Patents by Inventor Blake Rhulen
Blake Rhulen 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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Publication number: 20220132995Abstract: An eyelet for an article of footwear includes an eyelet body configured to slidably couple a first string to a second string. The eyelet body defines a first arc-shaped aperture and an opposing, second arc-shaped aperture. The first arc-shaped aperture is configured to slidably receive the first string, and the second arc-shaped aperture is configured to slidably receive the second string. The eyelet may be disposed over (but not necessarily attached to) an upper of an article of footwear.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2022Publication date: May 5, 2022Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Blake Rhulen, Carl L. Madore
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Patent number: 11253030Abstract: An eyelet for an article of footwear includes an eyelet body configured to slidably couple a first string to a second string. The eyelet body defines a first arc-shaped aperture and an opposing, second arc-shaped aperture. The first arc-shaped aperture is configured to slidably receive the first string, and the second arc-shaped aperture is configured to slidably receive the second string. The eyelet may be disposed over (but not necessarily attached to) an upper of an article of footwear.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2019Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Blake Rhulen, Carl L. Madore
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Publication number: 20190261742Abstract: An eyelet for an article of footwear includes an eyelet body configured to slidably couple a first string to a second string. The eyelet body defines a first arc-shaped aperture and an opposing, second arc-shaped aperture. The first arc-shaped aperture is configured to slidably receive the first string, and the second arc-shaped aperture is configured to slidably receive the second string. The eyelet may be disposed over (but not necessarily attached to) an upper of an article of footwear.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2019Publication date: August 29, 2019Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Blake Rhulen, Carl L. Madore
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Patent number: 10327514Abstract: An eyelet for an article of footwear includes an eyelet body configured to slidably couple a first string to a second string. The eyelet body defines a first arc-shaped aperture and an opposing, second arc-shaped aperture. The first arc-shaped aperture is configured to slidably receive the first string, and the second arc-shaped aperture is configured to slidably receive the second string. The eyelet may be disposed over (but not necessarily attached to) an upper of an article of footwear.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2015Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Blake Rhulen, Carl L. Madore
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Patent number: 10285470Abstract: A sole assembly for an article of footwear defines a base support plane. The sole assembly also includes a cushioning assembly with a first end and a second end. The cushioning assembly includes a first cushioning member and a second cushioning member. The first cushioning member includes a first overlapping surface, and the second cushioning member includes a second overlapping surface. The first and second overlapping surfaces overlap each other over the base support plane and each slope at a positive acute angle relative to the base support plane. The first cushioning member is thicker than the second cushioning member adjacent the first end of the cushioning assembly, and the second cushioning member is thicker than the first cushioning member adjacent the second end of the cushioning assembly. The first cushioning member has a resistance to resilient deformation less than that of the second cushioning member.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Erez Morag, Blake Rhulen, Daniel T. Mackey, Ty A. Ransom, Martine I. V. Mientjes
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Publication number: 20170112233Abstract: A sole assembly for an article of footwear defines a base support plane. The sole assembly also includes a cushioning assembly with a first end and a second end. The cushioning assembly includes a first cushioning member and a second cushioning member. The first cushioning member includes a first overlapping surface, and the second cushioning member includes a second overlapping surface. The first and second overlapping surfaces overlap each other over the base support plane and each slope at a positive acute angle relative to the base support plane. The first cushioning member is thicker than the second cushioning member adjacent the first end of the cushioning assembly, and the second cushioning member is thicker than the first cushioning member adjacent the second end of the cushioning assembly. The first cushioning member has a resistance to resilient deformation less than that of the second cushioning member.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2017Publication date: April 27, 2017Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Erez Morag, Blake Rhulen, Daniel T. Mackey, Ty A. Ransom, Martine I.V. Mientjes
