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 a Stretchable Upper and an Articulated Sole Structure
    Publication number: 20130000159
    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: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tobie D. Hatfield, Eric P. Avar, Jeffrey C. Pisciotta, James Meschter, Kevin Hoffer, Stann Norman Richard Sheperd, Todd Anthony Waatti
  • Interchangeable Insert System For Footwear
    Publication number: 20120304498
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Olivier Henrichot, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Article of footwear with a stretchable upper and an articulated sole structure
    Patent number: 8303885
    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: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tobie D. Hatfield, Eric P. Avar, Jeffrey C. Pisciotta, James Meschter, Kevin W. Hoffer, Stann Norman Richard Sheperd, Todd Anthony Waatti
  • Article of Footwear Having a Polygon Lug Sole Pattern
    Publication number: 20120210607
    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: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Kevin W. Hoffer, Tobie D. Hatfield
  • Article of footwear having a polygon lug sole pattern
    Patent number: 8186078
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Tobie D. Hatfield, Kevin W. Hoffer
  • Article of Footwear with Multiple Hardnesses and Method of Manufacture
    Publication number: 20120079743
    Abstract: A method of forming an article of footwear includes injecting a first material into a first cavity of a mold assembly to form a sole assembly, injecting a second material into a second cavity of the mold assembly, a first last being suspended within the second cavity, to form an upper of the article of footwear about the first last. The upper and the sole assembly are positioned in contact with one another. The upper and the sole assembly are cured and bonded together to form an article of footwear. The article of footwear is removed from the mold assembly and from the first last and allowed to expand to a first size. The article of footwear is placed on a second last having a second size that is smaller than the first size, and heated and cooled until it shrinks to the second size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Eric P. Avar, Tom Luedecke, Chiung Yao Lynn Chang
  • Article Of Footwear With Lightweight Sole Assembly
    Publication number: 20110154688
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly includes a first portion having a lower ground engaging surface, an upper surface, and a recess formed in the upper surface. The upper surface of the first portion is in contact with the upper. A second portion is seated in the recess in the first portion and has an upper surface, with the upper surface of the second portion being in contact with the upper. The second portion comprises a foam material having a density less than 0.25 g/cm3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Sui-Chieh Yu, Denis Schiller, Daniel DeSpain, David Patrick Jones, Eric P. Avar, Kevin W. Hoffer
  • Article of footwear with lightweight sole assembly
    Patent number: 7941938
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly includes a first portion having a lower ground engaging surface, an upper surface, and a recess formed in the upper surface. The upper surface of the first portion is in contact with the upper. A second portion is seated in the recess in the first portion and has an upper surface, with the upper surface of the second portion being in contact with the upper. The second portion comprises a foam material having a density less than 0.25 g/cm3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Sui-Chieh Yu, Denis Schiller, Daniel DeSpain, David Patrick Jones, Eric P. Avar, Kevin W. Hoffer
  • Footwear with Separable Upper and Sole Structure
    Publication number: 20110000104
    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: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: James A. Grove, Eric P. Avar, Bruce J. Kilgore, Michael R. Friton
  • Article Of Footwear With Multi-Directional Sole Structure
    Publication number: 20100299965
    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: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Aaron A.C. Cooper, David J. Dirsa, Thomas Foxen, Tom Luedecke
  • Article of Footwear with Multiple Hardnesses and Method of Manufacture
    Publication number: 20100287788
    Abstract: A method of forming an article of footwear includes injecting a first material into a first cavity of a mold assembly to form a sole assembly, injecting a second material into a second cavity of the mold assembly, a first last being suspended within the second cavity, to form an upper of the article of footwear about the first last. The upper and the sole assembly are positioned in contact with one another. The upper and the sole assembly are cured and bonded together to form an article of footwear. The article of footwear is removed from the mold assembly and from the first last and allowed to expand to a first size. The article of footwear is placed on a second last having a second size that is smaller than the first size, and heated and cooled until it shrinks to the second size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Eric P. Avar, Tom Luedecke, Chiung Yao Lynn Chang
  • Shoe outsole
    Patent number: D636571
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric P. Avar
  • Shoe upper
    Patent number: D636588
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric P. Avar
  • Shoe upper
    Patent number: D643615
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric P. Avar
  • Shoe upper
    Patent number: D648116
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric P. Avar
  • Shoe midsole
    Patent number: D648514
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric P. Avar
  • Shoe outsole
    Patent number: D650159
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric P. Avar
  • Shoe outsole
    Patent number: D671724
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Olivier Henrichot
  • Shoe upper
    Patent number: D675422
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Leo S. Chang, Olivier Henrichot
  • Shoe upper
    Patent number: D676228
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Leo S. Chang, Olivier Henrichot