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: 20150374067
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Zachary Elder, Dervin A. James, Elizabeth Kilgore
  • Patent number: 9220318
    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: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Dervin A. James, Zachary M. Elder, Elizabeth A. Kilgore
  • Publication number: 20150351499
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventor: Dervin A. James
  • Patent number: 9155353
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Dervin A. James, John Hurd, Lee D. Peyton, Tobie D. Hatfield
  • Patent number: 9144263
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary Elder, Dervin A. James, Elizabeth Kilgore
  • Patent number: 9131748
    Abstract: A bladder assembly for an article of footwear includes a main body. The main body defines a first chamber and a second chamber, and the second chamber includes a first inner surface and a second inner surface. The bladder assembly also includes a viscous fluid contained in the first or second chamber and a gas contained in the other of the first or second chamber. Furthermore, the bladder assembly includes a fabric member that is fixed to both the first and second inner surfaces. The fabric member limits movement of the first and second inner surfaces away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Dervin James
  • Patent number: 9060567
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper having a first area and a second area. The footwear also includes a sole structure that is coupled to the upper. The sole structure includes a bladder that contains a fluid. Moreover, the footwear includes a tensile structure that is coupled to the first area of the upper, that extends through the sole structure, and that is coupled to the second area of the upper. The tensile structure is operably coupled to the bladder. The tensile structure is operable to flex the bladder due to an increase in tension in the tensile structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary M. Elder, Dervin A. James, Elizabeth A. Kilgore
  • Publication number: 20150089839
    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: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Dervin A. James, Zachary M. Elder, Elizabeth A. Kilgore
  • Patent number: 8978275
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes providing an outsole and a midsole. The outsole and the midsole are secured together such that a bottom surface of a first midsole element overlaps and directly secures to an upper surface of a first outsole element to define a first element assembly, such that a bottom surface of a second midsole element overlaps and directly secures to an upper surface of a second outsole element to define a second element assembly, and such that an outsole groove and a midsole groove are substantially aligned and in communication with each other in the thickness direction of the outsole and the thickness direction of the midsole. Moreover, the method includes interlocking the first and second element assemblies with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Dervin A. James
  • Publication number: 20150068062
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Dervin A. James
  • Patent number: 8968508
    Abstract: Systems and methods for joining polymeric materials together may use lasers or broadband infrared heat sources. The polymeric materials are arranged in an overlapping manner and then are exposed to the heat producing radiation for a sufficient time to join the polymeric materials together at the overlapped area. Such systems and methods may avoid the need to add an energy absorbing dopant to the materials being joined. Such systems and methods also may be used on transparent materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Schindler, Dervin James, Klaas P. Hazenberg
  • Publication number: 20150040426
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Zachary M. Elder, Taryn M. Hensley, Dervin A. James, Levi J. Patton
  • Patent number: 8914994
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Dervin James
  • Publication number: 20140250729
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Dervin A. James, John Hurd, Lee D. Peyton, Tobie D. Hatfield
  • Patent number: 8776400
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly that is operably coupled to the upper. The sole assembly defines a ground engaging surface. The sole assembly also includes a first portion and a second portion that are separated by an opening. The opening is open at the ground engaging surface and extends in a depth direction from the ground engaging surface. The article of footwear also includes a reinforcing tube that is fixedly coupled to at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the sole assembly. The article of footwear further includes a flexible cord including a first end, a second end, and a middle portion. The middle portion extends at least partially through the reinforcing tube and across the opening between the first portion and the second portion. The cord is configured to bias the first portion toward the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Dervin A. James, John Hurd, Lee D. Peyton, Tobie D. Hatfield
  • Patent number: 8776401
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly. The sole assembly includes a groove that separates the sole assembly into first and second portions. Moreover, the article of footwear includes a flexible cord including a first end, a second end, and a middle portion. The middle portion extends through the sole assembly and across the groove between the first portion and the second portion. The article of footwear also includes an adjustment device that is operably coupled to the first end and the second end. The adjustment device is configured to move at least one of the first end and the second end to selectively adjust tension of the flexible cord between a first tension level and a second tension level. The first portion is more rotatable about the groove relative to the second portion at the first tension level as compared to the second tension level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Dervin A. James, John Hurd, Lee D. Peyton, Tobie D. Hatfield
  • Publication number: 20140182167
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Dervin A. James, Fred G. Fagergren, Taryn M. Hensley
  • Publication number: 20140013623
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly. The sole assembly includes a groove that separates the sole assembly into first and second portions. Moreover, the article of footwear includes a flexible cord including a first end, a second end, and a middle portion. The middle portion extends through the sole assembly and across the groove between the first portion and the second portion. The article of footwear also includes an adjustment device that is operably coupled to the first end and the second end. The adjustment device is configured to move at least one of the first end and the second end to selectively adjust tension of the flexible cord between a first tension level and a second tension level. The first portion is more rotatable about the groove relative to the second portion at the first tension level as compared to the second tension level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Dervin A. James, John Hurd, Lee D. Peyton, Tobie D. Hatfield
  • Publication number: 20140013626
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly that is operably coupled to the upper. The sole assembly defines a ground engaging surface. The sole assembly also includes a first portion and a second portion that are separated by an opening. The opening is open at the ground engaging surface and extends in a depth direction from the ground engaging surface. The article of footwear also includes a reinforcing tube that is fixedly coupled to at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the sole assembly. The article of footwear further includes a flexible cord including a first end, a second end, and a middle portion. The middle portion extends at least partially through the reinforcing tube and across the opening between the first portion and the second portion. The cord is configured to bias the first portion toward the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Dervin A. James, John Hurd, Lee D. Peyton, Tobie D. Hatfield
  • Publication number: 20130283640
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary Elder, Taryn M. Hensley, Dervin James, Levi J. Patton