Patents by Inventor Chikao Ichikawa
Chikao Ichikawa 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: 11457685Abstract: A method of manufacturing a braided footwear upper is provided. The method includes braiding a two-layer, single-tube structure with a first end that couples a first braided layer to a second braided layer, and second end that couples the first braided layer to the second braided layer of the tubular braided structure. The first end is proximate the second end. At least one yarn from the first end, and at least one yarn from the second end are braided with at least one draw yarn. The draw yarn is braided to be easily removable, such that the first end is selectively de-coupled from the second end. When the draw yarn is removed, the double-layer tubular braided structure is expandable to form a larger diameter tubular braided structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2018Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Bruce, Eun Kyung Lee, James Y. Yoo, Chikao Ichikawa, Michihiro Ichikawa
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Patent number: 11425956Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to braided articles and methods for their manufacture. The braided articles may include articles of footwear having braided uppers. The article of footwear may comprise a sole and a braided upper comprising a toe portion having a toe seam, a heel portion comprising a seamless braided structure, and a throat portion. The toe portion may comprise a base yarn. The throat portion may comprise a stretch yarn. Additionally, the heel portion may comprise both the stretch yarn and the base yarn.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2020Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Bruce, Eun Kyung Lee, James Y. Yoo, Chikao Ichikawa
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Patent number: 11202483Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to braided articles and methods for their manufacture. The braided articles may include articles of footwear having braided uppers. The braided uppers may include a base yarn and a high performance yarn. The high performance yarn may form a braided structure within the braided upper. The braided structure may be continuously braided to provide continuous support to a wearer's foot when the article of footwear is worn as intended, by a wearer. Additionally, the high performance yarn may be configured to exit the braided upper and re-enter the braided upper to form a plurality of arcuate loops along the throat area of the braided article of footwear for accommodating a lace for further adjustment of the fit of the article of footwear on the wearer's foot, when worn.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2018Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Robert M. Bruce, Eun Kyung Lee, James Y. Yoo, Chikao Ichikawa
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Publication number: 20210235807Abstract: A braided article of footwear and a method is provided for forming a braided article of footwear. The method includes braiding a unitary braided upper (100) having at least a main body (120) and independently braiding at least one braided lace (122, 124, 160, 164) while braiding the unitary upper (100). At a lace integration portion (130) of the unitary braided upper (100), the method includes integrating the at least one braided lace (122, 124, 160, 164) into the unitary braided upper (100).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2019Publication date: August 5, 2021Inventors: Tina M. CASILLAS, Adam R. FARMER, Eun Kyung LEE, Christina PETERS, Chikao ICHIKAWA
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Patent number: 11051573Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to braided articles and methods for their manufacture. The braided articles may include articles of footwear having braided uppers. The braided uppers may include a base yarn and a high performance yarn. The high performance yarn may form a braided structure within the braided upper. The braided structure may be continuously braided to provide continuous support to a wearer's foot when the article of footwear is worn as intended, by a wearer.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2018Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Bruce, Eun Kyung Lee, James Y. Yoo, Chikao Ichikawa
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Patent number: 10905189Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear is provided, having a braided structure comprising a first yarn having a first cross-sectional shape and a second yarn having a second cross-sectional shape different than the first cross-sectional shape. The first cross-sectional shape comprises an outer surface parallel to an inner surface in a rectangular orientation. Additionally, the first yarn is oriented such that at least a portion of the outer surface comprises the first side of the first yarn and at least a portion of the inner surface comprises the second side of the first yarn.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Robert M. Bruce, Eun Kyung Lee, James Y. Yoo, Chikao Ichikawa, Michihiro Ichikawa
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Publication number: 20210015198Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear is provided, having a braided structure comprising a first yarn having a first cross-sectional shape and a second yarn having a second cross-sectional shape different than the first cross-sectional shape. The first cross-sectional shape comprises an outer surface parallel to an inner surface in a rectangular orientation. Additionally, the first yarn is oriented such that at least a portion of the outer surface comprises the first side of the first yarn and at least a portion of the inner surface comprises the second side of the first yarn.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2020Publication date: January 21, 2021Inventors: Robert M. Bruce, Eun Kyung Lee, James Y. Yoo, Chikao Ichikawa, Michihiro Ichikawa
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Publication number: 20200359730Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to braided articles and methods for their manufacture. The braided articles may include articles of footwear having braided uppers. The article of footwear may comprise a sole and a braided upper comprising a toe portion having a toe seam, a heel portion comprising a seamless braided structure, and a throat portion. The toe portion may comprise a base yarn. The throat portion may comprise a stretch yarn. Additionally, the heel portion may comprise both the stretch yarn and the base yarn.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2020Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventors: Robert M. Bruce, Eun Kyung Lee, James Y. Yoo, Chikao Ichikawa
