Patents by Inventor Bruce Huffa

Bruce Huffa 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: 20150082662
    Abstract: An article includes a knitted component of unitary knit construction. The knitted component has a first edge and a second edge. The knitted component has a length that is measured between the first edge and the second edge. The length is substantially fixed. The knitted component also includes a base structure and an adjustment member that is integrally knit to the base structure. The adjustment member includes a bunched region that is configured to slide along the base structure between a first position on the knitted component and a second position on the knitted component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan N. Farris, Bruce Huffa
  • Publication number: 20150075031
    Abstract: An article of footwear including an upper incorporating a knitted component having one or more monofilament areas is described. Monofilament areas are formed by knitting with a monofilament strand. The monofilament areas are formed of unitary knit construction with the remaining portions of the knitted component. An inlaid tensile element can extend through the knitted component, including portions of the monofilament areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Podhajny, Bruce Huffa
  • Publication number: 20150013394
    Abstract: A knitting machine with multiple feeders may be utilized to knit a knitted component. Feeders may be used to knit the knitted component and a combination feeder may also inlay an inlaid strand within the knitted component. As an example, a combination feeder may include a feeder arm that reciprocates between a retracted position and an extended position. In manufacturing the knitted component, a feeder inlays the strand when the feeder arm is in the extended position, and the strand is absent from the knitted component when the feeder arm is in the retracted position. A dispensing tip disposed at the end of the feeder arm supplies the strand for inlaying in a location disposed below the intersection of the planes of the needle beds and for one or more of knitting, tucking, and floating in a location disposed above the intersection of the planes of the needle beds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Bruce Huffa
  • Publication number: 20150013395
    Abstract: A combination feeder may be utilized to inlay a strand within a knitted component. As an example, the combination feeder may include a feeder arm that reciprocates between a retracted position and an extended position. In manufacturing the knitted component, the feeder inlays the strand when the feeder arm is in the extended position, and the strand is absent from the knitted component when the feeder arm is in the retracted position. A dispensing tip disposed at the end of the feeder arm supplies the strand for inlaying in a location disposed below the intersection of the planes of the needle beds and for one or more of knitting, tucking, and floating in a location disposed above the intersection of the planes of the needle beds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Bruce Huffa
  • Patent number: 8839532
    Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper incorporating a knitted component. An inlaid strand extends through the knitted component. A combination feeder may be utilized to inlay the strand within the knitted component. As an example, the combination feeder may include a feeder arm that reciprocates between a retracted position and an extended position. In manufacturing the knitted component, the feeder inlays the strand when the feeder arm is in the extended position, and the strand is absent from the knitted component when the feeder arm is in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Huffa, Bhupesh Dua, Benjamin A. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20140245546
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article of footwear may include assembling at least a portion of an upper of the article of footwear, the upper having a lower perimeter edge. A knitted component forming a portion of the upper includes at least one strand formed with the knitted component. The strand passes through opposite sides of the upper along the lower perimeter edge. The strand is tensioned, and a sole structure of the article of footwear is joined to the upper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventor: Bruce Huffa
  • Publication number: 20140245639
    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: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Bruce Huffa, Benjamin A. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20140245643
    Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper incorporating a knitted component. An inlaid strand extends through the knitted component. A combination feeder may be utilized to inlay the strand within the knitted component. As an example, the combination feeder may include a feeder arm that reciprocates between a retracted position and an extended position. In manufacturing the knitted component, the feeder inlays the strand when the feeder arm is in the extended position, and the strand is absent from the knitted component when the feeder arm is in the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Huffa, Bhupesh Dua, Benjamin A. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20140245544
    Abstract: An article of footwear and a variety of other products may incorporate a knitted component. An inlaid strand extends through the knitted component. A combination feeder may be utilized to inlay the strand within the knitted component. As an example, the combination feeder may include a feeder arm that reciprocates between a retracted position and an extended position. In manufacturing the knitted component, the feeder inlays the strand when the feeder arm is in the extended position, and the strand is absent from the knitted component when the feeder arm is in the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Huffa, Bhupesh Dua
