Patents by Inventor Clifford B. Gerber
Clifford B. Gerber 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: 9894956Abstract: An article of footwear with an insert system is disclosed. The insert system can include an insert that may be introduced to a side portion of the upper. The insert is configured to adjust properties of a side portion of an upper.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jim Baucom, Clifford B. Gerber, James A. Grove
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Patent number: 9844242Abstract: An inner sole board having varying regions of flexibility is provided for use in an article of footwear. The inner sole board may include different materials along its length at different locations that vary its flexibility. An inner sole board is manufactured in an injection molding process requiring only one mold. The process includes a first step of providing a mold, a second step of providing an injection molding assembly, a third step of preparing an injection molding assembly and mold, a fourth step of injecting material into the mold, and a fifth step of establishing the dimensions of a first portion. During the injection molding process, the flow rate of at least one material may be controlled by a nozzle gate to control the shape and size of the flex zone it creates. In this manner, the inner sole board may be customized for a specific sport or individual.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jim Baucom, Clifford B. Gerber
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Patent number: 9808046Abstract: An inner sole board having varying regions of flexibility is provided for use in an article of footwear. The inner sole board may include different materials along its length at different locations that vary its flexibility. An inner sole board is manufactured in an injection molding process requiring only one mold. The process includes a first step of providing a mold, a second step of providing an injection molding assembly, a third step of preparing an injection molding assembly and mold, a fourth step of injecting material into the mold, and a fifth step of establishing the dimensions of a first portion. During the injection molding process, the flow rate of at least one material may be controlled by a nozzle gate to control the shape and size of the flex zone it creates. In this manner, the inner sole board may be customized for a specific sport or individual.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jim Baucom, Clifford B. Gerber
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Patent number: 9615623Abstract: Methods and systems relating to an ankle and foot support system are disclosed. In some embodiments, a covering having a cable tightening mechanism may be associated with a cable that is slidably engaged with the cover. In some embodiments, the cable may be slidably engaged with a tube guide that is attached to the cover. In some embodiments, the cable may form an exposed loop that associates with a loop receiving member. In some embodiments, the loop receiving member may be attached to the cover.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2014Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: John Hurd, Clifford B. Gerber
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Patent number: 9565894Abstract: Methods and systems relating to an ankle and foot support system are disclosed. In some embodiments, a covering having a cable tightening mechanism may be associated with a cable that is slidably engaged with the cover. In some embodiments, the cable may be slidably engaged with a tube guide that is attached to the cover. In some embodiments, the cable may form an exposed loop that associates with a loop receiving member. In some embodiments, the loop receiving member may be attached to the cover.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2014Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: John Hurd, Clifford B. Gerber
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Patent number: 9565893Abstract: Methods and systems relating to an ankle and foot support system are disclosed. In some embodiments, a covering having a cable tightening mechanism may be associated with a cable that is slidably engaged with the cover. In some embodiments, the cable may be slidably engaged with a tube guide that is attached to the cover. In some embodiments, the cable may form an exposed loop that associates with a loop receiving member. In some embodiments, the loop receiving member may be attached to the cover.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2014Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: John Hurd, Clifford B. Gerber
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Publication number: 20160278482Abstract: An inner sole board having varying regions of flexibility is provided for use in an article of footwear. The inner sole board may include different materials along its length at different locations that vary its flexibility. An inner sole board is manufactured in an injection molding process requiring only one mold. The process includes a first step of providing a mold, a second step of providing an injection molding assembly, a third step of preparing an injection molding assembly and mold, a fourth step of injecting material into the mold, and a fifth step of establishing the dimensions of a first portion. During the injection molding process, the flow rate of at least one material may be controlled by a nozzle gate to control the shape and size of the flex zone it creates. In this manner, the inner sole board may be customized for a specific sport or individual.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2015Publication date: September 29, 2016Inventors: Jim Baucom, Clifford B. Gerber
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Patent number: 9451804Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure may include an outsole including ground engaging members and a reinforcement member. The reinforcement member may extend between (1) a first mounting member located in a forefoot region of the outsole and configured to connect the reinforcement member to the outsole, and (2) a second mounting member located in a heel region of the outsole and configured to connect the reinforcement member to the outsole. The first mounting member may be located adjacent to a ground engaging member in the forefoot region of the outsole and the second mounting member is located adjacent to a ground engaging member in the heel region of the outsole.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2015Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jim Baucom, David J. Dirsa, Clifford B. Gerber, Joseph Howley
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Patent number: 9259057Abstract: A cleat member for an article of footwear is configured to associate with a raised base on a sole of the article of footwear. The raised base includes an angled face with a plurality of protruding portions extending outwards from the angled face. An underside of the cleat member has an indentation that corresponds to the angled face of the raised base. A plurality of recessed portions are disposed along the indentation on the underside of the cleat member and are configured to associate with the plurality of protruding portions on the angled face of the raised base. The plurality of recessed portions and the plurality of protruding portions have coincident shapes so that the protruding portions fit with the recessed portions. With this configuration, the cleat member and sole are configured with an interlocking arrangement that resists loosening when the article of footwear is used on a ground surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2015Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Clifford B. Gerber
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Publication number: 20150374526Abstract: Methods and systems relating to an ankle and foot support system are disclosed. Some embodiments may include a covering having a cable tightening mechanism and a cable forming an exposed loop. The exposed loop may be attached to a loop receiving member located on the covering. The exposed loop may also be attached to a footwear loop anchor located on an article of footwear. In some embodiments, the covering may include more than one exposed loop for attaching to more than one loop receiving member located on the covering, as well as more than one footwear loop anchor located on an article of footwear. In some embodiments, adjusting the cable tightening mechanism may secure the covering to the article of footwear.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: John Hurd, Clifford B. Gerber, Kristopher Carlton Lovett
