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).

  • Article of Footwear With Lightweight Sole Assembly
    Publication number: 20170258181
    Abstract: A sole assembly for an article of footwear has a first portion having a lower ground engaging surface, an upper surface, and a recess formed in the upper surface. A second portion is seated in the recess in the first portion and has an upper surface. The second portion is formed from a first foam material prepared by a reaction product of a composition having about 10 to about 100 phr of a hydrogenated copolymer and about 10 to about 90 phr of a copolymer of ethlylene and an alpha olefin, the alpha olefin having up to 20 carbon atoms. The first foam material has a hardness of 25 to 45 Asker C and a density of less than 0.18 g/cm3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Daniel Despain, Kevin W. Hoffer, David Patrick Jones, Denis Schiller, Sui-Chieh Yu
  • Article of footwear with upper having member with support arm
    Patent number: 9713362
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure. The article of footwear further includes a first member that extends away from the sole structure. The first member at least partially defines a medial side and a lateral side of the article of footwear. Moreover, the second member has a body, a first support arm, and a second support arm. The body is attached to the first member such that the first member and the body cooperate to define a void that is configured to receive a foot. The body is also attached to the sole structure. The first support arm is attached to the first member on the medial side, and the second support arm is attached to the first member on the lateral side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan N. Farris, Tobie D. Hatfield, Eric P. Avar
  • Article Of Footwear With A Tensioning System
    Publication number: 20170202310
    Abstract: An article of footwear including a tensioning system is disclosed. The tensioning system is adjustable and includes a first layer and a second layer that is moveable and extends over the first layer. The article can include elements that are capable of distributing tension over the article. The article may include a tensile element, guide elements, and one or more strap guides attached to an underside of the second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Nadia M. Panian, Eric P. Avar
  • Footwear With Separable Upper and Sole Structure
    Publication number: 20170071281
    Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes upper and a sole structure. The upper defines an interior void that is configured to receive the sole structure and a foot. A lower surface of the upper defines a plurality of apertures, and the sole structure includes a plurality of projections that extend through the apertures to form a ground-engaging surface. The projections are connected to a foot-supporting member that remains within the upper. A locking system is incorporated into the upper and sole structure to secure the sole structure to the upper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: James A. Grove, Eric P. Avar, Bruce J. Kilgore, Michael R. Friton
  • Stability and comfort system for an article of footwear
    Patent number: 9565896
    Abstract: A stability and comfort system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The stability and comfort system includes a bootie and a sock liner. The sock liner may include a heel counter that is contoured to fit a heel. The sole of the article may include an outrigger portion. The outrigger portion can be separated from a central portion of the sole to allow the outrigger portion to move substantially independently of the central portion of the sole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Luedecke, Jeffrey C. Spanks, Matthew A. Nurse, Eric P. Avar
  • Article of footwear with a stretchable upper and an articulated sole structure
    Patent number: 9545132
    Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes at least one of a stretchable upper and an articulated sole structure. The upper may include an exterior layer and an interior layer. The exterior layer forms at least a portion of an exterior of the upper, and the exterior layer includes a plurality of incisions that extend through the exterior layer. The interior layer is located adjacent an inner surface of the exterior layer, and the interior layer is exposed through the incisions. The sole structure may include a connecting portion and a plurality of discrete sole elements. The connecting portion is positioned adjacent the upper and may extend along a longitudinal length of the upper. The sole elements extend from the connecting portion, and the sole elements are separated by a plurality of sipes that extend upward into the sole structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tobie D. Hatfield, Eric P. Avar, Jeffrey C. Pisciotta, James Meschter, Kevin Hoffer, Stann Norman Richard Sheperd, Todd Anthony Waatti
  • Footwear with separable upper and sole structure
    Patent number: 9521875
    Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes upper and a sole structure. The upper defines an interior void that is configured to receive the sole structure and a foot. A lower surface of the upper defines a plurality of apertures, and the sole structure includes a plurality of projections that extend through the apertures to form a ground-engaging surface. The projections are connected to a foot-supporting member that remains within the upper. A locking system is incorporated into the upper and sole structure to secure the sole structure to the upper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Grove, Eric P. Avar, Bruce J. Kilgore, Michael R. Friton
