Patents by Inventor Derek Houng
Derek Houng 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: 12453394Abstract: A cushioning article includes a bladder enclosing an interior cavity and retaining a gas in the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity and includes tensile layers and a plurality of tethers connecting the tensile layers. The tensile layers are connected to an inner surface of the bladder such that the tethers span across the interior cavity. The bladder has an inwardly-protruding bond that joins an inner surface of the bladder to the tensile component, protrudes inward into the interior cavity, and partially traverses the plurality of tethers such that the bladder is narrowed at the inwardly protruding bond and the gas in the interior cavity fluidly communicates across the inwardly-protruding bond. A method of manufacturing a cushioning article is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2024Date of Patent: October 28, 2025Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Arick Auyang, Page J. Bailey, Jeremy L. Connell, Derek Houng, Jason R. Meeker
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Patent number: 12310449Abstract: A strobel for an article of footwear comprises a polymeric bladder that defines an interior cavity. The polymeric bladder is configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The polymeric bladder may include a first polymeric sheet bonded to a second polymeric sheet at the peripheral flange and joined to the second polymeric sheet at a plurality of interior welds. Methods of manufacturing a strobel and manufacturing footwear are included.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2023Date of Patent: May 27, 2025Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Arick Auyang, Derek Houng, Eric A. Schmalzer, Matthew Temple, Jeffrey S. To, Geoffrey A Weston
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Patent number: 12310454Abstract: An article of footwear may include a heel region, a forefoot region, and a midfoot region, the midfoot region disposed adjacent to the forefoot region and the heel region, the article of footwear also including a medial side and a lateral side; an upper extending from the heel region to the forefoot region, wherein the upper includes a plurality of openings through which a fastener is configured to extend; a tongue extending from the forefoot region to the midfoot region; and a flap, the flap extending from the lateral side over a portion of the tongue, toward the medial side, wherein the flap includes a loop through which the fastener is configured to extend.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2023Date of Patent: May 27, 2025Assignee: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Benjamin Nethongkome, Derek Houng, Kreig Hozalski
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Patent number: 12262784Abstract: An article of footwear includes a strobel that has a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity. The tensile component is secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The groove serves as a guide path for an operator or for a machine to follow when stitching or otherwise securing the strobel to the upper. A method of manufacturing footwear is included.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2023Date of Patent: April 1, 2025Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Arick Auyang, Derek Houng, Jason R. Meeker, Eric A Schmalzer, Jeffrey S. To, Geoffrey A Weston
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Patent number: 12201184Abstract: An article of footwear includes a strobel that has a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity and is secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The strobel also includes a lasting component configured to extend along the peripheral flange around the at least a portion of the perimeter of the interior cavity. The lasting component is secured to the peripheral flange. A method of manufacturing footwear that includes the strobel is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2023Date of Patent: January 21, 2025Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Arick Auyang, Derek Houng, Jason R. Meeker, Eric A. Schmalzer, Jeffrey S. To, Geoffrey A. Weston
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Publication number: 20240365926Abstract: A cushioning article includes a bladder enclosing an interior cavity and retaining a gas in the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity and includes tensile layers and a plurality of tethers connecting the tensile layers. The tensile layers are connected to an inner surface of the bladder such that the tethers span across the interior cavity. The bladder has an inwardly-protruding bond that joins an inner surface of the bladder to the tensile component, protrudes inward into the interior cavity, and partially traverses the plurality of tethers such that the bladder is narrowed at the inwardly protruding bond and the gas in the interior cavity fluidly communicates across the inwardly-protruding bond. A method of manufacturing a cushioning article is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2024Publication date: November 7, 2024Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Arick Auyang, Page J. Bailey, Jeremy L. Connell, Derek Houng, Jason R. Meeker
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Patent number: 12064007Abstract: A cushioning article includes a bladder enclosing an interior cavity and retaining a gas in the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity and includes tensile layers and a plurality of tethers connecting the tensile layers. The tensile layers are connected to an inner surface of the bladder such that the tethers span across the interior cavity. The bladder has an inwardly-protruding bond that joins an inner surface of the bladder to the tensile component, protrudes inward into the interior cavity, and partially traverses the plurality of tethers such that the bladder is narrowed at the inwardly protruding bond and the gas in the interior cavity fluidly communicates across the inwardly-protruding bond. A method of manufacturing a cushioning article is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2023Date of Patent: August 20, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Arick Auyang, Page J. Bailey, Jeremy L. Connell, Derek Houng, Jason R. Meeker
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Publication number: 20240122298Abstract: An article of footwear includes a strobel that has a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity. The tensile component is secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The groove serves as a guide path for an operator or for a machine to follow when stitching or otherwise securing the strobel to the upper. A method of manufacturing footwear is included.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Arick Auyang, Derek Houng, Jason R. Meeker, Eric A. Schmalzer, Jeffrey S. To, Geoffrey A. Weston
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Publication number: 20240108102Abstract: An article of footwear includes a strobel that has a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity and is secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The strobel also includes a lasting component configured to extend along the peripheral flange around the at least a portion of the perimeter of the interior cavity. The lasting component is secured to the peripheral flange. A method of manufacturing footwear that includes the strobel is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Arick Auyang, Derek Houng, Jason R. Meeker, Eric A. Schmalzer, Jeffrey S. To, Geoffrey A. Weston
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Publication number: 20240108103Abstract: A strobel for an article of footwear comprises a polymeric bladder that defines an interior cavity. The polymeric bladder is configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The polymeric bladder may include a first polymeric sheet bonded to a second polymeric sheet at the peripheral flange and joined to the second polymeric sheet at a plurality of interior welds. Methods of manufacturing a strobel and manufacturing footwear are included.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Arick Auyang, Derek Houng, Eric A. Schmalzer, Matthew Temple, Jeffrey S. To, Geoffrey A. Weston
