Patents by Inventor Doug D. Wilken

Doug D. Wilken 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: 11974631
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a bladder defining a peripheral chamber and a heel chamber fluidly isolated from the peripheral chamber. The peripheral chamber is configured as an elongated tube, and has a heel portion establishing a rear periphery of the bladder, a lateral arm portion extending from the heel portion and establishing a lateral periphery of the bladder, and a medial arm portion extending from the heel portion and establishing a medial periphery of the bladder. The bladder includes webbing connecting the heel chamber to the peripheral chamber, with the heel chamber disposed between the medial arm portion and the lateral arm portion and forward of the peripheral chamber in a heel region of the bladder. The bladder may include additional forefoot and midfoot chambers having specific shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Zachary M. Elder, Jeffery C. Gagatko, II, Roger Paul Murphy, ChunHong Wang, Doug D. Wilken
  • Patent number: 11910881
    Abstract: A closure mechanism for an article of footwear is provided. The article of footwear having an upper comprising a lateral sidewall and a medial sidewall, a vamp, an ankle opening, a first tension member, a second tension member, and a slider. The first tension member being coupled to the lateral sidewall portion and the second tension member being coupled to the medial sidewall at each of a first end near the vamp, an intermediate point at the ankle opening, and a second end. The slider may be coupled to and movable along the tension members from a first position at the vamp to a second position at the ankle opening, such that moving the slider from the first position to the second position operatively reduces a maximum size of the ankle opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Althea R. Fyfe, Doug D. Wilken
  • Patent number: 11707105
    Abstract: An article of footwear with a knitted component including an upper and an integral knit ankle cuff is provided. The upper and the ankle cuff are formed as a one-piece knit element. The knit element forms a portion of an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper, with the interior surface forming a void for receiving a foot. The ankle cuff is formed of unitary knit construction with the upper as a one-piece knit element and extends above a throat area of the upper. The ankle cuff includes malleolus zones on medial and lateral sides to correspond with the ankle bones of a wearer. The knit component further incorporates features to assist with providing entry for a foot of a wear, providing comfort to a wearer, and to assist with orientation of the upper of the article of footwear when being worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Denis Dekovic, John Droege, Windra Fahmi, Jeongwoo Lee, Daniel A. Podhajny, Karl Seamarks, Doug D. Wilken
  • Publication number: 20230225455
    Abstract: A bladder for an article of footwear extends from an anterior end to a posterior end and includes a first chamber disposed in an interior region of the bladder and a second chamber at least partially surrounding the first chamber. The first chamber includes a first interior void having a first pressure and the second chamber includes a second interior void having a second pressure. In some implementations, the second chamber includes a plurality of lobes arranged in series and each having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the second end. Each lobe has a greater thickness at the intermediate portion than at the first end and the second end, such that each lobe tapers from the intermediate portion to the first end and the second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Wesley K. Chan, Nate Durflinger, Zachary M. Elder, Jonathan Kosenick, Lee D. Peyton, Doug D. Wilken
  • Patent number: 11700906
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a first midsole body and a second midsole body. The first midsole body defines a ground-facing surface and a foot-facing surface opposite the ground-facing surface and includes a first midsole material, which has a first hardness. The second midsole body extends through the first midsole body. As such, the second midsole body extends beyond the ground-facing surface of the first midsole body. The second midsole body includes a second midsole material, which has a second hardness, and the first hardness is greater than the second hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Sung Joo B. Hartenstein, Doug D. Wilken
  • Patent number: 11638463
    Abstract: A bladder for an article of footwear extends from an anterior end to a posterior end and includes a first chamber disposed in an interior region of the bladder and a second chamber at least partially surrounding the first chamber. The first chamber includes a first interior void having a first pressure and the second chamber includes a second interior void having a second pressure. In some implementations, the second chamber includes a plurality of lobes arranged in series and each having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the second end. Each lobe has a greater thickness at the intermediate portion than at the first end and the second end, such that each lobe tapers from the intermediate portion to the first end and the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Wesley K. Chan, Nate Durflinger, Zachary M. Elder, Jonathan Kosenick, Lee D. Peyton, Doug D. Wilken
  • Patent number: 11602198
    Abstract: A cable lock adapted to temporarily maintain a static position along a cable strung through an article of footwear or apparel includes a housing and a compliant insert. The housing defines an aperture and is formed from a first material. The aperture extends through a thickness of the housing to provide access to the cable. The insert is provided at least partially within the aperture and defining an opening, the insert formed from a second material that is softer than the first material, the insert includes a plurality of cable engaging features extending radially inward from a perimeter of the aperture, the plurality of cable engaging features being adapted to deflect away from a neutral, unstressed plane when a cable is drawn through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Althea R. Fyfe, Doug D. Wilken
  • Patent number: 11586164
    Abstract: An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole system secured to the upper. The sole system includes a bladder member with an illumination device. The bladder member is formed from at least a partially transparent or colored outer polymer layer that encloses a fluid. The illumination device is located within the sole system. Light from the illumination device may pass out the sole system by passing through the bladder member, thereby imparting the configuration of an illuminable fluid-filled bladder member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Parluhutan Siagian, Doug D. Wilken