  • Article of footwear with multi-directional sole structure
    Patent number: 9510645
    Abstract: An article of footwear with a multi-directional sole structure including a flex groove system is disclosed. The flex groove system includes a plurality of longitudinal flex grooves and lateral flex grooves that divide the sole structure into a plurality of segments. The flex groove system also includes a plurality of diagonal flex grooves that intersect the corners of the plurality of segments. The flex grooves system can provide enhanced flexibility for the sole structure and can enhance multi-directional flexing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Aaron A C Cooper, David J. Dirsa, Thomas Foxen, Tom Luedecke
  • Interchangeable Insert System With Sleeve Members For Footwear
    Publication number: 20160338442
    Abstract: An insert system for an article of footwear includes an outer assembly, a first insert assembly and a second insert assembly. The outer assembly is configured to interchangeably receive the first insert assembly and the second insert assembly. The first insert assembly includes a first sleeve member and a first midsole configured to provide enhanced cushioning and support. The first sleeve member includes a tongue and a fastening member that wraps around the tongue. The second insert assembly includes a second sleeve member and a second midsole configured to enhance speed. The second sleeve member is open at a forefoot portion and at a heel portion. The outer assembly includes an aperture on a sidewall of an outer sole portion, where the midsole inserted within the outer assembly is visible through the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Olivier Henrichot, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR HAVING A POLYGON LUG SOLE PATTERN
    Publication number: 20160270476
    Abstract: Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) an upper; (b) a sole structure including a midsole and an outsole, the outsole having a plurality of polygonal lugs arranged about a base surface of the outsole. The outsole may include one or more regions wherein the characteristics of a portion of the lugs within a region differ from the characteristics of a portion of the lugs in another region. The lugs may differ, for example based on size, construction and/or spacing between the lugs. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Kevin W. Hoffer, Tobie D. Hatfield
  • Interchangeable insert system with sleeve members for footwear
    Patent number: 9445642
    Abstract: An insert system for an article of footwear includes an outer assembly, a first insert assembly and a second insert assembly. The outer assembly is configured to interchangeably receive the first insert assembly and the second insert assembly. The first insert assembly includes a first sleeve member and a first midsole configured to provide enhanced cushioning and support. The first sleeve member includes a tongue and a fastening member that wraps around the tongue. The second insert assembly includes a second sleeve member and a second midsole configured to enhance speed. The second sleeve member is open at a forefoot portion and at a heel portion. The outer assembly includes an aperture on a sidewall of an outer sole portion, where the midsole inserted within the outer assembly is visible through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Olivier Henrichot, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Method Including Footwear And Sock Having Aligning Indicia
    Publication number: 20160249686
    Abstract: A footwear system may include a first article of footwear including a first sole structure and a first upper secured to the first sole structure, the first upper defining a first opening configured to receive a foot of a wearer. The first upper may include a first indicia portion disposed adjacent to the first opening. In addition, the system may include a sock including a second indicia portion, wherein, when the sock is worn by the wearer on a foot received within the upper, one or more features of the second indicia portion are substantially aligned with one or more features of the first indicia portion on the upper to form a first indicia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Nadia M. Panian, Eric P. Avar
  • Article With Sole Structure Having Multiple Components
    Publication number: 20160051012
    Abstract: An article of footwear has a sole structure with multiple components. The sole structure includes a midsole member, an outsole member and an exterior support member. The midsole member and the outsole member have corresponding grooves. The exterior support member provides reinforcement for the midsole member. The outsole member includes a plurality of bristle members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Nadia M. Panian, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Shoe upper
    Patent number: D767268
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric P. Avar
  • Shoe upper
    Patent number: D767870
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric P. Avar
  • Shoe upper
    Patent number: D767871
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric P. Avar
  • Shoe upper
    Patent number: D769600
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric P. Avar
  • Shoe
    Patent number: D779184
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Leo S. Chang, Erick Goto
  • Shoe outsole
    Patent number: D793688
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Nadia M. Panian
  • Shoe upper
    Patent number: D797432
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Nadia M. Panian