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Patent number: 9572399Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole assembly defining a base support plane. The sole assembly also includes a cushioning assembly with a first end and a second end. The cushioning assembly includes a first cushioning member and a second cushioning member. The first cushioning member includes a first overlapping surface, and the second cushioning member includes a second overlapping surface. The first and second overlapping surfaces overlap each other over the base support plane and each slope at a positive acute angle relative to the base support plane. The first cushioning member is thicker than the second cushioning member adjacent the first end of the cushioning assembly, and the second cushioning member is thicker than the first cushioning member adjacent the second end of the cushioning assembly. The first cushioning member has a resistance to resilient deformation less than that of the second cushioning member.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Erez Morag, Blake Rhulen, Daniel T. Mackey, Ty A. Ransom, Martine I. V. Mientjes
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Publication number: 20160345680Abstract: An eyelet for an article of footwear includes an eyelet body configured to slidably couple a first string to a second string. The eyelet body defines a first arc-shaped aperture and an opposing, second arc-shaped aperture. The first arc-shaped aperture is configured to slidably receive the first string, and the second arc-shaped aperture is configured to slidably receive the second string. The eyelet may be disposed over (but not necessarily attached to) an upper of an article of footwear.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2015Publication date: December 1, 2016Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Blake Rhulen, Carl L. Madore
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Patent number: 9462851Abstract: A tightening system for an article of footwear includes a cable disposed between an upper and a sole plate. The upper includes a flexible main body and an exoskeleton covering a portion of the flexible main body in an instep region. The cable is attached to the exoskeleton so that the exoskeleton is tightened to a wearer's foot when the cable length is effectively shortened and/or if the cable tension is increased. The instep region is devoid of the tightening system so that a smooth instep region is provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2015Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Baker, John Hurd, James Molyneux, Blake Rhulen
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Publication number: 20150250267Abstract: A tightening system for an article of footwear includes a cable disposed between an upper and a sole plate. The upper includes a flexible main body and an exoskeleton covering a portion of the flexible main body in an instep region. The cable is attached to the exoskeleton so that the exoskeleton is tightened to a wearer's foot when the cable length is effectively shortened and/or if the cable tension is increased. The instep region is devoid of the tightening system so that a smooth instep region is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2015Publication date: September 10, 2015Inventors: Brian D. Baker, John Hurd, James Molyneux, Blake Rhulen
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Patent number: 9049902Abstract: A tightening system for an article of footwear includes a cable disposed between an upper and a sole plate. The upper includes a flexible main body and an exoskeleton covering a portion of the flexible main body in an instep region. The cable is attached to the exoskeleton so that the exoskeleton is tightened to a wearer's foot when the cable length is effectively shortened and/or if the cable tension is increased. The instep region is devoid of the tightening system so that a smooth instep region is provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Baker, John Hurd, James Molyneux, Blake Rhulen
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Patent number: 9009992Abstract: An article of footwear with a ball contacting member is disclosed. The ball contacting member enhances the ability of a wearer to kick a ball with a low trajectory. The ball contacting member can be attached to the article of footwear in various different ways.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2011Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Baker, Thomas G. Bell, Daniel W. Peter, Blake Rhulen, Morgan Stauffer
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Publication number: 20150068064Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole assembly defining a base support plane. The sole assembly also includes a cushioning assembly with a first end and a second end. The cushioning assembly includes a first cushioning member and a second cushioning member. The first cushioning member includes a first overlapping surface, and the second cushioning member includes a second overlapping surface. The first and second overlapping surfaces overlap each other over the base support plane and each slope at a positive acute angle relative to the base support plane. The first cushioning member is thicker than the second cushioning member adjacent the first end of the cushioning assembly, and the second cushioning member is thicker than the first cushioning member adjacent the second end of the cushioning assembly. The first cushioning member has a resistance to resilient deformation less than that of the second cushioning member.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Erez Morag, Blake Rhulen, Daniel T. Mackey, Ty A. Ransom, Martine I.V. Mientjes