  • Publication number: 20220256962
    Abstract: An article of footwear with a knitted component including an upper and an integral knit ankle cuff is provided. The upper and the ankle cuff are formed as a one-piece knit element. The knit element forms a portion of an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper, with the interior surface forming a void for receiving a foot. The ankle cuff is formed of unitary knit construction with the upper as a one-piece knit element and extends above a throat area of the upper. The ankle cuff includes malleolus zones on medial and lateral sides to correspond with the ankle bones of a wearer. The knit component further incorporates features to assist with providing entry for a foot of a wear, providing comfort to a wearer, and to assist with orientation of the upper of the article of footwear when being worn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Denis Dekovic, John Droege, Windra Fahmi, Jeongwoo Lee, Daniel A. Podhajny, Karl Seamarks, Doug D. Wilken
  • Publication number: 20220256963
    Abstract: An article of footwear with a knitted component including an upper and an integral knit ankle cuff is provided. The upper and the ankle cuff are formed as a one-piece knit element. The knit element forms a portion of an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper, with the interior surface forming a void for receiving a foot. The ankle cuff is formed of unitary knit construction with the upper as a one-piece knit element and extends above a throat area of the upper. The ankle cuff includes malleolus zones on medial and lateral sides to correspond with the ankle bones of a wearer. The knit component further incorporates features to assist with providing entry for a foot of a wear, providing comfort to a wearer, and to assist with orientation of the upper of the article of footwear when being worn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Denis Dekovic, John Droege, Windra Fahmi, Jeongwoo Lee, Daniel A. Podhajny, Karl Seamarks, Doug D. Wilken
  • Publication number: 20220202136
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a bladder defining a peripheral chamber and a heel chamber fluidly isolated from the peripheral chamber. The peripheral chamber is configured as an elongated tube, and has a heel portion establishing a rear periphery of the bladder, a lateral arm portion extending from the heel portion and establishing a lateral periphery of the bladder, and a medial arm portion extending from the heel portion and establishing a medial periphery of the bladder. The bladder includes webbing connecting the heel chamber to the peripheral chamber, with the heel chamber disposed between the medial arm portion and the lateral arm portion and forward of the peripheral chamber in a heel region of the bladder. The bladder may include additional forefoot and midfoot chambers having specific shapes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Zachary M. Elder, Jeffery C. Gagatko, II, Roger Paul Murphy, ChunHong Wang, Doug D. Wilken
  • Publication number: 20210392995
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a first midsole body and a second midsole body. The first midsole body defines a ground-facing surface and a foot-facing surface opposite the ground-facing surface and includes a first midsole material, which has a first hardness. The second midsole body extends through the first midsole body. As such, the second midsole body extends beyond the ground-facing surface of the first midsole body. The second midsole body includes a second midsole material, which has a second hardness, and the first hardness is greater than the second hardness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Sung Joo B. Hartenstein, Doug D. Wilken
  • Publication number: 20210337932
    Abstract: A cable lock adapted to temporarily maintain a static position along a cable strung through an article of footwear or apparel includes a housing and a compliant insert. The housing defines an aperture and is formed from a first material. The aperture extends through a thickness of the housing to provide access to the cable. The insert is provided at least partially within the aperture and defining an opening, the insert formed from a second material that is softer than the first material, the insert comprising a plurality of cable engaging features extending radially inward from a perimeter of the aperture, the plurality of cable engaging features being adapted to deflect away from a neutral, unstressed plane when a cable is drawn through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Althea R. Fyfe, Doug D. Wilken
  • Publication number: 20210307456
    Abstract: A closure mechanism for an article of footwear is provided. The article of footwear having an upper comprising a lateral sidewall and a medial sidewall, a vamp, an ankle opening, a first tension member, a second tension member, and a slider. The first tension member being coupled to the lateral sidewall portion and the second tension member being coupled to the medial sidewall at each of a first end near the vamp, an intermediate point at the ankle opening, and a second end. The slider may be coupled to and movable along the tension members from a first position at the vamp to a second position at the ankle opening, such that moving the slider from the first position to the second position operatively reduces a maximum size of the ankle opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Althea R. Fyfe, Doug D. Wilken
  • Patent number: 11134745
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a first midsole body and a second midsole body. The first midsole body defines a ground-facing surface and a foot-facing surface opposite the ground-facing surface and includes a first midsole material, which has a first hardness. The second midsole body extends through the first midsole body. As such, the second midsole body extends beyond the ground-facing surface of the first midsole body. The second midsole body includes a second midsole material, which has a second hardness, and the first hardness is greater than the second hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Sung Joo B. Hartenstein, Doug D. Wilken
  • Patent number: D929100
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Nate Durflinger, Zachary M. Elder, Jonathan Kosenick, Wil Sixour, Doug D. Wilken
  • Patent number: D929723
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Nate Durflinger, Zachary M. Elder, Jonathan Kosenick, Wil Sixour, Doug D. Wilken
  • Patent number: D929724
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Nate Durflinger, Zachary M. Elder, Jonathan Kosenick, Wil Sixour, Doug D. Wilken
  • Patent number: D929725
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Nate Durflinger, Zachary M. Elder, Jonathan Kosenick, Wil Sixour, Doug D. Wilken
  • Patent number: D929726
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Nate Durflinger, Zachary M. Elder, Jonathan Kosenick, Wil Sixour, Doug D. Wilken