Patents by Inventor Dervin A. James

Dervin A. James 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: 20220160076
    Abstract: A bladder includes a first polymeric film, a second polymeric film attached to the first polymeric film to form a chamber, and one or more grooves formed in an exterior surface of the chamber. In one configuration, the grooves are formed in the exterior surface of the chamber by subjecting the chamber to a laser-etching process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Edwards, Jeremy Gantz, Dervin A. James, Honam Ho, Adam Kohn, Harry Lam Pham, Eric S. Schindler, Yuanmin Wang
  • Patent number: 11318658
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wearable article may include providing a modular mold assembly that defines a mold cavity. The modular mold assembly may include a base and a first removable mold tool that interfits with the base. The base may have a mold surface partially defining the mold cavity and the first removable mold tool may have a mold surface disposed at and further defining the mold cavity of the modular mold assembly. A topography of the mold surface of the first removable mold tool may be nonuniform and different than a topography of the mold surface of the base. The method may include disposing polymeric material at the mold cavity, and then thermoforming a bladder in the mold cavity from the polymeric material. The bladder may have an outer surface with a nonuniform topography imparted by the topography of the mold surface of the first removable mold tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Dervin A. James
  • Publication number: 20220071352
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a midsole with a bladder system having a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region. The bladder system defines a first sealed chamber retaining fluid as a first cushioning layer, the first sealed chamber extending over the forefoot region, the midfoot region, and the heel region. The bladder system further defines multiple discreet sealed chambers retaining fluid in isolation from one another, each of the multiple discreet chambers disposed at one side of the first sealed chamber, and fluidly isolated from the first sealed chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Case, Zachary M. Elder, Dervin A. James, Lee D. Peyton
  • Publication number: 20220022598
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a bladder system with a first bladder enclosing a first sealed chamber retaining fluid, and a second bladder overlying and bonded to the first bladder and enclosing a second sealed chamber isolated from the first sealed chamber and retaining fluid. The first bladder establishes a ground-facing surface and the second bladder establishes a foot-facing surface of the bladder system. The first bladder includes first domed pods extending at the ground-facing surface and at an upper surface of the first bladder, the first sealed chamber filling the first domed pods. The second bladder includes second domed pods and annular ring pods, the second domed pods and the annular ring pods extending at the lower surface of the second bladder and at the foot-facing surface, the second sealed chamber filling the second domed pods and the annular ring pods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Case, Zachary M. Elder, Dervin A. James, Lee D. Peyton
  • Patent number: 11213094
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a midsole with a bladder system having a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region. The bladder system defines a first sealed chamber retaining fluid as a first cushioning layer, the first sealed chamber extending over the forefoot region, the midfoot region, and the heel region. The bladder system further defines multiple discreet sealed chambers retaining fluid in isolation from one another, each of the multiple discreet chambers disposed at one side of the first sealed chamber, and fluidly isolated from the first sealed chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Case, Zachary M. Elder, Dervin A. James, Lee D. Peyton
  • Publication number: 20210368924
    Abstract: A sole assembly for an article of footwear includes a midsole that is formed from at least a bladder and foam midsole component. The midsole has a ground facing surface and a sidewall, and the bladder meets the foam midsole at a component boundary on the sidewall. An etching extends into both the foam midsole and the bladder. The etched channel has a depth into the sidewall of between about 2 ?m and about 1000 ?m and continuously extends across the component boundary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Dervin A. James, Eric S. Schindler
  • Patent number: 11186073
    Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber is provided and includes a first barrier layer, a second barrier layer attached to the first barrier layer and cooperating with the first barrier layer to define an interior void, and a third layer attached to one of the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer including mineral mica that provides the one of the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer with an iridescent appearance caused by differential refraction of light waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Taryn M. Hensley, Dervin A. James
  • Patent number: 11166524
