Patents by Inventor Brian Christensen

Brian Christensen 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: 20140115922
    Abstract: Shoe uppers having smooth seams and methods for producing them are disclosed. In one embodiment the upper uses thermoplastic seam tape which forms bonds between contiguous upper sections after being subjected to heat and/or pressure. In another embodiment, different parts of the shoe can be joined using hidden seams. Close seams can also be covered with a transfer material adapted to give the interior and/or exterior of the upper a smooth surface. In yet another embodiment, a method is disclosed which allows three-dimensional upper sections to be bonded on a last using thermoplastic seam tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Reebok International Limited
    Inventors: William MARVIN, Paul LITCHFIELD, Brian CHRISTENSEN, Paul DAVIS
  • Patent number: 8707587
    Abstract: Articles of footwear and soles are disclosed. The article of footwear may include an upper; an outer midsole having a base coupled to the upper, and a rim portion extending from the periphery of the base, wherein the rim portion defines a plurality of spaced apart gaps; and an inner midsole disposed interiorly to the rim portion, wherein a portion of the inner midsole is disposed in at least one gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Reebok International Limited
    Inventors: Brian Christensen, Matthew J. Montross, Alexandre Leblanc, Paul E. Litchfield, William Marvin, Frank Millette
  • Publication number: 20140082961
    Abstract: Shoe uppers having smooth seams and methods for producing them are disclosed. In one embodiment the upper uses thermoplastic seam tape which forms bonds between contiguous upper sections after being subjected to heat and/or pressure. In another embodiment, different parts of the shoe can be joined using hidden seams. Close seams can also be covered with a transfer material adapted to give the interior and/or exterior of the upper a smooth surface. In yet another embodiment, a method is disclosed which allows three-dimensional upper sections to be bonded on a last using thermoplastic seam tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Reebok International Limited
    Inventors: William Marvin, Paul Litchfield, Brian Christensen, Paul Davis
  • Publication number: 20140053968
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for manufacturing inflatable articles, or bladders for inflatable articles, that is time-efficient, simple, inexpensive and permits the uninterrupted manufacture of numerous and even customized article or bladder configurations and sizes, without expensive configuration-specific, metal tooling. The method includes the steps of applying a barrier material to a side of a first film, providing a second film with the first film so that the barrier material is disposed between the first and second films, adhering the first film to the second film so that the films are sealed together in areas except where the barrier material has been applied to form at least one inflatable compartment and sealed peripheral edge, and cutting along the sealed peripheral edge to form an inflatable article or bladder for use in an article of manufacture. The barrier material may be a paint, ink, paper or surface treatment that effectively prevents the first film from adhering to the second.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Reebok International Limited
    Inventors: Frank MILLETTE, Brian Christensen, Paul M. Davis, Paul E. Litchfield
  • Publication number: 20140053297
    Abstract: The present disclosure embraces Kalanchoë interspecific hybrid plants, and considers rol transformation in Kalanchoë species and hybrids. Disclosed herein are methodology and the like for producing rot-transformed Kalanchoë interspecific hybrid plants, as well as resultant rot-transformed Kalanchoë interspecific hybrid plants with novel phenotypes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventors: Ellen Margrethe Skovsgaard Christensen, Renate Petra Brigitte Müller, Henrik Vlk Lütken, Josefine Nymark Hegelund, Line Jensen, Brian Christensen, Else Bollerup Jensen, Kai Lønne Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20140026439
    Abstract: Shoe uppers having smooth seams and methods for producing them are disclosed. In one embodiment the upper uses thermoplastic seam tape which forms bonds between contiguous upper sections after being subjected to heat and/or pressure. In another embodiment, different parts of the shoe can be joined using hidden seams. Close seams can also be covered with a transfer material adapted to give the interior and/or exterior of the upper a smooth surface. In yet another embodiment, a method is disclosed which allows three-dimensional upper sections to be bonded on a last using thermoplastic seam tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Reebok International Limited
    Inventors: William MARVIN, Paul Litchfield, Brian Christensen, Paul Davis
  • Patent number: 8544191
    Abstract: Shoe uppers having smooth seams and methods for producing them are disclosed. In one embodiment the upper uses thermoplastic seam tape which forms bonds between contiguous upper sections after being subjected to heat and/or pressure. In another embodiment, different parts of the shoe can be joined using hidden seams. Close seams can also be covered with a transfer material adapted to give the interior and/or exterior of the upper a smooth surface. In yet another embodiment, a method is disclosed which allows three-dimensional upper sections to be bonded on a last using thermoplastic seam tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Reebok International Limited
    Inventors: William Marvin, Paul Litchfield, Brian Christensen, Paul Davis
  • Patent number: 8540838
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for manufacturing inflatable articles, or bladders for inflatable articles, that is time-efficient, simple, inexpensive and permits the uninterrupted manufacture of numerous and even customized article or bladder configurations and sizes, without expensive configuration-specific, metal tooling. The method includes the steps of applying a barrier material to a side of a first film, providing a second film with the first film so that the barrier material is disposed between the first and second films, adhering the first film to the second film so that the films are sealed together in areas except where the barrier material has been applied to form at least one inflatable compartment and sealed peripheral edge, and cutting along the sealed peripheral edge to form an inflatable article or bladder for use in an article of manufacture. The barrier material may be a paint, ink, paper or surface treatment that effectively prevents the first film from adhering to the second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Reebok International Limited
    Inventors: Frank Millette, Brian Christensen, Paul Davis, Paul Litchfield
  • Publication number: 20130167401
    Abstract: A sole includes an upper sole portion having a region and a toe region, and a pod assembly disposed below the upper sole portion. The pod assembly includes at least five pods fluidly connected in a substantially linear arrangement extending from the heel region to the toe region. The pods are fluidly connected in series.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Reebok International Limited
