Patents by Inventor Dolores S. Thompson

Dolores S. Thompson 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).

  • Patent number: 11903442
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a foam element having a top surface and a bottom surface. The foam element includes a recess (i) formed in one of the top surface or the bottom surface, (ii) extending from a first end in a forefoot region of the sole structure to a second end in a mid-foot region of the sole structure, (iii) having a first edge extending between the first end and the second end and disposed proximate to a peripheral region of the sole structure, and (iv) a second edge extending between the first end and the second end and disposed at an interior region of the sole structure. A cushioning arrangement is disposed within the recess and includes an outer surface that is substantially flush with the one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the foam element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick S Frank, Dolores S. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20230137398
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes an upper cushioning element including a first material having a first durometer, a lower cushioning element including a second material having a second durometer and defining a plurality of first engagement elements, and a plate disposed between the upper cushioning element and the lower cushioning element, the plate including a plurality of second engagement elements cooperating with the first engagement elements to position the plate with respect to the lower cushioning element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Cailee M. Caldwell, Yuchung K. Chen, Gregory Scott, Dolores S. Thompson, Nikita A. Troufanov, Jeremy W. Webber, Jay T. Worobets
  • Publication number: 20230098712
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a foam element having a top surface and a bottom surface. The foam element includes a recess (i) formed in one of the top surface or the bottom surface, (ii) extending from a first end in a forefoot region of the sole structure to a second end in a mid-foot region of the sole structure, (iii) having a first edge extending between the first end and the second end and disposed proximate to a peripheral region of the sole structure, and (iv) a second edge extending between the first end and the second end and disposed at an interior region of the sole structure. A cushioning arrangement is disposed within the recess and includes an outer surface that is substantially flush with the one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the foam element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick S. Frank, Dolores S. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20230048832
    Abstract: A knitted component may include a knit element with a first surface and an opposite second surface. An inlaid yarn may extend through the knit element and between the first surface and the second surface. A secured area where the first surface and the second surface are secured together may be included, where the inlaid yarn is secured by loops forming the first surface and the second surface. A cushioning area may be included, where the cushioning area has a tubular construction such that the first surface and the second surface are separable, forming a cavity therebetween, and where the inlaid yarn extends through the cavity formed between the first surface and the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Enkhbat Dorjgurkhem, Derek A. Fitchett, Kristen E. Orme, Colin Runkle, Gagandeep Singh, Dolores S. Thompson, Erin Toraya
  • Patent number: 11528960
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a foam element having a top surface and a bottom surface. The foam element includes a recess (i) formed in one of the top surface or the bottom surface, (ii) extending from a first end in a forefoot region of the sole structure to a second end in a mid-foot region of the sole structure, (iii) having a first edge extending between the first end and the second end and disposed proximate to a peripheral region of the sole structure, and (iv) a second edge extending between the first end and the second end and disposed at an interior region of the sole structure. A cushioning arrangement is disposed within the recess and includes an outer surface that is substantially flush with the one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the foam element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick S. Frank, Dolores S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 11492736
    Abstract: A knitted component may include a knit element with a first surface and an opposite second surface. An inlaid yarn may extend through the knit element and between the first surface and the second surface. A secured area where the first surface and the second surface are secured together may be included, where the inlaid yarn is secured by loops forming the first surface and the second surface. A cushioning area may be included, where the cushioning area has a tubular construction such that the first surface and the second surface are separable, forming a cavity therebetween, and where the inlaid yarn extends through the cavity formed between the first surface and the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Enkhbat Dorjgurkhem, Derek A. Fitchett, Kristen E. Orme, Colin M. Runkle, Gagandeep Singh, Dolores S. Thompson, Erin E. Toraya
  • Publication number: 20210337928
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a foam element having a top surface and a bottom surface. The foam element includes a recess (i) formed in one of the top surface or the bottom surface, (ii) extending from a first end in a forefoot region of the sole structure to a second end in a mid-foot region of the sole structure, (iii) having a first edge extending between the first end and the second end and disposed proximate to a peripheral region of the sole structure, and (iv) a second edge extending between the first end and the second end and disposed at an interior region of the sole structure. A cushioning arrangement is disposed within the recess and includes an outer surface that is substantially flush with the one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the foam element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick S. FRANK, Dolores S. THOMPSON
  • Patent number: 11071349
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a foam element having a top surface and a bottom surface. The foam element includes a recess (i) formed in one of the top surface or the bottom surface, (ii) extending from a first end in a forefoot region of the sole structure to a second end in a mid-foot region of the sole structure, (iii) having a first edge extending between the first end and the second end and disposed proximate to a peripheral region of the sole structure, and (iv) a second edge extending between the first end and the second end and disposed at an interior region of the sole structure. A cushioning arrangement is disposed within the recess and includes an outer surface that is substantially flush with the one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the foam element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick S Frank, Dolores S. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20210204651
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes an interior cushioning arrangement extending from an anterior end to a posterior end. The sole structure also includes a forefoot cushioning element extending from the anterior end to a first end and including a first material having a first durometer. The sole structure further includes a heel cushioning element extending from the posterior end to a second end and including a second material having a second durometer. The first end of the forefoot cushioning element and the second end of the heel cushioning element overlap one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Dolores S. Thompson, Nikita A. Troufanov
  • Patent number: 11039662
