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).
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Publication number: 20170095035Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper for securing the article of footwear to a wearer. The footwear also includes a sole assembly operatively coupled to the upper. The sole assembly includes a bladder that contains a fluid. The bladder has a posterior portion, an anterior portion, and a middle portion disposed between the posterior and anterior portions. The posterior portion has a heel recess that is approximately coincidental with a center of a heel of the wearer. The middle portion includes a neck chamber that extends between the posterior and anterior portions. The neck chamber is elongate and has a width that is less than both the posterior and anterior portions, and the anterior portion has a plurality of toe recesses that extend generally away from the neck chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2016Publication date: April 6, 2017Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Dervin A. James
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Publication number: 20170035151Abstract: Articles of footwear having an upper and a sole structure are described, as well as methods of making the articles. The upper includes an adjustment system having a base element, a fluid-filled chamber, an adjusting element, an anchoring element, and a tensile strand. The adjusting element is positioned outward from the fluid-filled chamber. The anchoring element is secured to the base element and is spaced from the adjusting element. The tensile strand extends between the adjusting element and the anchoring element. The adjusting element is operable to change a tension placed upon the tensile strand.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventors: Lee D. Peyton, Dervin A. James, Zachary M. Elder
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Patent number: 9554623Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper for securing the article of footwear to a wearer. The footwear also includes a sole assembly operatively coupled to the upper. The sole assembly includes a bladder that contains a fluid. The bladder has a posterior portion, an anterior portion, and a middle portion disposed between the posterior and anterior portions. The posterior portion has a heel recess that is approximately coincidental with a center of a heel of the wearer. The middle portion includes a neck chamber that extends between the posterior and anterior portions. The neck chamber is elongate and has a width that is less than both the posterior and anterior portions, and the anterior portion has a plurality of toe recesses that extend generally away from the neck chamber.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Dervin A. James
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Patent number: 9545131Abstract: A shoe may comprise an upper and a sole structure that includes a plurality of support elements located in a plantar region. Each of the support elements may be non-destructively removable from and replaceable into the sole structure. The shoe may comprise a plurality of sensors configured to measure force exerted in a footbed region of the article of footwear, as well as a processor communicatively coupled to the sensors. The processor may be configured to receive input indicative of forces measured by the sensors and to transmit data based on that input. Methods utilizing the article may include removing a support element and replacing the removed support element with a replacement support element.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2015Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Catherine F. Morrison, Scott C. Holt, Dervin A. James, Ty A. Ransom
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Publication number: 20160295965Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article includes disposing polymeric material in a mold assembly that has a mold surface that has an etched area. The method further comprises forming a fluid-filled bladder element at least partially by conforming the polymeric material to the mold surface, thereby imparting an impression of the etched area on a surface of the bladder element. The method includes assembling the bladder element in the article so that a first portion of the bladder element with the impression of the etched area is exposed to view, and a second portion of the bladder element is blocked from view by the article. An article comprises the bladder element with the etched area.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Taryn Hensley, Dervin A. James
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Publication number: 20160295966Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Taryn Hensley, Dervin A. James
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Publication number: 20160295964Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article includes forming a fluid-filled bladder element from polymeric material. The method further includes securing an overlay to the polymeric material. At least one portion of the overlay is substantially transparent, and an image on one of the fluid-filled bladder element and the overlay is aligned with and exposed to view through the at least one portion of the overlay that is substantially transparent. The fluid-filled bladder element is assembled in the article so that a first portion of the fluid-filled bladder element and the image are exposed to view, and a second portion of the fluid-filled bladder element is blocked from view by the article. An article includes the fluid-filled bladder element with the image, and with the overlay secured to the fluid-filled bladder element.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Taryn Hensley, Dervin A. James
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Publication number: 20160295963Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Yihua Chang, Taryn Hensley, Dervin A. James, Danielle L. Taylor
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Publication number: 20160278479Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an article of footwear. The article of footwear having an upper for receiving a foot and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure may include at least one support member. In addition, the sole structure may include a tensile member associated with the at least one support member and a tensioning device configured to selectively alter one or more properties of the at least one support member, by tightening and loosening the tensile member.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2016Publication date: September 29, 2016Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Dervin A. James, Fred G. Fagergren, Taryn M. Hensley
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Patent number: 9427048Abstract: An article, such as an article of footwear, includes a polymeric component that has a first surface, a second surface, and a thickness between the first surface and the second surface. The article has ink injected into the polymeric component at a predetermined depth from the first surface such that the ink is embedded in the polymeric component at least partially between the first surface and the second surface. The polymeric component includes multiple layers. The ink is embedded in at least one of the layers. An apparatus for establishing a graphical image on a polymeric component includes a support frame, a jig connected to the support frame and configured to hold the polymeric component, and the needle. A method for manufacturing an article includes inserting a needle into a polymeric component, and injecting ink through the needle so that the ink provides a graphical image.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Dervin A. James
