Patents by Inventor David J. Dirsa
David J. Dirsa 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: 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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Publication number: 20160023416Abstract: A method of forming a sole assembly of an article of footwear that includes an interior space that receives a foot of a wearer is disclosed. The article of footwear also includes an exterior surface. The method includes providing a first portion of the sole assembly. The first portion includes a first surface that at least partially defines the interior space. The first portion also includes a first chamber surface that opposes the first surface. Moreover, the method includes providing a second portion of the sole assembly. The second portion includes a second surface that at least partially defines the exterior surface of the article of footwear. The second portion also includes a second chamber surface that opposes the second surface. The method further includes operably securing the first portion to the second portion such that the first chamber surface and the second chamber surface cooperate to at least partially define a substantially sealed chamber within the sole assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2015Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: David J. Dirsa, Haim Horesh, Gary M. Peters
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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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Patent number: 9179737Abstract: A method of forming a sole assembly of an article of footwear that includes an interior space that receives a foot of a wearer is disclosed. The article of footwear also includes an exterior surface. The method includes providing a first portion of the sole assembly. The first portion includes a first surface that at least partially defines the interior space. The first portion also includes a first chamber surface that opposes the first surface. Moreover, the method includes providing a second portion of the sole assembly. The second portion includes a second surface that at least partially defines the exterior surface of the article of footwear. The second portion also includes a second chamber surface that opposes the second surface. The method further includes operably securing the first portion to the second portion such that the first chamber surface and the second chamber surface cooperate to at least partially define a substantially sealed chamber within the sole assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2013Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: David J. Dirsa, Haim Horesh, Gary M. Peters
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Publication number: 20150257486Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper that at least in part defines an interior chamber for receiving a foot; an insertable interior midsole component received within the interior chamber; and an exterior sole structure engaged with the upper, wherein the exterior sole structure includes: (a) an exterior midsole component and (b) optionally an outsole component that extends under the forefoot region, wherein the insertable interior midsole component is formed from a foam material comprising a reaction product of about 10 to about 100 phr hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer, 0 to about 40 phr modified hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer, and 0 to about 90 phr alpha olefin copolymer, and at least one additive in an amount suitable to form the foam material; wherein the density of the foam material is less than 0.25 g/cm3.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2015Publication date: September 17, 2015Inventors: David J. Dirsa, Tamara M. Peters, Daniel A. Williamson
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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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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: 9060568Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper that at least in part defines an interior chamber for receiving a foot; an insertable interior midsole component received within the interior chamber; and an exterior sole structure engaged with the upper, wherein the exterior sole structure includes: (a) an exterior midsole component and (b) optionally an outsole component that extends under the forefoot region, wherein the insertable interior midsole component is formed from a foam material comprising a reaction product of about 10 to about 100 phr hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer, 0 to about 40 phr modified hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer, and 0 to about 90 phr alpha olefin copolymer, and at least one additive in an amount suitable to form the foam material; wherein the density of the foam material is less than 0.25 g/cm3.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: David J. Dirsa, Tamara M. Peters, Daniel A. Williamson
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Patent number: 9044064Abstract: 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: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jim Baucom, David J. Dirsa, Clifford B. Gerber, Joseph Howley
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Patent number: 9009614Abstract: A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes 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 method may further include the step of limiting the number of articles of footwear manufactured with a customized article type to ensure exclusivity for customized article types.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: David J. Dirsa, Clifford B. Gerber, Petre Gheorghian, E. Scott Morris