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Patent number: 9210967Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear may include a frame member having a continuous opening with portions located in forefoot, midfoot and hindfoot regions. A plurality of primary traction elements may extend outward from the frame member. A compressible midsole may be bonded to upper surfaces of the frame member. A flexible support plate may be bonded to the midsole. The flexible support plate may span substantially all of the frame member opening and have a lower surface exposed in at least a forefoot region. The support plate may be isolated from the frame member by the compressible midsole. A plurality of secondary traction elements may be integral to and extend outward from the exposed lower surface of the support plate.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2010Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Clifford B. Gerber
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Publication number: 20150331580Abstract: A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a customer with a pre-selected set of graphics, allowing a customer to choose a set of input graphics, and generating a set of morphed graphics based on a set of input graphics. The user can select a morphed graphic and apply it to an article. The user may select the characteristics of the morphed graphic with a slider. The method may further include the step of limiting the number of times a customized graphic may be selected and applied to an article. The customized graphic could be shared with other users.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2015Publication date: November 19, 2015Inventors: David J. Dirsa, Clifford B. Gerber, Petre Gheorghian, E. Scott Morris
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Publication number: 20150320144Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure may include an outsole including ground engaging members and a reinforcement member. The reinforcement member may extend between (1) a first mounting member located in a forefoot region of the outsole and configured to connect the reinforcement member to the outsole, and (2) a second mounting member located in a heel region of the outsole and configured to connect the reinforcement member to the outsole. The first mounting member may be located adjacent to a ground engaging member in the forefoot region of the outsole and the second mounting member is located adjacent to a ground engaging member in the heel region of the outsole.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: Jim Baucom, David J. Dirsa, Clifford B. Gerber, Joseph Howley
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Publication number: 20150237965Abstract: A cleat member for an article of footwear is configured to associate with a raised base on a sole of the article of footwear. The raised base includes an angled face with a plurality of protruding portions extending outwards from the angled face. An underside of the cleat member has an indentation that corresponds to the angled face of the raised base. A plurality of recessed portions are disposed along the indentation on the underside of the cleat member and are configured to associate with the plurality of protruding portions on the angled face of the raised base. The plurality of recessed portions and the plurality of protruding portions have coincident shapes so that the protruding portions fit with the recessed portions. With this configuration, the cleat member and sole are configured with an interlocking arrangement that resists loosening when the article of footwear is used on a ground surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventor: Clifford B. Gerber
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Publication number: 20150196098Abstract: A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method may include the steps of selecting a family of article types, selecting a customized article type, manufacturing an article of footwear with the customized article type and shipping the article of footwear to a pre-designated shipping address. The customized article type can be configured with a user selected characteristic. The method can also include limiting the number of article types displayed to a user at any time.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: David J. Dirsa, Clifford B. Gerber, Petre Gheorghian, E. Scott Morris
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Publication number: 20150196097Abstract: A method for making a cleated plate member for an article of footwear is described. The method includes a number of steps where various molds are used to form different components of the cleated plate member. A collar receptacle is formed using a first molding process. A cleat member is formed from a non-compatible material with a fastener of the cleat member associated with the collar receptacle using another molding process to form a combined cleat assembly. The combined cleat assembly is placed into corresponding receptacles in a mold used to form the cleated plate member. The cleated plate member is formed using another molding process that embeds the collar receptacle into the body of the cleated plate member. The completed cleated plate member includes releasably attached cleat members.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: Balwant S. Atwal, Clifford B. Gerber, Haim Horesh, Peter Sam, JR.
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Patent number: 9078490Abstract: Methods and systems relating to an ankle and foot support system are disclosed. Some embodiments may include a covering having a cable tightening mechanism and a cable forming an exposed loop. The exposed loop may be attached to a loop receiving member located on the covering. The exposed loop may also be attached to a footwear loop anchor located on an article of footwear. In some embodiments, the covering may include more than one exposed loop for attaching to more than one loop receiving member located on the covering, as well as more than one footwear loop anchor located on an article of footwear. In some embodiments, adjusting the cable tightening mechanism may secure the covering to the article of footwear.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2011Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Clifford B. Gerber, John Hurd, Kristopher C. Lovett
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Publication number: 20150189941Abstract: An article of footwear with an insert system is disclosed. The insert system can include an insert that may be introduced to a side portion of the upper. The insert is configured to adjust properties of a side portion of an upper.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2015Publication date: July 9, 2015Inventors: Jim Baucom, Clifford B. Gerber, James A. Grove
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Patent number: 9070160Abstract: A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a customer with a pre-selected set of graphics, allowing a customer to choose a set of input graphics, and generating a set of morphed graphics based on a set of input graphics. The user can select a morphed graphic and apply it to an article. The method may further include the step of limiting the number of times a customized graphic may be selected and applied to an article.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2011Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: David J. Dirsa, Clifford B. Gerber, Petre Gheorghian, E. Scott Morris
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Patent number: 9044069Abstract: A cleat member for an article of footwear is configured to associate with a raised base on a sole of the article of footwear. The raised base includes an angled face with a plurality of protruding portions extending outwards from the angled face. An underside of the cleat member has an indentation that corresponds to the angled face of the raised base. A plurality of recessed portions are disposed along the indentation on the underside of the cleat member and are configured to associate with the plurality of protruding portions on the angled face of the raised base. The plurality of recessed portions and the plurality of protruding portions have coincident shapes so that the protruding portions fit with the recessed portions. With this configuration, the cleat member and sole are configured with an interlocking arrangement that resists loosening when the article of footwear is used on a ground surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2014Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Clifford B. Gerber