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a bladder system with a first bladder enclosing a first sealed chamber retaining fluid, and a second bladder overlying and bonded to the first bladder and enclosing a second sealed chamber isolated from the first sealed chamber and retaining fluid. The first bladder establishes a ground-facing surface and the second bladder establishes a foot-facing surface of the bladder system. The first bladder includes first domed pods extending at the ground-facing surface and at an upper surface of the first bladder, the first sealed chamber filling the first domed pods. The second bladder includes second domed pods and annular ring pods, the second domed pods and the annular ring pods extending at the lower surface of the second bladder and at the foot-facing surface, the second sealed chamber filling the second domed pods and the annular ring pods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Case, Zachary M. Elder, Dervin A. James, Lee D. Peyton
  • Publication number: 20210086434
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wearable article may include providing a modular mold assembly that defines a mold cavity. The modular mold assembly may include a base and a first removable mold tool that interfits with the base. The base may have a mold surface partially defining the mold cavity and the first removable mold tool may have a mold surface disposed at and further defining the mold cavity of the modular mold assembly. A topography of the mold surface of the first removable mold tool may be nonuniform and different than a topography of the mold surface of the base. The method may include disposing polymeric material at the mold cavity, and then thermoforming a bladder in the mold cavity from the polymeric material. The bladder may have an outer surface with a nonuniform topography imparted by the topography of the mold surface of the first removable mold tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Dervin A. James
  • Publication number: 20210015207
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a first plate and a second plate both extending longitudinally in a flexion region of the sole structure. The second plate is disposed above the first plate in the flexion region. The second plate has a fixed portion fixed to the first plate, and has a free portion. A coupler is operatively connected to one of the first plate and the free portion of the second plate. The coupler is selectably movable transversely relative to the first plate and the second plate between a first position and a second position. The coupler is spaced apart from the other one of the first plate and the free portion of the second plate in the first position, and operatively engages the other one of the first plate and the free portion of the second plate in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Dervin A. James, Austin Orand
  • Patent number: 10842225
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article includes applying a colored medium on a first polymeric sheet to establish an image on the first polymeric sheet. The method further comprises forming a fluid-filled bladder element at least partially from the first polymeric sheet, and assembling the fluid-filled bladder element in the article so that a first portion of the fluid-filled bladder element having the image is exposed to view, and a second portion of the fluid-filled bladder element is blocked from view by the article. An article comprises a fluid-filled bladder element at least partially formed from a first polymeric sheet, and a colored medium establishing an image on the first polymeric sheet. A first portion of the fluid-filled bladder element having the image is exposed to view, and a second portion of the fluid-filled bladder element is blocked from view by the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Yihua Chang, Taryn Hensley, Dervin A. James, Danielle L. Taylor
  • Patent number: 10834996
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a first plate and a second plate both extending longitudinally in a flexion region of the sole structure. The second plate is disposed above the first plate in the flexion region. The second plate has a fixed portion fixed to the first plate, and has a free portion. A coupler is operatively connected to one of the first plate and the free portion of the second plate. The coupler is selectably movable transversely relative to the first plate and the second plate between a first position and a second position. The coupler is spaced apart from the other one of the first plate and the free portion of the second plate in the first position, and operatively engages the other one of the first plate and the free portion of the second plate in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Dervin A. James, Austin Orand
  • Patent number: 10743614
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole assembly with a midsole and an outsole. The midsole includes a fluid-filled bladder element including a first polymeric sheet that has a surface with an impression. The fluid-filled bladder element has a sealable internal cavity that retains fluid. A first portion of the bladder element with the impression is exposed to view through one of the midsole, the outsole, or an upper. A second portion of the bladder element is blocked from view by said one of the midsole, the outsole, or the upper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Taryn Hensley, Dervin A. James
  • Publication number: 20200253334