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Publication number: 20140007459Abstract: An article of footwear with a multi-directional sole structure including a flex groove system is disclosed. The flex groove system includes a plurality of longitudinal flex grooves and lateral flex grooves that divide the sole structure into a plurality of segments. The flex groove system also includes a plurality of diagonal flex grooves that intersect the corners of the plurality of segments. The flex grooves system can provide enhanced flexibility for the sole structure and can enhance multi-directional flexing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2013Publication date: January 9, 2014Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Aaron AC Cooper, David J. Dirsa, Thomas Foxen, Tom Luedecke
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Publication number: 20130326911Abstract: 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: June 8, 2012Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Jim Baucom, David J. Dirsa, Clifford B. Gerber, Joseph Howley
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Patent number: 8522455Abstract: An article of footwear including two fastening systems is disclosed. The article of footwear includes a strap and a lacing system. The strap and the lacing system may all be configured to adjust or tighten the article of footwear to a wearer's foot along different regions. The strap and the lacing system are linked to improve the conformability of the article of footwear to a wearer's foot. Additionally, the link provides more control on the degree of tightening applied to a wearer's foot.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2007Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jeff Rasmussen, David J. Dirsa, Matthew T. Gregg
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Patent number: 8505219Abstract: An article of footwear with a multi-directional sole structure including a flex groove system is disclosed. The flex groove system includes a plurality of longitudinal flex grooves and lateral flex grooves that divide the sole structure into a plurality of segments. The flex groove system also includes a plurality of diagonal flex grooves that intersect the corners of the plurality of segments. The flex grooves system can provide enhanced flexibility for the sole structure and can enhance multi-directional flexing.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2009Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Aaron A. C. Cooper, David J. Dirsa, Thomas Foxen, Tom Luedecke
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Publication number: 20130159866Abstract: A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes 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 method may further include the step of limiting the number of articles of footwear manufactured with a customized article type to ensure exclusivity for customized article types.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: David J. Dirsa, Clifford B. Gerber, Petre Gheorghian, E. Scott Morris
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Publication number: 20130155111Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: David J. Dirsa, Clifford B. Gerber, Petre Gheorghian, E. Scott Morris
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Publication number: 20130125421Abstract: Articles of footwear having both interior and exterior midsole components may include: (a) an upper that at least in part defines an interior chamber; (b) an interior midsole component within the interior chamber, wherein, at a forefoot region, the interior midsole component includes a longitudinal flexion line and a plurality of transverse flexion lines; and (c) an exterior sole structure engaged with the upper. This exterior sole structure may include: (a) an exterior midsole component in a heel region of the article of footwear that does not extend under the forefoot region of the article of footwear and (b) an outsole component that extends under the forefoot region. If desired, the outsole component may extend under the exterior midsole component in the rearfoot region. The interior midsole component may include a plurality of pod elements separated from one another by the flexion lines.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2011Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Barbara Stegmaier, Daniel A. Williamson, David J. Dirsa, Miaochang Zadnik, Fei Huang, Pu He
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Publication number: 20100299965Abstract: An article of footwear with a multi-directional sole structure including a flex groove system is disclosed. The flex groove system includes a plurality of longitudinal flex grooves and lateral flex grooves that divide the sole structure into a plurality of segments. The flex groove system also includes a plurality of diagonal flex grooves that intersect the corners of the plurality of segments. The flex grooves system can provide enhanced flexibility for the sole structure and can enhance multi-directional flexing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2009Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Aaron A.C. Cooper, David J. Dirsa, Thomas Foxen, Tom Luedecke
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Patent number: 7793432Abstract: An element forming at least part of a midsole for footwear includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and at least two strut members disposed between the top and bottom plates for supporting the top plate a distance away from the bottom plate. The top, bottom and struts may be formed of different materials. Adjacent strut members have a C shaped cross-section facing in the same direction when the midsole resting its top or bottom portion is viewed from the side. The midsole element may further comprise a heel cleft to increase the flexibility of the sole. In a preferred embodiment, the strut members on the medial side are arranged at an angle to the strut members on the lateral side of the sole. The directional design provides flexibility and stiffness anisotropically to the sole in the longitudinal and lateral directions of the sole respectively.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2008Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc.Inventors: Marya L. Chan, Patrick Y. Choe, David J. Dirsa, Edith Harmon-Weiss, Sean B. Murphy