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Patent number: 10806210Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to braided articles and methods for their manufacture. The braided articles may include articles of footwear having braided uppers. The article of footwear may comprise a sole and a braided upper comprising a toe portion having a toe seam, a heel portion comprising a seamless braided structure, and a throat portion. The toe portion may comprise a base yarn. The throat portion may comprise a stretch yarn. Additionally, the heel portion may comprise both the stretch yarn and the base yarn.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Bruce, Eun Kyung Lee, James Y. Yoo, Chikao Ichikawa
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Publication number: 20180368506Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to braided articles and methods for their manufacture. The braided articles may include articles of footwear having braided uppers. The braided uppers may include a base yarn and a high performance yarn. The high performance yarn may form a braided structure within the braided upper. The braided structure may be continuously braided to provide continuous support to a wearer's foot when the article of footwear is worn as intended, by a wearer. Additionally, the high performance yarn may be configured to exit the braided upper and re-enter the braided upper to form a plurality of arcuate loops along the throat area of the braided article of footwear for accommodating a lace for further adjustment of the fit of the article of footwear on the wearer's foot, when worn.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2018Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: Robert M. Bruce, Eun Kyung Lee, James Y. Yoo, Chikao Ichikawa
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Publication number: 20180343957Abstract: A method of manufacturing a braided footwear upper is provided. The method includes braiding a two-layer, single-tube structure with a first end that couples a first braided layer to a second braided layer, and second end that couples the first braided layer to the second braided layer of the tubular braided structure. The first end is proximate the second end. At least one yarn from the first end, and at least one yarn from the second end are braided with at least one draw yarn. The draw yarn is braided to be easily removable, such that the first end is selectively de-coupled from the second end. When the draw yarn is removed, the double-layer tubular braided structure is expandable to form a larger diameter tubular braided structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Robert M. Bruce, Eun Kyung Lee, James Y. Yoo, Chikao Ichikawa, Michihiro Ichikawa
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Publication number: 20180343958Abstract: A system for forming a braided footwear upper is provided. The upper has a medial side and a lateral side, and a toe end and a heel end. The braided footwear is made from a number of yarns that are braided together. The heel-axis finishing system includes an alignment mechanism that orients the medial side and the lateral side at the heel end. The lateral side and the medial side come together at the heel to form a heel axis. A joining mechanism is associated with the alignment mechanism. The joining mechanism couples at least one braided yarn from the medial side to at least one braided yarn from the lateral side along the heel axis. By joining the aligned yarns as they are severed, the heel area transitions from the medial side to the lateral side with an appearance of seamlessness.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Robert M. Bruce, Eun Kyung Lee, James Y. Yoo, Chikao Ichikawa, Michihiro Ichikawa
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Publication number: 20180343963Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to braided articles and methods for their manufacture. The braided articles may include articles of footwear having braided uppers. The article of footwear may comprise a sole and a braided upper comprising a toe portion having a toe seam, a heel portion comprising a seamless braided structure, and a throat portion. The toe portion may comprise a base yarn. The throat portion may comprise a stretch yarn. Additionally, the heel portion may comprise both the stretch yarn and the base yarn.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Robert M. Bruce, Eun Kyung Lee, James Y. Yoo, Chikao Ichikawa
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Publication number: 20180343960Abstract: A method of manufacturing is provided, with an initial step of providing an automated braiding machine having a braid ring assembly and a plurality of spools associated with the braid ring assembly, each of the plurality of spools containing a strand of braiding material. When initially braiding the article of footwear, the spools on the braid ring assembly are in a first set of positions. Continuing, the article of footwear is braided beginning with a first end of the article of footwear with the spools on the braid ring assembly in the first set of positions. Upon reaching a transition point of the article of footwear, the spools on the braid ring assembly are positioned in a second set of positions. Finally, the article of footwear is braided from the transition point to the second end, with the spools on the braid ring assembly in the second set of positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Robert M. Bruce, Eun Kyung Lee, James Y. Yoo, Chikao Ichikawa
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Publication number: 20180343959Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear is provided, having a braided structure comprising a first yarn having a first cross-sectional shape and a second yarn having a second cross-sectional shape different than the first cross-sectional shape. The first cross-sectional shape comprises an outer surface parallel to an inner surface in a rectangular orientation. Additionally, the first yarn is oriented such that at least a portion of the outer surface comprises the first side of the first yarn and at least a portion of the inner surface comprises the second side of the first yarn.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Robert M. Bruce, Eun Kyung Lee, James Y. Yoo, Chikao Ichikawa, Michihiro Ichikawa