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Patent number: 9420847Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article of footwear having an upper, a footbed, an outsole, and a bladder that is disposed between the footbed and the outsole includes providing a plurality of layers. The layers include a top, outsole, first bladder, and second bladder layer. Also, the method includes molding the layers together substantially simultaneously to form the upper, the footbed, the outsole, and the bladder.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2012Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Zachary Elder, Taryn M. Hensley, Dervin James, Levi J. Patton
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Patent number: 9375048Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an article of footwear. The article of footwear having an upper for receiving a foot and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure may include at least one support member. In addition, the sole structure may include a tensile member associated with the at least one support member and a tensioning device configured to selectively alter one or more properties of the at least one support member, by tightening and loosening the tensile member.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2012Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Dervin A. James, Fred G. Fagergren, Taryn M. Hensley
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Patent number: 9351536Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper having an anterior area, a posterior area, a medial area extending between the anterior and posterior areas, and a lateral area extending between the anterior and posterior areas and that is opposite the medial area. The article of footwear also includes a sole assembly operatively coupled to the upper. Furthermore, the article of footwear includes a bladder having a base operably supported by the sole assembly, an anterior portion that extends from the base toward the anterior area, a posterior portion that extends from the base toward the posterior area, a medial portion that extends from the base toward the medial area, and a lateral portion that extends from the base toward the lateral area. The anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral portions are operably supported by the upper.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2012Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Eric S. Schindler, Klaas P. Hazenberg, Dervin James
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Publication number: 20160073739Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2015Publication date: March 17, 2016Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Dervin A. James, Zachary M. Elder, Elizabeth A. Kilgore
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Publication number: 20160000182Abstract: An article of footwear an upper and a sole structure that defines a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed proximate the medial side of the footwear, and the second portion is disposed proximate the lateral side. The first portion and the second portion are configured to move relative to each other. The article of footwear also includes a flexible biasing member including a first end, a second end, and a middle portion. The middle portion extends across the first portion and the second portion. The first and second ends extend out from the outer surface of the footwear from either the medial or lateral side. The middle portion of the biasing member is configured to bias the first and second portions toward each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2015Publication date: January 7, 2016Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Dervin A. James, John Hurd, Lee D. Peyton, Tobie D. Hatfield
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Publication number: 20150374067Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper with a heel region that extends posteriorly about the heel, a medial side, and a lateral side. The article of footwear also includes a sole structure. Moreover, the article includes a longitudinal strand that extends along at least one of the medial side and the lateral side. Also, the article includes an underfoot strand that is coupled to the longitudinal strand and that extends across the sole structure to extend between the lateral side and the medial side of the upper. Furthermore, the article includes a closure strand that is coupled to the longitudinal strand. The closure strand is configured to couple to the closure element such that tensioning of the closure element tensions the longitudinal strand, the underfoot strand, and the closure strand to selectively secure the article of footwear to the foot.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Zachary Elder, Dervin A. James, Elizabeth Kilgore
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Patent number: 9220318Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 27, 2013Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Dervin A. James, Zachary M. Elder, Elizabeth A. Kilgore
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Publication number: 20150351499Abstract: An article, such as an article of footwear, includes a polymeric component that has a first surface, a second surface, and a thickness between the first surface and the second surface. The article has ink injected into the polymeric component at a predetermined depth from the first surface such that the ink is embedded in the polymeric component at least partially between the first surface and the second surface. The polymeric component includes multiple layers. The ink is embedded in at least one of the layers. An apparatus for establishing a graphical image on a polymeric component includes a support frame, a jig connected to the support frame and configured to hold the polymeric component, and the needle. A method for manufacturing an article includes inserting a needle into a polymeric component, and injecting ink through the needle so that the ink provides a graphical image.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2014Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventor: Dervin A. James
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Patent number: 9155353Abstract: An article of footwear an upper and a sole structure that defines a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed proximate the medial side of the footwear, and the second portion is disposed proximate the lateral side. The first portion and the second portion are configured to move relative to each other. The article of footwear also includes a flexible biasing member including a first end, a second end, and a middle portion. The middle portion extends across the first portion and the second portion. The first and second ends extend out from the outer surface of the footwear from either the medial or lateral side. The middle portion of the biasing member is configured to bias the first and second portions toward each other.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2014Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Dervin A. James, John Hurd, Lee D. Peyton, Tobie D. Hatfield
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Patent number: 9144263Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper with a heel region that extends posteriorly about the heel, a medial side, and a lateral side. The article of footwear also includes a sole structure. Moreover, the article includes a longitudinal strand that extends along at least one of the medial side and the lateral side. Also, the article includes an underfoot strand that is coupled to the longitudinal strand and that extends across the sole structure to extend between the lateral side and the medial side of the upper. Furthermore, the article includes a closure strand that is coupled to the longitudinal strand. The closure strand is configured to couple to the closure element such that tensioning of the closure element tensions the longitudinal strand, the underfoot strand, and the closure strand to selectively secure the article of footwear to the foot.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2013Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Zachary Elder, Dervin A. James, Elizabeth Kilgore