    Abstract: An article comprises a chamber that includes a barrier formed from a polymer material. The barrier has a first portion that forms a first surface of the chamber, and a second portion that forms an opposite second surface of the chamber. The barrier forms at least one interior cavity between the first portion and the second portion. The at least one interior cavity is filled with fluid retained by the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Danielle L. Taylor, Dolores S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 10932520
    Abstract: Sole structures for articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include a relatively soft and lightweight foam midsole component partially covered by at least one more rigid and/or dense cage (protective) component(s) and/or other protective component(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Matthew J. Holmes, Troy C. Lindner, Benjamin Nethongkome, Dolores S. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20200037705
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a foam element having a top surface and a bottom surface. The foam element includes a recess (i) formed in one of the top surface or the bottom surface, (ii) extending from a first end in a forefoot region of the sole structure to a second end in a mid-foot region of the sole structure, (iii) having a first edge extending between the first end and the second end and disposed proximate to a peripheral region of the sole structure, and (iv) a second edge extending between the first end and the second end and disposed at an interior region of the sole structure. A cushioning arrangement is disposed within the recess and includes an outer surface that is substantially flush with the one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the foam element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick S Frank, Dolores S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 10477919
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a barrier that has a first portion that includes a first outer surface, and a second portion that includes a second outer surface. The barrier includes a first and a second interior cavity between the first portion and the second portion. The barrier includes a bond that secures an inner surface of the first portion to the second portion and separates the first and the second interior cavity. An outsole is secured to the second outer surface, and includes a first outsole portion extending under the first interior cavity, and a second outsole portion extending under the second interior cavity and separated from the first outsole portion by a gap, with the bond aligned with and overlying the gap such that the second outer surface is exposed between the first outsole portion and the second outsole portion at the bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Danielle L. Taylor, Dolores S. Thompson, Frederick J. Dojan
  • Publication number: 20190313738
    Abstract: A knitted component may include a knit element with a first surface and an opposite second surface. An inlaid yarn may extend through the knit element and between the first surface and the second surface. A secured area where the first surface and the second surfaces are secured together may be included, where the inlaid yarn is secured by loops forming the first surface and the second surface. A cushioning area may be included, where the cushioning area has a tubular construction such that the first surface and the second surface are separable, forming a cavity therebetween, and where the inlaid yarn extends through the cavity formed between the first surface and the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Enkhbat Dorjgurkhem, Derek A. Fitchett, Kristen E. Orme, Colin M. Runkle, Gagandeep Singh, Dolores S. Thompson, Erin E. Toraya
  • Publication number: 20190261739
    Abstract: An article comprises a chamber that includes a barrier formed from a polymer material. The barrier has a first portion that forms a first surface of the chamber, and a second portion that forms an opposite second surface of the chamber. The barrier forms at least one interior cavity between the first portion and the second portion. The at least one interior cavity is filled with fluid retained by the barrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Danielle L. Taylor, Dolores S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 10327507
    Abstract: An article comprises a chamber that includes a barrier formed from a polymer material. The barrier has a first portion that forms a first surface of the chamber, and a second portion that forms an opposite second surface of the chamber. The barrier forms at least one interior cavity between the first portion and the second portion. The at least one interior cavity is filled with fluid retained by the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Danielle L. Taylor, Dolores S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 10188174
    Abstract: Sole structures for articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include a sole structure having a relatively soft and lightweight foam midsole component partially covered by at least one more rigid and/or dense cage (protective) component(s) and/or other protective component(s). The sole structures may include a first portion configured to support at least a heel and midfoot area of a wearer's foot, and an exposed outer edge of this first portion may include a billows structure that extends continuously from a medical midfoot or forefoot area of the sole structure to a lateral midfoot or forefoot area. This billows structure may include fewer than five billow outer ridges connected by billow interstitial areas located between adjacent billow outer ridges. Billow thickness at a rear end of the first portion may be larger than the thickness at a front end of the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Matthew J. Holmes, Troy C. Lindner, Benjamin Nethongkome, Dolores S. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20180125162
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a barrier that has a first portion that includes a first outer surface, and a second portion that includes a second outer surface. The barrier includes a first and a second interior cavity between the first portion and the second portion. The barrier includes a bond that secures an inner surface of the first portion to the second portion and separates the first and the second interior cavity. An outsole is secured to the second outer surface, and includes a first outsole portion extending under the first interior cavity, and a second outsole portion extending under the second interior cavity and separated from the first outsole portion by a gap, with the bond aligned with and overlying the gap such that the second outer surface is exposed between the first outsole portion and the second outsole portion at the bond.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Danielle L. Taylor, Dolores S. Thompson, Frederick J. Dojan
  • Patent number: 9894959
    Abstract: An article comprises a chamber that includes a barrier formed from a polymer material. The barrier has a first portion that forms a first surface of the chamber, and a second portion that forms an opposite second surface of the chamber. The barrier forms at least one interior cavity between the first portion and the second portion. The at least one interior cavity is filled with fluid retained by the barrier. Tethers of different configurations operatively connect the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Danielle L. Taylor, Dolores S. Thompson, Frederick J. Dojan
  • Publication number: 20180014605
    Abstract: An article comprises a chamber that includes a barrier formed from a polymer material. The barrier has a first portion that forms a first surface of the chamber, and a second portion that forms an opposite second surface of the chamber. The barrier forms at least one interior cavity between the first portion and the second portion. The at least one interior cavity is filled with fluid retained by the barrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Danielle L. Taylor, Dolores S. Thompson