Patents by Inventor Bernie Allen
Bernie Allen 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: 5987783Abstract: The present invention is an improved golf shoe which incorporates a spike socket spine frame system that extends throughout the shoe sole for receiving all of the spike receptacles and is embedded in the outsole. The spine frame provides improved shoe performance and spike location and is made of a material that is stiffer than the outsole material. More particularly, the shoe sole is comprised of a spike socket spine having seventeen spike socket locations: three spike sockets in the toe section, six spike sockets in the metatarsal section, four spike sockets in the shank section and four spike sockets in the heel section, for receiving the posts of the golf spikes.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Bernie Allen, Zoran Petrovic
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Patent number: 5985383Abstract: The invention provides a conforming medium containing gels for customized fitting components, such as those used in a shoe. The invention further includes environmentally-responsive gels that are temperature-responsive so that they will react to body heat to transition from a liquid to a gel state or a gel state to a liquid state. Furthermore, the invention is directed to an article for conforming to the contours of an object having isolation means, such as a ladder of a flexible member, to contain the environmentally-responsive gel therein.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1996Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Bernie Allen, Zoran Petrovic, Ivan Javni, Neil M. Goldman
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Patent number: 5955159Abstract: A shoe that conforms to foot contours and provides cushioning is comprised of a shoe sole and a shoe upper attached to the shoe sole. The shoe upper is comprised of an outer layer, an inner layer and a conforming layer therebetween, wherein a first portion of the conforming layer is comprised of environmentally-responsive gel. The environmentally-responsive gel is a temperature-responsive gel that will react to the heat emanating from a foot inserted into the shoe to express a liquid.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1995Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Bernie Allen, Zoran Petrovic, Ivan Javni, Neil M. Goldman
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Patent number: 5939157Abstract: A shoe that conforms to foot contours and provides cushioning is comprised of a shoe sole and a shoe upper attached to the shoe sole. The shoe upper is comprised of an outer layer, an inner layer and a conforming layer therebetween, wherein a first portion of the conforming layer is comprised of environmentally-responsive gel. The environmentally-responsive gel is a temperature-responsive gel that will react to the heat emanating from a foot inserted into the shoe to express a liquid.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1995Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Bernie Allen, Neil M. Goldman
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Patent number: 5932336Abstract: The present invention is an improved golf shoe which incorporates a spike socket spine frame system that extends throughout the shoe sole for receiving all of the spike receptacles and is embedded in the outsole. The spine frame provides improved shoe performance and spike location and is made of a material that is stiffer than the outsole material. More particularly, the shoe sole is comprised of a spike socket spine having seventeen spike socket locations: three spike sockets in the toe section, six spike sockets in the metatarsal section, four spike sockets in the shank section and four spike sockets in the heel section, for receiving the posts of the golf spikes.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 1997Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Bernie Allen, Zoran Petrovic
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Patent number: 5827459Abstract: A shoe that conforms to foot contours and provides cushioning is comprised of a shoe sole and a shoe upper attached to the shoe sole. The shoe upper is comprised of an outer layer, an inner layer and a conforming layer therebetween, wherein a first portion of the conforming layer is comprised of viscoelastic gel and a second portion of the conforming layer is comprised of environmentally-responsive gel. The environmentally-responsive gel is preferably a temperature-responsive gel that will react to the heat emanating from a foot inserted into the shoe to express a liquid. The viscoelastic gel is preferably a soft, flowable gel that conforms to foot contours.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1996Date of Patent: October 27, 1998Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Bernie Allen, Neil M. Goldman
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Patent number: 5766704Abstract: The invention provides a conforming medium containing gels for customized fitting components, such as those used in a shoe. The invention further includes environmentally-responsive gels that are temperature-responsive so that they will react to body heat to transition from a liquid to a gel state or a gel state to a liquid state. The invention optionally includes thermally-sensitive dyes and other colorants in the environmentally-responsive gels. Furthermore, the invention is directed to an article for conforming to the contours of an object having isolation means, such as a bladder of a flexible member, to contain the environmentally-responsive gel therein.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1996Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Bernie Allen, Zoran Petrovic, Ivan Javni
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Patent number: 5756195Abstract: A shoe that conforms to foot contours and provides cushioning is comprised of a shoe sole and a shoe upper attached to the shoe sole. The shoe upper is comprised of an outer layer, an inner layer and a conforming layer therebetween, wherein a first portion of the conforming layer is comprised of viscoelastic gel and a second portion of the conforming layer is comprised of environmentally-responsive gel. The environmentally-responsive gel is preferably a temperature-responsive gel that will react to the heat emanating from a foot inserted into the shoe to express a liquid. The viscoelastic gel is preferably a soft, flowable gel that conforms to foot contours.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: May 26, 1998Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Bernie Allen, Zoran Petrovic