  • Publication number: 20140230277
    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: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Bruce Huffa, Benjamin A. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20140157831
    Abstract: A feeder includes a carrier and a feeder arm that moves between retracted and extended positions. The feeder also includes a first actuation member that is coupled to the carrier and that is configured to move relative to the carrier in a first direction. The first actuation member has a first aperture at least partially defined by a first edge. Additionally, the feeder includes a second actuation member that is coupled to the carrier and that is configured to move relative to the carrier in a second direction. The second actuation member has a second aperture at least partially defined by a second edge. A projection of the feeder arm is received within both the first and second apertures. Movement of the first actuation member in the first direction causes the first edge to engage the projection for movement of the feeder arm between the retracted position and the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventor: Bruce Huffa
  • Patent number: 8745896
    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: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Bruce Huffa, Benjamin A. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20140150296
    Abstract: Articles of footwear may have an upper that includes a knit element and a tongue. The knit element defines a portion of an exterior surface and an opposite interior surface of the upper, with the interior surface defining a void for receiving a foot. The tongue is formed of unitary knit construction with the knit element and extends through a throat area of the upper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Bruce Huffa
  • Publication number: 20140123409
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article of footwear may include assembling at least a portion of an upper of the article of footwear, the upper having a lower perimeter edge. A knitted component forming a portion of the upper includes at least one strand formed with the knitted component. The strand passes through opposite sides of the upper along the lower perimeter edge. The strand is tensioned, and a sole structure of the article of footwear is joined to the upper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Huffa, Bryan N. Farris
  • Patent number: 8621891
    Abstract: Articles of footwear may have an upper that includes a knit element and a tongue. The knit element defines a portion of an exterior surface and an opposite interior surface of the upper, with the interior surface defining a void for receiving a foot. The tongue is formed of unitary knit construction with the knit element and extends through a throat area of the upper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Bruce Huffa
  • Publication number: 20130318837
    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: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Bruce Huffa, Benjamin A. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 8595878
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article of footwear may include assembling at least a portion of an upper of the article of footwear, the upper having a lower perimeter edge. A lasting element is secured to the upper. The lasting element includes (a) a first strip joined to a lateral side of the upper adjacent to the lower perimeter edge, (b) a second strip joined to a medial side of the upper adjacent to the lower perimeter edge, and (c) at least one strand extending through the first strip and the second strip. The strand is tensioned, and a sole structure of the article of footwear is joined to the upper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Huffa, Bryan N. Farris
  • Publication number: 20130239438
    Abstract: Articles of footwear are described that incorporate a knitted component that has an upper and an integral knit tongue. The integral knit tongue is formed of unitary knit construction with the upper and extends through a throat area of the knitted component. The integral knit tongue includes raised elements formed of unitary knit construction with the tongue. Methods of manufacturing a knitted component for an article of footwear may include knitting the upper and the integral knit tongue during a knitting process on a knitting machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Bruce Huffa, Adrian Meir, Benjamin A. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 8522577
    Abstract: A knitted component may incorporate an inlaid strand. A combination feeder may be utilized to inlay the strand within the knitted component. As an example, the combination feeder may include a feeder arm that reciprocates between a retracted position and an extended position. In manufacturing the knitted component, the feeder inlays the strand when the feeder arm is in the extended position, and the strand is absent from the knitted component when the feeder arm is in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Huffa
  • Publication number: 20130212907
    Abstract: Articles of footwear may have an upper that includes a knit element and a tongue. The knit element defines a portion of an exterior surface and an opposite interior surface of the upper, with the interior surface defining a void for receiving a foot. The tongue is formed of unitary knit construction with the knit element and extends through a throat area of the upper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Bruce Huffa