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Patent number: 11882899Abstract: A strobel for an article of footwear comprises a polymeric bladder that defines an interior cavity. The polymeric bladder is configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The polymeric bladder may include a first polymeric sheet bonded to a second polymeric sheet at the peripheral flange and joined to the second polymeric sheet at a plurality of interior welds. Methods of manufacturing a strobel and manufacturing footwear are included.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Arick Auyang, Derek Houng, Eric A. Schmalzer, Matthew Temple, Jeffrey S. To, Geoffrey A. Weston
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Publication number: 20240023674Abstract: An article of footwear may include a heel region, a forefoot region, and a midfoot region, the midfoot region disposed adjacent to the forefoot region and the heel region, the article of footwear also including a medial side and a lateral side; an upper extending from the heel region to the forefoot region, wherein the upper includes a plurality of openings through which a fastener is configured to extend; a tongue extending from the forefoot region to the midfoot region; and a flap, the flap extending from the lateral side over a portion of the tongue, toward the medial side, wherein the flap includes a loop through which the fastener is configured to extend.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Nethongkome, Derek Houng, Kreig Hozalski
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Patent number: 11877622Abstract: An article of footwear includes a strobel that has a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity and is secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The strobel also includes a lasting component configured to extend along the peripheral flange around the at least a portion of the perimeter of the interior cavity. The lasting component is secured to the peripheral flange. A method of manufacturing footwear that includes the strobel is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2022Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Arick Auyang, Derek Houng, Jason R. Meeker, Eric A. Schmalzer, Jeffrey S. To, Geoffrey A. Weston
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Patent number: 11877621Abstract: An article of footwear includes a strobel that has a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity. The tensile component is secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The groove serves as a guide path for an operator or for a machine to follow when stitching or otherwise securing the strobel to the upper. A method of manufacturing footwear is included.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2021Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Arick Auyang, Derek Houng, Jason R. Meeker, Eric A. Schmalzer, Jeffrey S. To, Geoffrey A. Weston
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Publication number: 20230147255Abstract: A cushioning article includes a bladder enclosing an interior cavity and retaining a gas in the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity and includes tensile layers and a plurality of tethers connecting the tensile layers. The tensile layers are connected to an inner surface of the bladder such that the tethers span across the interior cavity. The bladder has an inwardly-protruding bond that joins an inner surface of the bladder to the tensile component, protrudes inward into the interior cavity, and partially traverses the plurality of tethers such that the bladder is narrowed at the inwardly protruding bond and the gas in the interior cavity fluidly communicates across the inwardly-protruding bond. A method of manufacturing a cushioning article is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2023Publication date: May 11, 2023Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Arick Auyang, Page J. Bailey, Jeremy L. Connell, Derek Houng, Jason R. Meeker
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Patent number: 11633011Abstract: A cushioning article includes a bladder enclosing an interior cavity and retaining a gas in the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity and includes tensile layers and a plurality of tethers connecting the tensile layers. The tensile layers are connected to an inner surface of the bladder such that the tethers span across the interior cavity. The bladder has an inwardly-protruding bond that joins an inner surface of the bladder to the tensile component, protrudes inward into the interior cavity, and partially traverses the plurality of tethers such that the bladder is narrowed at the inwardly protruding bond and the gas in the interior cavity fluidly communicates across the inwardly-protruding bond. A method of manufacturing a cushioning article is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2020Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Arick Auyang, Page J. Bailey, Jeremy L. Connell, Derek Houng, Jason R. Meeker
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Patent number: 11596196Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper coupled to the sole structure. The upper includes a forefoot region, a heel region, and a midfoot region disposed between. The upper defines a throat opening sized to receive a foot. The upper includes a main upper body and a strap coupled to the main upper body, wherein the strap extends from the midfoot region of the upper at the throat opening, down toward the heel region of the upper, wherein the strap is configured to provide stability, and the strap is configured to keep a wearer's heel contained down and back in the article of footwear.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2021Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Leo S. Chang, Derek Houng
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Patent number: 11510459Abstract: An article of footwear includes a medial side portion, a lateral side portion, and an outsole extending from the medial side portion to the lateral side portion and configured to contact a ground surface. The outsole may include a first portion having a first traction surface configured for engaging the ground surface, the first traction surface disposed on the medial side portion and including one or more first traction elements. The outsole may further include a second portion having a second traction surface configured for engaging the ground surface, the second portion disposed on the medial side portion and extending in a superior direction from the first portion, the second traction surface including one or more second traction elements.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2019Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Derek Houng, Benjamin Nethongkome
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Patent number: 11497276Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper coupled to the sole structure. The upper includes a base layer and a plurality of support members. The base layer has a peripheral portion. The support members have end portions and an intermediate portion extending between the end portions. The end portions of the support members are coupled to the peripheral portion of the base layer. Each of the intermediate portions of the support members intersect with one or more other ones of the support members and is independently movable between a relaxed state and an engaged state relative to the one or more other ones of the support members.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2020Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Leo S. Chang, Derek Houng
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Patent number: 11324283Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper having a body with a first side and a second side, and a closure system for the upper. The closure system includes a first anchoring cable loop fixed at the first side, a flap, a flap cable loop, and a lace. The flap is fixed to the second side and extends across the body to a free end at the first side. The flap has an aperture extending through the flap. A flap cable loop extends from the free end. The flap cable loop is configured to extend from the free end through the first anchoring cable loop, and from the first anchoring cable loop back to the flap and through the aperture in the flap from an inner side to an outer side of the flap. A lace extends through the looped end of the flap cable at the outer side.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2020Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Derek Houng, Benjamin Nethongkome, Adam Wassinger