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a fitting system with an upper member that is supported by the upper and a strand guide that is supported by the sole structure. The strand guide is flexible and flexes in concert with the sole structure. The strand guide has a guide surface. The fitting system further includes a tensioning system with a flexible strand that is configured to bias the upper member toward the strand guide. The flexible strand has a first section coupled to the upper member and a second section extending through the sole structure. The second section abuts the guide surface. The second section is configured to slide across the guide surface as a result of flexure of the strand guide. The first section and the upper member are configured to move relative to the sole structure as a result of sliding of the second section across the guide surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary M. Elder, Dervin A. James, Elizabeth A. Kilgore
  • Publication number: 20200189171
    Abstract: A method for forming a bladder comprises providing a mold including a chamber wall having a first height and a cavity wall having a second height. The cavity wall is surrounded by the chamber wall and defines a plurality of cavities. A first sheet, a second sheet, and a gasket are provided to the mold, whereby the gasket is disposed adjacent to at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet. The mold is moved such that a peripheral portion of the at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet and the gasket are compressed by the chamber wall. A first pressure is provided between the first sheet and the second sheet through the gasket to form a plurality of chambers, and the mold is moved to a second position to seal the first pressure between the first sheet and the second sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley K. Chan, Scott C. Holt, Dervin A. James
  • Patent number: 10667579
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a fitting system with an upper member that is supported by the upper and a strand guide that is supported by the sole structure. The strand guide is flexible and flexes in concert with the sole structure. The strand guide has a guide surface. The fitting system further includes a tensioning system with a flexible strand that is configured to bias the upper member toward the strand guide. The flexible strand has a first section coupled to the upper member and a second section extending through the sole structure. The second section abuts the guide surface. The second section is configured to slide across the guide surface as a result of flexure of the strand guide. The first section and the upper member are configured to move relative to the sole structure as a result of sliding of the second section across the guide surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary M. Elder, Dervin A. James, Elizabeth A. Kilgore
  • Publication number: 20200154825
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a midsole with a bladder system having a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region. The bladder system defines a first sealed chamber retaining fluid as a first cushioning layer, the first sealed chamber extending over the forefoot region, the midfoot region, and the heel region. The bladder system further defines multiple discreet sealed chambers retaining fluid in isolation from one another, each of the multiple discreet chambers disposed at one side of the first sealed chamber, and fluidly isolated from the first sealed chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Case, Zachary M. Elder, Dervin A. James, Lee D. Peyton
  • Publication number: 20200154826
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a bladder system with a first bladder enclosing a first sealed chamber retaining fluid, and a second bladder overlying and bonded to the first bladder and enclosing a second sealed chamber isolated from the first sealed chamber and retaining fluid. The first bladder establishes a ground-facing surface and the second bladder establishes a foot-facing surface of the bladder system. The first bladder includes first domed pods extending at the ground-facing surface and at an upper surface of the first bladder, the first sealed chamber filling the first domed pods. The second bladder includes second domed pods and annular ring pods, the second domed pods and the annular ring pods extending at the lower surface of the second bladder and at the foot-facing surface, the second sealed chamber filling the second domed pods and the annular ring pods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick Case, Zachary M. Elder, Dervin A. James, Lee D. Peyton
  • Publication number: 20200113283
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article comprises etching an etched feature on a surface of a first polymeric sheet, and forming a fluid-filled bladder element from the first polymeric sheet, with the fluid-filled bladder element having a sealable internal cavity that retains fluid. The method includes assembling the bladder element in the article so that a first portion of the bladder element having the etched feature is exposed to view, and a second portion of the bladder element is blocked from view by the article. An article includes the bladder element with the etched feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Taryn Hensley, Dervin A. James
  • Publication number: 20200114634
    Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber is provided and includes a first barrier layer, a second barrier layer attached to the first barrier layer and cooperating with the first barrier layer to define an interior void, and a third layer attached to one of the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer including mineral mica that provides the one of the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer with an iridescent appearance caused by differential refraction of light waves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Taryn M. Hensley, Dervin A. James