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Patent number: 8935861Abstract: An article of footwear comfortably accommodating different foot sizes is disclosed. The article comprises an upper, sole and integrally formed cleat members made of a monolithic material. In addition, the article can include an integrally formed internal cushioning system. The article further includes grooves and/or perforations that assist the footwear in stretching to accommodate different foot sizes.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2009Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Baker, Blake Rhulen, Doug D. Wilken
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Patent number: 8881428Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole assembly defining a base support plane. The sole assembly also includes a cushioning assembly with a first end and a second end. The cushioning assembly includes a first cushioning member and a second cushioning member. The first cushioning member includes a first overlapping surface, and the second cushioning member includes a second overlapping surface. The first and second overlapping surfaces overlap each other over the base support plane and each slopes at a positive acute angle relative to the base support plane. The first cushioning member is thicker than the second cushioning member adjacent the first end of the cushioning assembly, and the second cushioning member is thicker than the first cushioning member adjacent the second end of the cushioning assembly. The first cushioning member has a resistance to resilient deformation less than that of the second cushioning member.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2010Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Daniel T. Mackey, Martine I. V. Mientjes, Erez Morag, Ty A. Ransom, Blake Rhulen
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Patent number: 8615901Abstract: An article of footwear with a shock absorbing heel system is disclosed. The heel system includes a lower heel plate, a set of support members, and an upper heel plate. Also, the heel system includes a heel cover configured to hide the upper heel plate from view. The lower heel plate is associated with a cantilever portion that supports the upper heel plate laterally. As force is applied to the heel system, the support members may compress slightly and the cantilever portion may lower, absorbing energy and or shocks applied by the ground.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2010Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Caine, Emily B. Dennison, Fred G. Fagergren, Mihwa Hong, Scott Portzline, Blake Rhulen
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Patent number: 8387282Abstract: A tightening system for an article of footwear includes a cable disposed between an upper and a sole plate. The upper includes a flexible main body and an exoskeleton covering a portion of the flexible main body in an instep region. The cable is attached to the exoskeleton so that the exoskeleton is tightened to a wearer's foot when the cable length is effectively shortened and/or if the cable tension is increased. The instep region is devoid of the tightening system so that a smooth instep region is provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Baker, John Hurd, James Molyneux, Blake Rhulen
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Publication number: 20120233888Abstract: An article of footwear with a ball contacting member is disclosed. The ball contacting member enhances the ability of a wearer to kick a ball with a low trajectory. The ball contacting member can be attached to the article of footwear in various different ways.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Baker, Thomas G. Bell, Daniel W. Peter, Blake Rhulen, Morgan Stauffer
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Publication number: 20120055041Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole assembly defining a base support plane. The sole assembly also includes a cushioning assembly with a first end and a second end. The cushioning assembly includes a first cushioning member and a second cushioning member. The first cushioning member includes a first overlapping surface, and the second cushioning member includes a second overlapping surface. The first and second overlapping surfaces overlap each other over the base support plane and each slopes at a positive acute angle relative to the base support plane. The first cushioning member is thicker than the second cushioning member adjacent the first end of the cushioning assembly, and the second cushioning member is thicker than the first cushioning member adjacent the second end of the cushioning assembly. The first cushioning member has a resistance to resilient deformation less than that of the second cushioning member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2010Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Daniel T. Mackey, Martine I.V. Mientjes, Erez Morag, Ty A. Ransom, Blake Rhulen
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Publication number: 20110258876Abstract: A tightening system for an article of footwear includes a cable disposed between an upper and a sole plate. The upper includes a flexible main body and an exoskeleton covering a portion of the flexible main body in an instep region. The cable is attached to the exoskeleton so that the exoskeleton is tightened to a wearer's foot when the cable length is effectively shortened and/or if the cable tension is increased. The instep region is devoid of the tightening system so that a smooth instep region is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2010Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Baker, John Hurd, James Molyneux, Blake Rhulen