Patents by Inventor Eric P. Avar

Eric P. Avar 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: 20260305760
    Abstract: An article of footwear can include an upper and a sole member coupled to the upper, where the sole member comprises a plurality of spaced apart apertures extending through the sole member. The article of footwear can further include a plurality of individual sensory nodes, where each sensory node has a first end coupled directly to the upper and an opposite, second end configured to engage with a ground surface. Each sensory node is configured to translate freely within a respective aperture of the sole member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2026
    Publication date: October 8, 2026
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Gi Woong Bak, Michael Berger, John T. Brenteson, Stephanie Cacioppo, Murphy Patrick Carroll, Kara Gapon, Kevin W. Hoffer, Sean Lu, Todd W. Miller, Benjamin Monfils, Oluwatimilehin Oshinowo, Christopher J Page, Bryan K. Youngs, Ki Jong Byun, Han Oul Kim, Yeongon Kim, DongJun Lee, Jaemoon Park, Sang Cherl Park, Jong Chul Seo
  • Publication number: 20260305759
    Abstract: An article of footwear can include a sole member including a foot-facing surface, a ground-facing surface opposite the foot-facing surface, and a plurality of apertures extending through the sole member. The article can include a fabric layer arranged across the foot-facing surface of the sole member and a plurality of sensory nodes, each sensory node extending through a respective aperture and having an upper end attached to the ground-facing surface of the fabric layer. The article can include a plurality of visible indicators disposed on the foot-facing surface of the fabric layer, where each visible indicator is aligned with a respective sensory node of the plurality of sensory nodes and identifies a location of the respective sensory node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2026
    Publication date: October 8, 2026
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Gi Woong Bak, Michael Berger, John T. Brenteson, Stephanie Cacioppo, Murphy Patrick Carroll, Kara Gapon, Kevin W. Hoffer, Sean Lu, Todd W. Miller, Benjamin Monfils, Oluwatimilehin Oshinowo, Christopher J Page, Bryan K. Youngs, Ki Jong Byun, Han Oul Kim, Yeongon Kim, DongJun Lee, Jaemoon Park, Sang Cherl Park, Jong Chul Seo
  • Patent number: 12690645
    Abstract: A footwear assembly can comprise, an upper, a lace cable, a plurality of lace guides and a tensioner. The tensioner can comprise an elastic member extending between two lace guides of the plurality of lace guides, an elastic member extending between first and second portions of the upper, an elastic member extending between a portion of the upper and a lace guide of the plurality of lace guides, a heel channel connected to a heel portion of the upper and configured to facilitate access to an interior space, an elastic member coupled to the footwear assembly that functions to smooth out a torque versus lace displacement curve during tightening of the lace cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2026
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Summer L. Schneider, Narissa Chang, Eric P. Avar, Thomas G. Bell, Christopher Andon
  • Publication number: 20260068994
    Abstract: An article of footwear and method of manufacturing includes a midsole, an upper, secured with respect to the midsole, forming an opening to admit a foot of a wearer, the opening being adjustable between a first segment of the upper and a second segment of the upper to secure the article of footwear to the foot of the wearer, and a slidable securing device. The slidable securing device is coupled between the first segment and the second segment of the upper, configured to slide along a length of track and secure the first and second segments together. A motorized lacing system engages with a lace to increase and decrease tension on the lace. The lace is secured to the slidable securing device, and when tension is placed on the lace, the lace causes the slidable securing device to slide along the track and secure the first and second segments together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2025
    Publication date: March 12, 2026
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Summer L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 12471678
    Abstract: An article of footwear and method of manufacturing includes a midsole, an upper, secured with respect to the midsole, forming an opening to admit a foot of a wearer, the opening being adjustable between a first segment of the upper and a second segment of the upper to secure the article of footwear to the foot of the wearer, and a slidable securing device. The slidable securing device is coupled between the first segment and the second segment of the upper, configured to slide along a length of track and secure the first and second segments together. A motorized lacing system engages with a lace to increase and decrease tension on the lace. The lace is secured to the slidable securing device, and when tension is placed on the lace, the lace causes the slidable securing device to slide along the track and secure the first and second segments together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2025
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Summer L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 12376653
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus related to an automated footwear platform including an actuator assembly for controlling a footwear lacing apparatus are discussed. In an example, an actuator assembly can include an actuator frame with a plurality of integrated actuators. The actuator frame is adapted to interconnect elements of the actuator assembly, the actuator frame including a width, a length, and a thickness where the width and length form an exterior surface and an interior surface separated by the thickness. The plurality of actuators are integrated into the actuator frame, each actuator of the plurality of actuators including an actuator head extending from the exterior surface and a button interface extending from the backside of the actuator head through the interior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2025
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Narissa Chang, Fanny Yung Ho
  • Patent number: D1091092
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2025
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Tobie D. Hatfield, Andrew Zubko
  • Patent number: D1094984
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2025
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Tobie D. Hatfield, Andrew Zubko
  • Patent number: D1094991
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2025
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Tobie D. Hatfield, Andrew Zubko
  • Patent number: D1098686
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2025
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Tobie D. Hatfield, Andrew Zubko
  • Patent number: D1101372
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2025
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Tobie D. Hatfield, Andrew Zubko
  • Patent number: D1111357
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2026
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Tobie D. Hatfield, Andrew Zubko
  • Patent number: D1111360
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2026
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Michael Berger, Stephanie N. Cacioppo, Kara Gapon, Kevin W. Hoffer, Oluwatimilehin Oshinowo, David Stasiuk, Bryan K. Youngs
  • Patent number: D1111361
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2026
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Michael Berger, Stephanie N. Cacioppo, Kara Gapon, Kevin W. Hoffer, Oluwatimilehin Oshinowo, David Stasiuk, Bryan K. Youngs
  • Patent number: D1113104
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2026
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Michael Berger, Stephanie N. Cacioppo, Kara Gapon, Kevin W. Hoffer, Oluwatimilehin Oshinowo, David Stasiuk, Bryan K. Youngs
  • Patent number: D1129063
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2026
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Ross Klein, Sean Lu, Chris J. Page, Bryan K. Youngs
  • Patent number: D1135343
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2026
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Evan Jones, Ross Klein, Sean Lu, Bryan K. Youngs
  • Patent number: D1145316
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2025
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2026
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Michael Berger, Stephanie N. Cacioppo, Kara Gapon, Kevin W. Hoffer, Oluwatimilehin Oshinowo, David Stasiuk, Bryan K. Youngs
  • Patent number: D1146275
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2025
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2026
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Michael Berger, Stephanie N. Cacioppo, Kara Gapon, Kevin W. Hoffer, Oluwatimilehin Oshinowo, David Stasiuk, Bryan K. Youngs
  • Patent number: D1154065
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2026
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Ross Klein, Sean Lu, Chris J. Page, Bryan K. Youngs