: An input device, such as a keyboard, includes one or more keys that each includes a keycap operable to move within an aperture of a frame to activate a switch and fabric disposed over the frame and keycap. A first region of the fabric is bonded to the keycap and a second region of the fabric is bonded to the frame. The first region may be an embossed region and the second region may be an unembossed region. The fabric may dampen sound from within the keyboard, such as noise related to movement of the keycap, activation of the switch, and so on. The fabric may also form a barrier that restricts passage of contaminants into the aperture and/or other portions of the input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Stringer, Daniel J. Coster, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Benjamin A. Cousins, Melody Kuna, Sean S. Corbin, John M. Brock, Robert S. Murphy, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10781540
    Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper that includes a knitted component and a sole structure secured to the upper. The knitted component may define a tube formed of unitary knit construction, and a strand may extend through a length of the tube. As another example, the knitted component may have a pair of at least partially coextensive knitted layers formed of unitary knit construction, and a plurality of floating yarns may extend between the knitted layers. In some configurations, the knit type or yarn type may vary in different regions of the knitted component to impart different properties. Additionally, the knitted component may incorporate a thermoplastic yarn that is fused in different regions of the knitted component to impart different properties. A flat knitting process or a variety of other knitting processes may be utilized to form the knitted component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Bruce Huffa, Benjamin A. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20200291554
    Abstract: A composite structure may include a knit component and a bonded component. The knit component has a first surface and an opposite second surface, and the knit component includes a fusible yarn and a non-fusible yarn that form a knitted structure. The fusible yarn is at least partially formed from a thermoplastic polymer material, and the fusible yarn is located on at least the first surface. The bonded component is positioned adjacent to the first surface, and the bonded component is thermal bonded to the first surface with the thermoplastic polymer material of the fusible yarn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Karen A. Hawkinson, Benjamin A. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20200291553
    Abstract: A composite structure may include a knit component and a bonded component. The knit component has a first surface and an opposite second surface, and the knit component includes a fusible yarn and a non-fusible yarn that form a knitted structure. The fusible yarn is at least partially formed from a thermoplastic polymer material, and the fusible yarn is located on at least the first surface. The bonded component is positioned adjacent to the first surface, and the bonded component is thermal bonded to the first surface with the thermoplastic polymer material of the fusible yarn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Karen A. Hawkinson, Benjamin A. Shaffer