    Inventors: Brian CHRISTENSEN, William MARVIN, Kevin LEARY, William McINNIS, Paul E. LITCHFIELD
  • Publication number: 20130167402
    Abstract: A sole includes a base having a medial side and a lateral side; and a plurality of projections extending from the base, wherein at least one of the projections includes a first pod filled with ambient air and a foam layer disposed below the first pod. The first pod and the foam layer are disposed such that the projection extends non-orthogonally from the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Reebok International Limited
    Inventors: Brian Christensen, William Marvin, David Lacorazza, Ricardo Vestuti, Alexandre Leblanc
  • Patent number: 8424221
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole having a forefoot portion, a heel portion and an outsole having a bottom surface including a primary ground contacting surface. The bottom surface of the outsole includes a forefoot bulge and a heel bulge which provide the footwear with controlled instability for providing dynamic conditioning of the wearer's muscles during the gait cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Reebok International Limited
    Inventors: Paul E. Litchfield, William McInnis, Michael Andrews, Kevin Leary, Ricardo Vestuti, Brian Christensen, Paul Shinney
  • Patent number: 8256141
    Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole. The sole has an upper sole member, a lower sole member, and at least one inflatable bladder disposed between the upper sole member and the lower sole member. The at least one inflatable bladder has an inflated state and a deflated state. A distance between the upper sole member and the lower sole member is greater in the inflated state than the deflated state. Varying the inflation of the inflatable bladder varies the amount of cushioning in the sole and the thickness of the sole so that the shoe can serve as a multipurpose shoe for activities requiring different amounts of cushioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Reebok International Limited
    Inventors: Brian Christensen, Paul Davis, William Marvin
  • Publication number: 20120210601
    Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole. The sole has an upper sole member, a lower sole member, and at least one inflatable bladder disposed between the upper sole member and the lower sole member. The at least one inflatable bladder has an inflated state and a deflated state. A distance between the upper sole member and the lower sole member is greater in the inflated state than the deflated state. Varying the inflation of the inflatable bladder varies the amount of cushioning in the sole and the thickness of the sole so that the shoe can serve as a multipurpose shoe for activities requiring different amounts of cushioning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: Reebok International Limited
    Inventors: Brian CHRISTENSEN, Paul Davis, William Marvin
  • Patent number: 8230874
    Abstract: A configurable fluid transfer system for inflatable footwear includes a manifold. The manifold is part of an inflation system having an underfoot pump connected to one of the plurality of openings in the heel side of the manifold, an inflatable forefoot bladder connected to two of the plurality of openings in the bottom surface of the manifold and an inflatable heel bladder connected to one of the plurality of openings in the bottom surface of the manifold. fluid flows from the underfoot pump to the inflatable forefoot bladder through a one-way valve and into a first channel in the manifold connected to a forefoot bladder. The fluid inflates the forefoot bladder and exits into a second channel in the manifold. Fluid flows from the inflatable forefoot bladder to the inflatable heel bladder through the second channel and inflates the heel bladder. A pressure regulator including a porous material may be in fluid communication with the fluid transfer system to control the rate of fluid exiting the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Reebok International Limited
    Inventors: Brian Christensen, Paul M. Davis
  • Publication number: 20120167416
    Abstract: Articles of footwear and soles are disclosed. The article of footwear may include an upper; an outer midsole having a base coupled to the upper, and a rim portion extending from the periphery of the base, wherein the rim portion defines a plurality of spaced apart gaps; and an inner midsole disposed interiorly to the rim portion, wherein a portion of the inner midsole is disposed in at least one gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Reebok International Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian CHRISTENSEN, Matthew J. MONTROSS, Alexandre LEBLANC, Paul E. LITCHFIELD, William MARVIN, Frank MILLETTE
  • Patent number: 7934521
    Abstract: A configurable fluid transfer system for inflatable footwear includes a manifold. The manifold has a top surface, a bottom surface with a plurality of openings, a lateral side with at least one opening, a medial side, a heel side with a plurality of openings and a forefoot side. The manifold is part of an inflation system having an underfoot pump connected to one of the plurality of openings in the heel side of the manifold, an inflatable forefoot bladder connected to two of the plurality of openings in the bottom surface of the manifold and an inflatable heel bladder connected to one of the plurality of openings in the bottom surface of the manifold. fluid flows from the underfoot pump to the inflatable forefoot bladder through a one-way valve and into a first channel in the manifold connected to a forefoot bladder. The fluid inflates the forefoot bladder and exits into a second channel in the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Reebok International, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark Busse, Brian Christensen, Paul M. Davis, William Marvin, Erica Thomas
  • Publication number: 20100251565
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole having a forefoot portion, a heel portion and an outsole having a bottom surface including a primary ground contacting surface. The bottom surface of the outsole includes a forefoot bulge and a heel bulge which provide the footwear with controlled instability for providing dynamic conditioning of the wearer's muscles during the gait cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: Reebok International Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul E. Litchfield, William McInnis, Michael Andrews, Kevin Leary, Ricardo Vestuti, Brian Christensen, Paul Shinney
  • Patent number: D659961
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Reebok International Limited
    Inventors: Ricardo Vestuti, Brian Christensen
  • Patent number: D669254
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Reebok International Limited
    Inventors: Ricardo Vestuti, Brian Christensen
  • Patent number: D671304
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Reebok International Limited
    Inventors: David Lacorazza, Michael Andrews, Brian Christensen, William McInnis, Paul E. Litchfield, Brian Rinella