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Patent number: 5575088Abstract: A Reactive Energy Fluid Filled Toroid Apparatus includes concentric fluid filled toroids that are contained in the midsole of a shoe. The toroid apparatus provides cushioning for the foot and dynamically reacts to off-center impacts from footsteps to redistribute impact forces and to stabilize and support the foot by cradling a portion of the foot in the shoe.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1995Date of Patent: November 19, 1996Assignee: Converse Inc.Inventors: Bernie Allen, Christopher J. Edington, Rui Parracho, Douglas E. Clark, Eric S. Swartz
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Patent number: 5561920Abstract: A shoe construction having an energy return system together with features providing cushioning and stability. The energy return system includes a rigid frame having a torsional rigidity bar in the midfoot area integrally connecting annular walls in the forefoot and heel areas of the midsole. A net of monofilaments or fibers is secured under tension in the areas defined by the annular walls with the net positioned over an open area in the midsole. A cantilevered system of support pads is positioned in the arch area to support the medial side of the midfoot.The energy return system also includes a rigid frame having annular walls in the heel area. A net of fibers is secured under tension in the area defined by the heel annular walls. The open areas can have inserted within them a variety of inserts to view the components of the energy return system from outside the shoe.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1994Date of Patent: October 8, 1996Assignee: Hyde Athletic Industries, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth D. Graham, Bernie Allen, Michael Kirk, Stephen Francis, Edward Tavino, Kenton Geer, Gary J. Troy
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Patent number: 5497564Abstract: A shoe construction employs straps formed of plastic material whereby separate areas of the shoe straps have different characteristics of elasticity, flexibility and rigidity. The construction of the strap provides areas connected to the shoe with greater elasticity and flexibility characteristics and a lesser rigidity characteristic than a second area of the strap that has greater rigidity characteristics and is connected to closure members of the shoe.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1993Date of Patent: March 12, 1996Assignee: Converse Inc.Inventors: Bernie Allen, Joel Rusnak, Aaron Azevedo, Neal Kimball
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Patent number: 5444926Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid filled apparatus that reacts with the stimulus of outside forces, furnished at the instep area of a shoe upper and the forefoot area of the shoe sole. The apparatus provides cushioning and a custom fit to the shoe in an area surrounding the forward portion of the shoe wearer's foot. In particular, the present invention pertains to a reactive energy apparatus comprised of anatomically shaped fluid filled bladders or pads that are furnished at the instep area of the shoe upper and the forefoot area of the shoe sole. The bladders engage and assume a complimentary custom fitting configuration around the instep and ball of the shoe wearer's foot by displacement of fluid contained in the bladders, and thereby provide cushioning and a custom fit around the shoe wearer's foot.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1994Date of Patent: August 29, 1995Assignee: Converse Inc.Inventors: Bernie Allen, Christopher J. Edington, Eric Swartz, Rui Parracho, Richard Mochen
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Patent number: 5430961Abstract: A reactive energy apparatus providing a custom fit and ankle support in a shoe upper is comprised of a pair of fluid filled pads that are positioned in the upper on opposite sides of the Achilles tendon of the wearer. The fluid filled pads each contain one or more interior chambers containing fluid, and the pads are connected in fluid communication by a series of conduits extending between the pads and around the Achilles tendon of the wearer. The conduits are constructed to enable the free flow of fluid between the two pads, enabling the apparatus to provide a continuous custom fit and dynamic support for the wearer's ankle while avoiding exerting any pressure on the Achilles tendon of the wearer that could potentially injure the tendon.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1991Date of Patent: July 11, 1995Assignee: Converse Inc.Inventors: Mark Faulconer, Tim Bowman, Ian Burgess, Bernie Allen, Rui Parracho, Eric Swartz
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Patent number: 5363570Abstract: The present invention pertains to a shoe sole containing a cushioning fluid filled bladder and a clip holding the bladder in a set position in the shoe sole and providing enhanced lateral and medial stability to the sole.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1994Date of Patent: November 15, 1994Assignee: Converse Inc.Inventors: Bernie Allen, Aaron Azevedo, Eckhard Knoepke, Neal F. X. Kimball, Philip L. Blake, John A. Hayes, John A. Healy, Christopher J. Edington
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Patent number: D396551Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1997Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Alexander W. Choi, Bernie Allen, John J. Erickson, Doug K. Robinson
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Patent number: D399646Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1997Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Alexander W. Choi, Bernie Allen, John J. Erickson, Doug K. Robinson
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Patent number: D402452Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1997Date of Patent: December 15, 1998Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventor: Bernie Allen
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Patent number: D410967Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1997Date of Patent: June 15, 1999Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Bernie Allen, Alexander W. Choi, John J. Erickson, Wayne H. Mullin, Doug K. Robinson
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Patent number: D420210Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1997Date of Patent: February 8, 2000Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventor: Bernie Allen
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Patent number: D426373Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1997Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Bernie Allen, Alexander W. Choi, John J. Erickson, John F. Lane, III, Wayne H. Mullin, Doug K. Robinson